Chapter 94: Pushing the Bedroom Door Open

Not long after, Shuang'er seemed to be awakened by the aroma of the food; she rubbed her eyes, sat up dazedly: "So fragrant......"

"Meal's ready soon," Zhao Ling'er said, pinching her sister's cheek, "You really know how to pick your timing—others have finished their work, and you just woke up."

Shuang'er nodded, her little head still dazed from just waking up; hearing her sister's words, she gave an embarrassed smile, but it was quickly replaced by anticipation. She looked around, turned to her sister and asked: "Feifei sister? Are you stir-frying?"

"She's in the Storage Room counting the Energy Stones; she should be out soon. The one stir-frying is Qingxuan brother." As soon as Zhao Ling'er finished speaking, footsteps came from the Storage Room passageway.

Li Feifei's figure appeared at the entrance of the Living Room; she held a record book in her hand, brows slightly furrowed, as if thinking about something.

She walked to the side of the sofa, saw Shuang'er awake, and a faint smile appeared on her face: "Awake? Perfect, we'll be able to eat soon."

"Feifei sister, are the Energy Stones enough?" Zhao Ling'er asked concernedly.

Li Feifei shook the book in her hand: "Counting's done, the numbers are all tallied, but…" She paused, her gaze sweeping toward the kitchen, lowering her voice: "The number of Energy Stones is still short by over a thousand; it looks like we need to figure out how to get more."

At that moment, the movement in the kitchen ceased; Li Qingxuan walked out carrying two plates of steaming food, and the aroma instantly filled the entire Living Room.

"Time to eat." He placed the plates on the already wiped-clean dining table and called out.

Zhao Ling'er immediately pulled her sister up: "Shuang'er, come, wash hands and eat."

The two sisters walked toward the bathroom; Li Feifei also set down the record book, gently stretching her shoulders, which had stiffened from standing too long, and then followed them in.

Li Qingxuan brought out all the dishes, set the tableware, and watched as the three arrived one after another to sit around.

On the table lay a simple spread of five dishes and one soup; under the warm yellow light, rising heat wrapped the food's aroma, making one feel at ease.

A bowl of stir-fried vegetables was bright green and fresh, piled up like a small hill, still tender from just leaving the pot.

Beside it was a plate of potato slices fried to golden crisp, edges slightly curled, exuding oil fragrance,

There was also a plate of braised tofu, dark brown sauce coating the tender white cubes, steaming and giving off a salty aroma.

Stir-fried cabbage with meat and sweet-and-sour meatballs, vivid in color, giving off an enticing aroma—just seeing them whets the appetite.

In the central soup bowl, cabbage and tofu soup simmered with a milky broth, a few tender leaves floating and sinking, the misty vapor carrying homey warmth.

Zhao Ling'er first served Shuang'er a bowl of soup, carefully blew on it to cool, and handed it over: "Drink slowly, don't burn yourself."

Shuang'er lifted the bowl, took small sips, eyes narrowing in satisfaction, her cheeks flushed red from the steam.

Li Feifei picked up a potato slice; the crisp "crack" sounded especially clear in the silence. She turned to Li Qingxuan and smiled: "These potatoes are freshly harvested from the greenhouse, very crisp."

Li Qingxuan nodded, his gaze sweeping over the table, voice low: "Hmm, a self-sufficient life is more reassuring than anything."

Zhao Ling'er scooped some tofu into Shuang'er's bowl, speaking gently: "Shuang'er, does it taste good?"

Shuang'er nodded vigorously, her mouth full, mumbling: "Mm! Even more fragrant than yesterday!"

The fireplace flames leapt joyfully, casting a warm glow lightly on the four's side faces; the light clinking of bowls and chopsticks intertwined with the subtle sounds of chewing, like a warm, moving scroll.

Soon, the four finished eating; Li Qingxuan gently set down his chopsticks, his gaze slowly sweeping over the empty dishes, very pleased—nothing could better demonstrate his superb cooking skills than an empty plate.

Zhao Ling'er rose in unison, began clearing the table, bowls and chopsticks clinking crisply; Shuang'er also jumped up to help, her small hands nimbly stacking plates, her little face flushed red, showing the contented tiredness after a meal.

