Font Size:
Chapter 19: Gourmet Collab: Taotie and Feifei’s Signature Cake
“I feel like you’re more excited about drawing cards than I am,” Yun Tao said to the system. “Let’s open the card pool tonight when I’m buying ingredients.”
“Got it!” The system sounded gleeful.
The day’s orders were finally sold out, and the kitchen had stopped taking new ones. Now, it was time to prepare the staff meal.
Yun Tao, sensing it was about time, put down his Rubik’s Cube and dashed toward the kitchen.
A long, slender hand emerged from behind the kitchen curtain and firmly pressed down on his little head. Tai Sui pushed him gently but decisively back. “You don’t need to help today. Go play somewhere, and I’ll call you when it’s ready.”
“Really? You’re letting me off the hook?” Yun Tao squinted in suspicion, testing the waters. “Does this mean I never have to help again?”
Under Yun Tao’s diligent tutelage, Tai Sui and Lin Xiao had made remarkable progress—they’d practically mastered the craft. The dishes they made were so good, even Yun Tao felt like giving them a thumbs-up.
Yun Tao figured he could finally retire in glory—at the tender age of four and a half.
“Dream on. Today’s an exception. If you don’t make the staff meal, are you trying to get us all to quit?” Tai Sui shut him down without hesitation.
Besides, washing and chopping ingredients were already covered by them. Yun Tao just needed to handle the cooking—hardly exhausting work.
“Fine.” Yun Tao sighed, feigning regret, and shuffled off to tend to his beloved tomato seedlings in the courtyard.
Earlier, Grandpa Pu had gifted him some tomatoes, which Yun Tao absolutely loved. After eating them, he’d buried the tomato tops in the enchanted soil, and now, they’d already sprouted.
Not long after, inspired by his tomato plants, Yun Tao ran back with dirt-covered hands, rushing straight toward the kitchen—only to be stopped at the doorway again by Tai Sui.
Seeing the mud on his hands, Tai Sui grabbed a damp towel from midair and stepped out to wipe them clean. “What’s the rush?”
Yun Tao stood obediently, letting him clean his hands, while sneakily peeking into the kitchen. The curtain was tightly drawn, revealing nothing, though a faint sweetness lingered in the air.
The scent of cream.
Inside, there was a clatter and a crash, followed by a low murmur of frustration. Yun Tao immediately recognized the voice—it was Yun Fenghe.
His curiosity now thoroughly piqued, Yun Tao blurted, “What are you guys up to in there?”
What was Yun Fenghe—a notorious master of chaotic, disastrous cooking—doing in the kitchen?
“We discovered that the local deity has potential, so we’re teaching him how to cook,” Tai Sui blurted, coming up with a wildly absurd excuse to throw him off track. “Now, what’s your deal? Why the sudden mud run?”
“Oh, right!” Remembering his “important business,” Yun Tao stared at Tai Sui eagerly. “Since you’re a mushroom spirit, can you produce spores?”
“…What?”
“You heard me!”
“Wow, your imagination really runs wild.”
What was next? He’d start thinking about planting Tai Sui in the garden too?
Tai Sui flicked his forehead. “No, I can’t. Now go play and stop hanging around the kitchen.”
Yun Tao, still brimming with curiosity but unable to get past the curtain, resigned himself to building with the blocks Ruan Ruan had given him.
It was his first time playing with such toys, but with his sharp mind and nimble hands, he pieced them together at an astonishing speed. Just as he was finishing, the creamy scent grew even richer, making his stomach growl audibly.
Suddenly, the lights in the restaurant flickered off with a dramatic click.
Tai Sui and Lin Xiao emerged from behind the curtain, and Yun Fenghe stepped out cradling a lopsided, clumsy-looking cake in his hands.
He smiled warmly. “TaoTao, do you know what today is?”
So that’s what they’d been up to—spending all that time in the kitchen just to make this cake?
Yun Tao blinked, confused. “It can’t be my birthday—I don’t even know when my birthday is.”
“It’s the day we became a family,” Yun Fenghe explained softly.
Many years ago, on this exact day, the young land deity, packing his bags and ready to seek a new livelihood, stumbled upon a sleeping little demon.
The little demon’s pale face was almost ghostly, drained of color, and his body was covered in scars left by a poisonous miasma. He looked on the verge of death.
Though the deity knew nothing about the demon’s origins, he still couldn’t bring himself to abandon him.
