Immortal Takeout - Chapter 13

Ta Tami nestled in Ta Nuo’s embrace, chirping nonsensically as if puzzled by the situation. Ta Nuo patted his belly and soothed him, “Don’t worry, doors in the human world are like this. You have to knock twice or more before they open.”

Ta Tami nodded, leaning on Ta Nuo with complete trust.

Unfortunately, Ta Nuo’s prediction proved inaccurate this time. He knocked on the Luo family’s door for a full ten minutes while holding Ta Tami, but the gate remained firmly locked. Neither the young boss nor the White Umbrella came to answer the door. Ta Nuo tied his brother’s leash around his waist and walked around the gate. There was a hollow carved window in the north wall. The window was high, so Tanuo found two stepping stones, stepped carefully on them, and leaned over the window to look into the yard.

Ta Tami stood up on his hind legs, clinging to Ta Nuo’s ankle, also curiously looking into the wall—from his low height , he could see nothing but bricks.

The young boss wasn’t in the courtyard; a few cardboard boxes lay scattered on the ground. White Umbrella drifted back and forth above the courtyard, teasing a chubby little sparrow.

It was unusual to see sparrows this season, Ta Nuo thought, and this one was rather fat… He smacked his lips, and when he looked up, his eyes met the white umbrella’s gaze.

They stared at each other in silence.

Perhaps embarrassed at being caught teasing the sparrow, the white umbrella folded its canopy and floated slowly to the doorway, opening it for Ta Nuo.

The fluffy gray sparrow, with its belly sticking out and its head tilted, curiously examined the stranger.

Ta Nuo gave a slight bow and offered a polite greeting. White Umbrella pretended not to hear, instead using the metal tip of his umbrella to give Ta Tami’s bottom a gentle poke, eliciting a mournful chirp. Ta Nuo hurriedly scooped up his younger brother.

The little sparrow was frightened by Ta Tami’screams and suddenly scurried up the old pear tree, hiding among the branches and disappearing in an instant.

Just as Ta Nuo was racking his brains, thinking about how to strike up a conversation with an umbrella, there was a chaotic commotion in the sky. He looked up and saw a large flock of mallards quacking towards them. Flapping their powerful wings, they formed a dense, dark mass like a thick black cloud, rushing to the north from the south. These were wild ducks returning south, carrying parcels from afar.

Countless delivery boxes of varying sizes rained down from the sky like a sudden downpour. Ta Nuo hurriedly shielded Ta Tami with his body, but couldn’t dodge in time and took a direct hit to his forehead.

The white umbrella fared better. It swiftly opened its canopy, blocking a wave of boxes. The packages struck its sturdy surface, bouncing off and scattering in all directions, landing in a hasty heap on the ground.

The whole process of the wild ducks dropping the packages was very fast.  In the blink of an eye, they had already reorganized their formation and were flying to a place further north in perfect order. They would find the lakes and waters where their ancestors had lived, rest and recuperate, and when the weather warmed further, they would welcome this year’s busy breeding season.

He watched the mallards depart, slowly rubbing the bump on his forehead. He glanced at the scattered parcels—new delivery boxes mingled with old ones, drenched in spring rain and mud, looking utterly messy.

The delivery slips were written in brushstrokes, sealed with cinnabar. These talismans weren’t complex, yet they worked remarkably well—if a package wasn’t delivered to its intended recipient,  it would automatically self-destruct. Different symbols marked the boxes, indicating that they came from different mountain gates or sects, all addressed to the master of Maochun. The handwriting was wet from the rain, and most of it was blurred. If they weren’t quickly sorted and organized, the boxes themselves might get waterlogged.

Ta Nuo brought his younger brother to the dry area under the eaves, rubbing his head as he looked at the courtyard filled with parcels, feeling troubled. Luo Xiang heard the commotion in the courtyard and came out from the inner room. Standing beside Ta Nuo, he also looked at the chaotic courtyard, his brow furrowed tightly, veins bulging on his arms.

Ta Tami tentatively nudged Luo Xiang’s pant leg with his icy paw, once, twice but went unnoticed.

“We should tidy this up quickly, or everything will get soaked,” Ta Nuo offered cautiously, searching for words.

Luo Xiang hummed in acknowledgment, then suddenly turned to stare intently at Ta Nuo. Ta Nuo met his gaze nervously, holding his breath.

“You need something from me,” Luo Xiang stated. His tone was flat and unyielding.

Eh… Ta Nuo felt a bit embarrassed. While it was true, having it stated so bluntly felt awkward. He kept watching the young boss, hoping to discern his intent from the irritation in his expression.

Luo Xiang remained silent.

Just like before, Ta Nuo rubbed his face, relying on his own comprehension to decipher the young boss’s unspoken meaning. Work again today? He frowned, his mouth turning down in frustration.

Moments later, Ta Nuo was tossed into the damp courtyard, a low stool and a sharp paper cutter suddenly in his hands. Ta Tami swam over in panic, clinging tightly to his brother.

“Sort everything out, and make a list,” Luo Xiang instructed succinctly.

