Chapter 382 222: Li Manor
The family of three sat around the dining table.
The breakfast was sumptuous and warm, featuring dumplings handmade by his mother, shaped to symbolize gold ingots.
There were also specialty New Year's cakes from a time-honored shop in Changning City, which his father had woken up early to wait in line for, and warm soy milk.
During the meal, there was no talk of war, the Demon Race, or the heavy future.
The conversation revolved around amusing neighborhood anecdotes, the Spring Festival Gala preview on TV, and their plans to go to the Li Manor later.
This rare, homey chat put Li Wen's mind at exceptional peace.
After breakfast, the three of them changed into new, slightly more formal clothes.
Although with Li Wen's current status, no one would dare comment on what he wore, it was a sign of respect for the holiday and his kin.
The front door opened, and the crisp air, carrying the scent of fresh snow, rushed in.
Outside, a low-profile yet sleek hovercar, clearly a specially commissioned model, was already waiting quietly.
Without Li Wen needing to say a word, his status was the best pass and guarantee.
The car glided smoothly toward the East District.
Along the way, the snow-covered streets, lined with red decorations and filled with the cheerful shouts of children, formed a living New Year's painting.
The closer they got to the Li Manor, the thicker the festive atmosphere became.
A huge red archway stood at the manor's entrance, emblazoned with the gilt characters 'Li Clan'. Two rows of red lanterns swayed gently in the breeze.
The hovercar came to a steady stop. The moment Li Wen's family stepped out, members of the Li clan, who had already received word and were waiting at the manor's entrance, instantly surged forward.
The Li family of today was a far cry from what it once was.
Thanks to the presence of Li Wen, the "Changning King," the family's status had risen in Changning City and even throughout the entire Jiangnan Province.
Li Wen didn't even need to bother organizing a call to gather. Whenever a major holiday like the Spring Festival or Mid-Autumn Festival arrived, clan members from all over would spontaneously and enthusiastically rush back to this manor, a symbol of the family's glory and unity.
"Fourth Uncle, Fourth Aunt! Brother Wen! Happy New Year! Happy New Year!"
"Fourth Uncle, Fourth Auntie! Brother Wen! An auspicious New Year to you!"
"Third Grandpa, Third Grandma, Uncle Wen, please, come inside! It's cold out here!"
Enthusiastic greetings rose and fell, the forms of address varying, but all were filled with heartfelt respect, excitement, and pride.
Li Wen wore a gentle smile, showing not a hint of the airs of an enthroned King, and responded to each person in turn:
"Happy New Year. Thank you all for your hard work."
"Elder Uncle, you're looking well."
"Cousin-in-law, the child is growing up so fast."
"No need to be so formal. We're all family."
He stepped forward to help a few of the elderly clan members and patiently answered the excited greetings from the younger generation.
He even bent down to pat the heads of a few little tykes who were timidly hiding behind the adults, yet couldn't resist peeking out at him.
His gentle and calm demeanor was like a spring breeze melting snow.
It instantly dissolved the huge sense of distance the clan members felt due to his status, and the atmosphere in the manor grew even more lively and jubilant.
Inside the main hall, it was as warm as spring. A huge round table was already laden with all sorts of dried fruits and candied preserves.
The clan members were busy setting up the last of the decorations and preparing for the ancestor worship ceremony.
Li Wen's family was ushered to seats near the head of the table, and hot tea was quickly served.
Just then, a clear voice called out, "Brother Wen!"
Li Wen followed the voice and saw a young couple standing not far away, holding the hand of a sturdy-looking little boy of about four or five.
The woman was pretty, her features still holding faint traces of her youthful past. Her face now showed a mix of excitement, nostalgia, and a barely perceptible awkwardness.
The man beside her was stocky and dressed respectably.
But facing Li Wen, he was so nervous his palms were sweating, and he couldn't meet his gaze.
His body was slightly stiff, and his lips moved silently, as if he wanted to follow his wife in greeting but didn't know how to start.
"Yueyue?" A genuine warmth and a trace of wistfulness rose in Li Wen's eyes as he recognized his cousin, Li Yue, who was a year younger than him.
In his memory, she was still that young girl with a ponytail who would chatter incessantly with him about interesting things at school during family gatherings.
Now, that girl was a wife and a mother. 'Time is truly a curious thing.'
"It's me! Brother Wen, I haven't seen you in so many years!"
Receiving his response, Li Yue's eyes reddened slightly. She quickly pulled her husband and child forward.
"This is my husband, Zhang Yu. This is my son. Yuanbao, quick, call him Uncle Wen!" she urged her nervous husband and bewildered son.
"Brother... Brother Wen! Happy New Year! I'm Zhang Yu!" Zhang Yu finally mustered his courage, his voice trembling slightly as he bowed low.
The little one shrank behind his mother's leg, his big eyes curiously sizing up this uncle who seemed "very important," and called out in a child-like voice, "Happy New Year, Uncle Wen."
"Happy New Year." Li Wen smiled gently and extended his hand.
Zhang Yu was overwhelmed by the gesture and quickly clasped it with both hands, feeling as if he were holding a piece of smooth, warm jade.
"Don't be nervous, we're all family. Yueyue, your son is adorable. What's his name?"
"His name is Zhang Mingyuan, but we call him Yuanbao." Seeing how friendly Li Wen was, Li Yue also relaxed, her face beaming with a happy smile.
"Yuanbao? Haha, a great name. It means 'to bring in wealth and treasure.'"
Li Wen chuckled and, as if by magic, pulled an exquisite jade lock tied with a red string from his pocket, which he had prepared earlier.
