As she quietly ate, she secretly observed the gentleman in front of her. He was a handsome young man alright: with smooth skin, gentle eyes, and sharp yet delicate features. He did not look rough, but he also did not look weak.

"May I ask why gentleman Yu Jian is in the middle of a forest?" she curiously inquired with innocent eyes.

He remained calm and rebuttal her question with his own, "Why is a lady like you jumping off a cliff?"

She smiled with a small guilt playing at her lips and acknowledged his smart mouth.

Judging by his clothes, she could tell that he was an ordinary man. At most, he was probably a low-class merchant. However, he seemed more like a farmer or hunter to her. Due to the fact that she was raised where tigers would even eat their cubs, she had counted his worth based on his conditions and looks.

Yu Jian noticed her particular gaze but did not comment on it. It was not something worth being bothered, by nor did he really care. Rich kids are always unaware of their noble airs and arrogance.

After she was done eating, Yu Jian walked out to go chop firewoods. She watched him roll up his sleeves and began to hack at the woods. When the young girl realized that she was admiring his muscles and movements, she quickly turned away with a small blush.

'What are you thinking? He's just an ordinary man in the deep woods. Plus, your heart is set on brother Zhi...'

She really shouldn't be staying alone with a strange man. It would not be good for her reputation. If brother Zhi were to find out, how will she face him? However, her heart twisted into a conflicted decision. It wasn't like anyone was around them to watch.

Moreover, he saved her life. She should at least pay him back for his kindness. Nothing more.

As time passed, the girl discovered that Yu Jian is a man with little words but nevertheless, an interesting man. Sometimes, he seems like a genius. At other times, he would do things absentmindedly and make clumsy mistakes.

"You know, you have never asked for my name," she commented.

He looked up with blank eyes. Like a strike of lightning, it seems like he realized that he actually haven't asked, "I forgot."

She sighed and shook her head in disappointment, "I can't believe I have to initiate it before I can introduce myself. Either way, my name is Xin Rui."

"Xin?" he paused for a moment, as if recalling a memory. Then, he turned to her with a smile that didn't seem like a  smile, "Turns out you're the infamous eldest miss of Third Ranked Minister Xin."

Startled, she really did not expect him to guess her identity like that. It was a mistake of her to assume that just because he lived in the woods, he would be less knowledgable about the city affairs.

"How did you...?"

"It was rumored that a certain maiden had ran away from her marriage."

Xin Rui's eyes turned cold and she shifted her gaze towards the side. Sensing her foul mood, he no longer spoke and continued to organize his stash of herbs to sell.

Rui was now able to get up and slowly walk around. Because she felt like she a freeloader, she decided to help to relieve some guilt off of her shoulder. At the moment, she was dividing the herbs into different categories and sizes.

Yu Jian sighed as he gazed at her pile of herbs, "Rui-er, this belongs here. Also that pile that you collected...those are weeds."

Rui-er.

He spoke her name in such a familiar and sweet manner. If she could, she would tell him to stay within his lane of familiarity. Unfortunately, she could not bring her weak heart to say no. It brought a sense of comfort to her loneliness.

Xin Rui pouted as she glared at the 'weeds' she collected. How could she even tell, ah? They all look the same to her.

Yu Jian shook his head and leaned forwards to grab two types of plants. He was patient with her as he explained softly, "Look closer at this. Its shape have a more rounded edge to it. The weeds look similar but are slightly sharper and thinner. Now look at this..."

Rui listened earnestly before she became slightly bored. She didn't like medicine that much but it was interesting, at the very least.

Noticing her lack of concentration, he sighed once more and patted her head, "Go take a nap. I will finish the rest."

She hesitated before nodding slowly as guilt filled her body. She was such a burden and she couldn't even help with a simple task like that. Xin Rui cursed at her teachers. Instead of the four arts of talent, why did they not teach her survival skills? Wouldn't that be more helpful?

Ah, that was right. Women like her have no need to do anything but to entertain their husband and act as a trading transaction. She gritted her teeth and hatred flashed in her eyes as she thought about her family.

Instead of resting, she slipped by to take a walk. Xin Rui played in the green field with a stick, hitting every flower bud she sees. Spotting a blue butterfly, she slowed down and lowered the stick to her side. Standing from a distance, she admired its symmetrical beauty. It radiated its blue wings and fluttered into the sky. She stared longingly at it and her arms subconsciously reached forwards, grasping in envy.

"Wings..." she whispered.

A call came from the distance, with a sense of worry, "Rui?"

She whipped around and carefully ran back to source of the voice. She yelled, "I'm here!"

Yu Jian let out a silent breathe of relief and wordlessly urged her back inside the cave.

"What are we eating today?" she asked with excitement, so much that he could actually see a wagging tail behind her.

"Fish," he simply answered before he earned a groan from her.

"Again?" she whined as her lips pouted.

"Would you rather eat those weeds you picked?" he heartlessly asked with a gentle smile.

"Ahaha, Gentleman Yu Jian, I was only joking, only joking!" she laughed nervously as she clapped her hands together, "I l-love fish. I will never get tired of it, yes."

Through her gritted teeth, she hid her weeping tears. She might as well turn into a fish at this rate.

He raised one of his eyebrows before shaking his head. Before long, a wonderful aroma filled the room and tickled Rui's senses.

Instead of the usual fish on the stick, it was steamed with some herbs from today. There were also two bowls filled with rice.

Xin Rui's eyes grew wide as she soundlessly gazed at Yu Jian whom already sat down to eat. She pressed her lips into a thin line and sat down across from him before thanking him quietly.Although it was still fish, he at least made the effort to change the menu to her taste. He was not obligated to meet her needs nor desires. The thoughtfulness from his actions feathered her heart.