Chapter Eight
“Zhe Yan.”
“Yes, Lin Hua?”
“I’ll be making dinner tomorrow. Make yourself available,” Lin Hua said with a perfunctory glance at him, his attention fixed solely on the board game between them.
“You know I don’t have any plans―Wait, truly??”
Lin Hua rested an elbow on her knees as she answered with a disarming smirk, “Yes. It’ll be in Qing Qiu so I’ll be gone early tomorrow to prepare.”
“The Fox Den?” Zhe Yan straightened on his seat as he regarded her with a tilt of his eyebrow by her sudden decision. “This is unexpected. When did you plan this?”
“Just the other day when I was at Xiao Xuan’s place. We were talking about food―Don’t give me that look.” She exasperatingly sighed, a pucker on her lips. “I vaguely remember it had something to do with the steamed buns we were having when the idea came to me. I wanted to just do it here at your place but Xiao Xuan suggested the Fox Den instead.”
“And have you told everyone about this delightful gathering?” Zhe Yan prodded as he crossed his arms across his chest, looking expectant. “Who even are invited?”
Lin Hua retorted, sarcasm dripping from her voice, “Do I look like someone who knows a lot of people on this side of the World?” She mimicked his stance and supplied, “I should’ve informed Xiao Jiu first, considering she’s still the reigning monarch, but I passed by Bai Zhi and Ma Rui fishing on a lake on my way here so I asked them instead. They were quick to agree and I’ve sent Patroni to the others, to which they eagerly expressed their attendance.”
Zhe Yan gave her an extensive, probing look before gently saying, “You know you don’t have to do this, right?”
“Dong Hua didn’t waste any time when he sent another reply saying the exact same thing, did you know that? How humorous.”
Zhe Yan heaved a vexing sigh and grated, “Lin Hua, come on.”
With twinkling eyes and still looking thoroughly amused, she replied, unbothered, “And I’ll tell you what I told Dong Hua, Zhe Yan. While I appreciate your concern, it’s just dinner. It’s not even going to be a fancy one, totally unsignificant for the fret you're making.”
Zhe Yan hummed and with another lengthy look, eventually acquiesced with a blasé shrug of his shoulders before turning his attention back to the board game.
Lin Hua stared at him, puzzled, before doing the same.
The moon was at its peak, it’s glow a luminous guide as they continued to stay under its encompassing light. The peach blossom trees were roused out of their stillness as cold breeze swept past and Lin Hua habitually casted a spell to keep her and Zhe Yan warm.
It was when Lin Hua realized they’ve predictably exhausted their tea that Zhe Yan questioned, “Would you mind if I invite another person for tomorrow?”
“Of course not. Who is it?” She pointedly motioned the empty tea pot. “And we’re out of tea.”
Zhe Yan sent her a barbed look, saying, “You could’ve just filled the pot with water yourself.” But did it himself with a wave of his hand anyway. When the tea kettle was left for the water to boil, he adjoined, “And it’ll just be Mo Yuan.”
“What’s wrong with him?”
Zhe Yan brandished a flippant hand in the air as he intoned, “Oh, nothing’s wrong with him. I simply think he’s sequestered himself in his Mountain long enough.”
Lin Hua couldn’t stop herself from slanting her eyebrows in scepticism, asking, “But he was just here a week ago?”
For the several times he visited, Lin Hua didn’t interact much with Mo Yuan. It was always him and Zhe Yan. And Bai Zhen when he was around. Sometimes, when she felt like it, she would join their conversations and share some stories of her own, but even those encounters didn’t mean they were close enough.
They’ve gone past being acquaintances certainly, since they’ve taken leave to use each other’s name without the long titles, but they weren’t yet that close to be considered friends.
Zhe Yan mumbled something under his breath that sounded like ‘Not too often enough’ before actually voicing out, considering, “He might be feeling lonely.” He reached for a peach from the nearby fruit basket and offered it to her with a smile. “Would you like a peach, Lin Hua?”
Lin Hua would concede, albeit reluctantly and extremely under duress, that she has lived far too long without fearing for her safety.
But the way his lips stretched across his face was appearing to be somewhat devious, and Lin Hua didn’t trust it even just one bit, the glimmering eyes not at all abating the uneasy chill she felt run through her.
After flitting a wary gaze from the fruit to his beaming face and back again, she cleared her throat and hesitantly questioned, “Any…Any requests on the food?”
He answered, as if he didn’t just evoke a crawling sense of apprehension and didn’t have a clue about it, “I’m partial to scallion pancakes right now, if that’s a good enough food to add to your scrumptious feast.”
-o-
With Bai Zhi and Ma Rui the only infrequent tenants that haunt the cave, Dong Hua, Feng Jiu and a tottering Gun Gun were the first guests to arrive. Lin Hua greeted Feng Jiu and Gun Gun with an affectionate hug that was jovially reciprocated.
