Upon arrival, Bai Qingyue examined the patch of land before him. There was an orchard, with the trees rooted in a disorderly fashion, giving a more natural air than a manmade one. Further along was a herb garden, emitting a familiar fragrance that he had already come to associate with Li Meirong.

Li Meirong sucked in a breath of fresh air as she finally reached her shelter, carrying her troublesome fox familiar in her arms.

The fox cub's mouth stretched thin and his button nose wiggled in a display of aversion at the sight of the poorly-made cabin.

Did his wife reside in this trash pile?

The silent question was soon answered as Li Meirong's footsteps quickened, her glee apparent as she reached the badly-built door and unlatched the wooden handle. Her previous nervousness and sullen mood had slowly disappeared since the crane had landed.

The door creaked loudly as it opened, and Bai Qingyue cringed, covering his large ears in an attempt to block the assault on his sensitive hearing. This would not do!

Tonight, after his wife went to sleep, there would be many tasks for him to handle.

In Bai Quingyue's opinion, the inside of this poor excuse for a home was as bad as the outside.

"Who made this place?" he inquired.

"I did, all by myself!" Li Meirong answered, voice full of pride.

"..."

Never mind, then. He could not complain about his wife's own handiwork, could he?

Despite the house being empty of any other inhabitants, Li Meirong called out, "I'm home!"

Then she placed him on top of her shabby, patched blanket, and bend down to meet his eyes from the same level, grinning foolishly as she did so.

Bai Qingyue immediately schooled his expression, portraying only childlike innocence to his unsuspecting wife. Her soft, gentle hand rubbed his head affectionately.

"From now on, this is your home too! If you need anything, just let me know. What's mine is yours." Her melodious voice was music to his ears, and her words warmed his heart. Suddenly, he didn't mind staying in the dilapidated cabin.

Oddly enough, everything seemed so pleasant if only she smiled at him.

"What is mine is yours too," he answered, his heart beating faster just from the sight of her.

"That's so sweet of you." Li Meirong teetered a little at her cute little Snowball's reply. He was simply too adorable, and it made her want to pamper him more. "Sit here for a moment while I prepare the bath for us, okay?"

She went outside, to the back of the house, and reached a bamboo stall with a round wooden tub placed inside. She picked up the bucket by the corner and went to fetch water from the nearby pond. It only took her a few short trips back and forth to fill the tub to an acceptable level.

Although she was extremely fatigued from the day's events, the thought of putting her newly-acquired powers to practical use drove her to action. She placed her palm on the surface of the cold water, and closed her eyes, focusing on the flow of her qi through her meridians. She envisioned the burning blue flames spreading their heat outwards and warming up the water.

Slowly, tiredly, Li Meirong opened her eyes to the pleasant sight of steam billowing from the tub, bubbles rippling the water that had been brought to almost a simmer.

Rising to her feet, her arm grasped the bamboo wall as her legs buckled beneath her. It seemed she had drained herself of all her remaining power, to the point of causing her own body to weaken. Apparently the power supply was not infinite, just as a well would ultimately be emptied after repeatedly retrieving water from it.

Li Meirong took a moment to stabilize herself, and then retrieved the herbs she had purchased from the bag hidden in her sleeve. She dropped them into the hot water immediately, allowing their beneficial properties time to permeate the tub before she or Snowball got in.

She went back to the cabin to get Snowball and her bathing supplies. Strips of cloth, cotton towel, and a soft-bristled brush, she brought them all with her to the bamboo stall.

After making sure the water wasn't too hot, Li Meirong carefully put Snowball into the tub with his face turned to the opposite side, and put the bath items in a neat pile to one side. She proceeded to untie the sash about her waist, taking off her upper layer of clothes one piece at a time.

Bai Qingyue turned around, wondering what his wife had busied herself with this time, only to stare in astonishment. He was almost hypnotized by the sight of her slightly-open robe, the revelation of milk-white skin and enticing, prominent collarbones.

His eyes drifted downwards to discover the smooth-skinned, bouncy pair of 'buns' he had had the pleasure of setting his sights on only once before.

Bai Qingyue's throat dried up, and he gulped audibly, mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.