《Transmigrating and Raising Children: I ll Make Earth s Delicacies Go Viral》 Chapter 1 Crossing the Galaxy Blue Planet. The four realms were white and blended with the sky. As s boy slowly pushed open the window and saw the snow, his dim eyes lit up. Blue snow was floating outside the window, turning the entire town into a fairytale world. At this moment, the street was empty. The boy stood on his tiptoes to touch the world outside the window, but a woman shouted angrily from behind, ¡°A snowstorm is coming. Are you trying to freeze us to death by opening the window? Hurry up and close the window. Go to the cabin to add more carbon!¡± With that, the woman¡¯s expression changed and she said amiably to the man beside her, ¡°Darling, let¡¯s continue. It¡¯ll warm up if we exercise more¡­¡± ¡°Exercise more? Why don¡¯t you go outside to exercise more?¡± As soon as the woman finished speaking, the hard door of the main hall in the house was kicked open. A cold wind blew in, startling the disheveled man and woman on the sofa into retreating. The person¡¯s lips trembled. The woman said in shock, ¡°Are, are you a human or a ghost?¡± ¡°It¡¯s only been a few days since we last met. Don¡¯t you recognize me?¡± The person sneered. Then, she took off the snow-covered mirror and mask, revealing her exquisite face. Her dark blue eyes were like those of a hungry snow wolf. Seeing her white hair, the man was in disbelief. ¡°Liao Ning?¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you already dead?¡± the man said in horror. He remembered that Liao Ning was no longer breathing when he left. Who was the person in front of him now? Liao Ning sneered. ¡°If you walk to talk, let¡¯s wait for the trial. Now, I want to bring my nephew back.¡± Liao Ning¡¯s body was already possessed and the current owner of this body was someone from the apocalypse. In order to help the crowd escape, Liao Ning perished with a large number of people. Unexpectedly, after she died, she was forcefully bound to the system and came to the interstellar world to become Villain No. 1¡¯s aunt. The most important thing for her to do now was to pick up her nephew before the snowstorm. Otherwise, when the villain¡¯s future evil deeds affected the peace of this world, the world she was in would also suffer. She would no longer exist, nor would her sacrifice in the original world be remembered. The body she was in now had the same name as hers. She was the illegitimate daughter of the Liao family and had been raised outside for many years. The Liao family, which was once the richest family on Blue Planet, had declined after the death of the old couple, but they still had countless assets on Blue Planet, so some people had designs on them. After Villain No. 1¡¯s father died of illness, he wanted to pass on his child and remaining assets to Liao Ning so that his child could escape his wife¡¯s abuse and ruin her scheme to take over the family. Unexpectedly, Liao Ning died on the way to Blue Planet¡­ ¡°You¡¯re Liao Nai?¡± After Liao Ning glanced around the hall, she saw the boy hiding in the corner. His dark eyes looked dull. According to Liao Ning¡¯s understanding of the system, Villain No. 1, Liao Nai, was only five years old now, but his evil value was as high as 20%. He was an angel who had just descended into this world, so how could he be corroded by the dark side of this world? Moreover, this was a peaceful interstellar era. Liao Ning walked straight to the child and squatted down. Then, she reached out to him. ¡°Are you willing to go home with me?¡± Liao Ning said gently. Seeing this, Liao Nai shrank back and carefully sized up Liao Ning. Previously, his father had shown him a photo of his aunt. She had white hair and blue eyes. She didn¡¯t look like anyone in the family. Although she was much better looking than in the photo, he knew that the more beautiful a person was, the more vicious they were. Just like his mother. The boy tugged at his sleeve and lowered his head to hide the scar on his hand. He didn¡¯t dare to make a sound. At that moment, they were both enveloped by black shadows. Liao Nai looked up suddenly, her eyes filled with horror. He was very familiar with this scene. Whenever the man arrived and his shadow appeared, he would hit him. ¡°Be careful!¡± Liao Nai reached out to push Liao Ning away and waited for the man¡¯s iron rod to strike him. He closed his eyes in fear. However, after a long time, the pain didn¡¯t come. Instead, he tasted blood at the corner of his mouth. It was blood! But why didn¡¯t it hurt? Why did he feel the wetness on his head? Was it because he was already used to the pain? Liao Nai slowly opened his eyes, only to realize that it wasn¡¯t his blood. At this moment, Liao Ning protected him tightly in her arms as she caught the iron rod with one hand. Blood was dripping from her gloves. Liao Nai could clearly see an iron needle piercing her palm¡­ ¡°What are you waiting for? Kill her!¡± The woman¡¯s roar sounded again. ¡°Get rid of the corpse before the snow comes so that no one will know that we killed her¡­¡± The woman kept shouting, but before she could finish, she saw her man being kicked to the ground. Liao Ning stood up straight and decisively pulled out the iron nail that had been inserted into her body. Then, she threw it at the woman quickly. The woman didn¡¯t even come back to her senses when the iron rod swept towards her. After she came back to her senses, she was startled again. She didn¡¯t look at the man moaning on the ground, but stared blankly at the wall of the cabin behind her instead. Liao Ning glanced at the stunned woman with a sneer. Then, she suddenly thought of something important and her expression changed. She looked nervously at Liao Nai, who was in her arms. ¡°Are you hurt?¡± Chapter 2 Bringing the Villain Home Liao Nai was slightly stunned. She, who seemed so arrogant moments before, seemed so helpless in front of him now. ¡°No, Aunt, bring me back,¡± Liao Nai said with teary eyes. He wasn¡¯t touched, but he felt that it was better to follow this woman who was willing to protect him. Liao Ning thought that her actions just now had frightened the child. When she tried to put her hands on the child¡¯s thin face, she realized that one of her hands was covered in blood. Liao Ning retracted her hand in a hurry. After she thought for a moment, she took off the scarf and coat around her neck and wrapped them around Liao Nai tightly. ¡°Let¡¯s go back,¡± Liao Ning said as she stared at him with her clear blue eyes. After freezing for a moment, Liao Nai grabbed his clothes and nodded. When Liao Ning reached out again, he didn¡¯t refuse. Liao Nai thought that he would suffer in the snowstorm after leaving with his so-called aunt. Unexpectedly, they reached a small space capsule. The interior of this space capsule was as well-furnished as a small villa. Although it wasn¡¯t as nice as the place he had lived in previously, it was warm. It had been a long time since Liao Nai¡¯s cheeks felt this warm. The temperature on Blue Planet was usually quite low. Coupled with the fact that his house was too big and the heating equipment was old, only the living room was warm. After his father passed away, his mother started spending more time with other people and often complained that he was in the way. She often chased him to the cabin to work with the servants. Although the fire was burning, it wasn¡¯t warm at all. He had to step on a stool to reach the tall carbon platform. Even so, his mother didn¡¯t change her mind about letting him work in the cabin. Instead, she dismissed the servants and left him alone in the cabin. ¡°Where is the cabin?¡± Liao Nai¡¯s voice was as soft as an ant¡¯s. Liao Ning, who was bandaging Liao Nai¡¯s wound while checking the system¡¯s value, turned around. Just now, she had heard the system notify her that the evil value of Villain No. 1 had fluctuated. It had fallen from 20% to 2%. Now, it had increased again. She was wondering what this brat was thinking when he took the initiative to communicate with her. Seemed like he had improved a little. ¡°It¡¯s across from here, but you don¡¯t have to work there. The furnishings here are all automatic,¡± Liao Ning said with a smile. Although the Host was an illegitimate daughter raised by the Liao family, she didn¡¯t hate the Liao family. Her nephew¡¯s appearance had disrupted her plan to travel the galaxy, but she didn¡¯t mind. She even wanted to bring him along. Unexpectedly, a disaster struck. She pitied the child in front of her. He should have been living a happy life, but he got caught in the crossfire of his mother¡¯s fight for assets. Liao Ning sighed softly. But with her around now, the situation definitely couldn¡¯t be the same. She wanted to nourish the villain until he was chubby, correct his morals, and make him an upright person. This idea seemed quite interesting. Liao Ning actually liked children very much, but during an apocalypse, it was rare to see children. Now that she had been reborn and had a child, Liao Ning felt blessed. ¡°Wash your hands quickly. We¡¯ll go eat hotpot later.¡± Liao Ning squatted down and smiled at Liao Nai. ¡°What¡¯s hotpot?¡± Liao Nai was surprised. He had never heard of it before. ¡°You¡¯ll know in a while.¡± Liao Ning smiled mysteriously and brought Liao Nai to wash his hands. She had accidentally discovered that before the development of the interstellar civilization, humans had suffered a catastrophe on Earth and lost many civilizations, including the Earth¡¯s long-standing food culture. She used the system to do a live food broadcast. Only then did she manage to raise the resource consumption fee for Blue Planet. Otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have been able to rush to Blue Planet in a single week. The weather on the blue planet was cold, so hotpot was the perfect choice. The ingredients she had prepared previously could be used for hotpot. After cleaning up, Liao Ning brought Liao Nai to the kitchen. Liao Nai¡¯s eyes widened. This place was only 20 square meters, but it had everything. Those frying pans and rice cookers¡­ were all rare things that he had only seen when he watched live food broadcasts. His aunt knew how to cook? Liao Nai¡¯s face was filled with disbelief. However, he saw his aunt cut open a few red fruits and sprinkle them with snowflakes before handing them to him. The tender flesh was wrapped in a layer of white crystals, making it look crystalline. It also looked like the snow scenery he had seen outside the window. However, although the blue crystals outside were beautiful, they were poisonous. If one ate too much of them, they would die. Besides, could such bright red fruits be eaten? As expected, this woman wanted to harm him! Liao Nai looked vigilant, but in the next second, Liao Ning took a bite of it in front of him. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s delicious. As expected, white sugar and tomatoes are a delicious combination!¡± Liao Ning was overjoyed and moved the plate closer to Liao Nai. ¡°Try it. It¡¯ll fill your stomach for a while.¡± ¡°No¡­¡± Liao Nai rejected. He caught a glimpse of water dripping from the tomato as the white crystal melted. It should be fine to eat a little, right? As if bewitched by the bright red color, Liao Nai swallowed hard and carefully took a small bite. The sweetness that melted in his mouth stunned Liao Nai. But the juice was a little sour. The magical feeling of his taste buds suddenly awakening made Liao Nai¡¯s eyes light up. Chapter 3 Tomato Hot Pot ¡°It¡¯s delicious, right?¡± As Liao Ning looked at Liao Nai¡¯s bright eyes, she beamed. Liao Nai nodded vigorously and smiled at Liao Ning, forgetting that he had just suspected that Liao Ning was going to poison him. ¡°Eat more if it¡¯s delicious. Don¡¯t starve yourself.¡± With that, Liao Ning went to deal with the remaining ingredients. ¡°Can I really eat more?¡± Liao Nai held his plate in disbelief. In the past, his mother had never given him such good things. Perhaps the woman in front of him wasn¡¯t as bad as he thought. Liao Nai probed carefully. Liao Ning took the opportunity to pat his fluffy head. ¡°Of course.¡± It felt so soft to the touch. Liao Nai blushed. His aunt¡¯s hand was warm, so he didn¡¯t despise being touched. He didn¡¯t notice that he didn¡¯t subconsciously dodge as he usually did. He blushed as he took another bite of the delicious tomato. ¡°Aunt, what¡¯s hotpot?¡± Liao Nai asked curiously. ¡°It¡¯s stewing delicious things in boiling water, but let¡¯s add some ingredients to it today and make a tomato base for you.¡± Liao Ning boiled the water and poured it on the tomatoes. The tomato that had been cut twice instantly shed a layer of wrinkled skin. After it was cut into pieces by Liao Ning and squeezed into a paste along with garlic, it was boiled in the pot. The sizzling sound was very pleasant. Liao Nai¡¯s eyes widened. Then, she heard Liao Ning say, ¡°Turn on the oil extraction function.¡± The smart mechanical butler in the room immediately operated. The small fan that appeared on the holographic silver screen whirred, making Liao Nai laugh in delight. This wasn¡¯t an oil extraction device. What the holographic silver screen showed was fake. However, the pot that had been smoking just now was indeed no longer smoking. At this moment, the soup in the pot was already so thick that it was bubbling. The aroma whet his appetite. Liao Nai¡¯s intuition told him that the food must be very delicious. At this moment, a sweet voice sounded. ¡°Hello, Little Master. I¡¯m Mechanical Intelligence V. How can I help you?¡± Liao Nai was shocked when the data profile changed in front of him. There was an AI butler in this cabin. Just as Liao Ning had said, the equipment here was fully automatic. Then why didn¡¯t she just use machinery to make nutritional fluid for him to deal with his hunger? Why did she have to go through so much trouble to cook? As Liao Nai looked at Liao Ning, who was enjoying herself, his cold heart seemed to have met a blazing sun again. He thought that other than his father, she was the only one in the world who treated him well¡­ ¡°Thank you, V. I want to be with you,¡± Liao Nai said in a childish voice. Little V: ¡°Alright, goodbye, Little Master. May you spend every day happily.¡± After Liao Nai bid farewell to Little V politely, he moved over a small stool to help his aunt. ¡°Aunt, what is this?¡± Liao Nai was like a cute curious child as he pointed at the ingredients and asked about them one by one. Liao Ning introduced them one by one until the delicious tomato soup was served. Cabbage, pork slices, bean sprouts, and Liao Ning¡¯s homemade starch meatballs filled the entire round table. As Liao Nai held his bowl, he watched as the food went into the pot and started getting cooked. He looked forward to the food entering his bowl and kept wiping his saliva. When Liao Ningsheng gave it to him, Liao Nai took a bite despite the heat. The taste was simply amazing. After the two of them enjoyed the meal, Liao Ning was happy to see Liao Nai lying on the sofa with a satisfied expression. The system in her mind also notified her that the villain¡¯s evil value had decreased by 10%. It turned out that delicious food was so powerful! Liao Ning was overjoyed. ¡°Aunt, let me do it.¡± After Liao Nai stretched on the sofa, he suddenly realized that this happiness had come too suddenly. He realized belatedly that he couldn¡¯t dwell in pleasure. He had to learn to cherish it so that his happiness could last longer. His father had taught him that. Liao Nai ran to help clean up. Liao Ning¡¯s heart softened. Since this child was so sensible, she had to give him more meat. But after Liao Nai took away the dishes in her hand, she realized that there were black footprints from behind Liao Nai. Looking at Liao Nai¡¯s flimsy clothes and dirty body, Liao Ning fell into deep thought. Should she give him a bath first? ¡°Xiaonai.¡± Liao Ning stopped Liao Nai, who was about to turn on the tap. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Aunt?¡± Liao Nai turned around. He had no idea that Liao Ning¡¯s decision would blow his mind. ¡°Let¡¯s take a bath together,¡± Liao Ning said seriously. Chapter 4 Villain No. 2 ¡°What?¡± Liao Nai¡¯s face turned visibly red. ¡°Come on. I¡¯ll wash you clean and nourish you until you¡¯re chubby.¡± Liao Ning still didn¡¯t know how her words had frightened him, so she held Liao Nai¡¯s hand gently and led him upstairs. ¡°Leave the housework to Little V. It¡¯ll tidy up.¡± Liao Nai felt exasperated. This wasn¡¯t about doing housework! How could they take a bath together? ¡°Aunt, I know how to take a bath,¡± Liao Nai said as he looked up. ¡°How can a child like you know how to wash yourself properly?¡± Liao Ning poked Liao Nai¡¯s forehead with her finger. Liao Nai covered his forehead and wanted to refuse, but Liao Ning had already entered the bathroom to test the temperature of the water. At the thought that his aunt treated him as a child, Liao Nai frowned. His father had said that he was a big boy already! After Liao Ning ran the water, she turned around to call out, ¡°Xiaonai,¡± but she didn¡¯t see anyone outside the door. Where was the child? Seeing that he had disappeared, Liao Ning tensed up, but she accidentally stepped on Liao Nai¡¯s clothes when she went out. A moan sounded below, then a wolf cub stuck its head out. ¡°Liao Nai?¡± When Liao Ning saw the wolf cub in front of her, who was only a few months old, she was immediately shocked and overjoyed. After the calamity on Earth, in order to better adapt to interstellar life, most humans had awakened the beast genes in their bodies. Most people had a half-beast state, and those with stronger abilities could even completely transform into their beast forms. She didn¡¯t expect her kid to be one of the strongest humans. To be able to transform into a beast at the age of five, his future was promising. However, when she thought of how the future Villain No. 1 would be hunted down by the Interstellar Alliance, Liao Ning felt sad and hugged the wolf cub tightly. When Liao Nai, who was smugly showing off that he was an adult who could take care of things on his own, looked up, he saw his aunt hugging him for a long time without saying anything. His sharp intuition told him that his aunt wasn¡¯t in a good mood. He placed his wolf claws on his aunt¡¯s back to comfort her. Unexpectedly, Liao Ning suddenly picked him up and sucked on his stomach. Her voice softened as she said, ¡°What a cute wolf cub. Let me hug you.¡± During the apocalypse, not only did Liao Ning look forward to having a child, but she also hoped that she could have a pet. However, the zombie-infested environment didn¡¯t allow her to have such fantasies. Living in the galaxy was too blissful! She hugged and kissed the wolf cub. Liao Nai was dumbfounded, but after being caressed by Liao Ning, he lay on her shoulder comfortably. He didn¡¯t even realize when he had taken a shower, dried his fur, and gotten into the same bed as Liao Nai. That night, Liao Nai slept peacefully. When he woke up the next day, the snowstorm had already stopped. When Liao Nai sensed the light, his eyes widened. He had yet to return to his human form. After standing up on all fours, he looked around warily. After a while, he came back to his senses and realized that he had already left the house where his ¡°mother¡± scolded him every day. This was his aunt¡¯s house. After he looked down and saw Liao Ning, he leaned over and rubbed his head against Liao Ning¡¯s neck. The sense of attachment he had never felt before made him want to sleep a little longer. Even so, Liao Nai jumped off the bed and transformed into his human form. His snow-white fur turned into an outfit. After he went to the bathroom and made sure there was no one else, he opened the AI. A childish female voice quickly came from inside. She said anxiously, ¡°Why are you only answering the call now? I thought something had happened to you.¡± The girl¡¯s voice was choked with tears, making Liao Nai feel guilty. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Xiaomi. I went home with my aunt yesterday,¡± Liao Nai explained softly. ¡°Aunt? Go home?¡± The girl in the AI questioned. Liao Nai nodded. ¡°Yes, my aunt treats me very well, like my father.¡± ¡°Really?¡± The girl still didn¡¯t believe him and said ruthlessly, ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid that your aunt is only good to you because she has designs on you?¡± ¡°No, she¡¯s very nice. She even treated me to ancient delicacies.¡± Liao Nai didn¡¯t notice the smile on his lips. However, the girl could hear his joy, so she said helplessly, ¡°Everyone in this world is very wicked, except for my uncle and your father, of course. Don¡¯t be deceived by that woman¡¯s appearance.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Liao Nai nodded solemnly. He had only spent a day with his aunt, so the girl¡¯s words made sense. ¡°How¡¯s it going on your side? Is Uncle back?¡± Liao Nai asked worriedly. The girl said with disappointment, ¡°Not yet.¡± Then, she snorted. ¡°But I believe my uncle won¡¯t abandon me. I took revenge on those who bullied me yesterday. I¡¯m not as useless as you. Just you wait. When my uncle comes back, I¡¯ll look for you. I won¡¯t let your vicious aunt bully you!¡± Chapter 5 Food Livestream ¡°Yes, thank you, Xiaomi,¡± Liao Nai replied. At that moment, there was the sound of glass shattering on the other side of the AI. Liao Nai was about to ask about the situation when the girl said, ¡°Let¡¯s stop here for today. I¡¯ll contact you later.¡± With that, the artificial intelligence on the other side hung up. Liao Nai was speechless. In the room, Liao Ning opened her eyes the moment Liao Nai left. She had maintained the habit of sleeping light during the apocalypse. When Liao Nai got up, she woke up as well. Just now, she was still immersed in the joy of the child being willing to get close to her, but when she saw Liao Nai secretly leave behind her back, her joy turned into disappointment. But that was Liao Nai¡¯s secret after all. He had his reasons for not telling her, so she wouldn¡¯t pursue it. She was sure that one day, Liao Nai would open up to her. Liao Ning poked the corners of her mouth with two fingers to force a smile. She had already composed herself. After she packed up, she also received today¡¯s mission from the system. [Complete a food livestream. The goal is to get more than 100,000 viewers. Mission Reward: 300 points. You can exchange them for function cards at the mall. 10,000 interstellar coins. Villain No. 2 clue +1] Liao Ning frowned when she saw the number of viewers required. After a week of management, her live broadcast¡¯s number of viewers had increased, but it was still average. 10,000 wasn¡¯t a small number of viewers. But¡­ the mission¡¯s reward was too enticing. 300 points could allow her to unlock a higher admission ticket to the mall. 10,000 interstellar coins was enough to cover their fuel bill for a month. As for Villain No. 2, this was also one of the missions she had accepted when she came to this world. In the original world, not only could the evil value of Villain No. 1 affect the balance of various worlds, but Villain No. 2 could as well. Currently, the news about Villain No. 2 that could be found in the system was that her evil value had already reached 50%. It was even more serious than that of Villain No. 1, so she had to find Villain No. 2 as soon as possible. Liao Ning sighed. Then, she noticed that the gargling glass she had prepared for Liao Nai had traces of movement. Instantly, her mood brightened up. Outside the window, the storm had stopped. Everything outside was white. At this moment, she suddenly had an idea. Blue Planet was Liao Nai¡¯s hometown. Had Liao Nai ever tried ice fishing before? ¡°Xiaonai!¡± Liao Nai was flipping through an e-book on the sofa. When he heard his aunt¡¯s shout, he immediately turned the e-book into animation form. Liao Ning couldn¡¯t help but laugh when she heard the sudden exaggerated sound of fighting. Then, she went downstairs and said, ¡°Shall we go ice fishing today?¡± ¡°Ice fishing?¡± What was this new term? Liao Nai¡¯s wolf ears pricked up. ¡°Ice fishing means fishing on ice,¡± Liao Ning explained. ¡°How can we fish on ice?¡± Liao Nai frowned slightly. He had heard that the Blue Planet had diverse marine life, but other than large companies or people with advanced equipment, no one dared to explore the world below Blue Planet¡¯s icy surface. His aunt actually said that she wanted to fish on the ice. Was that possible? Seeing Liao Ning¡¯s excited expression, Liao Nai couldn¡¯t bear to rain on her parade. At this moment, Liao Ning turned on the system¡¯s live broadcast equipment. ¡°Good morning, everyone. Today, I¡¯ll teach you how to make a breakfast that¡¯s suitable for everyone¡ªmillet porridge.¡± Upon hearing his, Liao Nai came over. ¡°This is the live broadcast you mentioned?¡± Liao Nai was shocked to see the reflection on the smart screen. He wasn¡¯t clueless about live broadcasts, but it was his first time seeing a live broadcast, so he was curious. As soon as Liao Ning went online, viewers sent messages. [I¡¯ve finally awaited your appearance!] [To see you early in the morning, the wait was worth it!] [What tea are you making this morning?] ¡°Morning tea? Haha, you¡¯re exaggerating. I¡¯m making millet porridge for my nephew today,¡± Liao Ning said. With that, she poured a small bowl of millet into the smart rice cooker to wash it. After she stirred it gently a few times, she watered it again and started cooking. [Is it that simple?] [If it¡¯s that simple, my AI butler. How nice of you to teach it to my AI butler step by step.] Then, there were a bunch of comments like [it¡¯s been hard on you] down below. Countless little stars and rockets flew around on the screen for a while. Liao Nai was stunned as his dark eyes swept across the ten thousand people in the live stream. Were there fewer people watching the live broadcast because it was in the morning? Liao Nai was puzzled when she saw someone questioning her. [I heard that millet porridge from ancient times has the effect of nourishing the spleen and stomach. How can it be simple to make?] [That¡¯s right. Isn¡¯t the host just trying to get views through clickbait? Sister Zhu Fei is also making breakfast and the content is much more interesting than hers.] [How can this be called ancient era breakfast? This is just clickbait!] Someone actually dared to suspect his aunt! After Liao Nai was agitated, he revealed his beast ears. ¡°You¡¯re not allowed to badmouth my aunt!¡± Chapter 6 Livestream Popularity At this moment, the netizens noticed Liao Nai in the corner. The comments section immediately exploded with comments. [This is her nephew? He has such cute wolf ears! I want to kiss him.] [So when you said that you wanted to pick up your nephew, it was true?] [I was wrong. I shouldn¡¯t have doubted you.] A bunch of comments about Liao Ning¡¯s cuteness drowned out the previous comments of doubt. The wolf cub looked at the screen in embarrassment and anger. How could he have the cheek to be angry when others were praising him? In the end, he could only pout and rest his chin on the counter while looking extremely aggrieved. Liao Ning smiled and patted Liao Nai¡¯s head comfortingly as she said calmly, ¡°Who said that our livestream will end here? We¡¯re preparing to go ice fishing later, so I¡¯ll make a simple lunchbox for everyone now.¡± ¡°What¡¯s a lunchbox?¡± Liao Nai pricked up his ears again. At this moment, Liao Ning took out the rice she had cooked in advance after the hotpot last night and warmed it up. Then, she took out the bacon and seaweed from the refrigerator. The sizzling sound of the oil cracking made Liao Nai¡¯s beast ears twitch. Then, he saw Liao Ning mix the stir-fried bacon and rice together before rolling them in seaweed. [What is that?] [Oh my god, a rice roll that costs 1,000 interstellar coins in the mall is actually made like this. I love this recipe!] [That¡¯s not all. Look at the packaging on the streamer¡¯s platform. Isn¡¯t that the meat brand of the interstellar farm? I checked and found out that the market price is only ten interstellar coins per piece.] [You guys are still talking about the price? The wolf cub is already eating it.] Liao Ning read at the comments with a chuckle. Liao Nai said that he would help, but he started eating first. The way he ate with relish made the netizens in front of the screen eager to try it as well. [It looks delicious.] [The wolf cub even licked his claws after eating and his ears are twitching. How cute!] [Host, I want to report that someone is stealing food here.] ¡°No.¡± Liao Nai snorted as he ate heartily in front of the audience, arousing the envy of countless viewers. When Liao Ning placed the last rice roll in the small box she had prepared in advance, the notification of the millet porridge being cooked sounded. Liao Ning took off her gloves and scooped out the millet porridge. As the thick soup slid into the bowl, its smoothness whetted the viewers¡¯ appetite. After Liao Ning mixed some salt in it, she brought the first bowl of porridge to Liao Nai and wiped the rice from the corner of Liao Nai¡¯s mouth. ¡°Thank you, Aunt.¡± Liao Nai glanced at the porridge and then at Liao Ning with a sweet smile. The audience watching the live broadcast saw that Liao Nai¡¯s spoon was not big, but the bowl of porridge became empty in a few spoonfuls. Someone looked at the nutritional fluid in his hand and commented silently, ¡°Does anyone else feel that the nutritional fluid in your hand is not that good anymore?¡± [@My Child Is The Best, Can you control your wolf cub?! I¡¯m dying to get a taste of it.] The comments section was filled with comments. Unknowingly, the number of people in the live-stream had reached more than 110,000. Beep¡ª System Notification: [Host, Liao Ning. Food Live Stream ID, My Child Is The Best. The number of people streaming has increased to 100,000. The target mission has been completed and the reward has now been released. Host, please accept it.] When the notification sounded, Liao Ning came back to her senses from the livestream and looked at the time. An hour had passed. ¡°Our livestream ends here today. Thank you for your support today.¡± [Don¡¯t go!] [When will your next livestream be?] [I haven¡¯t finished my breakfast, so livestream a little longer so that I can watch it as I eat.] Flowers and rockets were still popping up on the screen. After Liao Ning thanked them one by one, she went offline and quickly checked the reward issued by the system. With her current points, she had just enough to exchange for Blue Planet¡¯s information card in the mall. She exchanged her points for a geographic map of the Blue Planet and a menu about the selling price of various fish. She also exchanged for a smart sled and fishing rod. She and Liao Nai each had a fishing rod, one big and one small. She also exchanged for children¡¯s cotton jackets and thermal bags with 300 points. But after looking at Liao Nai¡¯s gorgeous skiing equipment and the excitement in her eyes, Liao Ning felt that everything was worth it. ¡°Xiaonai, you¡¯re really my lucky star.¡± Liao Ning hugged Liao Nai and kissed his cheek. Liao Nai pulled the brim of his hat down as he said shyly, ¡°Stop being so mushy. It¡¯ll be dark if we don¡¯t set off soon.¡± Although he said that, the corners of his mouth curled up. Chapter 7 Cat Fishing After leaving the town and arriving in the deserted mountains, Liao Nai rushed out the moment the cabin door opened. Liao Ning followed behind with the equipment as she watched Liao Nai running wildly in the snow in his wolf cub form. The birds in the mountains flew up, and the wolf cries sounded very ear-piercing. Liao Ning arrived at the ice lake. After scanning the place with her A.I. to confirm that there were no mistakes, she began to dig two ice pits on the ice. She put down the fishing net and set up her fishing rod. Then, she sat on a small stool to investigate Villain No. 2. [Villain No. 2, name unknown; Sex: Female Age: 5 Identity unknown Coordinates: Interstellar Alliance Capital Current evil value: 52%.] The evil value increased by 2% and she was Liao Nai¡¯s age! Seeing this little information, Liao Ning was shocked. Immediately, she used the artificial intelligence to search for information about the capital of the Interstellar Alliance. The capital was the largest transportation hub in the interstellar space and was 900 billion light-years away from Blue Planet. Liao Ning was embarrassed. With her current aerospace equipment, it would probably break down halfway there. In order to prevent Villain No. 2 from becoming evil, the most important thing now was to buy tickets to the capital. She briefly calculated the ticket price for the best route. It cost 20 billion interstellar coins per person, and this wasn¡¯t counting the other unexpected fees. For example, the interstellar law stipulated that people without a residence permit couldn¡¯t stay in the capital for more than ten days. In the short term, other than livestreaming and the system¡¯s rewards, she had no other reliable source of income. Just the ticket alone was already very expensive for her. She had to find other ways to earn money now. At that moment, a consultation appeared in her AI system. ¡°The Interstellar Food Competition invites you to join¡­ The organizer is the Interstellar Capital Food Alliance. If you¡¯re interested, please contact me¡­¡± Liao Ning¡¯s eyes lit up. The Interstellar Capital Food Alliance was in the capital. The top ten streamers who were nominated for the competition could come to the capital free of travel expenses in order to compete and would be rewarded with a seven-day free tour. The rewards for the top three in the competition were very tempting. The person in third place could obtain the qualification certificate to settle in the capital and would be given a luxurious three-story sea-view villa that was 500 square meters. One had to know that some people would never be able to go to the capital in their entire lives, but if someone won an award in this competition, they could settle down in the capital. If she won, her current difficulties were no longer difficult. After Liao Ning made up her mind, the system issued another mission. [Please reach a million viewers for the food live-stream within a week to qualify for the Interstellar Food Competition. Mission gift: Chinese Cantonese Cuisine Recipe. Mission success reward: 10 billion interstellar coins, unlock all information about Villain No. 2, Delicious Bonus Card x3. Delicious Bonus Card Description: Revive destroyed food and increase its deliciousness by a certain value. Note: Cannot be used when the food is complete.] No matter how one looked at it, this bonus card was useless, but the other mission rewards were quite tempting. At this moment, Liao Ning was already thinking about how to use the 10 billion interstellar coins reward to make more money. The wolf cub in the snow was delighted. He didn¡¯t expect his aunt to catch anything this time, but he couldn¡¯t bear to see her sitting in front of the bench so helplessly. He transformed back into his human form and quietly approached Liao Ning. After a while, the fishing rod in front of Liao Ning moved. Liao Ning was shocked and quickly caught the fishing rod the moment it fell. With a firm gaze, she exerted strength in her hands and the fishing rod was pulled into a curve. From the looks of it, she caught a big fish. ¡°You caught a fish?¡± Liao Nai was surprised. The moment the fishing rod flew up, the ¡°fish¡± was revealed under the sun, making it very eye-catching. When the fish landed, there was no movement at all. ¡°What kind of fish is this?¡± Liao Nai was stunned when he saw the ¡°fish¡± that looked like a white cat. Liao Ning was amused by Liao Nai¡¯s reaction. How was this a fish? It was clearly a cat that had fallen into the water. Liao Nai frowned at the white cat in his aunt¡¯s arms. He knew at a glance that it was an adult male cat. ¡°How can a cat be in the water? Aunt, perhaps he¡¯s human?¡± Liao Nai said. Moreover, the white cat¡¯s current location belonged to him yesterday! Chapter 8 Fish Tide This cat was so annoying that he wanted to chase it away. ¡°If he¡¯s human, shouldn¡¯t we save him?¡± Liao Ning asked. Seeing that her little cub was angry, she said patiently, ¡°We¡¯re companions. If you were in danger, I would save you without hesitation.¡± ¡°Even if the price is¡­¡± Even if she got severely injured or lost her life. Liao Nai was halfway through her sentence when she saw Liao Ning¡¯s injured hand. At that time, if not for saving him, his aunt wouldn¡¯t have been injured. Her aunt was an adult, so she knew what it felt like to be pierced by an iron needle, but she still endured that blow in order to protect him. If he despised the kitten for being weak and wanted to chase it away, how was he different from those adults who bullied him? Liao Nai looked down in dejection. Liao Ning was still treating the little white cat¡¯s wound when she felt another furry creature rubbing against her. It was Liao Nai in his wolf form. Liao Ning hugged him and stroked his back as she said, ¡°Xiaonai, I won¡¯t abandon you. Be good now. I¡¯ll accompany you after I treat the kitten¡¯s wound, okay?¡± At this point, the wolf cub was still lying at her feet. His ears drooped and he let out a low whimper while his claws were still pushing the white cat out restlessly. Seeing this, Liao Ning immediately understood the wolf cub¡¯s intentions. After she gently placed the white cat wrapped in a towel beside the sofa, she hugged the wolf cub. At that moment, the wolf cub¡¯s ears pricked up and he stuck out his tongue at her. Haha, where else could she find such a cute wolf cub? How could she bear to abandon him? Liao Ning caressed the wolf cub¡¯s fur as she said, ¡°Be obedient now. I¡¯ll make roasted fish for you tonight, okay?¡± After witnessing his aunt¡¯s culinary skills, Liao Nai drooled at the mention of food. He immediately nodded and jumped down from Liao Ning¡¯s arms to return to his human form. ¡°Then can I hug the kitten?¡± Liao Nai asked. Liao Ning didn¡¯t refuse. She gently placed the kitten in Liao Nai¡¯s arms and taught him how to treat the wounds on the kitten. As Liao Nai carefully applied medicine to the wound with a cotton swab, he could clearly feel the cat¡¯s breathing on his thigh. Liao Nai was overwhelmed with emotions as he felt the kitten¡¯s breathing and heartbeat. Was this his companion? The fragile kitten needed protection. Now, he understand his aunt¡¯s desire to save the kitten. ¡°Aunt.¡± Liao Nai looked at Liao Ning happily. The AI butler, Little V, popped up a hologram and said, ¡°Master, I sense a large group of fish approaching the lake.¡± ¡°Very good. It didn¡¯t take much effort.¡± After Liao Ning studied the map for a while, she patted Liao Nai¡¯s shoulder and said, ¡°Xiaonai, we have fish to eat tonight.¡± Liao Nai was still staring at the map on the holographic projection, but his expression froze when he saw the red dots floating on it flashed. The weather on Blue Planet was special. After the snowstorm yesterday, there would be a short warm tide. As the cold and hot air converged, the ground was more or less affected. The place where the cold and hot streams merged in the water was where the fish gathered. Perhaps they could really eat grilled fish tonight. After the aunt and nephew settled the kitten, they rode the sled back to the ice lake. At that moment, the snow on the ice lake gradually melted and the ice on the lake showed signs of cracking. The fishing net Liao Ning had set up in advance showed signs of being pulled into the lake. It was a big fish! Liao Nai stood above the hill excitedly as he waited for his aunt to reel in the net. She estimated that she had caught a lot of fish and was afraid that Liao Nai would accidentally fall into the water. The ice lake had just melted, so it would be dangerous if he fell into it. After Liao Ning put away the net, she tied it up with ropes and threw it to Liao Nai. Just like that, the two of them worked together to pull the net up. The moment the net was pulled up, water kept splashing on the surface of the lake. A total of two tons of fish were sent onto the sled. This was the first time Liao Nai had seen so many fish. After careful inspection, she realized that there were fish and pliers inside. ¡°This is Blue Planet¡¯s unique river shrimp. It¡¯s edible,¡± Liao Ning said. After she obtained the geographical blueprint of the Blue Planet, she had already recorded the knowledge about creatures here into the AI. She knew what was edible and what wasn¡¯t. She even knew how to handle the food contaminated by the blue crystal yesterday. As for these river prawns, someone from the Star Federation Research Institute had been monitoring them since long ago. They were similar to the river crabs on Earth in the early days. Their meat texture was the same. After some time, they were neglected because there were no vegetables to cook along with them. Now, the market price of vegetables in interstellar space was so low that five interstellar coins could buy a catty, but no one was interested. Liao Ning pondered over it. Perhaps this could be a breakthrough point for her food live broadcast. She opened the mission tool the system had given her for free¡ªCantonese Recipe. It recorded many recipes related to prawns. When she saw a simple recipe, her eyes lit up. ¡°Why don¡¯t we eat more black shrimp tonight?¡± Chapter 9 Sharing Five Senses [It¡¯s time. I¡¯m online!] [It¡¯s only been a day! I thought you wouldn¡¯t stream until a few days later.] [I¡¯ll call my friends to go online immediately.] As soon as Liao Ning went online, many people flooded into the live-stream room. Because the food culture had been lost in ancient times and was now rediscovered, studying every dish took quite some effort. Food live streamers usually only broadcasted once a week, let alone ancient food live streamers. They might live-stream fewer than once a month. After meeting Liao Ning, they realized that not only did Liao Ning do livestreams often, but she also brought them much simple and delicious food. Who wouldn¡¯t love that? ¡°I livestream diligently? I¡¯m just afraid that you guys will turn to other food streamers,¡± Liao Ning teased. [I¡¯m devoted to you.] [Me too.] [So are we.] Liao Ning smiled as she set up a grill with branches in the snow and propped the fish on it. Liao Nai added firewood to the fire. A few observant people already saw a few rows of fish hanging not far away. [Sister, did you have a good harvest today?] ¡°That¡¯s right. It¡¯s all thanks to my cub. Otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t have been able to pull so many fish up all alone,¡± Liao Ning said. Liao Nai pricked up his ears smugly. [The wolf cub is so cute.] [How can he be so cocky at such a young age? Host, I don¡¯t doubt your words at all. The little brat is so impressive. He has a lot of potential.] [I agree. You have to nurture him well.] ¡°My son is the best,¡± Liao Ning said proudly. Someone immediately commented, ¡°The cub is everyone¡¯s.¡± Liao Ning was amused as Liao Nai threw himself into her arms and said, ¡°I belong to my aunt.¡± [I¡¯m envious of their kinship.] [+1] [Does anyone remember that this is a food livestream?] [Isn¡¯t it a waste to catch so many fish?] [That¡¯s right. There is a surplus of fish produced in the interstellar market every year. Even cats don¡¯t eat them.] ¡°This is a food broadcast, so I¡¯ll teach everyone how to cook fish tonight,¡± Liao Ning said as she hugged the wolf cub happily. She said as she turned the camera to the grilled fish on the shelf, ¡°The first step is how to grill the fish.¡± Seeing that his aunt was about to work, Liao Nai immediately helped hand over the tools. In the livestream, Liao Ning skillfully cut open the stomach of the fish and removed the internal organs as she introduced which internal organs were edible and which weren¡¯t. After the dismemberment was done, Liao Ning skewered the fish with a peeled branch and placed it in the oven. After the roasting, the meat was snow-white while its skin was slightly yellowed. During this period, Liao Ning taught everyone how to prepare the ingredients. [Your tutorial is so detailed. Aren¡¯t you afraid that others will steal it?] After Liao Ning read the comments, she said, ¡°I don¡¯t intend to hide it. Moreover, it¡¯s a pleasure to let more people realize the value of delicious food.¡± As she spoke, she brushed the seasoning ingredients onto the grilled fish. ¡°People who have a sweet tooth can also brush a layer of honey or add cumin.¡± ¡°It¡¯s done now.¡± After Liao Ning added some cumin, she took a bite. She tasted the mixture of sweetness and saltiness first, then the slightly spicy aftertaste. The three flavors blended together without any incongruity. Through sensory resonance, the perfect blend of flavors stunned the people watching the live broadcast with their artificial intelligence. The comment section froze for a moment before suddenly exploding with comments. [Oh my god, it¡¯s delicious!] [Other than saying it¡¯s delicious, I don¡¯t know how else to describe it.] [She¡¯s so scheming. She actually activated the sensory resonance system!] [What do you mean by scheming? Please explain clearly.] [She just knows the ins and outs of live broadcasts.] Liao Ning found the comments a little baffling. Liao Nai explained, ¡°Aunt, I turned on the five senses sharing system.¡± [Thank you, brat, for finally letting me taste this delicacy!] [Kiddo, Mommy loves you!] [I¡¯ll definitely cook this dish during my family¡¯s next outing.] [You can roast fish in the wild?] [Isn¡¯t the host in the suburbs?] [I feel like I¡¯m on an outing with my sister.] [I¡¯m just a passerby, but I think this scene has a very vintage vibe.] ¡­ The number of people in the live-stream reached an all-time high again, increasing by nearly 200,000. ¡°Nai Nai.¡± After Liao Ning glanced at Liao Nai, she hugged the wolf cub and said, ¡°You¡¯re really my lucky star.¡± Liao Nai no longer resisted his aunt¡¯s hug as much as before, but he blushed slightly as he ate the fish in small bites. [Sister, there are so many fish. Are you going to roast them all?] [I can imagine how fishy your refrigerator will smell in the future.] ¡°How can that be? We already dried the fish,¡± Liao Ning said. [What¡¯s dried fish?] ¡°That¡¯s dried fish.¡± Liao Ning turned the camera to the fish drying in six neat rows. The audience watching the live-stream was dumbfounded. [Won¡¯t fish stink after being left out for so long?] Chapter 10 Seafood Sale ¡°Fish will stink if left for too long, but I have a little secret.¡± Liao Ning acted secretive. Then, she introduced the salt to everyone. ¡°If we marinate it like this for a while and suck out some water, then take it out to dry, it won¡¯t stink anymore.¡± [I can already imagine how disgusting the finished product is.] [Is it really edible?] [Do you think the grilled fish tasted bad?] [No, I believe you.] [Me too.] ¡°You can try if it¡¯s tasty or not,¡± Liao Ning said. ¡°Before refrigerators were invented on Earth, people from the ancient era used salt to dry items.¡± [Before refrigerators were invented? Then it must have been ancient times.] [I think the host is probably just giving it a try.] [I agree.] [If it¡¯s delicious, can I buy it directly?] ¡°There¡¯s no quality inspection for this product, so it¡¯s not for sale for the time being,¡± Liao Ning said. [You¡¯re so kind.] [Indeed. Last time, I bought goods from Zhu Fei¡¯s live stream. They sold them to us without a quality check, so I had diarrhea for three days. Poor me.] [I sympathize with you.] ¡°If you really want to try the food, you can buy crabs from the Star Federation Research Institute,¡± Liao Ning recommended. ¡°Their manufacturer¡¯s freshwater creatures has undergone good breeding and will definitely pass the quality check. Perhaps the delicacies they make will be even more delicious.¡± Soon, it was time for their last dish for tonight¡ªblack shrimp. As they watched the fresh prawns curl in the deep-fried oil, coupled with black bean sauce and spring onions, the aroma quickly enticed everyone in the live-stream. Liao Nai was already rubbing his fists at the dining table, as if he was in a hurry to do something important. [Haha, the cub¡¯s reaction is exactly the same as mine.] [The shrimp dish is recorded in ancient books. I¡¯m already looking forward to it.] [With just this dish, let¡¯s see who dares to say that she¡¯s a slacker.] At the same time, at the Star Federation Research Institute. As an old professor stood alone in the nursery fishery, he sighed. Lin Song was the chief of the research institute. He had been in the research institute for the past half of his life and his temples were gray now. The square fish seedling farm in front of him was the research site of his lover in her early years. In his youth, the interstellar space wasn¡¯t as peaceful as it currently was. There were constant wars, during which his lover died. Now that the interstellar space was peaceful and many places had been rebuilt, only this place was still the same as before. Now, the freshwater creatures that had been nurtured inside for so many years were already very close to Earth¡¯s freshwater creatures. However, the capital had just ordered this farm to be evacuated. It was because the market for the freshwater creatures produced here was bleak. The construction team would come tomorrow. He wanted to see this place one last time. Lin Song¡¯s old eyes were filled with tears of heartbreak, but an intern researcher rushed over and said excitedly, ¡°Teacher! There¡¯s good news!¡± This made Lin Song hold back the tears that he had been about to shed. Then, he covered his chest and glared at the young woman. Seeing this, Jin Xiang quickly supported Lin Song to prevent him from falling. ¡°Teacher, what¡¯s wrong? Are you having a heart attack again?¡± It was dark and windy, and he was the only one around, so if suddenly someone shouted at him, it was normal for him to feel startled. He even thought his lover had come to take him away. ¡°Let go of me! I¡¯m fine.¡± Lin Song was annoyed when he saw his disciple pinching him. Why would Jin Xiang pinch him if she thought he had a heart attack? How did Jin Xiang even get into this research institute? Lin Song was furious, so Jin Xiang immediately let go and only held Lin Song tightly to steady him. ¡°I was just too excited,¡± Jin Xiang said embarrassedly. After Lin Song stabilized himself, he waved his hand and told Jin Xiang to stay away from him. He wanted to live a few more years before seeing his wife. Really. After Jin Xiang stood up, Lin Song nodded in satisfaction. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Teacher, please take a look at this.¡± Jin Xiang chuckled as she passed the document to Lin Song. Lin Song pursed his lips. He originally thought that this girl was up to no good, but the sudden bill made him say in disbelief, ¡°These are all orders for our freshwater creatures?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± Jin Xiang clenched her fists excitedly and almost jumped up in excitement. ¡°Recently, a new ancient-era food streamer popped up. She live-streamed the method of making freshwater creatures tonight and inspired nearly 200,000 interstellar citizens to buy our freshwater creatures!¡± Jin Xiang said as she changed the screen to Lin Song¡¯s live-stream. The moment the live-stream was displayed, Lin Song was shocked by the taste. The taste of freshwater creatures¡­ Could it be that his lover had chosen this topic back then because she wanted to taste this? After thinking about it, Lin Song burst into tears. Chapter 11 Thank You Letter ¡°Teacher, if we show these to the people in the capital, this place won¡¯t have to be shut down anymore.¡± Jin Xiang was excited, but when she saw the crying Lin Song, her smile suddenly froze. Lin Song was her mentor and she had heard stories about her mentor from the other employees of the research institute. Unlike Lin Song, she sincerely hoped that ancient food culture could be revived. Unfortunately, there was no related major in the interstellar world, so she could only choose an ancient livestock breeding major that was very unpopular. This was also how she met Lin Song. Lin Song was willing to accept her because these passionate students reminded him of his deceased lover. When she saw Lin Song crying, she felt indescribably upset as well. Previously, because the nursery was going to be demolished, she had an argument with Lin Song over the thesis about ancient cuisine. She didn¡¯t have technical support and now, she lacked a professional venue as well. It would be much more difficult for her to do relevant research in the future because of this. As a researcher, Lin Song couldn¡¯t afford to be careless or slack off. Jin Xiang originally wanted to give up, but tonight¡¯s incident ignited her hope again. Now, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to say it anymore. ¡°Yes, there¡¯s no need to shut it down anymore.¡± Lin Song wiped his tears. Seeing that Jin Xiang was still stunned, he said with a smile, ¡°You don¡¯t have to pity me.¡± ¡°I just want to protect ancient culture, so you guys can have a brighter future.¡± Lin Song sniffled. When he passed by Jin Xiang, he patted her shoulder hard and said, ¡°Go. I hope your proposition won¡¯t disappoint me this time.¡± When Jin Xiang felt the force on her shoulder, her gaze became firm. She stared at Lin Song¡¯s thin figure in the evening wind, then she clenched her fists and walked away resolutely. That night, a spaceship left the research institute and headed for another planet. Millions of light-years away. Just as dawn broke, Liao Nai shared the AI information with Liao Ning excitedly. Liao Ning was taking care of the white cat she had saved yesterday. At this moment, the white cat¡¯s breathing was smooth, but it was still unconscious. Liao Ning made a paper nest for it. As she calculated the size, she felt that the cat had grown a little bigger than yesterday, and black stripes had appeared on its snow-white fur. The more Liao Ning looked at it, the more she felt that although it looked like an animal, its size didn¡¯t match that of an animal at all. However, when Liao Nai arrived, she quickly forgot about it. ¡°Aunt, you¡¯re famous now!¡± Liao Nai¡¯s eyes were filled with joy. Compared to when she had just picked him up, his face had already gained some weight and his eyes looked much brighter. He no longer gave off a gloomy vibe. Currently, he finally looked like a normal child and seemed much more amiable. Moreover, under Liao Ning¡¯s care, his evil value had already decreased to only 5%. ¡°Isn¡¯t my child famous too?¡± Liao Ning said. Liao Nai smiled. ¡°That¡¯s not what I¡¯m talking about. Aunt, look at the information I sent you.¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Why are you so secretive?¡± Liao Ning turned on the AI system. The words ¡°Thank you letter from the Star Federation Research Institute¡± appeared in her eyes. Then, they thanked the food blogger [My Child Is The Best] for promoting ancient food culture and providing support for ancient livestock cultivation. This letter had been posted on the entire interstellar network. Was this pie in the sky? The Star Federation Research Institute was a research institute that directly belonged to the capital government. It had a lot of research and development projects, and each one was so big that it affected the operations of all humans in interstellar space. Liao Ning patted her cheek. At this moment, another message came from the A.I. After the call was picked up, the lady on the other end said in a pleasant voice, ¡°Are you Madam Liao Ning?¡± ¡°Yes, may I ask¡­¡± Liao Ning was about to ask when she was interrupted by the other party. ¡°We¡¯re Venus Planet¡¯s Art Media Company. We recently saw that your livestream¡¯s viewers have reached 500,000. I wonder if you¡¯re interested in being an artist under our company?¡± Venus was quite close to the Blue Planet. It was known for producing fruits and vegetables. Liao Ning had no intention of joining any company or signing a contract. With a contract, her freedom would be restricted. However, after the reminder of the call, she came up with a plan for the next planet she went to. She had been cooking too many freshwater creatures recently and was afraid that it would be bad for Liao Nai¡¯s gastrointestinal health. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I don¡¯t have that intention.¡± Liao Ning refused directly. ¡°May I ask about your reason for refusal? Our company also has an ancient food promotion section. If you come to our company, you can continue to do what you¡¯re good at.¡± The person on the other side was relentless. ¡°Besides, the million-follower food blogger, Zhu Fei, is an artist under us. If you join us, you two might even become colleagues.¡± Chapter 12 Cutting Down The Tall Poppy Zhu Fei and Liao Ning had seen this person¡¯s name in the comments section many times. They were not unfamiliar with her, but they knew that she probably also promoted ancient food culture. However, they minded their own business and relied on their own abilities to earn money. At first, Liao Ning thought that it would be fine if they just chatted. Now, she felt that the other party sounded a little resentful. Liao Ning¡¯s intuition made her feel that she had to investigate this person. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, but I don¡¯t have that intention.¡± Liao Ning apologized again. Unexpectedly, the other party¡¯s gentle tone immediately changed into a mean one. ¡°Madam Liao, don¡¯t be so shameless. We invited you because we acknowledge your talent. If you don¡¯t know what¡¯s good for you, don¡¯t blame us for being ruthless.¡± With that, the other party cut off the communication. Weirdo. Liao Ning raised her eyebrows, but she didn¡¯t dwell on this call. Instead, she smiled and asked Liao Nai, who was sitting beside her, ¡°Xiaonai, what do you want to eat for lunch today?¡± Liao Nai, who originally had a solemn expression, instantly broke into a smile. ¡°I¡¯ll listen to you.¡± Liao Ning¡¯s heart melted when she saw Liao Nai¡¯s smile. After she patted Liao Nai¡¯s head, she got up, put on her apron, and walked to the kitchen. This time, she didn¡¯t turn on the live broadcast. After turning away from Liao Nai, her gentle gaze turned cold. She turned on the artificial intelligence and asked about Venus Planet¡¯s Art Media Company. At the same time, Liao Nai, who was sitting quietly outside the door, logged into the company to consult. Little V, who was recording the browsing record, showed a big question mark. It had received two instructions to completely eliminate this browsing record! ¡°Alright, our live stream ends here. Thank you for your support today!¡± On Venus, in the sky villa, a girl¡¯s sweet voice was met with the reluctance of everyone watching the live stream. [Sister Zhu Fei, live-stream a little longer!] ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, everyone. I¡¯m done for today.¡± The girl called ¡°Sister Zhu Fei¡± tucked her curly hair behind her head and began to clean up the table. [You live-stream for such a short time every day. It¡¯s not enough.] [That¡¯s right. We haven¡¯t had enough yet.] [Do you want to go to the live-stream room next door to take a look? There¡¯s a new streamer recently. She¡¯s called My Child Is The Best. The content of her show is quite interesting.] [I know. I watched her live stream this morning. I heard that her live stream content is similar to Zhu Fei¡¯s.] [Haha, they might even be colleagues in the future.] The camera in Zhu Fei¡¯s live-stream had already been turned off, but comments were still appearing on the screen. As Zhu Fei glanced at the comments, her expression turned cold and she no longer had her usual sweet smile. Wasn¡¯t it just the revival of ancient culture? She wanted to snatch a share of the pie just because she saw that ancient food culture was esoteric. She was too big for her britches! ¡°Sister Zhu Fei, why did you end the live broadcast so early today?¡± When the assistant saw Zhu Fei coming out of the room, he immediately turned off the live broadcast on the tablet and wiped the corners of his mouth. Zhu Fei glanced at the assistant. She didn¡¯t need to guess to know that the other party was watching someone else¡¯s food live stream. ¡°Did it taste good?¡± ¡°How can that be possible? She¡¯s far inferior to you,¡± the assistant said honestly. He had just watched the live broadcast of ¡°My Child Is The Best.¡± The difference in taste between her and Zhu Fei¡¯s dishes was very small. Zhu Fei¡¯s dishes tasted better, but the cooking method of ¡°My Child Is The Best¡± was simpler and the ingredients were cheaper. But with Zhu Fei¡¯s cold expression, how could he dare to elaborate on these shortcomings? He only smiled apologetically. Zhu Fei rolled her eyes at her assistant as she sat on the sofa in the living room. ¡°What¡¯s on my schedule for today?¡± ¡°The company is holding a meeting. I heard that it¡¯s related to the Interstellar Food Competition.¡± The assistant sent the link to the AI meeting to Zhu Fei. Zhu Fei pouted and clicked on it impatiently. But it was this that immediately connected her facial features to the sensory system of the company¡¯s equipment. The fragrant aroma stunned her. What she saw was the scene of the two people eating¡ª ¡°Aunt, eat one too!¡± The boy handed the prawn in his hand to the white-haired woman. Zhu Fei blushed as she watched the scene, as if the soft wolf cub on the screen was feeding her. She still wanted more of that delicious taste. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Chapter 13 Secret Destruction Zhu Fei sat up straight, then widened her eyes and covered her mouth. ¡°Ahem, Zhu Fei, you¡¯re here.¡± The middle-aged man in the holographic silver screen coughed lightly. Only then did the people in the meeting come back to their senses. As their manager, it was rare for the middle-aged man to be so engrossed in a live broadcast. He was a little embarrassed to be called back to his senses by Zhu Fei, but he chose to prioritize the overall situation and explained, ¡°This is a potential streamer that our company¡¯s higher-ups recently discovered. My Child Is The Best does classical food live broadcasts like you.¡± Why was it her again? Zhu Fei felt that something was wrong. [My child fed me. I¡¯m so happy.] [This shrimp tastes superb.] [The federal research institute charges five interstellar coins per catty. You¡¯re welcome!] Zhu Fei saw that the speed at which these comments appeared wasn¡¯t slower than that of her live stream, but the number of people watching the live stream was much fewer than hers. The sensational feeling her taste buds experienced just now gave her a bad feeling. Zhu Fei frowned and subconsciously bit her nails. She didn¡¯t notice that the meeting room had resumed its discussion. The company manager suddenly said to her, ¡°The company¡¯s recipe was obtained at a high price, so it¡¯s impossible to announce it. Zhu Fei, we suggest that you learn from her. We¡¯ll arrange for a child to live stream with you.¡± ¡°What?¡± When Zhu Fei heard this plan, she felt exasperated. They wanted her to live stream with a child who only knew how to cause trouble? Impossible! ¡°I refuse,¡± Zhu Fei said without hesitation. However, a colleague whispered, ¡°She¡¯s almost past her prime. The company is helping her, but she¡¯s still so cocky.¡± Zhu Fei frowned and was about to flare up when she saw the manager looking at her. She could only hold back her temper and say, ¡°Manager, I don¡¯t need a child to help me get sponsorships. I can compete with her with my strength.¡± As soon as she said this, the entire conference room fell silent. The manager waved his hand and his expression became serious. ¡°Alright, do as you see fit.¡± After the meeting ended, Zhu Fei punched the sofa angrily. The assistant immediately handed her water. ¡°Sister Zhu, calm down. The company is doing this for your own good.¡± ¡°For me?¡± Zhu Fei sneered. ¡°They¡¯re just afraid that the newcomer¡¯s fame will surpass mine and all their previous efforts will be in vain. Don¡¯t make them sound so righteous.¡± ¡°Yes, with your fame, it won¡¯t be a problem for you to enter the food competition. As for that newbie¡­¡± The assistant had some concerns. ¡°She¡¯s indeed an opponent, but it¡¯s a pity.¡± Zhu Fei took a sip of water. At this moment, Liao Ning¡¯s live broadcast began to play on her computer. ¡°Dried fish. Freshwater creatures. No quality inspection. Not for sale.¡± After she muttered a few words, she suddenly had an idea. Immediately, she waved at her assistant and said, ¡°Let the paid commenters defame her with these points. Also, investigate her background. Then, we¡¯ll find an opportunity to attack her.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The assistant immediately went to do it. However, he still prepared Liao Ning¡¯s live stream first. It had to be known that newcomers who offended Sister Zhu wouldn¡¯t have a good ending, so if Liao Ning really fell from grace, at least he would have a copy of the video to watch. After dealing with it, the assistant left the room. At this moment, Zhu Fei lit up her e-cigarette and sneered sinisterly in the dim room. ¡°Achoo.¡± In the middle of the night, Liao Nai sneezed loudly in his wolf form. Liao Ning was awoken and she wiped his nose for him. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Do you have a cold?¡± At this moment, she vaguely felt that the temperature in the room seemed to be colder than before and there seemed to be the sound of metal clashing downstairs. Liao Nai¡¯s ears flicked and he immediately asked, ¡°Are there wild beasts?¡± Liao Ning was vigilant. With her sensitivity from surviving the apocalypse, she knew that someone had come. But who would come to this deserted place? ¡°Wait for me in the house. Don¡¯t come out,¡± Liao Ning said. Then, she took out a dagger from the bedside table and hid it behind her back as she secretly went downstairs. Worried, Liao Nai secretly followed. ¡°Do you know how to do it? You¡¯re really useless!¡± ¡°You¡¯re the useless one. Go away. You¡¯re getting in the way. These things are all treasures. We¡¯ll be rich if we sell them.¡± As soon as she left the room, Liao Nai heard the voices of a man and a woman. How could he not remember the voice that had haunted him for five years? The woman outside was his mother! Chapter 14 The Wolf Cub¡¯s Special Training Liao Ning, who was walking in front, naturally recognized the two people sneaking around outside. She was about to teach this shameless couple a lesson when Liao Nai grabbed the corner of her shirt. ¡°Leave it to me, Aunt,¡± Liao Nai said with a burning gaze. He wanted to settle things himself. Liao Ning understood and had no intention of stopping him, but her blue eyes were filled with worry. ¡°Yes, but you have to prioritize your own safety.¡± Liao Ning squatted down and hugged Liao Nai¡¯s head. After Liao Nai nodded, she opened the cabin door. The men and women who were still stealing salted fish outside didn¡¯t notice anything unusual. When they heard the sound, they thought that the other party had hit something again, until a low sound sounded from behind them. Cui Yin was the first to react. She patted the man beside her in fear and asked, ¡°Did you hear anything?¡± ¡°It¡¯s late at night, so don¡¯t scare me.¡± When the man looked back impatiently, he caught a glimpse of sinister eyes staring at him from the darkness. After the man screamed in fear, Cui Yin hugged her head and screamed as well without even looking back. Their screams were deafening. ¡°What are you shouting about? You woke them up!¡± The man left Cui Yin behind and wanted to run. However, they had underestimated Liao Nai¡¯s speed. He caught up to them after a few steps. When the man saw the large wolf in front of him, he retreated and fell into the snow. Liao Nai took the opportunity to pounce on him and bite his arm. How dare they steal from him and his aunt? After Liao Nai bit the man¡¯s arm, the man revealed his beast form in his panic and anger. An adult-sized brown bear and wolf cub wrestled in the snow. The brown bear clearly had the advantage in size, so the tables turned. Perhaps it was because Cui Yin and Liao Nai were related by blood, Cui Yin recognized Liao Nai after overcoming her fear. Her eyes widened in anger as she panted heavily and shouted, ¡°It¡¯s Liao Nai! Gu Lie, bite him!¡± The man called Gu Lie was instantly enraged. He bared his fangs and roared while swinging his bear paw at the wolf cub. The wolf cub couldn¡¯t dodge in time and was sent flying. Fortunately, Liao Ning appeared in time and hugged the wolf cub, slamming against a tree trunk in his place. Liao Ning groaned and frowned. This was the power of an ordinary person¡¯s beast form. Her body was still too weak. ¡°Liao Ning!¡± Gu Lie¡¯s gaze was fierce. As he shouted, the scratch at the corner of his eye was suddenly slashed. The man covered his eyes in shock and instantly fell silent. Seeing Liao Ning flash the dagger in the night, he seemed enlightened. He didn¡¯t even see when Liao Ning attacked. ¡°How dare you come again? I won¡¯t just dig out your eyes next time you come,¡± Liao Ning said coldly. Gu Lie admitted defeat. Afraid that Liao Ning was serious, he turned around and ran into the forest in a sorry state. ¡°Darling¡­¡± Since the man had run away, Cui Yin didn¡¯t dare to do anything reckless anymore and ran after him. ¡°We can¡¯t let them off this time!¡± Liao Nai shouted. However, after he jumped out of Liao Ning¡¯s arms, Liao Ning plopped down in the snow. ¡°Aunt!¡± After Liao Nai ran a distance, he turned around. Liao Ning¡¯s previous wound had been torn open. Liao Nai transformed back into his human form and held Liao Ning¡¯s hand. His eyes immediately turned teary as guilt overcame him. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Aunt¡­¡± If he hadn¡¯t forced himself, his aunt wouldn¡¯t have been injured. As Liao Nai spoke, his voice became softer and softer. Liao Ning¡¯s heart ached when she saw the tearful boy in front of her. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Liao Ning reached out with her other hand to caress Liao Nai¡¯s head. During the apocalypse, this sort of small injury was nothing. It was just that her current body was far inferior to when she was at her peak, so the pain from the collision seemed to be magnified infinitely. Liao Ning looked around at the peaceful environment and the dried fish that had fallen to the ground. She wanted to use these dried fish as emergency food, but her plan was probably ruined now. ¡°Xiaonai, from tomorrow onwards, start special training with me.¡± After Liao Ning took a breather, she finally had the strength to summon the A.I. and let Little V turn on the lights outside the plane. Under the light, the scratches from Liao Nai¡¯s neck to her shoulders couldn¡¯t be hidden. The sight of the injury made Liao Ning gasp. That man was so ruthless to a mere child? Liao Nai wanted to hide it, but Liao Ning grabbed his arm. ¡°Stop touching it. It¡¯ll hurt.¡± Liao Nai was stunned. He had always been very tough. Even when his biological mother hit him, she had never cared about his feelings. He was already used to it, but after hearing Liao Ning¡¯s words, he could no longer hold back the tears in his eyes. Liao Ning picked him up and rushed into the spaceship. From the beginning to the end, no one noticed a dark figure appear at the window just now. A pair of amber eyes saw everything. Chapter 15 White Cat Liao Ning yawned as she helped Liao Nai treat his wound. By the time she fell asleep, it was already dawn. She leaned against the bed and closed her eyes for a while before she heard a strange sound outside. Liao Ning thought that the adulterous couple had returned today, so she picked up the dagger warily again, but the meow of a cat came from outside the door. After Liao Ning approached, she saw a white cat wrapped in gauze looking at her and meowing in the corridor. The clear black stripes on its back made it look very imposing. It was the cat she and Liao Nai had picked up the day before yesterday. ¡°Are you calling me?¡± Liao Ning was surprised. The white cat, whose eyes were amber, exuded an arrogant aura and didn¡¯t seem like an ordinary stray cat. The white cat nodded at her. It looked quite clever. When Liao Ning saw this, she resisted the urge to pick it up and suck it. Seeing that the dagger was still in her hand, she hurriedly put it away and smiled awkwardly at the white cat. The white cat didn¡¯t pay attention to her and jumped off the building. As they walked on the snow, Liao Ning noticed that a hole had been punched in the outer surface of the spaceship, revealing the core that was still trembling. The core kept twitching, like an old man about to die in the snow. After Liao Ning checked briefly, she realized that the heating equipment was broken. Needless to say, it was probably done by the adulterous couple from yesterday. Fortunately, it was still usable now, but it probably wouldn¡¯t last more than a few days. It was better to change it as soon as possible. After thinking about it, she realized that it was another unavoidable expense. It was quite vexing, but she couldn¡¯t let herself and the child suffer. She couldn¡¯t just put up with it in order to save money. She looked back at the white cat. ¡°Is this what you¡¯re telling me?¡± The white cat nodded. Seeing this, Liao Ning felt a warm feeling in her heart. ¡°Thank you.¡± Liao Ning thanked the white cat and was about to touch its head when she saw the white cat meow again and step on the dried fish that had already frozen in the snow. ¡°Are you hungry?¡± Liao Ning squatted down and asked, ¡°But you probably can¡¯t eat these anymore.¡± The white cat lowered its head and ignored her. When it reached the door, it turned back to look at Liao Ning and called out again, as if telling Liao Ning to go in quickly since it was cold outside. Had she picked up another treasure? How could there be such a smart and considerate cat?! After Liao Ning froze for a moment, she wanted to go forward and hug the white cat, but it ran quickly and didn¡¯t give her a chance to approach. Liao Ning wasn¡¯t discouraged. After tidying up the area outside the door, she was overjoyed to see that the white cat returned to the nest she had prepared for it. Seeing the white cat¡¯s reaction to the fish just now, she thought of a new idea. When the hatch closed again, a snow-white head peeked out of the paper box and watched Liao Ning enter the kitchen. The white cat¡¯s pupils dilated. It was new here, so wasn¡¯t it inappropriate for it to be too clingy? Immediately, it crawled back into the cardboard box. However, not long after, an aroma attracted its attention again. Beep, the ¡°My Child Is The Best¡± you¡¯re following is already online. The alarm clock didn¡¯t affect people¡¯s determination to stay in bed, but a live-stream reminder woke most people up. [I was awakened by delicious food.] [+1!] [Sister, you¡¯re up so early. What are you cooking for breakfast today?] [Why don¡¯t I see the cub?] ¡°Xiaonai is still sleeping. Let¡¯s make a steamed bass to welcome the new member of my family this morning,¡± Liao Ning said. [New member of the family?] [Didn¡¯t anyone notice the little white cat in the corner?] [You¡¯re so observant!] After being reminded, Liao Ning turned around. She saw that the white cat was sitting at the kitchen door. After it saw Liao Ning, it ran again. [This is the first time I¡¯ve seen a ¡°shy¡± cat.] [So you cooked fish today to appease the kitten?] [Haha, could the wound on her hand have been scratched by the cat?] [My cat is just as naughty. It scratches whoever it sees.] [It¡¯s been hard on you.] [So today¡¯s dishes are for the cat?] [My beast form is a cat. Please feed me!] [I didn¡¯t expect to compete with a cat one day.] ¡­ At this moment, a freshly processed river fish had already been placed in front of Liao Ning¡¯s desk. [There¡¯s no need to introduce this fish. I¡¯ll answer first. Its flesh tastes similar to that of the ancient bass!] ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± Liao Ning replied. As she spoke, she made a few more cuts on the fish. ¡°Let¡¯s make a few cuts on it first so I can add flavor to it.¡± Then, she took a spoonful of salt and smeared it on the fish. [How is this different from the dried fish you made previously?] Chapter 16 Slander ¡°Previously, the dried fish was marinated and dried, but this fish was put into the pot directly,¡± Liao Ning replied. After smearing the marinated fish with onions and ginger, she placed them in a steaming pot that had been boiled with hot water. ¡°Steaming fish depends on the temperature. If you want the meat to be fresh and smooth, you can¡¯t steam it for too long. Seven or eight minutes is enough.¡± [I¡¯ve already been won over by the simplicity.] [I¡¯m looking forward to the finished product.] The comments section was still flooded with comments, but when Liao Ning was adding the ingredients, someone with the ID ¡°Your Father¡± spoke. [Host, are you interested in developing a dried fish business project?] At first, when Liao Ning saw this, she politely refused, but the person kept repeating the same words. Soon, even the people watching the live broadcast realized that something was wrong. [She has already rejected you. Why are you still asking?] [Host, are you interested in developing a dried fish project?] [Have you had enough?] [Could he be paid a commenter?] [What a buzzkill!] [Host, are you interested in developing a dried fish project?] Liao Ning was speechless. This person¡¯s ID was weird and the content was the same, so he was probably causing trouble. Liao Ning asked the system to block that user. Then, she continued to pour warm oil on the steamed fish. Smoke instantly rose from the fish and a mellow fragrance spread. Immediately, some netizens were impressed. [I didn¡¯t know garlic could make food smell so good when stir-fried like this.] [I love it.] Just as Liao Ning picked up her chopsticks, a notification came from the system. The live-stream platform warned her. They suspected that she had hired paid commenters, so she was banned from live-streaming for the next few days. When she heard the news, Liao Ning¡¯s expression changed and she asked the system what she should do about her mission for this week. The system didn¡¯t respond to this, but the mechanical voice reminded her that if she failed the mission, the reward would be zero. If it was verified that the account was fake, she might be punished accordingly. Liao Ning was silent. With the help of the Federal Research Institute, the number of people in the live-stream had already reached 800,000. She was still far from completing the mission, but she could only give up now. [What¡¯s going on with the live-stream?] [She was forced to go offline!] [Her popularity probably increased too quickly!] [In just three days, almost 800,000 people are watching. Could there really be something shady going on?] [Are you suspecting that we¡¯re all fake people or something?] [She has even been named by an official organization, so how is it abnormal for her to have so much traffic?] [Are you retarded? Why are you so protective of the streamer?] [You¡¯re quite simple-minded as well!] [Why does it seem like someone is jealous? Oops, I accidentally clicked on the report.] [The steamed bass is about to be tried. Why did she get banned from broadcasting at this timing? Don¡¯t the platform administrators watch the live broadcast?] ¡­ After Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream was shut down, the comments section had already split into two large teams and began to argue. However, most of them were Liao Ning¡¯s people, so those discordant voices quickly disappeared. When Liao Ning saw this, she became even more confident. She placed the steamed fish on the table and gently scraped out a piece of soft fish with her chopsticks before sending it into her mouth. The fish meat tasted a little salty with the smoked meat. Coupled with the fact that its surface had been watered with hot oil, it gave off a slightly spicy taste of ginger and garlic that lingered on the taste buds. The fish that melted in the mouth also left a savory aftertaste. Liao Ning took the opportunity to record this taste reaction with the AI while forming a shared link. Just as she was about to post it, she noticed the little white cat not far away outside the door. Fortunately, Liao Ning was afraid that the white cat wouldn¡¯t be used to her cooking, so she even prepared a stack of fish that had just been steamed without any ingredients. Unexpectedly, the white cat jumped onto the stage without looking at the stack of steamed fish in her hand. Its pink nose moved slightly as it sniffed the steamed fish. Then, it turned to look at Liao Ning and called out softly, as if asking if Liao Ning could eat it. Liao Ning was a little flattered. ¡°Of course. Be careful not to get pricked by the bones.¡± With permission, the white cat¡¯s amber eyes lit up. Then, it turned around and started eating. When her tongue touched the fish, it made a cute smacking sound. Although it ate quickly, its movements were very elegant. There was no fish bones stuck to its whiskers or mouth. Liao Ning got an idea and secretly took a photo of this scene. After a while, the fish skeleton was revealed, but the white cat was still licking its tongue. It jumped off the table and walked around Liao Ning¡¯s feet, as if it was finally willing to get close to her. Chapter 17 The Mastermind Liao Ning didn¡¯t know that the white cat was sizing her up. When she took the initiative to squat down and approach, she startled the white cat so much that it arched its back. However, when Liao Ning touched its back, a magical power attracted it and it approached again. The caress felt too comfortable, so the white cat revealed its chin to Liao Ning. ¡°I¡¯ll make you fish for lunch, so don¡¯t eat too much for now, or you¡¯ll get bloated,¡± Liao Ning said with a smile. The white cat flipped over its belly fiercely, as if it was proudly showing that it wasn¡¯t the kind of cat that could be appeased by small favors. Liao Ning was so amused that she couldn¡¯t help but send the fish in her hand to the white cat¡¯s mouth, but it was immediately devoured by the white cat. After eating its fill, the white cat lay at Liao Ning¡¯s feet lazily and dozed off. At this moment, photos of them spread on the interstellar network again. My Child Is The Best: Everything is fine. The cat was successfully appeased. I¡¯ve provided a video link and a high-definition photo. [I can sense the happiness of the kitten through the screen.] [I¡¯m that cat.] [Has anyone clicked on the link? I¡¯ll want to see it again!] [It¡¯s so lucky to be your cat. The taste is so fresh.] [I hope those people who scolded you will never be able to eat such delicious food. Let¡¯s make them regret it!] She couldn¡¯t live-stream anymore, but the platform didn¡¯t restrict commenting. Other streamers usually explained why they were banned from live-streaming and used their fans to support them, but Liao Ning used her last comment to post about her daily life instead. Seeing Liao Ning¡¯s actions, the management personnel behind the scenes fell silent. ¡°How did it go?¡± Zhu Fei¡¯s assistant was standing beside him. The person who helped him ban Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream and investigate Liao Ning was Zhu Fei¡¯s former classmate, Ping Ye. ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with the person you reported,¡± Ping Ye said solemnly. Liao Ning¡¯s traffic was real, but some people seemed to have placed a bug in her live-stream. Out of professional ethics, Ping Ye defended her impatiently. Other than that, he found nothing unusual. The assistant didn¡¯t believe him. ¡°How is that possible? She¡¯s just a newbie. How can she really have that much traffic?¡± ¡°Well, an official organization gave her a shout-out,¡± Ping Ye said. The assistant gritted his teeth in hatred. The people from the Star Federation Research Institute had once asked Zhu Fei to endorse freshwater creatures. At that time, they had rejected them because the payment was too low. Otherwise, Zhu Fei¡¯s status would be unshakable! However, the matter was already in the past, so there was no point in regretting it. ¡°Then can you think of a way to bring her down?¡± the assistant asked. The embarrassment on Ping Ye¡¯s face faded. He leaned back in his office chair as he crossed his arms and looked at his assistant with condemnation. ¡°This is what you wanted to see me about today?¡± The assistant was baffled. He didn¡¯t know that Ping Ye had a mother who loved ancient food culture and cherished the preservation of ancient food. Usually, Ping Ye treated him, a small assistant, with respect because his mother was Zhu Fei¡¯s fan. However, Zhu Fei didn¡¯t like Ping Ye¡¯s mother and Ping Ye had happened to hear him insulting his mother behind his back once. He originally wanted to ignore Zhu Fei¡¯s assistant, but when he heard that the matter had something to do with ancient delicacy, he decided to meet. ¡°We will definitely pay you,¡± the assistant explained. ¡°Are you trying to insult my professional ethics and bribe me?¡± After Ping Ye questioned him, the assistant tried to explain. Ping Ye interrupted him and warned him, ¡°I¡¯ve already lifted the restriction on her account. This is non-negotiable.¡± ¡°But Zhu Fei¡­¡± Before the assistant could finish, he was interrupted by Ping Ye. ¡°Enough, go back now.¡± Ping Ye had already made up his mind and didn¡¯t want to talk to his old classmate anymore. The assistant was indignant, but Zhu Fei also worked on a live-stream platform managed by Ping Ye. If they angered him, they would suffer the consequences. He had no choice but to leave. After walking out of the door, the assistant flipped through the folder in his hand and his expression turned cold. Seeing the assistant leave, Ping Ye heaved a sigh of relief. After work, he took the spaceship back to visit his mother. At this moment, in an aerial villa in the galactic capital. A woman in a modified cheongsam was cooking in the kitchen while she was chatting and laughing with the housekeeping staff. The scene was very harmonious. After Ping Ye stepped through the door and saw this scene, his fatigue from work was swept away. ¡°Son, you¡¯re back.¡± The old woman was overjoyed when she saw the person who came in. She called her son over quickly to show off her new steamed fish. ¡°You¡¯re a professional, so come and help me see how different the two taste.¡± Ping Ye picked up his chopsticks and picked up a small piece of fish. After tasting it, he was stunned. Chapter 18 Mission Achieved This was¡­ fish? How come it didn¡¯t taste fishy at all? Moreover, the taste of his mother¡¯s cooking was identical. He recalled the last time Zhu Fei came to his house to cook ancient stir-fried fish. The salty and fishy taste disgusted his family. ¡°Mom, where did you find this recipe? It tastes delicious.¡± Ping Ye was delighted by the taste. After he learned it, he would post this recipe on his account so that his fans could experience the charm of classical food as well. Ping Ye actually had an ancient food account as well. At first, it was created for his mother, but later on, he also became obsessed with ancient food culture. Unfortunately, his talent was really limited and he couldn¡¯t make any delicious dishes for his fans. In addition, he was busy with work, so he rarely logged into the ancient food account. Today¡¯s taste immediately reinvigorated his love for ancient delicacies. Mrs. Ping held her face and giggled at the praise. ¡°On the live-stream platform you work for, isn¡¯t there a newcomer called ¡®My Child Is The Best¡¯? I liked this username, so I clicked on it to take a look. I didn¡¯t expect that not only is the little girl likable, but she was also good at cooking. Her tutorials are also simple and easy to learn, unlike Zhu Fei¡¯s, who hides the recipe when she¡¯s cooking beside me.¡± Mrs. Ping couldn¡¯t help but speak up for Zhu Fei. ¡°Zhu Fei is also a good child. The cost of researching ancient delicacies is high, so she has her own difficulties.¡± ¡°Mom.¡± Ping Ye couldn¡¯t stand his mother speaking up for Zhu Fei. Just as he was about to complain, Mrs. Ping questioned him first. ¡°By the way, didn¡¯t you ban ¡®My Child Is The Best¡¯ from live-streaming today? Do you suspect that her traffic is fake?¡± ¡°No.¡± Ping Ye scratched his head guiltily. ¡°If you don¡¯t, unban her so that I can learn a few more dishes and enjoy them,¡± Mrs. Ping teased. ¡°It was removed long ago. She probably doesn¡¯t have time to stream now.¡± Ping Ye picked up another piece of fish and put it in his mouth, but this time, Mrs. Ping Ye hit him. ¡°Save some for your father. You ate all the best fish belly meat.¡± ¡°Mom.¡± ¡°If you want to eat, make it yourself.¡± Wasn¡¯t he her son? What was wrong with eating some of her fish? Ping Ye complained inwardly. Looking at the fish on the table, he finally decided to do it himself. After some preparation, he opened his neglected account. Hundreds of millions of light-years away, on Blue Planet. After Liao Ning sent the photo, she drove the spaceship to town to buy some parts for repairing the heating equipment and prepared to leave Planet Blue as soon as possible after repairing the spaceship. What happened last night must not happen again! As Liao Ning fiddled with the equipment, Liao Nai woke up halfway. However, when he woke up and saw the photo of the white cat sleeping in his aunt¡¯s arms, he was in a bad mood. He had only spent such a short amount of private time with his loving aunt, but someone was already competing for her love with him. Liao Nai stared at the hut where the white cat was resting with hatred in his eyes. The white cat ignored him. Since Liao Nai was blocking the sunlight, it got up and moved its nest. How outrageous! ¡°Aunt.¡± Liao Nai went straight to Liao Ning and complained to her. However, as soon as he walked into the snow and saw Liao Ning busy, he stopped talking. Now, he had already left the house where he had no father to protect him. He was at the mercy of his mother and the servants who bullied him all day long. If he misbehaved, his aunt would definitely be disappointed in him. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Xiaonai?¡± Liao Ning turned around and bumped into Liao Nai. ¡°Aunt, I want to eat steamed bass tonight too!¡± Liao Nai begged with teary eyes. Liao Ning¡¯s heart immediately melted. ¡°Sure. Is there anything else you want to eat?¡± Liao Nai rolled her eyes. ¡°Can we still eat the rice balls from last time?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Liao Ning said. Liao Nai immediately smiled and hugged Liao Ning tightly. The white cat couldn¡¯t shake his position in his aunt¡¯s heart at all. Faced with Liao Nai¡¯s intimacy, Liao Ning was filled with happiness. At that moment, a notification came from the system. [Congratulations to the host for successfully purifying Villain No. 1¡¯s evil value. The current evil value is only 2%. Please keep up the good work.] After the first announcement, a second announcement appeared¡ª [Congratulations to the host for completing the goal of reaching a million viewers. Individual rewards are now being issued. Please check.] Chapter 19 Meeting Superior 10 billion interstellar coins. All the information about Villain No. 2. Delicious Bonus Card x3. All of the promised awards were available. Liao Ning was a little surprised to hear this news. Wasn¡¯t she just banned from live-streaming today? Why was the mission completed? She immediately connected to the interstellar network and realized that the ban on her account had been lifted. However, her account had more than 1 million followers, so the system assumed it was the number of live-stream viewers. [You¡¯re finally online!] [Congratulations, host!] After Liao Ning logged into the live-stream, she was immediately overwhelmed by the flowers they sent. ¡°Thank you for watching the live-stream today. Welcome.¡± Liao Ning appeared the same as usual in front of the camera. Seeing that she was still carrying Liao Nai, the number of people watching the live-stream reached a new high. There were more than 1,100,000 people watching. [Why is there gauze around his neck?] ¡°Thank you for your concern. We encountered a wild beast stealing our fish last night,¡± Liao Ning said. Liao Nai nodded as she gestured wildly in front of the screen. ¡°There¡¯s such a big bear!¡± [There¡¯s a bear on Blue Planet? Shocking!] [Are you two alright?] ¡°We¡¯re fine. Let me tell you, my aunt is amazing¡­¡± Liao Nai chatted happily with the netizens in front of the silver screen. There were now 1.3 million viewers. A streamer with the ID Queen Mother entered the comments section and invited her to stream. [Queen Mother!] [Can¡¯t believe I get to see ¡®Queen Mother¡¯ in my lifetime.] [The Queen Mother has arrived. Hurry up and retreat!] Seeing the comments about Queen Mother, Liao Ning immediately felt that this person was a big shot. Liao Nai complained, ¡°We¡¯re not filming period dramas.¡± [The cub is so blunt!] [The Queen Mother wants drama with Liao Ning.] The netizens commented in amusement as Liao Ning clicked on the live broadcast invitation. A virtual holographic image appeared and occupied half of Liao Ning¡¯s screen. The man was dressed gorgeously. He looked more like a fashion blogger of retro-style clothing. Why was he in the food industry? [Queen Mother, make way. You¡¯re blocking us from looking at Liao Ning!] [That¡¯s right.] ¡°Have my fans become so heartless after so long?¡± Ping Ye said with a helpless smile. [So you also know how long it has been since you were online.] [Don¡¯t lead Liao Ning astray and make her a slacker like you!] ¡°Am I such a person in your eyes?¡± Ping Ye was shocked. The comments section said in unison, ¡°Stay away from Liao Ning!¡± While he was interacting with his fans, Liao Ning and Liao Nai already found out about the other party¡¯s identity¡ªone of the mainstream streamers who had introduced ancient delicacies to the public early on, Queen Mother. Although the ancient delicacies cooked by other ancient food bloggers didn¡¯t taste good, at least their appearance was good. As for him, be it the appearance or taste, his food was lacking. But with his humor and unique insights into ancient cuisine, he was famous in the ancient food industry. He contributed to the surge in the popularity of Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream. According to the news on the Internet, he would be a special guest of the Interstellar Food Competition and would have an accompanying invitation for any streamer who wanted to enter the competition. The purpose was obvious. Did the system give her a reward in advance? Liao Ning and Liao Nai looked at each other. Feeling that there were a lot of people snatching his aunt from him, Liao Nai clenched his fists and imagined the scene of himself punching Ping Ye. After interacting with his fans, Ping Ye officially introduced himself to Liao Ning. At this moment, Liao Ning turned on her steaming rice cooker, which was filled with chopped dried fish that was piled on the flat rice like a mountain. The aroma excited the people watching the live-stream. Liao Ning even stir-fried two eggs. Then, she poured them in and mixed them evenly before taking out the seaweed. [This familiar formula, this familiar taste.] [This is the dried fish made by the host previously!] ¡°Yes, the weather on the Blue Planet is very warm, so things dry quickly,¡± Liao Ning said. The dried fish could have been ready today, but unfortunately, it had been destroyed last night. But now that she had the Delicious Bonus Card, the taste of the dried fish was different. Liao Ning picked up the rice ball. The white cat, who was still in the small nest, ran in when it smelled the aroma and appeared in front of the viewers. Chapter 20 Invitation ¡°You have a cat?¡± Ping Ye said in surprise. The white cat, who was engrossed in eating, looked up and glared at Ping Ye. Ping Ye fell silent. Why did he feel that this cat¡¯s gaze was a little familiar? It looked very much like his superior, who only knew how to exploit employees and had gone missing recently. Ping Ye instantly sat up straight and didn¡¯t dare to reveal that he was the interstellar intelligence director. He was overworked every day. He had come to hand over an invitation to apologize, but he didn¡¯t expect to see his superior eating there. He was so frightened that he broke out in cold sweat. His superior was handsome and aloof, but no woman had been able to get close to him. Now that he saw the white cat appear in Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream, he immediately assumed that Liao Ning was his boss¡¯ woman. ¡°Queen Mother?¡± When Liao Ning saw that Ping Ye was in a daze, she called out to him a few times before he came back to his senses. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, what did you say?¡± Ping Ye apologized. [Queen Mother was probably stunned by Liao Ning¡¯s gorgeous appearance. Haha.] [You¡¯re so beautiful!] [Queen Mother is so silly.] ¡°Can I call you Queen Mother like they do?¡± Liao Ning asked with a smile. ¡°Of course not¡­¡± Of course not, Ping Ye swallowed his words under the white cat¡¯s threatening gaze. He sighed and compromised. ¡°Sure.¡± ¡°Queen Mother.¡± Liao Nai covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. If not for the fact that his mother had changed his username, he wouldn¡¯t have been called Queen Mother by so many people. Pingye was furious, but when he saw the white cat staring at him not far away, he took two deep breaths as he comforted himself. He had to be magnanimous and should not stoop to the level of a child. However, the comments section didn¡¯t let him off. A large group of women flooded the comment section. Liao Ning found it interesting and guessed that they were probably Ping Ye¡¯s fans. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for you guys, my live-stream wouldn¡¯t be so lively.¡± Liao Ning smiled to show her gratitude. Then, she took out a dragon fruit from the cold cabinet and cut it into pieces before mixing them with water in the juicer. After she poured milk into the glass, she poured in the squeezed dragon fruit juice. Then, she put a few ice cubes in and a simple cup of dragon fruit was finished. Liao Ning drank it first. The mellow milky taste mixed with the sweetness of the dragon fruit filled him with relish. After taking another bite of the dried fish rice ball, he felt that this was simply a feast for his taste buds. [Juice can be matched like this?] [Accept my gratitude!] [So this drink is a thank-you gift for the Queen Mother?] ¡°It¡¯s a thank-you gift for everyone.¡± Liao Ning¡¯s smile was sweet, and her blue eyes gave people a calming sensation. Ping Ye almost cried when he felt the AI system¡¯s sensory sharing function. What had possessed him back then to think that Liao Ning wasn¡¯t worth so many fans? He deserved to feel guilty about it for the rest of his life. ¡°Ahem.¡± Ping Ye cleared his throat [The Queen Mother is about to speak.] [Silence!] [They¡¯re so serious.] The comment section was still full of teasing comments. Unexpectedly, the holographic projection of the Interstellar Capital Food Alliance Medal appeared in front of the public. [I can¡¯t even see if it¡¯s an invitation to the Interstellar Food Competition or not.] [Oh my god, did the big shot come here just to send an invitation?] [Congragulations!] [I suggest that you guys give the championship to her directly.] ¡°On behalf of the Interstellar Capital Food Alliance, I extend an invitation to ¡®My Child Is The Best¡¯ to participate in the Interstellar Food Competition. Are you willing to accept it?¡± Ping Ye said seriously with a piercing gaze. Liao Ning hesitated when she saw the invitation. [Why isn¡¯t Liao Ning reacting?] [If you get a spot in the rankings, you can settle down in the capital. Don¡¯t hesitate!] Liao Ning just remembered that she had not discussed her decision to go to the capital with Liao Nai yet. Liao Nai¡¯s heart skipped a beat. His aunt wouldn¡¯t abandon him, would she? The white cat, who was still licking milk, looked up at Liao Ning and then back at the live broadcast screen. Ping Ye immediately added, ¡°With this invitation, you can let one person go to the capital with you for free.¡± With this condition and the system¡¯s reward, Liao Ning didn¡¯t hesitate anymore and thanked Ping Ye. Liao Nai stopped eating the food and grabbed Liao Ning¡¯s sleeve. Chapter 21 Planned Itinerary At the end of the live-stream, some people still wanted to watch, but some people were envious. ¡°How can Ping Ye give her the invitation?!¡± In a high-end villa on Venus, a woman shouted in fury. She was the publicly acknowledged number one in the ancient food industry. Liao Ning was just a newcomer. She waited all night, but Ping Ye didn¡¯t send her an invitation to the Interstellar Food Conference. Instead, he looked for Liao Ning. Zhu Fei wanted to argue with Ping Ye, but she realized that there was no contact information for Ping Ye and his mother on her computer, so she immediately shouted at her assistant. ¡°Oh, my son¡¯s invitation has been sent out already.¡± Mrs. Ping drank the dragon fruit she had just learned how to make yesterday. There was no anger in her voice, only surprise. As for Zhu Fei, she looked for Mrs. Ping because she couldn¡¯t get in contact with Ping Ye. But she had contacted Mrs. Ping at the wrong time. Mr. Ping returned, so they could only end the call. Zhu Fei could only give up on contacting Ping Ye¡¯s family. After Mrs. Ping hung up the call, she quickly brought clothes to Mr. Ping, who was furious. ¡°Did something happen in the military?¡± ¡°Not really. Do you remember Xiao Ye¡¯s superior before he joined the army?¡± Although Mr. Ping was furious, he didn¡¯t flare up at Mrs. Ping. ¡°I remember. What happened to Lieutenant Zhou Ling?¡± Mrs. Ping was dubious. Mr. Ping sighed. ¡°I saw his niece today. Lieutenant Zhou has only been missing for a short time, but the servants in his residence have already begun to bully their master. She used to be such a good little girl, but now, not only is she skin and bones, but she also looks very murderous. It¡¯s quite terrifying.¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Mrs. Ping¡¯s heart ached when she thought of the little girl. ¡°That¡¯s why I wanted to discuss it with you. Why don¡¯t we let Xiao Ye bring her to our house?¡± Mr. Ping said. He was prepared to be rejected, but Mrs. Ping agreed. ¡°Sure.¡± Ping Ye was busy working every day and could barely be seen. She was bored at home alone, so she would feel less lonely with a child around. When Mr. Ping heard this, he held Mother Ping¡¯s hand. ¡°It¡¯s been hard on you for so many years. It wasn¡¯t easy for you to raise our child, so I wanted you to enjoy yourself in old age¡­¡± The more he spoke, the more he felt that he had let Mrs. Ping down. ¡°How can I feel aggrieved?¡± Mr. Ping and Mrs. Ping were still deeply in love with each other. Only Ping Ye, who had just come down from upstairs, felt that the sight was an eyesore. He was about to run when Mr. Ping caught him and his tone changed from gentle to stern. ¡°Why are you running? Did you hear what we said just now?¡± Was it too late for him to say that he hadn¡¯t heard them? Ping Ye held onto the railing in exasperation as his father roared, ¡°If you heard us, go pick her up quickly!¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Ping Ye straightened up and immediately went to change his clothes before rushing out the door. ¡°I¡¯m moving.¡± When Liao Nai heard the AI message, he suddenly stammered, ¡°Then will I be able to find you after I go to the capital?¡± The girl on the other side fell silent. ¡°I wonder how my new home¡¯s construction progress is. I¡¯ll contact you after I settle down. You have to remember that in this world, you¡¯re the only one I can rely on,¡± the girl said. Liao Nai listened silently. Since he didn¡¯t reply, the girl only said in a hurry, ¡°I won¡¯t talk to you anymore. They¡¯re here again.¡± Then she ended the call. Liao Nai came out of the bathroom with mixed emotions. He didn¡¯t notice that the white cat was squatting at the door and watching him leave. ¡°Aunt,¡± Liao Nai called out softly while looking distracted. Liao Ning was still checking Villain No. 2¡¯s information. When she saw Liao Nai, she put down her work and pulled him to her side. Liao Nai wanted to say something, but hesitated. Then, he saw Little V showing him the map to the interstellar capital. ¡°Xiaonai, you came at the right time. I want to discuss something with you,¡± Liao Ning said seriously. Liao Nai froze, then nodded. ¡°I want to go to the interstellar capital. Do you want to go?¡± Liao Nai¡¯s dark eyes instantly lit up. He had the same intention. He wanted to see her. As Liao Nai looked at his aunt, he felt a sense of determination and inspiration. Would he be able to light up her life like his aunt lit up his? Before that, he had to become strong enough! Chapter 22 Trouble in the Graveyard ¡°Your plan is¡­¡± Liao Nai was a little uneasy but excited. Liao Ning and Liao Nai¡¯s goal was very clear. They would first bid farewell to Mr. Liao, then go to Venus to participate in the first round of the Interstellar Food Competition. Early in the morning, Liao Ning led Liao Nai to the cemetery in Youlai Town. Liao Nai held her aunt¡¯s hand in one hand and the white cat in the other. Youlai Town was where Liao Nai had lived for five years. Looking at the town that was covered in snow, for the first time, Liao Nai felt that this road seemed so unfamiliar. For the sake of his family, Mr. Liao had obtained the highest military merits in the interstellar world. The reward he received was enough to help the Liao family rise again. However, his plans were ruined in the end because he met the wrong person. Cui Yin was Liao Nai¡¯s mother. At first, they were very loving, but three years ago, Mr. Liao contracted a strange illness that started with his limbs becoming stiff. After that, Cui Yin gradually revealed her true colors. She mistreated Liao Nai and even squandered the money that was supposed to treat Mr. Liao¡¯s illness. Because Liao Nai was young, he couldn¡¯t do anything. He watched helplessly as the tree that had been supporting his growth gradually aged and fell. until the tree trunk was sawn off by ants and finally buried in the soil. At this moment, Mr. Liao¡¯s tombstone was covered in snow, and it wasn¡¯t as clean as that of other people. Liao Ning used a broom to sweep the snow on the tombstone bit by bit. In this regard, humans on Blue Planet continued the Earth era¡¯s solemnity and respect towards the deceased. ¡°Brother, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll take good care of Xiaonai. In the future, I¡¯ll bring him to visit your grave every year.¡± Liao Ning exhaled white mist and her heavy clothing made her movements seem a little clumsy. Liao Nai hugged the white cat quietly as he mourned. The white cat stuck its head out and looked at the cemetery. After the mourning, the two of them planned to return to the spacecraft and set off. However, as soon as she walked out, someone came looking for trouble. Fortunately, Liao Ning reacted in time and pulled Liao Nai away. They glanced at the dried fish on the ground. ¡°It¡¯s her. Liao Ning is the heir of the Liao Corporation!¡± The woman¡¯s angry shout made Liao Ning and Liao Nai turn around at the same time. Cui Yin brought over a group of women and surrounded them. ¡°What do you want to do now?¡± Liao Ning couldn¡¯t be bothered to waste her breath on Cui Yin. Cui Yin crossed her arms and said, ¡°This dried fish came from your live-stream. You want to shirk responsibility for it?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s her dried fish. It made my child suffer from diarrhea for three days in a row and my child kept complaining of pain.¡± A woman behind Cui Yin hugged a child who was sucking on his fingers. The child blinked innocently and he seemed fine. Liao Ning snorted. ¡°If he had been in pain for three days after eating my dried fish, how can he still be standing here? I didn¡¯t see any smoke coming from your ancestral grave just now, but your child has been cured already?¡± The woman looked embarrassed. She was a ruthless person, so seeing that the child didn¡¯t react, she beat him until he cried. ¡°Everyone can see that her dried fish made my child cry.¡± ¡°It¡¯s because you beat him just now!¡± Liao Nai stood up and retorted. ¡°What do you know? Ask the people around me if I hit him or not,¡± the woman shouted. The others shook their heads in denial. They were clearly trying to extort them! Cui Yin also looked at them smugly. She had turned on the live-stream, but she didn¡¯t record the scene of the woman hitting her child. [Isn¡¯t this the streamer who has been very popular recently?] [It¡¯s really her. I¡¯ll spread the word!] [Why did Liao Ning appear in someone else¡¯s live-stream?] As more comments appeared, the number of people in the live-stream also increased. When Cui Yin saw this, she quickly said, ¡°Everyone, come and take a look at this evil-hearted woman. She sold dried fish that gave a child food poisoning!¡± [Sold? Didn¡¯t Liao Ning say that she doesn¡¯t sell dried fish?] [You¡¯re the one who got it wrong.] ¡°How could I be wrong? She was the one who sold the dried fish produced by the Liao Corporation recently!¡± Cui Yin glared. [Is there a Liao Corporation on Blue Planet?] [Wait, the background behind the blogger is a cemetery!] [Hahaha, that child¡¯s crying is so fake. The cub is much cuter.] Cui Yin was stunned. Why were the comments different from what she had expected? She had to slander Liao Ning until her reputation was ruined. If she didn¡¯t get the job done, she wouldn¡¯t be able to explain it to her sugar daddy¡­ She didn¡¯t want to return the money she had received! Chapter 23 Live Stream Cui Yin wiped her nose and sent the documents in her AI system to the live stream. ¡°Look carefully. This is evidence that proves that Liao Ning wants to harm people!¡± Cui Yin said righteously. She sent out accounts about the Liao family¡¯s previous debt under the signature ¡°Liao Jun¡±. Liao Jun was Liao Nai¡¯s biological father. There was also a property transfer statement, as well as Liao Jun¡¯s death certificate and photos of the dirty environment in which the factory produced dried fish. ¡°We spent a lot of effort to infiltrate the Liao family to get these. In order to pay off their debt, the Liao family produced dried fish without quality inspection and made people get food poisoning. How evil! How can you face your dead brother after doing such an evil deed?¡± Cui Yin pointed at Liao Ning in exasperation. [Her brother was a former interstellar general!] [This is such juicy scoop!] [After General Liao retired from the army, he went into hiding. I didn¡¯t expect him to have come here.] [The brother is a hero, but the sister is an evil-hearted merchant.] [I¡¯ve never realized how shady this streamer is.] [I¡¯ve even tasted her cooking before. I feel like vomiting now.] After Cui Yin¡¯s complaint, the number of people watching her live-stream soared to more than a million. Cui Yin was shocked. There were even people who sent her rockets and flowers in the comment section. She had heard from her friends who did live streams that these could be exchanged for money. There were so many rockets and flowers! In that case, wasn¡¯t she rich now? It turned out that live-streaming was so profitable. No wonder that person wanted her to ruin Liao Ning¡¯s future. After the deed was done, she had to ask the other party for money. Wait a moment, that wasn¡¯t right. Didn¡¯t Liao Ning do live streams? She made so much money, but she actually ignored her sister-in-law. She had raised Liao Nai. If she gave Liao Nai to Liao Ning just like that, wouldn¡¯t she suffer a huge loss? She had to extort child support from Liao Ning later. Last time, they injured Gu Lie, so they had to pay for his medical expenses. As Cui Yin was scheming, she completely forgot that the corporation¡¯s external debt was owed by her in the name of the Liao family. Liao Ning sneered. ¡°Brilliant.¡± Cui Yin¡¯s greediness made Liao Ning want to applaud on the spot. ¡°Liao Ning, how can you still have the nerve to laugh now? Have you no conscience?!¡± Cui Yin scolded angrily. Liao Ning spread out her hands aloofly and turned on the AI. ¡°I also have a document for everyone to take a look at. You guys should pay more attention to the dates of these bills.¡± As soon as Liao Ning finished speaking, she clicked send. An account of the Liao family that was more detailed than Cui Yin¡¯s appeared on the interstellar network. It was even presented at the scene through a holographic projection. This document detailed the Liao Corporation¡¯s detailed cash flow for the past five years, where the money was earned, and where it flowed to. Unlike the documents sent by Cui Yin, every document sent by Liao Ning had the stamp of the Interstellar Business Alliance. Someone recognized that this was the real document and immediately analyzed the situation in the live stream comment section¡ª In addition to purchasing nutrient supplement materials, the Liao family also bought a large number of women¡¯s luxury goods such as jewelry, necklaces, and cosmetics. As for the dates Liao Ning wanted them to pay attention to. These accounting dates predate that of the asset transfer letter. ¡°That¡¯s right. The nutrient supplements produced by the Liao family are all diamond-studded, so it¡¯s normal to have a stomachache. Don¡¯t you think so, Sister-in-law?¡± Liao Ning looked at Cui Yin as she said with a smile. Cui Yin suddenly froze. [Sister-in-law?] The live stream was once again in an uproar over Liao Ning¡¯s address. [After her husband died, his assets and son weren¡¯t left to his wife, but to his sister. Interesting.] [General Liao hated his sister so much that he let her inherit his debt and son.] [I admire him for putting righteousness before family!] Cui Yin was worried that those in the comments section would scold her, but the current situation made her feel smug and she pretended to be earnest as she said, ¡°I was afraid that everyone would be deceived by this woman, so I revealed this matter!¡± Then, she pointed at Liao Ning and said fiercely, ¡°Liao Ning, by saying this, you¡¯re admitting your crime!¡± With a meaningful look in her blue eyes, Liao Ning smiled ambiguously. Her smile seemed to be a warning but also a provocation, but she gave off a sense of sophistication nonetheless. ¡°Sister-in-law, don¡¯t be anxious. There¡¯s still a video that hasn¡¯t been released. Speaking of which, that¡¯s the last gift my brother left for you.¡± Chapter 24 Protecting the Child ¡°Liao Ning, I know this request is too unfair to you, but I have no choice. You¡¯re the only one I can trust.¡± In the holographic projection, a man with a breathing mask on said intermittently, ¡°I got scammed by Cui Yin and have nothing left. But Liao Nai, your little nephew, is only five years old. He¡¯s still so young. He shouldn¡¯t stay on Blue Planet and be abused by his mother for the rest of his life. He needs someone to take care of him. I¡¯m begging you. I¡¯ll give you everything I have left now. Please take him away!¡± With that, the man began to cough violently and his already thin skin began to flutter, as if it would be pierced by the gas in his body in the next second. The people watching live-stream immediately fell silent. Cui Yin¡¯s expression froze. After a while, she pretended to be calm as she said, ¡°Do you think you can hide the truth by finding a random dying man to film this video? This doesn¡¯t change the fact that the dried fish you produce can poison people to death.¡± Liao Ning said calmly, ¡°Whether I produced the dried fish or not, won¡¯t we know the truth after a field inspection.¡± Field inspection? Cui Yin had a bad feeling. After Liao Jun transferred his assets, he didn¡¯t allow her to set foot in the Liao Corporation any more. In addition, the Liao Corporation had stopped operating recently because of its debt, so how could there be any employees to produce dried fish? As for the photos she had sent previously, they were all edited. With the current technology, it wasn¡¯t difficult to make them look real. However, no matter how advanced the editing technology was, it was fake. As long as she went, the photo would be exposed as fake. ¡°He¡¯s not my husband!¡± Cui Yin insisted while pointing at the man in the video. Then, she looked around in panic. When she saw Liao Nai behind Liao Ning, her smile became ferocious. As long as Liao Nai denied that the man on the screen was Liao Jun, no one would be able to discover the truth behind her photo! Liao Nai stared at the man in the holographic projection for a long time. After being shouted at by Cui Yin, he instinctively shrank back and looked at Liao Ning, who was blocking in front of him. For the first time, he felt that his aunt seemed so tall and mighty, just like his father! ¡°Sister-in-law, the child is innocent, so let¡¯s not involve the child in the dispute between us adults, okay?¡± Liao Ning¡¯s expression suddenly became serious. She looked down on people who used their own children as a shield when they couldn¡¯t resolve problems. Besides, Liao Nai was her bottom line. She wouldn¡¯t let him suffer Cui Yin¡¯s persecution again! When she saw Liao Ning¡¯s protective attitude, Cui Yin¡¯s lips began to quiver. It was only then that she remembered that Liao Ning¡¯s current gaze was the same as when she went to her house to ask for Liao Nai. Cui Yin took a step back belatedly. No, she couldn¡¯t admit defeat like this! ¡°Then you¡¯re admitting you found a random man to record the holographic projection?¡± Cui Yin said. ¡°All accusations depend on evidence. Sister-in-law, how can you prove that my video is fake? In that case, I also have reason to suspect that your photo is fake.¡± Cui Yin was speechless. [The host has been misled.] [We¡¯re not experts in verification, so why don¡¯t we go straight to the trial hall?] [I agree.] The comments section of the live-stream became lively again. [I¡¯ve compared the man in the video with General Liao¡¯s photo. Their facial features are a 100% match.] [So she abused her child in the past?] [She must have abused her child. I saw the child hiding just now.] [The cub has such a pitiful background. Hurry up and hug him.] [Just based on the fact she said that they shouldn¡¯t involve the child, I believe that Liao Ning wouldn¡¯t do something like producing low-quality dried fish.] [That¡¯s right. Moreover, Liao Ning also said that she doesn¡¯t sell dried fish. She even recommended we buy the official brand of the Star Federation Research Institute.] [Let¡¯s go to the location the photo was taken to see if it¡¯s real or fake.] [The photos are so dirty, so they probably won¡¯t be cleaned even with the most advanced washing equipment.] [I agree. Moreover, didn¡¯t anyone notice that there was a tomb behind them? If you argue in the cemetery, will you be able to sleep peacefully at night?] As the stalemate continued, those in the comment section began to speak up for Liao Ning again. Moreover, at the mention of a field inspection, Cui Yin¡¯s expression turned ugly. In a fit of anger, she turned off the livestream and glared at Liao Ning. ¡°Just you wait! I¡¯ll definitely ruin your reputation!¡± After saying that, Cui Yin covered her face as she left sneakily. Seeing that Cui Yin had run away, the woman she had brought to cause trouble couldn¡¯t stand it anymore and wanted to leave. However, when she turned around, she realized that almost everyone in town had come to watch the commotion. This was much more embarrassing than losing face in a live broadcast. Chapter 25 Extermination No one on the interstellar network knew their identities yet, but her neighbors were different. After slandering Liao Ning, how could she face her neighbors in the future?! [Why did they go offline?] [Tell us the truth. Did you do something shameful?] [I really hope this isn¡¯t true.] [Wake up. Your so-called idol is an immoral person.] [This streamer is quite arrogant. She was just scolded in another live-stream room, but now, she still has the nerve to log into her own account.] [I came from the live-stream room next door to watch the host quibble.] When Liao Ning logged into her account, everyone rushed in. ¡°In that case, you better prick up your ears and listen to me quibble.¡± Liao Ning said in a neither servile nor overbearing manner, ¡°Come, I¡¯ll show you a place.¡± At this moment, she was in a production room the size of a football field. The machinery on the manufacturing table was brand new and filled with reagents. It was a nutrient-processing plant. [Why does this decoration look so familiar?] [Isn¡¯t it the production room that was shown in the photo just now?] [It must be fake. Shame on the host for using filters!] After Liao Nai glanced at the live-stream, he pressed the filter button for his aunt. Immediately, golden light appeared. [I feel like I¡¯m going to be blinded.] [What did the host do?] ¡°It¡¯s just a filter,¡± Liao Ning said truthfully. She was thinking about how to convince the audience that she hadn¡¯t used a filter when Liao Nai did it for her. She patted Liao Nai¡¯s head. [How is this a filter? It¡¯s clearly a fairy mirror!] [Could it be that she hasn¡¯t turned on the filter before?] [She looks even more beautiful with the filter on!] [So this is the Liao family¡¯s production room?] ¡°Yes, but I dismissed the employees a few days ago,¡± Liao Ning said. She didn¡¯t have the ability to run the company, so she closed this place early on, but she kept the place. She planned to hand it over to Liao Nai to manage in the future. ¡°Look, there¡¯s no dust here.¡± With that, she turned off the filter and wiped the surrounding equipment with a white cloth before showing the audience. The cloth was still white. There wasn¡¯t any dust on it at all. Moreover, Liao Ning had even activated real-time location for this live broadcast. This time, the truth regarding the inferior-quality dried fish was instantly exposed. [I was wrong. I shouldn¡¯t have doubted you.] [I¡¯m sorry!] The people in the comments section apologized. ¡°It¡¯s fine as long as the misunderstanding is resolved. Don¡¯t take it to heart.¡± Liao Ning didn¡¯t argue with her fans about this, but she still emphasized, ¡°We have to make sure that no rumors are spread and that the interstellar network¡¯s environment stays harmonious.¡± [What a bureaucratic statement.] [After today¡¯s incident, you¡¯re even more beautiful.] [Smile.] [I also think you look very pretty when you smile. Also, you looked so cool when you protected your child just now. You were as aggressive as a wolf.] [To be honest, I suddenly feel that Liao Ning and the child look alike.] [New humans also inherit the characteristics of wolves. Could Liao Ning be a mutated white wolf among the wolf pack?] ¡°I don¡¯t know either. Actually, I can¡¯t transform into a beast,¡± Liao Ning said truthfully. Speaking of which, the original host had once envied those new humans who could transform into beasts. The original host had graduated from a famous interstellar school and had been an interstellar hunter in the past. She was quite a talented person. Unfortunately, she had made the same mistake as her brother. She had met a bad person and lost her life as a result. After Liao Ning recalled her past experience, she agreed with the comment section. [If you can also transform into a beast, you¡¯ll definitely be very cool!] [Is this all for today? I want to see you cook.] [To be honest, I¡¯m craving food too.] At this moment, Liao Nai and the white cat also looked at Liao Ning eagerly. ¡°Aunt, if you¡¯re tired today, leave the cooking to me.¡± Although Liao Nai said that, he had already begun to wipe the saliva at the corners of his mouth. Liao Ning couldn¡¯t help but laugh. ¡°Alright, I remember that there are still some materials in the warehouse, which will probably be deserted after we leave Blue Planet, so why don¡¯t we clear the warehouse today?¡± Liao Ning said. Then, the two of them went to the warehouse and found a few bags of white flour and piles of pumpkins. ¡°Let¡¯s make pumpkin cakes today,¡± Liao Ning said. Pumpkin cakes? Liao Nai¡¯s excitement was written all over his face. Pumpkin cakes sounded delicious. Pumpkins were usually purified and mixed with flour, a nutritional formula, but most pumpkins would lose their original taste after the complex purification process. Upon seeing these ingredients, the viewers didn¡¯t lose interest. Instead, they asked each other if they had taken nutritional supplements yet. Those who didn¡¯t take nutritional supplements would reserve raw materials in advance to learn how to make them. Chapter 26 Ugly After Liao Ning threw the pumpkin into the peeler, she quickly processed the pumpkin with the seeds. ¡°With machines here, it¡¯s very easy to make it. At home, we have to cut it manually. There¡¯s no need to throw these pumpkin seeds away. After these pumpkin seeds are dried, they can be eaten as snacks. Moreover, ancient books record that pumpkin seeds have the effect of lowering blood sugar and nourishing the kidneys.¡± [Are these the melon seeds that ancient people mentioned?] ¡°This is only one of them. In addition, there are also sunflower seeds and black melon seeds. These are snacks ancient people ate.¡± Liao Ning held the pumpkin seeds as she introduced the effects and production process of each melon seed. The drying process of the various seeds was similar. [Ancient people were quite wise.] [My balcony is ready to dry melon seeds.] [My parents have already started drying them.] [Am I the only one who thought of drying them with a dryer?] [You only thought of it, but I¡¯ve already done it.] [I¡¯ve already baked them. The taste was delicious.] [I seem to have discovered a new function. It feels great to watch the live broadcast while eating melon seeds.] [My family¡¯s homemade nutritional fluid machine officially announces its retirement today!] [Before I even got to eat the pumpkin cake, I started eating the melon seeds first.] Looking at the feedback in the comment section, Liao Nai couldn¡¯t wait for the melon seeds to dry. After Liao Ning placed the sliced pumpkins in the large steamer, she began to knead the noodles. ¡°The steps are a little complicated and require a little patience, but we just have to remember the principle of achieving twice the result with half the effort! Put more dough if it¡¯s sticky hands. If it¡¯s dry, put more water in it until it¡¯s no longer so sticky.¡± ¡°Next, let¡¯s think about the scoundrels we hate the most as we make the noodles!¡± Liao Ning waved her hand as she pulled the dough continuously. Then, she kneaded it together and slapped it on the table. The white flour flew everywhere, making the people in front of the screen exclaim. [You¡¯re so good at kneading dough.] [Did I watch a free movie?] [Hahaha, it seems that what happened today affected Liao Ning a lot.] [Watch carefully, everyone. This is the outcome of slandering Liao Ning!] [She¡¯s so impressive!] [It¡¯s time to put it into practice. Kneading dough can really relieve stress.] ¡°After kneading the noodles, we¡¯ll steam the pumpkin.¡± Liao Ning even took a bite before putting the melon down. ¡°This melon is very sweet, so we don¡¯t have to put sugar in it.¡± The audience in the live-stream taste-sharing function turned on. [Pumpkin can actually taste like this? How shocking!] [Sister, where did you buy the pumpkin from? Please give us some recommendations.] [Everything from this live-stream is delicious.] [The cub ate it too!] Liao Ning carried a plate of pumpkins for Liao Nai and the white cat to try. Then, she looked at the previous data and recommended the Liao family¡¯s pumpkin supplier, the ancient interstellar farm. The snow-white dough was mixed with the pumpkin. ¡°If you want, you can also add some raisins and walnut to the noodles to add to the texture.¡± [The color changed!] [I don¡¯t have raisins or walnut. I¡¯ll learn to make the same as yours.] [And then? What happened next?] ¡°Then slap it flat like this and put it in the oven.¡± Liao Ning smiled. Then, she tore the noodles into small pieces, kneaded them, and flattened them. Liao Nai, who was still eating the pumpkin, saw this and ran over to help. But as she patted, Liao Nai took the extra dough and made it into the shape of a snowman. [Little cub unlocked a new gameplay method.] [I feel inspired. This dough is so fun.] Comments kept appearing in the comment section. At this moment, on Venus, Zhu Fei, who was also watching the live broadcast, bit her nails in anger and refused to let go even after tasting blood in her mouth. Other than watching the live-stream, she was also staring at the current popularity rankings of ancient food live-streamers. Now, after this morning¡¯s incident, the popularity of ¡®My Child Is The Best¡¯ had increased by another level and was ranked fifth on the rankings. She was only a few hundred viewers away from fourth place. She was clearly ranked below the top ten yesterday. Zhu Fei gritted her teeth. If this continued, she would probably lose first place in the popularity rankings. The Interstellar Food Competition had yet to begin, so she couldn¡¯t be outshone so early! She had sent someone to slander Liao Ning, but the person failed. Instead, the incident boosted her popularity. Who could tolerate this? Zhu Fei was in a fit of anger when her assistant contacted her and said that someone was looking for her. The arrogant appearance of a woman was projected on the holographic screen. It was Cui Yin. ¡°I saw Liao Ning today. This girl isn¡¯t as easy to deal with as you think. I need this.¡± Cui Yin stretched out her hand filled with rings and gestured at Zhu Fei. Seeing this, Zhu Fei was so angry that she almost laughed out loud. ¡°You have the nerve to ask for money after failing to get the job done?¡± ¡°Today was a trial! As long as you pay more, there¡¯s nothing I can¡¯t do!¡± Cui Yin said arrogantly. Chapter 27 Boss Zhu Fei narrowed her eyes and asked, ¡°How much?¡± Cui Yin smirked and made a six with her hand. ¡°Can you guarantee success this time?¡± Zhu Fei asked as she scrutinized Cui Yin. Cui Yin smiled sinisterly. ¡°I¡¯m Liao Ning¡¯s sister-in-law, so she has no right to disobey me. If she dares to disobey me again, I¡¯ll publicize her previous embarrassing incident!¡± ¡°Aunt, when are we leaving Blue Planet?¡± After returning to the spaceship, Liao Nai forgot about the fear of seeing Cui Yin today. ¡°Tomorrow. I¡¯ll sort out some information today.¡± Liao Ning turned around and comforted Liao Nai, who was lying on the sofa. What happened today made her determined to settle the Liao family¡¯s matter before setting off for Venus. Otherwise, with Cui Yin¡¯s penchant for causing trouble, Cui Yin would be a ticking time bomb no matter where she went. The information she was compiling now was about Cui Yin borrowing foreign debt and trespassing on private property in the name of the corporation all these years. If she sent this information to the court for processing, Cui Yin would be imprisoned for the rest of her life! At this moment, the white cat also came to her side and sized up the information on her screen. It was filled with evidence of the Liao family¡¯s financial accounts. There was also Liao Jun¡¯s medical diagnosis, which actually showed that he had been poisoned to death. The white cat reached out with its claws and secretly copied the materials. Then, it glanced at Liao Ning, who was still working. She didn¡¯t seem to notice its actions. After that, the white cat pretended that nothing had happened and curled up in its den to doze off. Its abilities had yet to recover, so it often felt tired and could barely even communicate in human language, so it was better to move less and rest more. However, not long after the white cat closed his eyes, a force pulled it back. The white cat immediately woke up and its bouncing body displayed extreme softness. Its pupils dilated, but in the next second, Liao Ning exclaimed, ¡°Xiaonai, look. Does it look like the dough you kneaded today?¡± The white cat wondered when Liao Ning had finished processing the documents and approached it. Not far away, Liao Nai, who was still reading an e-book, came over and said in surprise, ¡°Yes! Aunt, are cats really made of water?¡± ¡°I think so. I heard that their bones are very flexible.¡± Liao Ning picked up the white cat and leaned close to its stomach to suck on it. Help! He wasn¡¯t a cat! The white cat protested silently, its fur standing on end. ¡°Speaking of which, how long has it been since you took a shower?¡± Liao Ning asked the white cat. The little white cat, who had just been kissed and rubbed on Liao Ning¡¯s shoulder, suddenly pricked up its ears. ¡°It hasn¡¯t been washed since it was picked up,¡± Liao Nai said. At this moment, his aggressive look made the white cat shiver. The white cat cried out and began to struggle. It licked its fur every day, so it was very clean! However, how could Liao Ning understand the cat? She let Liao Nai carry the white cat while she went to fill the bathtub. Liao Nai looked very happy. His chance to show off had come. As for the little white cat¡­ Hehe. Just watch. He wanted to prove to the white cat that his position in his aunt¡¯s heart was immovable, so the white cat would never be able to snatch his aunt away! How could the white cat know that Liao Nai had so many plans in mind? The white cat only wanted to escape now. However, Liao Ning had already filled the water and gone downstairs. Then, the white cat was carried upstairs by Liao Nai and watched as the bathroom door closed. No matter how hard the white cat tried, it couldn¡¯t get out. ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. Bathing isn¡¯t scary. Come, Xiaonai will demonstrate for you,¡± Liao Ning said as she snapped her fingers. Liao Nai transformed into his beast form and dove into the water. After a while, he walked towards the dryer. After he stood under the dryer, it didn¡¯t take long for his fur to become dry and soft. When he walked out, he didn¡¯t forget to show off his shiny fur to the white cat. To be able to transform into a beast at such a young age, his future was full of potential. To be honest, he admired the boy¡¯s ability, but now wasn¡¯t the time to marvel over this! The white cat struggled. Since the white cat was uncooperative, Liao Ning could only do it herself. The white cat had a bad feeling and turned to look at Liao Ning, but by the time it wanted to run, it was already too late. Liao Ning ignored the white cat¡¯s struggles and pressed it into the water. ¡°Hey, I didn¡¯t expect you to be a male.¡± Liao Ning rubbed shower gel on the white cat. After a while, the white cat climbed back into its nest. Whatever! The white cat looked dazed and hopeless. It had never been molested by a girl like this ever since it was born. However, at this moment, there was a sizzling sound from the artificial intelligence it was hiding under its nest. ¡°Boss, is that you?¡± Chapter 28 Too Much When Zhou Ling heard this, he quickly took out the artificial intelligence system. After being watered from both sides of the Blue Planet Sea Lake, his artificial intelligence was basically useless now, but there were still recorded images of his trusted aides in it. Once it was repaired, the truth could be revealed to the public. That was why he tried his best to keep it. He didn¡¯t expect it to still have some communication functions. ¡°Boss, can you hear us?¡± The voice on the AI was intermittent and there was a lot of static, but Zhou Ling still tried hard to listen. ¡°The team that was supposed to save us was ambushed and couldn¡¯t arrive. Where are you now? We¡¯ll come find you.¡± The support team was ambushed? Zhou Ling was shocked. ¡°You don¡¯t have to come over now. Let¡¯s meet up on Venus after we¡¯re out of danger.¡± Zhou Ling tried to speak, but what he let out was a series of meows. Damn it! ¡°Boss, are you there? Is there a cat with you?¡± The voice on the other end sounded anxious. As soon as he finished speaking, the AI made another ear-piercing sound and fell silent. Zhou Ling¡¯s cat claws grabbed the cushion. Seeing the scratch on it, he let go in shock. He almost lost control of his emotions, but at this time, he needed to calm down. He couldn¡¯t lose his composure. It had been five years. He had never given up on finding clues about his brother and sister-in-law. The day before Liao Ning saved him, he was about to return to the interstellar capital after completing his mission when he received a clue about his brother and sister-in-law¡¯s appearance on the Blue Planet. Unexpectedly, he was ambushed as soon as he got off the spaceship. He and his buddies had risked their lives to escape, but they encountered a storm on the way and he accidentally fell into the lake, losing contact with the others. When he woke up, he realized that he couldn¡¯t maintain his human form with his remaining mental strength. He had met Liao Ning not long ago on a mission. In order to combat the military camp¡¯s lost petrel, he had temporarily stayed in a hunter family on Planet Mu 007 and noticed her at a banquet. With white hair, blue eyes, and an Oriental face, she was like a fairy that had emerged from a painting, differentiating her from the surrounding hunters. At first, he thought that Liao Ning was a mentor hired by the hunters for the children. That was until the day they crusaded against the giant beast and when a child disappeared from Hunter Town. A hunter and five children went missing and were suspected to have been taken away by the giant beast. Zhou Ling sent a team to look for them. Unexpectedly, he found traces of a missing person at the foot of a cliff first. The missing hunter that the people in town were talking about was actually Liao Ning. At that time, her gaze was determined and she held a dagger in her hand. She no longer had the weak aura from before. In order to protect the child hiding in the tree hole, she faced an S-rank dangerous beast that was more than ten times stronger than her ¨C the petrel. Even after it was domesticated, very few people could tame such a huge beast, let alone Liao Ning. Zhou Ling immediately transformed into his beast form and turned into a white tiger. Then, he bit off the wings that the petrel was so proud of and saved Liao Ning and the children. At that time, Liao Ning had even smoothed his fur while he was in his beast form. It was very comforting and reminded him briefly of the good times when his brother and sister-in-law were still around. Zhou Ling thought that they would never see each other again. Unexpectedly, Liao Ning had become his savior in just a week. Moreover, Zhou Ling didn¡¯t seem to recognize him. Zhou Ling still felt a dull pain in his lower body. If others found out that he had been pressed down by a woman and forcibly given a shower by her, he would be totally embarrassed. As expected, there was a price to pay for gluttony, but Liao Ning¡¯s food was too delicious, so he couldn¡¯t refuse and didn¡¯t want to leave just like that. At this moment, Liao Ning also came downstairs after washing up and asked Liao Nai, ¡°Are you hungry? You only ate some pancakes just now.¡± Upon the mention of food, Zhou Ling¡¯s ears twitched again. No, he had to be more reserved! That woman had bullied him just now. ¡°I¡¯m not hungry. Thank you, Aunt,¡± Liao Nai said truthfully. What was the child talking about? Zhou Ling climbed out of his nest and narrowed his eyes. Liao Nai instantly felt a hostile gaze from behind him. After Liao Nai turned around and met Zhou Ling¡¯s eyes, the white cat crawled back into the nest. ¡°That¡¯s all I¡¯m gonna say. Are you going to help or not?¡± Chapter 29 Farewell to Blue Planet In the Liao family¡¯s villa, Cui Yin had one hand on her hip as she glared at her sisters sitting in the living room. Gu Lie, who had loved her so passionately in the past, had long disappeared. ¡°It¡¯s not that we don¡¯t want to, but last time, you abandoned us, so who can guarantee that you¡¯re not tricking us this time?¡± A shifty-looking woman glanced at the thick money on the table covetously. However, when they thought about how they had failed to trick Liao Ning yesterday and how Cui Yin had run away halfway, and how Liao Ning had clarified the truth and made them suffer in town, they were furious. Cui Yin had yet to give them any benefits, but she was asking them to work for her again. They couldn¡¯t tolerate this! ¡°Believe me, this time, I¡¯ll definitely ruin Liao Ning¡¯s reputation!¡± Cui Yin promised. ¡°When I get her assets, I definitely won¡¯t forget to give you guys a share.¡± The sisters exchanged looks. They had witnessed the popularity of Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream. If they could get a share of the money, they would have nothing to worry about for the rest of their lives! Some of them were immediately tempted. At this moment, someone knocked on the door of the Liao family¡¯s villa. ¡°Who is it? Don¡¯t you know that people need rest?¡± Cui Yin roared at the door. It was noon at this moment. After Cui Yin pushed open the door, she saw the person outside flashing his electronic ID. ¡°Hello, we¡¯re from the Blue Planet Court. Someone reported you anonymously for trespassing, child abuse, and intentional assault. Please cooperate with the investigation.¡± ¡°What?¡± Cui Yin spat. ¡°You have the wrong person!¡± She thought that she could get rid of this group of people in suits just like that. Unexpectedly, the man in the lead said to his assistant behind him, ¡°Give her another charge. She¡¯s guilty of contempt of court. Take her away immediately.¡± Cui Yin was dumbfounded. Venus. When Zhu Fei heard that Cui Yin had been captured, she couldn¡¯t sit still anymore and scolded her assistant, ¡°Didn¡¯t she say that she was Liao Ning¡¯s sister-in-law and knew about her embarrassing incident?¡± The assistant also felt that they were very unlucky. ¡°She¡¯s indeed Liao Ning¡¯s sister-in-law, but I didn¡¯t expect her to be so useless.¡± After Zhu Fei stood up from the sofa, Cui Yin¡¯s communication came through the AI system. ¡°If you save me, I can help you destroy Liao Ning! Otherwise, I¡¯ll expose you!¡± Cui Yin failed to get the task done and even tried to drag her down with her. Cui Yin¡¯s actions made her suspect that she was a spy arranged by Liao Ning. ¡°Alright, go ahead and tell them. I¡¯ll see who will believe your nonsense!¡± Zhu Fei couldn¡¯t take it anymore and immediately hung up. After she sat back on the couch, she massaged her temples. ¡°Sister Zhu, do you want me to get you a cup of hot water?¡± the assistant asked softly. ¡°Scram!¡± Zhu Fei shouted. The assistant immediately left the room. The area around Zhu Fei¡¯s forehead lit up, and her gaze became fierce again. Liao Ning had stolen her limelight and her invitation to the competition. She would definitely take revenge! Cerulean Planet. After leaving the courtroom, Liao Ning felt unprecedentedly relaxed. She thought that they would have to spend a few days on the lawsuit. Unexpectedly, Cui Yin was unwilling to spend money to hire a lawyer. Therefore, they skipped the defense and other procedures. Cui Yin was directly convicted. In addition, the development of interstellar law was almost complete, so Cui Yin would bear the debt that the Liao family owed previously and Liao Ning didn¡¯t need to repay it. Cui Yin was distraught. After the court confiscated Cui Yin¡¯s assets to pay off the debt, the greedy Cui Yin fainted in front of the prison. As for the few people who had participated in framing Liao Ning with Cui Yin previously, they were all fined. Each of them paid Liao Ning 5,000 star coins as compensation. Gu Lie, who had been in cahoots with Cui Yin some time ago, had escaped. The people from the court promised that they would catch him. The matter came to an end. ¡°System, check the villain¡¯s evil value.¡± After Liao Ning returned and told Liao Nai about the trial¡¯s results, she checked the villain¡¯s evil value. After the bad guys received the punishment they deserved, Liao Nai¡¯s evil value should have changed, but the system didn¡¯t report it. Moreover, it showed that Liao Nai¡¯s evil value was still 2%. Liao Nai asked the system to refresh the data, but Liao Ning¡¯s evil value remained the same. As she watched Liao Nai, who was watching cartoons, she fell into deep thought. ¡°Aunt, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Liao Nai looked up and asked in confusion. Who could withstand such an angelic smile? At this moment, Liao Ning felt her heart soften. If the 2% evil value didn¡¯t decrease, she definitely had to find the reason. The child needed to be taken care of with patience. She couldn¡¯t rush things. Liao Ning said with a smile, ¡°It¡¯s fine. Since the matter has been resolved, let¡¯s prepare to go to Venus.¡± Chapter 30 Malicious Intent ¡°Yes!¡± Liao Nai nodded and stood up from the sofa before hugging Liao Ning¡¯s neck tightly. Liao Ning suddenly felt that nothing could make her happier than now. After Liao Ning asked Little V to set the route, a notification came from the system: Villain No. 2¡¯s information has been updated. [Villain No. 2, Zhou Tian Identity: Interstellar General Zhou Fang¡¯s daughter The location had been updated to Interstellar Capital Second Lieutenant Hei¡¯s family. Evil value update: 56% Friendly reminder, please deal with Villain No. 2 as soon as possible before the Ping family is destroyed and eliminate her evil value.] She remembered that in the plot introduced by the system, after Villain No. 2 arrived at the Ping family¡¯s house, she lived a good life. However, the good times didn¡¯t last long. After the Ping family was falsely accused, the entire family was imprisoned and sentenced to death. Although the Ping family did their best to protect Villain No. 2, her evil value still skyrocketed. Then, she gradually began her revenge. Pushing her into the darkness again after letting her regain her light was undoubtedly a very cruel experience. If she disappeared from this world one day, would Liao Nai¡¯s evil value also skyrocket? Liao Ning slapped her face in realization. Such a thing couldn¡¯t happen. She had to teach Liao Nai the right way to deal with separation, just in case. She also needed to teach Liao Nai how to protect himself as soon as possible. ¡°Xiaonai, let¡¯s start our special training from today onwards!¡± Liao Ning said. When Liao Nai heard this, he became very excited. They first moved the living room furniture aside to make enough room to move around. Hearing the commotion, Zhou Ling, who was still dozing off, woke up. After he jumped out, he saw that Liao Ning had already begun to warm up with Liao Nai. While Zhou Ling was feeling surprised, Liao Ning noticed him. ¡°Little White, come for special training too!¡± He was a cat now, so how could he train? Zhou Ling didn¡¯t resist, but he didn¡¯t know how cute he was in Liao Ning¡¯s eyes. Liao Ning hugged him and sucked on his stomach again. Zhou Ling was already numb to it by now. He had already experienced kissing and hugging before. Now, he only hoped that Liao Ning wouldn¡¯t raise him high¡­ In the next second, Liao Ning raised Zhou Ling high and spun him in the air. Damn it, as a cat, he couldn¡¯t even swear. Zhou Ling gave up resisting. ¡°The spacecraft has entered the atmosphere of Venus and is preparing to land.¡± After a day of twists and turns, Liao Ning and Liao Nai finally arrived at Venus. Liao Nai looked at the endless fields below excitedly through the glass. This was the first time he had seen the outside world. ¡°Aunt, look here, here!¡± Venus was known for its crops and was the largest supplier of nutrient supplies in the galaxy. Almost eight out of ten families were involved in the manufacture of nutrient supplies. The first round of the Interstellar Food Competition was set up here to test the contestants¡¯ ability to choose quality ingredients. As soon as Liao Ning¡¯s spaceship was stopped for customs inspection, she saw a few famous food streamers in the industry. She was taking Liao Nai and the white cat to the hotel where the competition was prepared when she was stopped by a girl in a sailor suit and pigtails. Her name was Yu Ni, and she was ranked sixth on the ancient food industry¡¯s popularity rankings. She focused on innovative beverage production. When she saw Liao Ning from afar, she waved at them. ¡°Sister, I¡¯m a loyal fan of yours. Can I have your autograph?¡± Yu Ni rushed forward excitedly and grabbed Liao Ning¡¯s hand. ¡°If not for the fact that the dragon fruit on your live broadcast enlightened me, I might not have passed my bottleneck!