Chapter 87: Integrating Into It

Seeing everyone put down their chopsticks, Zhao Ling'er voluntarily stood up to clear the bowls and chopsticks; the rough ceramic bowl's edge still retained the warmth of food, her movements were brisk, her fingertips carrying a barely perceptible tremor as she lightly stacked the nearby bowls and plates.

Li Feifei saw this, about to speak to stop her, but saw Zhao Ling'er lower her eyelashes, her expression focused and almost stubbornly serious, as if what she was wiping wasn't a greasy wooden table but some task that had to be completed.

She hesitated slightly, the words on the tip of her tongue swallowed back, and simply watched silently.

Zhao Shuang'er also imitated her sister, stacking the small bowl in front of her, carefully placing it into the meal plate, the bowl's rim making a slight clinking sound.

Zhao Ling'er saw Li Feifei's expression of wanting to speak but holding back, and said softly, "Feifei sister, we should also do what we can; there's no sense in just eating and not working." She then lowered her head and busied herself again.

Li Feifei gently nudged Li Qingxuan, who then came back to himself, his gaze falling on Zhao Ling'er's busy figure, "Cough... you've just arrived today, after all; let you get familiar first, then we'll assign work. For these two days, just rest well."

Zhao Ling'er turned her head, gave a slight nod, "Thank you, Qingxuan brother, but we still want to do what we can."

Li Feifei stood up, waited for Zhao Ling'er to finish wiping the table, then carried a meal plate toward the kitchen, saying gently, "The kitchen area is this way; let me take you there."

Zhao Ling'er and her sister lifted the remaining trays, moving swiftly as they followed behind Li Feifei.

In the hearth, the burning firewood emitted a continuous crackle, the leaping firelight casting her profile in alternating light and shadow, even the line of her tightly pressed lips clearly visible.

As they followed Li Feifei to the kitchen, Zhao Ling'er drew a slight breath, as if making some decision, finally lifting her gaze to Li Feifei's face, "Feifei sister," her voice soft but unusually clear, "are you and Mr. Li husband and wife?"

Li Feifei's steps paused slightly at the words, she turned around, the warm light of the hearth falling on her face, a flash of understanding crossing her gentle eyes.

She looked at Zhao Ling'er's eyes, fixed on her, stubborn and with a barely noticeable tension, then glanced aside at Zhao Shuang'er, who pretended not to care while holding a meal plate.

"Before coming to this world, we weren't." Li Feifei's voice remained soft, yet gained a clear solemnity, "But now we can be considered husband and wife."

While speaking, she slowed her steps, quietly observing the expressions on the two sisters' faces.

Pushing open an equally thick oak door, a mixture of cleaning steam and a faint scent of leftover food rushed over her; this was clearly the kitchen.

The space was slightly smaller than the dining hall; against the wall stood a stone-built stove, with several iron pots of varying sizes set into it, while neat stacks of firewood were piled beside it.

On the other side were several stone troughs, connected to water pipes extending from the inner stone wall, with water trickling into one of the troughs.

In the corner stood a few half‑person‑high ceramic vats and wooden barrels.

"Since you want to work, the place currently lacking hands is supplies organization and everyday chores." Li Feifei pointed to those stone troughs, "For example, cleaning up after meals—now I or Qingxuan usually take care of it."

Her gaze swept over the ceramic vats and wooden barrels, "Also, the harvested ingredients that have been brought back need initial processing and sorting—vegetables need washing, meats need cutting and processing for storage. All of this requires care and patience."

She paused, looking at Zhao Ling'er, "Ling'er, I see you handle things steadily, and Shuang'er is quite clever. If you're willing, you can start by washing dishes and helping with simple food preparation, gradually getting used to it. Shuang'er can assist your sister as a helper, handing over things and such; no matter what you do, safety comes first."

Zhao Ling'er listened, her tense shoulders easing a fraction; being able to work meant being useful, meaning they could earn Li Qingxuan's favor.

