The Black Tai Sui

Hungry.

It felt like there was a fire burning in his stomach.

Hui Zhen clutched his blanket, curled up, biting his lips tightly.

His fellow disciples snored peacefully beside him, each with a round, well-fed head that resembled steamed buns.

Hui Zhen regretted his prideful refusal of the bun his senior brother had secretly offered him.

Punished with a day without food for misspeaking during the morning lesson, Hui Zhen hadn't eaten a single grain since then.

Ming De Temple's strict rules mandated that daily chores like meditation, fetching water, chopping wood, and gardening could not be neglected, even if meals were denied.

After a day of hard work, Hui Zhen felt as if his stomach was stuck to his back in hunger.

He regretted his decision to join the Ming De Temple.

"Back home, as a young master, I dined on the finest delicacies, waited upon by maids and nannies even for morning tea," Hui Zhen lamented inwardly.