New Year's Eve Dinner After Marriage

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

On New Year's Eve,

Xu Xi, as he had done in previous years, paid visits to the members of the Survival Army, as well as Li Wanshou and the Red Dragon in the distant capital.

To each, he presented New Year's gifts laden with blessings.

As for the parents of the Princess and the Hero, he planned to visit them a few days later.

Whoosh—

Whoosh—

The northern wind was sharp as a blade, sweeping up fallen leaves and dust from the ground, mingling with the icy chill as it howled across the wide streets.

Xu Xi had just returned from the capital.

Gazing at the snow-covered Yanshan City, he instinctively took a deep breath, relishing the cold air filling his lungs and the faint tingling sensation spreading through his body.

Then, his exhaled breath turned into a wisp of white mist,

quickly dissipating before his face.

The harsh winter could not affect Xu Xi’s health—he was simply savoring the tranquility of the season.

"The first New Year after marriage…"

"What should I make for tonight’s reunion dinner…"

Pondering the menu for the evening feast, Xu Xi walked toward the courtyard. Along the way, a gust of wind swept past, carrying a small cotton cap toward him.

He bent down to pick it up,

then glanced around.

Soon, a small figure came running over in a hurry.

"Is this yours?"

"Mhm!"

"Don’t lose it next time," Xu Xi chuckled, standing under the pale winter sun as he returned the cap to the little girl.

"Thank you, big brother!"

Watching her scamper away excitedly, Xu Xi instinctively touched his face.

Though the passage of time in simulations did not affect his real-world body,

the tempering of his soul was genuine—a mark left by the years.

"Being called that makes me feel thousands of years younger,"

Xu Xi laughed.

He pushed open the courtyard gate and followed the winding brick path toward the house.

With every breath,

a puff of warm air escaped his lips and nose,

condensing into visible white mist that dispersed into the dry, frigid air.

"Are Krisha and Ailei not home?"

Xu Xi was surprised.

In the past, the courtyard would always be meticulously cleaned, neat and orderly.

But today, it looked rather untidy, strewn with fallen leaves and branches broken under the weight of snow.

This sight was unusual.

It meant that both the Witch and the Mechanical Servant had left the courtyard for some reason.

"Where did they go?" Xu Xi wondered, casually picking up a broom and sweeping away the snow in the courtyard.

Rather than using supernatural power to solve the task instantly,

he preferred this "primitive" method of manual labor—more in line with his habits.

"There, that should do it." After tidying up the courtyard, Xu Xi gave a slight nod and turned to enter the house, ready to prepare the reunion dinner.

Pushing open the door,

he was met with the sight of the spacious living room.

Normally, one or two people would be seated here, but today, like the courtyard outside, it was empty.

"Mo Li and the others aren’t here either?"

Xu Xi let out a puzzled murmur.

Looking around, the living room was illuminated only by the bright overhead lights, accompanied by the newly replaced coffee table, sofa, and other furnishings.

Thud—

Clatter—

Just as Xu Xi was about to use his abilities to locate the girls,

he heard the clanging of pots and pans from the kitchen ahead,

along with familiar voices.

"Let me! Let me!"

"The first dish is almost done!"

Walking down the hallway, Xu Xi saw the kitchen doorway brightly lit, with several figures bustling about inside.

The mystery was solved.

The five girls hadn’t left the courtyard—

they had gathered in the kitchen to cook together.

"Brother, you’re back?"

Upon noticing Xu Xi standing at the kitchen entrance, the girls all paused their activities.

Xu Xi’s gaze swept over them, noticing that each was preparing a different dish.

His sister, Xu Moli, was making sweet and sour ribs.

The Witch was baking a celebratory cake.

The Princess, Wu Yingxue, was preparing spicy salted dragon meat.

The Mechanical Servant, Ailei, had brewed a large pot of golden tonic soup.

And the Hero, instead of her usual roasted fruits, had opted for a traditional dish from her homeland.

"Yes, I’m back. So, this is…?"

"Ahem, since we’re married now,"

Wu Yingxue was the first to answer his confusion, "I thought our first New Year together should be special. Like making a lavish reunion dinner for you to taste my cooking."

"I thought the same, brother…"

The others nodded slightly.

Originally, they had planned to finish the feast before Xu Xi returned.

But aside from Krisha and Ailei, the rest had made slow progress.

By the time Xu Xi arrived home,

the dinner was far from complete.

"It’s fine. I’ll take care of the rest," Xu Xi said with a smile, stepping into the kitchen and taking the spatula from Xu Moli while urging the others to go rest.

"Ah, brother…"

"Sitting idle isn’t my style. Go on, take a break."

The girls had wanted, as wives, to prepare a meaningful and sumptuous feast for Xu Xi.

Coincidentally,

Xu Xi shared a similar thought—

to cook a delicious meal, one that would remain a warm and cherished memory, as a husband should.

Turning on the new-model range hood, its rumbling filling the air, Xu Xi was about to start cooking when he noticed the girls still lingering in the kitchen.

They were stubborn,

refusing to let him work alone.

Ailei stepped forward, her reasoning sound: "Master, I’ve mastered the essence of luminous cuisine. Please allow me to assist."

"Great Wizard, perhaps I could use the Holy Sword to chop vegetables?"

"Brother, I can help with prep work!"

"Mentor, as your wife, I can’t let you labor alone."

"Uh… how about I taste-test?"

Seeing everyone else find their roles, Wu Yingxue hesitated before suggesting her own position as the official sampler.

"……"

"……"

"I’ll just stick to grilling."

Under the collective gaze, Wu Yingxue decided to add grilled dragon ribs to her menu alongside the spicy salted dragon meat.

When it came to barbecue,

this was her forte.

Yingxue’s Specialty, Round Two!

In the bustling kitchen, time slipped away unnoticed as figures moved in coordinated harmony, flames and steam weaving into a vivid tableau.

The usual cacophony of sizzling and clattering,

accompanied by the distant pops of firecrackers outside,

gradually melded into a symphony.

Click—

As Xu Xi turned off the stove, the final luminous dish was placed on the table, its aroma already permeating the courtyard.

"Is something wrong, Ailei?"

Xu Xi noticed the Mechanical Servant standing still.

In the dimming twilight, the indoor lights cast a soft glow, illuminating her silver-blue eyes.

Gazing at the steaming feast, she replied:

"Master, it’s strange."

"This isn’t the first time I’ve celebrated the New Year with you."

"But tonight’s meal… it makes my heart feel different."

Her hands pressed lightly against her chest, her expression not one of confusion, but of serene contentment.

Xu Xi pulled out a chair for her,

then did the same for his sister, the Witch, the Princess, and the Hero.

His voice remained as gentle as ever.

"I think it's probably because this year, we’ve truly built a home."

Yet, not all 【homes】 are the same.

The mutual support of the past, the way we clung to each other for warmth in the coldest of winters, has now faded with time, transforming into a new home shared between husband and wife.