Liang Fei listened as the person outside the window ran away, their light footsteps echoing in the hall. It must have been one of the disciples but he didn't care too much about it. He felt no need to hide his activity. He just hoped they wouldn't get sick from the rain.

"Please come out." He said, turning toward the door. While his attention was on the person outside the window, he hadn't missed the person outside the door. Though this person didn't bother to try and hide themselves at all.

"Junior brother." Zhihao said, casually walking into the kitchen as if he wasn't snooping about. He'd seen the light coming from the kitchen and had to find out who was cooking so late. Who knew it'd be this guy.

"What brings you out so late?" Liang Fei asked, turning back to his cooking. The brew he made was a thick soup that smelled delicious to any close enough to take it in. Even Zhihao was near drooling at the scent.

"I could ask the same of you." He replied, drawing closer. As expected, the kitchen was a mess, the counters covered in flour and other ingredients. From the corner of his eye, he spotted some hot spices and picked one up. "I didn't know you were the type to cook."

Liang Fei (the original) was a spoiled and rich brat, never having even entered a kitchen before, let alone cook. To see this man, who had once scoffed at the notion of having to eat with others, cooking so casually, was shocking to say the least.

"My time in seclusion was time well spent." He replied vaguely, reaching over to take the spice bottle from Zhihao. "Cultivation is but one of the many things one must learn in order to live a comfortable life."

"You sound like a mother trying to sell off their daughter." He replied, snickering with amusement. "Surely you aren't thinking of becoming someone's wife, are you?"

"No, I doubt that would make anyone happy." He replied back, trying to imagine such a thing. "Perhaps I can surprise my future spouse with my skills?"

"Oh? So you do plan on marrying?" He pushed, interested in the subject. Zhihao had never liked Liang Fei, seeing him as a useless and arrogant man but this man before him? He could see why Shuren was so fixated on him. He was interesting.

"I honestly never thought about it." He replied, sprinkling some of the spice into the soup. "I have many responsibilities to take care of so I doubt I could make any woman happy." He stated, his eyes dimming a bit.

From a young age, he'd always had something else to do. Whether it was picking up his little sister from school or helping out around the house or even just working, he rarely had any free time. It was why he valued his time with Xuetian so much, despite how annoying he could be at times.

It was those few hours of levity that made the soul crushing weight of all that he had to deal with bearable when his hope was used up.

Seeing the sadness in his posture, Zhihao panicked a little, unsure what he'd done wrong. Desperate to ease the tension, the older man slapped him on the back, a friendly smile gracing his handsome face.

"H-hey now, no need to doubt yourself, junior brother." He said, thinking about Shuren. "Why limit yourself to only women?" He said, immediately wanting to throw himself from a cliff. Why had he said that!? Was he trying to imply something?

What if the man took offense and challenged him? That's what he'd do in the same situation. Moreover, to say such a thing after thinking of his best friend/brother, Zi Shuren?!

He was still hoping there was time to save that man from his strange fixation!

Missing the panic in Zhihao's expression, Liang Fei turned to him, frowning with confusion.

"Are there other options?" He asked, as if the notion of another option had never even occurred to him. Seeing that innocent reply, Zhihao felt like a monster, almost sullying this pure little thing. What had that man (SR) turned him into?

"Just... Just forget I said anything." He sighed, resting a hand on Liang Fei's shoulder. He swore in his heart, he'd protect this pure creature before him. He refused to let anyone, even his brother, stain this man with the brush of deviancy.

Confused, Liang Fei let the thought slip from his mind, not really caring either way. Turning back to the soup, he went for another spice bottle.

"What are you making anyway?" Zhihao asked, his heart firm with determination. The smell coming from the brew was heavenly.

"Soup." He replied, not looking up. Zhihao felt his eye twitch.

"...I-I can see that but what kind of soup?" He tried again, figuring there might be a misunderstanding.

"Hm...Just soup." He answered, still cooking as if alone, though he was noticeable more quiet than before. No humming.

"I know that but..." He stopped noticing some of the herbs floating in the soup. "Are those pure spring leaves?" Liang Fei nodded, adding more herbs in. "And River Lilies? Aren't those Qi cleansers?"

"Un, I read that there were herbs that helped circulate and purify the qi in cultivators so I chose to use them in my soup." He explained, reaching over for something else. "My disciples have terrible circulation."

"And they are only really effective on low level cultivators so they are ideal for younger disciples." Zhihao said, mostly to himself. While it was not the best kept 'secret', most cultivators were unaware of this since they mostly focused on collecting healing herbs as opposed to anything else. "You've been serving them this?"

