Heigou, the dog-headed guard captain at Zhuiyue Cave, shook his leg nervously as he sat beside Xie Li while they talked to the boss of the Cat\u2019s Paw Restaurant.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you have any relevant work experience?\u201d asked Jinbei, the cat-faced boss of the restaurant.<\/p>\n
\u201cI helped at an inn for a while,\u201d said Xie Li.<\/p>\n
Heigou glanced at a painting of a man in green hung over a display of wine at the back of the restaurant, and then back at Xie Li. And then back at the painting again.<\/p>\n
\u201cCook or waiter?\u201d asked the boss, checking the restaurant\u2019s schedule.<\/p>\n
\u201cWaiter.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy restaurant can always use more part-timers, nya,\u201d said the boss.<\/p>\n
\u201cMister Xie Li, are you sure about this\u2026?\u201d said Heigou.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll just have to learn,\u201d said Xie Li.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo problem, you can take it slow,\u201d said the boss. \u201cJust come in tomorrow afternoon and wear what you\u2019re wearing today.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t you require uniforms?\u201d asked Xie Li, looking over at the other part-timers milling about the restaurant wearing aprons.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, not at all,\u201d said the boss.<\/p>\n
Heigou looked at the painting again and then at the restaurant boss, who just grinned and rubbed his paws together.<\/p>\n
When they left the restaurant, Heigou looked over at Xie Li and asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have to work, you know,\u201d said Heigou. \u201cThe young master said he\u2019ll pay for all your expenses.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t rely on him forever,\u201d said Xie Li, looking ahead as he hummed and walked down the street back to the manor.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe young master will be upset if he hears you say this,\u201d said Heigou.<\/p>\n
\u201cHm? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt might make him feel like he can\u2019t be relied on.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not my intention,\u201d said Xie Li. \u201cI just want to be able to support myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw how you taught young Miss Suiyu\u2019s two disciples. You\u2019d make a good instructor. Why work as a waiter?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have no spirit core or even aura. Who would hire me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure the Border Mountains Sect\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
Xie Li closed his eyes for a moment and looked away.<\/p>\n
\u201cAh, I won\u2019t talk about it anymore,\u201d said Heigou. \u201cOh, the medicinal hall\u2019s just this way. Wait here a while. I need to zip in and get some supplies.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xie Li nodded. He stood there and looked at the shops and stalls lining the street.<\/p>\n
A group of kids were playing in front of a stall across the street. One of the boys spotted Xie Li and pointed at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, I\u2019ve never seen that guy before. He looks human.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHis green clothes are pretty,\u201d remarked a girl.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah! He looks just like the person in the painting at the shops!\u201d said another kid who joined in the pointing.<\/p>\n
\u201cShh,\u201d hushed a stall owner babysitting them. \u201cDon\u2019t point your fingers at people. He might find it rude.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xie Li tilted his head, wondering why the kids were pointing at him. Was he that strange? Maybe his expressionless face was annoying them. He didn\u2019t have a veil on, so there was only one thing he could do right now\u2014<\/p>\n
He smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh my, what a sweet smile he has,\u201d said the stall owner.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, are you new to town? Come play with us!\u201d yelled the kids, waving at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on,\u201d said a girl who ran up to him and pulled him by the sleeve over to the stall.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou must be one of the guests staying at the manor everyone\u2019s gossiping about,\u201d said the stall owner, looking embarrassed. \u201cIt\u2019s a small cave and everyone knows everyone, so these kids are making a fuss because you\u2019re new. Sorry about that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s fine,\u201d said Xie Li, squatting down to their level. His long hair and the hem of his robes swept the dusty stone floor. He was glad he left Twig back at the manor with Jianshi and Jianjin. It would\u2019ve felt uncomfortable squatting with a sword at his hip.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow about we play catch?\u201d suggested one of the boys. \u201cYou can be the bad guy\u2014Oww!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot allowed. You break things when you run around like that,\u201d said the stall owner, pulling the boy\u2019s ear.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you know any skipping games? Word games?\u201d asked a little girl.<\/p>\n
