Chapter 14: Chinese Herbalism

Translator: Lonelytree 

Actually earlier this morning, when Mo Li realized Mo Yun had not come downstairs, she knew something bad must have happened to him. Everyone had gone out until Mo Li was alone at home, but she still saw no sign of Mo Yun so she went upstairs to check on him.

As she expected, a weak-looking Mo Yun was lying in bed resting. With a touch to the forehead, she confirmed that he had a fever.

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Mo Yun did not reject Mo Li’s kind intentions. Mother Mo and his family already had a lot of things to deal with so he didn’t want to add to their troubles. At the end of the day, Mo Li was his sister. And she was surprisingly good at taking care of people. Mo Yun had not even raised his head and the water was already by his lips; Before he said anything, the slender hand brought him the medicine.

After taking a glance at Mo Li, Mo Yun swallowed the medicine.

Mo Yun’s lips touched Mo Li’s fingers as he reached for the medicine and Mo Li flinched from the contact. Thankfully Mo Yun was too feverish to notice that. After taking the medicine, he laid back down.

Mo Li then prepared a glass of isotonic water for Mo Yun to help him dissipate his body heat. Soon the medicine took effect and Mo Yun found it difficult to keep his eyelids open.

Mo Yun had always been a light sleeper. Even with the medicine in his system, he did not sink into full unconsciousness. He could feel someone beside him, waiting on him patiently should he need anything.

For example, the cooling patch had limited time efficacy. Mo Yun could feel Mo Li wipe down his face with a warm towel and changed a new patch for him.

When Mo Yun woke up again, his mind cleared aplenty, at least he could think properly now. As he turned around, he saw Mo Li sitting on the sofa, deep in a political science textbook. She was serious and attentive.

Sensing Mo Yun’s eyes on her, Mo Li put down the book, stood up and left.

Mo Yun was stunned for a moment.

Have I been too harsh on Li Li recently that she couldn’t stand being in the same room with her big brother anymore? 

Just as he was about to get out of bed, Mo Li returned. She carried a small table loaded with bowls with her, it was quite taxing for her frail figure. Without saying anything, she placed the small table on the bed.

The moment she opened the lids on the few bowls, Mo Yun felt as though he was in a pregnancy recovery centre.

Angelica root, red date water, ginger mushroom congee, steamed egg, fennel minced meat… Every dish had simple ingredients and the portion was small. Attention went into the food preparation. The ingredients were simple because his body still couldn’t process heavy food; and the portion was small because he might not have much of an appetite.

Then Mo Li stood there, staring at Mo Yun, as if telling him that she would not leave if he did not finish the food.

Honestly, Mo Yun did not have much appetite. But considering the effort Mo Li had gone through, he decided to take a few small bites. Then, the small bites became bigger bites. Only then Mo Yun realized he was quite hungry, after all, he hadn’t had anything to eat since morning.

He drank the astragalus water and then picked up the porridge.

One spoonful, two spoonfuls, three spoonfuls… When he wanted to really dig in, the bowl was already empty!

Since when did our family’s bowls become so small?

Noting that Mo Yun had almost finished his food, Mo Li turned and walked out of the room again.

After a while, she returned with another tray, a plate of thousand island cod with sauce, a plate of hot lettuce and chrysanthemum, two fried chicken wings with sweet potatoes, a squab pine, four prawns and a small plate of steamed tower guard with crab tripe slices. They were still in minor portions. They were definitely not enough for an adult male but considering Mo Yun was a patient, Mo Li didn’t prepare that much. However, the food that she did prepare, a lot of thoughts went into them.

This was honestly the first time this man, who saw food consumption as a mission, had the time to slow down to enjoy the meal.

The tray was like a small banquet. There were both vegetables and meat. The food was simple but well-balanced in flavors. Without realizing it, Mo Yun had already finished everything.

He was then surprised by a dessert, a plate of multi-colored glutinous rice cakes. They were decorated with edible flowers. He picked one up to take a whiff, it was hawthorn cakes. The natural sourness was a great note to end the meal on.

Mo Yun was very cooperative. He finished every dish and every bite of dessert.

When he was done, Mo Li started the timer and told him to take the medicine in another half an hour. She believed his fever would have gone away by then.

Throughout the day, the pair of siblings didn’t have much verbal exchanges but they showed a tacit understanding of each other’s habits and behaviors.

Mo Yun laid in the bed and took a deep breath. He was surprised that his sister was so caring and obedient today. Perhaps she had really realized her mistake… it was not impossible.

Mo Yun suddenly realized that he was not so angry with Mo Li anymore.

As Mo Li cleared away the tray and dished, Mo Yun couldn’t help but wonder who was the cook. He knew for a fact that those were not Aunt Qiu’s cooking.

Did we hire a new chef? Their cooking skill is not bad at all. I should have this chef cook some of their specialty for Lil’ Three when he returns from the hospital. 

The meals are light on seasoning and I notice they use a lot of natural herbal ingredients. They’re good for the body. 

Mo Yun was right about one thing, the food was indeed not Aunt Qiu’s handiwork.

What he didn’t know was that Mo Li had to take a minor in Chinese Medicine as a part of her mandatory courses in university. And an integral part of Chinese Medicine was herbalism and cooking. As someone who lived alone, the lessons Mo Li picked up in class had benefited her for life.

She never had the need to take care of others but she was not going to be selfish with her knowledge, so it was Mo Li who came up with all these nutritious and balanced dishes.