"Yes, but no one's eaten it." He said, his eyes furrowing sadly. He'd gone through so much trouble stealin- borrowing these herbs from Zhihao, so why had no one even tried it yet?

"How come?" The older man couldn't imagine why they would avoid such a delicious smelling brew. Even now, he wished he could sneak a sip of the soup.

"No clue." He replied, shaking some spicy powder into the soup. Zhihao watched, curious about the soup. Such a nice looking soup should be flying into students bowls. So why...

Why was he still shaking that bottle?!

Watching Liang Fei continue to shake the powder into the soup, Zhihao felt his heart drop. That spice, he knew very well. It was spicy enough that just a single shake could make a brew near impossible to consume and yet... he was still going!!

Watching in horror, Zhihao saw the once pleasant and normal soup transform into a mass of future screams and agony, it's bright red color bringing with it dread. It was too late to save it.

The red pot soup...

Zhihao had heard about it, a soup so spicy it was impossible to even take a bite. Yet this man so casually made it, as if it wasn't even an issue.

Shao Liang Fei was too strange.

Or perhaps he was just as cruel and evil as some disciples whispered he was, to make the most beneficial brew for a young cultivator near inedible. Either way, the deed had been done and he'd just have to hope the disciples can survive breakfast without dying.

"So now that the food is done, mind explaining why you are here?" He asked, watching the man carefully place the pot with the other premade food.

"I was just cooking." He replied, walking toward the door. "Children need a balanced and healthy meal to grow up strong and capable." Zhihao was a bit confused by the wording, but could kind of understand what he was talking about.

"I understand all that but to do it yourself?" Liang Fei cocked a brow.

"Who else but me would do it?" He asked, watching this senior brother stare at him wide eyed. His expression was blank but inside he briefly wondered if perhaps he'd said something wrong.

All the while, Zhihao felt his heart itch, feeling a sense of protectiveness toward this... simple and sweet person before him. He definitely had to protect him from those who wanted to corrupt him.

But first.

"Before you go," He said, stopping him at the door. While his back was to the older man, he could feel the glare burning a hole through his neck. "May I ask where you learned about these herbs, junior. All of the relevant information on them were in my study so..."

Liang Fei flinched, feeling fearful for the first time since transmigrating.

***

"Bro!? Hey, Brother Xieren, wake up!"

Xieren groaned as the sound of knocking ripped him from his slumber. Not that it was much of one. He'd spent the night trying to wrap his mind around the revelation about Shizun.

Brother Tankian.

Shizun.

How could they be the same person?!

While it made sense in some ways, he couldn't fathom how the kind and gentle Tankian was the same Shizun who neglected and mistreated him over the years. It didn't make sense and just thinking about it gave him a major headache.

"Bro? You awake?!" Xuejie called out from the other side of the door.

Xieren scowled, his eyes clenched tight. His headache had run through the night and that person's knocking wasn't helping!

"Just give me a minute!" He shouted back, surprising both him and Xuejie . Xieren didn't yell often. Yelling drew attention and him being as weak as he was, couldn't afford attention. And yet...

After a few minutes of fumbling about, Xieren got dressed and met the young man waiting outside his door.

"Morn... Wow, you look terrible." Xuejie stated, looking Xieren up and down. "Are you okay?"

Xieren knew what he looked like. His eyes were red and puffy from absolutely NOT crying himself to sleep. His hair was messy cause he hadn't bothered to brush it and his clothes were a little wet from the night before.

All in all, he looked a mess.

"...I'm just tired." He grumbled, walking past him.

"I see." Xuejie looked doubtful but went along with it, following behind Xieren happily. "Well lucky for us, it's early enough for us to get some food so that should help." He said, changing the subject since he saw there was no point in asking anymore.

Xieren said nothing, letting Xuejie walk beside him. While he wasn't completely trusting toward him, he felt no ill will from him so he wasn't as wary as he usually was.

Sensing this, Xuejie couldn't help but perk up, happy to have been somewhat accepted by this person.

"Hopefully, we can get some food before everyone else." He sighed. "I'd hate to be stuck with red pot only."

Mentioning that, Xieren's mind drifted back to night before. Tank- no, Shizun was cooking last night, wasn't he? What did he make?

Not that he wanted to try it or anything. He was just curious because in all their time together, Shizun had never cooked for him personally. It was always food from stalls. A chance to eat something made personally by him was...