As he spoke, a sheet of white paper and a pen appeared in Ta Nuo’s hand. He unfolded the paper, but the steadily falling raindrops quickly soaked through the surface. Ta Nuo glanced up at the sky with a sigh of frustration. Before he could say anything, Luo Xiang waved his hand. The white umbrella suddenly spun, transforming with a thud into a massive canopy. Once unfurled, it steadied itself above Ta Nuo, covering most of  the courtyard.

Ta Nuo and Ta Tami clasped their faces, held their faces in their hands, exclaiming in amazement. Ta Nuo’s eyes widened, then quickly filled with delight. This made things much easier, and the items wouldn’t get wet.

He began sorting the delivery boxes with great enthusiasm. It wasn’t complicated work, just requiring patience. He was always meticulous in his tasks, so this wasn’t a problem for him. The only thing that was a bit challenging was probably making the list. He hadn’t learned human language well, and his handwriting was crooked and unattractive.Thinking of the young boss’s elegant handwriting compared to his own otter-crawl script, Ta Nuo felt a pang of shame. He resolved to write more carefully, moving slowly and steadily stroke by stroke, striving to improve.

With a soft click, Luo Xiang lit a cigarette, held it between his lips, and exhaled a puff of smoke.

Ta Nuo gently flared his nostrils, inexplicably finding the scent of this smoke pleasant. Unlike the tobacco aroma favored by ordinary humans, it wasn’t pungent. Instead, it carried a rich, natural herbal fragrance that soothed his otter soul, filling his entire body with strength. He wondered what ingredients it was made from.

At first, Ta Tami eagerly offered to help, tearing and rolling around among the empty boxes. After a flurry of activity, he finally grew tired. With his mouth full of paper scraps, he sprawled across a cardboard box and fell fast asleep.

Tanuo took off his coat and draped it over Ta Tami. Rubbing his hands together, he resumed his work. Unpacking parcels wasn’t entirely tedious; encountering various types of spirit-enhancing supplements with different effects broadened Tanuo’s horizons.

Take this “Chang” pill he was handling, for instance. From the Geshan Sect, it looked like an unremarkable brown pill, yet it could sharpen the senses, enhance insight, and elevate one’s state of enlightenment—a top-tier supplement. He’d only seen historical records of it in the book “Nutrition for Cultivators,” never the actual item, so he couldn’t help but feel excited.

The early spring rain was still too cold. Ta Nuo shed his coat, left only in a snow-white turtleneck sweater. He shivered with cold and sneezed several times.

“Sorry,” he nodded to Luo Xiang, took out a clean handkerchief, and blew his nose.

Luo Xiang suddenly straightened up, swiftly pinching out his cigarette butt in his palm,  his whole body tensing. Thinking Luo Xiang was angry, Ta Nuo opened his mouth to apologize but was silenced by Luo Xiang.

Luo Xiang moved beside Ta Nuo. “Don’t move,” he whispered, his eyes fixed on the eastern horizon.

Ta Nuo, confused, instinctively scooped his younger brother into his arms. Just then, Ta Tami suddenly jolted awake from his sleep, letting out a frightened squeak as he burrowed deeper into Ta Nuo’s embrace. Simultaneously, Ta Nuo felt an inexplicable chill rising from the soles of his feet.

He shuddered and looked up at Luo Xiang.

Luo Xiang said nothing, standing silently for a moment. He bent down, gently tracing two fingers of his right hand across Ta Nuo’s forehead. “Hold your dog and stay under the umbrella,” he said, his tone unwavering.

“He’s not a dog, he’s my little brother…” Ta Nuo couldn’t help but whisper in rebuttal.

But clearly, Luo Xiang cared little about Ta Nuo’s breed. With a light tap of his toes against the ground, he sprang into the air, swiftly leaping onto the rooftop. His movements were light and nimble, like an graceful cat. After a few leaps, he was out of sight.

Ta Nuo gaped in astonishment, staring blankly at the spot where Luo Xiang had vanished for a long moment. After a while, he touched his forehead. The spot Luo Xiang had touched was astonishingly hot to the touch, yet Ta Nuo felt no discomfort whatsoever. Instead, his vision felt crystal clear, his entire body light and relaxed, and warmth spread through his limbs.

Tiamat had also relaxed at some point, curling up into a soft ball with his tail wrapped around himself. He slumped onto Tanor’s lap, yawned, and drifted back to sleep.

Tanor whispered to the White Umbrella, “Does the young boss need any help? Is he okay?”

He didn’t ask what had happened specifically. If it was a secret he shouldn’t know, asking so rashly would be rude. But he couldn’t help but worry about the young boss. Apparently, running a general store wasn’t something anyone could do casually, and the job wasn’t just about collecting money and receiving packages. The first time he’d seen the young boss, he’d been fighting someone. Today was probably another tough battle.

White Umbrella remained silent, clearly rejecting Ta Nuo’s curiosity.

Ta Nuo sighed, took a deep breath, and forced himself to continue unpacking the delivery boxes and recording the receipts. If the young boss had gone off to fight someone again, he’d be in an even worse mood upon returning to find the courtyard littered with messy cardboard boxes. He felt he could do something for him, even if it was just something simple and trivial.

