Cooking with Wild Game (LN)

Remuneration and Resolve

Translator: Skythewood

1

Ah, I can see the water source, it feels that were finally home.

I muttered to myself with ragged breath, and Ai Fa who has been quiet all this while finally turned back.

Whats with your voice? Asuta, your stamina is just like a ten years old child.

Yeah, I just need to beat Rimee Wu in that Ai Fa, you are finally willing to talk to me.

Hmmp.

Ai Fa faced forward again and sped up.

Ah, wait for me! At least let me drink some water! My throat is completely patched since just now!

I just hiked through the hill for an hour with over 16kg of load after all. The ropes had cut into my shoulder, and my legs and waist was trembling. I over exerted myself physically today, maybe even more than that day when we erected the stove.

By the way, how I did I cross that scary suspension bridge? In order to carry my baggage, Ai Fa made two trips, and she even went another time to guide me over while holding my hand. She was probably worried that her panicky family member would hug her again. Anyways, there were plenty of embarrassing things in my life that I didnt want Rimee Wu to know.

Lets hydrate myself first.

What a wimp

While Ai Fas words stabbed deep into my head, I scooped up the clear water flowing between the rocks and drank it.

Absolutely refreshing.

Ai Fa who didnt speak with me for a long time changed her tone and continued:

Asuta, why arent you asking anything.

Hmm? You mean what that uncle said? I have loads of things to ask, but you will tell me things about this world every night.

I rubbed my hands on my knees, and looked up at Ai Fas face as I caught my breath

You will choose what to tell me based on your judgement. I wont find any faults in your judgement, since I dont really understand this world too well yet.

However, if you are already calm, then I want to discuss something with you What do you think about that uncle?

I cast my gaze to my feet when I said that.

Over there was a large bag filled with poitan and tino leaves, and bottle of fruit wine.

Ai Fa wanted to leave the fruit wine behind and go back, but I think the fruit wine wasnt at fault in the first place, so I volunteered to bring it back. The bottles design was different from the usual kind, which made me curious what kind of wine this was.

He is a weird guy, but I dont think he is a bad man. Im a bit curious about what you think of him.

Not worth mentioning.

Youre going already? Hey, wait!

With no other choice, I heaved up the bag and chased after Ai Fa painstakingly.

Despite her heavy baggage, Ai Fas strides were steady.

I wont force you if you dont want to talk about it, but you seemed really tense. Youre not good with guys like him?

I have nothing to say with people from the city.

But you said plenty. Now that you mentioned it, Im more of an outsider compared to that uncle, right? If you try talking to him, you two might get along well.

You think I get along with you?

Ahaha! I already noticed, but you are still angry! The things you have been saying made my heart aches!

I dont mean it.

Ai Fas eyes turned gloomy.

Am I acting weird?

Weird or not huh I thought you were in serious thought about something. You seemed troubled after we set off from the post station town.

I dont know. This is the first time I spoke with someone from the city, my mind is a mess.

She looked at me with gloomy eyes.

Like a little kid who was lost.

Am I weird?

No, youre not weird at all.

I said firmly.

Its only natural for you to be confused after hearing someone say that so suddenly. I only half understand what that guy said, but for you For the denizens of Forest's Edge, this will affect your future.

I already told you a long time ago, you dont need to shoulder such a big responsibility. If you dont think you can handle it, then just forget it ever happened.

What I said was rather irresponsible.

But half of it was my sincere thoughts.

If what Kamyua Yost said was true the Tsun house will lose power, and the Wu house will take over Forest's Edge, things might end peacefully.

However, things wouldnt proceed so smoothly.

We had yet to understand Donda Wu. If that burly and violent man replaced the Tsun house and rule Forest's Edge in their stead, he might be more of a tyrant than the Tsun house. And we wouldnt be able to raise our head before Rimee Wu and Grandma Jiba.

On the other hand, what that uncle said might be just a load of rubbish. Kamyua Yost seemed to have a good grasp of the situation in Forests Edge. He might be trying to tease us on a whim, so we couldnt believe him so easily.

I want to believe his words, and I hope he had the authority to strip the Tsun house of their chief status.

