Morning mist curled lazily around the Eastern Cloud Sect's courtyard as Li Tian, cup of tea in hand, considered the profound mysteries of… whether he should have noodles or steamed buns for breakfast.
> [Decision-making efficiency: -2]
"Li Tian!"
He didn't need to turn around. The voice was familiar — a little too familiar.
"Mei Lin," he said flatly. "Why are you shouting like we're on opposite mountains?"
The petite girl came bounding up the stone steps, her white sect robes already smudged with dust. "Because I know you'll pretend you didn't hear me if I talk normally."
"Accurate."
Mei Lin had been his neighbor since they were children in Willow Stream Village. She was one of the few people in the sect who wasn't terrified of him, mostly because she'd seen him at age six crying over a squashed mantis. Unfortunately, she remembered everything.
"I need your help," she announced.
"No."
"You didn't even hear what it is!"
"I did. It's trouble."
She folded her arms. "You're unbelievable."
"Correct," he sipped his tea.
---
Ten minutes later, he was following her to the outer training grounds. She had a knack for dragging him into other people's messes. This time it was a small group of junior disciples arguing over a shattered practice sword.
"He cheated!" one boy accused. "He used qi reinforcement during a spar!"
"It's not cheating if you're allowed to," the other retorted.
Mei Lin pushed Li Tian forward. "He'll settle it."
Li Tian blinked. "Why me?"
"Because you have that 'wise senior brother' aura."
> [Aura of Intimidation: +10]
The arguing boys immediately went pale. "Senior Brother Li… we'll sort it out ourselves."
"Good," Li Tian said, turning to leave.
"Wait!" Mei Lin hissed, grabbing his sleeve. "Aren't you going to mediate?"
"They already solved it. My job here is done."
"That wasn't— never mind." She sighed, falling into step beside him. "You're impossible."
---
They stopped under the shade of a large gingko tree. Mei Lin pulled out two steamed buns from her pouch. "Peace offering."
Li Tian took one without hesitation. "You learn fast."
She smirked. "I've known you since before you could tie your own sash. You're predictable."
"Predictable is just another word for reliable."
"Predictably lazy, maybe."
"True."
---
As they ate, a pair of passing disciples slowed, whispering urgently.
"That's him — the Silent Death."
"I heard he destroyed a man's cultivation with a smile."
Mei Lin rolled her eyes. "Do you enjoy these ridiculous rumors?"
"I don't start them."
"No, but you also don't stop them."
"Why would I? Free intimidation saves me effort."
She stared at him like she was debating whether to scold him or admit he had a point. In the end, she just bit into her bun and shook her head.
---
After breakfast, Mei Lin dragged him to the herbal gardens, where she'd volunteered for "light sect duty."
"You're helping me weed."
"No."
"You're helping," she repeated firmly.
Two minutes later, Li Tian was lying in the grass, staring at the clouds. Mei Lin knelt beside him, yanking weeds with practiced hands.
"I'm starting to think you only keep me around so you can make me do chores," he said.
"No, I keep you around because you're entertaining in a frustrating way."
> [Relationship durability with Mei Lin: +5]
---
A shadow fell over them. Senior Disciple Zhang from the Alchemy Hall stood there, holding a basket of herbs.
"Junior Sister Mei, do you require assistance?" Zhang asked with an overly polite bow.
Mei Lin smiled. "That's kind of you, but—"
"She's fine," Li Tian interrupted.
Zhang's smile twitched. "And you are?"
"Someone who doesn't like people hovering over my breakfast partner."
Mei Lin shot him a glare. "I can handle my own conversations, thank you."
Zhang nodded stiffly and left. Mei Lin turned back to the weeds, muttering, "You scared him off for no reason."
"He looked suspicious."
"He was just being nice."
> [Social awareness: -10]
---
By the time they finished, Mei Lin was sweaty and annoyed while Li Tian looked like he'd just woken from a nap.
"I don't know why I even bother bringing you along," she grumbled.
"Because I'm fun."
"You're— ugh, forget it. I'm going to the library."
Li Tian yawned. "I'll escort you."
She gave him a side-eye. "Are you worried I'll get lost in our own sect?"
"No, but you might get recruited into something, and then I'd have to rescue you."
Mei Lin laughed despite herself. "You make it sound like I'm a trouble magnet."
"You are."
---
In the library, Mei Lin settled at a table with several scrolls on medicinal qi flows. Li Tian sat opposite her, pretending to read while actually watching dust motes in the sunlight.
The quiet was interrupted by two younger disciples gawking at him from behind a bookshelf.
"That's Senior Brother Li! Don't meet his eyes!"
"Too late—"
The second one squeaked and ducked.
Mei Lin sighed. "You know, one day these ridiculous rumors are going to backfire."
"Probably," he said, turning another page of his completely unread scroll.
She studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable. "Sometimes I wonder what you're actually thinking."
Li Tian met her gaze lazily. "Mostly about lunch."
---
By sunset, they were walking back to their quarters. Mei Lin carried a small stack of books; Li Tian carried nothing but his hands in his sleeves.
At the parting path, she paused. "Thanks for today."
"I did nothing."
"Exactly," she smirked. "It's nice sometimes."
> [Friendship with Mei Lin: Stable]
Li Tian watched her go, then turned toward his own quarters, the air cooling around him as the rumors of the day settled into the sect's gossip network. Somewhere, someone was probably already writing "The Sure Dao" training manual based on how he sat under the gingko tree.
He didn't care. All he wanted now was dinner.
> [Slacker Path progression: +15]
---