After Lin Mei’s departure, a familiar craving gnawed at Tian Hao’s stomach. It was a hunger that went beyond the simple need for sustenance.

He needed comfort. Indulgence. A reminder of the pleasures that had once defined his existence—so recently replaced by austerity, arduous treks, and far too many spirit beast encounters. There was only one person who could help him get his fix.

The savory smells wafting from the kitchens—a symphony of simmering spices and salivatory sautés—called to him like a siren’s song, guiding his steps down the familiar stone pathways.

He thought of Fatty Wu’s beaming smile, his hearty laugh. The way his culinary creations could transform even the most mundane ingredients into a feast for the senses.

“Fatty Wu!” Tian Hao called out, his voice carrying a cheerful lilt as he entered the bustling kitchen.

The warmth of the room was a welcome embrace.

Fatty Wu turned, his round face breaking into a wide smile. His warmth radiated through the space, much like the heat from a well-used stove. “Ah, Young Master! Back from your adventures, I see. What brings you here today?”

Tian Hao leaned against the counter as the familiar comfort of the kitchen settled over him. A smile spread across his face. He was home.

The comforting aromas of bubbling broth and the rhythmic clang of pots and pans surrounded him—a world away from the desolate outpost and the strange, twisted realm he’d stumbled into.

“We’re going to Skyveil City in two weeks,” he announced, his voice filled with an almost childlike excitement. “Lin Mei and I, and you’re coming with us. It's where something called the Celestial Conclave will be held. The sect master decided I should join the entourage they're sending. I still don't really know why, but I can't shake the feeling that this could be important—for me and for the sect."

Fatty Wu blinked in surprise, his smile faltering for a moment before it returned, wider than ever, his laughter booming through the kitchen, his whole body shaking with mirth. “Skyveil City? Me? Are you serious, Young Master?”

Tian Hao nodded. “Of course, I’m serious. Who else is going to make sure I don’t starve during that… how long did they say? A month?! Besides,” he added, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, “it’ll be fun. We’ll get to see some new sights, meet some new people, taste some new dishes.” He paused. “Maybe even cause a little… mischief.”

Fatty Wu looked skeptical, his brow furrowing slightly as he considered the implications of Tian Hao’s invitation. "Skyveil City, huh?" he thought, "There's no telling what kind of trouble the Young Master might stir up there. Nobles, cultivators, and ancient sect politics—this could go wrong in so many ways."

On the other hand, his mind was already racing with the possibilities, the potential challenges, and the culinary adventures that awaited them.

“Well,” he said, wiping his hands on his apron, a thoughtful expression on his face. “I suppose if the Young Master commands it, who am I to refuse?”

He chuckled, then added with a playful shrug, “Alright then, Skyveil it is. But don’t say I didn’t warn you—if there’s trouble, I’m running the other way. These hands were made for cooking, not combat.”

Tian Hao laughed, clapping Fatty Wu on the shoulder. “Deal,” he said, his voice filled with genuine warmth. “Just make sure you bring enough spices to impress the nobles. We’re going to need every bit of charm we can muster.”

Fatty Wu nodded, his eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and anticipation, his mind already racing with culinary ideas.

“I’ll start packing, Young Master. This will be a journey to remember, just imagine the ingredients we can discover! The dishes we can create! Skyveil City's markets must be brimming with rare herbs and meats and who knows what kinds of exotic treasures! We must taste every dish, discover the secrets of its preparation so that upon our return, our dishes at the sect can transcend mere food and touch the very heavens themselves!”

Fatty Wu found himself lost in the visions of exotic dishes and daring combinations dancing in his head.

Tian Hao felt a warmth unfurl in his chest at Fatty Wu’s enthusiasm, it was nice to see his friend so excited about their upcoming journey.

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“Indeed it is, Fatty Wu. Indeed it is. Oh, and Fatty Wu, one more thing. If you have any spirit beast meat lying around, especially the good stuff, could you pack some up for me? For a friend. It’s… complicated.”

Fatty Wu nodded, his gaze softening slightly as he understood the unspoken request.

“Alright, Young Master, but you owe me for this. This is some of the best we’ve got, not easy to come by. Spirit beast meat like this is incredibly valuable. It can boost qi and accelerate recovery—it’s not something we usually provide for anyone under Foundation Establishment.”

Fatty Wu paused, then raised an eyebrow. “Is this for the little fox?”

Tian Hao blinked, caught off guard. “How did you know?”

Fatty Wu chuckled, his laughter a rich, rolling sound that filled the kitchen. “Rumors run wild in the sect, Young Master. They say you brought back a strange little fox with a sharp tongue and an even sharper attitude. Everyone’s talking about how she talked to Baihu.”

