As soon as Anh Ph??ng stepped into her family’s villa, she rushed forward and threw her arms around her parents and two older sisters, her voice trembling with emotion and a hint of childish affection:

  – “I missed you all so much, Mom, Dad, and my sisters!”

  M? Linh’s eyes welled with tears as she hugged her daughter tightly.

  – “We missed you too, my dear girl.”

  C?u D?ng, his voice thick with emotion, added softly:

  – “We were planning to visit you in Canada, but with everything that’s happened lately, we haven’t been able to arrange the trip yet.”

  Just then, Tu?n and Ti?n walked over. Tu?n placed a gentle hand on Anh Ph??ng’s shoulder, smiling warmly.

  – “Now that you’re home, take a little rest and then join us for dinner. We’ve made all your favorite dishes.”

  Ti?n turned toward the two foreign guests, his tone friendly and welcoming.

  – “These must be your classmates, right?”

  Join and Mary both bowed politely.

  Mary smiled brightly as she introduced herself.

  – “Hello everyone, I’m Anh Ph??ng’s roommate, and this is Join — our student council president.”

  Anh Ph??ng beamed, taking their hands affectionately.

  – “They’ve helped me so much with my studies and with life over there. When I first arrived in Canada, everything was new to me... but they were always by my side, helping me through it all.”

  C?u D?ng stepped closer, smiling courteously.

  – “Thank you both for taking such good care of my daughter. Since you’re visiting Vietnam, our family will take you sightseeing around Saigon and some of the famous tourist spots.”

  M? Linh added gently:

  – “This week, we’ll also be busy preparing for Anh Th?’s wedding — she’s Anh Ph??ng’s third sister. You two should come join the celebration as well.”

  Anh ?ào squeezed her youngest sister’s hand.

  – “You missed my wedding last time, so you have to stay for this one, okay?”

  Anh Th? smiled politely at her sister’s friends.

  – “You both must come too. It’ll be a fun experience.”

  Mary’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

  – “I’ve never attended a Vietnamese wedding before! I’ve only seen a little bit of it on YouTube.”

  Join glanced at her playfully.

  – “Then this is our chance to experience traditional Vietnamese wedding culture firsthand. I’ll take plenty of photos — we can show them to the students back in Canada.”

  Mr. Tài chuckled warmly, pride in his voice.

  – “You’re all welcome to stay here — enjoy the wedding, taste our local dishes, and experien

  ce a bit of Vietnam. Consider it an unforgettable trip.”

  The reunion dinner grew even warmer as everyone gathered around the table, laughter and conversation filling the air. Join gently placed a large, neatly wrapped gift bag made of glossy paper on the table.

  – “Mary and I brought a few presents from Canada for you, Uncle and Aunt.”

  M? Linh cheerfully accepted it, carefully unwrapping the elegant package — and her face immediately lit up with delight. Inside were exquisite Canadian specialties: Maple syrup, fine chocolate, a bottle of Canadian whisky, and a jar of Montreal Steak Seasoning.

  Mrs. Nga stepped closer, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

  – “Oh my, all Canadian specialties! Maple syrup is wonderful for baking — the color is beautiful, and the sweetness is so pure, all extracted from maple tree sap!”

  Hi?u, Mr. Tài’s son, held up a box of chocolates, whistling in admiration.

  – “Wait, is this SOMA chocolate? And—wow—this one’s Logan Petit Lot peanut butter chocolate spread! That brand’s super expensive!”

  Deep nodded with a polite smile, explaining further.

  – “Yes, the full name is SOMA Chocolatemaker — a famous artisanal chocolate brand from Toronto. They inspect every single cacao bean, from roasting to grinding, to ensure perfect flavor control at every stage. That’s why each chocolate bar that reaches customers meets the highest quality standards.”

  Dì T? was more intrigued by the jar of Montreal Steak Seasoning, her tone filled with enthusiasm.

  – “This spice mix is amazing for grilled ribs, chicken wings, or even burgers — absolutely delicious!”

  Mary smiled kindly, then placed another small gift bag on the table.

  – “And here’s something I picked out personally — handwoven scarves made by Indigenous artisans in Canada. Each one has a unique design — red maple leaves, polar bears, and the mountains and forests of Canada.”

