After leaving the passage to the Underground World, Lu Yuan's figure swayed, and he returned to the sun-warmed world of reality.
He didn't linger. Ice Wings unfurled behind him, and he turned into a streak of icy-blue light, racing toward the courtyard at home.
By the time he neared the house, the sunset had painted the horizon a warm orange.
Thin wisps of smoke curled from the chimneys. It was the coziest time of day: dinner.
Lu Yuan raised a hand and gently pushed open the door.
The door gave a soft creak. The moment it opened, the rich aroma of food rushed toward him, enveloping him from head to toe.
Lu Yuan looked up. The small dining table was already covered with steaming dishes.
At the center sat a pot of milky-white stew, its foam skimmed away. Scallions and mushrooms floated gently on the surface as steam curled upward, carrying a savory aroma.
Delicate dishes filled the space around it: crisp green stir-fried vegetables, glossy red-braised dishes, little pan-fried bites, refreshing cold vegetable salads, and osmanthus cakes and other sweets specially made by Ye Qingyue and Xia Qingyin.
The plates and porcelain bowls were neatly arranged, with chopsticks set on either side. Every dish sent up gentle wisps of steam. Lamplight spilled across the table, making the food look even more inviting and filling the whole house with the warmth of home.
Several people were already seated around the table. The moment they heard the door open, they all looked up in unison.
Fang Wan sat at the head of the table. As soon as she saw her son, a kind, gentle smile blossomed across her face, the fine lines at the corners of her eyes curving into warm creases. She quickly beckoned him over. "A Yuan's home! Perfect