Martial arts have become extinct worldwide, yet I am forced to have a large family.

Night falls.

Yang Xian and Ye Huairou returned to the cave they had visited before.

Inside the cave, the campfire crackled, its flames dispelling the chill of the night.

"Uncle, we should be able to get back to the city tomorrow... right?"

Ye Huairou hugged her knees, resting her chin on them, her long purple hair sliding down her shoulders.

"Okay, mission accomplished. We'll leave first thing tomorrow morning."

Yang Xian responded, his attention entirely focused on the three fish displayed in front of him.

A brief silence fell over the cave, broken only by the sound of burning firewood.

We're parting ways tomorrow... Time flies...

A sense of loss, indescribable and inexplicable, suddenly welled up in Ye Huairou's heart.

These past few days, although this uncle is annoying and cunning, with a sharp tongue, he always finds ways to bully me.

But being with him actually makes me feel quite safe...

"Hey, don't just stand there like an idiot, hurry up and bring over a few more pieces of firewood."

Yang Xian gave the order without even looking up.

"Oh." Ye Huairou came to her senses, obediently picked up a few pieces of dry firewood from the side, and carefully added them to the fire.

She suddenly spoke, as if possessed:

"Uncle, could you... teach me how to grill fish?"

The girl really liked the meat that Yang Xian grilled.

They're parting ways tomorrow, and she feels that... there's a high chance she'll never be able to eat this again.

Yang Xian paused for a moment, looking at her with a strange expression.

"What? Trying to steal my skills?"

"Pah! Your cooking is awful, I wouldn't even look at it!" Ye Huairou immediately retorted defiantly, "I... I was just bored and wanted to find something to do!"

"No need," Yang Xian refused decisively.

"Just sit there and don't cause any trouble."

"I'm a top student from Canglan University! When have I ever caused any trouble?" Ye Huairou puffed out her chest defiantly.

"Please teach me, old man~"

Yang Xian: ? ? ?

No?

Why is this girl suddenly acting all cute and affectionate?

This doesn't quite fit her public image!

Yang Xian has always been the type to respond to gentle persuasion but not force, especially when faced with this kind of advances from girls, his resistance is practically zero.

I'll do this because you gave me points.

I'll reluctantly teach you.

"Alright, alright, I'll teach you, I'll teach you," Yang Xian agreed impatiently.

"But let me make this clear first: cooking isn't about fighting and killing. It's all about talent and intuition. If you can't learn it, don't blame me for not teaching you well."

"Don't worry, Uncle!" Ye Huairou's eyes lit up instantly. "I'm a genius! You teach me once and I'll learn it! If I don't, you can hit me!"

"Here, take it."

Yang Xian handed her three branches with fish attached.

Ye Huairou excitedly took it and, imitating Yang Xian, placed it on the fire in a very professional manner.

"You need to keep your wrist steady and not too close to the fire, otherwise the outside will burn while the inside remains raw."

"Flip it over so it heats evenly..."

Yang Xian patiently provided guidance from the side.

Ye Huairou listened attentively at first, but couldn't keep up with her work at all.

In a flurry of activity.

"How stupid!"

Yang Xian couldn't stand it any longer.

He moved closer to Ye Huairou from behind and placed his hand directly over the girl's small hand.

"!!!"

Ye Huairou's body trembled slightly.

They're so close!

I'm suffocating!

She felt the touch on the back of her hand, and her mind went completely blank.

My heart started pounding for no reason, and my cheeks felt incredibly hot.

The girl's senses were focused on the skin that was touching between the two.

She couldn't hear a single word Yang Xian said after that...

"...Did you understand? Try it yourself."

Yang Xian guided her through the process several times, and when he felt it was about right, he got up and went to get a drink of water.

Unbeknownst to them, Ye Huairou was still lost in thought.

Not moving at all.

After a while, Yang Xian returned and checked the situation, then exclaimed in surprise.

"Hello!"

"You silly girl! The fish is going to burn!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Huairou shuddered and suddenly came to her senses.

With a slight tremor of his hand, the three grilled fish fell straight into the fire.

"My fish!"

Yang Xian quickly pulled the fish out of the fire and gently blew on it with concern.

Fortunately, it's just a dark patch.

It can still be eaten if it's salvaged.

Yang Xian then turned his head and his gaze fell on Ye Huairou.

Ye Huairou felt guilty under his gaze, her eyes darting around, unable to meet his eyes.

"Uncle, sir..."

"Would you believe me if I said I didn't mean to?"

"Thump!"

Yang Xian gave her a flick on the forehead, annoyed: "You almost ruined our dinner tonight!"

"Ouch!" Ye Huairou cried out in pain, covering her forehead.

Yang Xian was speechless.

She's clearly a top student at Canglan University with amazing martial arts talent, so how come she can burn a fish when she's grilling it?

I'm speechless...

"Alright, alright, I'll do it. You go find somewhere cool to stay!"

Yang Xian got busy with his own work.

Ye Huairou covered her forehead where she had been hit, and dared not speak again, only secretly glancing at Yang Xian's profile.

strangeness……

My forehead hurts a lot from that tap.

But... why do I feel not angry at all, but rather... a little comfortable?

If he hits me again...

If we do it one more time...

Ye Huairou became more and more excited as she thought about it, and she twisted her two little hands together.

[Ding! Unknown emotion detected in the character 'Ye Huairou'!]

[Congratulations, host! You have earned 300 points this time!]

[Current total points: 12300!]

Yang Xian's hand suddenly stopped moving.

What's going on?

Has that unknown emotion resurfaced?

------

Dinner time is over.

"It's getting late, go to sleep early, we have to travel tomorrow."

Yang Xian stretched and lay down on the only stone slab without any hesitation.

"Uncle, isn't that my seat?" Ye Huairou frowned.

"What do you mean, yours or mine?"

Yang Xian crossed his legs. "I let you sleep here before because you were injured. Now that you're all healed, you'd better go sleep on the floor!"

After sleeping on the floor for several days, can't I enjoy myself on the last night?

"No!"

Ye Huairou immediately retorted, "I'm not a fan of sleeping in the same bed! I can't sleep if I'm not allowed to sleep on top!"

"Ha!" Yang Xian was also excited when he saw that Ye Huairou actually dared to stand up to him.

"I'm telling you this today, I'm definitely sleeping on this stone slab! Even Jesus couldn't save me! I said it!"

"You stinky old man!" Ye Huairou was so angry that she pounced on him, trying to pull him off the stone slab.

"This stone slab is too small; it's not suitable for someone as big as you!"

"Thank you for your concern, but I think it's just right!"

The two began to push and shove each other on the narrow stone slab.

In the chaos, their movements became increasingly exaggerated.

Ye Huairou exerted force, and her small mouth accidentally bumped into Yang Xian's lips.

For a time...

Both of them froze at the same time.

Eyes facing each other.

An awkward atmosphere permeated the air.

"ah--!"

Ye Huairou suddenly bounced backward.

She covered her lips, her pretty face immediately turning bright red.

"You stinky old man!"

"...You owe me my first kiss!"

"Waaah~"