Chapter 19: The Three-Way Struggle (Part One)

“Xiangxiang, mine, look at me!” Hua Qinmo sensed her mood and instantly returned to human form, firmly turning her around.

He was completely different from Lei Wuxie—pale skin, frail body, stubborn and domineering, the kind that Qiao Xin didn’t even want to touch.

Except for that exquisitely delicate, almost elfin face, there was nothing about him that attracted her.

Still, since he was obedient, she gave him a smile.

“You’re still unstable now, so behave well. I’ll watch you every day~”

“Behave! Look at me!” Hua Qinmo was delighted, proudly glancing at Lei Wuxie, whose cold, stern face suddenly twisted into a sneer, but then smiled brightly at Qiao Xin as she turned away. “Miss Qiao, the breakfast was delicious.”

Qiao Xin was dazzled by his thawing smile. Indeed, a man should embody strength and righteousness!

“Niece, is it too much trouble for you to cook for everyone?” Qiu Shaohua didn’t care about the two men squabbling and jumped in.

“Knowing it’s troublesome, why don’t you leave quickly?” Xiao Linfeng didn’t hesitate to shoo them away.

“It’s not troublesome; I bought ten more machines,” Qiao Xin said, pulling out the devices.

These were all meant to smooth the way forward. Everyone here was from the military or research institute, highly confidential, so there was no fear of leaks.

“Hehe, is that so? Then I won’t be polite,” Qiu Shaohua said, sending his assistant to prepare ingredients. Then he noticed the machines could also make steamed buns, noodles, and more, which tempted him to try everything, so he added more ingredients immediately.

“Niece,” he rubbed his hands together with a wolfish grin.

Qiao Xin instantly understood. “Okay. Have those ten sets delivered first, and I’ll add the new recipes. But those are mostly for children. For adults, it’s just for fun.”

“Children can eat them too?” Qiu Shaohua paused, then was stunned. “Your recipes are actually categorized by age group?”

“Of course. Children require much less energy; ingredients and seasonings need to be gentler,” Qiao Xin explained seriously.

Many adults think if children can eat solid food, they can eat adult food too, but children’s digestive systems are delicate. Preparing food as for adults only weakens their stomachs.

Children’s diets should gradually increase with age.

There are also toddler and infant recipes in the interstellar age, but most people just give kids nutritional supplements for convenience.

Wealthy families take children to specialized kids’ restaurants, but not every day.

“So can you customize recipes based on the group?” Qiu Shaohua thought further.

Qiao Xin smiled awkwardly. “I haven’t passed the junior nutritionist exam yet…”

“No matter, just tell me if you can customize!” Qiu Shaohua didn’t care about the title.

“I can, but regarding ingredients…” Qiao Xin began, but Qiu Shaohua cut her off. “What ingredients do you need?”

“I don’t fully understand the dietary needs of your people. If it’s like me, the previous ingredients are fine. For someone like my cousin, intermediate ingredients suffice; for General Lei, advanced ingredients are needed.”

“I see. I’ll get you samples of all levels to try. Advanced ingredients are not available yet, but I’ll send them when I can.”

The two casually finalized their cooperation, leaving Xiao Linfeng glaring daggers at Qiu Shaohua.

“Flower, eat!” Hua Qinmo suddenly bloomed numerous edible flowers, stunning Qiao Xin.

She had forgotten—he was a top-tier Wood elemental talent!

Gathering the flowers happily, she said, “I’ll try making a floral feast.”

Bowing to everyone, she entered the room with Hua Qinmo trailing behind.

Old Wei and the researchers followed. For safety, Qiu Shaohua asked Lei Wuxie to enter for protection; others couldn’t go in.

Xiao Moxuan and Xiao Moyu finally returned, bringing along the barred Xiao Linshuang and his wife.

“Brother, is everything alright?” The couple’s eyes were full of worry.

Xiao Linfeng’s dark face softened into a smile. “Don’t worry, everything’s fine. Our beloved is cooking.”

Xiao Linshuang finally relaxed.

“General Lin, why are you here too?” The guard at the door exclaimed.

Lin Yifeng strode into the courtyard, looking around anxiously for Qiao Xin. He looked to the Xiao family in panic.

“Where is Xinxin?”

“She’s fine, inside…” Before Xiao Linfeng could finish, he dashed off like the wind.

General Lin entered alone, only seeing the back of him going into the room.

Under everyone’s gaze, General Lin’s face fell.

“Old Xiao, we’ve been old friends. You know Yifeng’s situation. Once you marry him, everything in the Lin family belongs to your Xiao family!”

Xiao Linfeng: …

Are you even listening to yourself?

“Old Lin, her parents are here. She isn’t a child of our Xiao family!”

General Lin stiffened, looked at Xiao Linshuang and his wife, and smiled awkwardly. “Haha, well, about Qiao Xin’s parents, have you considered? Since your daughter needs to marry into a family, who better than us?”

“General Lin, Xinxin’s food can be sold, and Mrs. Lin already gave money to buy meals. You needn’t be so pushy,” Xiao Linshuang said firmly. They knew their daughter well and wouldn’t decide marriage arrangements without her consent.

“I see. If you have any thoughts, please do consider the Lin family,” General Lin rephrased.

The couple was speechless.

They wondered if their beloved daughter could handle this.

Inside, Qiao Xin cleaned the edible flowers and began steaming, boiling, and frying.

Plate after plate of fresh flowers came out. The researchers who had been watching Hua Qinmo’s violent aura now all swallowed nervously, eyes fixed on the dishes.

“Old Wei, you’ve been busy all day. Have some food first!” Qiao Xin placed a floral dish on the table and addressed Old Wei and the others.

Then she stored the rest in her space pocket and walked outside.

She set up tables in the yard and arranged the floral dishes.

“Uncle, Uncle Qiu, come try some.”

Seeing her parents, she brightened. “Mom, Dad, you’re back! Come try something fresh.”

Qiu Shaohua had already caught the aroma and hurried over when she called.

Just as Qiao Xin received a like, Lin Yifeng stood before her, pointing accusingly at Hua Qinmo behind her.

“Who is he?”

Qiao Xin blinked, countering, “Aren’t you going to try the new food I made?”

Their relationship was that of cook and diner. Why was he acting abandoned and questioning her?

“Are you not marrying me because of him?” Lin Yifeng caused a scene.

Those tasting the floral feast were stunned, except for Qiu Shaohua, who was amused.

Qiao Xin felt overwhelmed—just dealt with one, and here came another!

But since he was helping her parents get a new refuge talisman quickly, she forced a smile. “No.”