The Ger's Contract Marriage [BL]
Chapter 556: Family

Chapter 556: Family

Eventually, Xu Feng would have to talk about what happened to him and where he had been for the last three months. The people closest to him deserved an explanation for their worries.

If he had the option, he’d like to talk to Xuan Jian first—to solidify what story to spin up. Talking about other worlds might bring more danger to his loved ones than peace of mind. There were still powers within Dongzhou he needed to be wary of.

Being a dragon should mean he was an undefeatable entity—at least in his head—but with all the old farts from immortal bloodline families and the restrictions of the continent, he needed to proceed with some caution.

Xu Feng didn’t understand how there were almost always no repercussions when transmigrators began face-slapping in novels. Did being a transmigrator make one all-powerful? Why was he not the supreme power of the land?

Maybe that was too much. He had conquered death, after all—that was very golden-halo-like.

"Hehehe." Xu Feng couldn’t help but laugh to himself.

The silver-haired ger was unaware of all the eyes in the space turning to him. Most people were aware of his strange expressions and frequent nosebleeds, and this was just another fun little quirk about Xu Feng they’d missed.

As Momo—well, mostly Momo—recounted their journey, dinner was being prepared in earnest. Occasionally, Xu Hu Zhe or Xu Zeng would chime in with little anecdotes about their travels, but they let the Bai Master show off his storytelling skills for the most part.

Even as the story was told revilingly, the brothers shared a small exchange as they worked and listened.

"I went to retrieve my eggshell and relics for the cubs, but it was all unnecessary. Big brother overcame it all without me."

"That’s not true. Thank you for being with them, and loving them too." It was a small exchange, but both brother’s smiles were hard to hide. They were finally together again, and it felt right. It felt the rightest.

There was more that should be said, but all of that could wait. Now was about filling their bellies, and enjoying the joyous atmosphere among the closest of friends and family. Even for the two loner, this intimate moment was too precious to waste.

The menu was a celebration of their homecoming, featuring dishes that showcased the wild game they had on hand. Xu Feng decided on steamed dumplings filled with wild game and chives, their juicy filling combining the gamey richness of the meat with the fresh, sharp flavor of the greens.

Xu Si and Xu San carefully pleated each one under Xu Feng’s watchful eye, their fingers working deftly with practiced precision.

Braised pheasant, marinated in a blend of ginger, star anise, and cinnamon, simmered slowly in soy sauce until tender. The rich aroma wafted through the outdoor kitchen area, mingling with the scent of stir-fried wild mushrooms.

These were a medley of foraged fungi, fragrant with garlic and soy sauce, paired with fresh greens to balance the richness of the meat dishes.

Xu Feng’s buns, always a crowd-pleaser, featured two fillings: finely minced venison with scallions and a lighter variation of shredded pork with caramelized onions. Xu Feng ensured the flavors were just right.

Meanwhile, Xu San prepared a comforting mountain yam soup, its clear broth enriched with chunks of yam, pheasant, and goji berries. It was the perfect accompaniment to the heavier dishes, soothing and wholesome.

There was also a variety of barbecued meat to be served with an assortment of sauces Xu Feng cooked up, some standard side dishes he always made, and of course, some rice—mixed grain and white rice would both be served tonight!

As the kitchen bustled with activity, it felt as though no time had passed since they had last cooked together. The rhythmic clatter of knives and the hum of conversation filled the air, blending seamlessly with the laughter that spilled over from the side courtyard.

For Xu Feng, this moment was perfect—home, family, and the warm promise of a hearty meal with the following heartburn. Maybe another soup dish was a good idea?

There was coordinated chaos, but for once, the mess didn’t bother him in the least. Xu Feng and Xu San took charge, expertly directing Xu Hu Zhe and Xu Zeng, who acted as sous chefs with ease. It was as if they had all cooked together countless times before.

The charged mood from Xu Feng’s initial reappearance had faded into harmony. Laughter and the rhythmic clatter of knives and pots filled the air. Xu Feng was home. Could it get better than this? He thought not.

But of course, the children eventually woke up. When they did, the futon Xu San had thoughtfully set out became a sort of docking station for the little ones to rest their little bums.

Xiao Long, the littlest attention-seeker, seemed to prefer resting in Xu Zeng’s arms even as he helped with minor cooking tasks.

Xu Feng, a budding protective father, wouldn’t let his brother near sharp objects or hot surfaces while holding the baby. It was obvious to Xu Feng that Xu Zeng had lavished love on the two children in his absence.

Xiao Long basked in this attention, content in Xu Zeng’s hold with curious eyes on the cooking food.

Da Long, on the other hand, was perfectly content to be put down. He played nicely with Xiao An and Xiao Momo, tolerating head pats from Xu San, Xu Si, and Momo with an air of quiet agreement.

However, he and Xu Zeng seemed to share some unspoken charge...something—a one-sided beef that left Da Long avoiding his uncle’s arms at all costs.

The person who ended up carrying Da Long the most was Xiao An. The girl was surprisingly strong for her age, often teaming up with Xiao Momo to take the big little dragon on adventures around the courtyard.

Their favorite destination? The greenhouse.

They weren’t entirely unsupervised. Xu Zeng, trailing behind them with Xiao Long in his arms, ensured the children stayed out of too much trouble.

He believed dragon cubs should be allowed to roam free, bump and bruise themselves as they explored, but still... when it came to his nephews, he was a bit overprotective. They now had a dad, but he couldn’t help but dote on his nephews.

The aroma of food mingled with the sounds of laughter. Friends and family filled the kitchen and courtyard, creating an atmosphere Xu Feng had missed deeply. It felt like a dream come true.

Xu Feng wanted life to go on like this forever. He could deal with everything else later.

But there was a theme that couldn’t be shaken.

This was a night when everything that could go right, would go right. The entire day had been filled with surprises. From the meeting with Lizheng to the helpful guard, the entire day had flowed.

The meal was going to be tasty too, Xu Feng just knew it. Well, even their humble breakfast had been delicious. Despite living a pampered apocalyptic life, he’d missed the food in Nanshan and the company too.

Now having top notch food with his loved ones, could there be anything better? Yes, and it was just about to get better.