Yuan Jian Country was fishing in the garden.
Having retired early after a long and distinguished career in a high-ranking position, the courtyard he’d chosen was in one of the very best locations.
It bordered the main garden, which, to top it all off, even had a fish pond.
Usually, when he had free ti, he would go on the Star Network to ss around with his cha. Once he’d been at it for a while and started to get tired, he’d invite a couple of neighbors over to the pond for so fishing.
Not that anyone knew how to cook the fish they caught; most were just thrown back. But that didn’t matter. It was all about the experience.
Today was different, though. Ai’er was coming by for a follow-up appointnt. All the neighbors, afraid she’d hound them about drinking their Spirit Nourishing Liquid, were nowhere to be seen. Only Yuan Jian Country remained, happily stationed by the fish pond.
’Ai’er really is a good doctor,’ he thought.
’Back on the front lines, she treated everyone tirelessly, refusing to stop even when she’d completely overdrawn her spiritual power.’
’Now the war is over. The new generation has taken up the torch, and we’ve all retired, but she’s still just as dedicated.’
’Too bad so many of the other retirees can’t be bothered anymore.’
’Drinking Nutrient Liquid is a bitter pill to swallow. We endured so much when we were young; having to keep putting up with this hardship is just too much. It’s not like it’s so spiritual pill and magic words that works overnight—it takes years!’
’We’ve lived so long... we’ve lived long enough.’
’Life is precious, sure, but you have to let nature take its course. Sotis, you don’t have to interfere with death. After all, every leaf must fall.’
’I hope Ai’er doesn’t co looking for this week.’
He happily cast his line. The hook drifted, the fish were too scared to bite the bait, and he didn’t get a single nibble, but Yuan Jian Country was still perfectly happy.
Until—
’What’s that sll?’
As a forr double S-rank soldier, Yuan Jian Country’s senses were exceptionally sharp. He soon caught a fragrant aroma wafting through the air.
It was faint, yet utterly wonderful.
Just a hint of the scent was enough to make his mouth water.
Yuan Jian Country stood up. ’Who’s cooking sothing like this in the compound?’ He followed the aroma, his eyes half-closed in concentration. As he walked, he pinpointed the direction and slowly ca to a stop.
Well now.
’...It’s coming from my own house?’
A look of shock filled his eyes.
Nothing seed out of the ordinary at his house. The only difference was the young girl cooking in the kitchen. ’Cooking? The closer I get, the stronger the aroma... so this is the sll of her food?’
He snuck past the living room and peered toward the kitchen. It was right there, but it looked like no one was inside.
Just as he was craning his neck for a better look, a hand suddenly landed on his shoulder. "What are you doing here?"
"...Ai’er?"
"When did you get behind ?"
"The food’s ready. I was just coming to get you for lunch."
With that, Mrs. Ai’er steered Yuan Jian Country toward the kitchen to help with the food. "There’s quite a bit. Co on, help bring these dishes to the side hall. We’re about to have lunch."
Yuan Jian Country didn’t refuse, allowing himself to be led obediently into the kitchen. There, he got a much more direct look, and sll, of the dishes.
The sauces were a rich, deep color, the fragrance was intoxicating, and the broth was crystal clear. It looked nothing at all like Spirit Nourishing Liquid.
This ti, he fell silent. There was no more talk of, "I’m absolutely not eating that!"
Seeing the old rascal obediently pick up his bowl, Mrs. Ai’er hmphed to herself.
Qiuqiu had just brought the rice into the side hall. When she saw the two elders carrying dishes, she hurried over. "Here, let get that."
"Don’t worry about it. You’re the one who should be sitting and waiting. We can handle this."
With that, the two of them quickly headed into the side hall.
Jiang Qiuqiu smiled and went to ladle the lamb soup.
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