The Husky and His White Cat Shizun

Chapter 53: My Junior Cousin Is Like A Mentally Challenged Person

"Certainly, everyone has a nickname. Heaven never spares anyone," Xue Meng said with great enthusiasm as he introduced Chu Wanning warmly. "You seem young, probably no more than five years old, right? You must be new to the Peak of Life and Death, so you're not familiar with everyone yet. Once you get to know them, you'll realize that almost all twenty elders have nicknames among the disciples."

"Oh," Chu Wanning replied with a meaningful glance. "Can you give me some examples?"

"Well, there's plenty to say. But it's getting late, and I'm feeling a bit hungry. Thank you for your advice today. Let me take you down the mountain for a late-night snack. We can chat while we eat."

Chu Wanning thought for a moment and smiled. "Alright, sounds good."

Xue Meng put away Dragon City and took Chu Wanning's hand. The clueless disciple and his shrunken master walked down the long bamboo steps towards the entrance of the mountain.

"Little brother, what's your name?" Xue Meng asked as they walked.

Chu Wanning answered calmly, "I have the surname Xia."

"What's the given name?"

"Xia Sini."

Xue Meng was oblivious to the hidden meaning and cheerfully asked, "Sounds nice, indeed. What are the two characters?"

Chu Wanning gave him a sidelong glance as if he were an idiot, "…The 'si' from 'Si Tu,' and the 'ni' from 'Ni Tu.' Xia Sini."

"Oh, I see." Xue Meng smiled again and continued, "So how old are you? I guessed right, didn't I? You're not more than five years old, right?"

"…" Chu Wanning's face darkened. Fortunately, Xue Meng was focused on the road and didn't notice his expression, or else he would have been startled. "No, Young Master got it wrong. …I'm actually six years old."

Xue Meng replied, "Then you must be incredibly talented, even if you're still a bit behind me when I was your age. But with some proper guidance, you'll surely become an extraordinary disciple. How about this? Why don't you stop learning under Xuan Ji, and call me Senior Brother? I'll ask my master to take you in as their disciple. Would you like that?"

Chu Wanning barely refrained from rolling his eyes. "What would you like me to call you?"

"Senior Brother," Xue Meng chuckled, bending down to tap Chu Wanning's forehead playfully, "Not everyone gets a chance like this."

Chu Wanning's expression was a mix of intertwined emotions: "..."

"Why are you so ecstatic that you can't find words to express yourself?"

Chu Wanning: "..."

The two of them were strolling along, seemingly in good spirits—at least, Xue Meng thought so. Suddenly, a voice interrupted their conversation, one that might have proven fatal to Xue Meng if it had continued.

"Mengmeng, why are you here?"

Who else on the Peak of Life and Death would dare to address Xue Meng with such familiarity? Without even turning his head, Xue Meng retorted.

"Mo Ran, you bastard, if you call me that again, I swear I'll rip out your tongue."

Sure enough, when he turned around, Mo Ran was standing there, his robes billowing gently in the moonlight, grinning at them. He had intended to tease Xue Meng further but was taken aback by the presence of a delicate-looking child beside him. "Who's this...?"

Xue Meng pulled Chu Wanning behind him and glared at Mo Ran. "It's none of your business."

"No, no, don't hide." Mo Ran circled around and seized Xue Meng's hand, pulling Chu Wanning back into view. Squatting down, he studied the child intently before exclaiming, "This kid looks awfully familiar."

Chu Wanning grew wary. "..."

"I feel like I've seen him somewhere before."

Chu Wanning sensed trouble. If his true identity were revealed, how could he face anyone in the future? Instinctively taking a step back, he turned to flee.

"Don't go!" Mo Ran grinned wickedly, grabbing him and tracing a finger across Chu Wanning's nose as he drawled, "Come on, little bro, tell big brother your name."

The bridge of his nose felt ticklish from the touch, leaving Chu Wanning both embarrassed and guilt-ridden. He stepped back repeatedly.

Assuming that Chu Wanning was afraid, Mo Ran burst into laughter. "What are you hiding from? Be a good boy and tell big brother if your surname is Xue?"

Xue Meng: "????"

Mo Ran pointed at Xue Meng and asked Chu Wanning with a grin, "Is this person your father? Be honest, and big brother will spoil you with candy."

"Mo Weiyu, you're insane!!" Xue Meng immediately blew up, his face turning red as he fiercely rebuked, "Y-you, what are you even thinking? Y-you're despicable! You're filthy! Y-you shameless scoundrel!"

Chu Wanning was also speechless but slightly relieved. "...My surname is Xia. I'm a disciple under Elder Xuan Ji, Xia Sini."