Without hesitation, the land deity shouldered the unconscious demon and carried him back to his rundown restaurant, the place he’d planned to leave behind.
Yun Tao froze, his thoughts scattering. He had no memory of that time, but as Yun Fenghe spoke, he felt an odd sense of familiarity—a vivid recollection of being jostled on someone’s back, swaying with each step.
Suddenly, he lunged forward and hugged Yun Fenghe tightly, pressing his soft, round face against his chest. A faint dampness lingered where his cheek had rested.
Startled, Yun Fenghe lifted the cake high into the air, worried the cream might get in Yun Tao’s hair—or worse, the candles might burn him. His concerns were completely irrational, though, as the little guy barely reached his knees.
Tai Sui took the cake from Yun Fenghe and crouched down to Yun Tao’s level. “Hey, kiddo, this is a human-world tradition. Blow out the candles in one go, and you get to make a wish.”
“Go ahead. Wish for something.”
Yun Tao tilted his head up, his glistening eyes shimmering in the candlelight.
Tai Sui thought, Whatever you wish for, even if the heavens don’t allow it, I’ll do everything I can to make it happen.
Yun Tao’s wish was quick to follow: “So… can you produce spores?”
What he really wanted was a little sister—or even a little brother—like Tai Sui.
Tai Sui: “…”
Lin Xiao: snort
Yun Fenghe: “Wait, wait—is Tai Sui actually a mushroom spirit? Our kid is so cute, I can’t!”
Tai Sui looked like he wanted to say something, but the words got stuck. Finally, he blurted, “No! Now wish for something more reasonable.”
“Fine.” Yun Tao looked genuinely disappointed.
Without closing his eyes, he silently made another wish and blew out the candles in one go.
The room went pitch black, but a moment later, the lights flickered back on.
“What’d you wish for?” Tai Sui asked.
Yun Tao shook his head solemnly. “If I say it out loud, it won’t come true.”
Tai Sui frowned, catching the flaw in his logic. “So that first wish—you said that just to mess with me, didn’t you?”
Yun Tao ignored him, rubbing his growling belly. “Can we eat now? I’m starving!”
Tai Sui: Could this kid make it any more obvious he’s changing the subject?
Partially motivated by petty revenge, Tai Sui reached out and ruffled Yun Tao’s soft curls until they were a complete mess. “Go sit down. We’ve made you a feast.”
He placed the cake on the table, clapped his hands, and the kitchen curtain drew open.
One by one, dishes floated out and landed neatly on the table. Within moments, two full tables were covered with a spectacular spread: crispy roast chicken, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, braised pork knuckles, red-braised spare ribs, steamed hairy crabs, coconut chicken soup…
Yun Tao’s inner little miser ached for his wallet, but his treacherous stomach growled again. He couldn’t stop himself from swallowing hard.
“I’ll cover this meal, so stop worrying about your wallet,” Tai Sui said, curling his fingers to summon a pair of kitchen scissors into his hand. With practiced ease, he dismantled a whole crab, piling a bowl high with crab roe and meat before placing it in front of Yun Tao. Then he started working on a second crab and handed it over to Yun Fenghe.
Lin Xiao, watching this display, couldn’t help but marvel. If he told other demons that the infamous and once-terrifying Tai Sui spent his days shelling crabs for a taotie and a land god, no one would believe him.
What kind of domesticated demon king is this?
Tai Sui caught Lin Xiao’s gaze and raised an eyebrow. “What about you, roommate? Want me to shell yours too?”
Lin Xiao’s ears shot straight up in alarm. “No, no! I wouldn’t dare trouble you,” he blurted, waving his paws in rejection.
Besides Yun Fenghe, who ate like a regular person, everyone else devoured their meal with the kind of appetite that could clear a banquet. The ugly little buttercream cake ended up being their dessert, and Yun Tao divided it into four equal pieces.
“It might not taste great,” Yun Fenghe admitted, scratching his head. “Just try a bite.”
The cake was… rough. The sponge was a bit hard and even slightly bitter—a clear sign of Yun Fenghe’s meddling. Neither Tai Sui nor Lin Xiao was skilled in baking, and the kitchen equipment wasn’t ideal. The flavor left a lot to be desired.
Yun Tao ate every last crumb and declared seriously, “It’s delicious.”
This was the most precious meal he’d had since waking up.
After putting down his fork, he silently repeated the wish he’d made.
I hope we’ll still be together this time next year.
