Slap Slap-Slap~
The kitchen was spacious and bright, its marble countertops gleaming in the clear sunlight.
Ye Feng stood before the counter, vigorously pounding a ball of dough, causing white powder to sputter and fly.
Lately, he had developed a fondness for steamed buns.
First, dissolve yeast and a little sugar in a small amount of warm water and let it sit for about five minutes to fully activate the yeast.
Pour flour into a large bowl, slowly add the yeast mixture, then gradually pour in the remaining warm water, stirring with chopsticks until it forms a shaggy mass.
Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead by hand for about eight to ten minutes, until the white, tender dough is smooth and elastic.
At this point, the most crucial step was to pound it repeatedly. Only a dough tempered through a thousand strikes would have the perfect chewy texture.
"Get firm Get firm Get firm~"
Ye Feng hummed happily as he kneaded the white and tender dough.
Suddenly, a pitch-black shadow materialized in the air, silently approaching Ye Feng from behind.
Just as the dark mist was about to touch his back, two snow-white, jade-like arms emerged from it, coiling around Ye Feng's neck like snakes.
"Hehe, you seem quite happy, Father"
Mobius hung on Ye Feng's back in a chokehold-like embrace, enunciating each word practically into his ear.
"Snake-Snake, you're back."
Ye Feng turned his head, trying to press a kiss to her fair, delicate cheek, but Mobius immediately dodged away in disgust, sliding off his back.
Mobius's small, tender feet stepped back twice on the flour-dusted floor, leaving delicate and exquisite footprints.
Her pair of vertical, serpentine pupils stared at Ye Feng in annoyance.
"My dear Snake-Snake, are you angry?"
Ye Feng stopped his work, his large hands covered in a semi-solid white substance.
Mobius stood her ground. Beneath the hem of her ankle-length dress, her soft, fragrant feet were snow-white and smooth, partially hidden from view.
Just like the curves of her chest, her voice was flat and without inflection.
"I'm perfectly fine. I'm not angry at all. I'm not sulking, and I certainly don't have any complaints about Father."
Ye Feng chuckled. "The more you say that, Snake-Snake, the bigger the problem."
"I am exceptionally calm right now. My heart is like a still well, without a single ripple. By the way, thanks to the authority Father has granted me, I should be able to freely make changes to this world on a programmatic level, correct?"
"Theoretically, yes. So, what do you want to do, Snake-Snake?"
"I just want to say that I am exceptionally calm right now and would absolutely not do anything impulsive out of a momentary feeling of loneliness, jealousy, or boredom."
Seeing her vexation, Ye Feng put on a pair of black-rimmed glasses and held up a finger. "If it's about bullying Elysia, I can lend a hand, you know."
"Mmm..."
Mobius paused, seeming to consider it.
Then she asked, "What do you need the Seven Thunders of Retribution for?"
"Don't you already have the answer in your heart, Snake-Snake? That's why you're sulking."
"I am not sulking. I just don't understand why I have to be a nanny for that little brat Raiden Mei."
First, delivering a Core for Bronya, and now, procuring a signature weapon for Raiden Mei.
What was next? Delivering a massage stick to that yellow bug Kiana? Don't misunderstand, the 'stick' of a baseball bat.
Even for a snake, blood can run cold.
"Because..."
Though she complained, Snake-Snake's body always faithfully carried out Ye Feng's commands.
Ye Feng stood up straight and walked over to Mobius. His tall shadow covered her small, delicate face. "Right now... Snake-Snake is the only one I can rely on."
Ye Feng said with utter sincerity.
Mobius, who had to look up due to the height difference, held her breath. Her gaze froze on Father.
The world seemed to fall silent.
"...The only one he can rely on is me..."
Mobius whispered, her lovely cherry lips reflecting a crystalline luster.
Her mind went blank for a second before her thoughts returned.
"Hmph."
Mobius became even more flustered and annoyed. She clenched her fists at her sides like an angry Tom Cat.
"Do you think saying something like that will make me happy? How absurd! I call you 'Father' when I'm happy, but at best, you are nothing more than my little white mouse! Don't forget your place!"
Ye Feng looked down at Mobius.
Due to her lack of sun exposure, her skin was a slightly sickly pale white, but the faint blush that crept onto her delicate skin gave her a touch of vitality. Her figure was soft and beautiful, her slender limbs exuding a sense of luxury mixed with a hint of sexiness that completely defied her age.
In particular, her translucent toes were curled up cutely, tempting one to reach out and caress them.
"So, Snake-Snake, shall we go?" Ye Feng asked with a smile.
"Hmph, of course we're going!"
They were always on the same wavelength.
Even with the abrupt interjection, Snake-Snake understood what Ye Feng meant by "go."
---o---
"The brilliant gods in the heavens use mortals as game pieces, playing chess with the stars, leaving behind a land of resentful souls, lonely graves, and mountains of white bones. Yet, few have ever thought... of making Them pay the price."
Jingliu gazed at the cold moon in the solemn, frosty sky. Her robes fluttered, swaying along with her moon-white hair.
She was cold and serene, as if she stood alone, detached from the world.
But this aura softened due to the presence of another person.
Not the peerless swordswoman's close friend, but the Pink Elf™ sent by the stars and moon.
"Confronting gods? Not as a vague concept, but as the Aeons that truly exist in the universe."
Elysia tapped her chin. "Gods... they should all love people, right?"
Jingliu tilted her head, her eyes covered by a black cloth. "Why would you think that?"
"Ah, my apologies. I just felt that way... Saying something so strange at a time like this..."
Elysia apologized sincerely.
But she believed from the bottom of her heart that gods loved the people of the world.
From that perspective, Mister Ye Feng wasn't a proper god, was he?
Elysia said, "Mister Ye Feng told me you wish to strike down the 'stars' in the sky. I believe a stubborn flower will never lose its color to a storm, and your determination will surely allow you to blossom into your true self, even in desperation."
"I heard that in your world, there is also a great enemy called the [Finality]."
"That's right. We both have an opponent we must defeat, don't we?"
Finding common ground was one of Elysia's ways of closing the distance between herself and others.
In fact, during their brief conversation, the two had already established a friendship.
One couldn't say it was a meeting of long-lost souls, but they certainly enjoyed their chat.
"Heya~ What are you two talking about? Can I join in?"
A bewitching voice seemed to emanate from the shadows, and the air fell still.
Elysia turned her head. "Mobius?"
Jingliu also silently turned toward the newcomer.
Mobius, dressed in a form-fitting long dress, approached Elysia with a seductive gait and a bewitching gaze.
"I didn't want to come, but since it was an invitation from Father, I couldn't refuse, could I?"
"An invitation..."
Elysia's body tensed. "What is Mister Ye Feng planning to do?"
Mobius stared at the Pink Elf™, her eyes brimming with a smile. "I'm here to give you a little Star Ring."