In next to no time, Chen An returned home.
As soon as he entered the house, he saw Song Huaying bringing Gu Xinyue to water the vegetables in the front yard.
The two women chatted casually, and their relationship seemed to have become much more familiar.
However, much of this was relative to before.
Although the two of them said that they were chatting, it was actually just Song Huaying saying ten sentences. Then, Gu Xinyue replying back a sentence coldly.
But no matter what, it was much better than before.
It was a good sign.
"Husband!"
When Song Huaying saw that her husband had returned, she immediately put down the water ladle in her hand happily and went forward to welcome him.
Gu Xinyue stood still and quietly watched Song Huaying throw herself into her arms. She was expressionless and there was no emotion on her face.
However, when Chen An glanced at her, she immediately lowered her head in a panic. Her pretty face burned as she silently lowered her head to water the vegetables to cover it up.
Ever since she was doted on by Chen An last night, she had developed a trace of affection for Chen An in her heart. She paid a lot of attention to Chen An's every move and felt as if her soul had left her body.
Chen An saw Gu Xinyue's reaction.
A cold attitude?
It didn't matter. Love would develop over time.
After all, even a drop of water could pierce through stone. Why would he be afraid of not being able to pierce through ice?
If it really didn't work, he would use his 'Goldfinger' to poke at it.
There are always ways he could use it to open her heart.
Soon, the three of them went to the hall to eat.
The food was sumptuous. There were eight dishes and a soup; five meat dishes and three vegetables.
Song Huaying's beautiful eyes curved slightly as she said slyly,
"Husband, one of the dishes tonight was made by Sister Gu. Guess which one it is."
"It's the cucumber salad."
"Hey, how did you guess it, Husband?"
"Guess?"
"Husband, you're so annoying!"
Song Huaying pouted her cherry lips and flirted with Chen An.
Chen An's heart itched when he saw this. He wished he could press the little vixen on the dining table and punish her on the spot. He wanted to see if she still dared to wheedle in this coquettish voice.
Unfortunately, there was a third person in the family now.
One day, when they could get along and be honest with each other, there might be a chance to try a classic scene in a movie or television drama: No, you came at the right time.
"Husband, stop teasing me. Hurry up and try Sister Gu's cooking."
As Song Huaying spoke, she picked up a piece of cucumber and placed it in Chen An's bowl, urging him to taste it quickly.
Gu Xinyue still didn't move, but her attention was all on Chen An. She was looking forward to his evaluation.
Under the anticipation of the two women, Chen An picked up a cucumber to taste.
The texture was not bad. It was quite crunchy.
But to be honest, the taste was very ordinary.
It was mainly because the mixing was not good.
Although that was the truth, Chen An's eyes still lit up. He pretended to be pleasantly surprised and said:
"There's a hint of spiciness in the sourness and a hint of sweetness in the spiciness. The texture is crisp and refreshing. I've never eaten such delicious cold cucumbers. Yue'er, your culinary skills are too good."
"Husband, this is the first time Sister Gu has made cold cucumbers."
"Yue'er is really a genius!"
"I'm not—"
Gu Xinyue was embarrassed by the compliment and subconsciously lowered her head. Her fair and pretty face blushed slightly, mixed with a subtle joy that was difficult to detect.
[You unintentionally praised your wife, Gu Xinyue, for being a culinary genius. She's very happy to be acknowledged by you. The relationship between husband and wife +1.]
[Wife: Gu Xinyue]
[Attribute: Pure and Untainted, Loyal and Unwavering]
[Emotion: 1 star (1/100)]
[Consciousness Strength: 15]
Eh? Her feelings for him had increased?
Could it be that my concubine was someone who lacked confidence since she was young and yearned for the recognition of others?
Chen An suddenly felt that he seemed to have caught the strategy to Gu Xinyue's heart.
He thought that when he rested tonight, he would praise her while they were having fun. He wanted to see if there would be a surprise.
After dinner, the three of them walked around the courtyard to digest the dinner in their stomachs.
Taking advantage of the beautiful moonlight.
Chen An took out the two hairpins he had bought from the market today and handed them to his wife and concubine like magic. He smiled and said:
"Come, this is a gift that I carefully chose for you today. This one with pink pearls is a Ying'er's, and this one with sapphires is Yue'er's. Do you like it?"
"Husband, these two hairpins are so beautiful. I like them so much!"
Song Huaying was so excited that she jumped up. Her eyes were filled with excitement as she stared at the two hairpins.
Gu Xinyue was also a little excited. She really wanted the sapphire hairpin, but she didn't show it on her face.
"Come, I'll put it on for you."
"Husband is the best!"
"Well …"
One wife and one concubine. One showed undisguised love, while the other was sweet and reserved.
Song Huaying was the official wife, and they had a deep relationship. Chen An first put a hairpin on her head.
This was a very natural action.
However, when Gu Xinyue saw this, she could not help but feel a little disappointed.
