It was not that she lacked the ability to leave the novice village; having lingered in the diverse and breathtaking world of simulation life for a month, Xiaoshuang found herself enchanted by the myriad of stunning landscapes and whimsical experiences.
Her interest in leveling up was nonexistent, as culinary delights were among her daily pleasures.
Having just enjoyed a soak in a hot spring, she received a rare call from her cousin, David Oscar, who informed her that at coordinates xx.xx in the stall area, someone was selling rice—exquisite Dragon's Saliva Rice.
...
Seeing a beautiful customer approach, eager to sample his culinary creations, Zhao Shen felt a surge of excitement.
"Certainly, please enjoy."
With a plethora of models surrounding him, even the legendary Tofu Fairy was present; there was beauty not only in exquisite food but also in enchanting women.
This striking lady, clad in dark attire and accompanied by a formidable jeep, radiated a unique charm that was far from that of a mere tomboy.
"If it's not delicious, I'll hold you responsible," echoed her cousin David Oscar's words, leaving Xiaoshuang with no reason to decline.
"Yet, if it's not good, that mixed-blood cousin will certainly hear about it!" she thought fiercely, her dark outfit reflecting her strong personality.
Raising her gaze to the stall owner, she found him unremarkable and utterly ordinary.
"Thank you."
Taking the rice, Xiaoshuang began to eat. As a refined young lady raised with exceptional manners, her politeness was beyond reproach.
A single taste left her craving more.
"This flavor! Unmatched!"
In reality, she was a true foodie, and even within the game, she had tried nearly every culinary offering in the novice village, yet nothing compared to the dish before her!
...
She was not the first to be captivated by Zhao Shen's Dragon's Saliva Rice, nor would she be the last.
Casting aside all doubts, she forgot her previous reservations. As a striking beauty, she had always been pursued by many in real life, often swept off her feet by spontaneous gifts and lavish banquets. However, this bowl of rice enchanted her in a way that felt almost magical.
"Could you stop staring at me, owner? I want to lick the plate," she suppressed the urge to voice this thought, knowing an elegant lady must maintain her composure. It remained a secret wish in her heart.
"Could I possibly have another serving?" she asked somewhat sheepishly, feeling a tinge of embarrassment as a woman requesting a second serving of food in public.
...
"Give her another serving, or I swear I won't continue!" Zhao Shen shouted at the game system.
*Task Prompt*: "A Culinary Master must begin with standards; only with the highest standards can one ascend to culinary greatness!"
"Who cares about your standards? Here I am, in front of a beautiful woman, and you dare speak of standards? Will your standards help me impress her? No way, I need that extra serving right now!" Zhao Shen was on the brink of a meltdown.
*Task Prompt*: "A Culinary Master need not charm women; you must use your hands to achieve your dreams!"
"Am I destined to be condemned to a life with my thumb-sized companions? The importance of winning a woman's heart through her stomach is being entirely dismissed!" Zhao Shen lamented.
*Task Prompt*: "A Culinary Master need not charm women; you must use your hands to achieve your dreams!"
...
"I apologize, but my rule is that each person can only have one serving per day. If you wish for more, perhaps we could become friends? I could reach out to you tomorrow. You must be thirsty; here, have some water."
What? Attitude?
There should be more kindness and care towards a beautiful woman; this is an age that values women over men.
"Alright, thank you."
Though she was denied, a slight dissatisfaction lingered within her. However, as a lady, she could not come across as persistent. Regretfully, she took a sip of the water Zhao Shen offered.
"Beep, beep, beep—serious warning! Culinary Master Spring Water; consuming it may lead to irreversible consequences for others."
With her entire focus on the beauty before him, Zhao Shen had long since ignored such trivial warnings.
...
As Xiaoshuang parted her lips, the sweet water flowed into her lungs, revealing that even a simple glass of water could possess an astonishing flavor that stirred the soul!
"Ding! Due to the host gifting a Culinary Master exclusive item to another, the negative buff 'Entwined' has been activated. This shall not be repeated."
The system's tone was somewhat ominous, and as Zhao Shen opened his profile, a new red buff had indeed appeared.
*[Culinary Master Spring Water]*: Negative effect. Due to the Culinary Master disregarding the cultivation guidelines, this effect will invoke longing thoughts of Xiaoshuang, persisting until fate intertwines between them. (Unique effect)
Meanwhile, Xiaoshuang felt as if an intangible presence had suddenly enveloped her.
...
"Beautiful lady, is it true that his rice can enhance attack power?"
Just as she was about to drive away in her jeep, the stall owner's enchanting voice halted her, prompting her to respond.
"Indeed, it granted me a 12-point increase in attack."
Upon hearing this, the stall owner quickly pulled out her communication device. Others might be hired actors, but surely this beauty was genuine!
"Damn it, where are you? What? You're still fighting monsters? Do you need someone to help you? Hurry over here; someone is selling rice that provides +12 attack power!"
...
With the first person paving the way, others began to muster the courage to try.
"My goodness, I gained 12 attack points!"
"Me too! I also gained 12 attack points! I could earn 100 gold coins in the last dungeon, but they rejected me due to my low attack. Hmph, they looked down on me for being just two levels lower; now I'll show them!"
"This is incredibly delicious! I'm drooling; please, boss, give me another serving!"
Zhao Shen, maintaining a stern demeanor, repeated himself: "No, each person may only purchase one serving per day."
"Boss, why didn't you mention that Dragon's Saliva Rice can enhance attack? If you had told us earlier, we wouldn't have misunderstood!"
After consuming the Dragon's Saliva Rice, Xiaoshuang's beau was rejuvenated, his attack power increased, and some inexplicable strength enhanced in a manner that delighted Xiaoshuang immensely.
...
Initially eager to promote and sell a hundred servings of Dragon's Saliva Rice, Zhao Shen found himself bound by the Culinary Master's standards, unable even to shout out a promotion.
Interestingly, when Xiaoshuang inquired, "What's the occasion for your dish?" Zhao Shen reluctantly replied, "Because of love."
This elicited glee from Xiaoshuang, prompting her to summon her acquaintances, Wang and Song, insisting they must try a serving as well.
"Don't worry, everyone will get a portion."
Business suddenly boomed, and Zhao Shen found himself busier than ever. Yet, a single image lingered persistently in his thoughts: the striking figure of Xiaoshuang in her dark attire.
Amongst the inquiries about buying additional servings, Zhao Shen politely declined each one.
...
"Boss, if I possessed your culinary skills, I would gladly produce ten thousand servings every day and make a fortune."
Zhao Shen's heart ached; did he not yearn for that? After all, each serving earned him 40 gold coins, meaning ten servings would yield 400 coins—his most profitable venture to date, now confined by arbitrary limits.
Silently, tears streamed down his cheeks.