Bluffs

Jinhai swallows again as Li Jun continues to dry heave. After finishing our little treats, I look to the pot and open it with eager eyes. The warm, meaty flavor instantly floats up and makes my mouth water. I smile with delight as I pull out four bowls and start scooping some out for everyone. 

I hand Mango a bowl and then hand Jinhai one. Jinhai takes it but he looks down at it with suspicion. As Li Jun walks back over I lift up his bowl and say "Hurry, my arm is getting tired." Li Jun's face shifts from white to green before settling on a pale green color. 

He takes the bowl with shaking hands and mumbles "Thanks" I make myself a bowl and lean back to enjoy the stew. It was made with beef, carrots, and potatoes. It was a hardy, home-cooked meal that could warm anyone's heart and soul.

Mango and I dig in, enjoying the stew as the other two glace to each other while stirring the stew. I smirk to myself as I know just how uneasy the two actually were. They must be wondering what was in the stew. 

I giggle to myself as I look up and ask "What's wrong? Are you two too good for my stew?" Li Jun stares at me with wide eyes, unable to say anything. Jinhai grits his teeth in determination as he lifts a spoonful and takes a bite. 

I'm silently impressed by his nerve but also disappointed. He chews it once or twice before I see his whole face transform. He looks at the stew with surprise before looking up to me and saying "It's good. Really good." I give him a strained smile and go back to eating. 

Damn! I really thought I could torture him a bit more but he surprised me. I didn't think he'd willingly eat the stew! Li Jun forces himself to take a bite as well but the color on his face doesn't change much. He was probably scarred for life...

I slightly pout as I eat the rest of my stew in silence. When Mango asks for more, I scoop more out into his bowl and freeze when I see Jinhai holding his bowl out to me as well. I look to the empty bowl before looking back up to him in surprise. 

He gives me a small smile as he says "It's honestly the best stew I've ever had." I give him a strained smile once again as I scoop him out more and fill his bowl. He starts eating again, causing me to sigh. I have to think of something else... something really gross.

Maybe body parts and bloody gore was not very disturbing to him. I tap my chin in thought as I try to come up with something else. When an idea comes to mind, I nearly jump to my feet! I struggle to keep a straight face as I think of my next move.

He was clearly not bothered by blood and gore so the only other gross thing I can think of is bugs! My favorite dessert growing up was called a dirt cup! It's a cup of chocolate pudding with crushed Oreos on top! 

But what made this so much better were the worms! Yes, worms! They weren't real worms, just gummy worms but they made them look real! You would place the gummy worms into the chocolate pudding and enjoy it as I fun snack!  

I reach into my rune and pull out two 'dirt cups'. I hand one to Mango and hold the other as I look up to the other two and ask "Do you want dessert? I have extra dirt cups." Li Jun's mouth falls open as his eyes land on the 'dirt' cup in my hand.

Jinhai frowns with concern and confusion but when neither one says anything, I shrug my shoulders and say "Suit yourself." as I take a spoonful of pudding and Oreos out. The two watch me with disbelief as I lift the spoon up and take a bite. 

"Mmmm" I say closing my eyes to the creamy chocolate goodness and giggle when Mango does the same. Li Jun's face starts turning green again but when I pull out a gummy worm covered in 'dirt', he stands up and starts shaking his head 'No'. 

I smile in delight and say "Yay! I've got a fat and juicy worm!" I pinch the gummy worm between my fingers and lift it up, slightly twisting it to make it look like it was moving, before dropping it into my mouth. 

Li Jun turns around and throws up again as I chase the gummy worm with some more 'dirt'. I struggle to block out the sounds of his gagging though. Those alone can even make me want to throw up! 

When I look back to Jinhai, I see him watching me with a blank face. I give him a large smile, knowing good and well that the 'dirt' would be all in my teeth. He doesn't move. I think I broke him again. Good! 

I continue to happily eat my 'dirt' cup as the fire continues to burn. Jinhai will think twice about wanting me as his woman. No one in their right mind would want someone who eats eyeballs and fingers or dirt and worms.

Mango flips the cup, licking the inside clean as I look up and gaze at the stars. Just a little longer and we'll make it back home. I scrape the last bit out and pop it into my mouth with a smile but when I glance back over at Jinhai, my smile quickly disappears.

He was gone! Hahaha! It worked! I throw the cup away as I jump up and do a little happy dance. I may not be able to overpower him but I can outsmart him! I come to a stop and do a fist pump but when I turn to sit back down, I nearly jump straight out of my dress! 

Jinhai stands watching me with amusement but when he lifts his bowl, my eyes widen in horror. I take a step back and look up to him in confusion. He lifts his bowl filled with worms again and says "You looked like you were really enjoying it so I got you some more. These are really fat and juicy."

Suddenly, my gummy worms feel like they're about to make a second appearance.