Mo Ran smiled, his eyes crinkling. He wasn't stupid and had caught on to the meaning behind the name. "Haha, that's quite interesting."

"..."

"You're sick!" Xue Meng pushed Mo Ran away furiously. "He's my new friend, unrelated to you. We're going for a late-night snack. Get out of our way."

"Oh." Mo Ran stepped aside but soon propped his hands behind his head and cheerfully followed them with a grin.

Xue Meng growled at him, "What are you doing?"

"I'm going down the mountain for a midnight snack too," Mo Ran said innocently. "Am I not allowed?"

Xue Meng: "......"

Impermanence Town.

Ever since the founding of the sect on the Peak of Life and Death, this once-haunted town had gradually regained its former tranquility and was now even somewhat bustling.

The night market was already in full swing. As Xue Meng and his companions strolled between the stalls, they found a shop selling ancient pot soup and sat at a low wooden table outdoors.

The "ancient pot soup" was cooked in a copper cauldron placed over a roaring charcoal brazier. The fire never died out while the soup simmered, which was typically heavily spiced with Sichuan peppercorns and chili. The table was piled with fresh ingredients that customers could dip into the boiling broth. The name 'ancient pot soup' came from the sound of food dropping into the boiling water—'gudong'.

It was a famous Sichuan dish, but Chu Wanning always opted for a clear broth without chili. He couldn't handle spicy food; it would always make him cough.

Xue Meng had grown up in Sichuan, while Mo Ran had spent his childhood in the Changsha region. Both were accustomed to spicy flavors and naturally assumed that Xia Sini could handle it as well.

As they sat down to order, Xue Meng effortlessly called out several dishes and then added, "Make sure to add plenty of Sichuan peppercorns to the soup, and don't skimp on the red oil."

But Chu Wanning suddenly tugged at his sleeve and said in a faint voice, "Let's have a Yin Yang pot."

"What?" Xue Meng thought he had misheard.

Chu Wanning's face was dark as he repeated, "A Yin Yang pot, half spicy and half not."

Xue Meng responded, "... Aren't you from Sichuan?"

"Mm."

"Ah." Xue Meng nodded, his expression one of understanding but also surprise. He glanced at Chu Wanning and said, "So you left home at such a young age... Well, forget it, forget it." He sighed and turned to the waiter. "Alright then, we'll have the spicy duck and mutton hotpot."

Chu Wanning sensed a hint of dissatisfaction in Xue Meng's tone, though he wasn't sure why.

Soon, he realized that it was not just his imagination. Xue Meng was genuinely dissatisfied. As they waited for their food, he continued to chatter. "Junior Apprentice Brother, since you're in Sichuan, you need to learn to eat spicy food. If you can't handle spice, you won't fit in with others, you know? You don't have to speak Sichuanese, but you can't not eat chili. By the way, where are you from?"

Chu Wanning replied, "Lin'an."

"Oh." Xue Meng pondered for a moment and realized he wasn't familiar with the customs of that Jiangnan region. He asked with a sideways glance while biting on his chopsticks, "Do you eat rabbit heads in your hometown?"

Before Chu Wanning could reply, Mo Ran chuckled and said nearby, "Of course we don't."

Xue Meng shot him a glare, which was promptly followed by Chu Wanning's own glance.

Mo Ran propped one foot on the long bench, leaning his elbow on his knee as he deftly twirled the chopsticks in his hand. Noticing their stares, he tilted his head and laughed, "What's the matter? Staring at me like that, are you not eating it?"

Xue Meng turned to ask Chu Wanning, "Really not eating it?"

"Mm-hmm."

Xue Meng glared at Mo Ran again. "How do you know? Have you been to Lin'an?"

"I haven't," Mo Ran replied with a mischievous grin. "But Brother Xia and our Master come from the same hometown. Didn't you know that Master doesn't eat rabbit heads? When he picks out cold dishes at Meng Po's Hall, he either chooses scallion-marinated tofu or osmanthus-glazed lotus root. You can check for yourself next time if you don't believe me."

Chu Wanning: "..."

"Ahh, I didn't pay attention to that. Ever since I saw what Master had for breakfast last time, I don't dare peek at his plate anymore. It was truly terrifying." Xue Meng stroked his chin, gradually wearing an expression of disgust. "Master's taste is really indescribable. Did you know? He actually eats salty tofu pudding."

Chu Wanning: "…"

Xue Meng actually turned his head and looked at him, speaking earnestly, "Junior Apprentice Brother, don't learn from Elder Yu Heng. No one will want to eat with you in the future. Remember, eat rabbit heads and chili peppers. Have tofu pudding for breakfast, but don't pour sauce on it."

"Mushrooms and dried shrimp too," Mo Ran added.

