13 Mink Street

Karon woke feeling comfortable and well-rested. He turned his head to glance at the wall clock: ten thirty.

It was three hours later than usual, but given last night’s schedule, the extra sleep felt earned.

He got up. Lent’s bed was already empty, and the blanket had been neatly folded.

In the washroom, Karon brushed his teeth and washed his face. When he looked back into the mirror, the unfamiliarity he had once felt for his new face was completely gone. The young, handsome face in the reflection felt like his own, as though it had always belonged to him. Somewhere along the way, perhaps without realizing it, he had accepted this house and everyone in it as his family.

He left the washroom and went down to the second floor.

Aunt Mary was bent over, wiping the dining table clean. She was wearing a peach-colored dress today, one that traced her curves with restraint. Full where things should be, clean where it mattered, it offered the quiet maturity of a woman her age. The morning sunlight streamed in through the windows, settling over her like a thin veil of light. She looked as though she had stepped out of a carefully finished oil painting.

Karon stopped on the stairs, his hands resting on the railing as he watched for a moment without meaning to. A smile surfaced.

It seemed that Mary sensed him. She turned around and saw her nephew standing on the stairs.

He wore a white shirt, a few buttons left undone at the collar, offering a glimpse of skin beneath the loosened fabric. The collar sat naturally, as though arranged with intention. His hair was still slightly damp, and it clung around his ears.

Most of all, his smile was clean. Not every gaze carries desire. Not every smile carries intent. Appreciation of beauty is human instinct. A man can look at a beautiful girl and, guided by restraint and self-discipline, experience pleasure without crossing a line.

Mary saw Karon the same way. He had inherited the Immers family’s good looks, and in recent weeks, after becoming more open and steadier, he gave a warm, approachable impression. It was that of a dependable older boy from next door. It was hard not to like him.

“I slept in, Aunt,” Karon said.

“What would you like to eat?”

“I’ll make something simple.” It was an awkward hour; too late for breakfast, but too early for lunch.

Karon went into the kitchen and set some water to boil. He cracked two eggs into a bowl, added a pinch of salt and sugar, and whisked them together. Once the water came to a boil, he spooned some chopped scallions in and used a ladle to pour the hot water along the edge of the egg mixture.

Done.

“Where’s Uncle?” he asked while eating.

“There was a welfare case this morning. As soon as it was finished, Paul drove the body off. Your uncle went with him to check on the crematorium.”

“Oh.” He nodded.

Karon carried his bowl to the table. Roja Daily’s headline was yet another summarization of the recent days’ protests, as well as attacks on the mayor. The paper had been printed last night, so nothing would have changed by morning.

That would change today.

Even setting aside the others, Forde’s disappearance alone was enough to throw a stone into the mayoral race. Whether it would help or hurt the incumbent was an entirely different matter. Some might even accuse the mayor of eliminating political opponents through underhanded means.

None of that was within Karon’s control, and he had no interest in untangling it all. It was exhausting.

“Karon,” Mary said. “Mina’s teacher called. She’s coming by for a home visit today at lunch.”

“Oh?” That was unexpected. Home visits usually occurred after school hours or during breaks, when the student could also be present.

Mina was still in class, which meant that her teacher was coming alone.

At lunchtime, no less. Most visitors would avoid mealtimes to spare everyone a bit of awkwardness.

“So that’s why you’re dressed so nicely,” Karon said, smiling.

“I have something to do later and will be out, so when she comes, you’ll help us by receiving Mina’s teacher, all right?”

“Hm?” Mina was a top student, class monitor. Home visits for such excellent students were usually pleasant affairs, and education had always been important in the Immers family.

So... “A female teacher?”

“Yes. Her name’s Miss Eunice. She’s Mina’s math teacher.”

“Aunt.”

“Yes?”

Karon tapped his forehead lightly, searching through the original Karon’s memories.

There was an explanation for why Mina and Lent were already so grown while Mary still looked quite young; She had had her children young.

“Can I refuse?”

“No. That would be rude.”

“Then should I change clothes?”

“No need. What you have on is fine. It’s best to meet people as yourself.” Aunt Mary had total confidence in her nephew’s looks.

