Qi Yue took out all kinds of kitchen utensils: knives of various sizes, pots, bowls, ladles, and basins. He also had Han Fei take a large water vat out of his spatial ability and fill it with water using his not-yet-disappeared water ability, so it would be convenient to use anytime. He busied himself for quite a while.
By the time Lin Yuze finished absorbing the crystal core, Qi Yue had already prepared the meal and called the two over to eat. The food was placed inside the house, set neatly on the large coffee table Han Fei had taken out. The dishes smelled incredibly fragrant, their appearance enough to hook anyone’s appetite at a glance.
Dinner was exceptionally lavish: braised big bones, spicy crayfish, stir-fried meat with green peppers, cold dressed string beans. Beside them sat a pot of braised beef with potatoes. In the center was a small grill, with skewers of cumin-spiced meat and large prawn skewers sprinkled with chili powder sizzling on the iron grate, releasing waves of mouthwatering aroma. There was also a large plate of flaky hand-torn pancakes and a small bowl of Sichuan cold noodles.
The aroma made all three of their stomachs growl; even the usually calm Lin Yuze couldn’t hold back anymore. Just based on how the dishes looked, he was already certain they’d taste incredible.
Lin Yuze had been a quiet child since he was little, not like his older brother, who was adored by their parents. Later, when their parents went abroad for work, they took his brother with them and left him with his grandmother. Over the years, he had only seen his parents a handful of times. Other than his grandmother, he’d always been indifferent toward everyone. After the apocalypse broke out, in just twenty short days, he’d seen the true faces of countless people he encountered on the road: warm smiles with cold hearts, and even those who didn’t bother disguising their nature: greedy, cold-blooded, vicious, robbers, murderers, rapists, those abandoning their spouses and children. He saw so many that his heart turned numb, and he became even more unwilling to interact with others.
Yet this Qi Yue… for some reason, seeing him made his heart lighten. The genuine joy the other showed whenever he looked at him brought him inexplicable warmth. To figure out why, he chose to travel with the two of them. But now it seemed he hadn’t chosen wrong. Whatever the reason, good or bad, at least now he could finally eat a decent meal. Who would’ve thought that such a pretty boy, younger than himself, would have such incredible cooking skills?
Noticing Lin Yuze staring at Qi Yue, Han Fei felt another wave of irritation. He truly wasn’t acting like himself anymore, he had always been calm in the past. But this brat was too annoying, daring to look at “his person” with such an indecent gaze.
Qi Yue was in a very good mood today. He hadn’t expected to find the person he’d been searching for so soon. Lin Yuze was quite pitiful, only his grandmother had been with him since childhood. With so many days passed and no one taking care of him, he must’ve been eating poorly. He even looked thinner than the version of him Qi Yue had known in his previous life. Qi Yue’s cooking wasn’t bad, he’d make sure to cook well for him from now on and nourish him properly, treating him like family. No, more than family!
With concern in his eyes, Qi Yue stared at Lin Yuze’s face. Out loud, he called warmly, “Come eat, Lin Yuze. You must be hungry, right? I just made something simple; I don’t know what you like yet. Whatever you want to eat in the future, just tell me in advance and I’ll make it for you.”
Though Lin Yuze’s expression didn’t change, he was inwardly confused. What was with this Qi Yue? Why was he so enthusiastic? What did he want? These two were clearly into each other, hugging and clinging all the time, so they obviously liked men. Did Qi Yue set his sights on him now? But he himself was quite good-looking, this was all too strange. Unless they had met when they were young? Childhood crush? But he had no memory of him… though Qi Yue did look vaguely familiar.
His brief excitement over the food cooled instantly. This whole feast was clearly because of that brat. Seeing Qi Yue’s affectionate gaze following Lin Yuze, and that pretty boy returning a soft and subtle look, made Han Fei burn with anger. His own person, daring to flirt with someone else and put a green hat on him, clearly in need of discipline.
His face darkened completely. He stepped forward and pulled Qi Yue to his side, wrapping an arm tightly around his shoulder. He looked at Lin Yuze provocatively. “Yueyue is just kind. He can’t help sympathizing with the pitiful. You were probably eating poorly on your own. This meal is from me and Yueyue, we’re welcoming you to our team.”
Qi Yue blinked in confusion at Han Fei, but seeing the warning in his eyes, he immediately deflated. What is with this gangster attitude? He hadn’t offended him, so why was he suddenly mad? And he was squeezing so tight, it hurt. He struggled but couldn’t break free. D*mn! All brute strength!
Lin Yuze quietly snorted and bypassed the two, sitting at the table. He picked up his chopsticks and took a bite of beef, ignoring their looks. Mm, better than I imagined. He was slightly intoxicated by the flavor, better than any high-end restaurant chef. He reached out again for a bite of green peppers. Even the vegetables taste amazing. Then he reached toward the spicy crayfish.
Han Fei clenched his teeth. Good. Very good. It’s been years since anything made me want to beat someone up. Now this brat has done it.
Seeing Lin Yuze eat so happily made Qi Yue nearly drool. So stupid, I didn’t even sneak a taste while cooking! He tugged Han Fei’s hand. “Boss, you must be hungry too. Let’s go eat.” Even though Han Fei’s many subordinates weren’t here, Han Fei himself was even more dangerous. Qi Yue still didn’t know why Han Fei was suddenly mad, but pleasing him was never wrong. Besides, he was feeding them and being protected, he had to keep Han Fei happy.
