The Minister: Cold by Day, Hot by Night

Zhi Wan added firewood to the campfire as she gazed at the distant stars. In the background, she could hear the flowing river and the rustling of the wind through the forest.

She had been a little afraid at first, but the firelight before her eased her fear.

She considered getting up to look for the man several times, but she held back.

’He’s so capable. He’ll surely be fine.’

Zhi Wan comforted herself and added more wood to the fire.

About half an hour later, the man returned, carrying several cleaned fish.

The knot of anxiety in Zhi Wan’s chest loosened. She stared at the fish in his hands, completely stunned. "You actually caught fish."

The man sat down beside her. After skewering the fish on a branch, he placed them over the fire to roast. "There’s no shortage of fish in the river," he said. "But without any oil or salt, they might taste a bit plain."

"Having something to eat is good enough," Zhi Wan said reassuringly.

In her eyes, this man was very skilled at survival.

’He looks like he was born into wealth and lived a pampered life. I never expected him to have these kinds of skills.’

For the first time, Zhi Wan felt she was beginning to understand this man.

"What are you looking at?" the man asked calmly, sensing her scrutinizing gaze.

"I’m just a bit curious about your background," Zhi Wan said honestly, hugging her knees to her chest and resting her chin on them.

"You weren’t curious before?" the man shot her a glance.

Zhi Wan shook her head. "Before, I just assumed you were some young master from a wealthy family. But after tonight, it’s clear you’re not so simple. How do you know how to do all this?"

The man paused for a moment before answering, "I spent time training in a military camp once. My father threw me into the quartermaster’s division."

"So you’ve served in the army, and as a cook, no less. That explains it," Zhi Wan said, nodding.

She remembered her aunt mentioning that her older cousin had also trained in a military camp with his father when he was young and had also served as a cook.

An idea suddenly struck her.

’This man is clearly more than he seems. He was a soldier, and he might even be working for the Court now... Could he know my cousin?’

"Do you..." She started to ask, but stopped herself after a single word.

’What if he does know my cousin? If I ask, I’ll give myself away.’

"What were you going to say?" the man asked.

"Nothing," Zhi Wan said, shaking her head quickly.

The man glanced at her but didn’t press the issue.

"By the way, your clothes are still wet. Why don’t you take them off to dry by the fire?" Zhi Wan said, changing the subject.

The man froze for a second. Before he could say anything, Zhi Wan had already leaned over and started untying his sash.

"You focus on the fish. I’ll help you with this."

The man’s expression faltered, but he said nothing. He even cooperated, letting her help him remove his outer robe.

Staring at his pale, firm chest, Zhi Wan had to fight the urge to reach out and touch him, but she couldn’t tear her eyes away.

She finally snapped out of it when she saw the scar on his left arm.

She couldn’t resist reaching out to touch it. "Does it still hurt?"

The man glanced down at the scar on his left arm and shook his head. "No."

Zhi Wan nodded and didn’t press further.

She sat up straight again, draped the man’s robe over a stick, and held it near the fire to dry. She didn’t forget to add, "Your pants are wet too. You can take them off and I’ll dry them for you."

The man: "..."

Seeing his hesitation, Zhi Wan scoffed. "I’ve already touched you," she said dismissively. "No need to be shy now."

A vein pulsed on the man’s temple.

Whether from the firelight or for some other reason, his face seemed a little red.

Fortunately, Zhi Wan couldn’t see his face clearly in the dim light.

He steadied his breathing, ignoring the girl’s brazen words.

A moment later, the aroma of roasting fish filled the air.

He continued to roast the fish.

"Hey, what are you being so prim about? Do you really want to sit around in wet pants?" Zhi Wan couldn’t help but press him when he still hadn’t moved.

The man’s throat tightened. "The fabric is thin," he said calmly. "They’ll dry while I’m wearing them."

Zhi Wan pouted. ’This man doesn’t know what’s good for him,’ she thought, and fell into a sullen silence.

A little while later, the fish was cooked. The man handed it to her. "It’s ready."

Zhi Wan shook her head. "I’m not hungry. You eat it."

The man didn’t say anything, simply continuing to hold the fish out to her.

Seeing his persistence, Zhi Wan had no choice but to hand him the robe and take the fish.

She blew on it to cool it down before taking a small bite.

With no seasoning, the fish had a strong, gamy taste, and she struggled to swallow it.

"It doesn’t taste good. I don’t want it." After only one bite, she handed the fish back to him. Meeting his eyes, she explained, "It’s not that, I’m just really not hungry. You eat it."

The man nodded and took the fish back.

Zhi Wan took the robe from him and went back to drying it by the fire.

She felt the fabric and found the robe was already half-dry.

By the time the robe was dry, the man had finished the fish.

"Here, put this on." Zhi Wan tossed the robe to him, her eyes immediately fixing on his pants. "Are you... really not going to take those off to dry?"

The man said nothing, instead spreading the robe out on the ground.

Zhi Wan watched him, confused. "What are you doing?"

The man suddenly looked up at her. "It will be a long time until dawn. Do you plan on sitting up the whole time?"

Zhi Wan understood. "That’s a good idea." With that, she lay down on her back on top of his robe.

She pillowed her hands behind her head and gazed at the stars, finding a certain charm in the situation.

"This is the first time in my entire life I’ve ever been out in the wild... Mmph!"

Before she could finish, the man leaned down and captured her lips with his.

Zhi Wan froze for a second, then enthusiastically wrapped her arms around his neck.

Perhaps it was the thrill of being in the wild, but she felt incredibly bold.

A moment later, she turned the tables, pinning him beneath her.

Just when she thought she could have her way with him, he flipped her over again, pressing her down so she was lying on her stomach.

When she realized what he intended, she suddenly started to protest.

She struggled, crying out, "Don’t do it from behind! I want to watch!"

The man’s movements faltered.

And in that brief moment of distraction, the girl found a burst of strength from nowhere and pinned him down again.

"Why do you always do it from behind? I can’t see a thing," Zhi Wan demanded, leaning close to his ear, panting and indignant.

A vein pulsed on his temple. He pulled her head down and silenced her with a kiss.

"I wasn’t planning on doing anything tonight..."

The man’s voice was muffled as it escaped from between their tangled lips.

He kissed her until her body went limp, leaving her without the strength to even think.

Just as she was drifting off to sleep, she bumped against something on him, and he let out a muffled groan.

Her mind snapped back to clarity. She quickly sat up and saw that his left pant leg was soaked red with fresh blood.

She gasped. "Your leg is injured?"

"It’s nothing. Go to sleep," the man soothed in a gentle voice. He started to get up, but Zhi Wan pulled him back down. Her expression was serious as she said, "Sit down. Let me see."