Vol 6 Chapter 22 (2/2)

“It’s a special for Xuan De~ I think Xuan De has been eating dried meat all this while right?” Gan Qing said as she placed the other dishes on the table, and called Mi Zhen over for dinner.

I see, she specially made some braised meat huh? Gan Qing is really caring.

… Wait.

“Gan Qing.”

“Un? What’s up, Xuan De?”

“Did you make this?”

“Yes, I specially made it from meat bought from the market.” She said as she smiled radiantly at me.

…

“U, umm, I think that such expensive foods should be–”

“Xuan De, I specially made it for you~ Try it quick.”

“Wu…” I really can’t say anything after she’s said this much.

As I looked at the delicious-looking pieces of braised meat, I couldn’t help but remember that they were made by Gan Qing and I began to grow more worried.

But how could I possibly back out now?

And so I drummed up my courage and picked up a piece of meat.

This was something that Gan Qing went to great lengths to make for me so I can’t waste it even if it tastes terrible.

Ahen, I gathered all the courage I could ever muster and placed it in my mouth and closed my mouth immediately so that I could squeeze out a look of enjoyment even if it was terrible beyond imagination.

But…

“Un?” The taste of braised meat spread throughout my mouth, and I began to chew more quickly, “… Delicious.”

“Eh? Really?!”

I nodded vigorously. Though it’s not something that was out of this world, it was a very homely, warm taste that made one feel comfortable and satisfied.

“I really didn’t think it would be this good! Gan Qing’s culinary skills have really improved huh.” As I expressed my astonishment, my mouth didn’t stop with rice and the other dishes.

“Hehe, I’ve been practicing after all.” Gan Qing ate slowly with a blissful smile on her face from my praise, “I can’t do much, and can only support Xuan De in these areas.”

“Support big brother!” Mi Zhen piped up loudly as Gan Qing said so. The 2 of them looked at each other and smiled.

Hai… I sighed inside. I’ve always felt that I owe these 2 a lot.

“We’ve never really had a time to rest after we left Xu state. It’s been– Hard on you both all this while.” I said as I ate to make it seem more natural, but the words still got stuck in my throat mid-sentence. I couldn’t swallow my food nor could I say the words I w.a.n.ged to say and only managed to finish my sentence after a moment’s pause.

“Why are you saying such things, Xuan De? Mi Zhen and I have both decided to follow Xuan De of our own volition from the very beginning, and we’ve been prepared for whatever may come long ago.”

“That’s right, that’s right! There’s Xuan De here, and big sister as well so I like it here!” Mi Zhen gave a radiant, innocent smile.

“But I haven’t even been able to spend time with you all…”

I’ve been busy with various things and have unknowingly neglected Gan Qing and Mi Zhen. Nor have I thought of them very much during the day.

“Xuan De is now the Xuan De of 5,000 troops and dozens of retainers so how could we possibly think of monopolising Xuan De? And anyway–” She put down her bowl and chopsticks as she said so and held my left hand that was clenched tight out of regret, “Isn’t Xuan De with us now?”

Gan Qing flashed a strong smile, the same one that she had on her when we first met in the fields. I remembered that this was the plain smile that I liked and that I had missed very much.

As I looked as Gan Qing, my eyes began to tear up and my vision became blurry. Her hair was slightly soaked in sweat and I raised my right hand and swept her fringe aside and looked closely at her.

She didn’t avoid me, and stared into my eyes as she slowly blushed.

I looked at this cute, strong girl and smiled, “I hope you can continue to stay with me from now on.”

“… Un.” I could feel her intent, and her warmth from my hands.

“What about me?!” Mi Zhen asked as she pouted. I stroked her head, thinking that she looked really cute.

“Of course I hope that Mi Zhen will be with me as well~”

“Un! Mi Zhen will!”

The sky was now completely dark out but I haven’t finished my dinner yet.

We still have to march tomorrow but for now, I hope to spend just a while more with Gan Qing and Mi Zhen.

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