Xuejie had been talking about other things, mostly how his lessons had been going when he turned to Xieren. At the boy's expression, he paled, scared what thoughts could be circling his mind.

Why was stone faced and cold hearted protagonist smiling so cutely!?

Fearful in his heart, Xiejie remained silent, both scared of the look and of interrupting that happiness.

Fearful and quiet, Xuejie walked to the dining hall beside Xieren. The whole trip, Xieren thought about what his Shizun could have possibly made and if it tasted good.

Not that he cared or anything.

Upon arrival, the smell of everyone else hit him like a wall. Years of practice kept him from covering his nose but he couldn't help but grimace.

He really disliked the scent of other people. Even when clean, they smelled foul, like ill intent and apathy.

At least, that's what he assumed the scent was. His senses had improved slightly from the day before. It wasn't much but it was enough for him to want to leave the room.

Seeing Xieren's smile fall, Xuejie felt his heart ache. While the sight of a smiling Xieren made him fear for his sanity, seeing that smile fade made him feel depressed.

Such an amazing person shouldn't look that gloomy.

"H-hey bro, there's no need to look so down." He tried to reassure him, pounding his chest. "Worry not, this big brother shall get you some food. Just go and sit with Xiao Yi." He gently pushed him toward their usual table, where Xinyi was sitting.

She was surrounded by young men trying to get her attention. Seeing her like that, Xieren walked over, not really thinking about what the young man had said at all. He couldn't be bothered to argue that he was clearly older than Xuejie.

"Ah Yi." He called out, a bit worried since she rarely looked annoyed and yet she was openly frowning as the young men spoke to her.

Upon arrival, the young men trying to catch Xinyi's eye were shocked to see her turn instead toward the pathetic waste that was Xieren. With a smile that set aflame every young man's (save for Xieren) heart, she called back.

"A-Ren! I was waiting for you." She stood up, moving past the other boys to hug Xieren. In the past, Xieren barely made it past her chest, so he was usually smothered by her breast and would have to fight for freedom. This time however, he was just past her shoulder, capable of looking over it to see the young men glare hatefully at him.

Did he get taller? Xinyi briefly wondered, confused but generally unfazed by the change. Xieren was weird in general so perhaps all his eating had made him grow.

Sensing some tension, Xinyi turned back to the young men, her smile seeping into their hearts and directing their attention to her.

"As I said before, thank you very much for you offer, Shixiong but as you can see," She started, her tone sweet and wistful. She gently pushed Xieren past them and onto a bench. "I am not lonely at all. Perhaps some other time, we can dine together."

Like a gust of wind, their mood plummeted, her rejection clear. Still, they were determined to sit with this lovely flower.

"Why sit with that waste when you can sit with us." One young man countered, taking a step forward. Both targets remained in place, neither truly fearful or wary, just annoyed. Xinyi sighed, wanting the matter to be over.

"About that, I-" She started only to be interrupted by Xieren.

"I might be a waste but at least I can tell when I'm unwanted." The young man's expression turned black, anger at his insinuation drawing the ire of all involved.

"What did you say?!" He shouted, drawing most of the other disciples eyes. Before this point they were content to feign ignorance of what was happening but it was hard t ignore shouts. "How dare you-"

"Shixiong, please, there's no need to get heated." Xinyi interrupted, standing between the two. While the young man was clearly heated, she knew he wouldn't touch her. "It's early and the time to eat is limited."

The young man, hearing this, sneered, thinking he'd won.

"You hear that, you mongrel!" He mocked. "Even the kind and generous Xinyi won't defend you."

"And yet she still prefers my company to yours." He countered, ignoring the aggrieved Xinyi beside him.

"You!" He took a step forward, about to do something but was stopped by a single hand on his chest. It was some other guy, probably friends with him but was unknown to Xieren.

(AN: Bask in my excellent writing skills~)

"Enough!" He said, standing between them. He gave Xieren and Xinyi a dismissive look before turning to his companion, annoyed. "I can't believe you are wasting time arguing with a child. Have you no shame?"

"B-but-"

"What would Master Guying say if he saw such a display?"

It was then that the young men paled, thinking of their master and how he'd react if he heard about them bothering another disciple. While Liang Fei was known as a lackadaisical master, Ye Guying was a harsh and strict master. Comparing the two, many wished for Liang Fei's lazy method as opposed to Guying's method.

Without another word, the group left, glowering at Xieren as he was still being held by Xinyi. The girl in question sat down, sighing with relief.