Karon hesitated. “Does Grandpa know?”

“It was your grandfather’s idea. He asked me and your aunt to arrange it.”

Karon blinked, lowered his head, and continued eating. “Understood.”

“Also, after the bodies were sent off this morning, the staff was given the day off. Father will head to the church at noon, and your aunt and I won’t be home in time for lunch. You’ll just need to prepare lunch for yourself and Miss Eunice. Got it?”

“Okay.”

Mary leaned closer, brushed his bangs aside, and then clenched a fist in encouragement. “Miss Eunice is very pretty, and she’s from Veyn. I hear that her family has noble roots, and that she had a great temperament. Still, I believe in you.”

Karon sighed. “Honestly, I feel like she’ll just consider me her little brother.”

Mary laughed. “What woman can resist a young colt?”

In Swillen slang, a “young colt” meant much the same as a “boy-toy”

“You don’t come off as young at all,” Mary added. “Especially since recovering from your illness.”

Your uncle almost wants to call you uncle.

“Anyway, do your best.”

“I’ll try.” After all, this was Tiz’s arrangement.

Mary picked up her bag and left. Karon finished his late breakfast and then went outside.

The weather was pleasant. Winter sunlight carried a quiet warmth.

“Good morning, Young Master.” Alfred’s voice came from the east. He was climbing over the fence that separated the Immers house from the Marks family’s. “Mrs. Mark invited me over for coffee. She made apple pie.”

“Good thing Mr. Mark wasn’t home,” Karon said.

“He was. He was even warmer to me than his wife.”

“Then you were in even more danger.”

“Ms. Molly loved the spring rolls from last night. She asked me to pass along her thanks.”

“She actually ate them?”

“Yes. She eats people without even spitting out their clothes.”

“Fair.”

“Oh, the lady of the house gave everyone the day off.”

“Then why are you still here?”

“I wanted to ask if you need any arrangements: flowers, balloons, candles, perhaps even a pendant or a ring.” He gestured to the limited-edition Santelan parked on the street. “I’ve prepared everything.”

“Did you order a wedding dress?”

“Not yet, but I can have one delivered this afternoon.”

“You really do have time on your hands.”

“I spend every moment considering how to best serve you. I’m also curious what this math teacher looks like. She likely has no idea of the opportunity that awaits her today.”

“You’re getting ridiculous.

“A chance to be painted into a mural isn’t something everyone receives.”

“You’re free today, Alfred. Go rest. Or familiarize yourself with tonight’s broadcast.”

“I already have. Tonight’s Roja Storytelling Program is about food. Your cooking has opened up a new world for me, and I have a series planned out. I’ll start with cold dishes.”

“Then why aren’t you busy?”

“Yes, Young Master.” He held up his keys. “Should I leave the car for you? A drive with a beautiful lady is quite romantic, and the romance scales with the price of the car.”

“I don’t need it.”

“Of course. You require no embellishment; That was vulgar.” Alfred bowed and drove off.

Karon sighed and turned back inside.

On the other side of the fence, Mrs. Mark stood in her flowerbed, watching Alfred leave. On the steps behind her stood Mr. Mark, doing the same.

Setting aside Alfred’s excessive devotion, it was hard to deny his charm. Especially last night, when he had answered the phone with his deep broadcaster’s voice.

Karon mimicked him softly, “Welcome to Roja Storytelling. I’m your host, Karon Immers.”

He laughed at himself, made some tea, and went to sit on the sofa with the coffin catalogue.

In his previous life, when he had first started earning money and made plans to buy a house, he had obsessed over property listings. He had flipped through them endlessly.

In this life, he flipped through coffin listings. From a cost-performance perspective, coffins were objectively superior.

He lifted the teacup.

“You’re not preparing?” He jumped. Pu’er was already there, perched above his head.

“You scared me.”

“A beautiful lady is about to dine with you, and you’re browsing coffins. Do you really move that fast? Already picking out a shared burial?”

“You sound jealous.”

“Me? Ridiculous! Do you know how old I am?”

“No sane man can evaluate a cat’s age.”

“...! I’m just concerned. You should prepare a proper lunch.”

