After returning from their little beach excursion and bringing home food for Shizuka, the three decided to sleep. Well, Vanna decided to sleep. Shizuka had apparently napped the entire time they were gone, so she was no longer tired. The qilin opted to stay up and guard both Vanna and Liu Bai while they slept.
Quynh… Well, Quynh just left. He didn't say anything or give any indication as to where he was going, but that was normal according to Shizuka. The dragon would always return within a reasonable time, and had never gotten injured before. No one knew where he went whenever he left, but it didn't seem to trouble the qilin at all – so, Vanna tried to brush it off as well.
When Vanna awoke again, she was greeted by the sight of Liu Bai in the corner, suspended in the air.
The phoenix could not get used to the fact that Liu Bai could just float while he was meditating. Sure, they all had magical powers of some kind, but apparently his ability to float stemmed entirely from his natural cultivation ability – and not actual mana. That's what the others had told her, anyway.
"Good morning," Shizuka heaved a bored sigh. "I'm getting hungry, are you?"
Vanna sat up and stretched her arms. "I could eat. Where's Quynh?"
"He's looking for somewhere that we can all eat. It usually takes a while to do that," the qilin answered begrudgingly. "Liu Bai is a pain in the ass to feed most of the time, so we usually just disregard him – but due to his condition, it's important for his body to have energy."
"Just because I prefer to eat congee, that does not make me a pain in the ass," Liu Bai hissed, startling Vanna so much that she nearly fell off of the bed. "It is hardly my fault that the two of you care not for your bodies and minds the way I do. Complex foods, like you eat, are a waste of energy for digestion. You could be so much closer to enlightenment if you gave up the temptations of the unnatural world-"
"Don't you dare lecture me about the temptations of the unnatural world when you were literally in critical condition after trying an experimental illegal drug that you purchased on the streets," Shizuka interrupted. "Shut your mouth. Even if your food preferences aren't the reason, you are a pain in the ass in every other way, too."
Liu Bai didn't respond, and instead fell back into silence and meditation.
"I… see? So he will only eat congee?" Vanna clarified.
"That's right. There are other things that he will eat, too, but unless there's a traditional taoist-friendly restaurant, it's unusual for any place to have them on the menu. Congee is simply the most common one," Shizuka explained.
"I see," Vanna said, "...sort of."
Shizuka shook her head and ran her hands through her medium-length black hair, brushing it until it was presentable. It was only a few minutes later that her phone buzzed and the screen lit up. She reached down and checked the notification, then released a short breath of relief.
"Quynh said he actually found a restaurant run by a few people whose family members are cultivators, so their selection of delicacies should suit Liu Bai's tastes," Shizuka relayed the text. "Liu Bai, did you hear me? Get out of your head! It's time for us to go, I'm starving."
Liu Bai's eyes fluttered open and his brows furrowed; he was still clearly in a bad mood, but he didn't protest this time. He touched his feet back down to the ground and brushed his robes out, ensuring there were no noticeable wrinkles. Once he deemed himself ready, the three set out to meet Quynh at the eatery.
It was pretty far from the hotel that they stayed at, so Shizuka ended up hailing a cab to drive them most of the way. Vanna was amazed what great lengths they had to go to just to make the stubborn cat eat, but kept her lips sealed. The ride was only about ten minutes long, so it didn't feel too bad – and by the time they arrived, Vanna had started to feel her stomach actually rumbling.
Quynh was already waiting for them inside. As soon as they stepped through the threshold, which was behind a traditional curtain, they were greeted by a very beautifully designed dining area. Decorated with bamboo, small running fountains, mini rock gardens, and so on – it was very peaceful. Several tables were already full, and most of the patrons were dressed as strangely as Liu Bai.
'People like this really still exist?' Vanna thought quietly. 'How strange.'
The Crimson Dragon was seated at a table in the corner of the room, already sipping on a cup of steaming oolong tea. Shizuka, Vanna, and Liu Bai made their way to sit by him. Once seated, Vanna noticed that a lot of the other people who were dining in their hanfu, were casting strange glances in their direction.
She couldn't quite make out what all of them were saying, but it definitely didn't sound very nice. There were a few sentences that she managed to make out, though:
"Ugh," one of them groaned. "Why is the White Tiger here?"
"It isn't just him, it's all of them!" another responded with an irritated expression. After their noisy complaints, most of them stood up to leave early – their dishes only half-eaten.
Vanna shifted uncomfortably in her seat, which was right next to Liu Bai's. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, "Hey… those people don't really seem to like you."
"Of course they don't," the White Tiger answered haughtily. "Most cultivators dislike me. They can all tell that I am more enlightened than them – there is too much jealousy in their hearts."
The phoenix furrowed her brows slightly, but shook it off. He was probably right, anyway. How many people could actually manage to float in the air like that while they were meditating?! That was way too unreal for Vanna to fathom.
"Oh. That makes sense," Vanna said, to which Liu Bai gave a prideful 'hmph'.
"Waitress, I will take a large bowl of congee," the tiger spoke to the woman who hadn't even spoken yet. "Oh! Also, some lotus roots. Thanks."
"Of course, sir…" the woman replied with a smile so forced that it looked painful.