Extra: The Big Event of Life

The teleportation halo shimmered, and as Luo Wei arrived at Thornflower Castle, a wave of cold air rushed over him, making him shiver involuntarily.

He couldn’t help but glance up at the sky. The northern territories were already cold, and now, in the depths of winter, scattered snowflakes drifted slowly, casting an air of desolation over the ancient castles surrounding him.

Luo Wei had set the teleportation coordinates right at the main gate of Thornflower Castle. Returning after a year, he noticed that the central tower had been fully restored—the gaping hole blasted through by Miss Witch had been patched up.

However, the vampires of the Abraham family still eyed him strangely. As he walked in, several young vampires stole glances at him, only to quickly avert their gazes when he looked back.

It seemed the "home demolition battle" from a year ago had left quite an impression on them...

When Luo Wei entered the castle hall, Evelyn immediately greeted him with a smile.

"Luo Wei, I was just thinking about you, and here you are! What a coincidence!"

"Teacher, that’s what they call being in sync," Luo Wei replied, meeting her gaze. Her face was lit with a faint smile, clearly in high spirits.

"Why are you dressed so lightly?" She scrutinized his attire with concern and called for the young stewardess to fetch a thick cloak.

"The northern territories are much colder than Saint Callen. Here, put this on!"

"Teacher..." Luo Wei glanced around the hall—not a single vampire was bundled up like this. He had half a mind to tough it out, but under Evelyn’s disapproving stare, he obediently let her fasten the cloak around him.

"Thank you, Teacher."

Evelyn tapped his forehead lightly. "Since when do you thank me?"

Luo Wei chuckled and surveyed the castle interior.

The dimly lit grand hall was bathed in the flickering glow of countless candles.

Paired with the pale, bloodless faces of the vampires, the atmosphere was thick with gothic gloom, like something out of an old horror film.

In truth, both Saint Callen and Thornflower Castle were steeped in solemnity today.

It was the "All Souls’ Day."

Originally a day for the Church to commemorate canonized saints who had passed, it had been designated by the Emperor as a day to honor all the departed after the Empire’s founding.

Vampires didn’t traditionally observe such customs, but since the Abraham family now held noble status within the Empire, they had adapted to local customs. Today’s guests at Thornflower Castle had gathered to pay respects to one person—

The former Duke of Thornflower, the traitor, Evelyn’s father—Victor Abraham.

Thinking of this, Luo Wei couldn’t help but study Evelyn’s attire.

She was dressed entirely in black today, wearing a small hat adorned with a dark flower, looking every bit the elegant widow.

Given the solemnity of the occasion, Luo Wei had intended to keep his words few, but Evelyn seemed anything but serious. Clinging to his arm, she teased, "Luo Wei, do I look that good today? You can’t take your eyes off me!"

Luo Wei coughed awkwardly before shooting her a resigned glance.

"Teacher does look quite striking today..."

"Really?"

Luo Wei nodded. "Mm. There’s even a saying where I’m from—'A woman in mourning is a sight most charming.'"

"There’s such a saying?" Evelyn’s expression brightened with newfound knowledge.

She was about to continue chatting when an elder of the family, Joe, shot them a stern look from nearby.

"Hmph, old stick-in-the-mud," Evelyn grumbled, reluctantly releasing Luo Wei’s hand.

Luo Wei gave Joe a polite nod in greeting.

"The memorial ceremony won’t start for a while yet..." Evelyn suddenly added, "Luo Wei, it’s been over a year since you last visited. Why don’t I take you around for a tour?"

"It’s been a year since I came here, but not since I last saw you..." Luo Wei smirked. "Weren’t we just hunting monsters together last week?"

The past year had been busy for everyone, Luo Wei included.

Ever since the System’s 3.0 update, he’d been traveling the world to stabilize chaotic anomalies, occasionally clashing with resurgent ancient evils.

Just last week, Luo Wei, Helena, Evelyn, and Eleya had gone to great lengths to subdue an eldritch entity of the Old Ones’ caliber before sealing it away in the old mansion’s underground prison.

After today’s affairs with Evelyn, he had another mission lined up—this time, a colossal burrowing horror capable of triggering massive earthquakes...

"Ah, but it’s been a whole week since we last met!" Evelyn insisted, eagerly seizing Luo Wei’s wrist and dragging him out of the castle before he could protest.