Although it was very unreasonable, she did want Chen An to put on the hairpin for her first.
"Husband, I love you the most!"
Song Huaying couldn't help but tiptoe and kiss Chen An. After that, she couldn't help but look at Gu Xinyue, feeling a little embarrassed.
Chen An returned the kiss.
Gu Xinyue was very envious. She also wanted to be kissed, but she was too embarrassed to show it.
Chen An picked up the sapphire hairpin and walked to Gu Xinyue with a smile.
"Yue'er, shall I help you put it on?"
"Thank you, Husband."
Gu Xinyue no longer cherished her words, and a faint blush could be seen on her face.
Chen An held a hairpin and put it on her hair.
It was inevitable that he would have some physical contact with her during this period, such as touching her ears or neck.
At this moment, Chen An noticed that her pretty face was getting redder and redder. Moreover, every time he accidentally touched her, her body would involuntarily tremble.
Was this a cold personality?
Was she sensitive?
Or just bad with words?'
Chen An had a better understanding of Gu Xinyue, and his desire to conquer her became even stronger.
He wanted her to become more proactive in the future. She would become a cold and aloof flower in front of outsiders, but in front of him, she would be a passionate and unrestrained red rose.
The contrast between this kind of person and the people in front of him was very interesting just thinking about it.
"Husband, do I look good in it?"
Gu Xinyue's pretty face turned red. Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's, and she looked especially charming.
Chen An and Song Huaying couldn't help but be stunned.
What's the situation now?
This Ice Princess actually took the initiative to ask such an ambiguous question?
…
Time passed quickly.
Unknowingly, it was already seven in the evening.
As usual, Chen An boiled a large bucket of hot water and took a bath with Song Huaying in the room.
He had asked Gu Xinyue if she wanted to go with him.
The answer he got was, "No."
After soaking with Song Huaying, he didn't give up and ran to ask Gu Xinyue again, "Yue'er, should we take a bath together later? It's just the two of us."
The answer he got was, "Mm."
Chen An was overjoyed.
He knew that his concubine really wanted to integrate into this family.
Moreover, she chose to take the most difficult path for her—starting from currying favor with her husband.
This was enough to show her determination.
After the time for two incense sticks to burn.
[You and your wife, Gu Xinyue, have an in-depth communication. You have worked hard to expand your family. The relationship between husband and wife +1. The strength of your spiritual sense +1.]
[You've used the ultimate technique, 'Goldfinger'. 'Goldfinger' proficiency +1.]
"Yue'er, do you like your husband?"
"I like it."
Gu Xinyue also let go of her reservations a little. She leaned into Chen An's arms and whispered with a red face.
Chen An felt extremely satisfied.
For every day that followed, he treated his wife and concubine equally without any bias.
It was the same every day.
Half a month later.
On this day, Chen An opened his eyes and woke up. He sat up from among his wife and concubine and carefully browsed the notifications in front of him.
[You and Song Huaying are in love. Alchemy experience +2.]
[You and your wife, Gu Xinyue, are in love. The strength of your divine sense has increased by 1.]
[You… Divine Consciousness Strength +1.]
[You… Divine Consciousness Strength +1.]
[…]
[You praised your wife, Gu Xinyue, saying, "Yue'er, you're really capable." You said, "Yue'er, you're awesome." The relationship between husband and wife +1+3+1+4+5+2+0…]
[You've used the ultimate technique, 'Goldfinger'. 'Goldfinger' proficiency +1.]
[You… Goldfinger proficiency +1.]
[You… Goldfinger proficiency +1.]
[…]
After browsing, Chen An opened his interface with a thought.
[Name: Chen An]
[Cultivation: Qi Refining Level 4]
[Alchemy Technique: Intermediate Level 1 (414/500)]
[Consciousness: Beginner Level 1 (77/100)]
[Goldfinger: Beginner (99/100)]
[Wealth: 404 low-grade spirit stones]
[Spouses: Song Huaying, Gu Xinyue]
[Progeny: Pregnant (July)]
"I'm just one proficiency point away from breaking through to the proficient realm. I've also accumulated more than 400 low-grade spirit stones. It won't be long before my Alchemy realm breaks through to the advanced level of Class 1. It's time to move to the core area."
Chen An made a decision in his heart. He will move to the core area in a few days.
The reason that forced him to make this decision was that the relationship between the Bamboo Leaf Gang and the Black Iron Manor had become more and more tense recently. There had already been several conflicts.
Although they were all small fights between early-stage Qi Refining Cultivators, they did not involve key figures from both sides.
However, in Chen An's opinion, the situation was already very bad.
He knew that this so-called small fight was just a test of strength between the two sides before the war began.
It wouldn't be long before the big ones arrived.
He had to move as soon as possible.
Thinking of this, Chen An looked at Gu Xinyue, who was still sleeping soundly at the side. He silently gathered the spiritual energy in his body on his finger, emitting a faint golden light… Well, it was time to break through to the proficient realm.