After a short while, the porridge had cooled. Pearl Su decided to eat first while keeping an eye on the medicine simmering over the fire.
After finishing her lunch, she didn't need to watch the medicine anymore. She picked up the cooled meat porridge and walked toward the man's room.
As she walked, her steps slowed. The memory of her awkward outburst from the morning came back, and she felt embarrassed again.
Standing outside the door, Pearl Su calmed herself down, knocked gently, and called out, "Sir, it's time for lunch."
"Come in." A low voice responded, with a bit more energy than before.
It seemed like he had rested well. When she entered, Pearl Su saw that his eyes were fixed directly on her, not trying to hide his gaze at all.
She didn't mind. His eyes didn't carry any bad intentions. She walked over and sat by the bed, just like before.
She scooped a spoonful of porridge and held it to his mouth. After he swallowed it, she filled another spoon.
While eating, the man glanced at her, quietly observing her expression.
Because Pearl Su had just finished some hot porridge herself, her cheeks were a bit redder than usual, like a ripe peach. Her eyes sparkled brightly, drawing attention.
The porridge was finished quickly. This time she had used a large bowl, so it should have been enough. Still, she asked politely, "Would you like some more?"
"No, that's enough. Thank you," the man replied in a calm, deep voice.
"Alright, that's good." Pearl Su didn't want to stay long, so she left the room.
His eyes followed her as she walked out.
Back in the kitchen, Pearl Su poured the herbal medicine into a basin of clean water to cool.
Once the medicine had cooled enough, she crushed a small piece of brown sugar, picked up the bowl, and walked back to his room. She knocked, heard a reply, and went in.
"Sir, it's time to take your medicine."
"Alright." He looked at her and watched her as she sat down.
Pearl Su filled a spoon with the medicine and began feeding him carefully.
Maybe luck wasn't on her side. Even though she was more focused than usual, something still went wrong.
Halfway through, some of the medicine dripped from the corner of his mouth and ran down his neck. Pearl Su panicked and quickly looked for a cloth.
She searched for a while but couldn't find one. Left with no choice, she used her sleeve to wipe it off.
Luckily, she wore a dark-colored cotton robe, so it soaked up the liquid well and didn't show stains.
After wiping it, she continued feeding him, but she noticed something different. The man had become unusually tense.
Was it really that big of a deal? Spilling a little medicine wasn't anything strange. Maybe he was just embarrassed. That would make sense, Pearl Su thought.
She didn't notice that his ears had turned slightly red.
After finishing the medicine, the man still looked a little stiff. Pearl Su took out the brown sugar she had prepared and placed it in the spoon.
He saw it and quietly accepted the sweet spoonful.
When she finished everything, Pearl Su said, "Sir, please rest well."
She was tired after a busy morning and needed a nap. Besides, she usually rested after lunch.
In the quiet afternoon, the sun burned hot outside, but inside the small cottage, it was cool and peaceful. The heat faded as the sun moved westward, and the temperature dropped slightly.
Pearl Su stayed indoors, working with the dried herbs. She crushed and shaped them into pills for future use.
As the sun set, she stopped working and went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
For dinner, she made dry dishes using leftover bamboo rat meat and wild celery. This time, she stir-fried them. She also cooked plain white rice.
In the market here, rice was expensive, around thirty coins per pound. Wheat flour and millet were a bit cheaper, about twenty coins per pound. Sorghum was the cheapest, at fifteen coins per pound.
She was used to eating rice and only bought rice. As for wheat flour, she didn't know how to make steamed buns or dumplings. Millet could be a change in taste, but she didn't know how to cook cornmeal either.
After working for a while, she finally finished cooking the meal and started boiling the medicine. Then she realized the firewood was almost gone. She would need to gather more tomorrow.
After dinner was done and the medicine had finished brewing, Pearl Su brought a portion of the food to the man's room. She knocked on the door, heard his response, and walked in.
At that moment, the man seemed lost in thought and didn't look at her.
"Sir, it's time for dinner," Pearl Su said softly.
"Thank you, miss," the man replied as he returned to himself.
Pearl Su carefully fed him the dinner, being extra cautious not to repeat the mistake from noon, which had made him nervous.
Dinner went smoothly. Then Pearl Su hesitated before asking, "Sir, do you need to relieve yourself?"
She had been busy all day and wasn't used to taking care of others, so she'd forgotten about this part.
The man froze for a second, then slowly said, "Thank you, miss. I don't need to at the moment."
"That's good then." Pearl Su didn't push further and left the room. Later, she returned to help him drink his medicine.
By now, it was already dark. Pearl Su filled the tub in her room with clean water.
It was summer, and soaking in the cool water felt refreshing. After her bath, she washed her clothes and lay down on the bed, her mind drifting.
Maybe he could move by tomorrow? Then she wouldn't have to work so hard taking care of him…
Under the clear, starry sky and bright moonlight, the village was peaceful and quiet. The sound of insects was pleasant, adding a gentle rhythm to the night.
"Ugh… another day gone by. This was her seventeenth day in this world."
Pearl Su opened her eyes slightly and let out a groan. Every morning when she woke up, she hoped she was back in her familiar world.
But it never happened. She stayed lying on the bed, feeling lazy and a bit gloomy.
Eventually, she got up, opened the door, washed up, and went to the kitchen to make breakfast.
It was still white rice porridge, cold celery salad, and fried eggs. She put the medicine on the stove to boil while she ate.
After breakfast, she set the brewed medicine aside to cool, then carried breakfast to the man.
She knocked on the door and heard his response. When she entered, she saw that he was already half sitting up in bed.
It looked like he'd be able to get out of bed tomorrow. With his straight posture, noble presence, and handsome face, he really was a sight to admire.
To meet such a stunningly attractive man after coming to this unfamiliar world—it did improve her mood a little.
Looking at his half-sitting figure, her eyes landed on his chest. That's when she suddenly remembered something.
Oh no… she had forgotten to change his wound dressing yesterday. Hopefully, nothing went wrong.
"Sir, are you able to get out of bed now?" Pearl Su asked.
"Not yet. But thank you for asking," he replied, his voice carrying a hint of cheer.
"Oh, this is your breakfast."
Since there was no small table, Pearl Su placed the breakfast on an empty spot beside the bed.
"Thank you, miss," the man said politely.
"Alright, you go ahead and eat. I've got things to do outside." With that, Pearl Su turned and left the room.
Truthfully, she didn't have anything urgent to do. She just didn't want to stand there awkwardly watching him eat.