Chapter 182: The Witch stares at you expressionlessly.

Steamed Red Spirit Fish. Charcoal-grilled scallops. Fresh tossed Lingzhi silk. Golden lotus seed soup, crispy fried necromantic mushroom, stir-fried Luan bird meat.

…

On the dining table, the sumptuous food was like a feast of art, with various colors interspersed and embellishing the large wooden dining table.

More dishes appeared on the table one after another until the entire tabletop was filled.

For this small home, the number of dishes was clearly a bit too much.

However, looking at the table full of delicacies and watching the wisps of white mist rising, Xu Xi felt this was just right.

The new home was empty and cold, usually appearing lonely, but on this occasion of the New Year, it was perfect for creating a lively atmosphere.

Money or not, it wasn't important.

Even Xu Xi himself could easily afford this meal, not to mention the several girls of the Supreme Realm.

"Would it still not be enough?"

Xu Xi thought this, calculating whether to make two more dishes, but looking at the packed dining table, he ultimately gave up this idea.

An appropriate amount is fine; any more would really be a waste.

"Click—"

Xu Xi turned on the bright lights.

Every corner of the house, whether in use or not, now glowed with incandescent light, warmly illuminating the New Year's Courtyard.

"Klisa, thank you for your hard work."

After finishing all this, Xu Xi looked at the witch following closely beside him.

The witch, who forever maintained the appearance of a 17-year-old, gently shook her head. She brought a cup of hot tea to Xu Xi, her posture skilled and rigorous.

"You do not need to concern yourself with me…"

The clumsy witch never minded being [used].

The premise was:

That person had to be Xu Xi, and it could only be Xu Xi.

"Mentor, please have some tea…" Klisa handed the hot tea to Xu Xi in a calm and indifferent tone.

"Thanks, Klisa." Xu Xi blew lightly on the surface of the hot tea, causing ripples to spread.

Cold winter and hot tea are a very suitable pairing.

The former brings a cold, stinging pain.

The latter soothes the fatigue of the body and mind with a gentle, warm current until one is completely relaxed.

Gently shaking the teacup, the tea danced lightly inside.

It exuded a refreshing tranquility.

Xu Xi felt that the witch's skills were getting better and better, and most importantly, the witch no longer used the bitter spirit clearing grass.

Xu Xi had experienced the taste of the spirit clearing grass many times, but he still couldn't get used to it.

On the other hand, the emotionally indifferent Klisa was always expressionless and indifferent whenever she drank the spirit clearing grass tea.

Looking at it from another angle,

Could this be considered an advantage of the witch?

Click—

While lost in thought, Xu Xi had already finished the hot tea in the cup. He placed the teacup down on the tray held by the witch.

The New Year's Eve dinner was ready.

Before formally starting the meal,

Xu Xi still planned to do a few things.

He lightly brushed his spatial ring and took out the New Year decorations purchased from the supermarket—some cheap little trinkets with not much value.

Normally, Xu Xi preferred things clean and tidy.

But on this once-a-year New Year's Eve,

Xu Xi felt that with only the New Year's Eve dinner, the festive atmosphere wasn't strong enough, so he wanted to put up some small decorations.

"Mentor, let me help you."

Her gray-silver hair swayed lightly. Klisa, who had been guarding Xu Xi's side the whole time, spoke up voluntarily.

A necklace hung from her fair neck.

Dangling against her chest like waves, like traces of wind, rising and falling in silence.

"Alright, then let's do it together."

Xu Xi smiled and agreed to the witch's request.

Starting from the kitchen, the two hung a new calendar on the sliding door, or gently pasted a bright red "Fu" character at the doorway of the bedroom.

With the witch's ability,

Such things could actually be completed with a single thought.

But some things, if not done by hand, would lose that special meaning.

Under the light from above, the two—one big and one small—cast long, slanted shadows. It was gentle light and accompanying shadows, blending together on the occasion of the New Year, yet remaining distinct.

Klisa clumsily experienced this time for two.

She really wanted to.

She really, really wanted to let this special time last forever, just her and Xu Xi…

Unfortunately, the development of events is often not as one wishes.

Just as Xu Xi was leading Klisa to paste various decorations on the house in the Courtyard, his younger sister and the Princess returned from outside.

They looked unchanged, with no sign of the dishevelment of a fierce battle.

Upon seeing the actions of Xu Xi and the witch,

Both were stunned in place.

Then, Xu Moli took the New Year decorations from Xu Xi's hand.

"Brother, let me do it instead."

She said this, giving a reason that Xu Xi could not refuse: "Brother has been busy all day today, and I also want to do something for Brother."

"Then… alright."

Under Klisa's calm gaze,

Xu Xi hesitated slightly and handed the items in his hand to his sister.

Subsequently, Wu Yingxue also expressed that in order to express her gratitude to Xu Xi for letting her stay for this New Year's Eve dinner, she also wanted to help with some things.

"Sir, please rest for a while."

Before Xu Xi could react,

The Princess's small hand was already extended in front of him.

Meeting those sincere eyes, Xu Xi could not refuse, so he handed the remaining items from his spatial ring into the Princess's hands.

Klisa was still watching expressionlessly.

By this point.

When Xu Xi regained his senses,

He had become extremely idle; he only needed to wait for the girls to finish putting up the decorations to begin tonight's New Year's Eve dinner.

"I always feel…"

"It's terrifyingly quiet."

Xu Xi waited in the living room, leaning back on the soft sofa.

Looking at the ceiling and then glancing sideways at the howling snowy weather outside, he inexplicably felt that the current atmosphere was exceptionally quiet.

In that subtle quietness, a faint warmth and beauty were revealed.

It was the warmth called "people."

It was the beauty called "home."

Xu Xi lowered his head, his gaze moving between his palms, looking at the slender lines on them, and then summoned the simulator panel that only he could see.

He fell into deep contemplation.

"Life simulation is never beautiful; after several simulations, it is full of various regrets."

"But one cannot deny that it is the simulator that has brought about the changes in my real life."

"The real me, the current me."

"Can be considered to be living a beautiful life…"

Xu Xi chuckled. He knew that all these changes stemmed from the simulator.

Considering this,

He would reluctantly acknowledge the name 'beautiful life simulator'.

However, all of this really felt like a dream…

There was an indescribable, hazy illusion…

"Brother, what are you thinking about?" While Xu Xi was distracted, Xu Moli had already finished pasting all the decorations and walked in front of him, asking curiously.

"Mo Li, can you pinch my hand?"

"Ah?" The girl felt that Xu Xi's request was very strange.

After confirming repeatedly and determining that Xu Xi was serious, she extended two slender fingers, gently pinched the back of Xu Xi's hand, and twisted it slightly with extremely light force.

Then she quickly pulled away, afraid of hurting Xu Xi.

"Brother, is this okay?"

"Mm, that's fine."

Xu Xi moved his palm, perceiving that real touch, and laughed out loud at his own behavior.

It's really good; it's not a dream.