That way, we wouldnt need to look out for that despicable Diga Tsun. And we made an enemy with another Tsun house member today.

The man who called himself Doddo Tsun was a small fry like Diga Tsun, but someone so shameless was more scary. He got drunk in the afternoon and create trouble in the post station town. It was hard for me to imagine that someone so crude was living in Forest's Edge.

They were not qualified to rule Forest's Edge That was definitely so.

Darum Wu of the Wu house might be a problematic character, but he isnt as bad as these guys. If Darum Wu is a wolf, then they are just wild dogs No, that will be rude to the wild dogs.

In the end, he is still human.

Probably someone poisoned by civilization.

You also turned quiet too.

A voice of a girl throwing a tantrum reached my ears.

I was wondering who it was, but it was just Ai Fa.

Asuta, youre so troubled too, but you want me to forget about this.

Ai Fa would sometimes show an expression that looked younger than her age.

Moments like this always made me waver I was rather flustered now too.

No, Im not troubling over something that deep. Im just thinking that dogs exist in this world too.

Dogs? You mean the descendents of Farbu wolves that lived amongst humans being friends of mankind? Thats just a legend in the western kingdom, theres no telling if it is true.

Ai Fa pouted.

If you want to eat that dog thing, then go to Rock City. I dont want any part of that.

She turned her head to the side really hard.

My mind was a mess, wondering if I should be angry or soothe her.

I get it! I get it! Lets talk about happy things! Since our match with Donda Wu is over, I want to try out new dishes. We have been taste testing steaks this few days, so my jaws are tired.

Ai Fa kept her head turned and glance at me sideways.

Will the new dish be tastier than hamburg steak?

We will only know if we try. By the way, the steaks are delicious right?

Thats true But I still prefer hamburg steak.

Huh!? You told me that the steaks are as tasty as hamburg steak right? Thats why I made up my mind to use steaks in my match with Donda Wu.

Steaks are as tasty as hamburg steak But I still prefer hamburg steak.

I was planning to rebuke her, but I forgot what I wanted to say from surprise.

Because I realized that this was the first time Ai Fa used the term prefer.

Ai Fa once said that food has no distinction of being delicious or not, but not only did she said tasty, she even used the term prefer.

To me, this was a dramatic change.

You once said that eating soft meat all the time will make our teeth weak, but theres no need to worry about it if I continue to chew on jerky.

Ai Fa lowered her face that was turned away a little, then looked up at me sideways with her mouth slightly pouting. That expression of hers was so sly.

It was even worse since she didnt show that face on purpose.

So, I still prefer hamburg steak.

I-I get it. I will make hamburg steak tomorrow, so lets try out a new dish today first.

Ai Fa lowered her head further, she seemed to be suppressing a smile.

I could only say that it was a good thing that both of my hands were full.

We just concluded our match with Donda Wu, even though there were new troubles in our hearts, it shouldnt be too much to ask if we spent this day leisurely right? We could then rest up and worry about Kamyua Yosts issue tomorrow! When we reached our home with this in mind, another new problem was there waiting for Ai Fa and me.

It came in the form of a matching couple.

They were Kaslan Lutim and Ema Min who would be wed in six days.

2

Head of the Fa house Ai Fa, and house member Asuta, we have been waiting for your return.

Kaslan Lutims face was squarish, and he had a pair of large eyes and a large nose. He wasnt handsome, but emitted an air of honesty and sincerity. He said after a deep bow:

Its great to see you, its almost time for us to return to the Lutim house.

Ema Min bundled her dark brown hair up tidily, and her mature face showed hints of intelligence and cheerfulness. She bowed too.

Kaslan Lutim and Ema Min. What are you doing here?

Ai Fa had not switched to her house head expression yet, and asked them puzzledly. The two of them smiled and answered as if they had agreed on this in advance:

We have some urgent matters for the two of you, so we came to visit.

To be honest, I had an ominous feeling when I heard him said that.

We have already asked Donda Wu to turn down the matter of tending the hearth for the wedding when we went home in the morning.

But even so, the ominous feeling persisted.

