Fighting to be Kind in a Cultivation World

As I finish up washing in the bathing area, my mind drifts to the various actions I will need to do for the demi-humans and preparing for Big Sis Crane.

However, once I climb out of the water, I feel a chill up my spine.

Luckily, it’s not from the spirit beast.

Unluckily, it’s from my scan notifying me of a troubling fact. Shi is looking for me, roaming the hallways in search. And she does NOT look happy.

Seeing this, I quickly dry myself off, put some clothes on, and head over to her. When she sees me, she collects herself a bit before speaking.

“Good morning, Master James. Did you enjoy yourself last night?”

A smile naturally appears as I think about yesterday, despite the worrying way of speaking she’s using.

“Yeah… it was amazing. I was really glad to connect with you guys. I’m also glad that everyone seemed to enjoy themselves a bit. I’m sure it was in no small part, due to your work behind the scenes.”

As I say this, her face softens a bit, clearly appreciating my noticing her work. But she soon lets her face turn stern again.

Yep. I’m in trouble.

“Of course, Shi. I value what you say, even if it may be harsh.”

Shi gives a smile at this, but her words were as harsh as I thought.

“Master James, you are being foolish. Not with your planning, but your actions towards those you love.”

Her next words are spoken softly.

“James, I bet you are planning on jumping onto the next project. Something involving the demihumans or something similar. Am I right?”

I sheepishly nod… as that is exactly what I was about to do.

She takes my hands in both of hers, her face practically pleading.

“You need to slow down. Focus on the people you care about first.

“You’ve just had sex with each of us… but right after, you jump onto the next thing to do. Like we’re a checklist. A footnote.”

I’m about to argue, but my conversation scan stops me.

This is a time to listen, not to speak. And when she sees me hold my words back, she gives a blinding smile before nervously speaking.

“You know… if you were anyone else, I wouldn’t dare say such things. We’d all understand your and our positions.”

Her hands squeeze mine.

“But you actually take us seriously. This relationship… seriously. So, I want to do everything to stop you from making a mistake that will hurt the chance of what we have becoming more. To become something different for us all…”

She fidgets a bit after this, looking to see if I’m angry.

It’s obvious she took an enormous risk here.

Like she said, normally this would lower her standing in a relationship. Criticizing a partner, only a month into a relationship.

I need to live up to her expectations. All of their expectations.

I squeeze her hands back and caress her cheek. Leaning my forehead against hers. Trying to show how much I care for and appreciate her in my little actions.

Moving it only to look into her eyes, to speak sincerely.

“Shi… I’m so lucky to have you in my life. You have so much experience from your time with the Yellow Sashes and I’d be honored if you could continue to give me advice in the future.

“Advice to help make sure the relationship between all of us goes well and let us truly be happy together.”

The stress Shi was carrying almost melts off of her, when I say this. Squatting down to give me a hug, snuggling her face into my chest.

“Mmm, I knew I finally caught a good one…”

She continues rubbing her face in my chest, making me think of her like a little rabbit, contrary to her normal badass biker woman vibe. I try not to chuckle at this thought. I fail.

She looks up at me with a squint, somehow realizing the chuckle was because of her. But immediately rolls her eyes and gets back to nuzzling me with her face.

I hold her close to me, with her still squatting a bit. Taking this opportunity to headpat her.

It’s fantastic.

After some time like this, she takes a deep breath and steps away with a content sigh.

“Ahhhh, refilled.

“Okay. You should spend time with each of them today. I know you have a lot of other important things going on and planned… but try to find time for them today, to remind them they are more than just a fun time or allies. Even if they know that, logically… emotionally, it’s easy to worry.

“If you do this, it will help us for the future.”

You know what? She’s totally right. Even though there are things that ‘can’ be done right now that would be useful for my plans… they can wait. It’s just as or even more important to take care of the people I love.

Starting with this girl in front of me.

“You’re totally right, Shi. You’re coming with me. We’re going on a date.”

I grasp her hand, to her surprise, and take her with me to a new location.

As I gently pull her along, I use my scan on this situation, looking up the best date ideas I can do for each of them.

I won’t make the same mistake that cultivators… and even workaholics from my world commonly make. Focusing on the destination, but missing what’s important in the journey. Spending decades focused on cultivation and personal goals, only to find that you left behind those you loved.

Something I almost fell into, in my own way.

As I think this, I notice Shi becoming uncharacteristically silent. When I glance behind me, I see her blushing a bit.

Ah, right… I forgot she’s weak to romantic gestures, as well.

We have to make one stop first, though.

I head back to Gong’s room, where everyone is still congregated and chatting, Lin having returned not too long ago.

My scan shows the tone in the room is normal… but seems a little sad at the same time. Proving that what Shi said will prevent me from hurting their feelings.

As I walk in, they look at me with surprise and then even more when they see I’m leading Shi in by the hand, as well.

To avoid any misunderstandings, I speak out to them all. First, bowing to them.

“Thank you all for last night… it was a magical experience for me. It made me realize how much I care for each of you. And I wanted to show each of you a good time today, to show my appreciation.”

An apology isn’t the right way to go. In this case, stating my current feelings and what I want to do will help them understand me better.

The room falls silent at my words as they look at me in shock.

Immediately after, excitement fills the room, with various ways being said of telling me to raise my head. The previous mood gone like a dream.

“You don’t have to do that, James! We’re just happy you feel the same way…”

Ai is the one who speaks up… but the smile she’s fighting to keep off her face tells me everything I need to know about her feelings on a date.

“Uh, sis? You say that, but your mouth is turning up in a weird way.”

Lin calls her out and then bolts away, as Ai chases her with a shoe.

Gong has her hands on her reddened cheeks, whispering things to herself that make me concerned.

“A date? A date. Our date. Such a wonderful date. Me and him. Should I tie him up? No… he likes me. It’s a date, after all.”

My mouth twists in concern, but my scan lets me know that is a potential issue to deal with at another time.

I do, however, see that this is a good time to state the plan.

“So, I’ll be going out with Shi first, since she setup so much of what has already happened, and made all our lives easier with coordinating.”

There’s unanimous agreement between everyone, even Gong. Shi really does a lot to make sure things go smoothly, both in our little group and in the larger groups.

“We’ll be back around mid-day! I’ll let you guys decide who goes next…”

I decide to stay far away from picking the next person and leave that to them. Now finding myself looking at Shi, while we move out of the bedroom. Her blushing face brings a smile to mine.

“So… ready for a tiny adventure, Shi?”

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