— Alright, let's get started. — Ting stretched as she squeezed her eyes shut and raised her arms above her head. — I think I'm well enough now.

  Watching her for a moment, Noah observed to see if anything about her was still trembling. — ...Do you prefer to do this standing up?

  She looked at the arms around her waist. — I don't know. If I say yes, will you let go of me? — She smiled as she moved her finger to bring the herbs closer. — Apparently not. — The embrace tightened.

  For a moment, Ting withdrew Noah's arms so she could sit up straighter and cross her legs, then allowed him to continue what he was doing, returning herself to the previous position.

  — Which herbs are we going to use this time?

  — Well, these three sweet-warm, blood-soaked ones are the main ones. — Three herbs with vibrant red stains rose up, standing out from the others. — We'll have to substitute some others since we don't have them. So, the three spiciest we have. Three neutral, six fresh sour, and three fresh bitter ones.

  The herbs rose as he spoke, separated into three groups with equal quantities of ingredients.

  — Well, if we fail, at least we'll have a few more tries left.

  With her hand raised, Ting was already ready to cast her flame into the furnace. However, what she received was a wooden bowl that Noah placed in her palm.

  — What's this? I can't eat right now. Aren't we going to make the pill?

  — That's not it. — He smiled as the stem of one of the stained herbs fell into the pot. — Many first-degree and higher pills are a bit more complicated than just throwing the herbs into the alchemy furnace and hoping for a good result.

  — So, the pill we made earlier wasn't first degree? — She received the garlic pestle from him. — And it was already so hard... Will we really manage this time?

  — It'll work. Don't worry.

  With the same utensils in hand and a steady wrist, Noah put his head beside Ting's and did the same, crushing the stem of another herb until only a dark, sticky purple mixture remained, while Ting's mix was green. They added a drop of water to each blend to purify it, making it a little more watery.

  — I should have said we'd do this standing. If you're going to stop doing your part every few moments to kiss or look at me, we're only going to finish this tomorrow.

  Noah took the hot spicy stem and added it to her mix. — I'll try to stop. — He did the same to his own.

  — You'll 'try'...? — She sighed. — At least you're being honest.

  Soon, all the petals had been separated and were floating in front of them. All the stems had been turned into an aqueous and sticky mixture that tended to green, one shade darker than the other. The mere scent caused a mild internal reaction in Ting, warming her blood. But it wasn't done yet. One by one, the petals were added in a repeating cycle: one stained petal that changed the color of the mixture, as if blood was being added; one from the hot spicy herb; two fresh sour, one fresh bitter, and one neutral. They didn't stop mixing. Not until the blend turned a completely uniform reddish color.

  Ting sighed. — This step is incredibly boring... Now we're going to use the furnace, right?

  Upon confirmation, Noah set his bowl aside. He took one of her hands and held it up. — Let's take it slow. No need to be anxious.

  She nodded, swallowing hard. She didn't want to fail. The excitement made her tremble, and Noah sensed it.

  — Let's begin...! — she said, both to Noah and herself.

  She searched for any bit of calm she still possessed. It came when her shoulder was bitten, making her shift focus. Frowning, she turned to Noah. — That wasn't funny.

  — It wasn't meant to be. I said 'take it slow.' — He kissed the reddened mark. — Feeling a bit better now?

  She turned away, grumbling, refusing to admit it. The effectiveness was a little annoying. Her body wasn't trembling anymore and her mind seemed a bit clearer than before. — When I’m strong enough to mark your skin, I'll do it so many times you'll start finding it annoying.

  — Well, I wish you good luck. But I doubt you can do it.

  The two raised their hands in sync. The flames glowed, mixing slowly, and then leaped into the cauldron along with the floating mixture from the bowl.

  [Pill creation assistance has been activated.]

  [Pill creation assistance has been activated for the listed wife, Huo Ting.]

  [Duo pill creation assistance has been activated.]

  Merging with the mixture, the flames began to move slowly, spinning. Mixing. Their light gushed out through the holes responsible for the cauldron's breathing. In the center, the herb blend kept molding, turning into a small sphere, still soft, but soon less so. The flames entered it, ensuring resistance. The outer shell kept all the essence inside.

  A little more...! Ting felt her eyes grow heavy. Her fingers faltered.