¡± The competition had a rule that prevented fans from entering the special passageway, but there were no restrictions on streamers. The surrounding streamers turned around and noticed Liao Ning. After joy flashed across their eyes briefly, they pretended not to see Liao Ning and turned to leave. Liao Ning naturally noticed this phenomenon. Before she could figure out what was going on, a woman in sunglasses behind her suddenly staggered and almost fell to the ground. The person who bumped into her didn¡¯t even look back. ¡°Why are you so rude?!¡± Yu Ni couldn¡¯t help but feel indignant for Liao Ning. But when the woman turned around, her face paled. ¡°Who are you talking about?¡± Zhu Fei pulled down her sunglasses and narrowed her eyes at Yu Ni. ¡°Sister Zhu, I¡¯m not talking about you.¡± Yu Ni immediately lowered her voice. ¡°Don¡¯t you know you should apologize after you bump into someone?¡± Liao Ning wasn¡¯t as soft-hearted as Yu Ni and she confronted Zhu Fei on the spot. However, Yu Ni grabbed her hand and shook her head. With a troubled expression, she said, ¡°Let¡¯s forget it.¡± Chapter 31 Replication live stream Liao Ning couldn¡¯t help but frown. Zhu Fei snorted in disdain and waved at her assistant as she left in her high heels, while her assistant was holding the hand of a timid child. Liao Nai looked at the child. When their eyes met, he felt a sense of sympathy and couldn¡¯t help but grip Liao Ning¡¯s sleeve. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Xiaonai?¡± Liao Ning lowered her head and asked. Liao Nai shook her head and hesitated for a moment before saying, ¡°Aunt, I think that child is afraid.¡± ¡°It¡¯s better not to be so nosy.¡± Yu Ni interrupted Liao Nai nervously. ¡°She¡¯s Zhu Fei, the top dog of the ancient food live stream rankings. Everyone who offends her will suffer retribution. Not long ago, a streamer said at a meeting that Zhu Fei was past her prime. Guess what happened to her?¡± ¡°She suffered retribution,¡± Liao Nai said. Yu Ni was surprised. ¡°How did you know?¡± Liao Ning thought, ¡°Didn¡¯t she say so?¡± ¡°Zhu Fei found someone to expose the other party¡¯s family¡¯s scandal on the interstellar network. Zhu Fei¡¯s fans cyberbullied that streamer so much that she jumped off the building that night.¡± Yu Ni wasn¡¯t joking. This had really happened. ¡°Zhu Fei is an senior in the industry. She was already this popular when she was a newcomer like you, so it¡¯s better to stay away from her. Didn¡¯t your sister-in-law expose you recently? I¡¯m guessing it was Zhu Fei¡¯s doing.¡± Liao Ning couldn¡¯t help but frown. Why was Yu Ni suddenly telling her this? After returning to the hotel, Liao Ning turned on the AI and opened Zhu Fei¡¯s live stream. [Sister Zhu Fei is so sweet. I love her so much.] [I¡¯m looking forward to Sister Zhu Fei¡¯s original dish today.] [Long live stir-fried pumpkin pancakes!] Stir-fried pumpkin pancakes? Is it the kind where the pumpkin pie is chopped and stir-fried with green peppers? Liao Ning stared at the screen. Zhu Fei¡¯s method was exactly the same as hers. There was also the child beside her. Her fingers were covered in Band-Aids, and she was trembling as she helped cut the pumpkin with a fruit knife. [Sister Zhu Fei¡¯s niece knows how to cook for her at such a young age. She¡¯s really impressive.] [Unlike some streamers who only know how to use machinery as a substitute.] Liao Ning was confused. Liao Nai was also dumbfounded. Pumpkin pancakes were clearly his aunt¡¯s cup of tea! Then, they saw Zhu Fei mix the kneaded glutinous rice noodles with the pumpkin and wolfberries to make pancakes before putting them in the oil pot. Due to the sticky nature of the glutinous rice noodles and since Zhu Fei had put too little oil in the pot. Pieces of noodles were stuck together, and black spots could be seen on the surface. However, even so, it didn¡¯t affect the fans in the comments section from praising her. [Sister Zhu Fei, you have amazing cooking skills!] [As expected of Sister Zhu Fei. This pancake is so delicious.] Finally, it was time for the tasting stage. Liao Ning frowned at the sticky pancakes in the live stream. She didn¡¯t think that the dishes made with this sort of method would taste good. However, when she opened the taste-sharing system, the taste was completely different from what she imagined. The softness of the pumpkin pancake firmly locked in the original sweetness of the pumpkin. Coupled with the wolfberries, it had a delicious chewy texture. There was no bitterness after the food was roasted. With the contrast between this dish¡¯s taste and appearance, one couldn¡¯t help but wonder if this dish was magical. [Tasting this taste once in my life is satisfying enough!] [Delicious!] [Please reveal the host¡¯s secret recipe!] ¡°The secret recipe of this dish can¡¯t be leaked to outsiders. If you want to eat more delicious food, you can continue to watch my live streams,¡± Zhu Fei said to everyone through the projection. ¡°The live broadcast will end here today. I¡¯m Zhu Fei. I¡¯ll prepare a delicious meal for you guys every day.¡± [Goodbye, Sister Zhu Fei.] [I¡¯m looking forward to the next live stream! I can¡¯t wait!] [Please live stream a little longer.] [It ended as soon as I came in. It makes me feel like I lost a hundred million bucks.] The number of people watching Zhu Fei¡¯s live stream was still increasing. No one suspected Zhu Fei after she openly plagiarized and faked the taste? Liao Ning chuckled. It seemed that it was time to showcase her skills. ¡°Beep¡ª¡± The streamer you follow, ¡°My Child Is The Best¡±, is already online. Do you want to click on it? [Liao Ning is so good-looking.] [Is there a link to Liao Ning¡¯s outfit?] [Haha, every time I enter Liao Ning¡¯s live stream, I wonder if I¡¯m in the wrong place.] In the live stream, Liao Ning was still the same as before, but this time, her hair was tied up behind her head with a headscarf, making her facial features look more defined and her temperament seem even more gentle. Chapter 32 Fan Dispute ¡°We¡¯re live streaming glutinous rice pancakes today. These are the ingredients we need today.¡± Peanuts, sesame seeds, white sugar, and glutinous rice noodles. ¡°Simmer the peanuts first.¡± The peanuts were stirred loudly and thrown into the air in a beautiful arc. In the next moment, they fell into the pot. [What kind of ultimate skill is this?] [At first, I thought she was going to throw away the peanuts!] [Oh my god, people who know how to cook are indeed quite impressive.] ¡°It¡¯s not difficult. As long as your pot is light enough, it¡¯s easy to flip it over, but there¡¯s no need to cook so exaggeratedly like I did just now.¡± Liao Ning changed the cooking method to stir-fried. After she saw that a layer of red skin had fallen off the peanut, she turned off the fire and let it cool. Then, she rubbed it gently, revealing the smooth and plump bean body. ¡°For the sake of texture, without using a blender, we can put the peanuts in a plastic bag. Then, we can crush them with a rolling pin to make them look evenly sized. We can also add other ingredients, such as fruits and almonds. Today, I¡¯ll add sugar and sesame seeds and stir them evenly.¡± [Your dishes are gradually becoming more and more versatile.] [So the filling is done?] [Let me guess. Are you going to mix them with the noodles next?] [This filling is easy to make even for me, who has been unable to cook for many years.] ¡°We¡¯ll save the filling for later,¡± Liao Ning said as she mixed the glutinous rice noodles at the side. After everything was done, she boiled oil in the pot. ¡°At this step, we have to put more oil in the pan and heat it up,¡± Liao Ning said as she placed the entire glutinous rice ball in. [Aren¡¯t you afraid that everything will be ruined?] [The live broadcast just now was also done with this kind of noodles. Even if they were fried separately, they would still stick together.] [Hahaha, that¡¯s why she put it in directly.] [Don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s really cooked just like that?] ¡°Of course not. Let¡¯s turn on the low fire and use a shovel to even the dough into a pancake shape.¡± Liao Ning slowly pushed the glutinous rice balls around. ¡°After it¡¯s pressed into shape, we¡¯ll turn on the heat and cook both sides. If you¡¯re afraid of burning them, you can flip them over. Cook them until both sides are golden, then our pancakes will be ready.¡± [There are no black spots on this pancake at all. It¡¯s so beautiful!] [I¡¯m drooling.] [Oh my god, I want to try too.] [How can we prevent it from sticking to the pot like you do? I¡¯ve tried many times but failed.] ¡°As for pancakes, you can consider using a non-stick pot so it won¡¯t stick.¡± As Liao Ning spoke, she brought out the non-stick pot from her kitchen and demonstrated making a crust on the spot. [My family also uses this brand! Why didn¡¯t you say so earlier?] [Hahaha, you have the tools but you don¡¯t know how to use them.] After the two crusts were out, Liao Ning sprinkled the previous ingredients on them. After sprinkling all the noodles, she folded them like a blanket. [I can¡¯t wait to try it!] [They look so cute.] Just as everyone in the comments section was looking forward to tasting it, a discordant comment appeared. [How can you call those pancakes? Do you even know how to make pancakes?] [Didn¡¯t the cooking method of this glutinous rice cake come from Sister Zhu Fei¡¯s live stream? How did it become yours?] [Plagiarism is shameful!] Someone had come to cause trouble so quickly. Liao Ning raised her eyebrows, but she wasn¡¯t angry. She only said, ¡°Actually, this dish has another name. In ancient times, it was a local specialty pastry¡ªsweet crepes.¡± It was actually a pancake. Now, it was just rolled up. However, those people continued criticizing her in the comments section. [Host, you¡¯re really good at making things up.] [I think her pancakes only look good. They¡¯re definitely not as tasty as Sister Zhu Fei¡¯s.] [What¡¯s going on? If you don¡¯t want to watch, get out.] [What has it got to do with you? The host plagiarized, yet you don¡¯t want others to talk about it?] [This is Sister Zhu Fei¡¯s idea. What right do you have to use it?] [I just came from Zhu Fei¡¯s live stream. The host¡¯s method of making glutinous rice cakes is different from Zhu Fei¡¯s. If you have an eye problem, get it treated quickly.] [That¡¯s right. As long as they use the same material, it¡¯s considered plagiarism? Zhu Fei even used Liao Ning¡¯s pumpkin for her pumpkin cake.] [I want to report that Zhu Fei even copied the names of Liao Ning¡¯s dish.] Chapter 33 The Cat Ignores [Zhu Fei is ranked first. Is there a need to copy her?] [Don¡¯t go overboard, you brainless fans.] [You guys are the brainless fans? She doesn¡¯t have the necessary skills, so she plagiarized. How shameless.] As the fans argued, Liao Ning suddenly fell silent. The white cat had appeared in front of the food counter at some point. After it read the comment section, it roughly understood the situation. Zhu Fei was a rising star in the ancient food industry a long time ago. In the past, before his brother and sister-in-law disappeared, he had heard of Zhu Fei¡¯s name. To put it bluntly, it was Zhu Fei and a group of famous streamers who brought ancient delicacies back to the public¡¯s attention. They contributed greatly and were sought after by the entire interstellar community. However, after ancient delicacies became profitable, merchants were unwilling to publicize the secret recipes they had painstakingly developed. Zhu Fei was no exception. Zhou Ling remembered that his brother and sister-in-law had discussed that ever since Zhu Fei got signed with an agency, the content of her live streams became more secretive. Although her dishes were still delicious, their appearance became unsightly. Zhou Ling had come into contact with ancient food culture during his previous missions and had tasted many delicacies, so he was sure that Liao Ning made the best food. He came to Liao Ning¡¯s side and placed a cat claw on the back of her hand. He wanted to tell Liao Ning that she was really outstanding and didn¡¯t have to mind what others said. Zhou Ling looked up and heaved a sigh of relief when he saw Liao Ning holding his hand. He thought that he had successfully comforted Liao Ning. Unexpectedly, Liao Ning said, ¡°Hehe, Little White¡¯s claws are so soft.¡± Zhou Ling was speechless. Liao Ning pinched the cat claw with a blissful expression. This wasn¡¯t the first time she had been framed, so she was unaffected. However, she was very touched to see her fans supporting her. Since her fans had helped her so much, she naturally wouldn¡¯t disappoint them. She said in the live stream, ¡°Plagiarism is quite a heavy accusation. I¡¯m a little curious. How do you guys know that Sister Zhu Fei and I used the same ingredients?¡± The paid commentors hired by Zhu Fei was at a loss for words and stopped typing. [That¡¯s right. I¡¯ve seen Zhu Fei¡¯s live broadcast. Other than the name of the dish, she didn¡¯t introduce any other ingredients.] [Why aren¡¯t you guys saying anything now, huh?] [What? You guys are too ashamed to admit it?] In this situation, they couldn¡¯t be timid. If they were afraid, they would lose, so the experienced paid commentors quickly counterattacked. [I guessed it!] [The white flour you use has the same effect. Isn¡¯t it normal for people to misunderstand?] [If the materials are the same, the taste will definitely be the same. We¡¯ll know after we try it.] However, the color of Liao Ning¡¯s glutinous rice cake was different from Zhu Fei¡¯s. [Is that called pancakes? I¡¯ve seen so many pancakes, but no one has made them like this! To think that you¡¯re a food streamer!] Liao Ning smiled when she saw these comments. She spread out the folded glutinous rice cake again, and the original square immediately turned into a pancake. [This is pancakes! To think that the person above said that he had seen a lot of pancakes before.] [Pancake: You don¡¯t recognize me when I¡¯m folded?] [I was laughing so hard in front of the screen that I went crazy. How dare he accuse Liao Ning of plagiarism?] [Hahaha, you¡¯re awesome!] [I support Liao Ning!] [What about the taste? Since it¡¯s not the same material as Zhu Fei¡¯s, the taste should be different, right?] [Yes, if it tastes the same, it¡¯s plagiarism!] ¡°Alright, why don¡¯t you taste my dishes first before coming to a conclusion?¡± At the mention of taste, Liao Ning became even more confident. If they tried it, all the rumors would be dispelled. Liao Ning rolled up the pancake and took a bite. Because the skin was fried until it was relatively thin, there was no sign of flour sticking to her teeth. However, this didn¡¯t affect the original taste of the glutinous rice. With the rolled-up peanuts inside, they were soft on the outside and hard on the inside. There were also layers of them, making them very chewy. The paid commentors who opened the taste-sharing function gulped. The taste was completely different from Zhu Fei¡¯s and they couldn¡¯t help but want to praise it, but their professional ethics forced them to deny it. [It tastes nasty. It¡¯s much worse than Sister Zhu Fei¡¯s.] [That¡¯s right. Even the cat is ignoring it!] Zhou Ling was speechless. He came to the basin, picked up a piece, and ate it. He had wanted to eat it for a long time already. [The cat ate it.] [I can tell that Liao Ning¡¯s cat has been holding back for a long time.] [That¡¯s right. The cat is probably thanking everyone for giving it a chance to taste it.] Chapter 34 Gourmet Competition Primary The paid commentors that Zhu Fei hired had no effect on Liao Ning¡¯s live stream at all. After Liao Ning logged off, in addition to the glutinous rice cakes she had just made, she made another table of delicacies. After a delicious meal, the two of them rested in the hotel. The third day after that was the day of the Interstellar Food Competition. According to the requirements, the participants had to choose materials with ¡°meat¡± as the theme at the farm on Venus. The top 50 contestants in the live stream would be declared victorious and enter the next round. The competition for the rankings began again. The contestants in the original top ten of the rankings used their specialties, in hopes of maintaining their current status and making it to the finals. This was undoubtedly a feast for food lovers. Liao Ning checked the original food rankings. The first was Zhu Fei, who was proficient in various dishes. The second was a researcher of the ancient interstellar farm, Gao Yuan, who was good at cooking meat. The third was the streamer, Honghuo. The dishes in his live stream were mainly served with cold salad. He was good at innovation and the spicy taste of his food was very popular. The fourth was Xuan Su, who was known as a five-star chef in the capital, while Liao Ning was fifth and sixth was Yu Ni¡­ Their strength couldn¡¯t be underestimated. If Liao Ning wanted to stabilize her current ranking, she couldn¡¯t slack off. Soon, she had an idea after reading the rankings. She remembered that there was also a branch of the interstellar farm on Venus. Since it was the food brand she used most commonly, Liao Ning decided to go there first. ¡°Don¡¯t go too far!¡± As soon as Liao Ning entered the farm, she heard a female researcher sobbing. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Liao Ning was puzzled. The farm worker who was showing her the way immediately looked embarrassed. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry. I¡¯ll go deal with it now.¡± After Liao Ning nodded, she looked at the pineapples on the shelves. But even when she was minding her own business, someone still came looking for trouble. ¡°Are you blind?!¡± After Zhu Fei almost sprained her ankle in her high heels, she turned around and scolded Liao Ning. Liao Ning propped herself up with a frown. She clearly didn¡¯t move. The other party had bumped into her first. When she saw that it was Zhu Fei, she understood. As the saying went, a good dog shouldn¡¯t block the way. Zhu Fei was obviously not a good dog. This was the second time Zhu Fei had bumped into her without apologizing. ¡°Madam Zhu, I was standing here just now. You bumped into me,¡± Liao Ning said calmly. There was a cold look in her blue eyes, giving off a sense of intimidation. Zhu Fei pouted as she said loudly, ¡°Just you wait!¡± After shouting, she left without hesitation. Her assistant was still apologizing to the staff. Seeing this, he could only follow hurriedly. Zhu Fei, who had returned to her car, was even angrier. Seeing that her white dress and red high heels were stained with ¡°black mud¡±, she was so angry that she took off her high heels and threw them straight ahead. The assistant who was hit by her didn¡¯t dare to make a sound. Just now, when Zhu Fei was broadcasting, she accidentally bumped into a farm researcher and a few baskets of gray eggs dirtied her new high-end white dress and shoes. If he angered her now, he would probably lose his job. ¡°Cancel all endorsements related to the interstellar farm,¡± Zhu Fei said as she crossed her arms. ¡°Huh? That¡¯s not a good idea. Sister Zhu, the interstellar farm is the business of the capital planet. I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll offend the people on the capital planet.¡± The assistant couldn¡¯t believe it. However, Zhu Fei kicked the back of his chair and said angrily, ¡°Without my endorsement back then, would they have been able to go to the capital planet? Without me, they would still be called the Venus Old Farm, not the interstellar farm!¡± Since she could put them on a pedestal, she could also make them fall from grace! Now, she wanted the people from the interstellar farm to see what the consequences of offending her were! ¡°But the interstellar farm is different from before.¡± The assistant still wanted to dissuade her. Zhu Fei said, ¡°Do you not want your job anymore?¡± The assistant clenched Zhu Fei¡¯s high heels and replied, ¡°I¡¯ll submit the application to the company now.¡± At this moment, Zhu Fei sat back in her seat in satisfaction, but the ruthlessness in her eyes had yet to fade. She bit her nails. The more she looked at Liao Ning, the more she disliked her. She had to think of a way to destroy her. As the assistant looked at Zhu Fei through the rearview mirror, he couldn¡¯t help but sigh. It was better for him to find a job as soon as possible. He was on tenterhooks every day now. Chapter 35 Pine Eggs ¡°Boohoo, my eggs! How can Mommy live without you guys?!¡± In the farm, a woman in a researcher¡¯s outfit hugged a gray egg as she cried her heart out. Her eyelashes were long, and she had a round nose and cute lips. Her brown hair was curly and fluffy. She was adorable to begin with, and when she cried, she was even more so. When her colleagues saw her acting like this, they began to feel at a loss. After Liao Ning asked around, she found out that the girl¡¯s name was Li Li, and she was a researcher in the farm¡¯s ancient pastoral district. The egg in Li Li¡¯s hand was rumored to be called a pine egg, one of the ancient delicacies on Earth. It was the result of Li Li¡¯s three years of research. This was originally her graduation research assignment. As long as she successfully sold a basket to the people on the farm, she would pass. However, not only had her pine eggs never been sold, but they would also be accidentally destroyed every time. Today was the deadline her mentor had given her. Now that the goods had been damaged by Zhu Fei, she could no longer maintain her usual gentle demeanor and had a mental breakdown. ¡°Senior Brother, do you know? I was afraid that it would be destroyed, so I specially prepared five baskets! Five baskets! Now, they¡¯re all broken!¡± Seeing that someone had come to comfort her, Li Li hugged the other party¡¯s thigh as she cried. ¡°Calm down first.¡± Gao Yuan handed over a tissue helplessly. Liao Ning saw that Gao Yuan was struggling not to smile. The man acted gentle, but deep down, he was probably overjoyed. ¡°Senior, please help me. I really don¡¯t want to fail like this.¡± Li Li sobbed. ¡°I want to help you too, but what can I do? I¡¯ll send you more samples when I get back.¡± Gao Yuan squatted down and comforted her. ¡°It¡¯s too late.¡± Li Li said in despair, ¡°I don¡¯t have any other samples.¡± ¡°Senior, your food is the best. Just use the pine eggs to make a dish and sell it, okay?¡± Li Li begged. Gao Yuan was amused. ¡°Previously, I asked you to give me these eggs to cook, but you were unwilling to. Now that you need help, you¡¯re thinking about me. If you want me to cook them now, I can¡¯t guarantee that they¡¯ll be delicious.¡± ¡°Boohoo, forget it. My eggs!¡± Li Li continued to cry. Gao Yuan crossed his arms and shook his head helplessly. At this moment, Liao Ning walked over and picked up one of the broken pine eggs. After she sized it up, she said, ¡°You want to cook these eggs? I might be able to give it a try.¡± ¡°What?¡± Li Li stopped crying. ¡°Will it be tasty?¡± ¡°That depends on your pine eggs,¡± Liao Ning said confidently. Li Li quickly got up and wiped her tears as she said in a hoarse voice, ¡°There¡¯s definitely no problem with the pine eggs. They¡¯ve been modified and tested! It¡¯s just that they haven¡¯t been sold yet.¡± ¡°Alright, watch me.¡± Liao Ning looked at the baskets of pine eggs. Some of them were cracked, but were still edible. Gao Yuan raised his eyebrows when he saw this. If he had known earlier, he definitely would have cooked it. Now, the opportunity had been snatched by the woman in front of him. Gao Yuan looked at Liao Ning and sighed. Then, he felt that Liao Ning looked familiar. Wasn¡¯t this the new streamer: My Child Is The Best!? Gao Yuan was surprised. Due to the rise of ancient food culture, as the main selling ground for food raw materials, the interstellar farm had its own staff kitchen. After Liao Ning entered, she opened the shell and washed it. She heated the knife with hot water before starting to cut it. Seeing that Liao Ning was scalding the knife, Gao Yuan couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°What kind of technique is this? Can¡¯t we just cut it directly?¡± ¡°I boiled it with boiling water so that the knife wouldn¡¯t touch the egg liquid,¡± Liao Ning explained as she placed the sliced pine eggs on the plate. ¡°You plan to steam it?¡± Gao Yuan picked up the plate to help, but Liao Ning stopped him. ¡°No, it¡¯ll be a cold dish,¡± Liao Ning said. Gao Yuan froze. Could this thing really be eaten raw? While he was feeling surprised, Liao Ning had already prepared the ingredients for the cold pine egg and drenched it. A sour and spicy smell immediately attracted everyone¡¯s attention. Liao Ning asked the staff for another handful of coriander and sprinkled it on it. Gao Yuan held the plate without moving until Liao Ning looked at him expectantly and said, ¡°How about you try it?¡± Gao Yuan was silent. To be honest, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to eat it. There were so many bacteria in this unfamiliar food. Li Li didn¡¯t mind and tasted a piece first. Instantly, her eyes glazed and she froze on the spot. Chapter 36 Livestream The pine egg was cold and tender. The sour and spicy soup covered the smell of the egg and stimulated her taste buds. The sticky pine egg yolk felt slightly sandy and tickled the tip of her tongue. After she swallowed it, all the cells in her body began to clamor for another piece. Li Li was stunned. Was this really the result of three years of research? She grabbed Liao Ning¡¯s hand excitedly. ¡°How did you do it?! This is too delicious!¡± Li Li¡¯s reaction made the others exchange looks and feel eager to give it a try. After they tried it, they realized that it tasted amazing. ¡°This is too appetizing. I want another piece.¡± Someone wanted more even though tears were coming out of his eyes from the spiciness. Was it really that delicious? Gao Yuan swallowed hard. The black and transparent pine eggs suddenly seemed very tempting under the embellishment of the red chili. Perhaps he should try it? Gao Yuan was about to reach out when the last piece was snatched away. Someone even picked up the plate and finished the soup before putting the empty plate back in his hand. That person smiled awkwardly as he said, ¡°Senior Brother, I know you don¡¯t like to eat raw food, so I ate it for you.¡± Gao Yuan said, ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°This tastes amazing. I want more.¡± Li Li looked at the empty plate as she held back tears of gratitude. Her three years of hard work were worth it, but she still wanted to graduate and eat her graduation results! She might as well ask for the formula and make it herself next time. ¡°Can I ask you for your recipe?¡± Li Li asked softly. She wanted to know, but she was afraid that Liao Ning would reject her. After all, this was a very good business opportunity! Liao Ning displayed the ingredients on the counter as she said, ¡°I use these ingredients. They¡¯re all your produce.¡± Green pepper, red pepper, ginger and garlic, white sugar, vinegar, and salt were all very common ingredients. Liao Ning was a little worried that they didn¡¯t understand, so she demonstrated it to them again and taught them the ratio of the ingredients. After a plate of cold pine eggs was served, they were quickly devoured by the farm¡¯s employees. ¡°I¡¯ve decided. We¡¯ll sell our pine eggs starting from today!¡± Li Li decided. She looked at Gao Yuan, who was still licking his tongue, and pressed her palms together. ¡°Senior Brother, please help!¡± Outside the ancient farm, a Maine Coon with thick fur and a cocky look was forced to make a Maneki-Neko gesture at the counter. On the other side, Li Li and a group of farm employees had set up a stall. ¡°Don¡¯t miss out on fresh and improved pine eggs. Eat more non-toxic and nutritious eggs for healthy benefits. You can even try them for free!¡± [Haha, has Gao Yuan been captured by the farm to do hard labor again?] [At first glance, Gao Yuan¡¯s fur has become much darker. He¡¯s so dark that it¡¯s hard to see his features clearly.] [He¡¯s as dark as the poultry eggs on the table.] Gao Yuan, who had turned into a Maine Coon, said, ¡°I¡¯m devoting myself to scientific research. I¡¯m very sad to hear you guys say that.¡± [Come and cry in my arms.] ¡°Heh, in your dreams. If you want to compensate me, come and try the cold pine eggs. You can¡¯t miss out on my junior sister¡¯s three years of research and top-notch cooking!¡± Gao Yuan¡¯s cat lips curled up slightly in a domineering smile. [Ah! Today is another day of being conquered by Gao Yuan¡¯s handsome looks.] [Don¡¯t you dislike eating raw food? Why did you eat cold food today?] [Who¡¯s the girl next door? Please leave her contact details.] [The girl looks so familiar.] [Isn¡¯t that the girl from ¡®My Child Is The Best¡¯?] [Immortal connection!] [She¡¯s the top chef you¡¯re talking about?] [I¡¯ll place an order for this pine egg.] [I want her to teach us how to cook this dish.] [Call her over quickly!] ¡­ As Gao Yuan looked at the comment section and the increasing number of people watching the live-stream, he was stunned for a moment and couldn¡¯t help but wonder if the people present were still his fans. Gao Yuan called Liao Ning in front of the camera. ¡°Hello, everyone.¡± As soon as Liao Ning greeted them, the comments section was in an uproar. [It¡¯s Liao Ning! It¡¯s really Liao Ning!] [Please turn off the filter. I¡¯m going to be blinded by her beauty again.] [Please teach me how to make cold century eggs.] ¡°Alright, it¡¯s very simple, but you have to record it. Otherwise, it¡¯ll be difficult to make pine eggs,¡± Liao Ning said with a smile. Liao Ning had blue eyes that were as bright as gemstones and a smile. He looked very approachable. [I¡¯m already out of praise for her.] [So the reason pine eggs are famous is that their white patterns look like snowflakes.] Chapter 37 Interstellar Farm Endorsement [This sour and spicy taste is simply unheard of. I want to buy ten baskets so that I can eat them every day!] [Ancient people were really wise.] [Shout out to the staff of the ancient interstellar farm.] ¡­ Not only the pine eggs, but even the green peppers, red peppers, and other materials on the farm were bought by the interstellar netizens in large quantities. The live broadcast sales were not inferior to the sales from the previous interstellar farm endorsement. The old farm owner, who had been secretly observing, stroked his beard with mixed emotions in his eyes. Finally, he nodded solemnly. ¡°She¡¯ll do.¡± When it was almost dark, Liao Ning prepared to return to the hotel with the free ingredients. Her trip today was a huge harvest. Because of today¡¯s live broadcast, she got free ingredients that could last her two months, which saved her another sum of money. Just as Liao Ning was about to leave happily, Li Li and Gao Yuan stopped her. ¡°Ms. Liao, I wonder if it¡¯s convenient for you to meet the owner of the interstellar farm now?¡± Song He, the owner of the interstellar farm, was one of the richest people on the capital planet. Liao Ning¡¯s eyes lit up when she heard that. ¡°Of course.¡± Seeing this, Gao Yuan and Li Li revealed happy looks. In the huge office, an old man with white hair and a beard was sitting on the sofa. When he saw Liao Ning, he stood up happily to welcome her. Liao Ning quickly went forward and said, ¡°Please sit down first.¡± ¡°What a sensible girl.¡± Song He smiled. ¡°No wonder Lin Song specifically issued a shout-out to thank you.¡± Lin Song was the director of the Star Federation Research Institute. As one of the experimental bases of the Star Federation Research Institute, the director often interacted with the people from the research institute. He and Lin Song were familiar with each other. When the two of them were free, they would even ask each other out for tea. Gao Yuan and Li Li were also Lin Song¡¯s favorite students. ¡°You flatter me. If not for the gratitude letter from the research institute and the outstanding farm produce, I wouldn¡¯t have my current achievements,¡± Liao Ning said humbly. When Song He heard this, he clapped his hands in surprise. He was even more certain that the person he was looking for was Liao Ning! ¡°You still have a nephew waiting to come home, so I¡¯ll make it short.¡± Song He said energetically, ¡°We want you to be the spokesperson of our interstellar farm. We¡¯ll pay 7.65 million interstellar coins for the endorsement fee. Is that appropriate? Of course, if you agree, our farm will also provide you with ingredients for free.¡± When Liao Ning heard this, she couldn¡¯t help but want to scratch her ears. Did she mishear him? How many system missions would she have to do to get 7.6 million interstellar coins? Moreover, the farm would provide her with ingredients for free. She was going to be rich! [Ding! System prompt: Agreeing to the endorsement of the interstellar farm will trigger the hidden mission. Mission reward: 50 system points, 300,000 interstellar coins. Completion of the hidden mission reward: 1,000 system points, 1,000,000 interstellar coins, unraveling the mystery of Liao Ning¡¯s background.] Hidden mission! Before Liao Ning transmigrated, she had heard that the probability of triggering a hidden mission was 2%, and the reward for completing the mission was generous. It seemed that she was really going to be rich today! Liao Ning took a deep breath and immediately smiled. ¡°Sir, I¡¯d like to accept this endorsement!¡± At this moment, in the high-end villa where Zhu Fei was. Zhu Fei was still waiting for the people from the interstellar farm to apologize to her. Unexpectedly, what awaited her first was the termination contract. She threw the contract at her assistant¡¯s head. ¡°Who asked you to really terminate the contract?!¡± The assistant stood rooted to the ground without daring to move. Seeing this, Zhu Fei became even angrier. ¡°Who are you pretending to be aggrieved for? If you don¡¯t like my attitude, get lost!¡± She grabbed a handful of her hair in anger. At this moment, someone else came to communicate. ¡°Who is it?!¡± Zhu Fei roared angrily. The assistant glanced at the artificial intelligence system. ¡°Yu Ni.¡± ¡°Why is she looking for me? To laugh at me?¡± Zhu Fei said. ¡°You don¡¯t want to take the call?¡± the assistant asked. Zhu Fei waved her hand. She knew a thing or two about Yu Ni¡¯s personality. That girl looked subservient on the surface, but she had the most ideas. Could it be that she was calling to suck up to her again? She immediately picked up Yu Ni¡¯s call. Unexpectedly, Yu Ni was no longer her usual subservient self and sneered at her. ¡°I¡¯m really surprised that you dare to answer my call.¡± ¡°Yu Ni, I advise you to be more respectful. I¡¯m your senior.¡± Zhu Fei frowned. Chapter 38 Live Stream Assistant Yu Ni lowered her head and chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re still acting like a senior at a time like this? Only those with high popularity have the right to be called a senior. Didn¡¯t you teach me this?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Zhu Fei¡¯s words became cautious. ¡°When did you become so uninformed?¡± Yu Ni looked at her manicure calmly as she said, ¡°Don¡¯t you know that the endorsement was snatched by Liao Ning?¡± Zhu Fei¡¯s expression instantly became distorted. Liao Ning was probably very smug now. ¡°So what if she snatched it? It¡¯s something I don¡¯t want.¡± Zhu Fei said disdainfully. Yu Ni said, ¡°Is that so? Then let¡¯s wait and see. Don¡¯t become my junior in the future.¡± ¡°You!¡± Zhu Fei was enraged by Yu Ni¡¯s provocation. Just as she was about to say something, Yu Ni closed the communication first. ¡°Well then!¡± Zhu Fei gritted her teeth. She wanted to see who would have the last laugh! At this moment, in the hotel where Liao Ning was. [System prompt: Congratulations to the host for triggering the hidden mission of the character¡¯s identity¡ªResearch on delicacies is endless, and there is more than just the sea at the end of the mountain. Host, please obtain first place in the Interstellar Food Competition. Mission prompt: This mission is related to information about the Host¡¯s character. More related missions will be unlocked in the future. Now, the trigger reward has been sent to the host. Please check.] This was exactly what she wanted. When Liao Ning heard the mechanical sound of the system, she was filled with motivation. It had been a long time since she felt the sort of challenging ambition she had felt during the apocalypse. The next day, she received another communication from the interstellar farm. ¡°Hello, Miss Liao. I¡¯m Jin Xiang, the streamer¡¯s assistant sent by the interstellar farm.¡± In front of the holographic projection, a graceful woman in business attire appeared. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Liao Ning. Nice to meet you!¡± Jin Xiang was shocked when she saw Liao Ning on the screen. Liao Ning looked different from when she was live-streaming. Now, she looked tougher and her originally delicate face looked more gallant. She gave off a confident vibe. Jin Xiang was very satisfied with the streamer she had chosen. If she worked with Liao Ning, her thesis and her family¡¯s revival would be possible. Actually, the reason Jin Xiang was obsessed with studying ancient food culture was mainly because of her family. She had heard that when her ancestors were on Earth, they were famous in the gourmet world. Later on, due to war and various other factors, the family¡¯s recipes were lost over time. There were no longer any people in the Jin family who could cook, but they continued to pursue the sensory pleasure of the first generation of humans. Her family¡¯s original intention of wanting delicious food to benefit the people remained unchanged, and her family¡¯s philosophy was her belief. She hoped that more people would understand the charm of food and prevent it from becoming a tool for businessmen to profit. Jin Xiang looked at Liao Ning with a solemn expression as she said, ¡°I believe you¡¯ve heard of the reward system of the food competition. The top three contestants can obtain the capital¡¯s residence permit. However, the competition actually hides a rule from all of you¡ªthe capital¡¯s residence permit isn¡¯t permanent, but for two years. If the host¡¯s income doesn¡¯t meet the standard in the capital two years later, one will also face the situation of the residence permit being canceled. Zhu Fei is an example.¡± A temporary residence permit in the interstellar capital was indeed easier to obtain than a permanent residence permit. Zhu Fei was once ranked at the top in the food competition. She thought that as long as she got first place, she could settle down in the capital. However, because her income didn¡¯t meet the standards, she was eliminated from the capital planet. In order to return to the capital planet to enjoy a rich life, she participated in the food competition again. The competition¡¯s organizers did this to attract attention and benefit themselves. What happened to the streamers afterwards had nothing to do with them. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Liao Ning probed. ¡°I hope that you can become the next interstellar food promoter as our spokesperson. In exchange, we will help you get a permanent residence permit in the interstellar capital and help you with your live-stream. You have to win the championship at this food conference and continue to promote good food to the people,¡± Jin Xiang said. With that, she explained, ¡°We think gourmet food should benefit the people instead of just being a form of profit for the competition. Please take a look at this contract.¡± Jin Xiang sent the drafted electronic contract to Liao Ning. After Liao Ning confirmed it, she looked up and met Jin Xiang¡¯s expectant expression. ¡°No problem. I wish us a happy cooperation.¡± Liao Ning extended her hand to the holographic silver screen. Chapter 39 Sweet and Sour Guru ¡°I wish us a happy cooperation,¡± Jin Xiang said. Just like that, a cooperation that spanned hundreds of billions of light-years was reached. ¡°Hello, viewers of the live-stream. I¡¯m the food streamer ¡®My Child Is The Best¡¯. The food I brought for everyone today is¡ªsweet and sour guru.¡± [Sweet and sour guru?] [The name of this dish is so cute. It¡¯s made from guru?] [Gurus are so cute. How can I bear to eat it?] [My tears flowed out of my mouth.] Guru was said to be a furry ferocious beast that lived on Planet Mu 007. It often deceived humans with its cute appearance. When Liao Ning saw the netizens¡¯ teasing comments, she couldn¡¯t help but laugh. ¡°We¡¯re not using the meat of the guru today, but the Guhai Beast. This kind of meat is sold in interstellar farms.¡± [Guhai Beasts are also sold in interstellar farms?] [Hahaha, I used to think that interstellar farms always did useless research. Now that I¡¯ve met you, my thoughts have changed.] [To be honest, the person ranked first place also uses interstellar farm¡¯s food as ingredients, but her dishes don¡¯t look as appetizing as Liao Ning¡¯s.] [I¡¯m looking forward to it.] ¡°The main ingredients I used for today are Guhai Beast, flour, poultry eggs, pineapple, green pepper, rice vinegar, ketchup, and oil and salt. I¡¯ll cut the meat into pieces first, then marinate it with a spoonful of salt for 20 minutes.¡± With that, Liao Ning cut the meat into thick pieces. [Why did you cut it so thick?] [Does anyone here know how to cut thin slices?] [No, hahaha.] At this moment, after Liao Ning wrapped the sliced meat in the poultry egg batter, she wrapped it in a layer of flour and compacted it. ¡°This place is more compact, so the flour won¡¯t dissipate that easily when you add it into the oil pot later. Remember to add them one by one so that they won¡¯t stick together.¡± [Add it into the oil pot?] [Now, it¡¯s time for Liao Ning¡¯s ultimate technique to be displayed.] [Now, I understand why this dish is called sweet and sour guru. The oil pot is making a bubbling sound.] ¡°Congratulations, you guessed wrong.¡± Liao Ning¡¯s expression suddenly turned cold. [Liao Ning has so many expressions.] [I don¡¯t care. I interpret it that way.] Liao Ning held back her laughter. Her fans were quite close to her. There were no objections to the change in Liao Ning¡¯s expression. ¡°Scoop up the strips of meat that have been fried until they¡¯re golden and turn on the heat. When the oil is warm, we¡¯ll fry them again. This way, the outer skin of the meat will taste crispier. After frying them, put them aside for backup.¡± As Liao Ning spoke, she reminded everyone, ¡°Everyone, be careful. The temperature of the oil is very high, so if you accidentally knock it over, you¡¯ll burn your skin. Without water on the meat, the oil won¡¯t spill easily. Everyone, be careful.¡± [Can I take it that you¡¯re concerned about my health?] [How kind.] [This is the first time I¡¯ve heard of meat being cooked that way.] [Can it be eaten like this?] ¡°It¡¯s edible, but I¡¯m going to stir-fry it with some other ingredients so it¡¯ll taste better.¡± As Liao Ning spoke, she started pouring in oil again. ¡°Now, let¡¯s put in ketchup. If you have a sweet tooth, you can add white sugar before stir-frying them evenly. Then, add the sliced green pepper and pineapple to stir-fry them. Finally, add the fried meat.¡± As the ingredients in the pot rolled, white smoke rose. The tomato juice gradually thickened after the white sugar melted and stuck to the meat strips evenly. This scene made the audience in front of the screen drool. Only then did Liao Ning say the meaning of the name. ¡°The reason the ancients called it sweet and sour guru is that people drooled whenever they saw this dish.¡± [Can you see us?] [This is how I look in front of the screen.] [Look who¡¯s at the door.] [It¡¯s the cub! Long time no see.] [Did the cub come over after smelling it?] At this moment, Liao Nai and the white cat were peeking through the door. When they were discovered, Liao Nai blushed. His forehead was still covered in sweat, so it was obvious that he had just finished training. As Liao Nai looked at his aunt, he tugged at the corner of his shirt and was about to say that he wasn¡¯t slacking off on training. Liao Ning said to him, ¡°You came just in time. Wash your hands and eat.¡± Chapter 40 Entering the Rankings [Come and sit down for dinner.] [I haven¡¯t seen them eating together in a long time.] [After seeing this scene, I want to go home and eat with my parents too.] [I¡¯ve learned how to cook this dish, so I¡¯ll start cooking now.] [What has the cub been doing recently?] ¡°I¡¯ve been training recently. When I become stronger in the future, I¡¯ll protect my aunt.¡±After Liao Nai washed his hands with Liao Ning¡¯s help, he immediately raised his hand when he saw the comments. [The cub is so cute!] [Don¡¯t move. I wanna take a screenshot now.] [Where¡¯s the white cat? Why haven¡¯t I seen it recently?] Zhou Ling, who was at the door, was shocked and quickly hid. He was still angry, so he was ignoring that woman. Zhou Ling wasn¡¯t sure why he was angry, but he was upset by the smell of another cat on Liao Ning yesterday. Liao Ning was amused when she saw the white cat¡¯s appearance. After she placed some sweet and sour guru under the sofa where the white cat was hiding, she returned to the live-stream. Liao Ning left? Zhou Ling looked around warily to make sure no one was around before daring to come out. He had to eat. Only then would he have the strength to continue to sulk. Just as he stuck his head out, a shadow pounced on him. Zhou Ling instantly lost his temper. ¡°I caught you.¡± Liao Ning lifted the white cat. [Congratulations to the host for getting another point!] [I¡¯ve recorded the kitten¡¯s gluttonous appearance.] [Host, is your cat also a human? Why does it look so similar to the senior from yesterday?] [But this cat is better-looking than Gao Yuan.] [Agreed.] [So, why did Little White suddenly become so afraid of the host?] [Could it be that the cat is angry that the host was with Gao Yuan yesterday?] ¡°Meow!¡± Zhou Ling denied it when he saw the content of the comments section. [Cats are also very loyal to their owners. Host, you have to put on perfume when you pet other cats in the future.] [I suggest that you use xx-brand catmint. Little White will definitely be very clingy to you after you use it.] ¡°Thank you for the recommendation,¡± Liao Ning thanked them and reached out for the white cat to sniff. The fragrance of roses instantly entered the white cat¡¯s nose. Its eyes widened. If not for the fur covering it, one would be able to see its ears blushing. How shameless was this woman?! But yesterday¡¯s scent was no longer there. Forget it, he would forgive her. ¡°The white cat rubbed Liao Ning¡¯s hand gently to show its forgiveness. [The misunderstanding has been resolved and everyone is happy.] [Hurry up and try the dishes. It would be a pity if the dishes turned cold.] [Sweet and sour guru, here I come~] Liao Ning scooped rice for Liao Nai and the white cat. The crispy meat strips tasted smooth and refreshing with the ketchup. When one bit into them, they tasted sour and sweet. As Liao Nai ate the pear, the sour taste made her narrow her eyes and she ate the rice in big mouthfuls. The sweet and sour sauce was sticky on the soft rice and stimulated one¡¯s taste buds. [It¡¯s delicious!] [I¡¯m already tired of praising it. But other than delicious, I actually don¡¯t have any other words to describe it.] [You don¡¯t have to envy me. My girlfriend has already made it for me.] [The commentor above is so sinful!] [I don¡¯t remember any nutritional fluids anymore.] [The food ingredients of the interstellar farm are indeed better than those of other farms.] [Host, do you have a link? I want to place an order now.] [By the way, aren¡¯t you also participating in the Interstellar Meeting? Aren¡¯t you afraid that other streamers will copy you if you make the finished product so early?] ¡°No, delicious food belongs to everyone.¡± Liao Ning bit her chopsticks and said, ¡°Besides, they can¡¯t copy it.¡± The audience in the comments section was surprised. [How can one not love someone like her? I¡¯m gonna be her fan!] [Me too.] [I¡¯ve followed your account. I¡¯m looking forward to your next dish.] [The host is so arrogant.] Most people felt that Liao Ning was being too arrogant. But soon, Liao Ning proved them wrong with her actions. In three days, she made nearly ten meat dishes. She even made fruits and vegetables taste like meat. For a moment, the online food media outlets reported, ¡°The host boasts that other people aren¡¯t able to copy her dishes.¡± #The pioneer that spreads ancient cultural delicacies¡ªthe streamer ¡®My Child Is The Best¡¯. #Explore the charm of ancient culture through food first. Promotions about Liao Ning¡¯s ancient cultural delicacies appeared on the interstellar government¡¯s official website. On the last day the competition¡¯s results came out, Liao Nai ran to Liao Ning excitedly and raised his smartphone. ¡°Aunt, you¡¯re at the top of the rankings!¡± Chapter 41 - Chapter 41: Mystery of the Past Chapter 41: Mystery of the Past Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations [Ding¡ªI System Notification: Congratulations to the host for completing the top score mission in the Interstellar Food Competition. The mission reward has now been issued. Host, please check.] The system notification sounded in Liao Ning¡¯s mind. Then, a blue shield-shaped medal appeared in her hand. Was this information about the original owner¡¯s identity? Liao Ning looked at the image of the cat wrapped in rose vines on the medal. It was noble and elegant. The white cat¡¯s heart sank when it saw the Liao family¡¯s aunt and niece suddenly fall silent amidst the celebration. After he jumped onto the back of the sofa, he observed Liao Ning carefully. ¡°Aunt, aren¡¯t you happy?¡± Liao Nai, who was about to hold up the Al screen, froze. When he saw that Liao Ning was frowning as she held a medal, he couldn¡¯t help but take back his Al and climb onto the sofa to check. When he saw the design of the medal clearly, a trace of surprise flashed across his eyes. ¡°Aunt, where did this medal come from?¡± ¡°Xiaonai, do you recognize this medal?¡± Liao Ning looked back at Liao Nai. Liao Nai nodded. He had seen the emblem in his father¡¯s study before. Because he thought it looked nice, he used the Al to research it. ¡°This is the emblem of the Su family, one of the five major families in the interstellar space, ¡± Liao Nai said. When Liao Ning heard that it was the Su family, she searched the Host¡¯s memories. The Su family was a famous musical family in the interstellar space. The original host was lucky enough to listen to their performances when she was a student. The feeling when the original host heard that performance was still fresh in Liao Ning¡¯s mind. The melodious and long tune seemed to envelop the entire world in serenity. All the frustration in her heart disappeared at that moment. Only when Liao Ning recalled it did she realize that the original host would occasionally have chest tightness and headaches. However, ever since she possessed this body, she had never felt such things. Liao Ning couldn¡¯t help but find it strange. At this moment, the Al suddenly sent out a message. Liao Ning only needed to divert her attention slightly before the Al automatically sent out relevant information¡ª Important news: A famous musician, Mr. Su, had a mental breakdown during a performance in the capital planet. The venue was in a mess. There were pictures of the remnants of musical instruments scattered on the ground and a blood-stained piano. The scene was very shocking. Liao Nai, who had also received the Al¡¯s recommendation, frowned. Seeing that the information report was related to the Su family, Liao Ning finished reading the entire article. At this moment, she suddenly realized the horror of mental disorders. In the photo, the man had excellent looks and temperament. It was said that he usually spoke gently and softly, but he became ferocious after the outburst. The huge music venue was ruined by him. Moreover, Liao Ning had also checked the information about mental disorders. It was a common problem that almost every new human had. If it wasn¡¯t treated, the potential mental strength in everyone¡¯s bodies would go out of control. In serious cases, they would even kill people. After understanding this, Liao Ning looked at Liao Nai worriedly. ¡°Xiaonai, have you felt uncomfortable recently? For example, do you feel any chest tightness or get headaches?¡± Liao Nai looked up at Liao Ning and shook his head. ¡°No, Aunt.¡± As he spoke, Liao Nai remembered that he had not drunk the Mental Adjustment Potion for a long time. Ever since he followed Liao Ning, he rarely had headache, which was an early stage sign of a mental disorder. At this moment, Zhou Ling also bent down to peek at Liao Nai¡¯s Al screen. When he saw the words ¡°mental disorder¡± on it, he realized something. After he came to Liao Ning, he no longer felt as frustrated as before. However, he had not taken any mental adjustment drugs recently. Liao Ning had prepared all his food and beverages. Could it be that Liao Ning¡¯s delicacies had the effect of regulating mental strength? ¡°To be safe, let¡¯s go see a psychiatrist tomorrow, ¡± Liao Ning said. She didn¡¯t turn around, so she didn¡¯t notice the complicated look in Zhou Ling¡¯s eyes. After reading the information, Liao Nai was heavy-hearted as he nodded solemnly. ¡°I¡¯ll listen to you, Aunt.¡± At the same time, the interstellar network was also discussing the accident on the capital planet. [It¡¯s really a pity that the dignified music prince ruined his own performance Fortunately, no one was injured.] [Speaking of which, if not for this news, I would have forgotten about the matter of mental disorders..] Chapter 42 - Chapter 42: Planet Mu’s Invitation Chapter 42: Planet Mu¡¯s Invitation Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations [Mental disorders are very harmful to society. How can anyone forget it?] [I agree with the person above. My profession often requires a high level of focus, so it¡¯s common for me to forget to drink potions when I¡¯m busy with work. In the past, my forgetfulness even caused a lot of trouble. However, there don¡¯t seem to be any signs of a mental breakdown these few days. My boss even praised me for my improvement. I almost forgot that I¡¯m a high-risk person.] [Really? @Previous poster, what kind of medicine have you been drinking recently? It¡¯s that amazing?!] [@Previous poster, I haven¡¯t been drinking medicine recently. Moreover, my girlfriend has been sending me ancient delicacies recently, so I haven¡¯t even taken nutritional supplements.] [This PDA caught me off guard.] [Haha, don¡¯t say that. Ever since I learned how to cook ancient delicacies, I haven¡¯t drunk nutritional supplements for a while. Recently, I haven¡¯t felt any discomfort at all.] [Could it be that ancient delicacies have the effect of regulating mental strength?] [Your reactions are too slow. This is clearly the effect of ancient delicacies! Ever since my family started making ancient delicacies, my entire family hasn¡¯t gone crazv even once. We saved so much monev! I [@Previous poster, from what you¡¯re saying, you¡¯re very experienced?] [I¡¯m here to reply. You guys can give it a try. There¡¯s a popular streamer called ¡®My Child Is The Best¡¯. The streamer¡¯s ancient delicacies are simple, easy to learn, and delicious.] [Thank you. I¡¯ll try it now!] The responses were quickly pushed to the front of the hot comments in the news and information section, making it seem incongruous with other comments about the high price of the Resistance Adjustment Medicine. At this moment, Liao Ning had already forgotten about this piece of information, so she naturally didn¡¯t know the situation in the comments section below. Nowadays, the only way for people to obtain Mental Adjustment Potions was to buy them. However, the Wei family, one of the five major families in the interstellar space, had monopolized the market for mental medicine long before the interstellar space was unified. Even if the interstellar space government interfered with the economy now, they couldn¡¯t snatch the mental medicine market from the Wei family. As time passed, in order to make money, the Wei family had long violated the original intention of their ancestors, which was to make medicine for the benefit of the people in the interstellar space. They increased the price of the Mental Adjustment Potion. With the high price of the potion, it was no longer something an interstellar space civilian family could afford. When Liao Ning sent Liao Nai for a checkup, she also did a mental checkup for herself just in case. From checking in to paying for the medicine, it cost a total of more than 10,000 interstellar coins. As Liao Ning looked at the bill. she was speechless. According to the original host¡¯s memory, this wasn¡¯t the previous price at all. A passerby leaned closer to look at the medicine list on her holographic screen and laughed. ¡°Your fee is considered low. Fortunately, your and your child¡¯s mental strength are very stable, so you don¡¯t have to buy other mental potions. Otherwise, it would cost more than this.¡± One inspection cost so many interstellar coins. How could this be considered IOW? As Liao Ning was feeling surprised, the passerby almost laughed out loud as he pulled up the holographic screen of his receipt. The final cost was simply astronomical. Liao Ning¡¯s fees were indeed low in comparison. ¡°Fortunately, my work department reimbursed me. Otherwise, my monthly salary would be gone.¡± The passerby sighed and said with a smile, ¡°I¡¯m much better off than my old friend. He¡¯s trending on the interstellar internet because of his mental breakdown.¡± Upon hearing this, Liao Ning sized up the man in front of her. His skin was tan, he had thick lips, a round nose, and amber eyes. Even though he was a little burly, the beige turtleneck made him look very approachable. ¡°He Yuan?¡± Liao Ning was pleasantly surprised when she saw the man¡¯s face. The person in front of her was an old friend the original host knew from Planet Mu 007, He Yuan. When He Yuan came to the hospital for a checkup, he saw Liao Nings familiar figure from afar. At first, he wasn¡¯t sure, but now that he was closer, he was sure of Liao Ning¡¯s identity, so he smiled and said, ¡®We haven¡¯t seen each other for a long time. I heard that you¡¯re traveling around the world. When are you going back to Planet Mu?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll definitely go back and take a look when I have the chance,¡± Liao Ning said. Mu Chen 007 was the place where the original host lived. The desert and forest scenery there were famous tourist spots in the interstellar space, so Liao Ning also planned to bring Liao Nai there to take a look. Even if the original host had some bad memories there.. Chapter 43 - Chapter 43: Invasion Chapter 43: Invasion Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations However, Liao Ning didn¡¯t intend to avoid facing it. ¡°Alright, then will you come to the concert? Father invited the eldest son of the Su family to play the piano this time,¡± He Yuan said in high spirits. He remembered that Liao Ning had mentioned that she liked the Su family¡¯s musical performances. Coincidentally, he and the eldest son of the Su family, Su MO, were former classmates, so he had many common topics to talk about with Liao Ning. ¡°Then I¡¯m really looking forward to this banquet,¡± Liao Ning said. When He Yuan heard the answer, he was stunned. Liao Ning wasn¡¯t as interested in music as the original host, but Planet Mu 007¡¯s annual banquet was indeed approaching. At that time, hunters from every village would hold a gathering in front of the church to thank the forest for bringing them a bumper harvest over the past year. It was a good festival. Liao Ning was a little tempted, but she still had the system¡¯s mission now, so she would probably have to miss this grand ceremony. At this moment, the system notification in her mind said: [There is a high probability of unlocking the hidden mission related to the original host¡¯s identity on Planet Mu 007. Host, please arrange the mission time reasonably.] Liao Ning was surprised. The system gave her such timely help! At this moment, Liao Nai tugged at the corner of Liao Ning¡¯s shirt and said, ¡°Aunt, will the banquet be lively?¡± ¡°Of course. On that day, all the hunters in the village will sit around the long table and eat heartily. Then, they¡¯ll sing and dance at the bonfire until dawn. It¡¯ll be the most festive day during the year,¡± Liao Ning explained. ¡°Then can I go?¡± Liao Nai looked up with anticipation in his eyes. Liao Ning said with a smile, ¡°Of course.¡± As the aunt and niece smiled at each other, He Yuan asked in surprise, ¡°Is this your nephew?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± ¡°Hello, sir!¡± Liao Nai greeted He Yuan obediently, but he grabbed Liao Ning¡¯s arm and hid behind her as he made a grimace. He wanted to snatch her away? No way! He Yuan couldn¡¯t help but laugh. Then, he patted Liao Nai¡¯s head as he praised, ¡°You look different than in the live-streams. You¡¯re even cuter than in the live-streams.¡± Liao Nai shrunk his head and blushed in shame when he saw He Yuan¡¯s smile. Could it be that he had really misunderstood this man¡¯s feelings for his aunt? ¡°Alright, I still have work to do, so I won¡¯t catch up with you guys anymore,¡± He Yuan said. When he looked at Liao Ning, his eyes were filled with sadness. He lowered his eyes slightly and said with a smile, ¡°Liao Ning, see you next time.¡± Liao Ning also sensed that something was wrong and felt an inexplicable sense of heartache, but she was very sure that it wasn¡¯t her feelings. ¡°See you next time.¡± Liao Ning said goodbye to He Yuan. After He Yuan waved at her, he turned to leave. After just a few days, they were separated forever. As Liao Ning looked at He Yuan¡¯s lonely back figure, she felt indignant for the original host again. If Cui Yin and Gu Lie hadn¡¯t done such a thing, the original plot wouldn¡¯t have been like this. Moreover, when she saw He Yuan today, she recalled her confrontation with Cui Yin not long ago. According to Cui Yin¡¯s strategy, did she really plan to assassinate the original host and obtain the inheritance? Liao Ning felt a little heavy-hearted. She felt that she still had to return to Planet Mu 007. She would see the arrangements for the competition first. After deciding, Liao Ning held Liao Nai¡¯s hand as they returned to the hotel. When they arrived at the lobby, they saw that many people had gathered in the front hall of the hotel, including a few streamers who had checked in at the same time as Liao Ning. ¡°We want the hotel manager to give us an explanation, not an automaton like you!¡± A man grabbed an android and cursed. ¡°Sister, you¡¯re finally back! Things were so scary just now!¡± When Yu Ni saw Liao Ning return, she immediately ran over from her seat and spoke to Liao Ning with tears in her eyes. Liao Ning frowned slightly. Liao Nai looked at Yu Ni unhappily. ¡°What happened?¡± Liao Ning sighed as she held Yu Ni¡¯s arm. Seeing that her cries were effective, Yu Ni said, ¡°Someone broke into the hotel just now. All the rooms from the tenth floor to the fifteenth floor were smashed.¡± Liao Ning was shocked. Wasn¡¯t the fifteenth floor of the hotel where she and Liao Nai were arranged to stay?! Little White was still in the room! Liao Ning sensed that something was wrong. After she helped Yu Ni back to her seat, she looked back at Liao Nai. Liao Nai nodded and immediately transformed into his beast form before walking towards the stairs with Liao Ning. ¡°Liao Ning, where are you going? It¡¯s dangerous up there!¡± Yu Ni cried out in shock.. Chapter 44 - Chapter 44: White Tiger Transformation Chapter 44: White Tiger Transformation Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations However, she had already said that it was dangerous upstairs, so they couldn¡¯t blame her if they insisted on going up and something bad happened. Yu Ni sat up straight and her expression turned cold. Looking in the direction where Liao Ning left, she spread her hands helplessly. ¡°They¡¯re probably not that stupid. ¡± Liao Ning and Liao Nai weren¡¯t sure what the purpose of this robbery was, so they didn¡¯t dare to take the elevator. As expected, before they could go up to the fifth floor, the ground of the hotel shook violently. Exclamations came from downstairs. Liao Nai stopped by the stairs and pricked up his ears slightly when he heard the commotion downstairs. ¡°Aunt, there¡¯s been an accident in the elevator!¡± Liao Nai turned around and said. Liao Ning¡¯s face turned pale. Then, she felt extremely glad that she didn¡¯t bring Liao Nai to take the elevator. Otherwise, both of them would have died if they fell from the 15th floor of this hotel. When the two of them arrived at the fifteenth floor of the hotel, the corridor was already in a mess. The ornamental fish tanks on both sides of the corridor were shattered, glass shards were scattered on the ground, and some people¡¯s luggage and clothes were thrown out. The doors of each room were open. ¡°Little White?¡± When Liao Ning arrived at her room, it had already been rummaged through and the kitchen utensils in the hall had been smashed. There was no sign of the little white cat at all. She and Liao Nai looked around but couldn¡¯t find the white cat. ¡°Aunt, did Little White jump out of the window?¡± Liao Nai looked at the floor-to-ceiling window in surprise. There was still some blood on it. After Liao Ning came back to her senses, she looked at the window in silence. How could the cat still be alive after jumping down from such a height¡­ ¡°Aunt.¡± Liao Nai walked beside Liao Ning. Although he didn¡¯t like the little white cat very much, he didn¡¯t hate it either. Today¡¯s situation wasn¡¯t something they could control. A sense of powerlessness instantly filled their hearts. Liao Ning crossed her arms and looked at the floor in silence. She shouldn¡¯t have left Little White alone in the room. At this moment, light footsteps came from outside the corridor. When he saw Liao Ning and Liao Nai¡¯s backs, the smile on his lips gradually widened. He secretly took out a cold blade and pointed it at Liao Nai¡¯s back. Sunlight instantly shone on the blade! Liao Ning realized that she couldn¡¯t dodge in time after she pushed Liao Nai away. ¡°Meow!¡± Liao Ning closed her eyes and prepared to suffer the pain of the dagger stabbing into her body. However, before she could feel the pain, she heard a cat roar. Then, there was a loud plop. A gust of wind shattered the remaining glass in the French window again. Liao Ning used her arm to block the wind and carefully opened her eyes. A snow-white tiger stood in front of them as it stepped on the bad person who had wanted to ambush them. Liao Ning¡¯s heart raced as she looked at the familiar figure. ¡°Little White?¡± Liao Nai asked on behalf of Liao Ning. The white tiger turned around and growled at Liao Ning, as if responding to Liao Ning. Then, he flicked his thick tail on the ground and he jumped up before turning back into a little white cat. It hung in the air as it moved its limbs in a frenzy before falling to the ground. ¡°Meow!¡± Zhou Ling was a little indignant. With his current mental strength, he couldn¡¯t even maintain his white tiger form for long. He was in such a sorry state. ¡°Pfft.¡± Just as Zhou Ling was feeling discouraged, his ears twitched and he suddenly heard laughter behind him. ¡°Meow meow meow!¡± Don¡¯t laugh! Zhou Ling¡¯s cat meow was drawn out. However, Liao Ning covered her mouth and held back her laughter until her stomach hurt. Liao Nai lowered his head and laughed. When the man who had been knocked to the ground saw this, he immediately felt that this was the best time for him to escape. He immediately supported himself with both hands, but he felt a sharp pain in his chest, making him feel weak and unable to get up. Liao Ning stood up and hugged Zhou Ling, who was about to lose his temper. ¡°Don¡¯t be angry, Little White. Thank you for saving me.¡± The white cat turned its head and closed its eyes to ignore her, but it didn¡¯t struggle. When Liao Ning saw this, she took the opportunity to comb his fur and the white cat opened its eyes in shock. After that, it simply let Liao Ning smooth his fur. ¡°Don¡¯t waste your energy. Your three ribs are already broken.¡± Upon hearing Liao Ning¡¯s words, the white cat opened its eyes again and looked at the man who was still struggling on the ground. How did this woman know that it had crushed that person¡¯s bones? The white cat rolled its round eyes in surprise. ¡°Hmph, do you think I¡¯ll tell you who the mastermind is?¡± The seriously injured man sneered. ¡°Meow!¡± Oh no, he wanted to take poison to commit suicide! The white cat was shocked.. Chapter 45 - Chapter 45: Zhu Fei ‘s Counterattack Chapter 45: Zhu Fei ¡®s Counterattack Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations However, Liao Ning was faster than him. She grabbed the man¡¯s face, pulled him up, and kicked his abdomen. ¡°Ugh!¡± The man groaned and spat out the poisonous pill in his mouth along with his stomach acid. Seeing this, Liao Ning threw him on the ground again. After injuring her two cubs, he wanted to die? Dream on! The white cat, who had jumped to the ground and stood up straight, couldn¡¯t help but feel a chill run down his spine when he saw the man fall. Liao Ning had seen many people who committed suicide to avoid punishment during the apocalypse. There were many methods to extort confessions. The man fell to the ground again and he felt pain all over his body, but he didn¡¯t faint. ¡°Just let me die!¡± The man¡¯s voice was hoarse. As soon as he finished speaking, he started coughing violently. The feeling of the shattered bones in his chest being squeezed by his muscles forced him to raise his head, causing his entire body to twitch in pain. ¡°Alright, tell me who sent you. Then, I¡¯ll help you call for help!¡± Liao Ning sneered as she placed the holographic call button in front of the man. The muscles in the man¡¯s arms tensed up. ¡°Do you still want to live? Are you really not going to consider it?¡± Liao Ning tilted her head and moved the holographic screen away. The man¡¯s expression was pained, and blood flowed from the corner of his mouth. He had already swallowed the poison just now, so his stomach had already digested a portion of the poison. However, the quantity wasn¡¯t enough to kill him. At this moment, not only did he feel the pain of his bones being shattered in his chest, but his stomach was also churning. If he didn¡¯t get treated, he would die! ¡°I¡¯ll tell you!¡± The man¡¯s desire to live finally made him yield. ¡°It¡¯s Zhu Fei! She asked me to kill you. She even wanted me to kill your nephew first before torturing you to death.¡± Just yesterday, the man received two requests for him to kill the same woman from the interstellar space¡¯s secret website. One of them was Zhu Fei, and the other was from the capital planet. He didn¡¯t know who the person was. ¡°Huh?¡± Liao Ning snorted. When the man saw Liao Ning raise her foot and prepare to step on his chest, he almost suffocated. ¡°There¡¯s someone else!¡± the man said hurriedly. ¡°Who?¡± Liao Ning asked. However, if Zhu Fei wanted to kill her, why did she have to cause such a huge commotion? Liao Ning didn¡¯t believe that the man was telling the truth. However, the man remained silent. Liao Ning broke another of the man¡¯s ribs and the man screamed in pain, ¡°I¡¯ll tell you!¡± Only then did Liao Ning stop. The man took a deep breath and said, ¡°That person has connections on the capital planet. Actually, I don¡¯t know his identity either.¡± Even the man himself felt that his reply was too perfunctory, but in order to survive, he tried his best to recall clues about his client. ¡°But when he contacted me, he used the profile picture of Planet Mu 007¡¯s Hunter Association. I asked him why he wanted to kill someone, but he only said that you blocked his path to riches,¡± the man added. He still remembered what he felt when the other party sent him a message saying, ¡°Don¡¯t meddle in other people¡¯s business. I¡¯ll pay you enough money for the deed.¡± At that time, he even mocked the other party by saying that a big shot like him didn¡¯t need to go through so much trouble for a mere woman. Now, his and Liao Ning¡¯s situation was completely reversed now. ¡°I¡¯ve told you everything I know. Can you call for help now?¡± The man gritted his teeth in pain and began to slur his words. ¡°Of course.¡± Liao Ning smiled as she made the call. ¡°Is is the security bureau? I¡¯d like to report¡­¡± Liao Ning¡¯s voice was very soft, but it made the man lying on the ground glare at her angrily. ¡°You! How despicable!¡± The man was furious, but the next second, he was kicked by Liao Ning and his chin was dislocated. He didn¡¯t even have the right to speak now, let alone bite his tongue to commit suicide. His limbs were numb from the pain and he couldn¡¯t use any strength, so he could only wait for the people from the Interstellar Federation¡¯s security bureau to rush over and send him to jail. ¡°Alright, our investigation is over. Thank you for your cooperation.¡± The person who took Liao Ning¡¯s statement was an old staff member in his fifties. After the statement was completed, he saw the white cat in Liao Nails arms from the corner of his eye and frowned slightly. Had he seen this cat somewhere before? The man narrowed his eyes. After a while, he dismissed his thought. There were thousands of white cats in the interstellar space, so it was normal for it to look familiar. It was impossible for him to have met the same white cat on the capital planet before. The old staff member felt terrible when he recalled the matter. The second son of the Zhou family, Zhou Ling, was such a good young man. How could he be gone just like that? He sighed to himself. After tidying up his notes, he saluted Liao Ning and left with his subordinates.. Chapter 46 - Chapter 46: Be Careful of the Wei Family Chapter 46: Be Careful of the Wei Family Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations The people from the interstellar space security bureau were very efficient. From catching the criminal to escorting him away, they did it in one go. Besides the man Liao Ning met in the hotel, they had also arrested more than ten accomplices. Liao Ning could no longer stay in the hotel she was in. It would take some time for the competition organizers to arrange new accommodation, so Liao Ning planned to bring the white cat and Liao Nai back to the cabin where they had already completed the security check. When they were about to leave, Yu Ni came again. ¡°Liao Ning, do you want to book a hotel with us? After something like this happens again, we can take care of each other if we stick together.¡± After Liao Ning moved slightly away from Yu Ni, she saw three other food streamers behind her and rejected politely, ¡°Thank you for your kindness, but we already have a place to stay.¡± ¡°I see. Is it because you think that it¡¯s inconvenient for the child to live with us?¡± Yu Ni asked. ¡°We¡¯ll be staying on our own.¡± Liao Ning refused again. ¡°Liao Ning.¡± Seeing that Liao Ning was about to leave, Yu Ni wanted to persuade her to stay. Unexpectedly, a man blocked their way. ¡°Long time no see.¡± Ping Ye was dressed in a military uniform as he waved at Liao Ning warmly. Liao Ning immediately frowned. Both she and the original host didn¡¯t know this person. When Ping Ye saw Liao Ning¡¯s vigilant expression, he immediately sensed that something was wrong. He and Liao Ning had only seen each other through virtual images on the live-stream platform. Realizing this, Ping Ye panicked. His mind was racing. Just as he was about to find an excuse to brush it off, the white cat lying in Liao Ning¡¯s arms meowed. ¡°I mean, I haven¡¯t seen such a white kitten in a long time. Can you let me take a look?¡± Ping Ye reacted quickly and immediately explained. ¡°Aunt, I don¡¯t think he¡¯s a good person. Little White can¡¯t be given to him,¡± Liao Nai said as he held Liao Ning¡¯s hand. Liao Ning¡¯s expression turned even uglier. How could a handsome man like him look like a bad person? ¡°Please believe me. I don¡¯t mean any harm.¡± Ping Ye raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. ¡°You¡¯re dressed exactly like the person who wanted to kill me and my aunt,¡± Liao Nai added. Ping Ye was speechless. ¡°Please believe me. I¡¯m dressed like this because of work,¡± Ping Ye said. ¡°We¡¯ve already received this mission long before you guys. Your cooperation today helped us greatly.¡± He glanced at Yu Ni, who was following behind Liao Ning, but didn¡¯t reveal the truth about the hotel¡¯s attack. Then, his gaze turned to the white cat. ¡°Can I touch it?¡± Ping Ye asked. After Liao Ning looked at Ping Ye thoughtfully, she picked up Little White and said, ¡°You have to ask for its opinion.¡± The white cat looked at him with disdain and was clearly unwilling. Ping Ye was exasperated. How could he help him in this case? This morning, his Al received an anonymous email. When he opened it, he found out that it was a military request for help. It was sent from Venus Planet. After reading this letter, he was certain that the little white cat he saw on Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream last time was really his superior. After receiving the call, he immediately rushed to Venus Planet. In order not to expose himself, he even swapped identities with a soldier from Venus Planet. Just like that, he joined the interstellar space security bureau¡¯s operation and saw Liao Ning in person for the first time. Forget it. In order to send away the little devil that he had brought back earlier, he would go all out! The moment Ping Ye touched the white cat, he secretly placed the Al hidden in his glove into the white cat¡¯s ear. Zhou Ling pricked up his ears. Sensing the combination of the Al and the spiritual power in his body, he meowed at Ping Ye. Ping Ye immediately stopped and scratched his head with an awkward smile. ¡°He doesn¡¯t like me. Forget it.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Liao Ning raised her eyebrows. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, we¡¯ll be leaving first. ¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Ping Ye made way. However, when she passed by Ping Ye, he suddenly pulled her back. This sudden move shocked Liao Ning and the white cat at the same time. Liao Ning was about to bend down and throw Ping Ye over her shoulder when Ping Ye whispered to her, ¡°Be careful of the Wei family.¡± Shock flashed across Liao Ning¡¯s eyes. However, Ping Ye let go of her at this moment and kept a distance from her as he apologized again, ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°Liao Ning, are you really not coming with us?¡± Yu Ni wanted to chase after her, but she was stopped by Ping Ye. ¡°Miss, are you the live-streamer ¡®Taro Paste¡¯? I¡¯ve seen your live-stream before. I¡¯m a fan. Can I have your autograph?¡± Ping Ye suddenly asked. Yu Ni was stunned. Why did these words sound so familiar? Chapter 47 - Chapter 47: Cat’s Fangs Chapter 47: Cat¡¯s Fangs Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations With Ping Ye¡¯s obstruction, when Yu Ni chased after Liao Ning again, they had already disappeared. ¡°Damn it.¡± Yu Ni bit her lower lip. ¡°Yu Ni, are you still not done yet?¡± At this moment, Yu Ni¡¯s companions began to urge her. ¡°Immediately.¡± Yu Ni could only give up on the idea of trying to rope in Liao Ning. Not long after, Liao Ning, Liao Nai, and the others returned to the cabin. After the lights lit up, Liao Nai rushed in excitedly. He lay on the sofa as he rolled around. ¡°I¡¯m finally back.¡± ¡°Xiaonai, change your shoes first,¡± Liao Ning shouted from behind. ¡°Okay.¡± Liao Nai got up and went to change his shoes. The originally clean floor had a few footprints on it. After changing his shoes, Liao Nai immediately called Little V to help clean up. ¡°Al butler Little V is at your service. Welcome home, Master.¡± ¡°Long time no see, Little V.¡± Liao Nai greeted the robot on the holographic screen with a blush. A smiling emoji immediately popped up on the holographic screen. Liao Nai and Little V laughed together. Liao Ning¡¯s heart warmed as she looked at the bubbly Liao Nai. In comparison, the white cat was exceptionally quiet. It was only when Liao Ning carried him close to the ground that he landed on all fours. After he stood up, he wasn¡¯t in a hurry to leave. Instead, he called out to Liao Ning. [I have something to tell you.] Zhou Ling¡¯s expression was serious, but he meowed again. The soft meow and his expression formed a strong contrast. Liao Ning couldn¡¯t help but laugh as she reached out to touch Zhou Ling¡¯s head. ¡°Do you have something to say to me?¡± ¡°Meow?¡± [You can understand me?] Zhou Ling was skeptical. However, Liao Ning answered straightforwardly, ¡°I don¡¯t understand you.¡± ¡°Meow¡ª¡± Forget it, he would wait for his mental strength to recover first. Zhou Ling gave up. At this moment, Liao Ning suddenly carried him to the sofa. Then, she sucked on his stomach. ¡°Little White, you¡¯re so cute!¡± Then, Zhou Ling was raised high. Zhou Ling: [I¡¯m already numb to it.] However, when he lowered his head, he met Liao Ning¡¯s bright eyes. For a moment, he felt as if he was looking at a sea surface that was sprinkled with golden sunlight. His heart skipped a beat. Zhou Ling jumped in the air. Liao Ning thought that he was afraid of heights, so she immediately placed it on her thigh. When Zhou Ling felt the soft touch, he felt his ears heat up. He wanted to break free from her grip, but Liao Ning looked at him with a smile. ¡°Hehe, Little White, do you know? When you transformed into a white tiger, ¡°Meow!¡± Zhou Ling bared his fangs. He was a white tiger, not a cat. ¡°Little White, you have really good teeth.¡± Liao Ning wasn¡¯t afraid and reached out to touch his fangs. When his fangs were touched, Zhou Ling didn¡¯t dodge. He even felt smug when he heard Liao Ning¡¯s praise. When his teeth were touched by Liao Ning, the numbing sensation shocked him and he immediately jumped onto the table with his fur standing on end, as if he had been electrocuted. ¡°Did I hurt you?¡± Liao Ning was shocked. She had not used much strength just now. Zhou Ling refused to let Liao Ning get close to him again and quickly ran to a corner to hide. If he was in human form now, he would probably be flushed from head to toe. ¡°Meow!¡± [Don¡¯t come over!] Zhou Ling¡¯s meow was low and hoarse, and his entire body was burning. Just now, he actually¡­ Not only did he let Liao Ning touch his fangs, but he also wanted Liao Ning to pull them out! This was crazy! Zhou Ling felt that he must have gone crazy. One had to know how important fangs were to ferocious beasts. Moreover, that feeling of being touched didn¡¯t dissipate for a long time, giving him an ambiguous feeling. This was the first time Zhou Ling experienced this in his life. ¡°Little White?¡± Liao Ning looked at the white cat, who was hiding under the sofa and growling. Not only did she not feel guilty, but she also found it funny. ¡°Aunt, what¡¯s wrong with Little White?¡± Liao Nai frowned slightly when he heard the cat cries. ¡°It¡¯s throwing a tantrum,¡± Liao Ning said. ¡°In that case, Little White is a bad child!¡± Liao Nai suddenly said happily, ¡°Can you let me eat its dinner tonight?¡± Zhou Ling: [Little kid, in your dreams!] ¡°Meow!¡± Zhou Ling stuck his head out from under the sofa and gave Liao Nai a fierce look.. Chapter 48 - Chapter 48: Cooked Rice Chapter 48: Cooked Rice Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations He definitely couldn¡¯t give his delicacies to this brat! Zhou Ling laid on the ground and meowed. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll add dried fish for you.¡± Liao Ning squatted down and caressed Zhou Ling¡¯s head. Zhou Ling felt a little guilty. He wanted to say that he wasn¡¯t angry, but he couldn¡¯t say anything yet and could only rub Liao Ning¡¯s hand in response. The effect was unexpected. Liao Ning picked him up and sucked on his stomach again. Ignoring his struggles, she stroked the soft white fur on his body. She only let go when it was almost time for dinner. Just as he logged into his account again, a message popped up. [The streamer you¡¯re following, ¡®My Child Is The Best¡¯, is already online. Do you want to watch her live-stream?] Zhou Ling was stunned when he heard the message. She started a live-stream again. Even after the terrorist attack just now, she didn¡¯t plan to rest. The first time he woke up, something happened at Liao Nings house, but Liao Ning live-streamed the very next day. The past few days, he often saw Liao Ning staring blankly at the account statement. In conclusion, Zhou Ling felt that Liao Ning must be very short of money. As he thought about it, he climbed out of his nest and stole a glance at Liao Ning, who was busy in the kitchen. He had mixed feelings. [Liao Ning, I heard that a robbery happened in the hotel arranged by your competition today. Is Liao Ning alright?] When Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream started, many interstellar space netizens swarmed in and the audience of the live-stream reached tens of billions. ¡°Thank you for your concern. Little White and I are fine.¡± Liao Ning smiled in front of the screen. She didn¡¯t seem she had just experienced a huge ordeal at all. She brought the casserole to the screen and introduced, ¡°I brought soup rice for everyone today.¡± [Are you live-streaming cooking today?] [After the hotel was attacked, many food streamers didn¡¯t go online anymore. Those streamers who did go online were talking about what happened today, but Liao Ning is still going to live-stream cooking!] [Thank you, Liao Ning, for being so attentive!] [Thank you for your hard work, Liao Ning!] [Hurry up and start. My casserole is ready.] With the speed of the interstellar space network and the fame of the food competition, many people in the interstellar space had heard about the hotel being attacked this morning. Many food streamers were talking about this matter non -stop after they went online. They wanted to play the pity card to increase their popularity. A streamer like Liao Ning, who was still conscientious about cooking, was abnormal. At the same time, many people felt impressed by her professionalism. ¡°It¡¯s easy to cook this. The main ingredients for today are rice, sausages, vegetables, and eggs.¡± After Liao Ning washed the rice, she placed it in the casserole to cook. During this period of time, Liao Ning began to introduce the interstellar farm¡¯s new product¡ªsausage. [The weather on the Blue Planet is also very suitable for making sausages.] [Learning how to cook from Liao Ning gives me a business opportunity every day.] [This is made from the intestines of a dolphin beast. To be honest, I can¡¯t bear to eat it.] [Hahaha, I¡¯m waiting for you to change your mind.] [@Previous poster, don¡¯t be so vicious. I didn¡¯t say that it would taste bad.] [Haha, I still remember Gao Yuan saying that he doesn¡¯t eat raw food during the previous live-stream.] The comments section was as lively as usual. As the netizens chatted, they mentioned the last time Liao Ning made century eggs during Gao Yuan¡¯s live-stream. Gao Yuan had used his actions to prove to the netizens that every ingredient could be made delicious by Liao Ning. Liao Ning smiled at the screen and said, ¡°What if it doesn¡¯t taste good later? Wouldn¡¯t that be very embarrassing?¡± [That makes sense.] [Hahaha, so Liao Ning is also afraid of embarrassment too.] [Why did you start a live-stream if you¡¯re afraid of embarrassment? If you¡¯re offended by this presumptuous question, you can choose not to reply.] After Liao Ning glanced at the comment, she said frankly, ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s because live-streaming helps me make money. After all, the temptation of the capital planet is very great. I also want to go to the capital planet to take a look. Wouldn¡¯t it be better if I can bring the cub to the capital planet to receive the best education?¡± [So you¡¯re participating in the food competition because of this?] [Then we did a good deed by sending Liao Ning to the competition!] [When Liao Ning becomes famous, everyone here will be considered meritorious..] Chapter 49 - Chapter 49: Spending Money Chapter 49: Spending Money Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations [When the time comes, don¡¯t forget us, Liao Ning!] ¡°Of course not, but I still have to think about how to repay you guys,¡± Liao Ning said with a smile. While waiting for the rice to be cooked, Liao Ning interacted with the people in the live-stream and the atmosphere was very relaxed. The atmosphere outside the kitchen was very oppressive. When Liao Ning said that she wanted to bring the cub to the capital planet for education, the corners of Liao Nai¡¯s eyes turned red. His aunt had always been very good to him. When Liao Ning had discussed bringing him to the capital planet, he actually wanted to exploit his aunt. Liao Nai felt guilty about his original intentions. Meanwhile, Zhou Ling, who was watching at Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream from another corner, had a solemn expression¡ª Liao Ning was really short of money. As Zhou Ling looked at the Al image, he confirmed his thoughts. After he exited Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream, he registered a new account on her live-stream platform. This way, he wouldn¡¯t attract anyone¡¯s attention. After Zhou Ling thought about it, he posted a few more posts on his new account and followed Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream. At this moment, the rice on the stove was already cooked and Liao Ning was pouring in side dishes. Zhou Ling¡¯s gaze landed on Liao Ning¡¯s fair fingertips. After he came back to his senses, he blinked and forced his gaze to return to the live-stream. [Looking forward to the finished product. ] [Could this be the legendary miracle?] [Haha, now I understand why I didn¡¯t have any mental breakdowns after following Liao Ning.] ¡°Mental disorder?¡± When Liao Ning saw the screen, she couldn¡¯t help but think of the mental breakdown incident from yesterday. The comments section also followed the clues. [That¡¯s right. Ever since I started watching Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream and I¡¯ve been learning how to cook every day, I haven¡¯t shown any signs of going berserk.] ¡°Are my dishes that magical?¡± Liao Ning was flattered by the praise in the comments section. [Liao Ning, can¡¯t you be more confident?] [That¡¯s right, Liao Ning. Please remove the question mark.] However, Liao Ning didn¡¯t think that she really had the ability. Otherwise, the doctor wouldn¡¯t have prescribed them a mental adjustment medicine when she brought Liao Nai for a checkup today. At this moment, a newcomer with the ID ¡°Ling¡± posted in the comments section: ¡°Liao Ning, you have to be careful of the Wei family.¡± This comment was quickly crowded out by the people below. After Liao Ning saw it, she quickly noted this person¡¯s ID. Today, Ping Ye reminded her to be careful of the Wei family. Liao Ning wondered if this person was that little soldier. She planned to add this person¡¯s ID after the live-stream ended and ask about it. At this time, a notification came from the live-stream. ID ¡°Ling¡± sent a rocket X10,ooo to the streamer. Liao Ning¡¯s screen was flooded with rockets. [Which big shot is this?!] [Where¡¯s my clay pot rice? With so many rockets, I can¡¯t see it anymore. Give me clay pot rice back!] [The person who threw the rocket is a newbie?] [Won¡¯t Liao Ning get first place in the fan rankings?] [Who stole my place in Liao Ning¡¯s heart?] Liao Ning was also stunned by the rockets on the screen. When she came back to her senses, she immediately said, ¡°Children, you guys can¡¯t learn from this person!¡± [Gee, how did Liao Ning know that I¡¯m a child?] [Hahaha, could it be that the cub is also watching the live-stream outside? Look at how excited Liao Ning is.] [That¡¯s right, don¡¯t imitate this!] Liao Nai, who was peeping at the live-stream outside the door, immediately blushed. He also wanted to send a rocket to his aunt, but he didn¡¯t have the ability to do so yet. He planned to send it to her in the future. However, he felt a little uneasy after being seen through. What¡¯s more, this person with the ID Ling was really despicable. He actually beat him to it. Now, the comments section of his aunt¡¯s live-stream was filled with discussions about him. Who else still remembered that this was a food live-stream?! Liao Nai turned off the Al with a frown and went to the kitchen door. ¡°Aunt, can we eat now?¡± Liao Nai stuck his head out of the door, revealing only a pair of big eyes. His cute appearance appeared in the live-stream. [It¡¯s the cub!] [The cub is so cute today.] [Come and eat with us!] [Oh my god, what kind of fan benefit is this? Can we only see the cub if we pay?] New gifts kept pouring into the live-stream. After Liao Ning brought Liao Nai in, she saw the gifts in the live-stream. After thanking them one by one, she said, ¡°If you want to watch me and the cub do a live-stream together, you don¡¯t have to send gifts.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been training recently. I didn¡¯t abandon you, Aunt,¡± Liao Nai added anxiously.. He even patted his arm and said, ¡°I¡¯m much stronger than before!¡± Chapter 50 - Chapter 50: Resentful Meow Chapter 50: Resentful Meow Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations [Wow, the cub is so cute!] [His arms look soft, so is his little face.] [Liao Ning is so lucky to have such a cute nephew!] When Liao Nai looked at the comment section and saw that it was full of comments about him, he blushed. ¡°Don¡¯t tease him. Otherwise, he¡¯ll be immune to these words in the future. How would I be able to tease him?¡± Liao Ning replied to the people in the comments section, but she smiled at Liao Nai. ¡°Aunt!¡± Liao Nai grabbed Liao Ning¡¯s teddy bear apron. At this moment, he saw that his arm had lost some weight. He had to train harder in the future. ¡°Let¡¯s try the rice now.¡± Liao Ning put on gloves and brought the casserole to the dining table. As soon as the lid was opened, steam instantly rose from inside. When the steam parted, they finally saw the delicious food. The cut sausages were neatly placed at the edge of the casserole like a road paved with cobblestones. The eggs were clear, and the vegetables were piled like protruding hills. Liao Ning took out the spoon, but Liao Nai had already grabbed the bowl eagerly. He couldn¡¯t finish the soft and sweet rice in one bite. The hard rice crust was crispy and sticky. This novel taste was simply amazing. Although the sausages were made of meat and intestines, these two things couldn¡¯t be tasted at all. The perfect salty taste of the meat stimulated his taste buds and he actually tasted a hint of honey. His appetite was instantly whetted. [I love this sausage. I¡¯ll place an order now!] [Hey, didn¡¯t you guys notice that someone is missing from Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream today?] [Who else is there in Liao Ning¡¯s family?] [The little white cat!] [That¡¯s right. Where¡¯s Little White?] [Wait, did something happen to Little White during today¡¯s accident?] ¡°Meow!¡± Just as the people in the comments section noticed that the white cat had disappeared, Zhou Ling jumped onto the dining table with a fierce expression. [Hahaha, Little White¡¯s master forgot about Little White, so Little White is angry.] [Little White looks so sulky. Haha, it looks so tsundere.] [He¡¯s so tsundere. I like him so much.] Who were they calling tsundere?! Zhou Ling glared at the comments section and secretly scolded these people. And Liao Ning. Why didn¡¯t Liao Ning thank him after he used his new registered account, ¡°Ling¡±, to send her rockets? Zhou Ling was extremely displeased. However, his unhappy expression looked very cute in Liao Ning¡¯s eyes and made her laugh. She scooped rice for Zhou Ling and even added three dried fish for him. At first, Zhou Ling had a straight face, but when he saw the dried anchovies, his eyes suddenly lit up. Then, he took the initiative to grab the rice bowl and started eating. At the same time, on the capital planet. [Ding! Your account balance has changed. Do you want to check?] In a dark room, a little girl hugged a doll as she watched the family enjoying the food on the live-stream intently. She didn¡¯t even notice the message sent by the Al. She reached out in a daze and touched the boy on the holographic screen. At this moment, someone knocked on her door. When the light from outside entered, she turned off the screen in front of her and quickly hid in a corner while looking out the door warily. The person outside didn¡¯t come in directly. Instead, he leaned against the threshold and asked, ¡°You¡¯re not doing anything inside, right? Can I turn on the lights?¡± ¡°Hey, why are you asking for my opinion just to turn on the lights?¡± The little girl said agitatedly. ¡°This is your room. If I don¡¯t ask for your opinion, who will? If you don¡¯t welcome me, why didn¡¯t you lock the door?¡± The person standing at the door was amused. ¡°What do you mean?¡± the little girl asked. ¡°I¡¯m just asking if I can turn on the lights. If I can¡¯t, forget it.¡± The figure at the door swayed, like he was preparing to leave. ¡°My parents asked me to bring you down for dinner. Are you coming? Eat? The little girl was shocked, then her stomach rumbled. How embarrassing! The little girl¡¯s ears turned red in the darkness, and the person standing at the door laughed. ¡°Don¡¯t laugh. Isn¡¯t it normal for people to be hungry if they don¡¯t eat?!¡± The little girl grabbed the doll tightly as she said stubbornly. ¡°Can I turn on the lights now?¡± the person at the door asked again. ¡°On.¡± The moment the lights were turned on, it illuminated the entire pink room, which was the size of a 300 square meter living room. The glass chandelier lit up the furniture around the room. The little girl walked out from the corner. The lace Lolita dress and her pigtails made her face look exquisite and cute. ¡°Then, Sister Xiaomi, let¡¯s go.¡± Ping Ye stood outside the door as he extended his hand to Xiaomi like a gentleman.. Chapter 51 - Chapter 51: Wei Family’s Little Daughter Chapter 51: Wei Family¡¯s Little Daughter Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations The next morning, in a high-end villa on Venus Planet. [Good morning! Now, as for the morning news: Yesterday, on Venus Planet, a robbery happened at an unnamed hotel. Sixteen robbers¡­ Crack! The sound of bowls and chopsticks suddenly falling and shattering could be heard. The child curled up behind the stove was so frightened that her face turned pale. Her small hand trembled slightly and she accidentally clicked on the call for help on the holographic screen. [Hello, how can I help you?] When a female voice sounded from the phone, the child panicked. ¡°I¡­¡¯ Before she could say that she had called the wrong number, a dark shadow stepped in front of her. The woman in pajamas stood with her back to the light and there was anger in her cold eyes. The child was frightened speechless and she felt terrified. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, my naughty child called the wrong number.¡± Zhu Fei snatched the control of the holographic screen as she explained to the staff of the help center gently. [Alright, please keep a closer watch on your child. You guys can¡¯t make random calls.] ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll teach her a lesson.¡± Zhu Fei apologized humbly on the surface, but she glared at the child beside her. The moment the call ended, she could no longer hide her anger. She grabbed the child¡¯s hair and lifted her out of the corner. ¡°Who allowed you to make such a ruckus so early in the morning? Do you know that you¡¯re disturbing my sleep?!¡± ¡°You said you wanted to wake up early for a live-stream yesterday. I only turned on the alarm because I wanted to help you, but I didn¡¯t know it would be so noisy and make you angry. I¡¯m sorry!¡± The child begged. Her voice was quivering. In order not to be beaten, she could only apologize in fear. Moreover, when she was at home in the past, as long as she apologized sincerely enough, her furious mother would no longer punch and kick her or scold her. She thought that Zhu Fei would be like her mother, but in the next second, she was kicked in the abdomen by the woman. The pans and cutlery hanging by the wall fell off from the impact. ¡°This is the price you have to pay for taking things into your own hand! Hmph, you even wanted to call for help? If you can¡¯t stand to stay here anymore, get your father and mother to bring you back!¡± Zhu Fei shouted angrily. After cursing, she even felt aggrieved. It was one thing for her live-stream ratings to be so poor, but now, even a child was bullying her. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I won¡¯t do it again.¡± The child curled up on the ground and apologized weakly. Zhu Fei was so angry that she lifted her hair and glared at the child in front of her. She wanted to kick her again, but fortunately, the door of the villa was slammed open. When the assistant barged in, he immediately stopped Zhu Fei. ¡°Why are you stooping to the level of a child? What does she know?¡± The assistant rushed up when he heard the commotion. Fortunately, they were in the villa. If others saw Zhu Fei, Zhu Fei¡¯s future would be ruined. ¡°Why don¡¯t you take a look at what she did?! She woke me up early in the morning and even wanted to call for help!¡± Zhu Fei shouted agitatedly. The assistant was rendered speechless. Didn¡¯t you say that you wanted to wake up early for a live-stream yesterday? Why are you blaming the child? ¡°Calm down. It¡¯s not too late to go back and sleep now. Why are you stooping to the level of this insensible child? Not only is it a waste of time to hit her, but you¡¯ll also get wrinkles,¡± the assistant said. Zhu Fei was enlightened when she heard that. She immediately ran to the bathroom to look at herself in the mirror. Seeing that she had given up on abusing the child, the assistant heaved a sigh of relief and went back to check on the child. Unexpectedly, not only did the child lose consciousness already, but he also felt wetness on the back of her neck. Fortunately, she was still alive. How sinful! If something happened to this child, how would he explain things to the Wei family? One had to know that this was the child Madam Wei had entrusted them with. If they didn¡¯t treat her well, not to mention their future, they would probably lose their heads. Immediately, the assistant contacted a private doctor to bandage the child. Amidst the chaos, he didn¡¯t notice that outside the window of the villa, a red peephole had recorded everything that had just happened. ¡°Aunt, what are you looking at?¡± In the small cabin, Liao Nai suddenly hugged Liao Ning¡¯s thigh and pulled her back to her senses. Liao Ning turned off the image recorded in the Al. The image was the scene where the assistant contacted the doctor.. Chapter 52 - Chapter 52: Changing Nest Chapter 52: Changing Nest Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Xiaonai, when did you wake up?¡± Liao Ning held Liao Nai¡¯s face as she asked with a smile. ¡°I woke up long ago. Aunt, let¡¯s go for morning exercise. I want to come back quickly to eat breakfast!¡± Liao Nai said excitedly. ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll go and see if Little White is awake.¡± ¡°Mmm-hmm.¡± After Liao Ning rubbed Liao Nails hair, she stood up to go to Little White¡¯s nest. Liao Ning had temporarily replaced Little White¡¯s nest with a cardboard box. Little White didn¡¯t show any despise, so Liao Ning almost forgot about it. Now that she looked at it again, she realized that there was something very wrong with this nest. They were already a family, so they should share their blessings. She had to think of a way to return all the money the stranger with the ID ¡°Ling¡± had spent on the rocket. Liao Ning was still a little worried that such a huge sum of money would cause trouble in the future. At that time, it would really cause unnecessary trouble for her. Since she was free now, it was better to deal with it quickly. How about she commission the detective agency she found yesterday?¡¯ As Liao Ning woke Little White up, she was a little distracted. ¡°Meow?¡± The white cat stuck its head out and stared straight at Liao Ning. This woman barely slept last night. Why was she up so early today? The longer Zhou Ling followed Liao Ning, the more bitter he felt. Yesterday, when they forced the attackers to reveal the truth that Zhu Fei wanted Liao Ning¡¯s life, Liao Ning actually looked down on Zhu Fei¡¯s little tricks from the beginning to the end. However, Zhu Fei had crossed Liao Ning¡¯s bottom line by trying to hurt Liao Nai. She had to make Zhu Fei pay the price! Last night, she didn¡¯t sleep peacefully because she was afraid that if she fell asleep, Liao Nai and Little White would be in danger. She couldn¡¯t fall asleep, so she got up and found a more reliable detective agency to collect information about all of Zhu Fei¡¯s misdeeds. She was prepared to make these misdeeds public before Zhu Fei was arrested by the security bureau. ¡°Little White, let¡¯s go for a morning exercise. After we come back and eat breakfast, we¡¯ll change your nest.¡± When Liao Ning heard the cat¡¯s meow, her eyes narrowed with mirth. Her eyes were curved like an upside down crescent moon. Zhou Ling lay on the side of the nest without moving. After a while, his slightly dark amber eyes lit up. Change nest? That did sound like a good idea. However, his current nest was already quite good. Why did she have to change Besides, wasn¡¯t Liao Ning short of money? Zhou Ling completely forgot that he had tipped Liao Ning yesterday and he wanted to persuade Liao Ning not to spend money on him. The nest he was living in now was quite good. However, when he jumped out of his nest to take a look¡­ Because he had become bigger recently, the old cardboard box had been crushed in an unsightly manner. Why didn¡¯t he realize that this nest was so ugly before?! Zhou Ling suddenly felt itchy all over. Perhaps he should change it? At the very least, he could change it to something more decent. It didn¡¯t have to be too expensive. If it didn¡¯t work, he could pay for it himself. Zhou Ling felt a long-lost sense of warmth in his heart. Didn¡¯t changing his nest mean that Liao Ning was concerned about his safety? Previously, only his brother, sister-in-law, and parents cared about his safety. However, after his parents died in battle and his brother and sister-in-law disappeared, he even suspected that the people who cared about him in the world were no longer around. He walked around Liao Ning¡¯s feet and meowed at her softly. [I agree with your decision.] ¡°Hehe, then it¡¯s settled. Let¡¯s go for our morning exercise first!¡± Liao Ning picked up the white cat and kissed his pink nose. Little White was too cute! Zhou Ling widened his eyes in shock. After kissing him and putting him down, Liao Ning went to prepare Liao Nails equipment and set off for morning practice. On the other side, in the villa. Zhu Fei tied her hair, which was adorned with many bow clips. Her snow-white loungewear and lace apron charmed countless viewers watching the live-stream. [Sister Zhu Fei¡¯s millet porridge today is soft and sweet. It¡¯s so delicious!] [Yeah, other food streamers can¡¯t compare to her.] [Sister Zhu Fei woke up early to make breakfast for us. It¡¯s been hard on you.] [Unlike some streamers, who are still sleeping in.] [Love Zhu Fei, I won¡¯t allow anyone to dislike her now!] [Sister Zhu Fei, your food doesn¡¯t taste as good as before. Have you been in a bad mood recently?] The last sentence made Zhu Fei¡¯s expression stiffen.. Chapter 53 - Chapter 53: Discordant Voice Chapter 53: Discordant Voice Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations She covered her mouth and pretended to be surprised. ¡°I¡¯ve changed my endorsement recently, so the ingredients are a little different from before. It¡¯s really amazing that you discovered it. I¡¯m really sorry that I can¡¯t make dishes that suit your taste.¡± [Sister Zhu Fei woke up so early to make breakfast for us, yet someone is actually being picky here. This is too much.] [You¡¯re so ungrateful. If you think it¡¯s not delicious, don¡¯t look at it.] [Someone actually suspects that Zhu Fei¡¯s dishes aren¡¯t delicious? Show yourself! I¡¯ll teach you a lesson!] [The comments section is so big, but she¡¯s the only one criticizing Sister Zhu Fei. Could she be a hater? Get lost!] [Get out you hater!] [Get out!] The few hurtful comments made the young girl sitting in front of the computer fall into a daze. However, Zhu Fei, who was watching the live-stream, acted as if she didn¡¯t see the comments and continued cooking. The young girl wasn¡¯t a hater. Moreover, she had been following Zhu Fei ever since she debuted. She even gave Zhu Fei a gift on her main account. In the past, she was number one on Zhu Fei¡¯s fan rankings. However, she had owed too much money recently and her income didn¡¯t match the long- term expenses of the live-stream, so her main account had been blocked by the interstellar space¡¯s Internet Safety Bureau. The girl¡¯s family wasn¡¯t rich and she was born with anorexia, so she was very sensitive to the taste of food. In the past, because of her anorexia, she had suffered countless mental breakdowns, causing the people around her to fear her. In those days when she couldn¡¯t even drink nutritional supplements, it was Zhu Fei¡¯s delicacies that made her feel the meaning of living on. She was grateful to Zhu Fei and was willing to give her everything she had. She didn¡¯t expect to be scolded by Zhu Fei¡¯s fans because of her concern today. Moreover, why did Sister Zhu Fei pretend not to see it? The girl sat in front of the holographic image for a long time. At this moment, in the live-stream, Zhu Fei¡¯s assistant suddenly barged in to apologize and turned off the live-stream. ¡°Hey, what are you doing?! Why did you turn off the live-stream without permission?¡± Zhu Fei frowned. ¡°Something big has happened!¡± The assistant said. Then, he sent a document from the Al to Zhu Fei. Zhu Fei was pushed to the sofa by her assistant. When she saw the document, she suddenly clenched her fists. It contained a video and the company¡¯s termination document. The video was of her beating a child. Zhu Fei stood up and pointed at her assistant. ¡°Did you say something to the company?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t say anything,¡± the assistant suddenly said. ¡°Other than you, who else knows about what happened this morning?¡± Zhu Fei¡¯s voice gradually became louder. The assistant pursed his lips and was silent for a moment before saying, ¡°This is the company¡¯s internal document. It hasn¡¯t been released yet, so we still have a chance to salvage the situation. Before this video is released, apologize to Wei Xin publicly. Wei Xin was the name of the child who had been beaten up. Because of what happened this morning, she was being treated by Zhu Fei¡¯s personal doctor. She should have stayed in the villa, but Zhu Fei was still angry, so she was sent to their other residence. ¡°Why? She¡¯s just the illegitimate daughter of the Wei family!¡± Zhu Fei said. What would happen to her reputation if she publicly apologized to a child? ¡°I¡¯m begging you. I¡¯ve already gotten someone to write the script in advance. When the time comes, just read it and put on an act,¡± the assistant explained. ¡°Before the video of you beating the child is released, post the public apology first. First, let others think that Wei Xin accidentally fell and ended up like this. This way, everyone will think that you just didn¡¯t take good care of her and it¡¯ll be understandable. Then, when the video of you beating the child is released, people will naturally suspect that you¡¯re being framed. When the time comes, I¡¯ll hire commenters. Then, this matter will be over, and the company¡¯s termination contract won¡¯t be in your hands anymore. However, if the video of you beating the child is released first, the matter won¡¯t be easy to deal with!¡± Upon hearing this, Zhu Fei calmed down and she grabbed her assistant¡¯s shoulder as she said, ¡°Let¡¯s go now!¡± Then, the two of them left the villa. The situation in the villa was quickly transmitted to Liao Ning¡¯s Al through the peephole outside the window. ¡°What do you plan to do now, Liao Ning?¡± As Liao Ning¡¯s communication device rang, Liao Ning frowned in discomfort. Couldn¡¯t this private detective use a different voice changer? This voice was very ear-piercing. At this moment, Liao Ning and the others were doing morning exercises in the field. Even after the six-kilometer-long running training, no one in the family panted. Liao Ning¡¯s expression was calm as she said, ¡°This doesn¡¯t seem to be any of your business.. ¡° Chapter 54 - Chapter 54: Ruined Chapter 54: Ruined Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Haha, I¡¯m just curious,¡± the electronic voice said. ¡°Let¡¯s end our cooperation here. Don¡¯t forget to destroy the evidence.¡± With that, Liao Ning turned off the Al. She adjusted the Al and blurred the child¡¯s face. Then, she posted the video of Zhu Fei beating someone up anonymously. Then, she ran seven kilometers with Liao Nai and the white cat before returning home. The comments on the interstellar space forum exploded. #The persona of the top of the ancient food live-stream is ruined. #Zhu Fei¡¯s gentle persona was entirely fake. #After the video of the beating was released, the food streamer issued an apology. # Another food streamer is disgraced. The interstellar network should take measures against ancient food cultural dissemination. The comments about whether Zhu Fei abused children dominated all the major websites and forums on the interstellar space. [An anonymous video of the beating was released at the same time as Zhu Fei¡¯s apology. This is really intriguing.] [What era is it now? There¡¯s actually someone who abuses children, and it¡¯s such a beautiful woman. How vicious.] [Is she worthy of being an ancient food streamer? Hilarious.] As Zhu Fei stared at the comments on the holographic silver screen, she felt despair. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say that as long as I apologized publicly, the matter would be resolved?¡± The assistant had a terrible headache. He didn¡¯t expect the apology statement to be sent at the same time as the video of the beating. Wasn¡¯t this a slap in their faces? The assistant ignored the silent Zhu Fei, but he received a message. ¡°Xiao Chen, didn¡¯t you say that you¡¯ve always wanted to change artistes? Now that the company has already announced the termination of Zhu Fei¡¯s contract, why don¡¯t you come to Yu Nits side?¡± ¡°Manager? I¡­¡± The assistant was at a loss for words. He and Zhu Fei were dealing with the online incident now, so the Al¡¯s message was broadcasted out loud. Zhu Fei heard all the news in the communication. ¡°You want to change artistes?¡± Zhu Fei looked at her assistant in disbelief. ¡°Eh? Xiao Chen, there¡¯s someone else beside you?¡± The manager in the communication didn¡¯t know about their situation and sounded confused. ¡°Manager, let¡¯s talk about this in the future, ¡± the assistant said and hurriedly hung up the call. Then, he turned to look at Zhu Fei. His expression was extremely stiff and he laughed dryly. ¡°The manager is just joking.¡± Zhu Fei widened her eyes and stared at him. ¡°Have you despised me since a long time ago?¡± The assistant didn¡¯t answer. At this moment, Zhu Fei picked up the teacup on the coffee table and threw it at her assistant. Crack! With a loud bang, under the enhancement of mental strength, the entire house entered an aftershock. Wei Xin, who was reading a fairytale e-book not far away, trembled in shock. The e-book in her hand was given to her by Zhu Fei as an apology. This was the first time she had received a gift, but she didn¡¯t know that Zhu Fei had ulterior motives. She thought that Zhu Fei wanted to treat her well in the future. ¡°Yes! I¡¯ve been wanting to change artistes for a long time, and I¡¯m about to get what I want. Are you satisfied now that you¡¯ve heard such an answer?¡± No matter how good-tempered the assistant was, he lost his temper when Zhu Fei attacked him with her mental strength. ¡°If I want to change artistes, I should blow this matter up! Why should I look for you to solve the problem?¡± The assistant shouted. Zhu Fei was stunned. Zhu Fei¡¯s fearful looke made the assistant recall some previous memories. ¡°From today onwards, I¡¯m your artiste. Support me! When the time comes, we¡¯ll live in a big house on the capital planet together!¡± The girl¡¯s clear voice sounded in the assistant¡¯s mind. He seemed to have seen the moment when he and Zhu Fei had just started working together. At that time, Zhu Fei was simple-minded and innocent. With her temperament, the assistant was sure that she would definitely become popular in the future. However, he didn¡¯t know when Zhu Fei started to become so arrogant and opportunistic. Helplessness suddenly overcame the assistant. This wasn¡¯t what he wanted. ¡°Forget it, do whatever you want. Let¡¯s end things.¡± The assistant lowered his head and smirked. Finally, he put away his Al and left the villa without looking back. Chapter 55 - Chapter 55: The Detective Agency’s Trouble Chapter 55: The Detective Agency¡¯s Trouble Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Zhu Fei was dumbfounded. She thought that her assistant wouldn¡¯t leave her. Moreover, hadn¡¯t he endured all the mean words she had said to him for so long? Why couldn¡¯t he endure it for a while longer? ¡°Sister?¡± Wei Xin came to Zhu Fei¡¯s side with a worried expression. ¡°Even you¡¯re here to mock me?¡± Zhu Fei turned around. When she saw that it was Wei Xin, her expression turned sinister. ¡°I didn¡¯t.¡± Wei Xin¡¯s worried expression instantly turned to horror. However, Zhu Fei didn¡¯t stop approaching the girl. ¡°It¡¯s all your fault. If it weren¡¯t for you, I wouldn¡¯t have ended up like this!¡± Zhu Fei shouted as she raised her arm and flung it at Wei Xin! When the scream sounded, the glass window beside the villa shattered. Wei Xin stood rooted to the ground in fear. She had just instinctively activated her mental power. To her surprise, she was fine. However, Zhu Fei was kneeling on the ground and blood was flowing out of her fingertips as she covered her face. There were even glass shards beside her¡­ Venus Planet, business center. At this moment, Liao Ning and the others were choosing a new nest for the little white cat. At this moment, Liao Ning¡¯s Al transmitted information about the video of her exposing Zhu Fei¡¯s evil deeds. The comments below were all criticizing Zhu Fei for being immoral. This was the result she wanted. However, the longer she read the comments, she realized that something was off¡ª [I also heard a piece of important news. The girl in the video is the illegitimate daughter of the Wei family! Recently, the Wei family has been traveling and no one is taking care of them, so they handed her over to Zhu Fei to take care of on their behalf.] [When Madam Wei handed her daughter over, didn¡¯t she investigate who Zhu Fei was?] [She¡¯s an illegitimate daughter, not a biological daughter. How can a stepmother like Madam Wei care so much?] [I used to think that Madam Wei was a philanthropist who didn¡¯t mind that her husband had an affair and raised an illegitimate daughter.] [In my opinion, none of the Wei family members are good. They raised the price of the medicine and even gave the child away to be abused. They¡¯re so heartless!] Liao Ning was shocked when she saw the comments. Before she sent it, she had clearly blurred the child¡¯s face and confirmed that people couldn¡¯t artificially reconstruct the child¡¯s appearance. Unexpectedly, someone had fabricated the child¡¯s identity. A dark look appeared in Liao Ning¡¯s eyes. At this moment, someone sent her a private message and link from her live-stream account. As for the person who sent her a private message, there was no profile picture or ID. Liao Ning was a little confused. After she clicked on it, she saw the original video of Zhu Fei beating up the child and the caption. ¡°That anonymous video isn¡¯t fake. I have the real version.¡± Seeing this, Liao Ning suddenly understood the reason behind the comments. At this moment, another private message popped up on the holographic screen. ¡°I helped you get things going, but you don¡¯t have to thank me- However, when she tried to ask, she realized that she couldn¡¯t send the message! Good lord, he was playing dirty with her. Liao Ning¡¯s expression suddenly turned cold. At this moment, Wave Star 107. On this planet that was famous for its sea view, a couple in their fifties were enjoying their beach time leisurely. At this moment, a holographic screen appeared in front of them. An assistant in a suit said calmly, ¡°President, Madam, something happened on Venus Planet.¡± ¡°Is their planet going to be destroyed?¡± The middle-aged woman lying on the beach chair pushed up her sunglasses and suddenly patted her husband beside her. ¡°What good news. When the military goes to rescue them, our medicine will probably earn a lot of money.¡± ¡°Hahaha, it¡¯s indeed good news. Xiao Liu, if the news is confirmed, go and prepare.¡± Wei Nan patted his big belly as he smiled from ear to ear. Looking at the couple chatting happily on the holographic screen, Liu Su frowned. Did they really not remember that they had a daughter on Venus Planet? They even hoped that Venus Planet would be destroyed now. ¡°No, President.¡± Liu Su adjusted his expression and said, ¡°Something happened to Miss. Someone anonymously posted a video of Miss being abused. Now, everyone on the Internet is reprimanding Madam for not treating the daughter of a hero well.¡± Hearing this, Madam Wei suddenly sat up from her chair. The image of a good wife and mother that she had painstakingly established in the outside world was about to be ruined because of a video.. ¡°Hurry up and send the video to me!¡± Chapter 56 - Chapter 56: Cat Climb Chapter 56: Cat Climb Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations As Liu Su¡¯s fingertips flickered on the screen, the video was pulled up. ¡°I won¡¯t do it again. I¡¯m sorry.¡± The child¡¯s weak trembling made one¡¯s heart ache. Hearing this, Madam Wei revealed a look of disgust. Like mother, like daughter. She pretended to be pitiful just like her bitchy mother. After the live-stream ended, Madam Wei raised the glass of fruit juice beside her table and took a sip. ¡°How serious is it? Why are you so angry?¡± When Wei Nan looked up, he knew that Madam was angry again. He got up to comfort Madam Wei perfunctorily and reached out to rub her shoulder. However, Lin Wan slapped Wei Nan¡¯s hand away. Wei Xin was the illegitimate daughter of Wei Nan and a retired female soldier from the interstellar space. Because her mother was sent to an asylum, she was sent to the Wei family. As the legitimate Madam of the Wei family, Lin Wan was forced to bear the burden of raising a child. That was fine if that was all. If Wei Xin was just an ordinary girl, she could send her to a remote planet to raise her until she reached adulthood. However, Wei Xin actually obtained an S-rank appraisal result from the family¡¯s mental strength test and was valued by the old head of the Wei family. This made Lin Wan feel that her status in the Wei family was in jeopardy. She had a marriage alliance with Wei Nan, and her only son had mediocre potential. He had relied on his lack of brothers and sisters to become the heir of the Wei family. If a descendant of the Wei family with S-rank mental strength suddenly appeared, she would definitely be more suitable for the position of the Wei family¡¯s heir than her son. Moreover, Wei Xin was only five years old, but she was already so beautiful. She would definitely become gorgeous in the future. Lin Wan disliked her and couldn¡¯t wait for her to die. Now, Zhu Fei had given her a good opportunity. Lin Wan had once invited Zhu Fei to her house as a guest. At first glance, she felt that the other party was similar to her. They all put on a gentle and virtuous facade outside, but inside, they weren¡¯t like that at all. Entrusting Wei Xin to Zhu Fei and using her to torture Wei Xin to death was exactly what she wanted. Wei Nan had not had enough fun yet. Seeing that Lin Wan was leaving, he was secretly delighted. When that old woman left, wouldn¡¯t he have even more fun if he called a few young ladies over? He secretly hoped that Lin Wan would leave quickly, but Liu Su said, ¡°Alright, but there¡¯s another piece of news that I hope you can hear first.¡± ¡°What else is more important than our Wei family¡¯s reputation?¡± Wei Nan said unhappily. ¡°Young Master is back,¡± Liu Su reported. Ever since Zhou Ling disappeared, the officials who had returned from the same mission as him had been interrogated and monitored people, including the eldest son of the Wei family, Wei Xuan, who was still training in the interstellar space military. In order to prevent the family from getting into trouble, Wei Xuan stayed in the military dormitory for the few days after he returned. No matter how Lin Wan persuaded him, he refused to come back. Now, he had thought it through and wanted to go home to take a look? Lin Wan was surprised and delighted. She had to go back and prepare. ¡°Hubby, let¡¯s go home,¡± Lin Wan said. At this moment, Wei Nan¡¯s expression also changed. He solemnly turned off the communication device that he was about to call a beautiful woman with and replied, ¡°Alright, I happen to have something to look for him for.¡± At the same time, on Venus Planet. After Zhou Ling, who was still in his white cat form, wandered around the pet shop a few times, he began to lose interest. The main reason was that he saw that Liao Ning¡¯s eyes were often out of focus. Upon closer inspection, he knew that she was using the Al quite frequently. Liao Nai¡¯s attention was on him now, so he didn¡¯t see his aunt¡¯s absent-mindedness. This made Zhou Ling, who had noticed Liao Ning¡¯s actions, feel dejected. The scene before him reminded him of something he had seen before. Before his brother and sister-in-law went missing, they had left their daughter at home. Every time his niece came to look for him, he would occasionally neglect her because he couldn¡¯t neglect his work. Did she feel the same way back then? Zhou Ling walked under a cat tree. ¡°Little White, do you like this?¡± Liao Ning leaned over and suddenly appeared behind him. Zhou Ling was so frightened by her sudden action that his hair stood on end. ¡°Meow!¡± Zhou Ling looked up at the tall cat tree that stood in front of him like a big tree. It was obvious that it was expensive. However, he had an indescribable urge to jump on it! No, he couldn¡¯t jump! If he jumped on it, Liao Ning might buy it. However, when he looked at the shelf on the stage, he felt itchy, as if he had stepped on charcoal. ¡°Liao Ning?¡± Chapter 57 - Chapter 57: Meeting An Old Friend Again Chapter 57: Meeting An Old Friend Again Translator: Henvee Translations Editor: Henvee Translations ¡°It¡¯s really you.¡± Li Li appeared behind Liao Ning and the others with her cat bag. Gao Yuan followed behind her and even lowered his hat. If one didn¡¯t look carefully, one wouldn¡¯t notice that his hat was bulging. ¡°You guys know about this pet shop too? Do you also have a cat?¡± Li Li asked. When she turned her head and saw the little white cat standing under the cat tree, she suddenly pressed her palms together excitedly and said, ¡®What a cute little white cat!¡± She wanted to move forward to touch the little white cat, but Zhou Ling dodged her warily and jumped onto Liao Ning¡¯s body, letting her hug him. ¡°The little white cat isn¡¯t going to let me touch it?¡± Li Li asked in disappointment. ¡°Also?¡± Liao Ning asked. Gao Yuan¡¯s ears turned red and he coughed slightly. ¡°Your tuberculosis is acting up again?¡± Li Li crossed her arms and looked at Gao Yuan provocatively. ¡°You¡¯ll shorten my lifespan if you curse me like this,¡± Gao Yuan retorted. When Liao Ning saw this, she roughly knew what Li Li meant. It turned out that Gao Yuan¡¯s beast form didn¡¯t allow him to be petted. It was indeed a pity. ¡°My senior brother¡¯s brother has returned home, so we¡¯re preparing some gifts for him. ¡± According to the host¡¯s information, Liao Ning knew that Gao Yuan had a brother. His brother worked in the Interstellar Alliance Army, so it was inconvenient to reveal too much information. However, when Gao Yuan occasionally mentioned his brother in the live-stream, he revealed his yearning for him. It was said that if his parents had not forced him, he would have joined the army with his brother. Almost all the fans watching Gao Yuan¡¯s live-stream knew about this. Li Li suddenly leaned closer to Liao Ning and whispered, ¡°Let me tell you, when he heard this news, he was so happy that he didn¡¯t retract his ears for the entire day. His cat ears are so soft¡­¡± When Liao Ning heard this, her gaze couldn¡¯t help but fall on Gao Yuan¡¯s hat. ¡°Oh, is that so?¡± Liao Ning¡¯s lips gradually curled into a smile. She wanted to stroke him. Gao Yuan quickly understood her intentions and covered the hat on his head warily. ¡°Li Li, if you continue to spout nonsense, don¡¯t expect me to cover for you the next time you cause trouble! ¡± Li Li made a grimace at him. Seeing that Gao Yuan was about to catch her, she immediately hid behind Liao Ning. Gao Yuan stood there awkwardly. It was very rude to have physical contact with strangers. Gao Yuan couldn¡¯t do it. Moreover, the white cat in Liao Ning¡¯s arms didn¡¯t look easy to deal with. Seeing that he didn¡¯t dare to move forward, Li Li smiled smugly. These two people were really quite energetic. Liao Ning couldn¡¯t help but sigh. At this moment, Gao Yuan cleared his throat and asked, ¡°Ahem, what are you guys doing here?¡± ¡°Buying furniture for Little White. What else can we do?¡± Liao Ning raised her eyebrows. Choosing gifts for their family like he did. They were chosing pet supplies. Gao Yuan pointed at the cat tree behind them and said, ¡°The cat tree¡¯s chassis is unstable. It¡¯ll collapse as soon as it climbs it. I advise you not to buy it.¡± Li Li followed Liao Ning and said, ¡°He used it before and he fell from it in the dormitory. After that, he wanted to play but didn¡¯t dare to buy it. I still have a video sent from his roommate.¡± With that, Li Li showed it to Liao Ning, and the two women laughed together. ¡°And this one. He fell asleep in a glass bowl. He couldn¡¯t fit it in, so he forced himself into it. How cute¡­¡¯ As Gao Yuan pointed at the cat tree, he felt his fists harden. Zhou Ling, who was lying in Liao Ning¡¯s arms, looked at him sympathetically. The five of them chatted and laughed as they walked around the pet shop. Liao Ning and Li Li were still chatting happily. Gao Yuan and Liao Nai followed behind and only expressed their opinions occasionally. After they came to the cash register, a tall man met their eyes. ¡°Brother?¡± When Gao Yuan saw the man by the door, he recognized him at a glance. He raised his hat with his cat ears. ¡°Huh? Yuanyuan, why are you here?¡± Gao Dao calmly put away the pet hair care agent on the stage. He was wearing a duck-beaked hat and mask, revealing only a pair of dark eyes and messy fur outside. After a simple question, he lowered his eyes in a daze. He wasn¡¯t wearing a military uniform, and his lazy casual attire made him look sleazy. Then, he put it in his pocket and muttered, ¡°That¡¯s right. You¡¯ve been participating in competitions recently¡­¡± Gao Dao didn¡¯t wait for Gao Yuan to reply. He was talking to himself. As Liao Ning looked at Gao Dao, she felt that he didn¡¯t look like a soldier at all. He looked more like a hooligan from the streets. When Gao Dao looked at her, his dark eyes lit up. He straightened his back and raised his hand in midair before hurriedly dropping it. ¡°Boss..¡± Chapter 58 - Chapter 58: Food Detective Agency Chapter 58: Food Detective Agency Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Zhou Ling was also surprised to see Gao Dao here. If Gao Dao was here, didn¡¯t that mean that his brothers who were attacked on the Blue Planet were still alive? However, Gao Dao took off his mask with a solemn expression. Liao Ning and Li Li exchanged looks. Gao Dao had retired from the army. After the attack on the Blue Planet, he and his brothers were lucky enough to survive and return to the capital planet. They had wanted to expose the crime of Wei Xuan, the trusted aide who had pushed Zhou Ling into the abyss, but they were all beaten up. All the brothers who participated in the operation were dismissed. In a fit of anger, Gao Dao retired from the army. Now that he had calmed down, he quickly realized that there was a better way to resolve the matter. However, now that he had retired from the army, he had already given up the chance to turn things around for his boss. He was too ashamed to face his parents in his hometown or his brother, who had always been proud of him. He had already reached home, but he had no intention of going back. Instead, he took the interstellar space train to Venus Planet. Then, there was the scene of him meeting Gao Yuan at the pet shop. In the hotel, Liao Ning looked aroun the room. A man was reporting the situation to the white cat. What did Little White look like in human form? Various thoughts flashed across Liao Ning¡¯s mind. She wondered if Little White had abs since he was born in the military. At this moment, Li Li pushed her shoulder and said, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect Little White to be Gao Yuan¡¯s brother¡¯s superior. Gao Yuan¡¯s brother calls Little White Boss. Were they comrades who fought together before?¡± ¡°Maybe,¡± Liao Ning said. As she looked at the pet supplies by her feet, she wondered if she should return them. However, Li Li said, ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you want to return the items? That won¡¯t do. These are all very useful. For example, this.¡± As she spoke, she took out a cat teaser from the bag. ¡°Ring, ring!¡± The crisp sound of the bell was pleasant to the ears. Gao Yuan, who was sitting opposite them, pricked up his ears. ¡°See, it¡¯s very effective, right?¡± Li Li smiled mischeviously. Liao Nai sat beside Gao Yuan with a blank expression. ¡°Ahem, the child is still here.¡± Liao Ning snatched the cat teaser from Li Li¡¯s hand. If Little White saw this, he would probably get angry and hide. ¡°Can¡¯t you stop teasing me for even a single day?¡± Gao Yuan complained. In order not to continue the topic of teasing the cat, he turned to Liao Ning and said, ¡°You know about Zhu Fei, right?¡± Liao Ning nodded. ¡°I read some of the news when I was shopping.¡± She did see this news, but because she was focused on buying things, she didn¡¯t pay attention to them. However, Gao Yuan told her the rest of the story. Not only was Zhu Fei exposed as a child abuser, but she had also fallen out with her previous assistant. Perhaps it was too much of a blow, but she even disfigured herself. Later on, she was taken away by the interstellar space security bureau. As for the charges, they couldn¡¯t be publicized yet. After that, news of Zhu Fei¡¯s fake food taste and past misdeeds were exposed one after another. There was even a 15 -year-old girl who committed suicide because of Zhu Fei¡¯s cyber abuse. That girl had once borrowed money to give Zhu Fei gifts while watching her live-stream. After her death, her parents cried on the streets while carrying a huge debt. Gradually, there were rumors that Zhu Fei became famous because of the person backing her. Zhu Fei¡¯s reputation had already been ruined. ¡°Someone like her deserves such retribution. She doesn¡¯t deserve to be famous.¡± Li Li held the tea on the table as she sneered. ¡°Do you know what happened to the child who was live-streaming with Zhu Fei?¡± Liao Ning asked. When Li Li and Gao Yuan heard this, they were stunned. ¡°Are you talking about the illegitimate daughter of the Wei family?¡± Li Li¡¯s eyes wandered around. To be honest, she didn¡¯t have a good impression of the Wei family. Recently, her mental strength regulator had been rising. After she graduated, she scrimped and saved just to buy a bottle of mental strength regulator. Gao Yuan was from a wealthy family, so he didn¡¯t mind this. He gave the Liao Ning frowned as she looked at the familiar communication. Wasn¡¯t this the detective agency that she had hired to film Zhu Fei¡¯s scandals? She shouldn¡¯t have been so anxious to expose the scandal at that time. Now that she had hurt a child, the gains didn¡¯t make up for the losses. Gao Yuan knew nothing about Zhu Fei¡¯s incident. He pushed the communication card to Liao Ning and said, ¡°This detective agency might be able to find the answer you want.¡± ¡°The Shrimp Dumplings Detective Agency?¡± Chapter 59 - Chapter 59: Shrimp Dumplings Chapter 59: Shrimp Dumplings Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Li Li touched her chin and said, ¡°As expected of a food streamer. I heard that dumplings are very similar to ancient delicacies.¡± ¡°I¡¯m hungry.¡± Gao Yuan suggested, ¡°Why don¡¯t we make some dishes now?¡± ¡°I can help!¡± Li Li quickly suggested. ¡°But does anyone here know how to make dumplings?¡± Gao Yuan propped up his chin and frowned. ¡°Senior, don¡¯t you know how to cook it?¡± Li Li¡¯s hopes were dashed. Liao Ning flipped through the system¡¯s recipe. When she saw the finished product, she drooled. There was a crystal shrimp dumpling dish in Cantonese cuisine on ancient Earth. The prawn dumplings were bright and translucent, like pearls. ¡°I might be able to.¡± At the mention of delicious food, the gloominess in Liao Ning¡¯s heart disappeared. ¡°But I want to know if the interstellar farm has all the ingredients I need now.¡± ¡°Fresh shrimp, ginger, horse hooves, corn starch, wheat flour, soybean flour? Don¡¯t worry, we have them all.¡± Li Li looked at the ingredients list happily. After the materials were delivered, Gao Yuan and Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream started. At the same time, the fans watching their live-streams were in a dilemma. Both comment sections were filled with people complaining. [Liao Ning, we gave up Brother¡¯s live-stream for you to prove that we really love you!] [Brother, we gave up the cub/Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream for you to prove our love for you!] Similar comments flooded their live-streams at the same time. However, when they saw the scene in the live-stream, they were shocked. [Brother and Liao Ning are doing a collab again!] [The cub! The cub is here too!] [And the girl who sold us century eggs last time!] [I¡¯ve wanted to praise the century eggs since long ago. They¡¯re really delicious!] [I¡¯d like to pay tribute to the food research staff!] [Oh my god, are there still people who are stupid enough to spend money to thank them? No way. When I turned around, I realized that the person was actually me.] [I turned around and saw that the clown was actually me. Hahaha.] [Why are Brother and Liao Ning want both doing a live-stream? I don¡¯t even know who to send gifts to.] ¡°There¡¯s no need to send gifts. We¡¯re live-streaming at the same time today just to get more free ingredients from the endorsers,¡± Liao Ning said with a smile. Liao Ning¡¯s silver hair, blue eyes, and a gorgeous face were still familiar to the fans watching the live-stream. [Hahaha.] [We¡¯ve learned it too. Let the company¡¯s boss eat dirt.] [What are you cooking today, Liao Ning?] ¡°Crystal shrimp dumplings,¡± Liao Ning said. Her gloved hands were already peeling the shrimp. [Shrimp? I¡¯m familiar with this. Liao Ning taught me before.] [Is the food in that bowl really edible?] After Zhu Fei¡¯s downfall, many new viewers came to watch Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream. Perhaps they didn¡¯t know, but with the meat of prawns, be it steamed, stir-fried, or roasted, it would all taste delicious. The old fans watching Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream had tried Liao Ning¡¯s cooking skills in the past, so this time, they were looking forward to the new dish. Liao Ning peeled the shell of the raw prawn and picked out the prawn thread. After Li Li, Gao Yuan, and the others learned it, they helped from the side. Ten catties of prawns were quickly peeled. Then, they saw Liao Ning halve the prawns. She cut half of the prawn meat into paste and the other half into cubes. Then, she stirred them evenly with the chopped hooves and ginger. During this period, she also added corn starch to increase the softness. After the dumpling filling was done, it was time for Liao Nails favorite part, kneading the dough. After distributing the proportions of wheat flour and soybean powder, she added warm water to stir them into flour and kneaded them with her hands. The sharp-eyed audience in the live-stream had already noticed that Liao Nings new style of noodles was really magical. Then, it was time to make dumplings. Liao Ning rolled the noodles into the shape of a pancake and placed them into the filling that she had prepared in advance before wrapping them up and sealing the sides. Just like that, a white and tender prawn dumpling was made. [I¡¯ve always believed that Liao Ning knows magic.] [This dough seems to be even whiter than the ones I saw in the live-stream previously.] [Haha, our stupid brother is still struggling.] ¡°It¡¯s my first time making it. You¡¯re not allowed to laugh behind my back.¡± When Gao Yuan was wiping his face, he accidentally smeared white powder on it, making him look very clumsy.. Chapter 60 - Chapter 60: Wei Family’s Eldest Son Chapter 60: Wei Family¡¯s Eldest Son Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Senior, do you know? You look like a clown now!¡± Li Li laughed even more brazenly. As they laughed, the crooked shrimp dumplings they had wrapped were sent to the steamer. Liao Nai couldn¡¯t help but rub his hands in anticipation. Liao Ning chatted with Gao Yuan and the others in the live-stream. During this period, Liao Ning even cooked a simple version of taro balls with the batter Gao Yuan made. Coupled with the milk in the hotel¡¯s fridge, the taro balls left a fragrant aftertaste in her mouth. The taro balls made the fragrance of milk linger in one¡¯s mouth longer. Then, she ate a mouthful of steamed prawn dumplings. The feeling of a prawn spewing out spicy juice was amazing. The mashed water chestnuts were slightly sweet. The onlookers watching the live-stream sighed with emotion when they saw the delicious food. The commotion in the hotel lobby quickly alarmed Gao Sheng and Zhou Ling, who were still discussing in the room. In order to facilitate communication, the two of them connected to each other¡¯s spiritual power with the Al and used the subconscious space to communicate. This kind of communication could only be carried out when the Al hosts were in a relatively peaceful mental state. It was easy for the signal to be disrupted if one was distracted. Gao Dao¡¯s subconscious portrait was blurry just now. ¡°Did you hear what I just said to you?¡± Zhou Ling¡¯s gaze turned cold and he frowned slightly, giving off a sense of intimidation. Gao Dao perked up and returned to the subconscious space. Gao Dao didn¡¯t believe that Wei Xuan had framed Zhou Ling for this operation. When Wei Xuan first joined the army, although his aptitude was a little mediocre, he was more serious and diligent than any other recruit. Gao Dao still remembered that he had chased after him and called him ¡°Big Brother¡±. His thin body often reminded him of his brother, who was a graduate student on the capital planet. Wei Xuan was able to work for Zhou Ling because he had secretly promoted him. Unexpectedly, he had harmed Zhou Ling. ¡°Boss, I¡¯m sorry.¡± Gao Dao was ashamed. They were prepared to suppress the Wei family. Gao Dao was determined to abandon his selfish plans. ¡°There¡¯s no need to apologize. I hope that you can cooperate with me sincerely Zhou Ling said. Gao Dao nodded firmly. However, after a while, he said with a solemn expression, ¡°The Wei family¡¯s new medicine experiment has always been very covert. Boss, I¡¯m afraid it¡¯ll be very difficult for us to take down the Wei family from here.¡± Zhou Ling showed a map of the interstellar space to Gao Dao, who had an impression of it. They had just carried out a mission on Planet Mu 007 not long ago. At that time, he thought that it would be easy for Zhou Ling to catch the petrel. Now, he knew why he had to stay there for a few days. ¡°The interstellar space government is interested in purchasing the Wei family¡¯s mental medicine market. When we went back to Planet Mu, I sent people to pay more attention to their experiments on new medicine. You can investigate further from there,¡± Zhou Ling said. Now that Gao Dao had left the army, it would be much more convenient for him to investigate these things. Hearing this, Gao Dao nodded again. At the same time, on the capital planet, at the Wei family¡¯s home. Lin Wan and Wei Nan had already rushed home to see their son. It had been a long time since the family ate at the dining table, but the atmosphere wasn¡¯t pleasant. Not only was the ancient cuisine difficult to stomach, but Wei Nan also had a sullen expression. Actually, Wei Xuan didn¡¯t manage to settle Mr. Wei¡¯s matter. Wei Nan asked him to trick Zhou Ling into going to the Blue Planet, then the people Wei Nan arranged would deal with Zhou Ling. Unexpectedly, his silly son lost him. Previously, Wei Xuan didn¡¯t dare to go home because of this. Lin Wan didn¡¯t know the inside story and thought that the child was just avoiding suspicion. Only Wei Nan knew that Wei Xuan was afraid that he would scold him, so he found an excuse not to go home. And this time, for some reason, he suddenly had the courage to come back. ¡°Dad, Mom, I have something to do in the military later. I¡¯m going back after eating.¡± Wei Xuan said that he was leaving after taking a few bites. ¡°Hey, why are you leaving so early? Your father and I just came back and our family has just reunited. Why are you leaving?¡± Lin Wan watched in shock as her son wiped the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief. Was it a family reunion? Wei Xuan glanced at the empty seat beside his mother. ¡°I¡¯ll go get busy first.¡± With that, he stood up to leave. At this moment, Wei Nan suddenly shouted, ¡°Stop!¡± Chapter 61 - Chapter 61: A New Life Chapter 61: A New Life Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations When Zhou Ling¡¯s consciousness portrait rippled, he smelled fresh prawns outside the room. The commotion was almost imperceptible. Gao Dao had been in the army for many years, so he was very sensitive to such subtle movements. Seeing that their meeting was coming to an end, he looked around and approached Zhou Ling. ¡°Boss, your relationship with the woman outside the house is¡­¡± Zhou Ling looked up. There were only the two of them in the consciousness space. Seeing that Gao Dao was still acting sneakily, he stared at him seriously as he said, ¡°This doesn¡¯t concern our mission.¡± ¡°I was just asking. Don¡¯t be angry.¡± Gao Dao, who had pulled himself together, quickly noticed something amiss. He put on a knowing expression. However, Zhou Ling found him baffling. But soon, he said, ¡°Do you have any medicine that can quickly promote mental recovery?¡± ¡°Yes, yes!¡± Gao Dao replied. He thought to himself that his boss made it quite obvious even though he didn¡¯t say it. Zhou Ling just wanted to return to his human form as soon as possible so that woman would keep her distance. After meeting Gao Yuan today, Zhou Ling realized that Liao Ning wanted to pet kittens whenever she saw it. He was very unhappy with the smell of other cats on Liao Ning last time. The territorial consciousness stimulated by his beastification instincts couldn¡¯t tolerate it, so he wanted to end things quickly. Moreover, through his observation, he realized that Liao Ning was tolerant of cats in human form. At the very least, she would not touch them. Reverting to his human form was more conducive for him returning to his previous life, and it was also convenient for him to move around. It was a foolproof move. At this moment, Gao Dao was already searching for good potions online. After the order was issued, the doorbell outside the door rang. ¡°You guys have an appointment with someone else today?¡± Li Li asked in surprise when she heard the doorbell. Liao Ning shook her head. At this moment, Gao Dao walked out of the room. ¡°It¡¯s the delivery service I ordered.¡± ¡°Brother, what did you buy?¡± When Gao Yuan saw that Gao Dao¡¯s expression brightened gain, he opened the door for him happily. He was the first to receive the package and see the name of the potion on it. Gao Yuan was suddenly distracted, but Gao Dao smiled and patted his head. Then, he took the potion and said, ¡°Silly, don¡¯t think too much about it.