Shi Lihua was pouring flour when Wu Huan found him in the kitchen. He had one bowl full of flour and another one only halfway through. "You found it," he mentioned without turning to look at him.
"Shixiong, you could have just told me to find Wan Qiang shijie." Upon the mention of her name, he reacted uncomfortably. Wu Huan put down the sachet on the counter. "So what do you need this for? Making a cake?"
"Yes. Sweet osmanthus cake." Shi Lihua now had his hands inside the bowl, smoothing out crumbles and mixing the flour.
"Can I help?"
"Yes."
When they finished, they poured the flour halfway inside the molds before sprinkling bits of osmanthus then covered it with flour again. There was five cake in total in the steaming bamboo basket. Shi Lihua was watching attentively to the fire and Wu Huan took the chance to ask some questions, "Shixiong hasn't told me who this is for. I doubt you would make one yearly for the sake of craving."
"How do you know I do this every year?" Shi Lihua then sighed coming to a realization, "Must be Wan Qiang."
"So?" There was the look of expectation from Wu Huan he had feared.
"It's for yearly offering."
They walked quietly further from the Snowy Pavilion into a forest. Because it was late into the evening, the narrow pathway and the cold back of Shi Lihua gave off a creepy feeling combined. About two incense sticks, they arrived at a small opening. He couldn't believe his eyes when he actually found a grave. "Shixiong," he whispered lifting up the oil lantern closer to Shi Lihua. "This is the offering place?"
The shixiong was already unwrapping the offerings and preparing three cakes before the name plate that actually had no name at all. "Do you...do you want to offer incense as well?"
Wu Huan's shoulders slumped, his face solemn. "Of course, Shixiong." On their way back, Wu Huan was afraid to ask. He only assumed it was his mother. But for a grave to be this far from the Sect without even a name on the plate, that was a hint for him to not be inappropriately nosy for now.
They were about to part way at the Snowy Pavilion but Shi Lihua held him back. He offered the bamboo basket. "For you. Thank you for today."
[For me!]
He was more than happy to accept it because he knew it wasn't just a leftover. The second bowl was actually reserved for him. "Rest well," he smiled before Shi Lihua closed the door.
It was probably the most delicious cake he has ever tasted without a doubt.
-
The next morning, all the happiness fled into dust. Wu Huan was pounding on Luo Yang down holding a letter. A drowsy and irritated Luo Yang finally answered, "What is it, you idiot? Do you know this is my holiday?"
Holding out the letter, the shidi didn't mouth a word. Luo Yang read with a curious face that later turned serious. "I knew it. He is doing it again."
"What do you know?" He almost yelled, too frustrated to mind it anymore. "He left to find the psychopath alone and what if something happens to him?"
Luo Yang let him wait outside so he could get dressed first. They had decided to report it to Master Ciu.
"I had an inkling feeling that he would do this. He was never the one to sit around if something bothered him."
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"Even if I do, he will still manage to slip away. You don't know how stubborn he is. I have had handfuls in the past"
Wu Huan froze, "Handful? He tried to run away before?"
"Yeah. Anyway, calm down. It's not like Hua'er can't protect himself. But, as I remember can't you track down people?" Luo Yang noticed the grim expression.
Wu Huan pulled out a sword tassel from his chest pocket. "He found out and left this with the letter."
The latter then burst into a loud laugh. "You're so cunning, you know that? How in the heavens did you get him to accept this? Tracking magic like this won't survive under Hua'er's watchfulness."
He was beginning to feel even more irritated so he changed the subject, "Quit it. We need to inform master as soon as possible."
Master Ciu's expression gave away that he wasn't even surprised. Had everyone but Wu Huan expected this to happen? Come to think about it, the osmanthus cakes were out of character. So, it was surely an apology gift.
"Does master know where he would go?"
"No, Huan'er. But, considering that he went after one of the leaders, it must either be the North or the West."
Yes, he already suspected that. "Master, please let me go after him. Shixiong will get himself in danger if the two masked guys find him."
Luo Yang also pleaded when Master Ciu began to look hesitant, "Elder Ciu, please let us go after him this time. This is not a simple matter he can solve alone."
A sigh.
"Let me discuss with the Sect Leader."
-
Wan Qiang later appeared next to Wu Huan's master when he returned. "Wan Qiang?" Luo Yang gaped, just as confused as Wu Huan. "What are you doing here?"
"I have heard, you idiot. Luckily, I was appointed a mission down South again so Sect leader insisted that I come along with you guys."
"But, we're not going South-"
She scowled, "Of course, I can rearrange. What I am saying is we are all appointed the mission to find the troublesome Shi Lihua and investigate the enemies."
"Us three?" Luo Yang turned to Ciu Ning. He nodded with a reassuring smile.
"Who else other than the best?"
-
Wu Huan was the late one as usual. He trudged out of the Sect to be greeted by two sour faces. "Sorry, I ended up sleeping past slumber time last night."
"It's obvious," Wan Qiang clicked her tongue.
"Let's go."
-
To Wu Huan,
You must be the first to find this, Wu Huan. I'm sorry to leave so suddenly, but I can't let you know. Please try to understand. I can't sit still letting the masked guys roaming around knowing very well what they are doing. I understand this is above me, however, I also have my own personal reason. Please apologize to master and father on my behalf. Thank you.
Take care,
Shi Lihua
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