Chapter 31 : EI’s Assistance

Nia’s hesitation made EI doubt her skills.

“Why don’t I go to the kitchen with you and guide you?” EI suggested.

“Hm…”

Nia carefully considered her cooking ability, then finally nodded and admitted frankly, “Alright, I’m really not good at this.”

“But how are you going to get over there? Should I carry you?”

Suddenly, Nia realized that EI was currently not very mobile.

“That’s not necessary,” El declined. “I have this.”

Curious, Nia watched as EI pulled out a chair with wheels from his spatial item. The strange chair immediately caught her attention.

“What’s this?” she couldn’t help but ask.

“This is a wheelchair,” El sighed. “I always thought I’d never have to use one in my life, but here I am.”

“You have quite a collection of odd things.”

Nia was already used to the bizarre items El pulled out.

She examined the wheeled chair carefully, then gently helped El from the bed onto it.

Pushing the chair, the two of them slowly moved into the kitchen. A faint scent of spices filled the air, and various pots and pans hung neatly on the walls.

Putting everything else aside, El’s attitude toward food was unmatched among anyone Nia had ever met.

Because they hadn’t hunted any prey in recent days, the food at home was mostly what they had bought earlier in Belorn Town. Nia looked around but couldn’t find any simple ingredients.

El rummaged through the kitchen and found a few radishes and potatoes. He handed the vegetables to Nia. “Wash these first, then peel and cut them into chunks.”

“Okay.” Nia responded, taking the vegetables.

She picked up a potato and turned it twice in her hands.

A gentle breeze accompanied by flowing water circled her palm. To El’s astonishment, not only was the potato washed spotless, but the skin was also peeled off, and finally cut into evenly sized pieces.

“Whoa.” El was a little stunned watching Nia’s skill. “I didn’t expect you could do that.”

Nia smiled faintly. “If you practice diligently, it’s not that hard.”

“Kind of like that automatic washing machine, right?”

“Yeah, fundamentally it’s all about how well you control your magic power.”

El didn’t reply; he was already considering whether he should leave all future food preparation to Nia. With such efficiency, it would be unreasonable not to make her his assistant.

“This is oil, salt, soy sauce, MSG, chili… When you add them later, you can put in less, but definitely not more.”

She rattled off the seasonings like naming dishes. Nia was a bit dazzled and took quite a while before she recognized all the condiments.

“Got it?”

“Got it.”

“Then let’s start.”

Under El’s direction, the dishes were ready quickly. Nia carefully plated the food and then ladled out a bowl of soup.

It smelled pretty decent.

El took a sip and felt it wasn’t much different from what he would make himself.

Maybe she actually had some talent for this?

“How is it?”

Seeing him eye her with curiosity, Nia asked.

“Not bad. I thought it would be a disaster, but it really turned out well.”

El said, satisfied, taking another sip of soup.

“Really?” Nia raised an eyebrow. “Then I should send some over to the lady.”

“We’re friends, but when you have something tasty, you think of her first instead of me? How much did Meira pay you? I’ll pay double.”

El put on a heartbroken expression.

“Aren’t you already eating?”

Nia looked at El like he was an idiot. “And I should correct you, the relationship between me and the lady isn’t that mundane.”

“Oh, so you’re working for free?”

“Don’t feel like explaining to you.”

Watching Nia leave the kitchen with the bowl, El sighed, “Feudalism is harmful,” before digging in voraciously.

…

After Meira finished eating, Nia cleared the bowls and returned to the kitchen.

Just as she stepped out of the room, she saw El pushing his wheelchair, trying to leave the kitchen.

Nia hurried over, thoughtfully helping El out.

“Where are you going?”

“Uh…”

El’s expression was a bit strange. After hesitating, he replied, “Out for a bit.”

“You’re like this and still want to go out?” Nia grabbed him. “Just stay home and rest. If you need anything, I’ll help you.”

“You can’t help me.”

Without a second thought, El rejected.

“You can’t help me? What else can’t you let me help with?”

If El hadn’t said anything, Nia wouldn’t have been curious, but now she stepped right in front of him.

“You tell me, how do you know I can’t help if you won’t say?”

“This is something you really can’t help me with.” El waved her off, quickly changing direction and pushing the wheelchair toward the door.

But no matter how hard he pushed, it wouldn’t budge. Looking back, he found Nia holding him back.

“Good grief, I’m scared of you. You can even help me pee?”

Uh…

That one she really couldn’t help with.

Nia’s gaze rested on El’s legs. “So, can you manage like this?”

“Can or can’t, I have to go.”

“Want me to help you?”

“?”

El’s face twisted into a horrified expression.

“I’m not joking.”

Nia didn’t see the big deal—just taking care of an injured person.

“If you go alone and dirty your pants, won’t I have to wash them later…”

“Stop.” El covered his face in disbelief. “If you don’t mind, then you help me.”

“Then I’ll take you.”

With his consent, Nia scooped El up in a bridal carry and stepped out of the yard.

“Seriously, you had to carry me like this?”

El looked at Nia holding him princess-style and couldn’t quite accept it.

This isn’t right, is it?

“What else, carry you on my back? That’s not impossible either.”

“Sigh, never mind.”

El’s expression darkened.

He really felt pathetic.

Seeing him like that, Nia thought he might be about to lose it, so she quickened her pace.

Out of the yard and taking a right turn, they reached the simple ** El had built.

Nia helped him stand.

“Don’t peek,” El warned, one hand on her shoulder.

“Why would I peek? I’m not a pervert,” Nia said, exasperated.

“That’s not so sure. Someone once peeked while I was bathing.”

“I already said that was an accident.”

“Could be…”

Nia’s face turned cold. “If you don’t get on, I’m leaving.”

“All right, I’ll get on, but you have to turn your head away first.”

Nia wondered why El suddenly became so shy. Could it be insecurity?

She’d heard human men cared a lot about this.

But his size was definitely bigger than her previous partner’s by quite a margin. It nearly filled her up.

Is that considered small among humans?

No wonder their population grows so fast, almost catching up with goblins. Seems size really matters.

Nia wasn’t quite sure. After all, elves were a low-desire race. If it weren’t for the curse causing El and her to become entangled, she wouldn’t have known the thing that once lived on her body could even swell up.

Lost in random thoughts, the water sounds beside her had already stopped.

“Ahem,” Nia coughed softly, trying to comfort El. “El, this isn’t something to be ashamed of. It’s just how you were born…”

“Hmm?”

El looked puzzled.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”