Didn't you go to Teyvat to earn money to support me?

Kiana covered her mouth, realizing she had spoken carelessly. But compared to that, her mother's words seemed even more ridiculous. What did she mean by "also your daughter"?! Are you crazy, Mom? Just because someone is Pandora's girlfriend doesn't mean she's your daughter!

"I'm still here, don't discuss my love life so bluntly," Shen Liang said helplessly from the kitchen. "Everyone, I'm still a member of the Shaniat family, can't you give your younger brother, who's preparing the New Year's Eve dinner by himself, some face?"

"Serves you right," Xilin sneered.

"Hehehe, Ryoko? Landlord? Junior brother? Darling?" Kiana grinned mischievously. "You're actually embarrassed? I thought you'd always been so accepting of everyone, Junior brother."

Even the saintess who had always doted on him raised her little face, made a displeased expression, and put one hand on her hip, saying, "Little Pandora has no reason to be angry, you're not allowed to be angry! Children who take advantage and then act innocent deserve the most criticism. You already have us, isn't that enough?"

Durandal then noticed the only boy in the kitchen. Looking at the group of Shaniat beauties surrounding him and teasing him, she was momentarily speechless, only feeling envious.

Although they were all criticizing Shen Liang, the atmosphere of this family was something she could only envy. The mother and her two daughters talked freely and without restraint with Pandora, creating a wonderful atmosphere between family and friends... Indeed, a family should be lively and bustling. She rarely saw Cecilia with such a carefree smile when she was alone with Cecilia before.

What is home? It's a home filled with noisy, yet sweet and wonderful days. Although it seems a bit tough for Pandora, from the moment she entered the house, these three white-haired beauties, mother and daughters, showed no intention of helping her at all; no one even lent a hand when she went into the kitchen.

She's been waited on hand and foot, a true daughter of Cecilia's upbringing, just as fortunate as Cecilia herself. Perhaps there's a reason why her mother has always been carefree like a girl: as a child, she was taken care of by her father, her sisters took care of her, and even now, after dying once, she still has little Pandora taking care of her every day.

How could she not have the mindset of a little girl?

At this moment, Durandal suddenly realized that she was wearing pajamas in front of Shen Liang. She quickly grabbed the hem of her thin, almost transparent lace dress and instinctively hid behind Xilin.

Celine sighed, "It's unnecessary. Pandora won't be watching you. That old woman always wears this. It's fine if you wear it too. It won't expose you."

“It’s still necessary.” Durandal said softly in a polar voice that only Sirin could hear, “Sirin, even so… at least we agree not to let Kiana be sad because of us and Pandora.”

“Actually, I think my silly little sister wouldn’t be sad about this kind of thing anymore,” Sirin said in a low voice. “She’s gotten used to it over the years. Raiden Mei was even someone who deliberately set a trap and fed herself into Pandora’s mouth, you know?”

"At least we're different from Raiden Mei and the others. Maybe Kiana doesn't think the way you do."

"Suit yourself, but don't expect that this so-called 'gentleness' will make us accept you as the eldest sister among us. Remember, Durandal, I, Sirin, am Kiana's older sister. At most, I can only acknowledge you as my younger sister."

"But I'm older than you."

“It has nothing to do with age. I cannot allow myself to condescend. Even if Pandora were over 50,000 years old, she would have to call me ‘sister’ respectfully. Do you understand?”

Durandal was speechless. She looked down at her rather sexy nightgown and suddenly remembered that Cecilia had given it to her from her wardrobe... She was actually a few years older than Kiana and Sirin and more mature, so she couldn't quite fit into the two sisters' clothes.

but……

Why does my mother always wear such... beautiful pajamas?

Just then, the doorbell rang again.

A woman dressed in a seductive black silk rose maid outfit walked in carrying a lot of luggage.

"Happy New Year, Your Majesty. And also Lady Durandal, Miss Sirin, Miss Kiana, Pandora III... Pandora Brother, at the beginning of the New Year, Rita Rossweisse, in accordance with the customs of the Central Plains, wishes you all a Happy New Year."

Cecilia smiled as she looked at the slender maid with her shapely figure and beautiful legs encased in black stockings. "Happy New Year, Rita. Here's your New Year's money."

To everyone's surprise, she actually pulled a red envelope from the drawer under the coffee table and handed it to Rita. Rita was also slightly taken aback and could only bow again.

"Hey, this isn't fair, Mom! We didn't get any New Year's money, and you're giving it to outsiders first?" Kiana said in shock.

“You guys?” Cecilia laughed. “You should ask little Pandora for it. As young and beautiful girls, you should naturally ask the boys who dote on you.”

