Chapter 134 - Chapter 134: 134. [A Small Gift Prepared by the Gentleman] (Thanks to the 'AlloyCat” Silver Alliance!)

Chapter 134: 134. [A Small Gift Prepared by the Gentleman] (Thanks to the “AlloyCat” Silver Alliance!)

Translator: 549690339

The Small Study, on the backside of the hill on New Year’s Eve, was bustling with unusual liveliness.

The master was writing in his room, with Elder Gui attending to him.

From outside the room, the master’s urging voice could be intermittently heard, as Elder Gui’s movement was painfully slow.

After so many years of his slowness and the master’s hassling, both the servant and the master had become accustomed to it.

Exactly how old Elder Gui was that year, probably only the master and Yan Li, who was in seclusion, knew in the whole Demon Sect.

Yet the master was still the same as ever, calling him “Little Gui”, and the old mute seemed to truly enjoy this. When the master was in a rush, he even displayed a pleasing smile of a young man.

What the master was writing in his room on such a big celebration, no one knew. For now, the kitchen was probably the busiest place.

In the kitchen, Lu Xun and Shisan were bustling about, with Little Mute Lin Chan assisting on the side, as for Mao Nanbei… she was sneaking bites of food here and there.

The New Year’s Eve dinner naturally needed to be abundant. During the grand holiday, they at least wanted everyone to eat happily, so Lu Xun showcased all of his culinary skills, hoping everyone would find the meal satisfactory.

Even Shisan admitted that he would only whip up two dishes and leave the rest to Lu Xun.

Mao Nanbei leaned toward Lu Xun, sniffing heavily with her small nose out of curiosity and inquired, “Little Junior Brother, what are you stewing? Smells delicious.’

“Stewed pig’s foot with soybeans.” Lu Xun glanced at her and answered.

Pig’s foot is often referred to as a beauty dish, rich in nutrition. Besides being a natural beauty tonic, it is good for the skin and is said to enhance lactation.

The reason why Lu Xun made this dish was simply because he could cook it exceptionally well.

He stewed a large pot of it, obviously they wouldn’t be able to finish it all in one evening.

He made such a large quantity because the soup from this dish would still taste good even after it was turned into an aspic.

It was a dish suitable to be served both hot and cold.

While the pig’s foot was stewing on one side, the dish he was currently preparing was braised pork belly with dried bamboo shoots.

Lu Xun, being from Zhejiang Province, found this dish quite common. But it was actually a classic Shanghainese dish and one of his favorites to make.

Today, he made several elaborate dishes. Mao Nanbei sat at the small table behind him, swaying her little feet in the air, her cat ears occasionally twitching. The wafts of the delicious food made her so happy that she almost hummed a tune.

At this moment, she had considered offering help, but considering her usual style, it was almost certain that she would only hinder him. Therefore, Lu Xun told her to just wait on the side.

Mao Nanbei looked at Lin Chan, who was bustling about beside Lu Xun, stretched out her hand to measure her height, then muttered, “Little Chan, have you… grown taller?”

Lin Chan turned her head to look at Mao Nanbei, gently nodded, and then continued her chores.

Though Lin Chan still seemed slender, it was clear that her body proportions were very good. People with good proportions appeared to have long legs. While those with an even body proportion, no matter how tall they were, still appeared to have short legs.

The little Ioli felt somewhat envious. Being as short as her, even with perfect proportions didn’t make a difference.

She carefully examined Lin Chan once more, her gaze resting at some emerging areas, and then she looked down at herself…

She suddenly felt a little upset.

Why did Lin Chan, who was so skinny, seem to have everything? I’m over a hundred years old, but still flat as a board!?

She must eat more later, to transform her sadness into appetite!

As always, New Year’s Eve dinner was held in the bamboo grove. Lu Xun had always been puzzled – Shimei had been cultivating in the bamboo grove for quite a while now. Why was she still meditating?

Shidi specifically brought out a good jar of wine from his room. Mao Nanbei picked up her chopsticks, dipped them in, and then had a taste. Immediately, the expression on her small face changed, and she couldn’t help but stick out her little tongue.

The master liked to drink, but everyone made sure he never had too much.

The master’s tolerance for alcohol was very poor, and his drunken behavior wasn’t too good either. He would get crazy if he drank excessively.

