Chapter 54: A Delicate Meal

Eve narrowed her eyes, pondering the partially open door before her.

What Xiluo’er had done moments ago bore absolutely no resemblance to “checking for a fever.”

One checked a forehead for a fever, not… *down there*. When Eve had opened her eyes, she’d even seen Xiluo’er’s little mouth pursed into a perfect circle.

‘Hmm, it was quite cute, though.’

If Eve hadn’t been entirely sure of Xiluo’er’s intentions the last time she’d come after her bath, this time, things were certainly getting interesting.

While she couldn’t definitively say what Xiluo’er meant, Eve had a strong feeling there was *some* meaning behind it. If Xiluo’er indeed had an interest, then this situation became quite intriguing, especially since Eve herself shared that sentiment.

However, after a moment’s thought, Eve decided it was best to say nothing for now. If Xiluo’er truly harbored such feelings, she wouldn’t have blushed and denied her actions earlier.

‘Perhaps she’s just a little shy,’ Eve mused, understanding. ‘After all, she’s still a child.’

For today, she would simply pretend Xiluo’er had genuinely been checking for a fever.

This thought brought to mind the friend who supposedly sent Xiluo’er gifts.

‘What good are gifts, anyway?’ Eve thought. ‘Can you win someone over with just gifts? No, you can’t!’

‘What’s the point of taking Xiluo’er out to play every day? Can you cultivate feelings just by playing? Probably not, right?’

Suddenly, Eve felt her spine straighten, as if she had just risen a notch above someone else.

At that very moment, Irene, resting on a bed in her inn room, let out a massive sneeze.

“How strange,” Irene muttered. “I’m wearing plenty of clothes. And why do I feel like… someone’s mocking me?”

****

Leaning back against the bed, Eve looked at the chair where Xiluo’er had sat beside her. She began to ponder once more.

Although Xiluo’er might be too shy to admit her intentions, the meaning was clear today. While she couldn’t quite shatter the illusion, Eve felt they should at least acknowledge it in some small way.

****

Meanwhile, Xiluo’er was currently hiding in the Adventurers’ Guild kitchen, secretly bickering with Freya.

“This is all your fault! What a terrible idea! What if she finds out?”

“Oh, but she didn’t find out, did she? So you can’t blame me for that. Who knew she’d suddenly open her eyes?”

Xiluo’er sighed, knowing it was useless to complain to Freya now.

‘I just hope Eve truly believes my ‘checking for a fever’ excuse.’

Carrying the food, Xiluo’er carefully pushed open Eve’s room door.

Eve remained seated on the bed, regarding Xiluo’er with a faint smile, a look that was less predatory than it was… serene.

Despite feeling a bit strange, Xiluo’er entered the room and gently placed the tray on the nightstand.

“Um, Sister Eve, please eat something first.”

“Alright.”

Considering Eve had just woken from a coma and might not have much appetite, Xiluo’er had only brought a simple bowl of porridge and a plate of stir-fried greens.

However, despite saying “Alright,” Eve made no move to eat. Instead, she simply continued to gaze at Xiluo’er.

“Huh? Sister Eve, are you not hungry?”

“No,” Eve gently shook her head. “Having just woken from a coma, I feel a little weak.”

“Oh…”

Xiluo’er nodded, understanding Eve’s unspoken request. Eve wanted to be fed.

‘Feed her, then,’ Xiluo’er thought. She scooped a small spoonful of porridge, brought it to her own lips, puffed out her cheeks, and blew on it vigorously. Only after confirming it wasn’t too hot did she offer it to Eve.

Watching Xiluo’er’s diligent actions, Eve nodded slightly.

‘This little one is quite thoughtful when caring for others,’ Eve mused. ‘Though she’s just a little loli now, she’ll surely grow into the type who makes a wonderful wife and mother.’

“Here you go, Sister Eve.”

Eve cooperatively opened her mouth, enjoying the feeding service provided by the little loli.

A sudden idea popped into Eve’s mind. Looking at Xiluo’er, she inexplicably wondered, ‘What if I bought her a maid outfit to wear?’

‘Hmm… that’s not a bad idea. Someday, I’ll have to find a way to trick… *ahem*, persuade Xiluo’er.’

Xiluo’er truly was skilled at caring for others. After a few spoonfuls of porridge, she picked up a few pieces of greens and brought them to Eve’s lips.

This time, however, Eve did not open her mouth to take the greens.

“Huh? What’s wrong, Sister Eve?”

Seeing the little loli’s bewildered expression, Eve offered a gentle smile. ‘Don’t worry, you’ll understand what I mean in a moment.’

“I’m sorry, Xiluo’er, but I still feel a bit weak right now. I don’t think I can chew these.”

Eve’s words left Xiluo’er dumbfounded.

‘You? Greens? Can’t chew them?’

‘Are you deliberately trying to make trouble?’

“It’s probably because I was unconscious for quite a while.” Eve’s face showed an apologetic smile.

Xiluo’er didn’t believe Eve’s excuse. According to Freya, wasn’t Eve unconscious simply because her mana bar was empty and needed to recharge? Her mana was full now, and she was awake. Where had her stamina gone? How could she possibly not be able to chew greens?

However, Eve’s stoic expression gave nothing away, so Xiluo’er could only tentatively ask, “Sister Eve, then… should I get some softer food?”

Eve immediately shook her head.

“It would be a waste to throw away this food now, and I can’t have Xiluo’er constantly running around for me, can I?”

Xiluo’er blinked in confusion. ‘No, you say you can’t chew, but you don’t want to change the food. So how do you plan to eat it? Are you implying I should…’

As if something clicked, Xiluo’er’s face flushed crimson.

Seeing that Xiluo’er seemed to understand her meaning, Eve merely smiled softly.

“How about Xiluo’er feeds them to me directly, mouth-to-mouth?”

“Xiluo’er wouldn’t want anyone to know we’re wasting food, would she?”

‘This, you, I…’

Xiluo’er felt her CPU overheating, unsure how to respond.

Seeing the blushing little loli stammering, unable to form a complete sentence, Eve didn’t press her. Instead, she gently took the bowl from Xiluo’er’s hands.

“It’s alright, Xiluo’er, if you don’t want to, then don’t.”

Then, Eve raised her hand, which trembled slightly from feigned weakness, and slowly scooped a spoonful of porridge to her mouth.

Of course, it was all an act of feigned weakness.

But in Xiluo’er’s eyes, Eve’s actions made her feel terribly guilty.

It was her fault that the autumn encirclement had been a disaster. Now, Sister Eve was so weak in bed, and Xiluo’er couldn’t even bring herself to feed her.

Although, *ahem*, the suggested feeding method was a bit… *that*, wasn’t her refusal incredibly ungrateful?