LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 182:
Chapter 182: The Witch Stares at You Expressionlessly:
Steamed red fish.
Charcoal-grilled clams.
Freshly mixed shredded Ganoderma lucidum.
Golden lotus seed soup, crispy fried nectar mushrooms, and stir-fried Luan bird meat.
A feast spread across the dining table like a masterpiece of culinary art. The vibrant colors of each dish intertwined, filling the large wooden table with warmth and anticipation.
More dishes appeared, one after another, until the entire surface was brimming with food.
For their small family, this seemed excessive.
Yet, as Xu Xi stood there, gazing at the array of steaming dishes and the delicate mist rising from them, he felt it was just right.
The house often felt empty and lonely. But on this New Year’s Eve, a lively atmosphere was exactly what it needed.
Money didn’t matter.
For Xu Xi, the cost of this meal was insignificant, and for the girls in the highest realm, it was even less so.
“Is this enough?”
Xu Xi briefly considered cooking more but decided against it. The table was full—any more would only go to waste.
With a click, Xu Xi turned on every light in the house.
Every corner, whether in use or not, glowed with bright, warm illumination, transforming the courtyard into a beacon of light for the New Year.
“Krisha, thank you for your help.”
As he looked at the witch, who had been quietly following him, her youthful 17-year-old appearance remained as serene as ever.
Krisha shook her head slightly and handed him a cup of hot tea with her usual calm precision.
“You don’t need to thank me,” she said softly.
The clumsy witch never minded being [used], as long as it was for someone from the Xu family.
“Master, please drink some tea.”
Krisha’s voice was steady as she offered the steaming cup.
“Thanks, Krisha,” Xu Xi replied, blowing gently on the tea’s surface, watching ripples dance in the cup.
In the cold of winter, the warmth of hot tea was a perfect comfort.
Xu Xi sipped slowly, savoring the tranquility it brought. He noticed that Krisha’s brewing skills had improved significantly, and most importantly, she no longer used bitter Qingshen grass.
He chuckled at the thought of Krisha drinking the bitter tea without a hint of reaction.
From another perspective, it could be considered one of her unique charms.
With the tea finished, Xu Xi placed the cup back on the tray Krisha held.
The New Year’s Eve dinner was ready.
Before the meal, Xu Xi decided to add some festive decorations. From his space ring, he took out New Year stickers and small decorations—simple, inexpensive items bought from the supermarket.
“Master, let me help.”
Krisha’s soft voice carried a note of determination. Her gray-silver hair swayed gently as she moved closer, the necklace on her fair neck catching the light with each motion.
“Alright, let’s do it together,” Xu Xi agreed with a smile.
The two started in the kitchen, hanging a new calendar on the sliding door and pasting bright red blessings on the bedroom doors.
Krisha could have done it all with a thought, but some things felt more meaningful when done by hand.
Under the glowing lights, their shadows stretched long and soft, blending harmoniously yet distinctly.
Krisha moved clumsily, savoring the rare time spent alone with Xu Xi.
She wished, with all her heart, that this moment could last forever.
Just her and Xu Xi…
But reality had its own plans.
As Xu Xi and Krisha were adding the final touches, Xu Moli and Wu Yingxue returned.
Their appearances were flawless, showing no signs of the fierce sparring that had taken place.
They paused upon seeing Xu Xi and Krisha decorating.
A moment later, Xu Moli stepped forward, taking the decorations from Xu Xi’s hands.
“Brother, let me handle this,” she said with a smile. “You’ve been busy all day, and I want to do something for you.”
Caught off guard, Xu Xi hesitated but eventually handed over the decorations.
Then Wu Yingxue chimed in, offering her help as well.
“Sir, let me assist too. Consider it my thanks for letting me join you for New Year’s Eve dinner.”
Before Xu Xi could object, Wu Yingxue had already reached out for the remaining decorations.
Left with nothing to do, Xu Xi had no choice but to retreat to the living room.
Krisha, however, stood still, her expression unchanged.
She watched as the two girls busily took over, her calm gaze betraying no emotions.
The room grew eerily quiet as Xu Xi settled onto the sofa.
The faint sound of wind and snow outside added to the stillness, creating an unusual tranquility.
It was a subtle kind of quiet—one that carried warmth and the essence of home.
Xu Xi looked down at his hands, tracing the lines on his palms before summoning the simulator panel only he could see.
His thoughts wandered.
“The simulations were always full of regrets, filled with challenges and pain,” he mused. “But they’ve shaped my life, bringing me to this moment.”
He smiled, acknowledging the strange twists of fate.
Even if it felt like a dream, it was a wonderful dream.
“Brother, what are you thinking about?”
Xu Xi looked up to find Xu Moli standing in front of him, having finished the decorations.
“Moli, pinch my hand,” Xu Xi said suddenly.
“Eh?”
She hesitated, thinking the request strange. But after confirming he was serious, she gently pinched the back of his hand, her touch delicate and fleeting.
“Brother, is that okay?”
“Yeah, that’s fine.”
Feeling the tangible sensation, Xu Xi laughed quietly to himself.
It wasn’t a dream. It was real, and it was perfect.