chapter19 It feels like having a family

Since Scarlett injured her hand, Asher has been doing all the chopping himself. He believes humans are delicate creatures. Scarlett once mentioned that an injured hand should be kept away from water to avoid infection, which could be serious for humans, even fatal if not treated properly. Hence, Scarlett couldn't do the chopping for now. Besides, Asher didn't like seeing Scarlett in pain.

Asher's knife skills were excellent. After some simple guidance from Scarlett, he quickly grasped the essentials. His chopping speed was impressive, and the slices were uniform, almost like machine precision.

Even the strongest individuals have their weaknesses. For instance, Asher wasn't adept at cooking, so Scarlett still managed the kitchen. Asher pitched in by washing vegetables and dishes. Watching her wield a ladle, turning veggies into delectable dishes, and garnishing them with spring onions and cilantro, Asher felt a sudden urge to try it himself, with Scarlett guiding him. The kitchen sometimes echoed with Scarlett's urgent voice:

"The oil isn't hot yet, why did you add the vegetables?"

"That's too much salt, tone it down!"

"The meat should be stir-fried separately first, then mixed with the veggies."

And so forth. The clinking of utensils filled the kitchen with vibrancy. Sometimes Asher grew impatient and retorted:

"It's not clear what you want!"

"These are just veggies. Once cooked, they're good to go. This is fine, I think."

"I believe I've cooked these veggies quite well!"

In the past, he was careless, as long as he wasn't hungry, everything was fine. He watched the sunrise and sunset alone, the flowers blooming and withering. Of course, he could have chosen to dine out lavishly, living a life of luxury, but he detested it, didn't like dealing with those masked individuals outside. He preferred solitude in this villa. Then Scarlett arrived, and he felt like a master, lounging on the couch, casually flipping through TV channels, awaiting Scarlett's dinner call. He found Scarlett's care quite enjoyable.

Now, he relished this simple bustle. It was more intriguing than waiting for Scarlett to serve him alone. Everyday life concealed small joys, and Scarlett's occasional fretting would tug at his sleeve, chattering away beside him. He couldn't recall the specifics of her words, but her voice was soothing, warming his heart. He enjoyed having Scarlett around, sometimes holding her hand or touching her arm. Her warm, supple skin and the sensation transmitted by her fingertips made him feel warm inside.

Among all the humans he encountered, Scarlett suited his taste the most. Unlike other women with heavy makeup and aggression, Scarlett was natural, like a breeze rustling through leaves, a drop of water falling from the eaves, natural and intimate.

Yet, he still disliked seeing her injured. Observing her fingers wrapped like a zongzi made him uneasy. Due to her injury, he couldn't take her into the water anymore. He yearned to cradle her in the water, enveloping her in his arms, running his hands over her waist, smooth and heart-fluttering, stirring ripples in his heart.

Scarlett found it peculiar. Why was Asher behaving so human lately? Sometimes, when they played around, she forgot he was different, forgot she was confined here. Asher was like an ordinary big boy, playful, with a hint of pride.

She couldn't define her relationship with Asher. It was akin to a master-servant dynamic, yet like playmates, like friends, sometimes like boss and employee. She hadn't anticipated Asher would be so accommodating after her injury. After a few days, she mentioned she could cook alone now. Asher glanced at the brown scar on her finger and disdainfully remarked, "You don't even know how to handle a knife properly. What if you cut yourself again?"

So Asher remained in the kitchen. Occasionally, when she cooked, he would offer directions from the side, "Add more of that tomato sauce, I like it." "Less onion, I don't care for it." It strangely felt like being part of a family, warm and comforting.

Stretched thin for too long, once she relaxed, the repercussions of prolonged stress began to surface. That night, she sat in the courtyard, gazing at the twinkling stars above, feeling unusually serene. Somehow, she drifted off to sleep. When Asher woke her, she felt slightly chilled. The next day, Scarlett awoke parched, with a mild headache, as if she caught a cold. She didn't mind; young people bounced back quickly from minor colds, and overmedicating only weakened the immune system.

Suddenly, a fierce wind swept across the island in the afternoon. The long coconut tree branches swayed like ribbons, leaves swirling everywhere. Raindrops as large as beans cascaded with the wind. Rain seeped in through the windows, feeling like pellets against her skin. She hastily rushed outside to retrieve clothes from the terrace and closed all windows. But even in that brief moment, all the clothes were drenched, clinging uncomfortably to her body. She took another shower, but her headache intensified.

Outside, darkness engulfed the island, thunder rumbling and lightning illuminating the sky. Inside, warm yellow light bathed the room. She huddled on the couch, watching tree branches dance wildly outside. Her headache worsened, and she felt a low-grade fever. After a while, she retreated to her room to rest. However, sleep evaded her. Her mind felt like boiling porridge, hot and muddled.

