Chapter 35: One Becomes Red by Proximity to Vermilion

Before Rabbit Little Meng could finish speaking, Yan Red Hero strode into the kitchen with great energy.

Seeing his spirited smile, Rabbit Little Meng immediately exaggerated, “Brother Yan, you’re finally here—I’m about to faint from hunger!”

“Really?” Yan Red Hero chuckled. “Little Meng, is it that serious?”

“Hehe…” White Little Moon, her heart filled with joy, gazed at Yan Red Hero and smiled brightly. “Of course! Brother, you came just in time. Little Meng and Pine Cone are starving—quickly use your Paper Talisman Art to solve their breakfast woes!”

“All right!” Yan Red Hero nodded. “Sister, that’s exactly why I came. Little Meng, Pine Cone, Sister, come—let’s all go to the dining room for breakfast.”

“Hooray, wonderful!” Rabbit Little Meng exclaimed with excitement. “Brother Yan is amazing—good food arrives with him. Pine Cone, hurry, let’s go eat!”

With that, she grabbed Pine Cone’s hand and dragged him toward the dining room.

Yan Red Hero and White Little Moon followed.

As they walked, Yan Red Hero asked, “Sister, you’ve always lived here alone. Now, with Little Meng and Pine Cone around, do you find it hard to adjust?”

“Not really… But to be honest, I’m troubled by their meals!” White Little Moon said with feeling. “I’ve mastered the Fasting Technique—so even without food, I don’t feel hungry. But Little Meng and Pine Cone aren’t so lucky. They’ve just started their cultivation, and both are minors, still growing. They need regular meals, as the saying goes, ‘People are iron, food is steel—miss a meal, and you’ll feel weak.’ But now, in the coldest days of winter, not a wild fruit nor a leaf of wild greens is to be found on the mountain. Brother, what should we do?”

“No need to worry, Sister. It’s not a problem,” Yan Red Hero reassured her. “Today I brought lots of Paper Talismans painted with food. Once I activate them, there’ll be enough for Little Meng and Pine Cone to eat for several days.”

“Wonderful!” White Little Moon rejoiced. “Brother, you always think ahead…”

As they spoke, Yan Red Hero and White Little Moon entered the dining room.

By then, Rabbit Little Meng and Pine Cone were seated side by side at the table. Seeing Yan Red Hero and White Little Moon come in, Rabbit Little Meng chirped happily, “Sister White, you’ve really worked hard this morning! Come, sit here. Wow, Brother Yan looks so handsome! Hehe… Brother Yan, show us your skills and activate lots of delicious food!”

“All right!” Yan Red Hero replied cheerfully. “Little Meng, Pine Cone, what would you like to eat? Name it.”

“Yes!” White Little Moon sat opposite Rabbit Little Meng, her smile radiant. “Little Meng, I’m sorry I disappointed you earlier—I couldn’t even make the simplest breakfast. Now, with your Brother Yan here, you and Pine Cone can feast!”

“Sister White, and you too!” Rabbit Little Meng could hardly contain her joy. “And Brother Yan—soon we’ll all be enjoying good food together!”

“Little Meng’s right!” Pine Cone said with honest simplicity. “Brother Yan, Sister White, Little Meng, and me—we’re all together, sharing blessings and hardships alike!”

No sooner had Pine Cone finished than Rabbit Little Meng exclaimed excitedly, “Wow! Pine Cone, I never thought someone as uneducated as you could say something as classic as ‘share blessings and hardships alike!’ I’m impressed! Pine Cone, just for that, you qualify as my classmate—so when we’re with outsiders, just say you’re Rabbit Little Meng’s classmate!”

“Hehe,” Pine Cone laughed shyly. “Little Meng, thanks for the compliment! I’ll learn from you from now on…”

“Hehe…” Rabbit Little Meng laughed contentedly. “Pine Cone, I suddenly realize you’re getting better at talking! Is it because ‘those close to vermilion become red, those near ink become black’?”

“Little Meng, you’re so knowledgeable. What does ‘those close to vermilion become red, those near ink become black’ mean?” Pine Cone asked, puzzled.

Rabbit Little Meng replied, “Vermilion is cinnabar, red; ink is ink, black. So ‘those close to vermilion become red, those near ink become black’ means things near cinnabar are stained red; things near ink are stained black. In other words, learn good from good people, learn bad from bad. Simply put, I’m eloquent, and you, Pine Cone, being with me, have learned to say nice things. Sister White, Brother Yan, tell me, is my explanation correct?”

“Correct, absolutely correct!” White Little Moon praised. “Little Meng, you’re quick-witted and articulate—truly remarkable.”

“Indeed!” Yan Red Hero nodded. “Little Meng, to reward your ‘proximity to vermilion,’ I’ll give you a plate of Honey-Glazed Ham.”

With that, he took out a Paper Talisman, gave it a flick, and a flash of golden light revealed a plate of Honey-Glazed Ham right before them…

Under the admiring gaze of White Little Moon, Rabbit Little Meng, and Pine Cone, Yan Red Hero used his Paper Talisman Art to activate one dish after another, and soon a sumptuous breakfast covered the table.

Then Yan Red Hero sat beside White Little Moon, and the four ate together, chatting and laughing.

“Little Meng, Pine Cone, yesterday Sister started teaching you The Analects. How are your studies going?” Yan Red Hero asked.

Pine Cone, munching happily on a Pine Nut Biscuit, replied at once, “Mm, delicious! Brother Yan, today’s Pine Nut Biscuit is crisp and sweet, even better than yesterday’s…”

“Glutton!” Rabbit Little Meng couldn’t hold back, cutting him off. “Brother Yan asked about our study progress, not about Pine Nut Biscuits! Pine Cone, you’re so food-obsessed—can’t you aim a little higher?”

“Huh?” Pine Cone, flustered by Rabbit Little Meng’s rebuke, blushed deeply. “So Brother Yan was asking about our studies? Hehe, I thought he meant the food…”

“All you think about is eating!” Rabbit Little Meng rolled her eyes at Pine Cone and turned to Yan Red Hero. “Brother Yan, I’m doing well! Yesterday, Sister taught us the first chapter of The Analects, and I memorized it all. Listen: The Master said, ‘To learn and practice often is it not a joy? To have friends come from afar is it not a delight? To be unperturbed when others do not know you—is this not the mark of a gentleman?’”