Xiao Chen's abode was extravagant but bare.
From the outside, it looked like a modest residence tucked against the outer edge of the Xiao Clan Manor, however, the inside told a different story.
The floors were polished jadewood, the walls crafted from a rare dark timber that gave off a faint fragrance.
Every window frame had been painstakingly carved by hand, and the furniture was clearly expensive.
Yet there was remarkably little of it: One table, a few chairs, a bookshelf containing only a handful of volumes.
There was a single painting depicting distant mountains and thick, roiling clouds.
The entire residence felt less like a home and more like a place someone occasionally remembered- or forgot- to sleep in.
Jin Huang looked around at all of the place that he could see and paused. "...You don't have much."
Xiao Chen closed the door behind them. "I have enough."
Jin Huang shot him a look, "I hope the kitchen isn't as barren."
To that, Xiao Chen only scoffed and led the way, leading to a section of the house that couldn't be seen from the entrance.
The kitchen was surprisingly ordinary.
There were a number of iron pots, stone counters and a clay stove.
There was nothing magical beyond a few heating formations etched into the cooking surface.
Xiao Chen set the plate of buns down and leaned against the counter, watching and waiting for Jin Huang's reaction.
After a brief but exaggerated evaluation, Jin Huang nodded. "Feels like home, for some reason. Seeing this, I'm inclined to believe that you can actually cook."
"I can," Xiao Chen smirked, folding his arms across his chest as his thumb found the short beard on his chin.
"Had I not tasted that bun, I wouldn't have trusted you."
Jin Huang's expression immediately became serious.
Then, with all the caution of a man unveiling priceless treasure, he opened his spatial ring.
One by one, ingredients appeared upon the countertop.
Fresh spirit vegetables, premium mushrooms, a slab of marbled beast meat, bundles of fragrant herbs and rare roots.
Everything looked astonishingly fresh.
Xiao Chen's brows slowly rose and he grinned. "Now where exactly would a servant like yourself acquire these?"
Jin Huang folded his arms proudly. "Hard work, of course. Blood, sweat and tears."
"I see. Surely there was some sweat involved. I'm certain it was quite warm under that thick cloth- what with all the running you had to do."
"Eh?" Jin Huang froze and blinked.
Laughingly, Xiao Chen looked over the ingredients as he shook his head.
His eyes found Jin Huang again as he observed them, then he continued. "I'll refrain from asking, then."
"There's nothing to ask about. I worked hard, and was rewarded," Jin Huang stated with a slightly puffed up chest.
Xiao Chen's quiet laughter continued. "You really are an interesting fellow."
He picked up one of the vegetables, the preservation rune still active upon its surface.
An expensive method. Someone had invested real resources to keep these ingredients in perfect condition.
Xiao Chen rolled the vegetable between his fingers.
"Since when were servant rewards of the same caliber as the ingredients given to the Patriarch? And these runes... the magic in them."
Xiao Chen's eyes slightly narrowed as his lips made a few minimal movements. "This is Xiao Lingxi's handiwork."
Jin Huang gulped.
"She serves only the most important guests. She'd never give these to a servant, no matter how hardworking."
Jin Huang nodded earnestly. "Your words ring true, but they have nothing to do with me. Maybe ask Xiao Lingxi why she chose to give them to me."
"Maybe she has the hots for me. Maybe she likes the young, burly type."
Xiao Chen could barely hold in a sudden outburst of laughter. "Ah, very well then."
He prepared himself to begin the process, gathering the ingredients he would need right away.
"Then I'll make something worthy of Xiao Lingxi's little boy-crush."
Jin Huang stood nearby with complete attention, watching every movement.
Every single slice and stir. Every pinch of seasoning.
"So..." Xiao Chen glanced sideways. "...are you trying to learn?"
"No." Jin Huang shook his head vehemently.
"Then why are you staring so intensely?"
"I'm just... trying to see whether it looks legit."
"And does it?"
"I'll reserve judgment."
Xiao Chen laughed. "You really do take food seriously."
"I take everything that goes into my body seriously."
"Did you not say you tried to eat raw herbs yesterday."
"Yes, and they were medicinal herbs."
