Countless interstellar readers unconsciously smiled as they read through Lu Zhen’s meticulous process of tending to the backyard.
The scene of him building the swing and enjoying the sunset in the Taoyuan Mountains had captivated everyone’s imagination, filling them with a longing for such a serene life.
Is this the legendary pastoral life on the ancient Blue Planet?
Even though machines and various tools could handle many of the tasks, the protagonist insisted on doing everything with his own two hands. This “slow and unhurried” work had become its own form of enjoyment.
[Honestly, if Lu Zhen had used a wood-cutting machine to quickly chop down the trees, it just wouldn’t have the same feeling.]
[Of course! Machines can fell a whole forest in seconds and slice everything cleanly. The once-lush woods end up looking like bald patches, which is honestly jarring.]
[Lu Zhen chopped one tree to make the swing, but then planted another sapling to replace it. That made me start imagining what it’ll look like decades later when the little sapling grows big. Now I really want to try swinging on a swing myself!]
[The point isn’t just the swing; it’s the natural beauty surrounding it. Even if you built a hundred swings in a steel city, it wouldn’t feel the same.]
As Lu Wei read the comments, he keenly noticed that Fish Soup Noodle’s new book owed its charm to the tranquil and picturesque environment.
However, he couldn’t help but wonder what kind of ingredient Lu Zhen’s mysterious seeds would yield.
Even though Fish Soup Noodle’s writing style wasn’t intense or fast-paced this time, it naturally drew readers into Lu Zhen’s perspective, making them eagerly anticipate the seeds’ growth.
It almost felt as if they were experiencing the joy of farming alongside the protagonist.
And now, it was finally harvest time!
However, the results that appeared in the story left readers completely stunned.
[[Early the next morning, Lu Zhen excitedly rushed to the field, only to discover that the fruit hanging amid the vibrant green leaves was pointes, bright red, and extraordinarily eye-catching.
When Lu Zhen picked one and bit into it, he was instantly overwhelmed by the spicy heat and tears streamed down his face.
He drank countless gulps of water before finally suppressing the horrible burning sensation.
“Ahem, ahem, ahem! Can this really be eaten? It feels poisonous!”
What strange things had he grown?
[That’s chili pepper, host. The fruit you meticulously cultivated has achieved Grade B quality. You’ve unlocked the Grade B recipe for ‘Spicy Chicken’ and the seasoning formula for ‘Secret Chili Sauce’!]
The system immediately explained, and with its congratulatory tone, a recipe and sauce formula appeared in Lu Zhen’s mind, along with a new message.
[A special tourism group from the Central Star System will visit Taoyuan Mountain in the near future. Among them is an important figure investigating the local ecosystem. If you can impress them with the deliciousness of spicy food, they will help uncover the underhanded tactics used by the developers!]
However, in the kitchen, Lu Zhen felt uneasy about the system’s announcement.
Why, of all things, did he have to grow something so unbearably spicy?
Could this so-called Spicy Chicken really taste good?]]
[What, chili peppers?! Is this the same thing I saw at the Food Research Institute a while back?!]
To familiarize interstellar readers with new ingredients, Yu Mian had collaborated with the Food Research Institute and created an illustrated catalog of many fresh ingredients. The catalog included holographic images which would be embedded in the book.
When readers reach the relevant sections, they could click on the images to view the holographic projection of the ingredients.
The institute had previously listed chili peppers on their online marketplace for a short period, even launching a limited batch of spicy-flavored nutrient solutions as experimental products. However, the batch was met with overwhelming complaints.
People widely criticized the terrifying flavor of the nutrient solution, prompting the institute to pull the product from shelves and consider abandoning chili peppers altogether…until Yu Mian stumbled upon a surviving pot of chili plants.
Readers who had unwittingly encountered this “poison” were now frantically explaining in the comments section.
[This stuff is insanely hard to eat! My neighbor bought that nutrient solution, and after one sip, his throat was on fire and he almost lost his voice. It’s definitely some sinister plot from the Food Research Institute, TAT.]
[Oh no, why did Teacher Fish Soup Noodle make Lu Zhen grow something like this for his first harvest? I waited seven whole days for this!]
[And what’s this Spicy Chicken? Has anyone ever tried it? I’ve never even heard of it! And chili sauce? What’s that supposed to be?]
The anticipation in the comments section had hit its peak, only for readers to find out that the protagonist had grown something that tasted horrible. Many were baffled by this plot development.
However, Yu Mian had anticipated this reaction, and the next page delved into Lu Zhen’s attempts to create a new dish.
[[Although the system could provide Lu Zhen with auxiliary rewards, improving his cooking skills was something he had to work on himself through repeated practice.
Interestingly, the system had a visible experience progress bar in the background.
Each time Lu Zhen experimented with a dish, he gained experience points…+1, +2…depending on the quality of the result. The better the dish, the more points he earned.
When Lu Zhen finally reached Level 9 and was just 10 points away from maxing out the dish at Level 10, he took a deep breath and carefully prepared all the necessary ingredients once again.]]
The description of the system naturally left many interstellar netizens shocked.
