Chapter 122

"Can you also grill fish?" Seeing Yuwen Xi’s movements were highly skilled—clearly something he did often—Eva couldn't help but feel curious.

"Yes, I picked it up when I used to go hiking by myself," Yuwen Xi said nonchalantly.

"Hiking? You mean you went traveling all by yourself with a backpack?" Eva’s interest piqued. Traveling was her favorite thing to do, but because she was too lazy to plan, she always relied on travel agencies.

"Yes. When work gets tiring, you need to give yourself a break. Otherwise, even an iron man would break down. After all, no one is born wanting to be a workaholic. People work to earn money, and isn't the ultimate goal of earning money to enjoy life?" As he spoke, Yuwen Xi had already cleaned the fish. He returned to Eva's side. "Here, hold this for a moment. I'm going to get some branches to start a fire." He handed the skewered fish to Eva and headed toward the woods.

Holding the skewer, Eva looked at the fish that had been swimming just moments ago, now mere food on a board, waiting to be cooked. She felt a brief moment of distraction, touched by Yuwen Xi’s words.

His perspective was so optimistic—something everyone knew, yet few could truly practice.

Money is meant to be spent to better enjoy life. Yet, in the constant pursuit of wealth, people often forget their original intention, becoming slaves to money under the grinding pressure of reality.

Perhaps she should learn from his optimistic outlook. For instance, right now: instead of struggling until her head felt like it would split from trying to recall her forgotten past, it would be better to cast the past aside and happily enjoy every day of the present. Perhaps, when the right moment came, she would be able to remember the past without having to damage her own brain cells. And if she had forgotten that period of memory, surely there was a reason for it to be forgotten.

As she was thinking, she saw Yuwen Xi return with an armful of branches. He quickly started a fire, took the fish from Eva’s hand, and began to grill it.

The sound of the fire crackling was intertwined with the sizzling of the fish. Yuwen Xi grilled with great focus. Eva watched the fish gradually turn golden brown, and amidst the savory aroma, she spoke slowly, "George, once my health improves, will you take me hiking?"

Yuwen Xi’s hand, which was busy turning the fish, paused for a second. He glanced up at Eva, who still had her eyes locked on the fish, then looked back down. As he patiently turned the fish, he sprinkled seasonings from his pack and said in a gentle tone, "Why the sudden desire to go hiking?"

Eva didn't answer immediately. After a moment, she said, "Perhaps I just want to relax a little." Her tone was light, revealing no specific emotion.

*Are you very tired?*

The question surfaced in Yuwen Xi's mind instantly, but he didn't ask it.

He simply brought the grilled fish to his nose, closed his eyes, and inhaled. Then, with a smile, he placed the fish in front of Eva. "There, it's done. Want to try my handiwork?"

Seeing the fish still sizzling, its oils bubbling and emitting a rich fragrance, Eva’s lips curled up. She happily took the fish and laughed, "Then I must have a good taste." She reached out with her left hand, ready to tear into it.

"Careful, it's hot!"

"Ooh, it's hot!"

They both cried out at the same time. Yuwen Xi smiled helplessly, the corners of his mouth twitching, while Eva rubbed her earlobes, giggling at him, and blew hard on the fish.

Eva carefully tore off a piece of meat, put it in her mouth, and closed her eyes, chewing slowly. She tore off another piece, again eating it in a measured, slow manner, her brows occasionally furrowing.

Watching this, Yuwen Xi’s own brow began to knit. He felt uneasy—had he been out of practice for too long?

"How is it, Eva?"

"Hmm..." Eva furrowed her brows. "How should I put it?" She wore a look as if it were hard to say. She glanced at Yuwen Xi’s nervous expression, then tore off another piece and put it in her mouth. Only after swallowing did she slowly reply, "It tastes great, perfectly to my liking!" She finished with a mischievous grin.

Yuwen Xi let out a long sigh of relief. He looked at the person opposite him eating so quickly, smiled with doting indulgence, and shook his head helplessly.

"As long as you like it. I’ll go catch another one; I don't think this one will be enough for you."

"Mhm, go ahead! I’m almost finished with this one." Eva didn't even bother to look up, waving her oily little hand to signal him to hurry—preferably to have the second one ready just as she finished the first.

Watching Eva command him like a servant, Yuwen Xi felt a strange happiness. At least she was no longer as polite as she had been before—polite to the point of being distant.

