Actually, Huo Yuejiang had always been keeping an eye on the way these two youngsters had been getting along.
Especially regarding Yu Mian’s plan to move out, Huo Yuejiang had thought long and hard about the best way to handle it.
On one hand, ever since Yu Mian had appeared all alone because of that conch shell, Huo Yuejiang had subconsciously treated him as one of the younger generation in the family and took care of him.
If he couldn’t find that mermaid couple, then he had the responsibility to help them look after the little one. Otherwise, how could he explain himself?
On the other hand, Huo Yuejiang could also tell that although Huo Ting had never said anything outright, the level of concern he showed was clearly abnormal.
Back then, he had wanted to throw out the aquarium, but ever since Yu Mian appeared, the aquarium had stayed. He had even given up his study on the second-floor, which he had used since childhood.
Since that was the case, why not simply send his grandson over as a bodyguard?
“Uh, wouldn’t that be a bit too much? I don’t think it’s necessary…”
Yu Mian had just opened his mouth to question if this was a bit exaggerated when Huo Yuejiang immediately cut him off.
“How could it be too much? Especially for a writer, once your works become famous, you really have to be careful. What if some extreme fan shows up at your door? I think assigning a bodyguard isn’t over the top at all, so let this kid go.”
The more Huo Yuejiang thought about it, the more he felt this was a brilliant idea. He wouldn’t feel at ease handing the task to someone else, and it might seem like he wasn’t taking it seriously. Letting Huo Ting handle it personally was the most suitable arrangement, just as if he were arranging a job for him.
“Alright.”
Surprisingly, Huo Ting nodded in agreement at his grandfather’s order.
Yu Mian instantly turned around, staring at Huo Ting in disbelief. Was this guy seriously going along with his grandfather’s nonsense?
“Oh, don’t think he’s anything special. Being a bodyguard is also a form of training. Just treat it as a task I assigned him. He wouldn’t dare not take it seriously.”
Although Huo Yuejiang was old, his sharp eyes didn’t miss anything. Smiling as he looked at the two youngsters in front of him, his mood was excellent.
“I actually think this arrangement is quite suitable. If Young Master Yu Mian stays in the old residence, having so many people around might be distracting. The environment at Starry Sky Lake is perfect for writing. Who knows? You might end up producing even more works there.”
Ever since Qiao Ni and the others learned that Yu Mian was writing novels on the light brain device, they had held great respect for the term “writer”.
Not to mention that Huo Yan had practically turned into an automatic rainbow-fart machine for Yu Mian, boasting about his works as the best in the entire universe whenever he had the chance.
No matter how much Yu Mian explained that it wasn’t that serious, Qiao Ni and the others insisted that being able to write such lengthy stories was truly impressive.
Whenever they brought snacks upstairs, they did so cautiously, afraid of disturbing Yu Mian’s creative process. Their overly respectful attitude made Yu Mian feel rather embarrassed.
“In any case, take this. It’s an identity recognition access card. If something happens, this old man wouldn’t know how to explain it to your parents.”
The next second, Huo Yuejiang forcibly shoved the prepared access card into Yu Mian’s hand, giving him no chance to return it before waving and heading downstairs.
Yu Mian, who couldn’t get a word in, could only look at Huo Ting behind him, hoping he would return the key to his grandfather.
“Why didn’t you stop him just now? I’m already an adult. Living alone isn’t strange at all. I’m not a child like Huo Yan.”
Perhaps Yu Mian didn’t even realize it himself, but he always felt a bit pressured by the concern of elders like Grandpa Huo and Qiao Ni. Yet, when it was just him and Huo Ting, he became noticeably more relaxed and natural.
“I would be uneasy. What if something happens when you’re living alone?”
However, Huo Ting stared at the key in Yu Mian’s hand, his tone just as serious.
Other concerns might be mere excuses, but worrying about Yu Mian’s safety after moving out alone was definitely real.
“Besides, Grandpa doesn’t just hand these out easily. This might not seem like much to him, but you should still keep it.”
He even carefully placed the card back into Yu Mian’s palm.
The moment Yu Mian looked up and met Huo Ting’s gaze, seeing the seriousness reflected in those ink-black eyes, he felt his face grow warm for no reason.
The feeling of being cared for was actually a happy one.
And it was precisely because of this concern that Yu Mian never truly felt lonely after arriving in this unfamiliar interstellar space.
Sometimes, he even thought that the conch shell the system had given him was actually a wonderful thing. Without it, he wouldn’t have met Huo Ting and his family.
“…But it just feels like you’re being a little too good to me.”
Even though his parents’ miraculous encounter might have had something to do with this, Yu Mian still couldn’t be sure how two worlds had overlapped.
“Are you not good to Grandpa and the others? Maybe it’s not entirely because of that conch.”
Huo Ting had seen through Yu Mian’s concerns.
If Yu Mian wasn’t genuinely likable, even with the conch’s connection, it would have been difficult for him to receive such genuine care and concern.
For example, Qiao Ni was not very good at reading, but Yu Mian did not mind at all that some of the questions she asked were very simple and would patiently explain the cooking techniques described in the book. And whenever Huo Yan acted out, he would step in to help.
Because of this, whenever Qiao Ni came up with new recipes, she would instinctively share them with Yu Mian first.
When Yu Mian had fallen ill that time, Qiao Ni had been genuinely anxious and worried.
Huo Ting sometimes wondered, what kind of people must Yu Mian’s parents be to raise someone like him?
Perhaps there was a reason his grandfather had kept them in his thoughts for so many years.
“And it turns out you weren’t busy recently…you were avoiding me?”
Just as Yu Mian was quietly softening, Huo Ting brought the topic back again.
