Supper consisted of two pan-seared steaks, a bowl of thick seafood porridge, and some fruits.

Zhou You expressed his gratitude and, under their watchful eyes, began to eat. Only when he finished did the elderly man show a smile, seemingly relieved.

Zhou You wasn't the only one feeling the tension.

After he had finished eating, Shao Zhen inquired, "Sister-in-law, may I interview you?"

The title "sister-in-law" almost choked Zhou You. He quickly corrected, "You can call me Zhou You, or Brother Zhou. No need for the 'sister-in-law' title."

Shao Qi chuckled on the side, nudging his cousin away, "Go somewhere cool and stay there. I haven't settled the score with you from last time. And look at the time!"

The elderly man, leaning on his cane, began to ascend the stairs, "Go rest. You've had a long day. And Zhen, no mischief."

Shao Qi helped the old man upstairs. Once he had settled him in the bedroom, he saw Zhou You washing dishes in the kitchen. He boasted to his cousin, "See? Isn't your sister-in-law very virtuous?"

Shao Zhen sighed, "Why would such a perfect man fall for you?"

"Obviously, because I'm both handsome and capable."

"Pfft! A man who nearly blows up the kitchen every time he cooks? I'd never choose someone like you in my lifetime."

"Better if you don't pick on your own. Remember that guy who won you over with just a few cakes? And how did that turn out? You can't judge a book by its cover."

Shao Zhen became silent, not wanting to recall that embarrassing past. Rumor had it that the jerk was expelled from the Dawn City, and she suspected Shao Qi might have had something to do with it.

Anyway, it wasn't her concern anymore.

After tidying up the kitchen, Zhou You went upstairs, meeting the expectant eyes of the siblings. He curiously asked, "What's up?"

Shao Zhen quickly asked, "Brother Zhou, can we have a meal cooked by you tomorrow noon?"

Without the presence of the old man, Zhou You felt more at ease, jokingly asking, "Is culinary skill a prerequisite for entry into your household?"

"Not necessarily, but since grandpa is elderly and neither my brother nor I can cook, it seems you're our best bet."

"You don't employ a cook at home?"

"We used to, but after my brother returned, we let the cook go." Shao Zhen didn't mention that the cook they had employed was bribed and almost poisoned them. Luckily, Shao Qi noticed something amiss with the food that day.

Since then, they stopped employing a permanent cook. Even the cleaning lady comes in just for the day, and they handle many chores themselves.

Zhou You met two pairs of expectant eyes and reluctantly nodded in agreement.

Shao Qi's room was at the end of the second floor, formed by connecting two neighboring rooms. One was converted into a study — small but tidy.

"You don't regularly stay here, do you?" Zhou You noted many relics from Shao Qi's student days and was particularly drawn to some old group photos, which he examined intently.

"Want to see pictures of me as a child?" Shao Qi asked.

"You have them?"

"Certainly. Our possessions have been well-preserved here in Shu Guang City. Photos, especially, grandpa always kept safe."

Apart from the old photographs, Zhou You stumbled upon Shao Qi's youthful hobby. "So you were into collecting these figurines. Given the curvaceous characters, I'd guess your first love was quite the stunner."

Most figurines in Shao Qi's display cabinet were of beauties from popular anime. While Zhou You wasn't an avid fan, he recognized a few.

Reflecting, Shao Qi shook his head, "I never really had a significant crush. While others studied, I played basketball. When they dated, I traveled. And then, the apocalypse began, and I started cultivating."

"Never had feelings for anyone?"

Raising his hand in oath, Shao Qi stated, "You're the first, I swear."

Whether Zhou You believed him or not, he appeared quite pleased. Shao Qi then turned the tables, asking, "What about you? Be honest, were you pursued by many?"

He could easily picture the kind of popularity Zhou You enjoyed in school.

Handsome, top student, probably slightly mischievous but definitely gentlemanly with girls. The ideal student in teachers' eyes, the role model for peers, and every parent's dream child.

Zhou You had skipped grades in university and joined a government department after graduation. His grades were outstanding, but he wasn't the obedient child Shao Qi imagined. Zhou You had his fair share of skipping classes, fights, and online distractions.

"If you could go back, what's the one thing you'd wish to do?" Shao Qi was curious if Zhou You had any youthful regrets.

Without hesitation, Zhou You responded, "I'd wish to spend more time with my mother. I had so little time with her back then."

Sympathetically, Shao Qi shared, "I can hardly remember my parents. They were elite soldiers when they were young. They hardly ever came home and eventually perished on a mission."

It was the first time Zhou You heard of Shao Qi's parents' history, having never asked since he knew they weren't around.

"And Shao Zhen's parents?"

"Her father, my uncle, studied abroad in his early days and met my aunt. At the onset of the apocalypse, he took his wife and went overseas, never to return."

"Well..." Zhou You quickly changed the subject, saying, "No wonder Shao Zhen has that mixed-race look. She's truly beautiful."

"What's the use of being beautiful if she lacks any martial arts talent?" Shao Qi verbally dismissed her, but anyone who dared to bully his sister would face his wrath.

"For a girl, doing what she loves is what matters most. With us around, we'll ensure her protection," Zhou You reassured.

"I feel the same way. Men out there are unreliable," Shao Qi added with conviction.