Its too conspicious to stay here, come on in Asuta, care take their steel.

Ai Fa grabbed my bag of poitan with her hand that was holding the fruit wine, and hurried into the house.

I was momentarily surprised, and quickly took the long and short blades Kaslan Lutim proffered to me.

P-Please come in.

Ever since Rimee Wus visit quite some time ago, we finally have some guest.

I didnt know how to receive them at all.

Ai Fa finally returned from the food store, and sat down in the seat of honour in the large room. The two guest sat down an adequate distance away opposite Ai Fa.

I was at a loss, and finally knelt down besides Ai Fa, with the blades placed right beside me.

Since no one complained, my actions probably didnt violate any customs of Forest's Edge.

First, we want to thank you both. Ai Fa and Asuta of house Fa, thank you for the amazing feast you prepared for us last night.

Thats right, dinner last night was delicious. For us, this irreplaceable pre wedding celebration was a joyous night we will never forget.

When I hear the honest and sincere thanks from the both of them, I wanted to thank them too.

Or rather I just came back from the motley post station town, so the sight of these two who represented innocence and purity gave me an entirely different impression from last night.

Kaslan Lutim was a young man with such forthright eyes.

Ema Min was actually a woman with such a bright and clear expression.

I wasnt sure if it was just their family, or this differs by the individuals, but many of the Wu house members emits dazzling life force. But these two had a more stable quality, as tenacious as a rooted tree.

Ai Fa finally reverted to her serious expression as a house head. Sitting with one knee up, she looked at them and said:

We are glad to tend to the Wu houses hearth too But what are you referring to when you mentioned you have a request for us? We have already rejected the request about the wedding through Donda Wu.

After Ai Fa got right to the point, the two of them said yes at the same time, and lowered their heads:

Thats the matter we would like to discuss with you two! Back then, it was my father Dan Lutim who proposed this matter which goes against the customs of Forest's Edge when we heard his proposal

We also think it is a wonderful idea. If it comes through, it would be a truly blissful night.

Their hearts were so in sync even before the wedding.

Their expressions and eyes were filled with pure longing and joy I could feel their honest character from how they try their best to convey their thoughts.

But these were two different matters.

Of all the kin house of the Wu house, Kaslan Lutim was the heir to the strongest Lutim main house. It would be too heavy a responsibility for me to care take the hearth during his wedding.

I could only count on Ai Fas decisiveness.

Neither the Lutim house nor Min house has deep relations with the Fa house, so the Fa house cant bear such a heavy responsibility. A family joyous occasions should be shared with your kins Asuta already said that last night.

She was right.

I nodded in agreement.

The next instance, Kaslan Lutim looked at me with his forthright eyes.

Asuta, I heard that you are a Fa house member, but didnt come from Forest's Edge, but a foreign country. And that you work as a chef in your hometown.

Yes, I might just be an apprentice helping out at home, but what you said is true.

I dont understand what that job entails in detail. Simply put, its similar to the merchants peddling cooked food in the post station town, correct?

Yes, you are correct.

In that case can you sell me the dishes you prepared?

What?

I didnt understand what he meant.

Selling dishes How do I sell them in Forest's Edge?

Im not asking you to care take our hearth out of your good will, friendship or kinship, we will trade for your work with proper remunerations. Just for one night, we hope to purchase your cooking skills, knowledge and labour That is our wish.

And I

Was dumbstruck.

Asuta, you are a member of another house, so we wont demand for your blessings. And we just met last night, so we cant force you to offer us your kindness and generousity. In that case, we can only pay for you to render help.

If that is so But

I plan to pay you with everything I have, your cookings is worthy of me doing so. I want to share the joy of eating I experience that night with Ema Min and my father Dan Lutim, with my family and kins. Asuta, I need your strength.

When Kaslan Lutim said that, he took off the tusks and horns hanging on his thick neck with a crisp clinking sound.

On the necklace was several layers of horns and tusks, far greater than the number of Ai Fas neck.

Ema Min took off her necklace with a calm smile.

On it was the three tusks and horns gifted to her by her family.