Li Feifei let out a light sigh, speaking to Li Qingxuan: "The Energy Stones are still short by over a thousand; I don't know if we can gather enough tomorrow—perhaps we'll have to offer more Bodhi Fruits in exchange for a portion."

The two sisters, having finished washing up, walked over, poured tea for everyone, and sat back down in their chairs.

The fireplace flames crackled cheerfully; an orange-yellow glow lightly danced on Shuang'er's sleepy eyelids, she let out a tiny yawn, and her body unconsciously leaned toward her sister.

Zhao Ling'er gently embraced her, speaking softly: "Shuang'er is tired; I'll first take her to wash up and let her sleep."

Li Qingxuan nodded, watching the sisters' backs as they headed toward the bathroom; Shuang'er stumbled three steps for every one, her small hand tightly gripping Zhao Ling'er's cuff.

Only Li Qingxuan and Li Feifei remained in the Living Room, the air still holding the lingering scent of the meal.

Li Feifei picked up the record book, flipped to the page counting Energy Stones, brows slightly furrowed: "The upgrade of Panshi Fortress cannot be delayed; moreover, the wind and snow outside the mist… are growing stronger, and the temperature is dropping further."

Li Qingxuan silently gazed at the fireplace; the firelight cast shifting shadows in his eyes, his thoughts drifting somewhere unknown.

The bathroom door opened; Zhao Ling'er led out a freshly washed Shuang'er, her eyes already half-closed, her steps unsteady.

Zhao Ling'er whispered: "Shuang'er can't hold on any longer; I'll first take her back to her room."

Li Feifei closed the book, stood up: "I'll go check the greenhouse again."

She walked toward the greenhouse, her fingertips swiftly sliding across the control panel; a stream of blue data flowed like water across the panel, illuminating her focused profile.

Li Qingxuan also rose, helping Zhao Ling'er carry Shuang'er upstairs; as soon as Shuang'er's head touched the pillow, she fell into a deep sleep, her breathing even and prolonged.

After Zhao Ling'er tucked the blanket corners for her sister, returning to the Living Room, Li Qingxuan was standing by the window, gazing at the outside mist that was thick and impossible to dispel.

The night was like thick ink; the fortress's lights cast a warm yellow reflection on the glass, like a lone lamp suspended in endless darkness, severed from the outside world's dead silence.

Zhao Ling'er walked to his side, voice gentle: "Qingxuan brother, today… is really good."

Li Qingxuan didn't turn his head, only gave a low "hmm," his shoulders straight as a pine.

He took a deep breath, turned and said: "Everyone rest now; there's still work tomorrow."

The two finished the water in their cups; Zhao Ling'er turned to tidy up, and Li Qingxuan headed toward the bedroom.

Li Qingxuan washed himself clean, pushed open the bathroom door, and saw Li Feifei sitting on the bedside, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing her temples, her face showing a faint, hardly noticeable weariness.

The bedside lamp's soft light draped over her lowered lashes like sheer gauze, casting tiny butterfly-wing-shaped shadows.

She seemed to be staring blankly at the energy stone record spread on her knees; the thin paper's edges were pinched into slight wrinkles, revealing her inner unrest.

Even noticing Li Qingxuan's approaching footsteps, she didn't immediately lift her head; the rubbing motion merely paused for a moment, as if digesting the pressure from those cold numbers.

The air still held the fresh scent after bathing, mixed with the faint ink smell of the record book's pages; for a moment, only her slightly heavy breathing remained in the room, along with the faint, intermittent whimper of wind and snow outside, blocked by the heavy mist.

Li Qingxuan stepped forward, closed the record book, gently embraced her, and slowly laid her on the bed: "Don't think about those things; it's a matter of time—now let's focus on the real business." Li Qingxuan said with a mischievous smile.

The fireplace light gradually weakened, leaving only a faint red of embers; the Living Room sank into a gentle darkness, only the indicator light of the security system flickering faintly in the corner, guarding the warmth of this small space.

"Feifei, isn't this too early!" Li Feifei's face showed satisfaction; disregarding Li Qingxuan's resistance, she pushed him out the bedroom door.

With a soft "bang," the wooden door closed behind him; Li Qingxuan gently knocked on the door, afraid his knocking would disturb others.

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