Chapter 64: Now That Is the Flavor of Life

"That's wonderful! I've been wanting to see what our courtyard house looks like after the renovation for the longest time!"

Liu Yifei quickly clapped and cheered.

This dinner had been simply too awkward. Even she, her father's precious little darlin', had her defenses pierced by the dark winds blowing from every direction.

"Then it's settled. Let's get some rest early tonight, and first thing tomorrow morning, we'll go take a look at that courtyard house."

Chen Siyuan made the final decision, as he was also eager to see how the renovation had turned out. Ever since he bought it, Chen Siyuan hadn't been to see it once. Usually, only Liu Xiaoli would drop by to check on the progress.

"Good night, Mom and Dad!"

Liu Yifei planted a kiss on Chen Siyuan's and Liu Xiaoli's cheeks respectively, then scurried upstairs in a flash.

Left alone with just the husband and wife, Liu Xiaoli cast a sideways glance at Chen Siyuan. "From now on, I'll be the one doing the cooking."

Chen Siyuan let out a sigh. "There goes my lifelong reputation!"

Liu Xiaoli gave him an exasperated slap. "Lifelong reputation, my foot! Didn't you see that even Xixi, who is usually your number one blind flatterer, couldn't even bring herself to praise you today?"

Chen Siyuan remained utterly shameless. "What can I say? Even God was jealous of my talent, so he confiscated my culinary gifts!"

"Stop joking around and let's go upstairs!"

Liu Xiaoli couldn't help but be amused.

Chen Siyuan reached out, pulled Liu Xiaoli into his arms, and whispered in her ear, "Are you fully recovered from yesterday?"

Liu Xiaoli shot him a charming, reproachfully sidelong glance. "You want more? Aren't you afraid an old ox will break down from over-plowing?"

"Liu Xiaoli! You can doubt my culinary talents, but plowing the fields with this old ox is my signature skill. It must never be underestimated!"

Chen Siyuan widened his eyes, looking like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

Liu Xiaoli blushed deeply and let out a soft hmph of disbelief.

Was she seriously doubting him?

The moment Chen Siyuan saw that look, he grew anxious and hoisted Liu Xiaoli right over his shoulder.

"Ah!"

Liu Xiaoli let out a startled gasp. She gave Chen Siyuan's back a couple of slaps, but he didn't budge an inch.

Just like a bandit abducting a mountain chieftain's bride, he carried her straight up the stairs.

Kicking the door open, stepping inside, and locking it behind them happened in one smooth, practiced motion. He unceremoniously dumped Liu Xiaoli onto the large bed.

Before Liu Xiaoli could even react, he flipped her over and landed a few resounding swats on her backside.

Liu Xiaoli let out a muffled groan and buried her face into the pillows.

In moments like this, the more you resisted, the more excited Chen Siyuan became. Therefore, Liu Xiaoli wisely chose to play the ostrich.

However, Chen Siyuan clearly had no intention of letting her off the hook.

"No good, spanking through her pants lacks the right tactile feedback!" Chen Siyuan deliberately spoke a little loudly.

Liu Xiaoli felt her face burn with heat upon hearing that. But she simply couldn't fight back!

So she continued playing the ostrich.

Chen Siyuan rubbed his hands together and went straight for the waistband of Liu Xiaoli's trousers...

Liu Xiaoli let out a sharp gasp. At this point, playing the ostrich was thoroughly impossible.

Yet, it was far too late for her to resist anyway.

Chen Siyuan happened to adore this exact position of hers! It felt as though it had been custom-designed exclusively for him.

Violent waves pounding the shore, stirring up a thousand heaps of snow!

Many things in this world always bear a striking resemblance—the harmony between people and the scenery of the great outdoors.

Early the next morning, after Liu Yifei finished her morning practice in the small garden, she returned inside only to find someone already busy in the kitchen.

Liu Yifei originally thought it was her mother bustling about. But upon walking closer, she discovered it was still the fake culinary master Chen Siyuan occupying the kitchen stronghold.

"Dad, why are you making breakfast again today..."