Lu Xun tasted a mouthful of the wine that Shisan had brought. It wasn’t too strong, but if he drank a few more mouthfuls, it would start to go to his head. It was one of those drinks that sneak up on you.

“Does Little Chan want to try?” Lu Xun teased, with a mischievous smile on his face.

Lin Chan immediately waved her hands in refusal, then held in her hands the mixed fruit tea that Lu Xun had prepared, finding it extremely palatable.

“Shisan, what’s the name of this wine?” Lu Xun asked.

“Oh, this is Tusu Wine that the master and I bought from the bottom of the hill.” Zhuge Lai Fu responded.

Tusu Wine, the same Tusu from the quote “Amid the sound of crackling firecrackers, the old year is ushered out, and the spring wind sends warmth into Tusu”.

I t was quite appropriate to drink on New Year’s Eve.

Everyone took their time with dinner, eating and chatting leisurely.

Lu Xun was talkative and able to stir up a lively atmosphere.

Zhuge Lai Fu, on the other hand, would share the amusing stories he encountered during his wanderings down the mountain.

Lin Chan was a stammerer, while Elder Gui was mute. They were simply quiet spectators. As for the master… he was currently sneakily sipping his wine.

He’d take a few good gulps whenever no one was looking.

Despite being the most authoritative figure in the back mountain, his drinking habits had always faced collective protest from his disciples. He knew that he had a tendency to go crazy when he drank too much, so he was kept on a tight leash when it came to alcohol.

But, for a wine lover, every opportunity to drink more was cherished.

The night deepened, and the magical fireflies, always seen wandering around the back mountain throughout the four seasons, provided some level of illumination.

“Bang—!

A brilliant firework suddenly exploded in the sky.

From the moment the first firework burst, a salvo of fireworks soared across the sky, lighting up the night.

The dazzling fireworks bloomed across the night sky. Not only from the back mountain, but there were also fireworks set off from the main peaks around the inner door, coloring the sky.

The Demon Sect’s New Year Eve’s celebration was an annual grand carnival, with fireworks being a consistent feature; because the master loved such magnificent displays.

As everyone looked up at the fireworks, Mao Nanbei was the most excited among them, jumping up and down. Lu Xun was worried she might even rocket up into the sky and become one with the fireworks.

He put down his chopsticks, turned his head, and glanced at Lin Chan.

Little Mute, who usually kept her head low, was now lifting up her small head high. Her eyes had a rare vibrancy.

Having lived in Qingling City, she had never seen such spectacular fireworks at such close proximity before, and was deeply entranced by the spectacle.

After all, she was just a young girl.

Lin Chan’s small mouth was slightly open, as if she was speechlessly exclaiming:

“Wow…

After the fireworks ended, the slightly tipsy master struggled to his feet.

Lu Xun knew that the master was about to give out New Year gifts to his younger generations.

Elder Gui stood, steadying the wobbly master, and the others sat obediently in line, waiting for their New Year gifts.

“I’ve written a character for each of you. You can open it after you go back. Keep it to yourselves, don’t show it to others.” The master advised, pointing at each of them.

He started with the second senior sister, and finally came to Lu Xun and Lin

Chan.

The master’s message was rolled up, so Lu Xun did not immediately know what character was written, but it was likely that the character written for each person was different.

After dinner, in a world without a Spring Festival Gala, the group chatted for a while before dispersing.

The Small Study did not follow the tradition of staying up late on New Year’s Eve, and most stuck to their daily practice routine.

Even Lu Xun, who had the enlightenment level of 1, persisted in his daily cultivation.

After all, that feeling of pain all over the body was a bit addictive, and he felt uncomfortable if he didn’t get his daily dose.

When they returned to their rooms, everyone opened the messages the master had given them before they started their cultivations.

Lu Xun sat on his bed, slowly unrolling the message in his hand.

Everyone’s message held a different character, and on Lu Xun’s was written a big .

— [Ugly].

He had a series of question marks forming in his mind.

Lu Xun:???

What does this mean? What is the master trying to tell me? What secrets are hidden in this character!?

Just as he was racking his brain over this character, a prompt message popped up in front of him.

(ps: Many thanks to “AlloyCat” for rewarding 1 million starting coins, adding one more Silver Alliance, owe more…..l owe more +10 Chapters……)