"Then let's go inside and take a look," Xu Lai said.

The host had welcomed them, and it was indeed inappropriate to linger at the doorstep any longer.

They passed through the light screen, and the scene before them suddenly opened up. The space was a valley blooming with spring flowers, complete with a lake, bamboo houses, and various bamboo groves.

In front of one bamboo house, a young woman in a verdant green dress sat with her eyes closed. She was pouring four cups of tea at a bamboo table. Her movements flowed as smoothly as clouds and water, merging with the bamboo forest and the world around her as if she were part of a richly expressive landscape painting.

Xu Lai did not rashly disturb this beautiful scene.

But Xu Yiyi had no such reservations. The little girl happily ran over, circling the woman to get a good look before finally running back to Xu Lai's side and whispering, "Daddy, she's such a pretty big sister, just as beautiful as Mommy!"

Sister? These two words made the woman in the green dress curve her lips into a small, almost imperceptible smile.

She gestured slightly with her hand, indicating they could sit down and have some tea. However, she still hadn't opened her eyes or spoken a word.

"Apologies for intruding, and thank you for your hospitality," Xu Lai said politely.

He picked up a teacup and took a light sip. Though the tea leaves were not as exquisite as the top-tier ones from the Immortal Domain, they were by no means mundane. He looked down at his cup. Carved on it was a single character: "Fang."

Is it a surname? Or a first name?

Xu Lai didn't ask. The woman exuded an air of elegance mixed with an undeniable weariness, as if she was searching for something. He guessed as much because this spatial Barrier was tinged with a heavy aura of karma, indicating she had likely traveled across many stars over the years.

In the end, she came to Earth. Or perhaps, she was a native of this planet all along.

"Fellow Daoist, what are you looking for? Perhaps I can be of some help," Xu Lai offered.

After entering someone's home and drinking their tea, if he could help, their karmic debt would be settled. After all, being indebted to others was what Xu Lai disliked the most.

The woman shook her head, as if to say there was no need.

Xu Lai did not insist further.

The valley was filled with butterflies, deer, and various other animals, including two giant pandas. Xu Yiyi had a wonderful time, chasing a group of small animals all around the valley.

Beibei quietly sized up the woman, then leaped onto Xu Lai's shoulder and whispered, "I can't see through her Boundary."

She's a Half-Step Immortal Venerable; it would be odd if you could see through her.

Xu Lai didn't respond, instead flicking Beibei away with his finger. The conch girl let out a shriek and flew over to Yiyi. She popped her head out of her shell and glared at Xu Lai with a look of utter grievance. I'm the number one swordmaster of the coastal East Sea, you know! Could you show a little respect!

Ignoring Beibei's indignation, Xu Lai sensed Ruan Tang leaving the hotel and searching the crowd for him and their daughter. He took Yiyi's hand and bid the woman farewell, but he left behind a small box of tea leaves.

Inside were merely three leaves, emitting a faint luminescence. This tea came from the Hongmeng Tea Tree, and every single leaf was valuable enough to drive the cultivators of the Immortal Domain into a frenzy. This was because it could enhance one's cultivation without any side effects while also allowing one to comprehend the Great Dao, making it an undisputed treasure!

Three tea leaves to settle the karma of three cups of tea.

The woman in the green dress did not rise to see her guests off. With a flick of her sleeve, only two teacups remained on the table.

One belonged to her.

And one… belonged to the person who, for perhaps hundreds of years, had yet to arrive.

That teacup bore a special character—"Gu".

「...」

When Xu Lai found Ruan Tang, he glanced back to see the Barrier space flying away from Earth toward an unknown destination.

"What are you looking at?" Ruan Tang asked, her heart uneasy, unsure how to bring up the question of Xu Lai's sexual orientation.

"Nothing," Xu Lai shook his head, smiling. "You're up so early."

The teasing in his tone was obvious. Ruan Tang's pretty face flushed red. She shot Xu Lai a sharp glare, unable to meet his eyes, and turned to Yiyi to change the subject. "Where did you go to play? You're covered in mud."

"We went to the pretty sister's house! She has lots of little animals, and she gave us tea," Xu Yiyi added, "The sister is as pretty as you, Mommy!"

Sensing his wife's gaze turn ice-cold, Xu Lai felt a jolt run through him.

He was about to explain when Ruan Tang's brow furrowed, and she asked softly, "Yiyi, what did you all talk about?"

"Beibei and I were playing. Only Daddy and the sister were chatting," Yiyi said, blinking her eyes. "Daddy, I'm right, aren't I?"

Xu Lai was speechless. That's what happened, and she's not wrong, but it sounds so strange coming from her mouth. Daughter, are you trying to get me into trouble?!

He looked at Beibei, his eyes filled with a desperate plea for survival. "Help me explain."

"Yiyi is right," Beibei huffed. "Xu Lai even left a gift for her, some tea leaves, I think. In our sea domain, precious tea leaves are only given as a betrothal gift."

Great. The girl was still holding a grudge for being flicked away earlier. Not only did she refuse to pull him out of this pit, she stomped on him for good measure. Was this something a proper demon would do?

Ruan Tang's expression as she looked at Xu Lai was complicated. Although she no longer had to worry about his orientation, her heart felt inexplicably sour.

You didn't hold me last night just so you could wake up early and have morning tea with that pretty girl? To think I even listened to you and ordered that Magical Girl Madoka cosplay outfit. And I even brought that super daring design sample from the company... That's something I would never wear on a normal day!

"Yiyi, let's go." After giving Xu Lai a cold stare, Ruan Tang took her daughter's hand. Beibei dutifully hopped into her pocket.

The three of them walked ahead, leaving Xu Lai to follow behind. Feeling the intense jealousy radiating from his wife, he felt a little helpless. I don't even know the woman's name. I just happened upon the entrance to her Barrier and was invited in for a cup of tea. What is Ruan Tang so jealous about?

But he had to admit, a jealous Ruan Tang was kind of cute...

Wait a minute. Doesn't this mean I occupy a very important place in Ruan Tang's heart?

At this thought, Xu Lai couldn't help but let out a silly chuckle.

"It's over. Mommy scared Daddy so much he's gone silly," Xu Yiyi said, her little face filled with worry. Mommy is clearly angry. Why isn't Daddy scared? Why is he laughing like a fool?

Ruan Tang's mood was like the weather in October; though the clouds were heavy, a warm breeze could scatter them in an instant.

For lunch, they skipped the Japanese restaurant Ruan Tang had booked in advance. Instead, Xu Lai cooked a dozen delicious dishes back at the hotel. Under the assault of good food, Ruan Tang's mood went from cloudy to sunny, and she ended up eating more than anyone.

In the afternoon, the group took a tram to Akihabara. They accompanied Yiyi as she swept through countless shops, meticulously selecting four Xiao Mai figurines, various manga volumes, and an assortment of merchandise.

Xu Lai's entire salary for the month was spent there.

Looking at the bill, Xu Lai fell into deep thought. I suspect my wife might be basing our daughter's shopping sprees on my exact salary...

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