NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 289:
Chapter 289: You Skillfully Comfort the Witch:
“Brother, I didn’t find anything unusual.”
“Master, I haven’t noticed anything either.”
“Apologies, Master… I have no findings.”
“Master, there is nothing out of the ordinary.”
Inside the old house, the dim light struggled through the cracks in the window, casting scattered beams that illuminated the worn-out interior. The peeling white plaster on the walls had long since fallen away, exposing the yellowed bricks beneath.
With little expectation, Xu Xi had asked the girls to investigate the house, hoping to uncover some clue about the origin of the simulator. However, the results were as expected—there was nothing.
“It’s fine, this is enough.”
“It’s getting late, let’s head back.”
Taking one last glance around the old house, Xu Xi’s gaze lingered on the familiar interior and the worn-out wheelchair. His eyes carried a trace of nostalgia before he finally turned away, leading the girls out of the house.
This visit had been nothing more than a whim. Xu Xi never truly believed a simple house could be linked to the mysterious simulator. It would have been a pleasant surprise to find something, but he didn’t mind that they hadn’t.
“Thank you all for helping out today. Come on, I’ll cook tonight.”
As the snow continued to fall, the soft flakes felt like the gentle opening of a grand performance. Xu Xi walked through the wintry landscape, smiling as he made his promise. His younger sister beamed, the princess was delighted, and the witch remained silent but followed closely. The mechanical servant, on the other hand, grew serious, preparing to observe and learn.
The loyal servant still couldn’t comprehend how Xu Xi, without using any supernatural power, could make his dishes glow with a golden light. Was it his personal talent? She couldn’t figure it out, no matter how many times she tried.
As twilight neared, the sun dipped toward the horizon, its golden hues painting the sky. The gentle glow brushed against the buildings, wrapping them in a soft amber light.
Upon returning to the courtyard, Xu Xi carefully placed the newly purchased items in their respective spots before heading to the kitchen. With the princess eagerly awaiting and the mechanical servant watching with meticulous focus, he began preparing dinner. Occasionally, they assisted him.
“…Yingxue.”
“Yes, Master?”
“Wipe your drool.”
“Ahem… Well, you see, it’s not what you think. I don’t usually do this, so please don’t misunderstand, Master.”
Yingxue laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of her head, her posture slightly unnatural as she avoided Xu Xi’s gaze.
“Don’t worry, I’m not upset.”
With a sigh, Xu Xi lightly flicked her forehead, prompting her to obediently retreat to the dining table and wait for dinner.
Not long after, under Xu Xi’s expert culinary skills, a table full of glowing dishes was ready. While Yingxue dug in with enthusiasm, the other three girls remained silent.
How does he do it?
How does Master achieve this?
How does the Master manage to do this?
Although they had seen it many times before, each meal made them question whether Xu Xi’s cooking skills had transcended even the highest realms.
Ah, whatever~~
Night fell, and under the clinking sounds of chopsticks, Xu Mo Li picked up a piece of sweet and sour pork, slowly chewing.
“Brother’s cooking is still the best.”
She spoke with genuine praise, her voice carrying a touch of pride.
The witch and the mechanical servant shared the same sentiment.
“My skills still have a long way to go compared to Master…” the servant murmured, looking down at her hands, calculating what she might be missing.
“Mmmph mmph—”
That was the sound of Yingxue devouring her food.
The wind howled outside, the snow piled up in silence. The courtyard, surrounded by frost and quietness, felt like an isolated island in the vast world.
Silent. Cold. Dim.
The branches were frozen brittle, the soil hardened into stone. Outside the window, the wind and snow swirled in chaos, tapping against the glass already covered in frost.
“Life in the real world… is unbelievably wonderful.”
Xu Xi sipped his hot soup, warmth spreading through his body.
But it wasn’t just the soup’s heat. It was the presence of the girls by his side.
Without thinking, he glanced around the table.
Mo Li chewed slowly, lost in thought—probably about her conquest of other realms.
Yingxue ate with controlled enthusiasm, but her speed remained unmatched.
Ailei took her time, carefully picking up the glowing food with her chopsticks, her silver-blue eyes scanning for answers as if she could figure out the secret behind the light.
Krisha was eating just as slowly.
When Xu Xi’s gaze met hers, she was already watching him, her empty, dark eyes blinking, reflecting his image perfectly.
She stared as she ate, chewing on a piece of fish.
She looked dazed.
And kind of cute.
“…Master, are you thinking something inappropriate?” the witch tilted her head slightly.
“No, that’s just your imagination, Krisha.” Xu Xi skillfully changed the subject, picking up a piece of sweet and sour pork and placing it on her plate.
What a beautiful life, wasn’t it?
Cooking his own meals, eating with the well-behaved girls—Xu Xi smiled.
He smiled and enjoyed this moment of peace and happiness.
After dinner, everyone returned to their routines.
His sister continued her pursuit of realm conquest. The witch and the servant tended to the courtyard flowers. The princess ventured to the outskirts of the city, checking on the townsfolk.
Xu Xi, on the other hand, returned to his bedroom, contemplating the future and his next steps.
“There’s no rush for another simulation.”
“At least, not until after A Niu’s wedding.”
“The last simulation took too long, and honestly, I don’t have the motivation to start another one so soon.”
Inside his dimly lit room, Xu Xi gazed out at the night sky, his eyes reflecting the faint starlight.
“Time really does pass quickly.”
“At first, I was weak, completely dependent on the simulator just to survive in this world.”
“I was desperate, rushing into the second simulation as soon as I gathered enough materials.”
“But now…”
“Strength is no longer my top priority. Instead, what intrigues me is the experience within the simulations and the mystery of the simulator itself.”
“If the past me could see the life I have now, he probably wouldn’t believe it.”
The dark night gradually brightened.
Moonlight poured in, cool and gentle like jade.
Staring at the luminous moon, Xu Xi suddenly wanted a change of scenery.
“…”
The wooden sword of the World Tree reappeared in his hand.
Thinking about everything that had happened today, before activating his teleportation magic, he carefully set up several barriers, suppressing any spatial fluctuations.
Only then did he initiate the spell.
A faint rippling sound.
The air seemed to split like fabric.
In the next instant, without a sound, Xu Xi’s figure vanished along with the fading ripples.
When he opened his eyes again, he was back in his old house.
Moonlight spilled through the windows.
Silent and still, the room bore the marks of time, its past lingering in layers of dust.
Despite being purified by Krisha in the afternoon, in just half a day, the old house was covered in dust once more.