Chapter 203

After talking with Shi Lei, she has accepted the idea that she is a clone left behind by the original body when it was young.

If Surtr had to find someone she wanted to see but couldn't, she'd probably want to see her real self.

But what's the point of meeting in a painting? A false illusion is meaningless to Surtr.

After asking all the women present, he finally turned his attention to his real target:

"Shi Lei, what about you? Is there anyone you want to see but can't?"

"No, everyone I want to see is here."

Upon hearing this, Texas leaned forward slightly, a slight smile appearing on her usually icy face.

Years passed with regret, but there was nothing that could be done. Opportunities like this to give Xi-mei a chance to shine are truly rare.

"Alright, Xi, let's begin."

Xi nodded, her eyes becoming serious. A paintbrush and a scroll appeared out of thin air in her hand, and with just a few strokes, she sketched a landscape painting.

Seeing her gesture of invitation, Yelena took two deep breaths and rushed straight towards the painting. The moment she touched it, the surrounding space and time rippled outwards like water.

Everyone who saw this was amazed.

Shi Lei admitted that Xi's abilities were very special, and that she was one of a kind among the people he knew.

Yelena regained consciousness and opened her eyes on her own.

Normally, people who enter the Scroll Realm forget that they are in an illusion. But this time, thanks to Xi Shi's magic, she was able to maintain a clear understanding of the situation.

Directly ahead lay the familiar yet unfamiliar village entrance. Everything was exactly as Yelena remembered it.

"Xiao Ye, you're back!"

Yelena looked in the direction of the sound and saw her third aunt from the clan. She and her husband ran a small inn at the entrance of the village and lived a simple, ordinary life.

"Yes, Auntie. I have something to do, so I'll go home now. I'll come see you later."

Yelena said this with a touch of sadness, because she knew she would never come back.

Walking through the village entrance, you see rows of pine trees and houses. A stone bridge divides the village in two, and the river has quietly frozen over due to the cold weather in Ursus.

Yelena nearly fell off the bridge when she was a child, and ever since then her parents have forbidden her from lingering on the bridge for extended periods.

The village had no paved roads, and the ground was full of potholes. Under the setting sun, it looked dilapidated.

The able-bodied young people in the village have gradually left to work in big cities within Ursus. Those left behind are mostly children and some middle-aged and elderly people.

This is the real reason why, when the villagers were arrested by the Enforcement Team and sold to the Earl's mine to mine Originium, no one was able to stand up and resist.

"Yelena!"

FrostNova had just crossed the small bridge when she suddenly heard someone calling her from her left. She quickly turned her head to look.

A middle-aged woman with gray hair dyed her hair golden in the afterglow of the setting sun.

Upon seeing the other person's face clearly, FrostNova smiled. It was a smile more genuine than any she had ever given before.

"Mom!"

Her voice choked with emotion as she ran towards her mother. Tears welled in her eyes as she gave her a big hug.

Yelena's mother was puzzled by her sudden action. But she still smiled kindly and hugged her daughter.

Due to a lack of labor in the village, women often had to participate in farm work. Adding to this, the damned weather in Ursus made Ye's mother's fingers cold and rough.

But what she said was very heartwarming:

"What's wrong? Did someone bully you?"

"No one bullies me."

Yelena's eyes welled up with tears, and she hugged him even tighter:

"Mom, I miss you so much!"

"Look at you, you're so shameless."

Despite her complaints, Ye's mother seemed a little embarrassed and uncomfortable.

If one doesn't realize that the person they remember is different in age from who they are now, they might be deceived by such realistic words and actions, unaware that they are in World in the Painting.

"Yelena, let's go."

Mother Ye, holding FrostNova's hand, quickened her pace towards home. As soon as they stepped through the courtyard gate, she called out loudly:

"Old man, come out quickly!"

"Look quickly, who's back!"

There was a little snow left in the yard, and wisps of smoke were rising from the chimney on the roof. A middle-aged man from Casters's, his back hunched, came out at the sound.

"Oh, Yelena is back!"

This period was arguably the happiest time of her childhood. After that, the village Enforcement Team would come and arrest people, forcibly selling them to work in the mines.

"Wait here, I'll go to the back shed and kill a Fowlbeast to make you your favorite Feathered Beast Soup."

"Okay, sure."

Yelena nodded and did not refuse.

She sat in a house that was almost forgotten.

Inside, she watched her parents busy in the kitchen.

These are fake, yet they feel so real.

After the dishes were cooked, the family sat around the round wooden table to eat. Yelena ate very slowly, as if she were carefully chewing each bite. She wasn't just chewing food, but the precious memory of reuniting with her parents.

Yelena knew her parents were imposters, but she still told them a lot about her experiences over the years, about the guerrillas, about the Patriot, and about everyone.

The parents listened quietly, their eyes filled with boundless love as they looked at their daughter.