Later that night, after a hot shower, his hair was blow-dried into a soft fluff by Tai Sui. Yun Tao pulled on his new pajamas, which had little bears printed all over them, and dove into his cozy little bed.
“System! System!” he called excitedly.
“I’m here! I’m here!” the system chimed back.
“Triple draw!” Yun Tao demanded with a grin.
The system perked up immediately. “Which card pool will you be pulling from?”
“Kids don’t make choices—I want them all!” he said, tossing three Shanhai tickets into three different card pools.
“With your luck, host, you’re bound to pull something good!” The system’s voice was nervous, as though it were trying to reassure both Yun Tao and itself.
Yun Tao remained calm. “Let’s see.”
The room fell silent as the three card pools spun simultaneously, spitting out their results a moment later. Three cards appeared before Yun Tao: a purple SSR card, a green SR card, and a deep blue R card.
The system gasped. “You really live up to your reputation!”
Not only did he get something from each pool, but even the rare special pool coughed up a card.
Yun Tao, feeling triumphant, remarked, “Pulling three cards at once feels amazing. Too bad no UR card showed up this time.”
“Host, if UR cards showed up every time, they wouldn’t be UR cards anymore!” the system retorted, internally screaming about how insane Yun Tao’s luck was. He’d just pulled a UR card not long ago, and now he was landing an SSR.
“Fair enough,” Yun Tao conceded, tapping on the dark blue card first.
[Shanhai Resource Card: Glass Bakery House]
“This is perfect! Our restaurant needs baking equipment. Plus, my big brothers have been interested in baking recently.”
The Glass Bakery House was one of the rarest items in the R-tier, and it was pretty valuable. Yun Tao quickly moved on to the green card.
[Special Card: Azure Bird Mailbox]
The Azure Bird was known as Xi Wangmu[1]often referred to as the Queen Mother of the West, is a significant figure in Chinese mythology, Daoism, and folklore. She is typically depicted as a powerful, immortal goddess who resides on the … Continue reading’s messenger, tasked with delivering food and letters. As the old poem goes: “The journey to Penglai is short, and the Azure Bird eagerly flies ahead to scout[2]The journey to a lofty or seemingly unattainable goal, whether spiritual, personal, or literal, is not as challenging as it seems when you have guidance and support..”
Even at its most basic level, this mailbox could deliver messages across realms. Who knows how powerful it would become after upgrades?
Yun Tao allowed himself a brief moment of daydreaming before snapping back to reality. It was a fantastic tool, but he didn’t have much use for it right now—unless someone wanted to send letters to the underworld. Maybe he could charge a postage fee?
Finally, he tapped on the purple card, his first-ever SSR card.
[Shanhai Employee Card: Feifei]
Yun Tao’s eyes lit up. “It’s Feifei!”
Feifei was incredibly cute and had a “worry-dispelling” aura, similar to the magic plant known as ping grass, but far more powerful. Yun Tao absolutely adored this kind of mythical beast—not only were they adorable, but just being around them made you feel calm and happy. In the Shanhai world, Feifei was super popular and got along with both ferocious and divine beasts alike. Personality-wise, it was basically the capybara of the mythical world: friendly and lovable.
Yun Tao was thrilled with this pull and couldn’t wait to meet his new employee.
But first, Feifei needed a proper room!
The second floor of the restaurant was fully occupied, so only the basement and the attic were left. Unlike dark, dingy storage cellars, the restaurant’s basement was well-designed, featuring a bedroom, a bathroom, and even a sunken courtyard for light and ventilation. With a little work, the courtyard could become a lovely little garden.
The attic, however, was even better. It had a small bathroom, a slanted roof with skylights, and a spacious layout. It was connected to the rooftop terrace, making it airy and full of natural light.
Thanks to the cleaning system, the entire building was spotless. Both the attic and basement were move-in ready.
Given Feifei’s cheerful nature, Yun Tao figured it would prefer the attic. He quickly threw on his shoes and ran upstairs.
Only to be intercepted by Tai Sui.
Tai Sui grabbed Yun Tao’s little bear hat and looked at his sleepy, tear-filled eyes with a raised brow. “Why aren’t you in bed? Heading to the rooftop to watch the moon?”
“No!” Yun Tao yawned and rubbed his eyes. “I’m setting up a room for our new employee.”
“Oh?” Tai Sui’s interest was piqued. “Another recruit from the Shanhai world?”
“Yup!” Yun Tao’s face lit up. “It’s Feifei!”