They offered these necklaces that represents the pride of hunters and the love of their parents before me.

Not just the Lutim, the hundred odd kins of the Wu house will also attend this banquet. I know this isnt enough to pay for everyones meal, but every participant will gift us with one blessing each. That will be two hundred for Ema Min and me. If that still isnt enough, I will hunt kiba until it is enough

Wait! Thats too much, I cant accept this!

I felt an emotion close to terror, and yelled loudly:

I-Im just a immature half-baked chef, I cant take on such an important job And Im an outsider, and dont know the rules of Forest's Edge too well yet, if you leave such an important job to me

You have already shown us your capabilities, we are not worried about that.

B-By capabilities, you mean yesterdays steaks? Like I said, its a dish a family can finish on their own. I will tell you the menu right now

According to what you described, in order to reproduce the taste, we have to start from hunting the kiba right?

I will teach you! I will teach you how to bloodlet and slaughter them! Actually, I have only slaughtered three kibas. You already possess the skill to skin them, so you will learn it in no time.

The hamburg steak that was brought up repeatedly last night

Its fine even if you dont try it. It will be harmful to your bodies if you get addicted to that dish.

We are not that foolish.

Kaslan Lutim suddenly smiled.

It was a strong smile, filled with the pride and dignity of a man.

If that dish will harm the body of a hunter, I will not touch it at all. But you said that there wouldnt be any effects even if we eat it one thousand or two thousand times, isnt that right Asuta?

T-Thats just my assumption, I dont know the actual facts. However, it is certain that eating soft food all day will definitely make ones teeth and jaws grow weak.

If someone allows their soul to corrode even after hearing your words, then they are the ones who are too weak. You dont need to feel gloomy about this. You are telling us this to warn us right?

Kaslan Lutim gently placed a fist onto the floor and leaned forward.

The righteous youth didnt show any changes on his face, but his emotions might be getting heated up quietly:

Im a hunter, so I cant explain as clearly as you Anyway, I want to share my feelings with everyone. If there is more joy in life, we will have a stronger will to live. The happiness you brought to us gave Ema Min and me strength, and I want others to know this strength too. Not just house Lutim, I want to share it with the Wu house, Min house, Lei house, Mamu house, Lilin house and mufa house In the face of such a situation, we need to obtain a greater strength to fulfil our obligations as hunters.

The situation he was referring to was it about the Tsun clan becoming depraved?

But I couldnt think about so many things at the same time.

T-Thats why I told you that I will impart all of my skills to you. Including bloodletting, slaughtering, grilling poitans and how to cook the steaks you ate yesterday. Give me six days, I will teach everyone the details. I have already taught some of the skills to the women of the Wu clan

And the hamburg steak?

Theres no need to go out of the way to learn that dish. Hamburg steak takes too much effort to prepare, and doesnt really fit the denizens of Forest's Edge right?

It might be rude for me to say this, but whether hamburg steak is suitable for the denizens of Forest's Edge should be decided by the denizens of Forest's Edge No, youre already a member of the Fa house, and a part of Forest's Edge now. Im not taking your words lightly, but I wish to choose my own path.

If we can get tremendous joy out of this, we will choose that path no matter how much extra efforts it will take.

Ema Min finally chipped in.

What should we do in order to live? Forage for firewood? Dry pico leaves? Tan hides? What are the things we should do and which path should we take? Eighty years ago, our forebears also considered these things, and impart them to us. One day, I will bear Kaslans children And I hope I can guide them down a path that leads to greater happiness.

No one will neglect their other chores just for the sake of cooking. But if anyone is willing to put in the extra effort, that means there is value and meaning in doing so. If someone finds the value in hamburg steak, then she is definitely willing to spend the time make them. If not, then she wouldnt bother thats how simple it is

But you have not tried hamburg steaks before, so why are you adamant about it?

We are not only after the hamburg steak, we are hoping that you can give it your all.

Kaslan Lutim said.

Thats why we are asking you. I wont ask the people who learned from you, we just want to ask you. Just for one night, we hope you can do everything you can for us and this is the payment for our job request.

Please wait. I

But I didnt say anything more.