Xie Li shook his head again.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you know any<\/em> games?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know a chess game,\u201d said Xie Li.<\/p>\n \u201cBleh, chess is for old men,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cHow about stories? Know any exciting ones with sword-fighting?\u201d asked a boy, waving his toy sword.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know how to tell stories,\u201d said Xie Li.<\/p>\n \u201cEhh\u2026you\u2019re so boring!\u201d said the kids, disappointed.<\/p>\n \u201cMister Xie Li,\u201d Heigou called out from across the road.<\/p>\n \u201cCaptain Heigou!\u201d cheered the kids, abandoning the boring new guy and running over to Heigou in an instant. \u201cCome play with us!\u201d<\/p>\n Xie Li stood up and dusted off his clothes.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry about these mischievous kids,\u201d apologised the stall owner.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s good they are lively,\u201d said Xie Li, smiling.<\/p>\n \u201cIndeed,\u201d said the stall owner, beaming back.<\/p>\n The girls hung off Heigou\u2019s arms while the boys climbed him like a tree. Laughing as he balanced the bunch of squealing kids on his tall body, he walked over to the stall.<\/p>\n \u201cRawr,\u201d he playfully growled at them as he pried them off and ruffled their hair. \u201cHey, cut it out, that\u2019s enough.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t mess up my hair!\u201d whined a little girl, trying to neaten her hair with her fingers.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can use this,\u201d said Xie Li, holding out a wooden comb for her.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat a pretty comb!\u201d said the girl, taking it and looking at the cute rabbits painted on it. \u201cWhere did you get it from?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAn accessories shop near the northern gate of Mountainside Town,\u201d said Xie Li.<\/p>\n The stall owner took the comb from the little girl and looked at it.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s pretty well-made,\u201d she said. \u201cI should go find this shop the next time I stock up my wares.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can have it,\u201d said Xie Li.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure? It looks really pretty.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, then thank you for your gift,\u201d said the store owner, lightly blushing as she held the comb to her chest.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, I want to use that too!\u201d said the little girl who saw the comb first. She hopped off Heigou and rushed over to her babysitter.<\/p>\n \u201cSure, sit quietly and I\u2019ll fix your hair with this,\u201d laughed the store owner.<\/p>\n \u201cAll right, kids, me and this mister need to go back now,\u201d said Heigou, swishing his fluffy tail to keep it out of the kids\u2019 grabby hands.<\/p>\n \u201cCome by again soon,\u201d said the stall owner.<\/p>\n \u201cCome back soon, Captain Heigou!\u201d said the kids.<\/p>\n \u201cSure thing,\u201d said Heigou, swishing his tail up and down to make the kids laugh as he left.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are good with kids,\u201d said Xie Li, dropping his smile and sighing.<\/p>\n \u201cThose pups can be a handful,\u201d admitted Heigou. \u201cAre you all right? Were the kids too much for you?\u201d<\/p>\n Xie Li shook his head and looked at the ground as they walked back to the manor.<\/p>\n \u201cI just realised that I am a very boring person.\u201d<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n \u201cWhere should we put him?\u201d said Di Mie, pointing at the injured Rong Zhong behind them.<\/p>\n \u201cNot my room, please,\u201d said Qing Lingzhu.<\/p>\n Di Mie rolled his eyes and turned to Rong Zhong.