"Here, Yuanbao, this is a New Year's gift from Uncle Wen. Take it. May you be safe and sound, and grow up big and strong."
The jade lock was warm to the touch, with a faint luster flowing within it. It was clearly no ordinary item.
Little Yuanbao looked at the jade lock, then at his mother's encouraging gaze, and finally, timidly, reached out his small hand to take it.
A happy smile spread across his little face. He clutched it tightly and didn't forget to whisper, "Thank you, Uncle Wen!"
Witnessing this scene, the surrounding clan members felt an even greater sense of warmth and admiration.
The Changning King was not only immensely powerful, but he was also so gentle and kind to his family and the younger generation.
Just as Li Yue's family was invited to have some tea and snacks on the side, another figure squeezed through, his expression a mixture of emotion and complexity.
"Brother Wen."
Li Wen turned his head. Seeing who it was, his smile deepened, carrying a different kind of warmth than the one he had shown Li Yue.
"Changjie!"
The newcomer was none other than Li Changjie.
The man he was today had long since shed the sharp-edged arrogance of the prodigy he'd been in high school. He now appeared much more calm and capable, his features weathered, but his eyes were bright.
He had once been saved by Li Wen, who had stood up for him when the Han family of the Iron Wall Marquis was giving him trouble.
"Brother Wen." Li Changjie looked at his cousin, his heart filled with a myriad of emotions.
'Who would have thought,' he mused, 'that back at Changning City No. 1 High School, I was the one considered a shoo-in for a top university, the star student on whom the family pinned its hopes.'
'And Li Wen, in the same year, was just a mediocre student, an underachiever whose chances of even getting into an ordinary martial arts university were slim? The turns of fate are truly immense.'
He had never been jealous, only filled with deep admiration and a hint of regret for not having seen the truth sooner and become truly close with his cousin.
"Sit down and talk." Li Wen patted the seat beside him.
"How have you been? Is work going well?"
He was referring to Li Changjie's job in the Fortress's Internal Affairs Department.
"It's going well. Thanks to you, Brother Wen, no one dares to cause trouble for me anymore." Li Changjie sat down, his tone sincere.
"Everyone at home is fine too. It just feels like time flies. In the blink of an eye, we're already this age. Seeing you, Brother Wen..."
He paused, not finishing his sentence, but the reverence in his eyes was self-evident.
"We're all moving forward on our own paths, and that's what matters."
Li Wen understood his meaning and didn't dwell on his own achievements, instead asking about the details of Li Changjie's work and his family situation.
The two chatted about some shared childhood memories and the changes in Changning City over the years, the atmosphere relaxed and harmonious.
The gap between them from the past dissolved in the long river of time and the bonds of blood, transforming into a rich, brotherly affection.
In the hall, joyful chatter and laughter were endless.
The elders discussed family history, teasing one another.
The younger generation gathered around central figures like Li Wen and Li Changjie, curiously asking about their experiences in the outside world.
Children chased each other playfully in a corner on the thick carpet, carefree with their newly received New Year's gifts and candy.
From the direction of the kitchen came a symphony of pots and pans, and the aroma of the New Year's Eve dinner grew stronger.
Li Wen quietly watched it all, feeling the warmth and peace within the lively chaos.
The snow outside reflected the red decorations filling the hall, and the sound of firecrackers popped sporadically in the distance.
He knew this peace had not come easily, and he was keenly aware that the shadow of the Demon Realm's phantom image above their heads had never dispersed.
But at this moment, as Li Wen, he only wanted to enjoy this New Year's Eve reunion that belonged to his family and his clan.
The Scholar's upgrade, the advancement of his blade techniques, the threat of the Demon Race... all of it was temporarily wrapped in the thick festive spirit and familial love, settling deep in his heart.
He raised the warm teacup and took a gentle sip.
He gazed out the window at the gradually brightening sky and the red lanterns, faintly visible in the distance.
The prelude to New Year's Eve had only just begun.
...
The lively warmth of the New Year's Eve dinner still lingered in the air, which was filled with an intermingled scent of leftover dishes and the smoky smell of firecrackers.
Inside the Li Manor's great hall, the lights were bright, and a cozy warmth filled the room.
The elders sipped their tea, chatting and laughing about the family's past glories and their hopes for the future.
The younger generation sat in a circle, excitedly exchanging stories and experiences.
Children chased each other playfully, their crisp laughter lighting up the winter night.
Li Wen sat near the head of the table, a gentle smile on his face, casually chatting with his uncles and cousins, savoring this rare and hard-won feeling of worldly comfort.
"Ah Wen," his father, Li Hong, approached with a wine glass, his face flushed from the alcohol, his eyes full of pride and concern.
"It's rare for the whole family to be together. Why don't you just stay here at the manor tonight for the New Year's vigil?"
"That's right, Xiaowen," his mother, Wang Juan, added softly. "It's New Year's Eve. The family should stay together to see the old year out and welcome the new one."
A warm current flowed through Li Wen's heart. He could feel his parents' love and reluctance to part, which was almost overflowing.
He stood up and smiled apologetically. "Dad, Mom. I do have some urgent matters to attend to tonight."
Seeing the flash of disappointment in his mother's eyes, he quickly added:
"But I'll definitely be back before the new year arrives! I promised I'd welcome it with you. I won't break my promise."
Hearing this, the clan members, though understanding, couldn't help but show some surprise and regret.
With Li Wen's current status as the "Changning King," what matter could possibly be so important that he would have to leave a family reunion on New Year's Eve to handle it?