Mountains and giant beasts, cabins in the woods

Liu Xingmo arrived at the door and, through a small hole in the wooden door, could see the people outside.

The middle-aged man had a serious expression, a small mustache, and wore worn but neat clothes.

Liu Xingmo immediately opened the door: "Fourth Uncle! What brings you here?"

"Look how you're doing, and your old turtle too." Fourth Uncle picked up a large package from the ground. "This is a supply issued by the government, all good stuff, you can keep it."

"How can that be! Fourth Uncle, I have enough money. How many people in Black Dragon Village read my newspaper? Are you worried I can't support my family?"

"Oh dear, why are you being so distant? Your parents are gone, so I'm practically your father! Just accept it as I say."

Fourth Uncle walked into the living room and saw the magic circle spread out on the floor.

"What's going on...? I've been waiting down there for ages, and nothing's happened. Did your wife advance to the second tier?"

"Yes! Mary is very capable, isn't she?" Liu Xingmo's face showed a smug look. "Not only is she good at housework, but she also studies hard and works hard every day! You can't find such a good woman in the entire Black Dragon Village."

"Hello, Fourth Uncle." Su Mali nodded in greeting.

"Wow! This really surprises me! Second-tier, and he seems to be an alchemist too. This is truly incredible!"

The fourth uncle praised him repeatedly, then patted his nephew on the shoulder:

"Xiao Mo! You'd better work hard, or you'll be a kept man for the rest of your life and be looked down upon."

"Look at what you're saying! I'm a talent who's guaranteed to be third or fourth, and maybe I can even reach the fifth rank!" Liu Xingmo said, raising his head and puffing out his chest.

"Haha, you two are really something! Our family has a worthy successor! By the way, how about I arrange a few tables for you, both to celebrate your catching of the rare beast and to celebrate my niece-in-law's advancement to the second tier!"

"No rush, no rush!" Liu Xingmo quickly waved his hand. "Let's wait a few days until the situation stabilizes. We've had all the good things happen to us; I'm afraid some people will be jealous."

"That's true. Little Mo, and Mary, if you ever have any trouble in the future, remember to come to me. Although I'm not a big shot, I can still say a word in the family."

"Good! Once we develop a good medicine, we'll send a copy to the government office as well!"

Uncle Si looked at the messy room, didn't disturb them any further, and took his leave.

Liu Xingmo opened the gift package, which contained supplies issued by the yamen to the second-level constables; the quality of the supplies was quite good.

Sumari took a liking to a small porcelain bottle. She picked it up, uncorked it, smelled it, and said, "A pill made from spiritual herbs. With my current skill level, I could also try processing spiritual herbs. The problem lies in the formulas; they are all secret recipes..."

"Have you made up your mind? Do you want to work at the pharmacy?"

"Hmm~ I still prefer being home alone."

"Leave the prescription to me! I'll go to the library and ask the librarian for some rare books on medicinal formulas. As for how to apply them, that's up to you."

"Yes, I also make some potions that are not available locally and are unique to my hometown."

……

The two discussed their future in detail, like swallows in early spring building their nest together.

"Knock knock knock!" Another knock came at the door.

Liu Xingmo examined it carefully.

A young man stood outside the door: "The ordered roasted sparrow and frog hot pot has been delivered!"

"This is mine! Hurry up and bring it in. There are pulleys on that branch over there. I'll help you." Liu Xingmo excitedly opened the door and accepted the takeout.

This world is in an era of great change, where tradition and modernity coexist.

It has both old-fashioned things like government offices and ancestral halls, and trendy things like newspapers and takeout.

With money, anything is easy.

Move the dining table to the living room and set out two main dishes.

The roasted sparrow, about half the size of a person, was placed on a blue-and-white porcelain plate. Its glossy skin was roasted until thin and crispy, and sprinkled with chili powder and cumin.

This roasted sparrow looks like a roasted turkey from a past life; it's huge and looks very beautiful and elegant.

Frog Pot is a large hot pot with a brass pot filled with reddish-brown broth and snow-white chunks of meat floating up and down.

The weight of a single frog is equivalent to that of a suckling pig in my previous life. A pot full of white meat, accompanied by rich spices, exudes luxury and abundance.

Then, take out a dish of pickled radish chunks, a dish of cucumber strips with sesame oil, and a palm-sized clove of pickled garlic from the old jar in the kitchen. Slice them thinly and put them on a plate.

Two main dishes, with fragrant meat and bones; three side dishes, refreshing and not greasy.

The family dinner was then complete.

The young couple's life is just that simple and unpretentious.

Liu Xingmo took a knife and cut off a sparrow's leg, putting it in his wife's bowl... It was too big; the bowl couldn't hold it.

He placed the bird's leg on the cutting board, ready to chop it up again.

"Knock knock knock!" The annoying knocking sounded again.

Liu Xingmo got up and went to the door. He looked out through the small hole and saw that the outside was empty.

He returned to the table: "There's no one outside, let's continue eating!"

"Damn Liu Xingmo! Open the door! Don't ignore me!" A childish voice rang out from outside the door. "I smell something delicious! What are you eating? I'm breaking down the door! Get out of my way!"

"No, no, no! I'll open the door right away!"

Reluctantly, Liu Xingmo moved to the doorway, unlatched the bolt, and slowly opened the wooden door a crack.

Looking straight ahead, there was no one in sight. Only by looking down could one see a petite girl.

Her long, golden, wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her azure eyes were like clear lakes.

She had a typical Western appearance, wearing a lace-trimmed dress, and her pale, bloodless face exuded an aristocratic air.

"Ah! It's Sister Setia! You're so short, I didn't notice you at first!" Liu Xingmo smiled broadly. "Come in, the autumn wind outside is a bit chilly."

That's what they say, but the wooden door was only slightly ajar, with no intention of letting outsiders in.

"You did this on purpose!" Setia stood with her hands on her hips, glaring angrily at the young man. "And I've told you so many times, don't call me 'Big Sister'! Call me 'Miss'!"

"How can that be? Although you're a little one, you're definitely much older than me. I have to respect my elders." Liu Xingmo said, his face full of fear.

"That damn brat! Not only did he steal Mary away, but all he does is make me angry! I really want to kick his stinky ass with my little leather boots!"

Setia lifted her skirt with both hands and kicked the door hard with her black round-toed leather shoes.

With a "crack," a hole appeared in the sturdy jujube wood door.

Liu Xingmo had already used the "Turtle Shell Skill," but he was still shaken so badly that his whole body went numb.

"Xingmo, stop fooling around." Sumali also walked to the door. She opened the door, "Welcome, Miss Setia."

Setia's eyes lit up: "Mary! You've become a Bronze-level Alchemist?"

"It was just luck. Thanks to the abundant resources of Black Dragon Village and the help of the Xing Mo family, my abilities were able to be fully utilized." A humble and calm smile appeared on Su Mali's face.

Setia opened her arms and threw herself into her fellow countrywoman's embrace: "Ah! Mary~ You'll take care of me from now on! I want to be a little princess forever~"

Liu Xingmo yanked her away: "What nonsense are you talking about? I'm the one who's going to be kept! Go back to where you came from."