Sirin and Durandal were startled, but seeing their mother's innocent smile, they felt there was nothing more to it and relaxed.

But Rita smiled slightly, looked at Cecilia, handed the red envelope back, and chuckled, "Then it seems Rita can't accept this red envelope."

Cecilia exchanged a glance with her, and seeing the humility and earnestness in the maid's eyes, she immediately understood, and a smile bloomed on her face, "Pandora is truly..."

Shen Liang was rolling out dough in the kitchen when he saw a pair of black lace gloves gently wrap around him from behind. Then, a soft, beautiful body pressed against his back, and a charming, sweet voice said, "Mr. Shen?"

Shen Liang continued moving, smiling slightly, "Be careful, there are people outside, they'll see us if we turn around."

“Rita has already retired and become Mr. Shen’s personal maid. Even if someone finds out, it’s not a big deal, right?” Rita gently stroked his chin, causing the boy to turn his head. Their lips met, a light kiss.

"new Year's gift."

“That’s not enough, Rita.”

Rita took off her exquisite black silk gloves, rolled up the sleeves of her maid outfit, and said with a smile, "Rita, let me help Mr. Shen with this."

"Do you know how to make dumplings?"

"That's natural."

Durandal silently watched her maid and younger brother getting along intimately in the kitchen, then saw Rita's teasing look as she turned her head. How to put it... she could somewhat understand Kiana and Raiden Mei's feelings now. It was that feeling of... having someone you like and also having your best friend. Two joys overlapping, it should have been a dreamlike happy time, but why did it turn out like this...?

Immediately afterwards, the doorbell rang again.

This time, Maria came in with Anna.

"Why is the whole Shaniat family here?" Shen Liang sighed and started washing his hands to go out and greet his mother. "My apartment can't accommodate so many people."

Chapter Sixty-Three: A Side Story - The Shaniat Family's New Year's Eve

"Happy New Year, sister! Oh, everyone's here! What a coincidence! I never thought our whole family could spend the New Year together."

From the living room came Maria Shaniat's voice, which, though over forty, still sounded quite youthful: "I brought Angelia and Anna, and... um, sister, look who this is, hehe, I also brought Kirako to meet you."

Maria, who looked almost identical to the other young girls present, pulled the timid blue-haired girl behind her over, like a child showing off their girlfriend in front of an elder. Shigure Kira's fair face flushed slightly, and she didn't dare to say a word in front of Cecilia.

It wasn't that Cecilia was intimidating, but rather that Shigure Kira used to be Cecilia's teammate, but her current status...

Cecilia gazed at Shigure Kira, who resembled a young wife, with her beautiful eyes, smiled slightly, and said calmly, "Not bad, you are a child I've watched grow up. I understand your character and knew that you've always had someone in your heart. Now you've finally gotten what you wanted."

Shi Yu Qi Luo lowered her head, too shy to speak.

"Happy New Year, Maria, Kira, you're not young anymore. Now that you've started your own families, you should be more mature in your actions." Cecilia rarely spoke so seriously, and her saintly demeanor was slightly revealed. "Now that you're both mothers, set a good example for your children."

Maria rolled her eyes. She knew exactly what kind of person her older sister was. If it was about being steady and reliable, Maria was definitely not the one who needed it most.

When Shen Liang arrived at the living room, he saw his young mother, who was still wearing a red and gold-trimmed nun's dress even though she was just visiting. He went up to her and prepared to give her a warm hug.

Just as he reached her, Maria smacked him on the forehead with her middle finger knuckle, pressing hard on his head until Shen Liang clutched his head and squatted down in pain. Only then did she burst into arrogant laughter, before squatting down close to Shen Liang's face and whispering, "You brat, you haven't come back to Germany to see me all these days. You're always with your sister. Who's your mother here anyway? Or am I not as good as your sister, and you get annoyed just seeing me?"

"Hiss... of course not. The dearest person in my heart is of course you. You are invincible and have unparalleled martial arts skills. How can Cecilia be as powerful as you? You are the only one who dares to really beat me."

"Don't even try that," Maria threatened, biting his ear. "You'll have to come back to Neuschwanstein Castle once a month from now on, and spend next year's New Year with me, understand?"

“If I stay home for too long…wouldn’t that disrupt the harmony between you and your stepmother?” Shen Liang looked Maria up and down, his eyes full of amusement.

Maria's pretty face flushed slightly, and she glared at Shen Liang with a mixture of embarrassment and anger. "Don't mention that to me, you audacious brat! I brought you back because you can't always favor Kiana. Anna needs you too."

"Okay, then I'll only see Anna when I get home, and I won't see you guys." Shen Liang chuckled.

