Just as Chen was still fantasizing about the wonderful blueprint of the "Saintess Attendant Group," he found himself unknowingly back at the small courtyard in the Inner Valley.
"Hmm... Should I give the courtyard a name? Forget it, I’ve gotten used to calling it this way."
Chen Ye abandoned the idea of naming the courtyard.
The name of the courtyard was quite easy to say.
If he were to rename it, most likely it would have another "Li" character, which would easily cause confusion with the Li and Luoli Courtyards.
But if it didn’t have the character "Li,"
Chen Ye felt something was off...
The sky was getting dark,
The courtyard was brightly lit, and there was a rich aroma of food wafting through the air.
Even though cultivators can forego eating, why not satisfy the appetite when it can be fulfilled?
Besides, it wasn’t Chen Ye cooking...
At this moment.
Qing Jun was standing on a small stool, busy at the stove.
She was waving a spatula bigger than her face, directing several balls of spiritual fire with great enthusiasm:
"Turn up the heat! A bit more! Oh no, the soup over there is going to overflow!"
Chen Ye chuckled silently at the sight.
Clearly, it was her own spiritual fire, effectively commanding herself.
Though the girl was mischievous, her skills were unquestionable.
"Alright! Dish up!"
Qing Jun cheered, waved the spatula, and a fragrant and flavorful dish of "Perilla Stir-fried Red-flame Pork" was placed onto a plate.
Chen Ye watched for a while, couldn’t help but smile, and then stepped into the kitchen:
"I could smell the aroma from far away, it seems we’re in for a treat tonight."
"Ah! Master!"
Qing Jun’s keen ears picked up the sound and she immediately turned around, almost jumping off the stool.
She shoved the spatula into Zhiwei’s hand, jumped to the ground to claim credit, "Master, you’re back! Quick, sit down and try your disciple’s cooking, I’ve been thinking about this new recipe for a long time!"
Chen Ye sat down with a smile, looking at the table full of sumptuous spirit dishes, he shook his head and said:
"No rush, we have guests coming later."
"Guests? No wonder Master instructed me and Senior Sister to do a good job." The little girl tilted her head.
At that moment,
"Brother Chen!"
A voice was heard before the person was seen.
Hee Qi entered, wearing a neat casual outfit, holding two earthen jars of old wine, his face beaming.
And beside his leg was a meticulously dressed little one.
It was Hee Shuyao.
The little girl was wearing a white silken jacket, her hair tied in two horn braids, swaying as she walked.
Upon entering the courtyard, Hee Shuyao’s big, bright eyes immediately locked onto Chen Ye.
"Uncle Chen!"
Little Shuyao let go of her father’s hand, moved towards Chen Ye with small, quick steps, and opened her arms, wanting a hug.
But,
Before she could reach Chen Ye,
A petite figure swiftly stepped in between them, blocking the two.
Qing Jun stood with her hands on her hips, her previously smiling face now stern, eyes cautiously eyeing the newly arrived girl, like a protective little tiger over its food:
"Halt!"
"Where’s this little girl from? Why are you jumping at people?"
Qing Jun slightly lifted her chin, though not tall herself, she still had a bit of "intimidation" in front of Hee Shuyao.
Hee Shuyao was startled and came to an abrupt stop.
She looked at the fierce Qing Jun, then at Chen Ye who was smiling silently behind, biting her finger, nervously said:
"Qing Jun... Sister Qing Jun, it’s me, Shuyao..."
"Hmm!"
Qing Jun knit her eyebrows in frustration; she originally intended to pretend not to know Shuyao.
Never mind.
She had already stopped her!
She feigned realization, under the courtyard’s lights, leaned closer to carefully scrutinize the little one in front.
Moments later, her tense face relaxed, breaking into surprise:
"Ah! It really is you, the little crybaby! Dressed so beautifully, I didn’t recognize you just now!"
Seeing Qing Jun recognizing her, the fear in Hee Shuyao’s eyes vanished, replaced by a sweet smile.
"Come, let me see."
Taking the opportunity, Qing Jun held Shuyao’s hand, quickly pulling her aside, whispering together.
Besides Hee Qi’s family,
Chen Ye also invited Lin Jinghua’s family and Li Dageng’s family, after all, they were old friends who had known each other for many years, it was good to get more familiar.
As for Duan Ling, he was originally a guardian sent by the sect for Chen Ye, but since Chen Ye had long established his foundation, he naturally returned to the sect early.
"Take it slow, mother, watch your step, mind the threshold."
Accompanying this honest voice, a dark-skinned, toweringly built man carefully assisted an elderly woman with a head full of white hair into the courtyard.
It was none other than Li Dageng and his aged mother, Granny Li.
Currently, Li Dageng was already at the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer, no longer what he used to be, now one of Lisong Valley’s stewards.
Behind them were Lin Jinghua and his spouse, carrying large bags of spirit fruit and their homemade preserved spirit meats.
Jin’er trailed beside them, a rare smile on her face.
...
The dinner lasted until the moon was high in the sky.
Hee Qi got thoroughly drunk, slinging his arm around Lin Jinghua’s shoulder, calling each other brothers.
Until Granny Li showed signs of fatigue, and Shuyao was blowing bubbles in Hee Qi’s arms as she slept, did the gathering disperse.
"Supervisor Chen, we’ll be heading back now." Li Dageng helped his elderly mother, grinning as he bid farewell.
"Instructor Chen, thank you for the hospitality." Lin Jinghua and his wife, a bit tipsy, also took their leave.
After seeing off all the guests.
Chen Ye stood at the gate of the courtyard, hearing Qing Jun’s sleepy voice from behind.
"Master..."
The little girl, having been busy all evening, was already too tired to keep her eyes open, leaning against the door frame with a little white fox in her arms.
Chen Ye turned around with a gentle smile:
"Go rest, tomorrow I’ll take you to meet the tribe of Demon Devouring Vines at the back mountain."