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  Anh Th? lifted a scarf with red maple leaf patterns, gently brushing the soft fabric between her fingers.

  – “The material is so smooth and warm, and the pattern represents Canada perfectly. It’s beautiful!”

  Charles glanced around the table with a composed smile.

  – “Alright, everyone, let’s start eating before the food gets cold. We can continue chatting afterward.”

  Laughter returned to the dining room, filling it with warmth once more. Outside, the night slowly descended over the villa, and the golden light from the chandelier reflected on the joyful faces gathered around the table — marking the beginning of a heartfelt family evening… and hinting at the quiet undercurrents soon to surface.

  At the Gothic Mansion, a grand seafood dinner had just ended. The clatter of dishes echoed lively through the kitchen as a group of little demons eagerly helped clean up.

  One of them shouted while scrubbing a plate:

  – “It’s still early! Let’s go out and have some fun later!”

  Erion shot a sharp glance, his deep voice carrying a commanding tone:

  – “Servants who do nothing but eat, sleep, and play... you lot seem to be living far more comfortably than your master.”

  The group instantly froze, forcing awkward smiles as they glanced at one another nervously.

  Trang checked the watch on her wrist, her expression slightly anxious.

  – “I wonder if the seafood shipment has arrived yet… It’s taking too long. If it’s not fresh, the flavor will be ruined.”

  Erion smirked faintly, his eyes gleaming with mystery.

  – “Don’t worry. I used black fire to keep it frozen. Besides… by now, your father’s royal agents should’ve brought it back safely.”

  Arian, polishing a crystal glass, added casually:

  – “I was going to bring it myself, but there’s still work to be done tonight. So I called the transport team instead — faster that way.”

  ---

  Meanwhile, at the Bình Chánh Headquarters, the royal agents of Satan’s Kingdom had just delivered the seafood crates safely. The Grand Lady Advisor stepped forward and gently lifted a lid. The fresh scent of sea air mixed with rising cold mist filled the room.

  – “Erion surely knows how to please his father-in-law. These seafoods are excellent,” she remarked with a sly smile.

  Seated nearby, Satan gave a slow nod, his deep voice rumbling:

  – “Erion is naturally stubborn and hot-tempered — never one to bow easily. He’s the complete opposite of Trúc Di?n, who’s calmer and more obedient.”

  The Grand Lady Advisor smiled knowingly.

  – “If the Lord hadn’t acted first and taken the remaining Black Diamond as his goddaughter, there’d be no way to gain leverage over that rebellious demon.”

  Master V?nh gazed into the distance, his tone echoing like it came from the depths of the cosmos.

  – “The universe arranges everything perfectly… creating two Black Diamonds meant solely for each other — destined and bound as one.”

  The Grand Lady Advisor nodded in pride and reverence.

  – “The Lord has decreed — only Trang and Erion can wed and bear the next generation. If it were anyone else, it would be impossible. No one could ever replace their roles.”

  Satan’s deep, resonant voice filled the hall as he gave an order to his agents:

  – “Take the crates to the kitchen. The seafood from Long H?i fishing village is exceptionally fresh. I want to taste it tonight.”

  The royal agents bowed respectfully.

  – “Yes, my Lord!”

  Dinner at Mr. Tài’s cozy villa kitchen had never been livelier. Laughter and cheerful chatter mingled with the rustic aroma of caramelized snakehead fish in clay pot, sour soup with pangasius fish, and stir-fried morning glory with garlic — filling the air with the unmistakable warmth of a true Vietnamese family meal.

  Anh Ph??ng picked up a piece of pangasius fish and placed it into Join’s and Mary’s bowls, her tone cheerful and excited:

  – “You two should dip it in chili fish sauce — that’s what really brings out the signature flavor of the fish.”

  They followed her advice. As soon as the fish touched their tongues, the golden Phú Qu?c fish sauce blended perfectly with the rich, buttery sweetness of the fish — a delicate, harmonious balance of taste.

  Join’s eyes widened in surprise:

  – “The fish is so tender and fatty, and that sauce… unbelievably flavorful!”

