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Chapter 9 - Chapter 9 {Hot Pot}

The three girls walked hand in hand towards the local market, Little Bai wagging his tail happily beside them. As they approached Pop's store, the warm aroma of spices and sizzling meat filled the air, making their mouths water.

"Pop! Can we have hot pot?" Xiao Lili called out as they entered the bustling shop.

The elderly man looked up from his cooking, a welcoming smile spreading across his face.

"Of course, my dear! For you and your friends, anything!" he exclaimed.

He quickly prepared a large pot of bubbling broth and laid out an assortment of ingredients for them to cook in it. Yuna's favorite was the spicy tofu, while Xiao Lili loved the sliced beef, and Mei Mei couldn't get enough of the shrimp dumplings.

As they sat around the table, chatting and laughing, Yuna felt a sense of warmth and happiness wash over her. The three girls also did their homework Yuna might have child like mind but she was truly a smart person and helped her two friends.

As the night wore on, the girls' bellies were full, and their hearts were content. They thanked Pop for the delicious meal and waved goodbye, promising to visit again soon.

On their way back to the temple, Yuna suddenly remembered something important.

"Oh no! I forgot to give these flowers to Granny Chen!" she exclaimed, holding up the bouquet she had been carrying earlier.

"We should hurry back and deliver them before it gets too late," Mei Mei suggested.

The three girls quickened their pace, their laughter echoing through the quiet streets. As they approached the temple, they saw a familiar figure standing outside it was Mei Ling, surrounded by her new friends from the Yang family.

Mei Ling looked up as they approached, a smug smile on her face.

"Well, well, well. Look who it is," she said mockingly.

"What are you doing here?" Xiao Lili asked suspiciously.

"I could ask you the same thing," Mei Ling retorted.

"But I suppose beggars can't be choosers."

She glanced at Yuna's bouquet of flowers and sneered.

"You think those pathetic flowers will make anyone love you?"

"Mei Ling, if I was you I would work hard," Mei Mei said and dragged Yuna inside the temple and Xiao Lili waved bye to them.

"Xiao Lili you are just poor and…"

"Mei Ling no I should call you Yang Ling right?" Xiao Lili said.

Yang Ling sneered.

"Yes my name is no longer Mei!"

"That is good, because if you think you are so good let's wait for the day we shove it in your face."

"Xiao Lili you broke idiot!" Sia snapped.

"Hehe when did I say us the Xiao Family Clan is poor?" Xiao Lili said and walked off and her eyes darken Yang Ling if you keep bullying Yuna don't blame her for being rude!

Back at the temple as a routine Yuna sat down and crossed her legs and she started to meditate and held her Buddhist bracelet. not killing or harming living beings, not stealing, not engaging in sexual misconduct, not lying or engaging in harmful speech, and not consuming intoxicants.

She set three sticks out and prayed for her accentors though she only knew Master Li as a father figure she pretty much prayed for that. After she was done she put her things way and trained in martial arts. Master Li gave her a list of training exercises that she must do everyday no matter what and she takes Master Li words seriously. Even though she hasn't seen her master for a year she stills follows the rules he gave her. To always to be kind and never be harmful.

After she was finished with her training Yuna took a shower and she sighed and she saw the egg beautiful one gifted her and she saw it shaking and the egg started to hitch and it showed chubby fat bird.

"Ah! You human feed me!" The chicken said.

"WOW you can talk?" Yuna asked so excited and Little Bai barked.

"Of course I can hey I am hungry!" The bird said.

"Hehe I have a name for you," Yuna said.

"Tell me." The arrogant bird crossed its feathers.

Yuna giggled at the chubby bird's demanding tone. She couldn't believe that the egg she had been caring for had hatched into a talking bird!

"What should I name you?" she mused, tapping her chin thoughtfully.

"How about... Bao Bao, which means treasure in Chinese?"

The bird puffed out its chest proudly.

"Bao Bao it is! Now feed me, human!"

Yuna laughed and scooped up the plump bird, carrying him to the kitchen. She prepared a bowl of rice and vegetables, setting it down in front of Bao Bao.

"There you go, little treasure. Eat up!"

Bao Bao greedily pecked at the food, his beak moving rapidly. As he ate, Yuna couldn't help but smile at the adorable sight.

"You know, Bao Bao," she said softly.

"I'm glad you're here with me. It gets lonely sometimes, you too Little Bai," Yuna said as she eat her food.

Little Bai barked happily, wagging his tail as he jumped up onto Yuna's lap, nuzzling against her affectionately. Yuna scratched behind the puppy's ears, cooing softly to him.

"You're a good boy, Little Bai," she murmured.

"I'm lucky to have you and Bao Bao."

As the night wore on, Yuna found herself feeling content and at peace. She may not have had a family of her own, but she had found love and companionship in unexpected places with her friends, her mentor, and now with Bao Bao and Little Bai.

She hugged the warm bodies of her new family close, drifting off to sleep with a smile on her face. Tomorrow would bring new challenges and adventures, but for tonight, she was happy.

It was only 5:00 am when Mei Mei jumped on Yuna bed.

"Come on we must go and train!" Mei Mei said. Yuna yawned and she smiled brightly. She lift a note for Granny Chen. Xiao Mang was waiting for them Xiao Lili waved at them.

"Okay we let's go on run," Xiao Mang said the three kids didn't complain. They played tag along the way.

After their morning run, the three girls arrived at Xiao Mang's recording studio, panting and sweaty. Xiao Mang handed them each a bottle of water, shaking his head in amusement.

"You guys are something else," he chuckled.

"Now, let's get down to business. We have a lot of work to do if we want to be ready for the Sky Festival."

He led them into the studio, where instruments and equipment were set up. Yuna's eyes widened as she took in the sight, her heart racing with excitement.

"Today, we're going to start working on your stage presence," Xiao Mang explained.

"We need to make sure you can captivate an audience and leave them wanting more."

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