Chapter 1075: Isn’t it disgusting? (1/2)

Note to Readers: Mild emetophobia warning in this chapter that briefly describes the act (as well as details that induced it in the first place).

Manager Jin had been out cold, so how did he take his medicine? If it was a stewed decoction, Mu Linger could pry open his lips and feed him that way, but there was nothing like cookware in the cave to boil liquids? Manager Jin’s eyes flashed with doubt as he looked around them, finally resting his gaze on Mu Linger. He was waiting to see what she’d do now.

Mu Linger immediately went to a corner, where a pile of medicinal plants lay. All of them were freshly picked and laid out to dry. There was also a pile of wild fruits. She hadn’t dared to venture out daily, but every two to three days. Every time she would return with a big harvest of ingredients and wild fruits. The former was for Manager Jin, while the latter was for her own munching stash. Thankfully, she didn’t need to eat much and preferred a vegetarian diet. A normal person in her place might not be able to take eating wild fruits for days on end.[1]

When Mu Linger started walking, the big white tiger immediately followed after her to crouch by the pile of medicinal plants. Mu Linger carefully picked through the pile before selecting a single plant from each of the different varieties to make a mix of seven to eight plants in a bunch. Manager Jin didn’t pay attention to the tiger sticking by Mu Linger’s side, but simply observed her back while considering something. He unconsciously bit his lower lip until she turned and walked towards him.

Seeing all the plants in her hands, he was puzzled. How did this girl deal with these things while he was asleep? Still, he made no sound except to wait and watch. Unexpectedly, Mu Linger simply handed him the batch and said, “Here, these are all for you to eat.”

Manager Jin’s hands slowly formed into fists by his sides. “How do I eat them?” he asked.

“Just like this,” Mu Linger said seriously.

“What do you mean, ‘like this?’” Manager Jin grew somber as well.

“Raw. Chew them to bits and then swallow them,” Mu Linger replied.

Manager Jin’s face finally gained a semblance of expression as he chortled coldly. “Mu Linger, you’re still in the mood to joke with me? Looks like your spirits aren’t bad.”

Mu Linger disliked his scornful attitude, as if she was nothing in his eyes. She had no idea why this man wouldn’t let her go if he despised her so much? If he was determined to stick around, he should show some sincerity, just like how she pestered Qi gege. She had never looked down on him. As long as Qi gege said or did anything, she liked them all. Even if he just sat around doing nothing, she liked him still.

If you like someone, shouldn’t you genuinely like all parts of them?

What kind of “liking” did Manager Jin have?

Mu Linger grew more puzzled the more she thought. She looked at him coldly and proclaimed, “Jin Zi, don’t you have any eyes? Can’t you see there’s no stove or fire here? Tell me, if you aren’t swallowing these plants down raw, how else will you eat them? Are you planning to extract their essence after a few hours and gulp down the contents?”

Manager Jin’s expression turned even odder as she went on, “These plants will only help you, not harm you. Eat them as you like!”

Ignoring his reaction, she stuffed the plants into his arms and turned to stalk off. Manager Jin held onto the bundle while his other hand grabbed hers. “Wait!”

“Can you stop touching me all the time?” Mu Linger shook herself free.

Manager Jin relented and let Mu Linger walk away. She took little Tang Tang from the mother tiger’s side and settled down to lean against the wall. Little Tang Tang was truly too young. She spent most of her time sleeping and was currently dozing again. Perhaps the tiger’s milk was to blame, but her complexion looked lively and tenderly red, like a finely carved piece of powdered jade. It made people want to kiss and pinch her cheeks. Mu Linger’s bad mood evaporated at the sight. She couldn’t help but wonder how happy Tang Li would be after seeing the kind of baby Ning Jing had birthed them; or what this little girl would look like after she grew up, or how many boys would love her, or what kinds of things Big Sis Ning would have to face in the Tang Clan in the future since this was the only baby she could have?[2]

Lost in her thoughts, Mu Linger had no idea that Manager Jin was staring at her with a complicated look this entire time. He seemed to be hesitating about something, but finally spoke up.

“Mu Linger, when I was unconscious...how did...I eat this medicine?”

“They were chewed into pieces and force fed down your throat!” Mu Linger said easily while focusing her attentions on little Tang Tang

Manager Jin knew the medicine had to be chewed up and force fed, but he was wondering who chewed up the plants. But there was no question about the answer. Mu Linger was the only other human in the cave. Besides her, who would chew up the plants? Those two tigers?

Still, Manager Jin could only look at the calm Mu Linger with a face full of doubt.

“Oh,” he said before settling down to sit opposite her against the wall. Just like that, silence fell between the duo again. Mu Linger looked at little Tang Tang almost in a trance while Manager Jin was lost in his own musings. The big white tiger rubbed silently by Manager Jin’s side, occasionally sniffing the plants in his hands as if very fond of their scent. After a while, Mu Linger happened to look up and see that Manager Jin still hadn’t taken his medicine. She was too lazy to bother with him since he was unlikely to die again after regaining consciousness.

“Mu Linger…” Manager Jin blurted out. “You, you…”

Mu Linger looked up again, impatient. “What?”

“You…” Manager Jin averted his gaze from hers and asked, “Did you chew up the medicine in the past few days?”

Mu Linger’s heart gave a lurch before she realized the problem. Now it was her turn to avoid his stare.

“Is that true?” Manager Jin pressed. He wanted answers and Mu Linger needed to admit it herself.

Mu Linger remained looking away without answering.

“Is it? I’m asking you a question!” Manager Jin raised his voice.

Mu Linger only felt the hairs on her scalp stand on end as she stared at the ground and wished she could bury her head inside. Seeing her so tense, Manager Jin stopped pressuring her and looked aside with a silent grin that revealed his attractive white teeth. He took a a piece of plant into his mouth and began to chew on it, sending waves of bitterness over his tongue. The longer he chewed, the more intense the flavor, but he still savored it nonetheless.

After finishing off a stalk, he remarked, “This medicine is really bitter. You’ve suffered much, Mu Linger.”