Lin Fan trudged along the cobblestone path toward his stall in the early morning, his mind elsewhere. His foot suddenly plunged into an unseen puddle. The unexpected jolt threw him off balance.

  He tucked and rolled, clutching his father's journal to his chest. His shoulder slammed against a jagged corner of stone.

  Sharp pain bloomed as the rough edge tore his skin.

  He winced as he sat up on the damp ground. With careful hands, he tucked the precious journal deep into his sack before inspecting the rice and beans he'd prepared at home.

  "Thank heavens," he murmured with relief. The ingredients remained intact, not a grain spilled.

  Lin Fan surveyed the treacherous street with its maze of potholes. "That was a close call."

  Sunlight revealed the neglected cobblestones. Years ago, the city officials fixed it. But the constant foot traffic wore it down again.

  The street desperately needed repair. If only he had enough money, he would fix it himself.

  "Cook Fan, is that you?"

  The warm, familiar voice pulled him from his thoughts. Guard Min stood above him, her sharp brown eyes catching the early sunlight. She extended her hand, the insignia on her jade-green uniform gleaming.

  Lin Fan accepted her help, noting the strength in her grip as she pulled him upright.

  Her touch sent a subtle warmth through his arm. The firm pressure of her fingers against his skin reminded him of her protective nature. The morning sun caught the curves of her face, highlighting her strong yet feminine features.

  His mind drifted unbidden to Shen Yue's touch from yesterday—softer, with scholarly elegance. Where Min was all strength and directness, Shen Yue carried grace and hidden depths. Both stirred something within him he hadn't felt before.

  "Cook Fan, what are you thinking? Is there something on my neck?" Guard Min's question snapped him back to reality. She pulled her hand from his and touched her long neck.

  Heat rushed to Lin Fan's face. "Forgive me. I was just stunned by the fall."

  "Are you hurt?" Guard Min's eyes narrowed, scanning him with professional concern. "Here, take this. I always carry it with me." She handed him a small bandage, nicely wrapped.

  "Just a small cut. Nothing serious." He grabbed the bandage. "Thank you, guard Min."

  Guard Min turned to examine the pothole. "I must report this to the government officers. They've neglected this area too long."

  "Will they listen to your report?" Lin Fan asked, hoisting his sack over his shoulder.

  "Maybe not. But I'll file it, anyway." Guard Min frowned. "These streets are dangerous."

  "Let's go," Lin Fan suggested. "I'll prepare a special Clear Tea for you today."

  They walked side by side, carefully navigating the broken street.

  "How long have the streets been this way?" Guard Min asked.

  "Forever," Lin Fan replied. "Officials came three years ago. They promised repairs, but you know how that goes." He sighed.

  "And did nothing?"

  "Nothing."

  Guard Min snorted. "Typical. Don't people complaint about it."

  "What's the point?" Lin Fan shrugged. "People learn to navigate around them. It's how life works, isn't it?"

  Guard Min's expression softened as she responded. "Yes, like how you navigate through life. A perfect word."

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  Lin Fan glanced at her, noting the unexpected warmth in her voice. He didn't say anything more, just savoring the moment.

  "You adapt." Guard Min continued speaking. "You prepare at home. You arrange your stall for maximum efficiency. You keep everything spotless despite terrible conditions."

  "My father taught me that obstacles are just part of the path."

  They arrived at the stall where Noodle waited, coiled atop the counter in the early sunlight.

  "Your little friend is getting bolder," Guard Min said, keeping a distance from the snake.

  "I told you, he helps me by identifying bad ingredients. Do you want to see it in action?" Lin Fan asked as he stepped behind the wooden counter.

  "Maybe." Guard Min leaned on the counter, her eyes following his every move.

  Lin Fan noticed her practical, appreciative gaze as he arranged his workspace. Unlike Shen Yue's scholarly assessment, guard Min's focus was grounded in reality.

  As he finished setting up, the first customers arrived. A pair of dock workers approached, their boots clomping heavily on the cobblestones. An elderly woman, clutching her grandson's hand, joined them.

  Three clerks from the nearby administrative building queued up, their chatter filling the air. More people followed, forming a growing crowd.

  "Your reputation is growing." Guard Min observed, stepping aside to let the customers approach.

