Conquer the other worlds with abandon, they've fallen in love with me!

Arya's body stiffened.

The hand didn't move away; it remained on her head, and the fingers gently stroked her hair twice.

The force was very light, like soothing a frightened cat.

Arya looked up.

Lin Yu had woken up at some point and was standing behind her, wearing the slightly wrinkled shirt from yesterday, his hair a little messy, and his eyes still showing the languor of someone who had just woken up.

He looked down at her, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Why are you crying?" he asked, his voice a little hoarse.

Arya opened her mouth, as if to say she wasn't crying, but tears still fell.

She quickly lowered her head and wiped her face with her sleeve, making her eyes and nose red.

Lin Yu didn't say anything, his hand still on her head.

He gently ran his fingers through her hair, smoothing out her messy locks.

Arya sat still, like a child who had done something wrong, letting his hands pat her head.

She lowered her head and continued drinking her soup.

I didn't cry this time, but my nose still felt sore.

Lin Yu slid his hand from the top of her head to the back of her head, paused for a moment, and then withdrew it.

He sat down opposite her, propped his elbows on the table, and watched her eat.

"Is it good?" he asked.

"Mmm." Arya nodded, her voice muffled.

"Then eat more."

Arya scooped up another spoonful of soup, brought it to her lips, and paused to glance at him.

"Why are you awake?"

"I just woke up," Lin Yu said with a slight smile, his tone casual.

But in reality, he woke up the moment Arya pulled her hand away from his embrace.

It just didn't open its eyes.

He was pretending to be asleep when she sat up on the edge of the bed.

He was pretending to be asleep when she kissed his cheek.

That feather-light touch, carrying her body heat and trembling slightly, landed on her cheek.

He didn't move, not even his breathing changed, until he watched her walk out barefoot.

Lin Yu felt like a wolf, slowly luring Arya, this simple and beautiful farmer, into his arms.

Although Lin Yu had a purpose, he was not an irresponsible person, and this feeling did indeed bring a touch of sweetness to his heart.

Lin Yu sat in the room for a while, listening to the sounds of dishes coming from the kitchen, before getting up and coming out.

Then I saw Arya sitting alone at the table, eating and crying at the same time.

His head was down, and his shoulders were trembling.

Seeing that scene touched something within Lin Yu.

I can't quite describe the feeling.

It's not just heartache; it's more complicated than that.

They probably thought this woman was too naive and weak, crying like this just because someone was nice to her a little.

I also felt that it was quite rare for her to maintain such a gentle nature after living alone for so many years.

Arya, unaware of Lin Yu's thoughts, lowered her head and continued drinking her soup.

She took a couple of sips, glanced at Lin Yu, and then quickly looked away.

"What's wrong?" Lin Yu asked.

"No, it's nothing." Arya shook her head, her ears turning red.

She ate all the food, even emptying the soup bowl.

When she put down her spoon, she let out a long sigh of relief; she had never eaten so much.

Lin Yu remained seated opposite him, without leaving.

He waited until she finished eating before asking, "Does your foot still hurt?"

"Much better." Arya tucked her feet under the chair.

"Don't hide it, let me see."

Arya hesitated for a moment, then stretched out her foot.

Lin Yu squatted down, grasped her ankle, and gently turned it.

The redness and swelling have subsided considerably, but it's not completely healed yet.

"Don't go out today, stay home and rest."

"But--"

"No buts." Lin Yu released her leg and stood up. "I'll go get your medicine from Miss Bell. I'll be back soon."

Lin Yu had barely finished speaking when there was a knock on the door.

The knocking was urgent.

Arya visibly hunched her shoulders and gripped the hem of her skirt tightly with her fingers.

Lin Yu glanced at her, then turned to open the door.

The soldier in leather armor stood outside the door, rain dripping from the brim of his hat, and splattered mud still clinging to his shoulder armor.

The soldier glanced at the paper in his hand, then at the room:

"Regarding the taxes, we agreed yesterday that we would pay them in full before dark. I couldn't come last night because of the heavy rain, so I made up for it this morning."

Upon hearing this, Arya stood up from the table, wiped her hands on her apron, and walked over to stand behind Lin Yu.

She was just about to ask if she could have a few more days until she sold all the mushrooms she had collected.

But before he could speak, Lin Yu took out a small cloth bag from his pocket.

The bag is small, made of leather, and has a drawstring closure.

He untied the rope, reached in with his fingers, and placed 3 gold and 90 silver coins in the soldier's palm.

The soldier nodded, took the money, turned and left, his boots leaving a trail of deep footprints in the mud.

The door closed.

Arya remained standing there, staring at Lin Yu's profile, her lips moving slightly.

"Where did you get so much money?"

"I made some money from the potions I brewed yesterday."

Arya's voice was a little hoarse: "That's your money. I should have been the one to figure out the tax issue."

Lin Yu turned around and looked at her.

Arya looked up, her eyes a little red, but she didn't cry.

Her fingers were still clenched on the apron, her knuckles white.

"I live here, eat at your place, and pay your taxes, isn't that what I should do?" Lin Yu said.

Arya shook her head: "You can't say that. You saved me, bought me things, and treated my illness, and now you're doing this again..."

She couldn't continue, so she lowered her head, and stray hairs fell down, obscuring her eyes.

Lin Yu didn't say anything, but took out a small cloth bag from his pocket.

It's a size bigger than the previous one, and it's bulging.

He placed the cloth bag on the table and untied the drawstring.

Then you see ten gold coins neatly stacked at the mouth of the bag.

Arya stared at the gold coins, stunned: "This..."

"I'll have to trouble you again for the accommodation fee, Miss Arya."

Arya looked up at Lin Yu, her eyes wide: "Ten gold coins...that's too much..."

"A lot?" Lin Yu sat down at the table and poured himself a glass of water. "I eat a lot and stay for a long time."

Arya opened her mouth, wanting to refute, but didn't know what to say.

She looked at the pile of gold coins on the table, then at Lin Yu.

Arya rubbed her fingers together on her apron.

She was filled with indescribable emotions.

This man went from being a lost stranger to a tenant in her house, and then to her savior.

Even now, I help her pay her taxes and give her money.

He took every step as if it were his own business, as if her affairs were his affairs.

She had lived for so many years and no one had ever treated her like this before.

"Then...I'll keep it for you." Arya put the bag away, her voice trembling slightly.

"Take it out when you need it."

Lin Yu didn't say much, finished the water in his glass, stood up and said, "I'm going to Miss Bell's place."

"Go now?" Arya looked up at him.

"Okay, I'll make you a healing potion. Don't let your ankle get worse any longer."

Arya glanced down at her ankle, then looked up at him, her lips moving slightly: "Then... be careful on the road."

"Okay." Lin Yu walked to the door and glanced back at her.

Arya stood by the table, the morning light streaming in through the window and illuminating her profile.

"Don't move your feet, wait for me to get the medicine," Lin Yu said.

"I understand." Arya lowered her head, a slight smile playing on her lips.