She immediately nodded, voice steady, "We're willing, Feifei sister. We can do these."

"All right then." Li Feifei's face broke into a more relaxed smile, "No need to rush this moment; you should rest well today. Just put the bowls and chopsticks in the sink to wash clean; starting tomorrow, I'll lead you in work, mainly assisting me in managing the fortress's affairs."

Zhao Shuang'er nodded vigorously, her small face full of earnestness, "Mm! I'll work very hard!"

Zhao Ling'er watched her sister's earnest expression, gave a soft laugh, then gently placed the wooden tray on the stone ledge beside the trough; the rough ceramic bowl glowed with a warm luster in the firelight.

Her fingertips touched the lingering warmth on the bowl's wall once more; this time, that warmth seemed to flow along her fingertips, silently seeping into her heart.

Although the road ahead remained thick with thorns, at least for now, within these sturdy stone walls, they had found a place to settle and to strive for.

The two quickly cleaned up the bowls and chopsticks, then returned to their seats at the table.

The flames in the hearth leapt joyfully, spreading a warm, soft glow across the center of the stone chamber, dispelling the lingering chill deep within the fortress.

Li Qingxuan leaned back in his chair, eyes closed, resting his spirit; the faint fatigue in his brow, illuminated by the firelight, seemed gently smoothed away.

Li Feifei brought the teapot and cups, distributed tea to everyone, then lifted her cup, blew lightly on it, and took a contented sip.

Zhao Ling'er and her sister sat quietly in their places, received their own cups, and began to drink.

Zhao Shuang'er seemed infected by this warmth and tranquility, her small body relaxing as she leaned against her sister, her eyelids beginning to feel heavy and droop, while she unconsciously pinched the corner of her clothing.

Zhao Ling'er lowered her head to look at her sister's sleepy little face, her eyes full of tenderness; she gently lifted her hand, gathered the stray hairs falling across Shuang'er's forehead, and her fingertips, tinged with affection, brushed over the child's soft skin.

She lifted her gaze, involuntarily turning again toward Li Qingxuan, who was meditating with closed eyes opposite the table, then swept over Li Feifei, who was carefully wiping the tabletop.

Feeling Zhao Ling'er's gaze, Li Qingxuan opened his eyes and asked, "I had worried about changes along the way and didn't communicate much with you; now please introduce yourselves."

Zhao Ling'er blinked in surprise, then immediately sat up straight; the fingers resting on her knees unconsciously curled a bit, as if silently struggling with inner tension, then she forced herself to relax.

She had rehearsed this question countless times in her heart, but when actually faced with it, her throat still tightened a little; she drew a deep breath, striving to keep her voice clear and steady: "Mr. Li, Feifei sister. I am Zhao Ling'er; before… I was a student at the Dance Academy, not yet graduated. Because I often got injured, I learned and practiced basic wound treatment, disinfection, and bandaging."

She paused, her gaze quickly and concernedly sweeping over Li Qingxuan's waist and abdomen wound, then lowered her eyelids slightly, "If the fortress has need, I can help treat wounds or care for the sick." This was the most valuable skill she could think of.

"Sister is amazing!" Zhao Shuang'er, who had been leaning against her twin sister, suddenly lifted her head, her voice bright and clear, breaking the slightly stagnant post‑meal quiet.

Her small face was a little tired, but her eyes shone bright, sparkling with unreserved admiration for her sister, "Sister dances beautifully; when she fell and got hurt before, it was she herself who handled the treatment!" Shuang'er vigorously nodded her little head, as if adding weight to her words.

Zhao Ling'er's cheeks flushed slightly at her sister's sudden praise; she quickly gave Shuang'er's hand a light squeeze, signaling her to calm down, then added, "My dancing is passable. Besides… in terms of life skills, I can mend clothes, do simple cooking, and handle basic cleaning and tidying."

Having said that, she felt her heart pounding heavily, awaiting their response.

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