  Mary nodded eagerly, her eyes sparkling:

  – “This is the first time we’ve tasted a dipping sauce this perfectly balanced!”

  Mr. Tài chuckled warmly, his voice carrying quiet pride:

  – “Fish sauce is not just a condiment — it’s the soul of Vietnamese cuisine. It’s made from anchovies — the black, red, or silver-striped kinds — all rich in protein and nutrients.”

  Ti?n, picking up a piece of clay pot fish, continued with a storyteller’s enthusiasm:

  – “The anchovies are marinated with coarse sea salt. The best salt comes from Bà R?a, and it must be aged for at least three months to remove bitterness and impurities.”

  Tu?n nodded and added:

  – “After that, the fish and salt are mixed at a ratio of three parts fish to one part salt, then stored in wooden barrels for twelve to fifteen months to ferment naturally. During that time, the mixture has to be checked constantly to make sure it’s not spoiled or too sour.”

  C?u D?ng, taking a bite of stir-fried morning glory, continued calmly:

  – “After fermentation, the first extract is called N??c M?m Nh? — pure, first-press fish sauce. Before bottling, it’s tested carefully for protein content, color, and aroma. Only batches that meet the strict standards are sold on the market.”

  For a moment, the table fell silent — the only sound was Join and Mary savoring each bite, their faces lit with delight. The deep, salty-sweet harmony of Vietnam’s traditional flavors lingered — simple, humble, yet unforgettable.

  Inside the apartment of the Serpent Clan’s secret agent family, the evening air was filled with a gentle fragrance of roses. My sat quietly, playing with a pale pink sachet that gave off a soft floral scent — the aroma of roses, symbolizing love and destiny in traditional Chinese feng shui. In her mind, the image of Trúc Di?n appeared faintly, making her lips curl into a sweet, dreamy smile.

  Quan nudged Quang, whispering:

  – “Boss, what’s up with your girlfriend? She’s been staring at that sachet and smiling for ages.”

  Quang sighed, replying in a dry but amused tone:

  – “Probably imagining something… far beyond this universe.”

  Just then, Nh? Phu and her daughter ??i Ng?c stepped out, carrying a tray of steaming hot black sesame sweet soup. The air filled with a rich, nutty aroma. The dessert was made from roasted black sesame seeds, finely ground and blended with glutinous rice flour to create a smooth, silky texture. As it simmered with fresh coconut milk, the mixture turned a glossy jet-black, releasing a fragrant sweetness and creamy flavor — both soothing and refreshing.

  H?u K? smiled warmly as he handed each guest a bowl:

  – “Please try it. This is a traditional dessert from the Chinese – Vietnamese community of Ch? L?n in Saigon — mildly sweet, creamy, and very nutritious.”

  Nh? Phu sat down beside her husband and added gently:

  – “We call it ‘Zhi Má Hú’ in Chinese. It’s especially good for women — it helps with digestion, keeps the hair smooth and shiny, and provides great nutrients for expectant mothers.”

  Quang, Quan, and My each took their first spoonful. The subtle sweetness spread across their tongues, the velvety texture of the soup blending perfectly with the roasted sesame aroma and the light creaminess of coconut milk.

  Quang’s eyes lit up as he exclaimed

  – “This is delicious! The flavor’s just right — not too sweet, smooth, and fragrant.”

  Quan nodded in agreement:

  – “Eating this regularly must be great for your health.”

  ??i Ng?c smiled mischievously, glancing at My:

  – “You should eat more, sis. It’s great for beauty — black sesame is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that nourish the skin and hair.”

  L?p Thành, savoring another spoonful, chimed in proudly:

  – “That’s why Mom and my sister have long, silky black hair and such rosy skin — they eat this dessert all the time!”

  My’s eyes widened in surprise:

  – “Really? Then I’ll have to learn how to make it from your mom!”

  Nh? Phu smiled kindly, her eyes warm and gentle:

  – “Of course. Come by anytime, My. I’ll teach you. There are many other traditional Chinese desserts you might love.”

  Laughter filled the apartment, mingling with the sweet aroma of roasted sesame and coconut milk — creating a cozy, intimate warmth that felt like true family.