¡± ¡°What did you buy? Why are you suddenly acting so mysterious?¡± Li Li stuck her head out and said, ¡°Since you¡¯re done, come and try our dumplings.¡± ¡°Dumplings?¡± The first time Gao Dao had heard of this term was in a detective agency. He didn¡¯t expect such a thing to really exist, and it was even an ancient delicacy. As he looked at the dumplings that looked like coral pearls on the plate, he tasted one. Then, he said in surprise, ¡°Did you make this?¡± The dumplings were smooth and tender in the mouth, and the texture was chewy. It was really delicious. ¡°Gao Yuan and I were just helping. The formula was from Liao Ning,¡± Li Li said. Everyone¡¯s gazes landed on Liao Ning. Gao Dao sized up the woman in front of him again. At this moment, Liao Ning took out a bowl of vinegar and said, ¡°Do you want to try dipping it in this?¡± How could there not be vinegar when they ate dumplings? Liao Ning looked expectant and everyone was eager to give it a try. The sourness of the vinegar gave the dumplings a different taste. ¡°Meow¡ª¡± When Zhou Ling came out of the room, he let out a long meow. Seeing this, Gao Dao had an idea. ¡°Let me do it.¡± He ignored Liao Ning as he took the prawn dumplings and dipping sauce from her hand and poured the potion into the vinegar in front of Zhou Ling. The plan worked! As night fell, Liao Ning returned to the cabin. Liao Nai went up to wash up first. Liao Ning and Zhou Ling were the only ones left in the hall. To Liao Ning¡¯s surprise, Little White chose to return to Liao Ning¡¯s side after meeting its subordinate. Liao Ning watched as he circled the new nest that she had built with a wooden basket and jumped onto the new cat tree. He looked like he liked it very much. Suddenly, Liao Ning had an idea. She felt that it was the right time for her to take out the cat teaser. She had to tease him when he was happy. Liao Ning did as she planned. She wanted Little White to get used to it before using the cat teaser. However, in the past two days, she had actually watched this little bad cat get close to two strangers. If she wasn¡¯t angry about it, it would be unfair, since Little White vented its anger on her for getting close to other cats last time.. Chapter 62 - Chapter 62: Little White Transforms into a Human Chapter 62: Little White Transforms into a Human Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Immediately, she called out to Zhou Ling, ¡°Little White.¡± Zhou Ling immediately pricked up his ears on the cat tree. After he turned around and saw the cat teaser in Liao Ning¡¯s hand, the little bird doll hanging on it attracted his attention. ¡°Ding, ding, ding!¡± Zhou Ling¡¯s cat eyes narrowed. He flipped over and walked to Liao Ning¡¯s side with his tail raised. His amber eyes were fixed on the cat teaser that was swaying up and down. Then, he immediately jumped up with his claws reaching for the little bird accurately. Just as it was about to succeed, Liao Ning deliberately raised the cat teaser. Shock flashed across Zhou Ling¡¯s eyes. Later on, he realized that he didn¡¯t even know why he was so obsessed with grabbing the cat teaser. After a few attempts to jump up, he finally grabbed the cat teaser with his front claws. However, Liao Ning hooked the white cat up, like she was fishing. Zhou Ling could have landed safely in Liao Ning¡¯s arms. This was what Liao Ning expected, but the sudden darkness in front of her made her smile freeze. Clang! The man¡¯s powerful arm supported Liao Ning¡¯s side. The cat teaser in her hand was pulled behind her. Where was her little white cat?! Liao Ning widened her eyes in shock. The man in front of her was ridiculously handsome. His tan skin was dazzling, and his amber eyes couldn¡¯t hide his surprise. Moreover, the other party¡¯s arms were bare, and his feet were kneeling on both sides of her thighs in an ambiguous posture. If not for the man¡¯s arm supporting him, their faces would have been pressed against each other. Time seemed to have stopped. Liao Ning looked at the cat teaser in shock as she asked uncertainly, ¡°Little White?¡± A blush appeared under the man¡¯s eyes. He lowered his voice as he asked, ¡°Can you let go of my hand first?¡± ¡°What hand?¡± Liao Ning had yet to recover from her shock. She looked down at the man¡¯s abs. rlWvo, four, six¡­ a total of eight pieces! Liao Ning was so shocked that her neck turned red. Her hand that was holding the man¡¯s shoulder began to wander around his body. It was as if she was trying to verify something. She realized that Zhou Ling¡¯s muscles were not very hard. They were a little soft. like Little White¡¯s fur. and felt good to the touch. Moreover, the lines of his muscles were very well-proportioned and beautiful. One look and one could tell that he was the type who looked thin in clothes but was muscular after he took off his clothes. Liao Ning swallowed. Zhou Ling immediately grabbed her hand, which was about to do something evil. Only then did Liao Ning snap back to her senses. She suddenly let go of the cat teaser and raised her leg to attack the other party¡¯s weak point. Fortunately, Zhou Ling reacted in time and pressed down on Liao Ning¡¯s feet. However, at this moment, his hands weren¡¯t free, so he was slapped hard by Liao Ning. At this moment, Liao Nai went downstairs. When he saw a stranger riding on his aunt, he couldn¡¯t tolerate it! He quickly exerted strength and immediately transformed into his wolf form before jumping down. He and Liao Ning cooperated very well. When Zhou Ling was in a daze after being slapped, Liao Nai pushed Zhou Ling to the ground in front of the sofa and bared his fangs. Zhou Ling was shocked by the explosive power of the boy in front of him. His gaze turned cold, and his human form immediately disappeared as he transformed into a white tiger and pounced over. While suppressing Liao Nai, he didn¡¯t hurt the child at all, but Liao Nai lost the ability to resist. ¡°Little White!¡± Two different voices sounded at the same time. Liao Ning and Liao Nai were both shocked by Zhou Ling, who was in his white tiger form. Furthermore, Zhou Ling was different from before. Liao Ning could feel the powerful mental strength in his body. After confirming that Liao Nai wouldn¡¯t attack him again, Zhou Ling let go of him. After the wolf cub realized that the white tiger was Little White, it immediately recalled Zhou Ling¡¯s handsome counterattack just now. Its shock turned into surprise. ¡°You want to learn it?¡± Zhou Ling saw through Liao Nai¡¯s thoughts at a glance. Liao Nails gaze was like that of a new recruit he had led before, and the admiration in his eyes was obvious. Zhou Ling smirked. His soft snort was very seductive. Liao Ning had never blushed so much before. Little White¡¯s appearance, figure, and voice were all just her type.. Chapter 63 - Chapter 63: Villain Parent Chapter 63: Villain Parent If she hadn¡¯t been scratched by Little White¡¯s hand just now, she probably wouldn¡¯t have cared even if he was a man who had ill intentions towards her. She would have banged him first. Zhou Ling was still facing Liao Ning in his white tiger form. Although he felt a little happy when he saw the woman¡¯s flushed face, he quickly realized that something was wrong. ¡°Can I touch your fur again?¡± Liao Ning¡¯s eyes lit up as she looked at him. She wasn¡¯t intimidated by him at all. Zhou Ling didn¡¯t agree or refuse. Liao Ning thought that he had tacitly agreed, so she stroked his back. This time, she moved carefully and was no longer as unscrupulous as before. It made Zhou Ling feel as if they had returned to the time when he had just saved Liao Ning. ¡°Fortunately, you¡¯re my life-saving cat.¡± Liao Ning leaned against Zhou Ling¡¯s back and smiled. Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling was touched and turned around. Liao Nai, who had returned to his human form, tugged at the corner of Liao Ning¡¯s clothes and said innocently, ¡°Aunt, did you know Little White in the past?¡± Liao Ning nodded as she leaned on Zhou Ling¡¯s back and said happily, ¡°I shouldn¡¯t call you Little White now. I should call you Colonel Zhou.¡± ¡°It¡¯s good that you know.¡± Zhou Ling didn¡¯t break free from Liao Ning¡¯s embrace. Instead, he turned his head and brushed against the hair on her neck. When his cold breath swept across Liao Ning¡¯s neck, she was stunned. Liao Ning suddenly felt her neck burning. Also, why did she feel that Zhou Ling was laughing just now? However, at this moment, the system issued an untimely notification. [Congratulations to the host for saving the parent of Villain No. 2. You have now been rewarded with 100 system points. Please take note.] Why didn¡¯t the system detect Zhou Ling¡¯s true identity earlier? Liao Ning stared ahead blankly. The system remained silent for a long time. ¡°Let¡¯s cut the prawns into different parts of equal size first¡­¡± In the cafe, Zheng Tai, who was wearing a white shirt and suspenders, was staring at the holographic screen in a daze, his hand tapping on the table from time to time. ¡°Can¡¯t you make dumplings according to the instructions?¡± Li Yue slammed the table. The robot beside him had a wooden expression and remained silent. The feeling of being ignored made the young man furious. ¡°Aren¡¯t you making things difficult for him by not recording him into the program?¡± The young man sitting opposite him was wearing an ultraviolet barrier and his slender fingers kept tapping on the buttons on the holographic screen. ¡°Can¡¯t you get him one?¡± Li Yue said. As a member of the Shrimp Dumplings Detective Agency, why couldn¡¯t he replicate the shop¡¯s signboard? However, the young man coldly closed all the screens and took off his blindfold, revealing a pair of blue eyes. At first glance, his eyes were similar to Liao Ning¡¯s, but the young man¡¯s gaze was cold. His black curly hair made him look like a little prince. Her appearance overlapped with the protagonist of the mental breakdown in the Su family in the interstellar space news. After using his mental power to connect to the Al over a long time, he looked even more tired. ¡°I didn¡¯t even settle scores with you after you messed up the concert last time.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not common for people to use their mental strength during investigations. How can you blame me?¡± Li Yue complained. However, Su MO said bluntly, ¡°If it wasn¡¯t for your Mentality Adjustment Potion, such a thing wouldn¡¯t have happened.¡± ¡°You also know our detective agency¡¯s situation. We don¡¯t have enough funds. Besides, aren¡¯t you fine now? Moreover, there were no casualties at the concert,¡± Li Yue said as he looked at Su MO with a cunning gaze. He actually wanted to see what the refined young man was like during a mental breakdown. However, the outcome didn¡¯t meet his expectations. After Su Mo¡¯s mental breakdown, he returned to his original form and jumped around the venue. He smashed many musical instruments, but he didn¡¯t hurt anyone. As for the bloodstained piano, he had photoshopped the photos and made things up. It was probably just for fun. To the young man, nothing was more amusing than watching someone struggle after becoming disgraced. It was just like how he had helped Liao Ning expose Zhu Fei and helped turn the tide in secret. It was just to satisfy his own selfish desires.. Chapter 64 - Chapter 64: New Competition System Chapter 64: New Competition System Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Su MO rolled his eyes at him. This detective agency was left to him by his grandmother. The meaning of its name was to mourn an old friend, not to serve dishes. At first, he didn¡¯t put much effort into running the detective agency. That was until he often dreamed that he had a sister, who didn¡¯t exist in reality, and appeared in a school performance in reality. He began to doubt the authenticity of his past. With the intention of finding out the truth, he took over the detective agency again. As for the young man in front of him, he had found him at the back door of the performance hall during a tour. It was just a coincidence that he took the young man in, but he didn¡¯t expect him to be so talented in investigation and helped him a lot in the detective agency. However, the young man¡¯s lifestyle worried him quite a bit. Now, he didn¡¯t know if taking in the young man was a blessing or a curse. ¡°I heard that you¡¯re going to Planet Mu 007 to perform soon. On account of me helping you deal with the Wei family this time, can you bring me along?¡± Li Yue asked expectantly. Su MO looked at him meaningfully and said, ¡°Dream on.¡± As soon as he finished speaking, the entire cafe was filled with the young man¡¯s wails. The results for the second round of the Interstellar Food Competition¡¯s audition were out. This time, they chose Planet Mu 007. Almost everyone in the interstellar space knew about Planet Mu 007¡¯s banquet. How could the hunters sitting under the temple only drink nutritional supplements at such a grand banquet? The organizer of the competition quickly gave the contestants the choice of questions. The live-streamers would form teams of two and prepare delicious food for the hunter¡¯s Myriad Sage Banquet. The food they prepared would be graded by the hunters. The top ten groups with the highest scores would be nominated, and the rest would be eliminated. In order to ensure fairness, this competition would be broadcast live to the entire interstellar network. [Team up with future opponents? The competition organizers must be crazy!] [I¡¯m already looking forward to the teammates screwing each other over.] [The competition is like a variety show.] [Will the show be terminated because it exposes the live-streamer¡¯s actual daily life?] [Zhu Fei¡¯s incident had a huge impact on the competition. The government has already started to monitor the situation here.] [I think that this is the right thing to do. Ancient delicacies were a treasure left behind by the pioneers. Now that we¡¯ve dug them out again, how can we let those people who don¡¯t abide by public discipline taint them? It¡¯s reasonable for the competition organizers to introduce such a system. They¡¯re helping the officials do a good deed by finding more immoral live-streamers.] [No matter what, I¡¯m looking forward to it.] At this moment, Liao Ning was flipping through the new system of the competition. Many live-streamers had already invited her to form a team through her private message section. After the first round of the competition ended, the live-streamers ranked below the top 50 were eliminated. After the food live-streamers competed for the rankings in the first round before the competition, the number of fans and supporters became fixed. There was actually nothing interesting about the competition following the same rules as the first round. However, Zhu Fei¡¯s disgrace gave the competition organizers a lot of inspiration. The system also issued a mission. [Please win second place in the second round of the Interstellar Food Competition and obtain the entry slot to the finals.] Mission Item: One Ancient Western Recipe. The mission reward was 300 mission points and 50 million interstellar coins. Villain No. 2¡¯s evil value has increased to 40%. According to the original plot, it will surge when it decreases to 20%. Host, please plan the mission accordingly.] Down to 20%? It was already 16% lower than before. At this speed, they would have enough time to enter the final competition. When she arrived at the capital planet, she would look for Villain No. 2. As for the solution, Liao Ning looked at Liao Nai, who was undergoing Zhou Ling¡¯s training not far away. They had bought Zhou Ling¡¯s training uniform last night. The design made it easy for him to move and revealed his broad shoulders and narrow waist. Liao Ning felt that it was a good idea for her to become the parent of Villain No. 2 and then adopt her. Noticing the scorching gaze behind him, Zhou Ling, who was praising Liao Nails talent, suddenly felt flustered.. Chapter 65 - Chapter 65: Team Invitation Chapter 65: Team Invitation Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations After he secretly turned around, he saw Liao Ning sitting on a chair while waving at him with a smile. Her smile was drop-dead gorgeous. Zhou Ling retracted his gaze and the tips of his ears turned slightly pink. ¡°It¡¯s been hard on you to help Xiaonai train today.¡± Liao Ning prepared an all-fish banquet for Zhou Ling today. For this, Liao Ning spent 300 points to exchange for three ancient food recipes of different cuisines. The squirrel fish, pickled vegetable fish, fish head soup, and so on were quickly devoured. After dinner, the three of them sat around the sofa with popcorn and chips. They were prepared to watch an interstellar space movie. Liao Ning was the one who suggested watching a movie. Now that the lights were dim and there were all kinds of snacks and drinks, it was a good time for a date. However, Zhou Ling was the only one staring at the holographic screen. Because Liao Nai was tired from training today, so he fell asleep in Liao Ning¡¯s arms after a while. Meanwhile, Liao Ning¡¯s mind wasn¡¯t on the movie at all. Her gaze drifted to Zhou Ling from time to time. The male lead of this movie wasn¡¯t as good-looking as the person beside her. Liao Ning was secretly delighted. Although Zhou Ling was looking at the screen, he was distracted. When he felt Liao Ning¡¯s gaze, he could no longer ignore his nervousness. ¡°Let the child lean on me.¡± Zhou Ling tilted his head and suddenly met Liao Ning¡¯s gaze. After the two of them looked at each other for a moment, they looked away at the same time and sat upright. It was impossible for them to watch a movie now. Liao Ning was silent for a long time before she held Liao Nai¡¯s head gently as she whispered, ¡°Okay.¡± Zhou Ling was very careful as he took over. From his skillful movements, Liao Ning could tell that Zhou Ling had taken care of children before. ¡°I¡¯m going to Planet Mu 007 to carry out a mission soon,¡± Zhou Ling suddenly said. As he spoke, he placed his hand very close to Liao Ning¡¯s hand. ¡°Can we go together?¡± Zhou Ling asked very softly. When she looked at Zhou Ling again, she saw that his neck and ears were red under the light of the holographic screen. He turned around and looked at Liao Ning seriously. ¡°I can help you take care of the child!¡± His gaze gave Liao Ning the illusion that he was talking about a marriage proposal or something. ¡°Of course,¡± Liao Ning replied straightforwardly. Her hand, which was very close to Zhou Ling¡¯s, hooked his fingertips. Liao Ning could feel Zhou Ling¡¯s body stiffen. This aroused her mischievous side. She smiled at Zhou Ling and said, ¡°Not only this time, but you can also stay with us in the future. Do you want to consider staying? With that, Liao Ning grabbed Zhou Ling¡¯s hand. Zhou Ling, who was captured again, didn¡¯t dodge this time. After a moment of silence, he held Liao Ning¡¯s fingertips as he said solemnly, ¡°I¡¯ll take responsibility.¡± Responsibility? Liao Ning was excited when she heard that. Could it be that something was going to happen between them tonight? Could he make the hint more obvious?! Liao Ning felt a little bashful. However, Zhou Ling said, ¡°I will be responsible for what happened yesterday.¡± Yesterday? What happened yesterday? Did she miss it? Liao Ning¡¯s face flushed red. She had slept soundly yesterday and nothing unusual happened. On the other hand, Zhou Ling looked very serious in the morning. After hearing Zhou Ling¡¯s explanation, Liao Ning became dejected. Zhou Ling was referring to the fact that Liao Ning had seen him naked yesterday. Gao Dao had given him the medicine to restore his mental strength, but Zhou Ling didn¡¯t know that it would be so powerful. It even made Zhou Ling lose consciousness for a moment. Since he let Liao Ning see his indecent appearance, he couldn¡¯t blame Liao Ning for slapping him. Liao Ning was amused and annoyed by Zhou Ling¡¯s stubbornness. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean we would be together!¡± Liao Ning grabbed Zhou Ling¡¯s hand. ¡°If we¡¯re together, you¡¯ll have to listen to me!¡± Zhou Ling pursed his lips and remained silent. ¡°You should know about my identity,¡± he said solemnly. The Zhou family was one of the five great families in the interstellar space, and their relationships were complicated. In addition, he and his brother were White Tiger Double Stars, which the family rarely saw in a hundred years.. Chapter 66 - Chapter 66: Going to Planet Mu Chapter 66: Going to Planet Mu Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations In the entire interstellar space, few people¡¯s mental strength could compare to that of the two brothers. Their strength had become a thorn in the side of many people. The disappearance of his brother and sister-in-law also happened because of this. There was no benefit in following him. Furthermore, he had only interacted with Liao Ning for a short period of time. He didn¡¯t want to put Liao Ning in a dangerous situation, nor did he want Liao Ning to regret it in the future. Forget it. When Zhou Ling mentioned his family background, he met Liao Ning¡¯s eyes and sighed deeply as he said, ¡°You¡¯ve really thought it through?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Liao Ning said. Zhou Ling held Liao Ning¡¯s hand as he said, ¡°Okay.¡± Liao Ning was stunned. She could see the hesitation in Zhou Ling¡¯s eyes and thought that it would take some time before she became the parent of Villain No. 2. It was as if Zhou Ling¡¯s hesitation was an act. Liao Ning stared at Zhou Ling¡¯s mirthful eyes in a daze. Just as she was about to ask Zhou Ling what he meant, Liao Nai woke up. ¡°When did I fall asleep?¡± Liao Nai rubbed his eyes sleepily. Liao Ning and Zhou Ling quickly separated their hands. At this moment, the movie was already coming to an end. Liao Nai had slept for almost the entire time. ¡°The movie is over?¡± Liao Nai¡¯s eyes were filled with pity. ¡°If you want to see it, there¡¯s still a chance next time.¡± Zhou Ling patted Liao Nai¡¯s head. ¡°How can you be sure that there will be a next time?¡± Liao Nai asked. Zhou Ling and Liao Ning looked at each other. If Liao Ning was still willing to follow him after knowing that he was going to leave the main family after his engagement, they would naturally have another chance. With Liao Ning¡¯s straightforward personality, Zhou Ling thought that she would weigh the pros and cons. If Liao Ning really followed him wholeheartedly, he would naturally protect them. Thinking of this, Zhou Ling rubbed Liao Nai¡¯s head again. Zhou Ling¡¯s palm was a little rough, making Liao Nai¡¯s head itch. Fortunately, Liao Nai didn¡¯t dislike this feeling. If only Little White could stay in their house forever. Liao Nai had this thought. The next morning, when the artificial sun had just risen on Planet Mu, Liao Ning started planning to rush to Planet Mu 007. During the flight, she received Gao Yuan¡¯s team invitation again. Unlike other live-streamers, they had worked together twice before. Other than Gao Yuan¡¯s clumsiness, everything else was fine. Liao Ning felt that he was a good candidate to form a team with. Moreover, the mission given by the system this time was to get second place. Compared to letting her win the championship directly, this was much harder. With Liao Ning¡¯s recipe in hand, she was naturally confident that she could win the championship. However, if she wanted to be second, she probably had to control her score. It was important to find a teammate who could help her control the score. However, how many of them didn¡¯t come to the food competition just to get good results and settle down in the capital? Liao Ning was sure that Gao Yuan was one of them. Just based on Gao Dao¡¯s military achievements on the capital planet alone, his entire family could live on the capital planet for 300 years. Just as she was about to reveal her plan to Gao Yuan, another figure appeared in the holographic image. ¡°Yuanyuan doesn¡¯t work with people with families.¡± Gao Dao smiled, but then he turned off the holographic image. Liao Ning was dumbfounded. At this moment, she turned around and saw Zhou Ling reading an e-book with Liao Nai at the dining table. He was drinking tea nonchalantly. Seeing this, Liao Ning instantly understood the cause and effect of the matter. The scene of the white cat hiding under the sofa flashed across her mind, making her laugh. She had to dote on the man she chose. Just like that, the matter of teaming up with Gao Yuan was dismissed. ¡°Little V is reminding you that we¡¯re entering Planet Mu 007 now. In order to prevent an accident from happening, please sit tight in the safety cabin.¡± When the notification sounded, Liao Nai want to go to the window to take a look, but Zhou Ling yanked him back. ¡°It¡¯s very dangerous during a spaceship¡¯s landing. Don¡¯t stand by the window.¡± Liao Nai jumped down from the stool and pointed out the window proudly. ¡°This was where my aunt used to live.¡± Zhou Ling raised his head and looked at the oasis that was gradually becoming clearer with a deep gaze. That was also the place where he and Liao Ning first met. As he thought about it, mirth appeared in Zhou Ling¡¯s eyes.. Chapter 67 - Chapter 67: Yu Ni Chapter 67: Yu Ni ¡°Here, here, Liao Ning!¡± When Liao Ning arrived at the competition venue, she heard Yu Ni¡¯s cry. Yu Ni was still as enthusiastic as before. Liao Ning greeted her warmly. The two of them looked intimate, but Yu Ni gave off a faint sense of alienation. Yu Ni had once said that she was Liao Ning¡¯s fan, but she did not take the initiative to invite Liao Ning to join her team for this competition. ¡°Liao Ning, I¡¯m really sorry but a few days ago, I already discussed forming a team with someone else, so I can¡¯t form a team with you. It¡¯s really a pity.¡± Yu Ni didn¡¯t smile for long before her expression became dejected. However, Liao Ning felt that it was not a big deal. Just as she was about to comfort her, Yu Ni pulled the young lady who was standing not far away over. ¡°Let me introduce you to my partner in this competition, Ning Xi.¡± Yu Ni pushed a girl with thick glasses forward, as if she was showing off. ¡°Hello!¡± Ning Xi pushed her eyeglasses up nervously as she blushed and did not dare to look at Liao Ning. ¡°Hello.¡± Liao Ning smiled and extended her hand. As soon as she finished speaking, the food live-streamers who had arrived at the same time began to whisper, ¡°I wonder if Yu Ni is really stupid or pretending to be stupid.¡± ¡°Ning Xi was at the bottom of the rankings in the last competition, but she still wants to team up with her.¡± The people were discussing quite loudly. They did not seem to care if Liao Ning could hear them or not. ¡°She would rather team up with someone at the bottom of the rankings than the first on the rankings. Is she out of her mind?¡± ¡°She¡¯s ranked first on the rankings, so how can we, lowly live-streamers, afford to invite her? Didn¡¯t you also invite her? Did she reply to you?¡± The passerby who asked the question was very aggressive, and the other person answered diffidently, ¡°No.¡± Then, one of them scolded Liao Ning, ¡°How pretentious.¡± Just as they finished speaking, a group of children suddenly ran over. ¡°It¡¯s really Miss Liao. Miss Liao is back!¡± The little girl in the lead shouted excitedly. The fifty or so children behind her squeezed through the crowd and apologized to the people around them as they came to Liao Ning excitedly. ¡°We missed you so much. We were overjoyed when we heard that you came back!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. We even watched your food live-stream. Your cooking was delicious. Haodong even drooled when he dreamed about it at night!¡± The children kept praising her. Some of them even wanted to tell her what had happened on Planet Mu after Liao Ning left. ¡°Miss Liao, you don¡¯t know this, but after you left, an old man selling meatballs came to the village entrance. The meatballs he sold were delicious.¡± ¡°It was sweet and tasted the same as the one from your live-stream.¡± The children spoke one after another while Liao Ning listened with a smile. However, the others frowned and felt guilty for saying that Liao Ning was ¡°pretentious¡±. Some live-streamers covered their ears in discomfort and scolded, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with the competition organizer? Why did they let so many children in? It¡¯s so noisy.¡± Ning Xi, who was pushed aside by the children, looked at Liao Ning with admiration. She also wanted to be protected by a group of cute little friends. What a heartwarming scene. Yu Ni frowned. Soon, she noticed that a girl¡¯s gaze was fixed on her from the beginning to the end. Yu Ni pulled her hair to the side in shock while trying to cover her face. The girl had golden curly hair. When she saw Yu Ni, her lake-blue eyes sparkled as brightly as a gem. She was the only child in the group who wore a princess dress, so she looked out of place among the surrounding children, who were dressed as hunters. No one among the children despised her for this. They even held her hand and came to Liao Ning. ¡°Yu Guo is here.¡± Yu Guo¡¯s sickly pale face turned red as she tugged at her clothes and looked at Liao Ning timidly, her eyes flickering. ¡°Hello, Miss Liao.¡± ¡°Long time no see. Yu Guo, have you been feeling better recently?¡± Liao Ning looked at Yu Guo as she caressed her head. Yu Guo¡¯s face turned even redder.. Then, she suddenly grabbed Liao Ning¡¯s hand and said expectantly, ¡°Are you teaming up with my mother today?¡± Chapter 68 - Chapter 68: Yu Guo Chapter 68: Yu Guo Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Huh? Liao Ning raised her eyebrows and turned to look at Yu Ni. No wonder she felt that Yu Ni looked familiar the first time she saw her. Now that she saw Yu Guo, Liao Ning had a guess. ¡°I¡¯m here to participate in the competition today, but I¡¯m not in a team with anyone yet. Yu Guo, who¡¯s the mother you¡¯re talking about?¡± Liao Ning rubbed Yu Guo¡¯s head kindly. After knowing that Liao Ning didn¡¯t know her mother, Yu Guo was a little disappointed. However, when she heard that Liao Ning had not formed a team with anyone else, Yu Guo¡¯s eyes immediately lit up. ¡°Then you can team up with my mother!¡± Yu Guo held Liao Ning¡¯s hand with one hand and wanted to hold Yu Nit s hand with the other. Yu Ni avoided Yu Guo¡¯s hand and left quickly with her head lowered. ¡°Mom¡­¡± Yu Guo held Liao Nings hand as she watched Yu Ni leave in a daze. She didn¡¯t understand why her mother, who loved her so much, would pretend not to know her. As Liao Ning looked at Yu Ni¡¯s back, she pursed her lips. Then, she comforted Yu Guo. ¡°Yu Guo, you might have the wrong person.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. Yu Ni¡¯s information shows that she¡¯s single and unmarried. Little kid, you might have the wrong person.¡± ¡°Right. ¡± ¡°Maybe the little kid misses her mommy too much.¡± Yu Ni¡¯s fans and live-streamers who were on good terms with Yu Ni spoke up one after another, but many people also voiced their doubts. ¡°Tsk, I don¡¯t think she¡¯s mistaken. Yu Ni is too good at pretending!¡± ¡°It¡¯s hard to say. The color of the child¡¯s hair is really similar to Yu Ni¡¯s.¡± ¡°So are her eyes. It¡¯s just that Yu Nit s pupils are lighter than the child¡¯s.¡± Hearing the people present start to discuss this matter, Liao Ning was a little unhappy. She didn¡¯t want a child like Yu Guo to hear these words. ¡°Yu Guo, follow me.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Yu Guo nodded and held Liao Ning¡¯s hand as she followed her out of the event location. Liao Nai held Liao Nings other hand and looked at Yu Guo carefully. He could feel that the little girl was very sad. Soon, they arrived at the hotel booked by the organizer. After checking in, Liao Ning came to Yu Guo¡¯s side. Although Liao Ning was their teacher, she really didn¡¯t know that Yu Guo had a mother, and that mother was most likely Yu Ni. Liao Ning only knew that Yu Guo had a relative who transferred money to the foster family on time every month, and there were many beautiful clothes sent to the foster family every month. As the little girl sat on the sofa obediently, her exquisite princess dress and golden curly hair made her look as beautiful as a Barbie doll. ¡°Guoguo, is Yu Ni really your mother?¡± Liao Ning touched her face lovingly as she asked. ¡°Yes! ¡± Yu Guo nodded vigorously. As if afraid that Liao Ning wouldn¡¯t believe her, she took out a sealed photo from her small bag. ¡°Teacher, look. This is a photo of Mom and me!¡± In the photo, Yu Guo was wearing a pink swimsuit with a swimming ring around her waist. A woman who was also wearing a swimsuit was wearing a big sun hat as she hugged Yu Guo affectionately and smiled brightly. From the background, this photo seemed to have been taken on the Sea Star. The woman in the photo was indeed Yu Ni. ¡°This was taken when Mom took me on vacation last year!¡± A smile appeared on the little girl¡¯s face at the mention of her mother. Liao Nai also came over to take a look. ¡°Wow, how beautiful!¡± Liao Ning patted the two brats¡¯ heads. She didn¡¯t understand why Yu Ni abandoned her daughter on Planet Mu when she clearly loved her so much. What was Yu Ni¡¯s problem? On the other side, Yu Ni was panicking in the room. ¡°Why is Guoguo here? Why is Liao Ning Guoguo¡¯s teacher?!¡± ¡°Damn it! How can I carry out the plan now?!¡± Yu Ni paced back and forth in frustration. She didn¡¯t expect her plan to take revenge on the Wei Corporation to fail before it even started. Why had she never heard Yu Guo mention anything about Liao Ning before? Guoguo, who had suddenly appeared today, had almost exposed her identity. Could it be that someone had discovered his plan? No, that was impossible. She was just a small food streamer. She wasn¡¯t famous or powerful. The Wei family wouldn¡¯t notice her at all, let alone go through so much trouble to threaten her with Guoguo. Everything that happened today must be a coincidence! Yu Ni kept mentally preparing herself. After sorting out her thoughts, she relaxed. After she relaxed, Yu Ni couldn¡¯t help but recall that rainy night five years ago.. Chapter 69 - Chapter 69: Cause Chapter 69: Cause Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations In the dimly lit room, a tall man with a pale face was lying on the bed. Yu Ni stood by the bed and watched the man drink the mental strength potion with anticipation, in hopes that the man¡¯s pain could be suppressed. Unfortunately, things didn¡¯t go as planned. This mental strength potion didn¡¯t ease the man¡¯s pain. Instead, it increased it. ¡°How can this be¡­ This is a mental strength potion distributed by the military to current and retired soldiers¡­¡± Yu Ni looked at the man on the bed, who looked like he was in pain, and muttered in disbelief. The man tried his best to smile and comfort Yu Ni. ¡°You don¡¯t have to go through so much trouble for me. After that battle, my mental strength was severely injured. I won¡¯t recover.¡± ¡°No, I won¡¯t give up. There must be a problem with the potion!¡± ¡°I know my body. I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t be able to wait until the day Guoguo grows up. This is the money I¡¯ve saved over the years. Guoguo will have to rely on you.¡± The man trembled as he took out a card and handed it to Yu Ni. Then, he smiled gently at Yu Guo, who was sleeping soundly not far away. ¡°Brother! What are you talking about? Yu Guo doesn¡¯t have a mother anymore. Are you going to make her lose her father too?¡± Yu Nit s eyes turned red. ¡°I know. It¡¯s because I¡¯m incompetent. I¡¯m not a good father¡­¡± The man raised his hand to wipe the tears from the corners of his sister¡¯s eyes.¡± I¡¯m not a good brother either. I¡¯m sorry, Little Sister. I shouldn¡¯t have said these words to make you cry¡­¡± Yu Ni held his bony hand as she shook her head vigorously. ¡°No, I¡¯m the one who dragged you down. If it weren¡¯t for the fact that you had to raise me, you wouldn¡¯t have joined the army or participated in that battle that you had no chance of winning. This way, you wouldn¡¯t have such deep repercussions because you didn¡¯t use the mental strength potion in time¡­¡± Yu Ni¡¯s words made the man feel sad. In fact, they wouldn¡¯t have suffered such heavy casualties in that battle. It was just that for some reason, the effect of the mental potion on mental disorder was very different from before. The soldiers were equipped with the same amount of potions as before, but in the end, these potions didn¡¯t allow them to safely survive the riot caused by overuse of mental strength. Two-thirds of the soldiers died in the mental strength riot, and only one-third survived. However, the outcome was that he became bedridden. Thinking of her brother¡¯s pale and fragile face before he passed away, Yu Ni closed her eyes and her heart ached. She hated the Wei family. She resented them for being so bold as to tamper with the mental strength potion for money and personal benefits. She also resented her brother for not telling her the truth in order to prevent her from doing anything stupid. After her brother passed away, she lived alone with Guoguo. It wasn¡¯t until another of her brother¡¯s former comrades passed away that Yu Ni learned the truth from the family of her comrade. Time was tight during that battle. In order to fulfill the requirements of the federal government, the Wei family had tampered with the potion and secretly lowered the ratio of some unimportant ingredients. This wasn¡¯t a problem when dealing with mental strength riots. However, the soldiers on the battlefield needed to use the mental strength potion at a life-and-death moment when their mental strength was exhausted. Such a potion that was made by cutting corners would only end up killing people. It wasn¡¯t that no one suspected that there was a problem with the potion after such heavy casualties, but the Wei family had been operating for many years and had ties with many of the higher-ups of the Federation. In the end, the Wei family offered a scapegoat and paid huge compensation to the soldiers and their families. Yu Ni¡¯s gaze darkened. She didn¡¯t want to swallow her anger like the families of most soldiers, nor did she want anyone to experience such injustice again. Therefore, when she saw that the live-streamer, Zhu Fei, had obtained the right to live on the capital planet by participating in the food competition, she had an idea. She placed Yu Guo on the remote Planet Mu and ventured into the food live-stream industry herself. She relied on her own strength to rise up the ranks. Yu Ni had actually contributed a lot to Zhu Fei¡¯s rapid downfall this time. In her opinion, Zhu Fei, who had made first place in the previous competition, was the biggest obstacle to her reaching the capital planet. However, she didn¡¯t expect Liao Ning to be more impressive than Zhu Fei. She originally wanted to target Liao Ning later on, but she didn¡¯t expect Liao Ning to be Guoguo¡¯s trusted teacher. In that case, she would have to change her plan for Guoguo¡¯s sake.. Chapter 70 - Chapter 70: Ginger Milk Curd Chapter 70: Ginger Milk Curd Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Hello, everyone. I¡¯m the live-streamer ¡®My Child Is The Best¡¯. Today is our first day on Planet Mu. Today, I¡¯ll teach everyone how to make ginger milk curd for dessert.¡± [Wow, Liao Ning is broadcasting. I thought Liao Ning would rest for a day first!] [I¡¯m in for a treat!] [What¡¯s ginger milk curd? Juicing ginger and then adding milk?] [Previous poster, your description is so funny! Hahaha!] Seeing the bold and strange guesses of the netizens in the comment section, Liao Ning smiled and kept them in suspense. ¡°Hehe, I¡¯m not telling you! You guys can prepare the ingredients first. This dish is very simple and delicious!¡± [Liao Ning is so cute!!] [At this time, we should say¡ªLiao Ning, you¡¯re so bad¨C] [Hey, what are you doing? I¡¯m getting goosebumps!] [This year¡¯s netizens are really cheeky!] [Calm down! If you go overboard, we won¡¯t be able to see the ingredients prepared by the live-streamer!] When Liao Ning saw this comment, she read out the ingredients prepared on the table loudly. ¡°Don¡¯t be anxious. I¡¯ll introduce the ingredients this time.¡± This time, Liao Ning prepared 50g of ginger, 200g of whole milk, and 10-15g of white sugar. At the mention of milk, Liao Ning reminded everyone, ¡°I don¡¯t recommend that everyone use milk powder to replace milk. Using milk powder to make it won¡¯t have the same effect.¡± [I almost used milk powder. Fortunately, Liao Ning reminded me.] [Liao Ning is so considerate. I like Liao Ning even more now!] [Can we use skim milk? There¡¯s only skim milk at home.] Liao Ning said, ¡°Yes, but I personally think that the milk made from skim milk is thinner in texture than the milk made from whole milk. It¡¯s not as elastic as I want it to be.¡± The netizens¡¯ comments amused Zhou Ling, who was watching the live-stream at the same time. Then, he sent 99 sets of rockets to Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream. Zhou Ling¡¯s actions immediately attracted the attention of everyone watching the live-stream. Many netizens followed suit and gave Liao Ning gifts as well. When Liao Ning received the system notification that Zhou Ling had given her a gift, the corners of her lips curled up. Although she was very happy to receive a gift, she still said to the other netizens in the live-stream, ¡°You guys don¡¯t have to give gifts to a live-streamer. Isn¡¯t it better to save this money to buy ingredients and cook delicious food with me?¡± [You¡¯re so nice!] [I watch Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream every day, but I just can¡¯t learn it!] [That¡¯s right. I¡¯m the same as the person above. I can only tip Liao Ning to thank her for letting me taste delicious food.] Since everyone had said so, Liao Ning could only continue to deal with the ingredients in her hand. ¡°Let¡¯s not waste time talking. Let¡¯s start making ginger milk curd today. Those who don¡¯t have any ingredients, don¡¯t worry for the time being. I¡¯ll replay the live-stream recording later. Everyone can wait for the ingredients to arrive and make it together with the replay.¡± Liao Ning took out ginger and cut it into pieces before squeezing out the juice. ¡°About 20 grams of ginger juice is enough. As for the remaining ginger juice, we can keep it to make ginger tea. I¡¯ll teach everyone after it¡¯s done.¡± ¡°Pour the milk and sugar into the pot. Then, heat the milk until small bubbles appear. When you can feel the heat in your hand, stop heating it. Then, stir the ginger juice that has just been squeezed to prevent it from settling. Finally, pour the hot milk into the bowl with ginger juice from a high place. This way, the ginger milk curd will be done after 20 minutes!¡± Liao Ning sealed the bowl with plastic wrap. [It¡¯s really simple. I actually succeeded on the first try with the live-streamer!] [Me too. When my parents get off work, I want to give them a taste of it!] [How high?] [I think the live-streamer only poured the milk when she raised it to her chest.] ¡°I think 20 centimeters high is fine.¡± Liao Ning sealed the bowl and explained to everyone, ¡°Nai Nai, the milk is ready. Hurry up and bring Guoguo over to try When Liao Nai heard his aunt call him, he immediately put down the building blocks in his hand and ran to the kitchen with Guoguo. ¡°Come, sit here.¡± Liao Nai knew how to take care of people very well. He pulled out a chair in front of the dining table for Yu Guo. [This brat is so sensible!] [This girl is dressed so gorgeously. She¡¯s as cute as a little princess!] [What a sensible cub. Give Liao Ning a kiss-] ¡°Thank you!¡± Yu Guo thanked the wolf cub politely. Liao Ning patted Liao Nai¡¯s head and said to them, ¡°Be good and wait for a while. You guys can eat when I come back.¡± ¡°Yes, yes!¡± The two children nodded vigorously. ¡°Please help me take care of the child. I¡¯m going to the living room.¡± After Liao Ning smiled at everyone watching the live-stream, she picked up a bowl of milk and walked to the living room.. Chapter 71 - Chapter 71: Ginger Rice Tea Chapter 71: Ginger Rice Tea Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations [Liao Ning, hurry up and go. We¡¯re here!] [Don¡¯t worry, Liao Ning!] [With us around, the child won¡¯t get lost. Live-streamer, go quickly!] This bowl was specifically prepared for Zhou Ling. Now that he had returned to his human form, it was inconvenient for him to appear in the live-stream. Hence, he decided to stay in the living room and watch Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream with the Al while watching the child. ¡°Wait five minutes before you eat.¡± As soon as Liao Ning put down the bowl, Zhou Ling wanted to pick up the spoon to take a bite, but she slapped the back of his hand. Zhou Ling covered the back of his hand and complained, ¡°You¡¯re so violent!¡± Liao Ning glared at Zhou Ling and returned to the kitchen. When Liao Nai saw Liao Ning, he asked impatiently, ¡°Aunt, can we eat now?¡± Yu Guo also looked at Liao Ning eagerly. [The cubs look so adorable!] [Live-streamer, feed them quickly!] ¡°Don¡¯t be anxious.¡± After Liao Ning touched the milk with a spoon and realized that it had become very elastic, she nodded at the two cubs. ¡°It¡¯s ready.¡± ¡°Yay!¡± The wolf cub couldn¡¯t wait to take a bite and narrowed his eyes blissfully. Yu Guo, on the other hand, recalled what she had just heard from Liao Ning. After she picked up the spoon and knocked it against the milk gently, she was very satisfied to see the milk bounce. [This, this is too delicious. It melts in my mouth and has the fragrance of milk and ginger! ] [I love you, Liao Ning!] [It¡¯s too delicious. I must make it for myself later!] The live-stream was flooded with comments praising the delicious food. Seeing that the two children were almost done eating, Liao Ning prepared to teach everyone how to make ginger tea. ¡°After washing a cup of rice, place it in a clean pot and stir-fry it over a high fire. After the water is stir-fried dry, add the remaining ginger crumbs and stir-fry it over a medium-high fire until the rice turns golden.¡± [It¡¯s so simple. It¡¯s even simpler than the milk and ginger juice just now.] [Is she just brushing us off?] [Previous poster, don¡¯t spout nonsense. Liao Ning is such a good person. Why would she brush us off?!] [That¡¯s right, that¡¯s right. Don¡¯t talk nonsense!] That person quickly stopped talking. Liao Ning realized that the person from before didn¡¯t have any ill intentions, so she chose to speak up for him. ¡°Actually, I had the same feeling when I saw the ginger tea in the ancient book. At that time, I also felt that the ancient book was taking me for a fool!¡± ¡°However, although this thing is simple to make, it¡¯s good at removing dampness. According to the ancient books, this is used by ancient doctors to help women regulate hormones and remove dampness.¡± [I didn¡¯t expect this thing to be used as medicine.] [Liao Ning is so thoughtful.] ¡°Alright, that¡¯s all for today¡¯s live-stream. See you next time!¡± Liao Ning had just turned off the live-stream when she heard a knock on the door. When she opened the door, Yu Ni appeared in front of her. ¡°Yu Ni? Are you looking for Guoguo?¡± Liao Ning was about to call out to Yu Guo. Yu Ni shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m looking for you. Come to my room if it¡¯s convenient.¡± Zhou Ling shook his head at Liao Ning disapprovingly. ¡°I¡¯m worried if you go alone. I¡¯ll go with you.¡± Yu Ni had never seen this stranger before, but since Liao Ning trusted him, she didn¡¯t mind. ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Liao Ning went to Yu Ni¡¯s room downstairs with Zhou Ling. After Yu Ni locked the door, she went straight to the point. ¡°I won¡¯t beat around the bush with you anymore. Guoguo already told you about our relationship, right?¡± Liao Ning said, ¡°Guoguo said that you¡¯re her mother.¡± ¡°Mom? I zuess so. After all, I was the one who raised her. But to be precise, I¡¯m her aunt. She¡¯s my brother¡¯s daughter.¡± ¡°Where¡¯s her mother?¡± After saying that, Liao Ning immediately felt that she had asked a stupid question. ¡°It was difficult to give birth to her, so her mother didn¡¯t make it.¡± At the mention of her sister-in-law, Yu Ni was a little sad. She was a very good woman, but it was a pity that she died at a young age. Liao Ning said, ¡°My condolences. Is there anything I can help you with?¡± ¡°I do have a favor to ask of you.¡± Yu Ni stared into Liao Ning¡¯s eyes seriously. won¡¯t let you help me for nothing.¡± Liao Ning didn¡¯t agree immediately. Instead, she asked, ¡°Tell me what it is first. ¡± ¡°I want you to help me take down the Wei family..¡± Chapter 72 - Chapter 72: Yu Ni’s Request Chapter 72: Yu Ni¡¯s Request Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning suspected that she had misheard. ¡°Are you alright? Did I mishear just now? You want me to help you take down the Wei family?¡± Upon hearing Yu Nit s words, Zhou Ling¡¯s gaze turned cold as well and she said bluntly, ¡°Miss Yu, you should know that the Wei family is one of the five major families in the Alliance. They also control the production chain of the entire Interstellar Alliance¡¯s mental strength potion.¡± ¡°I know that the Wei family is one of the five major families, and I also know that it¡¯s a fool¡¯s dream for an ordinary person like me to take down the Wei family, but what if I say that I have evidence that can disgrace the Wei family?¡± Yu Ni took out a data disc. After Liao Ning looked at Zhou Ling, she said, ¡°Please elaborate.¡± The data disc in Yu Nit s hand contained video evidence of the Wei family colluding with the upper echelons of the alliance, as well as the bank statements of the upper echelons over the years. To Zhou Ling¡¯s surprise, there was a list of bribes taken by the military brass. The list detailed the time and amount of bribes taken by officials of the military. ¡°How did you get this?¡± Zhou Ling didn¡¯t think that an ordinary person like Yu Ni could easily obtain this information. Yu Ni glanced at him. ¡°This doesn¡¯t seem to have anything to do with our deal this time.¡± Zhou Ling said, ¡°Indeed.¡± ¡°If this information is true, the Wei family is really guilty of a heinous crime. It¡¯s just that¡­¡± Liao Ning changed her usual gentle attitude.¡± Miss Yu Ni, haven¡¯t you thought that if the Wei family finds out about the existence of this evidence, you will face death?¡± Yu Ni replied to Liao Ning in a relaxed tone, ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. As long as I can destroy the Wei family and the people of the alliance are no longer controlled by the mental strength potion, I¡¯m willing to do anything.¡± Zhou Ling asked, ¡°Even at the cost of your life?¡± Yu Ni¡¯s tone was firm as she said, ¡®Even at the cost of my life.¡± Liao Ning didn¡¯t care about Yu Ni. As an adult, Yu Ni should be responsible for every decision she made. She was more concerned about Yu Guo. ¡°What about Guoguo? You¡¯re her last blood relative. What will she do without you?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Guoguo is my biological niece. I¡¯ll prepare a backup plan for her. I¡¯ve saved a lot of money over the past few years. If anything happens to me, this sum of money will be enough for her to live a rich life.¡± Her arrangement was indeed good, so Liao Ning shrugged and asked, ¡°Let¡¯s talk about your plan now. You¡¯ve already taken down Zhu Fei. In your original plan, was I the next one to be taken down ?¡± Yu Ni widened her eyes in surprise and stared at her in disbelief. ¡°How did you know¡­ Halfway through her sentence, Yu Ni saw Liao Ning¡¯s expression and realized that Liao Ning was testing her. ¡°You¡¯re quite smart. I was actually fooled by you.¡± Liao Ning smiled. ¡°Thank you for your praise!¡± Yu Ni was so angry that she laughed. ¡°That¡¯s right. I did play a hand in Zhu Fei fall from grace, but I only announced what she did. As for you, I did have the thought of dealing with you, but Guoguo likes you so much, so I can only give up on that idea.¡± Upon hearing Yu Ni¡¯s words, Zhou Ling stared at her with a dark gaze. Yu Ni instantly felt intimidated. Yu Ni broke out in cold sweat and raised her hands as she said helplessly, ¡°Hey, I¡¯ve already given up on targeting Liao Ning, okay? Besides, we¡¯re allies now. Sir, this isn¡¯t conducive to our friendly cooperation.¡± ¡°Ling.¡± Zhou Ling only looked away when Liao Ning patted his hand. Liao Zhengxin looked at Yu Ni and said, ¡°Please continue.¡± Yu Ni smiled at her gratefully and continued, ¡°The finals of this food competition is on the capital planet. When the time comes, the judges will be big shots from all over the world. I want to¡­¡± Liao Ning interrupted Yu Ni. ¡°Stop, don¡¯t tell me you want to make this video public at that time?¡± Seeing Yu Ni nod, Liao Ning suddenly felt that perhaps she was able to interfere in Zhu Fei¡¯s matter because Zhu Fei was stupid? Perhaps because Liao Ning¡¯s expression was too ugly, Yu Ni couldn¡¯t help but suspect that there was something wrong with her original plan. Yu Ni still didn¡¯t realize that there was a problem with her plan.. Chapter 73 - Chapter 73: Partner Chapter 73: Partner Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning was feeling speechless about Yu Ni¡¯s terrible plan when the system announced a new mission. [Ding¡ªThe host has triggered a difficult mission: mental strength potion¡ªthe cornerstone of the alliance. Mission Requirement: Take down the Wei family and cut off the control of the mental strength potion over the people of the alliance. Reward: 2,000 system points, 15 million interstellar space coins, and clues about the Zhou family.] Liao Ning was speechless. Liao Ning wondered if the system existed to save the Interstellar Alliance. This news was released right on time! ¡°Ahem, you still have to change your plan, but I agree to this cooperation.¡± ¡°Alright¡­ wait, I haven¡¯t said what I¡¯ll pay you yet!¡± Yu Ni couldn¡¯t believe that Liao Ning had agreed to her request so easily. Liao Ning was stunned by the news released by the system and forgot to ask Yu Ni. ¡°I was negligent, but the value of this disc is already greater than that of all the other rewards. Besides, I¡¯ve helped the Alliance so much, so I don¡¯t think the officials will be stingy with the rewards.¡± Yu Ni was speechless. Liao Ning was right. If she really helped the alliance topple the Wei family and obtained the mental strength potion formula, the rewards given by the alliance might really be very generous. Liao Ning might not be interested in what she could give. However, even so, she still had to give it to her. ¡°There are nine million interstellar space coins here as remuneration for this cooperation.¡± Yu Ni placed a white alliance bank card and data disc on the table in front of Liao Ning. Zhou Ling glanced sideways. He didn¡¯t expect Yu Ni, a small live-streamer, to be so rich as to easily fork out nine million yuan. Liao Ning pushed the card back. ¡°This is too much money. Leave it to Guoguo.¡± ¡°This isn¡¯t all my money. You have to accept it.¡± Yu Ni¡¯s attitude was firm. This was the money gathered by the families of the soldiers who had been injured by the mental strength potion. All these years, Yu Ni had been contacting the families who were dissatisfied with the Wei family. This money was the money that everyone had invested in order to deal with the Wei family. Yu Nits attitude was too firm, so Liao Ning suspected that the source of this money wasn¡¯t simple. Since Yu Ni didn¡¯t say anything, she wouldn¡¯t ask further, since she wouldn¡¯t get an answer even if she asked. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll accept it.¡± After returning from Yu Nits place, Liao Ning contacted a few live-streamers who were in the top 50 this time. Unfortunately, everyone had partners. With the intention of giving it a try, Liao Ning called the fiftieth live-streamer. ¡°Hello?¡± Soon, a girl¡¯s soft voice sounded in front of the Al. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Liao Ning. May I ask if you¡¯re ¡®Softy Doesn¡¯t Get Fat¡¯?¡± There was a short silence, but soon, the girl¡¯s slightly excited voice came from the other end. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m ¡®Softy Doesn¡¯t Get Fat¡¯. I know you. You¡¯re the live-streamer ¡®My Child Is The Best¡¯. I really like your live-streams!¡± Infected by the girl¡¯s excited cheers, Liao Ning smiled as well. ¡°Thank you for liking me. If you haven¡¯t found a suitable team member yet, I hope you can consider me.¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t. I¡¯m willing!¡± Mu Song agreed without thinking. Liao Ning was stunned, since she didn¡¯t expect the other party to agree so easily. ¡°I haven¡¯t told you my plan this time¡ª¡± ¡°Liao Ning, you don¡¯t have to say anything else. I¡¯ll listen to you no matter what you want!¡± Liao Ning was charmed by her cuteness and said, ¡°Since we¡¯ve decided to cooperate, we must discuss it. If it¡¯s convenient for you, I¡¯ll go to your room to talk to you in detail?¡± Mu Song reported her room number without hesitation. After hanging up, she waited for Liao Ning¡¯s arrival. Not long after, there was a knock on the soft wooden door. She rushed over to open the door and was excited when she saw Liao Ning outside. ¡°Liao Ning, come in quickly. Oh my god! I¡¯m seeing the real Liao Ning!¡± Liao Ning entered the house and sat opposite her on the sofa. ¡°Then let¡¯s talk about the plan for this competition.¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll listen to you, Liao Ning.¡± Hearing Mu Song¡¯s words again, Liao Ning smiled. ¡°My plan this time is to get second place in the competition.¡± ¡°Huh? Why do you only want to be second place?¡± Mu Song didn¡¯t understand. She had been paying attention to Liao Ning for a long time and became a food live-streamer because of Liao Ning. It could be said that a large part of the reason why she came to this food competition was to see celebrities. ¡°I have my own considerations. If you can¡¯t accept it, I won¡¯t force you.¡± Liao Ning thought that the girl was unwilling.. Chapter 74 - Chapter 74: Mandarin Duck Hotpot Chapter 74: Mandarin Duck Hotpot Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°No, no, no! I didn¡¯t intend to get a good ranking anyway.¡± Mu Song scratched her head. She had some culinary talent, but that wasn¡¯t her ambition. Hence, in the previous competitions, she only cared about passing. When Liao Ning said that she wanted to be second, she naturally had to cooperate with her idol. ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, team up with me. Let¡¯s work hard to get second place! ¡± Soon, it was time for the Myriad Feast Competition. The first stage of the competition was for the live-streamers to go to the interstellar space¡¯s rural branch on Planet Mu to choose their ingredients. This time, without Zhu Fei¡¯s interference, Liao Ning and Mu Song quickly chose the ingredients. The organizers of this competition requested the live-streamers to form teams. Each team had to launch two different delicacies. The cooking process wouldn¡¯t be live-streamed this time, and the names of the dishes of each team had to be highly confidential. The organizers would only show the process and name of the dishes after the hunters had scored the delicacies. As soon as this news was released, the netizens had mixed opinions about the organizers¡¯ actions. [What?! Then I¡¯ll have to wait for a long time!] [This competition is much stricter than the last one.] [Could it be that the higher-ups of the Alliance are really paying attention to this food competition?] [I think this food competition is no longer just hype. The officials are really prepared to take ancient delicacies seriously!] [If you¡¯re telling the truth, I¡¯ll be so excited!] Although the netizens were discussing excitedly, this didn¡¯t affect Liao Ning at all. This time, the organizers prepared a room for every team of live-streamers. There was a well-equipped kitchen inside, and professionals were recording. After Liao Ning brought Mu Song into the room, she started to get busy. She was preparing to cook hotpot this time. Hotpot was more suitable for gatherings, since it took much less time and effort than cooking other dishes. Liao Ning had made hotpot with tomato soup base for Liao Nai last time. This time, she planned to make a mushroom soup base. Because the rules stipulated that each group had to make two delicacies this time, Liao Ning planned to make creme br¨¹l¨¦e. However, because she wanted to control her score, she planned to write down the formula and let Mu Song make the pudding. ¡°Is that really possible, Liao Ning?¡± Mu Song couldn¡¯t believe that Liao Ning could give the formula to her so easily. Formulas were the lifeblood of food live-streamers and wouldn¡¯t be revealed so easily. ¡°Of course. We¡¯re partners now, so I trust you.¡± ¡°Liao Ning, you¡¯re really too kind. I promise to complete the mission!¡± After assigning the tasks, the two of them got busy. The raw materials for the red pot were chili, pepper, star anise, cinnamon leaves, cinnamon, and several other spices. After Liao Ning washed the spices and dried them, she poured oil into the pot and waited for the oil to heat up. Then, she placed the dried spices into the fire to boil them. After that, she fished out the spices that had obvious color changes. The base oil was ready. After the base oil was made, she poured the oil into the big bone soup that had been brewed in advance and continued to boil it for 15 minutes before the pot was finally ready. Next, it was time to make the mushroom soup. The mushrooms were placed in a boiling pot and slowly simmered. Twenty minutes later, wolfberries were added to the hotpot. Then, the light mushroom soup that nourished the stomach was ready. While Liao Ning was preparing the soup base, Mu Song, who was in charge of making dessert pudding, had also prepared the pudding. Next, it was time to place the ingredients on the plate. Mu Song placed the ingredients on the plate while Liao Ning wrote down the boiling time for each ingredient on a small card and placed them on the plate corresponding to the ingredients. Liao Ning took out the Mandarin Duck Pot that she had custom-made in advance and poured the red oil soup and mushroom soup into it. More than ten red and white Taiji Eight Trigrams appeared in the pot. ¡°It smells so good!¡± As Mu Song sniffed the rich fragrance in the air, she couldn¡¯t help but swallow. ¡°Alright, I¡¯m ready. Let¡¯s go back and eat!¡± Liao Ning liked this girl very much. Mu Song pointed at the hotpot. ¡°This?¡± ¡°Of course!¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s hurry back!¡± Mu Song pulled Liao Ning up and ran, ignoring the staff who stayed behind to prepare the dishes. As Liao Ning was pulled away by her, she turned around and said to the staff, ¡°Thank you for your hard work. The dishes and the remaining soup in the pot were specifically reserved for you. Remember to enjoy them!¡± The staff was flattered. They didn¡¯t expect Liao Ning to be so considerate and quickly expressed their gratitude. As the staff thanked them, Liao Ning and Mu Song returned to the hotel. After Liao Ning opened the door, she smelled the rich fragrance of the red oil pot. A tall man in an apron was busy in the kitchen, and the wolf cub was helping him.. Chapter 75 - Chapter 75: Meeting an Old Friend at the Myriad Feast Competition Chapter 75: Meeting an Old Friend at the Myriad Feast Competition Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°You¡¯re back. The soup has just been boiled, so hurry up and sit down. We¡¯ll be able to eat soon.¡± Zhou Ling walked out with the pot and called out to her and Mu Song. As Liao Ning didn¡¯t have time to cook for the competition today, she wrote down the formula the day before and handed it to Zhou Ling, who had sworn that he could cook. Initially, Liao Ning didn¡¯t have much hope that he would cook well, but as soon as she took a bite of the vegetables, she realized that his cooking was unexpectedly delicious. ¡°How is it?¡± Zhou Ling was a little nervous. ¡°Delicious, unexpectedly delicious!¡± Liao Ning praised generously. Zhou Ling was in disbelief. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, ask the cub and Mu Song.¡± Liao Nai and Mu Song nodded at him crazily. Seeing that everyone really thought it was delicious, Zhou Ling was relieved. ¡°That¡¯s good.¡± Liao Ning and the others ate a delicious dinner. At the same time, the Myriad Feast Competition was about to start. The eldest grandson of the Su family, Su MO, was invited by the organizer to do the opening performance of this year¡¯s Myriad Feast Competition. When his melodious piano performance ended, the Myriad Feast Competition also began. The hunters of the Hunter Association, who had been invited to the Myriad Feast Competition, sat in front of a large round table filled with dishes and savored these delicious dishes. From time to time, they would lower their heads and use pens to grade the comparative dishes on the score table prepared by the organizers. As a special guest, Su MO was arranged by the organizers to eat at the same table as the president of the Hunter Association. When he saw Liao Ning¡¯s hotpot, he was in disbelief. When he was young, his grandmother often made this dish for him. It was very delicious, so he had once asked his grandmother curiously if she knew how to make other dishes. When his grandmother heard his question, she laughed, as if she had heard a funny joke. Grandma told him that this dish was taught to her by a very good friend when she was young. Her friend was a genius who knew how to cook almost all the dishes. Moreover, every dish made by her friend was very delicious. Unfortunately, his grandmother said that she didn¡¯t have any culinary talent and even this hotpot was mastered under the supervision of her friend. Ever since her friend went missing, in order to commemorate her friend, she had cooked it quite often. Only then did the taste of the hotpot she made gradually become more delicious. As Su MO ate, he thought about it. His grandmother had never given up on finding her missing friend. It was a pity that she had not been able to do so even until she passed away. Perhaps he could obtain some useful information about his grandmother¡¯s friend from this chef during this trip to Planet Mu. Liao Ning brought the wolf cub and Mu Song to the event location before the banquet ended. Before the banquet ended, the organizers would announce the results of this competition. ¡°Aunt, will you get first place like last time?¡± Liao Nai stared at Liao Ning without blinking. Liao Ning stroked his head. ¡°I only need second place this time, Nai Nai.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Liao Nai didn¡¯t understand why his aunt didn¡¯t want first place. ¡°Because I have something very important to do, I need to get second place in this competition. ¡± If she was on Earth, with her culinary skills, it would be difficult for her to squeeze into the top ten of a food competition, let alone first place. The reason she dared to guarantee that she would get first place without controlling her score was that other than herself, almost no one in the Interstellar Alliance knew how to cook ancient delicacies, so she was confident in herself. When Liao Nai heard Liao Ning¡¯s words, he didn¡¯t ask why. Instead, he nodded vigorously and said, ¡°Yes, I believe that Aunt will definitely get second place!¡± ¡°Thank you, Nai Nai.¡± As Liao Ning looked at the wolf cub¡¯s soft and cute face, she couldn¡¯t help but pinch it gently. Liao Nai didn¡¯t resist. He smiled and moved his face closer to his aunt. Time passed as the aunt and niece got along amiably. The netizens and live-streamers who had been waiting for a long time finally waited for the organizers to announce the rankings of the competition. The originally brightly lit event location darkened. The next second, the stage lights of Su Mo¡¯s piano performance lit up, and an emcee in a black tuxedo appeared in the middle of the stage. ¡°Dear guests, hello, netizens. I¡¯m the emcee of this competition, KD.¡± ¡°Thank you for paying attention to this competition. The most exciting moment is coming. Let¡¯s welcome the special guest of this competition, the musical prince, Su MO, to announce the rankings for us!¡± Amidst the enthusiastic applause, a handsome boy in a white tuxedo walked onto the stage. He took the microphone and list from the emcee and began to announce the rankings of this competition.. Chapter 76 - Chapter 76: Second Place Chapter 76: Second Place Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations The young man¡¯s clear and pleasant voice spread throughout the venue through the microphone and loudspeaker. ¡°The top ten teams in this competition are Hu Jia, Li Yu, Zhang Ping, and Wang Qin.. ¡°The top three winners are: Third place is Zhang Qian and Wei Wei. Second place is Liao Ning and Mu Song. First place is Yu Ni and Ning Xi.¡± After reading the name list, Su MO returned the microphone to the emcee and walked off the stage. After the emcee took the microphone, he said loudly in a warm voice, ¡°Everyone, please congratulate them with warm applause. At the same time, thank you, Su MO, for reading out this extremely meaningful name list for us!¡± As soon as the emcee finished speaking, thunderous applause resounded throughout the venue. Liao Ning and the other participants who had been nominated for the top ten were escorted to the stage. ¡°After this competition ends, the top ten participants will fly to the capital planet to prepare for the finals. I hope everyone can continue to pay attention to this food competition and cheer for the participants you like!¡± After the emcee finished speaking, Liao Ning and the others were brought off the stage like ducks by the staff. ¡°Sister-in-law!¡± As soon as Liao Ning walked off the stage, Liao Nai shouted for her. Liao Ning auicklv walked to his side and held his hand to leave the noisv banquet. ¡°Please wait! ¡± Hearing a voice behind her, although she wasn¡¯t sure if the other party was calling her, Liao Ning still stopped and looked back. A person in a white tuxedo ran over from behind. When she looked carefully, she saw that it was the musician who had just gone on stage¡ªSu Mo. Not long after, the other party transmigrated through the crowd and arrived in front of her while panting. ¡°Hello, what can I do for you?¡± Liao Ning asked politely. She was sure that neither her original body nor herself had interacted with the Su family, one of the five great families in the capital, in the past or now. It was even more impossible for her to know the talented musician, Su Mo. Su MO wanted to speak, but after the intense exercise, it took him a while to recover. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but who taught you how to make hotpot?¡± Liao Ning didn¡¯t expect the other party to be so rude. Wasn¡¯t he indirectly saying that she had plagiarized?! Liao Ning looked around. Indeed, when the people nearby heard Su MO¡¯s words, they stopped talking and turned to listen to the gossip. Liao Ning frowned. ¡°Sir, although I don¡¯t know why you said such rude words, I can tell you that no one taught me this dish.¡± After hearing Liao Ning¡¯s words, Su MO realized how much trouble his words might bring to her, who was an original food blogger. He hurriedly explained, ¡°I¡¯m sorry for being rude. I know better than anyone else that your dish is original. I¡¯m not suspecting you of plagiarism.¡± After Su MO explained, Liao Ning¡¯s expression improved. ¡°Then why did you ask me who taught me?¡± ¡°It¡¯s like this. My grandmother used to make similar hotpot dishes, but she always made mushroom soup like yours this time and never made red soup. My grandmother said that this dish was taught to her by a very good friend when she was young, but this friend went missing. My grandmother had been looking for her whereabouts, but unfortunately, there was no news, so I want to ask if you know anything!¡± As the boy¡¯s clear eyes looked straight into Liao Ning¡¯s eyes, Liao Ning could sense his sincerity. Just as she was thinking about whether she should talk to him about it in detail, the system suddenly moved. [Ding¡ªCongratulations to the host for getting second place in the second round of the Interstellar Food Competition and obtaining the mission to enter the finals. You have received 300 mission points and 50 million interstellar coins.] [Ding¡ªHidden Mission Reward: The clues of Liao Ning¡¯s background have been released. Host, please accept Su MO¡¯s details to obtain the reward.] ¡°Alright, then let¡¯s change to a suitable place to talk in detail.¡± Seeing that Liao Ning agreed to talk to him, Su MO was overjoyed and left with Liao Ning. Liao Ning couldn¡¯t help but laugh when she saw Su Mots trusting look. This person was quite bold.. Wasn¡¯t she afraid that she would kidnap her? Chapter 77 - Chapter 77: Clue About the Past Chapter 77: Clue About the Past Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning brought Su MO back to the hotel room. As it was inconvenient for Zhou Ling to appear at the banquet, he stayed in his room to watch the live broadcast of the banquet. He almost lost his temper when he saw that Liao Ning had actually brought an unfamiliar boy back. The moment Su MO stepped into the room, he felt a bone-piercing chill on his body. When he saw Zhou Ling staring at him coldly, Su MO finally understood where the chill came from. Su MO was surprised. ¡°Isn¡¯t this Colonel Zhou? Why are you here?¡± The Su family and the Zhou family were both one of the five great families in the alliance. Su MO knew Zhou Ling, but he didn¡¯t expect Zhou Ling, who was rumored to be missing and whose fate was unknown, to appear in Liao Ning¡¯s room. This was very unscientific! Zhou Ling ignored him and pointed at him as he asked Liao Ning, ¡°Why is he here? Why is he following you?¡± Su MO was stunned. What was with Colonel Zhou¡¯s aggrieved expression?! Did the two of them have an unspeakable relationship? Su Mo¡¯s gaze lingered on Zhou Ling and Liao Ning. At this moment, the sensible wolf cub tugged at the corner of his shirt, indicating that he could sit on the sofa in the living room. ¡°Thank you.¡± Su MO was pulled to the sofa by Liao Nai. Liao Ning glanced at Su MO, who was sitting comfortably on the sofa. She blinked and pointed at Su MO as she said to Zhou Ling, ¡°I was about to bring Nai Nai back, but he stopped me and Nai Nai. He said that he had something to discuss with me in detail.¡± Zhou Ling¡¯s gaze returned to Su Mo. Su MO, who was being stared at by Zhou Ling, immediately felt uneasy and explained, ¡°No, I just wanted to ask if Miss Liao knows anyone who can cook hotpot!¡± Afraid that Zhou Ling wouldn¡¯t believe him, Su MO told him the whole story in one breath. After hearing Su Mo¡¯s words, Zhou Ling¡¯s gaze was no longer cold. However, when he looked at Su MO, he still looked unhappy. Seeing Zhou Ling¡¯s jealous look, Liao Ning couldn¡¯t help but cover her mouth and snicker. ¡°Alright, Ling, stop looking at Mr. Su like that. He doesn¡¯t even dare to move anymore!¡± Su Mo¡¯s body stiffened as Liao Ning teased him, but he still smiled. ¡°Miss Liao is right. Colonel Zhou, let¡¯s get down to business first. After that, I¡¯ll immediately disappear from your sight.¡± Zhou Ling sneered. He didn¡¯t say yes or no, but he looked away and stopped staring at him. Seeing that Su MO had relaxed, Liao Ning asked him, ¡°You said that your grandmother had a missing old friend who knows how to cook ancient delicacies. Do you know the name of that old friend?¡± ¡°Her surname was Zhu, and her full name was Zhu Ying.¡± ¡°Zhu Ying¡­¡± Liao Ning began to search her memory for information about Zhu Ying, but she didn¡¯t expect to really find it. Zhu Ying was Liao Ning¡¯s grandma, but the original host didn¡¯t remember much about her grandma. The siblings only knew from their father that they had a grandma who knew how to cook ancient delicacies. However, their grandma wasn¡¯t in good health and passed away not long after their father got married. Not knowing if the Zhu Ying Su MO was talking about was male or female, Liao Ning asked, ¡°Is Zhu Ying male or female?¡± Su Mots eyes lit up and he quickly said, ¡°She¡¯s a woman. Does that mean you know about Zhu Ying?¡± Liao Ning¡¯s gaze was complicated. ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, the Zhu Ying you¡¯re talking about is my grandma, but she¡¯s been dead for many years.¡± Su Mots eyes dimmed. ¡°She already passed away¡­¡± He had thought that he would have a chance to see his grandmother¡¯s good friend this time. He wanted to bring his grandmother¡¯s good friend to his grandmother¡¯s cemetery, but he didn¡¯t expect to hear that she had passed away. ¡°Sorry that I didn¡¯t get to help you.¡± Su MO shook his head at Liao Ning. ¡°No, I should thank you. Otherwise, my grandmother might not have received any news of her good friend. Even if she can¡¯t meet her good friend now, she will definitely be happy that Zhu Ying has such outstanding descendants like you and General Liao!¡± Liao Ning nodded at him. ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± However, Liao Ning still felt that something was amiss.. Since Zhu Ying was living well, why was she unwilling to contact her old friend and let her worry about her safety? Chapter 78 - Chapter 78: Butter Cookies Chapter 78: Butter Cookies Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Since everything has been clarified, it¡¯s not convenient for me to continue disturbing you.¡± Su MO took out a semi-transparent card with the Su family emblem and said to Liao Ning, ¡°With this card, you can get help from the entire music association. Thank you for the information, Miss Liao.¡± Liao Ning accepted the card. She needed to gather information now, and the Su family happened to have the largest intelligence network in the alliance. Su Mo¡¯s card made things much more convenient. ¡°Then I¡¯ll see you on the capital planet. I wish you and Colonel Zhou a pleasant journey. Goodbye!¡± With that, Su MO left quickly under Zhou Ling¡¯s cold gaze. His speed was so fast that one couldn¡¯t help but suspect that there were several invisible vicious dogs chasing after him. ¡°Ling.¡± Liao Nine walked to Zhou Ling¡¯s side and called out to him. Seeing that he wasn¡¯t looking at her, she knew that he was angry, so she held his hand. ¡°Colonel Zhou? Hottie?¡± ¡°What?¡± Liao Ning¡¯s voice was extremely soft and he tried his best to restrain himself so that he wouldn¡¯t give in to Liao Ning. Liao Ning couldn¡¯t help but smile when she saw him trying his best to restrain himself. ¡°I just want to ask if you¡¯re unhappy.¡± ¡°I¡¯m happy.¡± Zhou Ling¡¯s voice was so cold that no one would think that he was happy. Liao Ning was amused by his tsundere appearance, but she tried her best not to laugh. ¡°Would you be happier if I made dessert?¡± Dessert? Ginger milk curd? At the thought of the rich ginger milk curd, Zhou Ling couldn¡¯t help but swallow. However, although he was a little greedy, he still maintained his cold and reserved appearance. ¡°It¡¯s up to you.¡± The plan worked! Liao Ning smiled and immediately prepared the ingredients for the cookies. Liao Nai, who had been secretly watching the two of them, was tempted when he heard that his aunt wanted to make dessert. Thinking of the ginger milk curd he had eaten last time, he immediately said to Liao Ning, ¡°Aunt, let me help you! ¡± ¡°You¡¯re so considerate!¡± Liao Ning hugged Liao Nai and kissed him. Liao Nai struggled to remind her, ¡°Aunt¡­ I¡­ can¡¯t breathe¡­¡± ¡°Hello, everyone. I¡¯m the live-streamer, ¡®My Child Is The Best¡¯. Today is the day of the second round of the food competition on Planet Mu. Everyone is probably watching the live-stream of the food released by the organizers now. In order to make it easier for everyone, I¡¯ll open the replay of this live-stream.¡± [Liao Ning has started broadcasting. Liao Ning, you¡¯re so diligent. I thought that you would rest after the competition today!] [What? Liao Ning is broadcasting? Then why should I watch the replay of the competition?!] [The person above is right. Although the hotpot looked delicious in the official replay, I still want to watch the live-stream!] ¡°Thank you, everyone. I¡¯m going to make butter cookies today. The ingredients that need to be prepared are: 60g of butter, 25g of sugar powder, 50g of light cream, and 90g of flour.¡± ¡°After the butter is heated and softened to the point that a hole can be pressed with a gentle press of your finger, add sugar powder to it.¡± At this point, Liao Ning instructed, ¡°After adding sugar powder, press the sugar powder to melt it into the butter.¡± ¡°After adding sugar powder to the butter until it turns white and fluffy, we can add light cream three times. After that, let the light cream completely absorb it. Finally, we can use a thin sieve to sieve the low-tendon flour into a bowl. Then, we can use a scraper to mix the butter and flour evenly.¡± ¡°Everyone must use the light cream here at room temperature. If it¡¯s in the fridge, remember to take it out and heat it up with water.¡± [Liao Ning is so considerate!] [I also realized that she always reminds us of some very small details.] [I¡¯ve always liked the meticulousness of ¡®My Child Is The Best¡¯.] [I feel the same.] When Liao Ning saw the comments, she smiled at the camera. ¡°Thank you. Now, it¡¯s the last step. I have to hand over such an important step to Nai Nai!¡± In order to help Liao Ning, Liao Nai had already put on an apron, and gloves. At this moment, when he heard his aunt call him, he immediately stood on a stool and appeared in the live-stream. ¡°Aunt, don¡¯t worry.. Leave it to me!¡± Chapter 79 - Chapter 79: The Wolf Cub’s Ideal Chapter 79: The Wolf Cub¡¯s Ideal Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning smiled at him dotingly and guided him from the side. Liao Nai followed Liao Ning¡¯s instructions and started to make cookies step by step. Liao Nai picked up the flower bag that he had prepared and placed the eight-toothed flower head inside. Then, he picked up the scraper and began to fill the flower bag with the cookie batter that Liao Ning had made. [Little brat, long time no see. I missed you so much!] [Previous poster, be more reserved. You¡¯ll scare the child!] [I won¡¯t. Don¡¯t you guys like such a cute cub?] [Nai Nai is so sensible. He¡¯s even taking the initiative to help the live-streamer cook.] ¡°Just place half of it first. The rest will be placeed next time.¡± After instructing the wolf cub, Liao Ning raised her head and instructed the audience in the live-stream. ¡°Everyone, place half of the paste like Nai Nai. Otherwise, it won¡¯t be easy to squeeze it out later.¡± Under Liao Ning¡¯s guidance, Liao Nai got used to it very quickly. Soon, the batter turned into cookies that looked like flowers on a baking tray. After squeezing the batter, it was time to roast it. Liao Ning placed the baking sheet into the oven that had been warmed up in advance. ¡°Everyone, set the temperature of the oven to 160 degrees. After being baked for about 25 minutes, the cookies will turn brown.¡± While waiting for the cookies to be roasted, Liao Nai and Liao Ning cleaned up the kitchen. As Liao Nai cleaned up, he interacted with everyone in the live-stream. [Nai Nai, do you plan to inherit your aunt¡¯s legacy in the future and become a food live-streamer to promote food culture as well?] [I wanted to ask that too. When I saw Nai Nai making cookies just now, I felt that he was very talented.] [That¡¯s right. He learned it after the live-streamer taught him once, unlike me, who can¡¯t master it no matter what.] After Liao Nai thought about it for a while, he shook his head. ¡°I won¡¯t become a food live-streamer, but I¡¯ll promote food culture like my aunt.¡± [What an unexpected answer.] [Then what do you want to do when you grow up?] [Isn¡¯t it a little too early to ask this question? The cub is only five years old.] With a serious expression, Liao Nai let Liao Ning wipe the batter on his face as he said, ¡°I want to join the army. I want to protect the people I care about.¡± Liao Nai stole a glance at Zhou Ling, ho was in the living room, and said softly, ¡°Just like Dad and Colonel Zhou Ling.¡± Zhou Ling, who was watching the live-stream, was stunned. He thought of how Liao Nai had been hostile to him previously and was afraid that he would snatch his aunt away. Why would Liao Nai have such a high evaluation of him? [Who¡¯s the cub¡¯s father?] [You must be new. The cub¡¯s father is Liao Jun, who has obtained interstellar space merits. Before he retired from the army, he was the youngest general in the history of the interstellar space!] [Oh my god! My teacher even told us about General Liao a few days ago.] [It¡¯s just a pity that God is jealous of geniuses.] The audience watching live-stream immediately began to mourn the deceased hero, and the atmosphere became heavy. The wolf cub was also affected. When he thought of the happy times it had with its father in the past, his expression became a little sorrowful. Liao Ning¡¯s eyes were filled with affection as she patted his little head. ¡°My brother was a great hero. Even after he passed away, he was still remembered by so many people he once protected with his life. He must be very happy in heaven.¡± Liao Nai lowered his head and said softly, ¡°I know. I just miss him a little.¡± When everyone in the live-stream saw the wolf cub¡¯s pitiful appearance, they immediately regretted mentioning Liao Jun. [Alright, alright. Can¡¯t you see that the wolf cub is sad? Stop talking about it!] [That¡¯s right, that¡¯s right. Why must you guys make the child unhappy?!] [Don¡¯t be sad, Nai Nai. You still have us!] [The person above is right. The cub has so many uncles, aunties, brothers, and sisters to dote on him. He will be the happiest cub in the world!] Everyone¡¯s heartfelt words moved Liao Ning. She didn¡¯t expect that after only a few months of interaction on the Internet, everyone would dote on the pitiful little villain as their younger brother. ¡°Thank you, everyone. Nai Nai, look at these uncles, aunties, brothers, and sisters. They love you, just like your daddy did.¡± Liao Nai saw it too. He sniffled as he said with a smile, ¡°Thank you, Uncles, Aunties, Brothers, Sisters. I¡¯ll definitely become an indomitable man in the future like Daddy..¡± Chapter 80 - Chapter 80: Misty Valley Chapter 80: Misty Valley Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°The cookies are ready. Nai Nai, try it in front of the screen.¡± Liao Ning picked up a cookie and fed it to him. Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream had been on sensory sharing mode the entire time. As Liao Nai took a bite of the roasted golden crispy cookie, the rich and mellow smell of cream bloomed between his tongue. The mellow fragrance of milk wrapped in butter lingered between his lips and teeth for a long time. ¡°Delicious!¡± The wolf cub widened his eyes in surprise and immediately forgot about his sorrow. He picked up a cookie to feed Liao Ning first before picking up another one to eat. ¡°Today¡¯s live-stream ends here. Goodbye, everyone!¡± Amidst the reluctance of everyone watching the live-stream, Liao Ning turned off the live-stream and held Nai Nails hand as they returned to the living room. After Zhou Ling picked up the cookie on the table and ate it without hesitation, his dark eyes lit up. Zhou Ling liked the cookie very much. ¡°It¡¯s rare for you not to have a competition tomorrow. Do you want to go to the Misty Valley to take a look?¡± Zhou Ling said as he ate a cookie. ¡°Misty Valley?¡± That was the place where the original host brought the students out for a field trip and accidentally encountered danger. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. With me around, nothing will happen.¡± Seeing Liao Ning hesitate, Zhou Ling thought that she was afraid because of what had happened last time. ¡°This is the wolf cub¡¯s first time on Planet Mu. You can bring him to take a look. After all, Planet Mu is one of the famous tourist planets, and Misty Valley happens to be Planet Mu¡¯s signature scenic spot.¡± Knowing that he had misunderstood, Liao Ning didn¡¯t explain and only smiled at him. ¡°You¡¯re right. With you around, what¡¯s there to worry about?¡± The girl¡¯s bright smile and trusting tone made Zhou Ling¡¯s ears turn red. He pretended to be calm as he looked away and stuffed a cookie into his mouth. The next morning, Liao Nai was woken up by Zhou Ling, who said that they had to rush over before the artificial sun rose on Planet Mu. Zhou Ling carried Liao Nai, who still wanted to stay in bed, on his back. After leaving the hotel, he placed him in the back seat of the rented flying car and fastened his seatbelt. ¡°Due to the war decades ago, Planet Mu deviated from its original orbit and became far away from the sun¡¯s radius. Therefore, in order to ensure the normal life of Planet Mu¡¯s residents and the plants and animals on Planet Mu, the scientists of the Alliance created this huge artificial sun.¡± Zhou Ling opened the passenger door for Liao Ning. ¡°However, although it¡¯s an artificial sun, the scientists set the same operating pattern as the sun. The sunrise and sunset are extremely beautiful.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Liao Ning fastened her seatbelt and looked at Zhou Ling, who was in the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°So the Misty Valley is the best place to watch the sunrise on Planet Mu?¡± Zhou Ling nodded and started the car engine. ¡°That¡¯s right. Sit tight.¡± As soon as Liao Ning lit the first flying car, it quickly rose into the air and rushed out at an extremely fast speed like an arrow leaving the bow. The inertia made Liao Ning stick to the back of the seat. No wonder he told her to sit tight. Otherwise, with Zhou Ling¡¯s wild driving style, if she didn¡¯t sit tight, she would have been thrown out. Due to Zhou Ling¡¯s extraordinary driving skills, the journey that originally took more than an hour only took them forty minutes. The flying car stopped in the parking lot of the Misty Valley Resort. After the car stopped, Liao Ning turned around and looked at the wolf cub who was sleeping soundly. Zhou Ling got out of the car first and carried Liao Nai out. After Liao Ning took the stuff from the trunk, he walked side by side with her towards the cable car up the mountain. The cable car was very slow, but as long as one looked out of the window, one could see the scenery of the Misty Valley easily. Since Liao Ning and the other two had to go up the mountain to see the sunrise very early, the entire Misty Valley was still hidden in a thick fog. Only some ancient trees revealed their shadows from the thick fog. ¡°The fog will completely dissipate around ten o¡¯clock.¡± Zhou Ling carried Liao Nai and sat beside Liao Ning. The wolf cub was sleeping soundly on his shoulder. When the cable car reached the top of the mountain, the sun was almost out of the thick clouds. When they reached the observation platform, the sun was just above the horizon. The orange-red morning sun shone on the observation platform. Liao Nai woke up at this moment. Feeling the warmth on his body, he turned around and was immediately shocked by the scenery in front of him. He exclaimed, ¡°What a beautiful sunrise!¡± This was the first time in his life that he had seen the sunrise. The morning sun amidst the clouds and sea looked very magnificent. He couldn¡¯t help but be stunned. He only came back to his senses when the sun had completely risen from the clouds.. Chapter 81 - Chapter 81: Hunter Association President Chapter 81: Hunter Association President Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Miss Liao, long time no see.¡± When an unfamiliar voice sounded, Liao Ning looked in the direction of the voice and saw a tall figure walking towards her against the morning light. When Zhou Ling stood in front of Liao Ning, his protective posture made the person walking over chuckle. ¡®Miss Liao, I didn¡¯t expect that after not seeing you for a few months, Colonel Zhou Ling, one of the famous White Tiger Double Stars in the alliance, would become your guard.¡± As the person approached, Liao Ning saw the other party¡¯s face clearly. He was the president of the Planet Mu Hunter Association, Zou Xu, who had recruited the original host to teach the children on Planet Mu. ¡°President Zou, I didn¡¯t expect you to still remember me after so long. Should I feel honored because of this?¡± Although Liao Ning said that, there was no smugness on her face. According to the original host¡¯s memory, the reason behind the original host¡¯s death was that President Zou had informed the original host at the last minute to bring the children to the Moon-Catching Lake in the Misty Valley after the fog dissipated. On the way to the Moon-Catching Lake, the original host and the children encountered the petrel that had gone missing. As a high-level hunter, the original host could have escaped unscathed when she encountered the petrel, but because there were seven or eight weak children behind her who needed protection, the original host protected the children while defending against the petrel, which resulted in the original host¡¯s death. After Liao Ning transmigrated with the system, she encountered the petrel going berserk. Thanks to Zhou Ling, who had transformed into a white tiger, Liao Ning survived after she transmigrated. When the original host encountered the petrel, she sent a distress message to the Hunter Association. However, even more than an hour after the original host died, help didn¡¯t arrive. Liao Ning looked at the Hunter Association¡¯s President, who had a handlebar mustache and wore a black top hat and a proper gown. He looked like a refined middle-aged aristocrat. She didn¡¯t believe that this President wasn¡¯t involved in the Hunter Association¡¯s negligence. As Liao Ning looked straight at him, Zou Xu felt a little unhappy. For some reason, he felt that the current Liao Ning gave him a different feeling from the previous Liao Ning. After the food competition ended yesterday, the lord from the capital planet sent him another message, in hopes that he could cooperate with the people he arranged to get rid of Liao Ning. If this operation was successful, he would be transferred to the Hunter Association¡¯s headquarters on the capital planet. The temptation of being transferred to the Hunter Association¡¯s headquarters on the capital planet was undoubtedly huge for a branch president like him, who didn¡¯t have any connections on the capital planet. However, when he thought of the Su family, who controlled the strongest intelligence network in the entire alliance, and the eldest grandson of the Su family, Su MO, who was close to Liao Ning, Zou Xu was afraid that when the Su family found out about him, he might not even be able to keep the position of the branch president of Planet Mu¡¯s Hunter Association, let alone go to the capital planet. After thinking about it for the entire night, he decided to look for Liao Ning to see if Liao Ning suspected him regarding the petrel incident in the Misty Valley. If not, he would be able to use the information that he could provide to Liao Ning in exchange for greater benefits in the subsequent negotiations. However, Liao Ning¡¯s attitude had already made it clear to him that she was already suspecting him, so his plan probably wouldn¡¯t work. ¡°Miss Liao, please follow me to the Hunter Association. I have something important to discuss with you.¡± Zou Xu glanced at Zhou Ling, who was staring at him coldly, and added, ¡°If Colonel Zhou Ling is interested, please come with me.¡± Zhou Ling turned his head and asked Liao Ning in a low voice, ¡°Are you going?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± In order to find out the truth behind the original host¡¯s death, she naturally had to go. She knew that this was probably an extremely complicated matter. The moment Zhou Ling started the flying car and followed the Hunter Association¡¯s car, the system, which had been silent for a long time, sent a mission notification. [Ding¡ªHost, please head to Planet Mu¡¯s Hunter Association safely. Reward: You will trigger and automatically complete the hidden mission to obtain clues about Liao Ning¡¯s identity.] This mission¡­ this journey might not be uneventful! ¡°Ling, let¡¯s be careful. I¡¯m afraid the other party will play tricks.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Zhou Ling didn¡¯t say anything else. He just slowed down the car and paid more attention to the surroundings.. Chapter 82 - Chapter 82: Killer Chapter 82: Killer Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations The journey was unexpectedly peaceful. From the return trip to the Misty Valley until they entered the Hunter Association¡¯s territory, Liao Ning and the others were not attacked at all. This shouldn¡¯t be the case. The system would never give meaningless reminders, let alone issue missions without difficulty. Liao Ning stared at the office area of the Hunter Association in the distance with a frown. The architectural style of the Hunter Association¡¯s branch office on Planet Mu was similar to that of the European-style manors on Earth in ancient times. The three-story office building was in a semicircle and faced the tall door of the manor. If one wanted to enter the office building, one had to pass through a wide square in the middle. The plaza was spacious, and there were many residents who went to the Hunter Association to do things. There were also many members of the association who were walking in a hurry with documents in their hands. All kinds of people were gathered together. This plaza was undoubtedly the best hiding place. Zhou Ling obviously had the same thought as her and his expression turned solemn. ¡°If they really set up an ambush here, I¡¯m afraid it will implicate innocent people.¡± ¡°It can¡¯t be avoided.¡± If possible, Liao Ning didn¡¯t want innocent people to be implicated. Unfortunately, since they had already resorted to assassination, there was a high chance that the other party wouldn¡¯t be so kind. What happened next was just as the two of them had expected. The moment they followed Zou Xu into the center of the square, many people glanced at them. Many people even slowly approached them. Zhou Ling tensed up, like a ferocious beast that was ready to bite off the enemy¡¯s neck at any moment, and he guarded Liao Ning firmly. The moment they passed by the bench at the edge of the square, a man and a woman who were flirting a second ago suddenly pounced on Liao Ning and Zhou Ling. The delicate rose branch in their hands seemed to have turned into a sharp blade that stabbed at Liao Ning extremely quickly. Fortunately, Liao Ning was already prepared. Just as the woman was about to stab her, she turned around and grabbed the woman¡¯s wrist firmly with her right hand before hitting the woman¡¯s abdomen with her left elbow. Liao Ning¡¯s attack made the woman¡¯s face turn pale and the intense pain in her abdomen made her fall to the ground. When the man who was fighting Zhou Ling saw that his companion was injured, he immediately attacked Liao Ning ruthlessly. ¡°Be careful!¡± Zhou Ling reminded Liao Ning and took the opportunity to grab the man¡¯s clothes. After he hugged the man¡¯s head with both hands and pressed it down, he raised his knee and slammed it into the man¡¯s face. Upon hearing the crisp sound, Liao Ning knew that the man¡¯s nose bridge must have been broken. As blood flowed out of the man¡¯s nostrils, the man immediately covered his nose in pain and wailed. Then, he was kicked to the ground by Zhou Ling. Seven to eight more people immediately appeared. One of them even took out a gun. Looking at the crowd that had lost control, Liao Ning didn¡¯t want them to be implicated. She looked at Zou Xu, who was watching from the side, unhappily. ¡°President Zou, do you hope that there will be casualties in your territory? This will definitely be the headline on tomorrow¡¯s news.¡± Zou Xu naturally didn¡¯t want such a report to appear on the news tomorrow, so he instructed his subordinates, who were stunned on the spot, ¡°What are you guys waiting for? Hurry up and evacuate the crowd before informing the poncer Liao Ning and Zhou Ling quickly approached the people with guns and snatched the guns from their hands, forcing them to fight them in close combat. Ten minutes later, the police arrived at the event location quickly. With the help of the Hunter Association members, the assassins were tied up and sat on the ground with their heads drooping. ¡°It¡¯s like this¡­¡± As the president of the Hunter Association, Zou Xu had to explain. Liao Ning came to Zhou Ling¡¯s side. ¡°Can you tell who sent these people?¡± Zhou Ling shook his head. ¡°There¡¯s nothing on them that¡¯s unique to certain factions. They¡¯re also very stubborn. Now that the police are here, I can¡¯t interrogate them.¡± ¡°You even want to interrogate him? Colonel Zhou, that¡¯s a violation of the alliance¡¯s terms!¡± When Zhou Ling saw Liao Nings exaggerated expression, he smiled. ¡°I was just kidding..¡± Chapter 83 - Chapter 83: Wang Family Chapter 83: Wang Family Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°So the mastermind of this plan is the Wang family?¡± Liao Ning was sitting in the president¡¯s office of the Hunter Association. Zou Xu, the president of the Hunter Association, was sitting opposite Zhou Ling. After dealing with the killers, Zou Xu brought Liao Ning and Zhou Ling to his office. The moment they stepped into the office, the familiar system notification sounded again. [Congratulations for completing the mission: heading to Planet Mu¡¯s Hunter Association safely. Reward: You have triggered and automatically completed the hidden mission. You have received Liao Ning¡¯s identity clue. Please take note.] As soon as the system finished speaking, Zou Xu revealed why he was looking for Liao Ning this time. ¡°The Wang family wants you dead. They offered the position at the headquarters of the Hunter Association on the capital planet to collude with me, like the Wei family did last time.¡± Zou Xu¡¯s words solved the mystery that had troubled Liao Ning for a long time. Liao Ning lowered her head and pondered over it. She didn¡¯t understand what she had that was worthy of the Wei and Wang families, two of the five aristocratic families in the alliance, to go to such lengths to take her life. Zhou Ling, who had been silent all this while, said, ¡°You were also involved in the incident when Liao Ning was almost killed in the Misty Valley. Aren¡¯t you afraid that the Wang and Wei families will find trouble with you?¡± Zou Xu stroked his well-groomed mustache as he said with a smile, ¡®You have to make a choice in everything. I was helping the Wei family as a bet last time, and I¡¯m also helping Liao Ning as a bet this time.¡± ¡°I¡¯m an orphan. From the time I could remember things, my goal has been to rise to the top. I don¡¯t want to experience the misery and hardships of my childhood ever again. With my background, it¡¯s already very impressive for me to obtain the position of the branch president of the Hunter Association. I¡¯ve long gotten tired of dealing with official documents day in and day out for more than ten years. Whether I win this time or the Wang and Wei families win, it doesn¡¯t matter. I have a lot of evidence against their subordinates, so the Wang and Wei families won¡¯t dare to do anything to me.¡± As he spoke, Zou Xu seemed to have thought of something and said to Liao Ning mysteriously, ¡°I still have a story about your grandma and the current head of the Wang family. Do you want to hear it?¡± The system had given her a lot of clues this time! Liao Ning was overjoyed. ¡°Of course.¡± From Zou Xu, Liao Ning found out that her grandma Zhu Ying had a not-so-satisfactory romance with the Wang family¡¯s Third Young Master when she was young. ¡°Zhu Ying was once a famous ancient food culture researcher in the alliance and she had a deep relationship with the Su family, one of the five great families of the alliance. She was very good friends with the eldest daughter of the Su family, Su Tang.¡± Zou Xu glanced at Liao Ning and continued, ¡°However, she went missing a year after she went to Planet Mu¡¯s Misty Valley to look for ingredients. Su Tang, the eldest daughter of the Su family, had been searching for her friend¡¯s whereabouts since then until she passed away.¡± ¡°I know about this. I want to know the story between my grandma and the Wang family¡¯s Third Young Master.¡± Liao Ning was a little impatient. Liao Ning was certain that the reason the Wang and Wei families were targeting her was related to the story of Zhu Ying and the Wang family¡¯s Third Young Master. Zou Xu said angrily, ¡°Young people are so impatient. I¡¯m almost there.¡± In Zou Xu¡¯s story, in order to find a difficult ingredient, Zhu Ying entered the depths of the Misty Valley alone. There, Zhu Ying met the third son of the Wang family, Wang Jing. The sight of Wang Jing covered in blood shocked Zhu Ying, who couldn¡¯t care less about finding the ingredients anymore and hurriedly carried Wang Jing out of the Misty Valley and sent him to a hospital on Planet Mu. After Wang Jing recovered from his injuries, in order to repay Zhu Ying for saving his life, he went to Zhu Ying¡¯s residence on Planet Mu every few days during his recuperation. After a while, the two of them gradually fell in love with each other. Wang Jing was seriously injured and fainted in the depths of the Misty Valley back then because he had overused his mental strength to chase after an Alliance fugitive and was plotted against by the fugitive. As he didn¡¯t use the mental strength potion in time, even after he recovered and was discharged from the hospital, he still suffered from headaches whenever he used his mental strength. Wang Jing¡¯s sequelae was due to not using the mental strength potion in time and the alliance didn¡¯t have a treatment method. Therefore, when the Wang family¡¯s head learned of this news, Wang Jing¡¯s father had no choice but to give up on his son. He handed his position in the army to a nephew of the family. Wang Jing knew that his family had already given up on him, so he started dating Zhu Ying in peace.. Chapter 84 - Chapter 84: The Effects of Ancient Delicacy Chapter 84: The Effects of Ancient Delicacy Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations When he was with Zhu Ying, Wang Jing could eat the ancient delicacies personally cooked by Zhu Ying every day. One time, Wang Jing accidentally used his mental strength, but he didn¡¯t expect that not only did he not have a splitting headache like before, but his mental strength level also improved. Wang Jing was overjoyed. After a few more training sessions, he realized that he had really recovered and he could use his mental strength as he pleased like before. He sent a letter to his father, who was far away in the capital. The father was a little happy after he received his son¡¯s letter. After all, he had personally nurtured his son. If not for his clansmen forcing him, he wouldn¡¯t have given up on this son. Soon, the Wei family, who had the technology to produce mental strength potions, learned of this news. The Wei family¡¯s head rushed over to meet the Wang family¡¯s head. After a night of long discussion, the two families reached an agreement. The next day, the Wei family¡¯s head and the Wang family¡¯s eldest son personally boarded the spaceship to Planet Mu. At this moment, Wang Jing, who had received the news from his father, was still immersed in joy. He imagined that he could return to the army again and rely on his own efforts to make a career before marrying Zhu Ying. Then, the two of them would live happily ever after. Unfortunately, Wang Jing¡¯s wish didn¡¯t come true. The elder brother who came to pick him up only took him away. At first, he didn¡¯t insist on traveling with Zhu Ying, but his elder brother said in a serious tone that there was an urgent matter in the army and he had to return to the capital planet with him to carry out the mission first. He repeatedly promised that he would get the Wei family head to help escort Zhu Ying back to the capital planet. Only then did he reluctantly follow his elder brother onto the spaceship. Zou Xu looked at Liao Ning as he said, ¡°Later on, Wang Jing returned to the Wang family¡¯s ancestral residence after completing his mission, but his father told him that Zhu Ying had left without saying goodbye and only left a breakup letter. Wang Jing failed to find Zhu Ying, so he married the second daughter of the Wei family at his family¡¯s request.¡± ¡°So you¡¯re telling me this story to tell me that the Wei family is related to my grandma¡¯s disappearance.¡± Liao Ning said calmly as she took a sip of tea. Zou Xu was very dissatisfied with her calm expression and that she wasn¡¯t as shocked as she should have been after finding out about this secret. He was a little impatient and stopped telling stories to Liao Ning. He simply told her bluntly, ¡°The ancient delicacies developed by your grandma have the effect of treating mental strength riots. Moreover, the treatment effect is even better than that of the Wei family¡¯s mental strength potion.¡± This was an outcome that Liao Ning had not expected before. She thought that the Wei family only wanted establish marital ties with the Wang family, so they used a scheme to make her grandma willing to live the rest of her life incognito. She didn¡¯t expect them to be so deeply involved. She couldn¡¯t help but recall that the netizens watching the live-stream had occasionally mentioned a long time ago that ever since they started learning how to cook delicacies from her, their mental strength riots had gradually decreased, and the number of times they used the mental strength potion had also gradually decreased. No wonder the Wei family suddenly noticed her and that assassin said those words. It turned out that she had really blocked someone¡¯s path to wealth. Hearing Liao Ning¡¯s sneer, Zou Xu knew that Liao Ning had already guessed it, but she refused to tell him her true guess. Zou Xu sighed. ¡°You¡¯re right, but this isn¡¯t the main reason I wanted to tell you about this. There are many comments on the Internet now. Ever since you learned how to make delicacies from you, many people have started to reduce their use of mental strength potions. Therefore, the Wei family has set their sights on you this time because your appearance in the near future will become an obstacle for them to use the mental strength potion to get rich. After discovering that you¡¯re Zhu Ying¡¯s descendant, they couldn¡¯t wait to attack you.¡± Zhou Ling found it strange. ¡°The Su family is in charge of the intelligence of the entire alliance. Su Tang searched for Zhu Ying for her entire life but couldn¡¯t find her whereabouts. How did you know so clearly that Liao Ning was Zhu Ying¡¯s descendant right from the beginning? Liao Ning was also very curious about this. ¡°In order to get rid of you, the Wei family naturally told me everything. However, a portion of it was my own deduction. After I investigated further, my deduction was confirmed to be correct.¡± Zou Xu sneered. ¡°As for why the Su family didn¡¯t find out, it¡¯s because the Wang and Wei families had been secretly meddling. Unless Su Tang investigated in a specific direction like me back then, it was impossible to deduce the truth based on these fragmented information..¡± Chapter 85 - Chapter 85: I’m Here Chapter 85: I¡¯m Here Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°You still have me. Don¡¯t worry.¡± Zhou Ling looked at Liao Ning, who was sitting on the sofa and frowning in thought. She had been like this ever since she returned from the Hunter Association. Liao Ning shook her head and told him that she was fine. ¡°I¡¯m just a little worried. It¡¯s already very difficult to take down the Wei family. Now that the Wang family is also in cahoots, I don¡¯t even know where to start.¡± Before they prepared to leave, Zou Xu said a few words. It was the rest of the story that unfolded from Zhu Ying¡¯s perspective. It happened after Wang Jing was taken away by his elder brother. The Wei family had signed a confidentiality clause with Zhu Ying on the grounds of sponsoring Zhu Ying¡¯s research on ancient delicacies. If she needed it, she could use the Wei family¡¯s connections and financial resources to gather the resources she wanted. The only requirement was to work in the Wei family¡¯s mental strength potion research laboratory and not have any contact with the outside world for three years. In order to suppress the mental strength riot of everyone in the alliance in the early years, the Wei family had almost gone bankrupt from doing research on the mental strength riot suppression potion. This made Zhu Ying believe them without a doubt. After signing the confidentiality clause, Zhu Ying was brought to the Wei family¡¯s mental strength potion research and experimental base and cut off all contact with the outside world. Before entering the base, she asked the Wei family head to pass a letter to Wang Jing before devoting herself to the research of ancient delicacies. The Wei family¡¯s head agreed on the surface, but got someone to imitate her handwriting and write a breakup letter to send to the Wang family¡¯s residence. After receiving the breakup letter, Wang Jing was very sad. He mustered his courage to disobey his father and personally returned to Planet Mu to ask Zhu Ying about it. However, Zhu Ying was no longer on Planet Mu. In the end, Wang Jing could only return to the capital planet in dejection. Then, he married the second daughter of the Wei family under his family¡¯s arrangements. Zhu Ying didn¡¯t know that while she was researching ancient delicacies, the Wei family¡¯s researchers were also researching all the ingredients she used to cook. When the Wei family¡¯s researchers learned from thousands of experiments why her cooking could reduce mental violence, the three-year contract Zhu Ying had signed with the Wei family happened to expire. In order to prevent Zhu Ying from contacting Wang Jing and the Su family again, the Wei family fabricated a lie for Zhu Ying. With the news of Wang Jing and the Wei family¡¯s second daughter¡¯s upcoming marriage spreading everywhere, what could be more heartbreaking than her good friend hiding it from her and matchmaking her lover to another woman? It was already very troublesome to do research, so when she heard this news, Zhu Ying fell ill. When she woke up, the Wei family head said that he could cancel the engagement with the Wang family on behalf of his second daughter, but Zhu Ying was already disheartened by Wang Jing¡¯s actions and rejected the Wei family head¡¯s offer. With the Wei family¡¯s help, Zhu Ying changed her name and came to live on the Blue Planet, cutting off all contact with her past. Zhou Ling didn¡¯t want to see her vexed expression. ¡°Now that you know everything, I believe that the Su family won¡¯t be indifferent if they really know. Even if the Su family doesn¡¯t do anything, you still have me backing you. After my brother disappeared, I temporarily took over the position of the family head. The entire Zhou family listens to my orders. With me around, you don¡¯t have to be troubled.¡± Liao Ning was very touched by Zhou Ling¡¯s words. ¡°You¡¯re right! We should be more courageous when we¡¯re in trouble. Alright, it¡¯s almost lunchtime. Let¡¯s eat something sweet today!¡± Liao Nai didn¡¯t follow Liao Ning and Zhou Ling to the Hunter Association. Afraid that he would encounter danger, Liao Ning contacted Yu Ni and asked her to go to the police station in the Misty Valley resort to bring Liao Nai back to the hotel. Liao Nai, who had been brought back to the hotel, had been playing with Yu Guo in Yu Nits room. Liao Ning had just gone to bring him back. Seeing that his aunt was unhappy, Liao Nai, who had been accompanying Liao Ning, immediately said that he wanted to help when he heard that she was going to cook. After Liao Ning hugged him and kissed him, she pinched his little face and said, ¡°Okay, then Nai Nai, help me bring the fish from the farm yesterday.¡± ¡°Alright!¡± Liao Nai ran to the balcony, picked up the basin, and walked to the kitchen. These fish were sent by the farm yesterday, and Liao Ning raised them in the basin with water. Liao Ning helped Liao Nai carry the basin to the sink on the kitchen counter and turned on the system¡¯s live-stream. She had originally planned to bring Liao Nai to play in the Misty Valley for a day instead of live-streaming, but her plan was ruined. ¡°Good afternoon, everyone. I¡¯m the live-streamer ¡®My Child Is The Best¡¯..¡± Chapter 86 - Chapter 86: Sweet and Sour Fish Chapter 86: Sweet and Sour Fish Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations [Liao Ning is broadcasting!] [What a pity. I¡¯ve already drunk the nutrient solution today.] [Liao Ning, are you planning to teach us what to cook today?] ¡°Today, I plan to use the fish delivered by the farm yesterday to teach everyone how to make sweet and sour fish.¡± [The vinegar is sour, and the sugar is sweet. How can sour and sweet fish be delicious?] [Don¡¯t worry, no matter how strange the ingredients are, Liao Ning can always make them delicious.] Liao Ning began to deal with the few fish in the basin. She fished out a fish from the basin and quickly knocked it out. Then, she scraped off the fish scales and finally cut open the fish¡¯s stomach to take out its internal organs and throw them away. Finally, she washed the fish¡¯s abdominal cavity. [Liao Ning deals with fish so quickly!] [Every time I see Liao Ning process the ingredients, I try to learn the technique carefully. Unfortunately, it takes me half an hour to merely process the fish.] ¡°Practice makes perfect. Let¡¯s try a few more times.¡± After Liao Ning processed the remaining fish the same way and placed them in a washed basin, she placed the chopped onions and ginger slices in and poured a spoonful of seasoning wine into it to marinate them evenly for ten minutes. ¡°During the ten minutes of marinating the fish, everyone can prepare the batter for the fried fish.¡± Liao Ning put an egg into a bowl, then added a spoonful of starch, a spoonful of flour, and half a bowl of water. After mixing them evenly, the paste was ready. Next, Liao Ning took out the marinated fish and wrapped it evenly. ¡°Everyone, you have to make this batter more viscous. Otherwise, you can¡¯t hang it on the fish without sticky batter.¡± [What if I accidentally add too much water when making the batter?] [I wanted to ask that too.] ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. If you accidentally put too much water, you can add some flour and stir until the batter becomes sticky.¡± [I see. Why didn¡¯t I think of that?!] [I didn¡¯t think of that either. My mother almost poured out the batter just now.] [Previous poster, hurry up and get your mother to add flour!] ¡°Next, we can start heating the oil in the pot. Once the oil starts to bubble, we can lower the heat and carefully place the fish in to fry. Fry the fish until both sides turn golden brown, then remove it from the oil and let it cool.¡± Liao Ning carefully scooped out the fish. ¡°Next, prepare a clean pot. Add three spoonfuls of ketchup, three spoonfuls of white sugar, two spoonfuls of soy sauce, four spoonfuls of vinegar, and a bowl of water. Stir the mixture thoroughly, then heat it on the stove until the sauce thickens.¡± [How much water is in a bowl?] [I¡¯m not sure either. How big is a spoon?] Upon seeing the questions in the comments, Liao Ning patiently responded, ¡°The spoon I¡¯m using is a small spoon typically used to measure salt during livestreams. As for the bowl, since I made a larger quantity of fish this time, I used a medium-sized bowl typically used for stir-frying dishes. If you¡¯re making just one fish, you can use the smaller bowl that livestreamers usually use to serve rice.¡± After the sweet and sour sauce had boiled, Liao Ning poured it over the fish that was already arranged on a plate. Instantly, the flavors of the sweet and sour sauce and the crispy aroma of the fried fish blended together, tantalizing the audience through the sensory sharing feature in the livestream. ¡°Nai Nai, come and bring the bowls and chopsticks. It¡¯s time to eat!¡± As soon as Liao Ning called out to her assistant, the young cub rushed over, grabbing three bowls and three sets of chopsticks before darting off again. [Huh? Why does the cub need three sets of cutlery for three people?] [I saw it too.] [Could it be that there are guests at the livestreamer¡¯s house today?] [I¡¯m not sure. I think so.] ¡°Thank you.¡± [Wait, why do I hear a man¡¯s voice?] [Is Liao Ning in love?!] [No way, no way!] [What? Someone wants to snatch Liao Ning from me? I can¡¯t tolerate it!] Liao Ning finished tidying up the kitchen and glanced up. She noticed that everyone in the livestream was questioning if she was in a relationship and why they could hear a man¡¯s voice. For a moment, Liao Ning was unsure how to respond. She looked over at Zhou Ling, who was arranging the tables and chairs. Zhou Ling caught Liao Ning¡¯s gaze and without overthinking, he asked, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± His voice carried a sense of calmness and authority. It effortlessly traveled from the living room to the kitchen, reaching the ears of the livestream viewers even clearer than the previous ¡°thank you.¡± The viewers seemed to have stumbled upon a new revelation. The livestream chat was quickly flooded with exclamation marks.. Chapter 87 - Chapter 87: Public Appearance Chapter 87: Public Appearance Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations At that moment, Liao Nai tugged at the corner of Zhou Ling¡¯s shirt. When Zhou Ling looked at him, Liao Nai raised his hand and pointed at the livestream projected onto the wall by Zhou Ling¡¯s Al. Following Liao Nai¡¯s gesture, Zhou Ling saw the chat filled with exclamation marks. He checked the chat history and realized that in the short time he had been arranging the tables and chairs, the livestream had exploded when the viewers heard his conversation with Liao Nai. They were all asking if Liao Ning was in love. No wonder Liao Ning had been staring at him earlier. Zhou Ling lowered his head in deep thought and quickly recollected recent events. Then, he looked up and walked straight to the kitchen, appearing in the livestream. ¡°Hello, everyone. I¡¯m Zhou Ling.¡± [! What did I just see?] [Colonel Zhou, it¡¯s Colonel Zhou!] [Wait, isn¡¯t Colonel Zhou missing? Why did he suddenly appear in ¡®My Child Is The Best¡¯ livestream?] [Could it be that the livestreamer requested the Al to imitate him?] [Although I suspect someone is pretending to be Zhou Ling, I still want to ask.] Seeing the suspicions in the livestream chat about his sudden appearance and whether he was truly a robot in disguise, Zhou Ling didn¡¯t waste time explaining. He transformed into his beast form, revealing his furry ears and sharp vertical pupils. The livestream erupted in excitement. Everyone knew that no matter how advanced a robot was, it couldn¡¯t replicate genetic changes. [It really is Zhou Ling!] [Thank goodness, he¡¯s safe!] [I was so worried when I heard that Colonel Zhou had gone missing like his brother.] [I also thought that the Alliance¡¯s White Tiger Double Star would become history at that moment!] [Since Colonel Zhou appeared at Liao Ning¡¯s house, do I have any reason to suspect¡­] [Liao Ning found the missing Colonel Zhou?!] Zhou Ling observed the various speculations in the livestream. He blinked and nodded, not hiding anything. ¡°She¡¯s my savior.¡± Liao Ning looked at Zhou Ling¡¯s smiling face and couldn¡¯t help but worry for him. She didn¡¯t understand why he would recklessly reveal his whereabouts to the viewers. [When will Colonel Zhou return to the capital?] [Exactly. We¡¯re all concerned about you. You should return to the capital planet as soon as possible.] Zhou Ling noticed Liao Ning¡¯s concern and gave her a reassuring look. He smiled gently at her. [Huh? When Colonel Zhou smiled just now, did anyone else feel something strange, like suddenly getting bumped into by a couple while walking on the street?] [ ¡­Now that you mention it.] [Wait a minute. I¡¯m starting to imagine things. Could it be that the livestreamer and Colonel Zhou are actually involved?] Liao Ning and Zhou Ling both saw these questions. Just as Liao Ning thought Zhou Ling would deny it, Zhou Ling¡¯s actions surprised her. Zhou Ling¡¯s gaze was sincere and earnest. ¡°I¡¯m pursuing her, but I don¡¯t know if she¡¯ll reciprocate.¡± [How dare you?! Liao Ning is my wife. Even if you¡¯re Zhou Ling, you can¡¯t steal her away!!!] [That¡¯s right! Liao Ning belongs to us!] Zhou Ling was taken aback. He hadn¡¯t expected such a reaction from the viewers. His smile deepened, resembling that of a mischievous child. There was a playful tone in his voice. ¡°Recently, in order to have some common ground with Ningning, I¡¯ve been reading through many ancient books. Have any of you heard a saying from ancient culture?¡± When the livestream viewers saw Zhou Ling¡¯s smile, a sense of unease settled in their hearts, indicating that something they didn¡¯t want to witness was about to unfold. As expected, they heard Zhou Ling¡¯s deep and magnetic voice saying, ¡°I will repay you with myself for saving my life.¡± A moment of silence spread through the livestream. Even the flood of comments momentarily ceased. However, after a few seconds, a wave of bullet comments erupted. The livestream chat was filled with complaints directed towards Zhou Ling. People vented their frustrations about this ¡°White Tiger Double Star¡± who was usually aloof in their eyes. Their fingers danced on the keyboard, expressing their discontent like tap dancers on a stage.. Chapter 88 - Chapter 88: Boyfriend Chapter 88: Boyfriend Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations [Damn it! He¡¯s showing off! But hey!] [That¡¯s right. Liao Ning is truly captivating. She even won Colonel Zhou¡¯s heart.] [I should be proud of what you just said, shouldn¡¯t I? But I can¡¯t help but feel uneasy at the thought of Liao Ning being taken away!] Not only the livestream viewers, but even Liao Ning herself was taken aback by Zhou Ling¡¯s actions. She stared at Zhou Ling in a daze and couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit shy. After spending so much time interacting with Zhou Ling, she felt that she understood his character. Zhou Ling was not someone who would simply joke around. Recalling how she had playfully asked him to be her boyfriend and was initially turned down, even though he eventually agreed, Liao Ning suddenly realized that she might not be so easily ¡°won over¡± by him upon hearing him publicly declare his pursuit in the livestream. After all, she had a mischievous side to her. While Liao Ning was lost in her thoughts, Zhou Ling began to feel a sense of foreboding. As expected, in the next moment, he heard Liao Ning say, ¡°I adore furry fur the most. If Ling is willing to transform back into a white tiger and let me touch your snow-white fur, I might consider accepting your pursuit.¡± As soon as Liao Ning uttered those words, the livestream audience perked up, eagerly waiting to see how Zhou Ling would handle the situation. Under the gaze of Liao Ning and the countless viewers in the livestream, Zhou Ling adjusted the white tiger ears he had yet to retract. He feigned composure and said, ¡°Nai Nai must be hungry. We shouldn¡¯t let the little one go hungry. Let¡¯s eat first.¡¯ However, the wolf cub, who had been quietly observing from the side, unexpectedly interjected with an innocent tone, blocking Zhou Ling¡¯s escape route. ¡°I¡¯m not very hungry. I can wait for Uncle Zhou to answer your questions before eating.¡± Zhou Ling knew he had no way out this time. ¡°¡­ If it makes you happy¡­ I can transform¡­¡± A wide smile spread across Liao Ning¡¯s face. ¡°Until next time!¡± After receiving the desired answer, Liao Ning swiftly reached out and turned off the livestream, paying no attention to the disappointed audience who craved gossip. Liao Ning pulled the blushing Zhou Ling out of the kitchen and settled at the dining table, with Liao Nai eagerly awaiting their presence. ¡°I apologize for keeping you waiting, kiddo. Let¡¯s eat!¡± ¡°Yay!¡± Liao Nai happily picked up his chopsticks and began eating, oblivious to the troubled expression on Zhou Ling¡¯s face. Liao Ning, noticing this, kindly served Zhou Ling a bowl of fish, coaxing, ¡°My dear boyfriend, it¡¯s time to eat!¡± Upon hearing the word ¡°boyfriend,¡± Liao Nai took a rare moment to look up at Liao Ning and Zhou Ling. Although he didn¡¯t want anyone to snatch his aunt away, he wouldn¡¯t object if it was someone as formidable as Zhou Ling, who could protect her. ¡°By the way, won¡¯t you be putting yourself at risk by openly appearing in the livestream?¡± Liao Ning asked Zhou Ling, who was earnestly eating. Zhou Ling swallowed his food and responded, ¡°No. After the encounter with the assassins at the Hunter Association this morning, the influential families should already be aware that the man beside you is the missing me.¡± ¡°But won¡¯t you be in danger! We still don¡¯t know who¡¯s scheming against you. It¡¯s very risky for you to be out in the open, ¡± Liao Ning expressed her concern. Zhou Ling smiled reassuringly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Gao Dian and the other brothers have already uncovered the mastermind behind the attack and have obtained solid evidence.¡± Liao Ning¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Who is it?¡± Zhou Ling signaled for her to keep quiet and pointed outside the window. In that moment, his gaze fell upon a white pigeon inside the room. He shook his head at Liao Ning and used his finger to write the word ¡°Wang¡± on the table. Liao Ning also glanced at the white pigeon. There had been nothing outside the window just a moment ago, but now she refrained from further inquiries, fearing that their adversaries might be listening in. The following morning, the organizer of the food competition sent Liao Ning and the other participants a ticket to the capital planet. However, Liao Ning had no intention of using it. After learning that Yu Ni planned to bring Yu Guo along, Liao Ning generously handed her ticket to Yu Ni. Yu Ni accepted the ticket and inquired, ¡°What about you?¡± ¡°Ling mentioned that a spaceship will be arriving to pick us up.¡± ¡°Thank you. Guoguo and I will head out first. We¡¯ll see you on the capital planet.¡± Yu Ni smiled gratefully at Liao Ning. The finals of the food competition were taking place on the capital planet, and spaceship tickets to the capital planet had been sold out a month in advance.. Chapter 89 - Chapter 89: The Silver Chapter 89: The Silver Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Because she hadn¡¯t planned to bring Yu Guo along, she hadn¡¯t booked a ticket in advance. Consequently, it was challenging for her to purchase a child¡¯s spaceship ticket for Yu Guo at present. ¡°See you on the capital planet.¡± Not long after seeing off Yu Ni and Yu Guo, Zhou Ling informed her that the spaceship meant to pick them up had arrived. Therefore, Liao Ning followed him and boarded the flying car they had previously rented. Ten minutes later, the three of them reached the location where the spaceship was parked. Liao Ning glanced at the words ¡°Planet Mu Military Division¡± above the entrance and skeptically asked Zhou Ling, ¡°Could it be a warship that came to collect us? Zhou Ling nodded and directed his face towards the facial recognition system positioned outside the military district. Soon, the system verified his identity, and a robotic voice echoed, ¡°Honorable Colonel Zhou Ling, welcome to the military division of Planet Mu.¡± The door opened, allowing Zhou Ling to drive the flying car directly towards the military starship field. As a tourist planet situated far from the battlefront, Planet Mu¡¯s military division was comparatively smaller than those of other planets. Nevertheless, even with that in mind, it took Zhou Ling six minutes to reach the starship field within the military division after driving the flying car inside. Hundreds of battleships of different sizes were parked on the starship field, but the most striking one was a silver-white battleship. Liao Ning was uncertain of the material from which it was constructed, but she perceived a cold, brilliant sheen emanating from it, giving it a commanding presence. Noticing Liao Ning¡¯s gaze, Zhou Ling introduced her, saying, ¡°This is The Silver. Three years ago, my brother and I led our troops in defeating the Zergs, who invaded the Alliance¡¯s territory using a black hole. The military rewarded us with a battleshiD.¡± At the mention of his brother, Zhou Ling¡¯s eyes dimmed. ¡°It was after that battle that my brother and his wife vanished. I¡¯ve been searching for their whereabouts, but unfortunately¡­¡± Liao Ning gently patted his arm. ¡°You have me now. I¡¯ll help you find them.¡± ¡°Colonel Zhou!¡± Zhou Ling helped Liao Nai out of the flying car, and a young officer immediately saluted him. Zhou Ling returned the gesture. ¡°Thank you for your hard work.¡± ¡°Not at all. I consider myself lucky to have the renowned Colonel Zhou here. The other comrades are so envious!¡± The young officer smiled, revealing his pristine white teeth. Liao Ning couldn¡¯t help but glance sideways and inwardly admire the young man¡¯s dental hygiene. ¡°Please follow me. I¡¯ll take you to meet your subordinates.¡± Zhou Ling nodded. ¡°Thank you.¡± After a few steps, Liao Ning noticed several figures rushing toward them. As they approached, she recognized them as a group of young individuals dressed in military uniforms. The tall guy she had seen at the pet shop was among them. ¡°Boss!¡± The boy with black hair, black eyes, and a youthful face was the first to speak. He looked at Zhou Ling with teary eyes. ¡°Boss, I was really worried when you went missing. Thank goodness you¡¯re alive!¡± Liao Ning suppressed her laughter. She knew he was genuinely concerned about Zhou Ling, but was it really appropriate to wish death upon him right away? When Zhou Ling noticed Liao Ning holding back her laughter, he felt slightly embarrassed to have such a subordinate. He put on a serious expression and said, ¡°Do you think you resemble a soldier? You¡¯re already in your twenties, yet you behave so unruly all the time. Someone who doesn¡¯t know might mistake you for a fresh recruit. Mind your manners!¡± The boy restrained himself a bit upon seeing his boss¡¯s stern expression, but Liao Ning felt that he hadn¡¯t fully taken the message to heart. Gao Dian approached. ¡°Miss Liao Ning, it¡¯s been a while. I should address you as sister-in-law now.¡± A playful tone laced Gao Dian¡¯s voice, successfully redirecting the boy¡¯s attention to Liao Ning. The boy scrutinized Liao Ning in astonishment, making her feel like some kind of unfamiliar creature. Sensing his boss¡¯s icy glare, Gao Dian swiftly nudged the mentally unstable boy. ¡°Address her as sister-in-law.¡± ¡°Hello, Sister-in-law. My name is Zhang Shuai. I¡¯m a soldier under Boss!¡± Zhang Shuai saluted Liao Ning with a solemn expression. Liao Ning appreciated Zhang Shuai¡¯s character and returned his greeting with a smile. ¡°Hello!¡± At that moment, Zhang Shuai noticed the wolf cub in Liao Ning¡¯s arms. His eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at the cub. He exclaimed, surprised, ¡°This¡­ Isn¡¯t this Boss and Sister-in-law¡¯s¡­¡± Gao Dian swiftly covered Zhang Shuai¡¯s mouth, preventing him from saying anything further. Zhang Shuai didn¡¯t understand why Gao Dian had covered his mouth. He hadn¡¯t uttered anything seditious. What was going on? Struggling free from Gao Dian¡¯s grip, Zhang Shuai turned to Zhou Ling, seeking help with his innocent gaze.. Chapter 90 - Chapter 90: Full of Contrast Chapter 90: Full of Contrast Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Zhou Ling addressed them with a smile in his eyes, explaining, ¡°This is General Liao Jun¡¯s son, Liao Nai.¡± Upon hearing Liao Jun¡¯s name, everyone present fell into silence. Even Gao Dian and Zhang Shuai, who had been causing a commotion earlier, ceased their activities. All eyes were fixed on the pink wolf cub that Liao Ning cradled. Liao Nai felt uncomfortable being scrutinized by so many people. He sought refuge behind Liao Ning, revealing only a pair of clear eyes as he observed them. Gao Dian loosened his grip on Zhang Shuai, allowing him to break free. With agility, Zhang Shuai approached Liao Nai in a few strides. He crouched down and gazed into the cub¡¯s eyes. ¡°You bear a striking resemblance to General Liao.¡± Zhang Shuai¡¯s tone was familiar, as if he were discussing an old friend. This piqued Liao Nai¡¯s curiosity about the connection between Zhang Shuai and his father. ¡°Do you know my father?¡± ¡°Of course. When I was in the military academy, General Liao taught me a mecha class.¡± As Liao Jun and Zhang Shuai were mentioned, nostalgia gleamed in his eyes. ¡°General Liao is an exceptional mecha designer. Moreover, he excels in operating mechas. None of us could surpass him during our time there!¡± ¡°Really?!¡± Upon hearing of his father¡¯s formidable skills, the wolf cub¡¯s eyes instantly lit up, filled with admiration for his father. Zhang Shuai smiled and continued, ¡°Absolutely. I still have a video of General Liao¡¯s demonstrations and battles against the Al. Would you like to watch it with me? It¡¯s saved on The Silver.¡¯ Liao Nai rarely heard his father discuss his military life, so Zhang Shuai¡¯s proposal intrigued him greatly. He yearned to understand his father better. Despite his intense desire, Liao Nai refrained from agreeing right away. He glanced up at Liao Ning. Apart from his father, his aunt treated him with utmost care. He had to heed her guidance. Liao Ning had been attentively observing Liao Nai. When she noticed his genuine interest in watching Liao Jun¡¯s video with Zhang Shuai, she nodded without hesitation, gently patting his head. ¡°Go ahead. I¡¯ll come find you later.¡± ¡°Alright!¡± Upon Liao Ning¡¯s agreement, Zhang Shuai eagerly attempted to hold Liao Nails hand, but the young cub evaded his touch. Unaware that Liao Nai harbored trust issues towards strangers due to his mother¡¯s influence, Zhang Shuai assumed it was merely a discomfort with being touched by unfamiliar individuals. Zhang Shuai didn¡¯t feel disheartened by Liao Nai¡¯s reluctance to hold his hand. He smiled casually and said, ¡°Then you need to stay close to me!¡± Liao Nai nodded in response without uttering a word. He simply followed closely behind Zhang Shuai, matching his every step. After Zhang Shuai departed with Liao Nai, Gao Dian breathed a sigh of relief and proceeded to introduce the other team members to Liao Ning. ¡°This guy with blue hair and blue eyes is Lan Yin. He handles intelligence work for our team.¡± ¡°Hello.¡± Liao Ning shifted her gaze to where Gao Dian pointed. Lan Yin possessed an exquisite beauty that made her wonder if he were disguised as a girl. Lan Yin greeted her with a gentle smile. ¡°Hello, Sister-in-law.¡± Liao Ning hadn¡¯t anticipated such a stark contrast between Lan Yin¡¯s appearance, which exuded lethal allure, and his gentle demeanor. Even without extensive interaction, she could sense his inherent kindness. Recognizing Liao Ning¡¯s thoughts, Zhou Ling decided to unveil Lan Yin¡¯s secret. ¡°Lan possesses human mermaid genes and excels at using disguises to gain others¡¯ trust.¡± Being exposed by his boss didn¡¯t faze Lan Yin in the slightest. He continued to smile even more gently. Enlightened by this revelation, Liao Ning praised him generously. ¡°That¡¯s truly impressive. No wonder he handles intelligence.¡± Gao Dian nodded and introduced the final team member to her. ¡°This is Quilin, who possesses the highest combat strength in our team. We all call him ¡®Nuclear Explosion¡¯ Resembling his nickname, Quilin sported fiery red hair, but his demeanor was contrasting. Liao Ning exchanged a casual greeting with him and referred to him as ¡°sister-in-law.¡± She maintained her air of aloofness. Once they boarded The Silver, Liao Ning leaned close to Zhou Ling and whispered, ¡°Your team members are quite fascinating!¡± Zhou Ling gazed affectionately at Liao Ning. ¡°They¡¯re all wonderful individuals whom I trust wholeheartedly.¡± As soon as they arrived on The Silver, Liao Ning made her way to Zhang Shuai¡¯s lounge. Observing Liao Nai engrossed in watching the video, she curiously stood behind him and joined in. After a while, Liao Nai noticed her presence and obediently called out, ¡°Aunt..¡± Chapter 91 - Chapter 91: The Feeling of Home Chapter 91: The Feeling of Home Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning gently caressed Liao Nai¡¯s head and continued watching the video alongside him. In the footage, a young and dashing Liao Jun appeared, dressed in a striking dark blue military uniform. He looked remarkably different from the frail and slender Liao Jun they knew. Zhang Shuai¡¯s assessment was accurate. Liao Jun¡¯s talent in piloting mechas was unrivaled. The fluidity and agility with which he controlled the mecha made it seem almost alive, defying its mechanical nature. It didn¡¯t take long for him to effortlessly defeat the formidable Al opponent during training. As dinnertime approached, Liao Ning turned to Zhou Ling and inquired, ¡°There isn¡¯t a kitchen on the starship, right?¡± Zhou Ling was caught off guard. ¡°No, typically warriors consume nutritional supplements.¡± ¡°Good thing I brought a portable cooking device. It functions as long as there¡¯s electricity.¡± Liao Ning retrieved a compact box and pressed a button on top. The box instantly transformed into a miniature cooking apparatus. ¡°No need to go through all that trouble. We¡¯ll reach the capital planet tomorrow. Let everyone have their nutritional supplements,¡± Zhou Ling interjected hastily. ¡°But that won¡¯t do. Besides, I can¡¯t let Nai Nai consume just supplements,¡± Liao Ning asserted firmly. Realizing the misunderstanding, Zhou Ling quickly clarified, ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant. I didn¡¯t bring many ingredients this time. I only prepared enough for you and the wolf cub. I¡¯ll consume the nutritional supplements with the others.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, with me around, I¡¯ll ensure everyone has a fulfilling meal in the coming days!¡± Having said so much, Zhou Ling had no choice but to let her proceed with her plans. Liao Ning inspected the assortment of ingredients Zhou Ling had prepared and noticed there were quite a few. Perhaps Zhou Ling wasn¡¯t accustomed to cooking and underestimated the quantity needed. To her delight, she discovered a substantial piece of cooing bird breast meat among the ingredients. Cooing birds were similar to chickens on Earth, offering meat with a texture remarkably similar to chicken. The only distinction was their large size and ability to fly. Liao Ning skimmed through the selection of vegetables and noticed a new arrival from the farm¡ªa variety of ¡°giant eggplant¡± that was three times the size of a regular one. With a clear idea of the available ingredients, Liao Ning swiftly formulated her cooking plan for the day. After washing the necessary ingredients, Liao Ning sliced the cooing bird breast meat and combined it with diced onions, minced garlic, a spoonful of raw soy sauce, a spoonful of oyster sauce, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Finally, she thoroughly mixed in an egg to create an even mixture. Next, she peeled the ¡°giant eggplant¡± and cut it into long, thin slices. Liao Ning evenly spread the seasoned cooing bird breast meat onto the slices, rolling them up tightly. She then coated the rolls with the prepared batter before frying them in hot oil. Once the batter turned golden, she removed the rolls from the oil and sprinkled them with sesame seeds for added flavor. Liao Nai had been engrossed in watching his father¡¯s video in Zhang Shuai¡¯s lounge. However, as the enticing aroma of Liao Ning¡¯s fried eggplant rolls wafted through the air, he became restless and fidgeted like a wriggling nail. Naturally, Zhang Shuai also caught a whiff of the delightful fragrance. Intrigued by the source, he consideredately suggested, ¡°You can come and take a look later.¡± Upon seeing him, Liao Ning beamed and said, ¡°Nai Nai, you¡¯re here. Just wait a little longer. I¡¯m having dinner with your uncles tonight, so I need to prepare a few more dishes.¡¯ Zhang Shuai trailed a few steps behind the young wolf cub and reached Liao Ning¡¯s cooking station. His eyes were fixated on the eggplant rolls as he couldn¡¯t tear his gaze away. ¡°Sister-in-law, what is this? It smells absolutely amazing! ¡± ¡°These are crispy eggplant rolls. I¡¯ll be making a few more dishes later. Let¡¯s enjoy the meal together,¡± Liao Ning explained. Upon hearing that there would be a share for him, Zhang Shuai¡¯s eyes sparkled, and he nodded vigorously. Feeling a bit self-conscious about indulging in the food without contributing, he asked Liao Ning, ¡°Sister-in-law, is there anything I can assist you with?¡± ¡°Not at the moment. The next dish will be crispy salt and pepper prawns, but Ling has already gone to help me with the preparation,¡± Liao Ning replied, referring to Zhou Ling, who had just returned with the processed freshwater prawns. Zhou Ling handed the basin filled with prawns to Liao Ning. ¡°I¡¯ve finished preparing them. Take a look and let me know if they meet your expectations. If not, I can make any necessary adjustments.¡± Liao Ning examined the prawns and expressed her satisfaction, saying, ¡°You¡¯ve handled them excellently. It¡¯s even better than my previous attempts!¡± She was pleasantly surprised to find that Zhou Ling, despite being a novice in handling freshwater creatures, had surpassed her own skills. Observing the conversation between the two, Zhang Shuai couldn¡¯t help but think of his late parents. He noticed the affection and genuine care reflected in their eyes, just like his elder brother and sister-in-law. In this warm and vibrant atmosphere, he had a faint sense that this must be what it feels like to be at home.. Chapter 92 - Chapter 92: Nebula Chapter 92: Nebula Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning brought the prawns that Zhou Ling had processed, along with onion segments, ginger slices, a spoonful of seasoning wine, a spoonful of raw soy sauce, a spoonful of oyster sauce, a suitable amount of black pepper, and salt. She stirred the mixture evenly for fifteen minutes. ¡°Ling, heat up the oil for me. I¡¯ll prepare the prawns,¡± Liao Ning requested. In a bowl, Liao Ning mixed corn starch, poultry eggs, and pepper, ensuring they were evenly combined. She then coated the marinated prawns with the batter and wrapped them evenly. Placing the prawns in a pot of hot oil, she fried them until they turned golden. ¡°The pork ribs soup I stewed earlier should be ready. Bring these dishes over first. I¡¯ll stir-fry some vegetables,¡± Liao Ning announced as she opened the lid of the pork ribs stewed with lotus root to check. Upon hearing this, Zhang Shuai promptly carried the pork ribs soup to the meeting room. Liao Nai followed suit with the crispy eggplant rolls. Zhou Ling remained to assist Liao Ning, and together, they swiftly finished cooking the remaining dishes. ¡°It smells amazing. Boss, I¡¯ll lend a hand, along with Sister-in-law,¡± Gao Dian said as he approached, enticed by the aroma. Liao Ning playfully teased, ¡°You came at the right time. I need your help. Bring these three dishes over.¡± ¡®Yes, sir!¡± Gao Dian responded. Soon, everyone gathered around the round table in the conference room. The perceptive wolf cub had already served food for everyone. ¡°This¡­ is a feast from ancient times!¡± Lan Yin¡¯s eyes brimmed with anticipation. He had heard about Liao Ning being a renowned food live-streamer and had longed to taste authentic ancient delicacies. Unfortunately, the food live-streamers on Star Web had been unwilling to disclose their recipes, denying him the opportunity to experience true ancient delicacies. Quillin nodded in his usual reserved manner. ¡°It smells delicious.¡± ¡°Everyone, dig in quickly. Don¡¯t just compliment it!¡± Liao Ning beamed happily. After savoring a mouthful of delicacies, the astonishment on everyone¡¯s faces was evident. Even the usually composed Quillin couldn¡¯t help but widen his eyes and eat faster. The table of dishes was swiftly devoured under the enthusiastic speed of those experiencing ancient delicacies for the first time. ¡°Burp. Sister-in-law, go and rest. We¡¯ll take care of the cleanup,¡± Gao Dian burped without concern for his image. Liao Ning didn¡¯t hesitate and took the hungry wolf cub for a stroll to aid in digestion. ¡°Wow! It¡¯s so beautiful. Aunt, look over there!