Sensing the familiar fragrance coming from the figure in his arms, Dongfang Chen asked,
"Xin Xia?"
"Brother Chen..."
Ye Xin Xia lifted her little head from Dongfang Chen's arms.
Her perfect, delicate face tilted up toward him.
She was so perfect that Dongfang couldn't find a single flaw in her face.
But it was precisely that perfection that stirred in him the thought of defiling it.
Such a flawless face—if it were...
Hiss! I can't think about this anymore!
Since Mu Ningxue had returned to Imperial Capital Academy, Dongfang Chen had only occasionally cuddled up with Xin Xia during this time.
So when Xin Xia teased him like this, he'd nearly made a mistake.
"Brother Chen, do you remember what tomorrow is?"
Hearing Ye Xin Xia's question, Dongfang Chen smiled helplessly. He lightly tapped her delicate nose and said,
"How could I possibly forget? Tomorrow's your birthday, Xin Xia. How about we go back to Hangzhou and throw my darling Xin Xia a grand coming-of-age celebration?"
"No way."
Ye Xin Xia pouted.
Though Dongfang Chen had spoiled her with a lavish lifestyle all these years, she was still a simple girl at heart.
She could do without the kind of party that only wealthy kids threw for their coming-of-age celebrations.
All Ye Xin Xia wanted was to be with Dongfang Chen.
So she wriggled coquettishly in his arms.
"Brother Chen~ You promised. Tomorrow, you'll focus on spending the whole day with me."
"Of course. I keep my promises. Tomorrow, I'll leave Yumian home to cultivate by herself, then sneak you out for some fun. How does that sound?"
Ye Xin Xia hesitated for a moment, feeling that it wouldn't be right to leave Ding Yumian behind.
"Let's bring Yumian with us."
"Sure, whatever you say."
Dongfang Chen lowered his head, meeting Ye Xin Xia's bright, sparkling eyes.
A romantic mood gradually filled the air.
"Brother Chen~ It's my eighteenth birthday. Sister Ning Xue got to go first last time, so this time it should be my turn."
Hearing Ye Xin Xia's words, Dongfang Chen didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Things with Xuexue had happened naturally last time. Besides, Xin Xia hadn't even been an adult then. How could she say Ningxue had gotten there first?
He hadn't expected the little girl to still remember it.
"Yes, yes. My darling Xin Xia will be an adult tomorrow. How about I make your long-held wish come true?"
"I-I don't have any wish like that! Brother Chen, you're the worst!"
Ye Xin Xia's face quickly turned bright red.
But her arms remained wrapped around Dongfang Chen.
Then, gathering her courage, Ye Xin Xia leaned close to his ear and whispered,
"Actually... it's already past midnight..."
[Beep! The host has completed the second stage—Growing Closer—of the Xiao Xun'er Acquaintance Mission] [Reward: Daily Check-in benefits upgraded. The host can obtain higher-tier rewards through Daily Check-in]
The check-in benefits had been upgraded?
That was good news for Dongfang Chen.
Previously, Daily Check-in mostly rewarded him with medicinal materials below Grade 4, or Yellow Tier and Black Tier Dou Techniques.
For Dongfang Chen, who was still a Dou Ling, they were at least somewhat useful.
But once he reached Dou Wang, Grade 4 Pills would be almost useless.
So Dongfang Chen was in urgent need of higher-grade medicinal materials.
He'd even been thinking that if he couldn't get them from the system, he'd use his connections to see whether the Full-Time Magician World had any treasures that could serve as substitutes.
Luckily, the upgraded check-in benefits solved his immediate problem.
Darling Xin Xia, you really are my lucky star!
Overjoyed, Dongfang Chen pulled the limp Xin Xia back up again.
Exhausted, Ye Xin Xia could only beg for mercy. "Brother Chen..."
"Mm... I won't force you."
Dongfang Chen stroked Ye Xin Xia's hair, damp with sweat, but his gaze drifted down to her little feet.
The next day, Ye Xin Xia slowly woke up and met Dongfang Chen's teasing gaze.
Half an hour later, she hurried into the bathroom to wash up, brushing her teeth over and over.
In the living room, Ding Yumian's face flushed and her eyes darted away as soon as she saw Ye Xin Xia and Dongfang Chen.
Dongfang Chen didn't bother with it.
He was thick-skinned, after all. Xin Xia was the one who got embarrassed. What could he do if she couldn't hold back?
She was old enough to know better. He'd told her not to make a sound, but she hadn't listened. And now someone had heard her.
Dongfang Chen shook his head, then looked toward the dining table.
"Yumian, did you make this?"
At first, Dongfang Chen had affectionately called Ding Yumian "Mianmian," but after a few times, the other girl's face had gotten so red that he'd switched to calling her "Yumian."
"Mm. Since I'm staying here, I've caused you a lot of trouble. I couldn't think of a way to repay you, so I figured I could at least do a few things within my ability."
Dongfang Chen smiled.
"You don't have to be so formal with me."
Ding Yumian shook her head. "It's not about being formal."
"All right, then. How about you take care of my daily needs from now on? I'll leave all three meals a day to you."
"Mm!" Ding Yumian nodded.
If she kept living at Dongfang Chen's place without contributing anything, she'd feel guilty.
At least... at least she should do something for him.
Like preparing his meals.
Over breakfast, Dongfang Chen also made plans for the coming year.
He intended to put his magic training aside for the time being and use the year to improve his Dou Qi Cultivation, going all out to break through to Dou Wang.
He was currently a Five Star Dou Spirit, and with his upgraded check-in benefits and the support of the Fallen Heart Flame, it wasn't impossible for him to break through to Dou Wang within a year.
Once he reached Dou Wang, and with the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King—which was comparable to a Dou Emperor—by his side, he wouldn't have to fear even the Holy Court or the Apostasy Institute.
Then, even if he couldn't win, he could at least keep himself and those around him safe.
So putting his magic training aside for now was acceptable.
But before that, he had to make sure Xin Xia had a wonderful birthday today.
Since Xin Xia didn't want a coming-of-age birthday party, they kept her birthday celebration simple.
During the day, they visited various attractions around Magic City. That evening, Dongfang Chen booked a restaurant and ordered a cake for Xin Xia.
Ye Xin Xia's birthdays had always been this simple, even her important coming-of-age celebration.
After the birthday was over,
life returned to normal.
Dongfang Chen also planned to devote himself to cultivating Dou Qi.
But before he began, there was somewhere he needed to go.
That place was the Qingtian Hunter Club.
Before coming to Magic City, Dongfang Chen had already contacted the Qingtian Hunter Club online and asked them to help him find some rare medicinal materials.
The Dongfang Family could handle this too, but the Qingtian Hunter Club was one of the best hunter stations in the country, so they might turn up an unexpected find.
And today, the Qingtian Hunter Club had sent him a message.
They'd found the rare medicinal material Zi Xuan Grass!
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