"Alright."
So, Grace went to the kitchen.
Jun Lionhead was someone who not only loved good food, but truly understood it.
Her cooking skills—and her tea-making skills, too—were all honed under his guidance.
With someone like Jun Lionhead, Grace had always assumed his kitchen would be stocked with all sorts of ingredients and delicious seasonings.
But after searching every corner, all Grace found was half a bag of brown rice—and nothing else!
"Does Jun Lionhead really eat this every day? I can't even imagine..." Grace marveled for a good while, then turned and walked out.
Nearby, there was a vegetable patch, with some fresh greens growing.
Grace picked a handful and washed them clean.
Then she went to the lake and caught a big fish.
Spring was the best season for bamboo shoots, so Grace went into the bamboo grove and gathered a few tender ones.
While she was collecting bamboo shoots, she ran into a wild pheasant and, on a whim, caught it too.
Luckily, there were some seasonings in the kitchen. Grace also grabbed a few magical herbs from her storage space to add to the mix. She braised the fish, stir-fried the pheasant with bamboo shoots, and made a refreshing vegetable soup.
Once the rice was done, Grace went to find Jun Lionhead and called him for dinner.
Jun Lionhead was momentarily stunned by the feast of colorful, aromatic dishes laid out before him.
"Jun Lionhead, dinner's ready!" Grace called out with a cheerful smile.
"Smells delicious..." Jun Lionhead said. "I didn't expect you could cook, Grace."
"I told you, your disciple is very diligent!" Grace laughed. "From now on, I'll handle all three meals for you!"
Jun Lionhead glanced at her, picked up his chopsticks, and took a bite.
Then, Jun Lionhead put down his chopsticks.
"What's wrong, Jun Lionhead? Doesn't it taste good?" Grace asked.
Her cooking skills had been taught to her by Jun Lionhead, step by step.
Sometimes, just to get the flavor right, Jun Lionhead would have her make the same dish ten times until he was satisfied.
Now that she could cook so well, he should be pleased with the taste.
"Who taught you how to cook?" Jun Lionhead asked.
"Huh?" Grace blinked. "It was... my mother. Jun Lionhead, don't you like it?"
Jun Lionhead looked at her, paused for a moment, and said, "I do like it. It's delicious."
After saying that, he picked up his chopsticks and continued eating.
"Jun Lionhead," Grace called.
"What's wrong?"
"There are eighteen ranks for magical herbalists. Jun Lionhead, which rank are you?"
"I've never taken the magical herbalist exam, so I have no idea what rank I am," Jun Lionhead replied.
"Then, where are you from?"
"I'm from right here," Jun Lionhead said. "This house belonged to my ancestors."
"Oh..." That answer was exactly the same as in her previous life.
It was as if asking was pointless.
"Jun Lionhead, don't you feel lonely living here all by yourself in the mountains?"
"How am I alone? There are plenty of magical beasts on this mountain!"
"But magical beasts can't talk. They can't keep you company."
"That's why Heaven sent me a disciple," Jun Lionhead smiled. "Not only smart, but also a great cook."
"Then have some more!" Grace said, serving him a piece of mountain pheasant.
Jun Lionhead glanced at her, and for once, he asked about her personal life: "Of those two young men who came with you the other day, which one is your husband?"
"Uh... Why do you ask?"
"The way they looked at you was full of admiration," Jun Lionhead chuckled.
Grace scratched her head. "It's the quiet one."
"He's not bad," Jun Lionhead said. "Better than the other one."
"Why do you think so?"
"He's handsome."
"Haha, that's true..."
...