Fairy, please have some self-respect. I am not the reincarnation of your deceased husband.

"In that case, I, your senior sister, will not let you down."

Mu Qianxue responded with feigned modesty.

"Well…"

Chen Lianshu was speechless for a moment.

After all, what I said just now was just a polite remark. Who would have thought that this senior sister, who is usually so busy that she doesn't even have time to rest, would actually come back?

There was no other way; since the words had already been spoken, I could only invite her to stay for a simple meal.

Although he has gradually stopped eating grains, he still needs to eat regularly, so he considers it as preparing a meal for himself.

"Where shall we eat?"

Mu Qianxue straightened her back and placed her hands neatly on her knees.

Although her expression remained aloof, there was an undisguised anticipation in her beautiful, icy blue eyes.

That fixed gaze seemed to be silently asking, "Where's the food?"

Although Chen Lianshu felt a little uncomfortable being stared at like that, she was relieved when she thought of the other party's strange and inexplicable behavior during the mission.

"Of course it's here."

"Does Senior Sister perhaps want to go to the dining hall?"

"No, right here."

Mu Qianxue rejected the suggestion of going to the dining hall without even thinking.

After all, she couldn't bear to leave, and she didn't want to be separated from her husband.

It would be best if I could stay by their side.

Although the phrase "here" could be interpreted as buying food to eat, she felt that it didn't mean that.

When she first met her husband, they both practiced abstinence from grains.

She has a cool and aloof personality and does not have a strong appetite.

Therefore, when it comes to food, I really don't know if the other person can cook...

!

Thinking of this, Mu Qianxue suddenly realized something.

In her memory, whenever she saw her husband eating, she would simply assume that he had bought it from a restaurant.

Could it be... that they made all of those themselves?

"You...can cook?"

"Otherwise what?"

Chen Lianshu replied matter-of-factly:

"Although the sect has a dining hall, the prices are not cheap."

Even if I can afford the expenses, those meals are fine to treat myself occasionally.

"It doesn't feel like 'home'."

"Please wait a moment, senior sister, I'll go and prepare right away."

After saying that, he turned and walked towards the kitchen in the outer room.

"The taste of home..."

Mu Qianxue repeated these four words in a low voice, as if she had fallen into deep thought.

This single word, "home," once again stirred up longings that had been buried deep in my heart.

She had also fantasized about living an ordinary life with her husband, like any other couple in the mundane world.

However, for various reasons, he never had the chance.

And this time... seems to be the opportunity.

Since her husband was cooking, she could help out.

Not only can you appreciate the other person's busyness for you without feeling guilty, but you can also use this opportunity to get closer to them.

After only a moment's thought, Mu Qianxue made up her mind.

Once she makes a decision, she will not hesitate any longer.

Without hesitation, he got up and went to the outer room as well.

The dwelling itself was not large, and the outer room was the same.

The so-called kitchen facilities were extremely simple, consisting of only a few ordinary cooking utensils and a simple stove.

Moreover, the stove was not heated by the fire-starting array commonly used in cultivators' residences; instead, it was like that of an ordinary household, where firewood was added and a fire was lit.

"..."

Mu Qianxue glanced around briefly before her gaze returned to her junior brother.

Chen Lianshu moved extremely quickly; in no time, he had not only decided on the dishes but had even begun preparing the ingredients.

"Senior Sister Mu?"

Noticing his senior sister standing by the door, he uttered a soft sound of doubt.

"Perfect timing! Does Senior Sister have any dietary restrictions?"

"without."

Mu Qianxue responded, trying to make her tone sound as natural as possible:

"You... just do whatever you like."

"it is good."

Having received a reply, Chen Lianshu focused on taking care of the matter.

Can…

"Is there anything else, Senior Sister?"

Mu Qianxue just stood there by the door, staring straight at him.

That gaze was so intense it was impossible to ignore; it made him feel uneasy staring at him from behind.

"I…"

Mu Qianxue paused, seemingly finding it difficult to speak.

But thinking of all the opportunities he had missed because of his reserve, the words that had been lingering in his throat for so long finally came out:

"Let me see if there's anything I can do to help."

Before the other party could refuse, she added a perfectly reasonable explanation:

"I can't just take advantage of you for nothing."

Upon hearing this, Chen Lianshu had no further reason to refuse and had no choice but to agree:

"...Fine."

"Perfect timing, Senior Sister, could you wash and prepare those spiritual vegetables over there for me?"

"it is good."

Upon receiving permission, Mu Qianxue's usually aloof expression revealed a hint of joy.

It's as if this "assistant work" isn't labor, but rather some kind of "reward".

However, because she had almost never been in the kitchen, her movements were noticeably clumsy and awkward when washing the spiritual vegetables and handling the ingredients.

"This parsley... would be better chopped even finer."

Chen Lianshu picked up the celery she had cut into thick shreds and gently offered some advice.

This wasn't him being nitpicky; if the vegetables were cut too coarsely, they would cook more slowly, and if they were stewed for too long, it would affect the taste of the other vegetables.

"it is good."

Mu Qianxue showed no dissatisfaction whatsoever; on the contrary, she nodded obediently and took notes diligently, just like a student humbly seeking knowledge.

This appearance, devoid of her usual aloof and ethereal aura, instead reveals a touch of the gentle warmth of an ordinary girl, creating a unique and touching contrast.

Thus, the two of them busied themselves together in the kitchen.

Although Mu Qianxue's help was a bit slow and some of the vegetables were cut rather messily, they were still useful.

After all, this is for the two of them to use themselves, not to sell, so there's no need to be too picky about the appearance; as long as it tastes good, that's enough.

As the firewood was lit, wisps of smoke rose from the chimney.

"Heh~"

Watching her busy junior brother, Mu Qianxue sat on a small stool, leaning slightly forward, resting her chin on one hand, her beautiful eyes filled with affection, and smiled quietly with satisfaction.

This extremely ordinary scene, though it brought her satisfaction, also stirred up a bittersweet feeling and a complex mix of emotions within her.

For countless days and nights, she watched her husband like this, enjoying his meticulous care in the trivialities of daily life.

"...!"

In a moment of confusion, the long-suppressed word "husband" almost slipped out of her mouth.

"..."

Mu Qianxue's top became wrinkled from being tightly clenched.

She struggled to suppress the pounding in her heart that threatened to burst forth, a strange sense of regret and melancholy washing over her...

Don't rush.

Don't scare him.

We must proceed step by step.

At present, the two are only senior sister and junior brother, and they are not even considered to be proper fellow disciples.

Haste makes waste.

Before long, the kitchen was filled with the rich aroma of spiritual food.

Chen Lianshu had already cooked several dishes.

Now all we have to do is wait for the spirit rice porridge in the pot to cook, and then we can eat.

Just as the firewood in the stove was about to burn out and there was no more left, Mu Qianxue happened to be there...

"Senior sister, could you please keep an eye on the porridge on the stove for me?"

"I'll go get some more firewood."

"it is good."

Mu Qianxue responded softly.

Thank you.

After saying that, Chen Lianshu turned around and went out of the house to gather firewood.

Little did he know that this seemingly simple entrustment would soon make him regret it.

Mu Qianxue, who was inside the house, did not continue sitting. Instead, she got up and went to the stove.

Looking at the iron pot that was bubbling and emitting the aroma of rice.

Her face was serious, her gaze fixed—as if facing a formidable enemy.