With the unveiling of the restaurant, Lucian felt a pleasant surprise. However, his current stock of food supplies was plentiful, so its immediate use seemed limited.
He barely spared it much thought and instead pressed the glowing "+" button above the restaurant's icon.
The next moment, five-colored divine light surged outward, enveloping the building entirely!
Within seconds, the brilliance dissipated, and the restaurant underwent a tremendous transformation. The modern design now gave way to a mysterious and enchanting aesthetic.
Stepping inside, Lucian noticed vibrant flowers and greenery, a stunning cloud sakura tree, a spacious dining hall, a well-equipped kitchen, and even a cozy bedroom.
[Cloud Sakura Inn]
Type: Restaurant
Level: 1 (0/200)
Functions: Food preparation, Luminous Ingredients (Level 1).
Stock: 100/100.
Description: Beneath the sakura blossoms lies an inn full of allure.
[Luminous Ingredients]
Level: 1
Description: Ingredients prepared here grant temporary beneficial effects when consumed.
"Luminous ingredients?" Lucian's focus locked onto this intriguing detail.
Compared to the restaurant's previous iteration, the new Cloud Sakura Inn was far superior, not only in design but also in its functionality.
The addition of glowing ingredients offered a chance to craft meals with buffs—certainly worth exploring.
"Interesting…" Lucian muttered, moving further inside to inspect the kitchen.
The space was well-equipped, with an assortment of cookware, including iron pots, steamers, and more.
Testing its capabilities, Lucian took out a bundle of noodles and other stocked ingredients. Before long, he had prepared a simple bowl of plain noodle soup.
When served, the dish glowed faintly, even the bowl radiating a soft light. A system notification appeared.
[Plain Noodles]
Type: Food
Quality: Gray (Inferior).
Effects: Satiates hunger, Strength +0.5 (for 1 hour).
Description: Making such lackluster dishes from excellent ingredients is truly a unique skill.
"What the…? Who rated this dish?" Lucian's face darkened.
Despite the description's unflattering tone, the meal had an observable impact. Eating it left him feeling an energizing warmth spread throughout his body.
"Not bad…" Lucian admitted reluctantly, flexing his fists. His strength had indeed increased slightly.
Still, he couldn't let this result slide. "Just wait. I'll cook for the girls later and prove my skills!"
Determined, Lucian began selecting higher-quality ingredients, preparing to showcase his culinary talents.
As the dark sky shifted with strange and erratic patterns, the Cloud Sakura Inn lit up, its glow casting a soft radiance across the land.
Within the cabin, Qin Keqing stirred, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated after her rest. She turned to see Lin Daiyu already awake, busy tying her long black hair with a simple ribbon.
"Good evening, Daiyu." Qin Keqing greeted her softly, her voice gentle as always.
Lin Daiyu looked up with a faint smile, securing her hair in place. "It's evening already," she murmured, checking the clock on the nearby table.
"Prepare yourself. Before midnight, the next wave of monsters will definitely attack."
Qin Keqing nodded firmly, quickly slipping into her shoes and following Lin Daiyu outside.
It didn't take long to find Lucian, asleep at one of the inn's tables, his head resting on his arms.
"Honestly…" Lin Daiyu sighed softly, shaking her head. "He's always pushing himself. Isn't he worried about catching a cold?"
She fetched a coat from the cabin and draped it gently over Lucian's back.
Qin Keqing watched silently, a faint smile tugging at her lips. Despite Lin Daiyu's seemingly sharp words, her actions carried unmistakable warmth.
"Such a contradictory person," Qin Keqing thought to herself.
A faint floral fragrance stirred Lucian from his dreams. He inhaled deeply, sensing two distinct scent. One reminiscent of peonies, the other of orchids.
Without opening his eyes, Lucian murmured, "What a heavenly aroma…"
"Enjoying yourself, Lord Lucian?" Lin Daiyu's teasing voice shattered the peace, laced with her signature sarcasm.
Lucian's eyes flew open, and he realized the source of the fragrances—Qin Keqing and Lin Daiyu seated beside him. His head had unknowingly come to rest against Qin Keqing's shoulder.
Startled, Qin Keqing blushed deeply, her delicate face burning crimson as she averted her gaze.
"Daiyu, must you always make things difficult for me?" Lucian groaned, sitting upright.
Lin Daiyu raised an eyebrow, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Difficult? I was merely observing your keen appreciation for life's finer things."
Lucian rubbed his temples, trying to ignore her jab. "Enough. Let's focus on the incoming monster wave."
The playful banter aside, the trio's attention quickly returned to the looming threat. Even as they shared these fleeting moments of humor, the shadow of battle hung heavily over them.