We are almost there, without elemental vision I can't see anything. Thunderclaps rumbling as I tightly grip her hand. We kept walking but the rains got heavier and heavier. Bamboo trees shaking all over, Sometimes we slip in the mud but we still need a place to take shelter. I look back, she can't open her eyes because of this storm, I need to take her to a safe place quickly. I hold her hands more tightly.
We rest at an abandoned shack. Water still dripping through the roof but it's better than to be outside. Her hands quivering as she holds Guoba firmly in her chest. She is soaking wet "I really don't like rain," she says as teeth chattering because of the cold. I release my capes and wear them around her necks. Her face went red and she smiled, her smile is enough to keep me warm. Her innocent yet playful smile and her red cheeks, not even a blizzard can freeze me when I'm with her. She is still freezing I search for something to warm us up. I found some dry wood in the back of the shack, with some help from Guoba the fireplace is ready. The thunderstorm is unusually long today, Oceanid is in a really bad mood. I sit in front of her by the campfire. after a little talk, just before I ask her what she calls me today for, her stomach starts to grumble. She hides her face in shame. We found some matsutake before the rain started pouring. She pulled out some herbs from her bag. Everything is so peaceful even in this storm. Her face seems a little different today, she seems more relaxed than usual. Her usual cheerful smile is now filled with a calm and deep smile.
Thunderstorm and winds and yet why is it so peaceful today? Seeing her face as she gobbles down the matsutake sticks makes me thinking if only this storm would last forever. The matsutake is really delicious too or is it because I am hungry? "Aether" she speaks softly. "About the thing that I want to talk to you about today..." I looked at her eyes but She keeps looking at my matsutake so I give her some of mine. "No, that's not that" she gives a small laugh.
Something is not right, I stand and walked slowly to her. She is hiding something from me, she closed her eyes. I knew it, her leg is bleeding because of the stumble earlier. I should have known it and yet I choose to ignore it. I am very worried about her and I couldn't face her, but I clean her wounded leg with the rain and shred a piece of my clothes to be a bandage. After everything is done I looked up at her and her face looked like she was afraid. I must have shown a frowned face to her. It hurts me that she doesn't tell me she is hurt. I give a sigh and smiled and returned to my place. It seems after all this time we had been together, she hadn't trusted me at all. The rain is getting calmer right now. "Aether, you really are kind, I am sorry for making you worry" "Meeting you has really opened my eyes to things other than cooking" Like what? "Like what? Well, such as... um... for example... I can't think when you put me on the spot! Forget it!" She seems unsure but continues.
"Aether, actually..." "I love"I looked at her but she stopped, "Onions, I like onions very very much" she smiled at me. I wonder where did that come from. Her lips start trembling, tears start to went down her cheeks "I've tried cutting them dozens of ways, and they still make me cry... No matter, I still love them!" I sit beside her and rub her back. I don't know what happens but seeing her crying is the last thing I want today. I wipe her tears with my cape, I told her not to cry, but suddenly she hugged me. Neither of us said a thing, my heart is beating so hard I can feel it in her hands. The rain has stopped a while ago.
As sweet as Valberry as red as Jueyun chili. Is it too full of me to fell in love with her? I thought to myself. I try to stand up but she holds me down. She shook her head, "I..." I slowly move my hand. Trembling, unsure to myself. "Is it okay for me I love onions too?" She nodded. I hugged her firmly. "Xiangling, you are as sweet as chestnut, are you really satisfied only with me?" She nodded again. "I love you Xiangling, do you love me too?" "Her face changed, she hugged me even stronger, "Very very much, I like you very much I want to boil you into a soup" ehe? "The rain has stopped! Come with me, let's go hunts more boar!" She cleans her pants from dust and her usual smile return to her face, but this time she pulls my hand strongly, nothing could take her from this moment and that's what I love about her.