Chen Mu had a dream.
He dreamed he had turned into a fish, first getting his belly cut open and scales scraped off, the pain nearly killed him.
Then, while fresh, he was thrown into a big pot with boiling water bubbling away and steaming. The surface was strewn with a lot of spices he couldn't name, and the scent… it was quite fragrant!
With his cooking experience, he thought the ratio of spices was alright, it was just that the chef was a bit sloppy, not able to judge the heat properly, only knowing how to stew on high flame.
Stewing there, he became parched and sweaty before he was woken up by the heat.
He felt his entire body sore, in pain, and weak. It took a lot of effort before he finally managed to lift his heavy eyelids a sliver.
Then he found himself soaking in a big wooden tub, his first sight the white steam wafting up. Lowering his gaze, he saw dense medicinal herbs being lifted by the bubbles popping up.