“No wonder you’re so excited.” Tai Sui, who also had a soft spot for Feifei, smirked. “Let’s go.”
A gust of wind whooshed past them as Lin Xiao zipped over, his tail swishing eagerly. “Count me in!”
After work, Lin Xiao preferred to stay in his original form. For one thing, being a fluffy fox felt safer in a “dangerous lair” like this. For another, it was simply more comfortable—and the bed felt bigger.
When news spread that Yun Fenghe and his crew were rushing over, somehow the entire staff at Taotie Delicacies found themselves helping set up a new dorm room in the attic for their latest employee.
Tai Sui clicked his tongue, commenting, “Feifei—being the kind of mythical beast she is—comes with a bit of charm magic.”
The attic was spacious but rather shabby, furnished with just a wooden plank bed, a rickety stool, and an old cabinet. Back when Tai Sui first moved in, the dorms were just as bare-bones, with patchwork quilts and little else. Things had gotten better since then—Yun Tao had upgraded their bedding and mattresses, and Yun Fenghe had added some plants to brighten the space, making it far more livable.
Tai Sui wasn’t one to fuss about rough conditions, but Feifei was delicate and elegant, clearly unsuited for such a basic setup.
Yun Tao thought the same. He spent a small fortune shopping on the Shanhai Mall, buying new furniture, fresh bedding, and even a luxury-sized scratching post. Once everything was set up, the room’s comfort level improved dramatically.
Yun Fenghe suggested, “We should spruce up the rooftop next, maybe plant some roses by the window. It’ll look lovely.”
Lin Xiao whistled in awe. “So this is what full-time staff benefits look like?”
He was envious—utterly, painfully envious.
“Back when I started, I got no such treatment,” Tai Sui remarked. “But hey, times have changed. We’re out of the poverty zone now.”
Lin Xiao nodded in sudden understanding. Ah, so that’s what wealth looks like.
With the dorm ready, Yun Tao swiped his employee card to summon Feifei.
A flash of light later, a snow-white Feifei appeared midair, her round green eyes gazing curiously at Yun Tao. She was stunning, with a chiseled face, large pointed ears, a delicate pink nose, and flowing fur as soft as drifting clouds.
Feifei exuded a natural aura of calm and joy. Just being near her was enough to soothe away stress and negativity.
Yun Tao, feeling almost too relaxed, yawned and drowsily welcomed the new hire. “Welcome to Taotie Delicacies. I’m Yun Tao, the boss here.”
Feifei gave a little shake, transforming into a slender young woman. She smiled and patted Yun Tao’s head. “Hello, little boss. You’re so cute.”
Her human form retained the striking features of her original appearance: sharp contours, a lively yet sweet aura, and long, straight white hair. Standing next to Yun Tao, she almost looked like his big sister.
Feifei wasn’t like Tai Sui or Lin Xiao. She understood she was here to work, and to her, this was just another fascinating adventure. She could sense that the boss and her colleagues weren’t ordinary people. The red-haired one, in particular, radiated danger. But Feifei wasn’t fazed in the least. Half her social circle consisted of ferocious beasts—what was there to fear?
Yun Tao explained, “Sister, your salary pay is 1,800 coins. This room is your dorm. If you need anything else, just let me know. Get some rest tonight, and we’ll talk more tomorrow.”
Feifei nodded, shifted back into her beast form, and leapt lightly onto the scratching post. Curling up, she gave Yun Tao a bright-eyed smile. “I like the dorm a lot. Thank you, little boss.”
With Feifei’s calming presence, everyone at Taotie Delicacies had one of the most peaceful nights of sleep they’d ever had.
The next morning, Yun Tao woke up groggily, washed his face, and turned around to see a little white spirit beast crouched nearby. Her flowing fur seemed to shimmer like clouds, practically begging to be touched.
His morning grumpiness vanished in an instant. He wrapped his arms around Feifei’s neck and gave her tail a playful shake. “Good morning, big sister!”
“Good morning, little boss,” Feifei replied as she shifted into her human form. Picking him up effortlessly, she carried him downstairs. “What kind of work will you have me do today?”
She was wearing a sleek green button-up blouse embroidered with cloud-and-bamboo patterns, her long white hair tied back with a matching ribbon. She looked as elegant and lively as a stalk of bamboo dripping with morning dew.
Yun Tao was still brainstorming when his system suddenly pinged, updating his tasks.