My mind was more confused than I thought, and I was wavering.

The next moment, Ai Fa who was quiet all this while said:

Asuta seems to be tired, hes stamina is no different from a ten years old child after all. Just carrying the goods back from the post station town was enough to leave him exhausted Im sorry, but can we give our reply tomorrow?

I see, of course its fine Well then Asuta, we have one last thing to ask of you.

Pray tell.

Last night, you said that you want to be a medicine, not poison and I sincerely hope so too. Your strength must not become poison. If it becomes medicine, then the denizens of Forest's Edge might obtain more joy, bonds and strength to continue living. I rushed here because of this thought in my mind. May we pick the same path Alright then, we will take our leave.

3

The sun sets.

We met Kamyua Yost in the post station town at noon, and after returning to Forest's Edge, we had a long discussion with Kaslan Lutim and Ema Min. This had far exceeded my brain capacity, so I immersed myself in cooking as a brief respite from reality.

The menu for today was simple. Not counting the time to grill poitan in, it was finished in less than an hour.

Aria and tino leaves were boiled inside the iron pot.

On the fake rubber leaves were additional aria and tino leaves. The aria was cut into either round or semi-circle slices, while the tino leaves that had the texture of cabbages were cut into bite sizes.

Besides the vegetables were the kiba meat. There were belly meat, shoulder meat and thigh meat. I tried my best to cut the meat into 5mm slices, and arranged them into a beautiful circle.

A thick red liquid was glistening on the wooden plate, a condiment made with fruit wine as its base. After bringing the fruit wine to a boil and the alcohol evaporates, I added salt and pico leaves to flavour it slightly. It had a tangy sweetness to it which will definitely make Donda Wu complain if he eats it.

Alright! Ai Fa, its done!

Ai Fa looked at me with an expression that says: Whats this?

Thats right, this was just a plate with raw meat slices displayed on top, so a denizen of Forest's Edge wouldnt understand.

This is Shabu shabu, a dish where you can cook and eat the meat yourself.

Even after hearing my explanation, the question mark on top of Ai Fa didnt disappear.

Instead of explaining with words, it was simpler to show by hand. I took out the secret weapon I prepared for this day

After slicing the krilee branches that has almost no taste into thin sticks, I dried them and made them into chopsticks.

First, put the meat into the pot like this.

Uwah!

I turned my head because of the strange noise, and found Ai Fa covering her mouth with her face red for unknown reasons.

What? Something happened? I didnt do anything that will make you embarrassed.

S-Shut up! What kind of disgusting movement is that!

Hmm? Thats how you use chopsticks.

I opened and close the chopsticks a couple of times, and Ai Fa continued her Uwah, uwah. Her face was getting redder She seemed embarrassed that she couldnt suppress her cries.

I will carry on with the demonstration Put the meat into the soup like this, and slowly move it from side to side, until the slices arent red any more. Shabu~ shabu~

What sort of spell is that?

Its a spell to make the meat turn tastier.

I then placed the well cooked belly meat onto Ai Fas plate.

After that, I picked up a piece of aria and tino leave floating in the pot for her.

The problem is that it will take some time to finish three arias. Ah, try it first. If you dont like it, I will change it into a normal meat soup.

After she finished mumbling to herself I already know what she was saying softly. After Ai Fa gave thanks to the grace of the forest and to me, she picked up the plate suspiciously.

She scooped up the meat and aria coated in the condiment, and ate it.

Shabushabu how does it taste?

its tender.

Belly meat is tender right? Here, this is thigh meat.

Its tougher than the meat in meat soup.

Shabushabu, I was getting tired of saying that.And finally, shoulder meat.

Its soft.

Like I said, our intense match with Donda Wu is over, so we dont need to care about the toughness of the meat. If it dont fit your taste, I will cook some meat soup instead. What do you think?

Ai Fa fell into deep thought with a troubled face.

In the meantime, I said shabu shabu repeatedly and cooked some belly meat for myself.

Dont be so troubled, just tell me what your honest thoughts are.

Despite what I said, she still didnt reply, so I placed a slice of belly meat into my mouth.

