Village

"Achhoooooo," Cara sneezed. Fuck, it was cold. What kind of accomodation was the tent that didn't have a heater. "Achooo!"

A blanket fell on her, enveloping her body in a warm embrace. Cara smiled. Now this was much better. Wait what?

Cara got up at once, remembering how she had fallen asleep outside the tent. No wonder it was so bloody cold! Jian Yu seemed to have ordered his servants to build a fire beside her as they were rushing about to gather the sticks.

He looked nonchalant as he seated beside her stared and stared into the horizon. Noticing his coat missing, Cara smiled as her fingers ran along her 'blanket'.

That stoic guy also has a heart it seemed.

"So what's the plan today?" Cara asked over breakfast.

"More riding. We should stop by a village tonight though so at least we will have proper beds."

Cara couldn't help herself from secretly celebrating inside. Some comfort would be welcomed!

The carriage set off yet again. Cara was stuck on yet another road trip with nothing but grass and trees throughout. Not to mention, Jian Yu spent the entire day in his carriage reading and working so she was really bored out of her mind. Oh if only she had her phone with her!

After about 10 hours of travel, Cara saw a wooden gate in sight and heard the sound of people chatting. Her face lit up in excitement. Finally, they were at a village! It was also really Cara's first look at an ancient village and she couldn't wait to explore the place.

——

After dinner, Cara told him she wanted to take a look around town. He thought for a minute with an expressionless face and just when Cara thought she would be rejected, he actually nodded.

"Alright, but not too long. We have to ride again tomorrow." Cara smiled and ran out before he changed his mind.

The village was pretty small but it was rather self sufficient. One big difference was that the shops mostly sold raw materials and ingredients. Food vendors lined the streets, similar to the ones in modern day selling snacks and food. Although Cara had eaten, she still wanted to try everything out!

As she walked past a stall, a delicious smell of pastry filled her nose. It was a stall that seemed to be selling some sort of biscuit. There was a huge crowd in front and Cara pushed herself forward to take a look.

The biscuits were around the size of her palm with a cashew embedded on top. The texture looked flaky and buttery and she could already imagine what they would taste like.

Wanting to try, she excitedly picked up a pack. But then she realised, she didn't have money! Damn it. As the shopkeeper glared, she reluctantly put the pack down. Just when she was about to leave, someone paid for her.

Cara turned. It was Jian Yu.

He tossed the pack at her and walked away from the crowd with Cara following behind.

"It not good for a female to walk alone at night. Besides, you don't have money on yourself." he spoke curtly. He sounded annoyed.

But since he was with her, Cara wanted to stay out more. When you have such a righteous guy around, it was the best time to drink!

She ignored his look and quickly pulled him over to a small wine shop at the corner she had spotted earlier.

"Then let's go drinking!"

——————

"Do you not drink?" Cara asked as she poured the liquor from the jar into the bowls in front of them.

They were now sitting on a grass patch at the edge of town where it was quiet and peaceful.

"I'm not that fond of alcohol. It makes me lose control and I don't like that feeling." Jian Yu responded honestly.

Cara laughed as they raised their bowl to cheers before she downed the alcohol.

Damn! Was this drink like 40% alcohol or what? It was potent, and she had to be careful not to over drink. No wonder Jian Yu said it made him lose control.

Cara looked up at the sky, "This is crazy... I never knew that the stars could look this pretty..." her voice trailed off. Without light pollution, one could admire the night sky. Stars littered the sky, a scene so unknown to this big city girl who previously always had her face buried in her phone.

"I used to look at the skies and wonder if we became stars after we die," Jian Yu whispered in a low voice that Cara almost missed it.

"Do you know how stars are formed?" Cara asked, and continued when he didn't answer. "Stars are made of gases and all sorts of things. They burn for millions of years, and that's what we see, the light from them. When they reach the end of their lives, they explode and form new stars. The planet we are on, this place we are in, are all made of dead stars... and even in all of us..." Cara's voice trailed off into the a humm, "We are stardust".

Jian Yu looked at her fascinated. "This is the first time I've heard this story. You're a great storyteller."

Cara smiled, "It's the truth! I didn't make that up! But thank you."

Jian Yu laughed, "Yes I believe that you lived long enough to witness the birth of a star."

Cara wanted to reply but didn't know what to say. "..."