"Mom, how much did you buy?" Lin Feng asked casually, clearly just making conversation.
The Tusked Pig is a First Grade Demon Beast, equivalent to the strength of a First Grade Martial Artist, and also the lowest level of demon beast. Its meat is delicious, with ten times more Qi and blood compared to regular pork. Eating more can strengthen Qi and blood and improve physique.
Usually, a pound of Tusked Pig costs 300 New Coins, while mother's monthly income is only 3000 New Coins. A pound of Tusked Pig meat is equivalent to her three days' salary, so we only eat it during holidays.
But today, due to the Awakening Day, the city outskirts are littered with demon beast carcasses, so the prices of demon beast meat have greatly reduced, only half of usual.
This is also the day when many residents of Shore District buy demon beast meat once a year, buying dozens of pounds at once to keep in the freezer for a year or longer.
Today, Mom Lin did not go to work just to buy demon beast meat.
Because today is the Awakening Day, tonight's meal is much richer than usual, comparable to a New Year's feast.
A plate of stir-fried Tusked Pig meat with green peppers weighing a full pound, sour and spicy cabbage, braised carp, three dishes and a soup, with white rice as the staple food.
After the food was set, the door opened, and a middle-aged man holding a briefcase came in. This man in his forties looked ordinary and slightly plump, giving the impression of being honest and earnest at first glance.
This man is Lin Feng's stepfather, Ma Yingzong, known as Old Ma. He got a government job through his brother's connections, with a monthly income of 3500 New Coins, no other shady income. It's clear this is a real Qingshui Government Office job, even earning less than some laborers.
When Lin Feng was seven, his mother got together with Old Ma. Although Lin Feng never called him father, he still maintains respect for this stepfather in his heart.
In Lin Feng's view, Old Ma is quite ordinary, whether in appearance or background, with his own little schemes and no ambition. Otherwise, with his brother's connections, he wouldn't have ended up so poorly.
But no matter what, he has fulfilled the duty of a father, helping to raise him and his older sister.
The most important thing is that he loves his mother very much. Since they got married, they've never quarreled. Although not wealthy, the family lives a peaceful and harmonious life.
"You're back."
Old Ma put down his briefcase, changed his slippers, and smiled at Lin Feng.
"Mm."
Lin Feng responded. Before he could speak, a whirlwind figure rushed in.
It was a young girl, short in stature, with big eyes and a small mouth. Her baby-faced cheeks made her look not very pretty, but very cute.
"Brother, what demon spirit did you refine today?"
Before even changing her shoes upon entering, the girl eagerly asked. Ma Lele is twelve years old, just started middle school, and they didn't have classes this afternoon. Everyone watched the live broadcast of Awakening Day in the classroom.
Not just them, many companies did the same. On this special day, who has the mind to work or attend classes?
"Brother, I saw Song of Solomon sister on TV."
"Enchanting Butterfly! Eighth Grade Demon Spirit, that's so cool!"
Ma Lele shouted excitely, not noticing the glances her father and older sister were giving her.
"Brother, what demon spirit did you refine?"
"But you're so amazing, surely you could at least refine a Sixth Grade Demon Spirit."
"I heard Song of Solomon sister also signed with Ju Xing Club, she's made it, she's made it..."
At this point, Ma Lele finally noticed the others' unusual expressions, and immediately fell silent, unsure of what to say.
Old Ma, as an adult, heard the news from neighbors right after entering the district, so he avoided the topic, whereas Ma Lele was thrilled to see Song of Solomon at school and frantically ran home after school, not knowing what had happened.
"Haha, it's okay."
Lin Feng smiled, patting Ma Lele's chubby cheeks. He doted on this younger step-sister, with no blood relation, as if she were his own sister.
"Brother didn't find a suitable demon spirit today, those demons were too low in grade."
"Brother, really?"
Ma Lele seemed to come back to life, jumping up in surprise.
She is a loyal fan of Lin Feng, viewing him as an undisputed genius.
She didn't think her brother would lie to her, just a bit puzzled: "Didn't Ye Qiu refine a Thorny Demon Dragon ranked 46th in the Earth Chart? Brother, you don't even fancy such a powerful demon spirit?"
"Brother, you're a bit conceited."
"Lele, it's time for dinner. Young girls shouldn't act crazy all day."
Old Ma spoke up timely. He also hoped Lin Feng would become a Demon Spirit Master, which could change the family's living conditions, but like Mom Lin, he didn't pressure Lin Feng.
Moreover, Lin Feng's current Seventh Rank Body Cultivation strength meant that getting into a top university should be no problem.
Graduating would at least make him a First Grade Martial Artist.
A First Grade Martial Artist, even if not pursuing martial arts, even as a regular white-collar worker, would have a monthly salary of at least twenty to thirty thousand, which was better than him.
Martial artists are not just simple-minded with strong limbs.
Powerful martial artists not only have abundant energy but can work continuously for days without problems. Their memory, comprehension, and reaction speed are better than that of ordinary people. Companies are now in great need of martial arts talents.
In the future, this family still relies on Lin Feng.
"The Thorny Demon Dragon is indeed high level, but Brother wasn't lucky enough to encounter one."
Lin Feng smiled and said.
Mom Lin and Old Ma paid no mind to his answer, thinking Lin Feng was just making something up or simply trying to maintain a great image in front of his sister.
Lin Feng didn't explain any further.
"Feng, eat more, you're still growing, and eating helps you grow." At the table, mother picked up meat for Lin Feng, but didn't eat herself.
It was not just the mother, but the older sister did the same.
Old Ma was visibly eager to eat but gave the pieces to Lele instead, not eating for himself.
"Mom, sister, and Old Ma, you should eat too."
Lin Feng served Tusked Pig meat to each of the three of them, knowing if he didn't, they wouldn't eat at all.
"Alright, enough's enough."
Lin Fang used her chopsticks to press down Lin Feng's chopsticks, her slightly fatigued face showing a genuine smile.
Her son being so filial was evidently very gratifying.
"You're still in the Qi Blood Period, you need more Qi and blood. We're not martial artists; eating demon beast meat isn't much effective for us."
Lin Fang ate the thinnest and smallest slice of meat and then put the meat back into Lin Feng's bowl. Lin Kerou did the same.
In their eyes, Lin Feng is the future pillar of this family. Only if he becomes stronger will this family have hope.
Old Ma ate one piece, giving everything else to Lele.
"Okay, stop passing around the food, I like fish. You hurry and eat." Mom Lin urged.
"Brother, I'll give some to you too." Ma Lele mimicked the adults, picking a piece of meat for Lin Feng, then focused on eating.
This made Lin Feng feel a mix of emotions.
Looks like I need to start making money soon, or we won't even afford meat.
However, Lin Feng thoroughly enjoyed this state, the harmonious state of a family of five.