[Level 3 Task: Launch a new dessert and sell at least 100 orders within two days.
Reward: 300 Shanhai Points, 300 Shanhai Coins, 1 Shanhai Voucher, and unlock restaurant hall restoration.
Failure: Serve 24 hours of community service in a random dimension.]
Just last night, they’d acquired a glass bakery cabin. The timing of this task couldn’t be better.
Yun Tao asked, “Sister Feifei, are you interested in baking?”
“Sounds fun!” she chirped. For someone with her attitude, there wasn’t much in life that didn’t sound fun.
Yun Tao handed her the reins. “Let’s collaborate on a signature cake.”
Feifei smiled as she carried him down the stairs in one graceful leap, landing softly on the first floor. “Sure thing. By the way, little boss, what’s your true form?”
Lin Xiao, eavesdropping nearby, perked up his ears. Here it comes, he thought. Once she learns the boss’s true form, this sweet and dainty Feifei is bound to freak out—just like I did back then!
“I’m a Taotie,” Yun Tao replied.
Feifei simply nodded. “Figured as much. A place named Taotie Delicacies has to have at least one Taotie, right? A Taotie and Feifei co-branded cake? That sounds amazing.”
Her calm reaction left Lin Xiao dumbfounded. This was Feifei? Carefree, genuine, friendly, and utterly fearless?
Together, Yun Tao and Feifei set up the glass bakery cabin.
There were two good spots to place it: the rooftop or the garden. Considering the rickety, narrow spiral staircase leading to the roof, Yun Tao decided to set it in the garden for now.
The garden was spacious and filled with plants like Zhuyu and Ping grass. Their spiritual energy made the air refreshing and a few degrees cooler than outside.
Using an R-grade card, Yun Tao summoned a transparent, slope-roofed glass cabin. Though small, it was fully equipped.
The sign above the door was blank, so Yun Tao wrote: Feifei’s Bakery.
“Sister Feifei, from now on, you’re in charge of this bakery.”
Feifei nodded solemnly. “I won’t let you down.”
“But the exterior looks a bit plain…” Feifei glanced around before clapping her hands. A wisteria vine shifted and grew to drape itself along the cabin’s walls. “Much better!”
Fortunately, it was still early, and no one was around to witness their magical landscaping. Otherwise, passersby would surely think they were hallucinating.
“We could make a few more upgrades,” Yun Tao mused. He ordered stepping stones engraved with floral and bird designs from Shanhai Mall and arranged them into a winding path leading to the bakery. The delicate carvings added a lively charm to the garden.
With his older brothers managing the Taotie Delicacies, Yun Tao and Feifei spent the entire morning in the bakery making cakes. They worked in perfect sync, as if they’d been partners for years.
Yun Tao suggested, “How about we make tiramisu? Brother Zheyan once brought me a tiramisu mochi that was amazing.”
Feifei lit up. “I love tiramisu too!”
“We’ll infuse the oven with Taotie and Feifei energy,” Yun Tao said.
“Brilliant idea!” Feifei agreed.
“Let’s also use Guanguan eggs—they’re infused with spiritual energy and will taste even better.”
“That’s genius!” Feifei exclaimed.
“We’ll call it Worry-Free Cake. Our Worry-Free Scallion Noodles are a hit, after all.”
“I love that name,” Feifei said with a smile.
“We need to sell 100 orders in two days,” Yun Tao calculated. “In-house dining alone won’t cut it. Time to bring back our delivery service.”
Feifei’s eyes sparkled. “Wow, sounds fun! Can I help with deliveries?”
Yun Tao smirked. “I’ll have the system design our dessert packaging.”
“Yay! You’re amazing, TaoTao!”
In such a cheerful atmosphere, their first batch of co-branded tiramisu emerged from the oven. The rich, creamy aroma filled the glass cabin and quickly drifted to the entrance of Taotie Delicacies.
Arriving during the restaurant’s downtime, a few customers stopped by for breakfast and caught a whiff of the aroma drifting from the courtyard. Curious, they glanced in that direction.
“Hey, when did a glasshouse pop up in the yard?” one asked.
Lin Xiao’s eyes curved into a knowing smile, his expression unreadable. “Just recently. It’s our bakery annex. Here’s your breakfast—take care!”
“Are you baking cakes? Smells incredible!”
“Yes,” Lin Xiao replied smoothly. “The little boss is working with our new pastry chef on a cake. It might even be available later today.”
