Chapter 5 - Drunken curse

Lu Chen showed him the room. It was even smaller than the room he previously rented. It looked like it would look full with him sleeping in there. But it was better than sleeping on the streets.

Tian hugged the bag of feathers tighter. "T-thank you so much."

"Go on, set your things inside. I'll call you during winter time," Lu Chen patted his back. "Oh, can you handle wine?"

"Huh?"

"Wine. My grandma makes her own wine," he smiled.

Tian softly nodded.

"Good. The bathroom is to your right. The hot water is always available. Take a bath and relax," saying so, the man left him all alone.

Tian gazed around the room. Even though it was small, it was even cleaner than his own. There was a duvet rolled up in the corner along with a few woolen blankets. He quickly spread them on the ground and made the bed. Then he went to take a bath.

As an angel, he never had to take a bath. Dust would just roll off of him. But now he was a human; he was like a dust magnet. One night and his face was covered in grease and a layer of dust. Tian grimaced, "Being a human is hard…"

Now he was stuck as a mortal; however, he had to deal with human-like situations. "It's okay... I can strive for a better life. I can do this…"

Sniffing, he quickly took a shower, but only after that did he realize something. He did not have a change of clothes! He used to change clothes with magic so never bothered to buy anything! He gazed at his used clothes that had a stench of dust. The sobs he had been holding back burst out. "Waaaa… I hate this…."

"Tian?" Lu Chen's soft voice came from outside. "What happened? Is the water not hot?"

"I... I don't have any clothes. Why am I so broke? I don't even have a change of clothes… How can I survive in this world without even a clean underwear?" he squatted on the ground sobbing.

"I have a new pair of underwear! I can lend you. You can use it," Lu Chen shouted in a hurry from outside.

Tian wiped his tears away. "Really?"

"Yes, really. I can even give you my clothes."

Muffled footsteps were heard. The young man ran back with a towel, a set of clothes, and a new unopened pack of underwear. "Here, you can use these,"

Tian opened the door and took it from him. For a second, Lu Chen froze. He quickly closed the door behind him. "Y-you... don't cry. It will get better."

He pranced outside the bathroom biting his lips. He hadn't realized how bad the young man's situation was. The poor guy had cried until his eyes and his cheeks were red like a tomato. 'He is so unguarded… How can he survive outside…' His head was aching badly.

Right then, the bathroom door opened. The young man walked out with a deep pout. "The underwear is loose…" he mumbled, tugging at his track pants.

"Sorry.. This is the only new pair I had. I'll get you new ones tomorrow."

"It's okay," pouting, the young man laid on the duvet. Seriously, this guy was very much unguarded. Even now when he was lying down, his shirt had ridden up and his pants had lowered, revealing his hip bone. If this guy was normal-looking, he wouldn't have been this worried. But this boy looked like he literally walked out of a fashion catalog. How could he not worry?

Lu Chen squatted down and adjusted his clothes. "Dinner is ready."

"I'm not hungry…" he mumbled ever so softly.

Just as he said this, his stomach rumbled loudly echoing in the small room.

Lu Chen chuckled. "You shouldn't starve yourself. Trust me, good food improves your mood."

Tian sat up with a dull look in his eyes. "Okay…"

Lu Chen helped him up and took him to the small hall. They had a heated table, and his grandma had set up a hot pot stand there. "What took you guys so long? Oh, child, what happened to your face? You look like a tomato."

Tian pouted. "Just cried about my misery, aunty…" he smiled at her softly and then gazed at the dishes. "Thank you for making me a meal."

"Don't waste time talking, go on, eat." She handed him a bowl full of rice and started to cook the meat in the broth. "LuLu, get him my newest creation."

Lu Chen came back with a small earthen jar. It was finally sealed with lotus leaves. He quickly opened it. A strong sweet and fermented scent of grapes spread throughout.

Tian licked his lips, gazing at the bottle. "Is that wine?"

"Yes, yes…" the old lady served him some. "Go on, drink your sorrows away. Never hold any feelings in your heart. Instead, shout it out loud. It will make you feel better."

Tian hastily took the cup and took a sip. The soft sweet taste of wine was refreshing.

"It's good."

"Drink more." The old lady served him every time his glass was empty.

"Grandma, isn't it time to stop?" Lu Chen worriedly gazed at the young man. The boy's face was red and blushing. He looked barely awake. "Let's not drown him in wine," he took the bottle from his grandma.

"Tsk, isn't it better to drink your sorrow away?" she scoffed and went to eat her meat.

Tian gazed at the hot pot soup that was simmering and then at the pork strips that were being cooked in it. "Hui Long, if you were a pig, I would cook you and eat you up like this!" he chowed down on the piece of meat.

"Why are you a human, huh! You feelingless stone! Why don't you become a pig!!!" he shouted out loud.

Suddenly there was a huge thunder striking outside the window. The old lady and Lu Chen were startled by this. "Is it going to rain?"

"No, it was snowing just a minute ago," the old lady assured him. "Tell me more about this pig man, his name is Hui Long?"

"Hmm, that pig man is Hui Long. At least if he was a pig, he would be of use to someone," he mumbled, giggling loudly. "Then I'll cook him and eat him... hehe…" his head banged on the table loudly. "Ow..."

Lu Chen shook his head with a smile. "It's time to sleep. I'll help him tuck in, grandma." He helped the young man into the room.

That night there was a flash of ice rain that froze everything outside.