The sun rose in the east.
A pale, fish-belly white light crept across the horizon before the golden sun had fully crested.
"Heave! Cast the nets!"
"Look sharp, brothers!"
"Fins part the dark sea, tails touch the distant mountains..."
Ye Xi had not yet awakened, but he could already hear the heavy thud of footsteps on the deck above. The calls of the sailors casting their nets mingled with the melody of a distant sea shanty.
The Alcor was not merely a cargo ship; it was also a fishing vessel. The crew cast their nets at sunrise and hauled them in at sunset. A rich harvest of seafood could always be traded for a handsome price. This early morning bustle lent the ship a distinct, salt-of-the-earth nautical charm.
Just as Ye Xi was drifting in that hazy space between dreams and reality, he suddenly felt his body grow heavy.
"Ye Xi, wake up! I've got some fresh Rice Buns here. Want a couple?"
Seeing that Ye Xi was still squinting, Xiangling placed the Rice Buns on a nearby steamer tray and leaned down, secretly observing his sleeping face.
His eyelashes are so long...
Xiangling couldn't help but blush. she reached out a slender finger and gently poked Ye Xi's cheek.
He had bright eyes and white teeth a truly dignified and handsome man.
This guy acts so indifferent about everything during the day, but he's actually quite cute when he's asleep.
If I poke his face, he pouts like a little kid. Haha.
As she watched him, a strange thought suddenly flickered through her mind.
If they were back at Wanmin Restaurant, this would be the time the shop opened. If... if they were a married couple and Ye Xi refused to get out of bed, she might pinch his face and force him up to call out to the customers. Her attitude would be even more casual than it was now, just like an old couple flirting and bickering.
If that were the case...
No, no! What am I thinking?!
Xiangling's own wild imagination made her turn beet red.
At that moment, Ye Xi felt something pressing down on him, making it hard to breathe. He finally forced his eyes open, only to see Xiangling's face hovering incredibly close to his own. It gave him a proper fright.
"Xiang... Xiangling?"
"You're awake?" A lovely smile blossomed across Xiangling's face.
Ye Xi was actually terrified that she was about to drop a line like "You're already a girl now~"
That would have scared him to death!
Fortunately, Xiangling said no such thing.
"Ye Xi, these Rice Buns just came out of the pot. They're still hot! Also, I was worried you wouldn't be used to just eating Rice Buns, so I brought some fresh fish soup. It tastes great! This way, you won't choke."
Ye Xi calmed himself and replied, "Oh... I'll eat after I wash up."
Having said that, he tried to sit up, but he felt pinned down. He looked toward his midsection. A small, bear-like creature was currently sitting right on his stomach.
Following Ye Xi's gaze, Xiangling realized the situation and immediately began to scold, "Guoba! Don't sit on Ye Xi! Get down, get down now!"
"?"
Guoba hopped down and went bouncing away to hide in a corner.
Xiangling had already introduced Guoba to him yesterday. He was her best friend. As the person previously in charge of character designs, Ye Xi naturally knew Guoba's true identity.
This was the Stove God.
In his previous life, people held the Stove God in the highest regard. It was said that he would ascend to the heavens to report on the family's deeds and descend to bring good fortune. In Liyue, the Stove God held a similar mission.
Thus, Ye Xi felt nothing but goodwill toward Guoba and often shared delicacies with him. He wasn't sure why Guoba was acting so friendly today. Surely it couldn't be because Ye Xi's body was overflowing with Adeptal Energy after drinking that Coconut Milk last night?
Probably not.
Just then, voices drifted in from outside the room.
"Sister Xiangling, aren't you done yet? The brothers are starving!"
"Aiya, does delivering food to Brother Ye Xi really take this long? Don't tell me she's hand-feeding him!"
"Going into Brother Ye Xi's bedroom first thing in the morning... they're far too clingy! I'm so jealous of Brother Ye Xi!!"
"I say, do you lot have any EQ? Sister Xiangling has 'important business' to attend to. Why are you shouting?!"
"Exactly! Is your hunger more important than giving Sister Xiangling and Brother Ye Xi some alone time?"
"Break it up, break it up! Don't ruin Sister Xiangling's fun!"
"..."
Hearing the teasing from outside, Xiangling's face turned bright red from shame. She was fuming! Those guys were being so embarrassing! She didn't even know how to look at Ye Xi now.
"Xiangling? Thanks for the breakfast. I can eat on my own."
Ye Xi stood up with a calm smile and straightened his rumpled clothes.
Xiangling took the offered exit immediately. Avoiding his gaze, she scooped up Guoba and fled the room as if her life depended on it. She looked very much like a startled fawn, frantic and disheveled.
Seeing this, Ye Xi couldn't help but chuckle.
[What an interesting girl.]
Hearing Ye Xi's inner voice, Xiangling's blush deepened until even her neck was red. She had always thought that because she was so straightforward, she would be able to express her feelings easily if she ever met someone she liked. She never expected that a few comments from others would make her so bashful she couldn't even open her mouth!
Xiangling, oh Xiangling... you couldn't really be in love, could you? she asked herself.
As she ran out onto the deck looking utterly flustered, the sailors burst into hearty laughter. Before long, everyone had a Rice Bun in hand.
"Sister Xiangling, why are we the only ones without soup? That's favoritism!"
"Yeah, we can't wash these down!"
"Maybe Sister Xiangling wants the Rice Buns to plug our mouths! Hahaha!"
The men laughed as they gnawed on the Rice Buns. Several fishermen who had just finished casting the nets wiped the sweat from their brows and devoured a bun in two or three bites.
Firstly, the food was simply too delicious. Secondly, this was the kind of simple happiness that tasted best after a hard day's work.
Observing the lively scene, Beidou hoisted a jug of old wine and let out a boisterous laugh. In her heart, she began to feel a sense of anticipation.
I wonder what that woman, Ningguang, will think when she finally meets Ye Xi.
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