Aina's Meal

The dawn light was faint, and dew still clung to the blades of grass in the manor’s courtyard.

“What’s wrong, Mian? You seem distracted during training today,” Xia Lun said, slowly lowering his greatsword, his gaze fixed on Mian.

He had naturally noticed that Mian had made several mistakes during their practice.

“Ah… I didn’t sleep well last night…” Mian scratched his head nervously, unconsciously twisting the hem of his shirt. “Sorry…”

He still wasn’t good at hiding things from others.

“You don’t have to apologize to me, Mian. Training is for your own good,” Xia Lun said with a smile. “If you’re tired, take a break. Don’t push yourself too hard—it could backfire. Besides, this is a magic academy. Honestly, you should spend more time practicing spells.”

“Uh… I understand,” Mian nodded firmly. “I study every day.”

Xia Lun said nothing more, slowly raising his greatsword again.

Mian was off his game. He was hiding something. Xia Lun could see that clearly. Since Mian didn’t intend to tell him, Xia Lun didn’t press further.

But what could Mian possibly hide from him? It had to be about Aise…

That thought made Xia Lun worry. If Mian fell under Aise’s influence, things might spiral out of control.

Xia Lun considered whether, after returning, he should have Aina secretly search through Mian’s memories. He still had serious reservations about such an act, but these were clearly critical times.

“Xia Lun! Come eat breakfast!”

Liyana opened a window and leaned out, the morning breeze stirring her golden hair as she waved to Xia Lun in the yard.

“Let’s go,” Xia Lun said to Mian.

“Oh… oh.”

Mian had lived here for a while now, but he still felt quite restrained in this place. No matter how beautiful and luxurious the manor was, it ultimately wasn’t his, and Mian knew that well.

He kind of missed his little dorm room.

In the dining room, a white linen tablecloth covered the long table. Silverware gleamed in the morning light, spotless.

Liyana wolfed down the food in front of her.

“Xia Lun! I’m taking Mo Lini and Luo Lun out to play!”

Liyana stood up from her seat and announced loudly, as if she were about to do something earth-shattering.

Little Lan, perched on Mo Lini’s head, hopped a few times, clearly displeased at being overlooked.

“And Little Lan too,” Liyana added as an afterthought.

“Go on, then,” Xia Lun waved his hand dismissively.

“We won’t be back for lunch!”

Liyana said loudly again, as if she were reminding him of something.

Usually, Liyana and the others handled the cooking.

“Alright, got it. I’ll cook lunch myself,” Xia Lun replied casually.

“Huh? Why not Aina?” Liyana suddenly asked.

Obviously, it was usually more fitting for the wife to do the cooking.

Xia Lun glanced at Aina. She was seated gracefully beside him, poised like a classical oil painting.

It had indeed been a long time since Aina had cooked.

Back when they lived in seclusion in the cabin in the Silent Forest, Xia Lun had mostly done the cooking. After they moved to the big city, the manor naturally hired a chef.

It had been ages since he’d tasted Aina’s cooking.

Xia Lun raised his brows slightly, as if a little nostalgic.

Aina’s skills were far from lacking—quite the opposite. Her cooking was exquisite, rivaling that of professional chefs. But she wasn’t very interested in it, since she hardly needed to eat.

“Then I’ll do it,” Aina said calmly, taking on the task.

“What?” Xia Lun was taken aback.

“I’ll cook lunch,” Aina repeated, squinting at her husband. “Since you look so eager, Xia Lun.”

Xia Lun nodded vigorously.

“I… I want noodles,” Mian suddenly raised his hand. “I can prepare them myself…”

Mian knew he shouldn’t get involved in this.

After breakfast, Mian retreated to his room and shut himself away, leaving the space to the couple.

Though it was still early, Aina had already started preparing lunch for Xia Lun.

“I’m stepping out to get some ingredients,” she said before leaving, pressing a light kiss to Xia Lun’s cheek, like a devoted wife—no, that’s exactly what she was.

“Alright…”

Xia Lun had assumed Aina was heading to the academy’s market, but instead, she stepped straight into a spatial rift.

Xia Lun: …

He hoped Aina was getting proper ingredients.

Soon, Aina returned from beyond the world, carrying the same small basket she’d appeared with when they first met, looking every bit the diligent, virtuous housewife.

Inside the basket were unfamiliar purple cuts of meat and various odd-shaped fruits and vegetables Xia Lun had never seen, one of which—a multi-angled fruit—was pulsing faintly. Staring at these unusual ingredients, Xia Lun couldn’t help but swallow instinctively.

“Aina…” Xia Lun opened his mouth, unable to hold back.

“What is it?” Aina turned around, revealing a bright, meaningful smile, sunlight dancing on her silver lashes.

“Uh… nothing. Keep at it,” Xia Lun replied, ultimately not wanting to let down her good intentions.

Aina slipped into the kitchen and began bustling about with a clatter.

She even set up a barrier to keep Xia Lun from peeking…

By midday, Aina had even prepared silver-domed serving plates. She elegantly placed the platter in front of Xia Lun, keeping up the mystery.

Aina lifted the dome herself, releasing a rich aroma of meat that jolted Xia Lun’s spirits.

On the plate lay a perfectly seared steak with a gorgeous brown crust, glazed with glistening sauce, surrounded by roasted vegetables from another world. Aside from the faint purple sheen of the meat itself, the dish looked flawless.

Xia Lun glanced at Aina, who gave him a radiant smile. “Eat up, Xia Lun. Don’t worry about me.”

Even if it were the flesh of some eldritch god, since Aina had made it, Xia Lun would devour it without hesitation.

The moment a small piece entered his mouth, the layered texture made him stop caring about the ingredients’ origins. He dug in heartily.

“Is it good?” Aina sat across from him, chin resting on her hand, smiling softly.

“Delicious!” Xia Lun nodded enthusiastically barely able to stop eating.

After all, she was his wife—she’d never harm him. No matter what kind of meat it was, as long as it tasted great, that was enough. Others couldn’t enjoy it even if they wanted to.

“If it’s good, eat plenty,” Aina said, her smile growing richer in a way Xia Lun couldn’t quite read. She turned and walked back into the kitchen. “Eat well until you’re full. There’s plenty.”