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy did you reject Du Yichen\u2019s offer of staying at his manor? He\u2019s got everything you need and you\u2019ll be safe there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s got a point,\u201d agreed Qing Lingzhu, opening the door to Di Mie\u2019s suite at the Juxian Inn and ushering Rong Zhong in. \u201cIt\u2019s bad for your reputation if you stayed with us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEspecially since you\u2019re now officially the head of the Rong Clan,\u201d said Di Mie.<\/p>\n \u201cLet them,\u201d said Rong Zhong, looking subdued. \u201cI don\u2019t care what they say.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s unlike you to not care,\u201d said Di Mie. He closed the door behind them, took off his veiled hat, and pulled out a big medicine box from under the bed.<\/p>\n \u201cI see you\u2019re well-prepared,\u201d remarked Qing Lingfeng.<\/p>\n \u201cBut of course,\u201d huffed Di Mie. \u201cHe gets into more trouble than the whole of Mad Tiger Peak combined if no one\u2019s watching him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike master, like disciple\u2026\u201d muttered Qing Lingfeng.<\/p>\n \u201cSit down and show me your arm,\u201d said Di Mie, turning to the unresponsive Rong Zhong.<\/p>\n Qing Lingfeng carefully peeled back the seals to look at Rong Zhong\u2019s condition, and concluded, \u201cThe dead aura\u2019s embedded so deep that the seals can\u2019t do anything. We should be able to save his life but not his arm.\u201d<\/p>\n Di Mie pursed his lips as he tore one of his sleeves and bound it over Rong Zhong\u2019s chest, stemming the movement of the dead aura with enchantments.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel bad for ruining your clothes,\u201d said Rong Zhong.<\/p>\n \u201cYou’d better,” said Di Mie. “The enchantments in this one sleeve alone took me many months to weave.”<\/p>\n “It’s not going to be easy to push the dead aura away from his chest and keep it contained in his arm,” said Qing Lingfeng. “We need more help.”<\/p>\n \u201cAnd there\u2019s only one physician I know of who isn\u2019t afraid to work on someone poisoned with dead aura,\u201d sighed Di Mie.<\/p>\n They both said at the same time:<\/p>\n \u201cPhysician Hong, I guess\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat old man Hong…\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll leave that to your judgement, Valley Lord Di,\u201d said Qing Lingfeng.<\/p>\n Di Mie looked at Rong Zhong.<\/p>\n And gauged the value of their friendship.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n \u201cMister Xie Li, the young master wishes to talk to you,\u201d said Heigou, handing him a hand mirror.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, okay,\u201d said Xie Li, taking the mirror.<\/p>\n \u201cShizun~\u201d came a voice from the mirror as well as Di Mie\u2019s younger face.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you in disguise again?\u201d said Xie Li.<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d said Di Mie, sporting a black ponytail with braids on the sides. \u201cDoes it look good?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s dangerous to apply seals to yourself,\u201d said Xie Li. \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t do it if possible.\u201d<\/p>\n Di Mie raised a brow at the mirror and said nothing.<\/p>\n \u201cHm? What\u2019s wrong?\u201d said Xie Li.<\/p>\n \u201cAnyway, some new information was brought up at the conference,\u201d said Di Mie. \u201cThey\u2019ve uncovered nests of undead creatures midway on the path from Fanhua City.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFanhua City\u2019s Yang Clan was the clan that you said fell after a series of incidents,\u201d said Xie Li. \u201cSo perhaps the incidents were related to dead aura as well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSince the incidents happened not long after Rong Ci was married off to the Yang Clan, the alliance suspects it could be the work of someone with a grudge against the Rong Clan. That said, both of these big clans aren\u2019t short on enemies.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHm, would there be someone capable of controlling dead aura?\u201d said Xie Li.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s hard to imagine. Dead aura is hard to control but perhaps sabotage is possible if someone has the tools for it. That might explain the smaller incidents in our area,\u201d said Di Mie, twirling his finger around his braid in a playful manner.<\/p>\n \u201cCurse talismans,\u201d said Xie Li, remembering something.<\/p>\n \u201c…what about it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think there\u2019s someone making and selling talismans cursed with dead aura.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you would know because\u2014oh. Where did you come across that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBandit boss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBack at the bandit cave, the bandit boss used curse talismans?