Come dinnertime, Asher visited her room to check on her. Seeing the dimly lit room, he flicked on the lights, approached the bed, and noticed her curled under the covers. He called out, "Scarlett, what's wrong?"

Scarlett groggily opened her eyes and replied, "I'm feeling a bit under the weather."

He noticed her hoarse voice and lifted a corner of the blanket, asking, "Is it serious?"

"It's okay, just a slight cold." She sniffled and reached out to push the blanket away, reluctantly sitting up.

Seeing her eyes glazed and spirits low, Asher tucked her back in and said gently, "If you're not feeling well, just rest. I'll whip up something simple for dinner tonight."

"I don't have much of an appetite. You go ahead and cook." Her voice sounded weak.

"Have a bowl of oatmeal porridge. I'll fetch the medicine box for you to find something to take."

Scarlett nodded.

Asher retrieved the medicine for her. She took two pills and nibbled on some oatmeal porridge, but couldn't finish it. Then she reclined back under the covers.

After dinner, Asher revisited her room. Seeing her sound asleep, he drew the curtains shut.

Outside, the storm raged on, thunder booming and trees quaking.

Late into the night, Asher couldn't shake off his concern. He visited Scarlett's room once more, turned on a small lamp, and found Scarlett's face flushed and twisted in discomfort. He gently touched her forehead, which felt scorching hot. He grew even more anxious, lightly tapping her cheek, "Scarlett, wake up."

Scarlett murmured, "Mm," but didn't open her eyes.

He climbed onto the bed, propping her up, and continued calling her name.

Scarlett cracked open her eyes slightly, her voice hoarse and fragmented, "I feel terrible!"

She tried to push him away weakly, lacking the strength.

"Where does it hurt?"

"My head... I have a fever..." Her head pounded, and the medicine didn't seem to help. "Asher, I need a doctor!"

A fever wasn't to be taken lightly. Humans required immediate medical attention. Asher comforted her, "I'll go find a doctor for you. Just wait here."

Hurrying to his study, he dialed a number quickly. When answered, he spoke urgently, "I need a doctor, now, immediately, send them over in your helicopter."

There was a pause before a man's voice replied slowly, "Are you sick, Asher?"

"It's not me, it's someone else. Hurry up, no time to waste."

"Is it your woman? It's rare to see you so anxious," a low chuckle came through the phone, "I'll check for you."

"Quickly."

He hung up, feeling like he was sitting on pins and needles. Two minutes later, he dialed again but got the number wrong in his panic. When the call finally connected, he urged, "Can you leave immediately?"

The person hesitated, "Asher, there's a storm brewing there. It's impossible to get there in this weather. I'll send someone over as soon as the storm clears."

"I need it now!" Asher's voice was firm.

"You can't sail or fly in a storm like this. At the earliest, it'll have to be tomorrow."

"Offer more money, and I'll earn it back for you! Just find a way to send someone over now! Otherwise, I won't go out for a few days!"

"Even if you offer more money, no one will risk their life. Doctors aren't willing to go over."

"I need a doctor now! Do whatever it takes to send one over immediately! Otherwise, I won't work for you anymore!" Asher threatened.

"Whatever you say won't work. Neither boats nor helicopters can leave in this storm. You take care first. As soon as the weather clears, I'll send someone over."

The colossal lightning tore through the darkness, thunderous like swords clashing, like mountains crumbling. He knew what the person said was true, but he still roared into the phone, "Zephyr, if you don't send a doctor over, I won't work for you anymore!"

The man on the other end seemed displeased by his outburst, but his voice remained calm, "No matter what you say, it won't change the situation. When the storm stops, I'll send someone over immediately."

Asher hung up, his face flushed with anger. He returned to Scarlett's room, who endured immense pain, her eyebrows furrowed.

He rummaged through the medicine box, unsure which cold medicine to choose. After carefully examining her, he selected a fever-reducing medicine, waking Scarlett, "Scarlett, wake up and take your medicine."

Scarlett felt like she was trapped in a furnace, hot and stuffy, with no way out. Her throat felt like it was on fire, and when she saw him, her eyes were dull, without any reaction for a long time.

Asher lifted her up, placed a pillow behind her back, and said gently, "Take two more pills."

Scarlett's hands were weak, but the remaining instincts told her she had to take the medicine. She took the pills from his hand and put them in her mouth. Asher quickly brought water to her lips and fed her, watching her swallow the pills. He held onto the cup but didn't take it away, saying softly, "Drink more water. It helps fight off the cold!"

Scarlett took two sips from his hand, and Asher put down the cup, helping her lie back down. He comforted her gently, "Lie down, I've called the doctor. They'll be here soon. Just rest well."