Yu Mian: !
“Uh, that’s because you were so annoying that night… You were completely out of control when you got drunk. Do you even know how intolerant you are to alcohol?”
Caught off guard by the sudden change in topic, Yu Mian subconsciously tried to shift the blame.
Just recalling the moment when Huo Ting hugged him from behind made his lower back feel a little uncomfortable.
Every time he transformed into his mermaid form, the scales would start to emerge from that very spot. Being held so closely like that gave him an especially strange feeling.
But when it came down to it, the drink Huo Ting had was the one he had persuaded him to drink.
The more Yu Mian thought about it, the more he felt it was his own fault. He couldn’t blame Huo Ting at all.
So he made a mental note: from now on, Huo Ting must never touch alcohol again.
Huo Ting watched Yu Mian’s unnatural reaction with a thoughtful look, as if he had guessed something.
“Then I won’t touch it ever again. Should we consider that my first work order?”
After all, it seemed he was now the newly appointed bodyguard.
“Ah… Grandpa was being ridiculous. You’re not seriously going to be a bodyguard, right?”
Yu Mian was caught completely off guard by Huo Ting’s rare teasing, he felt so embarrassed he wished he could cover Huo Ting’s mouth.
“And besides, I can’t afford the salary of a guard of your rank.”
If Huo Ting insisted on doing it, he would have to work for free.
Meanwhile, the serialization of “God of Cooking” had officially reached its conclusion with Yu Mian’s recent updates.
Taoyuan Mountain was now covered in sweet peaches. The sweet and delicate fragrance lingering in the air was a pure delight for the senses.
After the peach orchard opened for picking experiences, many tourists wandered excitedly among the peach trees.
The best-selling product remained the juicy peaches grafted and grown by Lu Zhen under the system’s guidance. With just a gentle tug, the peel would come off in one smooth piece, revealing plump, tender flesh that left a lingering sweetness after just one bite.
The original investigation team that had surveyed Taoyuan Mountain returned after a year to revisit the place.
They were undoubtedly stunned by the thriving and breathtaking scenery that now greeted them.
[[“Back then, although the scenery was beautiful, it carried a sense of desolation. Many houses were abandoned. Who would have thought it would become so bustling now?”
One member of the investigation team sighed in amazement, finding it hard to connect the vibrant scene before them with the photos in their reports.
It was clearly the same landscape, yet it had taken on a whole new vitality.
“This proves that even without skyscrapers, you can still create economic benefits. Visitors can enjoy a completely different vacation experience here.”
“Come on, let’s see if the little boss is still around. I heard Duozhi arrived ahead of schedule?”
The old man in the lead waved his hand, stopping his subordinates’ discussion and heading enthusiastically toward Taoyuan Restaurant.
After its recent expansion, the main lobby of the restaurant still maintained its traditional charm. From the morning’s wide variety of teas and pastries to the evening’s grand gourmet feasts, it was always bustling with activity.
The home stay in the backyard was fully booked year-round, with reservations reportedly stretching a year in advance.
Thanks to Lu Zhen’s influence, nearby restaurants and homestays run by local villagers had also thrived, bringing a lively and prosperous atmosphere to the entire Taoyuan Mountain.
“You’ve come at the perfect time. The first fresh peach feast is just about to be served. How about trying it out with everyone?”
Lu Zhen smiled upon seeing the familiar investigation team, and the mention of the peach feast immediately piqued their curiosity.
“Little Boss, aren’t peaches just fruit for eating? How can they be turned into dishes?”
“You’ll find out tonight. There just so happens to be a sightseeing huafang on the river, so everyone can enjoy the lake view while savoring delicious food.”
Lu Zhen left them hanging with a mysterious smile.
During their daytime tour of Taoyuan Mountain, they indeed spotted an elegant boat on Qingjiang River.
Unlike ordinary vessels, the huafang featured carved window pillars and decorative lanterns, offering a refreshing sense of novelty.
Eating delicious food while admiring the beautiful scenery from the boat, what an ingenious idea from Boss Lu Zhen.
“This huafang is going to be a hit once it’s launched.”
It goes without saying that for those who came from Central Star, this double enjoyment of delicious food and beautiful scenery would be wonderful.
“The scenery at night will be even more spectacular.”
Zheng Duozhi, who had brought his family to Taoyuan Mountain for vacation a long time ago, also explained with a smile.
Sure enough, when night fell, the lights of homestays and restaurants along the riverbanks flickered on. Lotus lanterns floated on the water’s surface, drifting away with the soft sounds of oars slicing through the river.
The huafang, already dazzling by day, now glowed with the brilliance of palace lanterns and other lights, making it impossible to look away.
As everyone took their seats in amazement, the boat slowly set sail, with the riverside scenery shifting along with its movement.
A series of peach-themed delicacies were served one after another.
The appetizer of fresh peaches in jujube-paste instantly caught everyone’s attention. The delicate sweetness melted in their mouths, and the layered texture left them stunned.
Next came the honey peach chicken wings, their rich, caramelized color making them utterly irresistible.
The wings were perfectly roasted to a crisp on the outside, with tender chicken inside. The honey and peach aroma wrapped around the caramel-colored skin, making every bite a delightful burst of flavor.
In no time, a full plate of chicken wings decorated with peach blossom garnishes was completely devoured.
When two pairs of chopsticks reached for the last piece at the same time, both parties looked embarrassed, though neither was willing to let go of such a tempting taste.
“Don’t worry. There’s plenty more coming. If you eat too much now, you won’t have room for what’s next.”
Seeing this, Lu Zhen brought out several more peach-inspired main dishes, each as enticing as the last.]]
Example of a “huafang”.(Translates to “decorated pleasure boat”)
