Chapter 14: Boiled Socks?
She held onto the edge of the bed to steady herself. "What kind of ingredient did they use? Boiled socks?"
The door opened with a small creak, and Zhou Yinuo poked her head inside. She looked cheerful and full of pride.
"How is the tea?" Zhou Yinuo asked with a bright smile.
Liora turned her head so fast that made Zhou Yinuo flinched.
She looked at Zhou Yinuo's happy expression and could not bring herself to crush her excitement. She gritted her teeth and forced a wide smile, even though her tongue still burned from the tea.
"It is very good," Liora said with a higher pitch than usual. She gave a big nod in an attempt to look convincing.
Zhou Yinuo clapped her hands together and beamed with delight. "I knew you would love it. It is a special blend. My grandmother made it all the time. You will feel very refreshed after drinking it."
"Very refreshed," Liora repeated in a weak voice while holding the cup like it was a live grenade.
"That is great. I will get breakfast ready. Do not forget to finish it," Zhou Yinuo said as she walked off to the kitchen, humming happily.
When the door closed, Liora dropped her fake smile, and her face twisted in despair. She stared at the cup as if it were mocking her.
"I cannot believe I said that," she muttered with regret.