Ye Ziling had been drinking medicine for several days, her mouth was bitter, and all food tasted bitter. She hadn't had much appetite either, and was actually woken up by hunger in the middle of the night.
The food had long been cleared away, and by this hour, everyone was probably asleep. She had no choice but to get up with difficulty, light a candle, and go to the kitchen.
Ye Ziling looked at the ingredients on the stove, glancing at them briefly, but had no idea where to start.
Thinking back, she had never entered a kitchen in all these years, nor did she know how these ingredients turned into dishes.
Up to now, nothing had stumped her, but this kitchen truly posed a challenge.
Suddenly, a cool breeze blew past, and a slender figure appeared outside the door.
He had refined features and a noble demeanor, and a casual smile played on his lips.
Seeing Ye Ziling frowning as she pondered over a pile of ingredients, Bai Yu instantly understood her predicament.
"Even the Divine Maiden has moments of being stumped?" the man turned to her, understanding dawning in his eyes, and chuckled lightly.
Ye Ziling's expression remained impassive, but her brow still furrowed in spite of herself.
She wouldn't even flinch if a knife were to strike her, yet she was stumped by a few simple dishes.
Seeing that she hadn't been eating much these past few days, Bai Yu walked to her side, casually rolled up his sleeves, picked up a few ingredients, and began to work at the chopping board.
Ye Ziling, seeing his practiced movements, wisely stepped aside and watched him with a serious expression, finding it quite amusing.
"A celestial scholar from the heavens, reduced to being a cook for a mortal. Does Lord Bai Yu not care about his image?"
Bai Yu didn't look at her, but continued to chop vegetables with a light smile, unhurriedly replying, "Divine Maiden Tu Yao, you misunderstand. I am not cooking for a mortal."
Seeing that the fire in the stove was almost extinguished, Ye Ziling instinctively moved beside him to help add some firewood.
She rolled up her sleeves, washed all the ingredients, and a faint smile bloomed on her face.
The two cooperated seamlessly. In no time, Bai Yu had finished stir-frying several small dishes, ladled a large earthenware pot of stewed chicken soup, then arranged the dishes on the square table, finally serving two bowls of congee.
As they sat down, Bai Yu intended to open a jar of peach blossom wine, but suddenly remembered that Ye Ziling could not drink, and forcefully placed the wine jar back on the table.
"These two jars of wine are not suitable today," Bai Yu sighed, when a white figure suddenly stepped through the door.
"Ah, with such fine food and wine, and you didn't even call me?"
Seeing the steaming small dishes on the table, Ye Jinghuai chuckled, "Brother Bai, you're in high spirits today. You always refused to show off your skills when I asked, but now you're showcasing your culinary talents here in the middle of the night for my sister. Truly rare."
"Brother is joking," Ye Ziling handed him a stool and an extra pair of chopsticks.
Ye Jinghuai and Bai Yu raised their cups and drank together, while Ye Ziling ate the dishes. The atmosphere quickly became harmonious.
The next day.
At lunchtime, Ye Ziling vaguely sensed that something was amiss.
Shuan Zi, along with a few children, cast a meaningful glance at her, their smiles quite peculiar.
A moment later, Bai Yu emerged from the kitchen carrying several plates of food, followed by a few children.
"Brother Bai Yu, won't you stay when you come back this time?"
Several soft-spoken little girls ran forward and surrounded Bai Yu, their dark, grape-like eyes filled with pleading, their appearance making them seem utterly pitiable.
"Brother Bai Yu, I want you to teach me to write."
"I want to drink the pork rib soup you stewed!"
...
The little girls chattered incessantly, while Ye Ziling watched quietly from the side, her mood gradually calming.
Seeing how popular Bai Yu was, Ye Ziling smiled, "It seems Lord Bai Yu is quite popular here."
Bai Yu glanced at her, the corners of his lips curling up. He unreservedly scooped up the youngest child into his arms, his usual aloofness seemingly vanishing like the wind.
He chuckled, "If I didn't make myself popular, how would I have the qualification to approach the Saintess?"
The little child's large, dark eyes blinked as she sized up Bai Yu. Her small mouth opened and closed, and she asked in a milky voice, "Brother Bai Yu, can you not leave?"
Ye Ziling could see how much the people here liked Bai Yu.
She hadn't expected that Bai Yu, who usually appeared as if he did not eat worldly food, would have such a great contrast here, casting aside his celestial lord status to the heavens knows where.
Aunt Li added a steamed fish to the table. Looking at the child in Bai Yu's arms, she playfully remarked, "Silly child! If you study medicine diligently in the future and pass the celestial official examination, you'll be able to see Lord Bai Yu every day!"
"No! I heard Brother Shuan Zi say that if Lord Bai Yu becomes our Saint Healer clan's live-in son-in-law, he won't be able to leave us anymore!" The little child pouted, her cheeks puffed out with innocence.
Aunt Li was amused and reached out to cover the child's mouth, "What are you saying!"
She then turned to Bai Yu with a smile, "Children speak without malice, my lord. Please don't take offense."
Bai Yu smiled at the child in his arms, "No harm done."
He actually rather enjoyed this leisurely life.
Shuan Zi, standing nearby, was not pleased. He put down the booklet in his hand and said earnestly, "What children speak without malice? I'm speaking the truth. If Brother Bai Yu marries our Saintess sister, wouldn't he be able to stay with us forever? What's so good about the heavens? If it's really as good as they say, why would Lord Bai Yu prefer to wander the four directions rather than return to the heavens?"
Although Shuan Zi was young, he wasn't foolish. These past few days, Lord Bai Yu had personally brewed medicine for the Saintess sister to treat her cold, and had pretended to play the zither under the moon each night, all to watch over her.
He was so good to their Saintess sister, why couldn't they be together?
The smile on Ye Ziling's face vanished. She looked at Bai Yu and saw that he was staring at her, seemingly probing her reaction.
"Children are ignorant. Lord Bai Yu, please don't mind," Ye Ziling collected herself, and a smile reappeared on her face.
Bai Yu was not annoyed, but smiled calmly and said to Shuan Zi, "That depends on whether your Saintess sister is willing."
At this moment, Ye Jinghuai stood outside the door, having overheard their entire conversation. He thought it was a good idea.
His sister was no longer young, and as her elder brother, he naturally had to consider her marriage. The Saint Healer clan could not be without an heir, and after much thought, Bai Yu seemed like a suitable candidate.
He had known Bai Yu for many years and was well aware of Bai Yu's abilities and character. This way, he could protect his sister and also quickly secure an heir for the clan.
He had noticed these past few days that their interactions were unusually harmonious, and they seemed to have mutual feelings. As her brother, how could he not lend a hand?
"Valley Master Brother is here!"
Bai Yu put the child down, and several little ones crowded around Ye Jinghuai again. Ye Jinghuai petted their heads, a gentle smile on his face.
"Alright, everyone, come and have lunch. Your Brother Bai Yu did the cooking."
Ye Jinghuai beckoned everyone to take their seats.
During lunch, Ye Ziling felt the barrier beginning to loosen, as if someone was forcefully breaking through it with magic.
"I'm going to the entrance," Ye Ziling put down her chopsticks and quickly walked out of the room, heading straight for the entrance.
"I'll go with you," Bai Yu looked at her, his expression indicating something was wrong. Guessing that the barrier was in trouble, he followed closely behind her.