Zhang Shaozhong felt like a lamb being stared at by two beasts: on one side was Ye Meier's "malicious" and burning gaze, and on the other was Ling Qingxue's cold yet unquestionable gaze.

He chuckled twice, trying to find a balance:

"Well... we definitely need to celebrate! But the fairy is right, I just broke through, so I need to consolidate my cultivation... How about we have something nice to eat? I'll cook! I'll make a feast!"

Ye Meier pouted, clearly more interested in "teasing the homeowner" than "eating a big meal," but seeing Zhang Shaozhong's pitiful eyes and Ling Qingxue's subtly protective stance, she reluctantly snorted, "Alright, alright, considering your service today and the fact that you'll be our cook soon, I'll let you off this time! But..."

She leaned close to Zhang Shaozhong's ear, lowered her voice, and said with a seductive tone, "...Next time it won't be so easy, honey~"

Zhang Shaozhong's ears tingled, and he quickly jumped away, saying repeatedly, "I'll go buy groceries right now! I'll go right now!"

After saying that, he practically fled the courtyard.

Watching Zhang Shaozhong's flustered retreating figure, Ye Meier giggled triumphantly, her body trembling with laughter.

Ling Qingxue shook her head helplessly and looked at Ye Meier: "Why do you always tease him?"

"Oh? Feeling sorry for him?"

Ye Meier raised an eyebrow, walked up to Ling Qingxue, and tilted her head to look her over. "Pretentious high and mighty, don't tell me you don't like seeing this kid blushing and embarrassed? It's so funny! Besides, I'm testing his self-control for you! What if he meets an even more seductive and alluring woman in the future, and he doesn't even have this much resistance? Wouldn't he be easily lured away?"

Ling Qingxue was taken aback by her words, a barely perceptible ripple flashing across her cool face before she regained her composure and said indifferently, "Nonsense."

He turned and walked into the house, but his steps seemed a little faster than usual.

Watching her fleeing figure, Ye Meier laughed even more triumphantly, like a little fox who had stolen a chicken.

When Zhang Shaozhong returned carrying large bags of groceries, he noticed that the atmosphere in the yard was a bit awkward.

Ling Qingxue was sitting on a stone bench, holding an ancient book she had bought on Taobao, "Zhouyi Cantongqi," which she read as a leisure book!

He was watching intently, but his eyes seemed a little vacant.

Ye Meier lay on the rocking chair, legs crossed, humming an unknown tune, looking quite pleased with herself.

"I'm back!" Zhang Shaozhong shouted, breaking the silence.

"Hurry, hurry, hurry! I'm starving!" Ye Meier immediately jumped up from the rocking chair and went to the kitchen door to supervise.

Ling Qingxue also put down her book and came over. Although she wasn't as boisterous as Ye Meier, she stood at the kitchen door and quietly watched Zhang Shaozhong busy at work.

Being watched so "affectionately" by two stunningly beautiful women while cooking, Zhang Shaozhong felt immense pressure, and his hands trembled slightly as he chopped vegetables.

He made braised pork ribs, steamed sea bass, blanched bok choy, and also stewed a corn and pork rib soup—all home-style dishes, but the aroma quickly filled the air.

Mmm~ It smells so good!

Ye Meier sniffed like a greedy cat, "Master, I never knew you had this skill! From now on, we won't start a sect, we'll open a restaurant, it'll definitely be a hit!"

Although Ling Qingxue didn't say anything, her eyes softened considerably as she looked at the delicious-looking dishes.

The food was served, and the three of them sat down around it.

Night Enchantress maintained her whirlwind style, eating without any regard for appearances but at an extremely fast pace.

Ling Qingxue maintained her usual elegance, tasting the food in small bites and chewing slowly.

Looking at the relatively harmonious atmosphere between the two, Zhang Shaozhong tentatively asked, "So... when shall we go to the antique market again next time? I feel like we might find some treasures there! It just requires a lot of money!"

Money is not a problem!

Ye Meier slammed her hand on the table, startling the two of them. "Isn't there still Mo Huaiyuan? Let's refine more 'Body Tempering Cream,' or make some other things like 'Heart Cleansing Dew' or 'Beauty Elixir,' and sell them to those rich people! We'll mark up the price several times over! Anyway, they're stupid and have too much money!"

Zhang Shaozhong's eyelids twitched as he listened, feeling that Ye Meier had the potential to become a ruthless merchant.

Ling Qingxue pondered for a moment and said, "Things are valued for their scarcity. If a large quantity is released, it may arouse suspicion and bring trouble. We need to consider this carefully."

She looked at Zhang Shaozhong and said, “Tomorrow I can try to refine ‘Heart-Clearing Dew’. The medicinal materials required for this product are more common and it is easier to refine. Although it does not have the effect of strengthening the body like Body Tempering Ointment, it has a significant effect of calming the mind and relieving fatigue. It is a rare treasure for mortals in this world. We can supply a small amount first to test the market.”

"The fairy is wise!"

Zhang Shaozhong immediately agreed. The fairy is indeed very thoughtful!

"Fine, fine, you guys decide."

Ye Meier shrugged indifferently, grabbed another abalone and stuffed it into her mouth. "Anyway, as long as I make more money as soon as possible! I have so many things I want to buy!"

Just then, Zhang Shaozhong's phone suddenly rang.

He took it out and saw that it was Mo Huaiyuan.

"Mr. Mo?" Zhang Shaozhong answered the phone.

"Young friend Zhang!" Mo Huaiyuan's voice carried a hint of urgency and gravity. "Excuse me for disturbing you! There is an important matter... I wonder if you and the two seniors could spare some time to meet tomorrow? There is a guest of special status who, through my introduction, wishes to see the three of you to discuss important matters!"

Zhang Shaozhong's heart skipped a beat, and he exchanged a glance with Ling Qingxue and Ye Meier.

A guest of special status? Requesting an audience?

"Mr. Mo, could you tell me what it is about?" Zhang Shaozhong asked cautiously.

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone. Mo Huaiyuan lowered his voice and said, "It's not convenient to say more over the phone. But this matter... may be related to the help you guys gave to Vice Secretary Li's daughter before, or it may... be related to you guys yourselves. That guest has a lot of influence and a very sincere attitude."

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Shaozhong repeated Mo Huaiyuan's words.

"Special identity? Great power?"

Ye Meier raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Could it be a higher-ranking official? Or... someone from the cultivation world?"

Ling Qingxue's eyes flickered slightly: "Whether it's a blessing or a curse, we'll know at a glance. As long as we act with a clear conscience, that's enough."

Zhang Shao nodded, but he felt a little apprehensive.

Having just resolved the money issue, and with the potential enemy (the Siamese Ghost King) yet to show up, another guest with "special status" has arrived... It seems this peaceful life is coming to an end.

Looking at the unfinished seafood feast on the table, he suddenly felt it didn't taste so good anymore.

"Let's meet force with force and water with earth!"

He picked up a crab leg, took a vicious bite, and said, "Let's eat first! We can worry about tomorrow tomorrow!"

Ye Meier was amused by him: "That's right! If the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up! With your sister and the fake high-minded guy around, what are you afraid of?"

Ling Qingxue nodded slightly and continued to enjoy her dinner elegantly.