Ah.

Delicious.

For the past ten odd days, our dinner was either steak or hamburg steak, so the texture and refreshing taste of the thin pieces of meat felt delicious.

I drank plenty of meat soup at the Wu clan, but food cooked from simmering and dipping still have some difference.

On top of that, dinner tonight was Shabu shabu. Aside from the aria and tino leaves, only a bit of salt was added into the soup. The only condiment was the fruit wine sauce, so it couldnt conceal the taste of the meat.

There wasnt any need to conceal the taste of the kiba, I could feel the energy from these meat. The kiba was juicy and tasty, and the juice spew out every time I chewed, so I didnt know when I should swallow.

There was still a bit of a stench in the meat, and it was tougher than pork, but it would be fine if I slice it thinly like this. When I tried the thigh meat which was the toughest body part, I could actually chew and enjoy its wonderful texture.

Wow, its really good! Thats what I think, what about you?

Ai Fa thought for a moment, then said: it is delicious.

But I can only eat a little at a time, this is too slow.

Yes, I know how you feel. I will often feel it is troublesome towards the end, and throw it all into the pot. Especially pork No, kiba meat has to be completely cooked, until it loses its red colour.

If that is so, why not cook it all from the start?

Hmm? Well cooking it all from the start is one way of eating it. The advantage of cooking one piece at a time is that we can eat freshly cooked and steaming hot meat. To be honest, I dont eat this too often either.

I see.

Thats right, and our restaurant dont have Shabu shabu either. We seldom eat out, when my mother

I couldnt help stopping, but I had to finish it since I already started the sentence.

When my mother is still alive, we will eat this occasionally.

I told myself in the post station town that I shouldnt tell Ai Fa about my world in too much detail. Was that the right thing to do?

Ai Fa squint her eyes a little, and cast her gaze on the pot that was boiling.

I ruffled my head, and threw a small piece of wood into the stove.

How old were you when your mother passed away?

Hmm? About seven, whats the matter?

That early? After she said that, Ai Fa lift her head and ask in surprise:

Which means you tasted this dish before you are seven?

Probably, yeah. Its too lonely to have hot pot with just me and my dad Ah, no, I wont feel that way when I eat hotpot with you though.

?

Damn it, Im digging my own grave! Its nothing, simply put, this is a standard home cooked meal for an entire family So when a family of three becomes two, it makes me feel that eating hot pot feels lonely! Sorry for saying something so depressing!

Ai Fa blinked her eyes, and didnt seem to understand what I was saying completely.

I dont understand. Will it make you unhappy to eat this dish with me?

I wouldnt have prepared this dish if I feel that way.

I see. Thats great Looks like I dont need to beat you up.

Thats a relief!

Lend me that.

Ai Fa reached out her right hand.

Hmm? The chopsticks? Dont you find them disgusting?

Then why did you make another pair?

She found out.

I prepared another pair of chopsticks, and had placed it quietly in the shadows of the plate and ladle used to remove foam from the soup.

I made another pair for you of course. But its not easy to use though.

If you can use it, so can I.

Ai Fa pouted again.

So as I kept an eye on the aria and tino leaves so they didnt overcook, and gave a simple lecture on how to use chopsticks.

Hmmp, thats simple.

Three minutes later, Ai Fa picked up a piece of aria successfully.

Hmm

Nevermind, it works if she can pick up food firmly I told myself.

In the end, Ai Fa didnt learn the right way to hold chopsticks. She held one stick with her thumb and index finger, and the other stick with her ring finger and pinkie. And she was better at it than me.

The positioning looks perfect though, so lets keep it at that.

Okay, lets continue eating! Eat more aria okay? If there are leftovers, I can fry some meat with them.

Yes.

After seeing Ai Fa, I added another firewood, then ate some grilled poitan.

Asuta, what meat is this?

Thats the meat from the shoulder and back.

I see.

Ai Fa dipped the meat into the iron pot

Shabu~shabu~, she started mumbling.

I couldnt help spitting the poitan I chew half way out, and choked on my food.

What are you doing, dont waste food.

