Chapter 34: Even the Cleverest Housewife Cannot Cook Without Rice

The next morning, before dawn broke, Yan Chixia was already up and dressed.

After quickly washing up, he diligently tidied his own room, Master Qingxu’s chamber, the kitchen, and the alchemy room—all spotless to begin with, yet Yan Chixia meticulously cleaned them once more.

He then used the Paper Talisman Art to bring to life a large bowl of shreds-of-chicken noodles, settling down at the table to eat heartily.

As he ate, he savored the flavors and mused to himself:

“Mmm, today’s noodles are perfectly uniform in thickness, smooth and soft in texture, the chicken is tender and delicate, and the broth is fragrant and delicious… It seems my Paper Talisman Art has improved again. Excellent—this is wonderful!”

In high spirits, he finished his bowl of noodles, then, feeling invigorated, went outside and sat cross-legged on the grass beneath the ancient pine, beginning his cultivation of true energy…

Zhongnan Mountain was dense with trees and rich in vegetation, spiritual energy abundant everywhere. The patch of lawn within Qingxu Temple was especially so, making it an ideal place to cultivate.

Sitting there in silent meditation, Yan Chixia felt utterly refreshed, with true energy in his dantian welling up without end…

After an hour, his cultivation session came to a close.

Feeling energized, he stood, returned to his room, gathered the paper talismans he’d drawn the previous day, took up the Chixia Sword, and left Qingxu Temple, using the Airborne Traversal Technique to speed toward Yuhua Peak.

By now, the sky was just beginning to lighten…

…

Yuhua Peak, the abode of immortals.

At that moment, Bai Xiaoyue stood in the kitchen, staring gloomily at the empty stove, at a loss as to what to make for Tu Xiaomeng and Song Tar for breakfast.

As the saying goes, “Even the cleverest housewife cannot cook a meal without rice.” Right now, Bai Xiaoyue was eager to show her culinary prowess and make some delicious dishes for Tu Xiaomeng and Song Tar, but in this newly established kitchen, aside from the stove, utensils, and a jar of clear water, there wasn’t a single grain of rice or a scrap of vegetable to be found. What was she to do?

Just as Bai Xiaoyue stood there in her quandary, Tu Xiaomeng’s voice suddenly called in from outside:

…

“Big Sister Bai, I’m hungry. What’s for breakfast today?”

“Ah?” Bai Xiaoyue was caught off guard, standing there unsure how to respond. She watched as Tu Xiaomeng, rubbing her sleepy eyes, came in, and she said awkwardly, “I… I’m not sure what to make for breakfast yet. Xiaomeng, is there something you’d like to eat?”

“Hee hee…” At the question, Tu Xiaomeng grinned. “Big Sister Bai, I want ‘bamboo shoots with shredded fish’ and ‘carrot slivers with cashew nuts,’ and—”

“And pine nut pastries!” Song Tar burst in to add.

Bai Xiaoyue’s cheeks flushed. She let out an embarrassed “Oh,” and said, “Xiaomeng, Song Tar, we had all those dishes yesterday… Maybe today you could try something different?”

“Something different?” Tu Xiaomeng blinked her bright, dark eyes and suddenly smiled. “Big Sister Bai is right! We have to eat a balanced diet… No matter how tasty a dish is, we shouldn’t have it meal after meal. I’ve got it—today, for breakfast, just make us some almond and millet porridge, a plate of crispy yellow croaker, and a couple of side dishes.”

“Yes, yes!” Song Tar immediately chimed in. “Big Sister Bai, we’re not picky. Just keep it simple today.”

Hearing this, Bai Xiaoyue groaned inwardly. “These seem simple enough, but the kitchen is completely bare—how am I supposed to make anything?” She could only force a wry smile and say, “Heh, Xiaomeng, Song Tar, your requests really aren’t too much. Normally, I’d be able to do it, but the kitchen’s just been set up—I haven’t had a chance to stock any ingredients. Why don’t you two go to the study for your morning lessons first? Let me think over how to solve this breakfast problem.”

Tu Xiaomeng was instantly dejected. “Oh, so frustrating! How am I supposed to study with an empty stomach?”

Bai Xiaoyue felt deeply sorry and was at a loss for words, when Song Tar laughed and said, “Xiaomeng, don’t sigh like that! It’s just one breakfast—skipping it won’t do us any harm. Besides, it’s only a temporary setback. I’m sure Big Sister Bai will figure something out soon…”

“Song Tar’s right!” Bai Xiaoyue quickly agreed, smiling in comfort. “Xiaomeng, don’t be disappointed. If you’re really too hungry, why not have a bowl of—”

“Egg drop seaweed soup?” Tu Xiaomeng cut in delightedly before Bai Xiaoyue could finish. “Big Sister Bai, that’s my favorite! Where’s the soup? Show me!”

…

“Heh…” Bai Xiaoyue gave a sheepish laugh. “Sorry, Xiaomeng, there’s no egg drop seaweed soup here—I meant you could have a bowl of cold water to stave off the hunger…”

“Oh.” Tu Xiaomeng immediately drooped again. “So you want me to fill up on water? Never mind, I’m afraid it’ll chill my teeth…” Then her eyes suddenly lit up. “Oh! Big Sister Bai, didn’t you practice the Paper Talisman Art again last night? Why not use it now to conjure up some food?”

“No, no!” Bai Xiaoyue’s face reddened. “Xiaomeng, to be honest, I already tried that this morning. I wanted to bring forth a pine nut pastry, but I used five paper talismans in a row and none worked…”

“Sigh!” Tu Xiaomeng sighed again. “So it looks like breakfast is a lost cause! Why isn’t Brother Yan here yet? If only he were here now—we’d be feasting already!”

Just as Tu Xiaomeng finished speaking, Yan Chixia’s voice rang out from outside:

“Sister, Xiaomeng, Song Tar, where are you? I’m here!”

The three of them were immediately overjoyed.

Tu Xiaomeng cheered, “Brother Yan’s here? Wonderful! Speak of the devil and he appears…”

“What do you mean?” Song Tar asked, puzzled. “It’s clearly Brother Yan, so why say ‘speak of the devil’? Who’s the devil?”

Tu Xiaomeng gave Song Tar a look of mock disdain. “Honestly! What a lack of culture. You don’t even know that saying? And you call yourself my classmate! Next time we’re around others, don’t let on we’re classmates—don’t drag down my status!”

“Heh heh,” Song Tar laughed awkwardly. “Alright, Xiaomeng, I’ll do as you say. If we’re with others and you don’t want me to say we’re classmates, I’ll just say we grew up together.”

“Oh, please!” Tu Xiaomeng exclaimed, half exasperated, half amused. “What’s the difference between ‘grew up together’ and ‘classmates’? Either way, I know you! Never mind, never mind—I won’t argue with you. Brother Yan’s here, so I’d better go welcome him…”