Between The Pages {Liu Yuxin x Reader}

4. Frolicking Around

"Look out!"

I looked ahead and barely managed to jump out of the way just as a man carrying a huge basket of vegetables ran by. "Phew... that was close." I let out a huge breath and wiped my forehead.

Now I'm not sure whether I want to insert myself into the scenario anymore. the yells of orders and calls were getting louder by the second. Yup, no. I feel like I wouldn't even last five minutes in there. With that thought, I slowly backed away. Maybe I should just wander around.

"Aihan!"

A grimace formed on my face as amidst all the other yells and commotion, a woman's voice rose through it. Geez, I'd hate to be there right now. Poor Aihan... Wait...

"Aihan!"

My eyes widened as I soon saw Meipo bounding towards me. I forgot... I'm Aihan. "Meipo! How's it going?" I greeted as I tried to play my nervousness off with a laugh.

As usual, there was a deep line in between her brows. Hr slightly round face was also already pink. From running or anger, I'm not sure. "Is it me or were you planning to walk off?" She raised a thin brow at me.

"Me? Escape? no way!" I let out a forced laugh. "I love helping out in the kitchen."

"I can smell your lie from miles away, Aihan." Her eyes narrowed, making me clear my throat and stand straight. "But do not worry. You would not be helping in the kitchen today."

At that, I felt the tension in my shoulders disappear as I looked at her hopefully. "Really?"

"Uh-huh. Rather, I have another job just for you. One that is much more relaxing." She gave a grin. "Follow me."

I honestly don't know whether to be scared when she's scowling or when she's smiling. Nonetheless, it left me no choice but to follow behind her. She led me through the kitchen, making me duck and step aside from time to time in order to avoid getting smacked by full baskets or getting burned by all the pots they had set up.

Past the chaos that was the kitchen, I found myself standing in front of a vast open field. It even looked like we were on top of a hill of some sort. The wind was cool and crisp and I smiled as I breathed in. I couldn't even see much of the actual ground anymore because everything was covered in bright green grass. from a distance, I could see some cows and horses along with some chickens frolicking around. She brought me to a farm.

"Ah, Meipo..." I called out as I finally managed to turn away from the view. "Are you letting me lounge in here?"

My high hopes for a relaxing day were shattered as she straight-up laughed at my face. "Oh, poor girl." She shook her head as she looked at me in amusement. "Your job is to catch a chicken for the lunch banquet."

"W-what?!" My jaw dropped to the ground. "Are you serious? Me? Catch a chicken?"

"Oh, is that a complaint?" She said, totally unfazed by my reaction. "Would you like me to tell the Duke that there won't be any chicken at the banquet?"

My lips pursed. Just when I thought she wasn't so bad, she proves me wrong. With no other words, I just shook my head in answer. She gave me another one of her skin-crawling smiles before she turned on her heel and walked off. I couldn't help but glare at her back. Oh, if I could just hit her on the head just one tie. But I've got a bigger problem at the moment. How in the hell am I going to catch a chicken?

"Come here, chiky, chiky!"

"Bok bok bok bok!"

"Oh, come on! Just come here!"

"No, not that way, damn it!"

 let out a groan as I collapsed on the grass after another unsuccessful try or lunging at a chicken to catch it. All I got was dirt on my clothes and dust in my mouth. I let out another frustrated cry and rubbed at my face. I pushed myself up into a sitting position and saw that the damned chickens have already wandered towards the edge of the property.