Secrets Hidden Within The Bamboo Forest

🎍Eight🎍

      Shen Qingqiu thought for a while. What did he want to eat? The only thing he's eaten in his life was human flesh. Never once human food.
      "Surprise me" Shen Qingqiu said.
      Luo Binghe smiled even more brightly.
      "Yes Shizun!" He instantly ran off to the kitchen.
      'Ah, what a sweet child' Shen Qingqiu thought to himself.

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     Luo Binghe eventually returned with the food freshly made, Shen Qingqiu at this time was properly dressed and was in the middle of fixing up his hair when Luo Binghe returned. 
     "Ah, Binghe back so soon?" Shen Qingqiu abandoned doing his hair and sat at the table where Luo Binghe had set the tray of fresh, hot Congee, a tiny bowl of berries to add to it if he desired and warm tea to top it all off.
     "This disciple didn't want Shizun to wait long" Luo Binghe said.
     Shen Qingqiu smiled.
     "I don't mind waiting long Binghe, food after all is a form of art-and art needs time to be perfected. Next time, don't rush, take your time with the food to ensure everything is perfect and rich in flavor" Shen Qingqiu said.
     He didn't know why he was making this a lesson-one of Luo Binghe's most popular skills was his cooking skills. In 'Proud Immortal Demon Way' his cooking was one of his most lady killing skills-if any woman was stubborn to enter his harem-his cooking got to their hearts and instantly they agreed. 
     Pretty much most of his harem members were "Eat what you want, but keep your mouth shut". Shen Qingqiu felt bad for some of them-but what can he do now? 
     Despite the mini lesson of cooking which Luo Binghe didn't need, Luo Binghe nodded.
     "Yes Shizun! This disciple will remember your kind words for next time" He said.
     "Very well then" Shen Qingqiu picked up some chop sticks, dropped some berries in and took a bite. 
    Luo Binghe waited for his Shizun's reaction to his cooking.

