The house was finally finished.
Ximing stood in the doorway with his hands on his hips, admiring his work.
The new extension had everything he wanted.
A larger kitchen.
A comfortable sitting room.
A dining room with a long wooden table.
A library.
Several bedrooms.
And large windows that allowed sunlight to fill the rooms.
Ximing walked slowly through the house.
"This..."
He looked around.
"...is actually beautiful."
Kael leaned against the doorway.
"You built most of it."
"Yes."
"And you designed it."
"Yes."
"So why are you surprised?"
"Because I didn't think I'd actually finish it."
Kael laughed.
The Dining Table
Ximing's favorite part was the dining room.
He had placed a long table in the center.
It could easily seat ten people.
Kael noticed.
"Ten?"
Ximing nodded.
"Maybe more."
"Why do you need such a large table?"
Ximing smiled.
"Because I don't want to eat alone forever."
Kael became quiet.
Ximing ran his fingers across the polished wood.
"In my old life, I spent a lot of time alone."
He didn't go into detail.
He didn't need to.
"But this time, I want a house where people can come in without feeling like they're intruding."
Kael looked at the table.
"Friends?"
"Friends."
Ximing smiled.
"Family."
Kael nodded.
"Family."
An Unexpected Dinner
That afternoon, Ximing decided to invite several villagers for dinner.
He wasn't sure whether anyone would actually come.
But by sunset, his house was full.
Kael brought some fresh meat.
The rabbit farmer brought vegetables.
A fox family brought fruit.
Someone else brought bread.
Soon the dining table was covered with food.
Ximing stood at the head of the table.
He looked around.
People were talking.
Children were laughing.
Someone was arguing about whether General was the village's loudest rooster.
This was exactly what he had imagined.
Not wealth.
Not luxury.
Not power.
People.
People sitting around a table because they wanted to be there.
He quietly took his seat.
Kael sat beside him.
"You're smiling," Kael said.
"I know."
"Why?"
Ximing looked around the room.
"Because this is nice."
Kael nodded.
"It is."
The Children Discover the Library
After dinner, the children wandered into Ximing's library.
One little wolf child picked up a book.
"What's this?"
"History."
"Is it boring?"
Ximing gasped dramatically.
"History is never boring."
The child looked suspicious.
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely."
Ximing pulled out a book about plants.
"This one tells you which plants can be used for food."
The children immediately became interested.
Ximing spent the next hour teaching them about different plants.
His second wish made teaching easy.
He remembered everything.
Names.
Uses.
Growing conditions.
Warnings.
The children listened with wide eyes.
Kael watched from the doorway.
"You seem happy."
Ximing looked at him.
"I am."
A Quiet Conversation
Much later, after everyone had gone home, Ximing stood outside with Kael.
The house was finally quiet.
The moon was high above them.
Kael looked toward the house.
"Your dream is getting bigger."
Ximing smiled.
"Maybe."
"You started with chickens."
"I still have chickens."
"Then you built a garden."
"Still have that too."
"Then a bigger house."
"Obviously."
"And now you're talking about family."
Ximing became quiet.
"Yes."
Kael looked at him.
"What kind?"
"A loving one."
His voice softened.
"I want a family where people don't have to be afraid of each other."
Kael listened carefully.
"I want children who know they're wanted."
He looked toward the house.
"And I want someone beside me who actually chooses to stay."
Kael didn't tease him this time.
Instead, he simply said,
"I think you'd make a good parent."
Ximing looked at him.
"Really?"
"Yes."
A small smile appeared on Ximing's face.
"Thanks."
A New Beginning
The next morning, Ximing woke up early again.
But this time, he didn't wake up because of General.
He woke up because he had an idea.
He rushed outside.
"Kael!"
Kael appeared a few minutes later.
"What happened?"
Ximing pointed toward the empty land beside the house.
"I want to build something."
Kael sighed.
"What now?"
"A nursery."
Kael stared at him.
"For what?"
Ximing laughed.
"Not for now!"
He shook his head.
"I just want to prepare for the future."
Kael smiled.
"You really plan everything."
"Of course."
Ximing looked across the peaceful land.
He had no idea who his future partner would be.
He didn't know when he'd have children.
He didn't even know what his future family would look like.
And that was okay.
For once, he didn't need all the answers.
He only needed to know that he was building toward something he wanted.
A home.
A family.
A peaceful life.
And perhaps...
Someone special to share it with.
Ximing smiled.
"There's no rush."
Then General crowed loudly from the chicken coop.
Ximing turned.
"Except you."
The rooster crowed again.
"You're still waking me up too early."
Kael burst out laughing.
And Ximing couldn't help laughing with him.