Chapter 184:

“Thank you.”

Krisha accepted the red envelope that Xu Xi handed her, cradling it solemnly in her arms as though it were a priceless treasure.

“Thank you, brother.”

Xu Moli, on the other hand, giggled mischievously, accepting the red envelope with the same childlike delight she had shown when they were younger.

Afterward, Xu Xi led Wu Yingxue out of the kitchen.

“Pop! Pop!”

Fireworks crackled and exploded outside, painting the night sky with brilliant colors. Their reflections danced on the glass windows along the corridor, blooming into fleeting shapes of light and shadow—like petals unfolding or ripples spreading on water.

“Sir, didn’t you prepare one for me?”

As they walked toward Xu Xi’s bedroom, Wu Yingxue turned to him with a playful glint in her eye. The firework’s colorful glow mirrored in her gaze, adding a shimmering sparkle to her expression.

“You want one?” Xu Xi asked, raising an eyebrow. “I thought you wouldn’t care for such things.”

He chuckled softly as he placed a hand on the bedroom door handle, turning it gently to let the door swing open.

Outside, fireworks continued to light up the night sky. Sparks scattered and faded as they descended into the shadows, each one leaving behind a fleeting trail of brilliance.

The essence of New Year’s money was to wish for safety and peace for the recipient.

When it came to Wu Yingxue, however, Xu Xi hesitated. Unlike his sister and the witch—both of whom had depended on his protection during their most vulnerable moments—Wu Yingxue had always been strong.

From the very beginning, she had been a warrior, resilient and unyielding. Even when she faltered, she would stand back up, pressing forward with indomitable will. Xu Xi’s role in her life had been more of a guide than a protector.

“Yingxue, if you really want one, I’ll prepare it now,” Xu Xi offered.

“No need, sir.”

Wu Yingxue clasped her hands behind her back, a radiant smile gracing her lips. “I’m not a child anymore. It’s just New Year’s money—it doesn’t matter.”

For a brief moment, Xu Xi thought he detected a slight edge in her tone when she said the word “child.”

The house was quiet, the silence punctuated only by the muffled sounds of distant fireworks.

“Alright, if you say so.”

Xu Xi tugged his coat tighter around himself against the winter chill as he stepped into the bedroom, gesturing for Wu Yingxue to follow.

The room was modest in size, furnished sparsely but immaculately.

Soft, warm lighting bathed the space, casting a serene glow on the tall wooden storage cabinet that dominated one corner of the room. Its intricate grain patterns seemed to hold countless stories within them.

Upon entering, anyone’s gaze would inevitably be drawn to the cabinet. Its shelves were filled with an eclectic assortment of items: jars brimming with candy, a scorched wand, and a delicate paper flower, among other treasures.

“This is your room, sir? It feels… eerily similar to the one in the martial arts world,” Wu Yingxue remarked, her curiosity evident as she scanned the surroundings.

Under her watchful eyes, Xu Xi approached the collection cabinet. He unlocked it with a small key and carefully retrieved the paper flower from the third shelf.

The flower, though made of ordinary paper, seemed almost alive. Its intricate folds and flawless form gave it an ethereal beauty.

“Yingxue, I want you to have this,” Xu Xi said, holding the paper flower out to her.

“This flower came into my possession by chance, but I’ve kept it ever since. I remember how much you liked it back then. Now that you’re back, it feels right to return it to you.”

Wu Yingxue’s eyes softened as she reached out to take the flower. Her fingertips brushed its delicate petals, setting it into a gentle spin.

“I missed this so much…” she murmured, her voice tinged with nostalgia.

Once the spinning flower settled, she returned it to Xu Xi with a serene smile.

“Sir, let this flower stay here, in your cabinet.” She said softly.

“You’re not going to take it?” Xu Xi asked, puzzled.

“No.”

Wu Yingxue shook her head, her smile unwavering. “This flower is better off here, where you can see it. That way, you’ll always remember me.”

Her words were calm, yet her gaze flickered toward the other items in the cabinet—the candy jar, the wand—symbols of others who had left their marks on Xu Xi’s life.

For Wu Yingxue, leaving the flower behind wasn’t a concession. It was a declaration.

“Alright,” Xu Xi agreed, though he couldn’t shake the feeling that this decision carried deeper implications.

He carefully placed the flower back in its original spot, its petals catching the light as it settled.

As he closed and locked the cabinet, Wu Yingxue broke the silence with an unexpected question.

“Sir, does the arrangement in this cabinet ever change?”

“Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t,” Xu Xi replied casually.

The princess’s smile widened, a glint of understanding in her eyes.

“I see. Thank you, sir.”

Xu Xi raised an eyebrow, sensing a subtle shift in the room’s atmosphere. The air seemed colder, and he had an uneasy feeling that the so-called “cabinet wars” were far from over.

But for now, everything was in its place.

His tasks for the evening were complete, and the New Year’s Eve had been a success—perhaps not perfect, but fulfilling in its own way.

Taking a deep breath, Xu Xi turned his attention back to Wu Yingxue.

“Yingxue, do you have any plans for your time on Earth?”

The princess tilted her head in thought.

“Well… I suppose I’ll stay nearby to protect the survival army. And, of course, to keep you safe, sir.”

Her voice carried a hint of mischief as she added, “Oh, and I might drop by your house now and then to spar with those two.”

She made her intentions sound innocent enough, but Xu Xi suspected there was more to it.

At last, Wu Yingxue made her final request.

“Sir, your home seems quite spacious. Could you save a room for me? I’d like to visit from time to time.”