Chapter 4: Speechless

"What?" Clarissa hesitated. Crimson flooded her cheeks. "I mean... A few days ago, I... used a cucumber," she murmured. Santino didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Clarissa, did you wash that cucumber? There can be pesticide residue on it." He studied her face, surprised that beneath that prim exterior she could be so uninhibited. "I don't think I did. I... I wasn't thinking that far," she stammered. Santino was speechless. He reached out and tapped several pressure points on her lower abdomen in quick succession. "That hurts a little." Clarissa winced, yet a moment later warmth rose through her body, spreading from within. Hearing the tremor of desire in her voice, Santino's restraint began to fray. Clarissa bit his earlobe, breathy and soft. "Santino, I want you." That whisper set him off like a powder keg. He had just started to shrug off his clothes, ready to go a few wild rounds with her. Bang, bang, bang! A sudden knock rattled the door. Clarissa snapped back to herself, scrambled for her clothes, and called, "I'm coming!" She opened the door to find the neighbor had come by to ask for a coal briquette. She handed one over quickly, then shut the door. Back inside, she saw Santino had already straightened his clothes and was about to leave. Reluctantly, she caught his hand and said softly, "If you miss me, come find me. I'll be waiting." Santino gave her a playful swat on the butt. She let out a soft moan. Seeing how bewitching she looked, he kissed her forehead. By the time he left Clarissa's place, night had fallen. He went home, took a quick shower, and fell into bed. At first light the next day, Santino got up, splashed his sleepy face with water, and went out into the yard bare-chested to practice the Dragon Phoenix Imperial Technique, which his parents had taught him since childhood. His parents had told him that the Dragon Phoenix Imperial Technique had once come from the imperial palace. It not only strengthened the body, but it also did wonders for a man's performance in bed. By a twist of fate, it had ended up in Santino's ancestors' hands. He fixed his gaze on the rising sun and began the energy maneuver. As he circulated his inner force, a faint purple sheen flashed in his eyes. A slow current of warmth welled up, and he guided it into his energy core. Feeling the fine threads of vital energy gather in his energy core, Santino was pleased. He had made progress again. "Santino, where are you? Breakfast is ready," came Clementine's voice from the kitchen. "Okay, I'm coming." He steadied his inner energy, then, still bare-chested, headed for the kitchen. He lifted the doorway curtain and saw Clementine in a floral dress and a pale pink apron tied at her slim waist, her full bosom pressing against the fabric. She stood at the stove, about to take food off the stove that had just come to a boil. Santino hurried over to help. In a moment of carelessness, his hand landed on hers. Clementine's face flared with heat, and she snatched her hand back. "You little rascal, copping a feel from me first thing in the morning?" she said, cheeks rosy. "No, I was just worried the pot was too hot and you might burn yourself," Santino replied with an awkward smile. "Fine, at least you have some sense." Seeing that Santino had no shirt on, Clementine's blush deepened. "Why aren't you wearing a shirt? Go put one on, now!" She stole another glance at him as she spoke. Santino dashed out, splashed his face with cold water again, and pulled on a shirt. At breakfast, she kept sneaking shy glances at him. Every time he raised his head, Clementine ducked hers in a rush. Feeling self-conscious under her gaze, he struggled to find something to say. "Clementine, Ricky's been gone a long time." "He said he's on a construction site, helping build a house," she said evenly.  "Sounds like it will take a long while." "Then, when he gets back, I'll ask if they need more hands. I can go too," Santino said. "What, I'm not good to you? Isn't it fine helping with the fields at home?" A thread of irritation ran through her voice. Santino hurried to soothe her. "No, Clementine, you are very good to me." "You don't have a single new dress. I figured I'd earn some money and buy you one." "Really?" "Really. I mean it." Clementine's frown eased into a smile. Santino thought to himself that he had managed to bluff his way through. "At least you have some sense. I didn't spoil you for nothing." She reached over and handed him a piece of toast. Remembering he had come home late, she asked, "Why did you get back so late yesterday?" "Oh, I went to treat Clarissa," Santino replied. "I figured. Did you fix her up? Your parents know medicine. Do not botch it and tarnish their reputation." "That reminds me." Santino thought of how he had spent the afternoon flirting with Clarissa. He had not treated her properly. "I'll head into the mountains later to gather some herbs and go treat her," Santino said, then shoveled down a few more bites of food. After breakfast, he meant to wash the dishes, but Clementine waved him off and told him to hurry and gather herbs for Clarissa, so he let it go. Breeze Village sat in the foothills of the Qudnard Mountains, with stretches of old-growth forest.  The mountains teemed with herbs. Santino had trailed his parents into those mountains since he was a kid, and he could tell at a glance a herb's age and properties. He went up to gather one of the most common herbs for Clarissa: Astragalus. Astragalus is a herb that grows about 1.5 to 3 feet tall. Its main root was thick and often branching, gray-white in color. The stem stood upright and branched well near the top, edged with fine ridges and covered in soft white hairs.  Astragalus has been used in medicine for over 2,000 years. It is known to boost immunity, protect the liver, promote urination, prevent slow aging, and help the body cope with stress.