The girl froze.
She looked at the teacup being held out to her.
"Have some water."
The Eminent Monk smiled.
"Your voice sounds a little hoarse."
The girl blinked sluggishly.
She tilted her head slightly and looked at the Eminent Monk.
The Eminent Monk's smile didn't change.
He gave a slight nod.
The girl slowly reached out and took the teacup from the Eminent Monk.
The girl lowered her head.
First, she carefully took a small sip.
The tea had cooled to lukewarm.
But it wasn't cold.
The girl lifted her chin and drank all the water in the cup.
She really was thirsty.
"Would you like some more?"
The Eminent Monk asked gently.
The girl looked up.
Some of the haze had lifted from her large pupils, leaving them a little clearer.
She pressed her lips together.
Then she gave a tiny nod.
A hint of amusement flickered in the Eminent Monk's eyes.
He brought the girl another cup of tea.
After another cup of tea, the dryness in the girl's mouth had eased considerably.
The girl smiled faintly.
"Would you like some more?"
The Eminent Monk asked again.
This time, the girl shook her head.
She was just about to speak—
"Grrr..."
The girl immediately pressed a hand to her stomach.
A flush quickly spread across her pale face.
She didn't dare look at the Eminent Monk.
She felt terribly embarrassed.
Her stomach had actually growled in front of someone she didn't know...
The girl wished a crack would open in the floor so she could crawl into it.
The Eminent Monk's tone was gentle.
"Are you hungry?"
"I'll ask someone to bring you something to eat."
"No!"
The girl immediately looked up.
Her face