An Awkward Reunion and a Cultivator’s Feast

The atmosphere felt a touch awkward, a predicament entirely caused by the wretched cat in her arms.

Qin Yan reached out and firmly pinched Xiao Li’s backside. The cat yelped in pain, about to meow loudly, but then caught sight of her owner’s gaze, which seemed to promise imminent feline demise.

She quickly clamped her mouth shut.

‘What should I do now?!’ Xiao Miao’s heart pounded with mortification, her toes curling involuntarily.

“Shizun, say something! Shizun, didn’t you claim to understand men so well? Quickly, tell me how to subtly break this incredibly awkward silence before us.”

Xiao Miao urgently sought her Shizun’s help.

“Don’t fret, let me ponder,” Xiao Miao’s Shizun began, “As the saying goes, ‘A graceful gentleman, a virtuous lady desires.’ Beautiful things naturally draw one’s admiration, much like gazing upon a lovely flower, or the picturesque mountains and rivers…”

“Enough with these irrelevant ramblings! Shizun, you weren’t just bragging earlier, were you?!”

Xiao Miao felt herself growing dizzy from her Shizun’s convoluted words.

“Cough, cough—” Her Shizun cleared her throat, her aged face seemingly flushing at the accusation. “Bragging? How utterly vulgar! Truly, the world’s morals are in decline. Is this how a disciple should address their Shizun? It’s simply preposterous. Why not simply praise Qin Yan openly? You were already mesmerized by him just now; are you truly afraid to admit it?”

“How should I praise him?!”

“Well… just say, ‘Qin Yan, it’s been so long since I last saw you, I’ve truly missed you. Now, seeing you again, you’re undoubtedly far more beautiful than before.'”

“Shizun, is that really acceptable? Why does it sound so… cloying?!”

“Don’t worry about it; just follow my instructions. This is the infallible method for charming handsome men from ancient times! If you want to win someone over, you must be bold and thick-skinned; that is the true way.”

Hearing this, Xiao Miao took a deep breath, fixing her gaze upon Qin Yan, and painstakingly forced a smile to her lips.

“Qin Yan, it’s been many days since we last met, and you’ve grown considerably more handsome.”

“?”

If this were a game, a massive question mark would undoubtedly be hovering above Qin Yan’s head.

“Shizun, are you truly not deceiving me? Aren’t those words a bit too frivolous? Look at Qin Yan’s expression right now; he surely won’t think I’m a flighty woman, will he?!”

Xiao Miao felt even more mortified.

“Xiao Miao… you seem to have grown quite a bit as well…”

Ultimately, it was Qin Yan who broke the heavy silence.

He observed Xiao Miao before him; her pretty face now bore traces of hardship, a maturity that had previously seemed merely an act. Now, her expression held a newfound resilience, truly hinting at a capable and independent spirit.

Moreover, the young woman was clearly in the throes of adolescence. Qin Yan subtly glanced at her chest, confirming his thought: she had indeed grown considerably.

“Heh heh...”

Hearing this, Xiao Miao’s face broke into a silly grin. She truly didn’t know what to say; her earlier words had sounded utterly nonsensical. ‘But it’s fine,’ she thought, ‘as long as I smile, everything will be alright.’

Reaching up, she scratched her head and explained, “It’s been some time since I left home, and I’ve experienced a few things, so it’s inevitable that some hardships have etched themselves onto my face.”

Qin Yan nodded noncommittally.

Fortunately, at that moment, a knock sounded from outside the private room door. It was the waiter, arriving with the delectable dishes.

The aroma of the food made Xiao Miao involuntarily swallow. While there were things like Bigu Pills, consuming them felt no different from eating nutrient paste in a sci-fi world.

Qin Yan had often encountered settings where cultivators were forbidden from eating mortal food, fearing their immortal bodies would be defiled by earthly fare.

Yet, upon truly arriving in this world of cultivation, he realized such notions were utterly preposterous. Mortals could refine these foods within their bodies; if a cultivator’s practice could be tainted by mere sustenance, wouldn’t their cultivation regress rather than advance?

This particular stipulation, however, was not entirely baseless; it likely stemmed from Buddhism, given that monks traditionally abstained from meat and strong-smelling vegetables.

Yet, such a rule was unheard of in Taoist traditions. It seemed a clumsy fusion of beliefs, for in the myths and legends adhering to Taoist philosophy, which immortal didn’t indulge in savory feasts and fine spirits?

If one couldn’t enjoy delicious food and drink, what was the point of cultivating immortality?

The dishes were swiftly laid out, filling the table. Gazing at the spread, Xiao Miao’s Shizun couldn’t help but remark, “We cultivators should, without delay, abandon such carnal desires of the palate.”

“You’re only saying that because you can’t eat them right now, Shizun,” Xiao Miao retorted. “I’ve seen disciples from major sects and prominent families feasting on spirit beasts and spirit fowl daily. You had your fill back then, but now that I want some ordinary food, you forbid it.”

“Insolent disciple!”

Xiao Miao’s words left her Shizun utterly speechless and unable to refute.

However, with Qin Yan present, Xiao Miao naturally felt too self-conscious to immediately gorge herself. Only after Qin Yan gestured for her to begin did she slowly start to eat.

‘This child, why does she look so famished…’

As Qin Yan watched Xiao Miao, the Xiao Li on his lap, eyeing the table laden with delicacies, couldn’t help but drool. With a light leap, she landed on the table, her paws poised to reach out.

Xiao Miao, too, noticed the calico cat’s movements. Gazing at the table full of dishes, then at the cat, she suddenly felt as though the food in her hand had lost some of its flavor.

Such a spread, she mused, was likely something ordinary folk wouldn’t taste in a lifetime. Yet, for the spirit pets of major sect disciples, it was probably just another meal.

Still, it wasn’t her place, Xiao Miao, to comment, for she was not of humble origins; it was merely a fleeting thought.

Just as Xiao Li extended her paw, utterly oblivious to the murderous glare Qin Yan was now casting from behind her, he wondered, ‘Since when do pets get to sit at the table?’ He instantly reached out, seized Xiao Li’s tail, and yanked her back.

“Shoo, shoo, get over there! A cat should act like a cat.”

With a casual toss, Qin Yan set Xiao Li on the floor, where she sat looking utterly aggrieved.

However, Qin Yan understood the principle of ‘a stick and a carrot’ perfectly. He picked up a goose leg and offered it to Xiao Li, instantly transforming the little cat’s expression into one of pure delight.

Xiao Miao watched the scene, somewhat dumbfounded.

“What’s wrong?”

Qin Yan noticed Xiao Miao’s expression and inquired.

“Nothing, I just thought Qin Yan was the type to…” Xiao Miao stammered, her words trailing off.

“What type?” Qin Yan chuckled. “While ‘wine and meat rot in the rich man’s house, frozen corpses lie on the road,’ I’ve seen many beggars along my journey. I’ve also witnessed young ladies from aristocratic families order lavish banquets in front of everyone, only to let their pets feast to their hearts’ content. Do you truly believe I am one of those haughty individuals, oblivious to the suffering of the mortal world?”

These words made Xiao Miao gaze at Qin Yan, feeling as though the young man before her was radiating light.