¡± Liao Nai exclaimed, holding Liao Ning¡¯s hand and pointing at the captivating nebula visible through the glass. Liao Ning¡¯s gaze followed Liao Nails direction, fixating on the indescribable beauty of the purple and pink nebula. She couldn¡¯t tear her eyes away, overwhelmed by its magnificence. However, she struggled to find the right words to capture its allure due to her limited knowledge. ¡°Isn¡¯t it breathtaking?¡± Zhou Ling approached Liao Ning¡¯s side and gently stroked the furry head of the wolf cub. Liao Ning nodded. ¡°It¡¯s truly stunning. Even though I¡¯ve witnessed various types of nebulae before, this one captivates me.¡± Zhou Ling chuckled softly. ¡°This nebula emerged after General Liao assumed his position as a general. There was no such nebula in this galaxy originally.¡± The wolf cub, upon hearing his father being mentioned, turned around from the glass, his eyes brimming with anticipation. ¡°Are you curious?¡± Zhou Ling asked with a smile. The wolf cub vigorously nodded. ¡°Then, I shall tell you.¡± Zhou Ling¡¯s gaze turned distant, as if he were immersed in his past battles. His voice, low and melodic, drew Liao Ning and Liao Nai into his recollections. ¡°That was the most devastating battle on the front lines eight years ago. It also marked the battle with the highest casualties in the history of the Interstellar Alliance.¡± Zhou Ling lowered his eyes, concealing his sorrow. ¡°Originally, the battle should have been an easy victory for us. However, inexplicably, our soldiers on the front lines were overwhelmed by a widespread mental turmoil while fighting the enemy. It caused immense suffering, and the alliance came perilously close to losing the defense line. It was only thanks to General Liao and his mecha troops¡¯ timely support that we managed to hold our ground.¡± ¡°Subsequently, the alliance achieved a resounding triumph, largely owing to General Liao¡¯s leadership of the mecha army. However, the extensive mental strain he endured left him with a debilitating illness that plagued him for the remainder of his life. Consequently, after being honored with the title of general, he made the difficult decision to retire.¡± A mental turmoil affecting the warriors on such a scale? Could this be the same battle Yu Nits brother had spoken about? ¡°Is this the battle Yu Ni mentioned?¡± Liao Ning inquired, seeking confirmation from Zhou Ling.. Chapter 93 - Chapter 93: Plan Chapter 93: Plan Zhou Ling nodded in agreement. ¡°Currently, it appears to be the same battle. This is because the mental strength potion produced by the Wei family was found to be substandard by the Alliance Supervision Department after the battle. However, the matter quickly vanished after a short period of time, thanks to the Wei family compensating and silencing most of the affected warriors¡¯ families. Therefore, it is likely that they are all connected to the same battle.¡± The series of events seemed too coincidental to Liao Ning. Yu Ni¡¯s request, the mission to bring down the Wei family, and the battle where Liao Jun was injured all seemed to be pushing her towards the political and military center of the capital planet. Doubts about the system¡¯s origin arose in her mind. Unaware of Liao Ning¡¯s thoughts, Zhou Ling continued to explain the origin of the nebula. ¡°This nebula emerged after the battle involving the renowned ¡®Twilight Nebula¡¯ of the alliance. Consequently, the researchers studying the nebula categorized it as part of the ¡®Twilight Nebula¡¯ group.¡± Liao Ning sneered, ¡± ¡®Twilight Nebula¡¯¡­ a hero past his prime. They certainly lack creativity when it comes to naming. ¡± Liao Nai felt deep sadness upon hearing Zhou Ling¡¯s account. He hadn¡¯t anticipated that his father would return to the remote Blue Planet with regret due to the Wei family¡¯s mistake. ¡°Aunt¡­ I feel so sorry for Daddy¡­ my heart aches for those innocent soldiers,¡± Liao Nai sobbed, tightly hugging Liao Ning¡¯s waist. ¡°I despise the Wei family so much¡­ I¡­ Liao Ning¡¯s heart ached as she squatted down, embracing him and gently patting his back. ¡°Nai Nai, all of this is in the past. If you feel sorrow for Dad and the soldiers who sacrificed themselves, then you must make yourself stronger. When you have the ability to protect others, the people you care about will also lead safe and happy lives under your wings.¡± Liao Ning didnt want him to be consumed by hatred towards the Wei family, becoming an evil villain driven solely by vengeance. ¡°But¡­¡± Liao Nai sobbed, looking up at Liao Ning. ¡°No ¡®buts.¡¯ There are many things in the world that are far more important than hatred. For instance, ensuring the people of the Alliance are shielded from war. Your father joined the army with such an ideal. As his son, I hope you can have your own ideals and not become someone consumed by revenge.¡± Liao Ning caressed his head and spoke softly, ¡°I will seek revenge. I won¡¯t let those wicked individuals go unpunished. Trust me, Nai Nai.¡± Liao Nai remained in a daze, staring at her for a long while before snapping back to reality. He nestled his head in her arms and exclaimed with determination, ¡°I believe in you, Aunt!¡± Liao Ning smiled softly, impressed by Liao Nai¡¯s sensibility. ¡°Just as I expected from my Nai Nai. You¡¯re so wise.¡± Zhou Ling silently accompanied the two of them. Once the wolf cub had cried himself to sleep, Zhou Ling carefully lifted him from Liao Ning¡¯s embrace and took him back to the lounge. Covering Liao Nai with a blanket, Zhou Ling advised, ¡°You should get some rest too.¡± Liao Ning inquired, ¡°And what about you?¡± ¡°I need to go to the control room, ¡± Zhou Ling replied. Liao Ning didn¡¯t want to dwell on the Wang family with him any longer. ¡°I¡¯ll come with you. We can continue the conversation we left unfinished last time.¡± ¡°Good idea,¡± Zhou Ling agreed. Upon reaching the control room, they found only Marshal Zhang on duty. The others had gone to rest. ¡°Boss, Sister-in-law,¡± Zhang Shuai promptly stood up to greet them. ¡°Carry on. I need to talk to Liao Ning,¡± Zhou Ling gestured for him to continue monitoring the starship¡¯s movements while he took Liao Ning aside to converse. Liao Ning initiated the discussion. ¡°How do you plan to handle the Wang family?¡± ¡°The Wang family, just like the Zhou family, holds significant influence within the military. Unless their actions directly threaten the Alliance¡¯s safety, it¡¯s extremely difficult for the higher- ups to take action against them. At most, they will handle it delicately, similar to what occurred with the Wei family previously,¡± Zhou Ling explained. Liao Ning understood the reality of the situation. ¡°Zou Xu mentioned earlier that the Wang and Wei families collaborated. The third son of the Wang family even married the second daughter of the Wei family. Could it be that the Wei and Wang families have been plotting against the Zhou family?¡± ¡°I hadn¡¯t considered that possibility before. Maybe¡­¡± Zhou Ling paused, deep in thought, and then hugged Liao Ning with surprise. ¡°Ningning, you¡¯re incredibly astute!¡± Liao Ning was taken aback by the sudden hug, her cheeks flushing involuntarily. ¡°I¡¯m glad I could assist you. At this point, the crucial thing is to utilize the collaboration between the Wei family and the Wang family. We can use it to send counterfeit mental strength potions to the military, putting pressure on the Wang family to track down your brother and sister-in-law..¡± Chapter 94 - Chapter 94: Capital planet Chapter 94: Capital planet Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations The night before, Liao Ning and Zhou Ling spent time organizing the information they had gathered. They devised a plan that relied on Liao Ning¡¯s connection with Liao Jun to bring the Wei family¡¯s past failure with the mental strength potion back into the public eye. By reigniting this issue, Zhou Ling intended to use the Zhou family¡¯s influence to exert pressure on the Wang family, compelling them to disclose the whereabouts of Liao Jun and his wife. After concluding their discussion, Liao Ning returned to the lounge and embraced the sleeping wolf cub before drifting off to sleep herself. The following day, Liao Ning was awakened by Liao Nails excited exclamation. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± She opened her eyes and gently rubbed the furry head of the wolf cub. The wolf cub sat on the bed, facing away from her. Upon hearing Liao Ning¡¯s voice, he eagerly pointed out of the window. ¡°There are so many starships and spaceships!¡± Liao Ning peered outside and saw a silver-blue planet suspended in the dark expanse of the universe. Similar to the moon she had seen on Earth, numerous starships and spaceships of varying sizes were heading towards it. ¡°This is the capital planet,¡± Liao Ning explained to Liao Nai. ¡°Are we almost there?¡± The thought of finally reaching the capital planet and reuniting with his best friend, Mili, filled Liao Nai with excitement. He sprang up from the bed and hastily began dressing himself. Liao Ning also got out of bed. After freshening up for herself and the wolf cub, she led him out of the lounge and encountered Zhou Ling at the doorway. ¡°Good morning. Did you sleep well last night? We¡¯ll arrive at the capital planet in two hours,¡± Zhou Ling greeted Liao Ning with a smile and then turned his attention to Liao Nai. ¡°Once we reach the capital planet, you and Aunt will stay at the Zhou family¡¯s residence with me. I have a niece around your age named Mili. She¡¯s an adorable little girl, and I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll enjoy playing with her.¡± Liao Nai widened his eyes in surprise. He had anticipated having to make a significant effort to find Mili¡¯s house. Little did he expect that Uncle Zhou himself was the influential person Mili had spoken about. Zhou Ling affectionately ruffled Liao Nai¡¯s hair. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Both of you are good kids. I¡¯m confident that you¡¯ll get along well. However, for some reason, Mili is temporarily staying at one of my subordinate¡¯s residences. Once I finish my work, I¡¯ll go and bring her back.¡± Just as he finished speaking, the system, which had been silent for a while, chimed in. [Ding¡ªHost has successfully obtained the identity information of Villain No. 2. Reward: 100 points and 5 million star coins. Current evil value of Villain No. 2 is 30%. Please note that if the evil value falls to 20%, it will surge. Host, please expedite the mission.] It appeared that the time for the Ping family to be falsely accused was approaching. Liao Ning had to assist the Ping family in escaping their predestined fate before they were wrongfully implicated. Only then could she prevent Villain No. 2 from fully embracing evil. Liao Ning contemplated the situation. She needed to accelerate the mission¡¯s progress. After all, something would befall the Ping family a month after the upcoming food competition, leaving her with limited time. Two hours swiftly passed, and the Silver soon entered the starship field of the capital¡¯s military district. The Zhou family¡¯s butler had been patiently waiting outside the military district for quite some time. As soon as he spotted Zhou Ling, he hurriedly approached him. ¡°Second Young Master, you¡¯ve finally returned. Your father is already waiting for you at home.¡± Zhou Ling was pleased to see Butler Li, who had cared for him since childhood. However, the joy on his face vanished when he heard that his father was waiting for him at home. ¡°What is he doing here? Why didn¡¯t he stay with his wife in their private residence? Could it be that he came to the ancestral residence to show concern for me, his abandoned son?¡± Butler Li had witnessed Zhou Ling and his brother grow up and had come to regard them as his own children. Although he felt disapproving of Zhou Ling¡¯s father¡¯s infidelity and abandonment of his wife and son, he still respected the family¡¯s hierarchy and refrained from speaking ill of the master¡¯s household. He simply feigned ignorance of Zhou Ling¡¯s words. ¡°Let¡¯s not dwell on it. We should head back quickly,¡± Zhou Ling sighed, choosing not to make things difficult for the butler. He introduced Liao Ning and Liao Nai to him. ¡°This is Miss Liao Ning, my savior and girlfriend. And this young friend is Liao Nai, Liao Ning¡¯s nephew. They are both blood relatives of Alliance General Liao Jun.¡± When Butler Li heard Zhou Ling¡¯s words, a delighted expression appeared on his face as he appraised Liao Ning. Miss Liao Ning was truly a sight to behold, radiating beauty that perfectly complemented Young Master Zhou Ling. Moreover, she was the biological sister of the esteemed Alliance General and had played a pivotal role in saving Young Master¡¯s life. It seemed that their meeting was no mere coincidence but a destined arrangement by the heavens.. Chapter 95 - Chapter 95: Zhou Family Chapter 95: Zhou Family Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations The Zhou family was unquestionably deserving of being the leading clan among the five aristocratic families in the alliance. In Liao Ning¡¯s perspective, the ancestral residence resembled the domain of a noble lord, with a grand manor situated at the heart of the capital planet. Liao Ning playfully taunted Zhou Ling, remarking, ¡°1 never imagined you to be so affluent. You¡¯re the son of one of the most prosperous families in the alliance!¡± Zhou Ling was captivated by her charm and responded with a smile, playing along, ¡°Then perhaps you¡¯ll become the girlfriend of a young master from a prominent affluent family in the future.¡± ¡°Oh my goodness! I can¡¯t wait for the day when someone pampers me by washing my face and feeding me every morning!¡± Liao Ning exaggeratedly covered her mouth. This marked the first time Liao Nai witnessed such a lively side of his aunt. He was instantly taken aback, but quickly retorted, ¡°Aunt, are you talking about a helpless person Upon hearing Liao Nai¡¯s witty retort, Zhou Ling couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°Alright, alright. We¡¯re almost there. Let¡¯s stop fooling around.¡± As the Zhou family¡¯s entrance drew nearer, Zhou Ling¡¯s expression gradually turned serious and tense. Sensing his change, Liao Ning reached out and patted his hand reassuringly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you still have me.¡± After uttering these words, Liao Ning couldn¡¯t help but recall the television dramas she had watched in the past. Zhou Ling¡¯s father was portrayed as a wicked boss, while Zhou Ling and his brother were depicted as feeble, pitiful, and defenseless. However, upon witnessing the elegant middle-aged man shed tears for Zhou Ling, Liao Ning couldn¡¯t help but feel that not everyone possessed the demeanor of a villain, even if this person had once abandoned his wife and son. Completely speechless! Bored, Liao Ning gazed at her toes and the embellishments adorning the vast living room of the Zhou family¡¯s ancestral residence. Eventually, she grew so bored that she contemplated tying the wolf cub¡¯s hair. The wolf cub vigorously resisted, but how could he refuse a child like her? Just as Liao Ning was about to fasten his hair, the elegant middle-aged man ceased his weeping and redirected his attention towards Liao Ning and Liao Nai. ¡°Ling, what do you mean by having a child?!¡± The man pointed at Liao Nai and continued to gaze at Liao Nai and Liao Ning. ¡°When did you get married? Why wasn¡¯t I informed?¡± Zhou Ling was rendered speechless by the man¡¯s line of thinking, but he merely glanced at him with indifference. ¡°You don¡¯t need to concern yourself with me.¡± Zhou Ling¡¯s neither confirming nor denying attitude further convinced the man that Liao Ning was Zhou Ling¡¯s clandestine wife and that Liao Nai was their son. He completely disregarded the fact that Liao Nai bore no resemblance to Zhou Ling whatsoever. ¡°¡­ Are you truly foolish or merely pretending to be?¡± Zhou Ling truly had no desire to witness him continue his foolishness. ¡°I am genuinely foolish. Otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t have abandoned you and your mother in the past¡­¡± The man began to cry once again over their past misfortunes. Zhou Ling promptly interrupted him. ¡°Enough already. You haven¡¯t said anything all these years. I¡¯m tired of listening to you. Tell me why you¡¯re seeking me out.¡± Zhou Ling¡¯s cold demeanor left the man displeased. ¡°As your father, can¡¯t I simply be concerned about you? I can only approach you for a specific reason.¡± Zhou Ling regarded him in disbelief. The man could only pout and compose himself. ¡°I¡¯ve come this time to caution you against rashly causing trouble for the Wang family.¡± Zhou Ling¡¯s gaze turned icy. ¡°What do you mean? What do you know?¡± The man comprehended what Zhou Ling wished to inquire, but he shook his head and affectionately regarded Zhou Ling. ¡°Child, I know that I committed an unforgivable sin against you and your mother when I was young, but I¡¯ve already repented. I don¡¯t want you to sacrifice your future for so-called justice as I did back then.¡± Upon hearing this, how could Zhou Ling not discern that he was already aware of the Wang family¡¯s framing of him and his brother? An indescribable sorrow surged within Zhou Ling¡¯s heart. ¡°And what about Brother? Will you simply watch him be framed and vanish? Do you expect me to stand idly by like you did?!¡± Zhou Ling swiftly regained composure and whispered to Butler Li, ¡°Uncle Li, please escort the guest out.¡± Under Zhou Ling¡¯s chilling stare, the man had no choice but to be escorted out of the Zhou family¡¯s ancestral residence by Butler Li. Once outside, the man boarded a black flying car that had been patiently waiting by the roadside. ¡°How did it go?¡± Inquired the individual wearing black sunglasses, speaking in a commanding tone that emanated an air of authority.. Chapter 96 - Chapter 96: Attack First Chapter 96: Attack First Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Fool.¡± Recognizing that the man couldn¡¯t even control his own son, the man in sunglasses immediately concluded that the person in front of him was utterly worthless. ¡°You!¡± The man seethed with anger at the blatant insult, but the realization of the other party¡¯s identity quickly deflated him. ¡°Fine, I won¡¯t renege on the rewards I promised you. Now, get lost.¡± Following the sunglasses man¡¯s command, the man was ruthlessly ejected from the flying car. ¡°Master, won¡¯t it cause unnecessary trouble if we let him go like this?¡± The sunglasses man¡¯s subordinate glanced at the ruthless man outside the vehicle, feeling slightly concerned. ¡°Him? He¡¯s just a fool who abandoned his wife and son. He wouldn¡¯t dare.¡± The man in sunglasses extinguished his cigarette. ¡°Notify the Wei family to take action ahead of schedule.¡± It was the third day since Liao Ning had arrived on the capital planet. Two more days remained until the finals of the culinary competition. During the past few days, Liao Ning had been residing at the Zhou family¡¯s ancestral residence with Liao Nai. Apart from meeting Zhou Ling on the first day, she hadn¡¯t seen him again. Meanwhile, Butler Li often took Liao Nai to the Zhou family¡¯s equestrian estate for horseback riding. Liao Nai was enthralled by the real horses the first time he laid eyes on them. Consequently, Butler Li went out of his way to select a pony from the capital planet¡¯s equestrian estate specifically for Liao Nai. The pony was gentle and docile. Liao Nai successfully circled the entire area while riding it. ¡°Aunt! Look at me!¡± Liao Ning looked up and spotted him happily riding sideways on the pony. ¡°Be careful. It¡¯ll hurt if you fall!¡± Although she issued the warning, Liao Ning didn¡¯t intervene. Instead, she minded her own business, savoring her afternoon tea. The wolf cub was resilient and wouldn¡¯t cry easily when bumped. Since he appeared so delighted, she allowed him to enjoy himself. However, Liao Ning never anticipated that, as she took a sip of her tea, the butler would inform her about an incident involving Zhou Ling. She nearly choked on her tea in surprise. ¡®What? What happened?¡± Butler Li couldn¡¯t spare the time to explain and hurriedly made his way to the main residence. ¡°Nai Nai, come quickly. Something has happened to your Uncle Zhou!¡± Liao Ning urgently called out to the wolf cub. Upon hearing Liao Ning¡¯s anxious voice mentioning Zhou Ling, he immediately rode his pony over. Liao Ning swiftly picked him up and together they rushed towards the main residence. When they arrived, the family doctor had already treated Zhou Ling¡¯s injuries. He was currently lying weakly on the sofa, his attention focused on his Al device, repeatedly tapping on it. ¡°Why haven¡¯t you gone to the hospital?¡± Liao Ning carried Liao Nai and approached. ¡°You¡¯re here. I¡¯m sorry for alarming you.¡± Zhou Ling gazed at Liao Ning, her disheveled hair and rapid breathing revealing her level of concern. ¡°Why haven¡¯t you gone to the hospital?¡± Liao Ning inquired once more. Zhou Ling was taken aback. He hadn¡¯t anticipated her immense worry for him. ¡°It¡¯s inconvenient for me to go. It wouldn¡¯t be ideal for the outside world to learn of my injuries.¡± Liao Ning walked over and seated herself beside him. ¡°Who did this? The Wei family or the Wang family?¡± Liao Ning¡¯s anxious expression softened Zhou Ling¡¯s usual cold demeanor. He spoke softly, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m fine.¡± Aware that he was trying to shield her from seeking retribution against the perpetrator, Liao Ning patiently asked once more, her tone unwavering and resolute. ¡°The Wei family or the Wang family?¡± Observing her determination to get an answer, Zhou Ling sighed and replied, ¡°It was the Wei family.¡± ¡°How foolish. They had no idea they were being manipulated by the Wang family,¡± Liao Ning sneered. ¡°I had initially wanted them to revel in their own arrogance for a while longer, but they insist on walking right into the trap.¡± ¡°Ningning,¡± Zhou Ling anxiously held her hand. Liao Ning withdrew her hand from his grasp. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t act impulsively. It¡¯s just ironic that I have to employ the same method as her to expose Yu Nits scheme.¡± ¡°Trust me and don¡¯t concern yourself with the Wei family. Let¡¯s stick to the original plan,¡± Zhou Ling assured her with unwavering determination. His resolute gaze left her no choice but to relent. ¡°Fine. Let¡¯s proceed with your plan. ¡± Zhou Ling looked at Liao Ning, who placed absolute trust in him, and his heart swelled with warmth. Liao Ning had assumed that after this incident, Zhou Ling would stay at the Zhou family residence to recover. However, the following morning, when breakfast was being prepared, the butler informed her that Zhou Ling had left early in the morning. Zhou Ling¡¯s actions infuriated Liao Ning. Until the day of the finals arrived, she remained silent, refusing to utter a word to Zhou Ling.. Chapter 97 - Chapter 97: Finals Chapter 97: Finals Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Ningning, I¡¯ll drive you to the competition.¡± Today marked the finals of the highly anticipated food competition. Zhou Ling eagerly awaited Liao Ning¡¯s presence in the living room of their main residence, rising early in the morning. As soon as he spotted her, he promptly set aside his newspaper and offered to accompany her to the event. Liao Ning paid him no heed and walked out of the house. Zhou Ling hurriedly followed suit, understanding her frustration with his handling of his injuries. He had intended to address those minor concerns swiftly, sparing her any unnecessary worry. It was entirely his fault for neglecting her feelings. It had been two days since Liao Ning had spoken to Zhou Ling. He yearned for her to scold him rather than ignore him. Once Liao Ning departed from the main residence, she boarded the prearranged flying car organized by Butler Li. From the opposite side, Zhou Ling promptly joined her in this vehicle. Liao Ning glanced at Zhou Ling, his face adorned with a smile in an attempt to please her. Eventually, her heart softened, and she refrained from forcing him out of the car. She merely maintained her usual indifference. Zhou Ling nervously observed her, fearing she would expel him from the car if she remained displeased. Luckily, she didn¡¯t. Zhou Ling breathed a sigh of relief. Liao Ning¡¯s decision to let him stay in the car signaled that her anger had somewhat subsided. He was close to winning her over. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, we sincerely appreciate your attention toward this momentous food competition. Thank you for gracing us with your presence at the grand finals!¡± ¡°The finals will commence promptly at nine o¡¯clock this morning. The ten esteemed contestants vying for the championship will have twelve hours to prepare a sumptuous feast of ancient delicacies, adhering to the competition¡¯s specific requirements. At nine o¡¯clock in the evening, our panel of judges will assess the dishes based on their presentation, aroma, and flavor. The contestant with the highest score shall claim the title of champion!¡± The resounding applause, cheers, and exuberance from the audience filled the venue. ¡°And now, it is with great pleasure that I declare the official start of the second Interstellar Alliance Food Competition finals!¡± Liao Ning and the other nine contestants had already taken their places on the grand stage, each confirming their designated cooking stations as determined by the draw. The competition¡¯s format differed from previous editions. Unlike her past experiences of live-streaming the preliminaries and recording the semi-finals alone, Liao Ning found herself drawn to the energy of the stage format. This marked her first participation in such an event, and the cheers from fans and audience members ignited a fiery determination within her. In this competition, the production team required each contestant to prepare an entire table of ancient delicacies individually. A complete table would include the main course, soup, four cold dishes, and six hot dishes, representing the highest etiquette of ordinary households in the eastern tradition. Liao Ning swiftly devised her plan. She decided to create 12 dishes following Earth¡¯s customary etiquette. Her menu included roasted pork ribs with green onions as the first dish. After thoroughly cleaning and placing the ribs in a basin, Liao Ning used the tip of her knife to create even holes, facilitating better marination. She added ginger slices, a beaten egg, salt, cooking wine, and a touch of starch. After thorough mixing, she allowed the ribs to marinate for half an hour. Using hot oil, she fried the marinated ribs for three minutes before carefully removing the golden ribs and setting them aside. Discarding two-thirds of the oil from the pot, she retained the remaining one-third to stir-fry the scallion-infused oil. After scooping out the scallions, Liao Ning poured in an appropriate amount of water, a spoonful of light soy sauce, half a spoonful of dark soy sauce, a spoonful of white sugar, a suitable amount of salt, and chicken essence. Once well mixed, she reintroduced the fried ribs into the pot and turned up the heat to reduce the sauce. Liao Ning skillfully plated the aromatic ribs, garnishing them with scallions. She then placed the ribs in the provided incubator, designed by the production team to preserve the optimal taste of the food throughout the day. Moving on to her second dish, she prepared chestnut-stuffed birds. After washing the bird meat, she placed it in a pot with scallions, ginger slices, cooking wine, and an appropriate amount of water to blanch it. Lifting the pot of hot oil, she carefully poured the blanched bird meat into the pot, adding ginger slices, garlic, and star anise for a quick stir-fry. Removing the ginger, garlic, and aniseed, she incorporated cooking wine and raw soy sauce, continuing to stir-fry until the meat achieved a rich color. Adding the shelled chestnuts, she continued stir-frying before pouring in enough water to submerge the bird meat, along with an appropriate amount of rock sugar and salt for seasoning. After simmering for half an hour, the dish was ready to be served.. Chapter 98 - Chapter 98: Cold Dish Chapter 98: Cold Dish Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations [Liao Ning has so many scenes. The organizers are so considerate!] [Of course. After all, Liao Ning is the best!] [The organizers are quite discerning. They know who cooks the best.] [I think Yu Ni, who¡¯s next door, is doing well too.] As numerous citizens couldn¡¯t witness the competition firsthand at the venue, they eagerly huddled around the official livestream of the food competition. However, as the officials hadn¡¯t activated sensory sharing mode, everyone could only watch the scene unfold with a tinge of regret, unable to savor the fragrant aromas of the dishes. After six hours of diligent work, Liao Ning had already prepared six hot dishes and a main course. She now had four cold plates and a soup left to complete. Her plan was to start with the cold plates. Examining the ingredients thoughtfully arranged by the production team, Liao Ning¡¯s eyes lit up with delight when she discovered that the mushrooms and dried tofu had been pre-soaked. Encouraged by this, she decided to prepare a dish of marinated dried tofu with mushrooms and cucumber. After washing the cucumbers, she gently tapped them with the blade before slicing them into pieces. Then, she retrieved a clean bowl for the seasoning sauce. In the bowl, she combined minced garlic, chili flakes, white sesame seeds, two generous spoonfuls of hot oil, salt, white sugar, MSG, raw soy sauce, and vinegar. Finally, she briefly blanched the mushrooms and dried tofu in boiling water for a minute, then scooped them out and added them to the bowl with the cucumbers. Carefully mixing everything with the seasoning sauce, Liao Ning arranged the dish beautifully, sealing it with plastic wrap before placing it in the incubator. Next was the jade bamboo shoots. She peeled the outer skin of the green bamboo shoots and marinated them with a spoonful of salt for ten minutes. After rinsing off the marinade, she created a four-centimeter hole in the middle of each bamboo shoot, threading them through to give them the appearance of twisted dough. Once styled, she immersed the bamboo shoots in a pot of boiling water for 40 seconds, then swiftly transferred them to a bowl of cold water to cool. In a separate pan, she heated oil and added segments of onion and chili peppers, frying them until golden brown before removing them. Drained and cooled, the bamboo shoots were seasoned with garlic, salt, chicken essence, and the fried onion-infused oil. With careful precision, she arranged the shoots neatly on a pristine white porcelain plate, sealed it with plastic wrap, and set it aside. The third dish was a lemon-infused shrimp. For this particular creation, Liao Ning sourced lemons provided by the production team. The sight of the golden, plump lemons made her mouth water involuntarily. She could already anticipate the tangy sourness that would elevate the dish. After thoroughly washing the freshwater shrimp, she removed the shell, shrimp head, tail, and thread, retaining only the succulent meat for cooking. The broccoli was also cleaned and separated into small florets. Corn pieces were prepared by cutting the kernels, while the cucumbers were flattened and sliced. Liao Ning assembled the cooked shrimp, broccoli, corn, and cucumber slices in a bowl. Next, she added chili powder, fresh minced chili, white sesame seeds, minced garlic, and finely chopped onions to the bowl. Pouring in hot oil, she incorporated vinegar, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a hint of white sugar. Finally, Liao Ning squeezed the juice from two lemons into the mixture, ensuring all the ingredients were evenly coated. [What is Liao Ning doing?] [I know this. She¡¯s preparing a cold dish. I¡¯ve seen Zhu Fei make something similar before.] [Zhu Fei, that name sounds familiar.] [You have a short memory, my friend. It¡¯s that food livestreamer who was involved in child abuse not long ago.] [Now that you mention it, I recall. They truly deserve the consequences.] The staff overseeing the official livestream were caught off guard by Liao Ning¡¯s decision to create a seemingly ordinary cold dish, and the mention of Zhu Fei by Star Web users caught them by surprise. Nervously monitoring the live comments, the staff swiftly deleted any potentially troublesome remarks to maintain a peaceful livestream environment. Liao Ning remained unaware of the happenings in the livestream as she focused on preparing the final cold plate. The fourth dish was lemon-infused shredded chicken. She blanched the cuckoo bird leg meat in a pot and delicately tore it into thin strips. The remaining lemons were sliced and placed in a bowl, ready to accompany the shredded meat. In a clean bowl, Liao Ning combined chili noodles, minced garlic, sesame seeds, raw soy sauce, vinegar, oyster sauce, white sugar, spring onions, and coriander to create a flavorful seasoning sauce. Finally, she poured the sauce into the bowl of shredded chicken drumstick and stirred it thoroughly. Liao Ning carefully sealed the last cold plate with plastic wrap and placed it in the incubator. After a brief rest, she began preparing the final soup. Observing Liao Ning from below the stage, Zhou Ling¡¯s heart ached as he watched her toil, drenched in sweat. He longed to step forward and assist her in completing the remaining dishes. However, the rules of the finals strictly stipulated that only the contestants could complete the cooking process alone.. Chapter 99 - Chapter 99: Yam Rib Soup Chapter 99: Yam Rib Soup Liao Ning washed the remaining ribs and cut them into small pieces meticulously. Next, she carefully placed them in the pot, along with ginger slices, and added an appropriate amount of cold water to blanch away any foamy residue. Following this, she skillfully scooped out the ribs and rinsed them thoroughly with clear water. [What is Liao Ning doing? I¡¯ve noticed that several dishes today involve this step of adding ginger when cooking meat.] [I¡¯m curious too. I even recorded the screen so that I can try this technique at home and see if it enhances the flavor of the meat.] [I don¡¯t quite understand. Other contestants were also cooking meat earlier, but they didn¡¯t add anything apart from water in their pots like Liao Ning did.] [Could someone please provide an explanation? The child is really curious!!] [Count me in. Let¡¯s have an expert enlighten us!] Perhaps the audience¡¯s strong desire for knowledge had an impact because an expert who specialized in ancient food culture stepped forward to offer an explanation. ¡°I conduct research on ancient delicacies. There are records of this particular method of cooking meat in ancient books. It¡¯s a step specifically designed to eliminate any off-flavors in the meat and enhance its overall deliciousness.¡± [We have an expert here!] [No wonder the meat I cook never tastes as good!] ¡°So, it¡¯s not just about purchasing quality meat. It¡¯s equally crucial to handle it properly! ¡± After washing the ribs, Liao Ning proceeded to place them in a casserole alongside sliced lotus root, corn, and carrots. Adding an appropriate amount of water, she allowed the mixture to simmer gently. Four hours later, as the competition drew to a close, the lotus root and ribs soup had reached its optimum level of flavor and tenderness. [Why did Liao Ning bring over a chair? Is she finished cooking?] [Isn¡¯t this too quick? The others are still busy!] [Have you seen how efficient Liao Ning is? Her ingredient preparation speed surpasses that of others.] [People who frequently tune into Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream have grown accustomed to her pace. Every time, she manages to whip up a meal in just an hour and presents it on the stream at lightning speed. It¡¯s quite different from others who spend half the day cooking a single meal. If viewers were to wait until they cooked, they might end up starving.] [The person above doesn¡¯t hold back. They¡¯re hitting right at the hearts of other food live-streamers.] Liao¡¯s gaze fixed on the clay pot, releasing a continuous stream of steam. Lost in thought, she fell into a brief reverie. Feeling a bit bored, she pondered about how to captivate everyone¡¯s attention by sharing a story from eight years ago after the competition. From a distance, Zhou Ling observed the woman lost in her thoughts on the stage. Her hair, now snow-white, was neatly tied up in a small bun atop her head. He had recently purchased a hair tie when he passed through the capital, a cute one in light pink with two fluffy balls. At first glance, he thought it would suit her perfectly, and his expectations were spot on. He never anticipated her wearing the hair tie he bought today, which instantly softened his gaze, causing a gentle smile to form on his lips. Gao Dian, sitting beside Zhou Ling, watched the competition with him and suddenly felt a change in his boss¡¯s demeanor. He couldn¡¯t quite pinpoint it, but it seemed as if his boss had transformed from a battle-hardened soldier to a carefree schoolboy. In that moment, Gao Dian¡¯s military Al device, provided exclusively by the military and holding highly confidential information, began to ring. The message came from Lan Yin, saying, ¡°Everything is prepared. Await the signal for the net to be cast.¡± Gao Dao promptly shared the news with Zhou Ling. ¡°Boss, Lan Yin has completed all preparations. When do we initiate our plan?¡± Zhou Ling¡¯s smile faded. ¡°No need to rush. Let¡¯s wait for the competition results. ¡± ¡°Understood.¡± In recent days, Zhou Ling had been making secret arrangements to meet with the head of state of the alliance. He had presented all the evidence of the Wang family¡¯s interference with his spaceship to the head of state. Upon reviewing the evidence, the head of state didn¡¯t immediately disclose his stance, but he tacitly supported Zhou Ling¡¯s plan to suppress the Wang family. He reassured Zhou Ling that he had full support in this matter, allowing Zhou Ling to proceed with confidence in his plan to undermine the Wang family¡¯s influence within the military. While both the Wang family and the Zhou family held significant positions within the Alliance Army, with many of their descendants serving in the military, the Wang family held limited actual power. Most of their members were involved in logistical roles for the Alliance. In contrast, due to their family¡¯s exceptional genetic heritage, numerous descendants of the Zhou family possessed great strength and formed a formidable force within the Alliance. They had made significant contributions to the defense of the Alliance, actively participating in combating external threats.. Chapter 100 - Chapter 100: Food Competition Champion Chapter 100: Food Competition Champion Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations However, it was impossible to deny the importance of the Wang family¡¯s role in logistics. In war, apart from the warriors and generals, logistics played a crucial role. If the logistics couldn¡¯t keep up, no matter how brave and fearless the soldiers on the frontline were, once the enemy realized their logistics were compromised and intentionally delayed to stretch their battle line, they would face dire consequences. Initially, the Zhou and Wang families had a strong cooperative relationship, but at some point, the Wang family began making minor errors in logistics. These errors alone were insufficient to prove negligence on the part of the Wang family, but they proved fatal to the soldiers on the battlefield. Zhou Ling¡¯s eyes darkened, reminiscent of the battle eight years ago when Liao Jun turned the tide. Due to a shortage of half the mental strength potions, the allied army was nearly wiped out. The original commander of that battle hailed from the Zhou family¡¯s main lineage. However, he was compelled to relinquish command due to a spiritual power riot before Liao Jun could rush to his support. Command was then handed over to a Wang family officer. Had it not been for this officer¡¯s temporary conscience and use of his authority to mobilize additional medicine from the Wei family¡¯s warehouse, Liao Jun would likely have been unable to save this doomed battle even if he arrived in time. The Wang family¡¯s actions truly demonstrated their disregard for the lives of the Alliance¡¯s people in their pursuit of power. Their collusion with the Wei family, driven by blind greed, was nothing short of foolish. Four hours quickly passed. Just one minute before the countdown ended, Liao Ning turned off the flame under the lotus root pork ribs soup. As soon as the countdown concluded, the staff members took to the stage and transferred the participants¡¯ dishes to ten vacant tables. Each participant had their own designated table. The tension rose during the judging phase. The staff members, all dressed in identical attire, had disrupted the order while serving the dishes, making it impossible for the audience, including the judges, to determine who each dish belonged to, except for the dish names. The judges displayed exceptional professionalism as they meticulously tasted each dish, fully grasping how to savor the flavors and extract the complete essence of the cuisine. Liao Ning couldn¡¯t help but be astonished. She never expected to find a true gourmet in this Interstellar Alliance, where food culture was scarce and lacking, someone who genuinely understood how to appreciate a delectable dish. ¡°What¡¯s all this? None of it is edible!¡± exclaimed an old man with a white beard as he took a sip of the soup prepared by someone. Instantly, his face crumpled in a way that piqued the curiosity of those around him, wondering just how repulsive it must have tasted. Beside the old man, a middle-aged gentleman also took a sip, driven by curiosity. However, his reaction was only a slight frown, unlike the white-bearded old man. Addressing the old man as Elder Jiang, the middle-aged man remarked, ¡°Elder Jiang, I believe this soup is not entirely unpalatable.¡± Elder Jiang responded with merciless mockery, ¡°You juniors have had the fortune of savoring true delicacies at your age, so naturally, you cannot discern what genuine delicacies are!¡± Elder Jiang¡¯s final words resonated loudly, leaving many young judges feeling ashamed and doubting their worthiness as gourmet judges. Subsequently, except for the middle-aged man who initially spoke, the younger judges consciously distanced themselves from Elder Jiang, apprehensive of receiving a lecture from him if they were not careful. Pointing at the soup, Elder Jiang¡¯s old eyes gleamed with a golden light as he asked the middle-aged man beside him in a quivering voice, ¡°Xiao Lin, was this made by Zhu Ying? Are there any exceptionally aged participants in this culinary competition?¡± Xiao Lin, carefully recalling the list provided by the competition organizers, found it populated by young individuals in their teens and twenties, with no exceptionally old participants. He shook his head, signaling to Elder Jiang that there were none. Elder Jiang refused to believe it. ¡°That can¡¯t be true. Only Zhu Ying could produce such a flavor! I must inquire with the competition organizers!¡± Xiao Lin quickly intervened, pulling Elder Jiang back. ¡°Elder Jiang, we are in the middle of a competition. We can approach the organizers after it concludes.¡± Pensively stroking his beard, Elder Jiang pondered for a moment before agreeing to Xiao Lin¡¯s suggestion. ¡°You¡¯re right. It is highly likely this was made by Zhu Ying. I intend to give this table of dishes a high score!¡± I didn¡¯t, I didn¡¯t! Xiao Lin felt bitter.. He really didn¡¯t say that Zhu Ying made all these dishes! Chapter 101 - Chapter 101: Elder Jiang Chapter 101: Elder Jiang Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Soon, all the judges finished tasting the contestants¡¯ dishes and provided fair scores. The results were promptly announced on the large screen positioned behind the stage. It was undisputed that Liao Ning secured the first place. ¡°The esteemed champion of this food competition is none other than Liao Ning. Let us all give her a heartfelt round of applause and extend our congratulations.¡± Following the emcee¡¯s announcement of the top three contestants, Liao Ning and Yu Ni were invited on stage. Liao Ning emerged as the winner, while Yu Ni claimed the third spot. As for the second place, it was awarded to Zhao Kuo, a renowned expert in ancient food culture research within the alliance. ¡°Now, with enthusiastic applause, we invite Dr. Jiang He, the leader in the realm of ancient food research, to join us on stage and present an award to our accomplished contestant!¡± The moment the emcee finished speaking, the audience erupted in applause and cheers. Even those watching the official live-stream of the food competition were brimming with excitement, their comments streaming in relentlessly. [Elder Jiang! It¡¯s Elder Jiang! He¡¯s my idol!] [The organizers of this food competition certainly spared no expense in inviting Elder Jiang!] ¡°I apologize if I¡¯m not familiar with Elder Jiang, but I¡¯ve recently taken an interest in ancient delicacies. Could someone enlighten me about his significance and why his mention is so thrilling? [You mean you¡¯ve never heard of Elder Jiang before!] [Just getting into ancient food culture, so please bear with us newcomers.] [Elder Jiang is the esteemed leader of the ancient food and culture world. He has successfully restored hundreds of ancient recipes, and instead of keeping them to himself, he selflessly donated them to the Alliance. These precious recipes were made freely accessible to all citizens of the Alliance through the Star Network Library. For a mere 100 star coins, one can become a registered member and access these recipes indefinitely.] [The previous commenter is absolutely right. Elder Jiang¡¯s contributions to ancient food culture are unparalleled. Unlike certain bloggers who guard their research like trade secrets, Elder Jiang generously shares his knowledge, unfazed by the potential impact on his own earnings.] That¡¯s right. Elder Jiang¡¯s generosity extended beyond donating recipes for free. He also provided sponsorships for numerous students pursuing doctorates in the field of ancient food culture. The viewers in the live-stream were engaged in animated discussions, while the atmosphere at the venue of the food competition¡¯s finals was equally vibrant. Elder Jiang made his way towards the podium with a solemn gait. He couldn¡¯t fathom that the champion standing on the stage was not Zhu Ying, but an unfamiliar young man named Liao Ning. It was inconceivable that Zhu Ying, whom he expected to see, was absent from the competition. Elder Jiang¡¯s steps grew hastier as he approached, and his eyes widened in astonishment. Could it be possible that Zhu Ying wasn¡¯t the one standing on the podium? With her snow-white hair and deep blue eyes resembling Zhu Ying¡¯s, it was undoubtedly the young Zhu Ying! Elder Jiang quickened his pace, paying no mind to the fact that it was the finals. He disregarded the multitude of eyes watching the event unfold both in person and through the live-stream. In his weathered voice, he called out to Liao Ning, ¡°Zhu Ying!¡± Everything happened so swiftly that the emcee couldn¡¯t intervene in time. The elderly man¡¯s resounding call filled the ears of tens of thousands of attendees and billions of viewers in the live-stream through the speakers and online broadcast. The commotion gradually subsided as everyone fixed their gaze upon the elderly and young figures on the podium, fearing they might miss a crucial development if they so much as blinked. The emcee broke out in a cold sweat. The situation had surpassed what a mere emcee like him could manage. He could only hope that Elder Jiang wouldn¡¯t say anything further to cause a stir. However, he had forgotten that often what one dreads tends to materialize. As anticipated, in the next moment, Elder Jiang uttered something truly astonishing. ¡°Zhu Ying, where have you been all these years? Su Tang and I have spent over three decades searching for you. How could you be so heartless as to leave us in the dark about your whereabouts?!¡± Liao Ning gazed at the tearful elder, her heart filled with empathy. She couldn¡¯t fathom whether he could bear the weight of the news that Zhu Ying had departed from this world. After careful consideration, Liao Ning made up her mind to reveal the truth. With a gentle tone, she softly uttered, ¡°I am not Zhu Ying..¡± Chapter 102 - Chapter 102: Old Matters Chapter 102: Old Matters Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Everyone who was paying attention to this competition witnessed the presence of a stunning woman on the podium. Her hair was a beautiful shade of white, complemented by her captivating blue eyes. As her lips parted slightly, her gaze met the gentle eyes of an elderly man with white hair. ¡°Zhu Ying is my late grandmother, and I am her granddaughter, Liao Ning.¡± ¡°She¡­ passed away¡­¡± The news of his friend¡¯s demise momentarily struck the old man with disbelief. His voice softened instantly. ¡°She truly had no heart, not even willing to inform me or Su Tang.¡± ¡°Passing away from old age is a natural part of life. Grandma departed peacefully. Please don¡¯t be too sorrowful,¡± Liao Ning comforted gently. After a long pause, Elder Jiang once again looked at Liao Ning with his weathered yet wise eyes. ¡®You possess exceptional qualities, much like your grandmother Zhu Ying did in her youth. When I tasted your dishes, I felt as if she were present¡­ Let¡¯s not dwell on the award ceremony any longer!¡± Hearing these words, the emcee breathed a sigh of relief. The director had been urging him to hasten Elder Jiang¡¯s presentation of the award to avoid disrupting the plan. However, the emcee dared not intervene with Elder Jiang. Fortunately, the old man remembered that it was time to present the award. ¡°Now, let us invite Elder Jiang to present the award to our champion, Miss Liao Ning!¡± The emcee¡¯s voice reverberated through the loudspeaker, reaching every corner of the audience. Sensibly, the audience started applauding. After Elder Jiang presented awards to the second and third place contestants, the emcee called upon Liao Ning and Elder Jiang to stand at the center of the stage. ¡°Miss Liao, what are your thoughts on winning the food competition this time?¡± Taking the microphone from the emcee, Liao Ning beamed with a bright smile. ¡°I owe my achievements today to my brother. If he hadn¡¯t entrusted his son to me before his passing, I might never have entered the food live-streaming industry, let alone receive everyone¡¯s love by chance and earn a spot in this competition. I am truly grateful to all those who support me. Thank you!¡± Liao Ning bowed deeply to the camera and the audience gathered at the event location. The emcee, being a seasoned host, recognized the audience¡¯s curiosity about Liao Ning¡¯s brother and followed her lead. He continued, ¡°Miss Liao¡¯s brother must be an exceptionally insightful person to have entrusted his son to such an outstanding sister, wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡± ¡°Yes, my brother is an incredibly influential individual. He has made remarkable contributions to the Alliance, and I have always looked up to him.¡± The emcee seized the opportunity and inquired, ¡°Given his notable contributions to the Alliance, I¡¯m sure many of us are familiar with his name. Miss Liao, would it be possible for you to share?¡± Liao Ning¡¯s lips curled into an even brighter smile as she responded. However, her next words left everyone in shock. A few individuals who had been closely following the competition displayed expressions of resentment. ¡°Certainly. My brother is none other than Liao Jun, the youngest general in the history of the Alliance. He is also the most brilliant mecha designer in the military district of the capital. His expertise in mecha is unparalleled. Even the military school in the capital utilizes his past publications as teaching materials for aspiring mecha students.¡± ¡°However, eight years ago, my brother was tasked with leading the mecha brigade to the frontline battlefield of the Skoma Galaxy for a crucial reinforcement mission. He successfully turned the tide of a battle that seemed destined for defeat, enabling the Alliance to repel the invaders and defend the frontlines.¡± ¡°Sadly, due to the excessive strain on his mental strength, he suffered from incurable aftereffects. After being honored with the title of general, he had no choice but to retire.¡± ¡°Most of you must be familiar with that battle¡ªthe renowned Battle of Skoma.¡± Liao Ning¡¯s words created a seismic impact. The audience and viewers of the live stream erupted with excitement. Countless memories of the Battle of Skoma flooded their minds. Naturally, with the mention of the Battle of Skoma, various incidents associated with that battle resurfaced in the collective memory of the Alliance citizens, including the scandal involving the Wei family¡¯s counterfeit mental strength potion. ¡°Oh my goodness, General Liao is the fearless individual who turned the tables in the Battle of Skoma!¡± ¡°Today I finally understand why General Liao¡¯s name was absent from the textbooks that only mentioned the Battle of Skoma.¡± [I did, but it¡¯s not in the text. It¡¯s in the appendix at the end of the textbook..] Chapter 103 - Chapter 103: Payback Chapter 103: Payback Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations [I¡¯m at a loss for words. Was there a need to conceal it so tightly? You¡¯ve always been so focused on your studies, and I¡¯ve always been too engrossed in my own pursuits to notice. No wonder it escaped my attention!] [I recall the incident with the Wei family¡¯s mental strength potion. Back then, some of the potions supplied by the Wei family to the military failed to meet the required high concentration standards. Astonishingly, the Wei family had the audacity to replace them with ordinary, commercially available concentrated potions, resulting in the deaths of numerous warriors!] [What! Is that true? I thought those warriors had simply overexerted themselves without utilizing the mental strength potion.] [I remember the news reports stating the same. Could you be mistaken?] [That¡¯s impossible. I¡¯m in the habit of subscribing to real-time updates. I was utterly shocked when I came across this message. I even took a screenshot and saved it.] To substantiate his claim, the netizen decided to share his screenshot as photographic evidence during the live stream. [Screenshot.jpg] Numerous netizens eagerly clicked on the photo, their curiosity piqued. However, the content displayed on the screenshot left them in utter disbelief. It contained information that had never been part of their recollection. Bold, black letters revealed the shocking truth¡ªThe Wei Corporation¡¯s Energy Serum failed to meet standards, nearly leading to the downfall of the Alliance¡¯s frontline. [Is this information real?!] [So, there is actual evidence?!] [The Wei family is truly inviting their own demise.] Naturally, skepticism arose among some individuals, questioning the authenticity of the screenshot. [Could this be a fabricated screenshot designed to garner attention?] [I have my doubts as well.] [Let¡¯s not jump to conclusions. We can verify its authenticity through proper evaluation] As the netizens engaged in banter, the individual who had expressed his intention to appraise the screenshot returned to the live stream with the results of his evaluation. His actions successfully shifted the spotlight onto the Wei family. [It¡¯s actually true!] [I knew it. The Wei family is truly deplorable. The prices of mental strength potions have skyrocketed in recent years, making them unaffordable for many.] [Exactly. If it weren¡¯t for the excruciating pain during mental strength riots, I wouldn¡¯t have been willing to spend over half of my monthly salary to purchase them!] ¡°Master, there is an overwhelming number of comments regarding the mental strength potion on Star Web. The public relations team is finding it difficult to handle!¡± The butler of the Wei family¡¯s ancestral residence hurried into the main hall and reported to Wei Nan, the despondent head of the Wei family. ¡°Where is Xiao Liu? Didn¡¯t he claim he could handle it?¡± Wei Nan stood up angrily and inquired about the whereabouts of his assistant. ¡°Xiao Liu has already rushed to the company to address the situation. Husband, please don¡¯t be agitated. As long as money can resolve the issue, it¡¯s not a problem. We can simply use our wealth to silence those individuals, just as we did eight years ago.¡± Wei Nan¡¯s wife, Lin Wan, hastily rose to comfort her husband. ¡°Idiot.¡± Wei Nan angrily waved Lin Wan¡¯s hand away, his contemptuous gaze piercing through her. ¡°What would someone like you understand? How many people are currently focused on the food competition? How many will pay attention to an incident from eight years ago? Do you believe erasing all related news and silencing the victims¡¯ families with money is as easy as it was eight years ago?¡± Wei Nan cast a disdainful glance at Lin Wan, whose expression turned ugly, and continued, ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have listened to you and resorted to buying peace with money back then. If I had heeded Liu Su¡¯s advice and acknowledged my mistake, we wouldn¡¯t be facing this situation now!¡± After uttering those words, Wei Nan paid no heed to Lin Wan¡¯s distressed countenance and marched out of the main hall, leaving Lin Wan standing alone. Lowering her head, Lin Wan refused to meet Wei Nan¡¯s departing figure. She bit down on her lower lip, adorned with exquisite lipstick, and tightened her grip on the handkerchief clutched in her hand. Her strength was such that her recently done manicure dug deep into her palm, causing bright red blood to stain the pristine white fabric. ¡°So now you Imow how to call me an idiot. Yet, when I proposed using money to buy peace, you readily agreed!¡± Lin Wan managed to regain her composure and carefully wiped away the blood from her injured palm. In a voice audible only to herself, she uttered, ¡°As expected, useless men always blame women.. If it weren¡¯t for my Wei family, you would have been utterly ruined long ago!¡± Chapter 104 - Chapter 104: Fueling the Fire Chapter 104: Fueling the Fire Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°In that case, don¡¯t blame me,¡± a smile once again graced Lin Wan¡¯s charming face. Lin Wan hailed from the prestigious Lin family, one of the aristocratic households on the capital planet. Although not on par with the five great aristocratic families like the Wei family, the Lin family had longstanding ties with them. Lin Wan and Wei Nan had grown up together, their lives intertwined since childhood. In the early years of their marriage, Wei Nan showered Lin Wan with genuine affection. Leveraging the influence of the Lin family, she aided Wei Nan in solidifying his position as the head of the Wei family. Expecting a lifetime of happiness with Wei Nan, Lin Wan was disheartened to discover his affair with a retired female soldier. By the time she learned of his infidelity, the child he had fathered with the soldier was already born. Lin Wan¡¯s Imowledge of this stemmed from paparazzi capturing clandestine moments of Wei Nan shopping with the child and the soldier. Infuriated by Wei Nan¡¯s actions, Lin Wan contemplated divorce. However, her love for him eventually prevailed. Yielding to Wei Nan¡¯s pleading, her heart softened, and she chose not to divorce him. Instead, Lin Wan demanded that Wei Nan sever ties with the female soldier and create a will that designated only herself and their son, Wei Xuan, as the rightful inheritors of the Wei family. This decision led her to turn a blind eye to the existence of her illegitimate daughter, Wei Xin. Furthermore, she agreed to allow Wei Nan to bring Wei Xin back to the Wei family after the female soldier was admitted to a mental hospital. The thought of Wei Xin brought a hearty laugh to Lin Wan¡¯s lips. Initially, she harbored a trace of unhappiness due to Wei Xin¡¯s surpassing talents compared to her own son. Yet, she had now found great joy in it. Having experienced the hardships of warfare, Wei Xin¡¯s birth mother had endured significant mental trauma. Initially, when she gave birth to Wei Xin, she appeared well. However, as she gradually uncovered Wei Nan¡¯s deceit, her condition deteriorated. She directed her anger and violence towards one-year-old Wei Xin, leaving the child yearning for maternal love and exceedingly cautious around others. To nurture her own son, Wei Xuan, Lin Wan had bestowed considerable love and care upon Wei Xin over the years. In turn, Wei Xin regarded her as a mother figure. Now that Wei Xuan had reached an age suitable for inheriting the family business, Lin Wan felt justified in casting aside their spousal bond and disregarding their relationship entirely, given Wei Nan¡¯s disdain for her. So, if he resented her for her apparent callousness, he had no one but himself to blame. Wei Nan, who had departed from the Wei family¡¯s former residence, found himself rushing to the company in a flying car. Little did he anticipate that a single look and a careless word from him would lead his wife to abandon their relationship and allow their recently matured son to assume control of the Wei family. ¡°Hurry up!¡± Wei Nan impatiently urged the chauffeur, oblivious to the circumstances. The chauffeur awkwardly responded, ¡°Sir, there has been an accident up ahead. The police are managing the situation.¡± ¡°What¡¯s there to fear? If we don¡¯t have a car, we¡¯ll simply bypass it. Later, you can seek reimbursement from Liu Su!¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Reluctantly, the chauffeur complied, mustering his resolve to maneuver across the road as soon as the police momentarily turned away. ¡°???¡± The police officer was taken aback by the sight of the flying car. In the next moment, his colleague swiftly reacted and promptly activated the siren to pursue Wei Nan¡¯s airborne vehicle. This spectacle caught the attention of numerous individuals within the Alliance. Some even recognized the license plate of the Wei family¡¯s flying car and proceeded to capture photos, which they promptly shared on the Star Web. By the time Wei Nan reached the company, a video titled ¡°The Wei Family Disregards Police Instructions¡± had already garnered substantial online traction. Inside the company building, the President¡¯s assistant, Liu Su, grappled with the crisis in public relations. Upon hearing his subordinate mention the incident, he was on the verge of berating Wei Nan for his foolishness. However, he managed to retain his composure, mindful of Wei Nan¡¯s status as his superior. With a displeased expression, he reluctantly opened the Al to search for the aforementioned video. Wei Nan, you imbecile! After watching the footage, Liu Su silently scolded Wei Nan, before helplessly contacting him. ¡°Mr. President, why did you disregard the police instructions earlier and forcefully pass through the blockade?¡± Unbeknownst to Wei Nan, the incident had already generated significant online attention. Currently inside the elevator, he casually answered Liu Su¡¯s call, saying, ¡°I was rushing to the company to handle the medicine situation and encountered a blockade. No need to be so tense. Just remember to reimburse the chauffeur for the fine later.¡± ¡® Liu Su sighed, holding the Al device, overwhelmed by a profound sense of helplessness. It seemed his luck was truly dismal to be saddled with such a foolish boss.. Chapter 105 - Chapter 105: Transaction Chapter 105: Transaction Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations In response to the intense reaction stirred by Liao Ning¡¯s words, the director found himself with no choice but to discreetly signal the emcee through his earpiece, abruptly ending the interview. He hastily escorted Liao Ning and Elder Jiang off the stage. In a flurry, the remaining proceedings were swiftly concluded as instructed by the director. The emcee hastily announced the successful conclusion of the gourmet competition. Back at the organizer¡¯s office, the person in charge could hardly sit still. They were well aware that Liao Nings remarks had exposed the Wang and Wei families of the five aristocratic households, removing a thin veil of disguise. Although they were the largest food livestreaming company in the alliance, they remained a small entity in comparison to the affairs of the five aristocratic families. While the hasty conclusion of the finals would undoubtedly result in substantial financial losses for the company, these losses had yet to materialize. In the face of potential repercussions from the influential five great families, these monetary setbacks seemed trivial. Following the conclusion of the finals, Liao Ning located Zhou Ling below the stage and led him to the guest area in search of Elder Jiang, who was still present. Elder Jiang, a close friend of Zhu Ying and a respected scholar within the Interstellar Alliance, had made significant contributions to the alliance. Liao Ning believed that with his assistance, their plan would proceed smoothly. With the intention of taking Elder Jiang to the Music Association on the capital planet and divulging everything about Zhu Ying to Su MO, Liao Ning sought to utilize the Su family¡¯s extensive intelligence network to bring down the Wei family. Simultaneously, she desired to provide an explanation to these two old friends who had tirelessly searched for Zhu Ying. Liao Ning carefully placed the translucent card bearing the Su family emblem, which had been given to her by Su MO, on the reception desk of the Music Association. The front desk staff promptly extended their utmost respect and guided Liao Ning and the others to the office on the upper floor, informing them that Su MO would be arriving shortly. After serving them tea and fruits, the staff discreetly withdrew. Meanwhile, upon receiving the news of Liao Ning¡¯s presence at the Music Association on the capital planet, Su MO hastily made his way from the Su family¡¯s former residence to the association. Without waiting for the front desk staff to speak, he hurriedly ascended the stairs to the upstairs office. ¡°Liao Ning, the staff informed me that you have something urgent to discuss with me?!¡± Su MO pushed open the office door, his voice laced with anxiety. Upon noticing Liao Ning, Zhou Ling, and Elder Jiang, he couldn¡¯t help but express his curiosity. ¡°Elder Jiang? Why are you here with Liao Ning?¡± Elder Jiang and Su Tang had been close friends, and he had witnessed the growth of his friend¡¯s talented grandson. He stroked his white beard and patted the empty sofa beside him. ¡°MO MO, come and sit down. Ah Ning said she has something important to share with you.¡± ¡°Ning?¡± Su MO felt a hint of surprise. He had never known Elder Jiang to be acquainted with Liao Ning. ¡°How do you know Liao Ning?¡± In response to Su Mo¡¯s question, Elder Jiang¡¯s expression immediately turned grave. ¡°I haven¡¯t even mentioned you yet! If you knew about Zhu Ying¡¯s whereabouts, why didn¡¯t you inform me first? If I hadn¡¯t accepted the invitation to be a judge at the gourmet competition this year, I would have remained completely oblivious!¡± Su MO became flustered. ¡°It¡¯s not¡­ I mean¡­¡¯ Caught in the gaze of everyone in the room, he struggled to find an explanation. Elder Jiang spoke to him with a softened expression, ¡°I understand you were afraid that I would be saddened by the news of Zhu Ying¡¯s passing, but you forget that after years of searching for Zhu Ying, the happiest thing for me and your grandmother is to receive any news about her. While I am undoubtedly saddened, having lived for so many years and bidding farewell to many loved ones, Zhu Ying¡¯s demise is merely a regret to me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t realize¡ª¡± Elder Jiang pulled him to sit beside him. ¡°You¡¯re a good child. There¡¯s no need to blame yourself.¡± Liao Ning proceeded to recount the events concerning Zhu Ying. She then presented Zou Xu to the group, showcasing the evidence related to the Wei family. Subsequently, she patiently awaited their reaction to this explosive news. While waiting, Liao Ning¡¯s Al received a call request from an unfamiliar account. After a brief hesitation, she answered the call. ¡°Hello?¡± A voice unfamiliar to Liao Ning emanated from the other end of the line. ¡°Liao Ning, I¡¯m Lin Wan, the wife of Wei Nan, the head of the Wei family. I have a proposition to discuss with you.¡± Liao Ning felt a sense of surprise. ¡°A deal?¡± ¡°I understand your desire to seek revenge on the Wei family and make them pay for what they did to your grandmother, Zhu Ying. I can assist you in exacting retribution on Wei Nan and the entire Wei family effortlessly. If you¡¯re interested, I¡¯ll be waiting for you at the Mingxing Coffee House in the capital tomorrow afternoon at three o¡¯clock.¡± Having said that, the other party promptly ended the call without any hesitation, seemingly indifferent to whether Liao Ning would accept the invitation or not.. Chapter 106 - Chapter 106: Eight Treasure Porridge Chapter 106: Eight Treasure Porridge Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡®What¡¯s the matter?¡± Zhou Ling asked curiously when he noticed that Liao Ning had been silent for a while. Liao Ning shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Lin Wan has proposed a collaboration to bring down her husband.¡± Surprised, Zhou Ling raised an eyebrow. ¡°What do you think about it?¡± ¡°Do you think we can trust her?¡± Liao Ning turned the question back to him. ¡°It seems reliable. Lin Wan comes from the prestigious Lin family. Before marrying Wei Nan, she used her exceptional taste to elevate the Lin family¡¯s business in the market. After marrying Wei Nan, she even played a significant role in stabilizing his position as the head of the Wei family through the sales of mental strength potions.¡± Liao Ning smiled. ¡°I never expected Lin Wan to be such a formidable businesswoman. I will meet her tomorrow.¡± As Liao Ning and Zhou Ling discussed their upcoming meeting with Lin Wan, Elder Jiang and Su MO were filled with anger. They were outraged by the Wei family¡¯s manipulation of Zhu Ying. Su Mots smile had vanished, replaced by a cold expression. ¡°The audacity of the Wei family! They not only harmed the Wang family but also obstructed the Su family¡¯s search for Zhu Ying, leading to my grandmother¡¯s demise from depression. I won¡¯t let them off lightly. Miss Liao Ning, from now on, I will instruct our family¡¯s intelligence network to gather evidence of the Wei and Wang families¡¯ crimes throughout the years.¡± Su Mo¡¯s eyes turned icy. ¡°We will submit the evidence to the Alliance Procuratorate. They will face the consequences!¡± ¡°Su MO is correct. I will also leverage my reputation in the culinary world to contribute to seeking justice for my departed old friend,¡± Elder Jiang stated with a piercing gaze. ¡°They shall not escape punishment!¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± With their plans settled, Liao Ning and Zhou Ling bid farewell and departed. Liao Ning needed to return to the Zhou family to find the young wolf cub she had left behind. After not seeing him all morning, she couldn¡¯t help but miss him. When Liao Ning arrived back at the Zhou family, she found Liao Nai engrossed in reading a picture book under the supervision of Butler Li. It reminded her of the heartwarming moments between a grandfather and granddaughter. Not wanting to disturb their tender interaction, Liao Ning planned to quietly head to the kitchen. However, the wolf cub soon noticed her presence. ¡°Aunt!¡± The moment Liao Nai spotted Liao Ning, he swiftly jumped off the sofa and rushed to her side. Embracing her tightly, he nuzzled his face against her chest like an affectionate puppy. ¡°I missed you so much, Aunt!¡± Liao Ning affectionately stroked his little head and replied gently, ¡°I missed you too, Nai Nai.¡± ¡°I watched Aunt¡¯s competition livestream with Butler Grandpa at home. Aunt was amazing! You won the championship !¡± Liao Nail s eyes sparkled as he looked up at Liao Ning. ¡°Did you behave and listen to Butler Grandpa while I was away today?¡± Liao Nai proudly exclaimed, ¡°Yes! But I¡¯m a bit sad that I didn¡¯t get to eat Aunt¡¯s food today.¡± Amused by the wolf cub¡¯s response, Liao Ning teased him with a smile. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re such a little glutton. Well, I¡¯ll make some delicious food for you right now! ¡± Although Liao Nai was thrilled about the prospect of eating something delicious, he couldn¡¯t help but correct her. ¡°I¡¯m not a gluttonous cat. I¡¯m a wolf ¡°Yes, yes, yes. You¡¯re the most adorable wolf cub!¡± As Liao Ning spoke, she made her way to the kitchen. It was already 11 PM, and logically, she shouldn¡¯t be eating at this hour. However, seeing the wolf cub¡¯s eager anticipation, she couldn¡¯t resist the urge to satisfy him. Liao Ning decided to prepare a lighter dish that would be easy to digest¡ªa soft and delicious eight-treasure porridge seemed perfect. If she couldn¡¯t finish it tonight, she could have it for breakfast the next morning. Luckily, all the necessary ingredients were readily available in the kitchen. She gathered glutinous rice, black rice, peanuts, red dates, red beans, and Yun beans. As there were no lotus seeds in the Interstellar Alliance, Liao Ning omitted them from this batch. After meticulously washing each ingredient, Liao Ning removed the red dates from the mix. She gathered 120 grams of glutinous rice, 50 grams of black rice, 30 grams of peanuts, 30 grams of red beans, and 30 grams of Yun beans. This carefully crafted combination had been refined by Liao Ning through numerous trials. The resulting eight-treasure porridge was known for its rich consistency, soft texture, and delightful sweetness. Although the other ingredients required soaking in water for two hours beforehand, Liao Ning opted to use a pressure cooker this time due to her time constraints. She placed all the ingredients in the pot and added the appropriate amount of water and rock sugar. The mixture would stew for 40 minutes. ¡°Nai Nai, come help Aunt carry the porridge to the living room.¡± Liao Ning poured the porridge into small bowls, preparing four in total, including one for Butler Li. When Butler Li received his bowl of eight-treasure porridge from Liao Ning, he immediately glanced at Zhou Ling. Normally, he wasn¡¯t permitted to eat during work hours. Understanding Liao Ning¡¯s kind gesture, Zhou Ling nodded at the butler. ¡°Uncle Li, give it a try as well. Ningning¡¯s cooking is exceptional..¡± Chapter 107 - Chapter 107: Lin Wan Chapter 107: Lin Wan Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Thank you, Second Young Master and Miss Liao, ¡± the butler expressed his gratitude before taking a sip of the eight- treasure porridge. His eyes widened in appreciation. ¡°Miss Liao¡¯s culinary skills are truly exceptional!¡± Liao Ning smiled in response. ¡°As long as it pleases Uncle Li¡¯s palate.¡± After Liao Nai finished his bowl of eight-treasure porridge, Liao Ning escorted him to aid in digestion and then brought him back to his room for rest. The following day, Liao Ning woke up early and spent some time with Liao Nai at the racecourse. By two o¡¯clock in the afternoon, she left the house and arrived at the Mingxing Coffee House, the venue specified by Lin Wan, promptly at three o¡¯clock. This time, she didn¡¯t bring Liao Nai along, concerned about his well-being. Hence, she declined Zhou Ling¡¯s offer to accompany her and arrived at the agreed location alone. When Liao Ning entered the coffee house, she noticed only one elegantly dressed woman present. She surmised that this woman must be Lin Wan. At the same time, Lin Wan also caught sight of Liao Ning and observed her until she took a seat in front of her. Lin Wan carefully examined the young and unexpected woman before her. Her long, snow-white hair cascaded casually, and her navy blue eyes seemed capable of peering into one¡¯s soul. Lin Wan¡¯s lips, adorned with red lipstick, curved into a playful smile as she greeted Liao Ning. ¡°I¡¯ve heard so much about you, Miss Liao.¡± ¡°Hello, Miss Lin,¡± Liao Ning replied with a smile. Meeting her in person confirmed Liao Ning¡¯s belief that this woman truly intended to oust her husband, Wei Nan. This time, Lin Wan was resolute in assisting her son¡¯s ascension. She had relinquished her love for Wei Nan and embraced her former identity as the eldest daughter of the Lin family, once a dominant force in the business world, rather than the gentle Madame of the Wei family. Liao Ning wasn¡¯t one to beat around the bush. She addressed Lin Wan directly. ¡°Please tell me, what is the deal?¡± Lin Wan smiled with satisfaction, appreciating Liao Ning¡¯s straightforward approach. ¡°I will help you eliminate Wei Nan. Furthermore, when my son, Wei Xuan, assumes leadership of the Wei family, I will ensure he relinquishes the exclusive production rights of the mental strength potion and hands over the formula to the alliance.¡± Liao Nings gaze turned icy as she locked eyes with Lin Wan¡¯s beautiful face. ¡°This is a significant undertaking. How can I assist you? Or rather, what do you desire from me?¡± ¡°I appreciate intelligent individuals like you,¡± Lin Wan expressed her satisfaction with Liao Ning. ¡°I want all the evidence you possess regarding the crimes committed by the Wei family.¡± Liao Ning smiled and spoke frankly, ¡°Miss Lin, don¡¯t be too greedy.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t you bear to part with it?¡± Lin Wan felt a tinge of unhappiness. She had already helped Liao Ning dismantle the Wei family¡¯s support industry, yet Liao Ning couldn¡¯t even spare her some minor information. ¡°It¡¯s not that I can¡¯t bear to, but this evidence implicates not only the Wei family but also the Wang family. If you truly desire this information¡­ it¡¯s not impossible, but you must be prepared to become enemies with the Wang family.¡± Lin Wan¡¯s expression momentarily faltered. She hadn¡¯t anticipated such a deep connection between the Wei and Wang families. She had initially believed that the Wei family¡¯s relationship with the Wang family was merely superficial due to Wei Nan¡¯s second sister. It couldn¡¯t compare to the profound bond shared by the Lin family and the Wei family. Lin Wan clenched her teeth but couldn¡¯t muster the courage to risk offending both the Wei and Wang families simultaneously. ¡°Then what do you want? I can¡¯t assist you in toppling Wei Nan for nothing.¡± ¡°Miss Lin, you must be joking. I never aimed to bring down the head of the Wei family,¡± Liao Ning smiled wickedly and spoke nonchalantly, ¡°From the very beginning, my goal was to shatter the Wei family¡¯s high status and ensure they can never recover.¡± Lin Wan held her breath, her eyes widening. She stared at the audacious young woman before her and uttered in a trembling voice, ¡°How arrogant of you. The Wei family is one of the five great families of the alliance. You can¡¯t simply destroy them as you please!¡± Liao Ning chuckled. ¡°Then, Miss Lin, what are you afraid of?¡± Was she afraid? Lin Wan pondered the question. Liao Ning was right. She was indeed afraid. She couldn¡¯t pinpoint the exact reason for her fear, but when she met Liao Ning¡¯s gaze, she instinctively envisioned the Wei family¡¯s downfall. Lin Wan took a deep breath, regaining her composure. ¡°I cannot stand idly by and witness the destruction of the Wei family.¡± ¡°What can you offer, then?¡± Liao Ning inquired, a smile playing on her lips. Indeed, what could she bring to the table? ¡°I have nothing to offer,¡± Lin Wan admitted, her spirits deflating. ¡°I underestimated you. I apologize for my impulsive actions..¡± Chapter 108 - Chapter 108: Deal Completed Chapter 108: Deal Completed Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning remained silent and gazed at Lin Wan attentively. ¡°I only want to exchange the formula for the mental strength potion for the Wei family¡¯s chance of survival. I hope you can show mercy and spare the Wei family¡¯s younger members,¡± Lin Wan pleaded. Liao Ning found it amusing and responded, ¡°Miss Lin, you¡¯ve misunderstood. We live in a lawful society, and extermination is not on the table. As long as the Wei family members can prove their innocence in these illegal matters, they will be safe. The alliance¡¯s laws won¡¯t punish them.¡± Lin Wan fell silent, unsure of how to counter Liao Ning¡¯s statement. She realized that Liao Ning must have agreed to the meeting for a specific reason. After discerning the underlying motive, Lin Wan promptly inquired, ¡°There must be something you want from me, considering you agreed to this meeting. If you promise not to harm the Wei family, I will comply with your request. I¡¯m willing to do anything as long as it satisfies your desires! ¡± Upon hearing Lin Wan¡¯s words, Liao Ning grinned with satisfaction. ¡®Miss Lin, you truly are an intelligent person. However, there¡¯s no need to worry. I don¡¯t seek anything in return. I simply require your exceptional business acumen to help me promote ancient food culture throughout the alliance.¡± ¡°Promote?¡± Lin Wan was perplexed. Numerous researchers were already dedicated to promoting ancient food culture. Employing commercial methods seemed unnecessary, especially since her expertise lay in business, not ancient cuisine. Noticing her concern, Liao Ning clarified, ¡°Fear not, I don¡¯t expect you to delve into the study of ancient delicacies. I merely need your assistance in running a restaurant.¡± Lin Wan breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°As long as I¡¯m not involved in research, I can manage a restaurant. However, opening one necessitates a skilled chef and a plethora of recipes. Can you provide these?¡± She wasn¡¯t refusing the offer, but the Interstellar Alliance lacked talented cooks and comprehensive recipes that could sustain a restaurant. Liao Ning assured her, ¡®Worry not. If you have experience in cooking, you can seek out Dr. Jiang He. As for the recipes, I can supply them. It will be sufficient for you to successfully operate the restaurant.¡± Liao Ning intended to assign Yu Ni to Lin Wan and have Yu Ni train a chef for her. ¡°I¡¯ll listen to you,¡± Lin Wan said, her thoughts shifting to her son. ¡°But I hope Miss Liao can show leniency towards my son, Wei Xuan, when Colonel Zhou deals with the Wang family¡¯s tampering with his spaceship in the future. It was his father who forced him to do it. It¡¯s not¡­ Liao Ning raised her hand to interrupt her. ¡°I understand. While Wei Xuan didn¡¯t intend to harm Zhou Ling, Zhou Ling nearly lost his life because of him. I cannot forgive Wei Xuan on Zhou Ling¡¯s behalf. However, I don¡¯t believe Zhou Ling will purposely take any action against Wei Xuan due to this incident.¡± Having said enough, Lin Wan fell silent, realizing she couldn¡¯t say anything more. She could only hope that Zhou Ling would show some leniency towards Wei Xuan in light of her assistance to Liao Ning. Once the deal was concluded, Lin Wan departed. Her first task was to contact Elder Jiang and seek out a few individuals who could serve as chefs. As Lin Wan left, Liao Ning picked up her Al device and contacted Yu Ni. At that moment, Yu Ni was watching cartoons with Yu Guo in their hotel room. Upon seeing Liao Ning¡¯s call, she answered, ¡°Why are you calling me?¡± Liao Ning promptly informed Yu Ni that she wished to hire her to assist in training a chef. Without hesitation, Yu Ni agreed. However, shortly after ending the call, she began to regret her decision, realizing the challenges involved in helping Liao Ning train a chef. Sitting inside the flying car, Liao Ning reminisced about the sudden mission the system had presented just as she was about to decline working with Lin Wan. [Mission: Promote ancient food culture in the Interstellar Alliance. Reward: 2,000 points, 60 million star coins.] Due to the system¡¯s mission, she had changed her mind at the last moment, deciding to allow Lin Wan, who possessed exceptional business talent, to assist her in running a restaurant to promote ancient food culture. She still needed to inform Zhou Ling about the situation. After all, she and Lin Wan were now in a cooperative relationship, and Wei Xuan was her son. If she didn¡¯t handle the matter properly, the collaboration would face difficulties in the future.. Chapter 109 - Chapter 109: Wei Xuan ‘s Truth Chapter 109: Wei Xuan ¡®s Truth Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations After Liao Ning returned to the Zhou family, she sought out Zhou Ling and informed him about the events of the day. She made sure to mention Wei Xuan as well. As Liao Ning spoke about her collaboration with Lin Wan, Zhou Ling listened attentively and responded with a smile, saying, ¡°You needn¡¯t worry on my behalf. Lin Wan is an excellent partner.¡± Curious about Wei Xuan, Liao Ning looked directly at him. ¡°What about Wei Xuan? Aren¡¯t you going to fill me in?¡± ¡°Wei Xuan is the youngest member in our team, and he¡¯s treated like a younger brother by everyone. Despite not possessing exceptional talent, he has earned the respect of his peers.¡± ¡°Due to his age similarity with Gao Yuan, Gao Dian regards him as a younger sibling. Under pressure, Gao Dian even made an exception and promoted him to our team. He assured me repeatedly that he would look after Wei Xuan.¡± Zhou Ling smiled. ¡°Surprisingly, Wei Xuan managed to astonish everyone by tampering with our spaceship.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be disheartened,¡± Liao Ning comforted him. Zhou Ling could feel her warmth. With a smile, he explained, ¡°Initially, like everyone else, I was furious at Wei Xuan¡¯s act of betrayal. However, after investigating the matter and discovering that Wei Xuan was coerced by his biological father, my anger subsided. Instead, I felt a sense of gratitude towards him.¡± Liao Ning found it perplexing. ¡°Are you out of your mind?¡± Amused by her serious expression, Zhou Ling couldn¡¯t help but laugh. His shoulders shook as laughter echoed through the air. After a while, he managed to compose himself, though a faint smile lingered on his lips. ¡°Regrettably, my sanity remains intact. I¡¯m genuinely grateful to Wei Xuan for taking on the task of sabotaging the spaceship.¡± ¡°It was precisely because Wei Xuan meddled with the spaceship that my brothers and I had a chance to survive. Wei Xuan¡¯s father wanted him to destroy the engine, but instead, he merely altered the fuel, causing the spaceship to shut down during the return journey. This afforded us an opportunity to escape before the ship exploded.¡± Zhou Ling paused briefly. ¡°One could say that Wei Xuan risked the wrath of the Wang family, putting his own life in jeopardy, all to save ours.¡± Liao Ning let out a sigh. ¡°I see. I had thought that he was bribed by the Wang family to replace you and get rid of you. I didn¡¯t expect him to risk his own safety to save you. What great brothers!¡± ¡®Yes, Gao Dian made the right choice. It¡¯s just that Wei Xuan feels he has let us down and hasn¡¯t returned to the team for a while. He¡¯s currently in the logistics department.¡± Zhou Ling¡¯s face showed signs of frustration as he spoke. Understanding Wei Xuan¡¯s emotions, Liao Ning could only offer words of comfort to Zhou Ling. ¡°Don¡¯t be too anxious. Perhaps Wei Xuan has his own reasons. You mentioned that he¡¯s pretending to be with the Wang family, so it¡¯s better for him to remain in the logistics department, which is currently under their control.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± ¡°Where is Nai Nai?¡± Liao Ning hadn¡¯t seen Liao Nai since her return and couldn¡¯t help but wonder where he had gone. ¡°I told him that I¡¯m going to pick up Mili from the Ping family tomorrow. He¡¯s thrilled about it. He¡¯s probably browsing Star Web with Uncle Li, searching for a gift for Mili.¡± Liao Ning was taken aback. She hadn¡¯t expected to encounter Villain No. 2 so soon. Considering her evil value, she couldn¡¯t help but worry. ¡°Things haven¡¯t been resolved yet. It might not be wise to pick up Millie right now. If the Wang family sees an opportunity to attack us, will Mili be safe?¡± Liao Ning¡¯s concerns were valid, but the Wang family had their eyes on them now. They were aware that Mili was currently with the Ping family. If they didn¡¯t bring her back, it could potentially cause trouble for the Ping family. ¡°If Mili stays with the Ping family, it will put her and the Ping family at risk. The best course of action is to bring her back to my side.¡± Liao Ning nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll accompany you tomorrow. Let¡¯s bring Nai Nai along.¡± Zhou Ling frowned and disagreed with her suggestion. ¡°You and Nai Nai should stay at the Zhou residence and wait for our return. I¡¯m afraid the Wang family might cause trouble along the way. Your safety will be at risk.¡± ¡°But you and Mili will also be in danger. I used to be a bounty hunter, and having me around will provide an extra layer of security. Nai Nai has been undergoing special training recently, and with his abilities, he can protect Mili. If we can¡¯t take care of him, Mili will be much safer with him by her side.¡± Liao Ning¡¯s gaze was firm, so Zhou Ling had no choice but to agree with her to bringLiao Nai along.. Chapter 110 - Chapter 110: Mili Chapter 110: Mili Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Nai Nai,¡± Liao Nai, who was selecting gifts for his friends, heard Liao Ning¡¯s voice and glanced up from the Al. ¡°Aunt, you¡¯re a girl too. Tell me, what gifts do you girls like?¡± As Liao Ning settled beside him, the butler exited the room, allowing the aunt and niece to converse privately. ¡°A plush toy. Furry ones are the cutest!¡± Liao Ning offered her suggestion. ¡°I agree. Let¡¯s go with this bear doll then!¡± Liao Nai had already seen numerous dolls, yet he still believed that this brown bear was the most adorable. It was as cute as Mili. ¡°It¡¯s truly adorable. Remember to get some rest after making your choice.¡± ¡°Got it! Goodnight, Aunt!¡± After Liao Ning reminded him, she returned to her room. Following a relaxing shower, she drifted off to sleep. The following day, when Liao Ning descended the stairs, Liao Nai was already seated in the dining area, eating bread and drinking milk that Liao Ning had prepared beforehand. Zhou Ling sat at the table, attending to some documents. Liao Ning greeted them. ¡°Good morning.¡± ¡°Good morning, Aunt!¡± The young wolf cub still had a mouthful of bread, muffling his words. Zhou Ling looked up and smiled at her. ¡°Let¡¯s have breakfast first. Afterward, we¡¯ll go pick up Mili.¡± As Liao Ning and the other two entered the flying car and headed towards the Ping family, Mili had just awakened to the gentle voice of Ping Ye¡¯s mother. ¡°My adorable Mili, I made your favorite sunny-side up sandwich today!¡± Ping Ye¡¯s mother lovingly changed Mili¡¯s clothes and gently patted her little head. ¡°Thank you, Grandma Ping. Once I freshen up, I¡¯ll head to the kitchen, ¡± Mili replied, rubbing her eyes and yawning. After Mili freshened up and had breakfast, Ping Ye informed her, ¡°Your uncle is coming to pick you up today.¡± ¡°!!¡± Mili turned her head and stared at Ping Ye, using her eyes to question the truthfulness of his words. Ping Ye reached out and gently touched her head. ¡°It¡¯s true. Don¡¯t be afraid.¡± When this young lady first arrived at their house, she resembled a little hedgehog with her defensive spikes. Whether it was Ping Ye or his parents, she always remained on guard. During this time, they had put in a lot of effort to gradually earn the girl¡¯s trust. A smile slowly appeared on the little girl¡¯s thin face, and with the meticulous care of Ping Ye¡¯s mother, her frail body started to regain some weight. Ping Ye couldn¡¯t fathom what kind of environment had caused this precious daughter of his parents to become so insecure. If Mili¡¯s missing parents were to see their beloved daughter like this, their hearts would surely ache. Not long after Mili heard the news, there was a knock on Ping Ye¡¯s door. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Zhou Ling. I¡¯m here to take Mili home.¡± Mili immediately recognized Zhou Ling¡¯s voice and rushed to the door. Ping Ye, with his long strides, walked to the door and glanced at the video screen. Confirming that it was indeed Zhou Ling outside, he opened the door and welcomed Zhou Ling and the others inside. ¡°Young Uncle!¡± Mili threw herself into Zhou Ling¡¯s arms. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mili. I came back late,¡± Zhou Ling apologized, feeling the dampness of his niece¡¯s clothes. He knew she had been crying, and his heart ached. Mili buried her head in Zhou Ling¡¯s arms and shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s not Young Uncle¡¯s fault. They are too wicked!¡± Liao Ning held Liao Nails hand and stood beside them, observing. The system notification chimed in, and Liao Ning finally received the long-awaited mission information about Villain No. 2: [Ding¡ªCongratulations to the host for successfully making contact with Villain No. 2. Villain No. 2¡¯s evil value is now at 5%. You have successfully prevented an increase in the evil value. Reward: 500 points.] Liao Ning arched her eyebrows, surprised by how easily she had managed to avoid the plot where the evil value skyrocketed. It seemed that as long as Zhou Ling successfully evaded the deadly situation, Villain No. 2 wouldn¡¯t completely succumb to evil. While Liao Ning observed the little antagonist, Liao Nai¡¯s gaze was also fixed on Mili, who sobbed in Zhou Ling¡¯s embrace. Liao Nai hadn¡¯t anticipated that his seemingly invincible good friend had such a vulnerable side. Recalling the hardships his friend had faced before, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of sympathy. Fortunately, Uncle Zhou Ling was still alive. Luckily, he and his aunt had encountered the gravely injured Uncle Zhou Ling and rescued him. Otherwise, he didn¡¯t dare imagine what fate awaited Mili if she were to return to that terrifying family after Uncle Zhou Ling¡¯s demise.. Chapter 111 - Chapter 111: Following Chapter 111: Following Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations After Mili had calmed down, Zhou Ling introduced Liao Ning and Liao Nai to her. ¡°This is my girlfriend, Liao Ning. You can call her Little Aunt from now on,¡± he said, gesturing towards Liao Ning. Then, he pointed at Liao Nai and introduced him to Mili. ¡°And this is Liao Nai, Little Aunt¡¯s nephew. He¡¯s a smart and sensible child, just like you. You two should get along well in the future.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± Mili smiled and greeted Liao Ning and Liao Nai. ¡°Hello, Auntie. Hello, Brother Liao Nai!¡± Liao Ning smiled and replied, ¡°Mili, you¡¯re such a well-behaved child!¡± This was the first time Liao Nai had witnessed such a radiant smile on his cunning friend¡¯s face. He was momentarily stunned before regaining his composure and presenting the beautifully wrapped gift in his hand. ¡°Mili, this is a gift for you. I carefully picked it out. I hope you like it!¡± ¡°Thank you!¡± Mili knew that Liao Nai was her good friend from Star Web, so she beamed at him. ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± Liao Nai said with a bashful blush as he rubbed the back of his head. Zhou Ling expressed his gratitude to Ping Ye and his parents, bowing respectfully and offering them a box adorned with the Zhou family¡¯s emblem. ¡°Thank you for taking care of me during this time. Please accept this small token of appreciation.¡± Ping Ye was inwardly shocked when he saw the box. He knew that this was the highest form of gratitude the Zhou family bestowed upon those who had helped them. The items within the box could be exchanged for unconditional assistance from the Zhou family. Whatever one desired, the Zhou family would obtain it, regardless of the cost. ¡°Sir, I can¡¯t accept this,¡± Ping Ye quickly protested, pushing the box back. Zhou Ling looked at him with a disapproving gaze and insisted, ¡°Just accept it when I tell you to. Your Ping family safeguards the sole bloodline of the Zhou family¡¯s head. You deserve this gratitude from the Zhou family.¡± Ping Ye still wanted to decline, but Zhou Ling interrupted him. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you think the Zhou family¡¯s heir isn¡¯t deserving of such gratitude?¡± ¡® Ping Ye was momentarily speechless. He knew that the value of the Zhou family¡¯s heir far exceeded this token of appreciation. Realizing that his refusal was futile, Ping Ye reluctantly chose to accept it. ¡°Thank you!¡± ¡°We should leave now,¡± Zhou Ling bid a polite farewell to Ping Ye¡¯s parents and carried Mili into the flying car. As Mili glanced back at the loving grandparents from the Ping family, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of reluctance. After all, since the disappearance of her parents and uncle, Ping Ye¡¯s family had treated her with utmost care. ¡°Grandma Ping, Grandpa Ping, I¡¯ll come back to visit you!¡± Under the sorrowful gaze of the elderly couple, Mili settled into the flying car, and slowly, they vanished from the street. Zhou Ling and the others encountered no ambushes on their way. However, shortly after leaving the Ping family with Mili, they noticed a few unmarked black flying cars quietly tailing them. ¡°We¡¯re being followed,¡± Liao Ning alerted Zhou Ling, who was at the wheel. Zhou Ling had already noticed their presence. He calmly instructed everyone to hold on tight and suddenly accelerated, attempting to create distance between them and the pursuers. However, the black cars behind them matched their speed, relentlessly tailing Zhou Ling¡¯s vehicle. No matter how hard Zhou Ling tried, he couldn¡¯t shake them off. Liao Ning grew increasingly anxious. She didn¡¯t know the intentions of those following them. ¡°What should we do?¡± The cars behind them maintained a close pursuit, yet showed no signs of initiating an attack. Zhou Ling hesitated for a moment, unable to make a decision. ¡°The city is crowded with people and vehicles right now. We can¡¯t recklessly engage in combat.¡± ¡°Should we fly out of the city, then?¡± Liao Ning¡¯s concern for the safety of the children made her suggest the idea, albeit realizing its flaws. Amused by her sudden naivety, Zhou Ling couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. ¡°No, they have their reasons for staying within the city and haven¡¯t made a move yet. However, they have a significant presence in the suburbs. It¡¯s unlikely that we can overpower them.¡± ¡°¡­..¡± Liao Ning fell silent, realizing the impracticality of her proposal. Zhou Ling reassured her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much. They might just be verifying whether we¡¯ve brought Mili back to the Zhou family or not. They don¡¯t seem to have any intention of attacking us.¡± ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll try not to worry,¡± Liao Ning replied, feeling somewhat relieved. In the backseat, Liao Nai and Mili exchanged glances and used the subconscious space of the Al to communicate. Mili: [If we do get attacked, remember to stay behind me for protection.] Liao Nai: [Don¡¯t worry, I can take care of you now. Just stay close to me at all times!] Observing tne WOlt cub, wno nad grown considerably stronger, Mill nodded, expressing her trust in him. Seeing Mili¡¯s response, Liao Nai smiled with satisfaction. He was delighted that his good friend had faith in him.. Chapter 112 - Chapter 112: Attack Chapter 112: Attack Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Zhou Ling drove the flying car through the streets of the capital planet all the way from the Ping family to the Zhou family¡¯s ancestral residence in the middle of the city. As the flying car came to a stop in front of the Zhou family¡¯s door, a group of pursuing flying cars approached and launched a fierce attack on Zhou Ling¡¯s vehicle. To their surprise, Zhou Ling¡¯s flying car was constructed using the same steel materials used to make mechas, sourced from the distant Sena Planet. This steel possessed exceptional qualities, capable of resisting acid attacks from the Zergs and displaying formidable resistance against all forms of assault. It rendered the contemporary guns and bullets of the Alliance useless, incapable of penetrating its robust exterior. The assailants utilized cutting-edge fluid armor-piercing bullets, which could effortlessly penetrate the outer shell of an ordinary flying car but proved futile against Zhou Ling¡¯s vehicle, unable to leave even a scratch. Wearing a smug smile, Zhou Ling remarked, ¡°Hmph, I anticipated this day would come. Thankfully, I had the foresight to change the outer shell of the flying car.¡± ¡°But the ongoing attacks are relentless. I fear we won¡¯t be able to disembark for some time,¡± expressed Liao Ning with concern, eyeing the rain of bullets outside the window. Venturing out under such circumstances would result in a barrage of bullets. ¡°In that case, let us patiently wait until they run out of ammunition. There is no need to worry; this car is as resilient as a mecha,¡± Zhou Ling reassured. Observing Zhou Ling¡¯s confident expression, Liao Ning eased her anxieties. She turned around, intending to console the two young ones, only to realize they remained remarkably composed. ¡°¡­¡± Liao Ning found herself at a loss for words. It appeared she was the most anxious individual in the car! The attackers¡¯ onslaught did not persist for long. Realizing their weapons were ineffective against Zhou Ling¡¯s flying car, they swiftly decided to cease fire. In the meantime, nearby residents had already contacted the police. Before long, the sound of sirens could be heard approaching from a distance. Upon hearing the sirens, the assailants made a quick getaway. When the police arrived to assess the situation, some officers pursued the escaping attackers, while others remained at the scene to reassure the local residents. A police officer saluted Zhou Ling and inquired, ¡°Colonel Zhou Ling, we apologize for our delayed arrival. Are you and your companions injured?¡± Zhou Ling stepped out of the car and engaged in negotiations. ¡°My companion and I are unharmed. I kindly request your assistance in calming the surrounding residents. They should not suffer due to this incident. It happened because of me. If any residents incur losses, I will compensate them double.¡± Upon hearing Zhou Ling¡¯s words, the tension on the policeman¡¯s face eased. Dealing with descendants of aristocratic families was a daunting task for him. Fortunately, Colonel Zhou Ling was reasonable and actively cooperated, which he greatly appreciated. ¡°You are being too considerate. It is our duty to serve the people of the Alliance. Please do not burden yourself with this matter.¡± ¡°Thank you, sir.¡± After asking Zhou Ling a few brief questions, the police officer took his leave. Zhou Ling returned to the car. ¡°Ningning, take Mili and Nai Nai back home. I will go check on Lanyin. I¡¯ll be back soon.¡± Liao Ning nodded. ¡°Be careful. I¡¯m afraid they won¡¯t give up easily.¡± ¡°Alright!¡± Liao Ning held Mili¡¯s left hand and the wolf cub¡¯s right hand as they entered the Zhou family¡¯s residence. Anxious butler Li approached them, tears welling up in his eyes at the sight of Mili. He held Mili¡¯s other hand. ¡°Miss Mili, you have suffered. I am useless. I couldn¡¯t prevent Master from taking you away.¡± Mili reached out tenderly to wipe away the tears on butler Li¡¯s face and comforted him. ¡°Grandpa Li, please don¡¯t cry. This is not your fault. Grandpa used his position to forcibly take me away. Besides, I didn¡¯t suffer much. I punished those bad people.¡± Mili¡¯s words only intensified butler Li¡¯s heartache. He was unaware of what Mili had endured in the old master¡¯s private house, transforming her from an innocent little girl into a wounded creature. Even her gaze towards him was guarded. Though it was slight, it was enough to cause immense pain in butler Li¡¯s heart. Sensing the darkening atmosphere, Liao Ning felt compelled to intervene. ¡°Uncle Li, the children just experienced a gunfight and are quite frightened. Let¡¯s take them back to rest first..¡± Chapter 113 - Chapter 113: Taro Paste Mochi Chapter 113: Taro Paste Mochi Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Yes, yes, yes. Look, I was so caught up in my sadness that I didn¡¯t consider that,¡± Butler Li quickly wiped away his tears and led them inside. ¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go back and rest properly!¡± Upon returning to the main residence of the Zhou family¡¯s ancestral home, Liao Ning allowed the two children to play in the living room while she headed to the kitchen to prepare desserts for them. Sweet treats had a calming effect on people. Liao Ning gathered the ingredients and turned on the live-stream system. ¡°Hello, everyone! Today, I¡¯ll be making desserts for the children at home. I¡¯ll be teaching you how to make Taro Paste Mochi.¡± [Sister Liao Ning!] [I thought Liao Ning would take a few days off after the competition. I didn¡¯t expect her to start a live-stream the next day!] [I¡¯m so thrilled that Liao Ning is live-streaming. I was just craving something sweet today!] Liao Ning smiled sweetly at the camera. ¡°Since everyone is so enthusiastic, let¡¯s all learn together! ¡± [Of course!] [Liao Ning looks absolutely stunning. Her smile just now blinded me!] [Me too.] [I won¡¯t recover without Liao Nings kiss!] ¡°The ingredients we¡¯ll need for today¡¯s Taro Paste Mochi are taro, purple sweet potato powder, milk powder, white sugar, cheese, glutinous rice flour, corn starch, milk, and butter. First, peel and wash the taro, then cut it into small pieces and steam them in a pot. Once the taro is steamed, place it in a bowl and add a little purple sweet potato powder, a suitable amount of milk powder, and a desired amount of white sugar. Then, mash the taro into a paste and stir until all the ingredients are well combined.¡± [Why does Liao Ning add purple sweet potato powder? Can¡¯t she omit it?] [I don¡¯t have any purple potato powder at home.] Liao Ning responded as she stirred the taro paste, ¡°Sure. I only added purple sweet potato powder to enhance the final color of the Taro Paste. It¡¯s purely for visual appeal and not for flavoring. If you don¡¯t have it or find it inconvenient, you can omit it.¡± After preparing the Taro Paste, Liao Ning moved on to making the mochi crust. ¡°Now, let¡¯s prepare the crust for the mochi. In a bowl, combine glutinous rice flour, corn starch, and white sugar. Gradually pour in a suitable amount of milk while stirring to achieve a smooth consistency. Once well-mixed. strain the batter to ensure there are no lumps when steamed.¡± ¡°Cover the strained batter with plastic wrap, poke small holes in it, and steam it in a pot for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, you can stir-fry the glutinous rice flour.¡± ¡°Heat a clean pan and stir-fry the glutinous rice flour for three minutes. Transfer it to a bowl and set it aside. Melt the butter while it¡¯s hot, then knead it into the steamed batter until thoroughly combined. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 30 minutes.¡± After washing her hands, Liao Ning addressed her viewers, ¡°In the next thirty minutes, I¡¯ll take you all to see the wolf cub and his new friend, Mili.¡± Liao Ning walked into the living room, where the wolf cub and Mili were playing a game of aeroplane chess on the table. The little girl leaned against the light, focused on shaking the dice, while the wolf cub beside her watched intently, like a knight from a fairy tale devoted to his princess. The floating live-streamer beside Liao Ning captured this heartwarming scene. The audience watching the live-stream couldn¡¯t contain their excitement in the chat. [Oh my god, did you see how seriously the wolf cub looks at the little girl?] [This little girl is so beautiful. Who is she?] [I was wondering the same thing. Plus, Nai Nai seems to be quite familiar with her.] [Now that the live-streamer is Colonel Zhou¡¯s girlfriend and they live in the Zhou family¡¯s house on the capital planet, could this little girl be Colonel Zhou Ling¡¯s niece?] [That¡¯s a plausible theory. The little girl does bear a resemblance to Colonel Zhou Ling.] [She does resemble her mother!] [Her mother?] [Have you forgotten? Since the little girl is Colonel Zhou¡¯s daughter, her mother is Colonel Zhou¡¯s sister-in-law. Colonel Zhou¡¯s sister-in -law is the renowned beauty and genius in the alliance¡ªMilu!] [Not only is Milu stunning, but she¡¯s also an S-rank instructor at the Alliance Military School!] The chat buzzed with excitement as they discussed Mili¡¯s mother. Liao Ning took this opportunity to gather some information about Mili¡¯s mother¡¯s identity. After reading through the comments from the viewers, Liao Ning realized that almost 30 minutes had passed.. She turned to the two little ones who were tidying up the aeroplane chess pieces and asked, ¡°Mili, Nai Nai, would you like to try making mochi?¡± Chapter 114 - Chapter 114: Becoming Happy Chapter 114: Becoming Happy Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Yes, 1 do!¡± The two little ones were pondering what to do next when they heard Liao Ning¡¯s invitation to make mochis. Although they were unfamiliar with the concept of mochis, their curiosity compelled them to follow Liao Ning into the kitchen without hesitation. Liao Ning carefully put on aprons and gloves for the two children before proceeding to demonstrate the process. ¡°Take the rolled-out dough and place it in a round mold. Squeeze a layer of cream onto the dough in the groove. Add your favorite fruit or a bit of the Taro Paste filling that I made. Finally, wrap it into a circle and trim off any excess dough!¡± Liao Nai and Mili observed attentively and earnestly. After Liao Ning finished her demonstration, she promptly started making her own mochi. Liao Nai and Mili watched from the sidelines, and after a while, they seemed to have grasped the technique. They eagerly joined in, rolling their own dough. Liao Ning spread the stir-fried glutinous rice noodles evenly on the cutting board and shaped the remaining dough into strips. Placing them on the board, she cut them into uniform pieces. She then rolled the dough into moderately thick circles. Once the mochi crust was ready, Liao Ning and the two children worked together to create the mochis. Liao Ning placed the Taro Paste in the center of the cheese strips, molding it into the groove of the mochi crust. Then, she enveloped the Taro Paste ball with the mochi crust. With Liao Ning and the two little ones¡¯ combined efforts, they successfully made 13 mochis, each roughly the size of Liao Ning¡¯s fist. They prepared three flavors: mango, strawberry, and Taro Paste. Liao Ning selected the largest ones of each flavor and arranged them on a plate, presenting it in front of the camera. ¡°These are for everyone in the live-stream. Please enjoy without hesitation.¡± [Damn it, why am I not there? I really want to taste it!] [Liao Ning, don¡¯t be so selfish. Let the wolf cubs eat first, so we can experience it through sensory sharing mode!] [That¡¯s right! Liao Ning, let the wolf cubs try it quickly!] Amused by the viewers¡¯ enthusiastic comments, Liao Ning chuckled. ¡°Alright, alright. I¡¯ll let Nai Nai and Mili have a taste first!¡± ¡°Nai Nai, you and Mili can choose your own flavors. The folks in the live-stream will be longing for it.¡± Upon hearing Liao Ning¡¯s words, the two children, who had been eagerly awaiting their treats, immediately selected their preferred mochi and took a bite without hesitation. As the children savored the mochi, a delightful aroma of cream and the sweet, refreshing taste of fruit filled the live-stream audience¡¯s senses, captivating them with its allure. [It¡¯s delicious!] [I definitely need to learn how to make mochi. I love the cream and fruit fragrance!] [Liao Ning¡¯s desserts are always a hit!] [Liao Ning is truly amazing. I enjoy every dish she prepares!] Liao Ning also indulged in a Taro Paste-flavored mochi, while the wolf cub handed a strawberry-flavored one to Butler Li. Just as Liao Ning finished her last bite, Zhou Ling entered the room. ¡°I¡¯m back.¡± As he stepped inside, the alluring scent of cream and fruit reached his nose, and he immediately knew that Liao Ning had once again created something delectable. ¡°What tasty treat did you make today?¡± ¡°Young Uncle!¡± Mili rushed over and embraced him. ¡®Young Aunt made mochi for Mili and Nai Nai today. It¡¯s delicious!¡± Zhou Ling affectionately ruffled her hair. ¡°Really? Do I get a share?¡± ¡°Of course. Mili made strawberry flavor for Young Uncle and added extra strawberries!¡± Mili proudly announced. ¡°Mili and Nai Nai even assisted Young Aunt. Such thoughtful children!¡± Zhou Ling commended them warmly. The wolf cub and Mili beamed with joy, their eyes forming crescent moons. ¡°Go wash your hands quickly. The two little ones are eagerly waiting for you to come back and taste their culinary creation!¡± Liao Ning urged him, her smile radiant. Zhou Ling gazed at Liao Ning, her smile so bright and her demeanor so gentle, alongside the joyful cubs. In that moment, he felt the warmth of a true family for the first time. ¡°Alright.¡± As he took a bite of the mochi, the aroma of cream and the delightful sweetness of strawberries enveloped his palate. Once again, he couldn¡¯t help but feel immense gratitude for having met Liao Ning and becoming her beloved partner.. Chapter 115 - Chapter 115: New Product Chapter 115: New Product Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations It had been two days since Zhou Ling picked up Mili. He spent the entire day playing with her and then delved into his work. His plan was to leverage the Wei family¡¯s past events eight years ago to pressure the Wang family into revealing the whereabouts of his brother and sister-in-law. However, the Wang family wouldn¡¯t simply allow themselves to be threatened. They obstructed Zhou Ling¡¯s plan, step by step. Today, when Mili learned from Butler Li that her uncle had returned to work, Liao Ning noticed the slight disappointment in the little girl¡¯s eyes. The wolf cub sensed it too and tried to cheer Mili up. Recalling the message she received from the interstellar farm staff that morning, Liao Ning had an idea. ¡°Mili, how about Young Aunt takes you and Nai Nai to the interstellar farm? You can experience growing vegetables and be hardworking gardeners.¡± Although Mili didn¡¯t know much about growing vegetables, she was deeply interested in interstellar farms. Lately, the ingredients Liao Ning used for her traditional delicacies bore the label of interstellar farms. Mili was eager to see firsthand where these delicious ingredients were grown. ¡°Alright!¡± The wolf cub had been longing for this opportunity, but he was more concerned about Mili¡¯s willingness. He looked at her with anticipation, and upon hearing her agreement, he grinned with delight. Upon learning that Mili was willing, Liao Ning asked Butler Li for assistance in arranging a flying car. She swiftly prepared for their visit to the interstellar farm headquarters on the capital planet, accompanied by the two cubs. The headquarters of the interstellar farm resided in the southern suburbs of the capital planet, boasting vast expanses of high-quality farmland. From the vantage point of the flying car, they could behold the kaleidoscope of colors that adorned the various crops and farmland. It was a breathtakingly beautiful sight. For Mili and the wolf cub, it was their first time witnessing such a vast expanse of farmland. They were captivated by its sheer splendor. As soon as Liao Ning disembarked from the flying car, she activated the live-stream on her system. The hovering orb promptly levitated and accompanied her, capturing every moment that unfolded. [Ding-Dong! The live-streamer you¡¯re following, My Child Is The Best, has started live ¨C streaming!] Numerous Al notifications reached the devices of eager netizens, prompting them to flood into Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream. The comment section quickly filled with a flurry of instant messages. [Good morning, Liao Ning!] [Liao Ning started broadcasting early today!] [Worth waking up early for the cub!] Amidst the excitement, many viewers noticed the vast farmland in Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream and couldn¡¯t help but raise questions. [Where is the live-streamer? It doesn¡¯t look like an indoor setting.] [Isn¡¯t Liao Ning at the Zhou residence today? Why did she take the two cubs out to play?] [Will it be a pity if Liao Ning can¡¯t cook delicious food while she¡¯s out?] [Oh no, I really wanted to see Liao Ning whip up some tasty dishes.] [It¡¯s good for the live-streamer to take a break sometimes. After all, she has to take care of the cubs. It¡¯s not all about live-streaming all day long.] The scene in the live-stream shifted, and Liao Ning, dressed in a graceful moon-white qipao, appeared on screen. ¡°Good morning, everyone. I received an invitation from the interstellar farm to try their new product. Today, I¡¯ve brought the two cubs to the interstellar farm, so they can experience life on the tarm. It wouldn¡¯t be tun tor them to stay home all day.¡± As viewers laid their eyes on the woman before the camera, her exquisite features and gentle demeanor captivated them. Every gesture she made exuded charm, and her smiles and frowns were akin to a beautiful painting, prompting excited screams in the comment section. [Liao Ning¡¯s cheongsam is stunning. It perfectly accentuates her graceful figure!] [The live-streamer is too gorgeous. Even someone like me can¡¯t resist being enchanted.] While the netizens buzzed with excitement, the person in charge of the interstellar farm in the capital arrived to welcome Liao Ning and the group. ¡°Miss Liao Ning, I¡¯ve heard so much about you. It¡¯s a great pleasure to meet you today,¡± greeted the refined middle-aged man. ¡°I¡¯m Zhang Ting, the manager of the interstellar farm¡¯s headquarters on the capital planet.¡± ¡°Hello, Mr. Zhang. I¡¯m Liao Ning. I received an invitation from your farm to test your new product today,¡± Liao Ning replied, extending her hand in a polite gesture to shake his. Zhang Ting beamed with delight. ¡°Miss Liao Ning, please come with me. Allow me to introduce our latest creation¡ªRice Noodles..¡± Chapter 116 - Chapter 116: Crossing the Bridge Chapter 116: Crossing the Bridge Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Nings surprise was evident on her face. The notion of an interstellar farm specializing in the study of rice noodles had caught her off guard. What astonished her even more was that they had successfully developed it. While making rice noodles was not a particularly challenging task, they were primarily associated with the cuisine of the southwest region, even during Liao Ning¡¯s time. ¡°Do you guys have knowledge about rice noodles too?¡± she inquired, her tone tinged with curiosity. Zhang Ting found Liao Ning¡¯s reaction perplexing. It seemed as though she had been familiar with rice noodles for a long time, despite their absence within the entire Interstellar Alliance¡¯s food repertoire. ¡°Miss Liao Ning, have you encountered rice noodles before?¡± Zhang Ting asked, sensing there was more to the story. Aware that she had inadvertently revealed her surprise, Liao Ning hastily clarified, ¡°No, I¡¯ve only come across them in ancient texts. Those books mentioned rice noodles as one of the favored staple foods in the southwest region.¡± A smile graced Liao Ning¡¯s lips as she continued, ¡°Since those ancient texts chronicled unique delicacies specific to certain regions, I was genuinely astonished to learn about your farm¡¯s efforts to revive them.¡± Hearing her explanation, Zhang Ting reciprocated with a smile. ¡°I truly didn¡¯t anticipate Miss Liao Ning¡¯s extensive knowledge on the subject. Rice noodles were also rediscovered by our researchers from an obscure ancient tome. The book mentioned that broth made with rice noodles and chicken was considered the epitome of culinary excellence, so we spent nearly two years recreating it.¡± ¡°You all have done an extraordinary job. Achieving this without a clear production method is truly remarkable!¡± Liao Ning commended, impressed by their accomplishments. Zhang Ting smiled in response. ¡°Miss Liao Ning, you¡¯re too kind. We are driven by our dedication to the alliance.¡± Leading the two cubs, Liao Ning proceeded to the production workshop. With Zhang Ting¡¯s approval, she brought the live-stream floating ball into the workshop and introduced the rice noodles to the online audience. Currently, the workshop was not actively producing rice noodles. Instead, neatly arranged baskets of packaged rice noodles were on display for everyone to see. [These rice noodles resemble threads. They look incredibly long] [How am I supposed to eat this?] [I wonder if Liao Ning knows how to make rice noodles.] [I like rice very much. Just now, Mr. Zhang said that the ingredients for rice noodles are rice. He will definitely like rice noodles very much. I hope Liao Ning can teach us how to make rice noodles today!] Observing the reactions of the online audience, Zhang Ting decided to inform Liao Ning that the farm had a kitchen she could use if she wished to demonstrate the rice noodle-making process. After a brief moment of consideration, Liao Ning agreed without hesitation. With the day progressing, she realized there would still be ample time to take the two cubs out to play after lunch. ¡°Since everyone is so eager, I must give it a try. However, if it doesn¡¯t turn out delicious, please don¡¯t be angry!¡± Liao Ning stated, expressing a hint of concern. [No, no, why would we be angry with Liao Ning!] [Don¡¯t worry, live-streamer. We¡¯re already very grateful that you¡¯re so generous to publicize the recipe. Why would we blame you?] [The person above is right!] Accompanied by Zhang Ting, Liao Ning proceeded to the farm¡¯s kitchen, where she located all the necessary ingredients with his assistance. Tying her long hair into a ponytail, Liao Ning washed her hands and prepared to make the rice noodles. ¡°Today, I will use locally sourced ingredients to demonstrate how to prepare bridge noodles!¡± she announced. [Liao Ning, look at me! Liao Ning¡¯s outfit today is really beautiful!] [Why is it called ¡°bridge rice noodles¡±? Is it because you have to cross a bridge with rice noodles?] [Is it called Crossing the Bridge Rice Noodles because it was made on the bridge?] [What a strange name.] Liao Ning began to speak slowly, recounting a heartwarming tale tied to ¡°bridge rice noodles.¡± ¡°There¡¯s a touching story about ¡®bridge rice noodles.¡¯ According to legend, in an ancient Eastern country during the feudal dynasty, there was a scholar who aspired to become an official in the imperial government. Determined to pursue his dreams, the scholar left his wife behind and lived a solitary life to devote himself to his studies. Over time, his wife grew immensely homesick, and in an act of love, she prepared the special rice noodles from their hometown. On a rainy day, she crossed a bridge to reach him, presenting him with the noodles. Touched by her gesture, he made a solemn vow to achieve a high-ranking position and provide a blissful life for his devoted wife. With unwavering determination, he dedicated himself to his studies and eventually attained his goal, bestowing upon his wife a life of comfort and joy.¡± [I didn¡¯t expect there to be such a story behind a delicacy!] [That scholar is so lucky to have a wife who loves him so much.] [His wife is also very fortunate to have found a husband as ambitious and trustworthy as him!] Chapter 117 - Chapter 117: Rice Noodles Incident Chapter 117: Rice Noodles Incident Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°The most important thing about the dish is the soup. Only by making the soup base can the noodles be delicious,¡± Liao Ning emphasized, highlighting the significance of the broth. Upon her arrival at the farm, Liao Ning noticed the presence of chickens, unlike her previous visits. However, she learned that the Interstellar Alliance had recognized the similarities between the meat of the ¡°cooing bird¡± and chicken. As the cooing bird was larger in size, about two to three times that of a chicken, the raising of chickens had gradually been reduced. People also began to favor the more manageable meat of the cooing bird. As a result, Liao Ning requested an old hen from Zhang Ting to create the soup base, utilizing the thigh bone and ham. ¡°This is a processed old hen. Once the water in the pot comes to a boil, we¡¯ll add it whole, along with the femur of the beast and sliced ham, to simmer the soup base,¡± she explained. To achieve the finest flavor of the ¡°Snow Soup,¡± it was essential to simmer the rice noodles¡¯ soup until the chicken meat was tender and falling off the bone. This process typically required more than three hours of boiling. ¡°Since the soup base for the rice noodles needs to simmer for over three hours, everyone can prepare the side dishes during this time,¡± Liao Ning suggested. ¡°The book mentions 108 side dishes for this particular dish in ancient times, but since it¡¯s unclear what those 108 dishes are, I¡¯ll simply prepare eight based on the preferences of the two cubs. When you all prepare your own side dishes, feel free to choose according to your liking.¡± Meanwhile, Song He, the owner of the interstellar farm, was on a business trip to the distant Golden Light Planet when he received a message from his subordinate, Zhang Ting. Curious, he opened the message and discovered that it contained a forwarded livestream link featuring Liao Ning in the farm¡¯s kitchen on the capital planet, showcasing ingredients sourced from their farm. Intrigued, Song He promptly invested money to promote a trending topic for Liao Ning¡¯s livestream, without hesitation. With the influence of the financial boost, Liao Ning¡¯s livestream swiftly climbed to the ninth spot on the trending topics list. Unaware of Song He¡¯s actions, Liao Ning was taken aback by the sudden surge in viewers during her livestream, causing her to momentarily halt her preparation of the side dishes. ¡°Why are there so many people all of a sudden?¡± Liao Ning exclaimed, gazing at the astounding count of 200 million viewers in her livestream, wearing a bewildered expression. [Liao Ning, Liao Ning, you¡¯re on the trending searches all of a sudden. You¡¯re even ranked in the top ten and now hold the ninth spot!] [Is this a gourmet livestream?] [I joined after seeing the interstellar farm¡¯s new product title. I thought it would be a livestream featuring a new product, but I didn¡¯t expect it to be a gourmet livestream. ] [This livestreamer looks so familiar.] [This is¡­ This is the champion of that food competition, Liao Ning!] [Oh, it¡¯s her. I wonder if her food is as delicious as they say. I¡¯ll stick around and see this time.] [Remember to activate sensory sharing mode when the time comes, so we can all taste it and judge if it¡¯s good.] Liao Ning observed that most of the comments from the netizens were fairly normal, but a few of them carried disdain and insults towards her. [The livestreamer is so good-looking. Who knows how she managed to win first place? Who said that first place can only be attained through cooking skills?] [Exactly. I¡¯ve never even heard of someone like Liao Ning before. A low-profile livestreamer conveniently won the championship in a food competition and acquired the right to be on the capital planet. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s solely based on merit.] Mili and the wolf cub, who were following the livestream through the Al, grew furious and rushed towards the camera. Mili expressed her anger, ¡°I always thought that only ignorant children would say such things. I didn¡¯t expect adults to be even more ignorant than children!¡± ¡°Right. My aunt is amazing. Her food is the best. No one can compare to her. You know nothing, so who gave you the right to defame my aunt?!¡± The wolf cub seethed with anger, its eyes turning into cold vertical pupils due to its intense emotions. Many of Liao Ning¡¯s fans and sensible netizens joined in scolding these troublemakers alongside the two cubs. Soon, their comments were drowned amidst the flood of incoming comments. Before long, some netizens were astonished to discover that the official account of the Zhou family had made a post¡ªa lawyer¡¯s letter. The account that had spoken rudely during Liao Ning¡¯s livestream was explicitly mentioned in the letter. The final signature was from the most renowned law firm in the alliance, with Zhou Ling listed as the client. The netizens were in an uproar. They were mesmerized by Colonel Zhou Ling¡¯s domineering attitude of protecting his wife. Zhou Ling helped Liao Ning gain popularity again.. Chapter 118 - Chapter 118: The Charm of Rice Noodles Chapter 118: The Charm of Rice Noodles Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning refrained from participating in the live-stream discussion. Instead, she gently patted the heads of two little fellows, reassuring them not to worry. Afterward, she turned her attention to preparing the side dishes. Her first creation would be crispy chips. Liao Ning planned to slice the chips thinly and coat them with a mixture of egg liquid and batter. Once immersed in hot oil, they would fry until the surface turned a delightful golden brown, exuding a satisfying crispiness. Placing the chips into the boiling soup would transform them into soft and delectable morsels. The second dish she embarked upon was cooked bird meat. Taking a raw breast of bird, she carefully sliced it into thin pieces and arranged them on a plate. The hot soup¡¯s temperature was sufficient to cook the slices within a matter of seconds. This cooking technique effectively preserved the meat¡¯s freshness and texture, justifying the thin cuts. Chives constituted the third dish. After meticulously washing the fresh and tender chives, Liao Ning proceeded to cut them into smaller segments and arranged them on a plate. Similar to the bird meat, they were boiled in the hot soup. For the fourth dish, she included chrysanthemum petals. Immersing fresh chrysanthemum petals in the boiling soup would release their delightful fragrance, which could be both enjoyed and consumed. Liao Ning had previously experienced the pleasure of adding chrysanthemum petals to Qiao Rice Noodles. Regrettably, the viewers of the live-stream failed to comprehend Liao Ning¡¯s affinity for chrysanthemum petals. They bombarded her with questions and expressed doubts, deeming her culinary exploration as ¡°dark cuisine.¡± [Um, are you certain the live-streamer isn¡¯t preparing unconventional dishes?] [Can you really eat this flower?] [Is the live-streamer trying to deceive us?] [I¡¯ve never heard of flowers masquerading as vegetables before!] [It¡¯s not that I distrust Liao Ning, but chrysanthemum petals seem questionable!] Observing the reactions from the live-stream audience, Liao Ning was reminded of her current presence in the Interstellar Alliance¡ªa realm where food culture resembled a desert rather than the flourishing world she hailed from. She had been careless in assuming her audience would share her enthusiasm. With a warm smile, she explained, ¡°I came across this method of incorporating flowers into food while studying ancient texts. These books documented how people used flowers to create delectable dishes for their enjoyment.¡± She would simply push it all towards the ancient books. [Really?! It¡¯s so magical!] [The ancients really dared to eat anything.] [Don¡¯t they have anything else to eat? They can even eat flowers!] [They¡¯re so miserable. They¡¯re so hungry that they can only eat flowers. I¡¯m crying!] Liao Ning did not expect everyone to have such a reaction. She could only try her best to suppress her laughter in front of the camera. ¡°It might have been quite tragic for a while, but now, everyone doesn¡¯t have to starve anymore.¡± After teasing her, she began to prepare the remaining four dishes. The fifth side dish was prawns. Fresh freshwater prawns were removed from their shells and cooked in water as a backup. Because they were for the cubs to eat, Liao Ning still chose to cook this seafood to eliminate any bacteria that might exist. Liao Ning used the soy-bean milk skin made by the farm for the sixth dish. After soaking the tofu skin in water for an hour, she scooped it out, washed it, and cut it into thin threads for backup. In the end. she simply boiled it with hot soup. The seventh side dish was quail eggs. Liao Ning prepared a few quail eggs and beat them into a small bowl in pairs. When the time came, she could add them to the soup. ¡°The eighth dish will have to wait. I¡¯m going to use that old hen¡¯s meat to make the eighth side dish.¡± There were still 15 minutes to three hours, so Liao Ning planned to take a break. While Liao Ning was resting, the two little guys brought her warm water. Mili even carefully wiped the sweat off Liao Ning¡¯s forehead. ¡°Thank you, Mili. I feel much better.¡± [Sensible little cub! I¡¯ve seen it!] [There¡¯s really no harm without comparison. My little nephew only knows how to cause trouble all day.] [The same goes for my nephews and nieces at home. Every time they come to my house during the holidays, I get a headache!] Liao Ning looked at the netizens sharing their experiences about how troublesome their children or relatives¡¯ children were. When she saw the sensible Mili and Liao Nai, she instantly felt happy. Fifteen minutes passed by quickly. Liao Ning fished out the entire hen from the pot and placed it in a basin filled with ice to cool down. She immediately started to carve the chicken. The chicken had been stewed until it became tender and could be easily pulled apart. Liao Ning removed the chicken wings and drumsticks and placed them on a separate plate. Then, she began shredding the remaining chicken meat and placed a plate of chicken shreds alone. ¡°Now that the eighth side dish is ready, there¡¯s only one final step left, which is boiling the rice noodles!¡± Liao Ning swiftly took out the rice noodles and placed them in a colander. After boiling them in hot water for ten seconds, she scooped them out and transferred them to a bowl. Then, she called the two cubs and Zhang Ting to start their meal.. Chapter 119 - Chapter 119: New Function of Live-stream Chapter 119: New Function of Live-stream Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning carefully scooped a bowl of hot soup for each of them and instructed them to add the side dishes to the soup for 30 seconds. Finally, she added the cooked rice noodles. The bowl of delicious rice noodles was now complete! This time, Liao Ning didn¡¯t forget to activate sensory sharing mode. As everyone took a sip of the fragrant and rich soup, a warm feeling enveloped both the people present and the audience watching the live-stream. A peculiar sense of satisfaction spread from their stomachs. The soft and flavorful aroma filled everyone¡¯s mouths. Instantly, they recalled what Liao Ning had mentioned earlier while preparing the ingredients, and they couldn¡¯t help but find it incredibly unbelievable. It was their first time experiencing how food could be as delicious as it was described in books! [It¡¯s incredibly delicious!] [I just tasted the chrysanthemum petals. Now I understand why the live-streamer insisted on using them. The fragrance is truly unique!] [The live-streamer is truly amazing. I apologize for my previous doubts!] [Count me in too.] [I¡¯m convinced. Is this ancient cuisine? It¡¯s truly incredible! ] [Where are those who claimed that the live-stream was mediocre and only relied on connections to achieve first place? Step forward and apologize!] [Absolutely, they should apologize!] [Liao Ning has a great temperament, doesn¡¯t she? Let¡¯s not forget, she has us as her loyal supporters!] [The next time I encounter those usernames, I¡¯ll give them a piece of my mind!] Liao Ning was deeply touched by everyone¡¯s support and defense. She spoke sincerely, ¡°I understand that everyone is outraged on my behalf, but please stay calm. It¡¯s not worth getting upset over people like them. It¡¯s not that I can¡¯t win people¡¯s favor with star coins. All I hope for is not to feel guilty.¡± Liao Ning¡¯s heartfelt words warmed the hearts of the netizens. Instantly, the live-stream¡¯s comment section scrolled even faster with messages of support. [Liao Ning is truly the best sister in the world!] [I want to be Liao Ning¡¯s fan for life, as long as she continues live-streaming!] [Where can I purchase these ingredients, live-streamer?] [I want to buy rice noodles too. I love their flavor!] [I want an old hen and ham.] The netizens who had tasted the rice noodles were completely won over by the delicious soup and unique taste. They started asking Liao Ning where they could purchase the ingredients during the live-stream. Observing this, Zhang Ting quickly spoke up, ¡°Miss Liao, we can create a link and showcase these products on your live-stream. If you help us sell the items, we¡¯ll give you a corresponding share.¡± Concerned that Liao Ning might decline, Zhang Ting swiftly added, ¡°We can do a 40-60 split. You¡¯ll receive 40% of the farm¡¯s 60% share.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that too disadvantageous for the farm? I can direct the viewers to purchase the products from your official flagship store on the Star Web Mall.¡± Perceiving her confusion, Zhang Ting explained, ¡°This isn¡¯t the first time you¡¯ve boosted the farm¡¯s product sales. We¡¯re incredibly grateful to you for bringing the farm back to life. We simply wished for an opportunity to repay your kindness. Coincidentally, the live-stream platform recently introduced a shopping cart feature, allowing live-streamers to freely sell quality-assured products. Please give us a chance to show our gratitude!¡± Zhang Ting¡¯s sincerity was palpable, and his words rang true. Liao Ning couldn¡¯t refuse any longer. ¡°You¡¯ve already provided me with ingredients free of charge before. Even if we decide to collaborate, it would still be too disadvantageous for you. Our partnership wouldn¡¯t last long under such terms.¡± After pondering for a moment, Liao Ning proposed, ¡°How about this? We¡¯ll do a 20-80 split. I¡¯ll take 20% and the farm will receive 80%. If you agree, our collaboration can commence.¡± Zhang Ting hadn¡¯t anticipated Liao Ning¡¯s consideration for the farm. He was deeply moved and nodded eagerly. How fortunate were they to have encountered Liao Ning? ¡°Alright! No problem! We¡¯ll proceed as you suggest!¡± After finalizing the collaboration, Liao Ning promptly addressed the live-stream audience, saying, ¡°If anyone wants to purchase the ingredients, you can visit the farm¡¯s official flagship store on Star Web. Alternatively, you can click on the provided link in the live-stream¡¯s shopping cart to make your purchase. Rest assured, all items available in the live-stream¡¯s shopping cart have undergone thorough quality inspections and have been shipped by the interstellar farm. Quality and pricing are guaranteed!¡± [I¡¯ll purchase that sentence from Liao Ning!] [The live-stream platform actually released the shopping cart feature so quickly. I want to place an order right away to support Liao Ning!] [Regardless of its authenticity, I must support Liao Ning!] The netizens didn¡¯t have high expectations for the newly launched shopping cart function. However, they placed orders with the intention of showing their support for Liao Ning. At this moment, some officials couldn¡¯t remain silent any longer. They couldn¡¯t tolerate their new function being doubted. [The [Alliance Quality Administration] oversees the live-stream shopping cart, ensuring that every item undergoes strict quality inspections before being available for sale.. Please rest assured when making your purchases!!!] Chapter 120 - Chapter 120: Sold Out of Goods Chapter 120: Sold Out of Goods Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations [Is this really the official platform?] [It¡¯s quite amusing. The officials seem unsettled by our doubts about the authenticity of the shopping cart link in the live-stream. They appear anxious. The officials are rather endearing!] [Despite the platform being official, the rice noodles in the live-stream have already sold out!] [Damn it! They sold out in just a few words. Are you all sorcerers?!] [No, save some for me!!!] While Liao Ning was adding soup to the wolf cub, half of the products featured in the live-stream had been snatched away. Many netizens expressed their disappointment in the live comments, as they were unable to secure their purchases. Liao Ning smiled at the lively netizens and reassured them, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, everyone. If you miss out on the live-stream, you can still purchase the items on Star Web.¡± Liao Ning accessed the backend data of the live-stream and discovered that, apart from the sold-out rice noodles, the best-selling items were the farm¡¯s chicken and edible chrysanthemums. Meanwhile, on Planet Golden Light, Song He received today¡¯s sales chart for the live-stream from his subordinate, Zhang Ting. In just ten minutes, netizens had purchased all the rice noodles produced by their farm for the entire month, as well as nearly two-thirds of the farm¡¯s raised hens. It was worth noting that the interstellar farm on the capital planet was extensive. The rice noodles production line alone could yield over ten million sets per month. In the past, even with a new product launch, it would take nearly three months to sell out. However, Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream accomplished this feat in just ten minutes. It was an unprecedented occurrence in the ten years since Song He took charge of the interstellar farm. Song He had assumed control of the interstellar farm when it was on the brink of bankruptcy during the lowest point of the ancient galactic food culture. Through his remarkable business acumen and foresight, he managed to revive the farm over a span of three years. Undoubtedly, Song He was an exceptional manager and operator. This time, Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream instantaneously resulted in the new product being sold out. Song He recognized a brilliant business opportunity: conducting live-streams to sell goods and utilizing the expertise of skilled food live-streamers to promote the ingredient products from his farm throughout the Interstellar Alliance! Naturally, his favorite person for the role was Liao Ning, the exceptional spokesperson. Additionally, he planned to consider other talented ancient food live-streamers who had reached the finals of the food competition. He promptly messaged Zhang Ting, urging him to secure Liao Ning¡¯s commitment at all costs and ensure her agreement to feature and endorse relevant ingredients in all future food live-streams. To Song He¡¯s surprise, Zhang Ting replied almost immediately after receiving the message. Not only that, but Zhang Ting also sent him a contract stating that Liao Ning had agreed to collaborate with the farm, with a share ratio of 20% for Liao Ning and 80% for the farm. Song He was ecstatic. This presented a rare opportunity tor the tarm! While he was delighted, he felt that Liao Ning¡¯s share was somewhat low. He didn¡¯t want his business partner to bear an excessive burden. However, when he requested Zhang Ting to address Liao Nings share, he received a message from her instead. In her message, Liao Ning genuinely expressed that she had voluntarily proposed the 20-80 split. She hoped that through their collective efforts, the entire Interstellar Alliance could savor healthy and delectable ancient delicacies, ultimately shedding the moniker of the ¡°Gourmet Desert¡± for the alliance. Upon reading Liao Ning¡¯s message, Song He couldn¡¯t help but feel elated. His reason for investing so much effort into saving the near-bankrupt interstellar farm in the past aligned with Liao Ning¡¯s aspirations. He yearned for the revival of the food culture! Shortly after, Liao Ning received a message from her assistant, Jin Xiang. Jin Xiang clarified the reason for her recent absence, explaining that she had returned to her family to handle certain matters. Now that she had just arrived back on the capital planet, she heard the news of Liao Nings sold-out live-stream. Jin Xiang assured Liao Ning that she would take care of everything going forward, urging Liao Ning to delve into studying ancient delicacies and swiftly spread their enchantment. Liao Ning felt immense joy knowing that Jin Xiang had returned just when she needed her the most. With Jin Xiang¡¯s support, she could live-stream peacefully with the cub.. Chapter 121 - Chapter 121: Diligent Little Gardener Chapter 121: Diligent Little Gardener Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations As the theme of Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream today was to showcase the interstellar farm, she decided to keep the live-stream running. After the netizens witnessed the mesmerizing food production, they were treated to a heartwarming sight as they watched Liao Ning and the two cubs enjoy their meal in real-time. The entire process warmed the viewers¡¯ hearts, reminding them of their cherished moments spent with their elders. [Goodbye, I¡¯ll go and drink nutritional supplements with my mother first!] [I want to make rice noodles for my Grandma!] [I miss Grandpa¡­] Liao Ning was taken aback by the viewers¡¯ emotional responses. She couldn¡¯t fathom why they were reminiscing about their elders when she was simply sharing a simple meal with the two cubs. ¡°Young Aunt, Mili still wants a bowl of chicken soup,¡± Mili requested, yearning for a taste. However, being too small, she couldn¡¯t reach it herself. Observing Mili¡¯s adorable round tummy, Liao Ning scooped a small portion of chicken soup for her. ¡°Don¡¯t drink too much, Mili. You¡¯ll need to join your uncles in the fields later to watch them farm. Eating too much might make you uncomfortable.¡± Mili accepted the bowl gratefully, nodding in understanding. She was aware of the consequences but couldn¡¯t resist the irresistible aroma of the chicken soup. Seizing the opportunity, the wolf cub mischievously dropped the last crispy bit into Mili¡¯s bowl of chicken soup. Ignoring Liao Ning¡¯s gaze, it leisurely devoured its own rice noodles. Very good, the wolf cub and Villain No. 2 showed off. After complaining in her heart, she then resumed eating her rice noodles, pondering over the close bond between Liao Nai and Mili. Zhang Ting, having finished his meal first, hurriedly departed for work. Before leaving, he instructed his secretary, Xiao Wu, to accompany Liao Ning and the others for a tour of the farm. Soon after Zhang Ting¡¯s departure, the two cubs also completed their lunch. Liao Ning led them to take a brief rest before embarking on an adventure in the orchard. Guided by Secretary Wu, they eagerly explored the sunlit orchard in the afternoon. Secretary Wu smiled and addressed Liao Ning, ¡°Currently, it¡¯s the prime season for fruit ripening in the orchard. The fruits are at their sweetest and easiest to pick. The two children can easily enjoy picking them.¡± ¡°Thank you, Secretary Wu. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated,¡± Liao Ning expressed her gratitude. Acknowledging Liao Ning¡¯s words, Secretary Wu arranged for the orchard employees to provide gloves and small scissors. Together, Liao Ning and Secretary Wu assisted the two cubs in putting on the protective gear. With everyone¡¯s eyes on them, the cubs confidently stepped onto the ladder and climbed the fruit trees to pluck their desired fruits. Liao Ning held a plucked fruit in her hand and inquired, ¡°Are these all white peaches?¡± ¡°Yes, the capital planet¡¯s climate is perfect for the growth of white peach trees. That¡¯s why this orchard is specifically dedicated to cultivating them,¡± Secretary Wu responded with a smile. ¡°Humans initially planted these white peach trees when they first ventured beyond the residential planet into space. Over time, with advancements made by research institutes and farms, the white peaches produced now are larger and more delectable compared to their predecessors.