Seeing the two return, Wen Zhi smiled. "Welcome back. I was about to set two fewer bowls."
Sheng Xuan coughed dryly.
Wei Lan nearly stumbled. She blushed. "Is Mom inside, Auntie? I will go help her."
With that said, she quickly slipped into the kitchen. Wen Zhi was amused.
"You are too much, Mom," he sighed.
"Next time, I will just focus on you," she said.
Sheng Xuan realized he should have just kept his mouth shut.
"Your Dad is coming home soon," she revealed. "We are going to have a whole family lunch together with Lan'er and Sister Rou."
Sheng Xuan's eyes lit up. "That's great, Mom."
Afterward, she walked back into the kitchen, continuing the lunch preparation.
Sheng Xuan laid down on the bamboo bed in the courtyard, continuing to read the newspaper. He smelled a variety of delicious aroma wafting from the kitchen. His stomach cried in protest.
By the time lunch was ready, Sheng Bo returned.
"Dad, I am a cultivator now." Sheng Xuan's voice was tinged with excitement.
Sheng Bo faintly smiled in gratification. He patted his shoulder. "Good job. Keep training hard. The path to immortality is long and arduous. This is just the beginning."
"Of course," Sheng Xuan nodded heavily.
"We can talk more as we eat. Let's go."
They sat around the table. Sheng Bo was at the head. To his right sat Wen Zhi and to his left was Sheng Xuan. Wen Zhi suggested Wei Lan sit beside him while Wei Rou sat beside her.
The lunch began. The nicely decorated dishes were one by one dug into.
At first, Wei Rou and Wei Lan acted hesitant but under Sheng Xuan's and Wen Zhi's care, they relaxed.
Soon, the atmosphere became full of laughter and lively chatter. A scene of harmony.
Sheng Bo took out several jars of aged wine and shared with everyone.
He placed a white porcelain bottle in front of Wei Lan. A pear was painted on it.
"Lan'er, this is the pear brew you like."
Wei Lan's eyes widened in pleasant surprise. "No, Uncle, you did not have to."
Wei Rou chimed in. "Brother Bo, why bother with that? That is so expensive."
Sheng Bo said, "Has Little Lan grown so much she looks down upon Uncle's gifts?"
"Of course not, Uncle. I really like this." Wei Lan grabbed the bottle. "Thank you!"
Sheng Bo gently nodded.
"Where is mine, Dad?" Sheng Xuan said.
Sheng Bo gave him a sidelong glance. "What? You still want to live off me?"
"Wow. I have only been gone for a few days and you already forgot me!" he said in an aggrieved voice.
Wen Zhi burst out laughing, followed by the others.
Hearing everyone's giggles and laughter, Sheng Xuan was not embarrassed. Instead, he was filled with a deep sense of contentment. He compared the scene to the many lonely past memories in his head.
A table in a large house. There was only him eating at it. The two pairs of chairs on the opposite side were empty, having lost their touch of warmth for who knew how long.
Before he could dwell in those melancholic thoughts, Sheng Bo's words pulled him out of it.
"Xuan'er. This is for you." He placed a white porcelain bottle with a mango painting in front of him.
Sheng Xuan's eyes lit up. "Hehe. Thank you, Dad."
Sheng Bo changed the topic. He asked curiously, "So, how was your experience in the cultivation grounds?"
Sipping on his mango brew, he began to share his experiences, not hiding the fishing part either.
Sheng Bo was at a loss for words. The home lacked for nothing, yet his son still had to reach into places he should not. He was neither annoyed nor disappointed. He was used to his antics.
Noticing Wei Lan's bowl was a little empty, Wen Zhi took this moment to put several pieces of meat in her bowl.
"Auntie, no, I can not eat so much," Wei Lan politely said, her cheeks a little red.
"You are still young. You need to eat more," Wen Zhi gently said.
"I-"
"Listen to Auntie."
"Okay, thank you." Wei Lan met her gentle eyes. The embarrassment from before was nearly gone.
"Good girl." Wen Zhi smiled in satisfaction.
Seeing this, Wei Rou was also happy for her daughter. She let out a breath in relief.
She also took a piece from her bowl and was about to put it in Sheng Xuan's bowl.
"Auntie, you can just put it in my mouth," he directly said, opening his mouth wide.
"Where are your manners?" Wen Zhi chided.
Wei Rou did not mind. She familiarly placed the meat in his mouth.
"Yum~ It tastes more delicious from your hand, Auntie," he grinned.
Wei Rou chuckled.