  Track!

  The sphere broke apart.

  — Ting, what's wrong? Are you feeling anything? — Noah held her by the waist, stopping her from falling.

  — No, I... — She looked at the broken pieces drifting toward her. — We failed...

  — Forget about that, you're not even able to keep your eyes focused for long. It won't work. We're not doing this again.

  Turning to him, she looked into his eyes and pleaded softly, — Then, just one last time, please. — But it didn't seem very effective. So instead, she kissed his forehead as she wrapped her arms around his neck. — This will be the last time—I promise.

  For today... Ting couldn't say that last part.

  Noah frowned. He knew what she was doing and couldn't refuse her. He didn’t want her to be upset over it.

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  Turning her around, he didn’t reply. Ting correctly understood his silence as consent. However, in return, he also didn’t speak to her for the rest of the time they waited until she recovered again.

  — Can I use a Qi crystal?

  He kept silent, but the whitish stone appeared before her, a response from the system.

  Curling up, Ting began to absorb the energy. In the end, the stone became gray and cold. She set it aside. — ...I'm ready... — she said, as she touched Noah's hand resting on her belly over her clothes.

  After removing one of his hands from inside her clothes, he hesitated. He looked her in the eyes, then looked away. Ting wouldn't back down. Her flame was generated. It mixed with Noah's as her palm slid under his. Together, they entered the furnace, followed by the herb mixture.

  The vortex started spinning again.

  Scents spread through the air. Blood tinged the atmosphere. Herbs seemed to decorate it. Meanwhile, the furnace lid trembled.

  As their palms met, the flames ceased. Smoke filled the cauldron.

  With the process finished, Ting couldn't see much ahead.

  — Did we do it...? — she asked, her eyes heavy and bleary.

  — ...Yes... You can rest now.

  Leaning against his chest, the last thing she saw was the bluish-red glow approaching after leaping from the furnace.

  — Tsk! — a tongue click echoed, displeased. — Stubborn.

  Noah stored everything in the spatial pouch and picked Ting up.

  Even unconscious, she could feel movement: steps or changes in the wind. For a while, she seemed to stay put on a soft surface. Then, everything was so cold, as if a strong wind was blowing against her face. Afterwards, it turned cozy, like a warm hug.

  When she opened her eyes, Ting found herself under a simple, unfamiliar roof. She looked around and saw only a few wooden pieces of furniture. Everything was new, that much was clear. The scent of freshly cut wood still lingered in the air, mixed with a sweet odor drifting from elsewhere.

  She tried to get up. She failed. Her vision blurred and weakness hit like a blow. Bringing her fingers near her eyes, she tried to figure out what was happening.

  — Noah...? — she called, her voice lower and weaker than the faintest whisper.

  No one answered.

  Drawing a deep breath and holding it, Ting moved the blankets, tossed them aside, and dragged herself to the edge of the bed. When her feet touched the ground, she felt the chill. The wood didn’t seem to have been sanded, yet there were no splinters. The cut must have been precise, at least. She hesitated, but forced herself to move. The weakness returned, but only for a moment. That sweet aroma pervaded the air, calling to her, too tempting to ignore. The only light came through the cracks in the door. It didn’t seem like sunlight, too faint for that. Nor could it have been moonlight, for it was golden, not blue.

  She walked, using the wall as support. Its rough texture and undulations gave her confidence. If the wall were smooth, she feared she'd slip. If this was a real place, not a dream, what would she find when she opened the door? Her trembling was not only due to weakness. Ting was also nervous.

  Noah? The words remained thoughts, not sound.

  Standing before the door, hesitation stopped her from pushing it open. She could end up in darkness and, once again, surrounded by disconnected and painful memories. She swallowed her fear, closed her eyes in apprehension. The creak began, harsh and slow, echoing in her ears over and over.

  — Are you feeling better now?

  Hearing the voice, a sigh of relief washed away all distress. Ting opened her eyes and found herself in a strangely illuminated place. But not by the moon. The stars shone brightly, yes, majestic. But the golden light came from crystals she had previously seen in the inventory, now scattered everywhere. At the side, Noah tended to a stone stove with a chimney that rose above the porch roof.

  Taking a step forward, her knees gave way. Her waist was caught, so she didn’t fall.

