"I still have things to handle later. You guys can enjoy yourselves."
Facing Li Wei's invitation to a party, Jiang Yan declined without the slightest hesitation.
What kind of gathering would a second-generation rich kid like Li Wei host? At most, it would be a bunch of young masters bragging about their backgrounds and resources. Jiang Yan had zero interest in wasting time on that kind of meaningless socializing.
"Uh… alright."
Li Wei wasn't offended in the least. Instead, he smiled brightly.
"Brother Jiang, we'll get together again when you have time. I'll take my leave first."
Jiang Yan gave a slight nod. Li Wei immediately led Liu Xi and Caron toward Huayaofeng Villa.
"Let's head back quickly," Janet said as she gently hooked Jiang Yan's arm, her tone light and affectionate. "Today's a special day. Teacher is still waiting for us to eat."
"Mmm." Jiang Yan nodded.
After returning home, Jiang Yan and Janet quickly freshened up before heading next door to Jiang Fang's villa.
They arrived just as Jiang Fang emerged from the kitchen, carrying a steaming bowl of longevity noodles. The dining table was already filled with fragrant home-cooked dishes—braised pork ribs, steamed sea bass, and several other carefully prepared dishes.
"You're right on time," Jiang Fang said with a smile. "Sit down and eat while it's hot."
Jiang Yan pulled Janet to the table and sat down.
"Sister, I really didn't expect this," Jiang Yan said with a grin. "Not only are you beautiful and kind, but your cooking is this good too. I was already hungry, but now I'm starving just smelling it."
His gaze lingered briefly on the glossy braised ribs, then—quite naturally—shifted to Jiang Fang.
She was wearing a light apricot dress, its soft fabric outlining her mature curves. The apron cinched her waist, accentuating her proportions and adding a gentle, domestic charm.
"Teacher, I've known you for so long and never realized you're this good at cooking," Janet said sincerely. "I must be benefiting from Jiang Yan today."
"Then eat more later," Jiang Fang replied, clearly pleased.
She placed the bowl of longevity noodles in front of Jiang Yan and smiled warmly.
"Birthday star, these are specially made for you. Hurry up and try them."
"Huh?" Jiang Yan froze.
"Today is the twenty-first day of the twelfth lunar month," Jiang Fang said softly. "It's your birthday. Janet told me before you left for City 003."
"Happy birthday, my dear!" Janet said playfully, blinking at him before humming a birthday tune under her breath.
Jiang Yan stared at the two of them, his throat tightening slightly.
"Thank you…"
He hadn't celebrated a birthday in years.
Before transmigrating, his family hadn't been well-off. Birthdays meant nothing more than a few eggs cooked by his mother—no cake, no candles, no songs. Just quiet warmth.
As he grew older, birthdays faded into the background of school, work, and survival. Sometimes he would see cakes in other people's photos, or catch the sweet scent drifting from a bakery, only to realize later—
Oh. My birthday already passed.
No one remembered. Not even himself.
"Don't space out," Jiang Fang said gently. "Eat while it's hot."
"…Alright."
That night became an unforgettable birthday.
After dinner, Jiang Fang lounged on the sofa and asked casually, "So—how was City 003? What did you gain?"
"My blade techniques and movement techniques improved a lot," Janet answered first.
Fighting beast hordes day after day had pushed her far beyond her previous limits.
"Not bad." Jiang Fang nodded, then turned her gaze to Jiang Yan.
"Sister, aside from my physical fitness lagging slightly behind, everything else improved significantly—movement, marksmanship, force techniques," Jiang Yan said calmly.
As he spoke, his personal panel surfaced in his mind:
[Name: Jiang Yan]
[Realm: Advanced General (72/100)]
[Movement Technique: Perfect (92/100)]
[Blade Technique: Proficient (72/100)]
[Marksmanship: Perfect (76/100)]
[Thunder Step: Major Success (35/100)]
[Ninefold Thunder Spear: Fifth Layer (1/100)]
[Ninefold Origin: Major Success (36/100)]
His growth this time was comprehensive.
Only his physical fitness lagged behind.
But Jiang Yan wasn't anxious. Earth's bloodline was weak by cosmic standards—but there were ways to change that later.
"Oh?" Jiang Fang's interest was piqued. "Tell me in detail."
After listening, she fell silent.
Perfect-level movement techniques nearing artistic conception.
Perfect marksmanship.
Fifth-layer force technique.
For a long moment, she questioned reality itself.
Since when did breakthroughs come this easily?
"…Your only bottleneck is physical fitness," Jiang Fang finally said.
Jiang Yan shook his head helplessly. "That's exactly the problem."
Janet and Jiang Fang exchanged looks, unsure whether to laugh or cry.
This "slow progress" of his would already leave countless geniuses weeping in despair.
"Jiang Yan," Jiang Fang said after a deep breath, "if you want to accelerate your physical training, I have a suggestion."
"Oh?" Jiang Yan's eyes sharpened. "Go on."
"Go to headquarters," Jiang Fang said decisively. "Use the ancient-civilization gravity rooms. With your foundation, your physical fitness will skyrocket."
She continued, "Although the elite training camp is on break, I joined headquarters early and still have authority. With your current strength, training in the gravity room, challenge chamber, and trial tower—"
"When you officially enter the camp in March, you could compete for first place on the Black Dragon Ranking in your very first month."
Jiang Yan's eyes lit up.
"Good idea."
Staying in Jiangnan Base City meant nothing now. Headquarters offered far better resources.
"Then it's settled," Jiang Fang said with a smile. "Pack tonight. We'll take the earliest flight tomorrow."
"Alright."
Soon after returning home—
Buzz.
Jiang Yan's communicator vibrated.
A video call request appeared on the screen.
Venina.
Jiang Yan narrowed his eyes slightly—and accepted the call.
_____________________
support me on patreon
https://[email protected]/mrSOMEONE01234? [replace @ with a]
For those who cannot become members, they can support with power stones
100 powerstone = 1 chapter [if this reaches top 35 in power stone ranking i will publish chapters till 35 for top 10 its 40 chapters]
5 review = 1 chapter
>>>>>I'm a student, and I'll try my best to keep uploading chapters regularly <<<<<
{shout out --Sarah, Brendan Cooper, Nour-eddine, AR, jetos } thanks for your support
[[READER TIER 1: translates stories {15$} ]] { RECOMENDED }
[[READER TIER 2: translated & original stories {20$} ]]
[[[[Please at least visit my patreon so I can have some traffic]]]]]
Also try
[[[Restaurant in Douluo Dalu (350+ch)]]] {6$}
[[[Lord's Unlimited Entries: The Baron's Awakened Heir (80+ch)]]] {7$}
[[[Swallowed Star: Ten Thousand time Growth (170+ch)]]] {6$}
[[[swallowed star : i can refine everything (01-60)]]] {6$}
[[[Anime Crossover: I Can Trade Everything (50+ch)]]] {6$}
{ life is getting shittier by the day and I need some money so I got patreon and started doing one thing I am decent }
(fuck who would have thought that buying a headphone is so hard in last i barely got 27$ and i need 300$-350$ fucccckkk )