A few more days passed in a blissful routine of indulgence and companionship. Tian Hao spent his days lounging in the secluded garden, cultivating with Lin Mei, and enjoying the gourmet meals that Fatty Wu continued to sneak in for him.
This, Tian Hao decided, was cultivation as it was meant to be—no harsh drills, no sleepless nights, just good food, pleasant company, and the steady hum of spiritual growth. He'd even begun to develop a fondness for the gentle swaying of the willow branches and the soft murmur of the nearby stream, finding a meditative peace in the natural rhythms of the garden, a quiet contrast to the bustling energy of the main sect grounds.
One afternoon, Tian Hao sat cross-legged in the overgrown garden, a wide grin on his face as Fatty Wu waddled towards him, carrying a large, heavily laden wicker basket. The aroma of roasted duck, freshly baked buns, and something subtly sweet and herbal wafted through the air, making Tian Hao’s mouth water.
"Young Master Tian Hao!" Fatty Wu called out in a hushed but excited tone, his round face beaming. He set the basket down with a gentle thud, the wicker creaking under the weight of its contents. He lifted the cloth covering the basket with a flourish, revealing a dazzling array of delicacies—roasted duck with skin glistening like polished amber, steamed dumplings plump and delicate as clouds, glazed ribs glistening with a sticky, savory sauce, a small container of jade-green herbs radiating a faint, ethereal glow, and a small, intricately carved jade box.
"Fatty Wu, you've truly outdone yourself this time," Tian Hao said, his eyes widening at the sight. He inhaled deeply, savoring the complex blend of aromas that filled the air, a symphony of sweet, savory, and spicy notes that danced on his senses. He leaned forward, picking up a rib with practiced ease, the glazed surface sticky against his fingers. He moaned softly, savoring the smoky, sweet flavor. "This is… divine."
Fatty Wu beamed, his cheeks flushing with pride. "It's nothing, Young Master. Just a little something I whipped up. Though," he added with a conspiratorial wink, leaning closer to Tian Hao, his voice dropping to a whisper, "I managed to… acquire… a few rather special ingredients from the sect's stores. Some rare spirit herbs, said to enhance cultivation and… other… pleasurable sensations.”
Tian Hao raised an eyebrow, intrigued. He reached for the small, jade container, its surface cool against his fingertips, the intricate carvings hinting at the precious contents within. He carefully opened it, revealing a handful of jade-green leaves, their edges shimmering with a faint, ethereal glow. He picked one up, holding it delicately between his thumb and forefinger, bringing it to his nose and inhaling cautiously. The scent was fresh and invigorating, almost like the crisp air of a mountain spring, with a subtle undercurrent of earthy sweetness.
"Not as potent as a fully refined elixir, mind you, but it’ll definitely give you a noticeable boost to your cultivation. Think of it as a… culinary catalyst, if you will." He lowered his voice again, glancing around conspiratorially, though they were alone in the secluded garden. "Just don't let Elder Hua catch wind of it, or we'll both be scrubbing floors for a week. Not the fun kind of scrubbing, either. The kind with stiff bristles and lukewarm water.” He shuddered dramatically, his ample frame shaking, adding a touch of comedic flair to the otherwise serious warning.
Then he reached for the jade box, his fingers tracing the intricate carvings on its surface. He opened it carefully, revealing a handful of small, translucent berries that shimmered with an inner light. They emanated a subtle, floral aroma, tinged with something warm and spicy, that tickled his senses. "These are?" he asked, picking up a berry and examining it closely.
Fatty Wu nodded enthusiastically. "Cloudberries, grown only on the highest peaks of the Misty Mountains. Said to amplify the flow of Qi and… enhance certain… experiences. Though," he added with a mischievous grin, "they’re also said to have rather… interesting… side effects. But don't worry, nothing too drastic. Just… a heightened sensitivity to… well, everything.” He winked again, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Tian Hao chuckled, popping the berry into his mouth. The taste was a surprising mix of sweet and tart, followed by a tingling warmth that spread through him like a pleasant shock. The familiar hum of energy that always accompanied his PINA cultivation intensified, resonating with the unique energy of the Cloudberry. He closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the sensation, feeling the energy coursing through his meridians, a symphony of pleasure and power.
"I think you're onto something, Fatty Wu," Tian Hao said, opening his eyes with a newfound clarity. "Maybe there’s a culinary Dao hidden somewhere in this sect’s dusty old scrolls, and we’re the only ones enlightened enough—or hungry enough—to see it.” He looked at Fatty Wu, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Imagine, Fatty Wu, a sect dedicated to the pursuit of culinary perfection, where enlightenment is achieved through the perfect balance of flavors. We’d be legends!”
Fatty Wu threw back his head and laughed, a deep, rumbling sound that shook his ample frame. “Oh, Young Master, that's a dream worth cultivating for! Though,” he added, wiping a tear from his eye, “I suspect Elder Hua might have a different opinion on the matter.”
As Tian Hao and Fatty Wu shared a laugh over the absurdity of their culinary ambitions, a soft rustle came from the garden entrance. Lin Mei stepped into view, her brows slightly raised at the sight of the extravagant spread laid out on the grass and the two men’s boisterous laughter. She approached cautiously, her eyes shifting between Tian Hao and the unfamiliar, rotund figure beside him. There was a guardedness in her expression, a hint of suspicion that had lingered despite their growing camaraderie.