Ai Fa said as she glared at me, then continued: Shabu~shabu~.

I tried my best to stifle my laughter and decided to wait until I had thoroughly enjoyed her demeanor before telling her You can just say it in your heart if you think it is a hassle I promised to myself in my heart.

4

The peaceful dinner ended smoothly.

We tidied up the cutlery as usual, put out one of the candles, and it was time to think over the troublesome matters properly.

Asuta, I will be blunt.

Ai Fa lifted her hands to let down her blonde hair as she said quietly:

What Kaslan Lutim said earlier was meant for you. As the house head, I will tell you my opinion. But you have to make the final decision yourself.

Yes, I know.

And also, you dont need to worry about the Fa houses position for this matter.

Huh?

This is a proper trade. Even if you fail, no one will be punished. If you succeed, the Wu clan and the Fa house wont get any closer. Aside from the remuneration, we wont be affected at all.

Her hair swayed in the darkness.

Unwed women didnt cut their hair, so Ai Fas hair was rather long.

But what will happen to the two of them? If I fail, how will that affect them?

Nothing much, they will just lose their kins trust, and be mocked. Everyone will say that the heir of the Lutim house messed up the entire ceremony, and is a fool who tarnished the pride of a hunter for some retarded game.

Uwah. Im glad that you dont hold back at all during times like this Ah~! What should I do!

Be quiet What are you so worried about? To me, this is a safe bet with nothing to worry about.

Ai Fa leaned against the wall and tilted her head confusedly.

Kaslan Lutims request is for you to cook the dishes you made before, but create anything new. Kiba steak, hamburg steak, meat soup and grilled poitan You just need to serve these dishes, and the guests will be surprised and awed.

That might be so but they would add all sorts of vegetables into the pot lavishly during banquets right? Mama Mia Lei mentioned this yesterday. Thats why I didnt hesitate in adding tino leaves and pula into the meat soup meant for the guest.

Ai Fa flicked her hair again.

The candle was probably too dim, and I couldnt see her face as clearly as usual.

And so, no matter how great the dish I served was, there will be people unhappy about the bland palatte of ingredients, feel that something is amiss and get angry. Not just that, if my cooking isnt to their liking Then it will mess up the banquet they were looking forward too, right?

And this is a formal wedding ceremony. There might be old men with archaic thinking, or people more stubborn than Donda Wu who prefers the poitan pot stew usually served at banquets. Everyone have their own preference after all, and I keep forgetting something so obvious. Thats why my pride as a chef was hurt when I heard Donda Wu disparaging me. I dont think everyone will accept my cooking unconditionally anymore..

Asuta, what exactly are you afraid of?

Ai Fas voice was a little puzzled..

Even though all that might happen, Kaslan Lutim still wish for you to care take their hearth. This is an important banquet for him, but he wants you to tend to the lives of his irreplaceable family and relatives. Isnt this a great honour?

It is a great honour. Im so afraid because Im not worthy of it. Kaslan Lutim and Ema Min believe me from the bottom of their heart and want to entrust me with such an important task. I could feel that and it makes me afraid.

I still dont understand.

Ai Fa shrugged in the darkness.

I stood up, walk to Ai Fa and sat down.

Whats the matter?

Ai Fa looked at me quizzically.

She was frowning, but her eyes were calmer than I imagined.

Sorry, I feel uneasy if I cant see your face. If you feel uncomfortable that we are too close, I will light another candle.

Ai Fa shook her head slowly and said:

Asuta, you already finished the agreement you had with Donda Wu successfully, so why are you still so worried? This is the first time you act so timid about your own cooking.

What happened back then was because of my ideals and emotions. I want to give Rimee Wu and Grandma Jiba more strength, and to be acknowledged by Donda Wu. I only took on these seemingly impossible matches because of this strong feelings But its different this time.

I looked into Ai Fas beautiful blue eyes and said:

I dont have any bonds with Kaslan Lutim, and I dont know if what he said is true. Even though it has nothing to do with me, I cant decide if it is right. Because I

You want to say that you are not from this world?

There was a gleam of displeasure in Ai Fas eyes.

