The Bliss of the Man from Qi—How Diligent Our Fellow Clan Members Are

When Lin Yu returned home,

Chen Qimeng was the first to greet him.

"Xiao Yu, have you eaten yet?" Chen Qimeng asked with concern, already poised to head to the kitchen.

Thinking back,

Lin Yu had never had any close friends in the past.

Every time he went out, he would wander alone until late before coming home.

To save money, he often skipped dinner or just ate instant noodles.

Whenever this happened, Chen Qimeng would go to the kitchen to make him a late-night snack.

In his past life, Lin Yu would often refuse.

Only when he was truly starving would he silently wait on the sofa.

How foolish, how ungrateful.

He took her affection for granted, only realizing its preciousness after losing it.

Lin Yu stopped Aunt Qimeng and said,

"Don’t trouble yourself, Aunt Qimeng. I’ve already eaten outside."

"Since everyone’s still up so late, why don’t I make you all a refreshing late-night snack?"

"Maomao isn’t back yet, but by the time she returns, it should be ready."

Hearing this, Chen Qimeng immediately changed her tune:

"Then let me help you!"

Lin Yu placed his hands on Aunt Qimeng’s shoulders and gently guided her toward the sofa where Du Ruxue sat:

"No need. There are so many people here already."

"Instead of helping me, why not keep Aunt Ruxue company? I’m sure she needs it more right now."

[Ding!]

[Masterful move! The Saint’s thoughtful gesture warms his companion’s heart!]

[Reward: 50 Spirit Stones]

[Ding!]

[Masterful move! The Saint’s desire to work alongside his companion fills her with anticipation!]

[Reward: 50 Spirit Stones]

[Ding!]

[Masterful move! The Saint wants to…]

[...]

A flurry of system notifications suddenly flooded in, catching Lin Yu off guard.

Lin Yu: "!!!"

He had only casually said a few words.

Yet they were already reading so much into it!

With such a loving home, who would ever want to stay out late?

He couldn’t wait to come back early every day just to see which of his companions was home.

At the table, the others who had been petting the cat tried to act normal as Lin Yu approached.

Only Little Chi, ever the honest one, sprang up excitedly and asked:

"Xiao Lin, Xiao Lin! What kind of late-night snack are we making?"

"Head kitchen assistant, reporting for duty!"

"I’ll be the best helper ever, ensuring Chef Xiao Lin completes his mission!"

After declaring this, Little Chi stood at attention, startling the cat onto Mao Ruirui’s shoulder.

Lin Yu: "..."

Her enthusiasm for food was practically overwhelming, as if she might devour him before he even stepped into the kitchen.

Lin Yu couldn’t help but think—if he had just gotten a top-tier chef’s license, he wouldn’t have needed to put in so much effort to win her over.

She’d have stuck to him like glue.

Chi Qingshui pinched Little Chi’s ear and whispered:

"There are so many people here. Don’t shout such embarrassing things..."

Little Chi winced and obediently sat back down, not daring to defy her sister.

But while Little Chi sat, Chi Qingshui herself stood up.

In a tone befitting a "friend," she said:

"If you’re making a late-night snack for everyone, I can help too."

"It’s not like I have anything else to do. Might as well keep busy."

Every time they spoke like this in front of others, Lin Yu had to suppress a laugh.

Chi Qingshui shouldn’t have studied directing—she should’ve gone into acting.

Her performance was flawless, especially her delivery.

No one in the apartment could have guessed how she really behaved when alone with Lin Yu.

Hearing Chi Qingshui’s offer, Mao Ruirui quickly grabbed the mischievous cat on her shoulder and chimed in:

"I can help too!"

Her eagerness made it seem like she was afraid of being left out.

Little Chi pouted and grumbled from her seat:

"What’s the point? In the end, everyone’s helping anyway."

"And yet Sister still pinched my ear… As if she wasn’t thinking the same thing!"

Chi Qingshui remained silent: "..."

Idiot Little Chi!

No one would think you’re mute if you just kept quiet!

"I’ll join too! Count me in."

"We can’t let Xiao Lin do all the work. If we want to eat, we should help make it!"

Xia Yiwei rose from the sofa and quickly joined the group.

Lin Yu could tell—Nurse Xia wasn’t actually eager to help.

She just wanted an excuse to escape Aunt Ruxue’s side.

Lin Yu saw through it but didn’t call her out.

Instead, he led everyone to the kitchen, leaving the TV area to the two aunts.

Du Ruxue glanced back at the lively group of young people, feeling a twinge of envy.

If she had lived in such a warm environment when she was younger…

Maybe she, like Maomao, would have moved in and never wanted to leave.

But alas.

She was already in her thirties—no longer young.

"What an energetic bunch of boys and girls," Du Ruxue murmured wistfully.

But life…

Who decided how old was "young" or when someone was "grown up"?

Before she could dwell on it further, Chen Qimeng pulled her up:

"Come on, let’s go help too."

"Waiting here for Maomao…"

"You’re feeling uneasy, aren’t you?"

"When your heart is unsettled, keeping busy helps ease the tension."

"That’s a life lesson I’ve learned over the years!"

Du Ruxue hesitated.

"Help? But they’re all young, and we…"

Before she could finish, Chen Qimeng had already linked arms with her and steered her toward the kitchen.

"What ‘young’ and ‘we’?"

"Aren’t we young too?"

"You’ve never even been married—stop acting like some elder."

"In my apartment… everyone is young!"

Du Ruxue: "..."

When she first reunited with Chen Qimeng, Du Ruxue thought she hadn’t changed since college.

But now…

She realized Chen Qimeng had changed quite a bit.

And somehow… it was nice.

---

In the kitchen:

Xia Yiwei: "The lotus seeds are already soft. Aren’t they done yet?"

Little Chi: "Sister Yiwei, Chef just said three more minutes! It’s only been two minutes and sixteen seconds!"

Chen Qimeng: "Little Chi is so meticulous, even using a timer. Hehe."

Chi Qingshui: "Aunt Qimeng, don’t mind her. She’s only this serious about food. The bowls are ready."

Mao Ruirui: "I’ll handle it. The spoons are already set on the table, just like Xiao Yu said."

Du Ruxue: "The presentation of the sweet soup should be elegant. Leave the plating to me."

Chen Qimeng: "Xiao Xue, technically, it’s a bowl. So… bowl arrangement?"

"..."

Lin Yu stood in a corner of the kitchen, watching the bustling women.

In the end, he had become a hands-off supervisor, merely reciting the recipe while they did all the work.

This life… was truly wonderful.

Finally, as the lotus seed sweet soup was served…

Maomao returned!

...

(First update today. There will be more later tonight!)