I Have a Penglai Immortal Island

After hanging up, Zhao Zhao decided to get serious. She clenched her fist and said to Yaoguang, "Let's make the clothes I designed today. Tomorrow, I must outshine Nan!"

"What a waste of my Illusory Spirit Silk and Azure Cloud Brocade," Yaoguang lamented.

Yaoguang felt that the pieces Zhao Zhao designed were a waste of materials. Such precious fabrics should not be sewn together with mundane techniques, reducing their potential to a mere tenth of their capability.

Zhao Zhao retorted, "I've told you, your aesthetic sense needs improvement. If I walked down the street in a complicated fairy dress, people would think I'm a cosplayer. Minimalist style is the way to go."

Yaoguang quipped, "Like the kind without buttons?"

"Retro buttons are best as intricate fastenings, but making them myself is too much trouble. Store-bought ones don't match the fabric. Ties look good too." Zhao Zhao moved her multifunctional sewing machine out and began selecting fabrics.

"You should learn how to refine garments into magical robes that can change styles at will, making one piece as versatile as a hundred."

Zhao Zhao asked, "At my current cultivation speed, how long until I can refine such a garment?"

"Thirty years?" Yaoguang guessed uncertainly.

"…You don't understand. A woman's wardrobe must be full to feel complete. Is this all the fabric you have? Don't hold back on me, show me everything," Zhao Zhao probed, suspecting Yaoguang had more hidden treasures.

Yaoguang tapped the sewing machine with its wing. "These aren't enough for you to waste? Illusory Spirit Silk and Azure Cloud Brocade are priceless, capable of blocking anything. Six bolts are enough to last you until you learn refining in thirty years."

After making two outfits, she stopped. Thirty years... better not waste them.

She had studied architectural design, and her hands had become more dexterous since she started cultivating. She had practiced pattern making and cutting for a few days and successfully completed her designs in one afternoon, except for the stand-up collar which proved tricky.

She used a hundred-year-old ice silkworm thread, which was slippery and difficult to undo once sewn, leaving her clueless.

She lost track of time until Da Linzi peeked in, asking, "It's five o'clock. When are we having dinner? Gun Gun and I are hungry."

Gun Gun ran over and rubbed against her leg. When she looked down, it spat out a small crab, looking at her proudly.

"Is this a gift for me? How thoughtful! Our Gun Gun is already taking care of the family at such a young age!" Zhao Zhao praised, giving Gun Gun a hearty rub.

Da Linzi looked exasperated. "I think it's just being a thief. I took it to watch Da Yang and the others pump the pond this afternoon. There wasn't much, but when they pumped out a few small crabs, Gun Gun rushed over and grabbed one."

"…Why didn't you take better care of your little brother? Both of you, stand in the corner for five minutes!"

Da Linzi: …I'm so wronged. And besides, I'm not sure Mom would agree this is my brother.

Man and dog squatted in the corner, with Da Linzi nagging his "little brother," "You can't just take other people's things, understand? The small crabs weren't ours..."

The tomahawk steaks were thick, about five or six centimeters. Zhao Zhao usually tied them with string to keep their shape. She heated a skillet, poured in olive oil, and when it was hot, added the steaks and some halved garlic cloves, sprinkling plenty of sea salt. Once both sides were seared, she added butter, more sea salt, black pepper, and a few sprigs of rosemary.

After the butter melted, she wrapped the steaks in foil and baked them for a few minutes. She cooked Da Linzi's steak a bit longer, knowing he might not like it too rare.

In just over half an hour, the steaks were ready, along with a bowl of fruit salad.

She cut off a piece of her steak, chopped it up for Gun Gun, and gave Yaoguang some fruit. Dinner was served.

The only downside was that they ended up drinking the wine from large juice glasses. Nevertheless, the siblings enjoyed their meal immensely.

Da Linzi said, "Zhao Zhao, this steak is amazing! So delicious! It's the best steak I've ever had. Chun Ge took me to a steakhouse in town once, but the steaks there were thin and not as flavorful."

Silly boy, that was probably a beef patty in Changshan.

"I'll stock up next time I'm out. Let me know if you want more. And it's impressive that Chun Ge took you out to eat." Chun Ge was their cousin, the second son of their uncle, known for being shrewd. Their uncle also had an older daughter, Xiong Min, with whom they had little interaction due to the age gap.

Da Linzi explained, "I ran into Chun Ge and his girlfriend shopping in Changshan. His girlfriend suggested we eat together, so he treated me. My mom says Chun Ge's girlfriend is a teacher, and our aunt is very pleased."

A new piece of gossip.

The siblings chatted in the yard after dinner, watching the moon rise, shrouded in a misty haze, far yet near.

At this moment, Zhao Zhao thought, I'm happier than the moon. It is lonely, but I have company by my side.

After sending Da Linzi off, Zhao Zhao returned to her fabric struggle. She decided not to undo the ruined collar but instead cut a new piece. Finally, she managed to finish the two outfits overnight.

Yaoguang was speechless. It had never seen such a lazy person who only got serious about making clothes when she had to go out, otherwise just making do. She was certainly not greedy.

Yaoguang spat out a light orb, which transformed into a jade hairpin on the table.

"A magical artifact? That can change shape? This is my first time seeing one," Zhao Zhao exclaimed in awe.

The hairpin was a glossy white jade, with a ferocious qilin head at the top, its eyes embedded with two unidentified green gems that sparkled. Though fierce-looking, it was small and delicate, perfectly matching the outfit Zhao Zhao had just finished.

Yaoguang explained, "It's called Icy Soul, an offensive magical artifact. Hold the qilin head and channel your spiritual power into it."

Zhao Zhao did as instructed, and the cute, rustic hairpin transformed into an ice crystal dagger about two feet long, emitting a chilling light and an imposing aura that seemed to lower the room temperature.

"Amazing!" She swung it a few times, clearly delighted.

It wasn’t just men who loved weapons; she also had a fondness for exquisitely crafted weapons... for collecting.

"This is more suitable for someone with an ice element, though. It's a waste for you to use it," Yaoguang said, trying to tease her as she admired the weapon.

"So what? You’re destined to stay with a water-element owner for this life and the next," Zhao Zhao replied with a celebrity-like tone, successfully annoying Yaoguang.