Re-birth: The Beginning after the End - Chapter 106

Chapter 106: SIMPLE MEAL

Standing between their rooms, Li Hua felt the familiar pull of her wood essence, the healing energy within her crying out to mend her brothers’ wounds. She could do it—channel her essence directly into their meridians, knit together their damaged spiritual pathways, restore their depleted cores. But in her current state, such healing would drain her completely. She might manage to fully heal one brother before collapsing, leaving the other still wounded and both of them to worry over her unconscious form.

I need to get stronger, she thought, clenching her fist as frustration coursed through her. Even with two lifetimes of experience, she still couldn’t protect them properly, couldn’t heal them as thoroughly as they deserved. The medicinal baths would have to suffice for now, letting their bodies recover naturally with the help of spiritual herbs. Once they’d rested and their cores had stabilized, she could examine them properly, using her wood essence to heal anything the baths couldn’t mend. It wasn’t ideal, but it was the most efficient use of her current abilities.

Still, she silently vowed to cultivate her wood essence until she could heal them both without such careful rationing of her power.

She moved to the kitchen, her steps deliberate as she assessed their needs. A heavy meal would only burden their damaged cores, but they needed sustenance to aid recovery. With practiced efficiency, she began preparing congee, adding her spirit water and herbs that would complement their medicinal baths.

While the congee simmered, she retrieved preserved eggs from her inner space. She soft-boiled them carefully, knowing the protein would help their bodies recover without overtaxing their systems. The gentle aroma of the eggs mingled with the herbs from the congee, making the kitchen feel more like home.

As steam rose from both pots, she prepared another pot of soothing tea from the dried leaves she carried in her inner space. The familiar motions of preparation were almost meditative—measuring careful portions, controlling the water temperature with her essence, watching the leaves unfurl in the teapot as their subtle aroma filled the kitchen.

This would be their first meal in the sanctuary, and while it wasn’t as grand as their usual family dinners, it would help start their recovery properly.

Just as she finished preparing the meal, subtle movements from both chambers caught her attention. The sounds of water shifting and robes rustling suggested her brothers were finishing their medicinal baths, though Li Wei’s movements were notably more careful than Li Hao’s splashing. Despite their injuries, some habits remained unchanged.

The siblings gathered around the simple wooden table, steam rising gently from their bowls of congee. Li Wei settled himself with grace despite his exhaustion, while Li Hao practically collapsed into his seat, though his bright smile never dimmed.

“Thank you, little sister,” Li Wei said softly, reaching out to ruffle her hair with brotherly affection.

Not to be outdone, Li Hao leaned over from her other side, his large hand messing up her hair with more enthusiasm than his weakened state should have allowed. “Our little battle fairy, taking care of us as always.”

Li Hua ducked her head, partly to hide her pleased smile and partly to escape their affectionate assault on her hair. “Eat your congee before it gets cold,” she muttered, though warmth bloomed in her chest at their familiar gestures. For all their teasing, their gratitude was genuine—she could see it in Li Wei’s gentle eyes and hear it in Li Hao’s softened voice.

After taking a few bites, a sudden thought crossed Li Hua’s mind that made her pause. In her determination to save their parents, in her promise to see them in ten years, she’d automatically included her brothers in her plans. Of course they would agree—they were family—but if they had concerns or doubts, they deserved to voice them now. They shouldn’t just follow their little sister’s lead without having a say in decisions that would shape their future.

She looked up from her bowl, studying their faces carefully. “Ten years. I promised Māmā and Bàba we’d see them in ten years. Are you both in?”

Her brothers exchanged glances before giving her identical “did you really need to ask?” looks. Li Wei’s scholarly features softened with fond exasperation while Li Hao’s expression was comically incredulous.

“Obviously,” Li Hao declared around a mouthful of congee, earning a disapproving glance from Li Wei at his lack of table manners. “A promise to Māmā and Bàba isn’t even a question. Besides,” his grin turned mischievous despite his fatigue, “someone needs to keep you from working yourself to death taking care of us.”

Li Wei nodded, setting down his tea cup with precise movements. “Ten years to heal, to grow stronger together. We’ll save them when we’re ready.”

Li Hua nodded, a smile forming on her lips. “Then you two really need to train.”

Her brothers turned to her, instantly alert at the familiar tone in her voice—the one that usually preceded something unexpected. “What are your plans?”

Li Hua studied them for a moment, her decision crystallizing. It was time to share her most closely guarded secret with them. Her inner space had been hers alone for so long, a sanctuary she’d kept hidden through two lifetimes. She knew showing them would raise countless questions—questions she couldn’t answer until their parents were safe. But after everything they’d been through, they deserved to know, even if the full truth had to wait.

“There’s something I need to show you both,” she said softly, “but first let’s establish some things.”

She held up her fingers, counting off each point with the precision she’d learned in her past life as a CEO. “First, no questions about what I’m about to show you. Not yet—those answers will have to wait until after we save Māmā and Bàba.”

Her brothers exchanged glances but nodded, recognizing her serious tone.

“Second, training starts only after you’ve both fully healed. No arguments about this.” She gave them each a stern look, knowing their tendencies to push themselves too hard.

“Third, the intense training will last for three months only. We need to be careful not to damage your foundations with rushed advancement.”

“Fourth,” she continued, her voice carrying absolute certainty, “you both need to break through to Martial Rank 7 within four years. It’s possible with what I’m about to show you, but it will require complete dedication.”

“And finally, fifth—you need to strengthen your individual paths. Li Wei, your scholarly understanding of formations and beast taming. Li Hao, your combat skills and blacksmithing techniques. These aren’t just skills anymore; they’re our survival tools for whatever we’ll face in ten years.”

“Sister, why four years?”