¡± Liao Ning examined the vibrant white peach in her hand, casually wiping off the dust from its skin before taking a bite. True to Secretary Wu¡¯s words, it was indeed delicious. She devoured half of the white peach in a few bites, relishing the explosion of juicy sweetness and the crisp texture. Liao Nai and Mili followed suit, imitating her actions by casually wiping the white peaches before indulging in their own bites. It was the first time the two cubs had tasted such exquisite peaches. Their eyes widened in astonishment at the first bite, and they eagerly took a second one. Delighted to witness the children¡¯s enjoyment, Secretary Wu beamed. ¡°Today, the fruits picked by the children are complimentary. Additionally, as a gesture of appreciation, the farm will send a few boxes of freshly picked white peaches to the Zhou family. Miss Liao, please accept them.¡± ¡°Thank you!¡± Liao Ning accepted Secretary Wu¡¯s kind gesture, especially since the cubs loved the peaches. Observing Liao Ning and the others relishing the white peaches, the live-stream viewers couldn¡¯t contain their excitement. They bombarded Liao Ning with instant comments, expressing their desire to purchase the delectable fruits. Noticing the viewers¡¯ enthusiasm, Liao Ning turned to Secretary Wu and inquired about when the white peaches would be available for sale. ¡°I can do it now. I¡¯ve already contacted Miss Jin Xiang to make a link. The shopping cart will show that in five minutes.¡± Liao Ning nodded and addressed the individuals in the live-streamer room, ¡°Did you all hear Secretary Wu? In just five minutes, the link to purchase the white peaches will be released. Make sure you¡¯re prepared this time! Remember, the orchard has limited capacity, and the quantity of fruits available each year is limited. If you miss out now, you¡¯ll have to wait until next year.¡± [I won¡¯t let this opportunity slip away!] [Liao Ning, now that you¡¯ve mentioned it, I¡¯m determined to prepare myself.. Your enjoyment while eating those peaches made me crave them as well!] Chapter 122 - Chapter 122: Behind the Outage Chapter 122: Behind the Outage Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations [I failed to acquire the rice noodles earlier. This time, I must purchase the white peaches!] Five minutes swiftly elapsed. Just as the white peaches in the shopping cart were placed on the shelves, they were promptly snatched away by online users within a few minutes. [I got it!] [Me too. I wanted to buy a few more boxes, but there¡¯s a limit of one box per person.] [I also wished to purchase additional boxes. It¡¯s regrettable.] Liao Ning explained, ¡°The limitation of one box per person is in place to allow more users to buy and enjoy these delicious white peaches. They want to ensure fairness for those who wish to try them. Some users bought a large quantity of rice noodles earlier because they were unaware of this restriction, while others couldn¡¯t purchase even a single one.¡± The orchard¡¯s yield was not substantial, producing only a million catties of white peaches per year. Each box could hold approximately five catties of white peaches, resulting in 200,000 boxes of fruit. Only 200,000 users would have the opportunity to buy the white peaches. However, following the wave of fans during noon, the online viewership of Liao Nings live-stream had skyrocketed to a staggering 110 million. To this vast number of users, these 200,000 boxes of white peaches were inconsequential, merely a drop in the ocean. Many users began tagging the farm officials and suggesting they increase their planting efforts to ensure that everyone could purchase the white peaches. ¡°I apologize for not being able to accommodate everyone¡¯s desired purchase. Due to the lukewarm sales of white peaches in the past, the farm only conducted a trial planting. Now that we are aware of the users¡¯ demand, we will definitely make sure that they can buy white peaches the year after next!¡± These were the words spoken by Song He. He had initiated a video call with Liao Ning and requested to address the users directly. [This is the farm owner, Song He.] [I¡¯m relieved to hear the farm owner¡¯s assurance. I trust in the owner!] [Since the owner personally made this promise, I eagerly wish to get as many peaches as possible in the following year! ] Song He¡¯s presence seemed to bring about a sense of calm among everyone. The users gradually settled down, although they felt disappointed for not being able to purchase the white peaches. After concluding the video call with Song He, Liao Ning felt compelled to address the pressing issue of ancient food culture with everyone. ¡°I have something important to share with all of you. Considering the two disruptions we experienced during today¡¯s live-stream, I believe it¡¯s crucial for everyone to understand the current state of ancient food culture.¡± ¡°First and foremost, it¡¯s essential to recognize that the utilization of ancient delicacies and dishes can help alleviate mental strain. Recently, this has been confirmed by officials as both true and effective. Consequently, many citizens of the alliance are purchasing ingredients from farms and learning food production from various live-streamers specializing in ancient cuisine. This is a positive development. Not only can citizens of the alliance spend less money on treatment compared to buying mental strength potions, but it can also stimulate the economy in the field of ancient food culture.¡± Liao Ning shifted the topic. ¡°However, has anyone considered the implications of the sudden surge in popularity for the Interstellar Alliance Research Institute and interstellar farms?¡± ¡°The two shortages we experienced today indicate that both the research institute and the farm were unprepared for this significant boom in food culture. However, we cannot blame them for not foreseeing and adequately preparing for it.¡± ¡°I believe none of us here could have anticipated that ancient food culture, which has been relatively dormant for over a decade, would suddenly gain popularity due to a food competition.¡± ¡°Do the research institute and the farm wish to capitalize on this opportunity? Of course, they do, but they are hesitant to take the risk. They are well aware that they cannot afford to gamble.¡± ¡°Song He, the owner, and Director Lin Song took charge when the research institute and the farm were on the brink of bankruptcy. It took them over a decade to rescue both institutions from that dire state. They simply do not have the resources to gamble.¡± ¡°It¡¯s precisely because I understand the challenges they faced that I agreed to help them promote their products in the live-stream. I sincerely hope that all of you can show them more understanding and exercise patience. Let¡¯s allow them to increase their production capacity and focus on research and development to catch up with everyone¡¯s demands under the new policies of the alliance. Please!¡± The woman in the live-stream had a genuine and earnest expression. Her words were rational and reasonable. For a moment, the users in the live-stream began to feel that they had been overly demanding and started to reflect on themselves. ¡°I have been taking their efforts for granted. I assumed that the interstellar farm and the research institute should be able to immediately provide an ample supply of ingredients whenever we needed them. But I forgot that they were struggling at their lowest point..¡± Chapter 123 - Chapter 123: Peach Jam Chapter 123: Peach Jam Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations [I feel terrible about myself. When I need ingredients from the farm, I ask for them desperately, but when I don¡¯t need them, I neglect their importance¡­] [Please, let¡¯s not dwell on negative thoughts. I¡¯m already feeling saddened by this!] [Fortunately, the words of the live-streamer have awakened me. If it weren¡¯t for her, I would still believe that the farm was not doing well enough!] ¡°Thank you all for understanding. Since everyone has shown such love for white peaches, today I will teach you how to make white peach jam and white peach oolong milk tea!¡± [Liao Ning is sharing three delicacies all at once today!] [The live-streamer is incredible. Not only is she sharing the recipes openly, but she¡¯s also so considerate!] [Liao Ning, have you considered that learning three delicacies in one day might be challenging for everyone?!] ¡°White peach jam is perfect for enjoying in the summertime. Before drinking ice water, simply add a small spoonful of jam into your cup and stir it well to savor a refreshing white peach juice.¡± Liao Ning selected three large, round, and juicy white peaches. She began by rubbing coarse salt on the peach skins, removing any peach fuzz and dust. Instead of discarding the peach peels, she placed them on a plate beside her. ¡°In addition to the white peaches, you¡¯ll need a lemon and some white sugar. The lemon helps maintain the pink color of the jam. By adding lemon juice, the jam will retain the natural pink hue of the peach pulp even after boiling.¡± Liao Ning sliced the white peach flesh into small pieces. She then took the freshly peeled peach skins and placed them in a pot. ¡°Add an appropriate amount of water to the pot. We¡¯ll simmer the peach skins to extract the pink liquid. Once done, we¡¯ll remove the skins and add the fruit flesh.¡± Next, Liao Ning added lemon juice to the sliced peach pieces. After thoroughly mixing them, she poured the peach flesh into the pink liquid in the pot and added one-third of the white sugar. The mixture was then boiled over medium-high heat. ¡°Continue stirring the mixture over medium-high heat until the pulp becomes transparent. If you prefer not to have the pulp, you can use a juicer to blend it into a smooth puree-like consistency. Then, keep boiling it over medium-high heat until a small amount of the jam dropped into cold water solidifies.¡± [How does Liao Ning determine the amount of sugar to use?] [Can I make more than three white peaches? Can I increase the quantity?] [I would also like to make a larger batch.] Liao Ning scooped the jam out of the pot and transferred it into the prepared glass jar. ¡°If you wish to make a larger quantity, it depends on the amount of fruit you use. The amount of sugar you add should be half the weight of the total fruit if you prefer a sweeter taste. For a less sweet jam, use one-third of the weight of the fruit. ¡± Moving on, Liao Ning proceeded to teach everyone how to prepare white peach and oolong milk tea. The key component of the milk tea was the soul of the drink¡ªthe pearls! ¡°Now, I will guide you on how to make the essential ingredient for milk tea¡ª the pearls. You will need 40g of peach sauce, loog of cassava powder, and 60g of water.¡± Liao Ning poured 1+0g of peach sauce and 60g of water into a pot. ¡°After thoroughly mixing the water and peach sauce, bring it to a boil.¡± She swiftly poured the boiling peach sauce water into a bowl containing loog of cassava powder and stirred until well combined. Rubbing the mixture back and forth, she formed a smooth pink dough. While the dough was still warm, she shaped it into small balls about the size of a fingernail. Once Liao Ning finished shaping the small balls, she explained, ¡°After shaping the balls, place them in boiling water and cook. When the balls float to the surface, you can scoop them out and transfer them to cold water. Once they turn translucent, the pearls are ready.¡± Curious netizens posed their questions. [Why are they called pearls? I thought we were going to use actual pearls.] [The person above is adorable! The pearls are firm. Can you bite into them?] [I know the answer to this question. They are called pearls because the small balls turn crystal clear and resemble the beauty of real pearls once they are finished!] Liao Ning smiled and confirmed the netizens¡¯ speculation. ¡°Exactly. It¡¯s called a pearl because it resembles the beauty of a precious pearl.¡± [Will it be delicious even though it looks attractive?] [I think it¡¯s just a regular dough ball. It doesn¡¯t seem particularly tasty.] ¡°No need to worry, everyone. This time, we¡¯re using cassava powder. Pearls made with cassava powder are incredibly elastic and chewy.¡± With that assurance, Liao Ning proceeded to gather the necessary ingredients for the white peach oolong milk tea. Fortunately, being in an interstellar farm, she had easy access to oolong tea. Otherwise, it would have been a challenge to find it elsewhere. After carefully selecting the finest oolong tea leaves, she poured boiling water over the leaves to brew the tea. The first infusion of tea, known as the ¡°tea awakening, ¡± had to be discarded. The subsequent brews yielded a more aromatic and flavorful tea. Thus, the second infusion was used for consumption.. Chapter 124 - Chapter 124: White Peach Oolong Milk Tea Chapter 124: White Peach Oolong Milk Tea Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations [Why did Liao Ning discard it when it smells so good?] [The live-streamer must be steeping tea leaves.] [No, no. I once came across an ancient book called the Tea Scripture. The initial step for the live-streamer is known as the Awakening Tea. It¡¯s meant to enhance the fragrance of the tea leaves!] [I heard that the members of the five aristocratic families consume water infused with bitter leaves. I sense a slightly bitter taste in this thing called tea leaves that the live-streamer is preparing. Could it be that the five aristocratic families are drinking this thing called tea leaves?!] [I¡¯ve heard of it as well. I even heard it¡¯s ridiculously expensive, only grown in the far-off interstellar farm branch of the Blue Planet!] Liao Ning raised her eyebrows. She hadn¡¯t expected that tea leaves in the Interstellar Alliance were exclusively consumed by top-notch wealthy families like the five aristocratic clans. Recently, she had been drinking it every day at the Zhou family and assumed that ordinary people in the Interstellar Alliance also had access to it! If tea leaves were indeed produced in very limited quantities and only a small number of people could afford it, then the milk tea he was about to make today might face negative comments. However, as a seasoned farm employee, Secretary Wu would undoubtedly prevent such a controversy from engulfing the farm because of him. Liao Ning quickly glanced at Secretary Wu. He gave her an assuring look and approached the camera. ¡°Everyone is correct. In the past, tea leaves were indeed expensive due to low production and scarcity. For over a decade, it remained an exclusive luxury for the wealthy. However, thanks to the relentless efforts of the research institute and the farm, tea leaves were finally mass-produced last year, resulting in a drop in price. Now, every citizen of the Alliance can enjoy it!¡± [Is today a day of good fortune? Good news keeps coming!] [I¡¯m also curious about the auspiciousness of today. First, it was the astonishing flavor of the rice noodles. Then, the delightful taste of the white peaches. And now, even tea leaves, which were once only affordable to the rich, have become more accessible.] [No need to beat around the bush. When will the live-stream be released, and when will the official flagship store be launched?] Secretary Wu continued, ¡°Unfortunately, from the time the tea leaves were picked to the time they went on the market, they had to go through withering, shaking, stir-frying, rubbing, and so on. There are many cumbersome processes to make tea of excellent quality, so the farm can¡¯t sell it to everyone for the time being. However, the farm promises that at the end of this year, there will definitely be a batch of tea leaves of excellent quality on the shelves. Please pay more attention to the farm¡¯s official account.¡± After Secretary Wu finished speaking, Liao Ning naturally took over the topic. She wanted to explain the benefits of tea leaves to the citizens of the alliance so that they would know why tea leaves had always been something rich people insisted on drinking. ¡°Everyone might not have heard of tea leaves, but as a live-streamer who often reads ancient books to restore ancient delicacies, I¡¯ve seen the effects of tea leaves in many ancient books.¡± ¡°The tea leaves contain rich catechin, coffee base, folic acid, inositol, and pantoacid. It¡¯s a healthy drink that humans have been consuming even before venturing into interstellar space. It possesses antioxidants, anti-mutagenic, and anti- tumor properties. It helps to keep the mind clear and maintains the alkaline nature of body fluids. It¡¯s a beneficial substance that can be consumed with minimal processing.¡± [This is truly magical. A small tea leaf actually contains so many beneficial compounds for the body.] [No wonder wealthy people are willing to spend so much money on tea leaves!] After introducing the tea leaves, Liao Ning placed the awakened tea in boiling water and started boiling it. While it was cooking, she offered a reminder, ¡°You don¡¯t need to boil these tea leaves for too long. You can turn off the heat and remove them after two minutes. Boiling them for too long will result in a very bitter tea, which isn¡¯t suitable for making milk tea. You can steep these tea leaves once or twice until the tea becomes tasteless before discarding them. Otherwise, it would be too wasteful.¡± Liao Ning poured the tea soup into the fridge. ¡°This tea soup needs to be refrigerated for 15 minutes. If any of you often work at night, you can let it brew for a longer duration. Concentrated tea makes for a refreshing drink, much like coffee.¡± After fifteen minutes, Liao Ning took out the tea soup and poured the prepared box of pure milk into it, stirring it thoroughly. Once mixed evenly, she poured the milk tea into cups. To each cup of milk tea, she added two spoonfuls of white peach jam and stirred. Finally, she topped each cup with a dollop of cream and added some white peach fruit on top. A fragrant cup of white peach oolong milk tea was ready.. Chapter 125 - Chapter 125: A Storm Is Coming Chapter 125: A Storm Is Coming Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Trash, all of you are trash. If you can¡¯t even handle such a small matter well, what¡¯s the use of me raising you?!¡± On the top floor of the Wei Corporation¡¯s office building, the President¡¯s office echoed with a man¡¯s furious scolding. The staff outside knew their boss was genuinely enraged today, surprised by the contrast with his usual smiling demeanor. Liu Su took a direct hit from a flying cup, causing an instant swelling on his head. The force behind the cup¡¯s throw was evident. Holding his swollen forehead, Liu Su gazed at the ferocious man seated behind the desk. The man continued to berate the employees for their incompetence. As the man¡¯s assistant, Liu Su couldn¡¯t help feeling despondent. He had thought that the person to lead the Wei Corporation to prosperity would be the man before him, but now he realized the true driving force was the man¡¯s wife, Lin Wan, the eldest daughter of the Lin family. As the head of the Wei family, this man was merely a clueless individual devoid of business acumen. In that moment, Wei Nan remained fixated on the public relations team led by Liu Su, unable to quell his anger over the events that transpired eight years ago. With the entire alliance¡¯s attention focused on the matter, families of the soldiers involved from eight years ago had taken the lead in boycotting mental strength potions and other products produced by the Wei Corporation. Overnight, the market value of the corporation plummeted by 5%. Adding to his disdain, the incident of him defying the police and forcefully crossing through a restricted zone a few days ago had not been suppressed. Instead, it had become a trending topic. Just as Wei Nan seethed with anger, a knock resounded on the office door. The secretary informed him of a document sent by Lin Wan. ¡°Bring it in.¡± Hearing that it was from Lin Wan, Wei Nan managed to temporarily quell his anger and instructed the secretary to bring in the document. However, when he opened the document bag, Wei Nan was taken aback to find a divorce agreement. His anger surged even further. He immediately reached for his Al device to contact Lin Wan, only to discover that he had already been blacklisted by her. ¡°What is this woman trying to do? Didn¡¯t I just say a few words to her in a fit of anger that morning? Is there a need to ask for a divorce?¡± Wei Nan tore the divorce agreement apart without thinking and threw it into the trash can. He instructed his secretary, ¡°Prepare the car and return to the old residence.¡± ¡°Alright, President Wei.¡± Half an hour later, Wei Nan arrived at the Wei family¡¯s old residence. As soon as he stepped out of the flying car, he hurriedly made his way to the main hall. Just as he was about to summon the butler to bring out Lin Wan, he noticed that she was already seated on the sofa, elegantly dressed, waiting for him. ¡°What¡¯s the matter with you? Just because I uttered a few words to you in anger this morning, you lose your temper and threaten me with a divorce? Do you really expect me to apologize?¡± Wei Nan¡¯s words caught Lin Wan off guard as she reached for the coffee on the table. She paused for a moment, clearly not anticipating his response. After a while, she burst into laughter. ¡°After being married for so many years, is this how you show your longing for me?¡± Wei Nan displayed a look of disdain. ¡°Am I in the wrong?¡± As Lin Wan gazed at the familiar face before her, memories flooded her mind¡ª how they had known each other since their youth, how they fell in love during their younger days, and how she used to believe that simply looking at him was enough. Indeed, the human heart was the most fickle of all things. A sharp pain pierced her heart, as if her body was aiding her mind in forcefully eradicating the good times they once shared. In disappointment, Lin Wan closed her eyes. When she opened them again, her eyes held nothing but indifference. ¡°You are wrong. I have made up my mind to divorce you. I don¡¯t need you to offer meaningless apologies.¡± Wei Nan stared at Lin Wan, hoping to detect any trace of remorse in her expression. Taking a sip of her coffee, Lin Wan allowed him to scrutinize her. After setting down the cup, she continued, ¡°Mr. Wei, have you seen enough? If you¡¯re done, sign the divorce agreement on the table. I have important matters to attend to.¡± Confronted with Lin Wan¡¯s calm and detached gaze, Wei Nan realized she wasn¡¯t joking. Panic surged within him. ¡°Wan, it¡¯s all my fault. I shouldn¡¯t have lashed out at you in anger. I shouldn¡¯t have¡­¡± ¡°It is too late, Mr. Wei, I don¡¯t love you anymore. In order not to affect the pursuit of your own happiness, let¡¯s get a divorce.¡± Lin Wan interrupted him with a determined expression.. Chapter 126 - Chapter 126: The Embarrassed Wei Nan Chapter 126: The Embarrassed Wei Nan Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Wei Nan stood frozen in place, acutely aware of the audacity he displayed by crossing the boundaries of marriage after Wei Xin¡¯s birth. He justified his actions based on his knowledge of Lin Wan¡¯s profound love for him, using that love as a license to trample upon her sincerity without restraint. The notion of Lin Wan ever ceasing to love him or seeking a divorce had never even crossed his mind. Wei Nan¡¯s indecisiveness drew a frown from Lin Wan, who urged him impatiently, ¡°Hurry up, I¡¯m in a hurry.¡± Her impatience wounded Wei Nan¡¯s pride, prompting him to question loudly, ¡°Do you hold me in such low regard? Can¡¯t you wait for me to sign it? I won¡¯t sign it if you don¡¯t want me to!¡± Wei Nan picked up the divorce letter from the table, poised to tear it apart, when Lin Wan¡¯s calm voice pierced the air. The coldness in her words sent shivers down Wei Nan¡¯s spine. ¡°If you don¡¯t sign it today, I will expose to the entire alliance tomorrow that vou, Wei Nan, the esteemed head of the Wei family, not only betraved me but also fathered a talented illegitimate daughter,¡± Lin Wan declared, her gaze fixed on him with indifference. ¡°What do you think, Head of the Wei family?¡± Lin Wan¡¯s words drenched Wei Nan in a cold sweat. As one of the five aristocratic families in the alliance, the Wei family placed utmost importance on reputation. If news were to spread about his affair and the existence of an illegitimate daughter, Lin Wan wouldn¡¯t need to take any action. Her father and the other family elders would swiftly strip her of her position as the head of the family. He would lose everything, and the shame would haunt the Wei family for generations to come. Gritting his teeth, Wei Nan seized a pen and hastily scrawled his name in the signature column. ¡°Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Wei. I will take Wei Xin with me now,¡± Lin Wan said with a smile. Her previous actions were all intended to disrupt Wei Nan¡¯s composure, preventing him from examining the contents of the agreement. As expected, Wei Nan¡¯s realization that she intended to take Wei Xin away prompted regret for not reading the agreement. Yet, with the document now in Lin Wan¡¯s possession, Wei Nan attempted to snatch it away, only to be intercepted by a sudden appearance of a bodyguard. Despite his status as the head of the Wei family and an A-rank expert, Wei Nan struggled relentlessly to break free, channeling his mental strength to no avail. The bodyguard¡¯s grip remained unyielding. Observing Wei Nan¡¯s futile struggle, Lin Wan smiled mercilessly and taunted, ¡°You¡¯ve been immersed in luxury all these years. Do you still consider yourself an A-rank expert capable of single-handedly battling ten opponents?¡± ¡°It¡¯s you! What have you done to me? How can I be unable to defeat these B-rank trash?!¡± Wei Nan¡¯s face flushed with anger. It was only natural. No man could tolerate being ruthlessly mocked by someone who used to be so close. ¡°Since I¡¯ve already decided to deceive you, do you think I would hire ordinary bodyguards with nothing more than A-rank mental strength?¡± Lin Wan held the document bag containing the agreement and made her way toward the main hall door. As she passed by Wei Nan, she leaned down and whispered in his ear, ¡°These are S+ mental strength experts. They were all sent by my business partner, Miss Liao, to assist me.¡± After uttering those words, Lin Wan paid no attention to Wei Nan¡¯s shock and calmly walked out of the main hall. Carrying Wei Xin, who had been brought by the butler some time ago, she left the Wei family estate, ignoring Wei Nan¡¯s furious gaze. ¡°Liao Ning, it¡¯s Liao Ning again!¡± Wei Nan glared angrily in the direction Lin Wan had departed, gritting his teeth as he muttered Liao Ning¡¯s name. His expression conveyed his desire to extract revenge and inflict harm on Liao Ning. The two bodyguards restraining him exchanged glances. When Wei Nan wasn¡¯t looking, one of them discreetly pinched his arm. ¡°Behave yourself!¡± Simultaneously, the other bodyguard discreetly inserted a nanomachine monitor into Wei Nan¡¯s other arm. Wei Nan felt an excruciating pain in one arm but remained oblivious to the fact that he had been implanted with a monitor in the other. Accustomed to his elevated status over the years, no one had dared to handle him roughly. He immediately berated, ¡°Who do you think you are? I am the head of the Wei family! How dare you treat me like this today? Go back and inform your boss that they should prepare for a lawsuit!¡± The bodyguard gripping his arm sneered in disdain. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to be so principled. Since you¡¯re well-versed in the law, why are you still breaking it? How dare you supply substandard mental strength potions?¡± ¡®Why waste our time on someone like him, blinded by wealth? Let¡¯s leave once the mission is accomplished..¡± Chapter 127 - Chapter 127: Wei Xin Chapter 127: Wei Xin Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Hence, the two bodyguards forcefully threw Wei Nan to the ground before confidently striding out of the Wei family premises. After their departure, the previously bustling front hall now only housed Wei Nan, sitting on the ground while cradling his injured arm. With no one intervening, the butler hurriedly rushed into the hall to assist Wei Nan and arrange for his immediate transportation to the hospital. Sitting alongside Lin Wan in the same flying car, Wei Xin discreetly observed her. Despite never experiencing physical abuse or verbal reprimands from Lin Wan, Wei Xin still harbored a sense of trepidation towards the woman she was supposed to address as her mother. Aware of Wei Xin¡¯s gaze, Lin Wan contemplated ignoring her, but the young lady¡¯s fear was too palpable to disregard. Reluctantly, Lin Wan spoke, ¡°I don¡¯t eat humans.¡± Lin Wan¡¯s feelings towards Wei Xin, her illegitimate daughter, were complex. On one hand, she understood that Wei Xin had no control over her own birth and should not be held accountable for the actions of Wei Nan and Wei Xin¡¯s mother. Yet, as Wei Nan¡¯s former wife, Lin Wan could not forgive his betrayal and Wei Xin¡¯s mother¡¯s role in seducing her husband. Noticing Lin Wan¡¯s realization of being scrutinized, she already anticipated Wei Xin¡¯s immediate response of shrinking towards the car door and seeking solace by burying her head in her chest, akin to a frightened quail. The corners of Lin Wan¡¯s mouth involuntarily twitched. This was the first time she realized how intimidating she could appear. Previously, while living in the Wei family, she had simply instructed her subordinates to attend to the young lady¡¯s needs and ensure that Wei Xin wasn¡¯t neglected. Lin Wan effortlessly gained the young lady¡¯s trust, and every time Wei Xin encountered her, a shy smile would grace her face. How had she managed to frighten the young lady with just a single sentence? In truth, Wei Xin wasn¡¯t scared of Lin Wan, but rather, it was Lin Wan¡¯s own shyness that made Wei Xin apprehensive about interacting with her. Perhaps out of concern that Wei Xin would become excessively nervous and fearful, Lin Wan proactively attempted to alleviate the awkward atmosphere. ¡°Wei Nan and I have signed a divorce agreement. I intend to take your brother and seek custody of both of you.¡± Upon hearing Lin Wan¡¯s intention to obtain custody, Wei Xin looked up at her in bewilderment. She had never expected this gentle and beautiful woman, who possessed a strong will, to seek custody of her. Wei Xin was well aware that her mother had enticed her father, making her the least favored illegitimate child. Since her return to the Wei family, Wei Xin had dreaded encountering Lin Wan and her half-brother, Wei Xuan. Being compassionate, she understood that her mere presence served as a constant reminder to Lin Wan and Wei Xuan of the repeated betrayals by their closest kin. Nevertheless, within the confines of the Wei household, avoiding each other was an impossibility. To Wei Xin¡¯s surprise, her half-brother Wei Xuan didn¡¯t harbor the hatred she had anticipated. Instead, he defended her like a true sibling whenever she faced trouble caused by unruly servants. Even the seemingly cold and aloof Madam Wei, Lin Wan, took pains to ensure that the household staff treated Wei Xin with fairness. Lin Wan made certain that she had enough to eat and warm clothing. Wei Xin cared little for her non -biological mother¡¯s intentions or her half-brother¡¯s motivations for treating her kindly. All she knew was that they had shown her something she had never experienced before ¡ª genuine care. It was precisely because she had never experienced such care that Wei Xin cherished it all the more. Once Wei Xin discovered her remarkable aptitude for mental strength, she worked twice as hard, driven by her desire to repay Lin Wan and Wei Xuan one day. This commitment remained unwavering, even when she learned that she would be placed under the care of Zhu Fei, known for his ill-tempered nature. Wei Xin harbored no grievances towards Lin Wan and Wei Xuan, despite enduring bullying from Zhu Fei. Instead, she considered it her way of repaying the debt owed to her mother. Lin Wan continued speaking, completely oblivious to Wei Xin¡¯s presence. ¡°But your brother is already an adult. He only seeks custody to prevent Wei Nan from benefitting. As for you, you also don¡¯t want Wei Nan to benefit, right? After all¡­¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°What?¡± Lin Wan was taken aback by Wei Xin¡¯s words. Wei Xin gazed at Lin Wan with her clear eyes. ¡°Why did you bring me along? I¡¯m just a burden.¡± Observing the mist forming in Wei Xin¡¯s eyes, Lin Wan suddenly grasped that if Wei Xin hadn¡¯t been fathered by Wei Nan or born into the Wei family, she would have been an ordinary little girl. She would have had parents who loved her and a legitimate status. A sigh escaped Lin Wan¡¯s lips. ¡°You¡¯re very perceptive. I won¡¯t speak in lofty terms to you anymore. You¡¯re not a burden. In fact, as long as you grow up safely, you won¡¯t be a burden but a tremendously capable ally..¡± Chapter 128 - Chapter 128: Too Salty Chapter 128: Too Salty Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations She couldn¡¯t determine if it was a figment of her imagination, but as soon as Lin Wan uttered those words, she noticed a flicker of hope in the little girl¡¯s eyes, as if she had suddenly found something to look forward to. Wei Xin¡¯s heart indeed swelled with anticipation upon hearing Lin Wan¡¯s statement. She yearned to grow up swiftly and become the most valuable aid to both Lin Wan and her half-brother, Wei Xuan. Witnessing the growing brightness in the young girl¡¯s eyes, Lin Wan believed it was necessary to clarify the situation. ¡°Even though I¡¯ve sought custody, I¡¯m not your biological mother. I won¡¯t be able to care for you as tenderly as she could. However, until you come of age, I¡¯ll ensure your well-being, providing for your daily needs. You¡¯ll have everything others have, but I cannot give you a mother¡¯s love.¡± ¡°I understand, but compared to staying with Father, I would rather be with Mother!¡± Wei Xin¡¯s sudden radiant smile left Lin Wan momentarily bewildered. She couldn¡¯t comprehend why Wei Xin would prefer her over Wei Nan, her own biological father. However, Lin Wan swiftly brushed aside her confusion as they arrived at their destination. The flying car landed in front of a three-story building designed to resemble ancient architecture. This was where Lin Wan handled her affairs and also the first hotel she collaborated on with Liao Ning. Although the hotel was still in the preparation stage, the location served as a temporary space for Yu Ni to train chefs and housed Lin Wan¡¯s office. ¡°Miss Lin, Elder Jiang has arrived today.¡± The manager approached Lin Wan as soon as she stepped out of the car, informing her that Elder Jiang was currently in the kitchen, overseeing the results of Yu Ni¡¯s recent training. Lin Wan nodded in acknowledgement, then held Wei Xin¡¯s hand and proceeded towards the kitchen. Before Lin Wan could guide Wei Xin into the kitchen, she overheard Elder Jiang¡¯s irate voice resonating through the vacant corridor, seeping through the thick walls. ¡°Do you even know how to cook? The recipe is right here. The proportions for each ingredient and seasoning are clearly written. How can you make it so repulsive?!¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t want to learn, then don¡¯t. No one is forcing you!¡± Subsequently, a young lady, tearfully berated, darted out and accidentally collided with Lin Wan and Wei Xin, who had just reached the doorway. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± the little girl said as she ran away without looking up. Lin Wan furrowed her brow and entered the kitchen, where she found Yu Ni wearing a similar expression. Curious, she inquired, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Yu Ni replied, still frowning, ¡°The young lady accidentally added an excessive amount of salt to the vegetables, making them too salty. Elder Jiang questioned her about it, but she refused to admit her mistake. Elder Jiang felt she lacked attentiveness and displayed an improper attitude.¡± Upon hearing this, Lin Wan found herself at a loss for words. The young lady in question would often practice in the hotel until late at night before returning home. Sometimes, Lin Wan would still be working on documents when she arrived. Logically, she didn¡¯t seem like someone who would disregard the art of ancient delicacies, as Elder Jiang had claimed. ¡°This young lady is extremely diligent. She¡¯s always the last one to leave among her peers. I believe there must be a misunderstanding,¡± Yu Ni chimed in, concerned about the young lady¡¯s excessive efforts. She didn¡¯t want her to toil so hard if she had lost her passion for ancient delicacies, so she planned to clarify the situation. ¡°I agree, but it¡¯s challenging to ascertain whether she truly added too much salt without surveillance footage capturing the amount,¡± Lin Wan responded, unwilling to simply deceive Elder Jiang. Inspired, Yu Ni clapped her hands and proposed, ¡°Then let¡¯s check the surveillance room!¡± ¡°That might be a good idea.¡± With Elder Jiang present, the remaining students would undoubtedly be more cautious, allowing Yu Ni to examine the surveillance footage without worry. ¡°So, what does the video show? Did she add too much or too little?¡± Lin Wan, lacking knowledge of the recipe and cooking expertise, could only rely on Yu Ni¡¯s experience after reviewing the footage. Yu Ni frowned as she watched. ¡°Based on the video, she followed the recipe¡¯s instructions accurately. She neither added too much nor too little. Yet, why did the dish turn out excessively salty?¡± Lin Wan couldn¡¯t comprehend why the dishes still lacked flavor despite adhering to the recipe¡¯s standards. Lin Wan turned to Yu Ni, her gaze searching. ¡°Is it possible that there¡¯s an issue with another aspect of the process?¡± ¡°I carefully reviewed the other steps, and I didn¡¯t find any mistakes,¡± Yu Ni replied, shaking her head and dismissing Lin Wan¡¯s speculation. Receiving a discouraging response, Lin Wan¡¯s eyes drifted downward as she immersed herself in deep contemplation. Wei Xin, who was standing by her side, noticed her furrowed brow and began recalling any suspicious details she could think of, eager to share her concerns.. If the seasoning and ingredient preparation were not at fault, then could it be¡­ Chapter 129 - Chapter 129: Countering Chapter 129: Countering Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Could it be the ingredients themselves?¡± questioned the little girl in her innocent voice, drawing the attention of the two adults. Wei Xin suspected that they hadn¡¯t heard her clearly, prompting her to repeat, ¡°Could there be a problem with the ingredients?¡± Aware that the young girl might be unfamiliar with the hotel¡¯s regulations, Yu Ni took the initiative to explain to Wei Xin, ¡°Dear child, our hotel has a strict policy. Each day, only fresh ingredients are used in our kitchen. Once the ingredients are delivered, our staff thoroughly verifies their freshness before utilizing them.¡± While harvesting wheat at the interstellar farm with the two cubs, Liao Ning felt a vibration on her wrist as the Al alert sounded. Setting down her scythe, she answered the call. ¡°Liao Ning, it¡¯s Lin Wan. We have a minor issue at the hotel. I might need your assistance,¡± came Lin Wan¡¯s voice. ¡°I¡¯m currently at the interstellar farm, but I¡¯ll be at the hotel around six in the evening. Let me return and assess the situation.¡± Ending the call, Liao Ning waved at the two cubs, who promptly abandoned their wheat-cutting and hurried over. ¡°How are you feeling? Tired?¡± she asked. The wolf cub and Mili shook their heads simultaneously. They found joy in cutting wheat. Seeing their contentment, Liao Ning allowed them to play a bit longer. At 4:30 p.m., she bid farewell to Secretary Wu and headed towards a well-situated hotel in the capital planet. ¡°Aunt, why are we using a scythe to cut wheat instead of letting the machines do it?¡± inquired the wolf cub from his seat in the flying car. Liao Ning explained, ¡°This was the most common method for humans to harvest wheat in ancient times. Back then, human technology was not as advanced, and they lacked the means to produce large-scale agricultural harvesting machines.¡± The entire alliance had achieved full mechanization for crop harvesting. However, in order to provide the two cubs with a firsthand experience of the farmers¡¯ hardships, Liao Ning had arranged for Secretary Wu to reserve a small wheat field. Personally, Liao Ning guided the two cubs in harvesting with primitive sickles. ¡°It¡¯s so hard!¡± exclaimed Mili, realizing the arduousness of obtaining every morsel of food after today¡¯s labor. Liao Ning swiftly arrived at the hotel with the two cubs in tow. Lin Wan and Yu Ni were in the office, attempting to console Elder Jiang. However, their efforts seemed futile as Elder Jiang remained infuriated by the girl¡¯s refusal to admit her mistake. ¡°Liao Ning, you¡¯re here!¡± Lin Wan spotted Liao Ning as she approached the door and eagerly pulled her inside. After receiving a brief explanation from Lin Wan about the incident, Liao Ning proposed inspecting the girl¡¯s cooking ingredients for the delicacies. ¡°My name is Mili. What¡¯s yours?¡± Mili initiated a conversation as the two youngsters stayed in the office, munching on snacks. Coincidentally, Wei Xin was also sitting quietly on the sofa. Mili couldn¡¯t help but wonder about the relationship between this seemingly frail girl and Lin Wan. ¡°I-I¡¯m Wei Xin. Lin Wan is my mother, ¡± replied Wei Xin hesitantly. Liao Nai was slightly taken aback. ¡°You¡¯re the daughter of the Wei family head who was mistreated by Zhu Fei?¡± Mili had never heard of this before, sparking even more curiosity about Wei Xin. ¡°Nai Nai, how did you find out?¡± Liao Nai scratched his head in embarrassment. ¡°During that time, there was a cooking competition. People said that Zhu Fei was envious of Aunt¡¯s achievements, so she imitated Aunt and recruited a child to collaborate with her on a live-stream. However, Zhu Fei had a nasty temper and often mistreated that child.¡± Mili regarded Wei Xin with pity. ¡°You¡¯ve endured so much hardship. Why didn¡¯t you seek revenge?¡± Hearing Mili¡¯s words, Wei Xin was taken aback. She hadn¡¯t anticipated that a girl of her age would suggest seeking revenge immediately. Witnessing his young companion¡¯s true nature, the wolf cub couldn¡¯t help but let out a rew cougns, suDt1Y remnamg ner to exercise restraint. Noticing Liao Nail s cough, Mili understood that she might have been too blunt. She quickly amended her words, saying, ¡°Oh, no, what I mean is you shouldn¡¯t simply accept mistreatment. You should learn to protect yourself and fight back!¡± The wolf cub chimed in, nodding in agreement, ¡°Mili is right. We shouldn¡¯t show mercy to wicked people!¡± ¡°Thank you!¡± Wei Xin expressed her gratitude, aware that they were genuinely concerned about her. However, she added, ¡°At the time, I didn¡¯t want to cause trouble for Mother, so enduring it seemed like the best choice.. Besides, in the end, the wrongdoer faced the consequences they deserved!¡± Chapter 130 - Chapter 130: Seafood Chapter 130: Seafood Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°This is a jellyfish. It has a distinct saltiness, so the current recipe is not quite suitable,¡± Liao Ning realized what went wrong with the girl¡¯s dish when she examined the ingredients. It wasn¡¯t due to an excessive amount of salt but rather because the recipe lacked comprehensiveness. Elder Jiang couldn¡¯t believe it. ¡°But all these ingredients are fresh and have been tested. How could they turn out salty?¡± ¡°The jellyfish grows in seawater. After soaking in seawater for years, it naturally acquires a salty taste. Essentially, all seafood encounters this issue. However, if it¡¯s washed thoroughly and cooked at high temperatures, the saltiness can usually be eliminated.¡± Liao Ning glanced at the girl. ¡°The recipe she obtained is for a cold jellyfish dish, so this problem isn¡¯t her fault. Even if the jellyfish had been soaked in clear water, it wouldn¡¯t completely get rid of the salty taste.¡± Upon discovering the truth, Elder Jiang deeply regretted his impulsiveness. However, as a prominent figure in the field of ancient food research, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to admit such a minor mistake. Liao Ning sensed Jiang He¡¯s dilemma and offered him a way out. ¡°Preparing seafood is a challenge that few people can handle. If I hadn¡¯t made jellyfish multiple times in the past and studied them extensively, it would have been very difficult to uncover the key. Elder Jiang, you¡¯ve been immersed in the library all day, relying on the restoration recipes from ancient books. It¡¯s understandable that you wouldn¡¯t be aware of this.¡± ¡°This young lady is already so courageous at her age, daring to attempt making seafood. That¡¯s quite rare. Considering the ingredients weren¡¯t processed beforehand, it¡¯s commendable that you managed to preserve the freshness of the jellyfish! Best of luck to you. You have a bright future ahead!¡± Liao Ning praised the girl¡¯s bravery to try something new. Elder Jiang understood that Liao Ning was providing him with an opportunity, so he followed her lead and said, ¡°I acted hastily today. I hope you won¡¯t hold it against me. I shouldn¡¯t have unjustly blamed you.¡± ¡°Dr. Jiang, there¡¯s no need to apologize. I feel incredibly honored to receive your guidance. I hope you won¡¯t be upset with my previous attitude! ¡± Ning Ling didn¡¯t expect Elder Jiang, the esteemed senior in the field of ancient food and culture within the Alliance, to apologize to her so sincerely. She felt flattered. ¡°This particular recipe isn¡¯t well-suited for making jellyfish. Since I¡¯m here today, I happen to know how to prepare a jellyfish salad. I¡¯ll refine this recipe. Ning Ling, please assist me in documenting it.¡± After making her statement, Liao Ning washed her hands and prepared to make the cold jellyfish dish. She took a portion of the jellyfish skin that Ning Ling had pre-soaked in water and cut it into thin strips. Then, she blanched the jellyfish strips in hot water heated to 800C. ¡°The jellyfish strips should be quickly scooped out within 30 seconds. If left for too long, they will lose their crispy texture,¡± Liao Ning explained while Ning Ling swiftly recorded the detailed cooking process. Once the blanched jellyfish strips were ready, Liao Ning transferred them to a bowl of cold water to cool down rapidly, ensuring the collagen in the jellyfish skin remained intact. After draining the water, she set the jellyfish strips aside as a reserve. Next, Liao Ning proceeded to prepare a flavorful sauce. She combined chopped fresh chili, garlic, coriander, a spoonful of raw soy sauce, a spoonful of vinegar, an appropriate amount of white sugar and MSG, and a spoonful of oyster sauce in a bowl. Lastly, she added a spoonful of hot oil to enhance the aroma and stirred the sauce until well mixed. Since the jellyfish strips still retained their inherent saltiness, Liao Ning omitted the addition of salt. ¡°Give it a try!¡± Liao Ning pushed the bowl of jellyfish strips towards the others, gesturing for them to sample the dish. Although Ning Ling was eager to taste it, she patiently waited until Elder Jiang was ready to try it. As the jellyfish strips and sauce touched her palate, Ning Ling experienced a delightful combination of sour and spicy flavors that danced across her taste buds. The crispy jellyfish strips exhibited a satisfying elasticity. Unable to contain her excitement, Ning Ling took another bite before giving Liao Ning the highest praise. ¡°It¡¯s absolutely delicious! I¡¯m so happy! Liao Ning, you¡¯re amazing! !¡± Liao Ning arched an eyebrow. She couldn¡¯t help but notice that Ning Ling¡¯s way of speaking resembled that of her livestream fans. However, considering the significant age difference between them, it was reasonable for Ning Ling to refer to her as ¡°sister.¡± Liao Ning concluded that she was perhaps overthinking the matter and that Ning Ling wasn¡¯t necessarily a fan of hers.. Chapter 131 - Chapter 131: The Power of an Idol Chapter 131: The Power of an Idol Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations The following moment proved that Ning Ling wasn¡¯t overthinking things. ¡°Liao Ning, actually, I¡¯m your fan. I have a deep interest in ancient food culture, and I also wanted to be closer to you¡­¡± Ning Ling admitted, revealing her true intentions. Liao Ning was taken aback. She hadn¡¯t expected her fan to go as far as undergoing Yu Ni¡¯s intense training just to feel closer to her! ¡°Well, you¡¯re truly amazing. I¡¯ve heard that Yu Ni¡¯s classes are extremely rigorous. It¡¯s impressive that you¡¯ve been able to persevere!¡± Liao Ning praised Ning Ling, giving her a thumbs-up. Ning Ling felt embarrassed by the praise. Blushing, she softly replied, ¡°It¡¯s all thanks to Teacher Yu Nit s excellent guidance. Her classes were so captivating, and I learned a lot¡­ The situation took an unexpected turn. It felt like the boss praising their employees before the apocalypse in Liao Ning¡¯s previous life, and the employees trying to suck up, curry favor, and ingratiate themselves! For some reason, Liao Ning suddenly found herself reminiscing about the past. Clearing her throat, Liao Ning suggested, ¡°Since Yu Ni herself has acknowledged your dedication, why don¡¯t you prepare a delicious dinner tonight? Elder Jiang, Yu Ni, Lin Wan, and the three children in the office can be the judges to evaluate the outcome of your long studies!¡± ¡°Me? I¡¯ve only learned a few dishes¡­¡± Ning Ling attempted to decline, but Liao Ning didn¡¯t give her a chance. Without hesitation, Liao Ning ushered Yu Ni and Elder Jiang, who were still processing the situation, out of the kitchen and back to Lin Wan¡¯s office. Finding an opportunity to slack off wasn¡¯t easy, and Liao Ning wasn¡¯t about to let it slip away! ¡°Aunt, you¡¯re back!¡± The young wolf cub, who had been watching the girls play games, hurried over to Liao Ning. He was feeling rather bored and hoped to hear the latest developments from his aunt. ¡®You clever little one, would you like to hear a story?¡± Liao Nai could already see the excitement building in his eyes. Liao Ning knew all too well that he was eager to learn about what had just transpired. The wolf cub obediently nodded. Liao Ning gazed at his fair and tender face and couldn¡¯t resist gently pinching it. ¡°Then give me a kiss, and I¡¯ll tell you!¡± little friend, was watching him intently. Instantly, he blushed, feeling too embarrassed to follow Liao Ning¡¯s instructions and kiss her. However, when he noticed Mili eagerly waiting for his action, he mustered up the courage, closed his eyes, and planted a gentle kiss on Liao Ning¡¯s cheek. Satisfied with his response, Liao Ning smiled, patting his head before proceeding to entertain the children with a story. After sharing the tale, Liao Ning spent some time playing with the children. Before long, Ning Ling rolled in a dining cart, bearing a total of five dishes that she had recently learned from Yu Ni. The first dish was red-braised pork. Made entirely from beast meat, the pork had been stewed for a long time, resulting in a vibrant red color and tender texture. It was incredibly delicious. Even after taking just one bite, Yu Ni, their teacher, couldn¡¯t help but praise Ning Ling. ¡°You truly have a talent for this. You¡¯ve only been learning to cook for a short time, yet you¡¯ve already surpassed me!¡± Elder Jiang also smiled and commended Ning Ling, indicating that he had acted too hastily earlier. He shouldn¡¯t have disregarded someone¡¯s efforts based solely on one dish. The second dish was garlic prawns. Freshwater prawns were carefully peeled and slit open, then filled with garlic before being steamed at high temperatures. Finally, hot oil was drizzled over them, releasing the enticing aroma of garlic. It proved to be a highly appetizing dish. The children thoroughly enjoyed this dish and devoured the plate of garlic prawns in no time. The third dish was a simple stir-fry with soy sauce. This had been Yu Ni¡¯s signature dish, and Liao Ning had instantly fallen in love with it the first time she had tasted it. In fact, she had even acquired 5% of the hotel¡¯s shares to secure the dish¡¯s place on the menu. Although the ingredients for this dish were humble, requiring only common vegetables, soy sauce, and salt, it was the simplicity that allowed the chef to truly showcase their mastery of the cooking process. Considering that Ning Ling was still a beginner, her performance was commendable. Although she had only been cooking for a short period, she had managed to achieve good results. Her skill in blending seasonings was particularly impressive, resulting in a delectable flavor profile for the dish. The fourth dish presented was a cold dish called lemon chicken shreds, a recipe that Liao Ning had previously demonstrated in a live-stream. To Liao Ning¡¯s pleasant surprise, Ning Ling had exceeded her expectations with this dish. Instead of using the customary preserved meat from the cooing bird, Ning Ling had opted for thigh meat from a hen. This creative substitution alone was enough to astonish Liao Ning. It was remarkable because Liao Ning had never mentioned the possibility of replacing the meat. This demonstrated a bold innovation from Ning Ling, truly showcasing the ingenuity of interstellar chefs.. Chapter 132 - Chapter 132: Tomorrow’s Star Chapter 132: Tomorrow¡¯s Star Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Ning Ling hesitated for a moment. ¡°Why did you think of replacing it with chicken leg?¡± Liao Ning replied with excitement, ¡°No, not at all! On the contrary, this dish is incredibly delicious! It surpasses even the dried meat of the cooing bird that I made!¡± Relieved, Ning Ling sighed and said, ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. I was worried it wouldn¡¯t taste good. Last time, my mother made chicken soup with chicken legs. I had a drumstick and found the meat to be tender and succulent. Today, when I saw fresh drumsticks in the kitchen, I thought of using them to make lemon shredded chicken, hoping it would enhance the flavor.¡± Elder Jiang was highly impressed with Ning Ling¡¯s creativity and praised her generously. ¡°The ancient food and culture world truly needs young minds like yours¡ªbold and innovative. Don¡¯t fear making mistakes. Just keep exploring!¡± Setting down his bowl and chopsticks, Elder Jiang spoke earnestly, ¡°Your generation excels in many aspects, but sometimes lacks innovation, particularly in ancient American culture. You focus solely on studying and restoring ancient formulas without realizing the potential for innovation.¡± Elder Jiang looked at Ning Ling, wiping tears of excitement from his eyes. ¡°I apologize for my previous remarks. I was mistaken. I¡¯ve been immersed in studying ancient books for years, eager to revive the ancient food culture, but I failed to acknowledge the importance of tolerance for young individuals like you.¡± Quickly trying to console Elder Jiang, Ning Ling interjected, ¡°Elder Jiang, please don¡¯t blame yourself¡­¡± However, Elder Jiang interrupted him before he could finish. ¡°I was mistaken today. I admit it! I almost overlooked a promising talent like you. My thoughtless words could have stifled your potential, the ¡®star of tomorrow.¡¯¡± Witnessing this, Liao Ning and the others rushed to comfort Elder Jiang, knowing that it was crucial to calm him down before the dishes grew cold. The fifth and final dish was prepared by Ning Ling, following the recipe generously provided by Elder Jiang on Star Web. Liao Ning had also savored this dish in her previous life. It was a northern specialty¡ªmeat buns. The juice from the braised meat burst out with the first bite, instantly saturating the flatbread. Liao Ning, having tasted authentic meat buns before, had to admit that the braised meat was exceptional. It left a lingering desire for another bite after each one. Witnessing the meat bun, Elder Jiang felt even more touched. He understood that Ning Ling was apologizing to him in a tactful manner for her earlier attitude. ¡°You¡¯re a good girl!¡± And Ning Ling smiled shyly, knowing that Elder Jiang understood her intentions. The three children, having filled their stomachs, praised Ning Ling enthusiastically, treating her as their powerful elder sister. Their compliments made Ning Ling blush with embarrassment. Observing Wei Xin praising Ning Ling alongside Liao Nai and Mili, Lin Wan thought that the young lady appeared to be livelier. Perhaps, for the sake of her mental well-being, Lin Wan should occasionally send the children to the Zhou family, allowing Liao Ning to take care of them. Unaware of the upcoming role she would play as the nanny for the three children, Liao Ning gazed at the blushing Ning Ling and the three children. Upon returning to the Zhou family with the two cubs, Liao Ning found Zhou Ling already back. The lights in his study were on, indicating his involvement in official matters. Respecting his work, Liao Ning chose not to disturb him. Instead, she bathed and put the two cubs to sleep before making her way to Zhou Ling¡¯s study. ¡°Please come in,¡± Zhou Ling¡¯s voice beckoned, and Liao Ning pushed open the door to enter. To her surprise, Zhou Ling was not alone in the study. Lan Yin and Gao Dian were also present, clearly engaged in an important discussion. ¡°Do you want me to leave?¡± Zhou Ling halted her, preventing her from leaving. ¡°Ningning, you arrived at the perfect time. You should hear about the recent developments.¡± ¡°Can I not listen?¡± Liao Ning had an aversion to trouble and wanted to avoid it decisively. Helplessly, Zhou Ling stopped her. ¡°Ningning¡­ I simply want you to be informed about the progress of the plan. I¡¯m not asking you to undertake a mission¡­ ¡± Gao Dian couldn¡¯t help but laugh and remarked, ¡°Sister-in-law, you¡¯re always afraid of trouble.¡± Liao Ning remained unperturbed by the criticism and shrugged. ¡®Yes, I¡¯m too afraid of trouble.¡± Lan Yin smiled gently and commented, ¡°Indeed, this matter is quite complex and can be considered troublesome.¡± ¡°Ling, see, even Lan Yin agrees that it¡¯s troublesome. So, it must be more than just ordinary trouble. It must be super troublesome!¡± Liao Ning pouted and cast an accusatory glance at Zhou Ling.. Chapter 133 - Chapter 133: Falling Chapter 133: Falling Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Zhou Ling, despite being angered, couldn¡¯t help but laugh. He lowered his voice and spoke to her with a serious expression, saying, ¡°Ningning.¡± ¡°Alright, alright, alright. I¡¯ll sit down and listen to you guys.¡± Yielding under his gaze, Liao Ning raised her hand in surrender. As she settled down, Liao Ning remembered Lin Wan and her request for a bodyguard. ¡°Ling, how did things go with Lin Wan? I was so focused on eating earlier that I forgot to ask her. Wei Xin is already with her, so it should be going smoothly, right?¡± Zhou Ling assured her, ¡°Everything went smoothly. Lan Yin and Gao Dian successfully implanted the nanomachines.¡± ¡°In the future, we will be immediately aware of whatever Wei Nan does.¡± Lan Yin nodded and explained to Liao Ning about the concealment of the nano surveillance cameras. ¡°If the nano surveillance cameras are not discovered within 30 minutes of being implanted in the body, there is minimal risk of detection, whether it¡¯s by using the Alliance¡¯s most advanced instruments or other special methods.¡± Liao Ning was amazed. She had no idea such advanced surveillance cameras existed. ¡°So powerful? I¡¯ll have to be cautious from now on. If they¡¯re secretly implanted, won¡¯t it invade my privacy? Zhou Ling smiled as he clarified, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Although the nano-monitor is extraordinary, it has a significant flaw.¡± ¡°What flaw?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. It can only be implanted in individuals with mental strength below S-rank. Additionally, its lifespan is incredibly short, lasting only three months.¡± Liao Ning was taken aback. Such a useful device had such a brief lifespan, but she quickly understood. ¡°Alright, even though its usable lifespan is short, it¡¯s already incredible to have 24-hour monitoring without the risk of detection. Now, we just need to hope that we can gather enough evidence to bring down the Wei family within the next three months.¡± ¡°By the way, did the two of you become Lin Wan¡¯s bodyguards solely for this purpose?¡± Liao Ning¡¯s gaze shifted between Gao Dian and Lan Yin. Gao Dian proudly replied, ¡°Of course not. We even went through Wei Nan¡¯s study and made copies of all the important documents.¡± Liao Ning applauded with respect. ¡°Wow, that¡¯s impressive, truly impressive. As expected of a renowned military expert!¡± Observing Gao Dian boasting and Liao Ning earnestly praising others, Zhou Ling stifled his laughter and coughed. ¡°Alright, tell me about the Wang family¡¯s public attack on my flying car last time.¡± Gao Dian gestured for Liao Ning to hush and handed over the floor to Lan Yin. ¡°Here¡¯s what happened. Since all the individuals who attacked Boss last time resorted to suicide by poison, we didn¡¯t need to resort to torture for confessions¡­ Oh, sorry, I mean it was an opportunity for interrogation. We discovered a small sticker on one of the bodies.¡± ¡°Stickers?¡± Liao Ning found it odd that an assassin would be fond of stickers. Besides, during missions, they shouldn¡¯t carry anything that could potentially reveal their identity, right? Lan Yin continued, ¡°Yes, it was a sticker. We found a fingerprint on it. After conducting a comparison, we identified the owner of the fingerprint as the granddaughter of the head of the Wang family.¡± ¡® Liao Ning was at a loss for words. The granddaughter of the Wang family¡¯s head turned out to be such an incompetent accomplice. ¡°So, what is your plan to expose this matter?¡± Zhou Ling nodded. ¡°Our plan is to bring this incident to light, exposing the Wang family¡¯s public attack on our soldiers. We want to tarnish the Wang family¡¯s reputation in the court of public opinion!¡± ¡°Colonel Zhou, are you planning to use the power of the masses to break the Wang family¡¯s backbone?¡± Liao Ning smiled. She had to admit that Zhou Ling¡¯s plan was brilliant. Sometimes, the power of the masses could be the most formidable force. Zhou Ling stroked his chin. ¡°The power of the masses¡­ I must say, your description is quite fitting. I intend to leverage the power of the masses to force the Wang family into submission.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t mean it that way. I¡¯m simply borrowing the words of our ancestors to commend your intelligence!¡± ¡°Ningning, you¡¯re amazing. You even quoted our ancestors to praise me,¡± Zhou Ling expressed warmly, generously lauding his girlfriend. Gao Dian, who was present, quietly covered his chest, indicating that he couldn¡¯t handle such sweetness. Lan Yin, seated beside him, observed with amusement, secretly wishing he could enjoy some snacks and tea.. Chapter 134 - Chapter 134: Dead Live-streamer Chapter 134: Dead Live-streamer Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°In other words, when you went to fetch Mili home that day, you intentionally left everyone behind, giving the Wang family an opportunity to attack your flying car?¡± Liao Ning¡¯s eyes narrowed dangerously. Zhou Ling immediately sensed a strong killing intent. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s correct. Although it was a risky move, I only made the decision after ensuring the safety of you and the children!¡± Zhou Ling¡¯s obsequious demeanor only fueled Liao Ning¡¯s anger. ¡°Even if you modified the flying car to be safe, did you ever consider the ¡®what if¡¯ scenario? What if you and the kids had gotten injured? How would I answer to your families?!¡± Liao Ning¡¯s voice trembled as her eyes turned red. Knowing that Zhou Ling had orchestrated the attack that day filled her with fear. Seeing Liao Ning in this state, Zhou Ling panicked. He stood up helplessly, wanting to comfort her, but he was at a loss for words. In the end, he made up his mind to be unbothered by Liao Nings acceptance. Gao Dian had already dragged Lan Yin away, not wanting to witness the commotion any longer. This was no ordinary situation to spectate. He was worried that their actions would provoke retribution from their Boss the next day. Liao Ning¡¯s emotions subsided quickly. She soon found solace in Zhou Ling¡¯s arms and issued a reminder, ¡°If you disregard your safety again, I¡¯ll truly ignore you.¡± Zhou Ling breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that Liao Ning was being reasonable. ¡°It won¡¯t happen again. I promise!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll hold you to your word. You¡¯ve had a long day. Rest early.¡± [Ding¡ªHost- triggered difficulty mission: Mental Strength Potion¡ªthe foundation of the alliance. The mission progress has been updated, increasing by 20%. The current mission progress stands at 55%. Host, please continue working diligently. Generous rewards await upon mission completion.] Liao Ning retreated to her room after leaving Zhou Ling¡¯s study. The system, which had remained silent for a while, finally spoke again, notifying her of an update regarding their mission to take down the Wei family. ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything, so why did the mission progress suddenly jump to 55%?¡± Liao Ning pondered, thinking of Zhou Ling, who had been absent for long hours lately. She sighed with relief and murmured to herself, ¡°Having an exceptional teammate is truly a blessing. He takes care of the child and cooks delicious meals every day. This mission is on the verge of completion. I find myself liking my extraordinary teammate more and more!¡± The Alliance Prison situated on the remote Planet B16 suffered an unexpected assault, resulting in nearly two-thirds of the prison¡¯s population being injured or killed, with the inmates constituting 80% of the casualties. The following morning, as Liao Ning rose to prepare breakfast, she heard the Al in the living room announcing the news of the attack on the B16 Alliance prison. ¡°Two-thirds of the prison¡¯s population affected,¡± Liao Ning said, glancing at Zhou Ling, who was sipping tea. ¡°It¡¯s truly vile. Do you know who was responsible?¡± True to his role as the Zhou family¡¯s backbone, Zhou Ling was well-informed. ¡°Based on the evidence found at the scene, it appears to be a group of interstellar space pirates seeking revenge on the alliance army and attempting to free their imprisoned comrades.¡± ¡°Have they managed to free anyone?¡± Zhou Ling shook his head. ¡°No. The Alliance employs special restraints for such vicious interstellar space pirates. Once a prisoner strays beyond a 30-meter radius from the prison while serving their sentence, the restraints self-destruct. The prisoner is injected with a neurotoxin and dies within three seconds.¡± ¡°Thank goodness they didn¡¯t succeed. However, it¡¯s unfortunate for the other prisoners in there.¡± After a long pause, Zhou Ling glanced at her and uttered, ¡°Zhu Fei also perished in the attack.¡± ¡°Zhu Fei?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s true.¡± Liao Ning¡¯s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. ¡°But isn¡¯t the Alliance Prison on Planet B16 specifically designed to house dangerous criminals like interstellar space pirates? Why would Zhu Fei be locked up there?¡± Liao Ning recalled that Zhu Fei¡¯s most severe offenses were related to child abuse and engaging in malicious competition. While her actions were despicable, they didn¡¯t seem to warrant association with interstellar space pirates who committed a wide range of crimes. ¡°The prison where Zhu Fei was originally held is currently undergoing maintenance, so the Alliance decided to disperse the inmates to different facilities,¡± Zhou Ling explained. Liao Ning complained, ¡°Well, that explains it. Zhu Fei really has terrible luck.¡± She paused for a moment before adding, ¡°However, considering how she mistreated Wei Xin in the past, one could argue that it¡¯s a form of poetic justice..¡± Chapter 135 - Chapter 135: Empire Chapter 135: Empire Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning continued to lament over Zhu Fei¡¯s death when a spaceship, bound for the far reaches of the universe, entered a warp. Adorning the spaceship was a silver-blue emblem, the symbol of the empire. To everyone¡¯s surprise, Zhu Fei, who had been declared dead by the alliance, appeared on the spaceship, wearing the empire¡¯s emblem. After an indeterminate period, Zhu Fei slowly opened her tightly shut eyes. As her eyes adjusted to the surrounding light, she realized she had transitioned from a cold cell to an unfamiliar place. Instantly, she curled up nervously, feeling vulnerable and disoriented. ¡°Miss Zhu Fei, you¡¯re finally awake. We went to great lengths to free you from the confines of Planet B16¡¯s prison!¡± A person dressed in a black combat uniform spoke, shifting from a smile to a stern expression. He scolded Zhu Fei, saying, ¡°Look at how guarded you are. Do you even appreciate the sacrifice we made to save you?!¡± Zhu Fei¡¯s trembling form intensified as she stammered, ¡°I-I don¡¯t know you, and I didn¡¯t ask for your help!¡± Observing Zhu Fei¡¯s fearful demeanor, the person let out an eerie laugh, relishing in her vulnerability. ¡°Oh! I apologize for scaring you, Miss Zhu Fei. It¡¯s just that you look so adorable when you¡¯re pitiful and frightened. Like a little mouse encountering a cat!¡± In that moment, Zhu Fei couldn¡¯t help but perceive the person before her as deranged. She failed to comprehend how a mouse meeting a cat could be considered cute; it was clearly an unfortunate prey encountering its predator! ¡°Yes, yes, yes! Precisely!¡± The person chuckled and clapped his hands upon witnessing Zhu Fei¡¯s escalating terror. ¡°Miss Zhu Fei, you truly embody the role of a little mouse. If my departed brother were to see you, he would certainly capture and confine you in a cage.¡± ¡°Enough with scaring Miss Zhu Fei. Remember, she is a VIP personally invited by His Majesty.¡± A man in a combat uniform stepped forward, shielding Zhu Fei from the unsettling gaze of the other person. Approaching with an air of gentility, the man who had just arrived bowed to Zhu Fei. He proceeded to introduce himself, as well as the person who had caused the distressing encounter, to Zhu Fei. ¡°Esteemed Miss Zhu Fei, please accept my sincere apologies on behalf of Gu Liang¡¯s earlier behavior. As His Majesty¡¯s most trusted knight, Cologne humbly extends his apology to you.¡± After hearing the man¡¯s words, Zhu Fei remained undaunted. Instead, she gathered her courage and questioned, ¡°You¡¯re from the empire. Aren¡¯t you concerned about inciting a war between our two countries by openly kidnapping a citizen of the alliance?¡± Knight Cologne maintained his gentle demeanor as he politely replied, ¡°Miss Zhu Fei, there¡¯s no need to worry. The war between the alliance and the empire has never ceased. Besides, you are no longer considered a citizen of the alliance. The alliance¡¯s official report has already informed its citizens that Zhu Fei, the once renowned live-streamer showcasing the ancient food culture of the alliance, met with an unfortunate accident on Planet B16.¡± Cologne respectfully bowed to Zhu Fei. ¡°Henceforth, your identity is that of His Majesty¡¯s wandering bloodline. Your Highness, with your exceptional culinary talent, please aid the people of the empire in alleviating the anguish caused by the mental riot.¡± ¡°What bloodline? Princess of the empire? Do you honestly expect anyone to believe such baseless claims? How can the people of the alliance fail to recognize me with this face? It¡¯s preposterous!¡± Zhu Fei couldn¡¯t shake off her apprehension towards Cologne¡¯s demeanor. She couldn¡¯t fathom that, given the longstanding animosity between the empire and the alliance, an ordinary individual from the alliance would meet a favorable fate within the empire. Could it be that the empire had gone to such lengths to attack Prison B16 solely to rescue her? ¡°Are you afraid, little rat? There¡¯s no need to fear. In due time, I¡¯ll alter your appearance. I don¡¯t believe anyone will be able to identify you,¡± Gu Liang, who had been peculiar from the start, sneered wickedly. ¡°If you¡¯re concerned that someone might conduct a genetic test and expose your true identity as the deceased ¡®Zhu Fei,¡¯ we can utilize special methods to transfer your consciousness into another body, ensuring that no one will associate you with ¡®Zhu Fei¡¯ again. However, this method might cause some discomfort.. The man before her grinned maliciously. Zhu Fei couldn¡¯t perceive the solution he proposed as a favorable one. ¡°Return me promptly.. I refuse to place any faith in your Empire¡¯s words, even if you rescue me from this prison!¡± Chapter 136 - Chapter 136: Empire Princess Chapter 136: Empire Princess Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Gu Liang¡¯s smile vanished in an instant, replaced by a bone-chilling, murderous glare. ¡°Send you back? Do you have any idea how many lives we sacrificed and the extent of our losses to bring you out?¡± Zhu Fei was taken aback, blurting out without thinking, ¡°How many?¡± ¡°Just one!¡± Gu Liang¡¯s outburst made Zhu Fei jump. Realizing that his idea of heavy loss was based on the death of a single person, she couldn¡¯t help but roll her eyes in disbelief. ¡°You think I¡¯m overreacting?¡± Gu Liang stared at her, as though he could decipher her thoughts. ¡°Do you even comprehend the fact that he alone is equivalent to an entire regiment of your alliance? My brother was destined to become the youngest imperial general in history, but to save you, he masqueraded as an interstellar space pirate and fell into the alliance¡¯s clutches. Locked up in your B16 prison, he was ultimately slain by the despicable Alliance military neurotoxin during his escape!¡± ¡°If this person you speak of is truly so formidable, how could he be so easily killed?¡± Zhu Fei suspected that Gu Liang was fabricating the story. Unfazed by the pain of losing his family, she impulsively stabbed him in the heart. Gu Liang glared at Zhu Fei with intensity, his eyes turning bloodshot from anger. ¡°You vile member of the Alliance, it was you who planted the neurotoxin in the restraints. Once you step beyond a 30-meter radius from the prison area, the neurotoxin will be instantly injected into your system!¡± Gu Liang¡¯s menacing gaze made Zhu Fei fear for her life, regretting her thoughtless words. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m the daughter of your king. You can¡¯t look at me like that!¡± Zhu Fei screamed in terror and sought refuge behind Cologne. ¡°If you can¡¯t alleviate the suffering caused by the psychic upheaval for the people of the Empire, I¡¯ll make you my brother¡¯s plaything, a ¡®little mouse¡¯!¡± With those final words, Gu Liang departed without glancing back. Only Zhu Fei, trembling as she clung to Cologne¡¯s sleeve, and Cologne, wearing a compassionate expression, remained. Zhu Fei lifted her head, gazing cautiously at the imposing figure standing before her. Despite his aristocratic gestures and his claim that she was the esteemed princess of the empire, she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that he offered her no protection after the mistreatment she endured from Gu Liang moments ago. He maintained a gentle smile, silently observing from the sidelines. It was only then that Zhu Fei realized she was nothing more than a pawn in the empire¡¯s grand scheme since the moment she was brought aboard this spaceship. A mere instrument used by the empire¡¯s king to quell the unrest festering within its citizens. Whether she liked it or not, her survival depended on obediently following his every command. As Zhu Fei¡¯s initial panic gave way to resignation and confusion, Cologne noticed the transformation and addressed her with utmost respect. ¡°My esteemed princess, now that you have embraced your role, I implore you to rest. We shall return to the empire shortly. His Majesty has prepared a grand ceremony in your honor, and the entire populace eagerly awaits your triumphant return. ¡± After Cologne departed, Zhu Fei slumped weakly onto the bed, gazing out through the narrow window at the vast expanse of the universe. It mirrored her own uncertain future¡ªintimidating and enigmatic. For the second time, Zhu Fei, once filled with arrogance, found herself consumed by fear and helplessness. The first instance being when she was unjustly implicated in the fabricated scandal involving Wei Xin and the manipulated food live-stream. These thoughts inevitably led her to Liao Ning, the woman who had abruptly appeared and effortlessly stolen the glory Zhu Fei had toiled years to achieve in a matter of months. Indignation welled up within her¡ªa fiery desire to reclaim her honor and trample Liao Ning beneath her feet. Now, presented with an olive branch from the empire, an opportunity had emerged to reshape her fate. She had to make the empire¡¯s king see her in a different light, harness the empire¡¯s power to crush Liao Ning, and force her to beg for mercy. In the year 887 of the Empire Calendar, the princess of royal lineage returned to her homeland. Welcomed with opulent gifts by the king himself, she was bestowed the title of ¡°Dawn.¡± The king envisioned her arrival as a means for the empire to overcome the turmoil plaguing their collective mental strength. Additionally, it would free them from the Interstellar Alliance¡¯s monopoly on mental strength potions, a restriction hindering the empire¡¯s economic progress.. Chapter 137 - Chapter 137: Dawn of the Empire Chapter 137: Dawn of the Empire Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Liao Ning,¡± Lin Wan said, her tone tinged with confusion, ¡°Why would a princess suddenly emerge in the empire? If I recall correctly, the king¡¯s offspring are all princes.¡± Continuing to work on the plan, Lin Wan explained, ¡°I¡¯m not entirely sure either. It was reported in the morning news. They mentioned that the child was believed to have been lost many years ago during the war. Recently, they discovered them on a desolate planet in a no-man¡¯s-land near the border of the alliance and the empire.¡± Liao Ning furrowed her brows. ¡°But didn¡¯t the alliance and the empire sign a truce agreement after the battle eight years ago? Why do they still refer to it as the front line?¡± Lin Wan chuckled dismissively without looking up. ¡°This is not the first time we¡¯ve signed such a truce agreement. We¡¯ve had nearly ten of them, varying in size. Each time, the empire unilaterally violated the terms for various reasons, forcing the alliance to reluctantly respond. It¡¯s rather infuriating, don¡¯t you think?¡± Liao Ning sighed. ¡°That¡¯s truly shameless¡­¡± ¡°Indeed. If it weren¡¯t for the people stationed at the border, the alliance wouldn¡¯t have agreed to sign the truce agreement each time!¡± Lin Wan finished writing the proposal, handing it over to the robot butler waiting nearby. She instructed it to scan the electronic copy and send it to the Business Administration. Curious, Liao Ning leaned closer. ¡°If the proposal gets approved, does that mean the hotel can finally open for business?¡± ¡°It¡¯s still too early to tell. We¡¯ll need the Food Supervision Administration to inspect the hotel premises after the Business Administration approves it. Only when we meet their standards can we officially start operating,¡± Lin Wan replied, massaging her slightly achy shoulders from the strain of writing so much. She glanced at Liao Ning and added, ¡°If you have the time, lend a hand to Yu Ni. She¡¯s been managing all the apprentices by herself, and it¡¯s been quite a challenge.¡± Liao Ning awkwardly touched the tip of her nose. As the owner of the hotel, she felt a bit idle. ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll assist her when I have some free time.¡± Lin Wan inwardly rolled her eyes. After months of interacting with Liao Ning, she had come to understand that Liao Ning was afraid of getting into trouble. She often daydreamed and seemed detached from reality. However, Lin Wan never expected Liao Ning to genuinely help Yu Ni, but she couldn¡¯t tolerate her idleness and deliberately pointed it out. Observing Liao Ning¡¯s disbelieving expression, Lin Wan felt annoyed. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll go to the kitchen now!¡± As Lin Wan watched Liao Ning depart, she helplessly shook her head and returned to her work. Who would have imagined that the person who relied on her intelligence to manage the hotel would also possess such a childish side? ¡°Prime Minister, what is the empire up to? Could they be considering unilaterally breaking the truce again?¡± The secretary of the interstellar space alliance leader anxiously gazed at the news regarding the Princess of Dawn. Zhou Ling also studied the young man seated behind the desk, lost in thought. The Prime Minister appeared to be in his thirties, with striking facial features and a handsome visage. At first glance, no one would suspect that he was the current leader of the interstellar space alliance, let alone believe that such a young man had spearheaded the alliance¡¯s development. The young man contemplated for a long while before speaking. First, he sought the opinion of the current head of the Su family, then turned to Zhou Ling. ¡°Ling, what are your thoughts?¡± Zhou Ling shared the same perspective as the head of the Su family. They both believed that the empire was merely celebrating the recovery of a lost princess, considering it an inconsequential matter. After all, the king of the empire had three children, all princes. Thus, discovering a child, especially a princess, would undoubtedly bring great joy to the king and queen. Upon hearing their responses, rather than easing up, the young man¡¯s frown deepened as he continued pondering. Nearly half an hour later, he spoke again. ¡°Secretary Zhang, when you saw the news, did you share the same interpretation as Master Su and Ling?¡± Secretary Zhang didn¡¯t know why he asked this, but he still said honestly, ¡®Yes, I think in the same way as you two.¡± ¡°What a coincidence. My thoughts are the same as everyone else¡¯s.¡± The young man was enlightened when he heard this. Even his tightly furrowed brows relaxed. ¡°There must be a problem! The Empire wants to disrupt our thoughts so the important information can be hidden!¡± Zhou Ling and the master of the Su family looked at each other and saw the confusion in each other¡¯s eyes.. Chapter 138 - Chapter 138: Tempura Chapter 138: Tempura Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Everyone is in a good state today. I believe that when the hotel officially opens for business, the ancient delicacies you prepare will surely captivate the taste buds of the guests!¡± As Liao Ning entered the hotel¡¯s kitchen, she overheard Yu Ni cheering for the apprentices. It seemed that Yu Ni was highly pleased with the results of today¡¯s training. ¡°Teacher Yu Ni seems to be in high spirits today. It appears that everyone¡¯s training has lived up to your expectations!¡± Liao Ning playfully remarked, standing behind Yu Ni. She couldn¡¯t help recalling the day she first arrived at the hotel and heard Yu Ni lecturing her! ¡°I do have a good temper, you know? That incident was just an accident!¡± Liao Ning raised her hands in surrender. ¡°Alright, alright, alright. Not only is Teacher Yu Ni beautiful, but she also possesses a good temper. Let¡¯s just say that the incident was a fluke!¡± Yu Ni rolled her eyes in annoyance. ¡°How could you bring yourself to step foot in the kitchen today? You didn¡¯t even show up when I invited you to guide the students before. It¡¯s quite rare for you to take the initiative to come today.¡± Liao Ning sheepishly touched the tip of her nose. She knew Yu Ni was expressing her dissatisfaction. As an actual investor in the hotel, she spent her days playing with her child and hardly involved herself in the kitchen affairs. ¡°Come on, don¡¯t sav that. Taking care of a child is quite exhaustinq. If there¡¯s no other option, bring little Yu Guo over and I¡¯ll help you look after her!¡± Yu Ni replied casually, ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary. Guoguo is starting elementary school today. I must thank your Colonel Zhou. With his assistance, Guoguo managed to enroll in the best elementary school on the capital planet.¡± ¡°We¡¯re friends, so there¡¯s no need for gratitude! Is today¡¯s class over?¡± Yu Ni looked at her gratefully. ¡°Not yet. Today, I taught them only one of the two dishes we planned. I haven¡¯t started teaching the second dish yet.¡± ¡°Coincidentally, I¡¯m here. Why don¡¯t I teach them so you can take a break?¡± Yu Ni didn¡¯t hesitate and handed Liao Ning the recipe for the remaining dish. ¡°Alright, will you follow the recipe I prepared or teach it your way? ¡°I¡¯ll teach it my way. Keep this for tomorrow, so you have fewer classes to prepare. ¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Yu Ni stepped aside, giving Liao Ning the space to work her magic. Liao Ning donned an apron and tied her hair up before switching on the live-streamer system. With freshly washed hands, she greeted the online audience. ¡°Good afternoon, everyone! I¡¯m ¡®My Child Is The Best.¡¯ Today, I¡¯ll be sharing a delightful dish with you all before dinner¡ªFried tempura.¡± [Here we go again! The familiar opening statement!] [Same old opening line. We already know you¡¯re ¡®My Child Is The Best¡¯! We got the notification, no need to remind us!] [I¡¯m a new fan. I discovered this live-stream through a recommendation from a tech blogger. Is live-streamed cooking really that good? It even managed to steal the tech big boss away from his fans.] [What a coincidence! I think I know which live-streamer the person above is referring to. Saw you on the fan gift list @Brother Sky, stop hiding!!] [That¡¯s great! So it¡¯s not just the live-streamers from our local community ditching their fans to watch Sister Liao Ning¡¯s stream. That¡¯s a relief.] [It¡¯s always a joy! Don¡¯t worry, Liao Nings food has never disappointed. Trust me!!] Being chased into someone else¡¯s live-stream by fans was quite an interesting experience. The live-streamer Sky admitted that he found it rather unpleasant. All he wanted to do was play dead! Liao Ning caught sight of the conversation in the live-stream and noticed the fans tagging the live-streamer Sky. However, Sky remained silent. Liao Ning knew he had probably seen it and was pretending to be unresponsive. So, in response, the netizens witnessed Liao Ning¡¯s beautiful eyes rolling dramatically, followed by mischievous words escaping her lips. ¡°So, it turns out Brother Sky, who has been showering me with gifts, is the renowned tech big boss himself, Sky. I thought it was just a coincidental name match!¡± ¡°In that case¡­ I¡¯ll send Brother Sky a copy of today¡¯s tempura via mail. Brother Sky, please remember to send me a private message! If anyone discovers someone they know in the live-stream and decides to abandon their fans to watch my live-stream, feel free to @ mention it in the instant comments. If the VIPs are interested, they can also send me a private message with their address. In return, I will send them a delicacy created during the live-stream that day.¡± ¡°However, please note that due to an anticipated high demand, I will only be sending out ten copies per day on a first-come, first-served basis. If I am unable to accommodate everyone today, I will extend the offer to the following day.. This event will continue indefinitely!¡± Chapter 139 - Chapter 139: Prank Chapter 139: Prank Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations [Liaoning is amazing! ] [Why do I have a feeling that Liaoning is up to something mischievous? But I¡¯m loving it! I can¡¯t wait to see how many big shots are willing to abandon their fans for a taste of delicious food!] [I¡¯m so excited! I want to join the hunt for big shots!] The live-streamer, Sky, who had been sneakily observing the screen, couldn¡¯t contain his excitement any longer and discreetly sent a private message to Liaoning. Liaoning promptly received the private message and grinned with delight. ¡°Someone sent me a private message! Alright, let¡¯s get down to business and start today¡¯s lesson!¡± [Who could it be that messaged the live-streamer? Maybe it¡¯s the big boss of the sky! He was the first one mentioned, after all.] [Haha! Caught you peeping at the screen and neglecting your fans, huh? @Brother Sky, my heart is broken!] Liaoning immediately got into character and began explaining to the online viewers and the apprentices present, ¡°Technically speaking, tempura is a type of deep-fried dish coated in batter. It can be made with various ingredients as long as they can be fried.¡± ¡°The ingredients I¡¯m using today were all freshly bought by the hotel. We have silver fish, prawns, okra, mushrooms, colorful peppers, loog of all-purpose flour, and eggs.¡± After introducing the ingredients for the day, Liaoning proceeded to prepare the batter. He added 150g of ice water to a bowl containing loog of low-gluten flour, then cracked an egg into it and mixed everything evenly. The special tempura batter was now ready. Liaoning offered a reminder, ¡°It¡¯s important to use low-gluten flour for the batter. Unlike the sticky batter used for crispy fried snacks, tempura batter should only enhance the crispiness of the ingredients after frying, so it shouldn¡¯t be too sticky.¡± [If Liaoning hadn¡¯t reminded me, I would¡¯ve used regular flour.] [I thought it was the same as usual.] [I only have regular flour at home, so I¡¯ll make do with it for now and learn the process. Later, I¡¯ll buy some low-gluten flour to make it properly.] ¡°Now, let¡¯s take a portion of the batter we just mixed and fry it.¡± Liaoning scooped a spoonful of batter and fried it in hot oil. The batter quickly solidified into small, thin pieces due to the high temperature. ¡°This is the batter. If it turns into small, thin pieces, you can remove them from the oil and keep them in a small bowl as a backup.¡± Liaoning brought out a slightly yellow cloth. ¡°Next, we¡¯ll layer the ingredients. Start with a base of sinew, followed by flour and layers of batter. Finally, we¡¯ll wrap the ingredients in a freshly fried cloth. Then, we¡¯ll fry the wrapped ingredients in a pot.¡± ¡°For meat, it needs to be fried until golden before removing it. If it¡¯s taken out too early, the meat inside won¡¯t be fully cooked, which isn¡¯t good for your health.¡± After frying the small silver fish and prawns, Liaoning proceeded to fry the vegetables. ¡®With vegetables, simply fry until the surface turns yellow.¡± Liaoning placed a freshly fried tempura in front of the camera and distributed one to the apprentices. ¡°Everyone, give it a try. I¡¯ll activate sensory sharing mode.¡± [I didn¡¯t see the two cubs today. Who is Liaoning talking to?] [That¡¯s right. I almost forgot to ask. When I joined the live-stream, I realized it wasn¡¯t the usual location where Liaoning used to stream. Did Liaoning change the streaming location?] [There are so many kitchen utensils here, and the place looks very spacious.] Sensing the curiosity from the audience, Liaoning didn¡¯t leave them hanging and directly responded, ¡°This is the hotel I invested in. I¡¯m currently streaming from the hotel¡¯s kitchen. Earlier, during the stream, I was also teaching the future chefs of the hotel.¡± [Wait! So, this hotel not only offers accommodation but also serves delicious food?!] [Oh my god! Where is this hotel? I have to visit!] [So, this means I finally have a chance to taste Liaoning¡¯s delicacies in person?] [A long time ago, the hotel used to offer three meals a day. However, due to the loss of many recipes from ancient food culture, the hotel gradually shifted its focus solely to providing accommodation] The person who posted this instant comment was a netizen with the username Liu Yun. Initially, Liaoning sensed that this user had extensive knowledge. It wasn¡¯t until other netizens referred to them as Liu Yun that Liaoning realized Liu Yun was the prominent figure who frequently watched her cooking delicacies during live-streams. Liaoning smiled and responded, ¡°Look who we¡¯ve discovered! It¡¯s our esteemed guest, Liu Yun. Don¡¯t forget to send me your address through a private message.. I¡¯ll make sure to send you today¡¯s batch of tempura!¡± Chapter 140 - Chapter 140: Opening the Alliance Chapter 140: Opening the Alliance Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Contrary to Sky, Liu Yun didn¡¯t send a private message to Liao Ning. Instead, he expressed his gratitude through instant comments. [Thank you, live-streamer! I¡¯ve already sent my address to you privately. I can¡¯t wait to personally taste your delicious tempura!] [Damn it, Big Boss Liu Yun must be teasing us on purpose!] [I also suspect that the Big Boss did it intentionally!] [Liao Ning, when will your hotel be opening? And where is it located? I want to book a spaceship ticket in advance. I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t be able to snatch one if I wait.] [Me too! Count me in!] Amidst the enthusiastic comments, Liao Ning appeared apologetic. ¡°The hotel is located on Brock Street in the capital planet. However, I¡¯m sorry to say that it is still in the preparation stage. I don¡¯t have the exact opening date yet, but once it¡¯s confirmed, I will immediately inform everyone during the live-stream. Please don¡¯t worry.¡± ¡°For those who are far away, there¡¯s no need to worry about securing spaceship tickets. In the near future, I plan to open hotel branches on other residential planets within the Alliance. This way, everyone will be able to enjoy delicious food right at their doorstep.¡± [Oh my god, am I dreaming? Did Liao Ning just personally promise to open hotel branches throughout the entire Alliance?] [No, you heard it correctly. It¡¯s indeed a business plan. Why did the live-streamer suddenly become so passionate?] [I¡¯m thrilled! I hope that day comes soon!] [That¡¯s fantastic! I¡¯ll definitely bring my mother to dine often. I¡¯ve heard that delicacies can help alleviate mental disorders, so my mother won¡¯t have to suffer from her illness!] [The person above is a devoted child. However, it¡¯s just a conjecture that delicacies can cure mental health disorders. It doesn¡¯t guarantee a definite cure.] [Even if it can¡¯t cure, it might at least alleviate the symptoms. It¡¯s better than having to rely on mental strength potions every day, right?] [It¡¯s definitely better to reduce reliance on them. Aren¡¯t mental strength potions only capable of managing the symptoms? Besides, mental strength potions have become ridiculously expensive. I have to spend half of my salary just to afford two potions.] The netizens were spot on. Liao Ning had also speculated that ancient delicacies had the potential to completely cure mental strength disturbances. She had discussed it with Zhou Ling and Butler Li, both of whom claimed that since they started consuming the delicacies she prepared every day, they no longer needed to rely on mental strength potions. Their mental stability had improved significantly, and there were no more episodes of disturbances. Zhou Ling would occasionally push the limits of his mental strength during training to test if the previous issues would resurface. However, after several attempts, no mental disorders occurred. It became evident that ancient delicacies could genuinely cure mental disorders. Liao Ning smiled and addressed everyone in the live-stream, saying, ¡°Everyone, consider incorporating ancient delicacies into all three of your daily meals. With time, it may lead to improvement. After all, officials have stated that it¡¯s curable. So, let¡¯s all do our best. And even if we don¡¯t completely overcome it, isn¡¯t it wonderful to enjoy delicious delicacies?¡± [The live-streamer is absolutely right. Although nutrient solutions are more convenient than cooking, their taste can¡¯t compare to delicacies.] [Liao Ning is spot on. We shouldn¡¯t be overly pragmatic. Let¡¯s remain calm.] [I¡¯ve been cooking delicacies along with Liao Ning, and I¡¯ve noticed a decrease in mental disorders. Even the few instances that do occur are much milder than before.] [Same here. I¡¯ve only consumed a mental strength potion twice in the past three months. Previously, I had to take it at least twice a month.] [Ah, forget about everything else. Didn¡¯t you all notice how incredibly delicious the tempura is?!] A netizen¡¯s instant comment redirected everyone¡¯s attention, and they began to engage in sensory sharing mode to experience the flavors of the delicacy. Tempura, originating from a neighboring country in Liao Ning¡¯s past life, had a reputation for being thin and crispy on the outside, while tender and flavorful on the inside. It didn¡¯t take long for the tempura to win over everyone¡¯s taste buds. [It¡¯s delicious! I¡¯ll have my mother make it for me!] [I never expected such a simple dish to possess both the aromatic essence of high-temperature frying and preserve the natural deliciousness of the ingredients. It¡¯s unbelievably tasty!] [I¡¯ve already devoured the tempura I prepared. Now I¡¯m craving it even more.] [The person above is so irritating. Tomorrow, I¡¯ll give it a try myself. I don¡¯t believe a mere tempura can stump me!] Despite the ongoing liveliness of the live-stream, Liao Ning had already received the addresses of the top ten live-stream viewers through a private chat with her assistant, Jin Xiang. Jin Xiang inquired whether Liao Ning wanted to handle the mailing process herself or if she wanted Jin Xiang¡¯s assistance.. Chapter 141 - Chapter 141: Sincerity Chapter 141: Sincerity Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°No need. I¡¯ll appear more sincere if I handle the mailing myself,¡± Liao Ning firmly rejected Jin Xiang¡¯s suggestion. She had decided to personally mail the tempura. With the assistance of the robot butler, she would carefully pack the delicacy, ensuring it reached its recipients in perfect condition. While the netizens continued their lively discussion about the tempura in the live-stream, Liao Ning swiftly and discreetly packed the tempura, handing it over to the robot butler. Seizing the moment when the netizens were momentarily distracted, she promptly ended the live-stream, leaving no opportunity for further interaction. Confronted with the sudden black screen, the netizens knew that Liao Ning had once again discreetly ended the live-stream. They wanted to express their frustrations and question her actions, but with the live-stream turned off and no online blog to reach out to, they were left without a platform to voice their inquiries. What? You mentioned being able to send Liao Ning private messages on the live-stream platform? That was just a joke. To safeguard the live-streamer¡¯s mental well-being, the private messaging function could only be used during live-streams. By the time Liao Ning¡¯s next session came around, everyone would be engrossed in learning how to cook and would likely forget about it. Liao Ning turned to the apprentices who had already tasted the tempura and asked, ¡°How was it? Have you learned the art of making tempura today? Any questions? The apprentices shook their heads, indicating that they had no further inquiries. ¡°Great, let¡¯s proceed to the tasting. Teacher Yu Ni and I will be the judges,¡± Liao Ning nodded. Many of the apprentices were avid enthusiasts of ancient food culture, just like Ning Ling, so they were ecstatic to receive personal guidance from the champion of the Interstellar Alliance Food Competition. When Liao Ning gave the instructions, they immediately assumed their roles and began the tasting session. Observing the students¡¯ enthusiasm, Yu Ni whispered in Liao Ning¡¯s ear, ¡°I think you should come and guide them more often. Look at how enthusiastic they are!¡± ¡°No, no. I still have to take care of my baby at home. I¡¯m grateful to have you here!¡± Liao Ning quickly waved her hand, declining the suggestion. ¡°Alright, don¡¯t blame me if I don¡¯t meet your expectations. After all, I only placed third in the competition. I can¡¯t compare to you, the champion, when it comes to cooking!¡± Yu Ni knew Liao Ning preferred to avoid unnecessary trouble. Otherwise, she would have gladly paid a considerable sum to have her teach the apprentices Liao Ning quickly rubbed her shoulders. ¡°No, no. You¡¯ve worked hard, Teacher Yu Ni! You and Lin Wan are the backbone of our hotel. You¡¯re much better than me, an investor who tends to slack off!¡± ¡°Your Highness, the king requests your presence.¡± The maid bowed respectfully to the elegant woman engrossed in reading in the garden. ¡°Understood.¡± The woman casually waved her hand. After finishing the book, she stood up and made her way to the king¡¯s chambers. This beautiful woman was none other than the late ¡®Zhu Fei¡¯. However, she had already undergone plastic surgery, completely changing her appearance and even her demeanor, becoming a completely different person. She now went by the name ¡®Princess Loya¡¯ of the empire¡¯s ¡®Dawn¡¯ faction. As the beloved daughter of the emperor, she was adored by the people as a connoisseur of fine cuisine. Through the use of ancient delicacies, she alleviated the suffering caused by mental disorders among the population. Particularly among the lower-income commoners, she garnered the most support. The reason was simple. Through her weekly Al live-streams, she taught the masses how to prepare affordable delicacies, saving them the expense of purchasing mental strength potions. This allowed them to escape the cycle of poverty that came with buying mental strength potions every month, significantly improving their quality of life. Loya respectfully bowed to the emperor seated on the throne. ¡°Your Majesty.¡± The king smiled and urged her not to be overly formal. ¡°My dear daughter, why do you still address your father as ¡®Your Majesty¡¯?¡± Loya dutifully amended her address. ¡°Dear Father, what brings you to seek me The king nodded in satisfaction and smiled. ¡°The queen is concerned about what you¡¯ve endured on that forsaken planet all these years. She intends to host a grand banquet at the palace in three days, inviting numerous noble ladies and young masters, in hopes of bringing you joy.¡± ¡°Mother is incredibly kind to me. I will make sure to prepare well.¡± Loya¡¯s expression displayed surprise and excitement, yet she couldn¡¯t help but feel a tinge of melancholy. Loya knew that the queen, but the queen did not know the truth. She really believed that she was her long-lost daughter. From the day she faked her death and left the alliance to return to the empire, the queen had wanted to make it up to her wholeheartedly. She had found ways to get people to find interesting things for her in the empire, and the best things for her to eat and wear.. Chapter 142 - Chapter 142: Motherly Love Chapter 142: Motherly Love Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Because of this, a constant sense of guilt overwhelmed Loya whenever she faced the queen. She felt remorse for deceiving not only the queen but also the entire empire. Using the queen¡¯s motherly love for the princess to her advantage only intensified her feelings of guilt. In an effort to repay the queen¡¯s affection, Loya dedicated herself to studying ancient delicacies and honing her skills. Upon leaving the king¡¯s chambers, she made her way straight to the palace kitchen. After preparing a delectable pudding, she carried it to the garden in search of the queen. ¡°Mother, look what I¡¯ve made!¡± Loya beamed, placing the pudding into the waiting hands of a maidservant on the stone table in the garden. The queen, engrossed in arranging flowers, caught sight of Loya and eagerly instructed someone to clear the flowers from the stone table. She then pulled Loya closer, her eyes fixed upon her. Perhaps because she had once lost her, the queen cherished Loya all the more upon her return. Every time the king laid eyes on her as Zhu Fei, the queen would hold Loya¡¯s hand and intently scrutinize her face. The overwhelming love shining in the queen¡¯s eyes was suffocating to Zhu Fei, who disguised herself as Loya. Allowing herself to be observed, Loya remained unafraid of the queen discovering her altered appearance, the result of discreet plastic surgery. To ensure that her changed face went unnoticed, the empire had sought the assistance of a unique race known as the Silver Moon Clan. Their innate abilities allowed them to modify Loya¡¯s appearance to resemble that of the king and queen, achieving a striking 70% resemblance to the queen. Such was the likeness that even the king would often sigh, longing for his departed daughter. Yes, in truth, the real Princess Loya had perished at birth. However, fearing the devastating impact of this truth on the queen, the king had mercilessly eliminated everyone who knew of the princess¡¯s premature demise, save for Knight Cologne. To shield the empress from sorrow, he concocted a tale of abduction by rebel forces who had infiltrated the palace. And so, the empress embarked on her arduous journey to recover her fragile health, driven by the hope of finding her missing daughter. Observing the queen¡¯s imminent descent into her memories, Loya hurriedly interrupted, ¡°Mother, I made this just for you. Please try it and see if it pleases your palate!¡± ¡°Alright, alright. I¡¯ll give it a try! ¡± The queen regained her composure and began savoring the pudding. ¡®Mother, is it delicious? Does it differ from the dishes prepared by the palace chefs?¡± Loya gazed at the queen, anticipation in her eyes. On the second day of her arrival at the palace, she had shared her collection of ancient recipes with the palace chefs, hoping to earn favor with the empire¡¯s king. However, what she didn¡¯t expect was that her efforts not only won the king and queen¡¯s favor but also gained the admiration of the empire¡¯s ministers. Consequently, she was granted the opportunity to teach the citizens of the empire about ancient delicacies once a week. Loya treasured this opportunity immensely. In an unfamiliar empire, she understood that only by showcasing her value to those in power and subsequently gaining the support of the common people could she establish herself firmly. Upon finishing the exquisite delicacy crafted by her daughter, the queen was elated. ¡°Delicious! Loya¡¯s pudding surpasses anything the imperial chefs could ever create!¡± Loya¡¯s smile mirrored her mother¡¯s joy as they engaged in warm conversation, sharing intriguing anecdotes. The bond between mother and daughter flourished. A short distance away, three princes who had come to visit the queen halted in their tracks, silently observing the heartwarming scene. They refrained from disrupting the cherished moment. ¡°Brother, I¡¯ve never seen Mother so radiant. Little Sister is truly remarkable!¡± Loya¡¯s third brother, the Empire¡¯s Third Prince, couldn¡¯t help but beam at the sight. The second prince nodded in agreement. ¡°Third Brother speaks the truth. Mother has never appeared this happy before.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right. Since they¡¯re enjoying each other¡¯s company, let¡¯s not disturb them today. Let¡¯s head back for now,¡± the Eldest Prince said, smiling, as he turned to depart from the garden. The eldest prince strode briskly, leaving the third prince, who had just realized what was happening, jogging to catch up. ¡°Second Brother, it¡¯s alright if Eldest Brother didn¡¯t wait for me, but why didn¡¯t you wait? Why didn¡¯t you remind me to follow you?!¡± The second prince relished his younger brother¡¯s naive charm, finding no reason to remind him. He chuckled and changed the subject. ¡°I apologize, Third Brother.. I¡¯ll be sure to remind you next time!¡± Chapter 143 - Chapter 143: Not Going to Kindergarten Chapter 143: Not Going to Kindergarten Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Aunt, we don¡¯t want to go to kindergarten,¡± the wolf cub expressed firmly, his gaze fixed on Liao Ning as he protected Mili, who shared the same sentiment. He feared that Liao Ning might seize the opportunity to whisk them away and force them into the car headed for kindergarten. Liao Ning smiled at the two cubs who adamantly resisted attending kindergarten. ¡°Why? I need a valid reason. If you can convince me, I might reconsider sending you to kindergarten.¡± These two cubs were destined to become formidable individuals in the future, as their intelligence far surpassed their tender age. Persuading others came naturally to them. In no time, they presented their case to Liao Ning, explaining why they opposed going to kindergarten. ¡°Aunt, Mili and I have already commenced self-studying the curriculum for third-grade elementary school. I don¡¯t want to spend my days playing games with children at kindergarten!¡± Aware that the wolf cub and Mili had been using the computer to teach themselves, Liao Ning was surprised they hadn¡¯t mentioned their ongoing self-study. Raising an eyebrow, she pretended to be displeased. ¡®What?! You didn¡¯t inform me until now? Only when you couldn¡¯t conceal it any longer did you decide to share this with me. Am I not deserving of your trust?¡± ¡°No, Aunt!¡± Mili observed Liao Ning¡¯s reaction and hastened to explain, fearing genuine anger from her. ¡°We followed the educational materials from the Star Web. We didn¡¯t intend to keep it a secret from you. We simply wished to acquire knowledge swiftly so that we could assist you and Uncle sooner.¡± Witnessing the little girl¡¯s anxious expression, Liao Ning concealed her anger and responded with a gentle tone. ¡°Mili, if I hadn¡¯t discussed this with you today and asked Butler Li to handle the enrollment procedures, what would you have done? Were you planning to keep your self-study of the elementary school curriculum hidden from me?¡± ¡°We¡­¡± Mili avoided direct eye contact with Liao Ning. Initially, both she and the wolf cub had intended to conceal their progress from their uncle and aunt, planning to surprise them on the day of the elementary school entrance examination. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. We only wanted to surprise you during the entrance test. ¡± ¡°Mili, you haven¡¯t done anything wrong. No need to apologize,¡± Liao Ning comforted, gently patting her head. ¡°But we are family, and I hope you and Nai Nai can trust me. If you come across any challenges, you can discuss them with me and your uncle. Only then can we devise the perfect plan in the shortest possible time. Understand?¡± Mili let out a sigh of relief as she noticed Liao Ning¡¯s lack of anger. She was well aware that their actions, both hers and Liao Nai¡¯s, had been inappropriate. She nodded obediently, acknowledging their mistake. ¡°It¡¯s our fault. We won¡¯t repeat it. If anything happens, we¡¯ll inform you and Uncle. We¡¯re family!¡± ¡°That¡¯s more like it! Since you¡¯ve already mastered the third-grade elementary school curriculum, I won¡¯t insist on sending you to kindergarten. I¡¯ll inform your Young Uncle that if feasible, we¡¯ll arrange for you to take the elementary school entrance test and proceed directly to elementary school,¡± Liao Ning suggested. The proposal made the two cubs ecstatic with joy. The educational system of the Interstellar Space Alliance mirrored the pre-apocalyptic Earth, consisting of kindergarten, elementary school, junior high school, and high school. For prodigies like Mili, it was relatively simple to skip grades and enter school. They merely needed to pass a specific examination, disregarding their age. The wolf cub tugged at the edge of Liao Ning¡¯s shirt, granting her access to his Al virtual screen. ¡°Aunt, take a look.¡± Curiosity piqued, Liao Ning leaned in to examine the screen. She was immediately dazzled by the array of award certificates displayed. ¡°These are Nai Nai¡¯s certificates? There are so many of them! Nai Nai, you¡¯re incredible!¡± ¡°These certificates were obtained by Mili and me through our participation in competitions on the Star Web. While they may not be major contests, the judges involved are highly authoritative,¡± the wolf cub explained, pointing at the Primary School Mecha Knowledge Competition certificate. ¡°The judges for this competition are all professors from the military academy in the capital. They¡¯re truly exceptional. I gained tremendous knowledge from their guidance.¡± Mili nodded in agreement, clearly endorsing Liao Nail s statement. ¡°Aunt, I have a deep passion for mechas. I aspire to become a soldier skilled in mecha research, just like Dad in the future!¡± the wolf cub shared enthusiastically. ¡°Excellent, Nai Nai. I believe you will undoubtedly achieve great heights, just like your father. No, I firmly believe that both you and Mili can become the individuals you aspire to be,¡± Liao Ning spoke softly, gazing at the two cubs. Upon hearing Liao Ning¡¯s unwavering trust, the faces of the two little ones lit up with radiant smiles.. Chapter 144 - Chapter 144: The Building Collapses Chapter 144: The Building Collapses Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Upon Zhou Ling¡¯s return to the old residence, he was greeted with a heartwarming sight. ¡°What¡¯s with all the joy?¡± Zhou Ling handed his coat to Butler Li. Liao Ning looked at him with surprise. ¡°You¡¯re back. The cubs and I were just discussing something about you.¡± Zhou Ling was taken aback. ¡°Me? What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Let the cubs fill you in. It¡¯s a surprise!¡± Liao Ning playfully blinked at him. ¡°1 must say, I was genuinely shocked!¡± Zhou Ling raised an eyebrow, instantly intrigued. ¡°Well then, I¡¯ll lend my ears to the cubs¡¯ tale of how they managed to frighten our esteemed chef, Liao Ning.¡± ¡°I assure you, it¡¯s enough to surprise Colonel Zhou,¡± Liao Ning teased, refusing to show any vulnerability. ¡°I¡¯ll go prepare dinner now. Listen to the cubs.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll lend a hand too. You can hear the story later,¡± Zhou Ling offered, rolling up his sleeves as he made his way to the kitchen. Liao Ning¡¯s happiness surged, and she gladly accepted his help. ¡°Alright, it¡¯s rare for you to come home so early today. I¡¯ll prepare a few extra dishes of your favorites as a reward!¡± The two cubs exchanged glances and sensibly followed the two adults into the kitchen. ¡°Do the cubs want to help as well?¡± Liao Ning crouched down to ask. Seeing their nods, she beamed and said joyfully, ¡°That¡¯s wonderful! The cubs can help with washing the vegetables. Ling and I will take care of the rest!¡± The butler stood in the living room, observing the four of them bustling about in the kitchen. For a brief moment, he felt transported back to the days when Brother Zhou Ling and his sister-in-law were still present. Those were the rare moments of tranquility within the Zhou family. ¡°Cubs, go wash your hands and get ready to eat!¡± Liao Ning brought the final dish to the table and urged the two little ones to clean up. Today, Liao Ning had prepared five dishes and two desserts. With the addition of the butler, there were a total of five people present. Tonight¡¯s dinner could be considered a truly lavish affair. ¡°Go ahead and try this sweet and sour fish, as well as the braised abalone.¡± Liao Ning had prepared a variety of dishes for dinner, including two meat dishes, two vegetarian dishes, and a soup. In addition to the sweet and sour fish and braised abalone, there was also yam pork rib soup, cold eggplant, and stir-fried buns learned from Yu Ni. After the meal, Zhou Ling diligently cleared the table and washed the dishes. Meanwhile, Liao Ning and the two cubs settled in the living room, enjoying their desserts while watching the news. Once he finished tidying up, Zhou Ling joined them and informed Liao Ning about the Wei family. ¡°The Wei family has already handed over the formula for the mental strength potion to the Prime Minister.¡± ¡°What?¡± Liao Ning was taken aback. Something didn¡¯t add up. Why hadn¡¯t the system notified her that the mission to bring down the Wei family had been completed? There were still clues regarding the whereabouts of Zhou Ling¡¯s brother and sister-in-law! Unfortunately, Liao Ning¡¯s communication with the system had always been one-way. The system would only reach out to her when it required her assistance. If she needed anything, she had no means of contacting the system. Left with no other option, Liao Ning turned to Zhou Ling and asked, ¡°Has the Wei family not completely collapsed?¡± Zhou Ling nodded, surprised by her sharpness. ¡°That¡¯s correct. Ningning, you¡¯re truly astute. The Wei family has only handed over the formula to the Prime Minister recently. The Wei family will only face complete ruin when the military court trial results are announced tomorrow.¡± ¡°In that case, who is being tried in the military court? Wei Nan or Wei Xuan?¡± Zhou Ling let out a sigh. ¡°Both father and son are involved. Eight years ago, Wei Nan sent substandard mental strength potions to the front lines. That alone is enough to bring about his and the Wei family¡¯s downfall. Wei Xuan, too, was implicated by his father and was found guilty of murdering a fellow soldier. Once the military court delivers its verdict, Wei Xuan will likely have no future in the military.¡± ¡°It¡¯s unfortunate, but there¡¯s nothing we can do. Try not to dwell on it too much,¡± Liao Ning comforted, patting his shoulder. Zhou Ling smiled wistfully. ¡°I can¡¯t say that I¡¯m not saddened by it. I just feel sorry for him. After all, I¡¯ve watched him grow since he joined the military. He¡¯s a diligent individual. It¡¯s a pity.¡± ¡°What about the Wang family? Have they received any news about your brother and sister-in-law?¡± Zhou Ling¡¯s expression turned grim as he shook his head. ¡°Today, the head of the Wang family took the initiative to seek me out. The Wang family has also been implicated due to their involvement in recent and past events. The Prime Minister and the military have terminated the employment of most of the family¡¯s descendants working in the logistics department who were connected to these matters. They have suffered a significant blow. The purpose of the head¡¯s visit was to reconcile with me.¡± With a disdainful snort, Zhou Ling continued, ¡°How can I simply let go of the murderer who caused my brother and sister-in-law¡¯s disappearance? While the head of the Wang family has consistently denied any involvement in the tampering of my brother¡¯s flying car, Lan Yin and Gao Dian have discovered that the individual responsible was an officer affiliated with the Wang family.. How can I trust that the head of the Wang family is not the mastermind behind it all?¡± Chapter 145 - Chapter 145: Unexpected Chapter 145: Unexpected Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Your statement is logical. If he truly did not harm your brother and sister-in-law, he wouldn¡¯t be afraid of your investigation or your collaboration with the Wei family in exploring the matter, let alone allow Wei Xuan, who is by your side, to tamper with your spaceship. It is evident that he fears you will uncover something and take action against the Wang family upon your return to the capital planet,¡± Liao Ning agreed with Zhou Ling¡¯s speculation. All the evidence seemed to point towards the Wang family. However, Liao Ning believed that after the court martial held the following day and the Wei family¡¯s crimes were exposed, the system would provide her with the truth. Humans could deceive one another, but the system would not lie. Since acquiring the system, almost all the missions she received were focused on saving Zhou Ling and the Zhou family, including preventing Liao Nai and Mili from turning evil. Liao Ning dared to speculate that because these two villains were connected to the Zhou family, the system¡¯s mission might involve saving them as well. She pondered on who the mastermind behind this powerful system could be. It was truly remarkable! The court martial had now commenced. The case had a significant impact as it revealed collusion between the Wei and Wang families, who also disregarded the safety of frontline warriors by distributing unqualified mental strength potions. Many high-ranking officials of the alliance were implicated, leading to a complete reshuffle of the upper echelons. Due to the undeniable evidence, the Wei family faced severe consequences. The alliance ordered them to hand over 60% of their total assets as compensation to the Federation and the victims. Wei Nan, the family head, received a life sentence and was stripped of political rights indefinitely. However, due to the Wei family¡¯s voluntary surrender of the mental strength potion formula, the alliance showed leniency towards the other descendants. The direct bloodline of the Wei family was prohibited from participating in the alliance¡¯s political system, military service, or any military-related work for three generations. The Wang family, having implicated their fellow citizens and caused significant military losses, faced consequences as well. The Alliance Military Court declared that those involved in the incident would be dismissed and subjected to investigation. The direct descendants of the Wang family were barred from military service for three generations and prohibited from engaging in any military-related activities. The alliance should have dismissed Wei Xuan and sentenced him to two years of imprisonment for the murder of Colonel Zhou Ling and his subordinates, in accordance with the alliance¡¯s laws. However, due to a joint petition by Zhou Ling and his other victims to the Prime Minister, the alliance showed leniency and spared Wei Xuan from imprisonment, considering his previous contributions to the alliance. With the conclusion of the case and the judge¡¯s final announcement, Liao Ning received a system notification that echoed in her mind. [Ding¡ªHost has triggered a challenging mission: Mental Strength Potion¡ªthe Foundation of the Alliance. Mission Requirement: Bring down the Wei family and eliminate their control over the alliance¡¯s mental strength potion. Reward: 2,000 system points, 15 million interstellar space coins, and clues about the Zhou family.] Following the system notification, a vivid landscape painting instantly appeared in Liao Ning¡¯s thoughts. It bore the signature of the artist and a silver-blue emblem. ¡°This is the emblem of the empire?!¡± Liao Ning softly exclaimed. If she didn¡¯t trust that the system wouldn¡¯t deceive her, she might have assumed it was intentionally causing trouble. She understood that if Zhou Ling¡¯s missing brother and sister-in-law had indeed resurfaced in the empire, it would have far-reaching consequences. The armistice agreement might no longer hold, and she wondered which side, the alliance or the empire, would take the initiative to break the agreement this time. Zhou Ling approached, noticing Liao Ning¡¯s distressed expression. ¡°Ningning, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Taking a deep breath to compose herself, Liao Ning grasped Zhou Ling¡¯s hand and spoke in a hushed tone, ¡°Let¡¯s return home swiftly. I have something crucial to share with you.¡± Though Zhou Ling was unaware of the nature of the important matter, he nodded in agreement and instructed the chauffeur to drive their flying car over. He understood that Liao Ning wouldn¡¯t be so flustered over a trivial issue. Whatever she wanted to discuss must be of utmost significance, potentially extending beyond their personal concerns. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m here with you,¡± Zhou Ling reassured, gently patting Liao Nings hand. Liao Ning turned to meet his gaze, offering a reassuring smile. ¡°I¡¯m not anxious. It¡¯s just hard to believe. But let¡¯s discuss it in detail once we¡¯re home.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Upon reaching their residence, Liao Ning led Zhou Ling to his study. She accessed the Al system and transmitted the mental image of the landscape painting through her brainwaves. Then, she displayed it on the Al screen for Zhou Ling to see.. Chapter 146 - Chapter 146: Location Info Chapter 146: Location Info Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Ling, have you seen this painting before? Do you recognize its location?¡± Liao Ning asked, her anxiety evident. Zhou Ling offered a comforting presence as he responded, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Let me take a look.¡± Zhou Ling had a recollection of this painting. He had encountered it at an art exhibition in the past. The artist behind it was renowned in both the alliance and the empire¡ªDerlin. However, he held another identity as well. Derlin was the cousin of the empire¡¯s king and a charismatic figure known for his charm in the empire¡ªCount G. Countless noble ladies within the empire were said to have fallen for him. ¡°I¡¯ve seen this painting before. It was exhibited by the painter Delin. The artwork depicts a small resource planet located on the empire¡¯s southern border. In recent years, due to its unique scenery, the empire has transformed it into a tourist planet,¡± Zhou Ling explained. Liao Ning furrowed her brows. She had a strong feeling that Zhou Ling¡¯s missing brother and sister-in-law didn¡¯t visit that planet as tourists. Moreover, since it had become a tourist destination, it seemed implausible that they hadn¡¯t made contact. Why hadn¡¯t they reached out to Zhou Ling after all this time? ¡°Ningning, what¡¯s the matter? What is so important that you needed to tell me?¡± Zhou Ling questioned, observing Liao Ning¡¯s perplexed expression. Liao Ning hesitated, unsure of how to explain the origin of this information to Zhou Ling. ¡°Let me think about how best to convey it to you.¡± Meanwhile, in Loya¡¯s chambers, the maidservant responsible for her daily needs glanced at the clock and respectfully addressed Loya, who sat before the dressing table while her hair was being styled. ¡°Your Highness, the banquet is about to commence.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± Loya continued reading an ancient book, engrossed in her studies. She had recently found some new inspiration and believed that she was close to restoring another ancient delicacy. As Loya prepared for the banquet, the third prince, summoned by the queen to escort Loya, arrived at her chambers. Knocking on the door, the third prince called out, ¡°Little Sister, are you ready? Mother sent me to escort you!¡± The clear voice of the young man resonated through the door, reaching Loya¡¯s ears. She glanced up at the mirror on the dressing table and, upon seeing the person¡¯s reflection, was momentarily taken aback before quickly regaining her composure. Coincidentally, the final touches of her makeup and hairstyle had just been completed. She simply walked towards the door and opened it, personally inviting the Third Prince inside. ¡°Third Brother, come in and help me decide. Which pair of earrings suits me best?¡± As the door swung open, his sister emerged, adorned in exquisite makeup and splendid attire. It was the first time the Third Prince had seen his sister in such a state, and he found himself momentarily stunned. Only when she asked for his opinion on the earrings did he snap back to reality. ¡°Oh, sure.¡± Entering a girl¡¯s room for the first time, the Third Prince felt a hint of reservation, uncertain about where to place his hands or how to conduct himself. Loya picked up a pair of emerald agate earrings and held them against her ear. ¡°What about these?¡± The Third Prince shook his head. Today, Loya wore pure white attire with subtle accents of light yellow bows and lace. He felt that the emerald-green agate earrings didn¡¯t quite complement her ensemble. Loya nodded in agreement. ¡°I don¡¯t think they¡¯re suitable either, actually.¡± Third Prince: Then why did you ask for my opinion? ¡°And what about these?¡± The Third Prince observed as his sister picked up a pair of pearl earrings. The design of these earrings was understated, featuring two pearls¡ªone large and one small¡ªstrung together. Although simple in design, the pearls possessed a delicate, lustrous quality. Combined with Loya¡¯s outfit, they appeared splendid. ¡°These are perfect. They enhance your beauty,¡± the Third Prince remarked. Loya smiled. She was well aware of how much her three brothers adored her, but she particularly cherished her lively third brother. ¡°Third Brother, you have an excellent taste. I agree, these earrings look stunning!¡± Loya remarked, donning the chosen pair. She then hooked her arm through the Third Prince¡¯s, and together they made their way to the banquet venue. After much contemplation, Liao Ning decided to withhold the information about the system from Zhou Ling for the time being. She was uncertain about its origin and unable to provide a clear explanation if he pressed her further. ¡°Ling, after today¡¯s conclusion of the case, I received an anonymous email. It contained the painting I showed you earlier, along with the artist¡¯s signature and the silver-blue emblem of the empire,¡± Liao Ning shared, meeting his gaze. ¡°There¡¯s one more thing.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Zhou Ling¡¯s intuition told him that this was the crucial point. Fortunately, Liao Ning had transmitted the information to the Al using her brainwaves, ensuring that the system would automatically send it via an anonymous email. Without this backup plan, Liao Ning wouldn¡¯t have been able to fabricate this lie. Liao Ning crossed out the photo, eliminating any evidence of the system¡¯s involvement. The content was related to Zhou Ling¡¯s missing brother and sister-in-law, as provided by the system. [Information regarding the whereabouts of the individuals responsible for the Zhou family..] Chapter 147 - Chapter 147: Divices for Cheating Chapter 147: Divices for Cheating Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Zhou Ling furrowed his brow in disbelief. ¡°How can this be?¡± If his brother and sister-in-law had truly reappeared on the planet known as Golden Rice Valley after their disappearance, this news would undoubtedly spark a conflict between the two nations. Furthermore, Golden Rice Planet had already been developed into a tourist destination, and communication through the internet was even more accessible than before. So why hadn¡¯t his brother reached out to him? Could they be held captive? ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve already asked Su MO for assistance. Tonight, Su MO will dispatch their most skilled investigator to Golden Rice Planet to inquire about my brother and sister-in-law¡¯s whereabouts. If everything goes well, we should receive relevant information by next week.¡± Upon hearing that Liao Ning had sought help from Su MO, Zhou Ling felt somewhat relieved. As an alliance colonel, it was challenging for him to deploy personnel to conduct ground investigations in the empire. If the empire were to discover their intentions, regardless of their motives, it could potentially ignite a diplomatic crisis between the two nations. ¡°Ningning, I¡¯d like to trace the origin of this anonymous email and try to determine the sender¡¯s location. I¡¯m concerned,¡± Zhou Ling expressed, his eyes reflecting worry. Liao Ning swiftly granted him access to her Al and handed it over. ¡°Here, it¡¯s best if you can find out. I¡¯m also anxious.¡± However, deep down, Liao Ning suspected that Zhou Ling would unlikely succeed. After all, the email had been sent from her own mind. But what if the creator of the system had made a mistake? She was genuinely curious about the identity of the system¡¯s creator and their motivations for designing it to save Zhou Ling, the Zhou family, and even the two little villains. Zhou Ling held Liao Ning¡¯s Al and delved into it for several hours. He made numerous attempts to trace the sender¡¯s location but to no avail. He even called upon Lan Yin and employed the military¡¯s most advanced technology to obtain several fake addresses. It was apparent that the individual who had sent the email possessed technology more advanced than that of the entire alliance military, or perhaps even the entire universe. ¡°How is this possible? Could this email be from the future?¡± Lan Yin speculated after their repeated failed attempts. Zhou Ling remained silent, but his expression appeared noticeably more relaxed than before. While he couldn¡¯t determine if the email originated from the future, he believed that the sender had no malicious intentions. If they possessed technology surpassing the current era and harbored hostility towards the alliance and the empire, they could easily exploit this method to cripple both countries. There was no need for such elaborate measures. ¡°Let it go. It seems the sender has no ill will. Perhaps they genuinely want to assist us, ¡± Zhou Ling sighed, a sense of relief washing over him. Lan Yin concurred with Zhou Ling¡¯s assessment and nodded, ready to take his leave. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, Boss, I¡¯ll head out.¡± ¡°Wait, let¡¯s have a meal together before you go.¡± Liao Ning, noticing the commotion, poked her head out of the kitchen and halted Lan Yin, who was about to depart. Zhou Ling shared the same thought and gently pressed down on Lan Yin¡¯s shoulder, urging him to stay. ¡°Join us for dinner before you leave.¡± Lan Yin obediently took a seat. Since Boss had found love, he and his brothers had become frequent beneficiaries of everyone¡¯s hospitality. Although he felt a bit bashful about it, his sister-in-law¡¯s cooking was incredibly delicious. He couldn¡¯t and didn¡¯t want to refuse their kindness! Liao Ning had already entered the kitchen to wash the ingredients. Now, she activated the live-streaming system and began preparing for the livestream. ¡°Good afternoon, everyone. I¡¯m ¡®My Child Is The Best.¡¯ Today, I¡¯m excited to share with you two delightful snacks¡ªcrispy tofu and wavy potatoes.¡± [Why is Liao Ning preparing so many dishes today?] [Are there guests at home?] [Oh no, I might not even be able to learn a single dish if Liao Ning teaches me. What should I do now?] [Don¡¯t worry, previous commenter. I recall that the live-streamer will prepare edited and recorded videos of each dish. You can replay them as many times as you need until you learn.] ¡°Yes, we do have guests at home today. Since it¡¯s almost dinner time, I thought of preparing a few extra dishes. But for now, let me show you two quick bites to satisfy everyone¡¯s hunger.¡± As Liao Ning clarified, she opened the tofu packaging. ¡°Cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces and use kitchen paper to absorb any excess moisture from the surface. Then, heat the oil to around 70% of its maximum temperature and deep-fry the tofu until it turns golden brown. Once done, remove it from the oil. ¡± [What temperature is 70% oil heat?] [The tofu seems crispy, but will it be flavorful?] Chapter 148 - Chapter 148: Snack Chapter 148: Snack Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Oil at 70% temperature is typically indicated by a calm surface with a significant amount of green smoke rising. You can also use a chopstick by inserting it into the oil. If you see bubbles quickly forming around the chopstick, it means the oil is at 70% temperature,¡± Liao Ning explained as she fried the tofu. ¡°If you have a kitchen thermometer at home, it will be more convenient. Once the temperature reaches 160 degrees Celsius, it corresponds to 70% of the oil temperature.¡± ¡°Now, we¡¯re only at the first step. The tofu hasn¡¯t been seasoned yet, so we can enjoy the original taste of the tofu. However, you can give it a try. After frying, the original taste is quite delightful.¡± Liao Ning took out a bowl. ¡°Now, let me teach you how to prepare a dipping sauce. I believe that when the tofu is paired with this sauce, it becomes incredibly delicious!¡± Liao Ning added log of white sesame, 5g of chili noodles, half a spoonful of cumin powder, half a spoonful of white sugar, 26g of soy sauce, 3g of vinegar, crushed coriander, and chopped onions to the bowl. ¡°Just pour these ingredients into the tofu bowl and mix them well.¡± Liao Ning set the tofu aside and proceeded to prepare the next snack. ¡°Next, we¡¯ll make wavy potatoes. We need to cut the potatoes into strips. I used a wavy blade to create beautiful wavy potato strips, but you can cut them in any shape you prefer. ¡± ¡°Along with the potato strips, we¡¯ll also need coriander, green onions, garlic, fresh chili, and various seasonings. Similar to the crispy tofu, we¡¯ll fry the potatoes before seasoning them.¡± Liao Ning reminded, ¡°But for wavy potatoes, we fry them in cold oil. Don¡¯t forget that step.¡± ¡°Before frying the potatoes, wash them with clear water to remove the surface starch. Once the potatoes become soft during frying, you can remove them from the oil. Be careful not to overcook them, as they may become too fragile and difficult to eat.¡¯ ¡°Afterward, take a bowl and add fresh chili powder, garlic powder, chopped scallions, coriander powder, chili powder, and white sesame seeds. Finally, pour hot oil into the bowl and add three spoonfuls of soy sauce, one spoonful of oyster sauce, one spoonful of chicken essence, one spoonful of sesame oil, half a spoonful of vinegar, half a spoonful of white sugar, and one spoonful of cumin powder. Mix everything well and pour the mixture into the bowl with the potatoes. Stir until the potatoes are evenly coated. Your delicious wavy potatoes are now ready!¡± Liao Ning took a small bowl of each snack and placed it in front of the camera, activating sensory sharing mode so that the viewers could experience the deliciousness of the snacks. The remaining portions were taken to the living room for everyone to enjoy. ¡°How does it taste? Do you all like it?¡± Liao Ning asked as she returned to the camera. [It smells amazing!] ¡°It¡¯s delicious. Liao Ning¡¯s dishes are always fantastic!¡± [Are these considered snacks? They seem easier to learn compared to other gourmet dishes.] [Wasn¡¯t there supposed to be a live-stream with the cubs today? I¡¯ve missed them.] ¡°I missed them too. I didn¡¯t do a live-stream for nearly three days, and I haven¡¯t seen the cubs either.¡± Liao Ning smiled. ¡°The cubs are in the living room. Let me call them over to say hello to everyone!¡± The cubs quickly appeared and obediently greeted the viewers on the live-stream. [Oh, I miss the cubs so much!] [They¡¯re so adorable. Liao Ning has done a great job raising them. Their little faces are too cute!] [Give Auntie a kiss!] [Hey, previous poster, let me have a turn!] [Move aside, move aside. The cub is mine!] In the subconscious space, Mili complained to Liao Nai, ¡°These uncles and aunties are a bit scary. Thankfully, we¡¯re protected by the screen, or else they would try to touch us until we¡¯re bald!¡± Liao Nai found Mili¡¯s words amusing, and a smile appeared on his fair face. The viewers on the live-stream were delighted to see this interaction. [Why is the cub so incredibly cute!] [Look, I¡¯ve always said that the cub likes me as an uncle, but you keep insisting on competing with me. Look, the cub is smiling at me right now!] [Hey, previous commenter, how can you be so sure that the cub is smiling at you? I¡¯m pretty sure the cub is smiling at me! ! ] The netizens in the live-stream grew more and more excited, engaging in a playful argument about who the cub was smiling at. Liao Ning realized that she needed to regain control of the situation before the screen became overwhelmed with their comments. With a decisive action, she decided to end the live-stream. ¡°Thank you all for joining me today! I¡¯ll see you next time!¡± Without any hesitation, Liao Ning ended the live-stream and silenced the clamor of the unwilling netizens.. Chapter 149 - Chapter 149: Banquet Chapter 149: Banquet Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Xiao Han, that is the princess.¡± Xiao Han, adorned in a magnificent gown and clutching a delicate lace fan, veiled her face as she gazed upon the individual who held the arm of the Third Prince. The young woman before her possessed a captivating beauty, strikingly resembling the figure Xiao Han had witnessed on the live-stream. It was no wonder that she had garnered the attention of numerous esteemed gentlemen overnight. Thoughts raced through Xiao Han¡¯s mind as she contemplated the realization that her beloved harbored affections for this newly discovered princess. She couldn¡¯t help but feel a tinge of disbelief. Was it possible that the deep affection shared between her and her sweetheart throughout their upbringing paled in comparison to mere physical attractiveness? ¡°It is quite remarkable,¡± Xiao Han remarked with deliberate nonchalance, though her tightened grip on her dress betrayed her true sentiments. Observing Xiao Han¡¯s subtle reaction, the girl standing beside her pursed her lips in disdain. Xiao Han had always exploited her status as the Duke¡¯s daughter to ridicule girls and other noble ladies of lesser standing. Now that a princess had emerged who outshone Xiao Han in both beauty and nobility, the girl couldn¡¯t pass up the opportunity to witness Xiao Han¡¯s discomfort. Wearing a hypocritical smile, the girl condescendingly stated, ¡°Xiao Han, you are overthinking things. No matter how beautiful the princess may be, she will not wed the Marquis¡¯s son. His Majesty and the Queen would never approve.¡± Xiao Han gritted her teeth in bitter resentment upon hearing the girl¡¯s belittling words. Yet, she found herself unable to provide a retort. After all, the girl¡¯s assertion was correct. It was implausible for the princess to marry someone below the rank of Duke. Furthermore, Xiao Han¡¯s beloved happened to be the son of a marquis. Even if she were to inherit the title in the future, her highest possible standing would be that of an earl, bereft of any significant influence. Not to mention the princess, Xiao Han herself might struggle to persuade her Duke father to accept a union with an earl. Satisfied with Xiao Han¡¯s angry expression, the girl smirked and walked over to the dessert counter, procuring a small cake for Xiao Han. ¡°Her Highness believes that indulging in sweet delicacies improves one¡¯s mood. Xiaohan, it seems you are truly angered by your sweetheart. Partake in something sweet and find happiness!¡± The girl¡¯s words turned Xiao Han¡¯s face icy cold. She forcefully pushed the girl aside, oblivious to the curious gazes of those around them. Lifting her foot, she deliberately crushed the small cake beneath her elegant shoe. Paying no heed to potential repercussions from the royal family or the banquet organizers, she departed from the event venue, leaving behind a trail of bewildered onlookers. Xiao Han¡¯s brother was also engaged in conversation with the Eldest Prince at the banquet, bearing witness to the unfolding spectacle. Once Xiao Han departed the venue prematurely, he expressed his apologies to the Eldest Prince. The Eldest Prince regarded the young man before him, who offered his apologies with a smile. In a gentle tone, he reassured, ¡°Xiao Chen, there is no need for such words. The Duke has showered Xiao Han with affection since her youth. I believe her straightforward nature is a product of that love.¡± Before Xiao Chen could respond, the Second Prince emerged, attired in a finely tailored black ensemble, positioned behind the First Prince and Xiao Chen. Flashing a smile, he remarked, ¡°The Duke¡¯s excessive indulgence has rendered his daughter unruly and arrogant. I fear he may come to regret it in the future.¡± Xiao Chen¡¯s countenance remained unchanged as he returned the Second Prince¡¯s greeting with a smile. ¡°Your Highness, you speak the truth. I shall go in search of my headstrong sister now. Your Highnesses, please excuse me.¡± The Second Prince nodded in agreement, sporting a smile as he watched Xiao Chen depart alongside the First Prince. As Xiao Chen stepped out of the banquet hall, the smile on his face swiftly dissipated, replaced by an indifferent expression. Instead of seeking out his sister, he opted to leave the palace altogether. Seated within the flying car, Xiaochen recollected the face of the Second Prince, causing his mood to sour instantly. The Second Prince, Luo Li, remained as bothersome as ever. Furthermore, Xiao Han¡¯s restless nature baffled him. She could have attended the banquet with grace, but instead chose to draw attention to herself. He truly failed to comprehend how his father, a master of manipulation, allowed his sister to grow so unassuming. Instead of pursuing someone even more exceptional, she remained steadfast in her affection for that Marquis¡¯s child. Her constant envy towards other noble ladies due to that infatuation was beyond his understanding.. Chapter 150 - Chapter 150: Unrespectable Chapter 150: Unrespectable Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Upon witnessing Xiao Chen¡¯s departure, the Second Prince¡¯s smile faded, and his voice took on a cold tone. ¡°Seems like the Duke¡¯s son is becoming increasingly arrogant. If you ask me, Father is far too forgiving.¡± ¡°Loli, you shouldn¡¯t speak so casually about Father. If he were to hear you next time, I won¡¯t come to your aid,¡± the Eldest Prince responded, maintaining his smile as he disregarded Xiao Chen and his brother¡¯s impudence. ¡°Eldest Brother, Second Brother,¡± Loya called out, joining the Eldest and Second Prince at their side. ¡°Our little sister has arrived. How is everything? Have you found any noble lady that catches your interest? Since you¡¯ve just returned, it would be beneficial to engage with your peers,¡± the Eldest Prince inquired. As expected of the Eldest Prince, he could discern from a single glance that Loya held no enthusiasm for the banquet. Thoughtfully, he handed her a glass of iced plum juice, a beverage she had developed a fondness for since arriving in the empire. ¡°Thank you, Brother!¡± Loya expressed her gratitude, accepting the iced plum juice with a smile. She took small sips, relishing the beverage while discreetly observing those around her. The Second Prince had been attentively observing his younger sister¡¯s actions. Her careful scrutiny of her surroundings mirrored that of a cat he had once owned¡ªa blend of curiosity and wariness towards everything. ¡°Little Sister, have you always been this adorable? On the trash planet, you¡¯ll easily attract the attention of unsavory individuals, particularly those ruthless interstellar space pirates, ¡± the Second Prince deliberately frightened Loya. Loya shot a glare at her Second Prince brother. He had always enjoyed scaring her, but she couldn¡¯t fathom why he relished such mischief. The Third Prince mercilessly taunted his twin brother. ¡°Hahaha, Second Brother, why bother lying to frighten me? And can¡¯t you make it sound more convincing? Even a three-year-old child wouldn¡¯t be scared by your attempts. How do you expect to scare me?¡± ¡°I¡¯m truly relieved that you and Second Brother are fraternal twins. Otherwise, you two would have the same face. One moment, you¡¯d be frightening me with a serious expression, and the next, you¡¯d be mocking me for being childish. It¡¯s a terrifying thought!¡± Loya conjured up this imaginary scenario and shook her head in disbelief, unwilling to dwell on it any longer. Observing the quiet squabbling between his younger siblings, the Eldest Prince stood by and watched. It dawned on him for the first time that his trouble-prone third brother seemed to have mellowed out after their younger sister¡¯s return. It appeared that having a younger sister truly had a maturing effect on his wayward sibling. Upon his return to the residence, the Duke discovered his son, who was expected to attend the palace banquet, seated in the living room. He seemed to be awaiting his father¡¯s arrival. ¡°Where is your sister?¡± ¡°She¡¯s still at the palace. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll arrange for someone to keep an eye on her. She won¡¯t get lost.¡± The Duke¡¯s question to Xiao Chen remained lodged in his throat. The inability to voice it left him feeling uneasy, caught between spitting it out or swallowing it back. After a moment, he let out a sigh. There was truly nothing he could do about his son. The Duke took a seat on the sofa. ¡°Explain to me why you¡¯ve returned. The banquet shouldn¡¯t have ended yet.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure what Sister said to the other noble ladies, but she left the venue alone, ¡± Xiao Chen glanced at the Duke and continued, ¡°I was conversing with the Eldest Prince, but unfortunately, the Second Prince approached, so I decided to come back.¡± The Duke felt a surge of anger. ¡°If you knew your sister was upset, why didn¡¯t you immediately go to her? Why did you come home instead?¡± Xiao Chen responded with indifference, ¡°I left the banquet to search for her.¡± ¡°And what was the outcome? Where is your sister?¡± ¡°She¡¯s still in the palace. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll ensure someone keeps an eye on her. She won¡¯t get lost.¡± This was the second time today that the Duke had heard his son say this. Anger welled up within him, rushing from his heart to his head. ¡°You ungrateful child! She¡¯s your sister. Can¡¯t you show more concern for her safety?!¡± Despite her father¡¯s anger, Xiao Chen maintained her indifferent expression, but her words turned even colder. ¡°I¡¯m an exemplary father to you, yet I¡¯m an ungrateful child who doesn¡¯t care about his siblings. If you hadn¡¯t been in Xiao Han¡¯s mother¡¯s bed when my mother passed away over a decade ago, you could have been a devoted husband, and I could have been the caring brother you longed for to dote on your sister.¡± It was evident that this was not the first time the Duke had heard his son express such sentiments. Rather than becoming angry, he gradually regained his composure, as if he had aged several years in an instant. ¡°I¡¯ve let down your mother, but I haven¡¯t failed you. I hired the finest tutors in the empire for you, and I ensured your material needs were on par with those of the princes. Yet, due to this, I have been accused by other nobles of harboring disloyal intentions. Thankfully, His Majesty is a wise ruler who didn¡¯t blindly listen to rumors and hold me accountable.¡± ¡°All I ask is that you and your sister get along well. Why must you go against me? Are you planning to cast your sister aside after my demise?¡± ¡°And what if I am?¡± Xiao Chen locked eyes with the Duke, unflinching.. Chapter 151 - Chapter 151: Siblings Chapter 151: Siblings Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations The Duke held his son¡¯s gaze for a prolonged moment, then turned his gaze away and let out a sigh. ¡°I know you. You wouldn¡¯t do that.¡± Xiao Chen¡¯s expression remained indifferent, but he didn¡¯t contest his father¡¯s statement. As he grew older, he had indeed never entertained the thought of casting his sister out of their home again. After the Duke departed, Xiao Chen sat alone on the sofa, contemplating why his attitude towards his sister had shifted. He used to harbor so much resentment towards her, the sister who had enticed their father and caused their mother to succumb to despair. ¡°Brother, I¡¯m back. Why didn¡¯t you wait for me?¡± Xiao Han returned from the palace and immediately noticed her brother sitting on the sofa, lost in thought. However, that wasn¡¯t important. ¡°I brought your favorite pineapple pie. I went all the way to Central Street just to buy it for you. You have no idea how long I had to wait in line!¡± Pineapple pie was one of the few traditional delicacies in the Empire. The proprietor of the pineapple pie recipe had even established a corporation based on its popularity. The corporation, known as Pineapple Pie Corporation, had branches across all residential planets in the Empire. A faint smile finally graced Xiao Chen¡¯s typically impassive face. ¡°Thank you for going through the trouble. Let¡¯s split it evenly.¡± Xiao Han shook her head. ¡°No need. You eat it. I¡¯m not particularly fond of pineapple pie.¡± Xiao Chen didn¡¯t say anything more. He simply divided the pineapple pie into two equal portions and savored one of them. Xiao Han beamed with delight and picked up the remaining half of the pineapple pie. She understood her brother, Xiao Chen, well enough to know that once he made a decision, he rarely wavered. If she didn¡¯t eat the remaining portion, it would end up in the trash. Her brother would never touch it. Although she didn¡¯t share her brother¡¯s fondness for pineapple pie, she wouldn¡¯t reject his thoughtful gesture. Xiao Chen contemplated the pineapple pie exuding its sweet aroma. He wondered why his animosity towards Xiao Han had gradually dissipated. Throughout the empire, it was common knowledge that the Duke¡¯s son had an affinity for pineapple pies. After the devastating loss of his mother, the little boy was consumed by sorrow day in and day out. Discovering that his father, supposed to be grieving the loss of his wife, was instead indulging in the company of another woman, even in her dying moments, filled the boy with hatred towards his father and his sister, whose existence carried the burden of a woman that had driven their mother into depression. Upon his father¡¯s arrival with his three-year-old sister, the little boy resolved to force his father to send her away by embarking on a hunger strike. Sadly, his naivety got the better of him. Despite his steadfast hunger strike, his father remained unmoved, arranging for someone to be with him at all times. When he refused to consume nutritional supplements, he was coerced into doing so through force. Realizing the futility of his hunger strike, the little boy shifted his behavior and developed an insatiable love for a newly emerged ancient cultural delicacy known as pineapple pie in the empire. After just one taste, he became deeply enamored with it, indulging in pineapple buns without restraint. The excessive consumption of high-sugar and high-calorie foods eventually led to the little boy¡¯s body becoming overweight. His peers among the noble children at school began to ridicule him, labeling him as an incompetent and feeble fat pig. As the son of the Duke, the little boy had never experienced such humiliation. Clenching his chubby fist, he retaliated by striking the noble child who mocked him. Despite his bravery, the little boy stood alone while his opponents outnumbered him, resulting in him being pinned to the ground and subjected to a merciless beating. For the following year, the little boy endured repeated mockery from this group of noble children. Driven by his pride, he chose not to confide in his father, the Duke, about the torment he faced. Instead, he opted to resist every time, but his efforts often ended in failure. A year later, the little boy¡¯s half-sister joined the same school. Just as the little boy was about to endure yet another beating, a slender figure interposed themselves in front of him. The addition of one more person failed to alter the inevitable outcome. The nobles effortlessly overcame the individuals blocking their path, continuing their assault on the little boy. Amidst the onslaught, the little boy caught sight of his half-sister weeping before him. Her tears flowed in great torrents, akin to the heaviest summer rain he had ever witnessed. The thunderous sobs matched the intensity of the downpour, echoing with a heart-wrenching resonance.. Chapter 152 - Chapter 152: Redemption Chapter 152: Redemption Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations The little boy couldn¡¯t comprehend why his sister was shedding tears for a brother who despised her. All he knew was that from that day forward, a little shadow tagged along behind him, a persistent presence he couldn¡¯t shake off. She would argue with every noble child who ridiculed him, vehemently asserting that he wasn¡¯t a cowardly fat pig but a kind-hearted chubby boy. Sometimes, in her frustration, she would even give him a slight push. When he retaliated, she would intentionally throw herself to the ground, crying her way back home to complain to their father, the Duke, about his mistreatment. The Duke would then approach the parents of the other child involved. Perhaps due to the effectiveness of her actions or the fear instilled by the Duke¡¯s intervention, the noble children gradually ceased openly labeling the little boy as a cowardly fat pig. Instead, they chose to distance themselves from the sibling duo. The little boy silently observed as his sister¡¯s peers distanced themselves from her. He yearned to witness her anguish from the isolation, yet as time went on, he found no tears shed due to her seclusion. Instead, her tears flowed because he denied her the opportunity to follow him. Her weeping vexed the little boy, causing him to abandon his efforts to chase her away. He tacitly permitted her presence, allowing her to follow in his footsteps. After a few months had passed, the little boy couldn¡¯t resist asking her if she felt desolate being isolated. To his surprise, she naively responded that having an older brother was enough for her. In that moment, the little boy found the face before him incredibly exasperating. He left her behind and ran off without a backward glance, deaf to the cries that trailed behind him. Hours later, when the little boy returned home and discovered that she had injured her knee in her desperate pursuit of him, the walls surrounding his heart crumbled. Tears cascaded down his face. Before he could react, his bothersome sister endured the pain of her knee wound and hurriedly approached to wipe away his tears, displaying concern as if he were the one injured. ¡°How foolish,¡± Xiao Chen mumbled while taking a bite of his pineapple bun, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Xiao Han, perplexed by her brother¡¯s words, asked in a daze, ¡°Brother, what did you say? Xiao Chen savored the final morsel of the pineapple bun before discarding the wrapper in his hand. ¡°Nothing. I¡¯m heading back to my room.¡± ¡°Alright, good night, Brother!¡± Once in his room, Xiao Chen utilized the Al system to contact the bodyguards assigned to protect his sister earlier that day. He inquired about her whereabouts after leaving the banquet. Upon learning that his sister had once again gone to meet the worthless son of the Marquis, Xiao Chen¡¯s smile faded, returning his expression to its customary indifference. ¡°I see. Thank you for your efforts.¡± After ending the call, the bodyguard couldn¡¯t help but touch his neck. He had sensed a palpable aura of danger emanating from the young master just moments ago. He couldn¡¯t help but worry for the young master of the Marquis family. Why did such a decent person have to provoke Miss? If he didn¡¯t have genuine feelings for her, then he shouldn¡¯t linger around her for no reason. Despicable! Now that the Young Master was furious, his days of bliss were numbered! The bodyguard knew the kind of person the young master of the Marquis family was, but because Miss was the daughter of his boss, he couldn¡¯t openly express his opinion about her sweetheart in her presence. He could only vent his frustrations internally. ¡°How dare a worthless scion from the Marquis family toy with the Duke¡¯s daughter?¡± Xiao Chen drummed his fingers on the table with a cold expression. The tapping sound echoed like the footsteps of midnight, sending shivers down one¡¯s spine. Meanwhile, Xiao Han¡¯s sweetheart, Henry, the son of Marquis Kumar, was blissfully unaware as he held a stunning mermaid in his arms within an underground bathhouse. A smile adorned his face, oblivious to the fact that he had become a target in Xiao Chen¡¯s eyes. The bathhouse remained a covert establishment within the empire, hidden away from prying eyes. The servers inside were all mermaids, their identities shrouded in mystery. While no one knew the true owner of the bathhouse, it was widely acknowledged that this individual held immense power. Within a few short years, the bathhouse had proliferated across the empire, catering to the desires of nobles infatuated with mermaids. As the empire¡¯s primary military force, the merfolk employed their formidable innate abilities to assist other special races in expanding the empire¡¯s dominion. The empire placed great emphasis on safeguarding the merfolk, recognizing their crucial role. While mermaids enjoyed protection from the empire, their exceptional beauty compared to other races inevitably attracted the attention of many nobles. The existence of demand often gives rise to a market, and thus the profession of poachers emerged. These individuals formed a group of highly skilled interstellar space pirates whose specialization revolved around the illicit act of capturing mermaid offspring within the mermaid population areas. Subsequently, these poachers would proceed to sell the stolen mermaid cubs to nobles aboard their starships.. Chapter 153 - Chapter 153: Bath Chapter 153: Bath Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Despite the interstellar space pirates¡¯ formidable strength, the empire had strengthened its customs supervision and increased security measures at various interstellar space ports. As a result, the number of successful poachers who could steal and smuggle mermaid cubs out of the empire had significantly declined. Just as the interstellar space pirates were giving up on their attempts to auction the stolen mermaid cubs, a peculiar establishment emerged¡ªthe bathhouse. Initially, the bathhouse catered to nobles with peculiar preferences on the empire¡¯s main planet. It discreetly provided opportunities for these nobles to indulge in the company of mermaids, defying the explicit prohibition set by the empire. Its clandestine operations circulated within the circle of mermaid -loving nobles and eventually gained such renown that nobles from other planets began flocking to experience its offerings. The bathhouse capitalized on this demand and gradually expanded its branches to other planets within the empire. The reasons behind the bathhouse¡¯s continued operation and its audacious public presence were far more complex than could be succinctly explained. Henry immersed himself in the bathhouse¡¯s pleasures throughout the night, only to be abruptly awakened by the scorching rays of sunlight streaming through the window the next day. ¡°Who are you? How did you get in?!¡± Henry exclaimed, his eyes widening in shock. The beautiful mermaid who had been beside him just moments ago had vanished, replaced by four masked men dressed in black. The men in black remained silent, their gaze unyielding. One of them reached out, forcefully pulling Henry up from the bed, which exposed his naked body beneath the sheets. An array of mottled greenish-red marks covered his entire physique. ¡°Are you out of your mind? I am a noble, the son of a marquis!¡± Henry struggled to conceal the marks on his body with the blanket, his face reddening with profound embarrassment under the scrutinizing gaze of the men in black. Unperturbed by Henry¡¯s futile resistance, the man in black proceeded to drag him out of the room. Along the way, they passed other chambers where startled guests had been awakened by the commotion. Opening their doors, they witnessed Henry being forcefully pulled out of the bathhouse, his hair gripped tightly by the man in black, resembling a helpless animal being led to its slaughter. Henry¡¯s piercing cries reverberated through the halls of the bathhouse. It wasn¡¯t until he was unceremoniously thrown into the flying car by the man in black that he realized something was amiss¡ªthe bathhouse¡¯s security officers were conspicuously absent. Henry understood that under normal circumstances, the security officers would staunchly defend the bathhouse against any potential intrusion by the imperial police. They would repel the authorities without hesitation until the order came from the bathhouse¡¯s master. However, on this particular day, the expected security officer was inexplicably absent. It was clear that the individual pulling the strings behind the men in black held significant influence, perhaps even a figure the bathhouse¡¯s master did not dare to provoke. This realization sent a chill down Henry¡¯s spine. He knew he was in grave trouble. Among all the people he had crossed paths with, the only person capable of instilling fear in the bathhouse¡¯s master was likely Xiao Han¡¯s father. Having grown up with Xiao Han, Henry knew her well. She harbored affection for him and would never divulge his secrets to her father. He had always maintained an image of gentility and refinement in the presence of outsiders like the Duke. They would never suspect him of visiting a place like the bathhouse. Unless¡­ ¡°It¡¯s Xiao Chen,¡± Henry whispered, his thoughts racing. ¡°You were sent by Xiao Chen, weren¡¯t you?¡± Regrettably, his question was met with silence. The men in black took their positions within the car, surrounding Henry from both sides. The remaining two men settled into the driver¡¯s and passenger¡¯s seats. Not a single glance was spared in Henry¡¯s direction until the flying car ascended into the sky. To Henry, the silence of the men in black felt like an affirmation of his suspicions. Trembling with fear, his body shook uncontrollably. Xiao Chen, the Duke¡¯s son, was notorious for his ruthlessness among the nobles of his generation. In their youth, Xiao Chen¡¯s excessive indulgence in pineapple pie led to weight gain. The son of the marquis, along with other nobles from the planet, frequently tormented him, mocking him as a feeble, overweight pig. However, due to Xiao Han¡¯s intervention, the marquis¡¯s son and the other nobles gradually curbed their taunting, ceasing their derision and distancing themselves from Xiao Chen. As they all matured, the incident faded into the recesses of their memories. However, on the eve of Xiao Chen¡¯s coming-of-age ceremony, news spread that the son of the marquis, who had previously spearheaded the mockery against Xiao Chen, was discovered lifeless in the pool of his own manor. To the public, the marquis proclaimed his son¡¯s death as a tragic accident by drowning. Yet, individuals like Henry and the other nobles, who were privy to the truth, knew that the marquis¡¯s son had not met his demise through accidental means but had fallen victim to Xiao Chen¡¯s hands.. Chapter 154 - Chapter 154: Pitiful Chapter 154: Pitiful Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations In the moments leading up to his discovery, the person had also made a post on the Star Web social platform. It read: [I will atone for the sins of my youth.] Upon reading this, all the nobles who had taken part in the bullying of Xiao Chen felt a sense of trepidation, fearing that they might be the next to face the consequences of their actions. However, as the initial fright subsided, they soon realized that Xiao Chen had no intentions of seeking further revenge. With this understanding, everyone gradually returned to their usual routines. Henry¡¯s gaze remained fixated on the flying car¡¯s route. Anxiety coursed through him, fearing that Xiao Chen might have uncovered his past transgressions, particularly his derogatory remarks about Xiao Chen¡¯s weight. Henry dreaded the thought of the flying car heading towards the Duke¡¯s mansion. Yet, as the flying car traversed an unfamiliar path, Henry heaved a sigh of relief, feeling his tension gradually dissipate. He leaned back against the seat, taking deep, calming breaths. The scare he had just experienced had truly shaken him to his core. Perhaps due to the rollercoaster of emotions, Henry eventually drifted off to sleep, his head resting against the chair¡¯s back. When he awakened once more, it was to the shock of bone-chilling ice water being poured over him. A figure sat in a nearby chair, their face obscured by the glaring light. Henry struggled to make out any features. The icy water stung his eyes, causing intense discomfort. Henry instinctively tried to wipe it away with his hand, only to discover that he couldn¡¯t move a muscle. Paralyzed, he found himself stripped bare and kneeling before the enigmatic figure. A mix of shame and anger surged within Henry. Though he yearned to unleash a torrent of curses, he dared not speak out, fearing it might further incite his captor¡¯s wrath. ¡°It¡¯s been quite some time, Henry.¡± The voice that greeted him held a pleasant tone, but as soon as Henry recognized it, he felt as if he had plunged into an icy abyss. Fear consumed him, draining the color from his face. Henry stared up at the face of the person hovering over him, realizing it was indeed Xiao Chen. Did this relentless force comprehend his past derogatory remarks, branding him as a cowardly fat pig? ¡°X-Xiao, Xiao Chen, why have you come for me?¡± Henry stammered in fear, his voice trembling. Xiao Chen rose from the chair and leisurely approached Henry, confirming his suspicions. It was truly Xiao Chen standing before him. ¡°Henry, are you concerned that the marquis won¡¯t learn of your exploits from last night?¡± Xiao Chen taunted, casting a disdainful glance towards Henry¡¯s lower region. His tone dripped with contempt. ¡°It appears you¡¯re aware that your own inadequacies leave others unsatisfied, leading you to seek pleasure in the arms of a male mermaid at the bathhouse, isn¡¯t that right?¡± ¡°You cowardly fat¡ª¡± Henry detested being doubted in that area the most. Overwhelmed by anger, he tried to hurl insults, but before he could complete his sentence, a sharp pain coursed through his chest. Xiao Chen¡¯s gaze turned icy in an instant. He lifted his leg and delivered a forceful kick, causing Henry to collapse onto the ground. ¡°Since you¡¯re incapable of being a real man, why not have your manhood taken from you and spend the rest of your life wallowing in the bathhouse with male mermaids?¡± One of the black-clad men, who had been standing behind Xiao Chen, moved forward. He approached Henry, brandishing a gleaming silver dagger. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing? Stay away! Xiao Chen, have you lost your mind? I am the marquis¡¯s son. Even the Duke won¡¯t be able to protect you if any harm befalls me!¡± Xiao Chen remained unaffected, his gaze cool and composed. The other three men in black pinned Henry¡¯s limbs to the ground. As the man with the dagger inched closer, Henry¡¯s fear intensified, causing him to involuntarily soil himself, releasing the pungent scent of urine that filled the room. Xiao Chen¡¯s brow furrowed in disgust. ¡°What a worthless creature. Take it to be cleansed.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Henry was escorted by the men in black to a room where a bathtub brimming with icy water awaited. The bone-chilling coldness permeated the air, and the surface of the water glistened with floating ice. Forced to immerse himself in the frigid bath, Henry shivered uncontrollably. Emerging from the icy depths, he struggled to maintain his balance, nearly collapsing to the ground. His body was numb, and his limbs felt alien to him. Soon, Henry was ushered into a tidy chamber. Xiao Chen, seated upon a chair, idly toyed with a dagger. Whether due to the lingering chill or the recent trauma of the blade, Henry knelt on the floor, crawling towards Xiao Chen¡¯s feet. ¡°I will give you anything you desire. Please, I implore you, Xiao Chen, spare me from further torment. Think of your sister, Xiao Han. If she discovers how you¡¯ve treated me, it would surely devastate her!¡± A flicker of emotion crossed Xiao Chen¡¯s face as Henry mentioned Xiao Han, but it swiftly transformed into a frosty expression. ¡°You poor, pitiful soul. I had considered releasing you, but your insistence on invoking my sister¡¯s name warrants ten more ice baths..¡± Chapter 155 - Chapter 155: Cream Mushroom Soup Chapter 155: Cream Mushroom Soup Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Good afternoon, everyone. I¡¯m the live-streamer ¡®My Child Is The Best¡¯. Today, I¡¯m excited to share with you the recipe for cream mushroom soup.¡± [I¡¯m here! First comment!] [We got the notification, we know you¡¯re ¡®My Child Is The Best¡¯!] [Where are the adorable cubs? I want to see them!!] [I miss the cubs too. It¡¯s been a day since we last saw them!] The cubs remained as popular as ever. Liao Ning smiled and spoke, ¡°Thank you all for your love for the cubs. However, I must apologize as they have recently passed their elementary grade tests and are now attending primary school. Sadly, they couldn¡¯t join us for today¡¯s live-stream.¡± [What? Aren¡¯t the cubs just five years old?!] [I remember them being five as well.] [Aren¡¯t five-year-olds supposed to be in kindergarten? Are you sure, live-streamer?] [Wow, attending primary school at five! Unbelievable!] [Liao Ning, are you sure the cubs are taking entrance exams?] Liao Ning responded, ¡°Indeed, originally the cubs were meant to start kindergarten. But they strongly expressed their desire to take the entrance exams, and Colonel Zhou and I respected their wishes. Based on the results, the school decided to place them in the third grade. That¡¯s where they are now.¡± [I¡¯m so jealous!] [What a genius! A five-year-old in third grade?] [Is the live-streamer just making this up for attention?] [Hey, previous commenter, what¡¯s with the doubt? So what if the child is intelligent and in third grade at the age of five? The Prime Minister was a college graduate at 15. Do you think that was made up too by the government?] [Indeed, it¡¯s embarrassing not to have such exceptional children!] [Everyone, let¡¯s not get too worked up. Once our children come home from school, we can ask them ourselves.] [That¡¯s a good point. I have a nephew in primary school too. I¡¯ll ask him when he gets home. By the way, which primary school does the live-streamer¡¯s child attend?] Liao Ning, wanting to avoid excessive attention for her children, disclosed only the name of the school without providing further details. ¡°They attend the primary school in the capital, in the third grade. I won¡¯t specify the exact class. I hope you all understand.¡± [Understood, understood. Let¡¯s not pry too much, so as not to disturb the cubs in their studies.] [How coincidental. My brother goes to the primary school in the capital too.] [My niece also attends there. I¡¯ll ask her after school.] [Let¡¯s wait for the news, then. The truth will come out in the next live-stream.] [I¡¯m suddenly excited to find out!] [Hmph! Those who doubted Liao Ning before, get ready to eat your words!] [I remember many doubters in the past. They all ended up humbled.] ¡°Alright, let¡¯s keep the private discussions private. Now, I¡¯ll teach you how to make cream mushroom soup. Pay attention, everyone!¡± As long as her children were unaffected, Liao Ning didn¡¯t mind what the netizens said about her. After all, she could always win their favor with star coins. ¡°The ingredients you¡¯ll need for the cream mushroom soup are half an onion, loog of mushrooms, 30g of butter, 120g of milk, 50g of light cream, and log of flour.¡± ¡°Start by washing the onions and mushrooms, then cut them into cubes. Heat 15g of butter in a pot until melted. Add the chopped onions and mushrooms and stir-fry. Next, pour in the milk and a suitable amount of water and bring it to a boil.¡± Liao Ning transferred the boiling soup into the blender. ¡°Transfer the soup and ingredients from the pot into the blender and let it blend the diced onions and mushrooms to enhance the overall texture of the soup.¡± ¡°Afterward, add 15g of butter to the pot and stir-fry it with log of flour. Then, pour the blended soup from the blender back into the pot. Add 50g of light cream and stir it evenly. Finally, season it with a suitable amount of salt and black pepper. Your delicious cream mushroom soup is now ready.¡± [It smells amazing!] [I love this flavor. The cream adds such richness!] [I thought the live-streamer would make something bizarre, but this cream soup is incredibly fragrant!] [Be careful, previous commenter. What if it just smells good?] [Trust in Liao Ning. There¡¯s no way she would make anything weird.] With the cubs not present, Liao Ning could only taste the cream mushroom soup herself. However, she shared the sensory experience with the viewers, allowing them to taste it virtually. The cream mushroom soup had a velvety smooth texture, with each spoonful filling the mouth with the delightful essence of mushrooms. The fine particles of mushrooms combined with the cream¡¯s silkiness created a lingering and satisfying aftertaste.. Chapter 156 - Chapter 156: Suspicious Point Chapter 156: Suspicious Point Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations [I apologize, live-streamer. I misunderstood you. I shouldn¡¯t have accused you of making dark cuisine.] [It¡¯s truly refreshing to see someone acknowledge their mistake so quickly and willingly. ] [It¡¯s important to admit and correct your mistakes. I believe Liao Ning wouldn¡¯t stoop to such low levels.] [The cream mushroom soup is absolutely delicious. I¡¯m loving it!] Liao Ning noticed that the instant comments were now filled with compliments for the cream mushroom soup. A smile formed on her face. ¡°Your support and appreciation are what keep me motivated to continue live-streaming. See you all next time!¡± Liao Ning swiftly ended the live-stream, leaving behind a group of reluctant viewers. As Zhou Ling returned home, Liao Ning was about to head upstairs when Zhou Ling called out to her. Liao Ning was slightly surprised. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Ling? You¡¯re back early today.¡± ¡°Su MO messaged me. He mentioned that his team has made a new discovery.¡± Upon hearing about a new discovery, Liao Ning paused and decided to delay going upstairs. She went to the living room and powered on the Al. While she was live-streaming earlier, she had felt a vibration from the Al, but she hadn¡¯t had the chance to see who sent the message. Opening Su Mots message, Liao Ning furrowed her brows. ¡°The newly recognized princess of the empire used ancient culinary delicacies to help the empire¡¯s citizens escape the oppression of mental strength potions?¡± Liao Ning didn¡¯t grasp the full significance of being drained by mental strength potions. The Wei family had established a factory in the empire to employ illegal workers, but they refused to pay? Wei Family: Thank you, but there¡¯s no need to view me in such a negative light. I can handle my own expenses. Ordinary people didn¡¯t fully comprehend the situation within the empire. Zhou Ling provided an explanation. ¡°The people of the empire are also suffering from the mental strength riots. The prolonged war between the empire and the alliance was triggered, in part, by the use of mental strength potions.¡± ¡°I recall that the alliance is selling mental strength potions to the empire, correct?¡± Zhou Ling nodded. ¡°That¡¯s correct, but since mental strength potions are costly to produce, they remain quite expensive even within the alliance. The price of mental strength potions sold to distant empires is even higher.¡± ¡°How expensive are they? I heard from the netizens during the live-stream that an average person¡¯s monthly salary can afford five mental strength potions,¡± Liao Ning calculated. ¡°Considering adults consume two to three potions per month, the price is a bit high but still manageable.¡± ¡°That may be true within the alliance, but once the mental strength potions reach the empire, their price immediately doubles,¡± Zhou Ling explained, her brows furrowing. ¡°The empire operates differently from the alliance. It¡¯s a monarchy with four distinct classes: royalty, aristocrats, aristocratic families, and commoners. The hierarchy within each class is extremely rigid. The commoners, who make up the largest population, earn about two-thirds of the per capita income compared to the people within the alliance. Based on the monthly usage calculation you just mentioned, these doubled prices for mental strength potions undoubtedly burden them the most.¡± ¡°So, in order to redirect the increasing internal conflict, the empire pointed fingers at the alliance, the supplier of mental strength potions to the empire?¡± Liao Ning concluded. Zhou Ling nodded, affirming that Liao Ning¡¯s understanding was accurate. This was indeed one of the reasons for the ongoing conflict between the two nations. Liao Ning was at a loss for words. Wasn¡¯t she just an ordinary citizen? The alliance had good intentions in supplying mental strength potions, so they couldn¡¯t be blamed for the increased transportation costs, right? ¡°Do you think there¡¯s something suspicious about the Princess of Dawn¡¯s background?¡± Liao Ning inquired, looking at Zhou Ling. Zhou Ling nodded. ¡°Indeed, the timing of the Princess of Dawn¡¯s emergence seems too coincidental. The alliance was attacked at Planet B16 Prison, and amidst that chaos, they discovered a princess on a border trash planet between the two countries.¡± The circumstances were undeniably too coincidental. Liao Ning ventured a bold speculation. ¡°Could it be that the empire bribed interstellar space pirates to attack Planet B16, diverting the alliance¡¯s attention while secretly retrieving the princess?¡± ¡°However, the evidence has proven that the empire had no involvement with that pirate wave. The pirates were genuinely attempting to rescue their organization¡¯s leader on Planet B16,¡± Liao Ning¡¯s curiosity peaked, ¡°What are the Prime Minister¡¯s thoughts on this matter?¡± Zhou Ling shook her head. ¡°The Prime Minister hasn¡¯t expressed a clear opinion. He merely mentioned that the Princess of Dawn would bring trouble but didn¡¯t seem to believe it was directly linked to the alliance. Perhaps he foresees internal turmoil within the empire.¡± Taking note of Zhou Ling¡¯s response, Liao Ning decided not to dwell on the issue further. Instead, she redirected her attention to the citizens. ¡°Considering the Princess of Dawn¡¯s ability to alleviate the burdens of the civilians through her culinary skills, this can be seen as a positive development.. Why do some of you seem discontented?¡± Chapter 157 - Chapter 157: Angry Chapter 157: Angry Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°It¡¯s not that I¡¯m unhappy, but the upper echelons of the alliance held a small meeting about whether to continue sending the mental strength potion to the empire. Two-thirds of the people disagreed with it.¡± Zhou Ling sighed. ¡°Now that the Wei family has already handed the formula to the Prime Minister, the upper echelons are all watching him. They want to know if he will hand the formula to the other aristocratic families of the five aristocratic families or leave the formula in the hands of the alliance officials.¡± ¡°No way. I mean, these people who don¡¯t agree to continue sending potions to the Empire are really bad. They sacrificed the health of so many citizens of the Empire just to do politics?¡± Liao Ning¡¯s anger flared up. As someone who had lived through the apocalypse, she despised leaders who disregarded the value of human lives. She recalled how the decision to prioritize survival by abandoning most survivors had led to the destruction of the safety base she had sought refuge in, as they lacked the manpower to construct adequate fortifications before the massive onslaught of zombies arrived. Zhou Ling suddenly felt an intense aura of anger emanating from Liao Ning beside him. He grew flustered, questioning if he had said something to upset his girlfriend. ¡°Ningning¡­ are you alright? I¡¯m a bit anxious!¡± Zhou Ling cautiously reached out and touched Liao Ning¡¯s arm. The touch on her arm helped Liao Ning regain composure. She reminded herself that the past was behind her, and she no longer needed to dwell on it. Liao Ning smiled at Zhou Ling, trying to reassure him. ¡°I¡¯m fine. It¡¯s just that some unpleasant memories resurfaced.¡± Zhou Ling remained worried, as Liao Ning¡¯s previous display of anger had been quite unsettling. It was evident that she wasn¡¯t truly fine. ¡°Ningning, you can always confide in me if something is bothering you. I¡¯m your boyfriend, and I¡¯m here to support you. Don¡¯t burden yourself with everything,¡± Zhou Ling said, genuinely concerned. Liao Ning pondered for a moment and acknowledged that he was right. Rather than insisting that she was fine, she opened up to him. ¡°I¡¯m angry.¡± As expected, he had correctly sensed her anger. She was grateful that he hadn¡¯t allowed her to suppress her emotions all day long. ¡°In that case, would you like to share the reason for your anger? Maybe we can find a solution together,¡± Zhou Ling suggested, offering his support. Liao Ning¡¯s smile widened. ¡°You¡¯re right. There really is.¡± Zhou Ling maintained his smile, eager to hear Liao Ning¡¯s next words. ¡°Since they want to exploit the mental strength potion to profit and gain public favor, I won¡¯t let them have their way. I¡¯m determined to work hard and open the hotel as soon as possible, and then expand by opening more branches!¡± Liao Ning exuded a fierce determination, refusing to yield to those with ill intentions. Zhou Ling chuckled affectionately, gazing at her with adoration. ¡°How can I assist you in this endeavor?¡± Liao Ning pondered seriously before responding, ¡°Help me with publicity once it¡¯s open!¡± ¡°Absolutely. Leave it to me. I promise to meet your expectations.¡± ¡°Really? I¡¯ll hold you to that.¡± True to her word, Liao Ning arrived at the hotel early the next morning. Lin Wan, who had come to work, was surprised to see Liao Ning entering the office. ¡°Liao Ning, why are you here? Is something urgent?¡± Liao Ning sensed Lin Wan¡¯s surprise and quickly understood. ¡°I felt a sudden urge to work hard yesterday, so I decided to come to the hotel today and lend a hand!¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need for you to help here. Why don¡¯t you go to the kitchen and teach the apprentices with Yu Ni?¡± Lin Wan suggested. Liao Ning considered the suggestion and found it reasonable. While she might not be able to assist with paperwork, she could contribute in the kitchen by guiding the apprentices in creating delicious dishes. With that in mind, Liao Ning thanked Lin Wan and made her way downstairs to the hotel kitchen. Yu Ni had assigned the apprentices the task of preparing their signature delicacies for the day. Each of the ten apprentices would make their specialty dish, and then everyone would have a chance to taste them. ¡°It looks like we¡¯re having lunch today!¡± Liao Ning¡¯s sudden remark startled Yu Ni, who had her back turned. Startled, Yu Ni exclaimed, ¡°You scared me half to death! How do you manage to walk so quietly?!¡± ¡°I just wanted to surprise you!¡± Liao Ning pleaded playfully, flashing a smile. ¡°I know I was wrong. Please don¡¯t be angry, dear Yu Ni!¡± ¡°Why are you here so early today?¡± ¡°I want to work hard.¡± Liao Ning pumped her fist enthusiastically. ¡°I¡¯m determined to open hotel branches across the entire interstellar space as soon as possible! ¡± Yu Ni applauded Liao Ning with a stoic expression. ¡°How motivating. But does that mean my workload will increase? I might need to negotiate a higher salary.¡± Liao Ning raised an eyebrow. ¡°Is there anything else you desire aside from a salary raise?¡± ¡°No, there¡¯s no reason for me to leave this job.¡± Yu Ni¡¯s reply was resolute.. Chapter 158 - Chapter 158: Frightened Chapter 158: Frightened Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Yu Ni had made up her mind to settle on the capital planet with her niece, Yu Guo. The quality of education there was unparalleled in the entire alliance. While the cost of establishing themselves on the capital planet was high, the generous job opportunity provided by Liao Ning alleviated much of the financial burden. Yu Ni felt immense gratitude towards Liao Ning for this. Expressing her gratitude sincerely, Yu Ni thanked Liao Ning. ¡°Thank you, Liao Ning.¡± Liao Ning waved her hand dismissively. She hadn¡¯t hired Yu Ni as a teacher to seek gratitude; in fact, she believed that Yu Ni was an exceptional ancient food researcher and chef. Liao Ning considered herself fortunate to have invested a significant sum to enlist Yu Nits expertise in training future chefs for her hotel. Meanwhile, Henry was enduring a brutal ordeal at the hands of the mysterious man in black. He was forced to endure ten ice baths, each ending only when half of the ice had melted. Before each session, the man in black replenished the bathtub with fresh ice cubes and icy water. By the time the ten ice baths were over, Henry could no longer feel his limbs. He believed his life was on the brink of extinction and secretly wished for death, hoping his father would demand justice from the Duke and punish Xiao Chen, the perpetrator. However, the despicable Xiao Chen had arranged for someone to administer a healing potion to Henry. These potions were rare and valuable, crafted by the empire¡¯s special elven race and reserved exclusively for the royal family. As the son of a marquis, Henry had never been privileged enough to use one, regardless of the severity of his injuries. Yet, luck had granted him this opportunity today. Sitting coldly in a chair, Xiao Chen observed as the healing potion gradually mended Henry¡¯s tortured body, bringing him back from the brink of death. With his strength gradually returning, Henry mustered the energy to confront Xiao Chen, the one who had subjected him to such torment. He demanded, ¡°What do you really want?¡± ¡°Nothing much. I simply wish to have a chat with my sister¡¯s beloved,¡± Xiao Chen replied calmly. Henry sneered with disdain, reminded of the days when Xiao Chen¡¯s sister had fiercely protected him from bullies. ¡°You truly live up to the rumors of hating your sister. Despite your hatred, why did you accept her kindness back then?¡± Henry¡¯s words dripped with contempt, defending the childhood companion who had once been dear to him. ¡°It is precisely because I hate her that I want to torment you. I long to obliterate everything she holds dear!¡± Xiao Chen¡¯s smile resembled that of a bloodthirsty wolf, his eyes glinting with coldness. ¡°How can you be so heartless? She¡¯s your half-sister. Half of your blood runs through both of you!¡± While Henry harbored no fondness for his childhood companion, he was taken aback by the chilling thoughts of Xiao Chen, his playmate¡¯s brother. It made him question whether Xiao Han¡¯s unwavering protectiveness over her brother had been in vain. Over the years, Henry and the other noble children had witnessed the extent to which Xiao Han went to safeguard her brother. Initially, they had assumed that Xiao Chen¡¯s demeanor was simply aloof, and that Xiao Han¡¯s love would eventually melt his heart. However, it seemed that Xiao Chen remained untouched and instead desired to dismantle everything Xiao Han cherished. ¡°It is precisely because half of her blood flows through me that I didn¡¯t attack her directly. I only targeted what she holds dear,¡± Xiao Chen stared at Henry with cold intensity. ¡°If you don¡¯t wish to relive today¡¯s events in the future, transform yourself into someone she despises. That way, I won¡¯t spare a thought for you or invite you as a guest when my dear sister displeases me.¡± ¡°Are you threatening me?¡± Henry refused to give up on Xiao Han. There were few people who could deceive a duke like he did. Xiao Chen effortlessly discerned Henry¡¯s thoughts and spoke in a frigid tone, ¡°Whether it¡¯s a threat or not, you will find out the next time you visit. Perhaps it won¡¯t be as simple as an ice bath next time.¡± The mention of the ice bath elicited a flicker of fear in Henry, but it wasn¡¯t enough to make him relinquish Xiao Han entirely. Seeing through his lingering hesitation, Xiao Chen casually remarked, ¡°I heard that before humans began their expansion into the universe, there existed an ancient book that chronicled a brutal punishment. Would you like to hear about ¡°Thank you, but I have no interest in hearing it,¡± Henry promptly declined, well aware that the tale would be far from pleasant.. Chapter 159 - Chapter 159: Broken Heart Chapter 159: Broken Heart Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Xiao Chen didn¡¯t care whether Henry was willing to listen or not. ¡°Imagine placing someone¡¯s hand in an extremely cold environment for a few minutes and then suddenly pouring boiling water over it. The frozen arm would immediately separate from the flesh. It¡¯s quite remarkable, don¡¯t you think? It¡¯s almost like witnessing the magic of God.¡± Henry¡¯s gaze locked with Xiao Chen¡¯s, and he trembled in fear as he felt the chilling intensity in Xiao Chen¡¯s eyes. ¡°You¡¯re truly diabolical! How dare you claim that I am the Marquis¡¯s son!¡± ¡°I must admit, this time I felt a twinge of fear, but perhaps that won¡¯t be the case next time!¡± Xiao Chen said with a mischievous smile, as if he had merely played a harmless prank. Three days later, Xiao Han, who had recently returned from a tea party, received an invitation from her beloved, Henry, to dine at a beautiful manor. Ever since the princess¡¯s return, she had been using the Star Web¡¯s live-stream to teach people how to prepare delicious dishes using inexpensive ingredients. The empire¡¯s officials claimed that these ancient cultural delicacies had the power to alleviate mental unrest. They even suggested that consuming such ancient delicacies regularly could potentially cure mental disorders. Conseauently. the people of the empire began to learn how to prepare these dishes, and even the nobles abandoned their simple and convenient nutritional fluids in favor of these ancient cultural delicacies. To ensure that the nobles experienced the most authentic ancient cuisine, the empire dispatched a group of royal chefs who had extensively studied this culinary art. After learning the recipes provided by the Princess of Dawn, they opened a manor under the royal family¡¯s name. Within this manor, these chefs prepared exquisite delicacies exclusively for the noble guests. The royal gourmet manor became an instant sensation upon its opening. Due to limited staff, the manor could only accommodate 200 noble guests each day. Xiao Han had long desired to savor the most authentic ancient cuisine, but various circumstances had prevented her from securing a reservation. Thus, when her sweetheart, Henry, extended an invitation, she felt genuinely delighted. As Xiao Han instructed her maid to assist her in changing clothes, she pondered the Princess of Dawn¡¯s remarkable abilities. Despite initially regarding her as a rival for Henry¡¯s affection, Xiao Han¡¯s perception had changed after experiencing the delectable ancient cuisine prepared according to the princess¡¯s recipes at the tea party. Now, she no longer considered the Princess of Dawn a love rival. Given the princess¡¯s talent in creating such delicious ancient dishes, which were said to possess curative properties, the king would surely not allow her to marry Henry. Though Henry remained the epitome of perfection in Xiao Han¡¯s eyes, she couldn¡¯t help but think that the princess should be united with a duke who matched her father¡¯s power. Only a duke was deemed suitable for Her Highness the Princess, considering the benefits she brought to the people of the Empire! ¡°Your Highness, since the opening of the manor, the available spots have been quickly snatched up every day. Many nobles who failed to secure a reservation resorted to leaving messages on the official Star Web account, expressing their hope for the royal family to establish a new gourmet manor or expand the existing one to accommodate more customers.¡± The manager of the manor, dressed impeccably in a uniform, provided a report on the manor¡¯s management to Loya, who had arrived for an inspection. As he mentioned the nobles¡¯ desire to expand and establish new manors, the manager couldn¡¯t conceal his sense of pride. Although Loya had anticipated the popularity of the manor, she was genuinely taken aback by the enthusiasm displayed by the Empire¡¯s nobles. It appeared that expanding the manor was indeed a necessity. However, expanding the manor required a sufficient number of skilled chefs. Initially, Loya had chosen this relatively modest-sized manor due to the shortage of chefs. Now, it seemed she would have to discuss the training of new chefs with her father. ¡°I understand. I will return and discuss it with Father. I appreciate your efforts,¡± Loya responded with gratitude. The manager felt honored and quickly replied, ¡°Your Highness, it is our privilege to serve the royal family!¡± ¡°Manager, if you have other matters to attend to, feel free to take care of them,¡± Loya considerately suggested. Knowing that the princess desired some time alone, the manager obediently excused himself. Once the manager departed, Loya strolled along the stone path. Before she could venture far, she heard stifled sobs. Not wanting to intrude, Loya initially considered leaving. However, as she turned to follow the path, she found herself standing in front of the weeping individual. ¡°Your Highness?¡± Xiao Han was seated on a bench, tears streaming down her face, but the distinct sound of high heels echoing on the stone floor made it impossible for her to ignore. She glanced up and saw that it was the princess approaching. Startled, Xiao Han quickly rose to her feet and prepared to bow, but Loya halted her motion. ¡°There¡¯s no one else around. There¡¯s no need for such formality..¡± Chapter 160 - Chapter 160: Good Sisters Chapter 160: Good Sisters Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Loya felt a pang of embarrassment for stumbling upon Xiao Han in such a vulnerable state, crying and seeking solace. She didn¡¯t want Xiao Han to feel compelled to bow to her, adding to her own intrusion. The mere thought of expecting others to bow before her made Loya feel like a bully. Nevertheless, Xiao Han adhered to etiquette and bowed to Loya. After the bow, she stood there unsure of what to do, her gaze fixed upon Loya. An awkward silence hung in the air, suffocating both of them. Finally, Loya spoke, breaking through the uncomfortable tension. ¡°Don¡¯t be sad. I¡¯ll treat you to some delicious food.¡± Xiao Han hadn¡¯t expected the princess to extend an invitation for a meal. She remained in a daze for a moment before hurriedly responding, ¡°Thank you, Your Highness!¡± Loya nodded and gestured for Xiao Han to follow. Xiao Han lifted her skirt slightly and jogged after her, not daring to walk side by side but rather maintaining the proper distance dictated by protocol. ¡°Don¡¯t be sad. Indulge in something delicious when you¡¯re feeling down. It can greatly improve your mood,¡± Loya spoke up, feeling that the path ahead had never felt so long. Breaking the silence seemed necessary. ¡°Yes, indeed,¡± Xiao Han replied, although her heart couldn¡¯t help but recall Henry¡¯s hurtful words. ¡°I don¡¯t like you. Your affection for me is burdensome.¡± Henry sat across from Xiao Han at the dining table, delivering those cold words with an expression void of warmth. Xiao Han felt immense sadness. She couldn¡¯t comprehend what she had done wrong to elicit such a cold rejection from Henry, who had always been kind and gentle towards her. His words about her affections being a burden cut deep. ¡°Just tell me what I¡¯ve done wrong. There¡¯s no need for you to be so heartless in expressing your dissatisfaction with me. I¡¯m deeply hurt, Henry,¡± Xiao Han pleaded, tears welling up in her eyes. Despite Henry¡¯s lack of romantic feelings for her, they had been childhood playmates who had grown up together. Henry almost couldn¡¯t resist the urge to console her in her pitiful state. Henry had made a firm decision, delivering a reason that shattered Xiao Han¡¯s heart. ¡°I don¡¯t have feelings for women. I am attracted to men. I have always treated you well because you¡¯ve been my close friend since childhood. I apologize for any misunderstandings, but please stop liking me. It only makes me feel uncomfortable.¡± Xiao Han couldn¡¯t fathom that the person she had cherished for over a decade had an inclination towards men. But why did he choose to reveal this now? And why did he make it seem like she was intruding in his life? They had grown up together, and he knew her better than anyone. He knew that she wasn¡¯t the type to force her affections onto others. So why didn¡¯t he speak up earlier? Why did he always brush off her expressions of love with vague responses? Initially, Xiao Han thought he was concerned about her father¡¯s reaction, fearing that her father would be angry or disappointed in him if he reciprocated her feelings. Now, however, Xiao Han finally grasped that his ambiguous answers were solely to gratify his own vanity. He had been using her identity as the daughter of a duke to showcase his desirability, reveling in the fact that a noble duke¡¯s daughter had pursued him for more than a decade. Overwhelmed with sadness, Xiao Han felt as though her heart had been ruthlessly torn apart. The pain was unbearable, leaving her unable to control her emotions. Little did Xiao Han expect that someone would find her in this remote corner, and that person happened to be none other than the noble princess of the empire. The thought of the princess approaching her gently, urging her not to despair and offering to treat her to exquisite ancient cuisine for solace, was beyond her imagination. In that moment, Loya had no inkling of the tender image she held within Xiao Han¡¯s heart. The topic she raised to console Xiao Han and alleviate the awkwardness was simply an attempt to extend comfort. As for the invitation to indulge in delicacies, it stemmed from Loya accidentally stumbling upon Xiao Han¡¯s secret tears and desiring to make amends through a culinary gesture. Neither of them anticipated that this awkward encounter would forge a genuine and enduring friendship that would span their lifetimes.. Chapter 161 - Chapter 161: Hotel Opening Chapter 161: Hotel Opening Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Ever since Liao Ning had made up her mind to establish an interstellar hotel as soon as possible, she diligently arrived early at the hotel every day to assist Lin Wan and Yu Ni. Although her contributions may not have seemed significant most of the time, she had genuinely experienced the hardships faced by both of them. As the boss, she generously increased the salaries of Lin Wan, Yu Ni, and the other employees. The employees, including the apprentices, held high praise for Liao Ning as their boss. They were grateful to have the opportunity to work under such a generous and considerate leader. Finally, after a month, Lin Wan returned to the hotel with good news from the supervision department. ¡°The hotel can officially open tomorrow!¡± Liao Ning, who had been lounging on the sofa, feeling a bit bored, immediately stood up upon hearing the news, startling Lin Wan. Lin Wan patted her chest. ¡®What are you doing? You scared me! If you jumped any higher, you would¡¯ve pierced the ceiling!¡± ¡°I¡¯m just too excited. We¡¯re finally going to open for business. I can¡¯t help but feel a rush of happiness!¡± Liao Ning hurriedly helped Lin Wan to sit down and began massaging her shoulders. Lin Wan didn¡¯t resist and settled into the sofa, enjoying the shoulder massage. ¡°I feel much more relaxed now. The hotel staff, chefs, and managers can all start working immediately. I can finally get some proper rest.¡± ¡°Rest well. I¡¯m giving you a month off, and it¡¯s fully paid!¡± Liao Ning declared. Just as Yu Ni arrived at the door of Lin Wan¡¯s office, she overheard Liao Ning¡¯s offer to give her a break. She immediately chimed in, ¡°What about me? I want a break too!¡± Liao Ning smiled. ¡°You came at the perfect time. I¡¯ve already reached out to Gao Yuan and Zhao Kuo, who ranked second in the recent food competition. They¡¯ve agreed to join our hotel as teachers and train the chefs for our upcoming branch. They¡¯re both talented chefs like you. In the future, the three of you can take turns to rest. As for how to arrange the rest periods, you can discuss it privately among yourselves. No need to report it to me.¡± Yu Ni was taken aback. She never expected Liao Ning to invest so much money to hire Gao. Yuan and Zhao Kuo just so she could have some rest. She knew that Gao Yuan, as a seasoned food live-streamer, had a massive fan base, and his live-streaming alone would generate substantial income. As for Zhao Kuo, he was a renowned researcher of ancient food culture in the alliance, and his earnings were even higher than Gao Yuan¡¯s. Yu Ni was well aware of the commission Liao Ning must have paid to bring these two esteemed individuals to the hotel as apprentice teachers. Sensing Yu Nits overthinking, Liao Ning intervened to prevent her from adding unnecessary mental burden. ¡°What are you waiting for? Smile, Beauty Yu Ni!¡± Having worked alongside Yu Ni for several months, Lin Wan had a good understanding of her personality. She chimed in, ¡°You¡¯ve worked hard in recent days. While the current apprentices are ready to begin work at the hotel, we aim to expand throughout the entire interstellar space. This means there will be more apprentices training for the hotel branch in the future. To manage the workload of the teachers and ensure their well-being, we decided to hire two additional experts in gourmet cuisine.¡± ¡°Lin Wan is correct. As the hotel gains popularity, I plan to approach other live-streamers and ancient culture food researchers who are interested in training chefs for our hotel. Don¡¯t worry too much. I am considering the hotel¡¯s development and not spending money recklessly.¡± Since arriving on the capital planet, Yu Ni had been living a frugal life. There were times when she couldn¡¯t help but feel concerned about Liao Nings extravagant spending. She had even reminded Liao Ning to have a budget plan on a few occasions, prompting Liao Ning to explain that she wasn¡¯t spending money recklessly. ¡°I understand, but I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have met you,¡± Yu Ni replied, joining Lin Wan¡¯s side and taking a seat. Lin Wan poured her a cup of tea. ¡°If you feel fortunate, then cherish this good fortune.¡± ¡°Lin Wan is right. Don¡¯t always put so much pressure on yourself. You¡¯re now my employee, and as your boss, I should provide support and assistance to my employees whenever possible. Think of it as an employee benefit that I have prepared for you.¡± Liao Ning patted Yu Ni¡¯s shoulder to reassure her.. Chapter 162 - Chapter 162: Opening Chapter 162: Opening Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations On the day the hotel opened, Zhou Ling fulfilled his promise by spending a considerable amount of money to invite the capital planet¡¯s largest television station. Ten flying steamships were employed to pull a massive banner, effectively promoting the hotel. In the following week, the trending topic of #The Zhou Family¡¯s Acting Patriarch Spending Money for a Beauty¡¯s Smile# maintained its position in the top three trending topics. Consequently, the hotel¡¯s business experienced a surge in popularity. On the eve of the grand opening, Lin Wan organized a special event to celebrate. The guests were encouraged to take photos in the hotel and upload them to the Star Web social media account¡¯s social circle. By accumulating a total of 200 yuan, participants would receive a complimentary breakfast voucher, redeemable at any time during the subsequent month. This exclusive event lasted for a week, with only 10,000 spots available. The first participant to receive the highest number of likes would win the prize. In an instant, numerous individuals from the Interstellar Alliance Capital¡¯s social circle flocked to the hotel, eager to savor the delicacies, capture moments, and share them on social media in search of recognition. The hotel¡¯s reputation flourished as a result of this event. Ping Ye was one of the fortunate individuals to receive early praise. Taking advantage of the school holiday, he visited the Zhou family¡¯s residence to accompany Mili and Liao Ning. His plan was to bring the two cubs to the hotel for breakfast. ¡°Ping Ye, hurry up!¡± Mili disembarked from the flying car and dashed into the hotel cafeteria with Liao Nai, excitedly beckoning Ping Ye from the entrance. Upon seeing Mili¡¯s joyful expression, Ping Ye playfully remarked, ¡°How impolite! You should address me as ¡®brother¡¯!¡± ¡°No, you¡¯re mistaken. If you¡¯re going to call him ¡®Uncle,¡¯ then call him ¡®Uncle¡¯ the wolf cub interjected, waiting for Ping Ye to approach before continuing, ¡°Considering your age is similar to Uncle Zhou Ling¡¯s, it¡¯s only appropriate to address you as ¡®Uncle.¡±¡® Ping Ye felt a twinge of pain in his heart. Was he really that old? Mili observed Ping Ye¡¯s frozen smile and couldn¡¯t help but burst into laughter. In the past, Ping Ye used to engage in playful banter with her at the Zhou family¡¯s residence. Now that Ping Ye found himself on the receiving end, Mili found it immensely amusing. Deciding to change the subject, Ping Ye inquired, ¡°I wonder what kind of breakfast the hotel offers?¡± Understanding Ping Ye¡¯s intention to divert the conversation, the wolf cub followed suit, responding, ¡°Aunt mentioned that they serve rice noodles.¡± Ping Ye nodded in agreement. His mother had watched Liao Ning¡¯s farm live-stream and learned how to make bridge noodles. Since then, their family had developed a fondness for this dish. ¡°Let¡¯s not waste any time. We should go quickly. ¡± The hotel¡¯s rice noodles, which were introduced that day, came as a set meal with five side dishes. Since there were three people¡ªPing Ye and the two cubs ¡ªaside from Ping Ye¡¯s complimentary voucher, he paid a total of 219 star coins. ¡°It¡¯s definitely worth it.¡± Ping Ye carefully carried three servings of rice noodles across the bridge to the dining table. ¡°Hurry up and try them. I want to see if they taste as good as what Mom usually makes.¡± Ever since Ping Ye¡¯s mother learned various ancient cultural delicacies from Liao Ning, it was always Ping Ye who struggled in the kitchen. His mother even jokingly remarked that he might not find a girlfriend in the future if he couldn¡¯t master the art of cooking such delicacies. This teasing infuriated Ping Ye, leaving him with no choice but to silently endure his mother¡¯s playful lectures. As Ping Ye took a sip of the fragrant and rich hot soup, a comforting warmth enveloped him. A peculiar sense of satisfaction emanated from his stomach. The aroma of the tender rice noodles filled his mouth, instantly reminding Ping Ye of his mother¡¯s words¡ªshe often said that the aroma was the soul of the rice noodles. He couldn¡¯t help but find it unbelievable and incredibly delicious! ¡°It¡¯s a shame that Colonel Zhou is away on a mission at the border. If he knew he missed out on such a delightful breakfast, he would undoubtedly feel regretful,¡± Ping Ye remarked, his thoughts drifting to Zhou Ling, who was currently on a mission. At this moment, he could only rely on nutritional supplements, bitter as they may be. ¡°I miss my uncle. He left without spending much time with me,¡± Mili expressed, her sadness momentarily overshadowing the enjoyment of the food. Upon noticing Mili¡¯s melancholy, the wolf cub disregarded its rice noodles and swiftly comforted her. ¡°I¡¯ll be here for you. Uncle Zhou Ling will return once he completes his mission. Didn¡¯t he mention that he would take a break at home after this assignment? Mili, when he comes back, he¡¯ll be able to spend quality time with you.¡± Mili found solace in her friend¡¯s comforting words and nodded. ¡°I understand. Nai Nai, thank you for always being there for me. I¡¯m truly happy to have you by my side!¡± The wolf cub touched the back of his head in embarrassment. He knew that Mili was referring to the time when he was on Star Web until now.. How could he not thank Mili for accompanying him through those dark times as well? Chapter 163 - Chapter 163: SOS Signal Chapter 163: SOS Signal Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Sir, the immediate threat in the vicinity has been neutralized,¡± reported the soldier. Zhou Ling, clad in his combat uniform, looked up from his discussion with Lan Yin, focusing on the soldier. ¡°Thank you, everyone. How is the status of the wormhole?¡± The soldier saluted and responded with conviction, ¡°The wormhole will dissipate within an hour. The engineers have deployed a jamming net to erase the Bugs¡¯ markings. They won¡¯t mistakenly enter Alliance territory in the future.¡± ¡°Very well. Inform the team to return to the starship for rest. We¡¯ll depart for the capital planet promptly at eight o¡¯clock tomorrow morning. ¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Lan Yin was about to stow away the signal receiver and head back to the starship when the device suddenly rang. A red dot appeared on the Al screen, pinpointing a location several dozen kilometers southwest of their current position. ¡°This is a distress signal specifically used by allied military forces. However, this is the border area. In just a few dozen kilometers, we¡¯ll be in Empire territory. Why would there be another allied unit here besides us, and why are they so close to the Empire?¡± Lan Yin looked at Zhou Ling, seeking clarification. Zhou Ling furrowed his brow and shook his head. He hadn¡¯t received any information from his superiors about other teams being deployed to this area. Their mission this time was to address the Zerg incursion through the wormhole, but the Zerg presence had been minimal. Their team alone was more than capable of handling the situation, so it was highly unlikely that additional allied military units had been dispatched. ¡°Everyone else, return to the starship and await further orders. Lan Yin, come with me. Let¡¯s investigate.¡± Zhou Ling and Lan Yin boarded their aircraft and cautiously approached the location indicated by the red dot. Ten minutes later, they arrived at the crash site. A small spacecraft lay in ruins. Zhou Ling and Lan Yin carefully examined the exterior of the spaceship and deduced that it was a small commercial vessel manufactured in the Empire. It lacked any distinguishing markings to indicate its affiliated trading company. ¡°Doesn¡¯t seem to be any immediate danger. Let¡¯s proceed and investigate.¡± Despite the fact that small commercial spaceships were typically unarmed, Zhou Ling instructed Lan Yin to remove the safety lock on their ray gun, exercising caution. Together, they carefully maneuvered over the wreckage and entered the spaceship. Curiously, Zhou Ling noticed the absence of any signs of a struggle or blood along their path. It appeared that the spaceship had not accommodated many people. It was highly likely that it had fallen victim to an attack by interstellar space pirates during its transportation. Unfortunately, the control system had been destroyed, leading to its crash at this location. However, how could anyone aboard the Empire¡¯s commercial spaceship be aware of the Alliance¡¯s distinct distress signal? Could it involve his brother and sister-in-law? For a brief moment, Zhou Ling entertained the thought that his sibling and others had disguised themselves on a commercial vessel to flee from the Empire. Yet, he swiftly dismissed this conjecture. The individuals Su MO had sent back had reported no sightings of his brother and sister-in-law at the Golden Rice or anywhere else within the Empire. So, who was the individual knowledgeable about the military¡¯s specialized distress signal? ¡°Boss, come take a look. There¡¯s someone here!¡± Lan Yin called out from behind the control panel in the spaceship¡¯s control room, beckoning Zhou Ling. Zhou Ling swiftly made his way over. He cautiously assessed the person¡¯s condition and realized that they only had marks on their head. There were no other injuries on their body, suggesting that they had likely fainted due to the head injury. Zhou Ling intended to ask Lan Yin to transport the individual back to the starship for examination by the accompanying military doctor. However, his attention was captivated by the marks behind the person¡¯s ears. He extended his hand and gently pried open their ears, revealing three rhythmic, opening- and -closing cracks. ¡°These¡­ are gills. This person is a mermaid!¡± Lan Yin exclaimed, being the first to voice the revelation. Zhou Ling furrowed his brow. The situation was undoubtedly more complex than initially presumed. Why would an empire-protected mermaid appear within Alliance territory? Moreover, this individual appeared to be the sole occupant of the spaceship. How did they come to possess knowledge of the Alliance¡¯s distinct distress signal? ¡°We need to leave this place swiftly. The assailants might return!¡± After Zhou Ling¡¯s command, Lan Yin swiftly shouldered the mermaid and rushed out of the spaceship. Following suit, Zhou Ling exited the vessel and flung a timed, one-minute portable bomb inside. He knew that to prevent any complications, it was crucial to ensure that no one discovered the rescue of the mermaid. It was necessary to obliterate the spaceship entirely and eliminate any evidence. In the midst of the ensuing explosion, Zhou Ling and Lan Yin piloted their spacecraft back to the starship unscathed, ensuring their safe return.. Chapter 164 - Chapter 164: Mermaid Chapter 164: Mermaid Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations After the mermaid was brought back to the starship, their presence immediately drew the attention of everyone on board. If not for the swift intervention of the military doctor, some curious individuals would have attempted to wet the mermaid¡¯s feet to observe if they would revert to their fish-tailed form upon contact with water. ¡°Such troublemakers. How can they casually experiment while in their current condition?¡± The military doctor shut the door to the infirmary, dismissing the curious onlookers. Zhou Ling¡¯s brows furrowed with concern. ¡°Is their condition critical?¡± Given the absence of visible external injuries, it didn¡¯t seem like the situation should be so dire. ¡°It¡¯s not good. While their injuries aren¡¯t severe, the mermaid had minimal exposure to seawater during their escape. They¡¯re severely dehydrated as a result. Additionally, the trauma they experienced during the attack has taken a significant toll on their physical and mental well-being. If we want them to regain consciousness, we must arrange for immediate treatment on the capital planet,¡± the military doctor explained, closely monitoring the mermaid¡¯s vital signs, hoping they would hold on. Zhou Ling rose from his seat in a determined manner and exited the infirmary. His expression grew serious. ¡°Issue the order. We¡¯re returning to the capital planet immediately, everyone.¡± He couldn¡¯t allow the mermaid to perish. The mystery surrounding them still needed to be unraveled. The mere fact that they possessed knowledge of the Alliance¡¯s special distress signal indicated a likely connection between the merfolk and the Alliance. ¡°What¡¯s happening? Weren¡¯t you dealing with the wormhole? How did you catch such a big fish?¡± Liao Ning approached the military hospital on the capital planet, carrying a thermos in her hands. Lan Yin, standing beside Zhou Ling, promptly intercepted the thermos from Liao Ning and placed it on the bedside table. ¡°Ningning, let¡¯s not joke around.¡± Zhou Ling chuckled at her comment. Following the doctor¡¯s treatment, Zhou Ling was instructed to arrange some light, traditional dishes for the mermaid, which led him to contact Liao Ning. ¡°I¡¯ve prepared seafood porridge specifically for them. I wonder if they¡¯ll enjoy it,¡± Liao Ning glanced at the pale and delicate mermaid resting on the hospital bed, addressing Zhou Ling. ¡°Considering they live in the sea, they must have a liking for seafood, right?¡± Zhou Ling struggled to contain his laughter. ¡°Ningning, is there a chance that mermaids are simply fish?¡± Liao Ning choked. She had really neglected the fact that mermaids were also fish. Liao Ning asked cautiously, ¡°So, when he wakes up and sees seafood porridge.. will he faint in anger?¡± Zhou Ling couldn¡¯t help but laugh. He found Liao Ning incredibly endearing. ¡°I¡¯m just teasing you. Don¡¯t worry, mermaids are the rulers of the sea. Seafood is their usual diet. They won¡¯t faint from a bowl of seafood porridge.¡± Observing Liao Ning¡¯s playfulness, Lan Yin couldn¡¯t help but smile. It was a rare sight to see her sister-in-law in such a lighthearted mood. However, he refrained from commenting on her cuteness in front of his boss and simply turned to gaze at the mermaid. To his surprise, when Lan Yin looked back at the bed, he found himself meeting the eyes of the mermaid. Despite expecting the mermaid¡¯s eyes to be shut, they were open and locked onto him with cold, vertical pupils. Lan Yin possessed a gentle demeanor when not on a mission. Even when startled, she refrained from exclaiming like most people. After a moment, she spoke calmly, ¡°¡­You¡¯re awake. You startled me.¡± Her voice remained steady and unaffected, not revealing any fear. The mermaid continued to stare at Lan Yin, unblinking, causing a shiver to run down her spine. ¡°You¡¯re not a mermaid,¡± the mermaid asserted with conviction. Her voice resonated like the legends described. Liao Ning and Zhou Ling exchanged glances, silently agreeing not to interrupt the conversation between the mermaid and Lan Yin. ¡°You¡¯re right, I¡¯m not a mermaid,¡± Lan Yin nodded in acknowledgement, affirming the mermaid¡¯s observation. The mermaid still didn¡¯t blink, her gaze fixed on Lan Yin as she inquired, ¡°Then why do you smell like your own kind?¡± Lan Yin glanced at Zhou Ling, unsure if he should respond to the mermaid¡¯s question. After all, the mermaid was merely an imperial slave they had rescued. Observing Lan Yin¡¯s uncertainty, the mermaid shifted her gaze to Zhou Ling. The mermaid stared at Zhou Ling intently before speaking, ¡°I remember you. You saved me alongside him.¡± Though the mermaid didn¡¯t explicitly mention who ¡°he¡± referred to, the three individuals present understood that the person in question was Lan Yin.. Chapter 165 - Chapter 165: Track Chapter 165: Track Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations The mermaid¡¯s sense of smell was extremely sharp. Even when he was unconscious, he could remember the smell of the people approaching her. Zhou Ling nodded in agreement. ¡°Lan Yin and I discovered you. As for why Lan Yin has the scent of a mermaid, she will explain it herself. However, before that, we need you to answer our questions. As an imperial slave, how did you become aware of the alliance¡¯s military distress signal?¡± ¡°Slaves?¡± Liao Ning¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. She knew that mermaids were the backbone of the empire¡¯s army, but she had no idea about their status as slaves within the empire. The revelation shocked her. The mermaid turned to Liao Ning and replied calmly, ¡°We are deemed too powerful. They fear us.¡± Liao Ning was intrigued by the mermaid¡¯s calm demeanor. She couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°But don¡¯t you feel any resentment or anger? Mermaids, as the rulers of the sea, are treated as mere war machines by the empire and are considered the lowest class of slaves.¡± The mermaid shook his head gently. ¡°No.¡± Liao Ning found it difficult to comprehend the lack of emotions in the mermaid¡¯s eyes. She turned to Zhou Ling, hoping for some explanation. Zhou Ling clarified, ¡°It¡¯s the empire¡¯s doing. They have used elven potions to suppress the emotions of most merfolk, leaving them without resentment.¡± ¡°I see,¡± Liao Ning murmured, fascinated by the mention of elven potions and their magical properties. As the myths of her previous life depicted, Liao Ning became increasingly fascinated by the unique races within the empire. Zhou Ling took a seat beside the mermaid¡¯s bed and continued, ¡°Now, we need to understand why the small commercial spaceship you were on was attacked and how it ended up in the alliance¡¯s territory. Furthermore, we are curious as to how you became aware of the alliance¡¯s military distress signal.¡± ¡°If I reveal this information, will you allow Lan Yin to explain why he possesses the mermaid aura?¡± The mermaid raised a finger and pointed directly at Lan Yin, who was seated before the bed. As the mermaid moved, Liao Ning caught sight of his palm. Thin membranes connected the spaces between his fingers, forming translucent and beautiful webbing. The light blue color of the webbing reminded Liao Ning of braised duck claws she used to enjoy in her previous life, momentarily distracting her thoughts. Unaware of Liao Ning¡¯s food-related musings, Zhou Ling agreed, ¡°I promise Lan Yin will provide an explanation in return.¡± Rather than immediately responding to Zhou Ling¡¯s promise, the mermaid stared at him for a prolonged moment before finally nodding. The three of them prepared to listen to the mermaid¡¯s story, but his response was concise and straightforward. ¡°It was Zhou Ye who instructed me to pilot the spaceship to the Alliance. He taught me that distress signal and instructed me to transmit it immediately upon entering Alliance territory. He claimed that someone would come to retrieve me. However, I was unexpectedly attacked before I could enter the Alliance.¡± ¡°What did you say? Who asked you to come to the Alliance? Repeat it!¡± Zhou Ling¡¯s voice trembled with disbelief and agitation. The mermaid was taken aback by his reaction. Seeking assistance, he glanced at Liao Ning with her cold, silver eyes, inexplicably choosing her over Lan Yin, who shared a similar aura. Liao Ning, too, was stunned upon hearing the name ¡°Zhou Ye.¡± The individual Su MO sent to the empire had reported no findings regarding Zhou Ye and his wife. So, why was this mermaid claiming to have been summoned to the Alliance by someone with the same name? Could it be mere coincidence? Lan Yin felt that the situation was far too coincidental as well. Both he and Zhou Ling were Alliance soldiers, making it illogical for them not to be the same person. ¡°Ling, take a moment to calm down,¡± Liao Ning advised, gently patting Zhou Ling¡¯s shoulder, reminding him to regain composure. Zhou Ling realized he had let his emotions get the better of him. He quickly composed himself and queried the mermaid, ¡°You mentioned that the person who taught you the distress signal, Zhou Ye, where did you encounter him?¡± ¡°On the Golden Rice Planet,¡± the mermaid replied, oblivious to the significance of his words.. Chapter 166 - Chapter 166: Preparation Chapter 166: Preparation Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning raised an eyebrow, impressed by the accuracy of the system¡¯s information. It seemed that Zhou Ye and his wife were indeed on the Golden Rice Planet. ¡°How is that possible? The individuals sent by the Su family specifically reported that they couldn¡¯t find any traces of Brother¡­¡± Lan Yin¡¯s expression also grew perplexed. He knew that the Su family had extensively searched for Zhou Ye¡¯s whereabouts in the empire. With their vast intelligence network, the Su family should have been able to uncover any leads. It was difficult to believe that they had obtained this information so casually from the mermaid they had saved. The mermaid sensed the disbelief in Zhou Ling and Lan Yin¡¯s reactions, and it irked him. He felt insulted by their doubts about her character. His voice turned colder once again as he retorted, ¡°If you don¡¯t trust me, why bother asking? Mermaids never lie!¡± Zhou Ling met the mermaid¡¯s gaze and tried to explain, ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t believe you, but I¡¯m simply overwhelmed by shock. If I¡¯m not mistaken, the person you¡¯re referring to is my long-lost brother. I have searched tirelessly for his whereabouts and accumulated an abundance of information. However, every lead I pursue eventually turns out to be a dead end. It¡¯s not that I doubt you, but I fear my hopes will be dashed once again. I apologize.¡± The mermaid remained silent, shifting his attention to Lan Yin, awaiting his explanation just as Zhou Ling had provided. Lan Yin swiftly responded, ¡°I apologize as well. Due to the Alliance¡¯s covert investigation into Zhou Ye¡¯s whereabouts on the Golden Rice Planet, we were unable to find any substantial evidence. This made me hesitant to confirm the authenticity of this news. Please understand that my intention was not to doubt you.¡± Liao Ning had been attentively listening to their conversation, but she was taken aback when the mermaid turned to look at her after hearing Zhou Ling and Lan Yin¡¯s explanations. The mermaid¡¯s demeanor remained icy as he asked, ¡°Their explanations seem plausible, but what about you? Why do you differ from them? Why did you choose to believe me?¡± Surprised by the mermaid¡¯s astute perception of his beliefs, Liao Ning responded in astonishment, ¡°How did you know that I believed you?¡± Instead of receiving an answer, the mermaid posed a question in response. He furrowed hisr brow, displaying his dissatisfaction. ¡°Different emotions emit different scents. You haven¡¯t addressed my question.¡± Liao Ning smiled warmly at him. ¡°Because I¡¯ve always believed that Zhou Ye is on Planet Golden Rice. Despite the reports from the investigators suggesting otherwise, I choose to believe that Zhou Ye is indeed on Planet Golden Rice. Therefore, I believe in what you¡¯re saying.¡± The mermaid sensed a distinct difference in the woman before her. Although she trusted the mermaid¡¯s words, the mermaid felt that her trust stemmed from something beyond the words spoken. Nodding, the mermaid turned his attention to Zhou Ling. ¡°I remember now. Zhou Ye mentioned having a younger brother who is an exceptional soldier in the Alliance.¡± Zhou Ling, currently dressed in his military uniform, caught the mermaid¡¯s glance at the epaulet on his shoulder. ¡°Zhou Ye¡¯s brother is a colonel in the Alliance, and you¡¯re also a colonel. You are Zhou Ye¡¯s brother.¡± With the mermaid¡¯s affirmation, Zhou Ling smiled. He was now certain that the individual who had guided the mermaid to the Alliance was indeed his brother. ¡°It¡¯s me. Thank you for bringing news of my brother. Rest well for now. We¡¯ll discuss this further once you¡¯ve recovered.¡± Before leaving the room, Liao Ning reminded the mermaid, ¡°There¡¯s seafood porridge on the cabinet over there. I made it specially for you. Mermaids are known to enjoy seafood, right? But if you don¡¯t like it, there¡¯s nothing I can do. I only made seafood porridge today. If it¡¯s not to your liking, I¡¯ll prepare something different next time.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡± Liao Ning waved her hand and exited the ward, accompanied by Zhou Ling. As the mermaid watched them leave, he couldn¡¯t help but wonder what porridge was. He had never heard of it before. From Liao Ning¡¯s words, it seemed to be something edible. Lan Yin, who stayed behind to care for the mermaid, noticed his curiosity towards the thermos on the cabinet. Thinking that he must be hungry, he opened the thermos and handed a portion of the porridge to the mermaid. ¡°Would you like to try it?¡± Accepting the bowl from Lan Yin, the mermaid sniffed the aroma of the steaming seafood porridge. After confirming the scent of seafood and rice, he picked up the bowl and began savoring the porridge. However, when Lan Yin turned around to fetch a spoon, he realized that the mermaid was using the bowl to drink the porridge. ¡°The porridge is quite hot.. Use a spoon!¡± Chapter 167 - Chapter 167: Plagiarism Chapter 167: Plagiarism Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°There¡¯s some negative news about you on Star Web today. Would you like to take a look?¡± ¡°You handle it. If you need me to intervene, let me know.¡± At that moment, Liao Ning was busy helping the two cubs with their homework. She had grown accustomed to the defamatory comments on Star Web and didn¡¯t pay much attention to them. Jin Xiang quickly responded, ¡°I¡¯m afraid you should still take a look at it personally.¡± Hearing Jin Xiang¡¯s words through the video, Liao Ning looked up and earnestly examined the link he had just sent her. The post¡¯s title read, ¡°The Alliance¡¯s top food live-streamer ¡®My Child Is The Best¡¯ vs. the Empire¡¯s Princess of Dawn. Whose ancient cuisine reigns supreme?¡± Liao Ning clicked on the post and scanned its contents. The author had meticulously compared the dishes prepared by both individuals. The initial part seemed fine, but when it reached the dessert section, numerous netizens pointed out that Liao Ning¡¯s ginger milk curd and the Princess of Dawn¡¯s pudding had been plagiarized not long ago. However, the netizens were not accusing the Princess of Dawn of plagiarism; they were accusing Liao Ning instead. ¡°How can they claim that my ginger milk curd and pudding are acts of plagiarism? The ingredients for these two desserts are completely different!¡± Jin Xiang noticed the surprise in Liao Ning¡¯s voice and realized that she was unaware of the significance of Pudding in the imperial family. Jin Xiang proceeded to explain, ¡°Pudding is one of the few ancient dishes preserved by the royal family. Prior to the Princess of Dawn¡¯s return to the empire, only members of the royal family were allowed to enjoy it. Only the royal chefs possessed the recipe.¡± ¡°If that¡¯s the case, it¡¯s utterly absurd for them to accuse me of plagiarism. I¡¯m a food live-streamer from the Alliance, located so far away from the empire. How could I have stolen the closely-guarded pudding recipe of the royal family and plagiarized it?¡± Liao Ning genuinely found it ridiculous that there were netizens suggesting she had engaged in plagiarism. Jin Xiang empathized with Liao Ning¡¯s current emotions but felt the need to remind her. ¡°Do you know how the royal family lost the Princess of Dawn? Over a decade ago, during the Empress¡¯s impending childbirth, a group of rebels launched a surprise attack on the palace. The Princess of Dawn was abducted by these rebels, and in the ensuing chaos, they also stole numerous invaluable ancient books. Unfortunately, Pudding¡¯s recipe happened to be among the stolen items.¡± ¡°So, people suspect that I was aware of Pudding¡¯s recipe and modified it to my advantage, is that it?¡± Liao Ning inquired, feeling a sense of understanding. Jin Xiang nodded in affirmation during their video call. Liao Ning sighed, her hand weakly resting on her forehead. ¡°Then what should I do? Find ancient books that document ginger milk curd to prove my innocence?¡± ¡°Yes, that seems to be the only and best solution for now,¡± Jin Xiang confirmed. ¡°Your Highness, we have carried out your instructions. The alliance has already condemned the live-streamer known as ¡®My Child Is The Best.¡¯ Many netizens suspect her of plagiarism.¡± ¡°Have you taken care of all the traces? We cannot allow the Alliance to trace this back to us,¡± the Princess addressed her subordinate. ¡°Do not worry, Your Highness. We have handled everything discreetly. I guarantee that no one will be able to trace it back to us.¡± Satisfied, Princess Loya smiled and waved her hand, dismissing the subordinate from her presence. The empire publicly announced that over a decade ago, during the Empress¡¯s impending childbirth, a group of rebels attacked the palace. It was revealed that the Princess of Dawn had been abducted by these rebels. Furthermore, taking advantage of the palace chaos, the rebels had stolen precious ancient books, including the coveted Pudding recipe. Apart from the king, Knight Cologne, and Loya herself, no one else knew that the real Princess of Dawn had tragically passed away shortly after her birth. The staged rebel attack and theft of the princess¡¯s treasures were orchestrated by the king and Cologne. Loya eagerly anticipated seeing how Liao Ning would clear her name from the accusations of plagiarism. She firmly believed that fate would not always favor Liao Ning! ¡°Your Highness, it¡¯s time for dinner. We should go to the cafeteria.¡± Upon hearing the maidservant¡¯s words, Loya quickly calmed down. ¡°Got it. Are Father and Mother here?¡± ¡°Not yet, but the three princes have already arrived at the cafeteria.¡± ¡°I understand. Let¡¯s go..¡± Chapter 168 - Chapter 168: New Mission Chapter 168: New Mission Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations [Ding¡ªActivated standard mission: Unveiling the Truth. Mission Objective: Clear suspicion of plagiarism. Mission Reward: One million star coins and access to the Princess of Dawn¡¯s undisclosed background. As a part of this mission, you receive an ancient book titled ¡°Soft Dessert¡±.] Access to the Princess of Dawn¡¯s undisclosed background? It had been quite some time since Liao Ning had last received a mission. This particular assignment seemed rather ordinary, offering a reward of merely one million star coins. However, the prospect of uncovering the undisclosed background of the Princess of Dawn intrigued her. After all, wasn¡¯t the Princess of Dawn¡¯s background already common knowledge? Or was there more to it than met the eye? ¡°Intriguing¡­¡± Jin Xiang, Liao Ning¡¯s assistant, glanced up from their planning session. ¡°What¡¯s intriguing?¡± ¡°Oh, it¡¯s nothing. Let¡¯s continue.¡± Observing Liao Ning¡¯s reticence, Jin Xiang refrained from further inquiry and focused on writing the proposal. This marked Liao Ning¡¯s first encounter with Jin Xiang in person, rather than through video communication. Despite their remote interactions, Jin Xiang appeared just as youthful as she did on screen. Liao Ning found it hard to believe that she was already an adult. While Jin Xiang diligently penned the proposal, Liao Ning discreetly accessed her Al to check if any emails had arrived from the system. Previously, the system would transmit recipes via email, which would arrive promptly in Liao Ning¡¯s Al inbox. Curiously, there were no emails from the system this time. This was unusual, as the system would typically send them promptly. Could her Al be malfunctioning? Liao Ning contemplated investigating its status. However, before she could delve into the matter, the butler entered the room bearing a package. ¡°Miss Liao Ning, this package is for you.¡± ¡°Hmm? Very well, thank you, Butler Li!¡± After handing the package to Liao Ning, the butler took his leave. Curiosity got the better of Liao Ning as she wondered who could have sent her the package at this moment. Without hesitation, she opened it, revealing a meticulously crafted book. Its title was prominently displayed on the cover, immediately catching Liao Ning¡¯s attention. It was none other than the recipe book for ¡°Soft Dessert¡± provided by the system. ¡°How thoughtful.. Liao Ning hadn¡¯t expected the system to be so considerate. It had transformed the electronic version into a physical book, recognizing her need for this worn-out ancient artifact. Grateful for the system¡¯s attentiveness, she wondered if the recipe for ginger milk curd happened to be included in this ancient tome. Eagerly, Liao Ning perused the book¡¯s table of contents. To her delight, she found an entry for ginger milk curd! Jin Xiang, noticing Liao Ning¡¯s animated movements, looked up inquisitively. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Liao Ning turned and blinked at Jin Xiang. ¡°We don¡¯t need to write the plan anymore.¡± Confused, Jin Xiang furrowed her brow. ¡°??¡± Without wasting a moment, Liao Ning swiftly located the page detailing the ginger milk curd recipe and handed it to Jin Xiang. ¡°Look, here¡¯s the evidence. It proves that I didn¡¯t plagiarize.¡± Jin Xiang still seemed bewildered. ¡°???¡± Observing her assistant¡¯s perplexed expression, Liao Ning simply explained, ¡°With this ancient book in hand, all we need to do is visit the alliance¡¯s authority and have them authenticate its age. Then, we can effortlessly silence those who accused me of plagiarism!¡± A sudden realization dawned on Jin Xiang. ¡°!!!¡± Feeling a touch foolish after going through the trouble of writing the plan, she couldn¡¯t believe she had needed Liao Ning¡¯s reminder to grasp such a straightforward solution. ¡°Let¡¯s go right away!¡± Jin Xiang excitedly grasped Liao Ning¡¯s hand. ¡®We need to silence those individuals as quickly as possible!¡± Jin Xiang hailed from a renowned family of gourmets, a lineage that had sadly suffered the decline of ancient food culture. Her deepest aspiration in life was to resurrect her family¡¯s legacy and kindle a renewed appreciation for ancient culinary traditions within the alliance. The reason she became Liao Ning¡¯s assistant was precisely because she believed in Liao Nings potential to revitalize her family¡¯s name and champion the cause of ancient food culture. Jin Xiang held high hopes for Liao Ning, which motivated her to swiftly respond when she discovered the accusations of plagiarism circulating on the internet. Journeying from a distant planet to the capital planet, she was determined to assist Liao Ning in swiftly resolving this matter. Originally, Jin Xiang had intended to remain on the capital planet for a few months until the plagiarism incident was entirely resolved. However, to her surprise, before she could even finalize the proposal addressing the allegations, Liao Ning presented an ancient book that could serve as irrefutable evidence of her innocence. The incident had been extinguished before it could even fully ignite. If those seasoned public relations officers, experts in managing crises, were to learn of this swift resolution, they would surely be green with envy.. Chapter 169 - Chapter 169: Roasted Lamb Chop with Rosemary Chapter 169: Roasted Lamb Chop with Rosemary Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations After submitting the ancient book to the authoritative appraisal agency, the staff¡¯s demeanor grew even more solemn. With utmost care, they received the weathered tome from Liao Ning¡¯s hands and placed it within a sealed bag. Instructing Liao Ning and her companions to return in three days to collect the test report, the staff acknowledged that due to the book¡¯s antiquity and numerous holes, the appraisal process would be more challenging than anticipated. To ensure the preservation of the ancient book, they decided to extend the inspection time, erring on the side of caution. ¡°Jin Xiang, you¡¯ve worked hard. Now, we wait for the test report in three days. Let¡¯s go back, and I¡¯ll treat you to some delectable rosemary roasted lamb chops!¡± Liao Ning exclaimed, with Jin Xiang trailing behind her. ¡°Don¡¯t forget to start the live-stream,¡± Jin Xiang reminded. ¡°I know, I know!¡± ¡°Hello, everyone! I¡¯m your favorite live-streamer, My Child Is The Best. Today, I¡¯m excited to teach you the art of creating mouthwatering rosemary roasted lamb chops.¡± [Liao Ning has started the live-stream at last!] [We stand by you, Liao Ning.] [We believe in you, Liao Ning. Don¡¯t let the online rumors affect you.] [Indeed, we trust that Liao Ning did not plagiarize.] [Thank you, everyone! Thank you for your unwavering support. I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.] [But what if she did plagiarize?] [Pudding is an imperial delicacy. It¡¯s unlikely she could replicate it entirely without any plagiarism Liao Ning¡¯s devoted fans quickly grew dissatisfied with the comments from anti-fans. They swiftly flooded the live-stream¡¯s instant comments, defending Liao Ning and scolding those who accused her. [Present concrete evidence if you claim Liao Ning plagiarized. Don¡¯t spew baseless accusations!] [Exactly! Demand the person who started the thread to provide evidence. Otherwise, they¡¯re simply engaging in slander and defamation!] [Show us the evidence if you have any!] [Can you all please stop arguing? It¡¯s disrupting the live-stream!] [I¡¯m here to learn cooking from the live-streamer. Quit spamming the comments with your quarrels!] [Take your argument somewhere else. Don¡¯t ruin my cooking experience!] The heated exchange between fans and anti-fans displeased the neutral viewers, who voiced their frustration in the instant comments, expressing their desire to enjoy the live-stream without distractions. Aware that she couldn¡¯t allow the argument to persist, as it risked alienating the neutral viewers and fueling more anti -fans, Liao Ning knew she had to intervene. She took a stand, addressing the audience. ¡°Everyone, please calm down. Let¡¯s be rational. I am currently gathering evidence to prove my innocence. The evidence is being appraised and reviewed by the appropriate authorities, and we will have the results in three days. Whether I have truly plagiarized or not will be determined then. For now, what we need to do is wait. In order to prevent the flood of comments from anti-fans that might disrupt the live-stream, I am temporarily disabling the instant comments feature. I hope you understand.¡± With a bow of apology to the viewers, Liao Ning instructed Jin Xiang to disable the instant comments function. ¡°Now, let¡¯s focus on today¡¯s recipe for rosemary lamb chops. We¡¯ll need 480g of lamb chops, 2 teaspoons of rosemary, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, 2g of sea salt, and some olive oil.¡± Liao Ning proceeded to season the lamb chops with rosemary, black pepper, sea salt, and a drizzle of olive oil. ¡°After adding these seasonings, give the lamb chops a good massage. This will ensure that the flavors are evenly distributed, making the lamb chops even more delicious. Let them marinate for an hour.¡± Once the lamb chops had marinated, Liao Ning proceeded to heat the pan. ¡°Now that the lamb chops have marinated, it¡¯s time to start cooking them in the hot pan. Once the pan is hot, add a suitable amount of olive oil and place the lamb chops in the pan. Fry them for three minutes on each side. After six minutes in total, they will be ready to serve!¡± Liao Ning carefully arranged the fried lamb chops on a plate and garnished them with sprigs of rosemary. Then, she presented them to the camera, offering a virtual treat to her audience. ¡°This one is for all of you. I want to express my gratitude for your unwavering support. It brings me great joy to connect with all of you through the love of delicious food. Please don¡¯t worry; I won¡¯t let this minor setback deter me. Instead, I will continue to improve myself and bring you even more delectable dishes in the future!¡± As Liao Ning elegantly cut small pieces of the roasted lamb with a knife and fork and savored them, the viewers in the live-stream could almost taste the succulent goodness of the lamb chops. The marinated lamb chops carried the enticing aroma of rosemary and black pepper. They successfully countered the gaminess of the meat, leaving a tender and juicy sensation in every bite. At that moment, Liao Ning took a sip of the red wine she had prepared. The sweet aroma of the wine, combined with the smoky fragrance of the lamb chops, captivated the audience in the live-stream. Everyone was enchanted by the mouthwatering flavors unfolding before them.. Chapter 170 - Chapter 170: Rebel Army Chapter 170: Rebel Army Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Because the mermaid possessed a remarkably efficient self-healing ability, the recovery process only lasted for two days. Every bodily function of the mermaid had returned to its optimal state. ¡°I¡¯m Olift. Thank you for the seafood porridge. I really enjoyed it,¡± Olift expressed his gratitude. Having been discharged from the hospital, he now sat in the living room of the Zhou family¡¯s ancestral residence. Zhou Ling informed Liao Ning of his decision to let Olift stay at their house temporarily for safety reasons. Liao Ning had no objections since she also held a fascination for unique species like mermaids. With Olift residing in the Zhou family¡¯s home, she would have a better opportunity to observe him up close. ¡°Welcome, Olift. My name is Liao Ning, and I work as an ancient food culture live-streamer,¡± Liao Ning greeted him warmly with a smile. Olift exhibited a clear curiosity regarding the profession of a live-streamer. ¡°Is being an ancient food culture live-streamer a recent occupation? I have never heard of it in the empire.¡± ¡°It is a relatively new occupation that has gained significant popularity within the alliance in recent years,¡± Liao Ning explained. ¡°By the way, what do you do in the empire? I¡¯ve heard that most male mermaids serve in the imperial army.¡± Olift nodded in agreement. ¡°That¡¯s correct. I was also in the army, but I received orders to infiltrate the rebel army a year ago.¡± ¡°Ah, if it¡¯s a covert mission, wouldn¡¯t it be inappropriate to disclose it openly?¡± Liao Ning expressed her confusion. Olift shook his head, understanding Liao Ning¡¯s concern. ¡°No, Zhou Ye saved me. In return, I will stay within the alliance and share everything I know with his brother.¡± A sense of astonishment washed over Liao Ning. ¡°Isn¡¯t that considered treason? Why would mermaids betray their country so easily? Don¡¯t you have any loyalty to your nation?¡± The values expressed by Olift left Liao Ning genuinely shocked. She decided to seek an explanation from Zhou Ling to better understand this unexpected phenomenon. Zhou Ling, with a smile, proceeded to explain to Liao Ning, ¡°Before the empire occupied the planet where the mermaids lived, they didn¡¯t have a stable political system. Each mermaid lived independently in the sea until they reached adulthood. Once they reached adulthood, they would seek the guidance of the high priest of the mermaid race. The high priest would then allocate territories for them, and they would reside in these territories with their chosen partners.¡± Olift nodded in agreement. ¡°Finding a mate is the most important thing for us mermaids. ¡± Liao Ning had a moment of realization. ¡°I see now. It¡¯s no wonder the empire was able to take over your planet. You mermaids only focus on yourselves and your partners!¡± Curious, she further inquired, ¡°If you¡¯re only concerned about your partners, why are you willing to fight for the empire?¡± Olift smiled warmly at Liao Ning. ¡°Because female mermaids are attracted to the items created by humans in the empire, such as exquisite clothing and dazzling accessories. In order to make their partners happy, male mermaids are willing to fight for the empire in exchange for generous allowances that can be used to acquire things that female mermaids appreciate.¡± Liao Ning¡¯s curiosity shifted to Olift¡¯s own situation. ¡°What about your partner? Did you leave her behind when you joined the alliance?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve just reached adulthood, and I haven¡¯t had the opportunity to choose a mate yet. During my time infiltrating the rebel army, I encountered a beautiful mermaid. However, she didn¡¯t reciprocate my feelings and even tried to harm me upon discovering my true identity,¡± Olift shared with a hint of regret in his voice. Liao Ning nodded, her interest piqued by the mention of the rebel army. She wondered what kind of entity it was, considering it comprised both mermaids and humans. ¡°Uncle and Aunt, we¡¯re back!¡± ¡°Aunt, Uncle Zhou Ling, Mili and I are back.¡± The door swung open, and the two children hurried inside. Mili eagerly embraced Liao Ning, and Liao Nai followed closely, helping Mili with her school bag. Mili snuggled against Liao Ning like an affectionate kitten. Liao Ning gently caressed her ponytailed head. ¡°There¡¯s premade Taro Paste milk tea in the fridge. Help yourself to some.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Mili¡¯s face lit up upon hearing about the milk tea, and she dashed happily to the kitchen to get some. Liao Nai had noticed Olift on the sofa. Once Mili had left, he approached Liao Ning and inquired, ¡°Who is he?¡± ¡°He¡¯s Brother Olift, a mermaid!¡± Liao Ning took his and Mili¡¯s bags and put them away. The wolf cub stared at Olift with his eyes wide open. He knew from the primary school history textbook that mermaids were a minority of the empire and were very powerful. He couldn¡¯t believe that a mermaid would come to his house on the capital planet.. Chapter 171 - Chapter 171: Zhou Ye Chapter 171: Zhou Ye Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Are you certain that the spy sent by the Empire¡¯s military is deceased?¡± ¡°I witnessed the small commercial spaceship, piloted by the undercover agent, explode before my very eyes. The area was engulfed in flames for over ten minutes until allied forces arrived and extinguished the fire. Prior to the mermaid¡¯s escape, he was confined in a room devoid of seawater. It would have been impossible for him to muster the strength to escape the spaceship that turned into an inferno, all on his own.¡± The soldier, dressed in combat uniform, respectfully lowered his head. ¡°Are you absolutely certain there was no one else aboard the ship?¡± The soldier¡¯s tone remained resolute. ¡°I am certain. Furthermore, I closely monitored the spaceship from the moment it crashed within the Alliance¡¯s territory. From the time of the crash until the explosion, no one approached the vessel. ¡± The figure at the head of the table remained silent, piercingly staring at the soldier who claimed to be his subordinate. The weight of the gaze caused beads of sweat to form on the soldier¡¯s brow. ¡°You may leave.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The soldier promptly exited the office, as though he had received a reprieve. The soldier walked a considerable distance before daring to contemplate the truly fearsome nature of his leader, as rumored. Although his leader was merely a Half-Mermaid, the intensity of his gaze alone was enough to induce cold sweat. ¡°Adjutant Crete, what¡¯s the matter? Who frightened you so greatly?¡± Zhou Ye had been observing Crete emerging from the leader¡¯s office in the shadows, but he waited until Crete was about to descend the stairs before pretending to pass by and call out to him. ¡°It¡¯s you, Kevin. Don¡¯t mock me. Even a general would falter under the weight of our leader¡¯s presence. How could a lowly adjutant like me endure it!¡± Crete whispered to Zhou Ye. ¡°Well, it is the Lord Leader we¡¯re talking about. That¡¯s not surprising.¡± ¡°Are you going to see the leader?¡± Crete cautioned. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, be careful. The leader is furious due to the escape of that spy!¡± ¡°Hasn¡¯t it been confirmed that the spy is deceased?¡± ¡°That¡¯s correct. The spy has already been confirmed dead, but the leader seems to believe otherwise. Anyway, I should attend to my tasks. Pay close attention, alright?¡± ¡°Then go swiftly. Thank you for the warning!¡± Zhou Ye bid farewell to Crete, his brow furrowing. He found himself in his current situation, assuming someone else¡¯s identity, due to the malfunction of his spaceship. Following the malfunction of Zhou Ye¡¯s spaceship, he was compelled to make an emergency landing on a desolate planet within an unregulated sector. He had intended to send a distress signal to his brother, Zhou Ling, but an unexpected Zerg army appeared near the crash site. This time, the wormhole was teeming with comparatively docile soft beetles. Ordinarily, as long as they were not provoked, the soft beetles would not attack. However, for some unknown reason, these creatures relentlessly assaulted their spaceship. After Zhou Ye and his wife dealt with the onslaught of the beetles and prepared to seal the wormhole, an emerald-green cocoon, emitting a faint fluorescent glow, materialized within the wormhole. In an instant, Zhou Ye, his wife, and their companions were forcibly pulled into the wormhole by a tremendous force. Since their arrival in the wormhole alongside the cocoon, Zhou Ye couldn¡¯t ascertain whether the presence of the cocoon was the cause of their collective displacement. He dared not take the risk of disturbing the incubating worm cocoon. His only hope was that they would be transported out of the wormhole once the cocoon hatched. Fortunately, the spaceship was drawn into the empty wormhole as well. With the provisions onboard, the group managed to survive, albeit barely, until the cocoon finally hatched. Without the supplies, they would have perished from starvation within the confinements of the wormhole. Upon hatching, they were suddenly teleported out of the wormhole, bathed in a dazzling light. As Zhou Ye adjusted to the brightness of the outside world, he realized they had materialized within an underground encampment. By his side lay his unconscious wife and a youth with vibrant green hair. The whereabouts of the others remained unknown¡ªwhether they remained trapped within the wormhole or were transported randomly to other locations. Zhou Ye carefully lifted his unconscious wife and carefully positioned her in a secluded corner. He utilized the concealed orb he carried to obscure any traces of her presence. Seated nearby, the young man with green hair observed Zhou Ye silently, his emerald eyes mirroring a calm demeanor. With his wife settled, Zhou Ye finally found a moment to engage in conversation with the young man. ¡°What is your name, transformed Zerg?¡± Surprised, the young man tilted his head, his inquisitive gaze locked onto Zhou Ye. ¡°How did you know?¡± he inquired. Zhou Ye surveyed his surroundings before confirming the safety of their environment. He then explained, ¡°Your cocoon possesses a green hue, indicating your transformation..¡± Chapter 172 - Chapter 172: Rebel Army Base Chapter 172: Rebel Army Base Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Every millennium, exceptionally gifted larvae undergo a transformation into cocoons after reaching the adolescent stage. If they possess enough strength to break free from their cocoons, these larvae enter the maturity stage and assume leadership roles among their kind. ¡°The insectoids remain nameless, but you can bestow upon me a human-like name.¡± Zhou Ye was taken aback by this revelation. He had been oblivious to the fact that the young man before him was destined to become the future leader of the gentle soft beetles. No wonder the normally docile beetles had initiated the attack¡ªthey were protecting their future leader. Upon emerging from the cocoon, the new insectoid leader would imprint on the first insectoid they encountered, viewing them as their mother. Until they reached adulthood, the current leader would provide guidance and support. The group of soft beetles must have been transporting the cocoon to the present leader, but instead of encountering their leader, the newly emerged insectoid found a human, much like Zhou Ye. Fortunately, the newly emerged leader would inherit the memories of their predecessors, eliminating the need for concern over how to nurture the young insectoid. ¡°I must investigate this situation, and I don¡¯t have time to give you a name now. Wait here for me to return, and I will give you a name then. If anyone approaches, hide in the corner and remain undetected.¡± Zhou Ye gestured toward the corner where he had placed his wife. As long as the young man concealed himself in the corner, the invisible sphere would shield his presence. The young man remained silent, responding to Zhou Ye solely through his actions. Zhou Ye regarded the young man with disapproval, but the young man returned his gaze calmly. They locked eyes for a while, until Zhou Ye was the first to break the silence. ¡°Listen, our primary objective is to investigate the situation. You may accompany me, but you mustn¡¯t impede my progress or allow others to discover our presence.¡± With a composed gaze, the young man nodded in agreement. For over an hour, Zhou Ye and the young man explored the underground base, gradually piecing together its layout. Zhou Ye even utilized the assistance of an Al to create a rough map of the base. Based on various indications within the facility, Zhou Ye deduced that they were situated within the territory of the Empire, specifically an underground stronghold belonging to a rebel army. Having gathered sufficient information, Zhou Ye led the young man back to the hiding spot where his wife, Mi Lu, was waiting. However, as they turned a corner, they unexpectedly encountered a group of rebel soldiers. Just as Zhou Ye was preparing to incapacitate the rebels, one of them spoke up first, addressing him as Kevin. ¡°Kevin, where have you been? The commander has been furious, searching for you everywhere. Hurry up and report to him!¡± ¡®Kevin?¡¯ The rebel soldier¡¯s expression appeared genuine, devoid of any signs of deceit. Zhou Ye hadn¡¯t carried anything that could cause confusion, leaving only one possibility. He turned to look at the young man and confirmed his suspicion as the youth¡¯s emerald green eyes sparkled in response. It was clear that he had utilized the Zerg¡¯s innate ability. Upon seeing Zhou Ye turn and gaze at him, the rebel soldier realized there was nothing behind Zhou Ye and asked, ¡°Kevin, what are you staring at?¡± Knowing that the rebel soldiers couldn¡¯t see the young man due to his Zerg abilities, Zhou Ye swiftly changed his demeanor and expressed his gratitude to the rebel soldier. He assured them that he would report promptly and the rebel soldiers departed. ¡°I owe you my thanks. We would have been in serious trouble without your help. Thank you,¡± Zhou Ye said, heaving a sigh of relief. In response to Zhou Ye¡¯s gratitude, the young man smiled for the first time. ¡°It was nothing. You¡¯re welcome.¡± Zhou Ye successfully escorted the young man back to where Mi Lu was hiding. As Zhou Ye deactivated the invisibility sphere, his wife was already awake. The moment she spotted Zhou Ye, she rushed into his arms. Mi Lu, an S-rank instructor at the Alliance Military School, had shed her usual serious and composed demeanor, her eyes welled with tears as she looked at Zhou Ye, worried and relieved at the same time. ¡°I thought you were in danger and left me alone in the barrier to escape from the pursuers,¡± she said. Zhou Ye tenderly caressed Mi Lu¡¯s cheek, comforting her. ¡°Are you being silly? I¡¯m strong, and I would never leave you alone in any danger.¡± It proved challenging for Zhou Ye to soothe his wife¡¯s worries. As he turned his attention to Mi Lu, he noticed her gaze fixated on the Zerg youth, curiosity evident in her expression. Zhou Ye proceeded to introduce the young man to her. ¡°This is the individual who guided us into the black hole.¡± Mi Lu¡¯s surprise was palpable as she exclaimed, ¡°You¡¯re the emerald cocoon? So, you¡¯re not merely a newly hatched larva, but a future leader on the verge of emerging from your cocoon and reaching maturity?¡± Chapter 173 - Chapter 173: Reason for the Rebellion Chapter 173: Reason for the Rebellion Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations With the aid of the young Zerg, Zhou Ye skillfully assumed Kevin¡¯s identity and managed to infiltrate the rebel army. Through his exceptional mental strength and sharp intellect, he swiftly gained the trust of the rebel army¡¯s leader. Under Kevin¡¯s guise, Zhou Ye finally comprehended the true motive driving the rebel army¡¯s quest to overthrow the empire. The rebel leader, Li Xian, hailed from a unique background. His father, once an officer in the empire¡¯s mermaid army, was compelled to retire due to severe injuries. Consequently, he returned to the Blue Sea Planet, where the mermaid community had thrived for generations. Mermaids were not only inherently powerful but also possessed extraordinary beauty. Their melodious voices resonated like the finest symphonies, capable of enchanting people with just a few notes. The group of interstellar space pirates turned poachers had embarked on a grand scheme. Their intention was to capture numerous mermaid offspring and sell them, subsequently abandoning the mermaids forever. Due to unfortunate circumstances, Li Xian¡¯s father, weakened and alone in mermaid territory, became an additional target for the poachers, in addition to the mermaid cubs. The poachers didn¡¯t exert much effort in seizing this severely injured yet stunning male mermaid. Rarely did poachers capture adult specimens, but Li Xian¡¯s father, captured during that incident, was successfully purchased at an astronomical price by an immensely wealthy individual. Initially, this tycoon held a disdainful view of minority races like mermaids. However, he was persuaded to spend a considerable sum of money on acquiring a mermaid due to his daughter¡¯s intense fascination with them, influenced by certain nobles within the empire. As her birthday approached, she had pleaded with her father to present her with a mermaid as a gift. The tycoon had arrived on the starship of the interstellar space pirates to participate in the auction, intending to acquire a mermaid cub as a birthday gift for his daughter. However, he was taken aback to discover the presence of an adult male mermaid for sale. Considering the formidable abilities possessed by adult mermaids and his daughter¡¯s frailty, the tycoon promptly abandoned his bid for the mermaid cub and redirected his attention towards acquiring the male mermaid at a staggering price. His plan was to utilize a loyalty potion crafted by the elves, ensuring that this male mermaid would become his daughter¡¯s devoted bodyguard. On his daughter¡¯s birthday, the wealthy man presented her with the mermaid who had consumed the loyalty potion. The alluring and powerful mermaid captivated the rich man¡¯s daughter without exception. Naturally, due to the empire¡¯s explicit prohibition on privately keeping mermaids, nobody knew that the tycoon had acquired them. Outsiders merely believed that he had expended a significant sum to hire a formidable bodyguard for his daughter. Since acquiring the mermaid bodyguard, Li Xian¡¯s mother would bring the mermaid along wherever she went. Perhaps over time, she had developed a genuine affection for the mermaid through their interactions. She endeavored to please the mermaid to the best of her abilities. Li Xian¡¯s mother understood that once a mermaid fell in love, their devotion lasted a lifetime. Having grown accustomed to witnessing the tumultuous private lives of many aristocratic men, she yearned for a love that remained dedicated to a single person for eternity. Indeed, mermaids would only fall in love with someone they held affection for, and once that love was established, it endured for the entirety of their lives. Unfortunately, she had forgotten the reasons why mermaids were compelled to leave their homes and how poachers resorted to ruthless methods to capture them. Now, the relationship between Li Xian¡¯s mother and the mermaid entailed both victim and perpetrator. Even if she herself hadn¡¯t captured the mermaid, the fact remained that the poachers had found willing buyers like her. Victims rarely fall in love with their perpetrators unless the merfolk suffered from Stockholm syndrome. When unrequited love festered, individuals could resort to extreme and irrational behavior. Li Xian¡¯s mother hailed from a wealthy family and had always been indulged. She had grown accustomed to acquiring whatever she desired.. Chapter 174 - Chapter 174: Li Xian Chapter 174: Li Xian Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Li Xian¡¯s mother had spent a significant sum of money to acquire a potion from the black market that promised to induce temporary infatuation in individuals. Drinking this potion would make the person fall in love with the first person they saw after its consumption for a period of five years. However, once the five-year duration elapsed, the effects of the potion would vanish, and its side effects were known to potentially drive the imbiber to madness. Over the past five years, Li Xian¡¯s mother had enjoyed a blissful existence with the merfolk, during which time she gave birth to Li Xian. The small family of three resided contentedly in a secret yet splendid manor. Unfortunately, falsity remained false and could not transform into reality simply through the passage of time. When Li Xian turned four years old, the five-year effect of the potion waned. The mermaid, unable to accept that she had once been enamored with Li Xian¡¯s mother, the one who had deceived her, desired to end the life of this woman with her own hands. Regrettably, the loyalty potion bestowed upon her by a wealthy benefactor prevented her from taking action. Ultimately, the mermaid¡¯s only recourse was to comprehend the reality of her existence one fateful night. Upon witnessing her lover¡¯s lifeless body, Li Xian¡¯s mother unleashed an anguished cry that bordered on insanity. Startled by the terrifying sound, four-year-old Li Xian sought refuge in a corner, petrified. From that day forth, Li Xian¡¯s life underwent a profound transformation. The animosity he experienced did not arise from inter-country conflicts but from the prejudice he faced as a mixed-blood individual, born of both human and mermaid heritage. Even his own mother disparaged him, fueling his deep resentment towards the Empire. While the Empire exploited mermaids to expand its dominion, reducing them to the lowest rung of society, Li Xian harbored the burning desire to overthrow its oppressive regime and establish a nation free from social stratification. In the present moment, Li Xian, the leader of the rebel army, sat in his office, his demeanor composed. He calmly perused Olift¡¯s dossier before consigning it to the shredder. Whether the spy dispatched by the imperial military was truly deceased or hiding in some obscure corner held no bearing on his plans. This mermaid named Olift had gleaned no useful information whatsoever. Li Xian simply detested when someone would escape confinement within his domain and challenge his authority. A knock on the door jolted Li Xian back to reality. Swiftly regaining his composure, Li Xian responded calmly, ¡°Enter.¡± After obtaining permission, Zhou Ye pushed open the office door and entered with a composed stride. His gaze fell upon Li Xian seated behind the desk, but no discernible expression graced Li Xian¡¯s face. His usual calm demeanor remained intact. It appeared that the escape of the imperial military spy held no threat for him. Upon further reflection, Zhou Ye realized this was a favorable outcome. It meant that Olift had not gathered any information that could jeopardize the rebel army, alleviating Zhou Ye¡¯s concern about Li Xian¡¯s continued investigation that might unveil Olift¡¯s involvement with the alliance. When Zhou Ye aided Olift in escaping, he left an imperceptible mark on Olift¡ªa special reaction exclusive to Zhou Ye and his twin brother, Zhou Ling, known as the White Tiger Double Star. Not long before meeting Crete, Zhou Ye felt the mark burn, a clear indication that Olift was alive and had made contact with his brother, Zhou Ling, who should now be aware of Olift¡¯s safety. His task at hand was to continue lurking within the rebel army and listen for their forthcoming plans. Once they harbored intentions of instigating a war between the Alliance and the Empire, seizing the opportunity to ignite a civil war within the Empire¡¯s territory, Zhou Ye could promptly alert the Alliance to respond. ¡°Why are you here?¡± Li Xian didn¡¯t anticipate Kevin¡¯s presence. Zhou Ye respectfully bowed to him. ¡°Reporting, the overseer of the bathhouse on Planet Beijing has informed us that Duke Brian¡¯s son has recently targeted the bathhouse and employed disruptive tactics to interfere with its operations. The overseer would like to inquire if you wish to take countermeasures.¡± ¡°Duke Brian¡­ Inform them to overlook it and handle the situation as they have in the past.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Zhou Ye turned to leave but was halted by Li Xian. ¡°Kevin, wait a moment. Personally deliver this document to Star Bath in the capital. Once you hand it over to the overseer, remain there and keep a close watch on Duke Brian¡¯s son for me.¡± Li Xian handed Zhou Ye a moderately thick document. ¡°Feel free to peruse its contents as well. If Brian and his son make any further moves, you can be prepared in advance.¡± ¡°I understand. If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll leave first.¡± Li Xian waved at him and said, ¡°Okay, you can leave..¡± Chapter 175 - Chapter 175: Duke Brian Chapter 175: Duke Brian Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations After Zhou Ye¡¯s departure, Li Xian gazed pensively in the direction he had left, his captivating eyes reflecting a contemplative expression. ¡°Why did you orchestrate trouble at the bathhouse?¡± Duke Brian¡¯s furious gaze bore into his son as they stood within the Duke¡¯s residence. Unperturbed by his father¡¯s anger, Xiao Chen casually reached for the coffee on the table and took a sip. Observing his son¡¯s nonchalant demeanor only served to fuel Duke Brian¡¯s ire further. Pointing accusatory fingers at Xiao Chen, Duke Brian spoke with anticipation of an explanation, ¡°Do you realize that I had planned to rescue the merfolk in the bathhouse and completely disrupt its operations? Your disruptive actions not only failed to aid my scheme but also heightened the bathhouse¡¯s defenses against us!¡± Xiao Chen pushed away his father¡¯s finger that hovered dangerously close to his face and responded in a relaxed, smiling tone, ¡°Who said I did it to help you? I merely sought vengeance for my foolish sister. Besides, I didn¡¯t do much. Every morning, I sent Henry, who slept like a log on the mermaid bed, back to Marquis Kumar¡¯s mansion.¡± Had Xiao Chen not mentioned this, matters might have fared better. However, Duke Brian¡¯s anger surged upon hearing these words. ¡°Is that how you send someone off? You had the bodyguards seize a naked Henry and drag him from the room to the flying car. That¡¯s torture!¡± ¡°You may have successfully embarrassed Henry and avenged your sister, but do you comprehend the reputation your father, I, has gained in the aristocratic circles?¡± As Duke Brian attempted to regain composure, his voice resonated with even greater anger. ¡°They claim that I misuse my Duke¡¯s title, pampering the younger generation and bullying nobles of lower rank!¡± ¡°Reputation? If you truly cared about reputation, you wouldn¡¯t have betrayed me in the first place.¡± ¡°You!¡± Duke Brian seethed with anger at Xiao Chen¡¯s nonchalant demeanor, but he made an effort to compose himself. ¡°Yes, I may not care about reputation, but you know that Marquis Kumar is aligned with me. He despises the bathhouse as much as I detest the mermaids profiting and undermining the empire¡¯s authority. Our Duke¡¯s Mansion and the Marquis¡¯ Mansion have been family friends. Your grandmother was once married to Henry¡¯s great-grandfather!¡± Anticipating that her father would once again bring up their families¡¯ past connection, Xiao Chen interjected unhappily. ¡°So what? Grandma has been gone for many years, yet you continue to dwell on the past. Are you seriously considering marrying off your sister to Henry? Don¡¯t forget, when Grandma got married, her husband was a duke, not a marquis like Kumar is now, let alone an earl like Henry will be in the future!¡± Such a decline in nobility with each passing generation could only be described as lackluster! ¡°I am not¡­¡± The duke, of course, had no intention of marrying off his beloved daughter to Henry, a lackadaisical individual who had no drive and remained entangled with the bathhouse. ¡°Since you don¡¯t want to, why do you keep indulging your sister? Why do you continue to associate with Henry?¡± Xiao Chen¡¯s expression turned cold as she placed the coffee cup on the table with a firm hand. Xiao Chen understood him all too well. She knew that her father merely wanted her sister, Xiao Han, to maintain the relationship between the two families, enabling her to continue to rope in the influential Marquis Kumar and work together to execute their plan against the bathhouse. After all, most of the nobles residing on the planet of the Empire¡¯s Beijing were regular patrons of the bathhouse. Only a select few, like Kumar, staunchly opposed the bathhouse¡¯s management. And nobles of Kumar¡¯s caliber, possessing genuine power and high noble titles, were even scarcer. Xiao Chen regained her composure. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Henry has completely shattered my sister¡¯s heart. They won¡¯t have any further contact in the future. Likewise, I won¡¯t target Henry anymore and cause trouble for your plan.¡± Having said her piece, Xiao Chen left the room without looking back. She cared little for Duke Brian¡¯s mood, let alone the shattered cup. Just as Xiao Han returned and was about to ascend to her room, she caught sight of Xiao Chen exiting their father¡¯s study, her expression icy and aloof. ¡°Brother?¡± Xiao Chen¡¯s face lit up with a warm smile upon seeing her sister. ¡°Are you having a good day?¡± In an instant, Xiao Chen could discern her sister¡¯s happiness. It seemed that Henry¡¯s hurtful words hadn¡¯t affected her in the slightest. Xiao Chen couldn¡¯t help but feel a slight concern that her sister might be falling in love. No matter how harsh Henry¡¯s words were, they couldn¡¯t seem to sway her heart.. Chapter 176 - Chapter 176: Career Chapter 176: Career Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Xiao Han didn¡¯t give it much thought. Henry¡¯s harsh words towards her were likely a result of her brother¡¯s influence. She believed that her brother was genuinely concerned about her. ¡°That¡¯s right. Although I was a little unhappy a few days ago, I¡¯m very happy now. I¡¯ve decided to follow the princess and pursue a career!¡± ¡°Start a business?¡± If he remembered correctly, his sister had always seen the princess as her love rival because of Henry. Why was she suddenly so close to the princess and even considering joining her in her career? However, upon further reflection, Xiao Chen realized that his sister had already been hurt by Henry. It wasn¡¯t entirely implausible for her to grow closer to the princess, whom she had once seen as a rival in love. ¡°That¡¯s right! Brother, come over here and I¡¯ll explain everything in detail!¡± Xiao Han didn¡¯t want to return to her room when she noticed Xiao Chen¡¯s genuine interest in her career. She took his hand and they both sat down in the living room. Xiao Han cleared her throat. ¡°Here¡¯s the situation. When Henry invited me to the royal food manor, I accidentally met the beautiful, noble, and kind princess. Not only did she console me with great compassion, but she also invited me to try exquisite ancient delicacies.¡± Xiao Chen smiled as he listened to his sister praising the princess. She seemed determined to emphasize how wonderful the princess was. ¡°And then? How did our intelligent and adorable Duchess and the gracious and kind Princess come up with the idea to start a business together?¡± Xiao Han blushed a little as her brother complimented her intelligence and cuteness. ¡°I¡¯m not that smart and cute. I just shamelessly invited the princess out for afternoon tea frequently. Over time, we became more acquainted with each other!¡± ¡°Perhaps Her Highness was touched by my sincerity, so she began confiding in me about certain challenges that only girls face.¡± Xiao Han spoke, lowering her voice and leaning closer to Xiao Chen¡¯s ear. ¡°She even shared some embarrassing stories about the Third Prince and the Second Prince, mostly highlighting the Third Prince¡¯s one-sided embarrassments, followed by merciless teasing from her own brother, the Second Prince.¡± Xiao Chen observed his sister¡¯s animated expression as she spoke and couldn¡¯t help but mirror her smile. Even though she had shared so much, she still hadn¡¯t revealed why she was collaborating with the princess. Xiao Chen didn¡¯t press her for answers. ¡°Recently, Her Highness has obtained His Majesty¡¯s approval to establish a branch of the royal gourmet manor. The reason why it¡¯s being opened in this small manor is because there is a scarcity of skilled chefs capable of preparing ancient cultural delicacies. Her Highness is concerned about this,¡± Xiao Han explained, wearing a worried expression. After a moment, Xiao Han gazed at Xiao Chen and added, ¡°But I¡¯m thinking about you too!¡± Xiao Chen didn¡¯t understand how this concerned him. ¡°The princess and I propose that we train new chefs ourselves. Although it will be challenging, as long as there are individuals willing to endure hardships and learn, perseverance will yield results!¡± Xiao Han looked at him expectantly. ¡°The princess agrees with me. All we need to do now is find enough individuals to serve in the branch manor and learn about ancient cuisine. Brother, do you understand what I mean?!¡± Xiao Chen comprehended her intentions. How could he not grasp his own sister¡¯s thoughts? She was eyeing the dozens of talented guards under his command, hoping that he would allow them to learn the art of preparing ancient delicacies. However, he had personally trained these guards to protect both himself and Xiao Han. They were far more formidable than his father¡¯s guards. If they were to embark on learning ancient cuisine, who would protect him and Xiao Han? ¡°No,¡± Xiao Chen promptly declined her suggestion, but he redirected the conversation. ¡°They can¡¯t go themselves, but their families can.¡± Xiao Han had already felt disappointed. Hearing her brother¡¯s words, she appeared somewhat surprised. ¡°Really? But will their families be willing?¡± Xiao Han was unaware of the significance of ancient cuisine to the empire¡¯s citizens. She only knew that it was delicious and could alleviate the suffering caused by mental strength upheavals. However, she had yet to grasp the true importance of ancient cuisine to the people of the empire. Observing her sister¡¯s unaware expression, Xiao Chen realized that she had yet to understand the profound meaning of ancient cuisine for the common people, and even for the entire empire.. Chapter 177 - Chapter 177: Innocence Chapter 177: Innocence Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Just like the title bestowed upon the princess by His Majesty, ancient food culture served as the beacon of hope for the empire. The princess aimed to utilize these ancient delicacies to guide the people out of the darkness caused by the mental strength riots. She sought to lead the commoners, who were under the control of expensive mental strength potions, towards the light of a new dawn. Xiao Chen didn¡¯t elaborate further to Xiao Han. Instead, she reassured her, saying, ¡°Trust me. Their families will be willing. I will find the people you need.¡± Upon receiving the report from the appraisal center, Jin Xiang promptly sought the assistance of a lawyer to send a legal notice to the individual who had posted the defamatory content and to several anti-fans who were spreading false rumors about Liao Ning. The lawyer¡¯s letter demanded that they delete all the slanderous comments concerning Liao Ning before the afternoon and issue public apologies using their real names. Whether it was due to the shock of receiving a lawyer¡¯s letter from the most prestigious law firm in the entire alliance or the undeniable evidence that Jin Xiang had presented from Liao Ning¡¯s account as her assistant, the few individuals in question publicly apologized to Liao Ning on their respective online platforms before noon. They also removed all the defamatory comments about her from Star Web. Jin Xiang wore a satisfied smile as she observed the Al¡¯s work, and she urged Liao Ning to begin the live-stream. ¡°Understood. The live-stream will commence shortly,¡± Liao Ning responded, feeling somewhat helpless towards her assistant¡¯s persistent encouragement for her to do live-streams. She understood Jin Xiang¡¯s desire to revive their family as quickly as possible, but the frequency of daily live-streams was challenging for her. Lately, she had been providing gourmet guidance for a newly opened hotel! ¡°Hello, everyone. I¡¯m the live-streamer known as My Child Is The Best. Today, I have prepared a tutorial to teach you all how to make orange-black garlic and mustard prawns.¡± [Liao Ning has finally started her live-stream!] [We¡¯ve missed you and the two cubs!] [We were worried about the live-streamer being affected by public opinion, but now that the evidence is out, everyone can feel relieved.] [I apologize, live-streamer. I shouldn¡¯t have doubted your innocence after being swayed by certain public opinions.] [I knew it. Liao Ning would never engage in plagiarism.] [These individuals are masters at exploiting loopholes. The Empire and the Alliance may be distant, but they remain interconnected!] [I suspect it¡¯s a deliberate rumor spread by someone.] [I also believe someone is intentionally targeting the live-streamer.] [Now that you mention it, I¡¯m starting to have my doubts.] [Let¡¯s not get too anxious. We shouldn¡¯t indulge in conspiracy theories.] When Liao Ning noticed the comments from viewers, she, too, began to suspect that someone was deliberately targeting her. However, regardless of her suspicions, she couldn¡¯t show it at this moment. Nor could she allow the discussion on this topic to continue during the live-stream. ¡°I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your trust and support. It truly touches me that you all care for and stand by me, especially during this challenging period. Now, with the irrefutable evidence, all the defamatory comments have vanished. Let¡¯s please remain calm and focus on learning how to cook delicious food together. After all, delectable cuisine has the power to heal negative emotions. I hope that through my live-streams, everyone can find happiness. I don¡¯t want anyone to be unhappy because of me!¡± [The live-streamer is so kind-hearted!] [Liao Ning is simply exceptional. She¡¯s the best live-streamer in the world!] ¡°I¡¯ve noticed that whenever conflicts arise among viewers during the live-stream, the live-streamer steps in to calm everyone down.¡± [Indeed! Regardless of the defamatory remarks made by others, the live-streamer encourages fans to ignore the slander!] [Liao Ning takes great care of everyone¡¯s emotions and strives to maintain a positive learning environment for cooking! ] [I¡¯m just a casual viewer who came here to learn cooking, but I can testify that the live-streamer is the best when it comes to engaging with casual viewers!] [I can testify too!] ¡°Alright, let¡¯s begin today¡¯s cooking lesson! The ingredients needed for our fragrant Orange, Black Garlic, and Mustard Shrimp are as follows: fresh shrimp, olive oil (8g), black garlic (20g), sesame salad dressing (2g), orange (half), mustard cream, black pepper granules, white wine (20g), and pretzels.¡± After washing the prawns, Liao Ning proceeded to remove the heads, shells, and devein them. ¡°We won¡¯t neglect our prawns like this. Now, let¡¯s peel the black garlic and cut the two oranges in half. Take out the flesh from half an orange and mix it thoroughly with mustard and sesame salad dressing.¡± Liao Ning dried the water on the shrimp¡¯s skin and placed them in the pan. She then turned on the heat and fried them until both sides turned golden. ¡°Remember, everyone, you must dry the skin properly. Otherwise, the prawn meat won¡¯t achieve that delicious taste. Additionally, you need to cook it slowly over low heat!¡± Whenever Liao Ning noticed some viewers in the live chat who disregarded her instructions and rushed to cook the dish, she used her popularity to emphasize the importance of patience. Ultimately, she wanted everyone to understand the significance of taking their time in cooking.. Chapter 178 - Chapter 178: Despicable Man Chapter 178: Despicable Man Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning adopted an expression of anger and spoke with a serious tone, ¡°It must be small. It must be small! Important things need to be reiterated three times! Also, everyone, use the same level of heat as I do in the future. Otherwise, not only will it result in wasted ingredients, but it will also hinder your culinary skills from progressing!¡± [Let me see who made Liao Ning so angry. Oh, it was because I was too rebellious. I should have obediently followed Liao Ning¡¯s instructions.] [I made the same mistake. I shouldn¡¯t have sacrificed precision for speed.] [Now everyone understands the importance of controlling the heat!] [I get it now, I get it.] Liao Ning smiled gently at the viewers who acknowledged their mistakes. ¡°It¡¯s great that everyone recognizes their errors and is willing to make changes. Let¡¯s proceed to the next step.¡± After frying the prawns until both sides turned golden, Liao Ning added 20g of white wine, black pepper grains, and a pinch of salt to the pan, continuing to stir-fry. Only when the prawn meat was evenly coated with these seasonings did Liao Ning incorporate the orange meat sauce that she had prepared earlier. She continued to stir-fry, ensuring that the sauce fully enveloped the prawn meat. ¡°Lastly, slice the remaining oranges thinly and place the cooked prawn meat on top of the slices. Finally, grate some orange zest on it using a fine grater. And there you have it¡ªthe fragrant Orange, Black Garlic, and Mustard Prawn is complete!¡± Today, as the two cubs were still in school, Zhou Ling, who happened to be at home on her day off, served as the taste tester. [Colonel Zhou and the live-streamer make such a great couple. They should get married right away!] [No way, Liao Ning belongs to us. We can¡¯t let anyone take her away!] [Although I don¡¯t want Liao Ning to be taken away, Colonel Zhou and Liao Ning really complement each other! ] [I hope they can be together too!] [Everyone, let¡¯s calm down for a moment. Let me say something. This Orange, Black Garlic, and Mustard Prawn is simply divine!!] [Oh no, I forgot to enable sensory tube sharing. No wonder I couldn¡¯t taste it after waiting for so long!] As Zhou Ling savored the delectable Orange-Black Garlic Mustard Prawns, he kept an eye on the live-stream¡¯s instant comments from the viewers. Upon noticing that some viewers hadn¡¯t activated the sensory sharing mode to taste the dish, unsure whether they should let go of Liao Ning, a mischievous smile formed on his lips. Zhou Ling¡¯s smile was quite noticeable, and a few sharp-eyed viewers could discern his hidden amusement. [Wait, I saw Colonel Zhou smile secretly just now. Is he proud to have a wonderful girlfriend like Liao Ning?] [I noticed it too. I suspect he¡¯s not only proud of having such a great girlfriend, but he¡¯s also delighted that he gets to savor her culinary creations!] [They even taunted us for being single and missing out on these delicious dishes!] [Stop talking. It¡¯s starting to make me mad!] [This guy is so annoying. How dare he snatch Liao Ning away and mock us while enjoying her delicacies?!] [I¡¯m so miserable. I¡¯m single and don¡¯t even have tasty food to enjoy!!] [So once a guy gets a girlfriend, he starts acting all smug like this?] [Colonel Zhou Ling, where did your aloof image go?!] Upon seeing the instant comments in the live-stream, Liao Ning realized that most of them were complaining about Zhou Ling¡¯s smugness. She turned to look at Zhou Ling and noticed the self-satisfied expression on his face. Suddenly, Liao Ning understood why the viewers were so worked up. If she had witnessed her favorite live-streamer being snatched away and the snatcher wearing such a smug expression, Liao Ning couldn¡¯t help but clench her fists involuntarily. However, Zhou Ling couldn¡¯t contain his excitement in that moment and continued to playfully tease his fans. Liao Ning overheard his words. ¡°Thank you all for your concern. My relationship with Ningning has always been rock solid. I¡¯m confident that with my unwavering dedication, Ningning will eventually say yes to marrying me!¡± As he spoke, Zhou Ling flashed his pearly white teeth at the camera, sporting a smile reminiscent of a besotted high schooler experiencing their first love. Initially, upon hearing Zhou Ling¡¯s words, the live-stream viewers¡¯ fingers began to dance across their keyboards, ready to launch a counterattack. However, as they caught sight of Zhou Ling¡¯s infectious smile, they instinctively deleted the words they had composed. Witnessing Zhou Ling¡¯s innocent grin, the viewers couldn¡¯t help but reminisce about their own first loves. As the viewers became lost in their nostalgic musings, they failed to react to the ongoing instant comments. Sensing the situation, Jin Xiang discreetly signaled to Liao Ning, urging her to end the live-stream promptly. Having received Jin Xiang¡¯s message, Liao Ning swiftly addressed the camera, ¡°Until next time!¡± Following her farewell, Liao Ning promptly concluded the live-stream, leaving the viewers with no time to react.. Chapter 179 - Chapter 179: God’s Favor Chapter 179: God¡¯s Favor Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations When Loya, who resided in the distant Empire, learned that not only had Liao Ning¡¯s reputation remained untarnished by the post, but she had also gained a significant number of new fans after proving her innocence, Loya became infuriated. She vented her frustration by smashing a few vases until she finally calmed down. After regaining her composure, Loya couldn¡¯t help but find her previous outburst rather ridiculous. It was she who had orchestrated the slander against Liao Ning for plagiarism. Since Liao Ning was innocent, how could her reputation suffer because of baseless accusations? It seemed that as long as she herself didn¡¯t engage in wrongdoing, there was no need to fear the consequences. Even if adverse situations arose, she could face them calmly. Unlike in the past, when Loya would panic upon hearing negative comments, fearing that her past deeds would be exposed, potentially dealing a fatal blow to her reputation. ¡°Your Highness, should we continue targeting Liao Ning?¡± cautiously inquired Loya¡¯s subordinate. Loya let out a sigh. Given that Liao Ning was now in the Alliance while she resided in the Empire, their paths would no longer cross in the future. For the time being, she would set aside her animosity towards Liao Ning. The most crucial task at hand was managing her own affairs. ¡°There¡¯s no need. You may go and receive your reward,¡± Loya replied. ¡°Thank you, Your Highness!¡± As Loya watched the person happily leave the room to claim their reward, she began contemplating the future development of the Royal Gourmet Manor. She wondered how Xiao Han¡¯s team was faring. It was uncertain if Xiao Han had overheard Loya¡¯s thoughts, but later in the afternoon, as Loya savored her afternoon tea, a maidservant came to inform her of the arrival of Duke Brian¡¯s daughter. Loya promptly instructed the maid to bring Xiao Han to her chambers, where she asked her directly, ¡°Xiao Han, are you prepared?¡± Sensing Loya¡¯s unease, Xiao Han didn¡¯t dwell on the matter further. With a reassuring smile, she replied, ¡°Yes, Your Highness. I have successfully recruited enough individuals. We now have a total of 65 dedicated and willing members.¡± ¡°That¡¯s excellent news. Bring them to the new manor tomorrow. For the next two months, I will personally oversee their training alongside the head chef.¡± After witnessing the tremendous benefits the princess had brought to the commoners through the revival of ancient cuisine, Xiao Han had become the princess¡¯s most devoted admirer. She unwaveringly followed the princess¡¯s decrees and guidance. Having personally bid farewell to the accomplished Xiao Han, Loya silently prayed, hoping for a stroke of luck from the heavens. She yearned for the smooth operation of her royal gourmet manor, envisioning its expansion across every city in the empire, providing the commoners with easy access to the enriching delights of ancient cultural delicacies. It would liberate them from their dependence on the mind-stifling potions they consumed daily. Meanwhile, deep within an underground base on Planet Golden Rice, Zhou Ye, accompanied by his wife Mi Lu and the insect youth named Davies, embarked on their journey to Planet Beijing aboard a small commercial spaceship. Zhou Ye arranged for his wife and Davies to settle in the manor he had discreetly acquired, before making his way to the Capital Star Bath on the Empire¡¯s Planet Beijing. The person in charge of the bathhouse was a tall, slender middle-aged man, elegantly attired in a wine-red suit. He wore a sycophantic smile as he respectfully addressed Zhou Ye, ¡°Lieutenant Colonel Kevin, I¡¯ve heard so much about you. Welcome to the Capital Star Bath. I am Carrick, the manager.¡± Zhou Ye reciprocated the smile. ¡°Mr. Carrick, I¡¯ve often heard our leader speak highly of you. He regards you as an exceptional businessman with remarkable acumen, skillfully managing the bathhouse on Planet Beijing and consistently contributing substantial funds to support our cause. The leader is truly grateful for your dedication.¡± Carrick, upon hearing Zhou Ye¡¯s words, understood that these were not words spoken by the leader himself, but he chose not to reveal this fact. Instead, he continued to flatter Zhou Ye, eager to maintain their harmonious interaction. ¡°Lieutenant Colonel Kevin, your praise humbles me. It is my privilege to serve under the leader within the army. We all share the hope that the leader will swiftly overthrow the oppressive rule of the empire, ushering in a brighter future for our fellow citizens.¡± Zhou Ye smiled kindly, but there was no smile in his eyes. He took out the document that Li Xian had asked him to bring and said to Carrick, ¡°This is the information about Duke Brian that the leader asked me to bring specially. The leader hopes that with this information, you can deal with what will happen next more easily..