Let Me Explain, Fairy
Chapter 835 - 523 New Year_2

Chapter 835: Chapter 523 New Year_2

No way around it, with five people at the table, three of whom were high-cultivation ice kings, it would be odd if things were lively.

Oh, that old dad shouldn’t be counted, he simply didn’t talk much, and after asking his three children a few questions, he fell silent.

To liven things up a bit, Xu Yuan suggested that the family drink a little.

Xu Yinhe hesitated slightly but, usually only drinking fine tea, he uncharacteristically agreed, while Uncle Feng Jiuxuan silently brought out a hundred-year Illusory Sword Brew from his Sumeru Ring.

The Illusory Sword Brew was so precious that even Xu Yuan had never tasted it before. It was said that long-term consumption could allow one to comprehend sword intent amidst its intoxicating effects.

After two glasses, Xu Yuan noticed a problem.

He was already feeling woozy, Xu Xinyao’s face was flushed red, her eyes hazy, yet the three taciturn ones across from him continued to eat as if nothing was unusual.

Their cultivation was too high, they couldn’t get drunk at all.

The meal went on, with only Xu Yuan and his sister Xu Xinyao talking while they ate until Xu Xinyao, in her wooziness, inadvertently brought up a childhood anecdote, finally opening the floodgates of conversation in the hall.

She said Xu Yuan always bullied her.

She also mentioned Xu Changge always beat Xu Yuan too harshly.

Xu Changge calmly replied that it was what Xu Yuan deserved.

A half-drunk Xu Yuan declared that Xu Changge was trash, who didn’t even know how to beat someone properly.

Xu Changge responded with a light "Oh" full of deep meaning.

Xu Yuan continued to boast that Uncle Feng Jiuxuan was the one who really knew how to thrash someone, and now his body trembled at the sight of his uncle.

Feng Jiuxuan replied indifferently that he needn’t worry, he was always measured and nobody would die from it.

Xu Yinhe sat by, smiling without a word.

In this lively atmosphere, a firework once again rose quietly from deep within the Palace City and blossomed into a radiant array of colors over Di’an’s sky, and only then did the five people realize that the hour had passed, welcoming the New Year together.

The year 46 of Jiaying came to an end, and the year 47 had arrived.

This rare New Year’s Eve dinner lasted a long while as they drank Feng Jiuxuan’s two jars of hundred-year Illusory Sword Brew. The meal ended when Xu Xinyao, the weakest in cultivation among them, drunkenly collapsed towards the ground and was swiftly caught by Xu Changge...

...

...

...

Unbeknownst to them, it had started snowing outside again. The silent snow accompanied the celebratory fireworks welcoming the New Year in Di’an’s streets, gently falling upon the stone path and withered grass lawn outside the main hall in the inner courtyard, steadily blanketing them once more in white.

After being escorted back to her room by Xu Changge, Feng Jiuxuan stood up, said "I’m leaving," and vanished. Suddenly, the only ones remaining in the once-bustling hall were Xu Yinhe, who sat at the head seat sipping fine wine, and Xu Yuan, completely inebriated.

It wasn’t long before Xu Changge returned, glancing helplessly at his younger brother sprawled out on the table and chairs, and said to his father with a hint of amusement:

"Father, Xinyao is very tired. She went to sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow and should rest well tonight."

Outside, the snow fell noiselessly. Xu Yinhe glanced at his eldest son then fell silent for a moment before responding in a deep voice:

"Thank you."

Xu Yinhe knew he wasn’t exactly a qualified father. After Qian’er’s passing, most of the responsibilities for the three children in the house were shouldered by Xu Changge, the eldest brother. The only fatherly duty he managed was to take some time out of his busy schedule to share a simple meal with the children.

But as the children grew older, and their cultivations grew deeper, even these moments became fewer and farther between.

Xu Changge chuckled softly, shaking his head without retorting:

"I’ve also sent Changtian back to rest."

While he spoke, he bent down to lift Xu Yuan from his slump by the arm. However, as Xu Changge touched his brother, Xu Yuan shrugged him off.

"...."

Rubbing his bleary, drunken eyes, Xu Yuan struggled to prop himself up from the chair and sat up, realizing the fireworks over the Sky Dome had quieted. Looking around, he asked with a hoarse voice of confusion:

"Where are Uncle and Xinyao?"

Xu Changge, looking at his drunken younger brother, furrowed his eyebrows slightly and replied with patience:

"The New Year’s Eve dinner is over. Xinyao’s drunk, and Uncle has gone back to the Sword Pavilion."

"Oh..."

Xu Yuan tapped his woozy head, feeling the world spin around him. Instinctively wanting to perform cultivation to sober up, he was interrupted by Xu Changge, who reminded him in a calm voice:

"No. With your condition, cultivating could lead to catastrophe."

Xu Yuan glanced at Xu Changge with a sneer:

"Who do you think you’re looking down on, Xu Changge? I could cultivate when I was on the brink of death, so leave me alone."

Acting crazy from the liquor again...

This demeanor reminded Xu Changge of some unpleasant memories of the past, but considering the New Year had just begun and the other was drunk, he suppressed his emotions and said softly:

"Fine, I know you’re tough, but now you can rest."

"No, I... I still have something to ask Father."

"..."

Xu Changge glanced at Xu Yinhe in the head seat.

Xu Yinhe considered for a moment and then nodded.

With a sigh, Xu Changge instructed, "Be careful," and watched as his brother’s silhouette disappeared into the snowy shadows of the night. Xu Yuan then began his cultivation to sober up.

The intoxication from the hundred-year Illusory Sword Brew penetrated deep into the will-spirit. Xu Yuan had to cycle the Blood Essence Meteoring Art through multiple Heavenly Circulations before finally easing the drunkenness slightly. Had he stood up then, he’d likely have fallen flat.

"If there’s something to discuss, we can talk about it in the morning."