Steaming hot mist rose from the clay pot, and unable to resist the boiling heat, everyone who caught the scent couldn't help taking a deep breath.
Rich, lingering, and mellow.
As the wisps of mist dissipated, the scene inside the clay pot revealed itself to everyone.
The originally pure white rice had been boiled until the grains bloomed, swelling up softly and plumply. The rice starch merged with the stir-fried ingredients, forming a light brownish hue that shimmered softly. The dried black mushrooms had plumped up from their shriveled state, becoming round and smooth, while the bright orange diced carrots unreservedly displayed their presence, vivid and eye-catching.
Ling Miao added some chopped green vegetables, gave everything a simple seasoning, and began serving food to everyone.
Looking at the few people holding their bowls, standing in a neat line and waiting obediently to be served, Ling Miao suddenly had the strange sensation of being a cafeteria worker.
The students stared at her with bright, watery eyes, full of eager anticipation.
She couldn't help curving her lips, taking the bowls and serving them one by one.
The livestream audience still waiting: "......"
Wait a minute, aren't we your favorite babies anymore, streamer???
If you act like this, you're going to lose us!!
[Streamer, if you do this, you really are going to lose me!!]
[Times are changing for the worse; do current streamers not even need to pander to their audience anymore? [Crying] jpg.]
[Woman, you're not even willing to humor me for a second [Weeping] jpg.]
[Just one taste, I'm begging you, streamer!]
Looking at the fragrant porridge in his bowl, Ellis didn't use a spoon to carefully scoop some out and blow on it like the others.
With the aroma continually wafting up under his nose, he swallowed hard, vigorously stirred it with his spoon, blew heavily on it a few times, and then eagerly brought it to his mouth—
Hiss—
So hot—
He gasped and hissed, his face twisting in a grimace as he pulled his tongue back, yet he stubbornly forced himself not to spit it out.
It is seriously freaking delicious!!!
What touched the tip of his tongue was rice boiled until it bloomed, soft, glutinous, and rich. The rice, which originally carried a hint of natural sweetness, had become rich and savory after being infused with the spare ribs and other ingredients.
The mushroom carried a meaty fragrance; a single bite almost made one think they were biting into thick, fatty meat, bursting rich juices between the teeth along with the distinct fragrance of the mushrooms themselves and a heavy meaty aroma.
Ellis bit down on something slightly firm, realizing it was a small piece of sparerib.
To make it easier to chew, Ling Miao had cut the ribs small. Because she had bought premium pork ribs, a gentle pull was all it took for the meat to cleanly separate from the bone.
Ellis rolled the tip of his tongue and effortlessly swept the tender, bone-free rib meat onto it. It was melt-in-the-mouth tender and juicy, neither greasy nor heavy, while carrying the subtle fragrance of the mushrooms.
The orange diced carrots and chopped greens brought a refreshing crunch, and with a single bite, his entire mouth was filled with an indescribable sense of satisfaction.
The rich, bloomed rice, the tender rib meat falling off the bone, the thick and juicy mushrooms, and the refreshing carrots and greens—to say nothing of the people in the livestream, Ellis and the others were already utterly captivated and unable to pull themselves away.
After tasting it carefully, Ling Miao still felt a hint of regret. "It would be even better with some fried shallot crisps added."
Susan barely managed to lift her head from her bowl, a few grains of rice still stuck to the corner of her mouth, her eyes shining brightly. "It can get even better than this?"
Ling Miao nodded, looking slightly regretful. "It's just that we don't have shallots."
At the memory of that rich scallion aroma and crispy texture, she couldn't help swallowing a mouthful of saliva.
The viewers in the livestream looked at her regretful expression: "......"
Why does it feel like the streamer is flexing on us?
Whether she was flexing or not, that thought came and went just as quickly. Everyone was eating with their heads down, wiping their mouths with satisfaction,
only to look up and see the people on the streamer's interface, the rice grains at the corners of their mouths not yet wiped clean, wearing looks of pure intoxication.
They suddenly felt so pitiful.
We're all human beings, so why can some people eat the real thing?
While they could only fool themselves???
Huh? Huh? Huh? Why?!
Before their anger could fully flare up, the light screen in front of them suddenly went dark.
The familiar, empty black interface—
Streamer is offline.
Everyone: "......"
After eating and drinking their fill, everyone consciously cleaned up the kitchen.
Ling Miao looked at Susan, who was pushing her out; the cleanup of the kitchen had been handled entirely by the few of them.
Giving it some thought, she called out to Susan, who was about to leave,
"Would you like to come work for me?"
"Huh?"
"The salary at this stage might be a bit low, but room and board are included."
Over the past two days, Ling Miao had reluctantly spent points upgrading the restaurant. Although the exterior didn't show much change, the living conditions inside had improved considerably.
At least a few spare rooms had opened up.
Ling Miao looked at Susan. The girl showed up rain or shine every day and never once mentioned her family; even though she was close to Grandma Odeya, she didn't live with her.
So, what did Susan do when she wasn't coming to the restaurant?
Ling Miao remembered the young girl she had met when they first opened—the round, chubby orange cat brought warmth to everyone,
yet the flash of pain in the girl's eyes had not been fake.
Susan froze for a moment, then a smile bloomed across her face. "Okay!"
Just as Susan accepted Ling Miao's job offer, the others finished cleaning the kitchen and walked out.
Before Ling Miao could speak, Avril threw her arms around her and sighed dramatically, "Manager, we have to go."
With that, she looked at Ling Miao with a pitiful expression.
Ling Miao looked at her and tentatively said, "Then... good luck to you guys?"
"Manager, you're so heartless! We're leaving, and you aren't even going to try to make us stay!"
Avril looked thoroughly indignant, while the other two behind her also wore reluctant expressions.
Ling Miao laughed. "I'd love to make you stay, but would you actually stay?"
The question bounced right back, and the group instantly deflated like punctured balls.
"Alright, I'll still be broadcasting live. You can check in whenever you miss me, and you're welcome back anytime."
Avril looked at Ling Miao and tried offering a suggestion, "Manager, have you really not considered opening a branch on the Capital Star?"
The two behind her nodded along, and Ellis added, "Tadar Planet is far too primitive and backward. Opening a shop here is just a waste."
Ling Miao shook her head, weeping bitterly on the inside.
After the system was bound, the chosen storefront was unchangeable.
If she had to blame someone, she should blame herself for choosing to open a physical shop right from the start. If she had chosen to stream only from the beginning, her personal freedom wouldn't be restricted like this.
Hearing Avril's words, Susan's expression shifted, but seeing Ling Miao's refusal, she finally relaxed.
Noticing Susan's poor complexion, Keli couldn't help asking, "What's wrong with you?"
Susan shook her head and didn't answer.
His gaze flickered, and as if remembering something, he returned to normal.
After exchanging a few more words, the group left the restaurant.
Susan and Ling Miao stood at the entrance, watching the three figures gradually shrink into tiny black dots before withdrawing their gazes.
"Let's go inside."
At the same time,
"Admiral, those three missing students have turned up. The coordinates show they are on Tadar Planet."
The man before him was tall and imposing, half his face half-submerged in shadow, revealing only a sharp jawline.
Sony lowered his head, listening to the deep voice from above.
"Send a message to the Federal Military Academy. Escort them back secretly."
"Yes."