¡± Chapter 180 - Chapter 180: old woman Chapter 180: old woman Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Today, as usual, Liao Ning arrived at the hotel to inspect the day¡¯s business situation. Upon entering the hotel cafeteria, her gaze fell upon the familiar elderly woman who had been a regular presence for the past few days. Seated in her customary spot, the elderly woman had a pot of green tea and a plate of cold, peeled bananas in front of her. However, today was different. Two sets of cutlery adorned the elderly woman¡¯s table, and there was an additional set of cutlery placed opposite her. On the plate across from her lay a peeled banana, and a cup of tea stood beside it. Yet, the food remained untouched, the contents had turned cold, and the cutlery bore no signs of use. Clearly, the elderly woman had come alone today. ¡°Would you like me to reheat your food for you?¡± Liao Ning¡¯s pleasant voice jolted the elderly woman back to reality. Looking up, the elderly woman realized that the one speaking to her was a young and beautiful attendant. With a kind smile, the elderly woman gently replied, ¡°Thank you, young lady, but there¡¯s no need. The delicacies I ordered today are not for myself. They were specially ordered for an old friend, but unfortunately, I¡¯m afraid he won¡¯t be able to partake in them.¡± Liao Ning nodded and had an idea. She said to the elderly woman, ¡°By the way, the hotel is preparing to introduce a new beverage soon. I believe you have a fondness for sweet treats, don¡¯t you? If you¡¯re willing, I¡¯d like to invite you to try this new drink and hear your feedback. If there¡¯s anything amiss, we can make adjustments before it¡¯s officially launched.¡± ¡°Of course, I would be more than happy to assist you, young lady.¡± The elderly woman was delighted to offer her help to Liao Ning. She instructed the attendant to notify the chef and request a cup of Taro Paste milk tea. Before long, the Taro Paste Bubble milk tea arrived. Knowing the elderly woman might prefer a warm drink, Liao Ning had specifically instructed the kitchen to serve it at room temperature. ¡°The texture¡­ I truly adore it!¡± After taking a sip of the milk tea, the elderly woman was immediately captivated by the novel sensation it provided. She took a few more sips. ¡°The smooth Taro Paste, coupled with the luscious milk tea and the delightful burst of the tapioca pearls in your mouth, is nothing short of a delightful surprise. These three elements create an excellent combination!¡± The elderly woman relished the surprise that the milk tea brought. After a while, she let out a sigh and uttered, ¡°If he were still alive, he would unquestionably love this.¡± Unaware of the nature of the relationship between the old woman and the person referred to as ¡°he,¡± and the experiences they had shared, Liao Ning could only respond, ¡°He would most certainly enjoy it.¡± ¡°Thank you, child. I¡¯ve noticed that you frequent this hotel. Are you in charge here?¡± The elderly woman had been dining at the hotel since its opening. She had observed Liao Ning visiting almost daily, and the hotel staff treated her with great respect. Liao Ning smiled and chose not to reveal that she was, in fact, the owner of the hotel. ¡°You¡¯re welcome. I should also thank you for helping me evaluate the new product.¡± ¡°Child, if you don¡¯t mind, sit with me for a while.¡± With no pressing matters at hand, Liao Ning gladly took a seat beside the elderly woman. ¡°It¡¯s my honor to keep you company.¡± ¡°Young people these days are just as charming as my old friend!¡± The elderly woman chuckled, amused by Liao Ning¡¯s playful remark. After the laughter subsided, the old woman turned to Liao Ning and said, ¡°If you¡¯re willing to listen, let me tell you about my old friend.¡± Through the old woman¡¯s words, Liao Ning began to grasp that their story could be described as a tale of tragic love. Forty years ago, the elderly woman was a young girl of merely 19 years old. During that time, a truce was forged between the alliance and the empire. Hailing from a wealthy merchant family within the alliance, she held a deep fascination for the ethnic minorities residing within the empire. Thus, with the reestablishment of commercial trade following the truce, she embarked on a journey to the empire as a trading companion, venturing onto imperial lands. Their first destination for trade was the verdant forest planet, the dwelling place of the elves. It was on this enchanting world that she forged an extraordinary friendship and discovered a love that would endure for the remainder of her days.. Chapter 181 - Chapter 181: Human and Elf Chapter 181: Human and Elf Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°In reality, there isn¡¯t a grand, dramatic tale,¡± the elderly woman¡¯s voice quivered with regret. ¡°He was an exceptional elven pharmacist, rising to become the most accomplished in his clan at a young age. His achievements in the field of pharmaceutics even surpassed those of his mentor.¡± ¡°My brother desired to establish a partnership with the elves. He hoped to bring back the elven potion that slows the aging of one¡¯s appearance to the Alliance through trade. I met him at a banquet where we discussed this collaboration, and an instant connection was forged.¡± ¡°After our collaboration proved successful, he often used it as an excuse to invite me for private outings. Sometimes, he would take me to his studio, while other times, we would attend special gatherings of the elves. But most of all, he would accompany me on shopping trips and gift me things he believed girls would adore.¡± Liao Ning observed the elderly woman, fully engrossed in her recollections. It became apparent to her that it was a tale of a young girl captivated by a young man. ¡°Sadly, our moments of bliss were short-lived. Due to various reasons, the truce between the empire and the alliance lasted onlv two vears before it was terminated once again. In an effort to ensure the safety of alliance citizens within the empire, the alliance swiftly called back all its citizens. My brother and I had no choice but to halt our collaboration with the elves and hastily board the starship dispatched by the alliance to retrieve its citizens.¡± Upon hearing this, a sense of sympathy washed over Liao Ning. The consequences of war often resulted in painful separations. ¡°After the fighting ceased between the empire and the alliance, didn¡¯t you try to find him on Planet Green Forest?¡± Liao Ning¡¯s curiosity grew stronger. The elderly woman¡¯s smile turned faint, and her tone revealed an undeniable sense of regret and helplessness. ¡°Why didn¡¯t I search for him? Well, all I found was a cold tomb.¡¯ Liao Ning was taken aback. She had anticipated the possibility of the man falling in love with someone else or rejecting the elderly woman due to the hostility between their nations, but she had not anticipated such a tragic end. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Liao Ning expressed her condolences sincerely. The elderly woman smiled and replied, ¡°There¡¯s no need to apologize. In truth, it¡¯s for the best. What he left behind in my memories will forever remain the most beautiful.¡± After bidding farewell to the elderly woman, the elves received a military request from the empire. The military sought the production of 100,000 loyalty potions for the merfolk to use before the onset of war. The entire elven community swiftly engaged in an intensive potion production process. Once the potions were completed and reported to the patriarch, the old woman¡¯s beloved decided to depart from the empire and journey to the alliance in search of his lover. Sadly, due to the war, all spacecraft travel between the two nations had ceased. The elves had no choice but to return to the Green Forest Planet and wait for the conflict to end. Perhaps fate was indifferent to their plight, for on their journey back to the Green Forest Planet, an unexpected war erupted. All planets within the empire entered a state of war preparedness. The small spacecraft piloted by the elves was mistaken for a spy¡¯s vessel and shot down by patrolling warships. Consequently, the elves would forever remain frozen in the age when their love for the old woman burned most passionately. Tears welled up in the old woman¡¯s eyes as she concluded the heart-wrenching tale. ¡°This story¡­ Are you Ms. Liu Mu?¡± Ning Ling, who had unexpectedly appeared in the hotel while Liao Ning was meant to be resting, stood quietly behind Liao Ning and listened attentively to the old woman¡¯s narrative. After greeting Liao Ning, she couldn¡¯t contain her excitement. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s me. Young lady, do you know me?¡± The old woman carefully scrutinized the young girl who had seemingly materialized out of thin air. Upon hearing the old woman¡¯s confirmation, Ning Ling¡¯s joy grew even more profound. ¡°I had the privilege of attending your lectures when I was in school. You were the one who ignited my passion for the enchanting world of literature!¡± ¡°I¡¯m delighted to hear that my lectures resonated with young minds like yours.¡± Knowing that Ning Ling had been one of her students brought newfound joy to the old woman¡¯s heart. The weight of sorrow seemed to lift from her weary shoulders. ¡°I apologize for not introducing myself earlier,¡± the old woman realized her oversight and spoke with a gentle expression. ¡°My name is Liu Mu. I am a professor at the Humanities School of the capital¡¯s university, as well as the founder and editor-in-chief of the Union¡¯s ¡®Story Temperature¡¯ magazine.¡± Surprisingly, the old woman turned out to be a prominent figure. Liao Ning swiftly introduced herself, not wanting to miss the opportunity. ¡°Hello, Professor Liu. My name is Liao Ning. I am an ancient food culture live-streamer. In fact, I am not the person in charge of the hotel, but the hotel owner. I apologize for not clarifying earlier. Please forgive me.¡± Ning Ling also chimed in hurriedly, eager to share her background. ¡°Me too. My name is Ning Ling. I graduated from the Ancient Food and Culture program at tne capital¡¯s university, and I am currently working as a cnet In a notel!¡± ¡°You are both exceptional young individuals. I am delighted to have the opportunity to share my story with you today,¡± Liu Mu gently shook her head, indicating that Liao Ning¡¯s earlier misunderstanding was of no concern.. Chapter 182 - Chapter 182: Mythology Chapter 182: Mythology Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning developed a fondness for the cultured old woman and expressed her concern, saying, ¡°I¡¯ve noticed that you¡¯ve been coming to the hotel every day recently, staying until after dinner. Have you encountered any difficulties? If you¡¯re willing to share, I¡¯d be more than happy to help.¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing major, really. As the editor-in-chief of Story Temperature magazine, I¡¯ve been receiving lackluster submissions from authors lately. So, I thought of going out to seek inspiration, hoping to come across interesting stories or uncover touching narratives recorded in ancient books,¡± Liu Mu explained. Curious, Ning Ling inquired, ¡°Have you found any?¡± Liu Mu shook her head. ¡°Finding such stories requires a stroke of luck. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoy the delicacies and ambiance of this hotel.¡± She then suggested, ¡°If you have any stories, feel free to share them with me. Perhaps you¡¯ve heard something new.¡± Ning Ling shrugged and replied, ¡°Unfortunately, most of the stories I know are well-known among the people of the Alliance.¡± Liao Ning interjected, ¡°I do have a story, but it¡¯s also one recorded in ancient books.¡± She gazed at Liu Mu and continued, ¡°It¡¯s considered a mythical tale featuring an ordinary human male and a female demon.¡± The old woman¡¯s interest was immediately piqued. ¡°That sounds remarkably similar to my own story. I am truly intrigued!¡± ¡°In that case, let me recount it to you.¡± With Liao Ning¡¯s captivating voice, a poignant love story from 10,000 years ago began to unfold before them. ¡°This legend originates from the ancient Eastern Earth. It is said that in the ancient times of the Eastern Ancient Country, there existed a snake demon who assumed human form. In her previous life, she had been saved by a human male named Xu Xian. After a thousand years of cultivation, she finally transformed into a beautiful woman and sought out Xu Xian¡¯s reincarnation to marry him as his wife, expressing her gratitude for saving her life.¡± ¡°After their marriage, they lived happily together. With the support of the snake demon wife, Xu Xian successfully opened a pharmacy.¡± ¡°A monk named Fahai, possessing great spiritual power, happened to meet Xu Xian and discovered that Xu Xian and the snake demon were husband and wife. According to the ancient legend, humans and demons were forbidden to be together. Thus, Monk Fahai urged Xu Xian to leave his wife,¡± Liao Ning narrated. ¡°However, Xu Xian, having just met the monk, was skeptical and reluctant to believe his words. To convince Xu Xian, the monk devised a plan,¡± she continued. ¡°The monk told Xu Xian that if he could find a way to make his wife drink wine infused with realgar on the Dragon Boat Festival, her true form as a snake demon would be revealed.¡± Just as Ning Ling anticipated the thrilling turn of events, Liao Ning abruptly paused. Confused, Ning Ling inquired, ¡°Did Xu Xian actually add realgar to his wife¡¯s wine?¡± Liao Ning nodded solemnly. ¡°Yes, he did. His wife indeed unveiled her true form¡ªa gigantic white snake.¡± ¡°What? I thought Xu Xian would believe and trust his wife. I didn¡¯t expect him to go to such lengths as making her consume realgar wine just to validate the monk¡¯s claims,¡± Ning Ling expressed her indignation on behalf of the snake demon. Taking into account the young girl¡¯s emotions, Liu Mu, being older and wiser, offered comfort. ¡°Child, there¡¯s no need to be angry. Curiosity can sway even the strongest bonds. Xu Xian was influenced by the monk¡¯s words. It doesn¡¯t mean that he stopped loving his wife.¡± Liu Mu¡¯s words managed to assuage Ning Ling¡¯s anger. Observing that the girl had calmed down, Liao Ning proceeded with the remainder of the story. ¡°After witnessing the snake demon¡¯s true form, Xu Xian was overcome with fear and shock, resulting in his untimely demise. The snake demon, desperate to save Xu Xian, stole a lingzhi mushroom from the heavens, which possessed life-saving properties. With the help of the lingzhi, Xu Xian was revived.¡± ¡°Despite learning that his wife was indeed a demon and that her true form had once frightened him to death, Xu Xian¡¯s love for her remained unwavering,¡± Liao Ning emphasized. ¡°However, Fa Hai, being a rigid and orthodox individual, could not tolerate the union between a human and a demon. Consequently, he devised a scheme to lure Xu Xian into a Buddhist temple and confined his wife there,¡± she continued. ¡°In a desperate bid to rescue her beloved, the snake demon engaged in a fierce battle outside the Golden Mountain Temple alongside her sister¡ªa fellow snake demon who had also attained a human form. Employing the power of seawater, they submerged the Golden Mountain Temple, causing harm to other creatures in the vicinity and violating the rule that demons should not harm humans or animals indiscriminately.¡± ¡°Fa Hai, bolstered by celestial support, witnessed a surge in his magical prowess. He effortlessly overcame the snake demon and imprisoned her, now known as Xu Xian¡¯s wife, beneath the Lightning Peak Tower within the Golden Mountain Temple..¡± Chapter 183 - Chapter 183: Good Story Chapter 183: Good Story Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°After Xu Xian, who had been imprisoned in Jinshan Temple, discovered that his wife was suppressed under Thunder Summit Tower and could never escape, he willingly became a monk at Jinshan Temple. Every day, he would venture outside Thunder Summit Tower to sweep away the dead branches and leaves surrounding the tower for the snake demon until his last breath.¡± This myth is commonly known as the ¡°Legend of the White Snake.¡± While there are various versions of the story, Liao Ning, a devoted enthusiast, particularly favored this rendition. This particular portrayal of the male protagonist, Xu Xian, aptly depicted a deeply infatuated man. It skillfully showcased his willingness to sacrifice everything for the sake of love, captivating the audience. ¡°Such a remarkable tale! It truly is an exceptional story. I hope it can grace the pages of my magazine and reach a wider audience within the alliance!¡± Liu Mu¡¯s weathered eyes sparkled as she gazed at Liao Ning, brimming with enthusiasm. Liao Ning nodded, wearing a smile. ¡°Absolutely. This myth has been documented in ancient texts, a testament to the wisdom of our ancestors. As their descendants, it brings us great joy to elevate these stories and introduce them to a larger audience.¡± Receiving Liao Ning¡¯s affirmative response, Liu Mu couldn¡¯t contain her joy, fidgeting with excitement. ¡°Liao Ning, you are simply born to be a storyteller. This tale is enthralling and profound, but without your masterful storytelling, it wouldn¡¯t have touched the audience¡¯s hearts so deeply! ¡± Liao Ning smiled, choosing not to refute Liu Mu¡¯s praise. After all, in her previous life, there existed a profession known as ¡°storyteller¡± in the country she lived in. They possessed the remarkable ability to transform ordinary stories into captivating narratives by accurately capturing the emotions of their audience. Every tale became unforgettable. ¡°When this article is published in the magazine, it will need to be signed. Would you prefer to use your real name or an exclusive pen name?¡± Liu Mu inquired. Liao Ning pondered for a moment and replied, ¡°Let¡¯s opt for a pen name. I prefer not to draw too much attention, so let¡¯s go with ¡®Storyteller¡¯.¡± ¡®¡±Storyteller,¡¯ it is then. I¡¯ll make a note of it. I hope you¡¯ll consider submitting more manuscripts to our magazine in your free time. The alliance is in great need of such exceptional stories,¡± Liu Mu jotted down the chosen pen name with her pen. Liao Ning suddenly remembered that she had forgotten to mention the name of the story. ¡°Oh, I forgot to tell you earlier. The story we heard today is called ¡®Legend of the White Snake¡¯.¡± ¡°Legend of the White Snake? Is it because the female protagonist is a white snake?¡± Ning Ling, looking up to her idol Liao Ning, asked curiously. Liao Ning nodded in affirmation. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right.¡± ¡°Well, today¡¯s storytelling session was quite fruitful. I won¡¯t be having dinner at the hotel tonight. I need to rush back and organize this story so that I can publish it in next month¡¯s magazine,¡± Liu Mu said, bidding farewell to Liao Ning and Ning Ling. ¡°You two are remarkable children. We¡¯ll meet again next time!¡± ¡°Is Professor Liu leaving? I wanted you to taste my cooking!¡± Ning Ling expressed a hint of regret. Liu Mu smiled joyfully and replied, ¡°I¡¯ll definitely try your cooking next time!¡± Upon hearing this promise, Ning Ling¡¯s face immediately lit up with happiness. ¡°Alright! Goodbye, Professor Liu!¡± ¡°Take care, Senior Liu,¡± Liao Ning respectfully saw Liu Mu off and then proceeded to the hotel¡¯s kitchen with Ning Ling to check on everyone¡¯s progress for the day. The hotel had been receiving a lot of guests lately, and she was concerned that her staff might be overworked, although she didn¡¯t voice her worries. As the boss, it was crucial for her to prioritize the well-being of her employees. She couldn¡¯t simply focus on managing the hotel in a Chinese way; a more holistic approach would be beneficial for the hotel¡¯s long- term development. Upon reaching the kitchen, Liao Ning realized that everyone seemed to be in high spirits while working. She only breathed a sigh of relief when she didn¡¯t observe any signs of stress or fatigue among the staff. As the school day was coming to an end, Liao Ning left the hotel and headed to the school to pick up the children. ¡°Aunt!¡± ¡°Young Aunt!¡± The two children came out of school earlier than usual that day. As they exited the school gate, they immediately began searching for Butler Li. However, they accidentally spotted Liao Ning waiting outside the gate and joyfully rushed towards her like two little cannonballs. Previously, Zhou Ling and Liao Ning had been too occupied to pick up the children from school, so they had entrusted the task to the butler. ¡°Let me see if the two of you have been eating well at school lately.¡± Liao Ning gently pinched the cubs¡¯ cheeks. After confirming that they had consumed the lunchboxes she prepared for them, she smiled. ¡°Well done, well done. You two are becoming even more adorable.¡± ¡°Of course! We have Young Aunt¡¯s special lunchboxes!¡± Mili boasted proudly. The wolf cub also appeared quite smug. ¡°Other children are envious of Mili and me..¡± Chapter 184 - Chapter 184: Sweet Orange Duck Breast Chapter 184: Sweet Orange Duck Breast Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning affectionately pinched the wolf cub¡¯s dainty nose. ¡°You¡¯re such a sweetheart. Let¡¯s go home. I¡¯ll make some delicious food for you!¡± Shortly after Liao Ning arrived home with the two cubs, Zhou Ling, dressed in his military uniform, returned as well. He went upstairs to change into casual clothes before joining Liao Ning in the kitchen. As Zhou Ling, donning a pink apron, made his appearance during the livestream, the comment section immediately filled with playful teasing from netizens. [Hey, isn¡¯t that the mighty Colonel Zhou? Why is he wearing such a cute pink apron?] [I remember him being so serious during this morning¡¯s military parade livestream! ] [Yeah, that stern expression on his face that seemed to ward off strangers really gave off a cold vibe.] [The ancient saying holds true: No man can resist the charms of a beautiful woman. A cold man becomes gentle when he¡¯s with the person he loves!] [I¡¯m definitely bowing down to this couple!] [So this man is a secret softie, huh?] [Indeed. He¡¯s so cold to others, but so gentle with Liao Ning!] [So this is how Colonel Zhou managed to win over Liao Ning!] Zhou Ling¡¯s lips curled up happily. ¡°Don¡¯t be jealous, everyone. You¡¯ll find your own better half!¡± ¡°Everyone, ignore him. Today, I¡¯ll teach you all how to make sweet orange duck breasts. The ingredients we¡¯ll need are duck breasts, salt, rosemary, pepper, olive oil, carrots, onions, butter, oranges, orange juice, loog of soy sauce, and 5g of honey.¡± As Liao Ning began introducing the necessary ingredients, she was interrupted by Zhou Ling. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it. You can guide me from the side,¡± Zhou Ling said, taking the duck breasts from her hands. [I was taken aback by this public display of affection.] [I¡¯m already full just from witnessing this sweet moment. I¡¯ve had my fill of dog food!] [I want to complain to my mom about someone shamelessly flaunting their love!] Liao Ning smiled at the playful teasing from the netizens but didn¡¯t interrupt Zhou Ling, instead providing guidance from the sidelines. ¡°Marinate the duck breasts with salt, pepper, rosemary, and olive oil for approximately an hour.¡± While they waited for the duck breasts to marinate, Liao Ning engaged with the netizens in the livestream, while Zhou Ling continued preparing the ingredients for dinner. With the addition of Olift, along with the presence of the two cubs and Butler Li, there were more tasks to handle. Although Olift had initially planned to help, he couldn¡¯t appear in the livestream, and Butler Li had to assist the cubs with their homework, leaving Liao Ning and Zhou Ling to handle the cooking on their own. The Zhou family¡¯s ancestral residence was quite expansive, and there were numerous hired servants. However, typically, the main residence didn¡¯t involve those servants in the day-to-day activities, except for cleaning. [Why is Colonel Zhou more skilled at handling ingredients than I am?] [Is this the power of love? How can a decisive soldier be so adept at cooking?] [Liao Ning looks so happy!] [Colonel Zhou¡¯s actions are truly praiseworthy, even for his fans. He¡¯s truly a great man from the Gu family!] [Praise me!] [On account of how much he adores Liao Ning, I¡¯ll let bygones be bygones for now] The duck breasts marinated quickly, and Zhou Ling skillfully followed Liao Ning¡¯s instructions to continue cooking. ¡°Next, make cross-shaped cuts on the skin side of the duck breast, then place it in the pan with the skin side down. Fry it over medium-high heat for approximately eight minutes. Flip the duck breast to cook the other side without skin for just 30 seconds. Preheat the oven to 1700C and roast the duck breast for 25 minutes. Let it rest for five minutes before slicing it into small pieces. The carrots were cut into wider strips and stir-fried with butter to infuse them with a delightful buttery aroma. Then, a mixture of orange juice, raw soy sauce, and honey was prepared. This mixture was added to the pan and simmered over low heat. Once the sauce thickened, the heat could be turned off. The final step is to arrange the sliced duck breast on a plate and pour the prepared sauce over it. Voila! Your sweet orange duck breast is ready to be served!¡± After Zhou Ling poured the sauce over the duck breast, Liao Ning called out to the living room, ¡°Nai Nai, Mili, come and give it a try!¡± ¡°Our taste testers for today are the cubs!¡± Liao Ning said with a smile. The two cubs quickly made their way to the kitchen and appeared in the livestream, politely greeting everyone. [It¡¯s been a while, cubs!] [We missed seeing the cubs so much!] [It¡¯s been ages since we last saw the cubs. They¡¯re as adorable as ever!] [No, they¡¯re clearly becoming even cuter!] Chapter 185 - Chapter 185: Fake Princess Chapter 185: Fake Princess Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations As the two cubs savored the succulent orange-infused duck breast, the live-stream comments initially filled with adoration for their cuteness were swiftly overshadowed by praises for the delectable dish. [The tender and velvety duck meat pairs perfectly with the fragrant orange juice!] [I¡¯m absolutely loving this sauce!] [The refreshing aroma of orange juice has infused into the duck breast. Such a delightful flavor!] [I¡¯d love to try this sauce on steak!] [This sauce will undoubtedly enhance the taste!] ¡°Thank you all for appreciating today¡¯s sweet orange duck breast. Until next time!¡± After concluding the live-stream, Liao Ning and Zhou Ling proceeded to prepare dinner for the family, with Olift lending a helping hand. Once satiated, Liao Ning took a shower and sought out Zhou Ling in his study, where he was still engrossed in processing documents. Liao Ning knocked on the study door, receiving permission to enter before proceeding. ¡°Ling, I need to talk to you about something.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Zhou Ling set aside the document he had been reviewing, focusing his attention on Liao Ning with a serious expression. ¡°It¡¯s regarding the recent accusations of plagiarism against me. Even though those individuals eventually apologized, I discovered some suspicious details. After distancing myself from Su MO and conducting my own investigation, I¡¯ve come to realize that Zhu Fei might still be alive.¡± A chill crept into Zhou Ling¡¯s gaze. ¡°How can that be? During the B16-star prison incident, Zhu Fei was clearly listed among the deceased released by the alliance. The DNA of each victim was strictly matched. Logically, it¡¯s impossible for a body swap to occur.¡± Liao Ning handed a bag containing documents to Zhou Ling, stating, ¡°This is the evidence that Su MO uncovered. Various indications strongly suggest that this Princess of Dawn from the Empire might actually be Zhu Fei, who was officially declared dead by the alliance!¡± Naturally, Su MO was not the one who provided Liao Ning with this clue. It had been sent to her by the system itself after she had proven her innocence. However, Liao Ning chose to attribute it to Su MO, wanting to avoid any unnecessary suspicion. Zhou Ling carefully examined the document handed to him by Liao Ning. Many of the deductions outlined within seemed logical, leaving people with little choice but to associate Zhu Fei with the Princess of Dawn. The most crucial clue was the discrepancy in the DNA of the supposed leader whom the interstellar space pirates sought to rescue. It did not match the DNA recorded by the alliance but did align with the DNA documented after the leader¡¯s arrest and imprisonment. This strongly suggested that the so-called interstellar pirate leader was an imposter , and it was highly likely that the empire had orchestrated the rescue mission to save Zhu Fei. However, why would the empire go to such lengths to save a mere food live-streamer? Could it be that Zhu Fei was, in fact, the long-lost princess of the empire¡¯s royal family? ¡°Could Zhu Fei truly be the lost princess of the empire?¡± Zhou Ling gazed at Liao Ning, seeking her insight. The system had already informed Liao Ning that the true princess had perished long ago, and Zhu Fei was just Zhu Fei. The empire had saved her solely to utilize her expertise in ancient cultural delicacies and combat the control of the mental strength potion over the empire¡¯s citizens. However, Liao Ning couldn¡¯t explicitly reveal this to Zhou Ling since she lacked concrete evidence. Tactfully, Liao Ning reminded Zhou Ling, ¡°I don¡¯t think so. Perhaps we should refocus our attention on Zhu Fei¡¯s profession.¡± Furrowing his brows, Zhou Ling pondered, ¡°Zhu Fei is an ancient culture live-streamer and the previous champion of a food competition¡­ Champion of the ancient culture food competition, live-streamer¡­¡± After contemplating for a while, Zhou Ling shook his head. He couldn¡¯t discern any significant connection. Why would the empire invest so much effort in saving Zhu Fei? Liao Ning wasn¡¯t surprised by Zhou Ling¡¯s confusion. After all, without the assistance of the system, she wouldn¡¯t have arrived at the empire¡¯s motives herself. Patiently, she provided Zhou Ling with another hint. ¡°Do you remember the mental strength potion? The Prime Minister has decided to hand over the formula to the Union Government, allowing them to produce it. He is determined to reduce the cost and the selling price of the potion, ensuring that the Union¡¯s citizens won¡¯t suffer from its increasing price.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Zhou Ling nodded and waited for Liao Ning to continue.. Chapter 186 - Chapter 186: The Empire’s Plot Chapter 186: The Empire¡¯s Plot Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°You mentioned earlier that once the mental strength potion reaches the empire, its price will immediately double for sale to the citizens. Considering that the empire operates under a monarchy with four strict hierarchical levels, this price increase will have a significant impact.¡± ¡°For the civilian class, which constitutes the largest population, the average adult income is only about two-thirds of the per capita income of the alliance. Considering the monthly usage of mental strength potions by adults, this doubled price will undoubtedly impose an even heavier burden on them.¡± Having discussed the matter of the mental strength potion, Liao Ning shifted the conversation to the utilization of ancient cultural delicacies. ¡°Do you recall that once the alliance confirmed the effectiveness of ancient cultural delicacies, they promptly announced this news to all citizens on the Star Web? They provided detailed information about the use of these delicacies, including their healing properties in managing mental strength disturbances.¡± With Liao Ning¡¯s guidance, Zhou Ling grasped the essence of the situation. Furrowing his brow, he said, ¡°Are you suggesting that, regardless of whether ancient cultural delicacies can genuinely cure mental strength disturbances, the empire is willing to take the risk to relieve the commoners¡¯ immense burden caused by the mental strength potion? Even if it means risking exposure, straining relations between our nations, and orchestrating an attack on Prison B16 to create chaos and retrieve Zhu Fei?¡± Liao Ning nodded solemnly. ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡± A profound silence filled the room as Zhou Ling wearily rubbed his temples. ¡°Ningning, you¡¯re sharing this with me today because you don¡¯t want me to disclose this information to the Prime Minister, right?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Liao Ning nodded, her gaze filled with complexity. Zhou Ling let out a sigh. ¡°No need to apologize. I understand that you chose to confide in me because you trust me. Otherwise, you wouldn¡¯t have disclosed all of this. I should be the one thanking you for placing your trust in me.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not just about trust. Revealing what I know about the alliance¡¯s interests to the officials is my responsibility as a citizen. And coincidentally, the person I trust happens to be a high-ranking individual whom the officials can engage with.¡± Liao Ning praised Zhou Ling from head to toe, her face devoid of any blush. Observing his girlfriend¡¯s sincere praise, Zhou Ling knew that Liao Ning had done it intentionally, yet he couldn¡¯t help but feel elated. ¡°Ningning, for the time being, I can assist you in keeping this secret, but as a soldier of the Alliance, I can¡¯t conceal it from the Prime Minister indefinitely. Therefore, once the Princess of Dawn spreads the use of ancient cultural delicacies throughout the empire, and the citizens no longer rely on mental strength potions, I will inform the Prime Minister that Loya, the Princess of Dawn, is indeed Zhu Fei.¡¯ Liao Ning looked at him with concern. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do that. When the time comes, I will personally request an audience with the Prime Minister and disclose the entire story, including my decision to conceal Zhu Fei¡¯s identity as the Princess of Dawn. Please pretend that you are unaware.¡± Zhou Ling shook his head. ¡°1 cannot agree. I won¡¯t let you bear this burden alone now that I know the truth.¡± ¡°Ningning,¡± Zhou Ling¡¯s expression softened. ¡°I understand that your intentions stem from your kind and compassionate heart. I also know that you are not one to act blindly.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right, I am not the type of person who disregards the bigger picture for the sake of kindness,¡± Liao Ning replied with a warm smile. ¡°Didn¡¯t someone make the decision to cease supplying mental strength potions to the empire? Nearly two-thirds of the higher-ups in the alliance agreed as well. If the Prime Minister hadn¡¯t rejected the proposal under pressure, the alliance might have already engaged in a war with the enraged empire.¡± Liao Ning expressed her disdain, saying, ¡°1 wonder what those individuals are up to by suggesting that we halt the supply of mental strength potions to the empire. Compared to them, helping Zhu Fei conceal her identity and promoting ancient cultural delicacies in the empire is insignificant.¡± ¡°After all, the empire lacks a large-scale ingredient cultivation organization like the Interstellar Farm and the Interstellar Alliance Research Institute. Even if ancient food culture becomes popular in the empire, they would still need to import ingredients from the alliance or seek cooperation with the farm and research institute.¡± Zhou Ling nodded in agreement. ¡°That¡¯s correct. Although the mental strength potion may no longer be sold in the empire in the future, as a substitute for ancient cultural delicacies, it can still serve as a valuable connection between the alliance and the empire. Compared to the new industrial chain that only requires the consumption of the mental strength potion three times a month, ancient cultural delicacies need to be consumed daily, resulting in a significant demand for ingredients..¡± Chapter 187 - Chapter 187: Potion Chapter 187: Potion Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Furthermore, there is a growing trend among people to gradually replace ordinary nutritional supplements with delectable ancient delicacies. The sales of ingredients from the farm and research institute have already doubled in just a month compared to the previous year. As the ancient food culture becomes mainstream in the future, I can assure you that these ingredients will not only generate more income for the Alliance but also contribute to its economic growth,¡± confidently stated Liao Ning. He firmly believed in the potential of ancient food culture. Zhou Ling was taken aback by Liao Ning¡¯s forward-thinking approach. She marveled at his foresight and how the development of ancient food culture could potentially bring significant income to the Alliance. ¡°It seems that establishing an ancient food culture in the empire under the guise of the Princess of Dawn will take longer than directly selling mental strength potions to them. However, at least the prices of these basic agricultural products won¡¯t cause dissatisfaction among the citizens,¡± Zhou Ling suggested. Considering the benefits outweighed the drawbacks for the Alliance, Zhou Ling proposed, ¡°Since this plan is more advantageous than harmful, why don¡¯t we present it directly to the Prime Minister? It would save us the trouble of explaining it to him later.¡± Liao Ning hesitated slightly, expressing his concerns. ¡°Will that work? What I mentioned earlier was merely a hypothesis. The Prime Minister may not be supportive, and if this plan contradicts his ideas, he might insist on the Empire returning Zhu Fei, holding the Alliance accountable for harboring a criminal. This would result in the citizens of the Empire continuing to bear the burden of the mental strength potion. ¡± Zhou Ling believed that she knew the Prime Minister well, as they had grown up together like brothers. While the Prime Minister was a decisive leader, he also had a compassionate heart. It was unlikely for him to disregard the commoners¡¯ lives over a minor matter concerning Zhu Fei. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. The Prime Minister once confided in me that he is determined to reduce the cost of exporting the mental strength potion. He doesn¡¯t intend to exploit it for the Alliance¡¯s financial gain. His goal is to alleviate the suffering caused by the mental strength riot for all citizens of the Alliance and the Empire.¡± Closing the document, Zhou Ling didn¡¯t give Liao Ning a chance to object. ¡°It¡¯s settled then. Tomorrow, we will meet with the Prime Minister. I am confident that he will warmly embrace your plan once he hears it! ¡± Before Liao Ning could utter a word, Zhou Ling swiftly ushered her out of the room. ¡°Now, my dear Liao Ning, it¡¯s time for you to get some rest and prepare to meet the Prime Minister tomorrow with enthusiasm,¡± Zhou Ling said, his voice filled with encouragement. To ensure Liao Nings cooperation, Zhou Ling gently lifted her and carried her back to the room, treating her like a princess. He carefully placed her on the soft bed and tucked her in snugly. ¡°Goodnight, my princess,¡± Zhou Ling whispered softly, bending down to kiss Liao Ning¡¯s forehead. Under the blanket, Liao Ning¡¯s face turned red, taken by surprise by Zhou Ling¡¯s unexpected kiss. ¡°Is there anything my princess wishes to say to her knight before she sleeps?¡± Zhou Ling turned towards the door, addressing Liao Ning who was peeking at him from under the covers. Understanding his meaning, Liao Ning replied, ¡°Goodnight¡­ my knight.¡± After closing the door behind Liao Ning, Zhou Ling stood outside, reminiscing about his girlfriend¡¯s shy expression. A smile naturally formed on his face. Ningning¡¯s shyness is truly adorable! ¡°Uncle Zhou Ling, what are you smiling about?¡± Liao Nai approached, holding a glass of warm milk. He noticed Zhou Ling standing outside his aunt¡¯s room, wearing a gentle smile. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s Nai Nai. It¡¯s nothing. I was just reminded of something that made me happy. It¡¯s getting late now. Go back to your room and get some sleep. You still need to wake up Mili tomorrow. That lazy little thing always loves to stay in bed,¡± Zhou Ling replied, showing no hint of guilt as he maintained his gentle demeanor. ¡°Alright, Uncle Zhou Ling. Goodnight, Uncle,¡± Liao Nai bid him goodnight, slightly puzzled by the faint scent of jealousy he thought he had detected earlier, which seemed to have disappeared now. How peculiar! The following morning, Liao Ning and Zhou Ling accompanied the two cubs to school before making their way to the Prime Minister¡¯s manor. ¡°Colonel Zhou Ling, Miss Liao Ning, I am Philly, the manor supervisor. The Prime Minister is already waiting for you in his study. Please follow me, ¡± Philly, dressed in a professional suit, greeted them with utmost politeness. Zhou Ling, a familiar face at the manor, responded in his gentle tone, ¡°Thank you for your assistance, Supervisor Philly. We appreciate your help..¡± Chapter 188 - Chapter 188: The Prime Minister’s Decision Chapter 188: The Prime Minister¡¯s Decision Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations The previous week, Zhou Ling had informed Liao Ning about Philly¡¯s role as the manor supervisor and the Prime Minister¡¯s personal butler. Instantly grasping Zhou Ling¡¯s intention, Liao Ning expressed her gratitude to Philly with great politeness. ¡°Thank you, Supervisor Philly.¡± Observing Liao Ning¡¯s courteous demeanor, Philly¡¯s smile widened. She led them through the small garden of the manor and guided them to the main residence, climbing three floors until they reached the Prime Minister¡¯s study. ¡°Please, come in,¡± Philly gestured. Knocking on the door first, Philly obtained the Prime Minister¡¯s permission. Then she turned to Liao Ning and Zhou Ling, saying, ¡°Please.¡± Once inside the room, Philly excused herself to fetch the tea and snacks prepared by the servants. She considerately poured tea for both of them before leaving the room. As Liao Ning and Zhou Ling sipped their tea, the Prime Minister addressed Liao Ning directly, saying, ¡®Miss Liao, I¡¯ve heard much about you. Ling informed me yesterday that you have something important to discuss with me in person?¡± Liao Ning was taken aback by the Prime Minister¡¯s direct approach, bypassing Zhou Ling. ¡®Yes, indeed, I have something of great importance to share with you,¡± she replied. The Prime Minister attentively listened to Liao Ning and Zhou Ling as they recounted yesterday¡¯s discussion. He then turned his gaze towards Zhou Ling and requested, ¡°Ling, let me take a look at that document first.¡± Without hesitation, Zhou Ling promptly handed over the document bag containing the information. The more the Prime Minister delved into the contents, the more his furrowed brow relaxed. A smile gradually emerged on his face as he finished reading. ¡°I understand now!¡± The Prime Minister expressed his surprise and gratitude towards Liao Ning. ¡°Thanks to the information provided by Miss Liao Ning, I finally comprehend the connection. I always suspected that the appearance of the Princess of Dawn was somehow linked to the attack on Prison B16, but I lacked any concrete leads. However, with this information, the pieces fall into place.¡± ¡°Prime Minister, so you¡¯ve always suspected that the Empire was behind the incident at B16 Prison?¡± Zhou Ling¡¯s widened. Growing up, he knew the Prime Minister to be a brilliant mind, but he hadn¡¯t expected him to connect the attack on B16 Prison to the Empire and the returning princess. The Prime Minister smiled and replied, ¡°In truth, Ling, if you understand the dynamics within the Empire, you too can arrive at such a conclusion.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate yourself. I¡¯m just an ordinary soldier. It¡¯s hard for me to fathom such intricate matters,¡± Zhou Ling modestly replied, returning the smile. ¡°Let¡¯s get straight to the point then. Since the Empire intends to utilize Zhu Fei¡¯s abilities and rely on ancient cultural delicacies to liberate the commoners from the grip of the mental strength potion, let¡¯s support them!¡± the Prime Minister proclaimed. Liao Ning couldn¡¯t believe that the Prime Minister had readily agreed to conceal Zhu Fei¡¯s identity. ¡°Prime Minister, did you agree so readily?¡± The Prime Minister nodded with a smile. ¡°Indeed. Does it seem unbelievable?¡± ¡®Quite unbelievable,¡± Liao Ning honestly admitted. ¡°Hasn¡¯t Ling already informed you about my character?¡± The Prime Minister¡¯s smile remained unchanged. ¡°Compared to the past, when the higher-ups sought to control the commoners through the mental strength potion, exploiting their discontent over its high price to suppress the Empire, I prefer fostering economic interdependence between our two nations.¡± ¡°After all, lasting cooperation is based on mutual benefits. The Alliance need not fear the Empire severing ties one day, and the Empire need not worry about the Alliance manipulating the Empire¡¯s economic development through the mental strength potion. ¡± Upon hearing the Prime Minister¡¯s explanation, Liao Ning felt a sense of enlightenment. It dawned on her how profound the Prime Minister¡¯s actions were. She had to acknowledge his genius. Within such a short span of time, he had assessed the advantages and disadvantages of the situation and devised a plan for the Alliance¡¯s future trade. With the Prime Minister¡¯s full support, Zhou Ling received an order to destroy Zhu Fei¡¯s DNA data and all relevant information pertaining to her. ¡°That should do it. Now, we await the Princess of Dawn, who is far away in the Empire, to elevate ancient cultural delicacies to new heights and guide the people of the Empire towards a brighter future!¡± Liao Ning took a final glance at Zhu Fei¡¯s photo before permanently deleting it. ¡°Wei Nan, where have you taken Wei Xin?¡± Lin Wan burst into a dilapidated bungalow, her anxiety evident. The once affluent head of the Wei family now resided in a rundown two-story dwelling. His hair was disheveled, and his unkempt beard added to his neglected appearance. He hadn¡¯t changed his clothes in a long time, emitting an unpleasant odor. Lin Wan wrinkled her nose in disgust. Initially, she contemplated leaving without further thought, but Wei Nan had sent her a photo of Wei Xin being kidnapped, compelling her to stay and ensure Wei Xin¡¯s safety.. Chapter 189 - Chapter 189: Cheated Chapter 189: Cheated Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations In the morning, Wei Xin¡¯s headteacher texted Lin Wan, informing her that Wei Xin hadn¡¯t arrived at school on time. Lin Wan initially assumed that Wei Xin might have encountered heavy traffic due to waking up late and potentially hitting rush hour. It was common for flying cars to get stuck in halfway congestion. It wasn¡¯t until Lin Wan received Wei Nan¡¯s photo showing Wei Xin bound and gagged that she realized Wei Xin might have been kidnapped. What¡¯s more, the person behind the abduction was likely Wei Nan himself, her biological father! As expected, after receiving the photo, Lin Wan received another message from Wei Nan. ¡°Wei Xin wants to ensure her safety in my hands, so she came alone to No. 129 of Xinghua District to find me.¡± Lin Wan rolled her eyes at the Al. Although she didn¡¯t want to see her ex-husband, she knew Wei Nan well. If she didn¡¯t comply, he could truly harm their daughter. ¡°Yu Ni, if Liao Ning arrives at the hotel and I¡¯m not back, have her bring people to No. 129 in Xinghua District to find me.¡± ¡°Huh? Okay, but why are you going there, Sister Lin Wan?¡± Yu Ni was a bit confused. Lin Wan rose from behind her desk, grabbed her expensive handbag, and replied, ¡°To see my ex-husband.¡± With that said, Lin Wan walked out of the office. Yu Ni didn¡¯t think too deeply about it and simply watched her leave. She couldn¡¯t help but feel that Lin Wan wasn¡¯t going to see her ex-husband; instead, she seemed ready for a confrontation! When Wei Nan saw Lin Wan arrive alone, he chuckled, emitting a hoarse and unpleasant sound. ¡°So, you actually came, Wanwan.¡± Impatiently, Lin Wan furrowed her brows and snapped, ¡°Enough with the pointless banter. Where is Wei Xin?¡± ¡°Wei Xin? Wei Xin is at school!¡± Wei Nan widened his eyes, seemingly mocking Lin Wan. ¡°Wanwan, didn¡¯t you message her teacher before coming here?¡± Lin Wan realized that she hadn¡¯t messaged Wei Xin¡¯s teacher to confirm her presence in school. Observing Lin Wan¡¯s silence, Wei Nan grew even more delighted. ¡°Wanwan, it seems you truly care about Wei Xin as your daughter. The moment you saw the photo, you hurried over here. In the past, you probably wouldn¡¯t have come alone to a place like this for Wei Xin.¡± ¡°Stop the nonsense and hand over Wei Xin. I don¡¯t have time to waste with you!¡± ¡°But didn¡¯t I tell you Wei Xin isn¡¯t here at school? Why are you scolding me?¡± Wei Nan feigned a look of grievance. Seeing Wei Nan¡¯s pathetic attempt at emotional manipulation, Lin Wan felt a wave of disgust rise within her. This was the exact expression Wei Nan used to coax her when they were younger. Back then, he was still a handsome boy, and such an expression would soften one¡¯s heart. But now, he was nothing more than a slovenly, middle-aged man. Seeing that expression only made her feel nauseated. Perhaps affected by Lin Wan¡¯s visible disgust, Wei Nan¡¯s expression turned ugly. He spoke fiercely, ¡°If you simply messaged the teacher, you¡¯d know whether Wei Xin is at school or not!¡± Lin Wan glanced at him and immediately contacted the teacher. After receiving confirmation that Wei Xin was indeed present in school, Lin Wan ended the call and prepared to leave. However, Wei Nan had gone to such lengths to lure her here. He wasn¡¯t about to let her leave so easily. Wei Nan grabbed Lin Wan¡¯s wrist tightly, forcing her to look at him. With an intense stare, he uttered, ¡°Are you truly so heartless that you can¡¯t even spend a little more time with me?¡± Lin Wan struggled, attempting to free her wrist from his grasp. ¡°Let go of me!¡± ¡°I won¡¯t!¡± Lin Wan continued to struggle, but her efforts were in vain. She had no choice but to feign weakness. ¡°Wei Nan, you¡¯re hurting me!¡± Upon hearing Lin Wan¡¯s words, Wei Nan momentarily paused, his grip loosening involuntarily. Lin Wan seized the opportunity to break free from his grip and hastily made a dash towards the door. However, in her panic, she had forgotten the vast disparity between their mental strengths. As an ordinary person with a D-rank mental strength, there was no way she could outpace Wei Nan, who had achieved an impressive A-rank and had undergone rigorous training in the army during his youth. Reacting swiftly, Wei Nan stood his ground and exerted his mental pressure. Lin Wan¡¯s movements abruptly halted, her body immobilized as if trapped in place. Wei Nan effortlessly controlled her through his superior mental strength. ¡°Wanwan, why are you running? I would never harm you. I simply miss you deeply and long to see you,¡± Wei Nan murmured as he planted kisses on Lin Wan¡¯s face. Lin Wan, bound by his mental influence, could only watch helplessly as Wei Nan¡¯s lips met hers. With ease, Wei Nan pried open Lin Wan¡¯s tightly sealed lips, engaging them in an unwelcome exchange of kisses and tongues. Wei Nan grumbled, ¡°Wan Wan, why are you so unresponsive, like a lifeless block of wood? It¡¯s my fault, now that I recall. I shouldn¡¯t have exerted my mental pressure. I¡¯m sorry..¡± Chapter 190 - Chapter 190: Fierce Chapter 190: Fierce Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Wei Nan withdrew his mental strength, causing Lin Wan to immediately feel a sense of relief as the oppressive A-rank mental pressure dissipated. Swiftly, she turned her head, evading Wei Nan¡¯s attempt to kiss her. Maintaining a composed expression and a cold tone, Lin Wan addressed him, saying, ¡°Mr. Wei, we are already divorced. I implore you to respect yourself.¡± ¡°Divorced? Who spread such baseless rumors?¡± Wei Nan¡¯s expression hardened upon hearing the mention of divorce. ¡°I am the head of the Wei family, and you are the wife of the family¡¯s head. No one dares to claim we are divorced!¡± ¡°Wanwan, why did you reject my kiss? As your husband, it is my duty to fulfill the needs of our relationship. Don¡¯t look at me with such discontent. I will make you happy, right now!¡± Wei Nan began to undress Lin Wan, who struggled with all her might. However, the vast difference in strength between them made it almost impossible for her to resist. With swiftness, Wei Nan removed Lin Wan¡¯s jacket. Just as he started to tear her shirt and unbutton her underwear, a powerful kick burst open the door from the outside. The door swung forcefully and collided with the wall, creating a resounding noise. Both Wei Nan and Lin Wan turned their heads towards the intruder. When Lin Wan saw the figure standing in the doorway, tears streamed down her face like rain. She knew she had been saved. Facing the backlight, Wei Nan failed to recognize the person. Upon realizing that it was a slender woman, he chuckled. ¡°Wanwan, it¡¯s a shame she¡¯s just a woman. She won¡¯t be able to save you.¡± Unaware of the individual¡¯s capabilities, Wei Nan assumed they possessed a lower level of mental strength than him due to the absence of any pressure he felt. ¡°Is that so?¡± Liao Ning raised an eyebrow. Had people not noticed that she, a food live-streamer, was a licensed hunter of the Hunter Association before pursuing her current career? Wei Nan¡¯s words ignited a spark of anger within Liao Ning. It awakened the dormant warrior spirit that lay within her for a considerable period. With remarkable speed, she approached Wei Nan, surpassing his expectations. In a swift motion, she freed Lin Wan from his grasp, removing his hand that had held her moments ago, much to his astonishment. The searing pain of her dislocated arm surged through Lin Wan. Wei Nan¡¯s initial surprise transformed into anger as he swung his intact arm fiercely towards Liao Ning. Wei Nan¡¯s ferocious attack came with astonishing speed, prompting Lin Wan to exclaim, ¡°Watch out!¡± Witnessing Lin Wan¡¯s panicked reaction, a smug expression formed on Wei Nan¡¯s face. However, his smile froze in the next instant. From Lin Wan¡¯s perspective, Wei Nan¡¯s attack seemed incredibly swift, leaving her to believe that Liao Ning would struggle to evade it. Yet, in Liao Ning¡¯s eyes, Wei Nan¡¯s movements appeared as though they were happening in slow motion. With a slight turn of her body, she effortlessly dodged his strike. Having successfully evaded Wei Nan¡¯s assault, Liao Ning swiftly incapacitated him while he stood bewildered. With his dislocated arms causing immense pain, Wei Nan gritted his teeth and asked, ¡°Who are you exactly?¡± ¡°Me?¡± Liao Ning tilted her head playfully, her smile widening. ¡°I¡¯m someone who can¡¯t tolerate being told what I can¡¯t do, and I¡¯m fiercely capable!¡± Wei Nan, now defenseless after his arms were rendered useless, refused to surrender. He unleashed his A-rank mental strength in an attempt to subdue Liao Ning, anticipating that she would crumble, begging for mercy while clutching her head. Yet, reality dealt him another blow. Contrary to his expectations, Liao Ning did not succumb to his mental assault. Instead, he was struck with an excruciating headache, so intense it made him wish for death. When Wei Nan finally recovered from the torment in his head, he found himself tightly bound by Liao Ning. It was then that he realized the person before him was not a novice with lower mental strength, but a formidable adversary of higher mental prowess. ¡°Wanwan, I didn¡¯t anticipate you having such a powerful ally. I underestimated the situation,¡± Wei Nan admitted, his voice filled with regret. Lin Wan, slipping into the coat handed to her by Liao Ning, regarded him calmly. ¡°You¡¯re utterly worthless.¡± Wei Nan never expected such words from Lin Wan. He stared blankly at the person who had shared his bed for over two decades. As he gazed upon her youthful countenance, a sudden realization dawned upon him. It became clear in that moment that she had always remained virtuous and true, while he had gradually deteriorated over the years, succumbing to the trappings of wealth and becoming overweight and unkempt¡ªa far cry from someone deserving of her. Seeking Lin Wan¡¯s concurrence, Liao Ning promptly dialed the police, determined to bring justice to the situation. The authorities swiftly arrived at the scene, and coincidentally, Zhou Ling arrived almost simultaneously with the police.. Chapter 191 - Chapter 191: Hunter Chapter 191: Hunter Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Upon spotting Liao Ning unharmed, seated beside Lin Wan and offering her solace, Zhou Ling finally breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Ling!¡± Liao Ning waved excitedly at Zhou Ling. Zhou Ling approached with a stern expression, prepared to reprimand Liao Ning. However, before he could utter a word, Liao Ning playfully tugged at a corner of his sleeve, conceding her mistake. ¡°I know I messed up. I shouldn¡¯t have rushed here alone without waiting for you. It won¡¯t happen again, I promise!¡± Liao Ning blinked, casting a coquettish glance at Zhou Ling. Observing his girlfriend¡¯s adorable admission of fault, Zhou Ling found himself unable to lecture her, no matter how much he may have wanted to. Furrowing his brow, Zhou Ling fell into silence. Eventually, he sighed and spoke in a gentle tone, ¡°You have to be careful. Don¡¯t put yourself in such situations again. It worries me, alright?¡± Liao Ning nodded eagerly. Only then did Lin Wan realize that Liao Ning had truly arrived alone. Earlier, when she had instructed Ni to allow Liao Ning to bring others, she had assumed that Liao Ning had indeed brought reinforcements. However, Liao Ning had swiftly departed, arriving here ahead of the others. ¡°Colonel Zhou Ling, this is my fault. Boss acted impulsively out of concern for me. Please don¡¯t blame her!¡± Lin Wan offered a sincere bow to Zhou Ling and Liao Ning, grateful for Liao Ning¡¯s courageous act of risking her life to save her, and feeling remorseful for nearly placing Liao Ning in danger. Zhou Ling and Liao Ning averted their gaze, refusing to accept Lin Wan¡¯s bow. Maintaining his stoic expression, Zhou Ling addressed Lin Wan, saying, ¡°Miss Lin, you need not feel guilty. You and Ningning are not only business partners but also good friends. It is only natural for friends to come to each other¡¯s aid in times of peril. I was solely concerned about Ningning acting recklessly. Too many people on the other side could prove detrimental. Not only would it hinder our ability to rescue you, but it could also alert the adversaries and complicate the subsequent rescue operation.¡± ¡°Ling is right. I acted impulsively today, but it¡¯s not entirely my fault!¡± Liao Ning sheepishly tapped the tip of her nose. ¡°It¡¯s all because of Wei Nan, belittling my capabilities. After all, I hold a certified hunter qualification. I simply couldn¡¯t tolerate his disparaging remarks. Thus, I taught him a lesson.¡± Lin Wan understood that both Zhou Ling and Liao Ning spoke to alleviate her burden, prompting her to respond, ¡°Yes, everything that happened today is solely Wei Nan¡¯s fault!¡± While the three of them engaged in conversation, the police had already conducted their investigation, confirming that Wei Nan had intended to lure Lin Wan to his current location and abduct her. As for the photo he had sent, depicting Wei Xin being held captive, it was a fabrication. Wei Nan had not actually kidnapped Wei Xin. Upon learning that the photo was doctored and Wei Nan¡¯s intention was merely to bring Lin Wan back to his residence, she regarded him with a mixture of disbelief and disdain. ¡°We are already divorced, Mr. Wei. Don¡¯t you understand that it is illegal for you to act in this manner?¡± Lin Wan expressed her helplessness. Wei Nan nodded solemnly. ¡°I am aware, but I am filled with resentment. After you left me, I realized that you were the person I loved the most. I am resentful that our long-standing relationship has come to such an end.¡± ¡°A delayed affection is as insignificant as grass,¡± Liao Ning whispered into Zhou Ling¡¯s ear with a mischievous smile. Bending down to accommodate her actions, Zhou Ling allowed her to get closer to his ear. Upon hearing Liao Ning¡¯s remark, a fond smile graced Zhou Ling¡¯s face. ¡°Your observation is astute and pragmatic.¡± True to expectations, Wei Nan was taken into custody and escorted to the police station. Before departing, Wei Nan sincerely apologized to Lin Wan. She met his gaze, noting the profound remorse in his eyes, and softly replied, ¡°I hear your apology, but I will not grant forgiveness.¡± Wei Nan was not surprised by Lin Wan¡¯s response. If anything, he felt a twinge of satisfaction. Not being forgiven meant there was still hatred. In this way, Lin Wan would remember him for the rest of her life, and he would forever hold a place in her heart. As Lin Wan watched the police car carrying Wei Nan disappear into the distance, a heavy sigh escaped her lips. She had harbored feelings for him since their youth, and she understood the intentions behind every action he took. She was well aware of the thoughts running through his mind at that moment, but she chose not to brutally shatter his illusions. ¡°You still find it difficult to bring yourself to do it,¡± Liao Ning spoke up at the opportune moment. A sense of relief washed over Lin Wan as she smiled gently. ¡°Indeed. He was once the young man I deeply loved. Let him believe that I will forever hold a grudge against him..¡± Chapter 192 - Chapter 192: Royal Food Manor Chapter 192: Royal Food Manor Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations At that moment, Loya found herself busy overseeing the training of dozens of aspiring chefs at the new branch of the Royal Gourmet Manor. Based on their progress, this group would graduate in just three days, signaling the imminent opening of the manor. ¡°Your Highness, I have already coordinated with the reporters for the manor¡¯s upcoming interviews. The major media outlets in Beijing will also cover the grand opening,¡± Xiao Han reported, jotting down notes in her notebook. ¡°Thank you for your hard work, Xiao Han. The manor wouldn¡¯t have come together so swiftly without your assistance.¡± Loya beamed at Xiao Han, expressing her gratitude for the young lady¡¯s invaluable support. Blushing, Xiao Han covered half of her face with the notebook and replied, ¡°I should be the one thanking you, Princess. Without you as an inspiration, I would probably still be preoccupied with selecting outfits and jewelry for the noble ladies¡¯ tea parties. I wouldn¡¯t have even considered working for the betterment of the empire¡¯s people.¡± Ever since Loya casually mentioned the idea of collaboration to this young lady from an aristocratic background, Xiao Han had wholeheartedly dedicated herself to this endeavor. Initially, Loya hadn¡¯t held high expectations for the inexperienced young lady, but she turned out to be surprisingly capable. Perhaps due to her upbringing in an aristocratic family and her exposure to numerous social events, Xiao Han possessed excellent interpersonal skills, surpassing Loya in that aspect. She successfully secured sponsors that even Loya, as a princess, might have struggled to obtain. Utilizing her status as the daughter of a duke, Xiao Han even managed to enlist the help of a few close friends from her social circle who had strong ties to the project. With the connections of Xiao Han and the other noble ladies, the development of the Royal Gourmet Manor progressed smoothly. It not only resolved the manpower shortage but also adopted a joint-venture dividend model, with the royal family being the primary investor and providing project funding from the start. ¡°You truly are exceptional. Your negotiation skills are innate. No matter how difficult a sponsor may be, once you take charge, you effortlessly win them over!¡± Loya sincerely praised, her words coming straight from her heart. Xiao Han beamed with joy upon receiving recognition from the princess. She eagerly made a promise to Loya, ¡°Your Highness, you can count on me. With my involvement, the Royal Food Manor will undoubtedly flourish and continue to improve!¡± Davies, the young insectoid, had been accompanying Zhou Ye on Planet Beijing for nearly a week. As Zhou Ye was occupied with his work at the bathhouse, Davies had no choice but to stay at the manor that Zhou Ye had purchased, under the care of Zhou Ye¡¯s wife, Mi Lu. Mi Lu had taken a liking to Davies, with his distinctive green hair, green eyes, and exquisite appearance. She often found herself wondering about his true form as an insectoid. After several months of interaction, she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that he didn¡¯t resemble a Soft Beetle at all. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Davies turned around and noticed Mi Lu staring at him once again. He couldn¡¯t fathom why she found such interest in observing him. After hesitating for a moment, Mi Lu finally mustered the courage to ask, ¡°Davies, are you truly the future leader of the Soft Beetles?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a misconception,¡± Davies replied indifferently, revealing his true form. ¡°I¡¯m not the future leader of any species. I am a Many-Feathered Butterfly.¡± Mi Lu hadn¡¯t expected Davies to not be the next leader of the Soft Beetles. Furthermore, she had never heard of a Many-Feathered Butterfly before; it was an entirely new type of insectoid that was absent from any literature she had encountered. Observing Mi Lu¡¯s surprised expression, Davies found it intriguing and decided to elaborate, ¡°Haven¡¯t you humans heard of the Many-Feathered Butterfly?¡± Mi Lu shook her head. ¡°Not only have I never heard of it, but humans, in general, have limited knowledge about the Zergs. We only possess information on a few known Zerg species. We are aware that the Zergs produce extraordinarily talented larvae every thousand years. These larvae enter the adolescent stage and undergo metamorphosis within cocoons. If they possess enough strength to break free from the cocoon, they emerge as mature beings and assume leadership roles within the Zergs.¡± ¡°You humans truly lack insight when it comes to the Zergs,¡± Davies commented, boredly flipping through the Al data prepared for him by Zhou Ye. After a short while, he stumbled upon news on the Star Web regarding the imminent opening of the Royal Food Manor branch.. ¡°How about this? Take me there for a stroll, and afterward, I¡¯ll share some details about myself with you!¡± Chapter 193 - Chapter 193: Sweet Good Worm Chapter 193: Sweet Good Worm Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Davies¡¯ eyes sparkled with excitement, his yearning for the Royal Food Manor evident. Ever since obtaining the Al, he occasionally received consultations on ancient cuisine. He had always been curious about the healing properties of ancient cultural delicacies and the discussions among netizens regarding these delicacies. However, due to Zhou Ye¡¯s absence and his warning not to wander off, Davies had to suppress his curiosity for the time being. But now, with the opening of the Royal Gourmet Manor branch near their current residence, he couldn¡¯t sit still any longer. He wanted Mi Lu to accompany him on this expedition. In Davies¡¯ mind, Mi Lu was Zhou Ye¡¯s wife, and he believed that if Mi Lu expressed her desire to visit the manor, Zhou Ye, being fond of Mi Lu, would surely agree. Coincidentally, Zhou Ye had returned home and overheard Davies¡¯ words. He smiled and addressed him, ¡°You can tell me directly. There¡¯s no need for Mi Lu to convey the message.¡± Davies, caught in his plan, blinked innocently with his green eyes and replied, ¡°But you said not to go out. I was afraid you would reject my request if I asked you directly. How sad would I be if that happened?¡± Zhou Ye found his expression amusing. ¡°I told you not to wander off, but it doesn¡¯t mean you can¡¯t go out at all. I¡¯m simply concerned that someone might identify your true identity as a rare transformed insect and take you to a laboratory for research.¡± Davies threw his hands up in exasperation. ¡°Well, I thought you meant I couldn¡¯t go out at all. Humans are so difficult to understand!¡± ¡°Compared to the language of the Zergs, human communication is indeed more complex. It¡¯s not solely based on literal meanings; you also need to grasp the underlying intentions behind the words,¡± Zhou Ye remarked. Davies¡¯ behavior reminded Mi Lu of their daughter. Sometimes, their daughter would wear the same helpless expression. She wondered how their daughter was faring and if she was leading a happy life. Observing his wife¡¯s disappointed expression, Zhou Ye approached her and embraced her, offering comfort. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. With Ling around, our daughter Mili will be well taken care of. Once we unravel the rebel army¡¯s plans and ensure the alliance¡¯s safety, we can return to the alliance. Then, we will have the opportunity to see our adorable Mili again.¡± Mi Lu nestled into her husband¡¯s arms, finding solace in his familiar presence. She nodded softly. ¡°I understand. I miss Mili too.¡± ¡°Alright, I have a plan. The Royal Food Manor branch is opening tomorrow, and Carrick has given me three tickets. We¡¯ll assume the roles of Kevin¡¯s family. You and I will portray a loving couple with years of marriage, and Davies will be our exceptional son. Let¡¯s enjoy a wonderful vacation at the Royal Food Manor,¡± Zhou Ye suggested. Mi Lu knew that her husband wanted to bring joy to her, and Davies was excited about the idea as well. She agreed with a smile. Davies had no objections. They were like a family within the rebel army, and he had always yearned to visit the royal food manor. After finalizing their plans, Davies excused himself and retreated to his room, leaving Zhou Ye and Mi Lu some privacy. As Davies walked, he couldn¡¯t help but think, ¡®He¡¯s such a thoughtful worm!¡¯ The next day, Zhou Ye drove the flying car, accompanied by his wife Mi Lu and Davies, to the Royal Food Manor just before the opening ceremony. The atmosphere was vibrant and lively at the opening ceremony. Loya had extended invitations to numerous esteemed nobles to celebrate the inauguration of the royal gourmet manor. The dignitaries were then invited to partake in the ribbon-cutting ceremony, captured by the media¡¯s cameras, before entering the manor. Since it was the first day of business, despite the limited availability of tickets, Xiao Han and Loya had devised a plan. They set up small stalls outside the manor, offering affordable snacks and easily prepared delicacies from ancient culture. This allowed those who couldn¡¯t secure tickets to the manor a chance to enjoy the delectable ancient culinary delights at a reasonable cost. Before the manor¡¯s opening, the nobles of the aristocratic class were granted two tickets each, courtesy of the royal family. Wealthy aristocratic families had also secured tickets through monetary means. As a result, only a limited number of commoners had the opportunity to try their luck and acquire a ticket to the royal gourmet manor during the ticket sales period on the Star Web.. Chapter 194 - Chapter 194: The Zergs Love Delicacies Too Chapter 194: The Zergs Love Delicacies Too Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Consequently, the branch garden¡¯s thoughtful gesture instantly garnered the admiration of numerous citizens. Praises flooded the Star Web, lauding Princess Loya, the Dawn Princess, for her compassion towards the common folk. Naturally, the majority of these comments originated from the commoners who faced significant burdens and pressures in their lives. Although Davies possessed inherited memories spanning thousands of years, he had never encountered a manor as exquisite as this one. He gazed around ceaselessly, as if attempting to etch every detail into his mind. ¡°Despite having countless ancestral memories, I have no recollection of ancient cultural delicacies, let alone experiencing such breathtaking views of your human manor!¡± the young man whispered to Zhou Ye and Mi Lu, his excitement palpable. Observing the delight on his face, Zhou Ye instinctively recalled his brother, Zhou Ling. In the past, whenever Zhou Ling encountered something he liked, he would instantly share his joy with Zhou Ye. Encouragingly, Zhou Ye suggested, ¡°If you¡¯re enjoying it, feel free to explore more. It¡¯s still early for lunch.¡± His words mirrored his brotherly affection, echoing the way Zhou Ling would respond in similar situations. With a beaming smile, Davies nodded eagerly and continued to immerse himself in the botanical wonders of the manor. The larvae capable of transformation possessed a remarkably pure power. Each transforming larva exuded an inherent purity and beauty. Upon assuming human form, they would radiate an extraordinary allure. As a transformed Zerg, Davies naturally possessed exceptional beauty. He resembled the cherished dolls displayed in the chambers of noble ladies¡ª exquisitely crafted and captivating. Unbeknownst to Davies, as he immersed himself in the scenery, he had inadvertently become a part of the picturesque view in the eyes of many onlookers. Zhou Ye and Mi Lu trailed behind Davies, their expressions filled with warmth and affection. Occasionally, they would answer the young man¡¯s queries about unfamiliar sights. To outsiders, this harmonious atmosphere resembled that of a blissful family of three. ¡°Ah, the aroma is enticing!¡± As Davies admired the blossoming flowers in the garden, a sweet aroma reached his nostrils. The scent was reminiscent of the berries he had savored in the Zerg galaxy long ago, instantly captivating his senses. Without a second thought, Davies abandoned formalities and eagerly followed the trail of the enticing fragrance. Noticing Davies¡¯s sudden departure, Zhou Ye and his wife, Mi Lu, exchanged glances before hastening to join him. The intoxicating aroma led Davies to a bustling gathering where a crowd had assembled beneath a raised platform. Following his nose, Davies realized that the source of the fragrance emanated from the platform itself. Gazing up at the towering screen positioned behind the platform, Davies witnessed the mesmerizing process of a chef crafting delicacies, the entire spectacle displayed vividly on the screen. An animated commentator held a microphone on the platform, providing a detailed account of the dish being prepared and the ingredients employed, engaging the audience. ¡°Now, our esteemed chef is preparing a dish for all to relish called Roast Bruises. The ingredients include 2 bird balls yellow, 130g of light cream, 20g of condensed milk, 20g of sugar, and 50g of milk.¡± Davies, like everyone else, attentively followed the emcee¡¯s explanations, discerning the showcased ingredients on the screen. ¡°Firstly, our skilled chef pours 50g of milk, 130g of light cream, 20g of sugar, and 20g of condensed milk into a bowl, thoroughly blending them. Subsequently, this mixture is poured into a pot and simmered over low heat until the sugar completely dissolves. Next, the chef prepares two bird balls, incorporating the egg yolks with the previously boiled ingredients. He then strains the mixture twice through a fine sieve before pouring it into a roasting dish for ten minutes. Finally, preheat the oven to 170 degrees and place the dish inside for 25 minutes. Voila! The delectable and sweet Roast Bruises is now ready!¡± As the emcee concluded the explanation, a few minutes elapsed before the oven emitted a signal. Wearing special heat-resistant gloves, the chef carefully opened the oven and retrieved the dish. With the oven¡¯s unveiling, a fragrant wave of creamy richness enveloped the surroundings. Soon, the air was saturated with the irresistible aroma of luscious dairy. [It smells so good!] [I didn¡¯t expect ancient food to smell so good!] [As expected of the manor I¡¯ve been looking forward to for a long time!] [No wonder the nobles jointly submitted a petition requesting the royal family to open a branch of the royal food manor.] As an insectoid, Davies had better hearing than humans. In the crowd, he could hear clearly what people were saying. Most of them were praising the royal gourmet manor. ¡°It smells so good!¡± Mi Lu smelled the rich milk fragrance in the air.. Chapter 195 - Chapter 195: Wishful Thinking Chapter 195: Wishful Thinking Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Zhou Ye nodded in agreement. It was a revelation to him that ancient delicacies could emit such an alluring fragrance. The flavors he had experienced from ancient delicacies during his time in the Alliance paled in comparison to the aroma of the roast bray he encountered today. Capturing the crowd¡¯s attention, the emcee seized the moment and declared, ¡°I¡¯m sure everyone is eager to sample the roast bray for themselves. Fear not, the delicacies prepared here today will be served to all during lunch and dinner.¡± Upon hearing this announcement, anticipation filled the air, and many individuals eagerly looked forward to the upcoming meals. Satisfied with the response he garnered, the emcee beamed and continued, ¡°There is still half an hour before lunch is served. We kindly request that you proceed to the dining area in advance, select your preferred seating, and inform our staff of the number of guests in your party. This will allow our staff to ensure a smooth and efficient service for everyone.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s hurry!¡± Davies couldn¡¯t contain his excitement and pulled Zhou Ye and Mi Lu towards the dining area, following the signs along the roadside. After selecting a table and providing the staff with the number of guests, it wasn¡¯t long before a food cart was wheeled over to Zhou Ye and his companions¡¯ table. The lunch menu featured four distinct dishes: garlic prawns, lemon shredded chicken, red wine steak, and cream mushroom soup. Each person at Zhou Ye¡¯s table was provided with their own set of cutlery. While the red wine steak and cream mushroom soup required the utensils, the other two dishes could be enjoyed without them. As the dishes were presented, Davies caught a whiff of their enticing aromas, causing his mouth to water uncontrollably. After the staff introduced the characteristics and recommended methods of enjoying each dish, Davies eagerly grabbed his knife and fork, clumsily attempting to cut into the steak. Unfamiliar with the use of human utensils, Davies struggled to control his strength, resulting in the cutlery clashing against the plate with a series of crisp sounds. This commotion attracted the attention of etiquette-trained nobles nearby, who were curious to see who displayed such uncouth manners, constantly causing their utensils to collide with their plates. As a Zerg, Davies possessed heightened sensitivity to the surrounding environment, promptly detecting the numerous gazes directed towards him. However, he didn¡¯t perceive any threatening intentions behind those stares. Ignoring the onlookers, he focused on the task at hand¡ªcutting the steak on his plate. Amused by his earnest yet clumsy attempts, Mi Lu couldn¡¯t help but find it endearing. She suggested, ¡°Let me assist you!¡± After a moment of consideration, Davies agreed and allowed her to lend a helping hand. With Mi Lu¡¯s guidance, Davies finally indulged in the long-awaited taste of ancient cuisine. His emerald eyes sparkled with satisfaction, resembling crescent moons in the night sky, enhancing the gentle beauty of his exquisite face. ¡°Such a captivating young man, surpassing even the mermaids I keep!¡± A dashing young nobleman locked his gaze onto Davies and whispered to his companion sitting across from him. The other nobleman also took notice of Davies and nodded in agreement. ¡°Indeed, more captivating than a mermaid.¡± Receiving affirmation, the young nobleman grew even more enthralled. He could barely contain his excitement and exclaimed to his companion in a fervent tone, ¡°Imagine the ultimate pleasure I¡¯d experience if I were to bring him home and keep him captive, ensuring his affection for me each night! ¡± Aware that his companion possessed unconventional tastes, the nobleman had previously indulged in rearing a few exquisite mermaids. However, it was only now that he discovered his companion¡¯s interest in captivating young individuals. Shaking his head, the nobleman responded, ¡°I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t quite comprehend. I apologize.¡± The aristocratic young master, aware of his companion¡¯s somewhat traditional mindset, remained silent. He could only lament, ¡°You¡¯re truly dull in your thinking.. Watch as I conquer this young man tonight, making him smile for me every day henceforth!¡± Chapter 196 - Chapter 196: I’m Very Strong Chapter 196: I¡¯m Very Strong Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations The aristocrat was well acquainted with his companion¡¯s persistent nature. He understood that no amount of persuasion would sway him, so he felt compelled to offer a warning. ¡°If you¡¯re truly determined to pursue the young man, you must be cautious of the man by his side. I¡¯ve observed his perpetually tense muscles and his keen awareness of his surroundings. I suspect he¡¯s either a seasoned hunter or a former soldier from the Empire¡¯s army. His mental fortitude is likely of at least A-rank.¡± The aristocratic young master trusted his companion¡¯s judgment of character. Although his own mental strength was not insignificant, as a pampered aristocrat, he lacked any advantage when facing soldiers or hunters of equal mental strength. Accordingly, he solemnly nodded and replied, ¡°Rest assured, I won¡¯t act impulsively. I¡¯ll exercise patience and wait for an opportune moment when that man is absent.¡± After lunch, Zhou Ye received an urgent call from Carrick, the manager of the bathhouse, summoning him to address an unforeseen situation. Regrettably, Zhou Ye had to apologize to his wife and Davies. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but there¡¯s an urgent matter at work that requires my immediate attention. I¡¯ll have to leave you now, but I¡¯ll return in time for dinner.¡± Though slightly disappointed, Mi Lu understood the circumstances and expressed her understanding. ¡°Go ahead, handle the situation as quickly as possible, and join us for dinner.¡± ¡°I will,¡± Zhou Ye affirmed. Turning to Davies, he added, ¡°In my absence, I entrust Mi Lu¡¯s safety to you. Both of you need to stay vigilant, understand?¡± Davies wore a serious expression as he nodded. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll protect your wife. ¡± Zhou Ye sighed helplessly. ¡°It¡¯s about protecting both of you!¡± Davies half-heartedly nodded. ¡°No one can harm me. I¡¯m very strong.¡± Thus, in his mind, he only needed to safeguard Mi Lu when Zhou Ye wasn¡¯t around. Zhou Ye recognized Davies¡¯ thoughts, but he didn¡¯t have the luxury of time to argue further. He nodded and hurriedly departed. Once Zhou Ye was gone, Davies swiftly assumed the role of a bodyguard. Mimicking the noble young masters he had observed earlier, he politely sought Mi Lu¡¯s opinions and ensured her well-being. ¡°Miss Mi Lu, where would you like to go next?¡± Mi Lu responded cooperatively, raising her hand to grasp the young man¡¯s arm. ¡°Let¡¯s head to the garden for a glimpse.¡± Davies¡¯ eyes sparkled at the mention of the garden. He had a profound fondness for the enchanting blossoms that adorned its grounds. Observing the young man¡¯s evident delight, Mi Lu realized her assumption was correct¡ªDavies truly cherished the garden¡¯s resplendent flowers. They lingered in the garden for a while. Just as they were about to depart, a group of manor staff returned, transporting several tables along with various kitchen utensils, powdered ingredients, and fresh flowers. Curious, Mi Lu approached one of the staff members and inquired, ¡°What¡¯s happening here?¡± The staff member courteously replied, ¡°These preparations are for a dessert specially crafted by Her Highness. The chefs will be making flower jelly at the event venue. If you¡¯re interested, you can stay and witness the production process. Alternatively, you may rest in the adjacent area. Our staff will deliver delectable flower jelly to you later.¡± Mi Lu expressed her gratitude, then turned to Davies and suggested, ¡°If you¡¯re interested, we can stay and observe.¡± Davies nodded, content with remaining where they were. ¡°There¡¯s nowhere else I¡¯d rather be.¡± Thus, Mi Lu and Davies stayed put, captivated by the spectacle of the chefs crafting flower jelly. As the staff introduced the process, everyone learned that the ingredients required to freeze the flowers were freshly plucked and washed flower petals, alongside the powdery substance they had just witnessed. The staff explained that the powder was made from fish glue and served as a convenient means to freeze the flowers, more manageable than using an entire piece of fish glue. Following the chef¡¯s lead, the staff went on to elucidate the various types of flowers being used. ¡°For this occasion, we have selected osmanthus, roses, chrysanthemums, and jasmine. These flowers were imported from the Alliance and are edible varieties modified by the research institute. Not only are they edible, but they also bloom all year round, thanks to the modifications conducted at the manor..¡± Chapter 197 - Chapter 197: Beaten Chapter 197: Beaten Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations The chef carefully poured 400g of water, 30g of sugar, and 20g of fish glue powder into the pot, ensuring they were mixed evenly. Next, he added flowers to the infused water and brought it to a boil. Once boiled, he turned off the stove and transferred the fragrant water into a flower-shaped container. Placing it inside the refrigerator, he patiently waited for the flowers to freeze. The four skilled chefs had created four different flavors of flower jelly, each with its unique taste and presentation. The staff diligently carried the frozen flower jellies to the guests. Among them, Mi Lu picked up a jasmine-flavored flower jelly and intended to pass it to Davies, who was standing behind him. However, when he turned around, he realized Davies was nowhere to be found. Mi Lu¡¯s heart raced with worry. He knew that in Zhou Ye¡¯s absence, Davies wouldn¡¯t leave without bidding farewell to her. Unbeknownst to Mi Lu, Davies had disappeared into the garden and was now lying in the back seat of a flying car. Sitting beside him was Lunch, a young nobleman fixated on Davies¡¯ captivating appearance. The young nobleman greedily admired Davies¡¯ face, even with his eyes closed, unable to conceal its extraordinary beauty. After a brief journey, the flying car arrived at the noble young master¡¯s opulent manor. Impatiently, he scooped up the unconscious Davies and hurriedly stepped out of the vehicle, making his way into his residence. Once inside his room, the noble young master gently placed Davies on his bed. He then fetched a syringe containing pink potions, intending to inject Davies with them, transforming him into a beautiful pet under his control. Just as the silver needle of the syringe was about to pierce Davies¡¯ skin, the seemingly unconscious young man suddenly opened his eyes and firmly grasped the noble young master¡¯s hand holding the syringe. Astonished, the noble young master exclaimed, ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be unconscious from the effects of the knockout powder? Why are you awake now?¡± His eyes widened in disbelief, fixed on the young man standing before him. Davies sneered with contempt and replied, ¡°The knockout powder is useless. I¡¯ve been pretending all along.¡± The nobleman¡¯s initial surprise quickly transformed into a twisted smile, revealing his true intentions. He spoke softly to Davies, his tone dripping with arrogance, ¡°Oh, my dear delicate beauty, it seems you fail to comprehend the vast difference between us. I am an A-rank powerhouse with immense mental strength. Your frail frame won¡¯t be able to withstand my wrath.¡± The nobleman regarded Davies with a condescending gaze, likening him to a docile and defenseless lamb. ¡°However, if you insist on playing games, I shall gladly indulge you.¡± Davies observed the nobleman¡¯s exhilarated expression and couldn¡¯t help but conclude that something was seriously wrong with the man¡¯s mind. Clearly, the tables had turned, and it was Davies who was now in control. How could the nobleman dare to claim he was fearlessly playing around? Curiosity piqued, Davies examined the syringe in his hand. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± The aristocratic young master, fixated on the youth¡¯s exquisite visage, displayed an excited grin. ¡°It¡¯s a splendid concoction that will grant you unparalleled euphoria!¡± ¡°I see,¡± Davies responded with a smile. ¡°Of course, such a remarkable substance is best suited for a nobleman like yourself!¡± Much to the aristocratic young master¡¯s astonishment, the young man swiftly seized the syringe and plunged it into his own thigh, allowing the pink liquid to flow into his body. Unbeknownst to the noble young master, this was an arousal potion specifically crafted for mermaids. It induced a heightened state of excitement and subdued their combative tendencies. As the young man injected himself, the noble young master¡¯s expression twisted into a dark scowl. His voice grew hoarse and unpleasant as he snarled, ¡°How dare you inject that inferior concoction into my body? Do you wish to die?!¡± Davies arched an eyebrow, maintaining an innocent gaze. ¡°But you were the one who claimed it was ¡®good stuff.¡¯ Why now do you denounce it as inferior?¡± ¡°Cease these word games! I clearly underestimated you. I assumed you were just like any other obedient and beautiful plaything. Little did I anticipate that you were a cunning white rabbit capable of biting back!¡± The noble young master tapped into his mental strength and swiftly reached out to throttle the young man by his slender neck. Facing the noble young master¡¯s grasp, Davies made no effort to evade. He allowed the nobleman¡¯s hand to easily encircle his delicate throat. As the aristocratic young master effortlessly grasped the young man¡¯s neck, a flicker of vigilance vanished from his eyes, replaced by a disdainful glare. ¡°I assumed you possessed mental strength akin to mine, but it seems you¡¯re nothing more than an ordinary individual devoid of such abilities.¡± Perceiving no signs of spiritual power emanating from Davies, the noble young master loosened his grip on Davies¡¯ neck.. Chapter 198 - Chapter 198: Beating Him Up Chapter 198: Beating Him Up Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°However, in an era where almost everyone possesses mental strength, individuals like you who lack it entirely are even rarer than those few races,¡± the noble young master retorted, his voice filled with a mix of arrogance and contempt. Undeterred, Davies smiled calmly, showing no embarrassment despite being strangled. ¡°Is that so? Then you should consider yourself fortunate to have stumbled upon a defenseless lamb.¡± The mention of resistance triggered a vivid recollection in the noble young master¡¯s mind¡ªthe humiliation of being subjected to injections by an ordinary person like Davies just moments ago. Subconsciously, his grip around Davies¡¯ neck tightened. Though the young man felt a growing difficulty in breathing, it didn¡¯t hinder him from provoking the noble young master with his words. ¡°Why are you angry with me now? Your priority should be finding a mermaid to help resolve your predicament!¡± ¡°Why would I need a mermaid when I have you? Compared to non-human beings, it¡¯s far more satisfying to have a beautiful human like yourself at my disposal!¡± Nearly five minutes had passed since the potion coursed through his veins, and he could feel his breathing becoming rapid. He yearned to overpower the young man before him, to witness him cry and beg for mercy. Davies directed his gaze at the noble young master¡¯s gradually reddening face, then shifted his attention to the man¡¯s abdomen. As expected, an obvious bulge marred what was once a flat surface. Noticing Davies¡¯ scrutiny, the young master leaned in closer, his back arched with pride. He whispered ambiguously into Davies¡¯ ear, ¡°Impressed, aren¡¯t you?¡± Davies maintained his unwavering smile, meeting the noble young master¡¯s gaze. ¡°Indeed, I am. However, do you know what happened to the last person who propositioned me in such a manner?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Abruptly, a searing pain tore through the aristocratic young master¡¯s lower abdomen. His eyes widened, capturing the glint of exhilaration in Davies¡¯ emerald green gaze. Before he could mount a defense, an unrelenting storm of punches pummeled him relentlessly. Braving the agony pulsating through his core, the noble young master swiftly summoned his vaunted A-rank mental strength, erecting a protective barrier to shield himself from the youth¡¯s furious onslaught. Regrettably, the barrier, crafted with immense pride, proved futile against Davies¡¯ assault. The moment the young man¡¯s fist connected, the protective shield shattered, leaving a gaping hole in its wake. ¡°The shield is shattered. How do you suppose I should deal with you? Perhaps transforming you into a disfigured mess?¡± Davies jeered, his voice dripping with contempt. However, the aristocratic young master never afforded Davies the opportunity to unleash further blows. The rupture of his mental barrier inflicted excruciating pain upon his consciousness, causing him to succumb to unconsciousness. ¡°How dull. You can¡¯t even endure a beating!¡± Davies sneered, his lips pursed disdainfully as he settled onto the plush bed, casting a disdainful glance at the man who lay unconscious. After a moment, Davies realized his abrupt departure had left Mi Lu in a state of worry. Recognizing his own negligence, he swiftly employed the Al communication system to reach out to her. ¡®Where did you disappear to? Do you have any idea how anxious your sudden absence made me? Can¡¯t you be more dependable?!¡± Mi Lu¡¯s voice resounded with anxiety as the Al connection was established. Acknowledging his wrongdoing, Davies sincerely apologized to Mi Lu. ¡°I am deeply sorry, Miss Mi Lu. I recognize my mistake. Once I conclude matters here, I will promptly return.¡± ¡°Where are you right now? I¡­¡± Mi Lu¡¯s voice trailed off, a mixture of concern and relief evident. Davies interjected, assuring her, ¡°Rest assured, Miss Mi Lu, I am perfectly safe. Please do not worry about me. I shall be back at the manor well before dinnertime.¡± Without giving Mi Lu an opportunity to respond, Davies decisively terminated the communication, cutting off any further conversation. As the aristocratic young master regained consciousness, he overheard Davies conversing with Mi Lu. Seizing the moment when Davies appeared preoccupied, the noble young master endured the pain coursing through his body and slowly maneuvered himself towards the exit, inching across the carpeted floor. Regrettably, before he could make considerable progress, Davies, who had ended the communication, caught sight of his movements. Witnessing the young man approaching with a smirk, the noble young master pleaded in terror, ¡°Stay away! Let me go! I¡¯ll give you anything you desire!¡± Davies paid no heed to his pleas and continued his advance. ¡°I-I hold the title of Marquis! If any harm befalls me, you, that woman, and the man who departed earlier will face severe consequences from the empire!¡± Upon hearing the mention of Mi Lu and Zhou Ye, Davies halted in his tracks, a smile gracing his lips as he addressed the noble young master, ¡°Very well, congratulations on successfully deterring me from mistreating you..¡± Chapter 199 - Chapter 199: Mermaid and Elf Chapter 199: Mermaid and Elf Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Seeing the young man come to a halt, the noble young master¡¯s tense nerves began to relax. He reclined on the carpet, taking heavy breaths. Davies showed no urgency in his approach, allowing a few minutes to pass before noticing the young man¡¯s diminished panting. He spoke, his tone calm, ¡°So, you¡¯re saying that if I release you, you¡¯ll offer me everything within your means?¡± ¡°Yes! ¡± the aristocratic young master readily agreed, eager to rid himself of this terrifying youth as soon as possible. Concerned that his words might not be convincing enough, the noble young master reiterated, ¡°I assure you, I will immediately provide you with anything I possess or can acquire.¡± ¡°Let me contemplate¡­¡± Davies mused as he strolled, deep in thought. He felt compelled to request something from the noble young master as a display of his seriousness. In the inherited memories, it was mentioned that humans often experienced deep emotional distress when their cherished possessions were taken away. The act of depriving humans of their belongings could leave a lasting psychological impact. Davies turned around, examining the noble young master lying on the ground. In truth, this individual could be considered quite wicked. Perhaps it wouldn¡¯t hurt to inflict a slight psychological trauma on him, he pondered. ¡°What is your most treasured possession?¡± he inquired. The young master hesitated, momentarily caught off guard. He believed the young man sought his most valuable item. ¡°It¡¯s a ruby sword, a family heirloom. Legend has it that this very blade once vanquished an ancient evil dragon.. As the rarest Multi-Feathered Butterfly among the Zergs, Davies possessed a unique ability to detect falsehoods. Upon hearing the man¡¯s response, he immediately discerned that while the man was not lying, he wasn¡¯t fully disclosing the truth either. Davies furrowed his brow in dissatisfaction. Perceiving the young master¡¯s frown, fear washed over him, making it difficult for him to articulate his words. ¡°I, uh, also have a collection of mermaid figurines and elven artifacts¡­¡± Davies cocked his head, surprised by the young man¡¯s affinity for mermaids and elves. He hadn¡¯t anticipated this timid individual to possess such a penchant for the romantic and fantastical. Wasn¡¯t he apprehensive about the mermaid¡¯s potential wrath, tearing him apart? Moreover, elves were not to be trifled with. The potions they casually possessed could inadvertently prove fatal to him. However, Davies had momentarily forgotten that the mermaids and elves were under the control of the man, thanks to the loyalty potion. ¡°I want both the mermaid and the elf, along with the sword,¡± Davies declared firmly. The man pleaded, unwilling to relinquish both. ¡°This¡­ Could you at least leave one of them for me?¡± Davies stared at him, unyielding. ¡°No.¡± ¡°Then please follow me,¡± the man reluctantly conceded through gritted teeth. Davies trailed behind the man as they departed from his opulent abode and made their way to a decrepit three-story building. Davies had anticipated the interior of the modest structure to be as dilapidated as its exterior, but to his surprise, the inside was even more lavish than the man¡¯s previous residence. ¡°You¡¯re quite generous,¡± Davies commented, astonished by the fact that the dwelling he had constructed for his supposed pets surpassed the quality of his own home. However, even as the young man commended him for his generosity, there was no joy evident on his face. Instead, his expression deepened with worry. ¡°Don¡¯t taunt me. You¡¯re about to take them away. No matter how well this building is renovated, it¡¯s futile.¡± Davies nodded in understanding. ¡°You¡¯re right. It is a pity.¡± The noble young master had hoped his words would elicit sympathy from the young man. However, it was clear that the young man had no intention of granting him any respite. Thus, with gritted teeth, he pressed on, leading the way to the room where the mermaids and elves were held captive. The ground floor of the building comprised of a living room and several uninhabited chambers, while the mermaids and elves resided on the upper level. The noble young master guided Davies to the elf¡¯s quarters. As they approached the room, he unlocked it using an iris recognition system, prompting the door to swing open instantly. As Davies entered the room, his attention was immediately drawn to the massive bookcase positioned before him. Strewn across the carpet in front of the bookcase were various books, creating a disarrayed scene. Amidst this literary chaos sat a golden-haired elf with pointed ears, engrossed in a thick tome. ¡°Eric, I¡¯ve come to see you!¡± announced the noble young master, his voice breaking the elf¡¯s concentration as she redirected her gaze toward the door. In that brief moment, as the elf¡¯s eyes shifted, Davies could sense her profound disdain for the young master. Her attention swiftly shifted from him, a familiar face, to Davies, a stranger in their midst. Unperturbed by the young master¡¯s potential dissatisfaction with his audacious behavior, the elf focused solely on Davies and queried, ¡°Who is he?¡± Chapter 200 - Chapter 200: Storyteller Chapter 200: Storyteller Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Had this despicable nobleman grown tired of solely debasing the elf and now sought to subject him to the humiliation of others from the nobility? The repulsive notion filled the elf with disgust as she regarded Davies. Davies, puzzled by the sudden change in the elf¡¯s demeanor, observed her with curiosity, wondering what had sparked this shift. For a fleeting moment, the noble young master¡¯s face contorted upon being asked about Davies¡¯ identity, but he quickly composed himself and stated, ¡°This gentleman is here to take you away.¡± However, the elf remained unconvinced, fixing her gaze on the young master, silently demanding an answer. Davies nodded in agreement with the elf. ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡± The elf emitted a self-deprecating laugh in response to the young master¡¯s statement. Without uttering a word, she rose from her seat and positioned herself behind the young master. Ultimately, whether he stayed or left with the young master, he could not escape the Capital Planet or return to Planet Green Forest. His circumstances remained unchanged. He would merely become someone else¡¯s plaything. ¡°Very well, lead me to the merfolk now,¡± Davies instructed, pausing for a moment before adding, ¡°But first, provide me with the antidote to release them from the potion¡¯s effects.¡± With an unpleasant expression, the noble young master handed the antidote to Davies. Under his urging, they ascended to the third floor, arriving at the mermaid¡¯s chamber. Upon opening the door, they were met with the sight of the mermaid submerged in a vast pool specially constructed for him at the young master¡¯s behest. His massive fishtail hung in the water, exuding strength and power. As the sound of approaching footsteps reached the mermaid¡¯s ears, he opened his eyes. Upon recognizing the intruders, he leapt out of the pool, his muscular claws lunging towards the noble young master. The noble young master¡¯s pupils dilated in fear. He realized that the effects of the loyalty potion had worn off, and the mermaid was capable of tearing him limb from limb. After putting in overtime, Liu Mu¡¯s ¡°Legend of the White Snake¡± was finally published in the upcoming issue of ¡°Story Temperature¡± magazine. As word spread among the magazine¡¯s loyal readers, many netizens began to take notice of the story¡¯s contributor, the mysterious storyteller. Unable to find any information about this author on the Star Web, a fervent search for the storyteller commenced. Within just three days of the magazine hitting the shelves, the Star Web was abuzz with discussions about the captivating myth of the ¡°Legend of the White Snake.¡± The storyteller, known as ¡°Storiesteller,¡± had quickly become a revered figure among devoted fans of the magazine. Despite the magazine officials clarifying on their official Star Web account that the ¡°Legend of the White Snake¡± was not an original creation by the contributor but rather a tale discovered in an ancient book, the citizens and netizens within the alliance remained undeterred in their eagerness to uncover the true identity of the storyteller. Beneath the official social media post by ¡°Story Temperature¡± magazine regarding the origin of the ¡°Legend of the White Snake,¡± comments praising the story and expressing enthusiasm in discovering the identity of the ¡°storyteller¡± flooded the thread. [I¡¯ve never come across a story like this before. Although they couldn¡¯t spend their lives together, Xu Xian found his own way to be with the white snake till the end.] [It¡¯s incredibly touching!] [The official explanation might claim it to be an ancient myth from the Eastern Earth, but I feel like it transcends mere folklore and delves into a profound love story that surpasses boundaries.] [I agree with the previous comment. The white snake¡¯s act of stealing Lingzhi from the heavens to save her beloved truly exemplifies her love for a mortal like Xu Xian, despite being a demon.] [I hope to see more amazing stories like this in the future!] [If future stories in ¡®Story Has a Temperature¡¯ magazine meet the standards set by ¡®Legend of the White Snake,¡¯ I¡¯ll gladly keep subscribing!] [I¡¯ve already reserved a year¡¯s worth of magazines in anticipation!] [I initially suspected that the author created this story solely for popularity, but the storyteller¡¯s talent is undeniable!] [The storyteller is simply incredible to have discovered such a thrilling tale!] [I¡¯m even more eager to uncover the identity of the storyteller. What should I do?] ¡°Who is this ¡®storyteller¡¯? The story they submitted is incredibly captivating!¡± ¡°Absolutely, Xu Xian¡¯s devotion is truly remarkable!¡± Having just left Lin Wan¡¯s office, Liao Ning was on her way home when she overheard numerous individuals engaged in lively discussions about ¡°Legend of the White Snake¡± and the enigmatic storyteller.. Chapter 201 - Chapter 201: New Identity Chapter 201: New Identity Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning was taken aback by the unexpected attention she received simply by recounting the story of the white snake. As she overheard the guests¡¯ discussion, she felt a mixture of embarrassment and relief. It was clear that the longing for pure love resonated in every world. When Liao Ning received a call from Liu Mu, his voice carried a hint of excitement. ¡°Liao Ning, did you see that? ¡®Legend of the White Snake¡¯ has shattered the magazine¡¯s sales records!¡± Feeling a bit self-conscious, Liao Ning knew that she had only shared the basic outline of the story, and it was Liu Mu¡¯s eloquent writing that brought about such a positive response. ¡°Your heartfelt words played a significant role, so it¡¯s only natural that you receive recognition,¡± Liao Ning responded modestly. ¡°No, no, it¡¯s all thanks to you,¡± Liu Mu exclaimed, his voice trembling with emotion. ¡°The depiction of interracial love in the story reflects the experiences of many people. Without your story, I wouldn¡¯t have been able to write such a remarkable novel. I owe it all to you.¡± Liao Ning was about to downplay her contribution when Liu Mu continued, ¡°Would you consider becoming our professional contributor? It can be part-time, where you provide me with occasional inspiration. You¡¯ll receive a 10% royalty from the current period¡¯s sales. What do you think?¡± Liao Ning was taken aback. Before she could respond, she received a notification from the Al that the magazine agency had transferred a sum of money to her account. ¡°This is just an advance payment for now,¡± Liu Mu reassured her, sensing her hesitation. ¡°The benefits will undoubtedly increase in the future.¡± Liu Mu knew that Liao Ning, with her background, didn¡¯t necessarily need the money. However, if she could offer such inspiration, there was no doubt she possessed the ability to craft exceptional stories. In the end, Liao Ning couldn¡¯t resist Liu Mu¡¯s enthusiasm and agreed to his proposal. Observing her friend¡¯s subdued demeanor, Ning Ling asked with concern, ¡°Is something the matter? I read the novel ¡®Legend of the White Snake.¡¯ It¡¯s truly touching, especially when transformed into a written work!¡± Liao Ning nodded helplessly. Indeed, she was taken aback. This was a television drama that dominated the airwaves every winter and summer. The storyline was well-known, but now, as a storyteller, she was expected to become a long-term narrator. She was still adjusting to this new identity. Upon returning home, she noticed that Olift was engrossed in reading ¡°The Legend of the White Snake.¡± When he discovered that the story was submitted by Liao Ning, his excitement was palpable. ¡°Is this a tale you created or based on personal experiences of those around you?¡± His voice finally rose and fell with anticipation. ¡°Just consider it a story I came across,¡± Liao Ning replied with a slightly awkward smile. To be more precise, she ¡°saw¡± it, but explaining that would be quite challenging. ¡°Such love is what mermaids aspire to,¡± Olift expressed, his enthusiasm evident. ¡°If I were to encounter such love one day, I would love you unconditionally, whether you¡¯re a mermaid or a human.¡± Observing his emotional fluctuations, Liao Ning couldn¡¯t help but ask in confusion, ¡°Do you experience emotions now?¡± Hearing her question, Olift furrowed his brow and regarded Liao Ning intently. ¡°As I read ¡®The Legend of the White Snake,¡¯ my heart resonates with the plot. When the protagonists part ways, I feel a tinge of sadness. Does this qualify as emotional fluctuation?¡± His voice carried a hint of uncertainty. After all, he had been consuming elven medicine since reaching adulthood, leaving him unsure about his current state. ¡°How long has it been since you last took the medicine?¡± Liao Ning inquired. Olift responded earnestly, ¡°I have only consumed the loyalty potion once. Could it be that the potion¡¯s effect has worn off?¡± Liao Ning activated the Al and began searching for information about elven loyalty potions. She discovered that most potions were designed to last a lifetime unless countered by an elven antidote. However, as capturing elves became increasingly challenging, some merchants resorted to adding other ingredients, resulting in potions with shorter durations. These modified potions would only control mermaids for a few months, unable to exert long-term control. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Olift saw Liao Nings serious expression and wondered what she was thinking. Liao Ning looked at him seriously. ¡°When did you start to realize that you have emotions? Does it trigger mechanism?¡± Hearing her words, Olift thought for a moment and said, ¡°I think it started with seafood porridge..¡± Chapter 202 - Chapter 202: Antidote Chapter 202: Antidote Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Seafood porridge?¡± Liao Ning asked, puzzled. Had the seafood porridge she made for Olift once already shown such remarkable effects? Olift nodded earnestly. ¡°Yes. After that, I also consumed a few of the ancient delicacies you prepared. I¡¯m not sure which one did the trick.¡± Returning to the kitchen, Liao Ning carefully inspected the ingredients she had used for the seafood porridge that day. It primarily consisted of squid, prawns, and an orange clam since she didn¡¯t have any scallops at the time. She examined the orange clam closely and immediately contacted Jin Xiang. Being a researcher, Jin Xiang pondered tor a moment upon hearing Liao Ning¡¯s inquiry. ¡°The scientific name of the orange clam is Golden Toad. Due to its low meat yield and unattractive appearance, it¡¯s not produced in large quantities despite being easy to cultivate. However, its meat is indeed very delicious and has a certain antidotal effect.¡± ¡°Could it be that it can counteract the effects of the elven loyalty potion?¡± Liao Ning asked anxiously. She empathized with the plight of the merfolk and was willing to do whatever she could to help their cause. ¡°It¡¯s difficult to say.¡± Although Jin Xiang also wanted to offer assistance, confirming the efficacy of the Golden Toad without proper experimental data was challenging. Feeling hopeful about the potential antidote, Liao Ning¡¯s mood quickly soured. She replied with a despondent ¡°Yes.¡± Sensing her low spirits, Jin Xiang hastily added, ¡°But I¡¯ll arrange for the farm to conduct relevant experiments. If we obtain any results, I¡¯ll inform you immediately.¡± Jin Xiang¡¯s words managed to lift Liao Ning¡¯s spirits. She Imew that certain matters couldn¡¯t be rushed, and it was impossible for her to single-handedly challenge the Empire and secure freedom for the merfolk. She promptly adjusted her emotions and proceeded to gather the ingredients needed for the seafood porridge. Since Liao Ning believed that seafood porridge might serve as an antidote, she decided to teach others how to make it. As she started her live-stream, hundreds of thousands of viewers quickly joined in. ¡°Hello, everyone! I¡¯m back with another live-stream!¡± Liao Ning greeted them with a cheerful smile. [Liao Ning is live! She¡¯s truly the top pro-blogger!] [What delicious dish do we have today? I¡¯m already drooling!] [+1! If I learn to cook a new dish every day, I won¡¯t have to rely on medicine for long. It¡¯s affordable and tasty!] ¡°Liao Ning, start already! I can¡¯t wait!¡± urged another viewer. Taking note of the comments, Liao Ning unveiled the ingredients she had prepared. ¡°It¡¯s currently the peak season for seafood, so today I¡¯ll be teaching you how to make a simple and delightful seafood porridge.¡± She introduced the ingredients she had in hand. ¡°Today¡¯s porridge is incredibly easy to make. All you need is rice, your favorite seafood, sweet corn, pepper, and so on.¡¯ ¡°Most importantly, I want to recommend these little seafood gems in my hand: golden clams. They have a wonderful taste and are incredibly affordable!¡± Upon seeing the golden clams, the comments section exploded once again. [Golden clams? I think they cost five star coins per kilogram. Are they really edible?] [I trust Liao Ning completely. Even if she says we can eat iron, I¡¯ll believe her!] [Don¡¯t be overly confident, previous commenter. Iron skin might be edible, but teeth might struggle with it! Hahaha!] [Five star coins? That¡¯s practically giving it away for free!] [Following Liao Ning means eating well and saving money!] Observing that the golden clams had caught everyone¡¯s attention, Liao Ning continued to provide further details about them. ¡°The golden clams are indeed inexpensive, but they have an excellent taste. Additionally, they are easy to clean, ensuring a pleasant texture. Most importantly, they possess a potent antidote effect, ¡± Liao Ning explained, emphasizing the unique qualities of the clams. As she continued her demonstration, Liao Ning began preparing the porridge. ¡°To start, let¡¯s handle the seafood. If you don¡¯t have golden clams, scallops can be used as a substitute. Marinate all the seafood with ginger slices and pepper for about 10 minutes.¡± ¡°Next, rinse the rice and cook it for approximately 15 minutes. Remember to stir it occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom!¡± While Liao Ning was busy with the cooking process, Olift, who had been lurking in a corner, couldn¡¯t help but salivate. ¡°Alright, the 15 minutes are up. Now let¡¯s add the marinated seafood. Feel free to incorporate any vegetables you prefer! Let it boil for another 2 minutes, and it¡¯ll be ready to serve!¡± In no time, a pot of delicious seafood porridge was prepared. As soon as it was ready, Olift hurried over to Liao Ning¡¯s side, looking at her with eager anticipation.. Chapter 203 - Chapter 203: Bribing People Chapter 203: Bribing People Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations [Oh my god, is this Liao Ning¡¯s new boyfriend?] [Where¡¯s Colonel Zhou? No, I won¡¯t allow anyone to tear them apart.] [The little brother is so handsome. I need to wipe my drool first!] [Same! This little brother is good-looking.] [Can¡¯t the little brother and Colonel Zhou coexist? I believe Liao Ning can handle it!] As soon as Olift appeared in front of the camera, Liao Ning promptly pushed him aside. With a stern look, she silently warned him not to expose himself on camera. He was a mermaid she had rescued, and if the public found out, it could lead to another uproar. Olift felt a bit embarrassed, but he maintained his composed expression. Liao Ning gave him another stern glance before turning back to the camera. Seeing the unusual activity in the comments section, she awkwardly smiled. ¡°I apologize, there¡¯s a visitor at home. Colonel Zhou and I are doing well. Please don¡¯t worry.¡± As she spoke, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a twinge of guilt. If Zhou Ling were to discover the comments from netizens, it could cause her distress. In the end, Liao Ning quickly ended the live-stream, denying her fans an opportunity to ask questions. She ladled the porridge into a bowl and handed it to Olift, still feeling a bit displeased. He lowered his head apologetically. ¡°I¡¯m truly sorry for causing you trouble.¡± ¡°Do you realize that you¡¯ve caused trouble?¡± Liao Ning sighed, feeling a headache coming on, but she couldnt bring herself to scold him. She pushed the bowl of porridge closer to him. ¡°Give it a try. I added some vegetables this time to see if it suits your taste.¡± Olift carefully took the bowl in his hands, not even bothering with a spoon. Observing this, Liao Ning drank her own bowl of porridge. Then, she noticed the sparkle in his eyes and the joy radiating from his smile. ¡°Your cooking is truly delicious. Can I have another bowl?¡± he asked, his voice filled with genuine delight. Caught off guard by his smile, Liao Ning was momentarily speechless. ¡°O-of course,¡± she stammered. She quickly regained her composure and went to ladle more porridge into a bowl. Liao Ning couldn¡¯t help but marvel inwardly. No wonder people said that mermaids had a bewitching allure. With that smile, anyone would be enchanted. As Olift finished his second bowl of porridge, Liao Ning inquired, ¡°Do you feel any different?¡± Once again, Olift nodded and beamed. ¡°I feel happy. This porridge is truly delicious!¡± Receiving a positive response, Liao Ning¡¯s hunch was confirmed. The golden clams indeed had some effect, though she was unsure of the extent. Meanwhile, Li Xian was observing the image on the Al. Wasn¡¯t the man who had suddenly appeared behind the live-streamer the escaped mermaid? Standing nearby, Crete was feeling uneasy. If Olift was still alive, it might be him who would meet his demise this time. ¡°Let me explain!¡± Crete spoke, his voice filled with fluster. ¡°I can assure you that his aircraft was destroyed at that time, and no one emerged from it¡­¡± ¡°At the cost of your life?¡± Li Xian¡¯s expression remained impassive as he continued to gaze at the screen on the Al. ¡°This¡­ This¡­¡± Crete struggled to find a suitable response. The moment he laid eyes on Olift, his blood ran cold. Sighing, Li Xian turned to face Crete. ¡°You have 12 hours to investigate. If you can¡¯t find anything, be prepared to pay for it with your life.¡± Watching Crete leave the office with utmost respect, Li Xian turned his attention back to the ¡°My Child Is The Best¡± account. He began to review many of her previous videos, intertwining them with the increasing sales of agricultural products in the Interstellar Alliance. Gradually, a faint smile formed on the corners of his mouth. ¡°Recipes for ancient delicacies? How intriguing,¡± Li Xian remarked. Utilizing the Al, he delved into the recent activities of the Princess of Dawn. As expected, the empire had seized the opportunity to use this newfound princess as a means to win favor with the public. They not only promoted numerous recipes for ancient delicacies but also allocated government support to some of these projects. It was a calculated move to sway public sentiment back in their favor. As the leader of the rebel army, Li Xian was well aware of the significance of gaining popular support. Using the Al to communicate with one of his subordinates, he issued an order. ¡°Gather all the available information on this woman and provide me with a comprehensive report within two hours.¡± Gaining the support of the people? He understood the importance of such a strategy.. Chapter 204 - Chapter 204: Kidnapped Chapter 204: Kidnapped Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning had been quite busy with her work lately. In addition to managing the hotel and hosting live-streams, she also had to provide content for a magazine occasionally. Despite the busy schedule, she found fulfillment in her work. However, she still longed for moments of relaxation and occasional slacking off. Today was the opening day of the elementary school, and Zhou Ling couldn¡¯t attend due to being overseas. So, Liao Ning took on the responsibility of representing the parents of their two children. As soon as she arrived at the school, many parents recognized her. ¡°Is that Liao Ning? Is it really her?¡± ¡°Oh my goodness! The little ones are in the same school as my niece. They¡¯re such talented kids, aged five and three!¡± ¡°This family is so good-looking! I envy their genes!¡± ¡°Why does she look even prettier in person than in her videos? Don¡¯t live-streams use beauty filters?¡± ¡°You can tell at a glance that you¡¯re not a hardcore fan. Liao Ning never uses beauty filters during her live-streams. She only takes photos with her original camera.¡± Some parents and teachers even approached her for photos and autographs. As she made her way through, Liao Ning felt her face starting to ache from smiling. Meanwhile, Liao Nai and Mili looked proud. They felt lucky to have such an amazing aunt. They felt that they were benefiting from her popularity. Finally, finding an excuse to visit the restroom, Liao Ning breathed a sigh of relief. It was true what they said about being afraid of fame. It was no wonder that celebrities had more than ten bodyguards even before the apocalypse. ¡°Hello, are you the live-streamer of My Child Is The Best? I¡¯m a big fan of yours!¡± Hearing a muffled female voice, Liao Ning couldn¡¯t help but feel both amused and exasperated. However, she maintained a smile and turned around. ¡°Hello, it¡¯s me. Would you like a photo or an autograph?¡± Liao Ning was about to continue posing for photos when suddenly, the other person pulled out a spray and sprayed it on her face. The substance caused her to lose consciousness. When she finally regained consciousness, she found herself tied up inside a small aircraft. ¡°Yes, we have him in custody. We¡¯re heading back now, ¡± the woman who had sprayed her said, speaking to someone on a communication device. Liao Ning kept her eyes narrowed and feigned unconsciousness. The woman finished her report and switched off the communication device. She turned to Liao Ning and said, ¡°There¡¯s no need to pretend. I know you¡¯re awake. Would you like some water?¡± Liao Ning contemplated continuing to feign unconsciousness, but the woman spoke again. ¡°I¡¯m also half mermaid, so my senses are quite keen. There¡¯s no need for you to keep pretending.¡± Upon hearing this, Liao Ning opened her eyes. ¡®Who are you? Why have you kidnapped me?¡± The woman adjusted the aircraft¡¯s course and walked closer. ¡°I am a member of the rebel army against the empire. My name is Tina. I need your help this time.¡± ¡°Is this your idea of extending an invitation?¡± Liao Ning grumbled, shifting her legs uncomfortably. Her legs and feet were tightly bound. ¡°I apologize,¡± Tina said with a slight bow. ¡°Once we reach our destination, I will untie you. Please rest for now.¡± Having said that, Tina returned to her driver¡¯s seat without looking back, occasionally offering Liao Ning some water. No matter how many questions Liao Ning asked, Tina remained tight-lipped. After an unknown period of time, Liao Ning started to feel drowsy. Suddenly, the aircraft began to shake, and she peered out the window. There were numerous nebulae surrounding them, their vibrant colors creating a mesmerizing display. These nebulae were vastly different from those found in interstellar space. However, Liao Ning couldn¡¯t find it in herself to appreciate the beauty of the scene at that moment. ¡°Is this the Empire?¡± she inquired. Tina¡¯s revelation that they were on Planet Golden Rice left Liao Ning astonished. Wasn¡¯t this the same planet where the system had mentioned Zhou Ling¡¯s brother and sister-in-law? Just as she was processing this information, a notification from the system popped up. [Ding! System prompt: Hidden mission triggered. Mission objective: Successfully contact Zhou Ye and his wife. Mission rewards: 100 system points and 500,000 star coins. Bonus rewards: 1,000 system points and 1,000,000 star coins. Antidote formula for the loyalty potion obtained.] The sound of the system¡¯s voice, coupled with the enticing rewards displayed, sent Liao Ning¡¯s heart racing. She never expected to be kidnapped and stumble upon a hidden mission. If she could obtain the antidote formula, it meant she might have a chance to help the controlled mermaids. As Liao Ning looked at the impassive Tina, a sudden idea sparked in her mind.. Chapter 205 - Chapter 205: Effective Chapter 205: Effective Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°We¡¯ll reach our destination in half an hour. Please wait a moment. It might be a little bumpy,¡± Tina informed Liao Ning, her voice filled with a touch of concern. Curiosity brimming in her eyes, Liao Ning couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Have you consumed the loyalty potion of the elves?¡± Tina paused for a moment, then nodded. ¡°Yes, I have. Thankfully, the dosage was minimal, so the effects weren¡¯t too severe.¡± Impressed by Tina¡¯s resilience, Liao Ning admired her for enduring the control inflicted by the potent Loyalty Potion while still remaining a member of the rebel army. ¡°Perhaps I can offer some assistance,¡± Liao Ning suggested. However, upon hearing Liao Ning¡¯s words, Tina shook her head. ¡°The antidote is extremely valuable. I only need to endure it for another three to four months. Thank you for your offer.¡± Given the scarcity of potions, especially with the decline in the number of elves, each drop was considered precious and couldn¡¯t be wasted. ¡°No, you don¡¯t need the antidote,¡± Liao Ning clarified, putting forth her idea. ¡°Have you seen my live-stream? I¡¯m a food blogger, and my ancient delicacies might be able to help you.¡± Tina was aware of Liao Ning¡¯s reputation as a food blogger, and it was partly the reason why Li Xian had sent Tina to kidnap her, hoping to leverage her ancient delicacies to win the people¡¯s hearts. However, Tina couldn¡¯t comprehend how Liao Ning¡¯s culinary skills could be of assistance to her situation. Sensing Tina¡¯s hesitation, Liao Ning swiftly continued, ¡°Why don¡¯t you give it a try? After all, I can¡¯t return to the interstellar space right now. I¡¯ll prepare a bowl of porridge for you. You need not worry about me escaping within the next ten minutes.¡± Tina, already enduring the pain induced by the loyalty potion, pondered for a moment before finally consenting and proceeded to untie Liao Ning. Liao Ning, finally liberated from her restraints, promptly stretched her stiff neck and retrieved a few ingredients from her Al storage. ¡°I never anticipated getting kidnapped, so I don¡¯t have much on hand. Please forgive me,¡± she apologized sheepishly. Truly, she had never imagined being abducted, let alone ending up so far away. Meanwhile, Tina remained stoic, observing silently as Liao Ning swiftly prepared the ingredients. In less than 20 minutes, a bowl of seafood porridge was steaming hot and ready to be savored. The rice glistened, and the blend of seafood and pepper infused the air with an enticing aroma that tickled Tina¡¯s taste buds. Liao Ning produced a few ice cubes and lightly chilled the porridge before offering it to Tina. ¡°Give it a try. I believe it will help you.¡± Tina was about to reach out but hesitated once again, her gaze fixed on Liao Ning. ¡°To assure you, I¡¯ll take the first bite. That way, you need not fear any poisoning,¡± Liao Ning reassured, feeling a tinge of helplessness as she took a hearty spoonful of porridge. Relieved, Tina finally picked up the spoon and, after tasting the first mouthful of porridge, found herself unable to stop. She devoured the bowl in just a few more bites. ¡°What is this? It¡¯s incredibly delicious,¡± she exclaimed. As the effects of the loyalty potion gradually subsided, Tina¡¯s voice became more pleasant, and her demeanor changed. Covering her mouth in disbelief, she gazed at the empty bowl in her hands and spoke softly, ¡°Could it be because of this porridge? I¡­ I think I¡¯ve recovered!¡± her face and the various emotions in her eyes, Liao Ning became certain that the Golden Toad¡¯s porridge had indeed worked its magic. Liao Ning nodded, a smile adorning her face. ¡°There must not have been much loyalty potion left in your system, so a small portion was enough to help you recover. Congratulations.¡± ¡°Thank you, thank you!¡± Tina choked back her tears, her lips trembling with gratitude. When she was captured by the Empire¡¯s army before, they promptly administered the loyalty potion to her. Although she managed to escape without consuming too much, the impact was still significant. Tina had originally possessed a beautiful voice, but due to the effects of the potion, her voice had become dull and lifeless. To her astonishment, Liao Ning had managed to restore her voice in just ten minutes by preparing a simple bowl of porridge. Just as Tina was about to inquire further, the aircraft¡¯s system notified them of an impending landing. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we won¡¯t cause you any trouble,¡± Tina sincerely assured Liao Ning. She proceeded to help Liao Ning fasten her seatbelt. ¡°Once we reach our destination, I¡¯ll explain the situation to you and provide all the details. Please trust me and our cause.¡± As Liao Ning gazed at the shifting scenery beyond the window, a hint of worry crept into her thoughts. She wondered how the two little ones would react when they discovered her absence and whether their mischievousness would escalate in response.. Chapter 206 - Chapter 206: Arrival Chapter 206: Arrival Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Young Uncle!¡± Mili exclaimed as she caught sight of Zhou Ling, rushing over to embrace him tightly. Liao Nai, on the other hand, approached Zhou Ling but held his fists clenched, refraining from throwing himself into Zhou Ling¡¯s arms. With his Auntie absent, he felt the need to mature quickly and assume a more responsible demeanor. Witnessing the tearful eyes of the two children, Zhou Ling¡¯s tense expression softened slightly. Upon receiving news of Liao Ning¡¯s disappearance, Zhou Ling promptly made arrangements and drove back without hesitation. ¡°Go back to your rooms for now,¡± he gently stroked Mili¡¯s hair and patted Liao Nai¡¯s head. ¡°I promise I will find her.¡± Reluctantly, Olift guided the two children back to their respective rooms, leaving Zhou Ling to gather the report materials from the Al. ¡°Colonel, we have thoroughly examined the school¡¯s surveillance cameras and confirmed that Miss Liao Ning was abducted by the Empire¡¯s rebel army. Based on the aircraft¡¯s route, they should have reached Planet Golden Rice by now and are beyond our reach. Please provide further instructions,¡± the Al reported. As Zhou Ling listened to the Al¡¯s report, his brow furrowed. He had considered numerous scenarios, but the involvement of the rebel army had not crossed his mind. ¡°Planet Golden Rice?¡± He repeated the words, a sudden recollection of the information he had recently encountered about the planet, where his brother and sister-in-law were residing. Without delay, he commanded, ¡°Utilize the Su family¡¯s intelligence network to conduct a swift investigation of Planet Golden Rice. In addition to confirming Liao Ning¡¯s status, we must also ascertain whether there are any traces of Colonel Zhou Ye.¡± Once the order was received, Zhou Ling ended the call. When he turned around, he noticed Olift lurking by the doorway. ¡°Is Liao Ning¡¯s kidnapping because of my appearance?¡± Guilt permeated Olift ¡®s voice. ¡°If I hadn¡¯t appeared on the live-stream, she wouldn¡¯t have suffered like this. It¡¯s all my fault, isn¡¯t it?¡± Indeed, Liao Ning¡¯s seafood porridge had gradually liberated Olift from the control of the elven potion, stirring a whirlwind of emotions within him. At this moment, his heart was weighed down by remorse. ¡°No, if it was because of you, the rebel army would have come to arrest you directly, not Liao Ning,¡± Zhou Ling clarified. Deep down, he knew that Olift was merely the catalyst this time. The rebel army must have had other motives for capturing Liao Ning. Upon hearing Zhou Ling¡¯s words, Olift fought back his tears and retreated to his room. Zhou Ling sat on the sofa in the living room and closed his eyes. Previously, the house had been infused with Liao Ning¡¯s fragrance, but now, it was slowly fading away. Initially, he had contemplated storming into the rebel army to rescue them, but he suppressed such impractical thoughts. The rebel army was a force to be reckoned with. Otherwise, the empire would not have allowed them to persist for so long and would have eradicated them in one swift stroke. At present, all he could do was wait for information to arrive before determining his next course of action. Meanwhile, Liao Ning had arrived at Planet Golden Rice. As she opened the cabin, she squinted her eyes, marveling at the breathtaking scenery before her. It was no wonder the empire chose to develop this planet as a tourist destination. The nebulae here exhibited a splendid array of colors, and even the flora and fauna possessed an otherworldly charm. She spotted tall pink trees adorned with various shades of pink flowers. A colossal morning glory towered as high as a person, captivating the eye. Colorful birds soared across the sky, emitting delightful chirps from time to time¡­ ¡°Isn¡¯t this place beautiful?¡± Tina gazed up at the sky, her eyes filled with awe. ¡°I felt the same way when I first arrived here. I hope I can protect the beauty of this place.¡± Since consuming the seafood porridge, Tina had regained her emotions, and her demeanor had softened. Liao Ning was also touched by the surroundings. She sighed and expressed, ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s truly breathtaking. If there¡¯s an opportunity, I would love to bring the children here to witness this magnificent scenery.¡± ¡°You have a child? Is it yours and Colonel Zhou¡¯s child?¡± Tina asked, slightly puzzled. Liao Ning blushed and clarified, ¡°No, it¡¯s not like that.¡± She chuckled. ¡°One of the children is my brother¡¯s son, and the other is Zhou Ling¡¯s daughter.¡± Tina playfully blinked her eyes. ¡°Well, experiencing motherhood first wouldn¡¯t be a bad thing, right?¡± Observing Tina¡¯s lively expression, Liao Ning felt a sense of joy. Her intuition seemed to be on the right track. Perhaps she could indeed reverse the effects of the loyalty potion that had been forced upon the mermaids. However, amidst such beauty, destruction loomed. ¡°Tina, you¡¯re finally back,¡± Crete called out in a gruff voice. ¡°Let¡¯s go. We¡¯ve been waiting for you for quite some time..¡± Chapter 207 - Chapter 207: Purpose Chapter 207: Purpose Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Upon seeing that Liao Ning was not shackled, he furrowed his brow. ¡°Why wasn¡¯t she restrained?¡± Crete, now cautious of making any errors, swiftly grabbed the electronic handcuffs and secured them around Liao Ning¡¯s wrists. Tina glanced at Liao Ning apologetically, but Liao Ning shook her head, understanding the necessity of the situation. Liao Ning was no longer concerned about trivial matters. She needed to discover why the rebel army had captured her and how she could escape. The group of them settled inside the invisible flying car. The car¡¯s surroundings had transformed into transparent glass, enabling Liao Ning to observe her surroundings. Finally, the flying car landed on a small island, which served as the rebel army¡¯s command center. The guards examined their credentials and scanned them before granting entry. They traversed a lengthy corridor and eventually reached Li Xian¡¯s office. Crete lightly knocked on the door, and a cold male voice came from within. ¡°Enter.¡± Crete pushed open the door, guiding Liao Ning and Tina into the office. As Liao Ning caught sight of the man behind the desk, watching her previous video, her lips twitched involuntarily. Could this man be her obsessive fan? In the next moment, the man switched off the Al screen. ¡°My Child Is The Best? An interesting name.¡± Liao Ning offered a noncommittal nod, but she spoke first, intending to ascertain the other party¡¯s intentions. Li Xian rose from his seat and offered a slight bow to Crete. ¡°You need not be anxious. This time, I have a favor to ask of you.¡± However, Liao Ning pursed her lips and extended her hand, her eyes tinged with suspicion. ¡°Remove these restraints quickly. Who gave you permission to treat my esteemed guest in such a manner? Li Xian¡¯s voice brimmed with anger. Crete hastily removed Liao Ning¡¯s handcuffs, and she took a seat on the sofa beside him. Li Xian raised an eyebrow and regarded the woman before him in a new light. Even in such circumstances, she managed to maintain her composure. She was undeniably a formidable individual. ¡°You all can leave for now. Miss Liao and I need to have a private conversation.¡± Upon hearing Li Xian¡¯s words, Tina expressed her concern, saying, ¡°Should I prepare some nutritional supplements or fruits?¡± Her intention was not solely to provide food, but to ensure Liao Ning¡¯s safety when she came back later. Surprisingly, Li Xian asked in astonishment, ¡°Tina, have you taken the antidote in the interstellar space?¡± Observing Tina¡¯s worried expression and furrowed brow, he realized that if the loyalty potion were still effective, she wouldn¡¯t have displayed such emotions. Li Xian assumed she had acquired the antidote from the Interstellar Alliance. ¡°Miss Liao helped me,¡± Tina quickly explained, recounting what had transpired aboard the aircraft. Before Li Xian could inquire further, Crete interjected, ¡°Is this true? Is there still seafood porridge? Is my wife safe?¡± He blurted out the questions in his haste, completely disregarding the leader who remained at the event location. It was only when Li Xian cleared his throat that Crete awkwardly bowed and exited the office. However, before leaving, he gazed at Liao Ning with hope in his eyes. Once the two of them had left, Li Xian took a seat across from Liao Ning and proceeded to explain the reason behind her abduction. ¡°You must be aware that Loya is also promoting ancient delicacies within the empire, correct?¡± Liao Ning, unaware of his intentions, simply nodded without uttering a word. Noting her guarded demeanor, Li Xian smiled and shook his head. ¡°I am not your enemy.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve watched most of your previous live-stream content. Not only do I appreciate delicacies, but I also find your new discoveries intriguing,¡± Li Xian remarked. ¡°Are you suggesting that ancient delicacies can alleviate mental unrest?¡± Liao Ning inquired. A sense of delight washed over Li Xian upon hearing her words. ¡°Yes, and based on what Tina mentioned earlier, I suspect your ancient delicacies might also aid the merfolk in breaking free from the influence of the loyalty potion, am I correct?¡± His eyes sparkled with excitement and a mix of indescribable emotions, which resonated with Liao Ning. Liao Ning didn¡¯t refute her findings. ¡°They do have a certain effect, but I need to wait for my partner to provide me with the final data.¡± Witnessing her willingness to share her discoveries instead of rejecting him, Li Xian spoke earnestly, ¡°I invited you here because I aspire to help people escape the grasp of mental unrest. I hope you can lend a helping hand..¡± Chapter 208 - Chapter 208: Meeting Chapter 208: Meeting Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Zhou Ling, seated at home, found it difficult to contain his restlessness. Rarely had he felt such frustration since joining the army. Now that he had finally learned of Liao Ning¡¯s whereabouts, he felt an urgent need to find her as soon as possible. Following the Su family¡¯s investigation, it had been confirmed that Liao Ning was being held captive by the rebel army. However, the precise location remained unknown. Su MO had exhausted all his connections, yet they only knew that Liao Ning had been taken to the rebel army base, with no information on what was transpiring inside. After careful consideration, Zhou Ling made up his mind to personally travel to Planet Golden Rice. His objective was not only to rescue Liao Ning but also to ascertain the well-being of his brother and sister-in-law. In order to avoid waking the two young ones, Zhou Ling swiftly packed his belongings and gathered essential provisions and potions. ¡°Colonel Zhou, please wait,¡± Olift called out. The moment Zhou Ling stepped out of the house, Olift sensed his presence and trailed behind. ¡°Please take me with you.¡± Zhou Ling furrowed his brow, regarding him. ¡°Do you know where I¡¯m headed?¡± ¡°Yes, you¡¯re going to save Miss Liao,¡± Olift replied earnestly, nodding vigorously. Then, taking a deep breath, he confessed, ¡°It¡¯s my fault she was captured. You don¡¯t need to lie to me. I¡¯m a mermaid. I can sense your deceit.¡± Observing Zhou Ling¡¯s silence, Olift grew anxious. ¡°I spent some time with the rebel army, so I¡¯m familiar with their base. Besides, your brother knows me. You should Imow that I¡¯m trustworthy! Mermen never lie. Trust me!¡± Zhou Ling pondered for a moment, gazing at Olift, whose determination was evident in his eyes. Finally, he nodded in agreement. He recognized the value of having someone acquainted with the location. And so, the two of them boarded the aircraft and set off for the empire. Throughout the journey, an air of silence hung between them, and Zhou Ling drove with haste. Eventually, they arrived at the empire. Zhou Ling had prepared forged documents, taking advantage of the empire¡¯s growing interest in ancient delicacies. He posed as a seafood merchant who traveled across different planets, with Olift acting as his assistant. Their cover remained intact until they entered the city. With the increasing popularity of ancient delicacies, the influx of interstellar space merchants became more frequent. Moreover, due to a new tax policy, the empire had relaxed its control over outsiders to a significant extent. As Olift provided a brief introduction to the empire, the police on the street suddenly began cordoning off the area. ¡°Pay close attention to a green-haired youth accompanied by a mermaid and an elf! This youth assaulted the marquis and abducted the mermaid and elf. The marquis is offering a reward of 100,000 star coins to anyone who provides information!¡± The voice recording echoed from the police car, accompanied by a photo of a young man and a couple who appeared to be his parents. ¡°Can¡¯t they catch this person already? The police are getting worse.¡± ¡°Who does this Count think he is? It¡¯s about time someone stood up to him.¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t regulations strict when it comes to mermaids? How does the earl still have them?¡± ¡°Keep your voices down. Do you want trouble?¡± Hearing the discussions unfolding around him, Zhou Ling furrowed his brow. Olift sneered. ¡°Mermaids and elves are nothing more than playthings for the upper class. I bet this young man must have rescued someone. Good for him.¡± Olift¡¯s expression soured as he recollected his near-kidnapping experience at the hands of a nobleman¡¯s son. At that moment, five individuals across the road observed the scene expressionlessly. Suddenly, one of the men caught sight of someone on the opposite side of the road, and his gaze shifted. He gently nudged his wife, prompting her to look in the same direction. Her face turned pale as she covered her mouth in panic. Mi Lu widened her eyes, observing Zhou Ye, who shook his head and signaled for her to remain silent. Ever since the incident where he confronted the marquis, Kevin¡¯s family had become wanted individuals. Fortunately, Davies had employed his illusionary abilities to alter the appearances of several people, allowing them to evade catastrophe. Zhou Ye¡¯s primary task was to monitor Xiao Chen¡¯s every move, so he had not left the empire. However, upon spotting Zhou Ling, Zhou Ye couldn¡¯t contain his excitement. It was a relief to see that both brothers were alive and well. Once the police cordon was lifted, Zhou Ye exchanged a glance with Mi Lu and instructed her to return to the temporary apartment with the mermaid and elves. He then followed Zhou Ling alongside Davies. From the early morning, Zhou Ling had sensed the curious stares coming from the other side of the road. Without showing any signs of concern, he led Olift into an adjacent alley, with the others trailing behind. He positioned himself in the alley, ready to ambush whoever approached. However, before he could strike, his hand was intercepted by the other person. ¡°Ling, it¡¯s me..¡± Chapter 209 - Chapter 209: Big Brother Chapter 209: Big Brother Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Who are you?¡± Upon hearing that person¡¯s name, Zhou Ling was stunned for a moment, but he was sure that there was no one he knew here, including the man on the other side of the road. Zhou Ling¡¯s moves were blocked by the other party, so it was a little difficult for him to move. That person¡¯s strength was comparable to Zhou Ling¡¯s. Zhou Ling wanted to continue exerting strength, but he heard that person¡¯s voice turn into a familiar voice. ¡°Ling, take a good look again! It¡¯s me! Your brother.¡± Hearing Zhou Ye¡¯s voice, Zhou Ling did not retract his strength. Instead, he exerted more strength to break free from the other party¡¯s entanglement. He had indeed seen that person¡¯s face clearly, but this person was not like this just now. He did not dare to trust anyone in the empire. ¡°Zhou Ye?¡± Olift sounded surprised. ¡°Why are you here?¡± Just as he was about to walk forward, a green-haired youth appeared beside him. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Olift was even more surprised. ¡°You¡¯re an Insect?¡± After sizing him up, Olift asked in disbelief, ¡°Are you a Multi-Feather Butterfly?¡± Hearing the word ¡°Multi-Feather Butterfly¡±, Davies looked a little proud. ¡°Finally, a knowledgeable person has arrived. That¡¯s right, I¡¯m a MultiFeathered butterfly.¡± ¡°Zhou Ling, stop.¡± Olift stood in front of Zhou Ling. ¡°He¡¯s really Zhou Ye.¡± Observing Zhou Ling¡¯s reluctance to halt, Olift hastily clarified, ¡°The boy beside him is a Multi-Feather Butterfly. He possesses the ability to confuse people and manipulate their perceptions. I assure you, he is truly your brother!¡± Although Zhou Ling stopped upon hearing the explanation, his eyes still brimmed with suspicion. Noticing his lack of belief, Zhou Ye let out a sigh. ¡°On your third birthday, you transformed into a white tiger cub in front of the entire family. Your mother treated you like a kitten and spent the entire day petting you. She even carried you around to show you off. The aunties around you rubbed the fur off your tail. When you were four, you single-handedly fought against four children who were six or seven years older than you. Eventually, you defeated them and wrote them an apology letter. By the age of five, you could transform into an adult white tiger, but your mother still treated you like a mount¡­¡± ¡°Brother!¡± Zhou Ling finally interrupted him. ¡°Do you finally acknowledge me as your elder brother?¡± Zhou Ye inquired. Zhou Ling coughed awkwardly. ¡°Yes, I believe that you are my elder brother. There¡¯s no need for further proof.¡± The two brothers had already overcome a calamity together, and now they found themselves faced with a similar situation. Even Zhou Ye, who had been excited moments ago, couldn¡¯t help but chuckle as he recounted their shared embarrassing childhood memories. Olift and Davies, on the other hand, stared at Zhou Ling in disbelief. It was difficult to fathom that this stoic man had a wealth of embarrassing moments from his youth. Zhou Ye quickly intervened to alleviate the tension. Davies used his ability to alter their appearances before the group left the alley together, making their way back home. ¡°Ling! It¡¯s so wonderful to see you!¡± Mi Lu couldn¡¯t contain her emotions upon seeing Zhou Ye return with Zhou Ling. The sheer joy of being reunited with her family brought tears of happiness to her eyes. ¡°Is Mili alright? How is she doing? And how about our home?