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After that, Anos turned the page of the ancient tome and revealed a vibrant illustration of a qilin. The depicted creature was a magnificent beast, strikingly different from the one he had glimpsed that fateful night. Its colors were an enchanting array—brilliant greens, deep blues, and fiery reds—radiating an aura of majesty that left Anos questioning its classification.
It seemed too whimsical, too adorable to be called a qilin.
With a curious spark igniting within him, Anos strolled into the kitchen, where Sofia was busy preparing dinner. Her graceful movements and intense focus reminded him of Luna, his childhood companion. He couldn't help but think that if he were to marry someone like her, his life would undoubtedly brim with happiness.
"Babe, I have a question for you," Anos called out, his voice cheerful.
Every time she heard him use the nickname "Babe," it stirred a mix of annoyance and amusement within her.
"What is it?" she replied, turning around. Anos eagerly handed her the picture of the qilin.
"Is this illustration of a qilin authentic?" he asked, his curiosity evident in his bright eyes.
Having scoured the internet for reliable information about qilins, Anos had come up empty-handed.
Sofia examined the illustration closely before nodding. "It's approximately eighty to ninety percent accurate. A long time ago, a powerful figure caught a glimpse of a qilin, and this image was created based on his description. So, it's not too far off the mark."
"Are there no images of qilins in their youth?" Anos inquired, his brow furrowing in contemplation.
Sofia shook her head, her expression thoughtful. "Not that I know of. They are rather elusive creatures."
"Is there such a thing as a Snow Qilin?" he pressed, recalling a mention he had come across.
"Snow Qilin?" she pondered, her brow furrowing as she thought. "Yes! It refers to one that's entirely white, like freshly fallen snow. However, I've never encountered any records regarding such a creature. Why do you ask?"
Anos smiled, mischief glinting in his eyes. "Oh, just a passing thought. Please, continue with your work, my dear Babe."
Sofia took a deep breath, choosing to brush off his teasing.
"By the way," he added nonchalantly, "I have a penchant for braised pork and chicken wings. If you could whip up some pork ribs and corn soup, that would be splendid."
Sofia shot him a disbelieving look.
She prided herself on maintaining a good temperament, rarely letting her emotions dictate her actions. However, since meeting Anos, her emotions had been more volatile than usual. This latest comment made her want to scream: "You're just a guest! Why are you dictating the menu?"
It was no wonder that Sasha, the daughter of a respectable family, had been exasperated by him, and that Mia had even lost her composure.
"Please, could you take your leave?" she said, striving for politeness.
"I can't leave," Anos countered, shaking his head with mock seriousness. "You've already captured my heart."
With that, she shot Anos a discreet look before retreating back to the kitchen.
Owen smiled at Anos, though the warmth was lacking. "I didn't expect Sofia to find a boyfriend after not seeing her for a while. May I ask where Young Master Anos is currently employed?"
Anos maintained an easygoing demeanor, unfazed by the underlying tension. "Brother Owen, there's no need for formalities. You're Sofia's cousin, so I'll refer to you as big brother. You can just call me Anos."
"Alright," Owen replied, raising an eyebrow, intrigued yet skeptical.
Anos continued, "As for my occupation, well, it's a bit complicated. In this era, strength holds more value than anything else. Everything else feels rather trivial."
"Hahaha, that's true. Strength is indeed respected. What realm have you achieved?" Owen asked, curiosity piqued.
Despite his skepticism regarding Anos's relationship with Sofia, he wanted to know more about him, perhaps to assess the competition.
Using his Mystic Perception, Anos gauged Owen's abilities. This young man was impressive, standing at the Spirit Core Realm Stage-Three. No wonder he felt confident enough to pursue Sofia. Anos replied, "My realm isn't that high; I haven't even reached the Spirit Core Realm yet.
To be honest, I could have achieved it a while ago, but I've been too busy enjoying food and spending time with Sofia these past few days, so I haven't ventured into the Beast domain."
Anos wanted to assist Sofia, so he had to keep things modest; otherwise, he would overshadow Owen.
"Not bad at all," Owen acknowledged, his tone steady, though a flicker of doubt crossed his features.
Just then, Sofia called out from the kitchen, "Wash your hands! Dinner is served!"
"Coming!" Anos replied, hurrying to the sink.
"Make sure to wash your hands properly," she reminded him, lightly patting him on the shoulder—a gesture that appeared casual but resonated with a sense of intimacy. Owen observed this interaction, his frown deepening.
Once they finished washing their hands, Owen took a seat at the table.
"Why are there so many dishes? You could have simply prepared a few simpler ones," he remarked, eyeing the lavish spread.
Sofia smiled warmly. "Brother Owen, it's not every day you come over. How can I just serve basic dishes? These are all Anos's favorites, and I thought you might enjoy them too."
"Yes, yes! Let's eat! Brother Owen, would you like some beer?" Anos offered, bringing over a bottle of beer that Sofia had bought specifically for him. Although she didn't drink, she wanted to showcase her affection for Anos to Owen.
"Sure, I'd love some."
Anos uncapped the bottle with a satisfying pop, and the sound seemed to punctuate the eager anticipation in the air. He poured a generous glass for Owen, the golden liquid swirling and bubbling as it filled the glass, releasing a refreshing hoppy aroma that mingled with the fragrant dishes on the table.
"And what about you, Babe?" he asked.
At this, Sofia sensed trouble brewing. Meanwhile, Owen smirked, clearly enjoying the unfolding situation.