Ruan Tang felt an itch she couldn't scratch.

Despite a table full of delicious dishes before her, she had no appetite. Biting her thin, cherry-red lips, she fixed her beautiful, icy eyes on Xu Lai.

Xu Lai wasn't in a hurry. He leisurely ate his meal and kept placing food on his sister-in-law's plate. "Eat more. You've gotten thinner."

"..."

Ruan Lan's expression stiffened. Brother-in-law, if you're arguing with my sister, don't drag me into this! I'd like to live a few more days!

But the food is innocent. She ate with relish, even scurrying to the kitchen for another big bowl of rice. "This rice is delicious!"

"Xu Lai, come with me," Ruan Tang finally said, unable to hold back any longer.

"I'm not full yet."

"Hurry up!"

Ruan Tang didn't take no for an answer, pulling Xu Lai back to their room on the second floor.

She immediately locked the door. Without a word, she just stared at Xu Lai, her eyes filled with the kind of grievance a woman feels after being abandoned by a scumbag.

The intense stare gave Xu Lai a headache. "Stop looking," he said. "Our daughter told me—"

"What did she say?" Ruan Tang's face turned serious as she looked at him anxiously.

"She said I can't tell you."

"Xu Lai!"

Ruan Tang grabbed a pillow from the bed and hurled it at him. "If you don't tell me right now, I'll castrate you!"

"I could tell you," Xu Lai said seriously as he caught the pillow, "but she's my precious daughter! As her father, how could I betray her trust? Don't you know what it means to lead by example?"

Dark lines formed on Ruan Tang's forehead. She knew Xu Lai was negotiating, so she cut straight to the chase. "Fine. What do you want?"

"I feel like your body is missing a little turtle."

"..."

Hearing his almost lecherous words, Ruan Tang felt her body go a little limp. A part of her wanted to refuse, but she was too curious about what her daughter had whispered to Xu Lai. Suppressing the odd feeling in her heart, she flushed and relented. "Fine! Just tell me!"

Her face felt hot. Ruan Tang knew she wouldn't be able to stop that scoundrel Xu Lai from making a move on her tonight.

Thoroughly satisfied, Xu Lai began, "Our daughter said your socks are inside out."

Ruan Tang was stunned. "That's it?"

"That's it."

"Xu Lai, are you messing with me?" Ruan Tang said through gritted teeth. She refused to believe Yiyi would laugh so happily with Xu Lai just because her socks were inside out.

"I haven't even drawn the little turtle yet."

"...Shut up!"

Her face flushed red, Ruan Tang stuck out a long leg and kicked Xu Lai, as if to vent her frustration.

Xu Lai coughed and said earnestly, "I'm not lying to you. Yiyi didn't want me to tell you because she was afraid you'd be embarrassed."

"What's there to be embarrassed about?" Ruan Tang glanced down at her socks. They were indeed inside out. She hadn't even noticed.

"Because she respects you and didn't want Ruan Lan to laugh at her favorite mommy."

"Then why did she tell you!" Ruan Tang asked, a hint of jealousy in her voice.

"She failed a small test at kindergarten, and the teacher wants a parent's signature."

"..."

Ruan Tang understood. With a sigh, she massaged her temples. "Yiyi was afraid I'd get angry, so she went to you? She must have a death wish."

As she spoke, Ruan Tang, who was sitting cross-legged on the bed, instinctively reached down to take off her socks, only to be hugged from behind by Xu Lai.

She twisted her head in confusion. "What are you doing?"

The next moment, her face flushed scarlet as she heard Xu Lai chuckle in her ear. "Time to start drawing the little turtle."

…

A spring breeze blew through the room,

While winter snow fell outside.

"You didn't eat enough, did you? I'll go make you something," Xu Lai said at twelve o'clock at night, kissing Ruan Tang on the cheek. She responded with a soft hum.

She got up and put on her nightgown, which had fallen to the floor at some point. Thinking about their earlier absurdity, she blushed.

But... she had enjoyed it.

Thankfully, the true consummation of their marriage would have to wait until after the wedding.

She padded barefoot downstairs and saw Xiao Hei sprawled out on the living room floor, fast asleep and looking utterly adorable. Unable to resist, she squatted down and stroked the little guy's furry body, closing her eyes in bliss.

"Go take a bath. The food will be ready in half an hour," Xu Lai's voice called from the kitchen.

"Mhm."

Half an hour later, Ruan Tang, wrapped in a bathrobe, was sitting at the dining table eating the late-night snack Xu Lai had specially prepared for her: shrimp congee.

It was light and not at all greasy, and she found it delicious.

Xu Lai rested his chin on his hands, watching Ruan Tang take small sips of her congee. He couldn't help but remark, "So beautiful you're appetizing. Looking at you is making me hungry again."

Hearing the word "again," Ruan Tang pretended not to understand. "If you're hungry, get yourself a bowl of congee."

"What I want to eat is you," Xu Lai said bluntly.

Ruan Tang shot him a glare. "Pervert!"

"I'd like to be even more of a pervert," Xu Lai said with regret. "But it seems I'll have to wait until our wedding day. The main course is always best saved for last."

"Wedding?" Ruan Tang bit her spoon, lost in thought.

That's right. Her feelings for Xu Lai had evolved from initial unfamiliarity, or even disgust, to forced acceptance, and now, to genuine affection. She had gradually grown accustomed to him, to the point where she couldn't imagine being without him. Marriage... it seemed it was time to give it serious consideration.

"The moment is perfect. Why don't we get our IDs and household registration books ready and go get our marriage certificate tomorrow?" Xu Lai suggested earnestly.

Although he wasn't from Earth, his subordinates had thoughtfully arranged for him to get an ID card when he arrived five years ago with The Seventh Divine General, Chang Nian Gu.

"Xu Lai," Ruan Tang said, putting down her spoon, her expression just as serious. "Have you ever considered that I might not be the perfect wife you imagine? I have a bad temper, I can't cook, I..."

"You're not perfect, but neither am I," Xu Lai said, taking her hand. "But isn't that what love and marriage are about? Embracing each other's imperfections?"

Ruan Tang grew thoughtful.

Xu Lai pressed his advantage. "I've done the calculations. Tomorrow is an auspicious day, so we should..."

Ruan Tang smiled. "First, why don't you tell me all the ways you think I'm not perfect."

"..."

Heh. Women. So fickle.

Just as Xu Lai was about to say something, his gaze suddenly shifted toward the backyard. "Alright, you finish eating. We can talk about the wedding later."

Then, he went out to the backyard.

A layer of snow covered the ground. In the yard, Heavenly Dao was lying on a wicker chair, nibbling on a candied hawthorn and wearing only a red bellyband. Xu Lai didn't need to ask why it was here. The fact that Heavenly Dao had come to Haitang Court could only mean one thing: there was a breakthrough in the investigation of the Faceless Demon.

He walked up and asked simply, "The results?"

Heavenly Dao's young face was serious. "Jing Ke isn't from Earth," it said. "Over two thousand years ago, No-Face was gravely injured and was rescued by Jing Ke. That's how they met. From then on, No-Face began to learn about Artifact Refining, Formations, and the secrets of the Immortal Domain."

Xu Lai waited, but when Heavenly Dao said nothing more, he frowned. "That's it?"

Heavenly Dao looked sheepish. "The woman's lips are sealed. We're still questioning her, but... she says she wants to see you."

Xu Lai glanced back through the massive floor-to-ceiling window at Ruan Tang drinking her congee in the living room. Then, with a single leap, he shot into the clouds.

High above, a single candle flame flickered, blossoming atop Cloud Summit.

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