"Gah, that was so bothersome!" She whined, laying her head on the table. Xieren sat beside her, happy to see her less stressed. But she then turned to glower at him. "A-Ren, what was that?!"

"What was what?" He blinked, confused.

"That!" Xinyi pointed to the direction of their would be harassers. "Why did you rile them up? They could have hurt you."

"Not if you're here."

"But what if I wasn't?" She argued. They both knew he was weak and she was not a fighter. Had he been alone and said those things... Xinyi felt her heart clench at the thought of her friend getting hurt because of her.

"I'd still do it." He replied, looking away. "They were bothering you."

"They always do."

"That doesn't mean I'll just leave you to deal with it. I don't want to see you sad.

"And I don't want to see you hurt." She retorted, staring into his one visible eye. Neither looked away, both firm in their belief. After a minute, a bubble of laughter erupted between them. While Xinyi was the only one laughing, she could tell from his slight smile that he too was amused.

"...We're both idiots, aren't we?" He huffed, shaking his head.

"It would seem so." But we idiots should stick together, right?

"Un." He nodded, a bit happier than he was that morning. Xinyi was a good person, someone he could trust just a little bit. In his heart, the event strengthen his bond of feelings toward the girl.

In another world, perhaps this would lead to him being willing to give his heart to her. But by this point, their relationship had already solidified into a lasting friendship and this even only chipped away the the few stones still clinging to its glossy surface.

Just then, Xuejie arrived, arms packed with food. His smile was full of ease and glee.

"Oh hey, what did I miss?"

***

The rest of the morning went fairly smoothly. They ate together, though the only food left was Red Pot Soup. Xinyi and Xuejie were horrified but Xieren was ecstatic.

It was the same ominously red but delicious soup from the previous morning.

Much to everyone's surprise, he took the large bowl and began to eat, happily taking it in. Strangely, it was just as spicy but it didn't bother him as much.

In fact, the spice appealed to him very much.

Unaware of the gazed he was getting, he continued to enjoy his meal while Xinyi pouted. She tried to get to share, even trying to bribe him with his usual favorite food. Tempted as he was, he felt no desire to share, even with her.

After giving him a pouty look, Xieren reluctantly went over to get a bowl for her. The kitchen ladies were stingy at best but had no reason to reject him. No one was eating the soup so whether it was one or twenty bowls, at least it wasn't going to waste.

With great difficulty, the two ate the soup, one a lot more happily than the other but both satisfied at the end.

Such a nice meal is what allowed him to prepare himself for the stress of seeing Shizun again. His heart in his throat, he watched as the man directed them into their groups. Even as he spoke, Xieren couldn't help but pout.

Why?

Cause he was being so nice!

"I heard some of you did well in your lessons a while ago." He said, looking over the crowd. "I'm very proud of you."

"Not the rest of us?" Someone called out, their voice meek and nearly swallowed by the faint chatter. Liang Fei walked over and rested a hand on that person, a young man older than Xieren but not by much, head. The sight alone brought a scowl to Xieren's face.

He was patting other people!? After all he'd done and how long it took, this person got one just by existing!?

The disciples around him shivered, unsure where their baleful glare was coming from but feeling it's aura consume their courage. No one had the guts to move even an inch at that moment.

All the while, the source of the malicious glare remained focused on their master, who continued on as if nothing was happening at all. Why?

Cause he didn't even notice.

"Shizun is proud of all of you." He assured him, looking over all of them. He didn't think much about the children sweating toward the back. Perhaps they were just nervous, so he tried to reassure them. "If anyone of you need help, please don't hesitate to ask either me or your group leaders. Understood?"

"Yes, Master Shao!"

"Now onto our lessons." The children ran off, going to their respective groups and starting their lesson. Those near the protagonist, hearing a reprieve, wasted no time running away, still too scared to look upon the face that held them immobile with a glare alone. They were young and had so much going for them. Why court death by being too curious?

Only Xieren remained standing where he was, glaring at the ground. Just as Liang Fei was about to ask him, the boy spoke.

"Shizun!" He called out, looking up at the man with an gleam in his eye.

"Yes?"

"I won't lose." He proclaimed, his gaze intense and fierce as he bowed and ran to his group. Liang Fei stared after him, a bit confused but a little happy.

His adorable student Xieren had finally spoken to him. It was a good first step to making him a better cultivator. His only concern was that look that made him a little sad.

He was glad to see the child so determined and willing to prove himself but must his eyes be so intense? Liang Fei knew he was hated but surely he could learn to reign it in just a little? It was sad to be so disliked.