     Shen Qingqiu could cry. 
     He ignored that it was produced by none other than Luo Binghe.
     He focused that he... Shen Qingqiu who was a born and raised Ghoul could EAT human food.
     Shen Qingqiu, a week before he transmigrated when he took that walk-he's seen so many people eat the food he just now had the privilege of eating. One good thing about being transmigrated here was that he could eat human food. 
     The bad thing?
     He'd never see his siblings and parents again to tell them of his experience of human food.
     He remembers when he was younger-his parents were at a friends party-human. They invited them and their kids-saying as they had kids themselves and decided maybe the kids would perhaps get along. His parents agreed, and decided to take Shen Qingqiu-Shen Yuan then along as he was allowed to be home for that week before he was shipped off back to the hospital.
     He played with the humans-only rule was that they said NOTHING about the fact they were ghouls, and were told to avoid eating there. But being an eight year old at the time-he didn't understand why. Why were those kids allowed to eat here but not he and his siblings?
     His older brothers understood that rule very well, and played carefully. 
     Shen Yuan then was hungry-he went to his mother and tugged her dress.
     "Yes A-Yuan?" She asked, her voice gentle and sweet.
     "I'm hungry" 
     Her face fell and she sighed "I know baby, give mommy at least thirty minutes, okay?" She patted his head. 
     Shen Yuan then didn't want to wait to eat. He was hungry and he wanted to eat now. He walked over to the food table, and he looked at what he thought to be delicious at the time. Picking up a bowl of yogurt, he took a plastic spoon, and he walked off to sit somewhere, and there, he took his first bite of human food.
     It was indeed gross, he wanted to puke it out-but he was hungry and this is what he got. He continued to eat until he cried and walked to his mom.
    "Mom" Shen Yuan said.
    "Yes baby?"
    "I don't feel so good" He said, putting his hands to his stomach. 
    "What do you mean?" She kneeled down and put the back of her hand to his forehead.
    But Shen Yuan then buckled over and puked.
    On his mothers dress and the floor. Everyone around back up-but his mother wasn't even fazed. She sighed as she looked at the humans yogurt he puked up.
    "Oh baby-I said to wait didn't I?" She took off her coat to wipe his face as her husband came by with rags-the host's eldest kids came by with cleaning supplies.
    "I'm sorry mom.." 
    On the car ride home, his father wasn't pleased at all.
    "Shen Yuan" He began "You know we don't eat human food"
    "Why?"
    "We're special dearie" She said.
    "Our bodies... Don't need human food"
     "We need mommy's special food?" Back then-Shen Yuan didn't know what a ghoul was-he thought everyone was and was always confused why he was told to never talk about it to anyone. But he listened anyway.
     It wasn't until he was 13 when he found out why.
     He was a monster-he began watching about them from the hospital T.V in the room he practically lived in all his life, and more and more he hated what he is. But as he grew-he turned that bad thing to good-and used it as an excuse to never go out. 
     "Nah-I'm good. I don't wanna accidentally hurt someone-it's time for me to eat anyway-"
     "No-I'm okay. I don't wanna go out where society hates what I am"
      Shen Yuan had countless excuses to never go out, and he was fine with that.
      The first time he had human food was also the last time up until he transmigrated. That first time he drank that cold tea-he was scared. What if it was just as bad as that yogurt? What if he puked it up? 
      He was in shock when he felt that it wasn't all that bad.
      His first human food was Yogurt.
      His first human drink was cold tea.
      Second time eating human food...
      It's warm.
      Soft.
      fluffy and juicy.
      It was so good he wanted to cry-he wanted to cry that he was able to taste what humans enjoyed so much. It just might've been Luo Binghe's beautiful skills when it came to cooking-or the fact that this was a new foreign taste to his tongue that it seemed divine-
     "Shizun?!" Luo Binghe's panicked voice sent him back to reality.
     "Mn?" Shen Qingqiu faced Luo Binghe.
     "You..Shizun why are you crying? Does it not taste good?"
     Shen Qingqiu set his bowl down and felt his face. Oh...He had fat tears running down his face.
     "N-No you're cooking fine it..It's just that the taste reminded me of a memory" Shen Qingqiu said.
     While the food was brilliant-he felt that familiar taste of gross-It was a bit gross-but more good than gross. His body is still debating if it wants to remain Human or Ghoul.
     "W-was it a bad memory? I'm sorry to make Shizun cry-" Luo Binghe stopped crying when Shen Qingqiu tried wiping more tears that threatened to fall-but did anyway.
    "You're cooking is delicious Binghe-" Shen Qingqiu couldn't help but silently break down-going into full shock that he could eat this.
     Luo Binghe didn't know what to do-he's always seen his Shizun to stern and calm faced. He was unsure if he was even able to cry-but seeing his Shizun-the famous Xiu Ya sword break down in tears startled him. But what startled him more was the fact that Shen Qingqiu trusted him-Luo Binghe enough to cry in front of him.
     Luo Binghe moved to where he sat beside him, not knowing what to do.
    "Sh-Shizun? H-how can this disciple make you feel better?" Luo Binghe felt like it was his fault for making him cry.
    Shen Qingqiu looked up and used his sleeves to wipe his face-it was shameful. Crying in front of his disciple.
     "I'll be okay Binghe-sorry you had to see me like-" He was cut off when he felt arms around his head and pulled in.
     Luo Binghe-was... Hugging him?
     "Whatever memory you thought of Shizun that made you cry-I'm sorry and...It'll be okay."
    Shen Qingqiu was surprised-but he didn't deny the hug at all. He sighed-already feeling better as he patted Luo Binghe's arm.
    "Alright alright-I'm okay now. You can let me go"
    Luo Binghe back up.
    "Sorry Shizun.."
    "It's alright Binghe" He said.
    Luo Binghe sat there, Shen Qingqiu continued to eat his food that Luo Binghe prepared.
    "You're quite the skilled one Binghe-probably some of the best I've had" Shen Qingqiu praised.
    Despite earlier, Luo Binghe perked up like a flower getting it's first ray of sun in a long while.
    "Really? Shizun likes my cooking?"
    "I do" Shen Qingqiu took a sip of the tea, it was delicious- he couldn't describe it. But there was something sweet in it that he really liked.
     "This tea as well, did you also prepare it?"
     "This disciple prepared everything on the tray" Luo Binghe smiled.