"Yeah, but based on what you told me, they were meant to treat erectile dysfunction."
Jin Huang waved him off with a scoff, "Inconsequential. They were excellent herbs- extremely beneficial."
Shaking his head, Xiao Chen continued cooking.
He moved with practiced ease, nothing flashy or overly theatrical, just clean and efficient motions.
The pot slowly began to simmer as a rich aroma filled the room.
Jin Huang's stomach answered with a loud growl.
Xiao Chen smiled without looking back. "Almost done."
Minutes later, he ladled the soup into two large bowls.
The broth was clear and rich. Tender slices of spirit beast meat intermingled with soft vegetables. Fresh herbs floated gently upon the surface.
Jin Huang accepted his bowl with both hands. For a moment, he simply admired it.
It was simple and comforting.
Then, when he took a sip, his eyes widened. Warmth spread through his body.
The broth was delicate yet deeply flavorful.
Every ingredient retained its own character while blending perfectly with the others.
Before long, half the bowl had vanished.
Xiao Chen watched quietly. "Well?"
Jin Huang set the bowl down.
"I give you a passing grade."
Xiao Chen blinked. "Really? A passing grade?"
"It lacks the usual punch I've grown used to, but it makes up for it in flavor."
"I see," Xiao Chen nodded.
"I'll continue supplying ingredients as long as you continue supplying quality product."
Jin Huang set the bowl down and extended his hand in earnest, giving Xiao Chen a strong handshake.
"Why does it feel like I've been hired?"
"Because you have been hired. As my cook."
Xiao Chen burst into laughter. "You know, Jin Huang, I don't recall ever applying."
"Well you did, and you've now passed the trial."
Xiao Chen swiped at his face and exhaled, "I'm so thrilled. Now, let's talk payment."
Jin Huang considered it. "Is having some of the food not enough?"
Xiao Chen laughed even harder, "Not by a longshot. I don't just go around cooking for anyone."
"Listen," he continued, "I've negotiated many deals in my life. How's about you offer me something that you claim to not mind giving up?"
Jin Huang tilted his head. "Which is?"
"Your service. You see, I can always use a resourceful and capable pair of hands."
"For what? I've never seen you do anything around here- Hell, I've never even seen you before today." Jin Huang frowned, looking skeptical.
"I'm usually... away."
"What are you, some kind of merchant?"
"In a way."
"What do you sell?"
Xiao Chen thought for a moment. "Very interesting things. Very valuable things."
"The kind of things that people are willing to compete over."
Jin Huang nodded as he mused, "So he's a food vendor. Makes sense."
"Uhh... You know what? If you agree to offer me your service in return for me being your personal chef, then you'll find out."
Jin Huang weighed his options rather solemnly, "Well... I do like food."
"So I've noticed." Xiao Chen breathed a laugh.
"Fine then. I'll aid you in your food vendor-ing."
"I never said I was a-"
"Seconds please!" Jin Huang offered up his bowl.
Silence settled comfortably between them as they both carried on eating.
Outside, evening slowly deepened as the lights of the manor flickered to life one by one.
Somewhere in the distance, bells announced the changing of the watch.
Jin Huang finished every last drop of soup. Somehow, even the pot ended up in his hands.
He leaned back with a contented sigh. "I have just one condition."
"I'm almost afraid to ask."
"You should cook for me every day," Jin Huang thrust a hand to the ceiling, index finger extended.
Xiao Chen smiled into his own bowl. "I'm afraid my schedule isn't that forgiving."
"What schedule?"
"The one that keeps me away from the clan more often than not."
Jin Huang frowned. "Is food vendoring that demanding?"
"Again, I never said I was a- Actually, you'll find out in due time. Tomorrow, maybe?"
Jin Huang nodded, "After that meal, I'm ready to do whatever it takes for you to cook me another one."
Xiao Chen left it there, his mind wandering off to the next day, contemplating the tasks he would have to complete.
As the weight of his responsibilities settled onto him, he sighed and released it once again.
Tonight, he was simply Xiao Chen.
He was naught but a man sharing a bowl of soup with an unusual servant whose greatest ambition appeared to be eating well.
Oddly enough...
It had been one of the more enjoyable meals he'd had in quite some time.