Perhaps, if things could just continue like this, it wouldn't be bad at all.

Quietly, Eva looked up from the fish bones to watch Yuwen Xi as he caught the fish. A smile filled her face. She tossed the bones aside, wiped her hands, rested her elbows on her bent knees, and propped her chin in her hands, watching him intently.

Perhaps this was exactly the kind of carefree life she needed.

When Yuwen Xi returned with the fish, he saw the look of reliance in Eva’s eyes. His heart warmed, and his smile grew even brighter. He walked toward her with a light step. "Little glutton, couldn't wait, could you?"

Yuwen Xi placed the fish over the fire, turning it slowly.

"Mhm, I couldn't wait," Eva said with a smile, her words hinting at something deeper.

They didn't speak for a while. After some time, when the fish began to turn golden, Yuwen Xi said, "In a few days, once you're feeling better, we'll go hiking."

"Really? You’re really willing to take me with you?" Eva shifted her gaze from the fish to Yuwen Xi, asking happily and with a touch of disbelief.

Yuwen Xi looked up, his gaze soft as he looked at her. "Yes, I am willing to take a 'little trouble' along on a hike."

"Hey, what 'little trouble'?" Eva protested indignantly. "If you don't want to, forget it. I won't force you." She turned her head away, ignoring him.

Seeing the young lady was angry, Yuwen Xi coaxed, "Alright, alright, I misspoke. I apologize, okay? Miss Eva, would you please go hiking with me?"

Eva felt a glow of happiness. She turned back, putting on an arrogant air. "Fine. Since you invited me so sincerely, it would be rude to refuse. Very well, I accept your offer to go hiking."

"Yes, thank you for accepting my request, Eva. I promise I won't let you down!" Yuwen Xi looked at her, beaming as he made his vow.

"Is the fish ready?" Seeing the agreement settled, Eva instantly reverted to her gluttonous look, her eyes shining as she stared at the fire.

"It’s ready. Here you go. Eat slowly this time; I’m not going to snatch it from you. Make sure you don't burn yourself again!"

"I know, you’re as nagging as an old grandpa!" Eva said impatiently while blowing on the fish.

Yuwen Xi watched her eat without any pretense, his eyes overflowing with tenderness, a warm current flowing through his heart.

If only it could stay like this forever, how wonderful that would be!

"It's getting late. Let's go back," Yuwen Xi said softly as he watched Eva, who had finished the fish and was now lying on the grass, looking drowsy.

"Mmm... it's still early, I don't want to go back yet!" Eva mumbled, turning her back to him, hoping he wouldn't urge her to leave.

"You can't, Eva. Your health hasn't fully recovered. You can't sleep on the grass, or you'll get sick!" Seeing her ignore him, Yuwen Xi patiently walked around to her front and continued to nag.

Eva frowned and turned away again.

Yuwen Xi followed her, continuing to speak. Seeing she still made no move, his eyes darted around, and he said with an air of regret, "Sigh, if you really want to sleep here, then go ahead..."

*Hmph, at least you know when to be sensible!*

"...but if you get sick and can't go hiking in a few days, I definitely won't take you with me!"

Having said that, Yuwen Xi lay down on the grass next to her and began his own pleasant afternoon nap.

As soon as he lay down, before the grass could even absorb his body heat, he was pulled up by a tug. A female voice rang out: "Hey, why are you sleeping on the grass? Get up! I want to go home!"

The moment Yuwen Xi finished his sentence, Eva had bolted up from the grass, shouting. In her heart, she was worried—she absolutely could not get sick—she had to go hiking with Yuwen Xi!

And so, regardless of who had been lying on the grass refusing to leave just moments ago, she was now anxiously urging him to head home.

Yuwen Xi quietly curled his lips, very satisfied with the result. However, he wouldn't just listen to her immediately; otherwise, wouldn't his previous "earnest advice" be for nothing?

He squinted his eyes at her and asked lazily, "Are we really going home?"

"Yes, yes, yes! Let’s go home!" Eva nodded like a chicken pecking at rice, agreeing repeatedly.

"And will you listen to me from now on?" Yuwen Xi asked, keeping his eyes closed.

"Depends on my mood..." Eva frowned slightly... (The rest of the text was incomplete in the original source, but the translation follows the narrative flow).