"Yes, mushrooms and dried shrimp as well," Xue Meng agreed, unusually united with Mo Ran in their disdain. "Absolutely unbearable."

Chu Wanning glanced at the two fools, expressionless. "Oh."

The dishes were served quickly. The frozen bamboo shoots were crisp, the greens were a vibrant green, the tofu was translucent, the fish slices tender, and the lamb slices were rolled up as thin as cicada wings, arranged neatly on a white porcelain plate. The crispy pork was golden brown and crispy, sprinkled with cumin and Sichuan pepper. A pot of freshly ground soy milk sat on the side, while the small table groaned under the weight.

Even the strongest bonds were forged over meals, let alone a steaming hot pot that brought people together. After a few rounds of fatty mutton being cooked, and a couple of cups of soy milk consumed, even the cold relationship between Xue Meng and Mo Ran softened momentarily within the steamy haze.

Xue Meng searched through the spicy oil broth with his chopsticks. "Hey hey, what happened to the brains I threw in?"

"Isn't your brain right where it should be, on your neck?" Mo Ran chuckled.

"I'm talking about pig brains!"

Mo Ran grinned mischievously, biting on his chopstick. "Yeah, I was talking about pig's brain too."

"Doggie son, dare you curse at me—"

"Ai! Your brain is floating up! Eat quickly, eat quickly!"

Excited, Xue Meng fell into his trap and shouted, "Get your dog paws off! Don't fight with me for it, this is my brain!"

Chu Wanning sat on a small stool, holding a porcelain jar of sweet bean milk. As he savored the drink, he leisurely observed the two childish fools beside him. He wasn't in a hurry at all; after all, half of the plain soup pot belonged to him.

After finishing the bean milk, the child licked his lips, still wanting more. Mo Ran noticed and asked with a smile, "Little Junior Brother likes this?"

Chu Wanning processed the term "Little Junior Brother" in his mind and silently calculated the possibility of escaping that title. He found it virtually impossible, so he could only reply dryly,

"Mm, it's not bad."

Mo Ran then turned to the waiter. "Waiter, bring another jar of this bean milk for my junior brother."

Thus, Chu Wanning happily enjoyed his second jar.

With a natural sweet tooth, he had once overindulged in pastries to the point of developing cavities, causing Elder Tulang quite a headache to fix them. Since then, Chu Wanning had held back out of embarrassment, not eating too much at a time.

Now that he was in his child form, it made sneaking in sweets much easier.

As Mo Ran watched him eat with his cheek resting on his hand, he said, "Your taste is similar to Master's."

Chu Wanning choked slightly but maintained his composure, casually responding, "...Are you referring to Elder Yu Heng?"

"Indeed," Mo Ran nodded with a smile, sliding a steamer basket towards Chu Wanning. "Try this. I think you'll enjoy it."

Chu Wanning picked up a leaf-wrapped pastry from the bamboo steamer, taking a small bite. The soft, pale dough tore open to reveal a warm, fragrant bean paste filling.

"Is it good?"

Chu Wanning took another bite before nodding. "Mm."

Mo Ran chuckled. "Then have more."

As they continued eating and chatting, Chu Wanning suddenly recalled their previous conversation. Pretending not to care, after finishing his fourth pastry, he asked Xue Meng, "Young Master, you mentioned earlier that each elder has a nickname. Since my master, Elder Xuan Ji, is called 'King of Scrap,' I wonder what Elder Yu Heng's nickname might be?"

Author's Note:

The yin-yang pot reference originates from a joke about how to tell when a Sichuan person is utterly disappointed in you. Here are some adapted versions of characters from the story:

How do you know when the young master of Summit of Life and Death is thoroughly disappointed in you?

Xue Ziming: Fine then, a yin-yang pot it is.

How do you know when Elder Yu Heng is thoroughly disappointed in you?

Chu Wanning: Very well. No sugar, no sugar.

How do you know when the handsome junior brother of Summit of Life and Death is thoroughly disappointed in you?

Shi Mingjing: Sigh... Alright, if I look effeminate, so be it.

How do you know when young master Ye of Confucian Wind Sect in Lin Yi is thoroughly disappointed in you?

Ye Wangxi: If I don't appear, then I don't appear, I suppose.

How can one discern that the eldest disciple of Kunlun's Treading Snow Palace has utterly lost faith in you?

Mei Hanxue: Hehe, if that's what the person upstairs thinks, then so be it.

How can one perceive that the protagonist of this story has become utterly disillusioned with life?

Mo Weiyu: Hmph! If I'm the ultimate scumbag, then so be it.

Meat Bun: ...Wait, does it seem like someone up there has given up on themselves?