Chapter 84: A Taste of the Past and a Confrontation of Weakness

In the clean, brightly lit kitchen, cool-toned lights cast a pristine glow upon the tiled floor.

Yalin set down the gleaming, razor-sharp knives, then dried the cut beef cubes.

After coating them in a thin layer of flour, he set them aside.

Next, he heated a pan, first rendering fat from bacon, then adding the beef to the sizzling oil.

A sizzle erupted –

Immediately, the hot oil bubbled, and a delightful aroma of seared meat instantly wafted through the air, causing Yufinika’s nose to twitch slightly.

She sat at the round table, propping her cheek with her hand, her gaze following Yalin’s busy form before the stove, when a sudden wave of wistfulness washed over her.

‘Ah, come to think of it, there was a scene like this before, but that was a very long time ago.’

Once the meat was seared to a succulent medium-rare, Yalin added carrots and onions, already chopped into small pieces.

After stir-frying for a moment, he poured in a small bottle of red wine, adding all the seasonings in one swift motion before finally covering the pot.

“All the prep work is done; the rest is simply a matter of time.”

“Traditional stewing usually takes two hours, but that’s too long.

So, I cut the meat into smaller pieces and seared it beforehand, which means it will be ready in just a few tens of minutes.”

Yalin explained, pulling out a chair and settling into it.

“Oh, I see.”

Yufinika nodded vaguely.

She was not particularly skilled at cooking, only capable of preparing the simplest stir-fries and salads.

After all, during her time in the Great Forest, her diet consisted entirely of raw fruits and vegetables.

Though she had tried many new things since then, she hadn’t delved deeply into the culinary arts.

Steam continued to rise, causing the pot lid to make a clattering and hissing sound.

“Yalin, are you a good cook?”

“I’m alright.

I usually cook for myself at home.

Though Carol has been doing most of the cooking lately.”

“Is that so?”

After saying this, Yufinika fell into a contemplative silence.

After a long pause, she suddenly spoke again, “Yalin, am I a strange woman?”

‘Yalin: Are you trying to pick a fight?

Is there even a need to state such an undeniable truth?

From every conceivable angle, Yufinika was indeed a strange woman.

Yet, he could hardly utter such a statement directly to his employer’s face.’

“You don’t need to be so tense.

This isn’t work time, and I won’t be angry no matter what you say.”

Yufinika said, her voice calm.

After a moment of careful consideration, Yalin finally spoke.

“Miss Yufinika, you are a very deeply emotional person.”

“Deeply emotional, huh, heh…”

Yufinika let out a self-deprecating laugh.

“My apologies for making you uncomfortable.

Actually, I do have some self-awareness.”

She sighed, then continued, speaking more to herself than to him.

“You’ve probably already figured it out – I once had someone I loved.”

“Was it  Noah?”

“Yes, it was him.”

At the mention of Noah, a flicker of complex emotion crossed Yufinika’s eyes.

“He used to be a gentle man, just like you.

We adventured together, saved money together…

Though life had been undeniably difficult back then, I was truly happy during that time…”

“But then, had he betrayed you?” Yalin asked.

“Yes, he…”

Yufinika pressed her lips together, a hint of resentment lingering, then paused, and a bitter smile touched her lips.

“Actually, it wasn’t quite a betrayal, for we never had any special relationship to begin with.

Everything was unrequited on my part; he merely used me.”

“So, do you hate him now?” Yalin continued, “Or do you still love him?”

“Hate?

Of course, I hate him.

He not only deceived me and exploited my feelings, but in the end, he said such cruel things that I nearly killed him on the spot!”

Yufinika clenched her fists in anger.

But then, her gaze dropped.

“Yet, even so, I still can’t forget him, can’t forget him as he was when we first met.

That’s why I asked you to be his substitute.

As if by doing so, that hateful ending would simply cease to exist.

Hahahaha, I truly am utterly pathetic.”

“Is that so?

But I think Miss Yufinika is a very powerful person.”

Yalin said with a gentle smile.

Powerful?

Yufinika could not fathom why Yalin would suddenly utter such a remark, a trace of bewilderment in her expression.

“I’m a Platinum-rank adventurer, of course I’m powerful.”

Yalin shook his head.

“No, I’m not referring to physical strength, but spiritual strength.”

“Spiritual strength… what exactly do you mean by that?”

“Everyone harbors certain weaknesses within their heart.

Most people feign indifference, as if by doing so, their frailty would simply cease to exist.

But truly strong individuals never evade their weaknesses; instead, they choose to confront them.”

Yufinika froze for a moment.

“Are you saying you don’t think I’m running away?”

“Of course.

Perhaps in the eyes of others, Miss Yufinika seeking a substitute is an act of escaping reality.

But I would argue that burying such complex emotions deep within one’s heart, like a hidden secret, *that* is true evasion, isn’t it?”

“I believe that Miss Yufinika being able to tell me this already shows immense courage.”

Yalin met Yufinika’s gaze, his voice softening.

‘Haha, just kidding.

After all that talk, my true thought was: What if you suddenly have an epiphany, decide your actions are foolish, and then no longer want a substitute?

What will I do then?

I haven’t earned enough yet!’

“Yalin, you…”

Yufinika’s lips moved.

She didn’t know why, but she suddenly felt a prickle of warmth behind her eyes.

The clattering of the pot lid grew louder, and the white steam billowing from it seemed to fill the entire kitchen.

“It seems it’s ready.”

Yalin rose from his chair.

He turned off the heat, ladled the stewed beef onto a plate, which he then set before Yufinika.

“Miss Yufinika, please try it while it’s hot.”

Neatly cut cubes of tender, slow-cooked beef lay nestled in a rich, dark brown sauce on the white round plate, garnished with sprigs of vibrant green parsley.

The enticing aroma alone was enough to whet one’s appetite.

Yufinika speared a piece of beef with her fork, placed it in her mouth, savoring each bite thoughtfully.

“How is it?”

“It’s delicious, but the taste is different from what I expected.

The beef stew I used to eat was a bit sourer.”

“Shall I get you some vinegar, then?”

“No, there’s no need.” Yufinika shook her head, a soft laugh escaping her lips.

“I think it’s quite good just like this.”

After dinner, the sky had already darkened considerably.

Yalin washed the kitchen utensils, then bid her a swift farewell and departed.

Yufinika returned to the living room, sitting alone on the sofa.

Staring at the empty room, a profound sense of loneliness welled up within her.

‘Strange, why this sudden feeling?

She ought to have long grown accustomed to solitary living…’

Perhaps, being with Yalin, she had, after a long time, rediscovered a flicker of familiarity.

Thus, when he left, that sense of poignant loss became particularly pronounced.

“Confronting one’s own weakness…”

Yufinika muttered to herself, repeating Yalin’s words.

A sharp rap –

The sudden knocking shattered the quietude of the living room.

‘Had Yalin returned?

Could he have forgotten something?’

Yufinika hurried towards the door and opened it.

However, standing outside was not Yalin, but a tall woman of imposing presence.

“Well, little Yufi, long time no see.

How have you been lately?”

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