The System’s notification chime sounded just as she savored the delicious morsel.
【Consuming "Premium Sterile Egg".】
【Cooking method: Precision temperature-controlled soft-boiled (runny yolk).】
【Completion level: High.】
【Prepared by the host, effectiveness doubled.】
【Life Value increased: 4 hours (2 hours x 2).】
Four... four hours!
Ning Meng’s eyes went wide as saucers.
Just by switching to a better egg and successfully achieving the perfect soft-boiled center, the time gained had jumped from the base 0.5 hours to 2 hours! Adding the doubling effect for self-prepared food, that was a straight 4 hours!
It was incredible!
【Current Life countdown: 70 hours, 26 minutes, 55 seconds.】
She had instantly broken the 70-hour mark!
Ning Meng felt her "health bar" rise by a visible margin. A wave of immense joy filled her heart. The System might be a total scam, but it was certainly generous with rewards! As long as she found the right method, the efficiency of extending her life was rock solid!
Just then, a lively voice came from the kitchen doorway.
"Wow! It smells amazing! What delicious thing are you making?"
Ning Meng jumped, nearly dropping the remaining half of her egg. She turned to see Lin You, the vibrant, high-energy girl, leaning against the doorframe and peering inside with curiosity, her nose twitching as she sniffed the air.
"Is that the smell of eggs? It looks so tasty!"
Lin You’s gaze locked onto the perfect soft-boiled egg half in Ning Meng’s hand. Her eyes sparkled, and there was even a suspicious glint of moisture at the corner of her mouth. She swallowed hard and rubbed her stomach, looking embarrassed.
"I think I’m a little hungry, too..." Her voice was soft and sweet, carrying a hint of a spoiled tone.
【【【Hahaha, little Lin You has been lured over by the scent!】】】
【【【That soft-boiled egg really does look tempting, with that orange-red runny center!】】】
【【【I can smell it through the screen (not really).】】】
【【【Sister Egg-Boiler, don't just eat it all yourself; give some to your little sister to taste!】】】
Looking at Lin You’s greedy little-cat expression, Ning Meng found it rather amusing. This girl seemed carefree and didn’t have a mean bone in her body. Furthermore... there was another rule in the System: "Taste Bud Shock (Sharing Feedback)."
If you share food with others and their reaction is intense, you can receive additional Life Value rewards. The amount depends on the person’s emotions, the pickiness of their palate, and the level of amazement at the dish.
A high-energy girl like Lin You should be easily excited, right? As for her palate's pickiness... probably not high? (She looked like a happy foodie). And the "amazement" of the dish... how amazing could a soft-boiled egg be?
Still, it wouldn't hurt to try! What if it worked?
Ning Meng calculated quickly. Sharing half the egg meant losing 2 hours of base Life (since she wouldn't eat it herself). But if she triggered a "Taste Bud Shock," the reward could far exceed 2 hours! This was a gamble. If she won, it was pure profit; if she lost... it wasn't too big a loss. After all, she had just gained 4 hours; she had the capital.
With that thought, Ning Meng offered a friendly smile and passed over the remaining half of the soft-boiled egg.
"Just finished making this soft-boiled egg, want a taste?"
Lin You’s eyes widened further, like two black grapes. The surprise was so sudden!
"Really? Can I? That’s great! Thank you!"
She practically cheered as she took the egg, holding it carefully as if it were a rare treasure. Then, she opened her mouth and took a gentle bite.
The next second, Lin You froze. Her eyes went round as copper bells, her mouth hung slightly open, and she forgot to chew. A few seconds later, she snapped back to reality, her face erupting in an expression of unbelievable ecstasy!
"Whoa—!!!"
A heaven-shaking exclamation of praise echoed through the kitchen.
"This soft-boiled egg! My god! What kind of divine flavor is this?!"
She stomped her feet in excitement, babbling incoherently.
"This runny yolk! How can it be so perfectly balanced?!"
"A fraction more and it would be thick; a fraction less and it would be too runny!"
"And this egg white! It’s so tender, smooth, and bouncy!"
"Not a hint of fishiness! Just the rich, fragrant taste of egg!"
"It’s too delicious! This is the best soft-boiled egg I’ve ever eaten! Period!"
Lin You finished the remaining half in two bites and licked her lips, still craving more. She then lunged forward and grabbed Ning Meng’s hands, little stars of worship shimmering in her eyes.
"Mengmeng! How did you do it? Please, teach me!"
"No! You don't have to teach me! You are my god!"
"From this day forward, I, Lin You, am yours!"
"I'll follow you from now on! If you tell me to go east, I will never go west!"
"Just make me a soft-boiled egg every day!"
【【【??? What kind of exaggerated reaction is this? It’s just a soft-boiled egg?】】】
【【【Lin You’s acting skills are top-notch; the variety show effect is maxed out!】】】
【【【No way, it doesn't look like she's acting. Is she actually crying because it’s so good?】】】
【【【I’m starting to suspect that Sister Egg-Boiler has some kind of magic...】】】
Ning Meng was completely bewildered by Lin You’s sudden enthusiasm and over-the-top reaction. Was... was this reaction a bit too intense? But... it seemed... it met the System's requirements?
While she was dazed, the System’s chime rang in her mind again—this time accompanied by a rather festive sound effect!
【Ding! Congratulations to the host! Successfully triggered 'Taste Bud Shock' (Elementary)!】
【Target: Lin You.】
【Level of emotional excitement: High!】
【Target's palate pickiness: Low.】
【Dish amazement level: Medium.】
【Overall assessment: Achieved Elementary Taste Bud Shock!】
【Additional Life Value reward: 5 hours!】
Five... five hours?!
Ning Meng felt as if she had been struck by a bolt of lightning. She stared at the big "+5 hours" notification in her mind, her whole being stunned. She had shared half a soft-boiled egg and gotten five hours of life in return?!
Sharing was actually more profitable than eating it herself?! And according to the System's assessment, Lin You’s pickiness was only "Low," and the dish's amazement was only "Medium." If she met someone picky and made an even more amazing dish... wouldn't the rewards be sky-high?!
Ning Meng’s heart pounded wildly. Excitement, ecstasy, disbelief! She felt as though she had caught sight of a brand-new, golden highway to extending her life!
Feeding! I must feed them like crazy!
Conquer everyone’s stomach with fine food!
Let them contribute their Life Value to me!
"Mengmeng? Mengmeng, what’s wrong?"
Lin You shook her arm, waking her from her deep shock. "Are you scared by my enthusiasm?"
Ning Meng pulled herself together, looking at the expectant, worshipful Lin You in front of her. The corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl upward.
"No, no."
She forced down the ecstasy in her heart and patted Lin You on the shoulder.
"As long as you like it."
"I'll make more for you when there's a chance."
It was just a soft-boiled egg, right? Plenty more where that came from!
As long as you can keep contributing those "Taste Bud Shocks"!