Chapter 105: with translation of chapter title

The warm, smooth wood wrapped the impregnable walls of Panshi Fortress, combining hardness and softness; while defensive strength increased, living comfort also greatly improved.

The air was threaded with the distinctive fresh scent of wood and the faint lingering aftertaste of tea; the whole space exuded a serene, gentle aura, like a giant beast cloaked in soft, cute fur, quietly sheathing its claws.

His gaze swept over everyone's faces, each showing different expressions yet all bearing satisfaction and anticipation, finally settling on Li Feifei's face; all this was thanks to her.

Li Qingxuan stood in the center of the Living Room, feeling the novelty brought by the freshly renewed fortress, and said to everyone: "Panshi Fortress could be upgraded so quickly thanks to Feifei sister's hard work; everyone, including me, should thank her."

"Thank you, Feifei sister, Feifei sister, you've worked hard." The three said in unison.

Li Qingxuan reached out and pulled her over, saying, "Feifei, you've worked hard." Having said that, he moved to kiss Li Feifei.

The three watched the scene, their faces flushing; Shuang'er covered her face with both hands, eyes unblinking as she peered through the gaps between her spread fingers, recalling the earlier scene, the two sisters exchanged a glance, and their faces reddened further.

The three did not disturb the couple's intimacy, heading together toward the Chufang, occasionally glancing back furtively.

The wood paneling in the Chufang area fit seamlessly; the thick wooden door was half-closed, blocking the ambience from the Living Room, yet it could not block the unique lingering scent of new wood mixed with old tea in the air.

Huang Rong pushed the door open first, her steps light; her usual capable expression now bore a hint of mischief not easily noticed.

"Cough," Zhao Ling'er gave a light cough, the flush on her cheeks not yet faded, she pulled Shuang'er and followed closely into the Chufang.

She lightly closed the door with her backhand, cutting off the line of sight, as if also shutting out that sudden intimacy; under the bright lights, her fair skin appeared even more flushed, her gaze somewhat wandering, she dared not meet anyone's eyes—evidently the scene she had just recalled in the Living Room still lingered in her heart.

Shuang'er, however, had none of those reservations; she lowered her small hands from her face, her big eyes blinking, filled with shy excitement and curiosity, she whispered in Zhao Ling'er's ear: "Sister, are Qingxuan brother and Feifei sister going upstairs soon?"

"Shuang'er!" Zhao Ling'er reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, her cheeks instantly reddening to the point of almost bleeding, she hurried to cover her sister's mouth, her voice both shy and anxious: "No nonsense!"

Huang Rong had already walked to the spacious countertop; hearing that, she let out a "pfft" laugh, her shoulders slightly shrugging.

She casually picked up a smooth wooden seasoning jar from the countertop, her fingertips lightly stroking the warm wood surface, as if studying its grain, thereby masking her amusement.

She turned her head, her eyes twinkling with a bit of teasing: "I don't know whether they'll go upstairs, but I suspect others in Panshi Fortress also want to go upstairs." She emphasized the words "others" with a teasing tone.

Zhao Ling'er felt even more embarrassed by her words, she stamped her foot and protested: "Rong sister! How can you also join Shuang'er in fooling around!"

Shuang'er, with her sister's hand over her mouth, could only utter "mmm," her big eyes rolling around, looking this way and that, obviously not expecting her sister's reaction to be so strong.

"All right, all right," Huang Rong, seeing she had gone far enough, put down the seasoning jar, restrained her smile, though mirth still lingered in her eyes, "I won't tease you anymore. Ling'er, Shuang'er, come help."

She pulled open the cabinet door, inside neatly stacked pots, pans, bowls and ladles: "What should we cook for dinner? It's this time already, everyone must be hungry."

"Let's see what we have; the fortress has been upgraded, let's make eight dishes and one soup to celebrate properly," Zhao Ling'er proposed.

In the Chufang, the bright lights illuminated the three of them; the fresh scent of new wood mingled with the inherent aroma of the ingredients, making the atmosphere especially warm.

Huang Rong swiftly took out the rice container; the flush on Zhao Ling'er's face gradually turned into a warm bashfulness, she released her hold on Shuang'er's hand, took her to the sink, turned on the faucet, and cool water gushed down with a splashing sound.

"Shuang'er, would you help sister wash the rice?" Zhao Ling'er's voice softened.

"Mm!" Shuang'er nodded vigorously, her attention immediately captured by the new task; she tiptoed, plunged her small hand into the cool water flow, and earnestly stirred the rice grains.

Huang Rong sorted through the basket nearby, picked out a few simple side dishes, and began processing them efficiently.

For a moment, the Chufang held only the gentle sound of flowing water, the faint chopping of vegetables, and Shuang'er's occasional low exclamation tinged with novelty.

They worked in unison, turning that fleeting intimacy and embarrassment in the Living Room into the modest, steadfast warmth of preparing dinner for the family in this small space.

The clatter of pots and pans and the gradually spreading rice aroma became the most reassuring footnote of the moment.

Li Feifei gently pushed Li Qingxuan away with both hands, panting rapidly, her chest heaving violently, as if she had just escaped some flood or beast.

She instinctively stepped back half a step, still holding Li Qingxuan, her chaotic thoughts gradually regaining a hint of clarity; her gaze flicked over Li Qingxuan's face right before her, those deep eyes seemingly still retaining lingering tenderness and a trace of desire, making her heart race again, blood seemingly rushing to her face, heating her ears.

She abruptly turned her face away, not daring to look at him, her panicked gaze darting toward the closed wooden door of the Chufang, as if that door could shield her from all her present embarrassment.

From the Chufang came the faint sound of flowing water, Huang Rong's brisk chopping, and Shuang'er's muffled speech; these everyday, steady sounds formed a stark contrast to the drumlike pounding of her heart.

Li Feifei took a deep breath, suppressing her palpitations, and gave Li Qingxuan a white-eyed look: "How could you suddenly kiss me? Right in front of them."

Li Qingxuan gave a low chuckle, his fingertip lightly stroking her scorching, silk-like cheek, the delicate touch carrying a warm thrill.

His deep eyes reflected her embarrassed appearance, his voice low: "I don't know why either; I just couldn't help myself and kissed you."

His words were like a stone dropped into a calm lake, sending ripples across Li Feifei's heart-lake; she felt her cheeks grow hotter, as if even her breath carried a scorching temperature: "What are you saying."

Li Qingxuan's gentle, indulgent gaze sent waves of warmth through her heart; she instinctively wanted to lower her head to avoid his frank stare, but his fingertips gently yet firmly held her chin.

"But... but this is too..." Li Feifei's voice grew weak, a mosquito-like whisper, her eyes flickering; the usual sharp efficiency she showed at work vanished completely, leaving only the flusteredness of a little girl.

"Too what?" Li Qingxuan leaned slightly, his breath brushing her ear with a hint of teasing: "When you urged me before, you weren't like this; why are you shy now?"

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