A young man dressed in a black Zhongshan suit chimed in, his voice faint and tired, “These smells fresh out of the oven. Can I buy some now?”
The young man looked utterly out of place. His long bangs nearly covered his eyes, and despite the scorching summer, he wore two long-sleeved layers without breaking a sweat. Shielding himself from the soft morning sun, he carried a heavy oil-paper umbrella. His pale, bony fingers gripped the handle tightly, with fingernails so dark they bordered on black.
This was a new face on Shanhai Street—a reclusive comic artist who had just moved into No. 19. He rarely left his house, holed up indoors drawing his panels, and when he did, it was usually to pick up takeout from Taotie Delicacies. His conversations were as sparse as his appearances.
Lin Xiao had noticed something peculiar about this man: his canine teeth were unusually long, always peeking out even when his lips were shut. On top of that, his body radiated an eerie, heavy yin energy.
For a while, Lin Xiao had even suspected the comic artist of being a zombie. But after a few quiet observations, he confirmed the man was, in fact, alive. Barely. It seemed the three soul flames perched on his shoulders were so dim they barely flickered. Such a person was practically a magnet for spirits and ghosts. Maybe that was why the man let his bangs cover his eyes—to block out unwanted visions.
Lin Xiao didn’t dwell on it too long. “Let me check for you,” he offered.
The comic artist gave a small nod. “Thanks.”
Inside the courtyard, Yun Tao and Feifei had just finished slicing the cake when Lin Xiao arrived.
“Brother Lin Xiao!” Yun Tao called out, beckoning him over. “Come try some!”
“I could smell it from a mile away,” Lin Xiao teased, then added, “But a customer wants to buy a slice, so I came to ask.”
“Already? That quick? Looks like our collab cake is a hit!” Yun Tao popped a big bite of cake into his mouth, his cheeks puffing out like a hamster sneaking a snack. Eating a cake infused with his own spiritual energy felt a little strange, but the taste was undeniably delicious.
“It’s perfect,” Yun Tao declared. “But we overdid it with the spiritual energy. This batch isn’t suitable for sale.”
Lin Xiao took a bite himself and nodded in agreement. The cake was bursting with spiritual energy.
“Even I feel like my cultivation’s improved after one bite. You’ve packed so much into this, you’d exhaust yourselves if you ate too much.” Then, thinking of the comic artist’s pale, frail figure, Lin Xiao hesitated. “That customer… He’s a regular. His yin energy’s overwhelming. Maybe we could make an exception and sell him a piece? It might help balance him out.”
“Hmm,” Yun Tao pondered. “Feifei’s energy could definitely help dispel some of his troubles. But with so much of my energy in the mix, he might end up with an insatiable appetite.”
Yun Tao had only wanted the cake to taste better, but the abundance of his demonic energy might inflate someone’s drive, turning a lazybones into an overachiever overnight.
Lin Xiao shrugged. “Should I just tell him no?”
“Let him know the risks,” Yun Tao said thoughtfully. “If he’s fine with that, give him an 20% discount.”
Lin Xiao packed a slice of tiramisu into one of Yun Tao’s custom boxes and headed back to the entrance.
By the time he got there, Tai Sui and Yun Fenghe were wrapping up their morning stall, and the comic artist was waiting in the shade. The moment Lin Xiao appeared with the box, the man’s eyes locked onto him—sharp, focused, and strangely inhuman.
When Lin Xiao handed him the cake, the comic artist’s lips curled into the faintest smile. “How much?”
Since there were no outsiders around, Lin Xiao relayed Yun Tao’s warning. “You’ve got heavy yin energy. This cake can help improve your constitution, but it might also make you more… motivated. Still want it?”
The comic artist seemed taken aback but quickly nodded. “I’ll take it. Thank the little boss for me.”
He paid, then retreated into the shade, oil-paper umbrella in hand, disappearing down the street.
As Lin Xiao watched him leave, he turned to Tai Sui. “Hey, do you think he’s normal?”
Tai Sui shot him a side-eye. “Can’t even figure out what he is, and you’re still bending over backward for him? Lin Xiao, you’ve got a lot to learn.”
Lin Xiao pressed, “What do you think he is, then?”
Tai Sui smirked. “The kid’s got three evil spirits sealed inside him.”
Lin Xiao was stunned—he hadn’t sensed a thing.
Tai Sui patted him on the shoulder. “Come on, let’s eat some cake.”
