The Bigshot's Superstar Wife - Chapter 26

Chapter 26: Awake

When will he wake up?

Athena didn’t bother herself with the noise of the viewers on the live stream. If they were curious about Mors’s absence for three consecutive days, she chose to let them speculate.

Her energy was fully devoted to keeping them both alive and thriving in this unforgiving environment. I never thought I’d miss his presence…

Over the past few days, Athena had ventured further into the surrounding areas. She also went to explore the sea a few times.

Salt was essential for preserving food and maintaining their health, so she set her mind on extracting it using the most basic, ancient techniques she had learned in her former life.

Athena collected seawater in bamboo cylinders, carrying them back to the hut.

Near their home, she built a shallow pit in the ground, lined it with flat stones, and poured the seawater into it.

She allowed the sun’s intense heat to do the work, evaporating the water over several days. Once most of the liquid had vanished, crystalline grains of salt began to form.

She carefully scraped them into a small container she fashioned from hollowed bamboo, taking pride in her resourcefulness.

Her time by the sea wasn’t wasted, either. With a simple spear she had carved from a sturdy branch, Athena managed to catch a few crabs and small fish.

The seafood was a much-needed addition to their diet. On her way back, her sharp eyes spotted plants growing wild along the forest’s edge.

To her astonishment, she found red onions peeking out from the soil, garlic bulbs hidden beneath leafy tops, and clusters of tiny red chili peppers hanging from low bushes.

Nearby, she also unearthed knobby roots of ginger and clumps of peppercorn vines. She even stumbled upon a patch of wild bell peppers in various shades of green, yellow, and red.

These discoveries made her heart race with excitement. For the first time since arriving on this alien planet, she felt the possibility of recreating familiar flavors.

Athena’s hands were full as she returned to the hut, her mind preoccupied with what she would cook. She hadn’t checked on Mors yet, deciding to let him rest uninterrupted.

She placed her haul on the makeshift kitchen counter, her movements methodical as she sorted and cleaned the new ingredients.

–

Inside the hut, Mors stirred for the first time in three days. His body ached, but he felt significantly better.

The antiseptic paste had done wonders for his wound, and the fever-reducing medicine had broken the worst of his fever. Slowly, he sat up, his sharp eyes scanning the room.

Where is she? His mind drifted to Athena, who had been by his side before he lost consciousness. Did she cure me?

He could hear faint sounds outside, her footsteps, the rustle of leaves, and the gentle clatter of bamboo containers. A faint smile touched his lips. She must be busy outside.

–

Athena’s senses, always attuned to her surroundings, immediately detected the presence of someone.

The sound of gentle footsteps on the soft earth, followed by the faint rustling of bamboo, signaled that Mors had awakened.

“It’s good to be back,” Athena greeted him, her voice steady, though she carefully masked the concern she felt for the past few days. He looks better.

Her mind had been preoccupied with Mors’s condition, and she had not realized just how much he had recovered until now.

Mors, his voice steady but carrying a touch of gratitude, responded, “I’m good. Thank you.” He gave her a smile, a rare expression of warmth that reached his eyes.

Athena smiled in return, her thoughts racing. “Go for a walk, you need fresh air. It’ll help you regain your strength.”

Mors nodded, knowing she was right, but his attention was already on the task at hand.

“What are you doing?” he asked, curious about the bustling sounds coming from the makeshift kitchen.

“I’ll be cooking a soup and some dishes to supplement our meal,” Athena said. “Wait for me to finish and let’s have lunch together.”

Mors nodded again, stepping away to give her space.

Athena turned back to the task at hand, grateful for the fresh ingredients she had gathered. She started by preparing the fish soup, a comforting dish that would nourish both of them.

She had caught several small fish earlier in the day, and she carefully scaled and gutted them before placing them in a pot of fresh water.

The fish simmered as she added a mix of leafy greens, and some wild herbs she had discovered on her last walk, which would add flavor and nutrition.

Athena added a pinch of the salt she had harvested from the sea, carefully tasting it before adding a bit more to balance the flavors.

The aroma of the simmering soup filled the small space, warm and inviting. Next, she focused on preparing the ginisang shrimp, a dish she had learned to cook back on Earth.

She had found a cluster of small, lively shrimp in the shallows of the river, and she carefully cleaned and de-veined them.

Using a flat stone and her knife, Athena chopped the garlic, ginger, and chili peppers she had found, adding them to a sizzling alternative pan with a bit of oil.

The fragrance of the garlic and ginger filled the air, and as it turned golden brown, she tossed the shrimp into the pan, stir-frying them quickly.

The shrimp turned a vibrant pink as they cooked, and Athena added a dash of salt and a handful of chopped wild bell peppers for extra flavor.

Lastly, Athena cracked open a few wild eggs from the creatures she had encountered during her daily explorations.

She whisked them lightly and poured them into a hot pan, letting them cook until they were fluffy and golden.

She could already imagine the rich, savory flavor they would add to their meal. The dishes came together perfectly, warm, hearty, and full of the flavors she had longed for.

Athena placed the steaming bowls and plates on the stone countertop, her heart lifting at the thought of sharing this meal with Mors.

She had always known how to cook, but preparing this meal, with the ingredients she had harvested from their temporary home, made her feel a deep sense of satisfaction.

With everything ready, Athena carefully carried the bowls outside, where Mors was sitting, breathing in the fresh air.

She set the meal in front of him, her hands steady as she smiled. “It’s all ready,” she said, her voice filled with quiet pride. “Let’s eat.”

It’s been a while since we last ate a meal together.