Yan Zhen smiled faintly. He freed up one hand to pat her little head while using the other to summon the System Interface. He reviewed the relevant section on subduing the Wind-Thunder Crystal Fire, scrutinizing every detail.
In the script, he had tamed it through brute force, relying mostly on the luck of his protagonist halo. Anyone else trying the same stunt would have been long dead.
But now, with complete preparations in place, he could preempt all the hardships and dangers from the script, minimizing any harm.
“Tomorrow and the day after, I’ll spend time with them. The day after that, I’ll head to the Merchant Alliance to buy the medicinal ingredients for the pill formulas.”
Once he had it all figured out, Yan Zhen dismissed the System Interface. He pried open Long Ying’s little claws and lay down beside her.
Going back to his own room for the night seemed unlikely, so he would just make do here. After all, he had always shared meals and sleep with Long Ying.
He had barely settled in when she snuggled up again. This time, she hugged his arm tight, even wrapping her short legs around it, and smacked her lips with a contented sigh.
Yan Zhen had good reason to suspect she was dreaming of chicken drumsticks.
The night passed uneventfully.
The next morning, when Yan Zhen woke, he found his arm covered in Long Ying’s drool. Calmly, he pulled out a handkerchief and wiped it clean before rising to wash up.
After freshening up, he stepped onto the balcony for a short meditation session with his eyes closed. Then he left the room and glanced around.
There were five rooms on the second floor. The middle one, originally his, was now Long Ying’s. To the left was the room shared by Yan Meng’er and Yan Ruyu; to the right, Mi Xue’er and Xiao Xinyan.
All four doors were tightly shut, and he sensed no presence inside. A quick scan revealed that the girls had already gotten up and were downstairs on the first floor.
Yan Zhen thought for a moment, then headed up to the third floor. He found Cai Lian meditating and decided not to disturb her. Instead, he went straight down to the first floor, where he was greeted by a heartwarming sight.
Meng’er, wearing an apron and dressed like a chef, was busy preparing breakfast in the kitchen, with Cousin Ruyu helping out beside her. Senior Sister Xue’er was watering the medicinal herbs with a kettle, trailed by the Tianshan Snow Eagle waddling behind her like a hen. Meanwhile, Senior Sister Xinyan was sweeping the fallen leaves in the courtyard.
It felt just like the old days at Mystic Academy.
Yan Zhen leaned against the doorframe, his gaze shifting between the kitchen and the yard. A sense of peace gradually settled over his heart.
As his cultivation grew stronger, he had slowly forgotten what ordinary life felt like.
He no longer ate or slept on any schedule. He had even transcended the need for basic bodily functions.
Being free from mortal constraints was liberating and carefree, but something essential was missing—the simple, earthy warmth of everyday life.
And yet, it had only been two years. How thoroughly everything had changed.
Yan Zhen gave a wry smile and walked to the kitchen doorway. “Good morning, Meng’er, Cousin Ruyu. Need any help?”
The two women turned at the sound of his voice and greeted him with gentle smiles.
“Good morning, Cousin. Breakfast will take a little longer—have a seat. No need to help.”
“Gentlemen stay away from the kitchen. Shoo.”
Yan Zhen slipped behind Yan Ruyu and wrapped his arms around her slender waist, pulling her close.
“I’m no gentleman. Haven’t you always said so, Cousin?”
Her cheeks flushed pink. She twisted in his embrace and huffed, “Let go—I’m simmering soy milk. Go hug Meng’er if you must.”
He didn’t push it further. Instead, he planted a soft kiss on her rosy cheek before moving behind Yan Meng’er and giving her the same warm hug, followed by a tender good-morning kiss.
A faint, intimate air filled the kitchen, leaving the cousins both secretly delighted.
Yan Zhen eyed the steaming bamboo steamer. “What’s for breakfast, Meng’er?”