“I thought to bring something,” Feng Jiu divulged, her eyes trailing after her son as he greeted his great-grandparents, “But Dong Hua assured me you have everything covered.”
They were both eyeing the array of plates Mi Gu was still bringing out from the kitchens when Lin Hua humorously answered, “You certainly won’t go home hungry tonight, little fox.”
Feng Jiu giggled and left her to greet her parents who just arrived.
When she turned to Dong Hua, her former charge heaved a sigh, feigning his annoyance when he spied the playful gleam on her eyes and tugged on one of her sleeves, drawing her to him for another warm hug.
“It’s still quite a novel to literally see this, I tell you,” she heard Zhe Yan mumble loudly beside them.
Lin Hua laughed as Dong Hua let out another faint sigh that easily conveyed his forbearance this time, sending Zhe Yan a droll look as she pulled back. “There’s no need to think too much about the boring details. This family’s hierarchy is confusing enough.”
“Oh, I know.” And Zhe Yan sent her a wink, raising a couple of urns in his hands as if they were peace offerings.
“Zhilan, at least tell me you’ve made treacle tart,” Dong Hua stated while giving the wines an appalling glance.
Lin Hua offered a comforting pat on his shoulder. “Don’t ask how I did it but I’ve made enough to satisfy your cravings. And then some.”
“Splendid,” Dong Hua drawled, a sarcastic note on his voice, “I feel like I would certainly need a couple of slices judging from the jars on Zhe Yan’s hands.” And promptly left them to go to his wife who was conversing with her grandparents.
Zhe Yan glared at Dong Hua’s back and let out a disapproving snort. “Spoken as if his cellar isn’t full of my tirelessly crafted wines.”
Lin Hua jabbed her elbow to his side before she relieved him a few of his cargo. “Don’t mind him. He’s probably just hungry.”
“We both know that’s not true,” Zhe Yan grunted as he looked back at her, completely unimpressed. “But enough about that. A treacle tart? What’s that?”
“Food,” she answered with a cheeky grin as she steered them further into the den.
"Isn't that a little too cryptic?" Zhe Yan mumbled even as he followed her urging.
The rest of the guests steadily trickled in and Lin Hua didn’t even need to usher everyone to the table she charmed big just for this simple occasion, the appealing aromas of both recognizable and unfamiliar food urging everyone and doing the job for her.
Well, she wordlessly backpedalled as she glanced about, not everyone.
Just as she turned to Zhe Yan to inquire about their last guest, Mo Yuan’s striking frame came into view to almost everyone’s surprise, because Dong Hua of course, remained unfazed, merely raising a speculative eyebrow at the guest and remaining silent as everyone welcomed the God of War, trying to curb their bewilderment from showing.
Lin Hua couldn't fault their reaction but she could certainly blame Zhe Yan―and she did give him a scowl for that―for not informing the others when she thought he did.
Lin Hua greeted him last and was bemused when the god waved his hand and a basket filled with familiar fruit appeared, the bayberries so vivid in red she almost had a difficult time taking her eyes off of it, the glossy and succulent globules of fruit providing a decadent picture of her just biting into it with all its sweet juice dripping out.
She didn't give in to the temptation of course, but she didn't hide her fascination with the fruit fast enough, judging from Mo Yuan's crinkling eyes, sparkling with silent mirth.
“I apologize for my tardiness, Lin Hua,” Mo Yuan reiterated, earnest and contrite despite his tacit amusement. He extended the basket to her and softly adjoined, “I couldn’t think of anything else to bring but I didn’t want to come empty-handed. I hope these bayberries are to your liking.”
“Thank you for the gift, although you shouldn’t have.” Mo Yuan unquestionably knew she wouldn't resist such an offering, the smug prat. She offered him a smile, sharp and obnoxiously cloying as she could possibly get, and added, “And you weren’t. Late, that is. The others simply arrived early.”
There was a slight tilt on his lips this time, and Mo Yuan maintained, “But that doesn’t change the fact that I was the last to arrive, especially when you were already kind enough to invite me to this private gathering.”
Lin Hua scoffed as she made a wild gesture at the table, “Hardly private. Was that what Zhe Yan told you?”
“In an astonishing number of words, yes.”
She let out a faint laugh and led him to his seat before taking her own, making sure her package was securely placed somewhere before she declared her gratefulness to everyone for catering her whims for a spontaneous dinner.
She ended her brief speech that they enjoy the food to their content and everyone started digging in, finding delight when the daring ones tried the unfamiliar staples she brought to the table, relishing the gratified looks on their faces when the diffident ones followed not so long after.
