Immortal Takeout - Chapter 12

That night, rain fell heavily and fast across the sky, the moon was nowhere to be seen. The Hongjiu River stretched out dark and murky beneath the clouds. Melting water from distant glaciers thundered down the river, roaring forward as it sang the seasonal hymn.

The otter family gathered around their warm dining table, bustling with excitement as they shared a reunion feast to celebrate the arrival of the rains. All the siblings were present except for the eldest brother, still unable to return from the city of Maochun, and the three who had not yet attained spirit form. The otter family had eleven children in total, and Ta Nuo was the third-born.

On the first day of the new year’s fishing season, the otter family reaped a bountiful harvest. Otter Brother Two alone caught nearly twenty fish. Their fish hold was packed to the brim, heralding a fresh start for the new year and promising good fortune in all endeavors. The finest way to celebrate was undoubtedly a feast of fish.

Ta Nuo wasn’t very skilled at eating fish. Worried that he might choke on a bone, his mother specially steamed a plate of boneless crucian carp. After a long day of hard work, Ta Nuo was completely drained. He ate absentmindedly, nearly poking his chopsticks into his nostrils. Holding his plate of crucian carp, he picked at the fish while mumbling, “Mom, how did you cook this fish?”

Otter Mom found this odd. Ta Nuo had never paid much attention to how fish was prepared. While generally a good eater with no pickiness, he still had clear preferences.

“If you like it, come home often. I’ll make it for you.” The otter mother was filled with endless worry and heartache for her son, a sea otter who had just reached adulthood and was eager to leave home to explore the world.

“Has A Nuo fallen for someone? Is he planning to steam fish for his sweetheart?” The fourth sister, Ta Qi, and the fifth sister, Ta Lin, identical twins with minds more delicate than their brothers, quickly jumped to romantic conclusions, giggling and teasing him.

By human standards, the otter sisters were just coming of age. They were currently working at Maochun’s largest seafood market, planning to enroll in culinary school to learn pastry-making. Both sported the twin ponytails popular in the human world lately, their youthful faces beaming with bright smiles.

Ta Nuo shook his head slowly, trying to deny it, but Ta Qi and Ta Lin cut him off with their chatter. Left with no way to explain, he could only offer a silly, cheerful grin.

Otter Dad and Ta Xing both frowned, silently picking at their fish, seemingly struggling to digest the fact that Ta Nuo had a love interest. Xiao Jiu, in the midst of his growing, devoured fish in huge bites, his face smeared with fish flakes. He didn’t understand a single thing, just followed along with Ta Nuo and giggled foolishly.

Xiao Shi was also a girl, just nine years old, her ponytail tied high up to the sky. She was a formidable fighter—no otter boy within miles could beat her. She gulped down the fish soup in her bowl in a few loud slurps, slammed it down on the table, wiped her mouth with a hearty gesture, and declared loudly, “Third Brother! If anyone bullies you, tell me! I’ll beat them up!”

The last to respond was the youngest, Xiao Shiyi. Not yet a year old, he couldn’t speak yet and could only chirp.

Otter families are known for their closeness and friendship, living in groups. Parents raised their young together, and older siblings helped care for the little ones. When Xiao Shiyi was born, Ta Nuo was still at home. Both Eldest Brother and Second Brother had left, so the responsibility of caring for Xiao Shiyi fell entirely to Ta Nuo. Ta Nuo took it seriously, teaching him to swim, grooming his fur, and doing his utmost to be the big brother he could be.

Xiao Shiyi adored this soft, cuddly brother, waving his tiny paws and rubbing his face vigorously, expressing his affection. Xiao Shiyi was deeply influenced by Ta Nuo. Though a river otter, he inevitably picked up sea otter habits, like occasionally rubbing his face and enjoying meals while lying on his belly.

Ta Nuo reached out, scooped his little brother up, and rubbed his soft belly to soothe him. “We’re not in a relationship,” he said. He desperately wanted to tell everyone that his relationship with the young boss was strictly professional, free of personal grudges.

Otter Mom misinterpreted his words. Worried, she said, “Has she not agreed yet? Don’t rush it, these things take time. But is she a fierce girl? While a strong personality is good in a girl, she shouldn’t be too fierce…”

Her eyes reddened as she noticed the scrapes on Ta Nuo’s paws and belly. Though children inevitably leave their parents’ side when they grow up, a mother worries no matter how far her child travels. No matter how big Ta Nuo became, in Otter Mom’s eyes, he would always be that little fur ball floating on the water, panicking and chirping for help.