Back at No. 19, Lin Jiuyuan stepped through the door, folded up his umbrella, and entered the dimly lit house. He tossed the umbrella effortlessly into a stand filled with identical ones.
The windows were sealed shut, heavy curtains drawn tight. Not a single light was on. The place reeked of dampness and cold.
Lin Jiuyuan casually tied up his bangs, revealing a prominent black handprint across his forehead and a pair of piercing gray eyes.
As he removed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves, more black talismans came into view, inscribed on his arms. These were meant to suppress the malicious spirits sealed inside him. At first, they had burned bright red with cinnabar, but now they were faded and cracked. Beneath the talismans, two sharp, claw-like marks roamed his skin, as if the spirits were trying to claw their way out.
Unbothered, Lin Jiuyuan unbuttoned his shirt collar, sat at the table, and dug into breakfast.
Normally, he’d order the restaurant’s specialty zhuyu pancake with eggs—satisfying, and infused with enough spiritual energy to ease the pain from his yin affliction.
But today, for the sake of the cake, he’d switched to scallion oil noodles and soy milk. The noodles were good, but they couldn’t ease his worries.
Would the Taotie and Feifei collab cake really do the trick?
Lin Jiuyuan chuckled to himself. It was a nice gesture, but the idea seemed far-fetched. Sure, the restaurant had been why he moved to Shanhai Street, but in his mind, its little boss was just good at sourcing spiritual ingredients—not summoning mythical beings to bake desserts.
After polishing off the noodles, he opened the cake box. Inside, a line of text read:“Relieve your worries, savor the endless taste.”
The sweet aroma hit him as he lifted the lid.
One bite and the cake melted on his tongue. The rich sweetness flooded his senses, and the spiritual energy coursed through his body. The claw marks on his arms stilled immediately, leaving only faint red streaks behind.
Lin Jiuyuan’s eyes widened in surprise. The little boss hadn’t been lying—this cake was a spiritual energy bomb.
“And they gave me a discount for this? That little boss is too kind.”
By the time he finished the cake, his gray eyes had returned to normal, and even the handprint on his forehead had faded. For the first time in ages, he felt light, as though the chains binding him had loosened.
The taste of that cake… It truly lived up to its promise of lingering in memory.
Maybe the restaurant’s little boss wasn’t so simple after all. But Lin Jiuyuan wasn’t interested in digging deeper. He cleaned up the table and headed to his study.
Suddenly, he felt an intense urge to work—to draw, to earn more, so he could buy more of that cake.
And, for the first time in years, he felt an overwhelming desire to keep living. After all, only the living could enjoy something so delicious.
He didn’t bother turning on the lights, his gray eyes adjusting perfectly to the dim glow of his computer screen. The inspiration flowed, and he began sketching panel after panel.
Hours must have passed when his phone buzzed, breaking the spell.
The caller ID read “Dad.” With a flick of his finger, Lin Jiuyuan answered the call.
“When he returns, your uncle will be able to reinforce the blood well’s seal. You won’t have to keep those ghosts trapped in your body anymore!” Lin’s father, usually calm and composed, sounded unexpectedly relieved, even a bit emotional.
The Lin family came from a long line of Taoist practitioners, tasked for generations with guarding a cursed blood well that sealed away seven ancient, malevolent spirits. Lin Jiuyuan, though trained in these arts, had grown up preferring his side job as a comic artist than his role as a Taoist priest.
The “blood well” was no ordinary well. It was a pit of evil over a thousand years old, the kind that churned with a malice so deep it would chill your very bones. For generations, the Lin family had protected the seal, their lives intertwined with its sinister presence. But over the years, many of their techniques had been lost, and when Lin Jiuyuan’s gifted but rebellious uncle left home at eighteen, the family’s responsibilities became even heavier.
It wasn’t long before the first seal on the well weakened, threatening to release the first spirit. The elders of the Lin family were at their wit’s end; they had no way to stop it. A single escape would spell catastrophe.
At just fifteen, Jiuyuan had stepped forward. His unique constitution made him an ideal vessel, capable of imprisoning spirits within himself. Reluctantly, the family performed a desperate ritual to trap the ghost within his body.
Seven years had passed since then. Jiuyuan now carried three spirits within him, each gnawing at his flesh and soul. He had become a shadow of his former self, half-human, half-ghost, unable to stand in the sun or feel the warmth of a carefree life.
He’d long resigned himself to this fate, believing he would eventually perish, taking the remaining spirits with him. But now, out of the blue, came this news—a chance at freedom.