  — I'm fine, I just... — she frowned, looking in his eyes. — Don't look at me like that.

  — Like what? — Picking her up, Noah carried her to the steps. — With guilt?

  He handed her a whitish stone and then went back near the furnace.

  Holding it in both hands, Ting squeezed the stone. — I already said I’m fine, so why would you feel guilty? You didn't do anything; I was the one who wanted to continue. So-

  — And I was the one who taught you a new way to get hurt.

  Her mouth opened, but nothing came out. She looked away. In silence, she began to absorb the Qi from the crystal. Once finished, she set it aside and looked around more calmly and attentively. — Did you build this place...?

  [Yes.]

  The system replied due to Noah's delay in doing so.

  The forest opened ahead, revealing a magnificent sky. Something normal she saw all the time, but now it seemed so beautiful. Tiles created a path at the end of the steps, leading to a bath where hot steam rose from the misty waters. Above it, a treeless gap appeared to have been made, allowing anyone in the bath to see the night sky.

  — Everything here is so beautiful, thank you... — There was no reaction. Leaning on the wood beside her, Ting stood up. Taking slow steps, she approached and hugged him from behind. — But, you know, that bath seems a little too big for just one person. Is that the one you meant when you said there was a place where you 'planned to bathe with me'?

  — I'm not mad, Ting. You don't have to do that to make me happy.

  — Then I don't have to consider the possibility of that really happening either?

  Noah froze, reconsidering. She smiled, sliding in front of him and tucking herself into his arms. She pulled them to hug her.

  At first, the embrace was not very strong, but soon it intensified.

  As one who was always right, Ting smiled. The certainty she wouldn't be pushed away gave her wonderful confidence and security.

  — I'll try to find a way to get you a better flame. Until then, you’ll only be able to make basic pills.

  — Alone?

  Noah nodded, not very happy. Then, carefully, one of his hands slipped under her clothes. — Now, about the bath... Were you joking when you said that?

  — I don't know, was I? I think you'll have to wait a bit longer. — Smiling, she lifted the lid from the ceramic pot, revealing some covered cups. Even without seeing, just the sweet smell that spread was enough to make her mouth water. — What is that?

  Picking her up, Noah headed for the stairs, the floating pot following. He went down the steps and crossed the little path to the bath where he sat on the edge.

  — Hmm, the view is even prettier from here.

  One of the cups circled them without its lid and Noah picked it up. The contents came out with a firm texture when tipped, wrapped in bamboo leaves. Once unwrapped, it revealed a somewhat sticky yet firm texture and light herbal aromas.

  — Hmm... — Ting gestured, even before tasting it.

  She preferred to close her eyes to keep the mystery. She opened her mouth, waiting for it to be given to her. She chewed, focusing only on savoring that bite. That's why she didn't notice the stares that followed each of her small lip movements. — Wow, this... is really good! Give me more.

  The sweet aroma that spread just made Noah get lost in thoughts about what the feeling, taste, and texture would be when he finally touched them.

  Sighing, he gave her the rest he had in hand.

  — Is there a problem? Don't you want to feed me? — Going limp, Ting let herself fall. — I'm still weak, so you'll have to bear with it a bit longer.

  — That's not it. — Noah grabbed the crumb stuck to the side of her mouth and ate it. — I still have to give the pill to the girl.

  — Ah, that... — she sat up. — Alright. But before, can I see the pill?

  The sphere leaped out of the pouch, stopped in her palm, and Ting analyzed it. She gave it back to Noah before she could change her mind. She thought that, if they hadn’t made the first pill together, she wouldn’t be able to let go of this one so easily.

  Taking another cake Noah gave her, she said, — Don’t stay there too long. Just give the pill and come back, alright?

  — If I do, will I get a reward? — Ting didn’t reply because she was still chewing, and she didn’t have time to. Noah was soon floating above the bath. — I'll take that as a yes.

  He left smiling and the pot rested beside Ting.

  She swallowed quickly. — Hey, wait-! ...He means what I’m thinking, right?

  [You should make it clear that you don’t want that. Otherwise, he'll keep insisting.]

  [Especially after you teased him so openly about it.]

  Turning back to the cakes, Ting just grabbed another.

  [Looks like it’s not just him who 'wants that the most,' is it?]

  — Quiet!