Discussions streamed around the table as easily as the wines being poured into willing cups. Or juice, in the children’s case. When she wasn’t answering the lack of perplexity for the making of a scotch egg or the interesting narration of how long she cooked the stew―because it was perfectly cooked, praised Feng Jiu―Lin Hua was content to watch everyone with a subtle, wistful smile on her face.
So preoccupie she was, not even noticing she was similarly being observed, Mo Yuan’s gaze more inconspicuous and tactful from fellow gods with doubly shrewd eyes.
When everyone had their fill, the desserts came afloat from the kitchens and Lin Hua’s poor heart was just waiting to burst of happiness at the children’s wondrous gasps as they regale on the colourful mooncakes and the astonishing size of a sponge cake, to which she portioned and shared out with everyone except for Dong Hua who got ahold of his promised dessert first.
Simple moments like this encouraged Lin Hua to live on despite the occasional loneliness carving its way deep into her bones, an ache so poignant that tried to swallow her whole. Distractions to occupy her time were easily found in every turn with her constant fascination and proclivity for mischief, but unadorned bliss made memories a little bit more fulfilling, especially when shared with found people she’s learned to cherish.
Moonlight penetrated through the crevices, adorning the massive cavern with radiant, pale light as the feast continued on with unrestrained gaiety. Soon enough, the children were exhausted from all the anticipation and excitement despite the sugar she encouraged them to gobble and each family bid their farewell in favour for their respective homes, each carrying a parcel heavily contained with food.
When it was Feng Jiu’s clutch who bid their goodbye, Lin Hua handed the young Empress another box, saying, “Here, Xiao Jiu. I made this one specially for you to take home.”
Fen Jiu gave the simple box a questioning look before glancing back at her, to which Lin Hua helpfully supplied, “It’s the treacle tart.” She nodded her chin towards her husband who was with Mo Yuan and Zhe Yan looking entirely too serious for Lin Hua to discern what they were talking about, and her son loitering around a lone tree a few paces away before giving Feng Jiu a knowing look. “And remind them to share. I’m fairly sure I saw Gun Gun devour almost half the tart his father got for himself earlier.”
Feng Jiu let out a long-suffering sigh before inquiring for another matter entirely, “Are you sure you won’t stay in the cave just for the night?”
Lin Hua raised a cynical eyebrow. “With a joyously drunk Bai Zhi for a roommate? I don’t think so. Did you see how he was with your grandmother when she dragged him off bed?”
Feng Jiu blushed a pretty pink, as if she didn’t have such an ardent husband for herself. “I suppose you’re right. I didn’t remember Zhe Yan’s wine having such…potency. He must’ve really brought his finest wines this time.”
“He’s a god who's been making wine for centuries now. I’m sure he’s yet to grace us with his best lot,” Lin Hua responded with a smirk. “Though you’ll have to run along now. The little sprout is barely staying upright on his feet.”
True to her words, they saw Gun Gun jolting and swaying beside his father, the latter looking at his son fondly as he placed a firm hand at the top of the little one's head to keep him from falling.
With that said, the trio phased out of Qing Qiu and Lin Hua turned to the remaining trio.
“Didn’t I tell you I’ll be following right after I finish tidying the place?” Lin Hua grated, looking at the men like they were stubborn, unruly children.
“Is it going to take a long time?” Zhe Yan prodded, ridiculously upright and not looking intoxicated even the slightest bit despite the alcohol he's had.
“No. Why?”
“Nothing. We’ll be going first then! Mo Yuan will be coming with us.” Zhe Yan waved his hand in a shooing motion and added, “You go do what you’re supposed to do.”
"I counted the bayberries earlier. If I find a single fruit missing from that basket when I arrive..." Lin Hua gave them one last suspicious look before turning back inside the cave.
She sent the empty dishes floating back to the kitchens with a spell to wash themselves, sending a fretting Mi Gu away to get some early rest after helping her putter around Qing Qiu. It took a couple more minutes but Lin Hua was unmoved and eventually succeeded in persuading the devoted fairy to retire, the latter dragging his feet as he moved away, occasionally looking back at her as if she would take back her words.
She charmed the whole chamber clean and free of litter and subsequently rearranged the smidgeon of disorder when she was finally all by herself. With the chores done in no wasted time, she let her gaze skim around the cavern to spot anything else and with a last flick of her hand to preserve the remaining food, walked out of the cave and into the wide stretch of grass, trees and lake.
Only for her to stop and be caught off guard by Mo Yuan standing beside the lone tree like the vigilant god he was, particularly looking nowhere near her at first, his eyes swift and suddenly on hers when he heard her suck in a shaky breath.
The field was devoid of any other lights except for the full moon and the glitter of spreading stars. But Lin Hua could perfectly make out Mo Yuan’s form, feeling his gaze heavy and disconcertingly penetrating, considering her like a puzzle he can’t wait to scrupulously unravel with exceptional precision and care.
