Tear A Path

"Girlie, you know what you're asking of me right?" Myr asked in a low voice.

"I know, but he's a good man to have in your corner when times are tough... and in the room right now, I'm in need of exactly that kind of man." Eyisha could only say dejectedly, "unless you want to come out and deal with them? I'm sure you'll scare them more than anything."

"And try to deal with a bunch of two-faced foggies again? Not a chance... Well atleast I'll be pushing this mess on his l.a.p and force him to do some work." Myr sighed. "You know his room, I hope you won't ask me to accompany you there..."

"I'd never, thank you Myr." Eyisha gave a grateful smile, before walking away.

"Wait," Myr called, she rummaged a little under the bar and threw a transparent bottle towards Eyisha. Inside, a brown liquid swooshed around turbidly. "You'll need this to lure him out."

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Pitka stared hard at Zhao Wei sitting across him. The man in question was sweating bullets looking at the book infront of him. "How are you so stupid!!! We teach this to our 2 year olds... Sola!! Show him how it's done."

Sola innocently picked up the book and started reading without any trouble. It was always a wonder how Zhao Wei was trilingual. It was definitely not thanks to school, probably because he'd walked and talked with a lot of people.

"Fine I'll just tell you directly, so the first page...." the rest of the day hours were spent doing that.

Near the night hours, Rona, Solith's wife came back to the house. Unlike Solith, she was part of the tailor guild, although it seemed to be in a little trouble these days as she came back with only a few pieces of bread.

Zhao Wei stood up and helped Rona in. "Ma'am please save these for next time, I've brought some food..."

From his pack he took out a slab of meat. Additionally he laid out some potatoes, onions, carrots and tomatoes. Rona was quite surprised as she hadn't seen such a line up of ingredients two months after the change as these were eaten first to keep them from going bad.

"Would you mind if I borrowed your kitchen?" Zhao Wei asked.

"Umm" Rona responded.

All that was there was a clay stove which was turned on with wood fire and a few pans. So Zhao took out his own that he got from Gowan.

And starting on the rest of the ingredients which he sautéed in a pot after chopping up.

Everyone was looking in the kitchen. Even Pitka was surprised, his skills were extremely rough and he looked like a barbarian, yet there was a finesse in his cooking which made each process quite elegant.

Crushing all of the vegetables in the pot he added some water and a little of the vodka to add heat. Like the soup it was a simple dish but even with that it still smelled beautiful.

Stirring the pot until the vegetables broke apart to resemble a thick soup instead. In a split second he chopped garlic and parsley into the mix.

Just looking at the rich consistency, Sola started salivating and would have probably run to Zhao Wei to ask for a piece if she wasn't being held by Rona who was also similarly had saliva dripping down her mouth.

Now he added the best ingredient he'd found in the new world so far and was even called the gold of ingredients in the past. Saffron.

Such an expensive ingredient which cost several dollars for a single clove was actually growing in the streets and treated like common road side flowers. Taking a little hot water he poured it into a cup with several saffron cloves inside, making a nice golden coloured tea.

Dicing the meat he brought everything collectively to the table. Rona who realized that her mouth was dripping embarassedly covered it with her hand as she tried to suck it back up.

The final touches were done infront of everyone as he lowered the meat into the pot of thick creamy soup, it's be better if he had milk but so far it was pretty okay. Finally he dropped the saffron tea into it while stiring.

Only Sola innocently brought her bowl up to Zhao Wei who happily poured some for her to try. Sheepishly, she brought it to her mouth and gulped a whole spooonful in one bite.

What happened next was a consecutive change in expression, starting from regret as she puffed up her cheeks because the borscht was still hot, then it changed into questioning as she tested the heat and the taste. Finally her face turned into pure delight as she closed her eyes in enjoyment.

Zhao Wei was so happy that she liked it that he'd probably give the whole pot if the others didn't need to eat. Also seeing her enjoy it this much, the a.d.u.l.ts couldn't help but bring their bowls forward.

When Pitka ate the first spoon he spoke, "impossible". Everyone turned to look at him.

"How'd someone so ugly cook something so good!! This is a complete waste, even if the food is good it gets dumbed down by your face?!" He shouted, instantly everyone laughed except Zhao Wei. "Old man if you don't want to eat then don't eat!"

If people didn't know better, this would look like a harmonious family dinner ranging three generations around a single table.