“Uncle’s back? After all this time?” Jiuyuan asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.
“Yes, he divined something and realized the family was in danger. That’s why he returned,” Lin’s father said with a sigh. “When he learned you’d been sealing ghosts with your own body, he was devastated. He’s not the reckless kid he once was.”
Jiuyuan didn’t know how to feel. After years of silence, why would his uncle suddenly decide to check on the family? What had prompted this change of heart?
He glanced at his pale arm, where the faded sigils on his skin lay dormant. The ghosts within him, usually restless, were unusually quiet. His mind drifted to the warning he’d received at the Taotie Delicacies earlier: This cake is packed with spiritual energy. It might solve one of your biggest problems, but it could also make you motivated…
Jiuyuan looked at his nearly finished comic draft and let out a slow breath. Normally, he struggled to meet deadlines, yet today, he’d been unusually driven. For the first time in years, he felt an overwhelming urge to finish his work—and to live a little longer.
Could this cake really have sparked such a shift in his fate? He swallowed hard. What if I’ve met the real Taotie and Feifei…
Lin’s father, used to his son’s quietness, continued. “Your condition is still precarious. Even your uncle can only temporarily suppress it with talismans. That’s just a stopgap measure. Eventually, your body won’t hold up. Come home and let him take a look at you.”
Suppressing the ghosts wouldn’t solve the problem. It was just a matter of time before they consumed him completely.
“I bet sealing the blood well took a lot out of him,” Jiuyuan said, his voice flat. “I’ll hold off for now. Maybe there’s another expert who can help me.”
Before his father could respond, Jiuyuan hung up.
Drawing back the heavy curtains, he saw the sky drenched in the golden hues of evening. The thought of Taotie Delicacies’ food tugged at his stomach. He was starving.
He let his hair fall over his face, covered his arms in long sleeves, and grabbed an umbrella before heading out.
The moment he got close, the rich aroma of cake wafted through the air. Outside the bistro, a line had already formed in the garden—a mix of locals and delivery riders, all waiting for their turn.
The restaurant’s business was as lively as ever, its reputation untouchable. Jiuyuan wasn’t surprised.
Inside, he ordered ginger chicken and rice, eating slowly as he observed the bustling restaurant. When it was nearly closing time, he finally approached Tai Sui. If anyone here was truly more than they seemed, it had to be him. Jiuyuan suspected that Tai Sui wasn’t just a high-ranking employee but the real Taotie—owner of the restaurant and a being of immense power.
The thought made his fingers tremble slightly as he tried to find the words. His throat felt rusty, as though it had forgotten how to form requests.
“Something on your mind?” Tai Sui asked lazily, as though he’d been expecting this. Jiuyuan’s arrival hadn’t gone unnoticed. After all, the restaurant’s might be his only shot at survival.
Tai Sui’s nonchalant tone calmed Jiuyuan enough to lift his thick curtain of hair, revealing the sinister black handprint on his forehead. “Boss, are you hiring? I’m willing to pay my entire savings as a deposit—and if that’s not enough, I’ll owe the rest.”
Tai Sui raised an eyebrow, his gaze drifting to the mark. “That’s… quite the tattoo. What kind of job are you looking for that you’d throw your life savings at it?”
Jiuyuan blinked, his large eyes full of disbelief. Did Tai Sui really not recognize what the mark was? Had he misjudged this person entirely?
With those wide, innocent eyes, Jiuyuan looked so dumbfounded that Tai Sui couldn’t help but let out a low chuckle, shaking his head as though he’d just tricked an earnest child. “Alright, I’ll take you to the boss. I’m not the one in charge here.”
References
| ↑1 | often referred to as the Queen Mother of the West, is a significant figure in Chinese mythology, Daoism, and folklore. She is typically depicted as a powerful, immortal goddess who resides on the sacred Kunlun Mountains, and the ruler of immortals and is associated with longevity, fertility, and prosperity |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | The journey to a lofty or seemingly unattainable goal, whether spiritual, personal, or literal, is not as challenging as it seems when you have guidance and support. |
MidnightLiz[Translator]
Hi! I’m Liz.🌙✨ schedule: M͟i͟d͟n͟i͟g͟h͟t͟L͟i͟z͟T͟r͟a͟n͟s͟l͟a͟t͟i͟o͟n͟s͟✨ 💌Thank you for visiting, and I hope you enjoy reading! 💫📖