Investing in My Crippled Wife: Every Return Makes Me Stronger

’...Tasty. And...’

Ethea also felt the effects of the meal.

Although she was unable to tell the exact details since she was paralyzed and the only thing she felt was constant pain, she could still tell the meal was actively affecting her, in a good way.

Ethea secretly glanced across the table at Soren.

He was currently smirking at Miss Zoe, leaning back slightly in his chair. ”So, are you gonna take those words back?”

Miss Zoe, however, was completely busy with the meal. She kept her head down, purposely ignoring Soren because of embarrassment after being proven wrong so quickly.

However, Ethea doubted it was the only reason.

The sheer intensity of Zoe’s focus suggested something far deeper than mere stubbornness. Seeing how the young woman was discarding her dignity as a woman strengthened Ethea’s certainty in her conclusion.

’This meal is definitely not ordinary.’

Even within the realm of high-tier magical cuisine, this dish was on a whole other level.

’Moreover, it’s specifically prepared for us.’

Ethea’s eyes flickered with a quiet intensity as the realization settled in. The precise balance of the pure frost essence was entirely too specific to be a coincidence. Since Miss Zoe was an ice element user, she likely noticed the profound effects of the dense frost mana immediately, hence the desperate devouring.

’He also asked about Aunt Clara’s affinity yesterday to make sure.’

Turns out, she had grade 4 water affinity.

This meant she would not be harmed by the intense frost energy. In fact, due to the fluid nature of her grade 4 water affinity, she might even benefit immensely from the high-quality refinement of the broth.

However, the same could not be said for everyone.

An ordinary person or a low-ranking cultivator without proper elemental tolerance or the right affinity would have their internal pathways frozen solid the moment the liquid touched their tongue.

Even a seasoned expert with an opposing element, such as fire, would experience a violent, destructive clash within their core if they dared to eat this meal. It was a double-edged sword, completely lethal to the uninvited, yet meticulously tailored to act as a supreme tonic for the three women sitting at the table.

’Soren... He’s too kind.’

Ethea’s lips curled up subconsciously once again as she stared at the young man, a profound warmth melting her icy exterior.

While she remained lost in her quiet revelation, the silence at the table was suddenly broken by a sharp intake of breath beside her.

As the cold energy began to circulate through Clara’s system, her graceful movements stalled. She slowly set her spoon down, her eyes widening in sheer disbelief as she looked up at Soren.

”Soren...” Clara’s voice was barely above a whisper, carrying a tremor of profound shock. ”This... what did you do to this food? I... I feel like I can break through at any moment.”

”I’m glad it suits your taste, Aunt Clara,” Soren replied, his smirk softening into a relaxed smile as he took another sip from his own bowl. ”Drink a bit more and if you feel the bottleneck loosening, don’t hold it back. You can use the training room; I had it already prepared.”

Clara nodded quickly, her hand trembling slightly as she picked up her spoon. ”Then please excuse me.”

She took a few more hurried spoonfuls of the translucent broth and a thick bite of the tender marbled beef, letting the intense, refined energy fill her core to the absolute brim. Standing up from her chair, she paused to offer Soren a deep, grateful bow before turning and heading straight toward the training room.

Meanwhile, Zoe finally finished every single drop of her soup. She set the porcelain bowl down with a sharp click, her face flushed red, though it was hard to tell whether it was from the rapid eating or sheer embarrassment. She let out a long, frosty breath that visibly misted in the air.

”Fine! I take it back!” Zoe huffed, crossing her arms and refusing to look him in the eye. ”You’re a monstrously good cook. Happy now?”

Soren chuckled quietly, thoroughly satisfied with the reaction. He leaned back in his chair, swirling the remaining liquid in his bowl. ”Feel any difference?”

”...Yes.” Zoe nodded, her expression suddenly losing its playful edge and turning a bit solemn. She too was sensing her bottleneck loosening. She looked up at him, her gaze tight with urgency. ”Actually, I also want to excuse myself if possible. And can you give me some more just in case?”

Soren didn’t question it. Recognizing the critical timing of a breakthrough manifestation, he gave her a firm nod.

”Of course. Just wait for a moment.”

He stood up and quickly headed back into the kitchen to package a fresh portion of the magical soup.

Zoe watched his back for a second, then turned her attention entirely toward the other side of the table. Her gaze shifted onto Ethea, looking a bit hopeful and hesitant.

The energetic, teasing older sister persona was completely gone, replaced by the vulnerability of a young cultivator standing on the precipice of a life-changing advancement.

”...Ethea,” Zoe spoke softly, her voice dropping to a near whisper. ”Can you tell me what I should do for a successful breakthrough? How did it go for you? After all... you were once an Empress.”

Ethea paused, her gaze dropping to the clear broth remaining in her bowl as the title she had long discarded echoed in the quiet room. After a long moment, she lifted her head, her calm eyes locking onto Zoe before she gave a slow, deliberate nod.

”A true breakthrough is not about gathering more power, but about gaining absolute mastery over what you already possess,” Ethea said, her voice carrying a steady, timeless weight.

She paused, adjusting her tone to ensure her next words anchored themselves deep in Zoe’s mind.

”Do not let the fear of failure or the rush of power break your focus; instead, clear your mind of all external expectations, maintain an unshakeable will against the pressure, and wait for the exact moment your core yields to your command.”