Chapter 5: Eating Alone

“You actually put me in a place like this!” This time, Dai Ning wasn’t just nitpicking. The room was tiny, damp, and the window was covered with a flimsy floral curtain. Though it wasn’t cold in the summer, the place felt like a haunted house.

Zhao Yu was unfazed. He gestured for Zhao An’an to go inside first.

“Miss Ji,” he said calmly, “this is the only kind of house my family has. I can’t rebuild it now. If you don’t like this room, you can look at the others.”

Seeing Zhao Yu’s sincere expression, Dai Ning realized he was likely telling the truth. She had no desire to tour any more of the house, her face weary and resigned.

Zhao Yu watched as she took a reluctant look at the village chief’s home, then back at his own, clearly making a tough decision before finally heading inside to have her belongings arranged. He hadn’t expected her to actually stay.

The bodyguards worked quickly, arranging her things, laying out a carpet, and even replacing the curtains.

“Alright, you all can go,” Dai Ning told them.

The bodyguards left, just as Zhao Ping finished feeding their parents.

Zhao Yu washed his hands. “Tell Miss Ji to come eat.”

Zhao Ping hesitated, not daring to go, so he sent his little sister instead.

A short while later, Zhao An’an returned with Dai Ning in tow.

Zhao Yu didn’t wait for her. He picked up his bowl of porridge, eating silently but keeping an eye on her, wondering what kind of fuss she might cause this time.

Dai Ning didn’t feel like talking. Looking at the darkened wooden table and stools, she had no desire to sit.

Qingtuan, the green orb accompanying her, didn’t want to speak either. Having traveled through time with Dai Ning, its energy was almost depleted, and after watching her antics these past days, it was convinced that this spoiled girl was stubborn and extremely disobedient.

It no longer expected Dai Ning to win over the male lead, only hoping she wouldn’t annoy him to the point of wanting to get rid of her.

Zhao An’an sat on the bench, and softly said, “Miss Ji, come eat.”

Dai Ning glanced at the bowls of plain porridge on the table. She suspected that the male lead wasn’t too thrilled about her being there; otherwise, there would at least be a proper dish for a guest.

Looking somewhat disdainful, she said, “Forget it. Seeing how poor your family is, I won’t eat your rice. Later, Zhao An’an can go ask Uncle Qian to send me food.”

Zhao An’an nodded, “Okay.”

Zhao Yu was annoyed by the way Dai Ning ordered his sister around as if she were a servant. He quickly finished his porridge and told Zhao An’an, “I’ll go. You stay at home.”

Dai Ning didn’t care who went, as long as she got her food, and wasn’t worried that Zhao Yu would harm her. After all, he was one of the male leads, not likely to stoop to such low behavior.

Zhao Yu, embodying the qualities of a “phoenix man” protective of his family, took his leave, instructing Zhao Ping to look after their parents and little sister.

Uncle Qian, already expecting this request, had prepared food in advance, knowing that the young lady wouldn’t be able to settle down at someone else’s house.

In fact, to ensure her safety, a few bodyguards were discreetly keeping watch.

Uncle Qian handed two food containers to Zhao Yu. “Thank you for looking after our young lady.”

Zhao Yu’s dark eyes lowered without a word as he took the containers and headed back.

The containers were heavy, with multiple layers. Zhao Yu didn’t bother to check what was inside.

By the time he returned, night had fallen.

Zhao Ping and Zhao An’an were waiting at the door. Zhao Yu asked, “Where’s Miss Ji?”

“She’s inside,” Zhao An’an replied.

“I’ll deliver the food. Zhao Ping, take An’an to wash up and get ready for bed,” Zhao Yu instructed.

Zhao Ping glanced curiously at the food container his brother held but nodded in agreement.

Zhao Yu knocked on Dai Ning’s door. After a while, a small head peeked out.

“Where’s my food?”

He handed her the container, catching a glimpse of the room inside, which looked completely transformed. The once simple room now featured a plush carpet and an extravagant bed that filled most of the space, topped with a pile of stuffed toys. The curtains had been replaced with delicate floral ones.

The girl, barefoot on the carpet, shut the door, leaving him outside.

