The dazzling National Day fireworks still lingered in my mind. On the way back, the evening breeze was cool, but it couldn't dispel the subtle and warm atmosphere between the three of us.
The streets were still adorned with festive red lanterns, and the streetlights cast long shadows of the three people.
Zhang Shaozhong looked at the two big shots walking ahead—Ling Qingxue's figure was still upright and elegant, while Ye Meier's steps were lazy but had a unique rhythm.
One was like the bright moon, the other like a blazing flame; so different, yet they miraculously became an indispensable part of his life.
Thinking about their awe at the flag-raising ceremony, their novelty while strolling through the market, and their amazement at the fireworks today, an unprecedented impulse welled up in my heart.
He quickened his pace to stand beside them, cleared his throat, and spoke in a tone that was as casual as possible yet tinged with nervousness:
"Well... when we've saved enough money, let's buy the house we're renting now, and make it... make it our home in this world."
After he finished speaking, he seemed a little afraid to look at their reactions, and his gaze drifted to the fireworks that were still blooming sporadically in the distance.
After he finished speaking, the air seemed to fall silent for a moment.
Ye Meier was the first to react. She stopped and turned around, her charming eyes shining brightly in the night.
She looked Zhang Shaozhong up and down, a bright, even slightly mocking smile gradually spreading across her face. Then she reached out and patted Zhang Shaozhong's shoulder forcefully.
"Well done! Kid! You've got guts! I knew I hadn't misjudged you!"
She leaned closer, her fragrant breath brushing against Zhang Shaozhong's ear, and gave him a captivating wink. "From now on, you're the 'head of the household'! You'd better work hard to earn money to support the family~"
The address "Head of the Household" made Zhang Shaozhong's bones feel weak, his face instantly turned bright red, his heart raced, and he almost lost his balance.
He stammered, "Big...Big Sister, please don't call me that..."
When Zhang Shaozhong uttered the word "home," Ling Qingxue paused slightly, almost imperceptibly.
She didn't turn around, but continued walking forward, only at a slower pace.
The moonlight shone on her plain white dress, as if draping her in a layer of gentle radiance.
After Ye Meier finished teasing Zhang Shaozhong, she almost imperceptibly turned her head and glanced at Zhang Shaozhong out of the corner of her eye. Her gaze was still cold, but it seemed to be a little softer than usual.
She didn't say much, only responded softly, almost inaudibly:
"Um."
That simple "hmm" was like a pebble thrown into Zhang Shaozhong's heart lake, creating ripples all around.
He knew that, given Ling Qingxue's personality, this brief response was practically the greatest form of approval and agreement!
A tremendous surge of warmth and a sense of responsibility instantly filled Zhang Shaozhong's chest!
All the previous hardships, anxieties, and frustrations of being a master of maintaining a balance all seemed worthwhile at this moment!
The word "home" holds extraordinary significance for Zhang Shaozhong, as well as for Ling Qingxue and Ye Meier, who came here but lost everything.
"Haha! Great!"
Zhang Shaozhong touched his still slightly flushed face, straightened his back, and felt full of energy. "Then it's settled! Let's work hard to make money! Buy a courtyard! When the time comes, the layout of the courtyard will be entirely up to Fairy! Whether you want a training room or a game room, it's up to you, Big Sister!"
"That's more like it!"
Ye Meier wrapped her arms around Zhang Shaozhong's neck with satisfaction (almost choking him), "Don't worry, Mr. Head of Household, from now on, I... uh, I'll try to destroy less of the house!"
Ling Qingxue's lips seemed to curve upwards almost imperceptibly in the darkness.
However, the test from the "head of household" was coming soon.
After moving into the courtyard house, in order to practice the "family responsibility system", Zhang Shaozhong specially made a duty roster and posted it in the most conspicuous place in the living room.
result……
When it was Ling Qingxue's turn to clean the public areas, she did know how to do it, but her method left Zhang Shaozhong speechless.
She would use a low-level "Gentle Breeze Spell" (a weakened version) to control a small gust of air to stir up the dust on the ground, gather it into a ball, and then... then she would not know what to do next, often frowning at that ball of dust, as if thinking about how to "exorcise" it.
In the end, Zhang Shaozhong silently brought a broom and dustpan to clean it up.
When it was Night Enchantress's turn, it was an even bigger disaster!
She tried to use her magic to make the rag fly up and wipe the table, but she couldn't control it. The rag flew around like a headless fly, knocking over a water glass and sweeping the succulents on the windowsill onto the floor!
Finally, in a fit of rage, she almost set the rag on fire!
"My ancestors!"
Looking at the mess in the living room, Zhang Shaozhong was on the verge of tears. "Can't we use a simpler method? Just by hand! Wipe with our hands! Sweep with our hands! Is that alright?"
Night Enchantress, though unconvinced, retorted confidently, "Using your hands is so slow! I just want to increase efficiency!"
In the end, Zhang Shaozhong took on most of the actual cleaning work, euphemistically calling it "the homeowner's responsibility to check for omissions and make up for deficiencies and conduct the final inspection."
In addition, the two leaders are still getting used to the concept of "family public funds".
Night Enchantress remains an avid online shopper, wanting to buy anything new and interesting she sees, often leading to the following conversations:
Night Enchantress: "My Lord! I've got my eye on a new game console!"
Zhang Shaozhong: "Big sister, we've exceeded the budget this month. Let's talk about it next month."
Night Enchantress: (Begins to unleash her alluring aura) "Honey~ just buy it for me~"
Zhang Shaozhong: (Sweating profusely) "Calling me 'Dad' won't help! This is a matter of principle!"
Although Ling Qingxue doesn't have high demands for material things, she has a strong attachment to some ancient books and certain high-quality stationery items. If she sets her sights on something, it will be a considerable expense, requiring Zhang Shaozhong to patiently communicate and plan.
Despite these sweet "troubles," the feeling of "home" is growing stronger.
The bamboo that Ling Qingxue planted in the yard began to sprout new leaves, and the demonic plant that Ye Meier was growing on the balcony (actually a common black mage that Zhang Shaozhong bought from the flower market) was also growing well.
Zhang Shaozhong even started planting some scallions and cilantro in the yard, calling it "self-sufficiency".
In the evenings, the three of them would sometimes sit in the courtyard, brew a pot of tea (as Ling Qingxue requested), open a few cans of beer (which Ye Meier and Zhang Shaozhong enjoyed), chat about the fun things that happened during the live stream, or listen to Ling Qingxue tell some stories about her experiences in her world, and listen to Ye Meier boast about her "great achievements" back then.
Looking at the night sky above him, which was no longer his hometown but still twinkled with stars, Zhang Shaozhong felt that this world had truly become their "home" where they could settle down and make a living.
Although his role as "head of household" was fraught with difficulties, it was all worth it to protect this hard-won home.
These days of building a home together with powerful immortals and demons are both painful and joyful!
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