Although Obito had returned with a huge haul of sumptuous ingredients, Shi Xiu and the others quickly ate almost all of it.
With only a few scraps left on the table, Kushina swiftly got to work cleaning up.
She deftly sorted the leftover food, then carefully put it away in the refrigerator.
Once everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, Shi Xiu slowly stood up and walked over to Yagura. He gently patted his shoulder and said with a cheerful smile, "Yagura, I'm afraid you'll have to stay in the Kamui Dimension a little longer."
At that, Yagura shuddered, swallowed with difficulty, and forced a fawning smile onto his face.
Yagura stammered, "Um... Shi Xiu-sama, do you think you could..."
Unfortunately, before he could finish, Shi Xiu used Kamui without hesitation.
The space before them twisted, and Yagura vanished in an instant, sent back to the Kamui Dimension.
At the same time, Shi Xiu's lips curled into a sly smile. He called out, "Nope!"
Night had quietly fallen, and a faint rosy glow spread across the horizon. Shi Xiu looked up at the sky, then turned to Kakashi and Nara Luling. "It's getting late. Kakashi, Luling, you two should head home for tonight."
Kakashi nodded obediently to show he understood. Nara Luling, however, seemed reluctant to leave. Her beautiful eyes gazed at Shi Xiu with deep affection, as if she still had so much she wanted to say.
In the end, Nara Luling silently turned and slowly walked toward the door with Kakashi.
Shi Xiu watched them leave. Only after they had completely disappeared from sight did he come back to himself.
Shi Xiu turned and waved to Haku, saying gently, "Haku, you can sleep with me tonight. Tomorrow, I'll figure out how to expand this house and set aside a room just for you."
Haku nodded obediently and replied softly, "Thank you, sir."
After saying goodbye to Minato and the others, Shi Xiu turned and led Haku inside.
As soon as he entered the room, Shi Xiu was like a weary bird returning to its nest. He went straight to the soft, comfortable bed and flopped onto it with a contented sigh.
Haku, following behind him, stood quietly by the bed. He pressed his lips together, seeming as if he wanted to say something, but hesitated.
At last, as though he had finally gathered his courage, Haku spoke softly. "Sir, maybe... I should just make a bed on the floor."
After saying this, Haku lowered his head, not daring to meet Shi Xiu's eyes, and unconsciously fidgeted with the hem of his clothes.
Hearing that, Shi Xiu, who had already closed his eyes to rest, abruptly opened them and sat up.
He looked at Haku helplessly, though a warm smile tugged at his lips. "Haku, you don't have to be so formal. Why sleep on the floor? Do you dislike me or something?" As he spoke, Shi Xiu patted the empty space beside him and looked at Haku.
Haku hurriedly shook his head and waved his hands. "N-no, sir."
At last, Haku gave a slight nod and slowly made his way toward the bed.
When he reached it, he hesitated again. Only then did he carefully sit on the edge before slowly lying down, curling himself into a tight little ball as if afraid he might take up too much space or disturb Shi Xiu.
Seeing him like that, Shi Xiu couldn't help chuckling to himself. Haku was just too cute and innocent. He gently patted the empty space beside him, once again inviting Haku to move closer.
Haku paused, then shifted a little nearer to Shi Xiu.
The two lay quietly on the soft bed. For a while, the only sound in the room was their faint breathing, mingling together.
After a long while, Haku cautiously broke the silence. "Sir, that girl today seemed to have feelings for you."
Shi Xiu, who had been pretending to sleep with his eyes closed, slowly opened them. He let out a soft sigh, and a complex emotion surfaced in his deep eyes.
After hesitating for a moment, Shi Xiu finally gave in. He rolled over, reached out, and pinched Haku's fair, delicate cheek as he said softly,
"You little brat. You sure know a lot for someone so young! All right, stop thinking about things like that and close your eyes. Go to sleep."
Haku was startled by Shi Xiu's sudden move. His delicate face twisted slightly as Shi Xiu squeezed it.
Haku shook his head with all his might, trying to escape Shi Xiu's grasp, and pleaded, "S-sir, please don't! I won't ask weird questions again!"
Seeing Haku's pitiful expression, Shi Xiu finally showed mercy and let go. Then, as if nothing had happened, he lay back down and stared blankly at the white ceiling.
Haku sat up beside him and gently rubbed his sore cheeks with both hands. Then he lay back down on his side, his bright, watery eyes fixed unblinkingly on Shi Xiu.
Feeling Haku's intense gaze, Shi Xiu couldn't help finding it strange. He turned to look at Haku and asked, "Haku? Why do you keep staring at me? Is there something you want to say?"
Haku parted his lips, seeming as though he really did want to say something, but in the end, he only shook his head and replied quietly, "N-nothing."
Shi Xiu smiled at Haku's bashful expression, the corners of his lips lifting as he shook his head helplessly.
Haku's cheeks were flushed like the evening clouds. He lowered his head, not daring to meet Shi Xiu's eyes.
Time slipped by. Before long, sleepiness crept over Haku. His once-bright eyes grew hazy, and his eyelids seemed bewitched, drooping and fluttering as they fought to stay open.
Shi Xiu noticed the change. He gently reached out and patted Haku's shoulder, his voice as warm as a spring breeze. "If you're tired, go ahead and sleep."
Hearing Shi Xiu's tender words, Haku felt a warm current well up in his heart.
Haku raised his head and looked at Shi Xiu's handsome face, his eyes flickering. After hesitating for a long time, he finally mustered the courage to open his arms and hug Shi Xiu tightly. "Thank you, sir. You're so kind!"
Shi Xiu clearly hadn't expected Haku to do that. He froze for a moment, then a fond smile appeared on his face.
Shi Xiu wrapped his arms around Haku as well, holding him carefully and gently patting his back as though soothing a child to sleep.
"Sleep now, sleep..." Shi Xiu murmured. His gentle voice was like a beautiful lullaby, echoing softly through the quiet room.
Haku nodded obediently, then gently closed his eyes, his long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings. Before long, his breathing grew even, and he drifted into a sweet dream.
Shi Xiu still lay quietly on the bed. He turned his head and gazed intently at Haku's peaceful face.
Moonlight spilled through the window, casting a silvery glow over Haku's face and making his skin seem as smooth as jade and his features as lovely as a flower. As Shi Xiu watched the beautiful sight, a sense of peace unlike anything he had ever felt filled his heart.
Looking at Haku, asleep in his arms, Shi Xiu thought that perhaps it was time to make a decision about Nara Luling.