Hopeless at Naming

Shen Jingchuan looked at the horse and cleared his throat:

"You're different, though. I can't very well call you Little Black too. I'll think of a name for you that sounds better than both of theirs."

At that, the horse jerked its head up. Its black-grape eyes lit up instantly, and its ears stood straight, with a trace of cautious anticipation.

Shen Jingchuan stared at its four snow-white hooves for a few seconds and scratched the back of his head:

"Hmm... I can't think of anything too elegant right now. It's a little common, but you'll be Treading Snow."

Treading Snow froze for a moment, then gave a cheerful snort and nodded several times. He took two steps forward of his own accord, as if afraid Shen Jingchuan might go back on his word and change his name.

"Oh, looks like you're pretty pleased."

Shen Jingchuan laughed, then turned to see Big Black trudging over dejectedly. He stood at Shen Jingchuan's side and tilted his neck, presenting the back of his head to him.

Seeing that he was unhappy, Shen Jingchuan reached into his robe and took three pieces of milk candy from the space. He unwrapped one and held it to Big Black's mouth first.

Big Black's nose twitched as the sweet, milky scent reached him. He turned his head away and held out for two seconds, but ultimately couldn't resist the temptation. Lowering his head, he lazily curled his tongue around the candy and drew it into his mouth, chewing gently.

"See? It's a great name: imposing and easy to remember."

Shen Jingchuan reached out and ruffled his mane a couple of times, murmuring a few soothing words. Then he unwrapped another piece and offered it to Little Black beside him.

Little Black had been sulking just moments ago, but the milky scent broke his resolve too. He came over, took the candy in his mouth, then retreated to chew it slowly, the tips of his ears swaying gently without his noticing.

Treading Snow had long since come over to wait, his hooves tapping out quick little steps. Shen Jingchuan held out the last piece of candy, and Treading Snow rubbed against his palm as he took it, utterly delighted.

With the three pieces of milk candy in their bellies, the three big darlings were finally appeased.

Shen Jingchuan clapped his hands, then turned to Liu Hu, who was waiting nearby, and instructed him, "Liu Hu, take good care of these three horses. Give them the best fodder and water."

"Rest assured, young master. I understand." Liu Hu hurriedly bowed and accepted the order.

Shen Jingchuan glanced back at the three horses, who had lowered their heads to savor the lingering milky taste. Smiling, he shook his head and turned to leave the courtyard.

When he returned to the rear courtyard, the three little girls had long since finished their apples and were wiping their mouths with handkerchiefs. At the sight of him, they all lowered their heads, a little embarrassed.

Over the next few days, Shen Jingchuan traveled back and forth between the two worlds at his own pace.

He returned to the modern world at night, exchanged messages with Meng Ke every day and chatted briefly about how things were going. During the day, he visited several supermarkets to shop, gradually filling the space with rice, flour, grain, oil, and assorted odds and ends.

After crossing over to the other world, he kept taking the items out under cover of his backpack, telling the three girls only that they were novelties he had obtained from a traveling merchant caravan.

Life in the other world was leisurely, and he grew increasingly close to the three horses in the western side courtyard.

Whenever he went to the stable, he made sure to bring something tasty, and the three girls fought the horses for it every time.

Big Black had always been proud and paid the three girls no mind, holding his head high as though he couldn't be bothered with them.

Shen Jingchuan came to play with them several times a day. Little Black and Treading Snow were more affectionate; whenever they heard his footsteps, they came over and nuzzled his sleeves. Liu Hu watched from the side, especially envious: they had never been this close to him.

Tomorrow was the day he had arranged to meet the Lin father and son, and everything he had bought earlier had arrived.

Shen Jingchuan strolled into the rear garden alone. With no one around, he summoned a stack of sabers and swords from the space with a thought. He cradled the heavy weapons in one arm, pushed open the garden's little gate with the other, and walked to the stable.

Liu Hu was adding fodder with his head down. Hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw Shen Jingchuan. He was just about to bow when his gaze fell on the pile of sabers and swords in Shen Jingchuan's arms, and he froze for a moment.

The three horses immediately stopped chewing as well. Big Black led the way, with Treading Snow and Little Black close behind. They all gathered around Shen Jingchuan, stretching out their heads to rub against him, their tails swishing gently.

Shen Jingchuan smiled and stepped forward, patting each of them along the mane before turning to Liu Hu:

"Liu Hu, come take these."

Liu Hu hurried over, carefully took the weapons into his arms, and lowered his head:

"Young master, what are these?"

"They're all newly forged weapons."

Shen Jingchuan first picked out four from the pile—three thick-backed long sabers and a delicate woman's shortsword—and handed them to him:

"Find some time to put an edge on all of these and sharpen them. Do these four first; I'll need them tomorrow."

Liu Hu gathered the four separately into his arms and readily nodded:

"Rest assured, young master. I used to sharpen weapons often. A little job like this won't trouble me."

Shen Jingchuan pointed to the six remaining in his arms, three sabers and three swords:

"Sharpen these six as well. There's no rush, so take your time. Pick one that suits you and keep it for self-defense."

Liu Hu jerked his head up, his face full of surprised delight. With the weapons in his arms, he couldn't bow, so he simply nodded repeatedly:

"Thank you for the reward, young master! Thank you, young master!"

He carefully secured the two stacks of weapons in his arms, one on each side, and said, "I'll get to it right away." Only then did he turn and carry them back to his room in the southern building.

Shen Jingchuan reached out and ruffled Big Black's forehead a couple more times, then touched the tips of Little Black's and Treading Snow's noses in turn before strolling out of the stable.

The next morning, he went to the supermarket again and bought all the ingredients the other world didn't have, such as beef-tallow hotpot base, dipping sauces, vermicelli, and frozen tofu. He also picked up several packs of fresh mutton and sliced fatty beef.

As for the remaining fresh vegetables and meat, he had Madam Liu take her daughter Cui'er into town to buy them in the other world.

At around ten in the morning, Shen Jingchuan returned to the other world.

He carried a bulging cloth bag into the rear courtyard kitchen. Madam Liu was helping Cui'er sort vegetables. Both were startled to see him come in and hurriedly curtsied:

"Young master, what brings you to this smoky, greasy place? Take care not to dirty your clothes."

"I've brought you some good things."

Shen Jingchuan set his backpack on the chopping board and laid out a pile of bottles and jars of seasonings:

"We're having guests over tonight. I brought some unusual seasonings, and I'll show you how to use them."