Expressionless, Zhao Yu turned and went to Zhao Ping’s room.

Thinking the day’s events were finally settled, he lay down to rest, only to be enveloped by a mouth-watering aroma in the air.

Zhao Ping’s eyes widened at the scent. Delicious! He had never smelled anything so good in his life!

Swallowing hard, he whispered, “Brother, what’s Miss Ji eating?”

Zhao Yu couldn’t sleep either.

Though he was more mature than others in the village, his childhood of hardship and the familiar feeling of hunger left him unable to resist that tempting aroma.

He’d spent the whole day working in the fields, much more exhausted than his siblings.

He covered Zhao Ping with a blanket and muttered, “Go to sleep.”

Meanwhile, Zhao An’an lay in her bed, eyes wide from the tantalizing aroma of Dai Ning’s meal.

Growing up under her brothers’ care after their parents’ health declined, the little girl had led a rougher life than they had.

If she weren’t so obedient to her eldest brother, she would have already gone to knock on the young lady’s door, following the delicious scent.

The rural house did little to muffle sounds or block the smell. Zhao Yu’s parents, catching whiffs of the aroma, grew anxious.

What kind of important person had their eldest son brought home?

Not only the Zhao family but their neighbour Du Tian had also woken up, puzzled.

Before she entered this book’s world, her family background was modest, but she had tasted good food a few times and could vaguely recognize some of these famous dishes. Given Zhao Yu’s current situation, having basic grains at home would already be fortunate—how could he possibly afford food this good?

Du Tian had been living in this little mountain village for over half a month since she got transmigrated into the book, enduring a life of hardship, and at this moment, she was feeling a bit tempted.

Ignoring the smell, she got out of bed to ask her mother.

“Did something happen at Zhao Yu’s house?” Earlier in the day, Du Tian had been out gathering wild herbs. Despite her “heroine” role, her life skills were excellent, and she was a decent cook.

Her mother replied, “Miss Ji went to stay with them.”

More worried than her daughter, Mrs. Du went pale at the mention of Miss Ji’s last name, thinking of a disturbing possibility. She seemed distracted, deeply troubled.

Du Tian frowned, looking towards the house next door, deciding that she would investigate tomorrow.

Whatever it took, she had to win Zhao Yu’s heart to escape her current predicament and live a better life.

No one could stand in the way of her plans.

——

Dai Ning had a terrible night’s sleep.

She had brought all sorts of random things, yet somehow forgotten the basics—like mosquito repellent. Being notoriously unlucky, she had been a feast for the mountain mosquitoes all night, leaving her fuming with the urge to smash the shabby place.

At five-thirty in the morning, she heard noises from next door, realizing someone had already gotten up. She quickly got out of bed.

Zhao Yu was used to waking up early.

As the eldest son, he had a long list of daily tasks. Waking up around five, he’d first fetch water to fill the cistern, then help his parents with their morning needs. If there was laundry to do, he’d wash the clothes early, so they could dry all day in the sun and be brought in by evening.

As he carried a bucket of water up, he sensed someone behind him.

Without turning, he knew who it was.

She had a light, fragrant scent, and her steps were quiet—nobody else in the village would wear perfume.

Guessing that the young lady was up this early because she wasn’t satisfied with something, he looked over his shoulder and lowered his voice, “What’s wrong?”

She squatted down and extended her arm, looking annoyed.

Zhao Yu glanced down and saw several red mosquito bites on her fair, tender arm. On others, they would hardly be noticeable, but on her soft, unblemished skin, they were quite conspicuous.

He frowned.

“Light me a mosquito coil,” she said.

“We don’t have those.” Accustomed to rough conditions, no one in the family worried about mosquito bites. Besides, the mosquitoes weren’t as aggressive toward them as they were toward her.

Seeing her looking miserable, he sighed and offered, “I’ll get Zhao Ping to find some herbs to burn—they work just like a coil.”

She pouted, scratching her arm.

Zhao Yu saw her scratching red welts onto her skin and set the bucket down. “Wait here.”

He went inside and came back with a tube of toothpaste.

“Try putting this on; it’ll help,” he said.