Maria reached out and pinched his ear, her eyes chilling. "My dear little Pandora, don't forget you have the immortality of a 'snake.' If you dare to make fun of me and Qiluo again, I might think it wouldn't be a problem for me to raise your son from infancy all over again."

Shen Liang quickly averted his teasing gaze and stood up. Since the others were unaware of the private conversation between the mother and son, Shen Liang began greeting the others.

Happy New Year, Angelia!

"Sister Anna... Happy New Year! You seem to be getting more and more beautiful." Shen Liang took Anna's hand, pulled her close, and gave her a tight hug. Then she smiled and said, "I really like how you look in the Shenzhou cheongsam."

Anna did indeed carefully plan a gray-white fitted cheongsam for the New Year, with a long stocking on one leg, an outfit that showed she wasn't afraid of the cold.

As the Herrscher of Ice, she is indeed immune to the cold.

Anna was a little embarrassed and quickly parted ways with Shen Liang; she was still somewhat afraid. Although most of the elders here already knew about her little secret with Shen Liang, and even Xilin had guessed it, she still had to maintain appearances... She and Kiana were good friends, best friends, and close confidantes, and she didn't want this relationship to break down easily.

Shen Liang's actions were a little too intimate. In front of so many people, Anna could only whisper "thank you" before rushing over to Kiana to start a conversation, afraid that Kiana might sense something was amiss.

Their escape was so adorable that the girls burst out laughing.

"Happy New Year, Stepmother! May we continue to love each other in the new year." Shen Liang held Shi Yuqiluo's soft little hand, a meaningful smile on his face, and looked at the blue-haired girl in the white dress who was looking away in panic. "I know Mom has a bit of a temper. If you have a fight with her, you can come to me. Don't worry, if you come for two days, Mom will definitely come to you and beg you to come back."

Shi Yu Qi Luo dared not meet the boy's smiling gaze. Her face flushed, she lowered her head, and forcefully pulled her hand away. After a long while, she quietly and softly said, "I know."

"May you always love each other, Stepmother Qiluo. I've put in a lot of effort to ensure that you and Mom have a harmonious relationship."

"I know!" Shi Yu Qi Luo was so embarrassed and angry that tears were almost falling. Her voice was much louder as she glared angrily at the still smiling boy, "Pandora, you...you...bad guy! You rascal!"

This scene was a bit strange. Xilin frowned slightly as she looked at the smiling Shen Liang, the embarrassed and annoyed Shiyu Qiluo, and Maria, who was both embarrassed and helpless beside her. She didn't quite understand why they had such expressions.

—This conversation is perfectly normal...

—It's just a New Year's greeting.

—It feels like Pandora has something firmly in her grasp...

But looking around the room, Sirin realized that only Rita and she had noticed some subtle details; everyone else was still happily oblivious. Sirin couldn't help but feel a little desperate. It was truly a blessing for the Shaniat family to have a genius beauty like her; the rest were all just big-breasted, brainless, and reckless idiots!

Next came the distribution of red envelopes. Since the main family and the collateral branches were not from the same clan, Maria and Cecilia generously distributed New Year's money to their other daughters.

Although it was unlikely that the daughters of the Shaniat family were short of money, giving red envelopes was a custom, and after a while, even Rita received two red envelopes, which made Shen Liang feel very unbalanced.

He didn't have any, because he belonged to both Maria's and Cecilia's factions.

In the words of the two beautiful mothers, he was "family" on both sides, so of course he didn't get a share.

--------

According to Shen Liang's memory of the customs of China, the so-called "New Year's Eve dinner" is not actually dinner, but rather a meal eaten by the whole family during the period from noon to afternoon. This is because often this reunion dinner is eaten by several families together, and after eating, everyone goes back to their own homes to enjoy their own New Year's Eve celebrations.

However, since everyone was together this time, and it seemed unlikely that they would leave and would just sleep here, Shen Liang simply decided to prepare the dishes according to the dinner schedule. He and Rita prepared the main dishes in advance and filled the entire kitchen.

For dinner, we can just stir-fry it and eat it.

But Shen Liang remembered the New Year's Eve dinner from his time in the orphanage. He could skip all the big fish and meat dishes, but he couldn't miss the time to make dumplings together.

He carried a baking tray to the coffee table in the middle of the living room and placed it there. Then he moved the dough and dumpling filling over as well. Needless to say, everyone knew what Shen Liang was planning to do.

“I know that most of you are basically bad at cooking,” Shen Liang said, pressing the saintess down before Cecilia could jump up and object, “but the New Year’s Eve dinner needs atmosphere. It can’t be just me cooking. Everyone has to participate. Shaniat doesn’t support idlers.”

“Actually, it’s a pet!” Cecilia shouted.