Time passed bit by bit as Bai Ina clumsily washed the various vegetables off to the side.
To be honest, Bai Ina had barely ever done this sort of thing... With Loxi, who could handle every household chore, around, Bai Ina had basically lived like a pig—food brought to his mouth, clothes put on for him...
Seeing this, Cook shook his head. After pondering for a while, he suddenly asked, "You learned swordsmanship before, didn't you?"
Bai Ina's hands paused. He turned to look at Cook, his gaze slightly cold.
"Don't look at me like that. You carry the aura of a swordsman, and your hands tell me... these are hands that have held a sword for a long time." Cook paid no mind to the chill in Bai Ina's eyes and continued chopping vegetables, his movements incomparably smooth.
Moreover, the vegetables he cut—whether radishes or anything else—were all nearly identical in size.
Understanding flashed through Bai Ina's eyes. He studied Cook's face briefly, then turned back and continued washing the vegetables.
Cook did not press him further. Without even raising his head, he said, "Can't hold a blade anymore?"
Bai Ina's movements stalled again. A trace of despondency crossed his face, and he nodded lightly.
From the corner of his eye, Cook caught the gloom on Bai Ina's face and slowly shook his head. "I don't know what made you put down the blade you loved, but you're still young. If you truly like it, then overcome everything and pick it back up." As he spoke, he gave a somewhat self-mocking smile. "Though I'm hardly qualified to lecture you. Me now... aren't I just like you..."
"Hm?"
Bai Ina let out a soft sound of surprise and immediately turned toward Cook. After hesitating, he asked, "Why?"
"Heh, so you