80: Cell activation

"Don't tease Erina-sama!"

"How rude!"

Erina and Hisako exclaimed almost simultaneously. The Young Miss, who had just regained some strength, immediately clutched the corner of the quilt to wrap herself, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and anger. Her violet eyes were wide, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

"W-what nonsense are you spouting!" Erina's voice carried obvious panic, "Who said I'd show you my tongue!"

Hisako, even more directly, stood in front of the bed. Although her face was still pale, she spread her arms like a hen protecting its chick: "Lin Luo-san, please mind your manners!"

Lin Luo watched Erina display such a rare, lively expression and couldn't help but laugh even more heartily. He deliberately drew out his words: "Oh dear, why so tense? I'm just seriously discussing an academic issue."

"What kind of academic issue is this!" Erina retorted indignantly, her voice unconsciously rising by an octave. Perhaps she spoke too forcefully, as she suddenly coughed lightly, startling Hisako into quickly turning to attend to her.

Senzaemon watched with great interest and interjected at the right moment: "Erina, take care of your body." Despite his words, a hint of relief was in the old man's eyes—compared to his lifeless granddaughter from before, this Erina, who could get angry and blush, was much more reassuring.

Lin Luo knew when to stop, waving his hand with a smile: "Alright, alright, no more jokes. But seriously..." His tone suddenly softened, "Seeing Young Miss Erina so energetic, I'm relieved. Your weak appearance just now scared everyone."

These words made Erina pause slightly. She looked around, seeing the worry in her grandfather's eyes and Hisako's pale face, only then belatedly realizing how much trouble she had caused those around her these past few days. She uncomfortably turned her face away, her voice softening: "I... I'm not that fragile."

Erina slowly finished the entire bowl of porridge, feeling a warmth spread through her stomach, as if a gentle, warm stream was flowing through her limbs and bones. After her spirit had somewhat recovered, she was about to express her sincere gratitude when Lin Luo suddenly, as if performing a magic trick, lightly flicked his sleeve, and three jade teacups appeared on the table. The cups held a pale milky-white liquid, emitting a fresh aroma similar to grass after rain.

"Please, help yourselves." Lin Luo smiled, gesturing to the three people present.

Senzaemon and Hisako both looked surprised, not expecting to be included. The Supreme Commander picked up a jade cup and examined it carefully, asking curiously, "What is this?"

Lin Luo chuckled: "Think of it as a health supplement. It's nothing rare, just try it for novelty."

Erina carefully held the jade cup, and the fresh, grassy scent invigorated her. She noticed that while the milky-white liquid looked ordinary, its surface faintly shimmered with a pearl-like luster.

Hisako looked at Erina with some hesitation, and seeing her nod slightly, she then held the jade cup with both hands. Senzaemon, however, was quite straightforward; after drinking it all, he thoughtfully stroked his beard: "The taste is quite unique..."

Erina took a small sip, feeling a cool sweetness spread in her mouth, as if she were in a forest where morning dew had yet to dry. Even the slight greasiness from the porridge earlier was completely swept away. What surprised her even more was that as the liquid went down her throat, her previously hazy mind instantly became much clearer.

"This is..." She couldn't help but take another sip, carefully savoring the peculiar drink. Her Gods Tongue happily provided feedback: "The taste is light as water, with a grassy fragrance and a sweet aftertaste. A line of coolness goes down the throat, invigorating the spirit."

Hisako sipped slowly, her pale face gradually regaining its rosy color. She was pleasantly surprised to find that her exhaustion from days past had significantly dissipated.

Erina gently swirled the empty cup, lost in thought: "This is definitely not an ordinary drink. My Gods Tongue can taste the special qualities within it."

"As long as Young Miss Erina feels comfortable." Lin Luo smiled, not answering, and casually put away the jade cups, "This drink is just to refresh you." Saying this, he naturally reached out and gently stroked her golden hair.

"You... how rude!" Erina was startled at first, then her cheeks instantly flushed crimson.

With a "slap," Lin Luo's hand was batted away. He rubbed the struck spot helplessly: "Quite strong, aren't you... Wasn't I just helping you recover? How do you feel now, should be able to get up and move around, right?"

Senzaemon watched with great interest from the side, stroking his beard without a word. Hisako, on the other hand, nervously watched the two, ready to step forward and protect her master at any moment.

Erina then belatedly realized that the feeling of weakness that had enveloped her entire body had indeed mostly dissipated. She tentatively moved her arm, surprised to find that the fatigue of the past few days was gone without a trace.

"It seems it really worked." She tried to act calm, turning her face away, but the tips of her ears were still flushed, "But if you dare to touch my hair so casually again, it won't be just a gentle pat."

Lin Luo chuckled at her words: "Alright, alright, I'll remember Young Miss Nakiri's teachings. So now, do you want to try getting out of bed?"

With Hisako's help, Erina slowly got up. To her pleasant surprise, not only did her limbs regain strength, but her steps were also exceptionally light, as if the illness of the past few days had never happened.

