Chapter 179: Homecoming Feast

As he pondered how to concoct this pill in his mind, he found himself already emerging from the wooded path and arriving at the entrance of Autumn Water Hall.

Before he even entered, he saw that the courtyard was brightly lit, and right there on the steps before the door, a figure was squatting.

Xu Ping’an paused in surprise, instinctively looking over to see a cute little girl, resting her cheeks in her hands, her head nodding up and down, seemingly half-asleep and half-awake, dozing right before the Duke of Zhou.

Seeing this scene, Xu Ping’an couldn’t help but find it amusing.

Xiao Jing’er, this girl, at first glance is just a bit prettier than the average girl, but she’s the type that’s genuinely pleasant to look at—the more you look, the more appealing she becomes.

No wonder Li Yuer values her so much.

This girl really is adorable.

Watching her tightly shut eyes and her hands straining to support her, Xu Ping’an couldn’t help but reach out and gently pat her little head.

Perhaps sensing the warmth of this big hand, Xiao Jing’er opened her large almond-shaped eyes, filled with confusion.

But soon, her gaze locked onto Xu Ping’an’s smiling face, and she cried out in surprise.

“Sir, you’re back!!!”

“You silly girl, why are you… hey!”

Xu Ping’an was just about to say it wasn’t good to sleep here, but unexpectedly, Xiao Jing’er suddenly bounced up, then turned and ran straight into the house.

As she ran, she shouted, “Sir is back, sir is back.”

Her anxious look made Xu Ping’an feel as if he were a dog that had been missing for years and had suddenly come home.

Watching this, Xu Ping’an’s mouth twitched, and in the end, he could only smile helplessly and step into the courtyard.

Sure enough, Xiao Jing’er’s shouting alerted the other two girls inside, and they immediately ran out into the courtyard, looking at him with joy.

“Sir, you’re back!”

“Sir…”

Li Yuer was graceful and composed, while Li Zhi’er was cautious and careful.

But both their eyes sparkled with happiness.

Clearly, his return made them very happy.

“Mm, I’m back. So, tell me, can I eat dinner tonight?”

Xu Ping’an looked at the two girls with a teasing tone.

When they heard this, the two exchanged a glance. Li Yuer’s face immediately lit up with joy as she said,

“Of course! What? Did Sir really think from the start that we couldn’t cook?”

Seeing Li Yuer like this, and Li Zhi’er beside her with a rare look of pride, Xu Ping’an couldn’t help but look forward to it.

Of course, when it came to cooking, he was far better than them.

But no matter how good his own cooking skills were, this meal had a different meaning.

This was their heartfelt effort.

When he cooked for himself, he always insisted on a full presentation—color, aroma, taste—a sense of ceremony, in simple terms.

But that was just what he made for himself.

But this… this was their sincere effort.

“Looks like you’re quite confident! Good! Tonight, I shall properly savor your skills. Let’s go!”

As soon as the word “go” left his mouth, the three girls, chattering like birds, swarmed around him like butterflies around a flower, escorting him into the room.

The moment he stepped inside, he saw the table full of delicious dishes.

They really had everything one could want. Li Yuer must have done plenty of homework beforehand, and as for Li Zhi’er, that girl was basically a stranger to the kitchen.

Most likely, Xiao Jing’er did most of the cooking, Li Yuer assisted by her side, and Li Zhi’er probably just got in the way.

After several hours, they finally finished this meal, right?

For their heartfelt intentions, even if the food was a bit unpalatable, he would still eat it.

Moreover, while this meal couldn’t be called top-tier cuisine, it was at least a proper home-cooked dinner.

Their skills were definitely not as good as his, nor as good as veteran chefs, but though a bit inexperienced, they were especially attentive.

He ate with the three girls waiting on him.

This made Xu Ping’an sigh—he really was getting spoiled.

But that happiness in his heart was something he couldn’t deny.

Surrounded by beauties—what man wouldn’t be happy?

As the saying goes, food and beauty are man’s basic desires.

With beauties and good food, even simple fare becomes a delight, bringing endless enjoyment.

Not to mention—there were three of them.

He finished the meal, fully satisfied.

Seeing his contented expression, the three girls were even happier.

Xiao Jing’er cleared the dishes, Li Zhi’er brewed some tea, and Li Yuer even brought him a book and placed it in his hands.

Then she pushed him onto the lounge chair in the courtyard.

“Wait, what are you all doing? Aren’t there dishes left to wash?”

But as soon as he said this, the three girls glared at him.

Li Yuer spoke first.

“Sir is the head of the household. Where in this world does the head of the household wash dishes?”

Li Zhi’er nodded rapidly like a pecking chick.

“The ancients said, a gentleman stays far from the kitchen. Zhi’er knows Sir cares for us, but we care for Sir, too.”

Xiao Jing’er looked at Xu Ping’an even more pitifully.

“Sir, is it… are we not doing enough?”

Seeing the three girls looking as if they’d make a scene if he didn’t behave, Xu Ping’an’s mouth twitched, and he couldn’t help but sigh in his heart.

With this life… who wouldn’t get spoiled?

“All right then… you carry on, I’ll just read here for a while.”

“That’s better!”

Li Yuer showed a smile.

Li Zhi’er also nodded seriously, as if that was how things should be.

Xiao Jing’er immediately ran off to the kitchen.

In the blink of an eye, the three girls disappeared at the kitchen door, leaving him alone to face the myriad stars and a crescent moon.

A paper lantern burned at his side, and a gentle breeze carried the fresh scent of the mountains.

The book in his hands still had that unique, faint scent of paper.

It was quite intoxicating.

Xu Ping’an looked helplessly toward the kitchen, then picked up the book for a look.

Hmm, Divine Ghost Records, a book he often read.

Well, since this was the girls’ heartfelt effort, he could only accept it.

But on second thought, why were the girls suddenly being so enthusiastic?

Ah, it was because they felt a sense of crisis, so they suddenly became so passionate.

The most important reason was that he had gone to the Pavilion of Immortal World and was delayed for more than two hours before returning.

Chances are, this clever idea to win his favor was probably the work of Li Yuer and her Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart.

Suddenly, Xu Ping’an recalled a detail.

The reason he managed to remember to come back at this time today—

The key was that before he left, Li Yuer had told him, “Sir, come home soon.”

Hiss~ Could it be that this girl had already set things up back then?

Looking at the book in his hand, it was clearly chosen by Li Yuer, because he often read this type of book.

She truly deserved the Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart—always several moves ahead with just a thought.

He really couldn’t compare.

If this keeps up, it feels like he’ll soon be completely taken in by this girl.

Reclining comfortably on the lounge chair, listening to the occasional laughter of the three girls from the kitchen, and feeling the unrestrained, free, and leisurely atmosphere beneath the night sky—

He couldn’t help but close his eyes and quietly savor this rare peace.

Maybe… he should just surrender?