Pampered

The smell of curry wafted from the kitchen. It invited all of their senses and made their stomach growl.

"Jia, what are you making?" Crystal and Jin flew to her side as they peeked on the pot she's stirring.

"It's called curry."

"It smells strong! And yet it's appetizing.." Crystal sniffed once more and then sneezed to the side.

"It has plenty of spices mixed in.." Jia placed a lid on the pot as it cooked and proceeded to cook rice using a rice cooker.

"What is that thing?" Little Jin wanted to push the buttons but Song Jia stopped him.

"This is called a rice cooker."

Little Jin's eyes widened in amazement.

"How about this one?" Little Jin pointed at a big box-looking item.

"That's a refrigerator. That's where I store the meat, vegetables, eggs, milk, and other things that need to be preserved using cold temperatures." Song Jia patiently explained to Little Jin. She was amused at his curiosity.

Sometimes Crystal would be the one to answer Little Jin, showing him all of the equipments, and furniture.

He was even amazed at the ice maker machine, the ice cream machine, the blender and other things for baking.

"Why are there so many things used for the kitchen?"

"It's because Jia's family had their very own chef who would cook different kinds of cuisine for them, including pastries."

"I see…" He glanced at Song Jia, watching her facial expression.

"Crystal, why don't you show him around so he could get familiarized with it? This would still take a while. I'll just call you both when it's done."

"Sure!" Crystal then dragged Little Jin away, giving Song Jia some privacy.

Once Song Jia was left alone, she stared absentmindedly at the wall.

'I know I said, whatever has happened has already happened. But it still would have been nice if I got to know my family.' Her head fell back, her eyes stared mindlessly at the ceiling.

She went to the refrigerator and took out some soda cans, preparing it for their meal.

The one good thing about this space is that it automatically cleans and restocks itself.

A short while later, the rice cooker is ready, as well as the curry.

She took out three bowls and served the dish and rice.

In her consciousness, she called out to Crystal and Jin who quickly appeared next to her.

They both saw the vision in front of them. A golden dish that invigorates their being. The enticing smell of rice that could satiate the person.

On the side were short metal objects that had red paint around it.

"What is that Jia?"

"This? It's a soda drink…Come, let's eat…"

Song Jia and Crystal brought the food, bowls, utensils and cups to the dining table.

Song Jia opened the soda for Crystal and Jin, placing it in front of each of them.

The two sniffed the dish first then tentatively tasted it. After a while, they added more to their bowl and wolfed the food down.

They leaned their backs against their seats in satisfaction in the end.

Song Jia sniffed. "Jin, have you never washed all this time?"

"Eh? I did! Well, a few days ago I did. But since I came to the city, I had to hide so I didn't have anywhere to bathe." He scratched his head and body.

Song Jia heaved a sigh. "Crystal, prepare the stuff for me.."

"Right on it, Jia!" She saluted, scampering off.

"Let's go.."

"Hmm? Where to next?"

"Bath."

"Huh?"

"Now." She nudged him until he moved from the seat.

He followed Song Jia to a bathroom with a big bathtub. Crystal had filled it up with lukewarm water already.

"Go in."

"Eh. Is that safe?"

She rolled her eyes. "Of course! It's just like any bathtub."

Little Jin was still apprehensive so she lifted him up and dumped him inside the tub.

Splash! Splash! Splash!

He splashed water on the floor as he paddled.

"Calm down, will you? It's not deep."

Only then Little Jin stopped moving and found that his neck was still above the water.

Song Jia took a bottle of bubble bath soap and poured some inside. She then took a brush and started bathing Little Jin.

At first, Little Jin was nervous but after a while, he found it relaxing. He felt refreshed, and pampered.

This was a new experience for him. Back then, although he was close to his master because of their connection, tender moments like this were few. His master was busy on the battlefield and most of the time wore a serious expression on his face.

'Is it because the master is a woman now? Is that why the master's actions are more gentle?'

He wasn't sure what the real reason was. All he knew at that moment was that he felt especially cared for.

It could be because it has been a while since Song Jia has been to this world but at the moment, she's treating Little Jin like how owners treat their special animals.

When Crystal arrived, she saw Little Jin's blissful face.

Her lip twitched.

'Where did the almighty golden qilin go?'

Song Jia's brows were knitted, her lips pursed and she was silent the whole time. She only focused on cleaning the golden qilin. His hooves were now free from dirt and all of the grime from his body were washed away.

'This wouldn't have happened if only he wasn't left alone to fend for himself. When he was still by my side, I always made sure he was well-fed. He must not have even a single pill all this time. It's dangerous outside, he must have been hiding and running all this time.'

After she wiped him down, she proceeded to dry his fur and even brushed it. Little Jin didn't know why she did so. He thought it was unnecessary. But as he looked at her facial expression, he felt her despair.

He gulped. His eyes were teary. In the mirror, a majestic young golden qilin faced him. His fur shone bright like the sun's glare.