Eighth Day of the New Year

"That's good! You don't have to worry about anything else—we'll handle it ourselves!"

"Oh... alright."

"Evan Xiao, I have to thank you for your advice," said Minister Zhuo. "You're thinking much further ahead than I am! When the time comes, you'll go with us."

Evan Xiao paused for a moment and said, "I'll do whatever Father-in-law arranges."

...

As Evan Xiao was leaving, Grace asked him, "General, can you tell me what it's like to crash someone's house and mooch food and drink on New Year's Eve?"

Evan Xiao thought for a moment and said, "I wasn't there to mooch. I came to deliver pastries."

Grace smiled and asked, "So, Father-in-law and Son-in-law—what's that about? How come I didn't know you and my dad were so close?"

Evan Xiao wrapped his arm around her waist. "I came all this way to bring you pastries, and all you want to do is interrogate and tease me?"

Grace's lips curled into a smile. "Actually, I am a little bit moved."

"Only a little bit?"

Grace pursed her lips, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him on the lips.

Both of their hearts skipped a beat.

Evan Xiao tightened his hold on her and whispered in her ear, "Come find me at the General's Manor on the eighth day of the new year."

Grace asked, "Why wait until the eighth?"

She wanted to see him tomorrow.

"Didn't you say at dinner that your family is having a big reunion tomorrow, with all the old lady's children coming home? The day after, you have to visit Prince Rui's family, and the next day... I counted, and it looks like you'll be free on the eighth."

Grace laughed. "You were really paying attention. What about you? What are you doing these days?"

"Secret military business."

"Military business again..." Grace pouted.

...

Just as Evan Xiao said, the next few days were filled with family visits and social obligations.

In the past, whether Grace visited relatives or not wasn't a big deal.

But now her status is different.

If she visited some relatives and not others, it would look like favoritism and offend people.

So from the first to the seventh day of the new year, she barely had a moment to herself.

Worth mentioning, her father secretly took her to visit a Spiritual Alchemist he was close with.

The alchemist's rank wasn't impressive—just a second-tier Spiritual Alchemist.

But he was frank and said he didn't dare take Grace as an apprentice.

Because President Sun had said publicly that anyone who dared to take Grace as a disciple could forget about getting anywhere in the Spirit Alliance!

Minister Zhuo was furious when he heard this.

Grace tried to calm him down and suggested they ask Evan Xiao if he knew any Spiritual Alchemists.

So on the eighth day, she left the house and went straight to Evan Xiao's place.

It started snowing again that day.

And it was really coming down.

Evan Xiao didn't stay home; he took her straight to Peach Creek Manor.

The staff at Peach Creek Manor saw them arrive and immediately started a fire, brewed tea, cooked, and treated them with utmost respect and hospitality.

The two of them sat in soft chairs by the stove, watching the snow fall outside the window, feeling warm and cozy.

"So is Peach Creek Manor Leon Zane's or yours?" Grace asked suspiciously. "Why does it seem like everyone treats you like the master?"

Evan Xiao smiled. "It's just a meeting spot for us, that's all."

"Oh... What about Leon Zane and Shannon? Are they back yet?"

"They should be back in the next few days," Evan Xiao replied.

"Your family's in the Vermilion Kingdom. Even riding a Silver Dragon Stallion, with four or five days' travel, you probably didn't spend more than a day at home, right?"

Evan Xiao didn't answer.