Walking hand in hand along the cobbled paths, Luo Wei and Evelyn chatted and laughed, sharing amusing stories from the past week.

Many old friends greeted Luo Wei along the way, and he acknowledged them with nods.

As they strolled, Helena’s little sister, Emily, suddenly popped up, eyeing their intertwined hands mischievously before blocking their path with a grin.

"Hey~ Good afternoon, Luo Wei~ Big Brother?"

"Good afternoon."

"Hmm?" She blinked deliberately. "Isn’t it tradition to give gifts to children on All Souls’ Day? Did Luo Wei Big Brother forget? Or is there just nothing for me?"

"Children..." Luo Wei rolled his eyes—she was pushing ninety, for goodness’ sake.

Still, he sighed and rummaged through his magic pouch, eventually pulling out a doll-sized mechanical golem.

"A miniaturized magic mech, equipped with Miss Witch’s second-generation arcane core. The battery should last you a year. Helena has an identical one."

"But don’t go fooling around with it indoors," he quickly warned. "It may look small, but it packs a punch."

"Wow!" The moment Luo Wei revealed the mech, Emily’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

What girl wouldn’t want such a cool toy?

"Is this the same kind Helena piloted before?" Emily paused. "Wait, no... this one’s way smaller..."

"Don’t even think about that kind," Luo Wei chuckled. "You don’t have a dozen tentacles—you wouldn’t be able to operate it."

"But this is still amazing!" Emily gleefully fiddled with it, eager to test it out.

"Thanks, Luo Wei Big Brother! I’ll leave you two to your date now. Bye~"

Just as the little troublemaker turned to leave, Luo Wei grabbed her by the collar and yanked her back.

"What? What?" Emily clutched the mech protectively. "You’re not having second thoughts and taking it back, are you?"

"Not that..." Luo Wei glanced at Evelyn beside him before leaning in close to Emily’s ear with a mock-threatening tone.

"Next time, don’t give Helena any more ridiculous advice! Got it? Or I’ll kick your butt so hard! I mean it! No one can stop me!!"

Emily, suddenly reminded of her self-appointed role as a "love strategist," guiltily avoided Luo Wei’s gaze.

"Oh, I understand..." She pouted, looking thoroughly chastised.

Only then did Luo Wei let her go, and the little troublemaker scurried away.

After she left, Evelyn asked suspiciously, "What were you two whispering about just now?"

"Nothing..." Luo Wei chuckled awkwardly, recalling Helena’s recent "shocking" transformation.

That girl, under Emily’s influence, had taken to studying adult fashion, wearing makeup, and even scheming ways to seduce him!

This was outrageous!

She wasn’t even of age yet! And she was already so impatient!

God only knew how Luo Wei managed to restrain himself every day...

Noticing Luo Wei’s strange expression, Evelyn frowned skeptically but didn’t press further.

Luo Wei tried to change the subject. "By the way, why haven’t I seen Monica around? Isn’t she handling the arrangements?"

"Her?" Evelyn burst into laughter. "She’s been buried in work, too busy to entertain guests."

"I see..." Luo Wei silently thought to himself, With a family head like you, Monica is truly cursed for eight hundred lifetimes...

"But I’m not deliberately slacking off!" Evelyn defended herself. "Some matters aren’t suitable for the Duchess of Thornvale to handle personally. Monica has to take care of them!"

"Oh? Really?"

"Yes, really!" Evelyn explained. "It’s been a year since the war with the Winter Kingdom ended, and the Imperial Council has been pushing to disband our private army. Monica’s been busy arguing with Ophelia’s lackeys in the council."

"Ah, I see." Luo Wei nodded in understanding.

Evelyn and Ophelia had clashed over this issue countless times in private.

Though they could still sit together for a "harmonious" and "friendly" dinner in public, matters involving their family interests were non-negotiable. This wasn’t just about them—it was about the interests of the Northern Duchy and the Empress of the Empire.

"Enough of these unpleasant topics..." Evelyn muttered, pulling Luo Wei toward the garden behind the castle.

The garden, a rare sight of greenery in the North during this season, was dotted with tombstones that quietly narrated the heavy history of the Abraham family.

"I called you here today not just for my father’s matter, but for something else too."

Evelyn gently held Luo Wei’s hand as they slowly approached one of the graves.

