Considering Xiao only knew how to fight, he struggled to find employment elsewhere. Not many places would accept a man with a large spear and a foreign mask as a plausible employee. So, Xiao would work as a househusband for your relationship. He learned to do chores like sweeping, cooking, and washing things. He wouldn't admit it, but he found some joy in completing these menial tasks for you. It gave him a renewed sense of responsibility and purpose. Someone was relying on him.

Despite this productive nature, he also worried you. As an Adeptus and former Yaksha, he dealt with frequent nightmares and pain from his lingering karma that festered from the hatred of the gods he had slain. Some nights, it felt bearable, but other nights, it felt as if he was holding in the wrath of thousands. He would refuse any form of mortal treatment and hardly ate anything besides tofu. It was all he could stomach, he claimed. But he didn't want you to worry about him too much, so he would stomach as much as his divine body would allow him to when in your presence. Your scolding did little to deter him, and he continued to overwork himself for your needs—and today was no different.

"Welcome back," Xiao responded in his usual gruff and harsh voice when you returned from work. He was wearing the silly apron you bought him as he was mopping the floors, and when you took a step forward, he would quickly drop the mop, teleport to you, and hold you up. "Do not trample on my work. Your shoes will dirty our floor."

With that, he would vigilantly transport you to an area of the house he hadn't touched yet. He wouldn't let you dismiss his work so easily.