[Wait, if studying and exams came with a system that displayed progress bars and experience points like this, I feel like I’d actually enjoy studying? What’s happening??]
[Damn it, who stole my system? Wuuu, I’m going to ask my grandpa right now, when will the system in our family awaken?]
[+1, I’m feeling the same. I’m absolutely tempted! The system in Fish Soup Noodles’ new book is too interesting!]
After all, real-time reward mechanisms have always been a powerful motivator that keeps people trying and even addicted.
The way many games become addictive is closely tied to this feature, players can immediately sense the joy of leveling up with each attempt.
But in Fish Soup Noodles’ novel, the bold addition of a skill proficiency system to the protagonist Lu Zhen’s learning process made readers feel both incredulous at first glance and increasingly intrigued as they thought about it.
This seemed to have become a signature element in every new book by Fish Soup Noodles.
Whether it was rebirth, time travel, or the current system, there was always something fresh and exciting.
Following this segment on practice and accumulation, the latest update of “God of Cooking” reached its first climax–the moment when the protagonist Lu Zhen finally perfected a plate of Spicy Chicken.
[[This time, Lu Zhen was fully focused and calm, and he managed to nail every step perfectly.
From heating the pan and frying the chicken pieces to a golden crispness, to the burst of intense, spicy aroma as the chili peppers hit the oil, and finally to the smooth motion of plating the dish…all the steps were executed flawlessly.
The result was a plate of perfect Spicy Chicken!
The chicken pieces were crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and complemented by the red chili peppers, which made people salivate instinctively.
“Xiao Zhen, what are you making? It smells amazing…”
Only when Lu Zhen proudly held up the plate did he notice a crowd gathering outside the kitchen window.
“Yes, I could smell it from far away. Before I knew it, I ended up here. So, someone’s cooking?”
“Young man, this smell is strange yet enticing. Why have I never encountered this flavor in any nutrient solution before?”
Among the crowd were Uncle Li, Lu Zhen’s former neighbor, and some curious tourists. Unanimously, their eyes were glued to the plate of Spicy Chicken in Lu Zhen’s hands!
“Well, why don’t you all give it a try? It’s on the house today. I hope you’ll help spread the word after trying the food. Taoyuan Restaurant will officially reopen tomorrow.”
Lu Zhen invited everyone into the restaurant’s dining area, and soon the once-quiet interior was bustling again.
When people took their first bite of the Spicy Chicken, their taste buds were immediately conquered by its crispy, tender, and spicy flavor.
Even Uncle Li, who clearly couldn’t handle spicy food, was wiping away tears from the spiciness but couldn’t help but squeeze back into the crowd for another piece.
It was simply too delicious. It was spicy, fragrant, and so good that one might almost bite their tongue off!
“Lu Zhen, you truly are your grandfather’s grandson. If this dish gets on the menu, it’s bound to be a hit!”
In no time, the large bowl of Spicy Chicken was completely devoured, and the crowd, sweating and addicted to the flavor, stared at Lu Zhen with shining eyes.
“Little boss, will you have more when you open tomorrow? I’ll definitely order it!”
“No, I’ll pre-order ten servings right now. Can it be packed to go?”
“I want some too!”
The noisy voices surrounded Lu Zhen.
Perhaps this fiery plate of Spicy Chicken symbolized the new beginning of the Taoyuan Restaurant?
[However, it’d be best to develop some side dishes or chilled drinks to make a complete set meal. I believe that would make the grand opening even more successful,] the system reminded him as Lu Zhen grinned with satisfaction.]]
When everyone in the Huanyu Editorial Department who were working overtime tonight read the last paragraph of Fish Soup Noodles’ triple update of “God of Cooking” in one breath, they inexplicably felt a little saliva in their mouths.
“Grrr…”
Editor Shaxs’ stomach growled audibly.
“Ahem, I haven’t had dinner yet!”
Shaxs explained awkwardly, and everyone nodded in understanding.
“I’m just…really curious. Is this Spicy Chicken truly as amazing as described? So delicious that you’d cry from the spice yet still fight for more?”
Obviously, no one had ever tasted this so-called Spicy Chicken before, but Fish Soup Noodles’ vivid descriptions almost made them feel as if they could experience its spicy, mouthwatering taste.
“And reading this at night makes it even worse. I’m now very hungry, what should I do? By the way, I suddenly feel that the update time for Teacher Fish Soup Noodles’ new book is really horrible!”
One editor’s comment resonated deeply with the sentiments of the first wave of interstellar readers who fell into the pit.
[Help! I’ve realized I really shouldn’t have read Fish Soup Noodles’ new book at night. Now I’m so hungry I jumped out of bed and ran to drink some nutrient solution!]
[Live broadcast! I desperately need Fish Soup Noodles to live broadcast making Spicy Chicken. Is it really that delicious?]
[Why is it that the characters in the book can eat Lu Zhen’s Spicy Chicken, but we can’t taste Teacher Fish Soup Noodles’ Spicy Chicken!? Hurry up and hold a lottery giveaway!]
Food Novels always leave me hungry. 😅 I’ll try translating one when I feel like gaining weight.