Wanting to feed him, Wen Zhi also stretched a piece in front of him. "Take this too."
Sheng Xuan obliged. "Yum~ So good."
"So, whose tastes better?" Wen Zhi pointedly asked.
Sheng Xuan's jaw paused a moment before moving again.
"Hard to tell. I like both," he said.
"Fencesitter," Wen Zhi said with feigned annoyance. "It's your turn, Lan'er."
"Eh? Me?" Wei Lan was taken aback.
Seeing the meat arrive in front of her, she could only gracefully take it in her mouth.
"Sister Rou, you give her now," Wen Zhi said.
Joining in the fun, Wei Rou also fed Wei Lan.
Wen Zhi asked Wei Lan the same question, everyone waiting in anticipation.
Wei Lan cast an apologetic look to her Mom and said, "I like Auntie's."
Wen Zhi laughed.
Of course, Wei Rou did not mind. She also wanted her to say the same thing.
One by one, they finished the meat dishes, river delicacies and all kinds of vegetables.
When evening rolled around, they finally stopped and cleaned up.
Sheng Bo pulled Sheng Xuan for drinks. Sheng Xuan suppressed his impulses and spent time talking and drinking with his father.
Wen Zhi sent away Wei Rou and Wei Lan. They did not have to explicitly say things to know each other's thoughts. Wei Rou was reluctant since Wen Zhi would have to clean up everything else. Only after Wen Zhi strictly said did she leave.
Wen Zhi did not mind cleaning. She liked handling things related to her herself. One of the reasons why she did not hire servants. She liked keeping everything tight-knit.
Sheng Xuan recalled a question he had been wondering, so he asked, "Dad, do you know what's going on with the superior talents?"
Sheng Bo did not reply immediately. He savored the taste of the fiery wine, his heart burning.
"There were four of them this time, which is very rare. They will be part of a focus group but there is an issue."
"What is it?" Sheng Xuan pressed.
"Let me give you a hint. Think about the number. Now tell me what you think is the problem." Sheng Bo probed.
Sheng Xuan thought for a bit. Suddenly, it clicked.
"Four means resources must be sent toward four ways. That's a huge undertaking. This would hurt the interests of a lot of people and weaken the broader group."
Sheng Bo raised an eyebrow. He nodded in satisfaction. "Exactly. Having two is more than enough. So, the other two will be sent somewhere else. Likely a rank 3 sect or high rank 2."
"Will the two who stay join us?" Sheng Xuan asked, already knowing.
"It's very likely. Cohesion is one of our top priorities. So, they will likely join one of the cohorts," Sheng Bo calmly said. "Since there are three cohorts right now, one of them will likely be broken and divided. Then, the final two will be pitted against each other."
Sheng Xuan was a little surprised. He then asked, "Dad, how important is performance in the cohort?"
Sheng Bo's face became more serious. "It's more important than you think. It's one of the best ways for weaker family members to stand out. And it's also one of the best ways for stronger family members to build their influence."
Sheng Xuan nodded in understanding. It made a lot of sense. He had thought similarly.
After the cleanup was complete, Wen Zhi noticed Sheng Bo was still drinking with Sheng Xuan. He did not show any sign of stopping anytime soon. She could only sigh.
She had to meddle in and pull Sheng Bo to their chamber, freeing Sheng Xuan.
"I will talk to you later, Dad," Sheng Xuan said and cast a grateful look to his mother who sent a voice transmission through her spirit sense.
"Be good to Lan'er. If you hurt her, see what I do to you."
Her voice was gentle but he knew if she dared to say it, she dared to do it. Especially when Wei Lan was like a daughter to her. Although they spoiled him, it was not as if he was never punished.
Sheng Xuan replied seriously. "Of course, Mom. Don't worry. I will take good care of her!"
Wen Zhi gave a gentle nod and turned away.
Sheng Xuan could not help but think how aware and attentive his mother truly was.
Under the moonlight, he returned to his residence.
"Are you back, Brother Xuan?" Wei Lan said, standing beside the kitchen door.
Sheng Xuan raised his eyebrows. She was draped in a red robe with white inner wear. Her pear-green hair was silky and wet, surely from a recent bath.
Under his intense gaze, she squirmed, her cheeks reddening. "You are staring so hard. I am not food."
Sheng Xuan chuckled, shaking his head. He walked to her. "Are you making something?"
"Some tea."
"I won't be able to fall asleep then," he remarked.
"Is not that the goal?" she giggled.
"Indeed."
He pulled her into his embrace.