Zheng Wei pointed to the rooms to the east and said, "This side is the kitchen and the storage room." Then he pointed to the three rooms to the north and said, "The middle one is the main house; we can each have a room."
Upon hearing Zheng Wei's last sentence, Shen Xiaoyan looked at him in surprise. He wasn't going to share a room with her? Was he disgusted with her?
"Are you disgusted with me?" Shen Xiaoyan regretted asking as soon as she spoke. The way she'd phrased it made it sound like she was eager to share a room.
As expected, a suspicious smile appeared on Zheng Wei's face after he heard her question. "If you want to share a room with me, that's fine too."
Shen Xiaoyan pretended not to hear him and walked into the main house.
Inside the main house, there was only a table and four chairs, with a small door on each side. Shen Xiaoyan walked into the western door.
She saw a bedroom, not large, with just a bed and a small chest.
After placing her bundle on the bed, Shen Xiaoyan turned and walked out. In the main house, Zheng Wei was sitting at the table, lost in thought.
"Um, have you eaten? Do you want me to cook something for you?" Shen Xiaoyan hesitated for a long time before finally speaking.
After all, Zheng Wei had saved her from the river; otherwise, even if she had transmigrated, she would have drowned.
Zheng Wei looked at Shen Xiaoyan in surprise. Seeing her sincere expression, he finally nodded.
Shen Xiaoyan walked out of the main house and to the kitchen door, surveying the entire kitchen at a glance.
It was late winter and early spring, a season with hardly any vegetables available. Under the rack, there were only a few potatoes, likely leftovers from last year, or perhaps given by the Zhu family.
Looking at the limited ingredients, Shen Xiaoyan thought for a moment before starting to cook.
She peeled and washed the potatoes, cut them into cubes, and set aside the washed rice in a bowl.
Then, she started the fire. When the pot was hot, she added some oil, stir-fried the potatoes until fragrant, added salt, then water and rice, and brought it to a boil over high heat.
Once the rice was cooked, she let it steam for a while, and the fragrant potato and rice casserole was ready.
Lifting the lid, a strong aroma wafted out. Looking at the golden-yellow potatoes and white rice in the pot, Shen Xiaoyan swallowed. Although there was no pork belly, it still smelled delicious.
She scooped a full bowl and carried it to the main house.
From the moment Shen Xiaoyan entered the kitchen, Zheng Wei had stood up and walked to the door of the main hall, watching her busy herself in the kitchen.
Seeing Shen Xiaoyan carrying the food, Zheng Wei quickly sat back down on the stool.
"Try it," Shen Xiaoyan placed the bowl on the table, blowing on it. The rice was still hot from the pot.
Zheng Wei glanced at the bowl of rice, then at Shen Xiaoyan's reddened fingers. A flicker of emotion crossed his eyes, but his heart grew even more perplexed.
This woman had indeed changed considerably.
If it weren't for the fact that her face looked the same as before, he would have thought she was a completely different person.
Thinking of Leran, a fierceness flashed in Zheng Wei's eyes. He stood up, grabbed Shen Xiaoyan's hand, and asked in a cold voice, "Who are you?"
Shen Xiaoyan cried out in surprise and looked at Zheng Wei, bewildered. Seeing the fierceness in his eyes, she immediately understood. He suspected her.
"I am Shen Xiaoyan," Shen Xiaoyan said with a grin.
Zheng Wei's gaze turned colder. "The Shen Xiaoyan of the past was not like this."
"I died once, and I simply understood things better," Shen Xiaoyan said with a hint of sarcasm in her tone.
Zheng Wei was stunned by her words. Was that how it was?
"If you had also died once, you would change too. Believe me..."
As Shen Xiaoyan spoke, her eyes gazed into the distance. Though she was right in front of Zheng Wei, he felt as if he couldn't grasp her.
Zheng Wei slowly released Shen Xiaoyan's hand and sat back down on the wooden stool without a word.
Shen Xiaoyan rubbed her reddened hand and urged the silent, contemplative Zheng Wei, "Eat quickly. It won't taste good when it gets cold."
Zheng Wei looked up at Shen Xiaoyan and found that she had returned to her usual self, as if the person from moments ago hadn't been her.
He picked up a spoon, took a mouthful of rice, and narrowed his eyes in contentment. Her cooking skills were quite good.
Shen Xiaoyan watched Zheng Wei eat quickly, a smile also curving her lips. This man was quite easily satisfied.
After Zheng Wei finished eating, Shen Xiaoyan picked up the bowls and returned to the kitchen. She scooped out and ate the remaining rice in the pot.
As she was cleaning the kitchen, Shen Xiaoyan saw Zheng Wei emerge from the main house, carrying a bow.
"I'm going hunting. Don't wander around while I'm gone, understand?" Zheng Wei said and was about to leave.
Upon hearing the word "hunting," Shen Xiaoyan's eyes lit up. "Can I go with you?"
Zheng Wei frowned and opened his mouth to refuse, but seeing Shen Xiaoyan looking at him expectantly, the words turned around on his lips. "If you're not afraid, then come along."
Shen Xiaoyan quickly shook her head. "Not afraid, not afraid."
What a joke! No matter how terrifying White Cloud Peak was, could it be as terrifying as a zombie apocalypse with flesh-eating creatures roaming everywhere?
After Zheng Wei locked the door, they set off towards White Cloud Peak together.
White Cloud Peak looked close, with mist swirling around the summit, but when they actually walked there, they realized it was unusually far. Shen Xiaoyan felt her legs were about to break before they finally reached the foot of the mountain.
At the foot of the mountain was a patch of forest. At this time, the treetops were just budding, and wild vegetables were starting to sprout. Apart from wild animals, there was probably nothing edible on the mountain.
Zheng Wei had been observing Shen Xiaoyan along the way. Seeing her struggle to walk, he expected her to complain endlessly or regret it halfway. To his surprise, she remained silent.
Zheng Wei quickened his pace, walking ahead of Shen Xiaoyan. His deep voice reached her ears, "Stay close to me."
Shen Xiaoyan's heart fluttered a little. How long had it been since someone had protected her? It seemed that ever since the matron of the orphanage had left, she had relied on herself for everything.
After a few steps, Zheng Wei didn't hear her following and turned back. Seeing Shen Xiaoyan standing there in a daze, he frowned and asked, "Why aren't you coming?"
"Coming, coming right now." Shen Xiaoyan smiled and walked forward with light steps.
After walking for a long time without seeing any pheasants or rabbits, Shen Xiaoyan felt discouraged. Didn't novels say you could see these animals as soon as you entered the mountains?
Frustrating.
It was only when they entered the inner reaches of White Cloud Peak that Shen Xiaoyan truly felt like she was in the mountains.
Her eyes were met with various grasses and trees; it was difficult to find a place to step.
Shen Xiaoyan worried that they might not be able to find their way back later.
Zheng Wei clearly noticed Shen Xiaoyan's worry, and his lips curved slightly. "I come here often; I won't get lost."
Shen Xiaoyan's face instantly flushed. Being seen through felt so awkward.
They walked for about another fifteen minutes before Zheng Wei stopped.
"This area is relatively safe. You wait for me here," Zheng Wei said, turning back to Shen Xiaoyan. Without waiting for her reply, he turned and walked away.
Shen Xiaoyan wanted to speak but couldn't utter a word.
Watching Zheng Wei's retreating figure, the person within Shen Xiaoyan's heart kept drawing circles.
Hmph, what was with the arrogance? He brought her here, only to abandon her alone.
After a round of complaints, Shen Xiaoyan began to examine her surroundings.