The process of crossing over was strange, like passing through a misty channel.
Suddenly, it switched to a colorful world.
Then, everything in front of you reassembled bit by bit, becoming individual objects.
Anyway, for Qin Xiao, this process felt more like motion sickness combined with waking up hungover.
It didn't have the grand, majestic feeling of breaking through world barriers, with everything at your feet, as described in fantasy novels.
Back in the secret room built by Tony, Qin Xiao sat at the computer desk for a while.
Only then did he slowly get up and carefully examine his house.
To be honest, compared to the housing prices in first-tier cities in China before his transmigration.
Real estate prices in Los Angeles aren't that high.
Dropping less than two million dollars gets you a high-rise apartment with a single unit per elevator, nearly four hundred square meters of space.
Although that translates to over ten million in China's currency, there's also a difference in prices to consider.
While the house isn't expensive, Qin Xiao's single-person property of this size requires nearly ten thousand dollars in additional taxes to the government each year.
No wonder I always heard that buying a big house in America is easy, but maintaining it is hard.
It really is a traditional Chinese mindset; coming back here feels more like home.
Houses... it seems I should buy a place to live in Magic City next time I go back.
Speaking of which, considering the time dilation here, today is the day of my housewarming.
That means I'll have to treat you to a meal.
Qin Xiao sent a text message to almost everyone he knew in this world.
It was 30% to promote the traditional virtues of China, 20% to show off his new luxurious home, and 50% to kill time.
The content was as follows:
Hi! This is Qin Xiao! I've moved into a new house today, and according to Chinese tradition, when moving into a new house, you should treat your friends to a meal! So I've decided to hold a grand Chinese-style banquet at my place tomorrow night, at 19:00, and everyone is welcome to come and be a guest at my home.
PS: Another Chinese tradition is that when friends move house, you should buy gifts and 'hongbao'! You can Google the meaning of 'hongbao'. Also, a friendly reminder: 'hongbao' is available in Chinatown! Attached is a screenshot of an electronic map marking the location! To be honest, Qin Xiao wasn't very good at cooking.
He could make one or two simple home-cooked dishes, but it wasn't enough to entertain others.
But with thousands of years of Chinese culture, does not knowing how to cook mean you can't treat people to a meal? How about hot pot? He went to Chinatown and got all the base ingredients and dipping sauces, even a whole bunch of miscellaneous Chinese-style seasonings.
Some things you might not use, but you should still have them at home, at least to add a touch of life.
A hot pot with a divider, sliced lamb and beef.
Qin Xiao finally understood why Chinese people abroad always stick close to Chinatown.
The variety of things you can buy in a single block here absolutely surpasses what you can find in a large supermarket back in China.
From various snacks and Tang suits to martial arts training and Cantonese morning tea, and Sichuan hot pot.
Down to pickled mustard greens and fried dough sticks, even the Little Rascals crispy noodles are available.
There are even masseuse parlors, mahjong parlors, and even funeral attire and wreaths.
If you're a homebody, you can stay holed up at home all day. If you need something, you just go downstairs to buy it, which is basically no different from being in China.
It's just that some of the dishes in some restaurants have been largely Westernized, and they're slightly different from the flavors in China.
He bought a whole bunch of things.
He carried them home in large and small bags.
He boiled water to dissolve the hot pot base, washed and cut the vegetables, and arranged them on the table.
He also washed a bunch of fruit and set it out.
Not to mention how to entertain the guests, but after all that, there was suddenly a little more life in the house.
"Perfect!"
Qin Xiao, who had been busy all afternoon, casually picked up an apple and munched on it while waiting for the Red Envelopes, oh no, for the guests to arrive.
It was just that the first guest surprised Qin Xiao a little.
Dr. Banner!
Qin Xiao hadn't sent him a text message at all. To be precise, Qin Xiao didn't have his contact information since he was taken away by S.H.I.E.L.D.
Sitting on the sofa, he watched the image from outside the door displayed on the wall opposite him.
"Nicole, open the door!"
"Yes, sir!"
The convenience of having a butler was immediately apparent.
"Hi! Dr. Banner, welcome to my home!"
"It's nothing, really nothing!"
Qin Xiao, even at his most shameless, couldn't bring himself to fleece this homeless, honest man.
He warmly gestured for Banner to sit down.
A few minutes later, Black Widow also came up.
"Hi! Don't stare, Qin. I brought Dr. Banner over from Canada today. I didn't have time to go to Chinatown to buy a Red Envelope. I don't know what gift to give you, so consider this a gift!"
Black Widow knew what Qin Xiao was thinking from his constant glances, and pulled him over, giving him a light kiss on the cheek.
"Alright then!"
Qin Xiao spread his hands in resignation.
"Beauties always have privileges, but I curse anyone who comes next without a Red Envelope, may their buttholes explode!"
It was unclear if it was coincidence or if Qin Xiao had a lot of influence.
Tony, the workaholic, had dropped his research on the new element, and even Nick Fury had put down his work to come over, bringing Hawkeye with him.
Of course, Agent Coulson, who always stationed in Los Angeles, was also there.
Well, the original six Avengers superheroes, except for Captain America, who was still frozen, and Thor, who was being a brat in Asgard, were all present at once.
However, without exception, none of them gave Qin Xiao a Red Envelope.
Some sent wine, some sent paintings, and the most ridiculous was Hawkeye, who directly gave Qin Xiao an arrow.
"What am I supposed to do with this thing? Use it as a back scratcher?"
Qin Xiao scratched his back with the arrow and complained.
"Since you're all so stingy, don't blame me for turning on you!"
Qin Xiao secretly grumbled in his heart. While the fire was going, he also added a spicy hot pot base to the clear soup pot of the mandarin duck pot – two packets!