"Phew~"

After recounting her experiences, Yelena let out a long sigh of relief. She walked to the door, pursed her lips, and bowed deeply to the two of them.

"Dad, Mom, it's time for your daughter to go back. Actually, I really want to stay here, but I can't. In the days without you, I've found a new family. I will live well, carrying your share as well."

Mother Ye's smile was kind, but there was a hint of reluctance in her eyes:

"Are you in such a hurry to leave? Why don't you stay a few more days?"

"No, I'm already more than content to be able to sit down and have a proper meal with you all."

Yelena thanked her parents again, wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes. The moment she resolutely pushed open the door, she seemed to step out of the painting.

AGM Beautiful Pictures. jpg

267. Did you bring another older sister? (3K)

Xi was quite surprised that FrostNova could leave the painting so quickly.

Admittedly, Yelena retained her self-awareness under her manipulation. However, most people, even knowing it was fake, would still become hopelessly addicted.

Ultimately, the Patriot deserve much credit. From a young age, Broca FrostNova to military-style management, instilling in her a strong sense of discipline and execution, much like a soldier.

Before entering the painting, FrostNova gave herself the order to eat a meal and then leave. After she finished eating, she turned and left without hesitation.

When he opened his eyes again, everyone was there.

Yelena instantly understood that the time depicted in the painting was different from the time in reality.

She faced the sun and thanked them respectfully:

"Miss Nian, thank you so much."

Xi nodded without replying, appearing quite aloof. In reality, she simply didn't know what to say.

At this moment, Exusiai, who was watching the commotion from the sidelines, suddenly blurted out in a moment of impulsiveness:

"FrostNova, how can you be sure this is the real world? What if we're still in a painting?"

Seeing Yelena's furrowed brow in thought, Shi Lei guessed she might have taken it seriously, and smiled as he reminded her:

"She's just joking with you, don't take it seriously."

Now that FrostNova's wish has been fulfilled, she should be able to get a good night's sleep.

Shi Lei lived in warehouse number two, not with them. Everyone said goodnight and went back to their rooms.

The next day, the weather was sunny.

Yesterday afternoon's task at the Schwayer Group's annual meeting was Shi Lei's last assignment before the New Year.

Starting today, Penguin Logistics' Messenger no longer need to work and can officially begin enjoying their holiday.

Around 5 p. m., Shi Lei selected a hot pot restaurant with a good reputation and reviews based on the "Lungmen Food Guide" published by Croissant.

To cater to local customers, this hot pot restaurant has made many adjustments to its original layout.

Like the restaurant Shi Lei went to last year, Miss. Nian complained that the hot pot broth wasn't spicy enough and the Sichuan peppercorns weren't numbing enough.

Compared to other similar restaurants that have only imitated the style but failed miserably, this restaurant already has the best taste.

A large group of people, including Shi Lei's, poured into the hot pot restaurant.

Because of the large number of people present, they had to push several tables together. Ten Sarkaz mercenaries sat at one table, and the other nine sat at another.

The waitress, holding the menu, asked enthusiastically:

"Do you want the broth spicy or not spicy?"

Shi Lei didn't care about this and asked for everyone's opinion:

Can you eat spicy food?

Lisa, Exusiai, and Texas nodded, and Mudrock and Surtr followed suit.

Xi sat beside Nian, still hunched over. Her aggrieved expression made her look like a doormat.

Can I say I don't eat spicy food?

"Every time I tell her I don't eat spicy food, she won't listen. She insists on ordering an extra spicy one to torture me."

"If I don't eat, she'll force me to. That kind of sister is absolutely awful!"

"Sigh, I feel like it's no use saying anything; she'll definitely still order the spicy broth."

Everything went just as Xi had predicted. Nian put on an apron to prevent oil splattering and took the initiative to start the conversation:

"When eating hot pot, you definitely have to eat spicy food. If it's not spicy, it's soulless and has no fun at all."

Shi Lei glanced at FrostNova; although her hypothermia had improved somewhat, she still shouldn't eat anything too hot.

"Then let's make a hot pot with two broths, one spicy and one non-spicy. If you like spicy food, you can sit over there."

Hearing that he ordered a hot pot with both red and white broth, Xi's pupils dilated slightly, and she slowly raised her head. She reached out her left hand to tuck her hair behind her ear, feeling a little secretly pleased.

"Huh???"

"Did he order this because of me?"

"I feel that Shi Lei is a pretty good person, unlike Nian, that bastard, who only knows how to bully me."

"Hehe, as long as it's not spicy, I can eat some vegetables and meat later."

The thought of no longer being persecuted by Nian made Xi's little tail wag from side to side.

Before long, the staff brought out the dishes.

Everyone threw the pot down.

They're just waiting to be cooked and ready to be eaten.

"Gurgle."

As the temperature of the pot rises, wisps of white smoke carry a fragrant aroma.