No matter how Lu Ran counted the days, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month arrived as expected, neither early nor late.

As dusk approached, snowflakes began to fall, fluttering gently in the air.

Outside the Immortal Scenic Garden, everything was covered in a blanket of white, while inside the Qiao residence, the atmosphere was very warm and cozy.

Qiao Yuansi was extremely happy!

Her eyes were laughing, curving into two beautiful crescent moons as she sat at the dining table like a supervisor, watching the two of them prepare dishes, cook soup, and simmer rice.

For so many years, this spacious apartment had been luxurious enough, but it lacked the warmth of life.

Now, with her brother and Sister Ruyi, this finally felt like a home.

"Hey! No sneaking food!" Qiao Yuansi's eyebrows shot up as she suddenly shouted.

Over at the kitchen counter, Jiang Ruyi had just sliced some sauced beef, and Lu Ran came over, ready to inspect his girlfriend's knife skills.

But Jiang Ruyi misunderstood and casually picked up a thin slice of beef, stuffing it into Lu Ran's mouth.

"Mmm!" Lu Ran immediately forgot why he came over and went back to washing vegetables.

"Ohhh~~~" Qiao Yuansi stomped her foot in disapproval.

Jiang Ruyi picked up another slice of beef and offered it to the side: "Here you go."

Supervisor Qiao, lacking any principles, immediately broke into a wide smile.

She happily trotted over, opening her little mouth to receive Sister Ruyi's offering.

Jiang Ruyi pampered her with a smile and handed the plate to Qiao Yuansi: "Put it on the table."

"Okay." Qiao Yuansi carried the plate away.

Lu Ran suddenly tilted his head, listening: "Mom's back."

"So early?" Qiao Yuansi, of course, believed in her brother's ability, and she quickly ran out.

Qiao Wanjun, covered in frost and snow, had just turned to close the door when she heard a "thud!"

She saw her precious daughter slide in on her knees with a gesture like a football player celebrating a goal on the field, extremely happy.

Qiao Wanjun laughed helplessly.

Whose 17-year-old... no, it's Yuanxi's birthday today, so she's already 18.

Not a trace of the reserve a girl should have.

Then again, to make a high-cold sword disciple laugh, little Yuanxi must have some skills.

"Mom, you're finally home!"

Qiao Yuansi looked up and smiled sweetly, her eyes filled with longing.

The words of reprimand Qiao Wanjun had prepared swallowed back down.

Forget it, today is her daughter's birthday.

"Mm." Qiao Wanjun responded softly.

Qiao Yuansi hurried to help her mother change shoes.

To the side, Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi also walked out, greeting simultaneously:

"Mom."

"Aunt Qiao."

Qiao Wanjun smiled and nodded, her gaze falling on Jiang Ruyi.

Rarely, a hint of surprise flickered in Qiao Wanjun's eyes.

Jiang Ruyi's stunning beauty wasn't just talk; she was truly breathtaking.

After observing for a moment, Qiao Wanjun asked, "Received a Divine Blessing?"

Jiang Ruyi moved slightly closer to Lu Ran, her smile a bit shy: "Lu Ran sought the Immortal Sheep for me."

Qiao Yuansi muttered quietly: "He really did forget about his mom once he got a wife~"

Lu Ran: "..."

Jiang Ruyi's heart tightened immediately.

Qiao Wanjun, in rare good humor, lowered her head to look at her daughter: "Seems like he forgot about you as a sister too?"

"Exactly!" Qiao Yuansi nodded repeatedly, like a pecking chicken, "Mom, you should scold my brother!"

Qiao Wanjun gently knocked Qiao Yuansi on the head with her finger: "Later."

Having said that, her gaze roved over Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi, growing more satisfied.

They really are a good match.

Qiao Wanjun was genuinely in a good mood, or perhaps, she was consciously blending into the warm family atmosphere.

She looked at Lu Ran and teased: "Your eyesight, if nothing else, is truly first-class."

Jiang Ruyi's face flushed red, and she lowered her head, silent.

Lu Ran smiled: "Maybe I take after my dad in this regard."

Qiao Wanjun's face froze for a moment.

After a full two seconds, she burst out laughing and stepped into the living room.

As she passed by her son, Qiao Wanjun lightly rubbed his head and then headed to the master bedroom.

Next to them, Qiao Yuansi's mouth formed an 'o' shape!

Not until her mother's figure disappeared did Qiao Yuansi lower her voice: "Brother, have you eaten a bear's heart and a leopard's gall?"

Lu Ran wasn't as composed as he'd have liked; he turned his head and went to the kitchen.

Father,

the very mention of him brought a tinge of sadness to Lu Ran, a perpetual worry...

Yet, amidst the joking, Lu Ran managed to mention him with a smile.

It's a curious feeling.

Perhaps, this is what's called growing up.

Ever since Qiao Wanjun entered the master bedroom, she hadn't reappeared, and little Yuansi had checked multiple times, only to find the door tightly closed.

She didn't dare to disturb her, so she had to wait in the dining room.

She waited until just before dinner began.

Qiao Wanjun changed into a white home nightgown. Although it was a simple style, on her, it looked extraordinarily elegant and graceful.

The woman's overall temperament was clearly not supported by her clothes but by her gentle face.

She looked at her children in the dining room, and the heart soaked in ice and snow had indeed softened considerably.

"Mom, come quickly; we're just about to start eating." Qiao Yuansi hastily called out.

Qiao Wanjun looked at the table full of dishes, her gaze falling on a bottle of red wine. Next to it, there was even a hangover pot.

This kind of item had never appeared in the Qiao residence before.

Perhaps it was because the three children hadn't gained the head of the household's permission, so the wine was unopened, and the decanter became merely an ornament.

Qiao Wanjun asked, "Want to drink?"

Qiao Yuansi was a little nervous, carefully asking: "May I?"

To increase her odds of success, she added: "I'm an adult today."

Lu Ran looked at his mother, seeing her smile and nod: "Yes, but just a little."

"Hurry, hurry, brother!" Qiao Yuansi beamed with joy, urging Lu Ran to open the wine, "This was given by Skull, so it must be good stuff~"

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