"What is it?" Luo Wei asked curiously.

Evelyn stared at the tombstone for a long moment before finally speaking.

As snowflakes began to drift from the sky, she suddenly said,

"Luo Wei, let’s get married."

"Huh?" Luo Wei froze, completely caught off guard.

"M-married?" He was utterly shocked.

"Is that not good?" Evelyn pouted, displeased with his reaction. "Or have you never thought about marrying me? Do you not love me anymore?"

"No, it’s not that..." Luo Wei hesitated, glancing at the surrounding graves. "It’s just... isn’t this place a bit inappropriate for this?"

A marriage proposal in front of a tomb?

"No, it’s perfectly fitting." Evelyn stepped forward and brushed the snow off the tombstone.

Annie Abraham.

Luo Wei fell silent as well.

During the chaos at Thornvale Castle, the head housekeeper had passed away in the first week after his departure.

At the time, he had been too exhausted dealing with the capital’s political turmoil and Eleya to comfort Evelyn properly.

"Annie was more than just my housekeeper. She raised me, cared for me like a mother..." Evelyn lowered her head.

"I still remember what she said to us in the basement that day..."

"She said..."

"After looking after you for so long, I finally see someone who truly loves you..."

"I really wish... I could see the day you two marry..."

But she would never live to see that day.

Evelyn’s mood darkened.

After another long silence, she took a deep breath, as if summoning immense courage.

"Luo Wei, do you love me?"

"I do." Luo Wei nodded.

"How much?"

Luo Wei gazed deeply into her eyes.

Then he stepped forward and answered her with a passionate kiss.

The kiss lasted a long time, snowflakes gently landing on their shoulders before melting away.

When they finally parted, Luo Wei looked into Evelyn’s dazed eyes and whispered, "This much. Do you feel it now?"

Evelyn nestled into his arms, smiling softly. "I do."

Luo Wei glanced at Annie’s tombstone and made a decision.

He reached into his magic pouch and slowly pulled out an exquisite ring.

Evelyn gasped. "This is..."

"The proposal should be my job." Luo Wei smiled, lifting her delicate hand and sliding the ring onto her finger.

"It’s beautiful!" Evelyn marveled at the ring on her finger, examining it closely.

Then she pouted. "Luo Wei, you already had this prepared? Why didn’t you tell me?"

"Wouldn’t that ruin the surprise?" Luo Wei glanced around again. "Who knew you’d suddenly bring up marriage in a place like this?"

Evelyn giggled. "Did I scare you just now?"

Luo Wei shook his head, looking at Annie’s grave. "No."

"I’m honored to propose to you here, with Miss Annie as our witness."

Evelyn hugged Luo Wei excitedly. "Now that we’re engaged, let’s start planning the wedding! Let me think, let me think... We should invite all our family friends—it has to be lively! And should we hold it at Thornvale Castle or the grandest cathedral?"

"We’ll be busy from now on." Luo Wei chuckled.

"I’m so happy! So happy!" Evelyn grabbed Luo Wei’s hand and eagerly dragged him back toward the castle. "I have to tell Joe this good news! At least there’s still one elder vampire left—he can be our officiant!"

"But what about my side of the family?" Luo Wei suddenly realized a problem.

"Ah..." Evelyn frowned. Luo Wei had no relatives in this world—he was all alone.

"Then how about Chief Raymond?" she suddenly suggested.

Luo Wei nearly choked. "We're only ten years apart—I don’t want that guy getting any ideas about being my elder..."

"Oh, right..."

Evelyn continued to frown in thought. "Well, there are elders close to you—like Sir Fred, who just got promoted? Or... Headmaster Danton, who recently retired?"

"Those two would work..." Luo Wei nodded.

"What about a priest? A priest!"

"I think Pope Adrian would do. I saved him once—the old man owes me a favor..."

"Hahaha! Having the Pope bless our wedding? Now that’s some serious prestige!"

"Well, who do you think we are?"

One wedding idea after another kept bubbling up as Evelyn clung tightly to Luo Wei’s arm, discussing everything with him in blissful excitement.

Meanwhile, the wintry storms of the North seemed to soften in perfect harmony, allowing a rare beam of winter sunlight to spill through.

The snow on the gravestone slowly melted away.

As if quietly watching over their departing figures.

...