steaming soup.
Chapter 153
Come on, Yannis, drink your herbal soup. Once you’re done, I’ll give you a massage so you can get a good night’s sleep,” Zinnia said gently, check time. Then she went into the kitchen, and ladled out a bowl of herbal soup for him.
ན་་་་ཅ
He didn’t
think he needed all these tonics just yet.
Yannis didn’t want to take the medicine at all. He had perfunctorily taken the medicine prescribed at the hospital just twice before. Now, facing the soup, he hesitated, searching for a way to politely refuse.
Zinnia said, “You need this. You might feel fine now, but you’re overworking every organ in your body. If you keep pushing yourself, you could end up bedridden. Take care of yourself now, and you’ll be much healthier in the future.
“If you don’t drink this, you’re overdrawing your kidneys. And trust me, overdoing that will seriously affect your quality of life later on.”
As she spoke, she looked down at his wrist. The black belt cinched his lean waist, showing off perfect lines. She thought, ‘His waist and hips look so good. I wish I could trace my fingers along them if I ever got the chance.’
Yannis instinctively shifted away. He thought, ‘Where is she even looking?‘
Zinnia continued, “I’m telling you, if you ever get married, your future wife might not be too happy about it.” She chose her words carefully, trying to
make sure he could understand.
Back when Yannis was in the town with her Master, plenty of people, both men and women, came for treatment. The men would act all shy and awkward, while the women would grumble and complain.
“Fine. I’ll drink it,” Yannis muttered reluctantly between his teeth. He thought, ‘Zinnia’s medical knowledge is both a blessing and a curse.‘
Taking the bowl, Yannis drank the soup in one gulp. He drank the herb soup not because of the so–called future wife she mentioned, but simply because he couldn’t bear the implication that he was inadequate.
Yannis had thought of countless tactful ways to refuse, but Zinnia hit a nerve. No man could accept such a reason, especially when it was pointed out by his friend’s sister.
Yannis felt as if he’d lost every shred of dignity and pride in front of Zinnia.
He thought, ‘No wonder people say seeing a traditional doctor is bad for a man’s pride. Better go alone.‘ He felt a wave of frustration. In the end, he could only laugh at his situation.
“Isn’t it hot?” Zinnia blinked in surprise as she watched him down it in one gulp. She asked, “Isn’t it hot?”
Only then did Yannis realize his mouth was on fire. He thought helplessly, ‘What a foolish thing I’d just done? Somehow, whenever I am around Zinnia, something unexpected always seems to happen.‘
It wasn’t serious enough to cause actual burns, since the living room was air–conditioned and Zinnia had let the soup cool for a while. Still, his tongue felt mildly numb.
In the end, Yannis sucked on two ice cubes to cool his mouth before heading into the study to take care of some work.
After a while, Yannis opened the study door and saw Zinnia lounging on the couch, munching on a bag of chips.
Spotting Yannis come out, Zinnia said, “Done with work? If you are, I’ll give you that massage I promised.”
After the last massage, Yannis didn’t expect to sleep straight through the night. He had only planned to take a short break and get back to work, but h ended up scrapping those plans altogether.
After the experience, he finally believed what she said that her method was more effective than hypnosis. And he didn’t feel groggy at all the next day. He woke up feeling completely refreshed and clear–headed.
–
Chapter 154
