"Creak~"
With a soft sound, the door to the room was gently pushed open, and a figure sneaked in, letting out a long sigh of relief, stretching, and burping. While turning the automatic oil lamp by the door, she muttered, "Thank goodness I wasn't discovered, otherwise these guys would definitely have gone to Father to tattle again."
"These guys are annoying, aren't they?" a voice chimed in.
"Yes! So annoying…" Vivian chimed in naturally, then her expression froze. The oil lamp slowly lit up, illuminating the room. Vivian turned around abruptly, looking somewhat flustered at Michael, who was sitting upright beside the table. "Father! What are you doing here! Weren't you supposed to be back very late today?"
"If I hadn't come back, I wouldn't have been able to catch you, you little cat who ran off to sneak out for food." Michael said somewhat seriously, looking at Vivian dressed in men's clothing with a hint of helplessness in his heart.
"Who said that? I just felt too stuffy at home, so I went out for some fresh air. I didn't go out to secretly eat... burp~" Vivian stared at the ceiling, her face slightly flushed. At this crucial moment, she actually burped. It was so embarrassing.
"Remember to wipe your mouth clean before coming in next time, otherwise it'll be obvious you've been sneaking out for food even without burping." Michael couldn't help but laugh at Vivian, pointing to the corner of her mouth.
Vivian wiped her mouth, her hand smeared with red oil – apparently from not cleaning herself properly after eating grilled fish. Her expression turned even more awkward. It seemed she couldn't just get away with it tonight. She immediately sat down opposite Michael, picked up the kettle, poured herself a glass of water, and downed it in one gulp. Then, looking at Michael with a serious expression, she said:
"Father, I didn't go out today to secretly eat. I went out specifically to investigate for you. After my detailed investigation, what Uncle Robert said at noon today is completely true. The food at that restaurant called Mai Mi is really delicious, and it's incredibly popular, always packed with long queues. Such a restaurant, having earned its high ranking on the food rankings based on its own merit, has actually been removed from the list. There must be something wrong with the Catering Association, you should investigate thoroughly, otherwise the food rankings are simply unfair."
"Oh? You actually went to that restaurant for dinner?" Michael looked at Vivian with some surprise.
"Yes, I went and had Spicy Grilled Fish. It was really, really delicious. How about I take you there tomorrow? We can invite Mom too." Vivian nodded, full of anticipation.
"I have a lot to do tomorrow. I have to receive an orc delegation at noon and mediate the war between dwarves and demons in the evening. I don't have time to go." Michael shook his head and looked at Vivian with a serious expression. "Besides, Master Adams said that your physical condition prevents you from eating chili peppers, so you can only eat this Spicy Grilled Fish once. You are absolutely not allowed to eat it again next time."
"Oh." Vivian nodded in response, though somewhat reluctant, as she looked at Michael's serious expression.
Seeing Vivian nod, Michael's expression softened, and he looked at Vivian with concern, asking, "Are your lower abdomen and legs still cold today? It's time for Master Adams to use magic to soothe you again. I came back early today specifically to take you there and pay a visit to the master."
"Today..." Vivian lifted her leg, then pressed her lower abdomen, and exclaimed with delight, "It doesn't hurt at all! I don't feel cold anymore either, it's like I'm completely healed!"
"Really?" Michael seemed a little skeptical, and said earnestly, "Vivian, although the nurturing process is a bit uncomfortable, but Master Adams' fire magic is the most powerful in Chaos City. Only if he nurtures you once a month can the cold be controlled..."
"Father, it really doesn't hurt or feel cold anymore! I felt a little uncomfortable when I woke up this morning. Usually, I feel the worst at night, but now I don't feel anything at all. Could it be because of the Spicy Grilled Fish I just ate? When I ate it, I felt warm all over and sweated a lot. Now I feel relaxed and not uncomfortable at all. I just want to take a shower." Vivian interrupted Michael, her own face showing disbelief.
"Let me see your hand." Michael grabbed Vivian's hand, placed his fingers on her wrist, closed his eyes, and after a while opened them suddenly, looking incredulous. "The coldness has indeed disappeared a lot, especially in the meridians, it's almost all gone."
"So, Father, does that mean I'll recover as long as I keep eating that Spicy Grilled Fish?" Vivian's expression brightened. She felt like she had discovered something incredible. Compared to taking medicine, eating grilled fish everyday was simply too blissful!
"You're coming with me to see Master Adams right now. Let him take a look at what's going on." Michael released Vivian's hand, not answering her question, and urged her on.
"Can I take a shower first?" Vivian pleaded.
"Okay, hurry up. I'll go tell your mother to eat first." Michael nodded and went out.
…
"Your tofu pudding."
Yabemia brought out a bowl of Sweet Tofu Pudding and a bowl of Savory Tofu Pudding, and placed them in front of Warren and Tony.
"I heard that the customers at this restaurant were arguing fiercely about whether to eat sweet or savory tofu pudding. It's just a bowl of this stuff, what's there to argue about?" Tony said with a smile, looking at the Savory Tofu Pudding in front of him.
"We'll know once we try it." Warren laughed, the aroma of tofu pudding making him swallow. The main reason he chose to join the stagnant Food Association was simply because he loved to eat. His idea at the time was simple: he wanted to try all the restaurants in Aden Square.
Now, he has a lot of control over what diners eat in Aden Square and which restaurants become popular. He never expected that a food ranking list from back then could change his life so much, completely exceeding his own expectations.
Warren looked at the tofu pudding in front of him. It was like steamed egg custard, but more elastic. He scooped out the tofu pudding covered with golden-red sugar syrup. The cut surface was as white as jade. It was quickly covered by the thick sugar syrup again. He slowly scooped up a spoonful. The tofu pudding, wrapped in the crystal sugar syrup, swayed slightly in the spoon. It was as exquisite as a work of art.
"It looks and smells delicious, I hope the taste won't disappoint me." Warren eagerly put the tofu pudding into his mouth. The sweet and bouncy tofu pudding almost melted in his mouth. The syrup coating it was so rich and flavorful. The sweet taste blended perfectly with the tofu pudding. After swallowing a mouthful of tofu pudding, there was no cloying sweetness at all. A faint aroma of tofu pudding lingered in his mouth. It was sweet but not greasy.
"This taste is absolutely amazing!" Warren couldn't help but exclaim.