A Failure's hopeful Journey

You Xi Wang raised his head like a peacock after getting praise from the old lady. Big Granny Cotton kept on chewing her food and she glanced at Anna. The blonde lady spoke to the chefs, "You have seen how to cook this?"

The staff nodded respectfully. Anna spoke again, "Then get working. Young Master, may we have the ingredients?"

You Xi Wang glanced at her and said, "Aunt Anna, I am young master only when I sit on the throne chair. You all call me like this. Is it that you don't see me as Xiao Wang anymore?"

Anna smiled and spoke, "Xiao Wang, hand over the ingredients. Also, you are a big boy now, help auntie watch over the process." her words were blunt.

You Xi Wang liked it this way only. He nodded and put down all the stuff he bought from his space ring. The staff worked fast and quickly processed the ingredients. You Xi Wang guided them from time to time while he chewed on some snacks randomly. After an hour, twenty big king-sized earthen pots, filled with Biryani were ready to be served. You Xi Wang nodded and came to Big Granny Cotton. 

He spoke, "Big Granny, today you eat with us, please? Others will be happy."

Lady cotton was used to eat in solidarity but watching You Xi Wang like this she nodded with a smile on her face. You Xi Wang took her hand and led her to the dining hall. On the way, he talked about Celestia and the kids baking cakes. Lady Cotton told him that when he was gone for the battle fest, Celestia and Lily accidentally hid in the kitchen while playing with the rest of the kids. Lady Cotton caught the two little devils and their sugar-coated words got the better for her. You Xi Wang laughed at this. Then he led the old lady to the dining hall while gently holding her hand.

The staff took the food to the dining hall and were ready to serve. The whole family was already sitting inside the dining hall. Usually, they would not have stood up when You Xi Wang came in but when they saw Lady Cotton beside him. They all stood up and greeted, "Good evening Big granny Cotton."

Lady cotton nodded to them with a gentle smile and said, "Good evening to you all as well. Sit down, I am no big-wig." she did not like to be the center of attention but this was her family after all. So she could accommodate them once in a while. You Xi Wang took her to the inner circle of the tables and sat her next to him. You Zhichi greeted the lady with a hug and sat next to her as well. You Xi Wang spoke as his gaze landed on the serving staff, "You can bring it down now."

The staff person nodded and immediately they took down the sealing dough. The result was, the whole dining hall filled with the aroma of biryani. The whole family was intoxicated by the fragrance of fresh spices. The staff quickly severed the biryani with yogurt and left it for the people to eat. The family prayed a bit and then they all attacked the biryani in front of them like hungry lions. Shoving in rice and chewing on chicken. 

All of them constantly praised You Xi Wang. They were all aware that today You Xi Wang cooked the food himself. You Zhichi did not care how her brother cooked, she was happy that he cooked. You Xi Wang was also about to eat when he saw Celestia and Lily looking sad. He stood up and walked to the two of them. He squatted down and asked, "What happened to my little fairies?"

Lily spoke, "Xixi, you made this recipe yourself but our cake was taught by Big Granny cotton. How does it even compare?" her voice was low yet still many people heard it and smiled. Celestia kept nodding on the side showing her agreement.

You Xi Wang shook his head and said, "You little dummies, thinking so much. You can invent your recipes when you grow up. Okay?"

The two girls looked up and nodded after some pondering. Celestia then asked, "Big brother, you sit and dine with us?"

You Xi Wang nodded and picked her up from her chair. He sat down with Celestia in his lap. Then they started eating. After the main course was done the serving staff came up with cakes cut and served in dishes. One dish had 8 small pieces of cake. All different flavored and different colored. You Xi Wang ate the cakes with a big smile on his face. He spoke, "Awe...Burp..."

He wanted to say awesome but he burped unconsciously as he had eaten a bit too much. Everyone started laughing at him. You Xi Wang spoke after coughing, "Beg your pardon, but the cake was really awesome."

The family then slowly dispersed for the night. You Xi Wang walked around the garden holding Emily's hand. He asked, "You have grown stronger Emily."

Emily nodded with a sweet smile on her face. She said, "Young Master, I have gained a lot under the guidance of Amanda. Also, I can now handle the work of in the foundation easily."

You Xi Wang nodded, and spoke, "Emily, I am not restricting you or something. But I would like you to know that you should not trust anyone completely until and unless they are your family. So be careful when you are out. Also, I will ask Granny Xin to pass on some duties in the foundation to you."

Emily nodded and was aware of his concern, after all, then you never know, who is a snake hiding in the shadows. As they were walking Susan also came to them. You Xi Wang hugged one the left and one right as he kept walking. Susan spoke, "Xi Wang, Lena Light, visited the house three times after you went away but the excuse was her grandma wanting to meet you."

Emily also spoke to him about this earlier so You Xi Wang was aware. He spoke with an indifferent voice, "She is just a passer-by. I have no interest in her." 

The two girls exchanged a smile and then nodded. They kissed You Xi Wang on his cheeks. You Xi Wang understood that they were teasing him. He spoke, "Yuki asked me to spend a night with her, but we don't have a place where we can be alone. And if I took her to a hotel. Her parents will cut me up for sure."

Emily spoke, "How about we all go out for a trip after your solo-battle contest?"

You Xi Wang pinched his chin and said, "Hmm, that can be done. But who will go on a trip? Also, I don't want to act too much. I look at Chichi practicing her cultivation art, being all alone and stuff. It tears me apart every time. If not for the fact that she might die and become unable to cultivate I would not have beaten up every guy who looks at her." he shook his head in exasperation. 

Emily sighed with him and the three people headed back to their rooms. The night was silent and it was lonely. You Zhichi in the room was unaware of her brother's pain for her and kept practicing. The night passed and everyone woke up. You Xi Wang and his sister drove to the school but on the way, You Zhichi shouted, "STOP. Bro, isn't that teacher Maddie?"

Her finger pointed to a derelict alley. You Xi Wang followed her pointer and froze in his seat. A terrifying killing intent burst out...