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMn,\u201d nodded Xie Li. \u201cThey were quite strong.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat explains the mess I saw back there. Will you tell me what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n Xie Li shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cFine, I\u2019ll just keep guessing,\u201d said Di Mie, making a note to investigate it.<\/p>\n \u201cAnyway, all those leaders and representatives at the conference were so scared just at the thought that someone could control dead aura. Even the old monk from Mingsi Temple didn\u2019t dare to invite Rong Zhong to be a guest at his temple anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHm? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey think someone might try to finish the job of destroying the Rong Clan now that the older son’s dead and Rong Zhong\u2019s the clan leader.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBy the way, Rong Zhong\u2019s injured and I\u2019m thinking of asking old man Hong to help treat him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe got poisoned by the Jiutian Sword,\u201d said Di Mie. \u201cBig Bro Lingfeng and I have already applied binding and suppression talismans. I\u2019m thinking of asking old man Hong do the amputation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWait,\u201d said Xie Li. He put the mirror down and Di Mie could hear papers rustling from the other end. After a while, Xie Li came back with a piece of paper with a seal design drawn on it.<\/p>\n \u201cInteresting,\u201d said Di Mie as he looked at it.<\/p>\n \u201cBy rapidly draining the spirit aura from the applied area, it can slow the spread of dead aura since it follows the path of spirit aura in one\u2019s body,\u201d said Xie Li. \u201cI\u2019ve rounded the edges and added limiters to minimise meridian damage\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just like you to come up with something so dangerous but effective,\u201d chuckled Di Mie. \u201cHold it to the mirror for a bit and let me copy it down.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you applied this wrong way round, it could result in a backflow causing aura deviation,\u201d said Xie Li, humming and absently waving a hand as he continued to talk about the talisman design.<\/p>\n \u201cMn,\u201d hummed Di Mie, showing that he was listening.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd with dead aura factored into it, I can think of at least four outcomes of an aura deviation caused by draining spirit aura the wrong way. With the limiters added, it shouldn\u2019t be risky at all, but if external factors such as\u2014\u201d Xie Li stopped and trailed off.<\/p>\n \u201cHm?\u201d said Di Mie after he finished copying and realised that Xie Li had gone quiet. \u201cWhy did you suddenly stop?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMie\u2019er,\u201d said Xie Li, quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you feel bored when you\u2019re with me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy do you suddenly ask?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI realised that I\u2019m a very boring person.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid someone call you that?\u201d said Di Mie.<\/p>\n \u201cThe children I met on the street this morning said so.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou normally don\u2019t care what people think of you, so why would you care about what those children say?\u201d said Di Mie.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t like being bored.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHm, you\u2019re right, I don\u2019t like being bored,\u201d said Di Mie with a little smirk on his face. \u201cSo what do you plan to do about that?\u201d<\/p>\n Xie Li mulled for a while, and said, \u201cI think I should learn some games.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat sounds interesting,\u201d said Di Mie. \u201cTell me about it when I come back.\u201d<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n After Di Mie discussed some arrangements with Heigou and then ended the communication spell, he found Rong Zhong staring at him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you looking at,\u201d said Di Mie, flatly.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing,\u201d said Rong Zhong, but continued to stare.<\/p>\n \u201cDoes your hand hurt?\u201d said Di Mie, his smile getting sinister. \u201cI think Ashfire is itching to do an amputation\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c…sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnyway, what are you going to do about the Rong Clan?