Chapter Text
Maomao knew she suddenly had arrived in a strange new place when the smell of the local forest herbs she used to pick almost every week was gone. She instead could sense a catastrophic cooking all mingled together, something she had never smelled once before.
She found herself standing at the foot of a small weathered shrine, staring up at it with zero concern for her own safety. She just wanted to take a walk and look for herbs but to her surprise she ended up here…
somehow…
Before she could step forward the door slid open.
“Oh?” A man in white came out.
His sleeves fluttering as if he’d rushed to open the door. On first observation, his hair was loosely tied with a few strands escaping, and his expression, instantly shifted from surprise to concern.
“Are you hurt?” he asked gently. “Did you fall somewhere? You look rather small to be wandering alone.”
Maomao blinked in confusion.
Who is this beautiful man?
The only man she has ever met with such dazzling looks was Jinshi but this man standing right here can most certainly compete!
On a second observation, this person definitely has the worried doe eyes of a mother figure who adopts strays.
“I’m fine…” she replied, “…probably.”
“That ‘probably’ worries me.” The man said in response already stepping aside to make way for her. “Come in and at least sit down first.”
She didn’t feel any evil intent coming from him so she followed without resistance.
The kitchen of the shrine was warm and tidied however, a pot was simmered on the stove steam rising in ominous curls so Maomao couldn’t help but let her gaze drift towards it.
“My name is Xie Lian, a cultivator running a small shrine for a forgotten crown prince of a distant kingdom known as Xianle. I occasionally come here when my husband is away on official business.”
So that man is married then.
His husband sure is lucky to have him; Maomao thought to herself while approaching the pot.
“Don’t get too close!” Xie Lian told her placing himself between her and the stove without even realising it. “It splashes sometimes.”
Maomao peered around him to take a closer look on what is being cooked. “Is that soup?”
“Yes! Well, at least I hope it turns into a soup.” He paused then added more quietly, “If it doesn’t work out I also have plain rice.”
Maomao sniffed the air then her eyes sharpened with professional interest like she usually does when she senses poison.
“Daoshi do you know that’s toxic?”
Xie Lian looked down awkwardly. “I’m so sorry.”
She on the other hand looked up at him confused once again. “Why are you apologising to me?”
“Because I was planning to eat it and I invited you inside before checking if it was fine for consumption.”
Maomao stared.
This man was absolutely not from her world. Everything about him is just too unusual but not in a creepy way. Even if the time period feels like it’s the same, it’s like Maomao was transported into a parallel universe.
While she was trying to figure out how she got here, Xie Lian ladled the soup into a bowl anyway.
“I’ll taste it first then.”
Maomao’s hand shot out. “No!”
He paused. “No?”
“I’m immune to most poisons and you’re probably not.”
Xie Lian frowned gently in the same way a mother might when a child retaliates back.
“That doesn’t mean you should eat it first now does it? Just because you can endure something it doesn’t mean you have to.”
Those words caught her off guard a little.
“But I want to. ”
Xie Lian studied her face for a moment then sighed softly. “All right but only small sips. And please do tell me immediately if you feel strange.” He placed the bowl in her hands carefully as if he was afraid it might burn her.
Maomao drank the whole thing in one go with no hesitation. Her eyes lit up with delight, licking her lips indicating she wanted more of that magical soup.
“I told you small sips!” Xie Lian said with a sweat drop dripping down his forehead.
“My tongue is numb.” She mumbled.
Xie Lian immediately crouched beside her. “Dizzy? Nauseous? Do you need water?”
“No, no. This is excellent! I haven’t felt this since the last time I had pufferfish!” She signed for another bawl. “Oh my! There’s a delayed reaction to my fingertips tingling hehe.” Maomao added suddenly laughing.
“That doesn’t sound alright you shouldn’t be this happy.” Xie Lian pressed a cup of warm water into her free hand. “Drink this too.”
She obeyed him, vaguely amused.
“You’re very calm even when you’re this worried.”
She couldn’t help but observe this about him.
“Well…” Xie Lian said smiling gently, “…panicking never helped anyone feel better. And you’re still upright so that must be a good sign.”
He stayed beside her not dare moving. One hand hovering near her back not touching, but ready to catch her if she faints.
Minutes passed but Maomao didn’t collapse so instead she pulled out a small notebook and began scribbling.
“This would be effective as a mild sedative.” She started muttering to herself. “If diluted that is.”
Xie Lian let out a quiet sigh of relief and reached up to her hair gently adjusting her bow which was unfortunately loose.
“You really should eat something normal too. Here have some rice.”
She accepted the bowl without a further comment.
After a moment, “You remind me of my jiejies.”
Xie Lian couldn’t help but chuckle softly at her while she glanced at him sideways. “You’d make a good mother. Do you have any kids?”
Xie Lian now smiled warmly. “Me and my husband are trying.”
Maomao wondered what he meant by that but it’s not like she can waddle about it. She needs to find her way back home even if she didn’t mind staying here for a little longer.
“My name is Maomao by the way. I hope daoshi can assist me with finding my way home.”
Xie Lian can certainly do so.