Chapter 10: The First Confrontation Between Lin Yifeng and Lei Wuxie

“Cousin, isn’t interstellar society the most generous when it comes to children? Kids’ things are the most expensive, so why can’t we make food specifically for them?”

Qiao Xin’s rapid-fire questions instantly made Xiao Ruyi realize her mistake.

“Tsk tsk, I was overthinking! But children’s meals have much stricter requirements, so you have to be careful.”

Harming children in the interstellar community was a serious crime, and food poisoning could even lead to imprisonment!

“I know, it’s all written in interstellar law. I’m training to be a nutritionist, so I’ll be even more meticulous!”

Qiao Xin said confidently, especially with the little AI system overseeing her work.

The machines produced by the system all had self-defense functions. Even if someone tried to tamper with them, it would only give her evidence against them.

Each machine was equipped with monitoring systems, overseeing every step from placing ingredients to serving the dish.

Even if ingredients were inserted prematurely, the machine would detect it and immediately sound an alarm.

Otherwise, how could she dare to buy so many machines?

And even dare to gift them directly to her uncle?

That night, the three members of the He family stayed for dinner before leaving. The Xiao family members still hadn’t returned.

Xiao Ruyi stopped cooking, and the enticing aroma faded.

Initially, Xiao Linfeng only planned to get a vegetable preparation machine and a seasoning machine, but seeing so many cooking machines, he decided to get one for himself as well.

Even when the nutritionists were resting, they could cook for themselves.

He had the machines sent to the legion he commanded and issued strict orders to guard the three machines carefully.

Since the operation instructions were built into the machines, there was no worry about anyone not knowing how to use them.

The visitors found it strange—didn’t their legion’s kitchen already have vegetable preparation and cooking machines?

Why buy new ones?

After the machines were moved, the soldiers assigned to guard them were dumbfounded.

Since when did vegetable preparation machines require protection?

Other soldiers mocked them, but after the crowd dispersed, the two soldiers examined the machine, gathered kitchen ingredients and seasonings, and managed to cook a hearty stew of local beans and meat.

They first prepared the vegetables, then the seasonings, and finally cooked the dish.

An hour and a half later, a powerful aroma filled the air, and the two soldiers nearly fought over the meat.

After eating their fill, they tidied up and secretly bought extra ingredients to replenish what had been used.

The next day, the nutritionists noticed a few seasonings seemed a bit scarce but didn’t think it was a big deal and didn’t pay it much mind.

With new machines, naturally, they had to be used. If ingredients were missing, they simply bought more.

The two soldiers guarding the machines dared not speak, but the occasional swallowing sound betrayed their inner torment.

The nutritionists divided the work. Though the cold dishes existed only as names on the menu, they intuitively found the correct way to prepare them.

Each took a bite here and there, which soon turned into a scramble to eat.

After they were full, realizing the time had passed, they hurriedly began preparing the main meals.

A guard who had freeloaded dinner chuckled to himself, thinking the meal was served late today.

From morning, Qiao Xin had been receiving a trickle of affection points. Though not many, it showed that her uncle’s machines were already in use.

When Xiao Ruyi left, only Qiao Xin saw her off. Xiao Ruyi didn’t mind and even took some of the small snacks Qiao Xin had prepared for Lei Miaomiao.

Xiao Linfeng and the other two left early, saying they would return in the evening.

He Qing had already bought ingredients and was tinkering in the courtyard.

His star training would last a whole month!

Buying ingredients himself and paying for processing was much cheaper than ordering from outside!

A dish by a junior nutritionist cost a thousand star coins; he could save half that way!

With ten cooking machines working together, he could prepare a month’s worth of food in just two hours.

He even pre-mixed the cold dishes, ready to be served directly when needed.

“Is anyone here?” Just as He Qing finished packing his food, voices came from outside the yard.

He Qing immediately went to open the door and froze.

“Brother, Miaomiao came to find sister~” On the left stood Lei Wuxie holding Lei Miaomiao.

“Xiao Qing? Why are you the one opening the door?” On the right was the matriarch of the Lin family, accompanied by Lin Yifeng.

“Uncle Xiao went out, Sister Ruyi rejoined the team, and I’m here to prepare custom dishes. What brings you all here?” He Qing wasn’t sure whether to let them in.

“Sister said she wanted to make something delicious that Miaomiao could eat!” Lei Miaomiao declared earnestly.

“Xin Xin said she’d make packed meals for me,” Lin Yifeng chimed in, not to be outdone.

Lei Wuxie and the Lin matriarch exchanged an awkward glance, and the Lin matriarch spoke first.

“Your Aunt Xiao went out too?”

“Yes, but my cousin’s home. I called her over,” He Qing immediately summoned Qiao Xin.

Qiao Xin welcomed Lei Miaomiao and Lin Yifeng warmly, immediately coming out to greet them and inviting everyone inside.

She tidied up the machines in the yard along the way.

“Sister~ Xiangxiang~” Lei Miaomiao rushed straight to Qiao Xin, causing Lei Wuxie to hastily restrain her.

“If you don’t mind, may I hold her?” Qiao Xin looked at Lei Wuxie, who was a big man fumbling nervously, and reached out.

Lei Wuxie was about to refuse but saw Lin Yifeng looking longingly, so he handed Miaomiao over without protest.

“Thank you.”

Cradling the soft little bundle, Qiao Xin kissed her cheek. “Let’s talk inside.”

Though more than four had come, only four entered.

Qiao Xin invited them to sit on the sofa, while He Qing served tea and poured water. Lei Wuxie and Lin Yifeng’s gazes fell on him, one complicated, the other envious.

“I’m just experimenting with some food for Miaomiao, no formal hospitality. If you don’t mind, please try some.”

Qiao Xin brought out the prepared snacks and small dishes, all exquisitely crafted and perfectly portioned for children.

“Wow~ Sister made such cute star beasts!” Lei Miaomiao wriggled her little nose and dug in unabashedly.

Children in the interstellar community were introduced to star beasts from a young age. Qiao Xin’s little rabbits and kittens naturally counted as star beasts.

After all, no matter how fierce a star beast was, if made into an edible form, it lost all its menace.

“What is this made from?” The Lin matriarch was fascinated.

Chinese-style pastries were rare and mostly preserved by ancient families in the interstellar community.

Even Western-style pastries were just dry bread chunks.

Only the more refined families bothered to craft delicate food; others aimed for filling and convenience.

Why waste time eating when a single nutrition liquid could suffice?

“This is made from wheat fruit and star rice ground into flour. This dessert uses frozen fruit and sweet fruit. And this…” Qiao Xin explained each ingredient clearly.

Many children in her world had dietary restrictions; naturally, the interstellar children did too.

“Ah! This is sweet!” Little Miaomiao happily ate everything. Lei Wuxie watched her while sneaking glances at Qiao Xin, wondering if female nutritionists all liked making such treats.

Though he had only met male nutritionists, many families preferred hiring female ones.

“I don’t like sweet things!” Lin Yifeng stared at Qiao Xin in protest, no longer pretending to be delicate.

After returning yesterday, recalling how she said he was acting spoiled, he thought back to the past and was so angry he couldn’t sleep all night.

He was pretending, not being spoiled!