Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Staying Vigilant

When this topic came up, Hua Linye’s expression suddenly changed.

The lazy, seductive smile on his face disappeared, and his gaze instantly became cold and somber.

He silently started working, no longer speaking.

His father’s death was an untouchable subject in his heart.

Xiao Jihan gently sighed, also remained silent, and continued working.

...

Meanwhile, Wen Nanxi stayed with Su Muyao, helping her with tasks.

After tidying up the kitchen, Wen Nanxi helped Su Muyao with curing the bacon.

Observing Wen Nanxi’s demeanor, Su Muyao thought he had a really good temperament, warm and gentle.

Such a person couldn’t possibly fight with anyone!

Moreover, he gave a very comfortable and warm feeling.

Even though he didn’t know what she was planning to do, he followed her directions silently.

Su Muyao explained, "Once the bacon is cured, and smoked, it can be placed on the stove. Everyday when cooking, the smoke helps it last longer. During the snow season, if you want meat, you can just slice the bacon."

Wen Nanxi paused as he sprinkled salt on the pork, "Smoked meat?"

Wen Nanxi knew of methods like roasting, extracting oil, boiling, even curing meat, but had never heard of using smoke.

Her method of processing food was quite unique.

Su Muyao nodded, "Yes, smoked meat ends up with tender lean meat and juicy flavorful fatty portions."

"It can be used for fried rice, braised rice, smoked meat pies, and other dishes."

In her mind, she had endless recipes, changing variations daily to make delicious food.

She always felt dumplings cooked over a fire had an exceptionally fragrant aroma.

Much better than the high-tech gas from the apocalypse days.

As she spoke of these things, Su Muyao’s eyes sparkled brightly, filled with anticipation, glowing vividly.

Wen Nanxi watched her warmly, patiently listening to her talk.

As Su Muyao spoke, she gradually noticed the herbs boiling in the clay pot.

Once the decoction was ready, she poured it out with cloth, let it cool to a suitable temperature, and said to Hua Linye, busy in the corner, "Hua Linye, time to take your medicine!"

Originally, Su Muyao wanted to bring it over to him.

But seeing Mei Qingchen beside him, she instinctively wanted to retreat.

So she called Hua Linye over to take the medicine.

Hua Linye was quietly working, submerged in memories of his father, when suddenly he heard a voice.

He instinctively turned toward the voice and saw Su Muyao illuminated by moonlight.

Her eyes seemed to be filled with moonlight, her voice soft, sweet, and sticky.

Hua Linye’s heart trembled involuntarily, feeling a surge of undefined emotions.

He put down the stone in his hand and quickly walked over.

"Did wife prepare medicine for me?"

Su Muyao nodded, "Yes, the medicine for Fire Poison, take it twice a day, morning and evening, it helps you recover faster."

"It’s the right temperature, drink it quickly!"

Looking into her clear bright eyes, Hua Linye unconsciously moved his fingers and accepted the bowl of medicine.

He couldn’t help but ask with concern, "Did you burn your hand just now?"

"No, quickly drink it!"

Hua Linye gulped it down quickly.

After finishing, he looked at her with expectant eyes.

Su Muyao was a bit taken aback by his expression.

"What is it?"

Hua Linye’s sly eyes narrowed, his lips curled slightly, "Wife hasn’t given me any candy yet."

Su Muyao was stunned.

She almost forgot.

Hua Linye appeared sad and aggrieved, speaking in a lazy, hoarse voice, "Growing up, only wife ever gave me candy."

Seeing Hua Linye’s pitiful expression and recalling his childhood image she saw in her Spirit Sea, Su Muyao felt a rare moment of softness, she took out candy from her space and handed it to him.

Hua Linye’s face finally brightened with a smile.

"I knew wife cared about me."

Su Muyao’s mouth twitched, she wanted to say it wasn’t like that at all.

"Ahem, after taking your medicine, go rest!"

Hua Linye saw Su Muyao’s expression, his mouth curved into an amused arc.

Wife’s current demeanor was both intriguing and cute.

"Wife’s medicine is truly effective, after taking it this morning, I felt very comfortable."

This wasn’t a lie; he genuinely felt lighter and no longer affected by the Fire Poison.

There was no burning pain caused by the Fire Poison.

He wondered whether it was wife’s guidance of his Spirit Sea yesterday or the medicine’s effect.

In any case, Wife was no longer a useless person.

She seemed wrapped in a mysterious veil, harboring secrets that couldn’t be explored.

"It’s good that it’s effective."

As she said this, Su Muyao started preparing medicine again; she needed to brew medicine for herself.

The poison in her body also needed clearing.

"Is there anything wife needs me to do to help?"

At that moment, Hua Linye seemed glued to Su Muyao.

If it were before, he would have quickly stuck to and embraced her.

But now, as Hua Linye approached, Su Muyao subtly maintained distance from him, afraid of touching him.

Listening to his words, Su Muyao thought for a moment, "Could you help me make some medicine grinding tools?"

"Like mortars and grinders; I’m thinking of making some insect repellent and hemostatic medicine bags to sell at the mutual market, to earn some Crystal Coins."

Hua Linye showed a puzzled expression, asking, "Why does wife need to earn Crystal Coins?"

Wasn’t there enough to eat and use daily?

What else was needed?

Su Muyao replied, "With Crystal Coins, you can buy some daily necessities."

There was nothing secretive about it.

Anyway, when they go to the city’s mutual market to sell items in days to come, they’d need Hua Linye and others for protection.

The road from the tribe to the nearest city wasn’t safe, dangers could arise anytime.

And she couldn’t always rely on them; apart from wanting to improve her superpower strength, she also needed to earn enough Crystal Coins.

Hua Linye paused for a moment, suddenly remembering, they each actually had a dowry.

But each person’s dowry was kept separately, never considered to be given to Su Muyao.

This was because she previously treated them so terribly.

...

Mei Qingchen, stacking stones, heard this conversation and moments later revealed an incredulous expression.

Fire Poison?

Hua Linye’s Fire Poison was incurable, yet Su Muyao somehow had a solution.

Earlier, she said her own poison could be cured by herself, he hadn’t believed her.

Could it possibly be true?

No, how could it be.

But recalling how she was able to repair a Lifebound Sword, maybe possessing witch doctor’s ability was possible.

Mei Qingchen watched Su Muyao under the moonlight, his eyes turned dark.

Yet upon considering something, his radiant phoenix eyes became darker by shades, slender lashes slightly fluttered, casting a shadow over the coldness in his eyes.

Regardless of everything, he would stay on guard against her.

Wen Nanxi and the others dared to eat the food she prepared.

When their vigilance waned, one wouldn’t know when she might drug them again.

His mouth curled into a cold sneer, addressing Xiao Jihan, "Su Muyao’s cooking up another scheme, trying to ask for the dowry or Crystal Coins."

Earlier, Su Muyao tried to make them surrender all the dowry money and treasures.

The initial property and valuables they had given were squandered by her in attempts to curry favor with others.