“This year, your brother and I will catch more fish and send them to her family. If the opportunity is right, we can bring them back to meet them.” The taciturn otter father put down his plate and finally made a decision.

Tanuo rubbed his face in distress, feeling helpless and unsure how to explain. Xiao Shiyi also wrinkled his brow and rubbed his face in imitation, though the short fur on his face made it rather uncomfortable.

Otter Mom invited Ta Nuo to stay the night, spreading a warm, comfortable bed of freshly sun-dried soft grass for him. Ta Nuo lay beside his mother, rolling around and acting spoiled like he did when he was little. Every little wound on his body received gentle care. His fur, damp with rain, dried in the night breeze, becoming soft and fluffy. He no longer felt tired. Amidst the peaceful sound of rain, Tanuo fell into a sweet dream.

Early the next morning, Ta Nuo opened his eyes feeling refreshed and full of energy. He decided to try his luck at Da Luo’s Grocery Store again, perhaps the young owner would be in a good mood today. With that thought, Ta Nuo couldn’t bear to linger in bed.

Though the weather hadn’t cleared, the sky seemed slightly brighter than yesterday. Even though Ta Nuo thought he’d risen exceptionally early, outpacing the sun itself, Otter Dad had already eaten breakfast and gone into the water. He was still the last otter to wake up in the house.

Ta Nuo slowly finished his breakfast and put away the dishes. Before leaving, his mother had prepared two large glass jars for him, filled with various preserved seafood. Xiao Shiyi clung to his brother’s tail, chirping and refusing to let go.

Otter Mom was busy today; the warehouse still held a large haul of fish that needed processing quickly.She put a blue leash vest on Xiao Shiyi and told him to take his brother out to play.

Ta Nuo immediately recognized the leash vest as the kind people use for walking dogs. While it looked appropriate for his brother, he felt something was off about it.

“But I was planning to go into town today,” Ta Nuo said. As far as he knew, the humans here weren’t quite used to treating otters as pets yet.

Mother Otter handed him the leash and whisked away like a whirlwind, paying no attention to what he said. Ta Nuo gazed at the empty otter house, then glanced down at his brother, who was earnestly rubbing his face. He sighed inwardly, hoping the young boss wouldn’t mind him bringing a child to discuss business.

His brother was well-behaved, marching ahead on his own. He crawled along the ground with great pride for a while before quickly collapsing into a heap. Ta Nuo shifted into human form and hoisted his brother onto his shoulder. Xiao Shiyi chirped happily.

Better safe than sorry. Ta Nuo took a detour home, retrieved the small green ball given to him by Lin Manager, carefully wrapped it in a broad, sturdy bamboo leaf, tucked it into his bosom, and intending to give it to the young boss.

Under the drizzling rain, Ta Nuo encountered a few passersby on the road to Liujia Village. With everyone walking briskly under umbrellas, his act of carrying an otter became less conspicuous. He successfully smuggled Xiao Shiyi to the doorstep of Da Luo’s Grocery Store, which remained deserted as usual.

Holding an umbrella in one hand and tugging his brother’s harness with the other, Ta Nuo navigated the back courtyard with practiced ease before knocking on the door of the Luo family. Xiao Shiyi lay face-down, all four paws dangling, yet remained perfectly calm. Occasionally kicking a leg, he quietly played the role of a handbag.

Ta Nuo knocked for quite some time before someone answered. The young boss wore a long-sleeved white shirt today, looking as handsome as ever. Ta Nuo smiled and greeted him with a cheerful “Good morning.”

Luo Xiang’s gaze fell on the plump, slippery Xiao Shiyi. After a long silence, he said, “Just send the food straight to the kitchen.”

Huh?

Ta Nuo froze for a moment, then waved his hands frantically. ” This isn’t food, it’s my little brother!”

He picked up the confused Xiao Shiyi and brought him in front of Luo Xiang. Xiao Shiyi raised his hind paw, gently rubbed his belly, chirped softly, and widened his two tiny eyes.

“This is my little brother,” Ta Nuo emphasized. “His name is Ta Tami. You can’t eat him.”

Luo Xiang furrowed his brow, slowly studying Ta Nuo and Ta Tami. Suddenly, he clicked his tongue and slammed the door shut.