Lovia's chaotic thoughts struggled to function.
Refuse? But she felt like she truly couldn't hold on any longer. Right now, whether she could safely return to the small shed was questionable, and she still needed to buy urgently required 'ore' to replenish her energy.
Accept? Accept help from this human who had twice stumbled upon her secret?
If only she hadn't come out... But... he really just seemed to want to help. Moreover, he hadn't exposed her last time... In her memory, Xingqiu was a man who upheld justice... Perhaps... perhaps she could trust him this once, just ask him to guide the way, and separate immediately after buying the ore... That perfectly measured sense of distance also allowed Lovia's tightly wound nerves to relax slightly.
The fragility brought by illness finally overcame her stubborn vigilance; she was simply too uncomfortable and desperately needed some support.
Lovia nodded extremely lightly, her voice as faint as a mosquito's whine, thick with nasal congestion and embarrassment, mixed with a trace of urgency: "...P-Please... take me... to where they sell ore... and then, back..."
She finished speaking in broken sentences, panting slightly, leaning more of her weight against the wall.
She hardly dared to look at Xingqiu's expression.
Making such a strange request to a human, would he find her even weirder?
Upon hearing this, a fleeting, imperceptible surprise flashed in Xingqiu's eyes, but it quickly turned into understanding. He didn't press further about 'why she needed to buy ore' or 'what good buying ore does when you're sick,' but merely nodded in agreement, his tone remaining gentle: "Alright, I know of a general store nearby that stays open late; they might have some. Do you know which type of ore you need?"
He thoughtfully avoided pointing out the abnormality of the request, treating it instead as a normal errand.
Lovia sighed in relief. Xingqiu's reaction was a bit surprising, but it also gave her a sense of security, feeling respected. She quietly named several types of ore she could consume, finally adding, "...I need... ones that are of slightly better quality..."
"Understood." Xingqiu made a note, then packed up both portions of Lotus Crisp.
Then, with Lovia's consent, he carefully offered a light hold on her arm.
That shop is just around the corner ahead; let's go slowly.
Lovia's body instinctively stiffened for a moment, but the surrender to weakness overwhelmed the resistance to physical contact.
Leaning on Xingqiu's steady support, Lovia could finally conserve a little energy. She kept her head down, hiding her face as much as possible in the shadow of her hood, moving forward step by painful step toward the general store glowing with warm light.
Xingqiu matched her pace, walking very slowly, occasionally using his body to shield her from the occasional passersby on the street. He could feel the slight tremor and abnormal temperature coming from the slender arm beneath his hand, and another entry was quietly added to the notebook in his mind concerning the 'Melusine physique'.
As she walked, Lovia worried internally that Xingqiu might capture her and sell her. (Impossible.)
They soon arrived at the store. Xingqiu asked Lovia to wait briefly at the entrance while he quickly went inside. He soon emerged with a small cloth bag containing the types of ore Lovia had specified, and their quality was indeed good.
"Are these acceptable?" Xingqiu handed the bag to her.
Lovia took the bag. The ore her fingertips touched emitted a reassuring cool sensation and a faint elemental fluctuation. She glanced at Xingqiu, thought for a moment, and finally couldn't hold back.
She took out the smallest piece almost impatiently, quickly put it in her mouth, and began to chew carefully.
The crisp texture mixed with a strange elemental flavor melted in her mouth, and a weak but definite sense of energy slowly spread, temporarily suppressing some of the bone-gnawing weakness and cold.
It really worked!
She narrowed her eyes slightly in satisfaction, like a small animal that had finally received its favorite treat.
Xingqiu watched quietly from the side without disturbing her. His curiosity was even stronger, but what he felt more was tolerance.
Perhaps the food for creatures like Melusine is... ore?
Only when Lovia seemed to have recovered a little strength did Xingqiu gently remind her, "Shall I take you back now?"
Lovia nodded, hugging the bag of ore tightly to her chest, and whispered, "...Mm, thank you for the trouble."
Her voice had slightly more strength than before. Her wariness had unknowingly faded another layer due to her physical needs being met and the other person's continued kindness.
On the way back, perhaps due to the slight energy replenishment and Xingqiu's support, Lovia found it no longer as unbearable, but she was still weak, relying mostly on Xingqiu's lightly held arm for support.
Seeing that they were getting closer to the direction of her small hut, and the surrounding pedestrians grew sparser, Lovia stopped walking.
Xingqiu stopped as well, casting a questioning look.
Lovia took a deep breath, gathered her courage, and raised her head. Her eyes under the hood had regained some spirit after the brief replenishment, but the sickly fatigue was still evident.
She didn't dare look at Xingqiu for too long, shifting her gaze slightly away. Though her voice was soft, it carried a hint of unquestionable insistence: "...Just bring me here. The rest... I can manage going back myself."
Xingqiu paused slightly, then understood. He looked at the slightly dim path ahead with its many forks, and then at the Melusine before him who, though slightly better, still looked weak. Being as astute as he was, he immediately grasped Lovia's concern.
She didn't want him to know her exact residence.
He completely understood this caution. After all, she carried secrets she didn't want others to know—even if he already knew some of them.
Xingqiu did not insist. He just nodded gently and took out a small package wrapped in oiled paper from his embrace—it was one of the two Lotus Crisps he had bought earlier.
He offered the still-warm oiled package toward Lovia.
"Alright, then Miss Luvia, please be careful." Xingqiu's tone was natural. "This Lotus Crisp is sweet and soft; perhaps it will make you feel more comfortable. When you are ill, eating something warm is always good."
His thoughtfulness and consideration surprised Lovia again.
He hadn't asked 'why,' hadn't insisted on 'walking her to the door,' and had even thoughtfully given her food, attempting to express concern through this action.
Lovia looked at the package of Lotus Crisp and hesitated. She didn't know if it suited her current taste, but the warmth and goodwill were conveyed through the gesture.
She finally accepted it, murmuring, "...Thank you."
"It was nothing, no need to be polite." Xingqiu smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping over her still pale face. "Rest well. If you still don't feel better tomorrow, do not push yourself too hard."
Xingqiu took half a step back, clearing the path for her. "Then, we part ways here. I hope Miss Luvia... recovers soon."
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