As a celebration banquet for the successful opening, it is of course important to invite ladies like Eri Kisaki, Tomoko Suzuki, and Yukiko, who have provided significant assistance to the dumpling shop, to attend and share this joy together.

As night fell, the Yuzuru residence was brightly lit.

"This...this is..."

The two mothers-in-law, visiting their son-in-law's villa for the first time, were speechless with amazement at the dreamlike scene before them as they entered the courtyard.

In the courtyard, countless flowers radiating a soft glow swayed in the night, and the air was filled with a refreshing fragrance. Crystal-clear liquid flowed from the fountain beside the flower bed, shimmering with a dreamlike luster under the moonlight.

"The Spring of Purification..."

"I can't help but murmur," Tomoko Suzuki murmured, her voice filled with awe and wonder.

She had only heard descriptions of the villa from her two daughters before, but seeing it with her own eyes today, she realized that it was even more shocking than she had imagined.

Eri pushed up her glasses: "These flowers...some of them are varieties I've never seen before."

She examined the strange flowers closely, trying to search her memory for matching plant knowledge, but to no avail.

Akemi, who was leading the way, turned around and gave an embarrassed smile: "These are all grown by me using the evolution flower pot that Master Yuzuru gave me. Please follow me."

As the group walked through the flower-lined path to the villa's entrance, an even more breathtaking sight appeared—from the outside, it looked like an ordinary three-story villa, but upon opening the door, an interior space beyond imagination was revealed.

The spacious entryway is connected by a spiral flower staircase that rises in the middle and seems to go on forever.

"Space folding technology?"

Eri Kisaki raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Yukiko walked up to the two of them triumphantly: "How about that? Isn't my naughty little brother amazing?"

Those little girls didn't understand, but she understood perfectly.

Ordinary people are not allowed to enter the villa of the bad younger brother's family. At most, they can only stay in the yard. Those who can enter the villa are considered to be family members.

Even if it isn't now, it will be in the future.

Hmph, this princess is just too clever!

Yukiko looked smugly at her two mothers-in-law who were still looking around, her gaze inadvertently falling on Ooka Momiji, who had also been invited, not far away.

Just like boys, girls also look at the chest first.

Yukiko subtly glanced at her own chest and Ooka Momiji's chest, secretly comparing them before nodding in satisfaction: "Hmm, not as big as this princess's."

Ooka Momiji naturally noticed Yukiko's gaze. She gracefully withdrew her gaze from admiring her husband's house, a faint smile playing on her lips, her eyes lingering for a moment on her own and Yukiko's chests.

The noble lady remained completely unperturbed.

Winning first doesn't mean you've won.

She is still young and has her husband's help; sooner or later she will be able to overtake others.

"Welcome to my humble abode."

Yu Shengnan came out of the kitchen, wearing a dark blue cartoon apron and holding a spatula. "The celebration banquet will begin soon. Please wait a moment."

Today's celebration banquet will be prepared by him personally, who will cook an authentic Chinese meal for all the women.

Eri Kisaki's gaze involuntarily fell on the boy.

The apron straps accentuated his lean waist, and the rolled-up sleeves revealed his well-defined forearms. He exuded a warm, homely aura, quite different from the mysterious young man she remembered.

This contrast gives one a strange feeling.

"Do you need any help?" Eri asked, almost as if possessed.

She regretted it as soon as the words left her mouth, because she saw Yukiko's mischievous smile and Suzuki Tomoko's amused expression.

"I couldn't be happier." Yuzuru smiled and said, "I happen to need Aunt Eri's professional advice on some dishes."

With things having come to this, Eri Kisaki had no choice but to bite the bullet and follow him into the kitchen, while Yukiko's barely suppressed giggles echoed behind them. Akemi sensibly gave up her place to help, tiptoeing out of the kitchen to leave the space to her young master and her mother-in-law.

"Auntie Yingli, could you please taste this soup to check if it's salty enough?"

Yuzuru scooped up a small spoonful of clear soup and brought it to her lips.

Eri Kisaki instinctively opened her mouth, and the delicious taste instantly burst in her mouth, making her eyes widen involuntarily.

"What...what kind of soup is this?"

"Boiled cabbage in clear broth looks simple, but it actually requires a lot of skill."

He picked up another piece of golden-brown meat: "Want to try this one?"

Eri opened her mouth again, the crispy outer skin and the soft, tender meat inside creating a wonderful contrast, and the perfectly balanced sweet and salty sauce made her sigh softly.

"Dongpo pork," Yu Shengnan explained, "requires slow simmering for more than four hours."

These ingredients were prepared when we were at the dumpling shop.

Otherwise, there really wouldn't be enough time to do it.

Eri Kisaki suddenly realized how intimate their posture was—she was standing in front of the kitchen counter, and Nanami Hanyu was supporting himself on one side of her with one hand and feeding her food with the other, almost encircling her in his arms.

The boy's presence was so close, carrying a faint aroma of spices—a unique scent that had picked up during the cooking process.

“You… your cooking is very good.” Eri Kisaki took a step back, trying to hide her panic.

"Thank you for the compliment."

Hanyu Nan seemed oblivious to her unusual behavior, turning back to continue her work, skillfully arranging dishes with practiced ease, displaying the demeanor of a master chef. "Actually, I've always loved cooking, but Akemi has taken such good care of me that I rarely have the opportunity to showcase my skills."

He arranged the plates of delicious-looking dishes neatly: "Could you please help me take them out, Aunt Yingli? The banquet can begin now."

Eri nodded, picked up two plates of food, and walked out of the kitchen.

She needed some time to calm her inexplicably racing heart and regain her usual composure and calmness.

Inside the restaurant, exquisite tableware was already set on the long table.

Seeing Eri Kisaki bring out the dishes, Ran immediately went up to her: "Mom! How's Nan's cooking?"

“Very…professional.” Eri Kisaki managed to maintain her composure, but the redness at the base of her ears betrayed her unease. She turned her head slightly, trying to prevent her daughter from noticing her unusual behavior.

Yukiko leaned closer and whispered in her ear, "Your face is so red, is it hot in the kitchen?"

Eri glared at her: "Shut up."

Everyone has the right to criticize her, except for Kiko.

At least she hasn't been fighting with her daughter for a man.

And that brat Yukiko has already stolen the man from the daughter-in-law she used to like.

She went from being a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law to sisters, and she still has the nerve to talk about herself.

Thinking of this, Eri Kisaki couldn't help but feel a little annoyed.

After all, Yukiko stole her daughter's man, so as a mother, she naturally empathized and felt the same way—that her own man had been stolen by her best friend.