Taking Liu Yifei back to Northeast China for the Chinese New Year has sent the entire internet into

"Want to play something fun?"

Liu Yifei lay sprawled on the kang (a heated brick bed), so comfortable that she didn't want to move a single finger.

She lifted her eyelids and looked at Fang Yu weakly:

"What could be more fun than lying on a heated kang (traditional Chinese bed)?"

"Of course."

Fang Yu jumped off the kang (a heated brick bed), putting on his coat as he spoke:

"Let me show you some traditional desserts from our rural Northeast China, and maybe we can also create some... New Year's excitement."

"Traditional desserts?"

Liu Yifei's curiosity was piqued.

You'll find out when you get there.

Fang Yu kept everyone in suspense, then pulled out the military overcoat that belonged to Liu Yifei from the corner:

"Put it on, it's cold outside."

Upon hearing the word "cold," Liu Yifei sat up with a start.

The fear of being frozen stiff is still fresh in my mind.

She took the military overcoat and wrapped herself up like a dumpling again.

The two walked out of the house one after the other.

It was completely dark.

The village was quiet, with only a few houses having warm lights shining from their windows.

The sky was as clean as a piece of black velvet, studded with bright stars that seemed almost within reach.

Liu Yifei took a deep breath of the cold air, feeling a refreshing coolness in her lungs.

This tranquil and pure night scene was something she had never seen in the bustling big city.

Fang Yu led her to the open space outside the courtyard.

Fang Daqiang was already waiting there.

At his feet was an old black iron can, next to a bellows and a pile of charcoal.

"What is this?"

Liu Yifei pointed to the tin can and asked curiously.

"nice one."

Fang Yu smiled and took out a small cloth bag from the house, which was filled with golden corn kernels.

He poured the corn kernels into the black tin can, put the lid on, and tightened it tightly with a wrench.

Fang Yu placed the iron can on a makeshift iron frame, lit a charcoal fire underneath, and began to operate the bellows.

Fang Daqiang, standing to the side, found a huge snakeskin bag from somewhere and positioned the bag's opening against the opening of the tin can.

Liu Yifei squatted to the side, watching curiously as Fang Yu shook the black jar that was being heated over the fire.

In the live stream chat, some netizens from the north have already recognized this thing.

Holy crap! Isn't this an old-fashioned hand-cranked popcorn machine?! It's a memory from my childhood!

【My God, these things still exist? They're practically antiques!】

[Our friends in the south might not know this, but a surprise (or shock) is about to happen.]

[Haha, waiting for the celestial being to be scared!]

Liu Yifei watched as Fang Yu turned the black jar while muttering incantations, as if he were performing some kind of mysterious ritual.

She leaned closer and whispered:

"What are they doing? Refining pills?"

"puff--"

Fang Yu almost choked on his own saliva:

"Pretty much. It's a 'longevity elixir' that can make you young again if you eat it."

Liu Yifei believed it to be true, her eyes sparkling as she looked at the black jar with anticipation.

[Hahaha, even a fairy is too easy to fool!]

[Alchemy? Rejuvenation? Fang Yu, you big liar!]

She really believed it! She really believed it! How adorable!

The charcoal fire burned brightly, and the black pot was heated until it turned red.

Fang Yu's spinning frequency increased faster and faster.

"That's about it."

Fang Yu stopped what he was doing and glanced at Fang Daqiang beside him.

Fang Daqiang understood immediately and gripped the opening of the burlap sack even tighter.

Fang Yu turned his head and gave Liu Yifei a mischievous smile:

"Pay attention, the 'elixir' is about to be extracted."

"You're making a bit of a commotion, stand back a bit."

How big is it?

"About... this big."

Fang Yu spread his arms and gestured.

Liu Yifei was puzzled, but she obediently took two steps back, her eyes still fixed on the black jar.

Fang Yu cleared his throat, deliberately stalling for time to create a tense atmosphere.

"Am I going to drive?"

"Um!"

"Is it really going to open?"

"Hurry up and drive!"

Liu Yifei urged, she couldn't wait any longer.

