A Hearty Lunch

"Dugu Qing, have you eaten breakfast? Would you like me to make you something?"

Fern rose gracefully and looked at Dugu Qing with concern, not at all worried about dirtying her new clothes. She was as attentive as a devoted young wife, caring for him in every way.

"I ate two boiled eggs." Dugu Qing noticed nothing.

"What a coincidence. I ate two boiled eggs too."

A ripple passed through Fern's beautiful eyes as she gazed ardently at Dugu Qing.

"Boiled eggs save time and effort, keep for several days, and are nutritious. They really do taste good." To avoid an awkward silence, Dugu Qing began sharing his experience of daily life.

"That's true." As long as she was chatting with Dugu Qing, Fern was happy no matter what they talked about.

"Where's Frieren?"

"She's still asleep."

"Ah!" Dugu Qing was startled. It was already eight, and Frieren still wasn't up. Could she be sick?

"Lady Frieren is always like this. Dugu Qing, let's go for a walk!"

Fern held her hands behind her waist, her arms crossing, fingertips resting lightly as they slowly brushed her opposite arm. The movement was gentle and restrained.

"All right."

Dugu Qing opened the door and went outside.

Fern looked back and glanced upstairs.

She had never considered sleeping in a virtue.

Now, she silently made a wish, hoping Frieren would sleep a little longer—preferably until evening.

She absolutely, absolutely must not disturb her time alone with Dugu Qing.

"Dugu Qing, have you always been alone?"

Walking shoulder to shoulder with Dugu Qing, Fern felt that he was full of secrets and was eager to know everything about him.

"Yes. Ever since my parents passed away, I've stayed in the forest, training in magic and swordsmanship."

"The sword? You can use a sword too? Do you want to become a hero?"

Fern frowned slightly.

Heroes fought greater demons and protected world peace, growing through blood and fire. It was hardly a safe profession!

"Although I can use a sword and magic, I don't want to be a hero who's a hopelessly good person."

Dugu Qing knew the story of the hero Himmel. He would never sacrifice his own interests for the sake of world peace.

"Oh."

Fern gave a faint reply, feeling somewhat reassured.

Now she wouldn't have to be constantly worried about Dugu Qing charging to the front and getting hurt. Hooray!

"Dugu Qing, are there any dishes you'd like to eat? I'll make them for you the next time you come."

The responsibility of saving the world was too heavy, so Fern easily switched to a lighter topic.

"I like big plate chicken, spicy dry pot, Sichuan boiled pork, fish with pickled mustard greens..."

Perhaps because he had eaten too little that morning, Dugu Qing rattled off a long list of dishes.

"Ah! I've never heard of any of those."

Fern had never heard of them and shook her head gently.

"It's fine, I'll make them. We've got nothing to do right now anyway, so let's go make lunch!"

Dugu Qing stopped walking.

Their first walk came to an uneventful end.

Fern nodded in disappointment and went home with a pout.

The ingredients Dugu Qing needed—chicken, fish fillets, chicken tenders, pork, meat rolls, tempura, meatballs, cilantro, kelp, spinach...

Were taken out of the storeroom.

Dugu Qing hadn't cooked in a long time and had been craving good food for days.

Now, with Fern beside him and Frieren upstairs, it could be said that everyone was looking forward to it.

Dugu Qing picked up an iron wok and showed off his cooking skills.

Before long, a wonderful aroma of meat wafted through both floors of Heiter's house.

Frieren had just gotten up when she smelled the delicious, enticing aroma. She swallowed, quickly bathed and dressed, then went downstairs and sat at the dining table.

She waited for the meal to begin.

Heiter was in poor health and usually stayed in his study without moving.

But Dugu Qing's cooking smelled so good that the aroma spread for miles and lingered throughout the building, making him itch with anticipation.

He leaned on his cane and made his way unsteadily downstairs.

He sat down at the dining table ahead of time.

As noon approached, Dugu Qing finished cooking.

Fern brought the dishes to the table: big plate chicken, spicy dry pot, Sichuan boiled pork, fish with pickled mustard greens, boiled corn, and seaweed and egg drop soup.

Plate after plate of delicious, tempting food, rich with oil and deep-colored sauce and sending up clouds of steam, filled the entire dining table.

"It smells delicious."

Looking at the lively scene in his home, Heiter once again felt how good it was to be alive.

Frieren hadn't eaten that morning, and her stomach was empty. Unable to resist, she reached out and secretly ate a large shrimp, leaving telltale grease on her lips.

"The last dish is ready."

A moment later, Dugu Qing sat down with the after-meal dessert he had casually made.

"I didn't expect Dugu Qing to be such an excellent cook at such a young age."

Heiter looked at Dugu Qing appreciatively.

"Fern deserves some credit too. Fern, thanks for helping me out. I couldn't have done it otherwise!"

Dugu Qing looked at Fern with approval.

Fern nodded, honored. "You're welcome."

Frieren's stomach was screaming. She picked up her chopsticks, took a slice of Sichuan boiled pork, and officially began eating.

The savory, numbing-hot slice of meat was coated in broth and melted in her mouth.

Frieren's appetite surged. She picked up a rice bowl and filled it with a heaping serving of rice. Adrenaline coursed through her as she dug in with all her might.

Half an hour later.

The delicious food on the table had been swept clean.

Dugu Qing was stuffed and lay lazily on the sofa to rest.

Heiter looked at Dugu Qing and praised him repeatedly.

"Wonderful! Wonderful! It's been a long time since I've enjoyed a meal this much."

"Lord Heiter, I remembered how Dugu Qing made the dishes. If you want to eat them, I can make them."

Fern patted her chest and volunteered.

"Having them once in a while is enough. If I eat too much, my body won't be able to digest it."

Heiter rose, leaning on his cane.

Fern reached out to support him, afraid he would fall.

Heiter steadied himself and invited Dugu Qing.

"Dugu Qing, shall we go upstairs and have a chat?"

"You need me for something else?"

Dugu Qing got up and reluctantly followed the unfamiliar old man into the study on the second floor.

As soon as they entered, Heiter could no longer maintain the imposing image he had strained to uphold.

He leaned against the wall and breathed heavily for several minutes before recovering a little of his strength.

"Do you want me to use healing magic?"

Dugu Qing looked at Heiter sympathetically and took the Holy Scripture out of his pocket.

"No, there's no need. I know my own body. It isn't injured; it's just been numbed by alcohol. On top of that, I'm old, and my life force is running out. Magic can't save me."

Heiter carefully made his way to the desk, took a key from his pocket, unlocked and opened a drawer, and took out a dark brown Holy Scripture and a notebook.

"Dugu Qing, you've heard of the Goddess of Creation, haven't you? I'd like to know what you think of her."

According to legend, the Goddess of Creation had created the entire world. She was omniscient and omnipotent, holy and flawless.

Dugu Qing had come from the physical world and was quite fond of the Goddess of Creation.

He sat down in a chair and spoke frankly about his view of the goddess.

"The goddess? A lot of people say she's fake. But when people are confused and lost, quite a few pray to her. So sometimes, I believe in the goddess too, and let her guide me out of my troubles."