Han Fei was satisfied with Qi Yue’s docile expression. He’s just a kid. Why am I even mad? He nodded and sat down, they were both hungry, after all. Qi Yue’s food couldn’t be left to that pretty boy alone.
Once Han Fei agreed, Qi Yue sat immediately. The three began wolfing down the food without time to speak, too busy grabbing dishes. The room filled only with chewing and swallowing, no one cared if the freshly grilled skewers were still piping hot. They burned their tongues yet kept eating, biting meat off bones, peeling crayfish, savoring the spicy deliciousness. Even the usually indifferent Lin Yuze narrowed his eyes in pleasure. He couldn’t deny it, this was truly gratifying. To eat like this in the apocalypse felt like happiness.
Qi Yue barely managed to eat the last piece of meat on the table and let out a full burp. Even though the three of them were grown men with big appetites, Qi Yue had cooked a lot, and they were all stuffed.
They leaned back on the sofa, relaxing with post-meal cigarettes. Qi Yue sat facing Han Fei; their eyes met. Han Fei’s lips curved into a wicked, teasing smile: soul-stealing, meaningful. This pervert…
After resting long enough for his stomach to settle, Qi Yue resignedly began cleaning the dishes. He couldn’t stand messy environments, he was mildly OCD. Besides, neither of the other two looked like they’d clean. And with Lin Yuze having just advanced to Level 3, Qi Yue was the weakest. Everyone had their role, they protected him, and he fed them. He didn’t even contribute ingredients, only labor. Honestly, he was getting the better deal.
After tidying everything, he finally sat down. Then he remembered, he hadn’t eaten the little steamed buns yet! He took out the small buns he’d made the day before and handed one to Han Fei first. After thinking for a moment, he handed one to Lin Yuze too. Lin Yuze had saved him, if he couldn’t trust even him, who else could he trust in this world?
Lin Yuze was surprised, this boy had a spatial ability like Han Fei? But he was already a Level-3 ability user… why hadn’t he sensed Qi Yue’s spiritual abilities? And what was the meaning of handing him a bun? Seeing Han Fei eat his as if it were nothing, he assumed this wasn’t the first time. He put it in his mouth and chewed carefully, trying to figure out the bun’s unique quality.
After Han Fei finished, Qi Yue immediately looked at him with watery, expectant eyes. Han Fei understood him completely. He pointed a finger, releasing a small streak of lightning, this time it was lightning ability.
Qi Yue then turned to Lin Yuze, eyes full of anticipation. Lin Yuze raised a brow and released a wooden spike toward the opposite wall, he triggered wood-type ability. He hadn’t expected the bun to have such a freakish effect, granting another offensive ability. The bun looked no different from normal ones… what kind of ability did Qi Yue have? It was strong, very strong. He had many questions, though none showed on his calm face.
Finally, with his expectations high, Qi Yue ate his own bun. Han Fei had triggered an offensive ability three days in a row. Lin Yuze had awakened an offensive ability on his first try. This time, surely, surely, he would too. He had just been unlucky these past two days. There weren’t that many useless non-combat abilities. This time would be different…
Han Fei watched as Qi Yue went from full anticipation to visible collapse. He immediately understood. He awakened some mysterious, strange ability again.
Qi Yue pouted miserably. “It’s… water purification.” Then he turned around and showed them his back angrily. Is wanting to become stronger a crime? D*mn kitchen ability! D*mn steamed bun!
Lin Yuze couldn’t help smiling faintly, a rare expression.
Han Fei also held back laughter, eyes full of fondness. He understood Qi Yue’s frustration, he desperately wanted a combat ability. Yueyue, little sweetheart… even if you can’t fight at all, big brother Han Fei will protect you.
The more Qi Yue thought about it, the angrier and sadder he became. If someone else had his kind of ability, they’d probably be ruling the world by now, or at least commanding dozens of subordinates in awe. But him? Nothing worked. Determined, he used his spatial ability and entered his inner space kitchen.
Han Fei, having seen it once before, knew Qi Yue had gone into his space. Han Fei’s own space allowed him to stay inside for no more than two hours before being forcibly ejected. He wondered what Qi Yue’s space was like.
Lin Yuze only raised a brow. He had traveled briefly with others before, but rarely spoke, he didn’t know what to say, and they had no common topics anyway. Traveling with these two, he was mainly curious about Qi Yue. More importantly, neither of them exuded the dangerous aura he felt from others. With them, he didn’t have to stay constantly on guard. He needed this kind of environment, a break from the tension the apocalypse kept pressing on his nerves.
Qi Yue entered his space and first went into the room he used as storage. It was closed off, stone walls, and a doorway leading to the other room. He touched every stone, every corner, even the floor. No mechanisms, no secrets.
Unwilling to give up, he went to the room where the mysterious steamer appeared, the small kitchen. There was only a row of stone shelves, and the steamer had appeared there.
He channeled his inner detective, searching everywhere, crouching on the floor, examining every angle, looking for clues.
The only thing he hadn’t touched was the ceiling. He wanted to, but it was far too high, four or five meters. No way to reach it.
After searching for ages, Qi Yue finally wilted.
D*mn this space! The only way to upgrade is to cook!
