A Family of Three?

Zhuang Jingbai tossed and turned in her bed, unable to fall into meditation.

She deeply regretted her foolish decision made on a whim.

It had set off a chain of consequences, and now there was no turning back.

She really was a bad woman!

Right now, her mind was filled with Lu Chen’s strange behavior during the meal.

Since she was from an outer sect, she wasn’t familiar with Wang Feng either.

She had been focused on Lu Chen during the conversation.

But when she saw Lu Chen’s reaction after hearing about Wang Feng, he seemed completely off.

That made her curious.

What was he so afraid of?

“Why is it so strange?”

“And that Yu Ning, she cried!”

“I sympathize with that ‘senior sister’ too, but it’s not enough to make me feel that way, is it?”

“Could it be that she’s just overly emotional?”

Zhuang Jingbai couldn’t figure it out.

She thought of Lu Chen again.

“Maybe I should go ask him?”

“If it’s because of me that he never gets married, that would be terrible!”

She found a clumsy excuse for herself and was about to get up.

But the next moment, she sat back down.

No.

She had no reason to disturb Lu Chen now.

Besides, given that she was Lin Tian’s… Lu Chen definitely wouldn’t welcome her in the middle of the night.

He’d misunderstand!

“Why is this so annoying?”

“I should have listened to Lu Chen’s advice!”

Over the next few days, everyone stayed in their caves to cultivate and improve themselves.

Today, Lu Chen had stabilized his strength at the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment.

Satisfied, he emerged from seclusion.

Pushing open the door, a faint aroma of food drifted into his nose.

He paused, then followed the scent to the main room.

What he saw left him completely stunned.

The cave had been transformed.

Clutter that had piled up in the corner was now neatly arranged.

The dusty tables and chairs had been polished until they shone.

On the windowsill sat a vase of wildflowers, picked from who knows where.

Even the floor had been replaced with wooden planks.

Jiang Huaiyu stood by the table, bending over to set out bowls and chopsticks.

Today she wore a pale green dress, cinched at the waist with a sash of the same color, accentuating her slender figure.

Her black hair was pinned up with a jade hairpin, a few stray strands falling at the nape of her neck, radiating an irresistible charm.

Hearing the noise, she looked up and met Lu Chen’s gaze.

Her cheeks flushed slightly.

“You… you’re out of seclusion.”

Lu Chen nodded blankly, his eyes sweeping over the renewed cave.

He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Jiang Huaiyu followed his gaze, a little embarrassed.

She lowered her head.

“I… I got used to tidying up.”

“I couldn’t help but clean when I saw the mess.”

“You don’t mind, do you?”

“No, not at all.” Lu Chen quickly shook his head.

“It’s just… trouble for you, Senior Sister.”

“No trouble.” Jiang Huaiyu smiled gently, her lips pressed together.

The smile was warm, not like one a junior sister would give her junior brother, but more like…

She turned and walked toward the kitchen, saying over her shoulder, “Wait a moment.”

“There are two more dishes.”

“They’ll be ready soon.”

Lu Chen stood there, watching her busy figure in the kitchen.

For a moment, he felt dazed.

Her movements were practiced.

She was clearly used to this.

Chopping vegetables, putting them in the wok, stir-frying.

Every motion was fluid and natural, carrying an indescribable grace.

Before long, Jiang Huaiyu came out with the last two dishes and set them on the table.

Only then did Lu Chen notice that the table was already fully laid.

The spiritual rice was steamed until it was crystal clear.

The spiritual vegetables glistened with bright colors.

The spiritual meat gave off a rich aroma.

In the center sat a pot of spiritual wine, its fragrance thick and intoxicating.

All these foods were greatly beneficial to cultivators.

“This…” Lu Chen looked at Jiang Huaiyu, astonishment in his eyes.

She felt uneasy under his gaze, lowering her eyelids.

She said softly, “I sensed you were about to come out of seclusion.”

“After all, I’m at the ninth layer of Golden Core.”

“I have some perception.”

“So I thought you’d be hungry when you came out, so I… prepared a little.”

“Just some home cooking.”

“Don’t despise it.”

Lu Chen gazed at the full table of dishes, then at the gentle, fairy-like woman across from him.

A complex surge of emotion welled up in his heart.

Since he had crossed over into the Hehuan Sect, he had lived each day in uncertainty.

Later, he escaped and joined the Xuantian Sect.

His master treated him well, but he needed too many resources for cultivation.

Every spirit stone and every pill had to be carefully budgeted.

But this… someone to welcome him when he came out of seclusion, someone to have warm food ready, someone to speak softly to him.

He had never had such a day.

“Senior Sister.”

Jiang Huaiyu raised her eyes to look at him.

“Thank you.”

Seeing the complex emotion in his eyes, she felt an inexplicable pang in her heart.

She didn’t know what he had been through, but she could tell that such simple warmth seemed to be a luxury for him.

“Sit down and eat.” She said softly, pouring him a cup of wine.

“It won’t taste as good when it gets cold.”

Lu Chen nodded and sat down across from her.

He picked up a dish with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth.

The flavor of the food melted on his tongue.

This spiritual dish had an indescribable extra taste compared to what he usually ate.

Maybe it was because someone was eating with him.

Jiang Huaiyu also picked up her chopsticks and ate in small bites.

Occasionally she looked up to sneak a glance at him.

Seeing him eating with gusto, a faint smile unconsciously crept onto her lips.

If Ling’er were here now, would they look like a family of three?

A real… family of three!

“Senior Sister, you eat too.” Lu Chen noticed her gaze and, a little embarrassed, picked up some food for her.

Jiang Huaiyu paused, looking at the dish in her bowl.

A complicated emotion flickered in her eyes.

“Thank you.”

The two ate in silence, exchanging a few trivial words now and then.

The atmosphere was quiet but not awkward.

Lu Chen drank the spiritual wine, looking at the stunning face across from him.

He suddenly felt that this kind of life wasn’t so bad.

Although he wasn’t used to this wealthy lifestyle, he didn’t dislike it either.

Jiang Huaiyu said nothing.

They each ate their own meal.

Until…

“Senior Sister, what kind of wine did you give me?”

“It’s so strong.”

“I, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, am actually getting drunk!” Lu Chen’s face was flushed.

He couldn’t help but lean on the table.

“It’s Hundred Flowers Brew from the Hundred Flowers Sect.”

“This is only the weakest one.”

“It seems your tolerance is poor, Junior Brother!”

“Thanks to you, Senior Sister!”

“But I’m a lightweight, so I’ll go back to rest first.”

With that, Lu Chen staggered to his feet.

Seeing this, Jiang Huaiyu quickly stood up to support him, but he raised his hand to refuse.

“Senior Sister, we’re completely innocent.”

“Let’s keep our distance.”

“And he has deep feelings for you.”

“In a couple of days, he might come looking for you!”

With that, Lu Chen walked step by step toward his bedroom, leaving Jiang Huaiyu standing there stunned.