He finished tidying the last delivery box, restoring the yard to its neat, spacious state. Luo Xiang appeared almost at the same moment. He stepped silently onto the roof tiles and leapt down. The timing was perfect.

Ta Nuo nervously glanced at the young boss, relieved to see no visible injuries. “I’ve sorted everything. I’ve finished the list, but the handwriting isn’t very pretty” he whispered, reaching for the paper he’d been hiding.

Luo Xiang gave a slight nod. The paper in Ta Nuo’s hand began to float, drifting straight into the house. The white umbrella returned to its original form, shook off the droplets clinging to its surface, and then floated back inside.

Luo Xiang walked to the hand-pump well in the courtyard and began filling a basin with clean water. Only then did Ta Nuo notice his hands were covered in blood. Ta Nuo felt a wave of fear wash over him and covered his nose. Luo Xiang, however, remained remarkably calm. He meticulously cleaned his hands, the bloodstains fading away with the flowing water until his arms were clean and white again.

Luo Xiang turned and walked toward the house. Reaching the eaves, he glanced back at the sea otter.

Ta Nuo stood in the courtyard, his hands clasped together. Raindrops fell into his hair, onto his clothes, and into his eyes.

“Follow me,” Luo Xiang raised his chin, signaling Ta Nuo.

Ta Nuo nodded and trotted after him. Aside from the night he saw Mr. Luo off, this was the first time Ta Nuo had been formally invited into the young boss’s living quarters. He couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement. He rubbed his shoes on the mat in the hallway for a long while, making sure the soles were dry before bowing apologetically and stepping inside, carrying his sleeping younger brother with him.

The room was unexpectedly warm, a stark contrast to the cold outside. Unlike the cramped, bustling grocery shop, the Luo household’s furnishings were minimal: a table, a chair, a small stand, a cabinet. The large hall stood largely empty, as if the owner believed life required only the most basic necessities.

Luo Xiang hopped onto the table and sat down directly, offering the chair to Ta Nuo. After thanking him, Ta Nuo sat down holding Ta Tami, and a cup of hot tea immediately appeared in his hand.

“Drink it,” Luo Xiang said.

Ta Nuo had pretty much figured out the young boss’s temperament: not particularly friendly, speaking concisely with a stiff tone, preferring to give orders, and easily growing impatient if you talked too much. But overall, the young boss was actually a decent person.

The tea smelled wonderful, its cool liquid dotted with red flower petals. Ta Nuo carefully cradled the cup and asked, “What is this?”

Luo Xiang had already lit another cigarette. He exhaled a puff of smoke and replied, “Acacia.”

Acacia eases tension and soothes anxiety. The implication was clear, a subtle jab at Ta Nuo for being overly timid, jumping at every little sound and bristling at the slightest disturbance.

Ta Nuo paid it no mind, taking several thoughtful sips of the tea before offering sincere praise. “I think it’s delicious.”

Seeing his serious review, Luo Xiang chuckled softly, his lips curling up like a cat’s.

It was the first time Ta Nuo had seen the young boss smile, leaving him momentarily frozen, unsure how to react. He’s so handsome, Ta Nuo thought, but what came out was, “Can I give you a gift?”

Luo Xi took a deep drag on his cigarette and said, “Trying to bribe me?”

“Yes, trying to bribe you.”

“You’re quite sincere,” Luo Xi chuckled again. Perhaps it was because the young boss had won the fight, leaving him overjoyed. What incredible luck! He planned to strike while the iron was hot. If he could smoothly secure the strategic cooperation agreement, it would be perfect.

Ta Nuo hurriedly pulled out the carefully wrapped little green ball from his pocket. He carefully peeled back the bamboo leaves, revealing the small ball inside to Luo Xiang.

Luo Xiang raised an eyebrow slightly, looking somewhat surprised. Ta Nuo stared intently, holding his breath, afraid Luo Xiang wouldn’t like his gift. Unexpectedly, Luo Xiang stubbed out his cigarette butt and reached out to take it.

This is the first time that the young boss has taken the initiative to accept my gift! Ta Nuo’s eyes lit up, and his mind pictured the wonderful picture of the flood of orders that were overwhelming. Hehe, he couldn’t help but let out a silly chuckle.

Just then, Ta Tami, who had woken up at some point, suddenly stood up, hopped into Ta Nuo’s palm, bit the small green ball, and swallowed it.

Luo Xiang’s hand froze mid-air.

Ta Nuo’s mind went blank for an instant.

Pah—

Disgusted by the strange taste of the little green ball, Ta Tami spat it out, sticking out his tongue repeatedly. He wiped his mouth with his paw in disgust. The little green ball, now slobbery and wet, fell to the floor and rolled to the corner.

For a moment, the room fell into an eerie silence.

Ta Nuo couldn’t help but hug Ta Tami tightly.

……

A moment later, holding Ta Tami, Ta Nuo was grabbed by the collar and tossed out the door.

“Don’t be afraid.” Ta Nuo got up, rubbed his butt and comforted his brother, “In the human world, being thrown out is also a way to leave the owner’s home. This is normal.”

Ta Tami nodded blankly.