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Tian Hao waved her over, his grin widening. “Lin Mei! Perfect timing. Come, come, I want you to meet my partner in crime—this is Fatty Wu, the sect’s best-kept secret and my secret weapon in cultivation.” He gestured towards Fatty Wu, who puffed out his chest proudly, a broad smile spreading across his face like melted butter on a warm bun.
"Fatty Wu," Tian Hao continued, "this is Lin Mei. She's been… humoring… my cultivation methods." He winked at Lin Mei, who rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the small smile that tugged at her lips.
Lin Mei gave Fatty Wu a polite nod, her lips curving into a genuine smile this time. “It’s nice to finally meet the legendary Fatty Wu,” she said, her tone teasing but warm. “Tian Hao’s been singing praises about your cooking nonstop. It’s nice to finally meet the chef behind all those… profound pork buns.” She emphasized the last part with a teasing smile, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
Fatty Wu laughed, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “The pleasure is mine, Miss Lin Mei. Any friend of Young Master Tian Hao is a friend of mine, and anyone who appreciates a good pork bun is clearly a person of discerning taste. Please, join us! There’s plenty to go around.” He motioned to the spread of food, his enthusiasm evident.
Lin Mei hesitated for a moment, her gaze lingering on the jade box and its strange, shimmering berries. “What are those?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.
Tian Hao picked up the box, offering it to her with a flourish. “Cloudberries,” he announced, his voice tinged with a playful mystery. “Grown on the highest peaks, said to enhance… everything.” He winked, and Lin Mei’s eyes widened slightly before a playful smirk spread across her face.
She took a berry, examining it closely before popping it into her mouth. A look of surprise, then pleasure, crossed her features as the warmth spread through her, a subtle hum of energy resonating within her. "These are... interesting," she admitted, her eyes sparkling with a newfound light.
The three of them settled down to feast, the garden filled with the cheerful sounds of conversation and laughter. Tian Hao regaled them with exaggerated tales of his latest misadventures, his stories growing more outrageous with each bite he took.
Lin Mei, initially hesitant, found herself drawn into the easy camaraderie, her laughter ringing through the garden as she matched Tian Hao’s wit with her own dry humor. Fatty Wu, ever the attentive host, kept their cups filled with fragrant tea and their plates piled high with his culinary creations, his beaming smile a testament to the joy he found in sharing his food with others.
As the meal drew to a close, Tian Hao leaned back with a satisfied sigh, rubbing his stomach contentedly. Fatty Wu packed up the remnants of the feast, carefully placing the jade box with the remaining Cloudberries back into the basket.
“Young Master, Miss Lin Mei,” he said, his round face beaming, “it's been a pleasure, as always. I’ll see what culinary delights I can conjure for our next gathering, ” he lowered his voice conspiratorially, glancing around as if expecting Elder Hua to suddenly materialize from behind a bush, “keep this our little secret. The inner stores aren’t exactly… freely accessible, shall we say.”
Tian Hao gave a lazy salute, a playful grin on his face. “You got it, Fatty Wu. You’re the true MVP of this cultivation journey.”
Fatty Wu chuckled, giving a slight bow, his belly jiggling like a bowlful of jelly, before waddling off towards the garden entrance, the empty wicker basket swinging gently at his side, his movements slower than usual, the effects of the Cloudberries evident in his slightly uncoordinated waddle.
Tian Hao chuckled. “Careful there, Fatty Wu,” he called out. “Wouldn’t want you to trip and spill the secrets of the culinary Dao all over the sect grounds.”
Fatty Wu laughed, waving a hand dismissively. “Don’t you worry, Young Master. These old legs are steadier than they look.” He winked, and with another bow, he disappeared through the overgrown entrance to the garden.
Lin Mei watched him go, her lips curving into a soft smile. “He seems… nice,” she said, her gaze returning to Tian Hao.
“Nice and talented,” Tian Hao agreed. “He’s a true artist, Lin Mei. A culinary genius. And,” he added with a mischievous grin, “he’s surprisingly discreet. Keeps my… unconventional… cultivation habits well-supplied.”
Lin Mei laughed, shaking her head. “You really are something else, Tian Hao.” She paused, looking around the garden, her expression growing more thoughtful. “I… I didn’t think I’d find myself spending so much time with you, of all people. When we first met, I thought you were just another arrogant, spoiled young master.”
Tian Hao’s grin softened, his eyes meeting hers. “And now?”
Lin Mei hesitated, then smiled, a genuine warmth in her eyes. “Now… I still think you’re arrogant and spoiled. But,” she added quickly, “you’re also… surprisingly insightful. And,” she couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped her, “you do make cultivation… interesting.”
Tian Hao chuckled, a genuine warmth spreading through him, a feeling that had nothing to do with cultivation and everything to do with the connection he felt with Lin Mei and Fatty Wu. In this strange new world, with its rigid rules and suffocating expectations, he’d found his own little haven, a place where he could be himself, indulge his desires, and cultivate his own unique path. In Lin Mei and Fatty Wu, he'd found something even rarer—true companions, allies who understood, or at least tolerated, his unconventional approach to life. He had found a balance between indulging his whims and honoring genuine human connection.
He looked at Lin Mei, a playful glint in his eye. “So, Mei Mei,” he said, his voice softening, “ready for another session of… comfortable cultivation?”
Lin Mei’s lips curved into a smile, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “As long as Fatty Wu keeps providing the snacks,” she replied, and together, they settled back against the mossy rocks, the afternoon sun warming their skin, the garden around them alive with the soft rustling of leaves and the gentle hum of their shared energy.