Chapter 42 - Rice Cooked in Bamboo (2/2)

In the past, he was used to being alone and was okay with it. But now, he found his former life so lonely that it scared him.

He had to keep her close to him!

Bai Qingqing smelled the aroma of rice. The amount of time that had passed was enough for the rice to cook in a rice cooker. Hence, she used sticks to pick up the bamboo pole.

“The rice is ready. Let’s eat.” Bai Qingqing was used to sharing food with others. When she looked up and saw Cortis’ face, a cold expression replaced the accomplished smile on her face.

Bai Qingqing awkwardly poked at the scalding hot bamboo pole on the ground. She couldn’t take back what she said either.

To her surprise, Cortis swam up to her. His snake-like lower body remained immersed while his human-like upper body lay on the shore as he looked closely at Bai Qingqing’s food.

The reed leaf wrapped around the bamboo pole was already charred. The moment Bai Qingqing poked it, it flaked off to reveal the charred bamboo pole underneath. There were even a few thin cracks at the base. It really seemed like it couldn’t be eaten.

Bai Qingqing glumly cut open the bamboo pole. It was so hot to the touch that she hissed, causing a cold and pale hand to grab her wrist.

“I’ll do it,” Cortis said as he endured the scorching heat radiating off the bamboo tube and cut it open.

The air was instantly filled with the extraordinarily fragrant aroma of rice.

“Wow! It smells good!” Bai Qingqing was so surprised that her eyes lit up. She happily squinted her eyes. “I’ve never smelled such fragrant rice before.”

This was simple husked rice, and most of the rice grains were still green. However, it was much more fragrant than the processed white rice she used to eat.

Bai Qingqing picked up a pair of clean branches she’d prepared beforehand, then poked a lump of rice and put it in her mouth. The rice was so hot that she couldn’t stop panting. With the rice in her mouth, she said in a muffled voice, “Mmm! I haven’t eaten rice in so long. It’s so good!”

Cortis soaked his scalded hands in the water and smiled as he looked at Bai Qingqing. “I’m glad you like it.”