When he returned home, Kitten had already gone out.
Old Ox was still asleep.
Li Ping'an reached into the bedding. There was still some lingering warmth.
So he took off his shoes too and slipped beneath the covers.
He leafed through a Pill Manual on alchemy.
Outside, heavy snow swirled as he lay indoors, warming himself by the stove.
The stove crackled and popped, complementing the sound of the wind and snow outside.
After reading for a while, he could not resist catching up on some sleep.
By the time he woke again, it was already dark.
Little Girl had returned at some point and was making dinner.
"You're back, Fairy."
Seeing that Li Ping'an was awake, Kitten raised her head and stared at him.
"Why are you looking at me like that, Fairy?"
Kitten jumped down from the counter and took a few steps toward him.
"Why are you looking at me like that, Fairy?" Li Ping'an asked again.
Kitten's little face was solemn. "Did Big Ping’an buy lots of fried tofu today?"
"Yes," Li Ping'an admitted.
"Did you share it with the cats?"
"Yes, as a thank-you gift."
Kitten clenched her little paw into a fist and thumped it hard against the floor.
"Mm~ But this Fairy already gave them a thank-you gift! How could we give them two?"
"What did you give them, Fairy?"
"This Fairy spent a huge sum treating them to grilled fish."
It was clear that spending that money had truly pained Kitten terribly.
Then, when she heard that Big Ping’an had spent another sum buying fried tofu for the cats,
Cat Immortal had nearly fainted on the spot.
That was such a huge, huge sum of money!
Li Ping'an said, "I truly didn't know you had already treated them, Fairy."
Kitten spread her