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet my younger cousin Tianhong handle it,\u201d said Rong Zhong. \u201cI\u2019ve already sent Li Gang back to help him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou said you don\u2019t care, but you still got stuff done,\u201d huffed Di Mie. \u201cAnyway, where\u2019s that steward of yours\u2014that fox-faced smiley guy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d said Rong Zhong, looking down.<\/p>\n \u201cI heard something might\u2019ve happened to him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d he repeated.<\/p>\n Di Mie sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cAll right. Since you call me \u2018brother\u2019, I\u2019ll keep you safe for now.\u201d<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n A while later\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cAnd that\u2019s why he\u2019s here,\u201d said Di Mie, jerking his thumb at the guy behind him on the horse.<\/p>\n \u201cLet me help you, sir,\u201d said Heigou as he helped a rather shaken Rong Zhong off the horse.<\/p>\n Sitting behind Di Mie on the horse that ran at top speed and not being allowed to use his arms meant he had to hold on for dear life with his legs. He learned the hard way that Di Mie\u2019s enchanted armour would zap him if he tried to put his hand on Di Mie\u2019s shoulder. It was a terrifying journey all the way to Zhuiyue Cave. His legs were shaking and his throat felt sore.<\/p>\n He might\u2019ve screamed part of the way\u2026<\/p>\n Di Mie hopped off as well and handed the reins over to a guard.<\/p>\n Rong Zhong\u2019s wobbly legs gave way and the dog-headed guard captain caught him in his large, furry arms just before he fell.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, uh, thank you,\u201d said Rong Zhong, unsure of what to feel being cradled by a giant dog demon.<\/p>\n \u201cHeigou, you can eat him if he misbehaves,\u201d said Di Mie.<\/p>\n Rong Zhong gave a shaky laugh.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re Mister Hu, right? The young master informed me about you,\u201d said Heigou, showing off a big grin and his rows of sharp teeth. \u201cI\u2019m Heigou, guard captain stationed at Zhuiyue Cave at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHu Xun. Pleased to meet you, captain Heigou,\u201d gulped Rong Zhong.<\/p>\n \u201cMister Hu, allow me to escort you to the manor\u2019s guest room,\u201d said Heigou. \u201cI have informed Physician Hong to come by tomorrow morning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Hu Xun,\u201d said Di Mie, his younger black-haired look making him look more impertinent as he bluntly addressed Rong Zhong.<\/p>\n \u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRemember this: you were never here and you know nothing about Zhuiyue Cave.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUnderstood,\u201d said Rong Zhong.<\/p>\n He looked around as they walked down the street to the manor and took in the sight of a small town in a spacious, deep cavern. The air was fresh and the chill of winter couldn\u2019t reach them. Rong Zhong put on a polite smile as a gaggle of diverse demons gawked at him. There was so much to see that he couldn\u2019t help but look around.<\/p>\n Di Mie huffed and shook his head at the rich, useless young master of a friend.<\/p>\n Some of the older townsfolk recognised Di Mie but he\u2019d put a finger to his lips to hush them to keep his cover.<\/p>\n \u201cBy the way, Mister Xie Li\u2019s at the Cat\u2019s Paw restaurant,\u201d said Heigou. \u201cJianshi and Jianjin are with him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGo on ahead and don\u2019t wait up for me,\u201d said Di Mie, instantly abandoning them.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n The cat-like boss of the Cat\u2019s Paw restaurant spotted Di Mie and rushed to the entrance, greeting him.<\/p>\n \u201cShh,\u201d said Di Mie, putting a finger to his lips.<\/p>\n Xie Li was sitting at a small, well-decorated table at the back of the restaurant, measuring out tea leaves and preparing pots of blended tea. It was as if he was conducting a little tea ceremony in his own quirky way.<\/p>\n The customers chatted and giggled as Jianshi and Jianjin served them trays of tea and cakes.<\/p>\n Di Mie pulled aside the sensible junior nephew and quietly asked.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you all doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDi Shibo,\u201d greeted Jianshi quietly, making sure his excitable brother wouldn\u2019t spot them. \u201cSenior Xie said he works here so we accompanied him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYoung master,\u201d whispered the cat-faced boss, sidling over to join in the discussion.