Asuta, your eyes are gloomy today. When we met Donda Wu, you found the right path forward. But now, you cant see anything.

W-What do you mean?

Dont you get it? You dont need to worry about favours or blood relations, theres no right or wrong about this either, and the decision isnt made by you. Kaslan Lutim already told you right? They just want to borrow your strength.

Ai Fa suddenly grabbed my arm.

Her face was already to close to mine, and she was right at my nose now.

The aftertaste of dinner was overwhelmed by Ai Fas fragrance.

Kaslan Lutim and Ema Min will decide your value, not you. You dont need to worry about favours, blood relations, goodwill and generosity. They acknowledged your capabilities, and wish to purchase your strength for one night with money.

Thats because

It doesnt matter if the results meet your expectation, thats the responsibility of the buyer, the seller dont need to worry about that. Asuta, you

Ai Fa seemed to be in deep thought, and then said:

Asuta, you bought some food in the post station town today right?

Yes. It wasnt delicious, but its not horrible either.

Why did you spend copper plates to buy them?

Hmm? Thats because It smells great and looked fine.

Do you think the taste was worth it?

No, its the price of a bottle of fruit wine, thats too expensive for me.

In that case, are you going to complain to the shop and ask them to refund you?

I

My vision turned clear.

You found value in that food and paid the price. Kaslan Lutim also found the value in your cooking and wants to pay you for it. The customers are free to think whatever they want after buying the product. But even if they are unhappy, they wont grumble about that.

Ai Fa

Furthermore, Kaslan Lutim and the others already tried your cooking. They are after the taste of your dishes, and are willing to pay the price. You also make a living by cooking and selling food back in your hometown, so why are you turning them down? This is what confuses me.

I get it I get it now, Ai Fa. I finally understand what Im so afraid of.

Kaslan Lutim and Ema Min were just normal patrons.

I had no links or bonds with them. Even if I turn them down, they had no grounds for complains. Even if they find faults with my dishes, I wouldnt need to take any responsibilities.

That was why I was so afraid.

Seeing a price set for my cooking, and sold as merchandize This filled me with fear.

I never had a shop of my own before. The shop owner was my father, and Im just helping him.

To make the thoughts in my mind clearer, I tried articulating them.

Ai Fa listened to me quietly.

Back then, the customers are paying for my fathers dishes. Even if I cooked the rice, roast the meat and cut the vegetables the dishes were still my fathers cooking, not mine. Thats what I always thought.

Yes.

And after coming to this world, I met you and started preparing the dishes for you and myself. I then met Rimee Wu, Grandma Jiba and Donda Wu. I then cooked for many people but that wasnt selling my cooking. I only cooked for them because I wanted them to try it.

Yes.

Hence, I didnt prepare the dishes for Donda Wu personally last night. Because they didnt need me as a chef. Hence, I think that only the home cooking prepared by his family can satisfy the heart of that old man.

Yes.

And this time it is the opposite from the last time, they needed me as a chef.

A chill ran down my spine.

It was cooler at night than in the day, but we could still manage with our thin clothings and my knees started quivering badly.

Thats the thing that frightens me.

This is different from the blessings given to me by the Wu family members. Im just a half baked chef, and isnt sure if my cookings has any value. The thought of people unrelated to me judging my cooking calmly makes me very uneasy.

Even if you say that, Ai Fa who pulled had her face away leaned in again.

Lights is coming back to your murky eyes.

Yes This is the first time anyone has placed their faith in me as a chef. It scared me but it also filled me with pride.

Then, will you accept their job request?

I want to take the job. I squeezed out these words.

My stomach was constricting, and the meat and poitan I ate looked as if they were going to be pushed out.

Since they trust me that much I want to work hard to properly earn the remunerations they are offering. As a chef, I hope my skills wont bring me shame.

My whole body was shaking.

I was really going to puke.

I was shocked, I never thought I was so cowardly.

The next instant Ai Fa brush her palm over my cheeks. Her eyes looked into mine from an extremely close distance.

Im very proud. Ai Fa said quietly.

Under Ai Fas gaze My trembling finally stopped.