Noon
Victor emerged from the bedroom feeling completely refreshed and energized.
Behind him, Shinobu and the other girls lay collapsed on the expansive bed, having fallen into deep, contented sleep. Their bodies glistened with a mixture of sweat and other fluids, while the entire room was filled with a distinctive, lingering scent.
However, because Victor was a cultivator, the aroma wasn't unpleasant but rather carried a light, almost ethereal fragrance.
Upon entering the living room, Victor noticed Kanao Tsuyuri sitting alone on the sofa, quietly munching on snacks while watching television. Only then did he remember that since he had pulled all the household's usual cooks into his earlier "battle," there was no one available to prepare lunch for the young girl. A wave of guilt washed over him.
Victor settled onto the sofa beside her, gently ruffling Kanao's hair. "I'm sorry. I'm afraid you'll have to make do with snacks for lunch today."
Kanao shook her head slightly, indicating she didn't mind, and offered him a small cake.
"Would you like some?"
Victor didn't refuse, opening his mouth to accept her gentle feeding. He then opened a bag of potato chips, and they shared them together.
Their improvised lunch concluded with this sweet exchange of feeding each other.
Time swiftly advanced to 2:30 in the afternoon.
Erina Nakiri and Hisako Arato arrived precisely as scheduled, this time accompanied by three large delivery trucks filled to capacity with fresh ingredients and professional kitchen equipment.
Since Victor had mentioned expecting a large crowd that evening without specifying exact numbers, Erina had simply prepared enough food to serve approximately one hundred and fifty people. Truth be told, she remained slightly worried this might still prove insufficient.
After all, Victor and his companions possessed appetites many times greater than ordinary humans!
However, it was obviously impossible for her and Hisako alone to prepare food for more than a hundred people in a single afternoon.
Fortunately, by this time, Shinobu, Krul, and the others had recovered from their earlier exertions and joined the kitchen brigade as assistants.
Victor initially intended to help the girls with their preparations, but found himself unceremoniously expelled from the kitchen.
In Shinobu's words, "As the protagonist of this offline gathering, how could we possibly ask you to cook?"
Left with no choice, Victor returned to the living room and resumed watching television to pass the time.
Several hours flew by in the blink of an eye, and evening arrived at 7:30 PM.
Seeing that the kitchen preparations were nearly complete, Victor opened the chat group and sent out invitations.
[Victor: Family members, it's time for everyone to come over!]
The moment Victor's message appeared, a dimensional portal materialized before his eyes, and a white-haired ball of energy burst through.
"Hey, I'm here!"
The arrival was none other than Kiana!
But she wasn't alone, several figures followed closely behind her: Raiden Mei, Bronya, Theresa, Himeko, and Fu Hua.
Raiden Mei carried an elegantly wrapped gift box in her hands.
"Excuse the intrusion. These are some cakes we all made together. I hope you'll accept them," she said with her characteristic gentle smile.
"Haha, why would I refuse such a thoughtful gift?"
Victor happily accepted the gift box from Raiden Mei.
"It looks like we're the first ones here!" Kiana observed, glancing around and noting the absence of other group members.
"Mei! Let's go explore!" she exclaimed enthusiastically.
"Kiana, stop being so impulsive!" Theresa tapped Kiana on the head and lectured her with hands on her hips.
"This is someone else's house, after all. As guests, how can we wander around without our host's permission?"
"It's perfectly fine, Victor won't mind!" Kiana protested.
Victor nodded in agreement. "She's right. I really don't mind at all. Please, feel free to explore wherever you'd like."
Who knew? This might become their home in the future.
"See! I told you Victor wouldn't mind!" Kiana grabbed Raiden Mei's hand and dashed off.
"Don't think you can monopolize Mei!" Bronya hurriedly followed in pursuit.
"Sorry about that. The child is rather... spirited," Theresa apologized.
Despite her petite, loli-like appearance, she exuded a mature, responsible temperament in that moment.
Victor waved dismissively. "Being spirited is wonderful. I hope she can maintain that vitality forever."
"I couldn't agree more!"
Over the next few minutes, other group members arrived in succession.
Except for Tokisaki Kurumi who came alone, everyone else brought companions.
Lumine arrived with little Paimon floating beside her.
Belle brought her brother Wise and three small Bangboo companions.
Bai Yuekui arrived with Xiadou in tow.
Rin Tohsaka came with her younger sister Sakura Matou and Illya.
Tsunade brought along Nawaki and Shizune.
Shinoa Hiiragi and Mahiru Hiiragi arrived together.
Finally, Stelle brought everyone from the Astral Express crew except Pam.
The epic scene of two Himekos appearing in the same frame was immediately captured by Victor with his camera.
Theresa glanced between her own Himeko and the train crew's Himeko, unable to resist teasing, "I must say, this Miss Himeko seems more composed and elegant, and she doesn't have any troublesome drinking habits. She's like the perfect version of our Himeko!"
Victor nodded emphatically, expressing his complete agreement.
Murata Himeko raised an eyebrow. "How can you disparage your own family like that?"
The Astral Express Himeko smiled graciously. "Ms. Theresa, you're too kind. Actually, I think Miss Himeko has many admirable qualities too."
"Such as?" Theresa inquired curiously.
"Well... she's very beautiful," the train Himeko replied diplomatically.
"..." Murata Himeko fell silent.
Theresa, "..."
Wasn't that basically a roundabout way of complimenting herself? And besides beauty, were there really no other positive qualities to mention?
At that moment, Victor felt someone gently tugging on his sleeve. Looking down, he saw little Paimon.
"Victor, when will dinner be ready? Paimon is absolutely starving!"
"Not that severe, surely?" Victor scooped little Paimon into his arms and gave her round belly a playful rub. "It seems like there's still some food stored in here."
Little Paimon allowed Victor to rub her tummy contentedly. "There's only a tiny bit left! To save room for your delicious cooking, Paimon didn't eat lunch today!"
"That's quite the sacrifice on your part."
Victor retrieved one of the small cakes Raiden Mei had brought earlier and held it to little Paimon's mouth. "Have some cake first to tide you over."
"Wow! It smells incredible! Paimon won't hold back then!"
Little Paimon began eating with obvious delight.
"Mr. Victor, it's our first meeting in person. Belle and the others were absolutely right, you're far more handsome than your photos suggested."
Tokisaki Kurumi approached with her eyes curved in crescents and a bewitchingly charming smile gracing her features.
"Thank you for the compliment. I must say, you're equally beautiful and alluring," Victor responded generously with his own praise.
Tokisaki Kurumi's smile deepened. "Ah, what an honor to receive such praise from you."
Minutes ticked by steadily.
More than ten minutes later, dinner was finally ready.
Shinobu and the other girls wheeled several large serving carts into the dining room. The moment they lifted the covers from the carts, tantalizing aromas instantly filled the entire space, making everyone's mouths water in anticipation.
The grand dinner officially commenced!