Yan Meng’er’s pretty face still held a trace of shy blush. “Braised phoenix claws, steamed pork ribs, crisp pork belly, seaweed rolls, siumai, shrimp dumplings… all the classic snacks from Martial Tang City.”
Yan Zhen paused, his gaze softening even more. “That’s a lot.”
“There’s more besides. It’s all to welcome Sister Cai Lian.”
“She’ll love it—by the way, what did you all talk about last night?”
Yan Meng’er hesitated, her movements faltering. “N-nothing much…”
Yan Ruyu cut in. “Just girl talk. Nothing to do with you. Why pry?”
Yan Zhen shrugged. “Just curious. Fine, keep your secrets. I’ll go ask Senior Sister Xue’er and Senior Sister Xinyan.”
He left the kitchen and headed to the courtyard, sneaking up behind Xiao Xinyan. She was sweeping the same spot over and over, clearly lost in thought with something weighing on her mind.
Yan Zhen could tell that both Senior Sister Xue’er and Senior Sister Xinyan felt immense pressure around Cai Lian. Just standing near her had nearly reduced them to quivering wrecks. Xue’er had a carefree nature, so she coped better, but Xinyan already tended to feel inferior around him. This had to be even worse for her.
Casually, he picked up another broom and started sweeping alongside her. It took a while before Xiao Xinyan suddenly noticed the extra broom. She whipped her head around and saw Yan Zhen, flushing with panic. “Junior Brother Yan Zhen! W-when did you get here?”
Yan Zhen smiled. “I’ve been here a bit.”
Her face grew even more flustered. “Sorry, I zoned out and didn’t notice… Ahem, I can handle this. You go do your own thing, Junior Brother Yan Zhen.”
“What’s on your mind, Senior Sister Xinyan?”
“N-nothing! I’ve just been cultivating nonstop these past few days—my head’s a little fuzzy.”
Her tone rang false, but Yan Zhen didn’t call her out. Instead, he said smoothly, “In that case, let me help clear your mind, Senior Sister Xinyan.”
“Eh?” Xiao Xinyan blinked in confusion. “How?”
“Close your eyes.”
Doubtfully, she did as told, shutting her eyelids. Moments later, she felt Yan Zhen’s arms around her, his lips sealing hers. A wave of hot breath passed between them, melting her resolve in an instant.
“Mmm…”
When their lips parted, Xiao Xinyan opened her eyes, gazing at him in a daze.
“Junior Brother Yan Zhen…”
“Feeling clearer now, Petty Senior Sister?” Yan Zhen grinned mischievously. “If not, we can go again.”
Xiao Xinyan swallowed hard. She yearned to continue but feared being caught by the “main wife.” Meekly, she murmured, “It’s clear now.”
“Good.” Yan Zhen chuckled. “Next time you zone out, just tell me. I’m the ultimate remedy for it.”
“You’re so bad, Junior Brother Yan Zhen.”
“Nah, I’m perfectly upright. Everyone says so.”
“Who’s ‘everyone’?”
“Anyone but the girls from the brothels.”
“Pfft!”
Xiao Xinyan spat in mock disgust, then couldn’t help bursting into laughter.
“—What are you two chatting about? Sounds hilarious.”
Mi Xue’er approached with her kettle, the plump Tianshan Snow Eagle waddling beside her. It raised its broad wings in a greeting to Yan Zhen.
“Goo goo, goo goo.”
“Good morning, Senior Sister Xue’er—and you too, A-Zhen.” Yan Zhen replied, “All done out here?”
Mi Xue’er mimed wiping sweat from her brow. “Pretty much. I’m wiped out—such a huge patch to water.”
“Hungry yet? Let’s head in for breakfast.”
“Mm-hmm! I can already smell it. So yummy~ I wish I could cook like Meng’er.”
Xiao Xinyan giggled. “You can only eat.”
Mi Xue’er shot back indignantly, “As if you’re any different!”
The two glared at each other and huffed, then each linked an arm with Yan Zhen and headed inside.
