Feng Tian found himself lost in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions as he contemplated his relationship with his stepmother, Hu Yufeng. He had never met her until she unexpectedly appeared at his school to handle his recent trouble personally. It was a stark reminder of their unfamiliarity and the absence of any deep connection between them.
As he sat in the dormitory, contemplating whether to return home, Feng Tian couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. He realized that his stepmother's willingness to intervene on his behalf stirred a flicker of hope within him, a glimmer of longing for a genuine familial bond. But he quickly brushed those feelings aside, reminding himself that he had grown accustomed to a life without his family's presence.
His father's remarriage had never been a source of repulsion for Feng Tian. He understood that the addition of another person to their family would have little impact on him. And for the past year, his stepmother had been absent, exploring distant planets while his father fulfilled his duties in safeguarding the galaxy.
Reflecting on his own upbringing, Feng Tian recognized the distant and polite interactions between his parents even when his biological mother was alive. Their relationship lacked the warmth and affection that one would expect. Consequently, he had grown accustomed to the idea of his father moving on and embracing new companionship after his mother's death.
However, the recent involvement of his stepmother in his affairs made him question whether she truly understood him and his perspective. If she were to meddle in his fights and exacerbate the situation, as Yun Haochen had suggested, it would only further deepen the divide between them. Feng Tian reasoned that if he couldn't adapt to her presence in their home, perhaps it was time for him to seek a home elsewhere.
The idea of permanently moving into the academy dormitory began to appeal to him. It would provide him with a sense of independence and distance from the complications of his blended family. If his stepmother remained dissatisfied even then, there would be no other recourse. He would have to face the reality of their strained relationship head-on, accepting the fact that they might never see eye to eye.
Taking a deep breath, Feng Tian made up his mind.
Hu Yufeng, contrary to what Feng Tian believed, was far from being as free and unburdened as he assumed. Even the original owner of her current body should not have experienced such hardship. From the moment she transmigrated into this body, she felt an overwhelming fatigue that bordered on near death, as if she had been transported to another realm. It took months of dedicated self-cultivation for her to regain her strength gradually.
The novel she found herself in provided scant details about the stepmother's character, leaving her fate ambiguous and open to interpretation. At the story's end, it was impossible to determine whether the stepmother was alive or deceased.
However, Hu Yufeng believed that the original owner's character was aligned with that of the stepmother, sharing a similarity that resonated with her own experiences. This conviction stemmed from her observations of Feng Xiu, the father of the novel's villain.
Throughout the book, Feng Tian always holds his father in high regard. He strived to excel in the academy, hoping to capture his father's attention. His father also ensured that his son would never be wronged.
Feng Xiu, a composed and astute military man, seemed to possess an uncanny ability to see through everything. Despite a decade passing since the death of his first wife, Feng Xiu had refrained from remarrying. Hu Yufeng concluded that if he were to consider marriage again, he would exercise caution and choose a stepmother who posed no threat to his beloved son.
Moreover, the difference in social status between them was another obstacle Hu Yufeng had to confront. Feng Xiu, a man of such stature, would have undoubtedly faced numerous suitors vying for his hand.
Hu Yufeng deemed this scenario as "hard mode," realizing the slim chance she had of winning against a man of his caliber. Instead of striving to be a perfect stepmother or a wealthy admiral's wife, she decided to leverage her current status and opportunities to pursue financial gain and indulge in the pleasures of life.
Hu Yufeng's mind raced with these thoughts as she considered her next move. The allure of accumulating wealth and savoring delectable cuisine enticed her far more than attempting to navigate the treacherous path of becoming a stepmother to Feng Tian. While she acknowledged the potential dangers that lay ahead, she was determined to make the most of her current circumstances and seize every opportunity that came her way.
With a newfound goal, Hu Yufeng set her sights on creating a prosperous future for herself. She would carve her own path, independent of the shadows of the stepmother character from the novel and the expectations placed upon her.
In the late afternoon, the sun's rays cast a warm golden glow into the kitchen as Hu Yufeng carefully inspected the assortment of ingredients before her. These ingredients, sourced from various planets in the galaxy, had undergone mutation, resulting in their diverse sizes and vibrant array of colors. It was a culinary adventure unlike any she had experienced before.
Hu Yufeng examined each ingredient with a practiced eye, noting their unique characteristics and taking mental notes. The alien flora fascinated her, and she couldn't help but marvel at the intricacies of the natural world beyond Earth's boundaries. She was determined to uncover the culinary potential hidden within these extraordinary ingredients.
However, caution was paramount when dealing with mutated plants. Their appearance might be alluring, but she understood the inherent risks they posed. Hu Yufeng meticulously tested each ingredient for poison and toxicity grades to ensure her safety and that of her future dishes. She employed her knowledge of galactic botany to identify potential dangers and separate the harmless from the hazardous.
One by one, she subjected the ingredients to rigorous assessments, employing various scientific methods to gauge their toxicity levels. Using a combination of chemical reactions, microscopic analysis, and sophisticated scanners, Hu Yufeng diligently evaluated each ingredient's potential harm. This meticulous approach was crucial, for a single misjudgment could have dire consequences.
Once she determined the safety of the ingredients, Hu Yufeng's culinary curiosity was piqued. As she tasted small portions, her taste buds danced with a burst of flavors unique to the galaxy.