32: Family dinner

The Family banquet was to be held in five days, and the servants of the Family had been bustling about in a frenzy these past few days.

As for Zhou Luo, aside from his daily cultivation and Alchemy, he had added one more task: playing with the children.

Although they were still small, every time Zhou Luo saw the little ones, he couldn't help but want to tease them.

Now he could understand why Lin Qinghan had become much gentler after giving birth.

Children really are angels that save the world.

Of course, only at this stage.

Once they enter the "brat" stage, they truly become someone everyone—even dogs—would avoid.

So, he had to take this opportunity to enjoy it while he could.

Five days passed quickly.

Because it was an evening banquet, Zhou Luo didn't set off with Lin Qinghan until the afternoon.

They first went to Lin De's residence.

This father-in-law, who had once looked down on him, was now beaming with joy and couldn't stop singing Zhou Luo's praises.

"My good son-in-law, how are you living in your new home now?" Lin De asked, walking with Zhou Luo in the courtyard.

"It's alright." Zhou Luo nodded.

"Hmm, as I thought, I didn't misjudge you back then." Lin De laughed.

Zhou Luo was silent for a moment.

You certainly didn't misjudge me, because you didn't even see me at all.

Lin De continued chatting away to himself.

Regardless, his words made it clear that he had completely accepted him as one of his own, and he expressed that he must have a chance to stay at Zhou Garden for a few days to experience the Spiritual Qi there.

Zhou Luo did not refuse.

Seeing that it was almost time, the four of them finally decided to set off.

This banquet was being held in the Family's Core Area. After passing through a corridor, the group of four finally entered the Core Area and followed the directions toward the main hall.

Along the way, they happened to run into other collateral branch disciples.

Lin De chatted with them one by one, appearing very excited.

Come to think of it, if not for his son-in-law, he probably wouldn't have been qualified to come here in his entire life.

Lin Qinghan and her daughter were also quite curious about this place, and the two women were chatting happily.

Zhou Luo, on the other hand, appeared somewhat calm.

They arrived at the main hall.

It was already brightly lit, and the people coming and going had smiles on their faces, making it extremely lively.

They entered the grand hall.

In the spacious hall, tables were arranged, laden with various Spirit foods.

Curtains hung down, immortal music echoed, and the singing girls in the center danced with graceful bodies, a feast for the eyes.

Everyone was clinking cups and exchanging drinks, very warmly.

As soon as Zhou Luo walked in, someone approached with Spirit wine: "So this is Zhou Luo? Brother De, you have a good son-in-law. I'll have to rely on you in the future."

Lin De laughed: "Haha, you're too kind."

Although he said that, the pride on his face could barely be contained.

"Hmph, a Matrilocal Son-in-law, and just an entry-level Alchemist at that. I really don't know what qualifications he has to be here."

Just as the atmosphere was harmonious, a middle-aged man stepped past a few people and sneered mockingly.

Lin De's expression faltered, but upon seeing the man's identity, he could only grit his teeth and dare not retort.

"He is from the Main Family." Lin Qinghan whispered beside Zhou Luo.

Zhou Luo nodded.

Are all people from the Main Family this arrogant and cold? First Lin Xin, and now another one has popped up.

But he didn't get that feeling when he met the Family Head earlier.

Following that, apart from those who congratulated and admired him, Zhou Luo also encountered some who were sarcastic and mocking; these people were, unsurprisingly, all from the Main Family lineage.

It seemed that apart from the Family Head, the others in the Main Family didn't like him very much.

Could it be because I was favored by the Family and received a large amount of cultivation resources?

The people of the Main Family shouldn't be that petty, right?

This made him feel somewhat bewildered.

"Zhou Luo, don't take it to heart, this is normal." Lin De gently patted his shoulder.

"Why are they like this?" Zhou Luo asked, confused.

Lin De did not explain.

But looking at his father-in-law's expression, Zhou Luo guessed that there might be other reasons behind it.

Since the Main Family didn't like him, he might as well stay further away.

So he simply found a corner by himself and sat down.

Anyway, as for socializing, Lin Qinghan and her Family of three seemed to be doing quite well, so it was better for him to keep a low profile.

"You like being alone, too?" Just then, a curious voice suddenly came from behind him.

Zhou Luo turned to look.

It was an extremely beautiful woman; her long hair was like ink, naturally draping over her slender shoulders, with a verdant jade hairpin tucked into it. Beneath delicate willow-leaf eyebrows were a pair of lively, clear eyes that twinkled, mesmerizing to behold.

A light blue dress, simple and elegant, perfectly showcased her curvaceous figure, and she radiated an air of refinement.

The woman sat there, her lively large eyes examining him.

Zhou Luo was slightly dazed, but quickly reacted and smiled: "Yes."

Having said that, he politely introduced himself: "My name is Zhou Luo."

"You are Zhou Luo?" The woman was stunned, then chuckled: "I keep hearing this name these past few days."

Zhou Luo's eyes lit up.

So she's a fan of mine.

Such a good-looking fan, I wonder if she has a Spiritual Root.

"Lin Xi." At this moment, the woman in front of him took the initiative to state her name.

But this name made Zhou Luo's heart skip a beat, and he asked uncertainly: "Are you from the Main Family?"

In the Lin Family, generally only those from the Main Family took two-character names; it was considered a symbol of status.

"Yes." Lin Xi did not deny it.

"You don't hold hostility toward me?" Zhou Luo asked, puzzled.

"Why would I hold hostility toward you?" Lin Xi was confused.

Then Zhou Luo told her about what he had just encountered.

After listening, Lin Xi chuckled: "So that's it. I don't like participating in these struggles, so there's no need to be hostile toward you."

"Struggles?" Zhou Luo latched onto the keyword.

But Lin Xi did not continue to elaborate, instead shifting the topic to this Spirit Pill Gathering.

She was very interested in this Spirit Pill Gathering and hoped Zhou Luo could tell her about what happened.

Although this Young Miss of the Main Family did not like crowds, she was incredibly curious about things in the outside world.

She listened with great interest until he finished.

"Why didn't the Lu Family participate in the second day of the competition?" She asked, puzzled.

"I don't know, perhaps something happened. Didn't they say they gave up on the Spirit Mine competition this time?" Zhou Luo said.

"It seems it also has something to do with evil cultivators." Lin Xi said, lost in thought, muttering to herself.

"What?" Zhou Luo seemed to have heard the words "evil cultivator."

However, Lin Xi quickly covered her cherry mouth and shook her head: "Nothing."

As she spoke, she suddenly looked somewhere, immediately stood up, and said: "Grandfather is here, goodbye."

Zhou Luo looked in the direction she had just been looking and discovered that the Lin Family Head, Lin Tianxiong, had arrived on the scene.

Everyone in the hall stood up, looking toward the front with solemn expressions.

Zhou Luo quickly stood up and moved toward where Lin De and the others were.