     Shen Qingqiu smiled "You're skilled" Shen Qingqiu smiled as he took yet another bite.
     "If..If Shizun wants" Luo Binghe began-making Shen Qingqiu face him with a curious look in his face "This disciple could make Shizun something everyday?" Luo Binghe looked nervous-but embarrassed.
     Shen Qingqiu was surprised. Only a few people ever got to have the royal privilege of Luo Binghe's cooking. Including with his own harem in 'Proud Immortal Demon Way'. Barely any one of his wives got to eat his cooking which also caused harem fights.
     Could Shen Qingqiu accept? He could and always trust his human meals would always be good and full of surprises. Shen Qingqiu smiled.
    "If it won't trouble you, however, I still want you on top of your studies" Shen Qingqiu said.
     Luo Binghe smiled brightly "Yes Shizun! I won't disappoint you!"
     Shen Qingqiu smiled once more, and since Luo Binghe was close, he ended up patting his head once more.
    "I'm sure you won't. I rather enjoyed this meal you've cooked for me" He ended up pulling at that same curl once more.
    Luo Binghe stayed still to allow Shen Qingqiu to do just that.
    "Does.. Shizun perhaps find my hair entertaining?" Luo Binghe shamelessly asked.
    "Hm? Oh. To be honest yes. I haven't told anyone-but I had a mother who had curly hair from when I was younger" He started off.
    "Oh?" Luo Binghe scooted a tad bit in to listen to whatever story Shen Qingqiu might be willing to tell.
     Shen Qingqiu smiled "Yes. When I was younger, her hair was shorter so it was curly, I liked playing with it and styling it for her. She knew I took a liking to curly hair, so she taught me a few things about it" Shen Qingqiu said, continuing on pulling at the curl.
     "Like what?" Luo Binghe asked.
     "Well, for starters I know enough to know that your hair needs some taking care of" Shen Qingqiu said, playfully flicking him on the forehead.
     Luo Binghe stammered "U-uh well-"
     Shen Qingqiu smiled, then chuckled a bit-but it was more of a small laugh.
    "Don't worry Binghe-not many people here have curly hair. If I have time-maybe this master will show you a few tricks" Shen Qingqiu said.
    Luo Binghe nodded "This disciple will be honored!"
    "It's more of my mothers knowledge-secret knowledge so don't tell anyone-right?"
    "Yes Shizun!" Luo Binghe smiled, happy and honored that he has the privilege to his Shizun's mother's secrets.
     Just as he said that, Shen Qingqiu's sect siblings walked in. What they say when they walked in was Luo Binghe sitting so familiarly close to Shen Qingqiu like he was being told something exciting, Shen Qingqiu with his hair not done, but sitting comfortably, his eyes a bit puffy like he cried or something, and a bowl of half eaten warm congee.
    "Ah, hello" Shen Qingqiu greeted, a smile on his face.
    Shen Qingqiu was rather in a good mood, so he greeted them all with a smile.
    The three were stunned, like they weren't expecting that. Yue Qingyuan however smiled back, Liu Qingge who was for some reason there as well narrowed his eyes, and another male there, dressed in red. Shen Qingqiu faced Luo Binghe.
     "Run along now, I'm sure you have studies or duties to do."
     Luo Binghe sighed, like he was disappointed his time with his Shizun was cut short. But he got up, bid his Shizun a farewell, properly bid the others bye and left.
     Liu Qingge was the first to speak up.
     "Since when did you allow him specifically here?" 
     "Qingge" Yue Qingyuan said.
     "Since now. He's a good kid" Shen Qingqiu said, picking up the congee once more and continued eating it.
     He didn't see when the three all shared looks of caution and whatever.
     "This Shen assumes you're all here regarding Without a Cure?" Shen Qingqiu asked.
     "Yes" Yue Qingyuan Said as the male in red walked over and sat next to Shen Qingqiu.
    "Let me have another look" He said.
     "I'm troubling you" Shen Qingqiu said, but held up his wrist to him as he did.
     There was a moment of silence before Yue Qingyuan spoke up in concern.
    "Mu-Shidi-how is he?" 
     'Ah, so this was Mu Qingfang-quite the doctor. Possibly better than the ones he had since his time as "Shen Yuan"-all he needed was possibly one look and instantly he'd know what the fuck was wrong with you.' Shen Qingqiu thought-but he was more focused on eating this heavenly meal to focus on what Mu Qingfang was doing.
     "Can he be cured or not?" Asked Liu Qingge-not afraid to get to the point.
     "The effects can be suppressed" He started off with. 
     Shen Qingqiu barely paid any attention to his words-Shen Qingqiu knew there was a way to cure it.
     What is that?
     Sex with none other than Luo Fucking Binghe.
     In the original work-one of Luo Binghe's wives fell victim to Without a Cure-and the cure was as obvious the infamous papapa with the protagonist. 
     It wasn't like he was going to-but being Bisexual himself not even he knew what would happen in the future. But as of right now... Hell no. Either way-Shen Qingqiu doesn't view the little (not so little) lotus that way-
     "Are you listening right now?" 
     "Huh?"
      Liu Qingge narrowed his eyes, clearly displeased.
      Yue Qingyuan sighed, Mu Qingfang sighed and explained once more.
      "Take these four medications every month, then circulate your spiritual energy with someone who has quite a bit of it-it'll help you with keeping it regular. Do these and you shouldn't have any problems" He said.
     "Shouldn't be too much of a problem." Shen Qingqiu said.
     "But" Mu Qingfang said.
     "From today onward-you'll experience that your Qi will stagnate. Meaning you might experience abnormalities in your circulation" Mu Qingfang finished.
     "Eh-I'll still live. That's all that matters" Shen Qingqiu said, drinking his warm tea before it gets cold.
      The three paid close attention to his reaction.
      "You seem.. Rather calm about the situation" Yue Qingyuan said.
     "I get to live, that's enough for me" Shen Qingqiu explained, running his hand through his hair.
     Shen Qingqiu would be honest-he really wasn't used to such long hair. But he looked good with it so might as well keep it.
     "If... If I had known-"
     "Silence" Shen Qingqiu said, cutting of Yue Qingyuan.
    "There's no such thing as "If I had known"-you didn't so it's not your fault-if you keep blaming yourself I'll rip out your tongue or my ears" Shen Qingqiu said.
     Yue Qingyuan was surprised-but he sighed in defeat.
     "If only my skills were better-I'd be able to cure-"
     "If this becomes a blaming party-I'll kill myself" Shen Qingqiu sternly said.
     "If I hadn't known better and your lack of ghostly Qi-I'd assume you'd been possessed with the way you've been acting" Liu Qingge said.
     "Sure sure-whatever you say."
     Eventually-they all left and Shen Qingqiu was able to relax better.

To be continued...