The door to Lin Zhan's room finally opened, and Zhang Lingxiu, carrying Lin Zhan bound by the Dragon Binding Rope, sat down on a chair by the dining table.
Lin Shanhe and his wife, along with An Rongrong, looked at the young couple, utterly bewildered. "Girl, what are you two playing at?"
Lin Zhan, his mouth gagged, could only let out muffled groans.
Having dealt with Lin Zhan multiple times, the Dragon Binding Rope immediately understood the meaning of the foolish boy and loosened its grip on his mouth.
Once his mouth was free, Lin Zhan shamelessly said to the Dragon Binding Rope, "Thank you, Master Rope. You say, for such a small matter, why did you have to tie me up? Brother, please, untie me so I can have a meal with my family. You know I haven't looked like a human lately."
The Dragon Binding Rope pondered for a moment, then nodded and untied Lin Zhan, before disappearing into its space.
Ouyang Xinlan looked at the intelligent Dragon Binding Rope and asked, "Son, why does this dragon-shaped rope keep tying you up? Did you offend it?"
Hearing his mother's words, Zhang Lingxiu let out a chuckle.
Lin Zhan looked at the smiling Zhang Lingxiu and said with a wicked grin, "Mom, your son didn't offend it. He offended your precious daughter-in-law."
Seeing Ouyang Xinlan about to ask more questions and his shy daughter-in-law, Lin Shanhe quickly intervened, "Wife, don't ask. It's the young couple's own business, why bother asking?"
Ouyang Xinlan looked at her son's mischievous grin and her shy daughter-in-law and understood what was happening. She then pinched Lin Zhan's ear and said, "What are you smiling about? You're all grown up, yet you still can't be serious all day. Your sister will be home from school soon, go wait for her at the door."
Upon hearing his mother's words, Lin Zhan remembered that he had a sister. "Dad, Mom, I'll go pick up Little Tuanzi first. I have important matters to discuss with you when I get back."
He then dashed out to wait for his sister to finish school.
As soon as Lin Zhan arrived at the manor gate, he heard the sound of a car stopping. A little girl, as exquisite as a carved jade, stumbled out.
Little Tuanzi froze for a moment upon seeing Lin Zhan at the entrance. Then, she spread her arms and, with her short legs, rushed towards Lin Zhan in a flash of green light. "Brother, you're back! Ya'er missed you so much!"
Lin Zhan bent down and picked up his sister, saying dotingly, "Brother missed Ya'er too. Brother brought back lots of delicious things for you."
Carrying his sister, Lin Zhan returned to the dining table and asked An Rongrong, "Mom, can my father and my two elder brothers-in-law come back for the New Year?"
An Rongrong thought for a moment and said, "Your second brother video-called me yesterday and actually mentioned it. Not only will your father be back this year, but they can also come back together for the New Year. I was telling Xinlan, it's as if the Ten Thousand Races are also celebrating the New Year, why aren't the battles tense anymore?"
Lin Hai suddenly entered from outside and said, "It's not tense anymore. After all, no one dares to make a move at this time."
Everyone in the room rose and asked, "Second Uncle, why are you here? Is something wrong?"
Lin Hai walked directly to the dining table and sat down. He said to Ouyang Xinlan, "Niece-in-law, can second uncle impose on you for a meal without invitation?"
Ouyang Xinlan hastily stood up and said, "Second Uncle, what are you saying? The dumplings will be ready soon. I'll prepare some side dishes to go with the drinks, and you gentlemen can have a few."
Lin Hai smiled with satisfaction. "Niece-in-law, make plenty. More people will be arriving soon, and your old man is back too."
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Xinlan quickly said to Lin Zhan, "Zhan'er, you and Xiu go pick up your maternal grandmother."
"No need, the two elders are here." Before Lin Zhan could get up, Ouyang Chengshan entered with Lin Zhan's maternal grandmother, Liu Ruolan.
"Second Brother, you're here early. Why didn't Third Brother come with you?" Ouyang Chengshan sat down beside Lin Hai and asked.
"Third Brother is looking for Da Zhen, he'll be here soon too. Chengshan, your two boys should be close to advancing to Lord rank by now." Lin Hai and Ouyang Chengshan were old brothers, so their conversation was naturally more casual.
"They're already at Diamond peak. It seems it will take some time to reach Lord rank." Ouyang Chengshan was interrupted by the opening of the door.
"Then hurry those two boys up, or I'll deal with them myself." Lin Shan entered with Zhang Zhen, pushing the door open.
Lin Zhan and Zhang Lingxiu exchanged a glance, knowing that something important must be happening tonight, otherwise, their entire family wouldn't have gathered so perfectly.
At this moment, Ouyang Xinlan and An Rongrong brought out the boiled dumplings and prepared dishes. Seeing the entire family, Lin Zhan cheerfully took out a jar of good wine.
"Hmm, Zhan'er, this wine is good. Where did you get it?" Lin Shan asked, smelling the rich aroma.
Lin Zhan grinned and said, "Third Grandfather, don't ask. I won't tell you even if you do. This jar is 50-year-old tiger bone vintage wine, and this wine jar has its own space. One jar holds a full 100 jin of fine wine. This is truly rare."
A system voice echoed in Lin Zhan's mind: "Host, can you be any more shameless? I sell medicine, not wine. Can you show me some respect? If you only buy wine and not medicine next time, I won't sell to you."
It turned out that after the system had excessively strengthened a certain soft bone of Lin Zhan last time, causing the student Lin to be in a wheelchair for several days, it was worried that Lin Zhan might be seriously injured and unable to perform his marital duties later.
The system was even more afraid of old fossils like Yu Longyan causing trouble for it. It immediately contacted its backend, planning to stock up on various tonics like the All-Ten-Benefit Pill and the Pillar Pill to help with student Lin's future happiness.
Unexpectedly, when the system's ancestor packed the goods, they also sent various potent medicinal wines and centuries-old fine vintages. Student Lin, his injuries healed, naturally had no need for these medicines, but he did have a significant need for various fine wines.
Moreover, the price Lin Zhan offered was very high: one Lord-level crystal nucleus for 100 jars of fine wine, and they had to be wine jars with built-in space.
The highest grade was the fine wine Lin Zhan used to bribe the Black Dragon King. One Lord-level crystal nucleus could buy 10 jars. Lin Zhan pacified the Black Dragon King with just 5 jars of fine wine, which meant that from Lin Zhan's perspective, Yu Longyan, the Black Dragon Emperor, and the Black Dragon King were only worth half a Lord-level crystal nucleus, and an early-stage one at that.
Men on the battlefield, who doesn't like to drink? Lin Zhan's fine wine immediately caught everyone's attention.
Lin Shan poured himself a cup. "Hmm, good wine. Zhan'er, look at this, as a junior, shouldn't you..." He then gestured with three fingers.
Lin Zhan grinned. "How could there be none? Don't worry, Third Grandfather. I've prepared a jar for you and Second Grandfather each."
"Cough, cough."
Lin Zhan looked at Ouyang Chengshan, who was coughing, and quickly said, "Don't worry, Grandfather, you won't be left out."