She looked at the half-used tube with suspicion, obviously unappreciative, and didn’t take it, as if it were something unworthy of her.

He gave her a look, almost amused by her disdain.

Fine, he thought, if she didn’t want it, he wouldn’t bother. He went back to fetching water.

By the time he was nearly done, she had already left.

Later in the morning, when Uncle Qian came to deliver breakfast, Zhao Yu noticed her stepping out with faint white marks on her arm where she had, apparently, secretly used the toothpaste after all.

He couldn’t help but smile.

She began complaining and rattling off a list of strange demands. Uncle Qian, as usual, listened with patience, nodding as she spoke.

Zhao An’an watched them from a distance with curiosity, but Zhao Yu turned her head away.

She was not to pick up such behaviors, he thought. His family couldn’t afford a spoiled troublemaker.

With no cell service or entertainment, Dai Ning’s only interest was food. Opening her breakfast box, she revealed a spread that immediately caught the eyes of the Zhao siblings.

The alluring scent was familiar but somehow more enticing.

Inside were delicate meat buns, elegant dumplings, crispy eggplant fritters, and even a bowl of pineapple porridge with soy milk on the side.

The buns and dumplings were small, almost jewel-like, with transparent, delicate skins revealing their fillings.

Eggplant fritters were golden and crisp, and the porridge had been slow-cooked for an hour, its aroma wafting from a carved pineapple bowl.

While she savored her breakfast, she noticed two pairs of bright, hopeful eyes watching her.

Zhao Ping and Zhao An’an stared at her food, and Zhao An’an’s gaze, in particular, was filled with a new intensity.

Noticing Zhao Yu’s stern face as he instructed his siblings, “Take care of Father and Mother. I have work to do.”

Dai Ning, knowing how prideful Zhao Yu was, didn’t press him. She smiled and raised a dumpling, waving it teasingly at his brother and sister.

“Want some?” she asked them.

But Zhao Yu’s tone sharpened, “Zhao Ping, Zhao An’an!”

Zhao Ping tugged his little sister inside to avoid the temptation.

As Dai Ning took a small bite of her bun, she saw Zhao Yu leave with a sickle in hand.

“Where are you going?” she asked, her voice muffled.

“To cut rice,” he replied, annoyed.

She skipped over, offering him a partially eaten eggplant fritter. “Want a bite?”

Zhao Yu shot her a stern look, like he would his siblings.

But it only amused her. Giggling, she skipped back, leaving him to roll his eyes as he headed out.

Watching the young lady giggling, Uncle Qian sighed. It was clear she had no intentions of fitting in, but rather found it amusing to stir things up.

After finishing breakfast, Uncle Qian asked, “Where would you like to go today?”

Dai Ning thought for a moment. “Is there anywhere fun around here?”

“It’s July, and the mountains have all kinds of wild fruits—ground cherries, mirabelles, raspberries. I’ve arranged for some villagers to guide us.”

The area was safe, with no dangerous wildlife.

But just then, she saw the neighbour’s door open, and a girl about her age stepped out. It was Du Tian.

Dressed in practical clothing and boots, Du Tian held a basket, clearly ready for something.

Seeing this, Dai Ning immediately changed her mind. “I want to watch the rice harvesting!”

Uncle Qian was baffled. But nothing would be more fun than meddling with the male lead, she thought.

Dai Ning eyed her pretty dress and didn’t plan on changing it, though she did slip on some beige sandals.

“Zhao An’an!” she called out.

The little girl peeked out timidly.

“Take me to see your brother harvesting rice,” Dai Ning ordered.

Zhao Ping, alarmed, started to protest. “No, no! An’an and I have to—”

But Dai Ning took out two imported candies, unwrapped them, and popped one in each of their mouths.

Her eyes twinkled mischievously. “Lead the way.”

Zhao Ping almost choked in surprise, but the candy was too sweet to spit out.

Zhao An’an stood there, frozen, savoring the delightful taste. She had only ever tasted the cheap, hard candy sold in the village, but this imported one was completely different.

After hesitating for a moment, Zhao Ping looked down, defeated by the taste of the candy. “Fine, I’ll take you to my brother.”