30 A Knock on the Door (1/2)

The stew was just about finished as a fragrance of chives permeated the air. There was a sea of white steam that settled around the room, touching everything and giving its scent to the hut.

Ru An was tidying the hut as she couldn't help but become captivated by the smell. It seems that making a stew out of simple ingredients was not so bad after all.

”Ru An, come try my masterpiece cooking. Not too shabby is it?” Madam Lin asked, spooning a few ladles into a small bowl and handing it to Ru An who took it with both hands.

Ru An took a spoonful and put it into her slightly dry lips. Her taste buds instantly feeling a gratification. Why didn't she know that Madam Lin cooked so well?

”How is it?” Madam Lin asked on as she carefully watched Ru An sip up every drop.

”It's very good.” Ru An answered truthfully with a strangely drunken smile on her tender lips that had been moisturized.

Madam lin did not say anything as she poured some for herself, ”You know what would make this even better?” She gently askes, taking a deep sip of what she cooked.

”A few taels of rice, would just give it the perfect thickness.” She answered herself.

There was now a dusty light outdoors, for the sun had begun to set. There were a few estranged particles of dust that floated around the hut, yet madam Lin did not seem to care about soiling her beautiful dress, sitting directly on the floor.

~

Outside, as the sun was beginning to set, with each of its beautiful orange rays touching down upon its earth, almost intertwined, shining brightly upon the freezing air.

There were two figures walking slowly almost out of breath. Their breaths were heavily frosted, seemingly as though nature itself wanted them dead, drawing every warm breath from their heavy bodies.

One was dressed in the finest of brocades, and the other, dressed in black, seemingly wanting to blend into the darkest of nights. The two young men were as different as night and day, yet they were together almost as friends, without worrying for who held a higher status in society.

Upon seeing a small hut not so far off in the distance with a steam of smoke from it, the man in brocade's eyes lit up, ”Look, Xiao Wu, we can ask for help over there.” He said pointing towards the little hut.

Perhaps if it was a normal day, he would not have put such a decrepit looking place in his eyes, but now in such a situation, it was hard not to think of how cozy it might be.

”Your Highness, what if it's a trap?” The young man called Xiao Wu asked.

”Who cares, If we're going to die out here, we might as well be in a place that is warm.” The man in brocade said with a smile, as he slowly supported Xiao Wu, as they slowly walked toward the hut.

”I think they're coming.” Madam Lin slowly said.

Ru An nodded. It seems that she had heard it too.