“Pu’er, was it Grandpa or my aunt who arranged this with Miss Eunice?”

“I don’t know,” Pu’er said after thinking. “But Tiz should know about it.”

“There’s no family connection? Someone from Veyn with a noble background?”

“Oh, that. Then there’s probably a connection.”

“Probably?”

“I don’t leave the house much. Tiz doesn’t take me with him, so I’ve seen little. Tiz might know them, or maybe your parents did. Who knows.”

“Last night, Tiz told me to reconsider studying abroad. It felt like he was settling his affairs.”

“He was.”

“Is something wrong? Is it because of me? Or that ritual?”

“I don’t think Tiz would make that mistake while keeping you alive. No one who knows would betray him, including Hoffen, who’s still clinging to life.”

“The hospital called several times this month saying he was critical. He survived every time.”

Pu’er glanced at the golden retriever curled in the corner. “So how long is that idiot dog staying here?”

“If Hoffen dies, probably forever.”

Pu’er covered her eyes. “This dog lowers the average intelligence of the entire household!

“You know,” Pu’er continued, “being around an actual dog makes me feel like my standing has dropped.”

“Alright, alright,” Karon said. “The pickled cabbage should be ready by now. I’ll make you some sour-pickled fish for lunch.”

“Hm? And what about your lunch with that lady? Sour-pickled fish as well?”

Karon shook his head. “I’ll just make do with something simple.”

“So the sour-pickled fish is just for me?”

“Mhmm.”

Pu’er really had behaved well the night before. When at home, she tended to be talkative, but when outside, she was obedient and knew when to cooperate.

“Heh.” Karon finished his tea and went upstairs to the kitchen to start on the sour-pickled fish. Pu’er lay by the stove, occasionally reaching out with a paw to nudge jars of seasoning closer to him.

“I’m curious,” she said. “You know so many ways to cook fish, and all of your dishes all have different styles. Where did you learn it all?”

“Is there a Taotie-like heretical god?” Karon joked. “I could be one”[1]

“What’s Taotie?” Pu’er asked.

“Something that looks like you.”

“You’re dodging the question...”

“As far as food goes,” Karon said. “As long as it’s clean, there’s no real hierarchy between flavors. Variety just makes it better. Even the best dish will grow tiresome if you eat it enough times.”

“Like partners?”

“That comparison doesn’t quite work. Growing old together isn’t monotony, but more like a kind of fermentation.”

“Like watching Tiz grow from a child into an old man?”

Karon laughed. “Are you his partner?”

“Who would do that?” Pu’er snorted. “He can’t even cook fish.”

“Almost done, just let it simmer a bit longer,” Karon commented. “Do you want a cup of coffee?”

“No. I’m having soup today.”

“Alright. Then help me peel this.” Karon tossed two cloves of garlic over in front of Pu’er. She stretched out a paw to nudge them, and then paused.

“You want me to peel garlic... With my paws?”

“If you want me to still cook fish for you in the future.”

“Fine. I’ll peel it.” Pu’er proceeded to work at the garlic with her claws. Karon turned to prepare some flour. “What are you planning to eat with her at noon?”

“Chili oil noodles. Last night was tiring, so I just want some carbs today.”

A car could be heard arriving outside.

“She’s here.” Pu’er poked her head out the window, garlic clamped between her teeth. A taxi had stopped at the gate. A woman in a black dress stepped out.

“Black for a blind date. She’s being forced, too,” Pu’er muttered. “Prepare to eat raw garlic.”

The woman thanked the driver and turned to face the gate to the Immers’ front yard. Her face looked as if it had been sculpted by a careful hand. She was tall, poised, and her features were framed by black fabric, to give her an impression of something between sweet and commanding.

Some beauty could be praised.

Some defied language.

Pu’er stopped peeling.

Karon stopped kneading the dough.

“I have to admit,” Pu’er remarked. “She’s only a bit worse than me when I was human.”

“Pu’er.”

“Yes?”

“Why don’t you have noodles today?”

1. Taotie (饕餮): A mythical beast from ancient Chinese lore symbolizing extreme gluttony and insatiable appetite. The name is often used metaphorically to describe someone who devours everything indiscriminately, especially in reference to food. ☜