In the courtyard, everyone gathered around the returned Chen Rui—some cheering, some rejoicing, some teasing, some rolling their eyes. In short, it was utterly lively.
"You're certainly 'punctual,' waiting until the very last day to come back. These past few days, someone's been playing the longing wife every day, so distracted that she mistook salt for sugar and vinegar for wine while cooking. We innocent bystanders were nearly poisoned to death." Though Isabella spoke that way, the joy at the corners of her eyes and brows could not be concealed.
"I know—it was Aunt Jia." Dodo, in Chen Rui's arms, immediately named the "culprit." It seemed even the little girl had been one of the victims.
The Succubus maid giggled, utterly lacking any awareness that she had "poisoned" anyone.
"I'm sorry. It was my fault—I came back late." Chen Rui knew his wives and friends had all been worried about him. After being bombarded with reproaches in turn, he very consciously confessed his crimes to the motherland and the people.
"It's good that you're back." Athena, beside him, tightly held his hand. This spot had been specially yielded by the harem—after all, Athena was now the most precious expectant mother. Other than Dodo, her status was the "highest."
"Everyone's progressed so quickly!" Chen Rui looked over his family and friends in delighted surprise. "Lola, you succeeded? You should be close to the middle stage of pseudo-god now... Huh! Lalalia is at the middle stage of demigod? Isabella and Oliphis have both reached the peak of the Kingdom level, and Delia too..."
Miss Fairy Dragon smiled proudly. A long staff resembling a scepter appeared in her hand as though to show off, radiating incomparably powerful elemental fluctuations. It should be the Elemental [***] God Staff. The process of obtaining this divine