On the third day after returning, Ye Zi stayed in his room, working on the seals needed for the Impure World Reincarnation technique. He started at dawn and continued until evening. Kotoe came by several times, but seeing him so focused, she quietly left each time.
That evening, she brought a meal she had prepared herself. This time, she directly called Ye Zi out of his focused state.
Being interrupted didn't irritate him. As he snapped out of concentration, he felt his hunger. Noticing the variety and abundance of dishes she had brought, he took a deep sniff, thinking the aroma was quite appetizing—though he wondered how it would taste.
"Have you eaten?" Ye Zi asked, his gaze shifting from the food to Kotoe.
"Not yet," Kotoe replied with a cheerful smile. There was no way she'd eat before coming here; only then could she eat together with Ye Zi. And even if she had eaten, she wouldn't admit it.
"Then let's eat together," Ye Zi said with a faint smile. He used Wood Release to form a wooden bowl and a pair of chopsticks, placing them on the table. He scooped a portion of rice from a large bowl into the wooden one and handed it to Kotoe .
Taking the bowl and chopsticks, Kotoe beamed happily, feeling as though a husband had served his wife. If only there were a child too, she thought.
Watching her smile, Ye Zi paused, thinking it was a bit much for a simple meal together. He didn't realize how much Kotoe's imagination filled in the scene.
Silly woman, he thought to himself. The day's exhaustion faded slightly, and he found himself enjoying the atmosphere, even a bit fond of it.
His stomach grumbled, and Ye Zi picked up his oversized bowl with one hand and his chopsticks with the other, eyeing the food on the table.
There were three dishes: slightly charred grilled meat, fried chicken legs, and stir-fried meat slices—all meat, with hearty portions, just to his liking.
As for the taste… he hoped it hadn't changed much. The fried chicken leg at least should be alright, he thought.
He decided to go without chopsticks for the large chicken leg, taking a small bite and savoring the juicy, tender meat. The flavor… wasn't bad at all.
Chewing on the chicken leg, Ye Zi gave Kotoe a surprised look, as if to say, Your cooking has improved.
Seeing his expression, Kotoe knew what it meant and puffed her cheeks, glaring at him with mild annoyance.
Finishing one large chicken leg, Ye Zi picked up another and handed it to Kotoe. "Not bad," he complimented.
"Of course," she replied, her puffed cheeks relaxing as she accepted the leg, saying, "I put a lot of effort into it."
"Is that so…"
Ye Zi murmured, picking up a piece of grilled meat and tossing it in his mouth. It wasn't perfect, but he found it tastier than even the food at renowned barbecue restaurants he'd been to.
With the flavor and his hunger, Ye Zi began eating heartily, while Kotoe held a chicken leg and watched him eat in silence.
After a few bites of grilled meat, Ye Zi noticed she hadn't touched her food. He placed a piece of meat in her bowl and asked, "Aren't you eating?"
Kotoe stared at the meat in her bowl, a bit stunned. "Did you just… serve me some meat?"
"What?" Ye Zi looked at her, puzzled.
"You gave me food?" Kotoe's gaze shifted from the meat to Ye Zi's face, looking a bit dazed.
"Yeah," Ye Zi answered casually, turning his attention back to the food on his plate.
Kotoe looked down at the meat in her bowl, smiling happily. It was the first time Ye Zi had served her food. It would be perfect if a child was with them now, she thought.
A few bites later, Ye Zi noticed Kotoe still hadn't touched her food. Feeling exasperated, he ignored it and focused on finishing the dishes. Soon, the three plates were empty, though some rice was left in his oversized bowl.
Without meat, the rice felt bland.
Glancing at the meat in Kotoe's bowl and the chicken leg she was still holding, Ye Zi reached for her bowl with his chopsticks.
Seeing his "intrusive" chopsticks, Kotoe instinctively shielded her bowl with her hand. Realizing what he was doing, she looked at him with an odd expression.
"Were you trying to take my meat?" she asked.
"Yeah," he nodded, not denying it.
"This is the piece you served me earlier, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"And you still feel right taking it back?"
"Rice is bland without meat."
Kotoe stared at the little rice left in Ye Zi's bowl and, without further argument, placed the meat from her bowl into his.
Ye Zi smiled, eating the rice with the meat. After he finished, he noticed Kotoe hadn't taken a single bite.
Setting down his empty bowl and chopsticks, Ye Zi looked at her and said, "In future missions, if the situation turns unfavorable, retreat decisively, understood?"
Bringing this up felt appropriate. He'd warned her that day, but Kotoe and Shin had still ended up in danger. Had he not arrived in time, the consequences of that slash…
Startled by his words, Kotoe looked at him gently and nodded, "I understand."
He's concerned about my safety, she thought, her heart fluttering with happiness at his growing warmth.
But Ye Zi's next words quickly changed her mood.
"If you're not going to eat your rice and chicken, I'll take them," he said, eyeing the food she'd barely touched.
"No, I haven't eaten yet," she replied, firmly refusing.
"Then hurry up," he said, not insisting, as he returned to sorting the completed seals.
Kotoe glanced at the seals and materials on the table. "Once I'm done eating, can I stay here?"
Ye Zi paused briefly before replying, "Do as you like."
With that, he continued his work.
Smiling, she began eating, occasionally glancing at Ye Zi as he worked.
After eating, she cleared the dishes, freeing up some space on the table.
Returning, she sat, chin in hand, and watched him intently, a soft smile on her lips.
She could fully sense the change in Ye Zi. She loved this feeling and hoped it could stay like this forever. Even if it meant only watching him quietly, it would be enough. Of course, having a child here would make it perfect.
Ye Zi was focused on his seal-making, while Kotoe watched him with equal focus.
The two of them remained like that until dawn.
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Currently on Chapter 383 - Knowledge of Sealing Techniques