Book 11: Chapter 17


    Long-time no see, Ling Yue.


    You


    Ling Yue looked at the white cloak in front of her nkly and took two steps back. She looked at the individual in front of her with surprise.


    I chuckled, and then removed my hat. I said, It was so cold on the way here, but your ce is really easy to find. I could see the red roof from a long way away Wh-


    I eximed, because the young girl, who always maintained her distance from me and refused to have body contact, with me took the initiative to throw herself at me, and tightly hug me. I staggered backwards two steps. I smiled and hugged her back. Ling Yue tightened her arms around my waist and thumped her head on my chest hard, bringing her ears along for the ride.


    Whats wrong? Whats wrong?  Ah


    I looked at the cold house behind her and immediately understood why. The jaded girl, Ling Yue, couldnt look after herself. She wasnt Nier, Lucia, Mera or Luna. She was a jaded girl who was pampered. Determination and resolution couldnt teach her how to take care of herself.


    Ling Yue didnt say a word. I knew that her strange dignity and sense of pride meant that she wouldnt act coquettish with me as Lucia did. She still refused to admit that she was suffering even now. I stroked her head and said, Its okay, its okay. Lets tidy up. Ill teach you how.


    Uhm.


    She snuggled up on my chest, and then raised her head up. She gave me a small nod. I looked into her eyes. She had tears at the corner of her crescent-moon eyes.


    I did bring my guards, but I didnt n to let them in to disturb us.


    I walked into Ling Yues house. I felt a cold sensation once I entered. It was a house, yet it was virtually colder than it was outside. There was a firece in the hall of Ling Yues house, and therewas bound to be one in her room, too, except I was sure she didnt know how to use them.


    <em>I suppose the first step is light a fire, then.</em>


    I hung my cloak to the side and then went up to the firece. I took out a few pieces of timber inside to examine them. Though I didnt pay attention to the fireces in this world, the mes in the elvennds were autonomous, while it was Lunas job in humanitysnds, I did attend survival in the wild sses in the past, so I did know how to start a fire.


    <em>These bits of timber can be burnt, but I bet Ling Yue tried to burn them directly.</em><em>How long would it take to do that? </em>


    Theres definitely some wild teasel in the rooms of the servants and maids. I went around and found the now empty rooms that originally belonged to the servants. There was a bag of wild teasels hung up to the side as I thought, and there were also some branches. I took them back to the firece and lit up the teasels before adding the branches. I looked on as the fire gradually started. I then ced the wood on the fire. The wood make crackling sounds and a warm fire appeared in the cold room, scattering the cold air nearby.


    Wow.


    Ling Yue stood behind me and watched the me rise. Her tail began to swing side to side with excitement. I pped my hands, and then stepped back with a smile, Careful not to burn your tail.


    Hmph! As if I would!


    Ling Yue rolled her eyes at me. She then looked at me with excitement and said, Help me light up the fire in my room, too That room is very cold I cant sleep at night.


    All right, all right.


    I nodded, and then went upstairs. I went into Ling Yues room. The room didnt need a big fire yet. We needed to get rid of the cold air first, then. We just then had to continue lighting it up at night.


    I stood up. I looked at Ling Yue, who followed behind me the entire time, and told her, See that, Ling Yue? Its hard to light a fire by lighting up the wood directly. Use these to start a fire first, and then add wood. Dont throw all of them in at once, though. You need to make sure that theres sufficient air, understood? Add two more pieces of wood at night, or it might go out at night.


    <strong>*Growl*</strong>


    I looked at Ling Yue. Her face went fully red in an instant. She looked at me fearlessly. She tried to not show her distress.


    I asked, Youre hungry, right?


    Mm


    You must be hungry, right?!


    Mm


    Say youre hungry!!


    Okay, Im hungry


    Ling Yue sighed a breath of relief. Iughed, Theres not even a single merchant nearby anymore. Even if there was, you dont have money to buy food, do you? Im sure theres food left behind by the panthers in the warehouse, but then, you dont know how to cook, do you?


    Get off my case!! I didnt need to cook for myself in the past Nobody taught me, either Your rye bread is too tough, dont you think?! Why do you make a bread that is hard as a rock?!


    Ling Yue mmed her tail on the floor with frustration.


    It seemed that her entire body resented rye bread after eating it during this time. Of course, if I ate rye bread for days as she did, Id beining, as well. Rye bread was seriously terrifying. It seriously was hard as a rock.


    <em>Ling Yue cant even light a fire, so she couldnt have made soup, either. How did she survive the past few days? Shes been pampered all her life, so how did shest until now? How much has she suffered? How much did she cry during the time I was away? How much longer was she going to weather it here if I didnte?</em>


    <em>Would I have not gotten the chance to see her again? She mightve frozen to death or starved to death. Thest member of the Moon Fox Tribe mightve died on her own bed. This isnt home. This is hell. This is torture.</em>


    I gently cupped her face in my hands. She raised her head up to look at me. Her gaze contained a mixture of emotions. She didnt resist or speak. She just looked at me with those eyes, and I looked back at her blood-red eyes.


    After a moment of silence, she softly said,  Sorry, Im hungry.


    I stroked her head, Uhm, I know. Ill cook something for you. I cant promise Ill be able to make something tasty, but I can give you a warm meal. You dont need to eat rye bread anymore, at least, not today.


    She nodded then asked, Why did youe back?


    I looked at her and replied, I just came back for today. Ive arrived below the Imperial City, but I still cant capture the city, yet. I need to wait, so I came to see you, and I found you in the exact state I predicted youd be in. Ling Yue, you cant look after yourself, huh?


    She blushed a little before responding, Ill be able to take care of myself in the future. The reason was because nobody taught me before. Teach me, and Ill be able to look after myself.


    Keeping my sp on her pretty and delicate face, I met with her beautiful eyes and looked at her crescent moon pupils. I sincerely said, Ling Yue, Im serious. Leave with me.