The Witch Stares at You Expressionlessly

Steamed Red Spiritual Fish.

Charcoal-Grilled Fresh Clams.

Freshly Tossed Spiritual Fungus Strips.

Golden Lotus Seed Soup, Crispy Fried Death Mushrooms, Stir-Fried Phoenix Bird Meat.

…

The table was a feast of exquisite cuisine, a symphony of colors adorning the spacious wooden surface.

More dishes continued to appear, until the entire table was filled to the brim.

For this small household, the number of dishes was clearly excessive.

However, looking at the abundant spread and the wisps of rising steam, Xu Xi felt it was just right.

The new home felt empty and cold, usually quite desolate. But during the Spring Festival, it was perfect for creating a lively atmosphere.

Money wasn’t important.

Even Xu Xi, by himself, could easily afford this meal, let alone the girls who were masters of supreme realms.

“Maybe it’s still not enough?”

Xu Xi thought, considering adding a couple more dishes, but seeing the already packed table, he ultimately decided against it.

Moderation was key; anything more would be wasteful.

“Click—”

Xu Xi turned on the bright lights.

Every corner of the house, whether in use or not, glowed with a warm, white radiance, illuminating the festive courtyard.

“Krisha, you’ve worked hard.”

After finishing up, Xu Xi turned to the witch by his side.

The witch, forever frozen at the age of 17, gently shook her head. She brought Xu Xi a cup of hot tea, her movements practiced and meticulous.

“You needn’t mind me…”

The clumsy witch never minded being “used.”

As long as…

That person was Xu Xi, and only Xu Xi.

“Mentor, please have some tea…” Krisha offered the tea to Xu Xi in a calm, indifferent tone.

“Thanks, Krisha,” Xu Xi gently blew on the surface of the tea, creating ripples in the hot liquid.

The bitter cold and warm tea made a perfect pair.

The former brought a piercing chill.

The latter soothed the soul with its gentle warmth, relaxing the mind and body entirely.

Gently swirling the cup, the tea danced within.

Its aroma brought a serene tranquility.

Xu Xi thought the witch’s skills were improving. Most importantly, she no longer used bitter Clear Mind Grass.

Xu Xi had tasted Clear Mind Grass many times before, but he never quite got used to its flavor.

Krisha, with her stoic nature, would always drink it with a calm, expressionless demeanor.

In a way, that was the witch’s advantage.

Click—

As Xu Xi pondered, he finished his tea. He placed the empty cup on the tray in Krisha’s hands.

The New Year’s Eve feast was ready.

Before starting the meal,

Xu Xi had one more thing to do.

With a light touch of his spatial ring, he retrieved the New Year decorations he had bought from the supermarket—cheap, insignificant trinkets.

Normally, Xu Xi preferred cleanliness and order.

But on this annual occasion,

he felt that just the feast wasn’t enough to capture the festive spirit, so he wanted to add some decorations.

“Mentor, let me help you.”

Silver-gray hair swayed gently as Krisha, who had been quietly standing by Xu Xi’s side, spoke up.

A necklace dangled from her pale neck, swaying gently in front of her chest, like waves, like wind traces, rising and falling silently.

“Sure, let’s do it together.”

Xu Xi smiled, agreeing to the witch’s request.

They began in the kitchen, hanging a new calendar on the sliding door, or gently pasting bright red lucky charms on the bedroom door.

With Krisha’s abilities,

these tasks could have been completed instantly.

But some things, if not done personally, would lose their special meaning.

The two, large and small, cast long shadows under the overhead light, a gentle glow reflecting their companionship. The shadows mingled during this festive moment, yet remained distinct.

Krisha clumsily savored this shared time.

She really,

really wanted.

For this special moment to last forever, just her and Xu Xi…

Unfortunately, the course of events rarely goes as one wishes.

Just as Xu Xi and Krisha were putting up decorations in the courtyard, his sister and the princess returned from outside.

They looked unharmed, showing no signs of their recent battles.

Upon seeing Xu Xi and the witch’s actions,

both froze.

Then, Xu Moli took the New Year decorations from Xu Xi’s hands.

“Brother, let me do it.”

She offered this, giving Xu Xi a reason he couldn’t refuse: “Today, you’ve been doing everything. I want to do something for you too.”

“Alright…”

Under Krisha’s calm gaze,

Xu Xi hesitated slightly before handing the decorations to his sister.

Then, Wu Yingxue also offered to help, expressing her gratitude for being allowed to join this New Year’s Eve feast.

“Sir, please take a break.”

Before Xu Xi could react,

the princess’s hand was already outstretched in front of him.

Meeting her sincere gaze, Xu Xi couldn’t refuse. He handed over the remaining items from his spatial ring.

Krisha remained expressionless, watching silently.

By the time Xu Xi came back to his senses,

he was left completely idle, just waiting for the girls to finish decorating so they could begin the New Year’s Eve feast.

“I can’t help but feel…”

“It’s strangely quiet.”

Xu Xi waited in the living room, reclining on the soft couch.

Looking at the ceiling, then glancing outside at the howling snow, he felt an inexplicable stillness.

The quiet had a subtle warmth and beauty.

A warmth that came from being human.

A beauty that came from having a home.

Xu Xi lowered his gaze, focusing on the lines on his palms, then summoned the simulator interface visible only to him.

He sank into deep thought.

“No simulation of life is ever perfect; each one is filled with various regrets.”

“But one cannot deny that it was the simulator that changed my real life.”

“The me in reality, the me now.”

“I suppose I’ve lived a good life…”

Xu Xi chuckled, knowing that everything had changed thanks to the simulator.

For that,

he grudgingly accepted the name ‘Good Life Simulator.’

Still, all of this, it felt like a dream…

A dream that was both elusive and surreal…

“Brother, what are you thinking about?” Xu Xi was lost in thought when Xu Moli finished decorating and approached him, curious.

“Moli, can you pinch my hand?”

“Huh?”

The girl thought Xu Xi’s request was strange.

After confirming that he was serious,

she extended two slender fingers, gently pinched the back of Xu Xi’s hand with minimal force, and quickly released it.

Afraid of hurting Xu Xi.

“Brother, is this okay?”

“Yeah, that’s good.”

Xu Xi flexed his hand, feeling the real sensation, amused by his own actions.

It was good, not a dream.