  Lin Fan's heart quickened, the rush of anticipation blending with a hint of anxiety. He hadn't even begun cooking, yet a crowd had already gathered at his stall.

  "Good morning, Cook Fan!" called the elderly woman, her voice warm and familiar. "I brought my nephew to try your special tea!"

  "I'll have those strength dumplings again," one dock worker requested, rubbing his tired eyes. "Got double shifts today."

  "Is the clarity broth available?" a clerk asked, massaging his temples. "My head pounds from yesterday's ledgers."

  Orders piled up faster than Lin Fan could process them. His hands moved swiftly, chopping vegetables, stirring broths, and serving dishes with practiced efficiency.

  The line stretched further down the street, more people joining the queue.

  Sweat beaded on his forehead as he tried to keep pace. He glanced to the side at Guard Min, who was keeping the crowd in line with her commanding presence. Without her, things might have spiraled out of control.

  "Seven spring onion buns!"

  "Clarity broth for my headache!"

  "Two portions of ginger rice!"

  The voices blended together in a chaotic symphony. Lin Fan struggled to maintain both speed and quality. His newly awakened qi helped with endurance, but his attention remained painfully finite.

  "I can't serve everyone at once," he thought desperately, his hands trembling. "If only I could split myself in two."

  A memory flashed inside his mind. His father was standing at this very counter during festival season, moving with impossible efficiency. Had there been a golden shimmer around him then?

  In that moment of intense focus, something strange happened. Lin Fan felt his qi circulation shift—a curious splitting sensation in his core.

  For the briefest moment, a golden afterimage formed beside him. It reached for a ladle before dissolving into wisps of light.

  Lin Fan blinked, his brow furrowing. Had he imagined it?

  Noodle reacted immediately, slithering quickly to where the afterimage had appeared. The snake's scales quivered with agitation before he returned to his spot.

  "Did you see..." Lin Fan began, looking around.

  Nobody seemed to have noticed. Everyone continued with their activity.

  Nobody except Guard Min. She leaned in slightly, her eyes narrowing. "Did your qi just split?"

  Lin Fan shook his head, rubbing his temple. "No. I'm just overwhelmed." This was getting out of control, and he could really use Bai Mei's help today.

  "You need an assistant," she said firmly. "This is too much for one person."

  "I'm managing," he lied. He felt the strain on his qi. He was infusing it right and left in every dish he cooked.

  "Are you? Your hands are shaking." guard Min asked, her voice full of concerns.

  Lin Fan glanced down. She was right.

  "Think about it," guard Min urged. "Even the best sword dulls without proper care."

  He served three more customers before finally reaching a brief lull. He quickly prepared a special cup of tea for Min, adding extra chrysanthemum for mental clarity.

  "Here," he offered the steaming cup. "As promised."

  Guard Min accepted it, her fingers brushing his. "Thank you."

  "I added chrysanthemum to balance the ginger. It should help with focus during patrols. And a special thank you for helping me today."

  She sipped carefully. Her eyes widened. "It's perfect. It's only because of your stall I came here today…" She bit her lip, looking unexpectedly cute despite her commanding presence.

  Lin Fan felt a pleasant warmth at her praise. "Thank you, that means a lot to me."

  "How do you know exactly what people need?" Guard Min asked, her official persona softening.

  Before Lin Fan could answer, a familiar voice called from the edge of the crowd.

  "Cook Fan, good morning!"

  Shen Yue approached, carrying a small bundle wrapped in blue silk. Her scholarly robes highlighted her graceful frame, her hair neatly arranged with a simple wooden pin.

  "Teacher Shen," Lin Fan greeted her warmly. "You brought the texts?"

  "As promised." Shen Yue's gaze flickered to Min, assessing her quickly.

  The two women regarded each other. Guard Min straightened almost imperceptibly, her posture becoming more official. The insignia on her collar caught the morning light.

  Min's strong form showed a natural power that made his pulse quicken, her uniform revealing her athletic build. Where Min was fire and strength, Shen Yue was water and grace, her scholarly robes fitting her slender figure nicely, her gentle movements drawing his eye just as much but in a different way.

  Both beautiful in entirely different ways: Min like a finely crafted blade, Shen like a rare manuscript. The thought made his cheeks warm.