<\/p>\n \u201cJinbei, is your restaurant so short-handed that you dare exploit my Shizun and make him work as a waiter?\u201d said Di Mie, raising a brow at the restaurant\u2019s cat-faced owner.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, no, I didn\u2019t do anything wrong!\u201d stuttered the owner, rubbing his paws nervously. \u201cMister Xie asked me to give him a job so I said yes. Even though I thought it would be good for business to have the Dream-Wandering Immortal\u2014no, no, I\u2019m not exploiting him or anyone! I pay everyone on time; just ask any of my staff!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHahah, I was just teasing you,\u201d chuckled Di Mie, pinching Jinbei\u2019s cheek. \u201cI know you\u2019ve come a long way from being a thieving cat.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d said Jinbei, letting out a sigh of relief as he rubbed his pinched cheek. \u201cDon\u2019t scare me like that, young master.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not getting paid,\u201d muttered Jianjin.<\/p>\n \u201cWe volunteered to help Senior Xie, so of course we aren’t getting paid,\u201d added Jianshi.<\/p>\n Di Mie raised a brow at Jinbei, who quickly ran away. He clicked his tongue and pulled up a seat at Xie Li\u2019s table. He watched the adorable way Xie Li measured the tea leaves and smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cHm? Mie\u2019er, why are you here?\u201d said Xie Li, finally noticing him.<\/p>\n \u201cShizun, don\u2019t work here in this small restaurant,\u201d said Di Mie. \u201cHow about you work for me? I\u2019ll pay you double what the cat boss here pays you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat would you have me do?\u201d asked Xie Li.<\/p>\n \u201cHmm,\u201d said Di Mie, putting a finger to his chin as he thought about it. \u201cAll you have to do is whatever I say.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs that all?\u201d said Xie Li.<\/p>\n \u201cYep. Easy, isn\u2019t it?\u201d said Di Mie.<\/p>\n The customers nearby perked up their ears and watched the free show.<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d said Xie Li, shaking his head. \u201cThat\u2019s not right.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHm? What\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat isn\u2019t work,\u201d said Xie Li.<\/p>\n \u201cIf it\u2019s not work, then what is it?\u201d asked Di Mie.<\/p>\n \u201cDi Shibo, we\u2019re working,\u201d Jianshi interrupted softly as he stood there with a tray waiting for Xie Li’s pots of tea.<\/p>\n \u201cGo back first, Mie\u2019er. I\u2019ll talk to you after my shift,\u201d said Xie Li, getting back to work.<\/p>\n \u201cCheh,\u201d said Di Mie, pouting as he walked off.<\/p>\n \u201cDi Shibo got rejected,\u201d blurted Jianjin.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, that\u2019s so adorable,\u201d gushed some young women as they watched the free show and ordered more cakes.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n After the shift at the restaurant, the three of them slowly walked back to the manor. Xie Li took the day\u2019s wages and split it three ways with Jianshi and Jianjin.<\/p>\n Jianjin promptly exchanged everything for two sticks of candied haws at a street vendor. He passed a stick to Xie Li and looked at his own glumly.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess we\u2019ll have to share this one stick, bro,\u201d said Jianjin.<\/p>\n “You can have the whole thing,” said Jianshi.<\/p>\n “No, you’re my bro, we share everything,” said Jianjin.<\/p>\n “Oh fine,” said Jianshi, buying one more stick from the vendor, solving Jianjin’s dilemma.<\/p>\n \u201cToo sweet,\u201d said Xie Li after a nibble.<\/p>\n \u201cAnyway, it\u2019s weird how Di Shibo likes to act wilful and clingy around you, Senior Xie,\u201d said Jianjin, blurting out his thoughts as he chewed on the sticky candy.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s always been this way,\u201d said Xie Li, staring at the candy and internally rejecting it.<\/p>\n \u201c…\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Translator\u2019s Notes<\/strong><\/p>\n Jinbei the cat-faced owner is \u91d1\u88ab, meaning \u2018gold blanket\u2019, probably means the cat is orange-backed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Heigou, the dog-headed guard captain at Zhuiyue Cave, shook his leg nervously as he sat beside Xie Li while they talked to the boss of the Cat\u2019s Paw Restaurant.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-486","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-my-hermit-master"],"yoast_head":"\n
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