Chapter 89: New Home (2)
During the morning, Lin Yuan stood before a simple yet elegant stove, his sleeves rolled up as he focused entirely on a task that most Nascent Soul experts would consider entirely beneath them.
He was cooking for his wife.
And today, Lin Yuan was preparing the Starlight Spirit-Nourishing Congee.
He worked with the absolute precision of a master chef. On the cutting board before him lay a collection of rare herbs he had harvested from the estate garden earlier that morning: a stalk of Ginseng, a handful of deeply aromatic Cloud-Mushroom caps, and perfectly polished grains of rice.
Lin Yuan did not even need a knife. With a mere thought, a razor-sharp edge of spiritual qi sliced through the herbs, dicing them into perfectly symmetrical pieces in an instant. He then swept the ingredients into a deep pot filled with crystal-clear spring water drawn from the waterfall.
Placing his palm beneath the stove, Lin Yuan channeled a gentle thread of his lightning energy into the fire. The flame instantly responded to his control, and the water within the pot began to simmer at precisely the right temperature.
As the Starlight Spirit-Nourishing Congee boiled, thick, fragrant steam rose into the air, filling the kitchen with a sweet aroma that was almost intoxicating. The scent carried a warm, life-giving essence that seemed to soothe the soul with every breath. Lin Yuan stood quietly over the stove, meticulously stirring the congee with a wooden spoon, his expression calm.
He was a man who had just subjugated three major clans, an existence whose name could now make countless cultivators tremble. Yet at this moment, none of that mattered. His only concern was ensuring the congee was soft enough for his wife.
Outside, at the courtyard, Bai Chen was currently on his hands and knees in the rich soil. The young Qi Condescending cultivator had his sleeves tied back and his forehead slick with sweat. Surrounding him were dozens of wooden crates filled with rare flower seeds.
Before Lin Yuan had even begun cooking, Bai Qingyue had looked out her window at the sprawling, albeit slightly wild, gardens of the estate. With a soft, wistful smile, she had mentioned how much she loved the sight of Moonlight Orchids and Azure Cloud-Bells. That casual, passing wish was enough to spur Bai Chen into action. More than anything, he desires to see his cousin always smiling, even if for a brief moment.
Using a trowel, Bai Chen carefully dug a shallow trench along the edge of the grand koi pond. He gently lifted a fragile sapling of an Azure Cloud-Bell and placed it into the soil, packing the rich dirt around its base with care.
Who would have thought this would be our lives? Bai Chen mused internally, wiping a streak of mud across his cheek with the back of his hand.
Just months ago, he had watched his cousin be ridiculed, mocked, and completely abandoned by the very bloodline that was supposed to protect her.
Now, he was casually gardening in a paradise that rivaled the palaces of mortal emperors.
Bai Chen channeled a tiny fraction of his Qi into his palms, pressing them against the freshly turned soil to stimulate the roots of the flowers. He looked back toward the master pavilion, his heart swelling with an overwhelming gratitude. His brother-in-law was a monster to his enemies, a terrifying Nascent Soul expert. But to them, he was an absolute shield.
"Grow quickly," Bai Chen whispered to the flowers, a bright, youthful smile breaking across his face. "Cousin wants to see you bloom."
Back inside the master pavilion, the doors of the primary bedroom slid open with a soft glide.
Lin Yuan stepped into the room, carrying a tray. Resting upon it was a delicate bowl filled with the steaming, fragrant Starlight Spirit-Nourishing Congee, accompanied by a spoon. The rich, savory aroma immediately flooded the room.
Bai Qingyue was seated comfortably near the window, bathed in the gentle morning sunlight. She was dressed in a soft, flowing white robe, her long hair neatly draped over one shoulder. Though her wheelchair rested nearby, she was currently sitting on a plush, velvet-cushioned lounger, looking out over the valley.
As Lin Yuan entered, she turned her head, her eyes instantly lighting up.
"It smells good, Husband," she said softly, a delicate, beautiful blush rising to her cheeks as she saw the tray in his hands. "Did you truly cook this yourself? You are a Nascent Soul expert... you shouldn’t be troubling yourself with kitchen chores."
"There is no ’should’ or ’shouldn’t’ in my actions, Qingyue," Lin Yuan replied smoothly, his voice warm. He walked over and took a seat directly beside her on the edge of the lounger, resting the tray on a small side table. "There is only what I wish to do. And I wish to care for you."
He picked up the bowl, feeling the gentle heat radiating through it. He took the spoon, scooped a modest portion of the congee, and blew on it softly to ensure it wouldn’t burn her.
He held the spoon up to her lips.
Bai Qingyue’s blush deepened into a vibrant crimson. In the harsh, and pragmatic world of cultivation, such intimacy was incredibly rare. But Lin Yuan’s gaze was entirely steady, which made her heart race wildly against her ribs.
Slowly, she parted her lips and accepted the food.
The moment the congee touched her tongue, her eyes widened in sheer astonishment. The taste was absolutely exquisite.
"It’s... it’s so warm," Bai Qingyue whispered in awe, looking down at the bowl.
Lin Yuan smiled softly, scooping another spoonful and offering it to her. "Eat. You need to regain your physical strength."
For the next several minutes, Lin Yuan fed her meticulously, completely absorbed in the simple act. With every bite she took, color returned more vibrantly to her cheeks, and the exhaustion that had shadowed her eyes earlier began to fade.
When she swallowed the final spoonful, Bai Qingyue looked at Lin Yuan. Her heart was so full of love, gratitude, and absolute devotion that she felt as though her soul might physically burst. He had given her a home, and now, he was sitting here feeding her like she was the most precious treasure in heaven and earth.
At that exact....
[Ding!]
[Host has invested: Hand-feeding Dao Companion (Acts of Care & Pampering).] [Triggering critical multiplier... calculating...] [Congratulations to the Host! You have triggered a 10,000X Return!]
[Calculating return path... Opting for Quality & Efficacy Upgrade!]
[Reward: 1x Bowl of Heavenly Jade-Marrow Nectar!]
[Ding!]
[Host has invested: Time Spent Cooking for Dao Companion.]
[Triggering critical multiplier... calculating...]
[Congratulations to the Host! You have triggered a 500X Return!]
[Calculating return path... Opting for Quality & Efficacy Upgrade!]
[Reward: Crimson Dao Rice recipe!]
Lin Yuan set the empty bowl back onto the tray. He reached out, gently cupping the side of her face, his thumb softly tracing her cheekbone. Bai Qingyue leaned into his touch, her eyes fluttering shut in blissful surrender.
Leaning forward, Lin Yuan pressed a soft, lingering kiss directly onto her forehead.
It was a silent promise, sealing the warmth of the morning and drawing a peaceful close to the turbulent Chapters of their past.