The next day, after washing up and eating breakfast at home, and accompanying Kirito and Naoha in their morning training, Luo Zhen picked up the game helmet, put it on, and logged into the game.
"Clang!"
Amid a radiance that surged like streams of data, Luo Zhen's virtual character appeared inside a small wooden cabin.
This was naturally the home of Luo Zhen, Asuna, and Yui on Aincrad's 22nd Floor—"Forest House."
As soon as he logged in, three bursts of light flared around Luo Zhen.
"Guh!"
"Wuu!"
Cai Die and Flower Butterfly appeared one after another within the light. They flapped their phosphorescent wings and flew into the air, circled each other for a while, then landed on Luo Zhen's shoulders on either side. They rubbed their cheeks against his face and made affectionate sounds.
"Happy New Year, little ones."
Luo Zhen teased Cai Die and Flower Butterfly with his fingers, smiling warmly.
Immediately afterward, a tiny fairy also appeared within the light. She fluttered her fairy-like wings and hovered in front of Luo Zhen.
"Daddy!"
Yui yawned, looking as though she had just woken up, then sweetly called out to Luo Zhen. His heart bloomed with joy.
It had to be said that daughters were truly considerate little angels. Having such an adorable daughter sweetly call him "Daddy" every day was an indulgence capable of making anyone lose their reason. Even plucking the stars from the sky and giving them to her would be worth it.
If Luo Zhen had truly lost his reason, he might really have done it.
After all, plucking the stars from the sky was not completely impossible for him.
Thus, Luo Zhen also reached out and poked Yui's adorable cheek, smiling happily.
"Happy New Year, Yui. Have you been a good girl?"
At those