Just as the words left her mouth, Liu Yifei realized her mistake and hastily covered her mouth with her hands in an adorable gesture. She looked at Chen Siyuan with a shy expression.

Chen Siyuan turned his head to glance at Liu Yifei and sighed. "Sigh, even my most cherished little darling is letting in drafts."

Liu Yifei stuck out her tongue, hurriedly rushed forward to hug Chen Siyuan's arm, and acted coquettishly to beg for mercy.

"Dad, I was wrong! I promise I'll rave about it later, I swear! I'll eat one bowl! No! Two bowls!"

"Alright, go wash up. It'll be ready to eat in a second."

Chen Siyuan tapped Liu Yifei on the forehead, completely helpless against this daughter of his.

"Hehe."

Liu Yifei scampered off the moment she heard that, though she stopped right at the doorway. "Dad, do you need me to go upstairs and call Mom down for breakfast?"

"No need, I'll take some up for your mom in a bit."

"Oh."

Liu Yifei blinked in slight confusion, then turned around to head upstairs and wash up.

"Mmm, Dad, this is right at your normal standard!"

Liu Yifei gave a thumbs-up as she sipped the porridge Chen Siyuan had simmered. Finally, she was able to resume outputting positive emotional value to her dear dad.

You tell me, is being a stepdaughter an easy job?

"Then eat slowly, I'm taking some up to your mom." Chen Siyuan felt immensely gratified by the praise.

"Dad, are we still going to check out our courtyard house later?"

"We are! We're going as soon as I finish eating!"

With that, Chen Siyuan picked up a tray and headed upstairs.

Hearing the sound of Chen Siyuan entering the room, Liu Xiaoli opened her eyes in bed.

"Awake? Time for breakfast."

Chen Siyuan sat down on the edge of the bed with the tray.

"What time is it? Why didn't you wake me?"

"What do you think?"

Chen Siyuan wore a mischievous grin.

Liu Xiaoli instantly recalled everything that had transpired last night...

"Satisfied now?" Liu Xiaoli was both exasperated and amused.

"Humph-humph!" Chen Siyuan looked immensely pleased with himself.

He had almost broken down from over-exhaustion last night too, but fortunately, his foundation was solid, allowing him to ultimately emerge victorious over Liu Xiaoli!

"Just leave that there for now, I need to take a shower first." Liu Xiaoli made a move to get up.

"Eat first, I'll feed you. It won't taste good if it gets cold." Chen Siyuan's tone was exceptionally gentle.

Liu Xiaoli's heartbeat skipped half a beat. She had truly fallen under Chen Siyuan's spell.

The two of them finished eating in a cozy, clinging embrace. Only then did Liu Xiaoli get up to take a shower.

By the time the two of them came downstairs, Liu Yifei was almost defeated by sleepiness, wishing she could take a second morning nap.

"Dad, can we leave now?"

"Let's roll!"

The family of three happily and harmoniously headed out the door.

As for that other little fellow, his banishment period had been a bit too long—he was practically on the verge of becoming a young Taoist priest at the White Cloud Temple.

Upon arriving at North Pooler Street, the family quickly spotted their newly renovated courtyard house.

It was antique in style, with no modern elements visible from the exterior. At first glance, it felt as though they had traveled through time.

Step inside the rooms, however, and numerous hidden details revealed themselves—neither disrupting the overall ambiance nor compromising the quality of modern living.

"It's so gorgeous!"

Liu Yifei inspected the place from inside and out, full of praise.

Chen Siyuan smiled. When enough money is poured in, of course it's gorgeous!

"The ones responsible for the restoration were experts who participated in the restoration of the Forbidden City. They are truly reliable."

Though Liu Xiaoli had visited quite a few times during the process, seeing the final outcome left her immensely satisfied as well.

"Siyuan, you should properly thank Jiang Ning another day. We have him to thank for introducing such reliable experts."

Chen Siyuan nodded. Jiang Ning certainly knew how to get things done; from the property title transfer to the courtyard's restoration, he hadn't had to worry about a single thing.

"Coincidentally, Jiang Ning got promoted recently. I'll treat him to dinner in a couple of days to congratulate him on his promotion!"