Bai Longyuan finally stepped through the gates of Bai Residence, exhaustion weighing on his shoulders.
The palace had drained him today — endless strategic reports, military personnel reviews, and treasury allocations.
But the moment he entered the courtyard…
His tired eyes blinked.
Dozens of wooden boxes were stacked neatly in front of the house.
"Xiaoya," he called.
The maid hurried over and bowed. "Yes, Master?"
"What are these boxes?"
"Oh! These are all Young Miss Rouyuan's belongings, Master. They arrived from Wen Clan Mansion earlier."
"…All of these?" Bai Longyuan frowned.
Xiaoya nodding.
"Just what is that child planning this time?"
He rubbed his forehead.
Whenever Bai Rouyuan 'planned' something…the Bai Residence changed forever.
He stepped inside his chamber—
And immediately froze.
"…Why is it so cold in here?"
The air was crisp, refreshing — like early spring.
Just then, Rouyuan peeked into the room.
"Dad! You're home!" She smiled brightly.
"Cold, isn't it? Come, come — let me show you!"
Without waiting, she pulled her father toward a large clay box with vents.
"This is my new invention, 'The Water Evaporation Cooling Box.'
She opened the top.
Inside was cold water mixed with cooling herbs, slowly evaporating.
"When air flows through the vents, it cools down naturally. See? Instant cold air!"
Bai Longyuan touched the side of the box and blinked.
"…Incredible."
Rouyuan beamed.
"And I changed your bedding too! This is the 'Temperature Cooling Bedding' — you'll stay cool even in the hottest weather."
Before Bai Longyuan could say anything—
BANG!
Bai Yanyu burst into the room, waving papers in her hands.
"Ah-Yuan! Did you put these on my desk?"
Bai Rouyuan nodded happily.
"Yes! That is Scented Insect-Repellent Paper. Your documents will stay insect-free forever."
"And this," she held up the ink bottle, "'Quick-Drying Ink.' No smudges, no waiting."
Bai Yanyu's eyes shone.
"Wow… amazing!"
"I also placed Dad's set on your desk, Dad." Rouyuan added proudly.
"AND—" she lifted her finger,
"I changed all the lamps in the house to 'Smokeless Oil Lamps.' Brighter, no smell, less smoke, and lasts longer."
Bai Yanyu gasped. "I knew it, the house felt brighter!"
"And the scent," Rouyuan continued,
"I used 'Long-Burning Perfume Candles.' They last 12 to 15 hours!"
The three of them walked toward the main hall.
"Do you notice, Dad? Yu Ke? Our house smells different and feels brighter, right?"
"I DO!" Bai Yanyu raised his hand like an excited child.
"And I think, Father's room is definitely cooler than here!"
"That's because I placed the cooling box in Dad's room," Rouyuan explained.
Bai Yanyu pouted.
"What about my room? Why didn't you put one there?"
"…Later." Rouyuan sighed.
"Then I'll sleep with Father tonight," Bai Yanyu declared.
"Absolutely not," Bai Longyuan scolded.
"You're already grown up."
Bai Yanyu puffed his cheeks like a disgruntled kitten.
At that moment, Bai Yunchen entered.
"What about mine? Did you prepare anything for me?"
Rouyuan's eyes sparkled.
"For Chen-Ge, I have this."
She handed him a box.
"A 'Waterproof Cloak.' No water, no dust, no dirt. Perfect for a general like you."
Bai Yunchen examined the cloak, impressed. "This is very useful."
Bai Longyuan glanced at the boxes outside again.
"…So, all those boxes outside are these inventions?"
Rouyuan nodded proudly.
"Yes, Dad. And there's more!"
"I installed a ''Zero-Smoke Stove' in the kitchen. It uses herbal-treated charcoal and better ventilation."
"And for food storage, there's a 'Multi-Layer Steamer Box."
All three Bai men stared at her.
Bai Rouyuan continued enthusiastically: "All these items will be sold at my new shop — Mingyue Pavilion. It will feature inventions that don't exist anywhere else in the empire…"
"But before selling them, we MUST test first!"
She pointed proudly at their house.
"So I installed everything in advance."
Bai Longyuan blinked.
"So, if something explodes or catches fire… our house burns first?" he joked.
Rouyuan gasped dramatically.
"Dad! Don't you trust me?"
Bai Longyuan laughed and patted her head.
"I'm joking, I'm joking. Of course I trust you. Yuan Er is my smartest child."
Bai Yunchen chuckled.
Bai Yanyu giggled.
Rouyuan tried to look offended…
But in the end, she couldn't help laughing with them.
And for a moment—
The Bai Residence was filled with laughter, warmth, and light.
Just as it had been many, many years ago.