Or perhaps he saw her as prey, a well-earned reward after an arduous, long chase.
She didn’t know which one was better, couldn’t help the shudder that coursed through her body and into her toes, leaving her feeling warm and cold at the same time.
But when did she regard the venerated God of War with such focus?
Lin Hua deduced it must be the wine. She’d had more than the amount she would normally indulge and it was making an awful lot of things run through her head.
They weren’t even friends yet. Content with her swift reasoning, she moved towards him, stating when she was closer, “I thought you’d left with Zhe Yan and Bai Zhen.”
“Zhe Yan and Bai Zhen went ahead, as you can already see,” he replied with a qurk of his lips.
“And left you here?”
Mo Yuan gesticulated a hand for her to start walking, to which Lin Hua did, but not before giving her companion a searching look, unsure of where his thoughts were going. Mo Yuan ambled right beside her at a more sedate pace, eventually responding, “Zhe Yan made a comment about leaving you on your own. I stayed to wait for you.”
Lin Hua raised a sceptical eyebrow as she peeked at him. “I didn’t know you could be swayed into something you don’t usually do, Mo Yuan.”
“I don’t.” Mo Yuan gave her a fleeting look. “But I wanted to.”
“You would’ve waited a lot more if I’d taken a longer time to finish.”
Mo Yuan drolly replied, “Patience has always been my strongest feature, or so I've been told.”
Lin Hua scoffed and decided to humor him. “You wouldn’t be the God of War if you aren't, the illustrious and fearsome figure that you are.”
“Fearsome… Is that what people are saying about me these days?” Mo Yuan intriguingly asked, a furrow on his eyebrows.
Lin Hua shrugged, brandishing a frivolous hand. “I'm not sure. But possibly. Since you’re a being highly respected by many.” She sighed deeply, feeling suddenly out of her depth because among other things, they’ve never really had the reason to have this kind of talk before, and suggested, “This is why you should get out of your Mountain more often.”
“I do that.”
Lin Hua ignored him and wilfully mumbled, “And mingle with people.”
Mo Yuan stared at her straight in the eyes, looking like she’d just grown wings. “I do that as well.”
Lin Hua let out an exasperated sound before clarifying, keeping the triteness from coming out of her voice, “I meant with the others, perhaps with the common folks. I haven’t heard anything about you preferring other places other than the Peach Blossom Forest. Not,” she abruptly added, a flustered edge on her voice as she belatedly thought about the implications of what she just said, “That I’ve been snooping around, minding your business.”
Mo Yuan wasn’t staring at her anymore but he remained silent.
“Merlin, I’m not even sure if I’m the right person to even say this…” Lin Hua trailed off, unsure and partly frustrated.
Mo Yuan could be absurdly obtuse at the most unexpected of times, she grudgingly mused.
Making up her mind, Lin Hua voiced out, “You know the other fairies do that a lot, just to experience the fleeting attraction offered by the mortal realms. I have no idea what they do, but I prefer to sample the local food. It’s what I also do when I watch over the children and bring them on trips.”
Her companion finally spoke up, sounding mild and thoughtful, her slip-up from earlier either forgotten or not entirely heard, “And the trinkets?”
Lin Hua nonchalantly replied with a motion of her shoulders, not certain why he'd notice such a tiny thing, “You know how the children are. They’re continually curious about random everything.”
Mo Yuan merely let out a hum.
Lin Hua didn’t know what to think of that simple yet confusing sound but perhaps Zhe Yan was right.
“The tales being spread about is just an advantage of course, especially when they’re made into plays," she vocalized, "You might find something interesting as you go along. If you're extremely wondering what the gossips are all about, I suggest spending a day or two somewhere. If you’re not particularly occupied, that is.”
Their stroll towards Zhe Yan’s pride and joy seemed unending when the silence started to become slightly overbearing.
Lin Hua usually didn’t mind but something about Mo Yuan’s countenance seemed strange tonight. She didn’t know what it was, could be something absolutely unimportant and irrelevant to her. She shouldn’t even care, much less think about it. Even so, it was a quite bit…disquieting.
And they were both still very far from their destination.
Just as she was about to ask him if they could hasten the trip, Mo Yuan beat her to it when he wistfully revealed, “I don’t remember the last trip I made to the mortal realms, even when the nearest town was simply right outside Kunlun."
She wanted to point out that he could've made the trips if he simply wanted to, Bai Zhen and Bai Qian certainly did whenever the thought struck them, but Lin Hua held her tongue, knowing he wasn't done with his ruminations yet.
Mo Yuan turned to look at her and with brilliant, wide eyes like he just thought of something clever, insisted, “Come with me then.”