Erina gracefully turned around, feeling the long-lost vitality flowing within her. She was pleasantly surprised to find that not only had she recovered her spirits, but the two people beside her also looked refreshed.

"Hisako, your complexion is much better." She carefully examined her secretary's face, "And Grandpa, you also look much more energetic."

Hisako subconsciously touched her cheek, only then realizing that the fatigue of the past few days had indeed vanished. She happily bowed: "This is all thanks to Lin Luo-san's drink."

Senzaemon laughed heartily, his robust voice echoing in the room: "It is indeed miraculous; this old man must properly thank Lin Luo-san." He looked at Erina meaningfully, "I heard you weren't feeling well, and he immediately dropped everything to come."

Erina paused slightly, her gaze unconsciously drifting towards Lin Luo. She then remembered that earlier, when she was hazy, she seemed to have heard her grandfather mention that Lin Luo would be coming later. It was just that she had been too weak at the time to pay attention to it.

"No need to thank me." Lin Luo, seeing Erina who seemed a little moved, quickly waved his hand, "It's just that I really want to eat Young Miss Erina's cooking. After all, my porridge has too many flaws and isn't very tasty."

Erina gave him a helpless glance: "Petty." But then she stood up, straightened her clothes, "However, I'm in a good mood now, so I'll go prepare it."

"Wait!" Hisako quickly stopped her, "Erina-sama, you've just recovered, you should rest a bit more."

Senzaemon also spoke: "Hisako is right. There's no rush for cooking right now."

Erina, however, had already walked to the doorway, and when she turned back, her eyes sparkled with a long-lost brilliance: "I'm completely fine now. Besides..." She gently raised the corner of her lips, "I can't miss this opportunity to show someone what real cooking is like."

Lin Luo chuckled at her words: "Then I'll look forward to it. However..." He changed the subject, "If it's too terrible, I'll tell you the truth."

"You!" Erina glared at him indignantly, "Just you wait and see! Hisako, help me out."

"Yes!" Hisako immediately responded, a joyful smile spreading across her face. She quickly followed Erina, and the mistress and servant walked one after another towards the kitchen, a familiar scene that made Senzaemon show a look of relief.

Lin Luo watched their retreating figures, his expression turning serious. He turned to Senzaemon and said, "Her taste cells are abnormally active, causing her Gods Tongue's sensitivity to be overly stimulated. Now, any subtle flaw will be infinitely magnified, directly impacting her brain, which led to physiological nausea and anorexia."

Senzaemon's brows furrowed: "Is Nakamura Azami secretly behind this again? I had Butler Morita replace all the servants in this villa, but I didn't expect it to still be infiltrated."

Lin Luo shook his head: "There are no signs of external interference for now. Erina's body is very clean; this is more like an over-evolution of her inherent talent."

"Then she is now..." Senzaemon hesitated.

"She's fine for now." Lin Luo explained, "I suppressed those overactive cell clusters. But this method only treats the symptoms, not the root cause, and it's very likely to recur after some time. If I were to forcibly eradicate it, I'm worried it might damage her innate taste talent."

The two fell into a brief silence.

"Don't tell Erina about this yet." Senzaemon finally spoke, "Let her enjoy this rare peace."

Lin Luo nodded in agreement, then showed a thoughtful expression: "However, from another perspective, this might also be an opportunity. If we can help Erina learn to control this power, instead of being controlled by it..."

Senzaemon's old yet dignified face showed a look of earnestness for the first time: "Lin Luo-san, this old man has an immodest request..."

Lin Luo gently interrupted: "Your Excellency Senzaemon, I quite like Erina's cooking."

Senzaemon immediately understood and laughed heartily: "In that case, I'll entrust that girl Erina to your care..."

"Don't worry." Lin Luo smiled faintly.

Senzaemon stroked his beard and laughed aloud: "In that case, I'll entrust that girl Erina to your care..."

"Don't worry." Lin Luo responded with a smile.

Just then, Erina happened to walk quickly onto the second-floor corridor. Perhaps because her body had just recovered and she was still a bit weak, she momentarily forgot that she was still wearing a nightgown. Even more coincidentally, she overheard her grandfather's conversation with Lin Luo clearly.

"Grandpa! What nonsense are you talking about!" She instantly blushed crimson, hastily clutching the lapel of her nightgown.

Senzaemon and Lin Luo looked up at the sound, only to see Erina standing by the corridor pillar in an orchid-colored silk nightgown, her golden hair cascading like tassels over her shoulders, shimmering with fine halos in the afternoon sun.

"We were discussing your cooking talent." Senzaemon calmly explained, a hint of teasing hidden in the corners of his eyes, "Isn't that right, Lin Luo-san?"

Lin Luo smoothly picked up the conversation, his gaze unconsciously lingering on Erina: "Exactly. I'm very much looking forward to tasting Young Miss Erina's cooking again after her recovery."

Erina eyed the two suspiciously, feeling that this conversation had a deeper meaning. She lightly bit her cherry lips, then, feigning composure, adjusted the collar of her nightgown: "W-well, it better be. I'm going to change now."