The young woman's first attempt at cooking ended in a disastrous failure.
She had nearly burned down the kitchen in the process.
Fortunately, Xiao Mo reacted quickly and put out the fire.
In truth, even if there hadn't been a fire, Xiao Mo felt that the meal Bai Ruxue had prepared wasn't fit for human consumption.
Because in Bai Ruxue's mind, "cooked" simply meant boiled until done.
Her original plan was to bring water to a boil, then toss the rabbit and pheasant directly into the pot.
But even for a dish like "live-boiled fish," you don't actually just throw a live fish in to boil...
However, seeing Bai Ruxue hanging her head in self-reproach, Xiao Mo didn't scold her. Instead, he encouraged her, "It's alright. I'll do the cooking today."
"Xiao Mo, I'm sorry. I promise I'll learn how to cook properly in the future..." Bai Ruxue raised her delicate head, her eyes misty. It looked as if she would burst into tears if he said another harsh word.
Xiao Mo nodded. "There's no rush. Take your time."
Taking the rabbit and pheasant out of the pot, Xiao Mo began to prepare the ingredients.
Bai Ruxue watched from the side to see how Xiao Mo cooked, looking for any way she could help.
The young woman saw Xiao Mo gut and clean the rabbit and chicken, then chop them into small pieces and stir-fry them with scallions, ginger, and garlic.
'So this is how humans cook,' she realized. 'It's so particular.'
After that, Bai Ruxue began to learn how to cook in the human way.
Her teacher was none other than the village chief's wife—Aunt Chen.
As for how Bai Ruxue got connected with Aunt Chen...
It was all thanks to the village chief's second daughter, Wang Ying.
Wang Ying had heard that an incredibly beautiful Immortal Sister had come to stay at Brother Xiao's house, so she came to see for herself.
Bai Ruxue was naturally simple-hearted, so she and the young Wang Ying quickly became good friends.
And when Wang Ying heard the Immortal Sister say she wanted to learn to cook, she immediately brought Bai Ruxue to her mother.
Faced with a request from such a beautiful girl, Aunt Chen naturally found it hard to refuse.
And so, Bai Ruxue became Aunt Chen's "disciple."
Aunt Chen was also very enthusiastic. She came to Xiao Mo's courtyard every day to teach Bai Ruxue how to cook.
At first, Aunt Chen was quite patient.
After all, one look at Bai Ruxue's fair, delicate hands told Aunt Chen that she must have been a lady from a wealthy family who had never had to lift a finger in her life.
So, Aunt Chen was mentally prepared for the fact that this young lady would likely know nothing at all.
But gradually, Aunt Chen's temper began to flare.
"Wrong, wrong! You have to scale the fish first! And take out the guts! You can't just throw it in the pot!"
"S-sorry..."
"Why are you adding so many dried chilies? Are you trying to kill Xiao Mo with the spice?"
"I'm sorry!"
"Stop adding salt! Is salt free? Are you trying to give Xiao Mo a heart attack?"
"I didn't mean to..."
"Alright, alright, now add the cilantro. Xiao Mo likes cilantro."
"That's enough! Cilantro is a garnish, you're not supposed to stir-fry it like it's cabbage!"
Every afternoon, while Xiao Mo was reading in the courtyard, he could hear Aunt Chen scolding Bai Ruxue.
Every time, Aunt Chen would leave, muttering, "You're hopeless! I'm not coming back to teach you ever again."
And every time, Aunt Chen's scolding would leave Bai Ruxue in tears.
But Aunt Chen would always come back the next day, and Bai Ruxue would dry her tears and continue to learn with a serious attitude.
There was no special reason for it. Although Bai Ruxue was clumsy, she was beautiful and a diligent student.
Besides, Aunt Chen had a sharp tongue but a soft heart. Once her anger subsided, she would remember the beautiful young girl and come back.
「As the days went by.」
Aunt Chen scolded Bai Ruxue less and less.
「Three months later, one afternoon.」
Aunt Chen didn't scold Bai Ruxue even once.
That very afternoon, as they watched Xiao Mo pick up his chopsticks, their eyes were filled with nervousness.
"Delicious," Xiao Mo said with a nod after taking a bite of the rabbit meat.
"That's wonderful!" Bai Ruxue jumped for joy.
Aunt Chen couldn't help but wipe away a tear.
'She finally graduated,' she thought. 'It wasn't easy...'
Besides cooking, Bai Ruxue also washed Xiao Mo's clothes.
Every morning, Bai Ruxue would take her and Xiao Mo's clothes to the river to wash them.
The aunties and grannies in the village were very enthusiastic, teaching Bai Ruxue how to get the clothes properly clean.
Over time, Bai Ruxue became quite familiar with all the women.
They would even tell her a few suggestive jokes from time to time.
But Bai Ruxue didn't understand them at all.
Seeing her clueless expression, the women wouldn't explain, but would simply laugh.
Bai Ruxue was very confused, so she would run back and ask Xiao Mo.
"Xiao Mo, why did Granny Wang say that men have three legs? You only have two! Where's your third leg? Can I see it?"
"Xiao Mo, why did Aunt Chen say I'm 'built for childbearing' and that if I get pregnant, our family will never go hungry?"
"Xiao Mo, Aunt Sun asked me if you ever sneak into my room at night to do 'bad things' to me. What are 'bad things'? Are you going to come into my room tonight?"
Faced with Bai Ruxue's questions, Xiao Mo was at a loss for words and could only remain silent.
Sometimes, Bai Ruxue would return to the mountain to visit her sister, bringing her some of the village's delicious persimmon cakes and telling her about the interesting things she had encountered.
When the weather was hot, Bai Ruxue would fan Xiao Mo with a hand fan. Even if she herself was sweating profusely, she would just wipe her brow and continue fanning him.
When the weather was cold, Bai Ruxue would slip into Xiao Mo's bed to warm it for him.