Chapter 12

Liu Chengzhi carried Luo Chu back to her bed in the Yunbing Pavilion. Spotting the trembling orange cat in the corner, he sneered.

“You heard everything, didn’t you?”

“This lord heard nothing,” the cat meowed defensively.

“Oh? I don’t believe you. Dead cats tell no tales.”

The moment the words left his mouth, the sword in the youth’s hand shot toward the cat, shaving off a patch of fur.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! MURDER! MURDER! LUO CHU, WAKE UP! THE BIG BAD VILLAIN’S TRYING TO KILL MEEEEEEEE!”

The cat screeched in a shrill, panicked voice.

“Shut up. If you wake Master, I will kill you.”

The cat clamped its paws over its mouth, tears welling in its eyes.

“H-How can oo understan’ wha’ I’m sayin’…”

“I’m sparing you only because Master would be sad. But if she hears anything she shouldn’t—”

“Don’ worry! This lord’s lips are sealed!”

The cat raised a tiny paw as if swearing an oath.

“Did you give her the Lust-Inducing Powder?”

“Not me! It did!”

The cat pointed upward, trying to shift the blame.

The youth poured the contents of the white porcelain bottle into his mouth, then narrowed his eyes threateningly.

“Tell it not to harm Master.”

“Mm-hmm!”

“Get lost.”

“Right away!”

The young man turned back to the sleeping figure on the bed, leaning down to press gentle kisses to Luo Chu’s forehead, the tip of her nose, and finally her lips.

“Master…” His voice carried a faint trace of madness.

His cold, narrow eyes grew misty, the corners tinged red as his lashes fluttered.

Lost in the moment, he sighed softly.

“Master, you mustn’t tempt your disciple like this again.”

As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, the youth tiptoed into the small kitchen beside the Yunbing Pavilion.

Luo Chu woke to the rich aroma of food.

Breakfast consisted of spicy beef noodles, sweet tofu pudding, and milk-steamed buns—each portion modest, just enough for three people.

Served in delicate blue-and-white porcelain bowls, the presentation alone was mouthwatering.

The beef in the noodles was tender, bursting with juices and a hint of scallion fragrance.

The noodles had the perfect chewiness Luo Chu loved.

The tofu pudding and milk buns were sweet but not cloying—everything was just right.

Luo Chu happily dug in.

Ah, my disciple knows me best!

Liu Chengzhi’s gaze lingered on her lips as she chewed.

The soft pink flesh parted and closed like blooming petals.

Memories of last night resurfaced.

“Why are you staring at me? Aren’t you going to eat?”

“It’s nothing.”

He averted his eyes, picking up a few slices of beef from his bowl and placing them into hers.

“Master has grown thinner in the year I was away.”

Luo Chu nibbled quietly, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

“Mn.”

Of course! Most cultivators had little interest in indulgent foods, and the main kitchen served nothing but bland, watery dishes.

But Luo Chu had a strong palate—she loved spicy, sour flavors and had a sweet tooth.

As a result, she’d often had no appetite, missing Liu Chengzhi’s cooking terribly.

She’d never even told him her preferences, yet he’d somehow figured them out.

Liu Chengzhi watched her smile with rapt fascination, his eyes softening with adoration.

“There’s milk tea warming in the kitchen. Master can have a cup after the meal.”

Luo Chu nearly teared up. Since transmigrating into this world, she—a devoted milk tea enthusiast—hadn’t had a single sip.

One day, she’d casually mentioned it to Liu Chengzhi.

To her shock, he’d not only recreated it but also perfected toppings like taro balls, grass jelly, sago pearls, and pudding! And it was delicious!

“Senior Brother, what’s milk tea?” Zi Gui blinked round eyes, staring at Liu Chengzhi expectantly.

“It’s tasty.”

“Master’s favorite.”

Luo Chu and Liu Chengzhi answered simultaneously.

“Senior brother, Zi Gui wants to try too!”

Zigui tugged at his sleeve, pouting. The small beast beside him mimicked him, pulling at his hem with a soft “Gulugulugulu.”

For some reason, the scene gave Luo Chu the illusion of being surrounded by a houseful of children and grandchildren.

And so, Luo Chu, Zigui, and the little beast sat side by side at the Yinbing Pavilion’s entrance, each cradling a cup of milk tea.

Life was perfect.

…Wait. Something was missing.

Where’s Chun Desi?!

When Luo Chu found the orange cat in the kitchen, it was lying belly-up on the floor, motionless, a streak of red at the corner of its mouth.

“CHUN DESI!” She rushed over, grabbing the cat and shaking it violently.

“CHUN DESI! WHAT HAPPENED?!”

With trembling fingers, she checked for a pulse.

No breath.

Who killed it?! Sure, she’d always complained about it, but in this world where she had no family and lived in constant fear, the cat was the only one she could speak freely to.

If even Chun Desi could be killed, then wasn’t she—

Her nose stung, and a wave of grief crashed over her.

Tears spilled out uncontrollably.

“Luo Chu, why are you crying?”

The cat’s eyes slowly cracked open as it was jostled.

Luo Chu: ???

“You’re not dead?”

“Why would I be dead?”

“Then what’s this red stuff on your mouth?”

“Didn’t you say yesterday that fried potatoes were boring without ketchup? This morning, the big bad villain made some and had me taste-test it. Here, smell it—sweet and tangy. So good!”

I’m really Old Wang eating hotpot—spicy my neighbor’s ass!

(T/N: A meme mocking proverbs with hidden vulgar puns (sounds like “damn it!”).)

“Who shaved your fur?”

Luo Chu rubbed the cat’s back, where the fur had been trimmed into a prickly buzzcut.

The cat opened its mouth to answer, then shuddered as a chilling aura swept over it.

“I… did it myself.”

“Looks ugly.”

10,000 CRITICAL HITS!

I’m no longer the hottest cat on this peak!

The orange cat threw its head back and wailed: “MEOW—OOOOOOW!”

Outside the kitchen, a breeze lifted the hem of white robes as the cold-faced youth silently walked away.