"Okay, cover your ears."

Fang Yu reminded him.

Liu Yifei obediently covered her ears.

Fang Yu picked up a long iron rod and inserted one end into the machine's slot.

Seeing Liu Yifei's nervous yet expectant expression, his smile deepened.

He paused deliberately.

Just as Liu Yifei thought everything was alright and was about to lower her hands from her ears—

Fang Yu suddenly raised his foot and stomped hard on the other end of the iron bar!

"Bang--!!!"

A loud bang suddenly exploded in the quiet night of the village!

The sound was louder than the firecrackers set off during the Chinese New Year, like a thunderclap from a clear sky.

With a loud bang, a thick plume of white smoke billowed out of the black canister, instantly engulfing the entire area.

"ah--!!!"

Liu Yifei has never experienced anything like this before.

The loud noise and the white smoke in front of her made her mind go blank for a moment.

Driven by instinctive fear, she screamed and lunged at the only "safe haven" around her without thinking.

Liu Yifei buried her face in Fang Yu's arms, tightly hugging his waist, burying her face in his chest, her body trembling slightly.

Fang Yu lowered his head, and could smell the faint scent of shampoo in her hair.

He could feel Liu Yifei's rapid heartbeat even through the thick military coat, her body warm and soft against his chest.

He froze completely.

That's not how the script was written!

Fang Yu only wanted to scare her, he didn't expect her to throw herself into his arms like that!

After a brief period of smoke filling the live stream room, the image became clear, and all viewers witnessed a scene comparable to a famous idol drama.

The barrage of comments exploded.

[Aa ...

Lock it up! Lock it up! I'll swallow the key!

This is a hundred times sweeter than any industrial saccharin! Oh my god! I'm going to faint!

[Fang Yu, you beast! Let go of my goddess! (Let me have her!)]

[Aww, this scene is so beautiful! A hug under fireworks is nothing compared to a popcorn-scented hug!]

Liu Yifei slowly came to her senses.

She felt herself holding someone tightly.

Her face flushed brighter than the fire in the stove.

Liu Yifei abruptly released her grip, sprang away from Fang Yu's embrace, and lowered her head, not daring to look him in the eye.

"I...I didn't mean to...I was just...scared..."

"Cough cough."

Fang Yu also felt a little awkward. He cleared his throat, pointed to the bulging snakeskin bag on the ground, and changed the subject:

"The pill... is ready."

As the white smoke dissipated, a rich, sweet aroma wafted out.

Fang Daqiang untied the bag, and the golden popcorn poured out onto the clean plastic sheet with a "whoosh," piling up into a small mountain.

Looking at the pile of fragrant popcorn, and then at Fang Yu, Liu Yifei finally realized that she had been tricked.

"You...you lied to me!"

She was both embarrassed and angry, and punched Fang Yu's arm.

The force was soft and gentle, more like a coquettish gesture.

"I'm not kidding you."

Fang Yu grabbed a handful of still-steaming popcorn and held it to her lips:

"Try it, it's fresh out of the oven, even better than the ones in the movie theater."

Liu Yifei hesitated for a moment, then opened her mouth and ate one.

Fragrant, sweet, and crispy.

Simple corn, after such a "violent" cooking process, has been transformed into such a delicious snack.

"Is it delicious?"

Fang Yu asked smugly.

Liu Yifei nodded vigorously, forgetting her earlier embarrassment, grabbed a handful of food, and happily began to eat.

The two squatted by the roadside, under the starry sky, eating handfuls of freshly popped popcorn, and smiling at each other.

At this moment, there are no big stars, no up-and-coming idols, only two young people captivated by the delicious food.

Meanwhile, a system notification sounded in Fang Yu's mind.

[Ding! Extremely down-to-earth behavior detected: an old-fashioned popcorn machine!]

[A strikingly contrasting scene was detected: the goddess throws herself into his arms!]

[Popularity +50000!]

[Congratulations, host! Your popularity score has surpassed 100,000 for the first time, unlocking intermediate-level access to the in-game store!]

Fang Yu felt a surge of joy.

This is a huge profit!