Tian Hao sighed, shaking his head. “Of course they are. Well, yes, it's for her, and she's even pickier than the rumors suggest.”

Fatty Wu moved to the back of the kitchen, rummaging through his well-stocked pantry and hidden cooler before returning with several neatly wrapped packages of spirit beast meat.

“Here you go. Tell your ‘friend’ I said enjoy, and that if she would like more to please feel free to contact this humble chef.”

Tian Hao couldn’t help but chuckle at the chef’s ever-present good humor.

Tian Hao accepted the packages, tucking them into his spatial ring as he left the kitchen, looking forward to Jiuwei’s reaction. She was demanding, no doubt, but he couldn’t deny that seeing her flustered by a good meal would be somewhat amusing. Perhaps even a path toward some deeper, more amicable alliance, he thought.

He sighed, contemplating his attachment to Jiuwei. "Why am I even doing all this for her?" he muttered to himself. "She's bossy, demanding, and definitely more trouble than she's worth."

He paused, silence fill the hallway. Then, a small smile tugged at his lips. "But... she does make things more interesting, doesn't she? It's like she's one of those friends I always wished I had when I was just watching everyone else's lives through a screen. Maybe... just maybe, I'm starting to enjoy having her around more than I'd normally admit — at least to her face."

As he made his way back to his chambers, inspiration struck. Jiuwei was small, fluffy, and surprisingly fond of comfort. He noticed a young servant carrying a stack of freshly laundered linens and quickly flagged him down.

“Hey, you there!” Tian Hao called, waving the servant over. The young man hurried to his side, bowing deeply in respect.

“Young Master Tian Hao, how may I be of service?”

Tian Hao leaned in slightly. “Do we have any of the finest spirit beast furs still available? Something really warm and luxurious—worthy of an ancient spirit beast, if you catch my drift.”

The servant, though clearly confused, nodded earnestly.

“Yes, Young Master, I believe there are some in the storeroom. I will arrange to have them brought to your quarters immediately.”

Tian Hao straightened up. “Great! Make sure it’s the best—you know, soft and warm, something that’ll make even the pickiest spirit beast comfortable.”

The servant hurried off, eager to fulfill the order—or at least, get away from Tian Hao—while Tian Hao continued on his way, chuckling to himself.

He could already imagine Jiuwei’s reaction—likely some haughty comment about how it was ‘barely adequate,’ but he knew that she would secretly appreciate the gesture, each act of indulgence a potential step towards something better between them.

Returning to his chambers, his ring laden with the finest cuts of spirit beast meat and a growing sense of anticipation, he pushed the door open. The sight that greeted him made him pause in the doorway, his smile widening as he took in the slightly silly scene.

There she was—Jiuwei, in all her ancient, 'mighty' glory, curled up right in the middle of his favorite pillow, fast asleep. Her fluffy tail was wrapped around her tiny body, covering even her tiny nose, her breathing gentle and rhythmic, a small, almost imperceptible snore escaping her.

“All this talk of being mighty and powerful, and yet here you are, taking over my pillow like a pampered house cat," he murmured quietly, a soft chuckle escaping his lips.

He entered the room, trying not to make too much noise as he picked up and draped one of the softest blankets over Jiuwei. “Rest up, you little tyrant,” he whispered, his voice filled with amusement and affection. “I’ve got something that’ll make you very happy when you wake up.”

He stood there for a moment longer, watching as Jiuwei shifted slightly, her small form settling deeper into the plush pillow, her tiny paws twitching as if she were dreaming of chasing celestial rabbits.

It was then that he realized, with a groan, that he wouldn't be able to sleep comfortably with Jiuwei sprawled across his pillow. Her fluffy form seemed completely unwilling to budge.

The idea of trying to move her—and risk waking her, and worse, enduring her indignant complaints—seemed like a terrible decision. He could already picture her waking up, eyes blazing, lecturing him about 'disrespecting a mighty spirit beast's rest' and vowing to curse him for a thousand years. No, it was much safer to let sleeping foxes lie.

He sighed, his gaze drifting to the narrow, padded bench against the wall. The bench was a hard, unforgiving piece of furniture meant for anything but restful sleep.

"Guess it's the heavens' way of reminding me not to bring home every stray spirit beast I stumble upon," he muttered with a wry smile.

With a weary sigh, he grabbed another blanket and a thin, silk encased pillow from a stack near the bed. He trudged over to the bench, settling down as best as he could. The bench felt as unforgiving as the rocky terrain he'd endured in the Hidden Realm, and even more precarious.

He glanced at Jiuwei, her small form stirring slightly and then settling again "At least one of us will be sleeping well tonight."