¡± Mi Lu bombarded Zhou Ling with questions, one after another. Patiently, Zhou Ling relayed Mili¡¯s situation and her influence on the Al to Zhou Ye and his wife. As Mi Lu witnessed her daughter¡¯s contentment, her sobbing gradually subsided, yet she continued to express her gratitude. ¡°Sister-in-law, it¡¯s my duty and responsibility,¡± Zhou Ye reassured her. Following that, the individuals in the room introduced themselves to one another. Alongside Davies and Olift, there were Lu Fei and Mika. The group shared their experiences, recounting their respective journeys. Zhou Ling, however, remained silent throughout. Observing his brother¡¯s melancholic expression, Zhou Ye inquired, ¡°Did you come to the Empire to search for us this time? Has something happened?¡± It was then that Zhou Ling finally divulged his purpose of finding Liao Ning. Upon hearing his words, silence enveloped the room, leaving everyone deep in thought. Zhou Ye, rising from his seat, broke the silence. ¡°It seems I must return.¡± ¡°Return? You still intend to go back to the rebel army?¡± Olift abruptly stood up. ¡°No, that¡¯s not an option!¡± Zhou Ye had saved Olift, enabling him to escape the rebel army by boarding an aircraft. Furthermore, Zhou Ling had been his savior as well. He couldn¡¯t bear the thought of these individuals risking their lives. ¡°With the abilities of the Multi-Feather Butterfly, you can freely enter and exit the empire. You should leave this place,¡± Olift suggested after a brief pause. His gaze shifted to Zhou Ling. ¡°I will infiltrate the rebel army and retrieve Miss Liao. You have to depart..¡± Chapter 210 - Chapter 210: A Cheap Shot Chapter 210: A Cheap Shot Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations If it was just him and Zhou Ling, it would be simpler to save them and they would not attract attention. However, there were too many people in this group. Not only were there mermen, but there were also elves and insects. No matter where they went, they would be noticed. This was too risky. Despite Olift¡¯s intention to rescue Liao Ning alone, relying on his knowledge of the rebel army base, Zhou Ye adamantly rejected the idea. ¡°Since your escape, the rebel army has intensified their patrols. It¡¯s exceedingly difficult for you to infiltrate again. Only by returning to the rebel army as Kevin can I locate Liao Ning.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s too dangerous. Once your true identity is exposed¡­ it¡¯s far too risky,¡± Zhou Ling argued. Realizing the impasse between the two, Davies spoke up, ¡°Let Zhou Ye go back. With me by his side, nothing will go wrong.¡± ¡°Agreed. It¡¯s too late today. Everyone should rest,¡± Mi Lu swiftly intervened, attempting to diffuse the tension. While acknowledging the dangers Zhou Ye would face upon returning, she was determined to shield Zhou Ling and the others from harm. Just then, Zhou Ling¡¯s Al alerted him, ¡°Beep! The ¡®My Child Is The Best¡¯ account you follow is now live.¡± Hastily activating his Al, Zhou Ling discovered that Liao Ning was livestreaming. [Why did Liao Ning start the livestream so late? If she doesn¡¯t start soon, I¡¯m calling the police!] [Liao Ning, you¡¯ve been working so hard. It¡¯s only natural for you to take a rest. Get some good rest, Liao Ning!] [Where¡¯s the little cub? Why don¡¯t I see the cub at home?] [Has Liao Ning changed the location for her livestream? There¡¯s a strange, oppressive feeling in this place.] [That outfit looks quite colorful. Is Liao Ning changing her style?] Reading the comments scrolling across the screen, Liao Ning felt a mixture of amusement and exasperation. She truly disliked wearing such colorful dresses, but Li Xian¡¯s taste seemed to align with Planet Golden Rice¡¯s style, so he insisted on her donning the most popular colorful dress. ¡°Hello, everyone. I haven¡¯t been feeling well lately, but today I¡¯m feeling revived! I¡¯m live-streaming again!¡± On the screen, Liao Ning appeared a bit fatigued, yet her smile persisted. Securing this livestream opportunity had been a hard-fought battle, but news of her abduction had been suppressed. To avoid causing trouble for the rebel army, Li Xian had allowed her to continue livestreaming, albeit with conditions. She had to use the most affordable ingredients so that even the empire¡¯s citizens could afford them. ¡°Let¡¯s get straight to the point. Today, I¡¯ll show you how to make delicious shortbread and seafood pancakes!¡± In the empire, numerous individuals were oppressed by the nobles. Over the past few days, Li Xian and Tina had enlightened her about the empire, leaving a deep impact. Deeply moved, Liao Ning was determined to do something for these people. ¡°First, prepare three squids, shrimp, and golden clam meat. Rinse the seafood and cut it into small pieces.¡± ¡°Just like this. Next, mix all the ingredients: onions, flour, and beaten eggs. Remember to control the water amount. Add it gradually in small portions!¡± Liao Ning worked swiftly, and this time, the ingredients cost around 5 to 10 star coins each. Even those with the lowest incomes in the empire could afford such a meal. Watching Liao Ning place the golden pancakes onto the plate one by one and garnish them with a few red persimmons, the visual appeal heightened. [After learning from Liao Ning, I¡¯ve realized my pancake-making skills have improved!] [The savior for those of us who struggle with cooking. I can make pancakes now too!] Reading the comments, Liao Ning chuckled. [Why isn¡¯t there a tasting segment for the cub? I suddenly feel that something is missing.] [Agreed! Hasn¡¯t the cub finished school yet? Are primary school students so busy?] Just as Liao Ning placed the seafood pancakes on the plate, the livestream abruptly stopped as Li Xian cut the power. ¡°You¡¯re being quite impolite,¡± Liao Ning expressed her annoyance. ¡°If there¡¯s no proper conclusion, the fans might grow suspicious.¡± Li Xian smiled mischievously. ¡°Miss Liao truly reigns supreme in ancient delicacies. This seafood pancake is truly tempting. May I have a taste?¡± Liao Ning pouted and pushed the plate toward him. Li Xian took a bite of the seafood pancake, and his eyes widened in surprise. ¡°It¡¯s delicious.¡± ¡°You flatter me,¡± Liao Ning responded nonchalantly. Suddenly, Li Xian leaned in closer. Liao Ning clenched her fists, refusing to step back. ¡°It would be even better if Miss Liao refrains from any cheap shots or tricks during the next livestream..¡± Chapter 211 - Chapter 211: Successful Test Chapter 211: Successful Test Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Observing Li Xian¡¯s dangerous gaze, Liao Ning focused on maintaining her composure. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I don¡¯t understand what you mean.¡± Li Xian picked up the seafood pancakes from the plate and rearranged them. As expected, he noticed a few pancakes that formed the letters GRG, the abbreviation of Planet Golden Rice. ¡°Miss Liao is indeed astute. The seafood pancakes are delicious, so I¡¯ll take them off your hands for now.¡± Without hesitation, Li Xian swiftly took the entire plate of seafood pancakes with him. Tina cast a complicated glance at Liao Ning before following him out of the livestream. ¡°Please wait!¡± Just as Li Xian was leaving the scene, he was halted by Crete. Crete¡¯s expression appeared conflicted. After a moment of hesitation, he spoke up, ¡°Could you spare me one of those seafood pancakes?¡± Li Xian seemed puzzled. ¡°Are you interested in ancient delicacies?¡± Crete swiftly clarified, ¡°It¡¯s not that. I heard that Tina¡¯s condition improved after consuming Miss Liao¡¯s ancient delicacies last time. I¡¯d like to let my wife try it as well.¡± Only then did Li Xian recall the events that transpired on Liao Ning¡¯s first day in the empire. He looked at Tina, seeking confirmation. Tina nodded. ¡°Yes, although I had eaten seafood porridge at that time. I¡¯m not sure if this pancake will have the same effect, but I trust Miss Liao¡¯s intentions. She genuinely wanted to help me and didn¡¯t make any additional demands.¡± Tina continued explaining, anxious to ensure that Li Xian didn¡¯t suspect Liao Ning of any hidden motives. ¡°Very well.¡± Li Xian handed the plate to Crete. ¡°Bring your wife here and gather a few researchers. I want to see if Liao Ning¡¯s ancient delicacies truly have an effect.¡± As Crete led his expressionless wife into the laboratory, her eyes appeared lifeless, unaware of any abnormalities. Crete¡¯s wife, also a mermaid, had recently been captured and coerced into consuming a loyalty potion. Even Crete couldn¡¯t afford the expensive antidote. He placed all his hope in Liao Ning. ¡°Prepare to commence,¡± Li Xian commanded from behind the glass walls of the laboratory. ¡°Darling, try this seafood pancake. It¡¯s an ancient delicacy,¡± Crete carefully offered the seafood pancake to his wife. She looked at the pancake with confusion but didn¡¯t refuse. Mechanically, she took a bite and chewed. Even after finishing the pancake, her expression remained unchanged. Crete grew anxious, but Li Xian found it understandable. He had just tasted the seafood pancake himself, and apart from its deliciousness, he hadn¡¯t experienced anything else. Just as disappointment began to settle in, Crete¡¯s wife spoke up, ¡°Can I have more? These seafood pancakes are delicious.¡± ¡°Do you genuinely find them delicious?¡± Crete hurriedly pushed a whole plate toward her. ¡°Try another one.¡± Witnessing his wife nodding and reaching for another seafood pancake, her expression underwent a transformation. ¡°This is amazing, honey. Would you like to try it?¡± Seeing the smile on his wife¡¯s face and hearing her gentle voice, Crete choked up. ¡°Eat, eat. If you like it, I¡¯ll make it for you in the future!¡± His wife nodded eagerly, then broke off a small piece of pancake with a smile and fed it to Crete. The laboratory staff found this scene unbelievable, and Tina was ecstatic. ¡°Leader, look! Liao Ning¡¯s ancient delicacies are truly effective. It¡¯s incredible!¡± Li Xian nodded in agreement. As a Half-Mermaid, he understood the extent of control the elven potion had over mermaids. If he possessed the antidote, the mermaids wouldn¡¯t have to be under the empire¡¯s control, and he could establish a society of equality. ¡°Bring all the ingredients used in Liao Ning¡¯s livestream to the laboratory for further study. Let¡¯s determine which ingredients can be used to create an antidote!¡± ¡°Yes, Leader!¡± At that moment, Li Xian clenched his fists. Liao Ning was his lucky star too. If he could assist the merfolk and enlist them into the rebel army, his success would be within reach. As Zhou Ling observed Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream, he sensed something suspicious unfolding before his eyes. Although the content of the live-stream was swiftly deleted, Zhou Ling had wisely made a backup beforehand. ¡°Hold on! Take a look at this,¡± Zhou Ling pointed to the image on his Al. ¡°Don¡¯t these seafood pancakes resemble the initials GRG? Planet Golden Rice!¡± ¡°Absolutely! That¡¯s the abbreviation for Planet Golden Rice. It confirms that Liao Ning is here. This is fantastic news,¡± Olift exclaimed with excitement. Zhou Ye rose from his seat and headed upstairs. ¡°I¡¯ll be returning tomorrow. Orville, join me on this mission..¡± Chapter 212 - Chapter 212: Buying Support Chapter 212: Buying Support Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Upon Zhou Ling¡¯s insistence, Zhou Ye reluctantly agreed to accompany him back to Planet Golden Rice, while the rest of the group remained in the empire, awaiting further instructions. Aware of the covert activities of the nobles capturing mermaids, Olift and the others understood that their presence could potentially cause trouble. ¡°Remember, follow the instructions and avoid acting recklessly,¡± Zhou Ye reiterated, emphasizing the importance of caution. Feeling slightly exasperated by his brother¡¯s repeated instructions, Zhou Ling replied, ¡°Brother, I¡¯m already a colonel. I¡¯m not a child anymore. I won¡¯t act impulsively.¡± ¡°Alright, I understand you¡¯re eager. However, we are in the rebel army¡¯s camp, and vigilance is necessary,¡± Zhou Ye responded with a chuckle. ¡°Davier, make sure to conceal your presence and avoid being seen by others.¡± Davies, puzzled by the decision, questioned, ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want our assistance? Wouldn¡¯t Zhou Ling¡¯s presence in the rebel army increase our chances of success?¡± Zhou Ye shook his head. ¡°Although you have assumed a human form, you are still a young insect. Your true strength remains unknown. Moreover, you have already exerted significant mental energy in your efforts to save the mermaids and elves. It is crucial for you to maintain stability.¡± Davies felt a twinge of dissatisfaction, but he acknowledged the truth in Zhou Ye¡¯s words and nodded in agreement. As Zhou Ye¡¯s aircraft arrived, Davies concealed their presence, allowing the aircraft to swiftly pass inspection. Upon their arrival at the rebel army base, Zhou Ling was astonished by Davies¡¯ abilities. Despite Zhou Ye¡¯s noticeable transformation, others still recognized him as Kevin and paid no attention to the two individuals accompanying him. In disbelief, Zhou Ling looked at the youth beside him, emanating a faint green glow. Davies nodded with an air of pride. Exercising caution, Zhou Ye opted to enter Li Xian¡¯s office alone, leaving the other two behind. ¡°Kevin? Why are you back?¡± Li Xian looked at him suspiciously. ¡°Xiao Chen hasn¡¯t made any significant moves, but I have another report to share,¡± Zhou Ye quickly came up with an excuse. ¡°The popularity of the Princess of Dawn¡¯s royal food manor is increasing.¡± He projected an image on the Al screen. ¡°This is just one of the branch gardens, but it has already achieved considerable success. With the royal family¡¯s support, many nobles have invested in it. More branch gardens are expected to emerge in the future. Additionally, the common people hold a positive view of the Princess of Dawn. Her ancient delicacies have captured their hearts. Even those who previously switched sides from the bottom of society have begun to reconsider their opinions of the royal family.¡± Li Xian furrowed his brow as he listened. He had anticipated this development. The royal family intended to use the Princess of Dawn to win over the people, and it seemed that their strategy was working. Zhou Ye continued, ¡°Furthermore, Loya personally prepares ancient delicacies on-site and distributes ingredients to the people. This has caused some wavering noble families to return to their support for the royal family.¡± ¡°It appears we need to expedite our plan,¡± Li Xian said, switching off the Al screen. ¡°Kevin, your timing couldn¡¯t be better. We need your cooperation with our new member to carry out the ancient food live-stream. Your main responsibility will be monitoring.¡± ¡°New member?¡± Zhou Ye¡¯s heart skipped a beat upon hearing about the ancient food live-stream. Who else could it be but Liao Ning? ¡°Yes, are you familiar with Liao Ning?¡± Li Xian shared the live-stream video of Liao Ning making seafood pancakes. Zhou Ye nodded and responded, ¡°She is a renowned live-streamer, particularly in the field of ancient food. She is considered one of the top live-streamers. Her popularity is remarkable.¡± He chose not to outright claim that he didn¡¯t know Liao Ning. Given the current influence of ¡°My Child Is The Best,¡± it would be unconvincing to deny knowledge of her. Instead, he decided to take advantage of the opportunity to express familiarity. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to be interested in ancient delicacies. Nevertheless, the dishes she prepares are indeed exceptional,¡± Li Xian remarked, his mind drifting back to the seafood pancakes he had tasted. Swiftly regaining his composure, Li Xian continued, ¡°She is currently resting in the VIP room. In the future, she will become a live-streamer for the rebel army, rallying the people to our cause. Your primary task is to monitor her live-stream and ensure she doesn¡¯t transmit any distress signals.¡± ¡®Yes!¡± Zhou Ye immediately replied. Li Xian also stood up and said to him, ¡°Come with me. I¡¯ll introduce the two of you first. From now on, you¡¯ll be colleagues..¡± Chapter 213 - Chapter 213: Rebel Army Advisor Chapter 213: Rebel Army Advisor Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Miss Liao, may I come in?¡± Zhou Ye knocked on the door. ¡°Please, come in.¡± Upon seeing Li Xian enter the room, Liao Ning immediately stood up. ¡°Li Xian, I need my freedom. You can¡¯t keep me imprisoned. We¡¯re supposed to be partners.¡± Since being caught transmitting news during her live-stream, she had not been able to go live for several days. She wondered if Zhou Ling had discovered her whereabouts. If she remained confined, she wouldn¡¯t be able to send any messages. Escaping from the rebel army camp seemed nearly impossible at this point. ¡°Miss Liao, allow me to introduce Kevin. He will assist you in your future live-streams,¡± Li Xian explained. As Li Xian introduced him, Liao Ning looked at Kevin with confusion. There was something familiar about his eyes, but she couldn¡¯t recall where she had seen them before. ¡°Hello, Miss Liao. I¡¯m Kevin, your new assistant,¡± Zhou Ye said, stepping forward and extending his hand. Reluctantly, Liao Ning shook his hand, but her gaze remained fixed on his eyes. She was certain that she had seen those eyes before. ¡°Now, the two of you should make the necessary preparations. It¡¯s been a few days since our last live-stream. Today, Miss Liao will be live-streaming as a consultant for the rebel army. Any objections?¡± Li Xian asked, his tone firm and non-negotiable. ¡°A rebel army consultant? Li Xian, are you planning to reveal to everyone that you¡¯ve captured me?¡± Liao Ning never expected Li Xian to announce her presence within the rebel army. Li Xian shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s not a capture; it¡¯s cooperation. Just get ready.¡± Just as he was about to turn and leave, he pivoted back and added, ¡°By the way, what ingredients do you need, Miss Liao? I¡¯ll have someone purchase them for you. Just provide me with a list.¡± Since the seafood pancake ingredients didn¡¯t include an antidote last time, and the golden clam¡¯s antidotal effects were relatively ordinary, Li Xian still hoped to find other formulas that could help mermaids break free from the loyalty potion¡¯s control. After Li Xian left, Liao Ning slumped weakly onto the sofa. Despite her captivity, she couldn¡¯t deny that Li Xian treated her relatively well. He had provided her with the finest room, and apart from the restrictions on communication and freedom, she was given decent treatment. However, this didn¡¯t allow her to feel at ease. When she noticed the communicator on Zhou Ye¡¯s person, her body tensed up. She contemplated seizing the opportunity to snatch the device. ¡°Don¡¯t fixate on your target. It¡¯s easy to reveal your intentions,¡± Zhou Ye cautioned her. ¡°What are you implying?¡± Liao Ning, having received professional training, hadn¡¯t expected the other party to discern her thoughts. ¡°There are no surveillance cameras in this room. Li Xian can be considered a gentleman,¡± Zhou Ye said, taking a seat opposite Liao Ning. ¡°You can relax here, but there¡¯s a signal blocker in this room. You won¡¯t be able to send any messages.¡± Liao Ning remained silent, her gaze fixed on his eyes. Unexpectedly, Zhou Ye broke into a smile. ¡°You¡¯re a little different from what Zhou Ling described. He said you were an adorable girl, but you¡¯re quite sharp and composed. If it weren¡¯t for the wrong location, I¡¯d say you¡¯d make an excellent scout.¡± Upon hearing his words, Liao Ning widened her eyes and locked onto his gaze. It was identical to Mili¡¯s eyes. Liao Ning probed, ¡°Are you Mili¡¯s father? Zhou Ye?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s our first meeting,¡± Zhou Ye replied, his smile radiant. ¡°It¡¯s good to see you. I¡¯m glad you¡¯re safe.¡± ¡°How is Zhou Ling? Have you been in contact with him?¡± ¡°He¡¯s already in the empire. He¡¯s currently at my house,¡± Zhou Ye answered. Upon hearing that Zhou Ling had already arrived in the empire, Liao Ning hastily rose from her seat. ¡°What? What are you saying? How could he be so impulsive?¡± The realization of her situation sank in, causing Liao Ning to lower her voice. ¡°Isn¡¯t it dangerous for him to come here? Is there a way for him to return to interstellar space?¡± Initially, Zhou Ye had hesitated to allow Zhou Ling to accompany him. However, he couldn¡¯t help but empathize with Zhou Ling¡¯s determination to save Mi Lu, should she ever be abducted. Thus, he relented and let Zhou Ling join the mission. Feeling disheartened, Liao Ning slumped back onto the sofa. Zhou Ye offered a comforting pat on her shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we will find a way to rescue you. But for now, it¡¯s crucial that you cooperate and carry out the live-stream effectively Chapter 214 - Chapter 214: Clam Noodles Chapter 214: Clam Noodles Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations After hearing Zhou Ye¡¯s words, Liao Ning nodded in agreement. There seemed to be no other option at the moment. It was evident that Li Xian wouldn¡¯t let her go easily, so she would have to wait for the right opportunity and take it step by step. ¡°Then let¡¯s prepare for this live-stream. I¡¯ll write down the ingredients, and let Li Xian arrange for their preparation,¡± Liao Ning suggested. She took out a pen and paper and started jotting down the ingredients needed for the ancient delicacies. In the past few days, she had observed many expressionless mermaids and Half-Mermaids like Tina. It appeared that a significant number of mermaids were under the influence of the loyalty potion. Liao Ning pondered on how she could use the Golden Toad to help them break free from its control. Upon receiving the ingredient list from Liao Ning, Li Xian furrowed his brows but said nothing. He instructed his subordinates to gather the necessary ingredients. He couldn¡¯t quite grasp the concept of ancient delicacies. How could such inexpensive ingredients create such delightful flavors? And could they truly aid in dispelling the effects of the loyalty potion? If he could decipher the underlying reason, it would be much simpler to help the mermaids escape their enslavement. As the live-stream began, Li Xian positioned himself in the live-stream room, his gaze fixed on Liao Ning. ¡°Hello, everyone! I¡¯m back for another broadcast!¡± Within seconds of starting the stream, over a million viewers had already tuned in. [Liao Ning, what¡¯s been going on with you lately? Why haven¡¯t you been live-streaming every day?] [Why has the live-streamer¡¯s style been resembling that of the Empire more and more lately? That colorful dress, hahaha!] [I agree! Is Liao Ning starting a fashion trend?] Liao Ning glanced down at the dress chosen by Li Xian, then shifted her attention to the comments flooding the screen. She explained, ¡°Well, I¡¯m currently in the Empire. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. I have to blend in here by wearing this dress!¡± [What? The Empire? Why did Liao Ning go so far away?] [The relationship between the Empire and interstellar space is tense right now. Could Liao Ning have been kidnapped?] [Liao Ning, blink if you¡¯re being held against your will! I¡¯ll come to your rescue!] Upon seeing the comments, Li Xian¡¯s expression turned sour. He shot an irritated look at Liao Ning, gesturing for her to focus on the task at hand. Liao Ning took a deep breath and decided to disable the comments function. ¡°Everyone, I¡¯m currently a guest at the rebel army camp. Although I¡¯m now serving as a rebel army consultant, my live-stream will still focus on showcasing the cooking methods of ancient delicacies,¡± she clarified. With that, she presented the ingredients she would be using for today¡¯s dish. ¡°Today, I¡¯ll teach you how to make simple and delicious clam noodles!¡± Having experimented with the golden clams, Liao Ning believed that the antidote should yield similar results. ¡°For this recipe, you¡¯ll need golden clams or any other variety of clams. Prepare 100 grams of vermicelli, along with some garlic, ginger, and optionally, some chili peppers if you enjoy spicy food. Spicy clam noodles are incredibly tasty too!¡± Liao Ning showcased the golden clams once again. ¡°It¡¯s best to soak them in water for an hour beforehand, using less salt. This will help the Golden Toad within the clams expel any sand from its stomach.¡± She continued, ¡°Next, soak the vermicelli in warm water for just a minute or two. Then, chop up the onions, ginger, garlic, and chili as per your preference.¡± ¡°The process of making clam noodles is quite straightforward. Heat some oil in a pot and stir-fry the onions, ginger, and garlic we prepared earlier. Add an appropriate amount of water to the pot, along with the desired amount of chili if you like it spicy. Season with a small amount of light soy sauce, being careful not to add too much, as it may make the dish overly salty.¡± ¡°Now, wash the clams thoroughly and add them to the pot, ensuring that all the ingredients are submerged in the liquid. Allow it to boil for approximately five minutes. After that, add the soaked vermicelli and cook until they are tender. Voila! You¡¯ll have a delightful bowl of clam noodles ready to be enjoyed!¡± The process of preparing the clam noodles was incredibly simple. In less than ten minutes, Liao Ning had finished cooking a large pot of flavorful clam noodles. As a final touch, she garnished it with freshly chopped onions and coriander. Liao Ning ladled a small portion of the clam noodles into a bowl and positioned it in front of the camera. She then activated the five senses sharing system and enabled the comment function. [Oh my god, it tastes incredibly fresh! So delicious!] [I¡¯m a fan of spicy food, and this flavor is absolutely amazing!] [It¡¯s not only delicious but also budget-friendly. I saw that a big bag of clams costs only 3 star coins. Such an affordable treat!] [Liao Ning is truly resourceful and helps us save money.] [Wouldn¡¯t it be amazing if Colonel Zhou could transform into a white cat? Cats and clam noodles make a perfect match!] As Liao Ning read the comments mentioning Zhou Ling, her expression turned somber. She couldn¡¯t help but worry about his safety.. Chapter 215 - Chapter 215: Opportunity Chapter 215: Opportunity Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Just as Liao Ning was about to wrap up the live-stream, she received a message from Li Xian via the Al system. As she read the contents of the message, disbelief filled her eyes. She glanced at Li Xian, who nodded in confirmation. Gathering herself, Liao Ning continued, ¡°The rebel army will be providing free servings of fans and golden toads to the local civilians. Each person can only receive one serving. Please contact the rebel army units stationed near the base for more information. However, please note that the daily quota is limited to 100 servings. First come, first served.¡± After delivering this announcement, Li Xian abruptly cut off the live-stream. Liao Ning looked at him discontentedly. This man¡¯s demeanor was excessively domineering. Every live-stream ended so abruptly because of him. However, Li Xian seemed oblivious to her displeasure. He instructed Kevin to take away the clam noodles, nodded at Liao Ning, and left the live-stream room. ¡°Where are we going?¡± Zhou Ye inquired, holding the clam noodles. He was aware that Li Xian was not the type of person who would disregard social etiquette just for the sake of satisfying his appetite. So, why did he leave with the clam noodles? ¡°To the laboratory,¡± Li Xian replied tersely. He went on to explain that Liao Ning¡¯s ancient delicacies had the ability to dispel the effects of loyalty potions. ¡°You¡¯re suggesting that these clam noodles can counteract the elven potions? How is that even possible?¡± Zhou Ye questioned. The various potions crafted by the ancient elves possessed distinct effects, and apart from the elven antidote, no one had managed to break free from their control. ¡°I was skeptical at first as well,¡± Li Xian responded. ¡°But the evidence is right in front of you. You¡¯ll see for yourself soon enough.¡± Upon arriving at the laboratory, they found a mermaid already seated in the center. His delicate face bore no expression, and his eyes seemed somewhat dim. When Crete noticed Li Xian entering, he hurried over. ¡°This mermaid was captured three months ago and has been subjected to a loyalty potion. Moreover, the potency of the potion has never diminished. It appears to be a loyalty potion with a higher concentration. Shall we proceed with the experiment now?¡± Li Xian nodded in agreement. Crete took the clam noodles from Zhou Ye¡¯s hand and served a small bowl to the mermaid. However, the effects were not immediate this time. It wasn¡¯t until the mermaid had consumed two bowls that his expression began to relax slightly. Only on the third bowl did his wooden voice start to regain some semblance of normalcy. ¡°Leader, I¡¯m deeply sorry. I truly can¡¯t eat anymore,¡± the mermaid apologized. ¡°But this vermicelli is truly delicious. I¡¯ve never tasted anything so exquisite.¡± Zhou Ye stood frozen in astonishment at the sight. He knew Liao Ning¡¯s ancient delicacies were remarkable, but he hadn¡¯t anticipated that she could create an antidote. Li Xian¡¯s expression turned pensive. ¡°The effect this time isn¡¯t as potent as before. Could it be due to changes in the ingredients?¡± Crete shook his head. ¡°Could it be related to gender?¡± At that moment, Tina chimed in, ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s because the concentration of the potion his wife consumed wasn¡¯t as high as mine.¡± Upon hearing their analysis, Li Xian handed the clam noodles to the laboratory staff and departed the laboratory with Kevin. Upon returning home, Zhou Ye promptly informed Zhou Ling about his encounter with Liao Ning. Zhou Ling had also watched Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream earlier in the day. He hadn¡¯t expected Li Xian to genuinely ask her to declare herself as a consultant to the rebel army. It seemed that a fierce battle between the rebel army and the royal family was inevitable. They would now begin to win over the hearts of the people. After Zhou Ye explained the sequence of events, Zhou Ling remarked, ¡°Olift did recover after consuming Liao Ning¡¯s seafood porridge. It appears that this matter won¡¯t remain a secret for long.¡± If the rebel army could master the formula for the Loyalty Removal Potion, the merfolk would undoubtedly change their allegiance. This would result in the royal family losing their most powerful military force. ¡°What should we do then? Is there any chance of saving Liao Ning?¡± Zhou Ling asked, his anxiety evident. Given the current circumstances, it was inevitable that the rebel army would eventually oppose the royal family. The initial step of the confrontation involved pitting Liao Ning and Loya¡¯s ancient delicacies against each other to determine which side could win the support of the people. ¡°Now that Liao Ning¡¯s situation has been revealed, it¡¯s impossible for us to leave at this point. I propose that we exercise patience and wait a little longer. Once Li Xian can persuade Liao Ning to venture out and purchase ingredients herself, we can devise a plan to rescue her,¡± Zhou Ling suggested, albeit reluctantly. He gazed at Liao Ning on the live-stream, feeling a mixture of emotions. Meanwhile, Loya, who was also watching Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream, wore a grim expression. Liao Ning¡¯s ancient delicacies comprised unique recipes, and at best, Loya could only enhance existing ones, unable to create any truly distinctive ancient delicacies. The citizens of the Empire were far from foolish. Even though Liao Ning had only conducted one live-stream, many individuals had already taken notice of her ID. Numerous people had even visited the rebel army base in an attempt to acquire the required ingredients.. Chapter 216 - Chapter 216: Help You Chapter 216: Help You Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Liao Ning again? Why does she always haunt me?¡± Loya couldn¡¯t bear to read the online comments any longer and decided to turn off the Al. Just then, a servant entered the room and bowed respectfully before delivering a message. ¡°Your Highness, His Majesty the King requests your presence in the meeting room immediately.¡± Loya took a deep breath upon hearing this. She Imew that the king was going to interrogate her. If Liao Ning continued to live-stream like this, it could jeopardize her position as a princess. She made her way down the long corridor and entered the opulent conference room. The room was adorned with gold accents, and even the table was encrusted with vibrant gems. The royal family¡¯s wealth and extravagance were on full display, and every item exuded extreme luxury. Even someone as vain as Loya found it hard to fully embrace. As the king turned around upon hearing her arrival, his voice carried an air of anger, and his fatherly expression was nowhere to be found. He regarded Loya as if she were a servant. Loya took a deep breath and nodded silently. ¡°Yes, she claims to be a consultant for the rebel army.¡± In this moment, she had to prove her loyalty and worth. Otherwise, the king would cast her into the abyss right in front of her. ¡°A rebel army consultant? I see it as kidnapping!¡± The king paced back and forth in front of the massive table, hands clasped behind his back. ¡°But the people are blind. Many have already joined the rebel army. All because of clam noodles? What a farce!¡± Loya quickly agreed, desperately attempting to align herself with the king. ¡®Your Majesty, you are absolutely right. The people are naive and cannot comprehend the true intentions behind it all.¡± ¡°But Liao Nings ancient delicacies are undeniably superior to yours, aren¡¯t they?¡± Upon hearing the king¡¯s words, Loya clenched her fists tightly as memories of being overshadowed by Zhu Fei resurfaced in her mind. The king continued to probe her vulnerability. ¡°You couldn¡¯t match her in the culinary competition, and now you¡¯re unable to compete with her in terms of live-stream popularity. Each of her ancient delicacies is unique and more affordable. Why can¡¯t you do the same? Have I expended so much effort and resources on a worthless individual like you?¡± Loya clenched her fists, trying her best to hold back her tears. In truth, the royal gourmet manor she managed had already achieved some success and enjoyed the support of many nobles. Every time the manor opened its doors, a large number of people would purchase tickets to savor the various ancient delicacies she promoted. Loya believed that she had already accomplished a great deal. However, she never anticipated that Liao Ning¡¯s appearance would completely shatter her dreams of being a princess. As she remained silent, the king¡¯s displeasure grew evident in his voice. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s not true! She was the one who plagiarized me!¡± Loya¡¯s emotions suddenly erupted. ¡°In the past, she was nothing more than an unknown live-streamer. If she hadn¡¯t stolen my ideas, how could she have amassed such a large fan base? She repaid my kindness with ingratitude. Everything is because of her!¡± The sharpness in her voice further agitated the king. He raised his voice and commanded, ¡°Then bring the people back! I don¡¯t want to see anyone else joining the rebel army.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Loya gritted her teeth and reluctantly agreed before leaving the meeting room. Just as she was about to return to her chambers, a man with bandages wrapped around his head intercepted her. ¡°Your Highness, why are you so angry? Did someone provoke you?¡± the man asked. Loya looked up, but she couldn¡¯t recognize the person before her due to the bandages concealing his identity. ¡°Ahem, it¡¯s me, Ke Lang,¡± the man spoke, appearing somewhat uncomfortable. Ever since he was beaten up by a young insect warrior, Ke Lang had yet to fully recover. Even the elven potion could only alleviate the swelling of his wounds. ¡°Hello, Ke Lang,¡± Loya responded, feeling vexed and wanting to distance herself from this playboy. After exchanging greetings, Loya attempted to make her way past Ke Lang, but he blocked her path. Wearing a forced smile, he said, ¡°You must be bothered by that consultant from the rebel army, right? I watched her live-stream as well. Her ancient delicacies are truly delicious.¡± ¡°If you¡¯re so fond of them, why don¡¯t you join the rebel army and see if she¡¯ll whip up some ancient delicacies for you?¡± Loya, already in a foul mood, grew even angrier upon hearing someone praise Liao Ning. ¡°No, you misunderstand. I simply want to assist you, my beautiful princess,¡± Ke Lang added with a disingenuous smile.. Chapter 217 - Chapter 217: Cooperation Chapter 217: Cooperation Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Loya looked up, her eyes filled with doubt and distrust. Ke Lang shrugged indifferently. ¡°You should know that my family now controls the transportation routes around the empire. It¡¯s true that Liao Ning¡¯s ingredients are cheaper, and the people are willing to accept her cooking, but how much money can we really earn from that?¡± Loya frowned. Her original intention was indeed to help the people of the Empire, but since the royal gourmet manor began operating, it had become a playground for the nobles. Every time she live-streamed ancient gourmet materials, the nobles monopolized them. ¡°My goal in live-streaming is to benefit the people of the empire. As the princess, I have a responsibility towards my own people.¡± Loya¡¯s tone was firm. Upon hearing her words, Ke Lang suddenly laughed. ¡°Are you sure?¡± He casually lifted a strand of Loya¡¯s long hair and took a whiff. ¡°A bottle of shampoo made from interstellar space jasmine and blue roses could probably feed an ordinary empire¡¯s family for a year, don¡¯t you think?¡± He playfully tugged at the lace on Loya¡¯s skirt. ¡°This lace took two years to make. It¡¯s worth more than enough to feed a family for ten years, isn¡¯t it?¡± He listed the prices of the inconspicuous small items on Loya one by one. ¡°Your Highness, if you only eat meals worth 5 star coins in the name of the people, I¡¯m afraid you won¡¯t even be able to afford a decent gown. If the imperial family doesn¡¯t earn money, how can it survive?¡± Loya looked down at her opulent attire and shivered at the thought of her days in the interstellar space prison. Observing her reaction, Ke Lang smiled and said, ¡°You¡¯ve suffered before, so you know that life isn¡¯t easy. The king is blaming you now only because Liao Ning is very popular. But what¡¯s the use of popularity without the means to protect or support those people? It would be better for them to cooperate with us.¡± ¡°You?¡± Loya was somewhat puzzled. ¡°Our Sam family controls the empire¡¯s transportation routes. If you inform me in advance about the ingredients I need, I can manipulate the market sales and prices. In return, 30% of the profits will be donated to the royal family for free, and the remaining 10% will be given to you as your daily pocket money, Your Highness.¡± Loya¡¯s eyes lit up, but she immediately averted her gaze, though Ke Lang still caught it. He continued to entice her. ¡°The rebel army can¡¯t keep providing ingredients to the people unconditionally. Sooner or later, they will start charging us or demanding more. At that point, the people will realize that our prices are lower. It¡¯s only a matter of time before they return to the Empire¡¯s fold.¡± Loya carefully pondered Ke Lang¡¯s words and found them convincing. The rebel army was nothing more than a mere illusion. How much money could they have to sustain such a large population? Especially when she considered the 10% interest that Ke Lang had promised her, Loya swallowed hard. Even though she was a princess now and didn¡¯t have much wealth, she knew that one day the king might abandon her, and she could end up in exile. It made more sense for her to earn more money. Loya didn¡¯t say much. She merely exchanged a glance with Ke Lang, indicating her agreement. Ke Lang immediately added her as a friend, and Loya sent him the list of ingredients needed for the upcoming live-stream. Upon returning to her room to prepare, Loya diligently reviewed Liao Ning¡¯s previous live-streams. Only then did she begin crafting the content for tonight¡¯s broadcast. Ke Lang was right. If she could control the empire¡¯s ingredients supply, the rebel army would eventually fail to sustain the people¡¯s demands. Naturally, the people would return. And on top of that, she would have an additional source of income. Ke Lang had already prepared the fish for Loya today and sent it to the live-stream room. After applying her makeup and donning a dress made of ice silk, Loya appeared in front of the camera. ¡°Hello, everyone. It¡¯s been a while.¡± Loya greeted the audience with a sweet smile. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that this year has seen a bountiful fish harvest. Today, I¡¯ll be teaching you all how to make ice blue fish!¡± As she spoke, she unveiled a large, blue fish that had been expertly sliced and marinated according to Liao Ning¡¯s method. ¡°You need to make a few cuts on the fish and add ginger slices and green onions. This will help eliminate any fishy odor. If you have the means, you can also include some wine. Let it marinate for 20 minutes!¡± During the marinating process, Loya sensed that something was amiss. Liao Ning had originally used ordinary sea fish. In her attempt to elevate the dish, Loya had opted for ice blue fish. However, the moment the ice blue fish made contact with the onions, the fishy smell intensified. Thankfully, she had added some wine to mask the scent. Just as she placed the ice blue fish into the heated oil, a blue flame suddenly erupted from the pot, causing the fish to rapidly shrink into a small ball.. Chapter 218 - Chapter 218: Poisonous Fish Soup Chapter 218: Poisonous Fish Soup Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Loya was shocked and quickly covered the pot with the lid. She tried to maintain composure and said, ¡°If the oil temperature is too high, this can happen. Don¡¯t worry, just cover it with the lid promptly.¡± However, when she lifted the lid again, the fish emitted a strong fishy smell, and there was very little fish left. In the end, Loya had no choice but to add more water to salvage the situation. Awkwardly, she stated, ¡°Ice blue fish is versatile. Besides frying, it can also be used to make fish soup. You can simmer it over low heat. The fish soup is even more delicious.¡± Loya added a few extra seasonings to the pot, gradually reducing the fishy smell. Although there was a fish fragrance, the fish soup had a yellowish-blue color, making it visually unappetizing. Nonetheless, she persisted and completed the entire live-stream. However, she decided not to activate the five senses sharing system at the end. Five minutes after ending the live-stream, Loya received a transfer notification and a message from Ke Lang. [My dear princess, it¡¯s a pleasure working with you.] As Loya witnessed her account balance transform from o to tens of millions, a smile finally graced her face. Meanwhile, Li Xian, who had just watched Loya¡¯s live-stream, furrowed his brow and asked, ¡°Are you sure we can actually consume the fish soup she made?¡± Next to him, Liao Ning awkvvardly smiled. The ice blue fish was similar to Earth¡¯s pufferfish, albeit with a different appearance. She quickly looked up information about the ice blue fish. Indeed, it was mildly toxic. Loya hadn¡¯t properly removed the toxins, so the fish soup was likely undrinkable. Even if it didn¡¯t prove fatal, it would likely cause severe vomiting and diarrhea. ¡°Should we give it a try as well?¡± Li Xian seemed strangely eager. Liao Ning felt a sense of helplessness. ¡°If you want to spend your time running to the bathroom, go ahead and try.¡± She promptly shared the information she had just found with Li Xian, who opened his mouth in astonishment. ¡°Is this considered dark cuisine? Could it actually be deadly?¡± Liao Ning shook her head. She wasn¡¯t certain if the poison would evaporate or become activated after the ice blue fish incident. That night, the truth became undeniable. ¡°Demand an explanation from the Princess of Dawn! Why did she teach us these poisonous ancient delicacies?¡± ¡°Yes! I spent over 100,000 star coins on an ice blue fish, but now my child is hospitalized with food poisoning. The doctor said it¡¯s serious.¡± ¡°Why did the price of ice blue fish suddenly skyrocket? Is there some hidden secret within the royal family?¡± As the protests echoed outside the window, the king¡¯s expression turned icy. Loya, standing beside him, struggled to control her trembling body as she clenched her fists. ¡°Allow me to explain,¡± she stammered. ¡°I simply wanted to try something new, but I had no knowledge of the ice blue fish¡¯s toxicity. Before¡­¡± ¡°Previously, you witnessed Liao Ning¡¯s success with this, and you didn¡¯t want to fail, did you?¡± The king¡¯s voice grew colder. ¡°I tasked you with unifying the people. Is this your method? How does killing my subjects serve your interests?¡± ¡°It was an accident. I never intended to harm your people,¡± Loya hastily explained. ¡°Causing harm to your people serves me no purpose. It was truly an accident.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear your explanations. You know exactly who you are! ¡± The king dismissed her words and motioned for someone to escort her out. ¡°Your Majesty, Ke Lang from Earl Sam¡¯s family requests an audience,¡± the attendant¡¯s voice interjected. The king glanced at Loya before gesturing for Ke Lang to enter. Ke Lang cast a quick glance at the panicked Loya and spoke, ¡°Your Majesty, this is the treasury funds that Her Highness fought to secure for the royal family.¡± He handed over a check to the attendant. The king examined the figure on the check and smiled. Ke Lang continued, ¡°Her Highness was concerned that ordinary ingredients wouldn¡¯t fetch a high price and thus couldn¡¯t replenish the national treasury adequately. There were some missteps in the ingredient selection this time. However, my family will bear the compensation for it. The matter will be resolved swiftly. Please, Your Majesty, refrain from blaming the princess.¡± The king narrowed his eyes, shifting his gaze between Ke Lang, Loya, and the check¡¯s amount. ¡°Consider this incident forgiven. You may both leave now..¡± Chapter 219 - Chapter 219: Treason Chapter 219: Treason Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations The moment Loya was out of the king¡¯s sight, she finally allowed herself to breathe heavily. Sweat covered her forehead, indicating the intense pressure she had just experienced. With a smile, Ke Lang offered her a silk handkerchief. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Your Highness. I won¡¯t let anything happen to you.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Loya accepted the handkerchief, making sure to avoid Ke Lang¡¯s attempt to grab her hand. Feeling a mix of panic and anger, she mustered the courage to pull her hand away. ¡°How dare you show disrespect towards me?¡± Ke Lang playfully rubbed his two fingers together and chuckled. ¡°I was merely captivated by the princess¡¯s beauty. I didn¡¯t mean any disrespect.¡± ¡°Besides, I saved the princess this time. I wonder how you plan to show your gratitude?¡± As he approached her, Loya instinctively took a step back, her eyes filled with caution. ¡°Haven¡¯t you profited as well? What more do you want?¡± Ke Lang displayed a picture of Rambutan Plants using the Al. ¡°This is Rambutan Plants. I hope Your Highness can use them to create ancient delicacies in your next live-stream.¡± Loya shook her head, puzzled. ¡°Rambutan Plants are fruits. How can they be used to make ancient delicacies? I¡¯ve never heard of such a thing.¡± She also knew that rambutan plants were incredibly rare, affordable only to a few nobles. If she were to make ancient delicacies using them, the people would likely never be able to afford it. ¡°Then it¡¯s up to your ingenuity. If Liao Ning can create numerous ancient delicacies, why can¡¯t you?¡± Ke Lang challenged. At the mention of ¡°Liao Ning,¡± Loya¡¯s expression shifted. She quickly retorted, ¡°Who says I can¡¯t? I simply find Rambutan Plants too expensive.¡± ¡°But how can you earn money if the price isn¡¯t high? Only the royal family can afford such luxuries, which naturally leads to higher profits.¡± Loya¡¯s eyes flickered momentarily before she made a decision. ¡°Fine, prepare the Rambutan Plants. I will use them for my live-stream the day after tomorrow!¡± The scandal surrounding the Princess of Dawn¡¯s ancient food poisoning gradually subsided within a day. It was rumored that those responsible for causing trouble were heavily compensated, but the damage to the reputation of the royal family had already been done. The revelation that the princess¡¯s ancient delicacies were actually poisonous made it clear that they had never been tasted from the beginning. The people felt that their lives were not taken seriously, eroding their trust in the royal family. Taking advantage of this incident, Li Xian managed to recruit numerous individuals, including some mermaids who had defected from the empire¡¯s army. He called Liao Ning over, hoping to capitalize on this opportunity to strike a significant blow against the empire. ¡°Why don¡¯t we make fish as well? I¡¯ve seen many of your previous live-streams featuring fish,¡± Li Xian suggested casually. He then inquired, ¡°Can any of your ancient delicacies help the merfolk break free from the control of the loyalty potion? Liao Ning shook her head. ¡°I stumbled upon the effect of seafood porridge by accident. Since I haven¡¯t had contact with mermaids before, I¡¯m uncertain if it will work for all of them.¡± ¡°In that case, let¡¯s give it a try this time. We have several mermaids under control who can participate. Prepare for tonight¡¯s live-stream and let Kevin know what ingredients you¡¯ll need.¡± Li Xian had made up his mind. This time, he intended to turn the tables and demonstrate to the people who truly deserved their allegiance. Liao Ning and Zhou Ye returned to their respective rooms to prepare for the live-stream scheduled for that night. ¡°Can making fish help remove the effects of the loyalty potion?¡± Zhou Ye asked curiously. ¡°No, it¡¯s possible that the golden clams have such an effect, but I can¡¯t communicate with the individuals in interstellar space at the moment. I¡¯m not sure how far their research has progressed,¡± Liao Ning replied. Thinking of the distant interstellar space, Liao Ning couldn¡¯t help but feel a tinge of disappointment. ¡°I wonder how the two little ones are doing?¡± Zhou Ye offered reassurance. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Ling has already shared your live-stream with them. Seeing that you¡¯re safe and sound, they won¡¯t be too concerned.¡± With a forced smile, Liao Ning composed herself and headed to prepare for the live-stream. As Liao Ning began the live-stream, an overwhelming flood of over a million viewers instantly joined in. ¡°Hello, everyone. It¡¯s great to see you all again! Today, I¡¯ll be teaching you how to make a delicious clam fish soup.¡± However, as soon as she appeared on camera, the comments below took a negative turn. [You¡¯ve betrayed the Interstellar Space Alliance! How could you join the rebel army?] [Is Liao Ning really not being held captive? There¡¯s no news whatsoever.] [I can¡¯t believe the person I admired would betray our country. What¡¯s happening?] [The Princess of Dawn just made fish soup, and now you¡¯re doing the same.. How shameless! This is pure plagiarism!] Chapter 220 - Chapter 220: Clam Soup Chapter 220: Clam Soup Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning glanced at the closed comments section, feeling helpless about the accusations being thrown at her. She couldn¡¯t reveal her kidnapping on camera, but she hoped that her actions would speak for themselves. Zhou Ye, sensing her distress, decided to close the comments section to shield her from further negativity. ¡°Today, we¡¯ll be making clam fish soup, and it¡¯s a simple recipe. You¡¯ll need crucian carp, one catty of golden clams, along with tofu, onions, ginger, and garlic.¡± To ensure the soup¡¯s safety, Liao Ning had extensively researched ancient delicacy recipes and settled on crucian carp as the fish of choice. It was affordable and worked well for soup. ¡°Start by cleaning the fish thoroughly, then cut the tofu into cubes and stir-fry it in a pot with onions, ginger, and garlic. Next, add the fish to the pot, making sure to fry it until both sides turn golden. Add a dash of cooking wine to eliminate any unwanted fishy smell.¡± Liao Ning focused on her cooking, diverting her attention away from the comments on the screen. ¡°Once the fish is fried, cover it with a lid and let it simmer. Add the tofu cubes and continue boiling over high heat for about 20 minutes. Adjust the heat if needed to maintain a white and tender soup.¡± Considering the naturally salty taste of golden clams, less salt was required. For those who enjoyed spicy flavors, chopped peppers could be added. ¡°Now, add the cleaned golden clams to the soup and cook until they open up. Finish off by garnishing with chopped green onions!¡± As the soup simmered for around 40 minutes, a delightful aroma filled the live-stream room. Tina stood behind the camera, her eyes filled with excitement. Ever since tasting Liao Ning¡¯s seafood porridge, she had been longing to experience more of her culinary skills. However, Liao Ning¡¯s dishes were always used for experiments, leaving Tina without a chance to savor them. Finally, Tina managed to make her way to the live-stream room this time. She wanted to see Liao Ning and taste the fish soup for herself. Seeing Tina¡¯s expression, Liao Ning couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°Why not give it a try, Tina? Would you like to taste it?¡± Tina¡¯s eyes widened, and she pointed at herself in disbelief. ¡°Me? Can I?¡± Liao Ning nodded with a warm smile and scooped out a bowl of fish soup, offering it to Tina. Tina glanced at Li Xian, who gave a nod of approval. Carefully, she walked over and took a sip of the soup. ¡°Oh, this is incredibly delicious!¡± Tina¡¯s eyes lit up with surprise after tasting the soup. ¡°Miss Liao, you truly are a culinary genius. Is this really made from Crucian Carp?¡± Even within the empire, Crucian Carp was considered a cheap fish, worth only a few star coins per catty. Due to its many thorns, it was often overlooked by most people, especially commoners. Tina had never expected the soup to be so flavorful. ¡°The price of Crucian Carp is indeed quite affordable, and it¡¯s readily available,¡± Liao Ning explained. ¡°Moreover, Crucian Carp is highly nutritious, making it perfect for soup. When combined with Golden Toad, it also has some detoxifying properties. If anyone experiences discomfort, especially in the gastrointestinal tract, this soup can be beneficial.¡± Tina¡¯s eyes flickered with interest upon hearing about its detoxifying abilities. She Imew from experience that Liao Ning¡¯s delicacies had the power to counteract the effects of the Loyalty Potion on mermaids. However, Tina tactfully refrained from mentioning this, aware that Li Xian intended to use Liao Ning¡¯s ancient delicacies as a means to attract more people and mermaids to join their cause. Just then, another message appeared on Liao Ning¡¯s Al device. She read it aloud for everyone to hear. ¡°This time, the ingredients for the fish soup will be distributed for free at each rebel army gathering point. Each person is limited to one serving, but there will be 500 servings available at each location. Feel free to take what you need.¡± Zhou Ye reopened the comments section, and this time, not only were Liao Nings fans leaving comments, but also citizens from the empire. [The young miss is truly beautiful and kind-hearted. She always finds a way to solve my family¡¯s biggest problems using the most affordable ingredients.] [Additionally, ancient delicacies have proven effective in managing mental breakdowns. It¡¯s been a while since I relied on medication for control.] [Welcome to the Empire. You¡¯re truly the Empire¡¯s savior.] [Absolutely! Liao Ning saved me. I haven¡¯t needed medication for my mental breakdowns in months!] Observing the positive shift in the comments, Liao Ning couldn¡¯t help but smile. However, Loya, watching Liao Ning on the screen, couldn¡¯t find it in herself to smile. ¡°Why is it always you? Do you crave the spotlight so much?¡± Loya¡¯s fists clenched tightly. She vowed that she wouldn¡¯t let Liao Ning have an easy time.. Chapter 221 - Chapter 221: Expensive Drink Chapter 221: Expensive Drink Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Initially, Loya had resorted to hiring paid commentators and inciting her fans to defame Liao Ning. However, she never expected that Liao Ning¡¯s ancient delicacies would constantly surpass expectations and gain widespread recognition. The memory of the king¡¯s furious expression made Loya tremble once again. Deep down, she knew she wasn¡¯t a true princess. If she couldn¡¯t find a way to reconcile with the king, she might face expulsion from the royal family. Gazing at the Rambutan Plants in her hand, Loya took a deep breath. Ke Lang was right. What did it matter if ordinary citizens favored Liao Ning? With the support of the nobility, she was the true princess of the empire. That night, Loya devoted herself to studying the recipe provided by the company. Contemplating her options, she made up her mind to outshine Liao Ning. Following Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream, the empire¡¯s citizens flocked to purchase Crucian Carps in abundance. Many even discovered Liao Ning¡¯s previous video on salted fish and began using Crucian Carps as a substitute. As Liao Ning¡¯s reputation continued to soar, more and more residents of the empire joined the rebel army, including those living in close proximity to the army¡¯s base. The scene was one of bustling prosperity. Under such pressure, Loya commenced her own live-stream. She had planned to make it an extravagant affair, targeting the nobility. With their support, she had nothing to fear. In her quest for a flawless appearance, Loya began applying makeup two hours in advance and adorned herself in a custom-made fish-scale dress. When she appeared magnificently before the camera, the comments overflowed with praise. [The Princess of Dawn is absolutely stunning. Truly befitting of her royal status!] [Could that dress be made of genuine fish scales? Oh my, what must be its cost?] [I eagerly await the princess¡¯s live-streams every day. They are simply captivating.] As Loya soaked in the adoration, her smile widened. ¡°This dress is crafted from precious fish scales. It exhibits a mesmerizing array of colors under different light refractions.¡± She nervously toyed with the hem of her dress, mesmerized by the colorful lights it emitted. Eventually, the photographer cleared his throat, urging Loya to get to the point. ¡°What I have here for all of you today are these incredibly precious Rambutan Plants.¡± Loya displayed a large fruit in her hand. ¡°Although it may resemble lychees to some extent, it is juicier and meatier. Most importantly, it is highly nutritious and exceptionally rare. Only 100,000 catties of red gallbladder are harvested from the depths of the elven forest each year. It is often referred to as the ¡®beauty saint.¡±¡® Next, she presented a jar of sugar crystals. ¡°This is ice crystal sugar, originally sourced from the Empire¡¯s snow-capped mountains. It must be stored in the crystal jar at a constant temperature of 50C to maintain its flavor.¡± ¡°We begin by boiling it with mountain spring water, followed by adding two ice crystal sugars. With the help of crystal rods, we stir until the sugar completely dissolves.¡± ¡°Then, we add the processed red gall fruit meat into the mixture. After simmering over a high flame, we reduce it to a low flame and continue simmering for five minutes.¡± ¡°However, it¡¯s crucial to let it cool before pouring it into a crystal cup. You can refrigerate it for an enhanced taste!¡± To emphasize her status, Loya had replaced all the utensils with crystalware. Even the stirring stick was adorned with sizeable gemstones. She retrieved a pre-made Rambutan Plants beverage, its pink hue exuding a dreamy quality. This time, Loya remembered to activate the five senses sharing system. ¡°Everyone, come and give it a try. On a scorching summer day, this drink will surely refresh you and quench your thirst!¡± Rambutan Plants were already scarce fruits. When combined with the sweetness of ice crystal sugar and the enhancement from mountain spring water, the beverage boasted an extraordinary flavor. [What kind of beverage is this? Isn¡¯t it too extravagant?] [I¡¯m absolutely in love with this drink. It¡¯s definitely a luxury only the nobles can savor!] [I¡¯ve lived for over three decades and haven¡¯t laid eyes on a single Rambutan Plant. I guess my only chance to try it is through this live-stream.] [Indeed, Your Highness. At the moment, acquiring Rambutan Plants would require my entire family¡¯s annual salary. It¡¯s simply beyond my means.] [Why did the princess used to recommend beautiful and affordable ancient delicacies, but now it¡¯s all about luxury?] [What do you know? Are a few modest dishes with star coins enough? How outdated!] However, Loya disregarded the comments from the commoners. ¡°While the Rambutan Plants may be costly, they are exceptional. When it comes to indulging in ancient delicacies, we naturally aim for superior quality. Not everything can be consumed casually.¡± ¡°Furthermore, Rambutan Plants are incredibly scarce nowadays.. If everyone wishes to savor the same drink, you have to seize the opportunity!¡± Chapter 222 - Chapter 222: Mermaid Demonstration Chapter 222: Mermaid Demonstration Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations As expected, in the early hours of the morning, right after the live-stream ended, Loya received a notification that another substantial amount had been transferred to her account. Relaxing on the plush bed, surrounded by luxurious silk muslin, she felt that this life was befitting of her status. However, she had not anticipated the uproar her fish-scale dress would cause. As the name implied, human scales were crafted from mermaid scales. To achieve the delicate thinness required for the dress, they could only be obtained from the scales of young mermaids under the age of five. To maintain the shimmer of the human fish scales, the young mermaids had to endure the agony of having their scales painstakingly removed while they were awake. In order to swiftly acquire a large quantity of fish scales, many merchants administered various hormonal drugs to the young mermaids to accelerate scale growth. Sadly, this often resulted in the young mermaids not living past the age of eight. Liao Ning and Tina had watched Loya¡¯s live-stream that day. Tina¡¯s fists had clenched tightly throughout, and her eyes blazed with fury. ¡°Do the imperial family of the empire not value the lives of mermaids?¡± Tina struggled to contain her anger but finally erupted. She forcefully punched the wall. ¡°A five or six-year-old mermaid is subjected to constant hormone feeding and the sacrifice of several children¡¯s lives, all to obtain a fish-scale dress. Is a dress more important than human lives?¡± Observing her sorrowful expression, Liao Ning was at a loss for words. She approached Tina silently and gently placed her hand on her shoulder. At that moment, Li Xian¡¯s eyes were filled with redness. Clearly, he had just witnessed Loya¡¯s live-stream. As a descendant of the merfolk, his motivation to rebel against the Empire stemmed from his desire to overthrow the class-based rule, allowing every race to coexist on equal terms. Yet, when he witnessed Loya¡¯s fish-scaled dress, he could no longer suppress his rage. ¡°Tina, contact our allies within the Empire¡¯s army immediately. We shall stage a protest tomorrow. We cannot allow human-scale clothing to become a trend in the Empire.¡± Tina ceased her tears instantly and bowed to Li Xian. ¡®Yes!¡± Early the next morning, the royal family was having breakfast when they were disturbed by the commotion outside. Initially, the king had been pleased to receive the check from Ke Lang, but now he was plagued by a headache due to the noise. ¡°What is happening out there?¡± Despite the castle¡¯s soundproofing, Loya could still discern the hostile voices shouting her name from outside. She pondered the previous day¡¯s live-stream earnestly and breathed a sigh of relief, confirming that she hadn¡¯t made any mistakes. ¡°Your Majesty!¡± A servant rushed in. ¡°The mermaids are causing a riot! They¡¯re roaming the streets, and they said¡­ they said¡­¡± The servant kept stealing glances at Loya, prompting the king to regard her questioningly. ¡°I haven¡¯t done anything wrong! Yesterday, I merely conducted a live-stream. You¡¯re aware of that,¡± Loya hastily stood up and clarified. The king furrowed his brow and inquired, ¡°What did they say?¡± Following the king¡¯s command, the servant reported, ¡°They claim that the princess is immodest and that wearing human-scale clothing is disrespectful to the mermaids. They believe mermaids cannot be loyal to a royal family that condones such actions.¡± ¡°Human fish scales?¡± the queen asked with bewilderment. ¡°What is wrong with human fish scales? I personally gave Loya the fabric made from human fish scales. Could it be that the merfolk are plotting a rebellion?¡± The queen had always regarded Loya as her daughter and desired to provide her with the best things in the world. She was indifferent to the lives and deaths of the merfolk. At that moment, the Third Prince whispered, ¡°The process of obtaining human scales is excessively cruel. It¡¯s likely that several mermaids lost their lives to create a single dress. It¡¯s understandable for the merfolk to be upset.¡± ¡°How can their lives be compared to those of your sister?¡± The queen seethed with anger. ¡°She is a noble princess, and human scales are most fitting for her.¡± Witnessing the queen¡¯s unwavering stance, the princes shook their heads. They had no desire to oppose their mother¡¯s views. However, the king was well aware of the impact of the mermaid rebellion. He cast an unfriendly gaze at Loya and instructed the servant, ¡°What are their demands?¡± ¡°They request a public apology from the princess, the release of all the little mermaids, and the cessation of human scale cloth sales.¡± As the servant relayed this, he avoided meeting Loya¡¯s eyes. Loya, on the other hand, looked at the queen with teary eyes. ¡°That¡¯s out of the question. She is a princess. How can she apologize to those inferior mermaids?¡± The queen vehemently objected. In her eyes, Loya had endured a difficult life on the desolate planet for far too long. She was determined not to let her daughter suffer any further. However, the king showed no sympathy towards Loya. He commanded her, ¡°Prepare yourself.. Proceed to the castle terrace immediately and offer your apology to the merfolk!¡± Chapter 223 - Chapter 223: The Princess’s Mission Chapter 223: The Princess¡¯s Mission Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°No! After all the hardships we went through to find our daughter, are you going to treat her like this?¡± The queen stood up and embraced Loya tightly. Listening to the growing uproar outside the window, Loya trembled. She was a noble princess, and the idea of apologizing to the mermaids seemed unthinkable to her. However, the king had always been a man of his word. He stared coldly at the trembling Loya. ¡°As the princess of the Empire, you must fulfill your duty. You need to apologize and take responsibility for your actions.¡± If she were to apologize, her standing in the eyes of the nobles might plummet. If the people no longer supported her and the nobles abandoned her, what would become of her in the end? But in that moment, Loya summoned the courage to break free from the queen¡¯s embrace and stand up. ¡°If I apologize, the mermaids will only see the royal family as weak and easy to exploit. The first step is to make the princess bow down and apologize. What will be the second step? Releasing the little mermaids? Have you considered what the third step will be, Father? Are you willing to relinquish the power of the royal family?¡± Her voice still quivered, but her gaze was resolute. ¡°Furthermore, Count Sam and others are responsible for the human scale fish business. Releasing the little mermaids would undoubtedly create animosity among the earls. It will only endanger the royal family¡¯s position.¡± She stared directly at the king, who grasped the unspoken implications. Count Sam provided substantial tributes to the royal family annually. How would they survive without such support? However, as the clamor outside the window grew louder, the king understood the merfolk¡¯s fighting prowess. He inquired, ¡°Do you have a viable solution?¡± Loya took a deep breath and responded, ¡°Suppression! Most of the merfolk have consumed loyalty potions, ensuring their loyalty to the royal family. However, the royal family needs to display its strength and make it clear that opposing the royal family will lead to dire consequences.¡± Upon hearing this, her brothers regarded her with astonishment. In the past, this younger sister had been lively and adorable. She had always been courteous to the palace servants, so it was unexpected for her to reveal such a ruthless side. Upon hearing Loya¡¯s suggestion, the king pondered for a moment before agreeing. ¡°You¡¯re right. The dignity of the royal family must be upheld.¡± ¡°Go, summon Ke Lang and have him bring a little mermaid. I want to demonstrate the might of the royal family to these mermaids.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The servant promptly departed upon receiving the king¡¯s command. Just as Loya started to relax, she heard the king address her once again. ¡°Since you proposed the idea, it falls upon you to carry it out. Extract the fish scales from the little mermaid¡¯s body in front of the protesters, let them witness the consequences of their resistance.¡± ¡°What?¡± Loya¡¯s voice trembled. ¡°Since this matter began because of you, it is your responsibility to resolve it. As a royal princess, you must uphold your dignity,¡± declared the king with a cold expression. ¡°Later, on the grand platform of the castle, remove the scales from the little mermaid in full view of all the demonstrators. Let them see the futility of their defiance. If they persist, execute the little mermaid on the spot and capture their leader, who will also meet the same fate.¡± The king¡¯s voice remained steady, but Loya¡¯s body continued to quiver. ¡°Father, you can¡¯t do this!¡± objected the Third Prince immediately. ¡°The little mermaid is innocent, and there is a ban on keeping mermaids. Such actions may backfire. ¡± The other two princes nodded in agreement. The mermaid army was the most formidable force in the empire. If the mermaids rebelled, the consequences would be unpredictable. However, the king scoffed disdainfully. ¡°They do not comprehend what is in their best interest. If they wish to showcase their audacity, then we must show them the repercussions!¡± At this moment, the king no longer entertained any opposing viewpoints. He had initially attempted to win the people over with exquisite delicacies, but these individuals failed to recognize the benefits. Many of them had joined the rebel forces. Now that the merfolk had initiated another demonstration, he could not tolerate anyone challenging his authority. ¡°Are you not going to prepare? Put on the fish-scale dress you wore yesterday!¡± With those words, the king left the dining hall. ¡°Sister,¡± the Third Prince expressed concern. ¡°Can you truly go through with it? Shouldn¡¯t I plead for mercy once more?¡± However, Loya shook her head. Unless she renounced her position as a princess, the king would not rescind his command. He intended to employ her as a deterrent against the mermaids. There was no escaping this fate.. Chapter 224 - Chapter 224: Suppression Chapter 224: Suppression Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations When Loya made her appearance in the tish-scaled dress, the mermaids glared at her with anger. They were taken aback by the audacity of the royal family, allowing the princess to wear a fish-scaled dress despite the mermaids¡¯ ongoing protest. Under the scorching afternoon sun, Loya¡¯s dress shimmered with a kaleidoscope of colors. However, the crowd below had no interest in admiring such radiance. As the guards brought forward a little mermaid, the fury among the mermaids grew stronger. ¡°Release the child!¡± ¡°Reject the use of human fish scales!¡± ¡°Boycott Princess of Dawn and the entire royal family!¡± The calls for boycott grew louder and more resolute. Loya took several deep breaths, gradually regaining her composure. She understood that if she faltered now, the king might abandon her to appease the merfolk¡¯s rage. She had to resolve the situation herself. With great effort, she controlled her steps and approached the little mermaid, one step at a time. Using delicate diamond tweezers, she gingerly plucked a scale from the little one¡¯s tail. The young mermaid let out a heartbreaking wail. Due to his incomplete development, his cries were still in the ultrasonic range, piercing the ears of those below. In an instant, the entire crowd held their breath, including Loya. Her right hand trembled, and tears streamed from the little mermaid¡¯s eyes, forming glistening pearls on the ground. At that moment, Loya could no longer bear it. However, when she glanced at the king standing above, his gaze icy and unyielding, she steeled her resolve and pulled forcefully. ¡°Ah!¡± The little mermaid¡¯s scream echoed through the air. Loya endured the discomfort, her heart aching, as she raised the scale she had extracted. ¡°Mermaids are meant to serve the royal family. Your current demonstration is nothing short of rebellion! If you persist in your stubbornness, this little mermaid will continue to suffer on your behalf! He will be the consequence you bring upon yourselves!¡± Her voice quivered, and she dared not meet the angry mermaids¡¯ gazes, keeping her eyes fixed on the distance. After a few moments of silence, enraged roars erupted from the merfolk. ¡°Release him! Release him!¡± ¡°You heartless princess, how could you treat a child like this?¡± ¡°Do you possess any shred of compassion? Let the child go!¡± In that moment, the crowd was no longer solely comprised of mermaids. Zergs and other civilians had joined the throng. They glared at Loya with anger, and some were even on the verge of pushing past the guards to attack the royal castle. Witnessing the mermaid rebellion, a trace of ruthlessness flickered in Loya¡¯s eyes. She swiftly approached the little mermaid and extracted another fish scale. The already despondent crowd grew even angrier, their shouts rising and falling. Yet, as Loya continued to pluck the scales from the little mermaid, and as his cries persisted, the mermaids¡¯ enraged roars gradually subsided. As for Loya, her face was now streaked with blue mermaid blood. The blood stained her exquisite attire, and in the twilight¡¯s glow, Loya transformed into a fierce scarlet figure, a symbol of both beauty and ruthlessness. With no more angry shouts to be heard, she ceased her actions, kicking the discarded scales on the ground. ¡°As expected, you all need to learn a lesson.¡± Loya wiped the blood from her face with the back of her hand. ¡°Since you understand what¡¯s good for you, I shall release this little mermaid.¡± With a dismissive wave, the guard tossed the little mermaid down the stairs. The mermaids below instinctively formed a human wall and caught the weakened creature. Without casting a backward glance, Loya strode back toward the castle. Little did she know that the scenes witnessed by the rebel army¡¯s spies had already been captured, documenting the events of the royal family¡¯s actions that day, causing a huge commotion on the Internet. The spy positioned himself at the forefront, standing in close proximity to the scene. With a miniature camera, he captured the events unfolding at the location, including the torturous treatment inflicted upon the little mermaid, causing her to appear unrecognizable. Within a matter of minutes, the video garnered billions of views. Liao Ning clenched her fists tightly as she watched the distressing footage. Tina voiced her anger, ¡°This is absolutely outrageous! The royal family is still engaged in the practice of raising mermaids!¡± Although the royal family had long issued a decree strictly forbidding the private keeping of mermaids, they hadn¡¯t anticipated that the little mermaids would be showcased in front of the public on this day. Previously, the king had gained the support of many mermaids by implementing the ban on mermaid rearing. However, if he now sought to suppress the mermaids, it would undoubtedly backfire. ¡°We must expedite our plan,¡± stated Li Xian, his gaze fixed on Liao Ning. ¡°We require your assistance..¡± Chapter 225 - Chapter 225: Antidote Formula Chapter 225: Antidote Formula Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°My assistance?¡± Liao Ning was slightly perplexed. ¡°But I don¡¯t possess any knowledge about warfare or combat strategies.¡± ¡°I need your ancient delicacies,¡± Li Xian responded without hesitation. ¡°I have studied the properties of your ancient delicacies. They have the potential to help mermaids break free from the effects of the loyalty potion. With your ancient delicacies, it is only a matter of time before the mermaid army liberates themselves from the empire¡¯s control.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not entirely sure what those delicacies are. However, if you allow me to contact the researchers in interstellar space, I might be able to assist you,¡± Liao Ning suggested. After hearing Liao Ning¡¯s words, Li Xian fell silent for a moment before saying, ¡°I hope you won¡¯t disappoint me.¡± Finally, Liao Ning regained her Al communication signal, and an influx of information flooded in. Without delay, she quickly contacted Jin Xiang. As the scene changed, Jin Xiang spoke anxiously, ¡°Liao Ning, were you abducted? The Interstellar Alliance will definitely find a way to rescue you!¡± Liao Ning glanced awkwardly at Li Xian and replied, ¡°Jin Xiang, let¡¯s discuss my situation later. How did the Golden Toad experiment go that I asked you to conduct?¡± Upon seeing Li Xian, Jin Xiang recognized the all-powerful leader of the rebel army. As an interstellar space researcher, she was well aware of his reputation. However, noticing that Liao Ning appeared unharmed, Jin Xiang said, ¡°The Golden Toad does possess detoxification properties, but it requires high temperatures to activate the detoxifying molecules within it. When combin with the seafood and fish you used in your recent live streams, it can produ certain effect. However, it is only effective against diluted loyalty potions. I the potion has a higher concentration, progress might be slower. Neverthel consuming Golden Toads regularly can gradually counteract the effects of t potion.¡± Hearing Jin Xiang¡¯s words, Liao Ning couldn¡¯t contain her excitement, and ] Xian eagerly interjected, ¡°Is this true?¡± ¡°Absolutely. I am a student of Lin Song, and the results provided by the Interstellar Space Research Institute are unquestionably reliable!¡± Jin Xiang affirmed. At that moment, the system¡¯s voice resounded in Liao Ning¡¯s mind. [Ding! System Notification: Mission Complete. Reward received: 1,000 system points, 1,000,000 star coins, and the antidote formula for the loyalty potion.] Instantly, the antidote formula for the loyalty potion appeared in Liao Ning¡¯s Al interface. [Loyalty Potion Antidote: Heat the Golden Toad to 100 degrees Celsius. Combine it with other seafood proteins and a dash of sea salt to create a potent soup.] Liao Ning felt a mixture of helplessness and surprise. She hadn¡¯t expected the powerful elven potion to be countered by something as simple as the Golden Toad. It seemed that the antidote formula was an ancient remedy. Glancing at Li Xian, Liao Ning made a decision. She would share the formula but keep the existence of the system a secret. ¡°Li Xian, I would like to utilize your laboratory and researchers. Perhaps together, we can discover an antidote for the loyalty potion.¡± Li Xian looked at her with gratitude and tried to control his emotions as he bowed deeply. ¡°Thank you for being willing to let go of the past. If we can find a solution to free the mermaids from control, I will arrange for your return to interstellar space. From now on, you will be our benefactor.¡± Hearing Li Xian¡¯s offer to send her back, Liao Ning exchanged a subtle glance with Zhou Ye. He nodded slightly, relieved that they might be able to rescue Liao Ning easily. This would ensure Zhou Ling¡¯s safety as well. Upon reaching the laboratory, Liao Ning began to prepare more dishes using the Golden Toad. She combined it with various fish and shellfish, and as expected, they proved to be effective antidotes. Tina grasped Liao Ning¡¯s hand excitedly. ¡°Liao Ning, you truly are the savior of the mermaids. We can finally break free from the royal family¡¯s control!¡± ¡°Without oppression, mermaids can live in equality,¡± Li Xian added, equally thrilled. He had always envisioned a society free from oppression and built on principles of equality. With Liao Ning¡¯s assistance, he was one step closer to realizing his dream. Liao Ning inquired hastily, ¡°Should we make the formula public now?¡± She felt that Loya¡¯s actions today were very inappropriate. Perhaps many mermaids were rebelling now. If they could drink the antidote themselves, the mermaids would be free of their control. However, Li Xian shook his head. ¡°No, we won¡¯t publicize the formula. Instead, we want the merfolk to take the initiative to join the rebel army..¡± Chapter 226 - Chapter 226: Concentrated Antidote Chapter 226: Concentrated Antidote Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations After the failed mermaid protest, the empire intensified its surveillance over the mermaids. They were tightly controlled, unable to move freely without permission. Even the mermaids held by the royal family and nobles faced strict supervision to prevent any further uprisings. Due to this increased monitoring, Olift and the others managed to reach Planet Golden Rice before martial law was imposed, allowing them to reunite with Zhou Ling and the rest of the group. In order to ensure everyone¡¯s safety, Davies returned home and assisted in altering their appearances. Witnessing Loya¡¯s actions during the protest, Olift and Lu Fei seethed with anger. Expressing his frustration to Zhou Ling, Olift exclaimed, ¡°If only we could rescue Liao Ning. Her seafood porridge could help the mermaids break free from the control of the loyalty potion.¡± Zhou Ling was well aware of this, but Zhou Ye sent a message advising them to be patient. The rebel army was planning their next move, and amidst the chaos, there might be an opportunity to rescue Liao Ning. They had no choice but to wait. However, Lu Fei and Mika were astonished to hear about the potential antidote derived from ancient delicacies. Mika, in particular, found it hard to believe. ¡°It¡¯s impossible. Elven potions can only be concocted by experienced elves and require the infusion of elven magic. Moreover, the ingredients for the antidote are exceedingly rare. How could ancient delicacies possibly counteract their effects?¡± Lu Fei concurred, his experiences as a plaything of the nobility reinforcing his skepticism. He had never come across such a possibility and knew of many who, unable to endure the torture and control, opted for suicide instead. Olift patiently shared his own experiences, attempting to alleviate their doubts. Just then, a message from Zhou Ye arrived. [The rebel army has decided to utilize Liao Nings antidote to rally the merfolk for rebellion. Exercise caution and await an opportunity to rescue Liao Ning.] Upon reading the message, Mika had no choice but to accept the truth. If Li Xian had made the decision to employ the antidote as a means to enlist the support of the merfolk, it was certain that Liao Ning possessed the formula for the antidote. ¡°This is incredible. Ancient delicacies cracking the ancient elven potion?¡± Mika expressed her confusion. Olift, however, wore a proud expression. ¡°Liao Ning is an extraordinary individual. You¡¯ll understand once you meet her. She¡¯s capable of creating miracles.¡± Nevertheless, Zhou Ling furrowed his brow. After pondering for a moment, he turned to Davies and asked, ¡°Can you use your abilities to create an illusion and make me appear as a mermaid?¡± Davies nodded confidently. ¡°With your appearance, it shouldn¡¯t be a problem. And with my illusion abilities, we can easily pull it off.¡± In Davies¡¯ eyes, even if Zhou Ling wasn¡¯t a real mermaid, he possessed the allure and charm of one, though his demeanor was somewhat reserved. Olift couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, covering his mouth. Seeing Zhou Ling¡¯s cold gaze, he quickly added, ¡°Do you want to join the mermaid team and save Liao Ning? Count me in too!¡± ¡°Me too! I have many mermaid relatives serving in the army. I can be of assistance!¡± Lu Fei chimed in eagerly. Considering the uncertain future, Zhou Ling nodded. ¡°But all of you must follow orders and refrain from acting independently.¡± Once the group agreed on the plan, they noticed a news release by the rebel army on the internet. ¡°The rebel army will distribute a substantial quantity of Loyalty Potion antidotes. Joining them grants you free access to the antidote. The rebel army eagerly awaits your participation!¡± The news content was brief, accompanied by a photo taken in the laboratory featuring Liao Ning and a few researchers. In reality, Liao Ning was preparing soup in the lab. Although she had switched from ordinary kitchen utensils to various laboratory equipment, it didn¡¯t compromise the essence of the ancient delicacies. Moreover, through condensing the function, the concentration of the detoxifying components from the golden clams had significantly increased. Indeed, a small cup of the soup could nullify the effects of the loyalty potion. Liao Ning programmed the system and carefully poured the clam fish soup into exquisite cups, sealing them tightly. She had also borrowed a thick soup-making method from the apocalyptic world, never expecting it to have practical applications in this realm. Tina held one of the small antidote cups in her hand, unable to contain her awe. ¡°Miss Liao, you¡¯re truly a genius!¡± Blushing slightly, Liao Ning brushed her bangs aside and asked, ¡°But will there really be mermaids coming tomorrow? I heard that the empire has sealed off the entrance. Do the mermaids still have a chance?¡± Li Xian approached from behind and spoke with unwavering confidence, ¡°Fear not, the merfolk will undoubtedly rebel the day after tomorrow. The empire¡¯s army is no match for their strength and determination..¡± Chapter 227 - Chapter 227: Opening Chapter 227: Opening Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning furrowed his brow and inquired, ¡°But aren¡¯t they all under the influence of the loyalty potion? How can they possibly break through the checkpoint?¡± Even Tina, a mermaid who was not heavily controlled, had to endure immense pain to free herself from the potion¡¯s grasp. The majority of the mermaid army had consumed potent concoctions, rendering them utterly obedient to the royal family¡¯s commands. It seemed impossible for them to defy orders, let alone breach the city gate and confront the guards. ¡°Kevin, select a few dependable merpeople and bring them back to the empire. Send a shipment of antidotes as a priority,¡± Li Xian commanded. ¡°Inform these merpeople that if they successfully complete the mission, each one of them will be promoted to the rank of colonel within the rebel army. I assure them that they will be given leadership positions.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Zhou Ye acknowledged the order and swiftly departed for his home. Li Xian¡¯s directive aligned precisely with Zhou Ling¡¯s intention, prompting Olift to sigh. ¡°As expected of brothers, you both arrived at the same solution.¡± However, Zhou Ling paid no attention to Olift and began devising a plan to infiltrate the empire¡¯s army alongside Zhou Ye. Leveraging Davies¡¯ abilities, Zhou Ling and Olift assumed the appearances of other mermen, while Lu Fei and Zhou Ye retained their original looks. The four of them made their way back to Planet Dynasty. Maintaining impassive expressions, they encountered no hindrance from the guards, who had only been instructed to prevent mermaids from leaving the city. Those returning to report were not subject to any restrictions. Exploiting this loophole, the four infiltrated the empire¡¯s army without delay. They divided into two groups. Zhou Ye led Olift and the rebel army to a designated meeting point, while Zhou Ling rendezvoused with Lu Fei and Lu Fei¡¯s relatives. With only a hundred doses of antidote in their possession, the four quickly distributed them among the mermaid army. As Liao Ning refined the soup¡¯s concentration, all the mermaids who partook of it swiftly recovered, breaking free from the control of the loyalty potion. Zhou Ye led the recovered mermaids and positioned themselves at the east wall entrance of the empire, as planned in his discussion with Li Xian. The following morning, over a thousand mermaids surged toward the east gate, joined by those who sought to break free from their control. The mermaids¡¯ movements did not go unnoticed by the observers, prompting the guards to converge on the east gate as well. ¡°Now, order the mermaid army to return to their posts and await further Instructions. 1 repeat, order tne mermaid army to return to tnelr posts!¡± bellowed the leader of the guards through the loudspeaker, but his words fell on deaf ears. Although most of the merfolk maintained impassive expressions, the guards were astonished to see that many had already unveiled fierce and enraged countenances. Some even brandished weapons in their hands¡ªan absolute violation of empire protocol. Given that the mermaids had always been under the influence of the loyalty potion, the number of guards present was limited. There were merely a hundred to two hundred individuals, making them vastly outnumbered by the formidable mermaid army. While many guards tightly gripped laser guns, their bodies involuntarily retreated. Zhou Ye took charge at the forefront, leading the merfolk who had consumed the antidote. Lu Fei raised his voice and proclaimed, ¡°If you wish to avoid certain death, open the city gate. Otherwise, we shall surely charge forth.¡± Thirty warriors from Lu Fei¡¯s family had already imbibed the antidote, their hands firmly clutching their weapons as they stood ready to confront the guards. Witnessing the mermaids¡¯ unwavering resolve, the leader of the guards grew panicked. ¡°Mermaids must obey orders! you are the Empire¡¯s army, and thus bound by the agreement!¡± He was acutely aware that the mermaids¡¯ anger had been stirred by the royal princess. The hundreds of mermaids in the front row were evidently no longer subject to the loyalty potion¡¯s control. The guards stood no chance against these formidable mermaids. Sensing the guards¡¯ trepidation, Lu Fei amplified his voice with resounding sound waves. ¡°Guardians, listen carefully. The mermaid army only seeks to depart the city; they do not intend to harm anyone. However, if anyone obstructs you, witness the true power of the mermaids.¡± Though his voice was not particularly loud, the sound waves carried incredible penetrating force. Not only did the guards hear his words, but many of the surrounding residents did as well. In that moment, a growing number of individuals within the mermaid army began to lend their support. ¡°Indeed! We shall depart the city, ensuring the innocent remain unharmed!¡± ¡°The royal family¡¯s heartlessness knows no bounds. They persecute mermaids, commoners, and oppress other races. We mermaids shall no longer pledge loyalty to the empire.¡± ¡°Release us! The mermaid army renounces its allegiance to the royal family!¡± As the voices of the mermaids resounded, the leader of the guards felt a lump form in his throat. He turned his gaze and beheld a fleet of aircraft approaching from the other side of the city wall. He knew that the rebel army had arrived to provide support. ¡°Open the city gate!¡± he bellowed.. ¡°Open the city gate! Do you truly wish to meet your demise here?¡± Chapter 228 - Chapter 228: Planning Chapter 228: Planning Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Tina had taken the lead, leading the rebel army¡¯s vanguard to meet the mermaid army. She had contemplated a potential forceful attack later on, but she hadn¡¯t anticipated the gradual opening of the city gate. As they watched the city gate inch open, everyone¡¯s hearts were in their throats. Only when the mermaids surged out did Zhou Ye finally feel a profound sense of relief. The east gate stood closest to Planet Golden Rice, accompanied by a sizable transport aircraft stationed nearby. It served as a crucial transit point, making it Zhou Ye¡¯s chosen rendezvous location from the start. Originally, Zhou Ye had anticipated another bloody battle, but the guards had grown accustomed to indolence over the course of a hundred years and lacked any real combat experience. Faced with over a thousand individuals and the rebel army¡¯s aerial forces, they were already paralyzed with fear, incapable of mounting any resistance. Zhou Ye swiftly guided the multitude of mermen into the aircraft. Before the royal troops could arrive, the aircraft had already taken off. In the palace, rage consumed the king upon hearing that the mermaids had been seized. ¡°Imbeciles! You¡¯re all useless!¡± As the king paced back and forth, not a single minister dared to approach him. They knew all too well that this matter would not be easily resolved. The empire¡¯s ability to contend with interstellar realms for many years rested largely on the mermaid army. However, mermaids constituted a minority, and the sudden departure of over a thousand of them dealt an undeniable blow to the empire. ¡°Keep a close eye on all remaining merfolk and the families of those who departed. Capture a few representatives and subject them to interrogation. There must be spies among them!¡± Several ministers swiftly departed upon receiving the king¡¯s orders. However, they encountered resistance from the merfolk as soon as they initiated their efforts. Many mermaids who had consumed the antidote chose not to leave. Additionally, some mermaids had discovered the transformative properties of Liao Ning¡¯s ancient delicacies. By consuming the Golden Toad, they gradually freed themselves from the clutches of the loyalty potion. The mermaids¡¯ resistance on Planet Empire grew increasingly fierce. Within a single day, the guards had already suffered several dozen casualties. Some of the mermaids held captive by the nobles had also begun to rebel, resulting in injuries sustained by a few Earls. Listening to the reports of the past few days, the king was plagued by an intense headache. This situation could no longer be resolved through mere suppression. ¡°Father, your afternoon tea is prepared.¡± Loya entered the room, holding an exquisite pudding and a cup of fruit tea. ¡°What are you doing here? You bring nothing but misfortune!¡± The king knocked the food out of her hands, his eyes filled with disdain. He had relied on this woman to manipulate the commoners, but now he found himself losing the mermaid army. Loya stooped down to pick up the fallen cup, her head bowed to conceal the malice in her eyes. When she looked up, her eyes were brimming with tears. ¡°Father, I have been useless and unable to share your burdens. But I never expected Liao Ning to assist the rebel army.¡± ¡°Liao Ning?¡± The king furrowed his brow. ¡°The ancient food live-streamer from the rebel army?¡± Loya nodded, feigning the wiping of tears. ¡°She mentioned during a live-stream that her ancient delicacies have detoxifying properties. It¡¯s possible she developed the antidote for the loyalty potion. Now that she¡¯s supporting the rebel army, it puts us at a significant disadvantage.¡± ¡°Clearly, you are utterly useless! If only you were more like Liao Ning, I wouldn¡¯t have lost the mermaid army.¡± As the king spoke, he hurled the fountain pen in his hand, striking Loya¡¯s forehead and causing blood to immediately flow. Clutching her bleeding forehead, Loya spoke plaintively, ¡°Liao Ning and I were sworn enemies in the past. She has always been proactive, seeking no personal gain. Perhaps she had prior knowledge and joined the rebel army. Otherwise, how could she have journeyed thousands of miles to Planet Golden Rice? She is an enemy of the empire. Without Liao Ning, the rebel army would never possess such formidable capabilities.¡± ¡°What are you insinuating?¡± The king narrowed his eyes, fixing them on Loya. Observing the king¡¯s intrigue, Loya hastened towards him and discreetly shared her plan, whispering into his ear. Upon hearing her proposal, the king appeared somewhat skeptical. ¡°Are you certain about this?¡± Loya smiled with unwavering confidence. ¡°Father, I have spent many years in the Interstellar Alliance, which has instilled me with confidence. Once Liao Ning is under my control, the rebel army will lose their leverage. The mermaid army will undoubtedly return..¡± Chapter 229 - Chapter 229: Returning to the Capital Chapter 229: Returning to the Capital Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Loya, accompanied by a few guards, returned to the Interstellar Alliance, feeling a mix of emotions she couldn¡¯t quite articulate. In the past, she had yearned for a permanent residence on the capital planet. Yet, upon her arrival at the empire, she realized that the opulent lifestyle of the royal family was truly what she desired deep down. However, she had a mission to accomplish this time. Failing to do so would mean forfeiting any chance of reclaiming her princess-like existence. Disguised through the use of an elven potion, she arrived at the administrative office of the Interstellar Space Primary School. ¡°Dear Madam Anna, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation,¡± the dean exclaimed with narrowed eyes as he received the check. Loya toyed with her hair, a coy expression adorning her face. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, really. It¡¯s an honor for me to contribute to the capital planet. You see, my family truly hopes to collaborate with your principal in the future.¡± The dean placed the check into his drawer and inquired, ¡°In what manner do you propose we collaborate?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a simple matter, really. I merely seek a few coveted enrollment slots for the future. As you know, prominent families place great importance on their children¡¯s education from a tender age.¡± Loya casually asked, ¡°I¡¯ve heard that the nephew of the renowned live-streamer attends your school. Despite being of kindergarten age, he¡¯s already in the third grade. Truly an exceptional prodigy!¡± Upon learning that she was inquiring about Liao Nai, the dean¡¯s smile grew even warmer. Ever since fans discovered that Liao Nai attended the Interstellar Space Primary School, numerous affluent families had followed suit, seeking admission for their children. The woman standing before him was just one among many who had made donations in exchange for enrollment opportunities. ¡°Liao Nai is indeed an exceptional student. Our school boasts several students of similar caliber.¡± Upon hearing the dean¡¯s response, Loya swiftly interjected, ¡°Is that so? I wonder if it would be convenient for him to give me a tour? I¡¯m keen to experience the school¡¯s environment and witness its educational achievements.¡± ¡°Coincidentally, their class has a physical education session later on. I can arrange for him to show you around during that time.¡± With that, the director went off to find Liao Nai, while Loya gave a subtle signal to the two guards by her side, indicating for them to stay vigilant. As Liao Nai laid eyes upon Loya, he squinted in suspicion. Though he had never encountered this woman before, there was a faint familiarity to her presence. The dean promptly spoke up, ¡°Liao Nai, please introduce Miss Anna to our school. ¡± ¡°Why should I? I have physical education class soon,¡± Liao Nai replied impatiently. ¡°This is better handled by the director. I¡¯m leaving.¡± Seeing him about to depart, the director hastily chased after him, leaving Loya to sit on the sofa, her gaze unfriendly. Indeed, he was an irksome child, much like his Auntie. Once again, Liao Nai was brought back by the director and seated in front of Loya. ¡°Why are you seeking me out? Tell me your motive.¡± Observing the miniature adult before her, Loya pressed her lips together and leaned closer. Speaking in hushed tones only audible to the two of them, she said, ¡°Don¡¯t you wish to save your Auntie?¡± Liao Nai remained silent upon hearing her words, his suspicion deepening. Loya, unperturbed, turned to the director and stated, ¡°I¡¯ll handle this. He¡¯s just a child who needs some persuasion.¡± The director hesitated initially, but considering that nothing untoward could occur within his office, he nodded and exited the room. Once the director was gone, Loya retrieved a box containing captured loyalty potion antidotes from her bag. She had already sampled the contents herself, but she was confident that the child who had been trailing behind Liao Ning would undoubtedly recognize the origins of these antidotes. Carefully opening the box, a rich aroma of fish soup wafted out, reminiscent of the seafood porridge Liao Ning had previously prepared. Only then did the suspicion in Liao Nai¡¯s eyes begin to wane slightly. ¡°My Auntie is in your custody?¡± ¡°She was abducted by the rebel army. I assumed you were already aware,¡± Loya replied, pushing the potion closer. ¡°They confiscated all her belongings, but she managed to sneak out only the soup she had made. She believed that you would trust me once you tasted it.¡± Liao Nai accepted the small box and cautiously sniffed its contents. The aroma did bear an 80 to 90% resemblance to Liao Ning¡¯s soup, although there was a subtle difference in the scent. Being vigilant, he decided to take a light lick of the soup. Yet, in the next moment, his vision blurred, and he collapsed, losing consciousness.. Chapter 230 - Chapter 230: Increase in Evil Value Chapter 230: Increase in Evil Value Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Seeing him regain consciousness, Loya smirked. ¡°As expected, the elven potion is potent. It works like a charm.¡± After ensuring that Liao Nai had fainted, she gestured to her bodyguards, instructing them to open the suitcase. Inside was a young creature¡ªa baby beast. Following Loya¡¯s commands, it transformed into an exact replica of Liao Nai and sat down on a chair. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s proceed,¡± Loya said, donning her sunglasses as the bodyguards escorted the fake Liao Nai out of the office. The director, concerned about any potential issues, had not strayed too far. Seeing Loya¡¯s departure, he quickly approached her. ¡°Miss Anna, aren¡¯t you interested in taking another tour of the school?¡± ¡°Dealing with a stubborn five-year-old can be quite challenging. He¡¯s not as cute as he appears on the livestream. Let¡¯s forget about it if he¡¯s unwilling,¡± Loya replied, sounding somewhat exasperated. With that, she nodded at the director and turned to leave. The dean glanced at Loya with a puzzled expression, then looked back at ¡°Liao Nail¡® in the office. Shaking his head, he allowed the fake Liao Nai to return to class. However, once the imposter reached a blind spot in the surveillance cameras, he vanished. The illusion beast had transformed into a sparrow and swiftly departed from the school. Liao Nai woke up to the jolts of turbulence. Fatigued, he opened his eyes and found Loya gazing at him impatiently. ¡°You¡¯re awake? The medicine¡¯s effects lasted quite long. We¡¯re almost at Planet Empire,¡± Loya informed him. Having resumed her princess appearance, Liao Nai recognized her instantly. His voice turned cold as he transformed into a wolf. ¡°You¡¯re Loya! What¡¯s your motive for kidnapping me? Did you kidnap my Auntie?¡± ¡°Calm down, child,¡± Loya waved her hand, and the guard promptly restrained Liao Nai. ¡°I abducted you so you could meet Liao Ning. While you happily attend school every day, have you ever considered how she has been living after being kidnapped?¡± Upon hearing about Liao Ning, Liao Nai managed to calm down slightly. ¡°Where is my Auntie?¡± Only then did Loya put on a gentle smile. ¡°She was captured by the rebel army. I¡¯m not lying. I asked for your help because I genuinely worry about her. I¡¯m doing this for your own good.¡± Liao Nai had transformed back into his human form and resumed his seat, regarding Loya with suspicion. Loya didn¡¯t feel the need to explain everything to the child. As long as he was in her custody, she had no doubt that Liao Ning would make her appearance. With him in her hands, what leverage would the rebel army possess? They continued their journey without delay and swiftly returned to the empire. Upon seeing Liao Nail s arrival, the king¡¯s eyes widened with surprise. ¡°This is Liao Ning¡¯s nephew? The Liao family from the Interstellar Space Alliance is truly exceptional. To transform into a wolf at such a young age¡­ they¡¯ll undoubtedly be a talented individual in the future!¡± Even among the Empire¡¯s aristocrats, such extraordinary abilities were scarce. The king had already begun plotting how to make Liao Nai pledge his loyalty. Loya couldn¡¯t miss the scheming glint in the king¡¯s eyes. She spoke up, ¡°If we can groom young Liao Nai to become a general of the empire, combined with the return of the mermaid army, our empire will undoubtedly grow stronger.¡± The king snorted. ¡°Indeed. It would be even better if we had a skilled ancient food researcher like Liao Ning.¡± ¡°Father, I can fulfill that role as well,¡± Loya asserted, gazing steadily at the king. ¡°You know I have no other options. You are my only choice, and I am your best option.¡± Upon hearing her words, the king nodded, and the disdain in his eyes faded away. He had chosen Zhu Fei because she had no other path and could wholeheartedly serve the empire. After all, was there any ancient food livestreamer he couldn¡¯t find? Loya had understood his mindset. Liao Ning had other options and the support of the Interstellar Space Alliance and the rebel army, but Loya didn¡¯t. She only had the empire as her way out. Liao Nai, who had been silently listening to their conversation, held back his anger. He needed to stay calm and devise a plan to rescue his Auntie. He couldn¡¯t allow these two individuals to manipulate him. With a smile, the king turned to Liao Nai. ¡°Take him away for now and treat him well. We¡¯ll need the assistance of Little Liao Nai tomorrow!¡± Loya attempted to reach out and hold Liao Nai¡¯s hand, but he shook her off and they both left one after another. ¡°You¡¯d better obey me without resistance. Otherwise, neither you nor Liao Ning will survive,¡± Loya threatened fiercely. Liao Nai remained silent from beginning to end, his gaze fixed on her with icy detachment. As Liao Nail s expression grew colder and colder, Liao Ning received a notification from her system. [Ding! System notification. The evil value of Rebellion No. 1 has increased to 20%.. Please take caution!] Chapter 231 - Chapter 231: I Will Definitely Save You Chapter 231: I Will Definitely Save You Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations When the notification sounded, Liao Ning felt a surge of panic. She had hoped that by deviating from the original plot, the villain¡¯s evil value would decrease to a safe level, ensuring her own safety. However, she hadn¡¯t anticipated that Liao Nails evil value would increase once again during her time in captivity. Would her mission ultimately fail? Having been kidnapped for an extended period, Liao Ning had been unable to inform the two little villains at home about her current situation, despite her attempts to contact Zhou Ye. The thought that Liao Nai¡¯s evil value would continue to deteriorate due to his family¡¯s absence left Liao Ning increasingly worried. She made up her mind that regardless of the circumstances, she had to reach out to Liao Nai first and prevent his further descent. Nervously, she arrived at Li Xian¡¯s office. Observing Liao Ning¡¯s approach through the surveillance cameras, Li Xian deactivated the feed on the Al and motioned for Tina to open the door. ¡°Miss Liao, you¡¯ve been a valuable asset to the rebel army,¡± Li Xian remarked with a smile, clearly in a jovial mood. ¡°We now have over a thousand mermaids who have joined our cause, all possessing formidable combat prowess. With their assistance, it won¡¯t be a challenge to overthrow the empire.¡± Observing his good spirits, Liao Ning spoke up, ¡®May I make a small request?¡± Li Xian¡¯s brows furrowed slightly, then he lifted his chin, signaling for her to continue. ¡°My nephew is only five years old. I¡¯ve been away from him for far too long. I would like to see how he¡¯s doing,¡± Liao Ning¡¯s voice trembled slightly as she spoke, her longing for Liao Nai evident. Li Xian was aware of her nephew¡¯s existence, but given the critical nature of their current situation, any potential risks to Liao Ning could jeopardize all her efforts. However, upon seeing Liao Ning¡¯s pleading expression, he found it difficult to refuse. Thus, he relented, saying, ¡°You may use the Al to communicate with him for two minutes now, but I must be present.¡± Liao Ning nodded with elation. It was the time when primary school ended, so Liao Nai should be home by now. Li Xian enabled the internet connection for her. Liao Ning swiftly initiated contact with Liao Nai through the Al, but after five minutes passed, there was still no response. Panic began to consume her. Seeing Liao Ning¡¯s anxiety, Tina quickly offered some reassurance. ¡°Don¡¯t be anxious. Perhaps the children are just being playful or the school might have some extracurricular activities.¡± Tina and the others had never received a conventional education since their youth, so they were unfamiliar with how elementary schools operated in the Interstellar Space Alliance. However, Liao Ning understood that Liao Nai was no ordinary child. Given the increase in his evil value, something must have gone awry. Just as Liao Ning was about to resume contacting Liao Nai, a message arrived from him. ¡°I have been kidnapped by Loya and taken to the empire. Auntie, don¡¯t fall for their deception. ¡± Liao Nai had used an encrypted communication method, preventing Li Xian from accessing the specific content. He could only see an emoji. Nevertheless, Liao Ning swiftly analyzed the message with the Al. She fought to control her emotions and respond calmly while inquiring about Liao Nai¡¯s well-being. In the next moment, Liao Nai called. ¡°Auntie!¡± Liao Nails voice carried a tinge of excitement. However, his hands were concealed behind his back, and his expression seemed somewhat forced. Liao Ning sensed that something was amiss and did her best to maintain a composed demeanor. ¡°Liao Nai, have you just finished school? Why didn¡¯t you answer the phone earlier?¡± As she spoke, she formed an emoji in code, sending a smiling face. ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. I will definitely rescue you.¡± Upon seeing the smiley face, a smile appeared on Liao Nai¡¯s face. ¡°Auntie, I just finished school. It¡¯s nothing. Don¡¯t worry about me. Don¡¯t worry about me.¡± Hearing his words, Liao Ning felt tears welling up in her eyes. She understood that Liao Nai was imploring her not to jeopardize her safety by attempting to save him. In a moment like this, this young child was genuinely concerned about her well-being. The room fell into a brief silence as Liao Ning and Liao Nai exchanged concerned glances, while Loya grew increasingly impatient. She motioned for the maid to speak. The maid approached the camera and offered a slight bow. ¡°Miss Liao, as per your instructions, I have been looking after Young Master Liao Nai. Rest assured, he is in good hands.¡± With a purposeful gesture, the maid displayed Liao Nails school uniform and the distinctive attire worn by boys in the empire. It was a subtle reminder to Liao Ning that Liao Nai had indeed been taken to the empire. Liao Ning took a deep breath and responded, ¡°Very well, I appreciate your continued care for him. I will make every effort to return as soon as possible..¡± Chapter 232 - Chapter 232: Meeting Again Chapter 232: Meeting Again Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Upon hearing Liao Ning¡¯s determination to save him, Liao Nai blinked hard and gently shook his head, signaling her not to jeopardize her safety for his sake. However, Liao Ning insisted, ¡°You¡¯re Auntie¡¯s only family. I will do everything I can to rush and see you as soon as possible. Don¡¯t worry.¡± Before they could exchange more words, the phone abruptly shut off, signaling the end of their two-minute conversation. ¡°The time is up,¡± Li Xian remarked. ¡°See? Your little nephew seems fine. You can rest assured.¡± He rose from his seat and deactivated Liao Nings Al. ¡°There are still many mermaids who haven¡¯t been administered the antidote. Our researchers are yet to determine the optimal concentration of the soup. We need you to continue in the laboratory.¡± Though Liao Ning had hoped to maintain contact with Liao Nai, it became apparent that Li Xian had no intention of allowing her further access to the internet. Reluctantly, she rose from her seat and begrudgingly followed him to the laboratory. Liao Ning was well-versed in the process of crafting clam fish soup, and with the aid of the fully equipped laboratory, she managed to refine the soup within an hour. ¡°Miss Liao, you¡¯ve worked hard,¡± a female voice chimed in, handing Liao Ning a glass of water. Liao Ning turned her gaze toward the voice and saw a small researcher from the laboratory¡ªan individual she had not interacted with before. ¡°Thank you,¡± Liao Ning accepted the water, noticing a small note attached to tne laoel. Clutching the water bottle tightly, her eyes widened as she looked at the researcher. ¡°I¡¯m Nana, one of the researchers here. I¡¯ve been assisting you for the past few days,¡± Nana mentioned, glancing at the label. ¡°If you need any help, feel free to let me know. I handle relatively simple tasks, so I can serve as your assistant.¡± Liao Ning remained silent, simply nodding in response. Nana offered her a warm smile before departing. Using the excuse of needing the restroom, Liao Ning discreetly unfolded the note in her hand. [Liao Nai is in the imperial family. If you want to save him, leave the room precisely at 12 p.m.] The note¡¯s concise content left Liao Ning perplexed. Her room was under constant surveillance by the rebel army, and the door could only be opened with Li Xian¡¯s authorization. How could she possibly leave? Moreover, even if she managed to leave the room, the rebel army camp was vast. How could she navigate her way to the empire? But dwelling on these thoughts was futile. Liao Nai¡¯s escalating evil value must be related to this situation. Liao Ning¡¯s foremost priority was to rendezvous with him and prevent further increase in his evil value. With that in mind, Liao Ning promptly placed the note in her mouth and swallowed it. She returned to her room and patiently awaited midnight. Unaware of Liao Nings unusual behavior, Li Xian assumed she was exhausted from her recent fish soup preparations and refrained from disturbing her. At midnight, the rebel army camp plunged into darkness as all the lights went out, leaving only the emergency lights activated. Liao Ning cautiously opened her door. True to her expectations, the door lock automatically released upon the power outage. As she took her first step outside, a voice whispered, ¡°Put this on and follow me.¡± Turning around, Liao Ning nearly gasped upon seeing Nana suspended in mid-air. ¡°Be careful!¡± Nana swiftly covered Liao Ning¡¯s mouth, and it was then that she noticed Nana was wearing an invisibility cloak. ¡°This cloak provides an hour of invisibility. Hurry,¡± Nana instructed, covering Liao Ning¡¯s head without further explanation. Liao Ning adjusted her cloak and donned her hat. Only then did she realize that not only could she see her surroundings, but she could also discern Nana, who was similarly cloaked. The power outage had thrown the rebel army building into disarray. People began streaming out, while patrolmen questioned others to assess the electrical issue. Suddenly, a group of mermen passed by Liao Ning, and one of them cast a sharp, cold gaze in her direction. When Liao Ning caught sight of his eyes, she was taken aback. He indeed possessed the allure of a handsome mermaid, but there was something familiar about his gaze¡ªit reminded her of Zhou Ling¡¯s eyes. Recalling Zhou Ye¡¯s earlier revelation about their utilization of the Zerg¡¯s shape-shifting abilities to confuse their adversaries, Liao Ning¡¯s excitement surged. Could it be that Zhou Ling was present here too? Yet, time was of the essence. She couldn¡¯t afford any delay. Her priority was to journey to the empire and rescue Liao Nai. Just as their paths were about to intersect, a thought struck Liao Ning, prompting her to pluck a few strands of her lengthy silver hair.. Chapter 233 - Chapter 233: Sami Chapter 233: Sami Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations She gently placed the strands of hair into Zhou Ling¡¯s hand, momentarily stunning him and causing him to slow down. ¡°Liao Nai has been kidnapped by the imperial family. I¡¯m going to save him right now,¡± Liao Ning hurriedly explained, knowing that Nana would periodically glance back at her, leaving no room for a lengthy explanation. She swiftly caught up with Nana. As she departed, Zhou Ling gazed at the silver strands in his palm and then in the direction where Liao Ning had vanished. ¡°Tim, why aren¡¯t you coming?¡± his companion called out. Zhou Ling discreetly pocketed the hair before hastening to catch up, leaving behind his lingering thoughts. Following Nana, Liao Ning arrived at a warehouse situated in the rebel army¡¯s backyard. To her surprise, a small military aircraft was parked inside. Nana had already discarded her cloak. ¡°Quick, get on board! This military aircraft can remain hidden for a few minutes, allowing us to ascend undetected. Beyond that, luck will be our guide.¡± ¡°Luck?¡± Liao Ning couldn¡¯t help but feel incredulous. Wasn¡¯t the royal family supposed to have a solid plan? Nana rolled her eyes at her. ¡°Do you think dealing with the rebel army is a walk in the park? They¡¯ve been fighting against the empire for years, and they¡¯re not as simple as you might imagine. I originally kept this aircraft as an escape option, but now it¡¯s yours.¡± As the aircraft¡¯s door sealed shut, it swiftly transitioned into an invisible state. Nana utilized her iris to activate the function and promptly initiated the aircraft. However, merely five minutes later, before the aircraft could depart the rebel army camp¡¯s airspace, power was restored on the ground, and their presence was detected by radar. Alarms blared, and searchlights and far-infrared lights converged on them. The aircraft¡¯s stealth capability was instantaneously compromised. Numerous patrol units boarded smaller aircraft within the camp, preparing to give chase. ¡°Stay put! I couldn¡¯t care less about you,¡± Nana declared as she accelerated the aircraft, propelling it forward with great speed. Simultaneously, Nana activated a small cruise bomb, dropping it onto the camp¡¯s ground below. With a deafening explosion, a gaping hole was blasted into the earth, injuring several nearby individuals. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Liao Ning rushed over, attempting to wrest control of the aircraft from Nana, but Nana forcefully shook her off. ¡°I don¡¯t have time to explain now. If you want to survive and reunite with your nephew, you better stay put,¡± Nana snapped. ¡°Restrain her.¡± Upon Nana¡¯s command, the handcuffs attached to the aircraft seat automatically unlocked and ensnared Liao Ning, securing her to the chair. Nana then hurled two bombs towards the pursuing aircraft, successfully hitting their targets. ¡°Woohoo! That was exhilarating!¡± Nana¡¯s voice brimmed with excitement. ¡°I¡¯ve had enough of them this year. Always preaching about equality in everything. I¡¯ll show them the cost of equality!¡± In that moment, a ferocious and sated expression appeared on her face. Thanks to Nana¡¯s bombs, the pursuing patrol team ceased their chase. The aircraft continued its journey towards the Empire, swiftly arriving at the Planet Empire. As they approached the city gate, Nana¡¯s aircraft was immediately recognized and allowed passage without any hindrance. They only touched down upon reaching the royal castle. Awaiting their arrival, the king and Loya stood at the landing site. The king¡¯s smile widened as he caught sight of Liao Ning disembarking from the plane. ¡°Just as I expected from Earl Sam¡¯s daughter, Sami. Welcome back,¡± the king greeted, extending his hand in a welcoming gesture. Meanwhile, Nana bowed respectfully. ¡°My dear king, it is my duty to serve the empire,¡± Nana said. Turning to Liao Ning, Nana introduced herself, her voice carrying a hint of menace. ¡°I forgot to properly introduce myself. I am Earl Sam¡¯s daughter. My true name is Sami.¡± She leaned closer to Liao Ning, tilting her body slightly. ¡°And let me make one thing clear: I despise mermaids above all else. Their stench disgusts me. What can mermaids do without you?¡± Reflecting on how Nana, or rather Sami, had previously assisted the mermaids with distributing the antidote in the laboratory with great enthusiasm and a warm smile, Liao Ning couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of disappointment. People were truly fickle and unpredictable. With a smile on his face, the king addressed Sami, ¡°Sami, you have made significant contributions to the empire. I am willing to grant your requests.¡± ¡°In that case, let¡¯s resume the mermaid operation,¡± Sami responded, a smile playing on her lips. ¡°Please arrange for a few more young mermaids to be prepared for me. After seeing Her Highness¡¯s video, I felt inspired and desired to conduct some experiments on them..¡± Chapter 234 - Chapter 234: Bewitchment Chapter 234: Bewitchment Translator: Henyee I ranstations Editor: Henyee I ranslations As Liao Ning observed Sami¡¯s excited smile, a shiver ran down her spine. When someone disguised themselves, it became nearly impossible to distinguish between a human and a demon. ¡°No, you cannot do this,¡± Liao Ning asserted, aware of her limited abilities and uncertain of the impact she could have, yet unable to remain silent. ¡°Of course I can. This is what the king has promised me,¡± Sami retorted, arching an indifferent eyebrow. ¡°Or perhaps, if you are willing to surrender the formula for the loyalty potion¡¯s antidote, I may consider sparing those repugnant merfolk.¡± ¡°Never!¡± Liao Ning clenched her teeth tightly. Fortunately, Li Xian had taken precautions. Only a select few core members knew the intricacies of the antidote¡¯s formulation. Others were engaged in peripheral tasks. If Sami were to obtain the formula, the merfolk would likely suffer once again. As the standoff between the two persisted, the king discreetly gestured to Loya. ¡°We have arranged a grand banquet in your honor, esteemed Miss Liao,¡± Loya stepped forward and bowed to Liao Ning. Liao Ning regarded her with disdain. The current Loya bore little resemblance to Zhu Fei, but the underlying hypocrisy in her gaze remained unchanged. Observing Liao Ning¡¯s lack of response, Loya maintained a smile on her face, although her eyes no longer held any genuine warmth. ¡°Your nephew has been eagerly awaiting your arrival for quite some time. It is natural for a child to grow restless. It would be best not to keep him waiting any longer.¡± ¡°Where is Liao Nai?¡± Liao Ning inquired anxiously. The thought of the little one enduring captivity within the expansive castle weighed heavily on her. Taking note of her apprehensive expression, the king nodded in satisfaction. ¡°You are our esteemed guest, and we are also your family. Let us enter first.¡± Liao Ning glanced at Sami once more before reluctantly following the king and the others into the castle. The empire¡¯s castle was adorned with precious treasures, and even the carpets boasted an array of embedded gemstones in vibrant hues. However, Liao Ning¡¯s focus wasn¡¯t on the grandeur surrounding her. Spotting Liao Nai at the end of the corridor, she swiftly made her way over. ¡°Auntie!¡± Liao Nai managed to break free from the waiter¡¯s grasp and rushed into Liao Ning¡¯s arms. Liao Ning held him tightly, seeking solace in his warmth. It provided her with a small measure of reassurance. ¡°Liao Nai, I¡¯m sorry. I have brought trouble upon you. Are you okay?¡± She gently stroked his hair, trying to comfort him. The little one did his best to bury his tear-streaked face in her shoulder. Looking up, Liao Nai, with teary eyes, replied, ¡°Auntie, you didn¡¯t bring trouble. We are family, and I am fine.¡± Witnessing his mature and heartrending response, Liao Ning¡¯s emotions overwhelmed her. She smiled gently and lifted the young boy up. ¡®Miss Liao, after such a long journey, I imagine you must be exhausted. Shall we discuss matters over a meal?¡± the king interjected, maintaining his smile. However, Liao Ning could discern the shrewdness lurking in his eyes, as well as the unfriendly gaze of Loya. ¡°Tell me, why have you brought me and my nephew here?¡± Her tone was less than pleasant. Just as Loya was about to interject a cautionary reminder, the king paid no heed to Liao Ning¡¯s demeanor. ¡°You are the esteemed ancient gourmet. I have perused all your works. Your culinary expertise is unparalleled,¡± the king gestured for Liao Ning to follow him. ¡°Ancient delicacies possess the power to heal mental afflictions. With the existence of the antidote, I must acknowledge your greatness. However, if you were to serve the empire, I can assure you a life of opulence. This includes your nephew¡¯s education within the empire, and I would even extend the offer for you to become a member of the royal family.¡± The king¡¯s words held a beguiling allure, but Loya glared fiercely at Liao Ning¡¯s retreating figure. She knew that once Liao Ning agreed, there would be no place for her within the empire. ¡°Father, I fear you are unaware. The Liao family possesses considerable assets in interstellar space. Miss Liao and her nephew are the sole heirs,¡± Loya interjected. Startled by Loya¡¯s remark, the king pivoted towards her, shooting an intense glare. He then redirected his attention to Liao Ning and continued, ¡°Nevertheless, a merchant¡¯s wealth cannot rival that of the empire. The Liao family may be a prominent business entity within the interstellar space alliance, but if Miss Liao is willing, they can ascend to nobility within the empire as well..¡± Chapter 235 - Chapter 235: The heavenly policy for the four elders for White Night (3) Chapter 235: The heavenly policy for the four elders for White Night (3) Translator: 549690339 Elder Tian and elder Xuan had already protected Bai Ye behind them. Elder Tian even pulled Bai Ye to his side and said, ¡°don¡¯t be afraid, girl. We¡¯ll help you. Bai Ye was stunned. After all, the four old men had come too quickly, and the situation had taken her by surprise. However, before she could figure out the situation ¡­ ¡°Aiyo! Master Huang, please check the situation. Yu Jiuchong was caught off guard, and it was obvious that he was already beaten up. How could he have thought that the four elders of Tianxuan would suddenly come and beat him up just after he and his wife had finished ¡°whispering sweet nothings¡±? This Kasaya Yu Jiuchong felt bitter inside, but he didn¡¯t have the time to say anything. He could only force himself to focus on dealing with the two elders ¡®pincer attack! After all, the two elders were obviously very angry, and he was afraid that he would be beaten to death if he didn¡¯t resist. ¡°Two masters, wait a moment. Let me explain.¡± However, even if Yu Jiuchong¡¯s combat strength was extraordinary, he could only deal with one of the four old men at most. How could he fight against two old men! ¡°Listen to my ass! Who asked you to bully Xiao Ye ¡®er? do you think she has no support?¡± Old Huang¡¯s fire almost burned a certain Wangye¡¯s crotch! Yu Jiuchong was so shocked that he didn¡¯t even have the time to speak. He could only try his best to defend against these two ¡®crazy old men¡¯. The result: Yu Jiuchong was, of course, beaten up! ¡°Pfft.¡± When Bai Ye saw the disheveled Yu Jiuchong with dark eye sockets, he couldn¡¯t help but laugh out loud. The Yu Jiuchong right now was a far cry from his usual handsome, elegant, demonic, and flirtatious appearance. It was simply too much! ¡°You¡¯re not angry?¡± Yu Jiuchong saw that Bai Ye was smiling, so he didn¡¯t mind his own embarrassment. ¡°Get lost!¡± However, when Bai Ye thought of how he had bullied him just now, to the point that he almost could not hold on, he spat at this perverted lecher and prepared to turn and leave. Anyway, the four elders of Tianxuan sect were obviously backing her up, so what was she afraid of? ¡°Ye ¡®er!¡± Yu Jiuchong immediately tried to pull him back, but he didn¡¯t succeed this time. Four ferocious-looking old men were standing between him and Bai Yu Jiuchong chuckled. It seemed like he wouldn¡¯t be able to coax his little wife back today. He could only blame himself for not being able to control himself. He actually had a reaction to ye ¡®er without the help of any medicine. ¡°You really are a beast.¡± Yu Jiuchong secretly looked down on himself, then apologized to Bai Ye through the four annoying old men, before returning to the Wang Residence under the eight ¡°high-pressure wires ¡® ¡°Little girl, how is it? Do you want to bring this kid back and beat him to death?¡± Sky elder asked Bai Ye. It sounded like if Bai Ye wanted to, they could kill Yu Jiuchong, this lecher. ¡°I don¡¯t mind, ¡± Bai Ye was amused when he heard this and replied directly. The four old men were stunned when they heard this. Bai Ye then laughed and said, ¡± thank you, seniors, for helping out, but if I really kill him, won¡¯t I become a young widow of a prominent family? ¡± ¡°Pfft, you little girl.¡± Elder Tian laughed and sighed, but he said meaningfully, ¡® if this kid really does you wrong one day, don¡¯t worry. We will beat him to death. Bai Ye looked at the old men in surprise. She didn¡¯t think that they would really kill Yu Jiu Chong for her. After all, they were on good terms with him. As for her, Yingluo. At this moment, Bai Ye still did not know that the four elders of Tianxuan had already decided to enter the Heaven¡¯s Will Manor for her. However, a certain Lord who had returned to the king¡¯s residence had clearly already guessed this outcome. hehehe. Yu Jiuchong looked up into the sky, his thin lips curved into a sexy arc, ¡°it seems that the old principal has kept the four elders. I wonder if it¡¯s because of their talent, or because of their identity. It was also at this moment. ¡°Your Highness!¡± Chapter 236 - Chapter 236: The Prajna celestial realm (1) Chapter 236: The Prajna celestial realm (1) Translator: 549690339 The guard, Zhufeng, came to report, ¡± the spies of the Qing family in the Imperial City, including Qing xuanying and Qing xuantian¡¯s confidants, have all been captured by the fifth family. Hearing this, Yu Jiuchong wasn¡¯t surprised. After all, Diwu clan had suffered a loss this time because of Qing xuantian¡¯s ¡± instigation Yu Jiuchong knew about the Qing family¡¯s background. The reason why he didn¡¯t do anything was because he wanted to let Bai Ye deal with it himself. this girl is really straightforward. She killed Qing xuantian directly. With father¡¯s imperial decree to put the Qing family in prison, the Qing family will be finished. If she doesn¡¯t do anything bravely, there will naturally be someone to help her hit them when they are down and double the punishment on the Qing family. Yu Jiuchong chuckled as he concluded. that¡¯s right. The princess Consort is smart. The Qing family is completely finished. Zhufeng didn¡¯t expect the Qing family to be destroyed just like that. He had originally thought that when the time came to pick up the Qing family, it would not be easy to deal with them because they were too complicated. Even if His Royal Highness were to make a move, he would probably have to come up with a ¡®just and honorable¡¯ name before he could completely destroy the Qing family. He didn¡¯t expect that however, Lord Qin is also very powerful. If not for the evidence, even if the Emperor wanted to attack the Qing family, he would not be able to do so without evidence. Zhufeng sighed with emotion. He had always thought that Mr. Qin was just a warrior. Yu Jiuchong chuckled. senior Brother Qin is indeed not to be underestimated. In fact, after investigating the Qing family, he had also ordered people to investigate Bai Ye¡¯s matter. He had wanted to find some evidence for her, but he had not expected that someone would get there before him. Now that he thought about it, the person who beat him to it was his senior Brother Qin. As he investigated further, he realized that the little one he was going to marry was not as simple as he thought. The Prajna village was not ordinary either. However, he could not find out what exactly happened. tell an Feng to keep an eye on the Qing family. Don¡¯t let any of them escape. If there¡¯s any mistake, kill them immediately. Yu Jiuchong reminded them and didn¡¯t put the Qing family in his heart anymore. After all, he had already sent his trusted guard, an Feng, to keep an eye on the Qing family¡¯s every move in the Qingyun state. Therefore, he knew exactly what had happened to the Qing family. However, Yu Jiuchong didn¡¯t expect that Di Wu Longhai would personally go to the Qing family. To be more precise, Yu Jiuchong was in love with Bai Ye and treated her like a precious pearl. Hence, he did not realize that there was something wrong with Qing xuantian¡¯s ¡®crazy¡¯ request to marry Bai Ye. At the same time. After parting ways with the four elders of Tianxuan, Bai Ye, who had returned to the Qin residence, finally found time to assess the changes in his body. ¡°Oh,¡± As Bai Ye¡¯s consciousness sank, she quickly entered the ¡°world¡± that Xiao Ling was in. However, this time, she was shocked by the scene in front of her! Why? This was because the world in front of him was basically the same as the outside world! And it was no longer that green and misty place! This Kasaya The soft grass, the gentle breeze, the warm sun, and Xiao Ling, who was sleeping not far away from her, as well as a small patch of Level 1 and Level 2 Spirit herbs that she had planted before. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Bai Ye rubbed the space between his brows. He really could not understand why this change had occurred. However, she could empathize with him and knew that this world seemed to have more spiritual energy than the green world from before. Therefore, she calmed her heart and felt it carefully. And her heart moved! The ¡®Bai clan Heart Sutra¡¯ in her body suddenly ¡­ ¡°Swish!¡± Chapter 237 - Chapter 237: The Prajna celestial realm (2) Chapter 237: The Prajna celestial realm (2) Translator: 549690339 ¡°Buzzzzzz!¡± It began to spin rapidly. Immediately after. ¡°Whoosh!¡± Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Bai Ye only felt that spiritual energy from all directions was like a raging tide in the vast sea, crazily crushing into her body at this moment! That terrifying sound gave her a huge shock. However, before she could react, the ¡°Bail s Heart Sutra¡± that was running on its own was like a greedy leech, crazily absorbing the spiritual energy into her body! ¡°Not good!¡± Bai Ye¡¯s expression changed, and she quickly sat down cross-legged in an attempt to stabilize the ¡°Bai clan Heart Sutra She knew very well that her body could not afford to eat and drink like the¡± Bai clan Heart Sutra ¡® However, Yingluo ¡°Buzzzzzz!¡± buzz, buzz, buzz! No matter how Bai Ye restrained himself, her heart sank as she realized that sne could not contam tne greed ot tne ¡°Bal clan Heart sutra¡± at all. At tms time, her meridians, acupoints, and dantian were already filled with a crazy amount of spiritual energy! If this continued . ¡°I will explode and die.¡± White night¡¯s expression was extremely ugly as he estimated his fate. However, this was too strange. Why would the ¡°Bai clan Heart Sutra¡±¡±harm¡± her like this? After all, if she were to die, wouldn¡¯t everything be over? ¡°No! I can¡¯t die.¡± How could Bai Ye be willing to be killed by her own cultivation technique? she used all her will to suppress the ¡°Bai clan Heart Sutra¡± with all her might. He had never thought. ¡°Weng Weng Weng Weng Weng¡± his heart meridian circulated even more rapidly, but- Bai Ye also sharply noticed that the blood flowing in her body was faintly spreading out. It was a faint layer of green, and there was even the faint sound of a Phoenix chirping. This Kasaya What was going on? ¡°Little Mao! Little Mao!¡± Bai Ye was completely confused by her own transformation. In addition, she was already unable to hold on any longer. She felt that her dantian was about to explode, so she could only ask Xiao Ling for help. However,¡±dead man¡± Ling was still sleeping soundly and didn¡¯t hear her scream at all! ¡°Damn it!¡± Unable to move little Ling, Bai Ye wanted to get up and kick her awake. However, the moment she moved, the spiritual energy in her body, which was already filled to the brim, exploded! ¡°Kacha, Kacha, Kacha.¡± Bai Ye could clearly hear the sound of her dantian shattering! This made her subconsciously look inside, and then she saw ¡­ A deep crack had appeared in her dantian. ¡°I¡¯m finished.¡± Bai Ye felt as if he had been struck by lightning. This was the only thought he had as he looked at the centipede-like crack. Even if White Night had no common sense, she also knew what the dantian meant to cultivators! It was as important as the heart! If the heart was said to be the center that maintained the flow of blood, it was the source of life. Then the dantian would be the center that maintained the circulation of spiritual energy, the foundation of cultivation! And now, Yingluo Such an important cornerstone had actually cracked. In that case, no matter how talented Bai Ye was, she would not be able to cultivate! This was even more serious than a broken Meridian. Not to mention ¡°Bang!¡± bang! Bang! Bang! Bai Ye could even sense in despair that the meridians in her body had exploded as well! It exploded! First, it was one, then two, then seven, eight, and then more! He was panicking. Bai Ye was completely flustered at this moment, because she was completely helpless! She didn¡¯t understand why. ¡°Little Mao! ¡°Xiao Ling ¡­¡± At that moment, Bai Ye could only cry out for Xiao Ling in despair, hoping that it would wake up! He could help her. ¡°Wu Wu Wu Wu..¡± Little spirit, who had curled up into a sleeping ball, finally responded this time! Chapter 238 - Chapter 238: The heaven’s scroll of wisdom (1) Chapter 238: The heaven¡¯s scroll of wisdom (1) Translator: 549690339 White Night was overjoyed! However, at this moment . Another ¡°Kacha¡± sound was heard. Bai Ye ¡± saw ¡± her dantian. Under her ¡± vision ¡°, it was like a delicate flower swept by a strong wind, instantly withering into bits and pieces. He didn¡¯t leave any fantasy for Bai Ye and shattered it just like that. It shattered. It shattered! As her dantian was destroyed, she felt a pain as if her flesh and bones were being cut. It spread from her dantian all over her body, along with her meridians, and swept across her entire body! ¡°Bang!¡± bang! Bang! Bang! All the meridians in her body also exploded at this moment! It exploded. All of them exploded! pfft-¡± a large mouthful of blood gushed out of Bai Ye¡¯s throat. ¡°Little ye ¡®er!¡± Little Ling, who had just woken up, was turned into a little red by Bai Ye¡¯s mouthful of blood! All that was left was a pair of big blue eyes, staring at White Night in shock and astonishment. At this moment, ¡°little Yingying¡± Bai Ye¡¯s consciousness was almost obliterated by the overwhelming pain. If not for her superhuman pain tolerance, she would have definitely fainted from the pain. His dantian shattered. His meridians were destroyed. This kind of pain was even more painful than cutting his flesh and wrist bone! However, White Night could still endure this kind of pain. However, Yingluo She couldn¡¯t bear it! The ¡®power¡¯ that was disappearing from his body. Because her dantian was shattered and her meridians were destroyed, she could clearly feel that the profound Qi that she had accumulated with great difficulty in her body was rapidly disappearing. This made White Night truly feel despair! It was a feeling of despair that was worse than death! Because Yingluo wouldn¡¯t allow herself to be a weakling! She would not allow it! She was startled. ¡°Xiao Ye ¡®er, don¡¯t be afraid! It¡¯ll be fine. Use your spiritual power to circulate the Heart Sutra. Xiao Ling¡¯s voice entered Bai Ye¡¯s mind at this moment. What followed closely was a gentle wave that was like a spring breeze that brushed into Bai Ye¡¯s mind. This was what it meant for her, who had fallen into despair, to be instantly jolted awake. ¡°Hurry up! Don¡¯t be dazed! Use your mental energy to guide the heart meridian!¡± Little Ling¡¯s voice suddenly became sharp! Like a sharp knife, it jabbed the dazed Bai Ye awake. Bai Ye¡¯s mind settled after being ¡°stabbed,¡± and he immediately followed Xiao Ling¡¯s instructions. Although she had the heart to guide the Heart Sutra, she simply couldn¡¯t do it! She couldn¡¯t even do it when she was fine, let alone now that she was in such a bad condition. ¡°Don¡¯t give up! You are its master, it should listen to you! Why are you panicking?¡± Xiao Ling angrily rebuked, but she knew that Bai Ye couldn¡¯t be blamed for this. Even it did not expect that the Heart Sutra would transform so quickly! This caught it unprepared and caught it off guard. However, things had come to this. The only way was to conquer! Fortunately, Bai Ye was very perceptive. After hearing Xiao Ling¡¯s words, she quickly changed her attitude. She quickly calmed down, and as if she had sensed something, her entire body¡¯s aura sank! Immediately after, a unique baleful aura, carrying a kind of ¡°I am the master of life and death, the king of Yan Luo Dian¡¯s ruling domineering aura,¡± emerged from Bai Ye¡¯s bones. With such an imposing manner! Little Ling was stunned. It stared at the young girl in front of it who had suddenly changed her aura like a stranger. For a moment, it thought that it had seen the King of Hell who had come from Yan Luo Dian to the human world! Especially- When Xiao Ling¡¯s eyes met the girl¡¯s, she was even more stunned! It was a pair of- Chapter 239 - Chapter 239: Two-person Live-stream Chapter 239: Two-person Live-stream Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations After discussing their countermeasure, Zhou Ling promptly reported the plan to the king. ¡°Haha, Olift, you truly are my lucky star!¡± The king¡¯s mood noticeably brightened upon learning that Liao Ning was willing to publicize the formula. ¡°But Miss Liao intends to conduct a live-stream. She wants to share the formula with the public,¡± Zhou Ling informed. ¡°What? Publicize the formula?¡± The king appeared somewhat hesitant. However, Zhou Ling had already anticipated this response and presented a solution. He spoke slowly, ¡°Considering that the rebel army already possesses the formula but has refrained from making it public, it suggests their intent to control the mermaid army. At present, the formula holds little value for the empire. What truly matters is the desires of the people.¡± Observing the king¡¯s expression soften, Zhou Ling continued, ¡°Furthermore, the initial stages of the Princess of Dawn¡¯s live-streams featuring ancient cuisine have garnered significant popularity among the people. I believe Your Majesty hopes for the commoners to overcome mental unrest and pledge their loyalty to the empire wholeheartedly. Now is the opportune time to disclose the antidote formula as a gesture of our sincerity.¡± Considering the past failures of Loya¡¯s live-streams and the fact that many civilians had joined the rebel army, the king pondered for a moment and agreed to Liao Nings proposal for a live-stream. Undoubtedly, the empire required the support of its citizens. Losing both the mermaid army and civilian backing would result in more losses than gains. However, the king did not consent to using Liao Ning¡¯s account for the live-stream. Instead, he insisted on utilizing Loya¡¯s royal account. ¡°Father, you can¡¯t do this!¡± Loya, aware of the situation, hurriedly approached the king. ¡°The citizens of the empire recognize this as my account. I am the princess of the empire. What will happen if Liao Ning conducts the live-stream?¡± Loya protested, sensing her position was being threatened. Losing her current account would equate to losing the support of the nobility. ¡°The account remains yours. I am merely borrowing Liao Ning¡¯s presence for a brief period,¡± the king replied, exhibiting a hint of impatience. However, until he was certain that Liao Ning would cooperate with him, it was necessary for Loya to maintain her current position. His tone softened slightly. ¡°Furthermore, your popularity extends to all of us. The current circumstances are exceptional. We must make it known to the merfolk and the people that Liao Ning is publicizing the antidote formula out of loyalty to the empire.¡± He waved his hand dismissively. ¡°You understand that as the princess of the empire, it is your duty to prioritize the interests of the empire. You may leave now. ¡± As Loya departed, the gloominess in her eyes dissipated. Indeed, Liao Ning couldn¡¯t be left behind. When Liao Ning and Loya appeared together in front of the camera, the live-stream exploded with activity. ¡°Who do my eyes behold? Can someone confirm if this is real?¡± ¡°But wasn¡¯t Liao Ning still part of the rebel army a few days ago? Why is she now with the imperial family?¡± ¡°Could Liao Ning have been kidnapped again?¡± ¡°The empire is so terrifying. What has Liao Ning gone through exactly?¡± Observing the comments expressing concern for Liao Ning, Loya couldn¡¯t help but feel a twinge of unhappiness, but she maintained a smile nonetheless. ¡°Todav, I have invited ¡®MV Child Is The Best¡¯ to join me in this live-stream. Today, on behalf of the royal family, we will be sharing with you the formula of the loyalty potion!¡± As soon as Loya finished her introduction, the number of viewers in the live-stream skyrocketed into the tens of millions. Not only were the netizens from the Empire tuning in, but individuals from various interstellar spaces had also joined to witness the event. [Has the antidote for the elven potion been made public just like that?] [Why did the Empire publicize the formula? Is it the formula of the rebel army?] [It¡¯s clearly a formula developed by Liao Ning!] [The mermaid is no longer under control. That¡¯s great!] [But didn¡¯t this princess pull out the fish scales of the little mermaid a few days ago? Would she be so kind?] [That¡¯s right. How can the royal family have such a vicious princess?] Observing the trajectory of the comments, Loya struggled to maintain her composure. Impatiently, she cast a quick glance at Liao Ning. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to start?¡± Loya, dressed in a vibrant red tube dress and silk gloves, appeared completely out of place, as if she had no knowledge of cooking at all. Liao Ning nodded with resignation and offered a sweet smile to the camera. ¡°The antidote formula we are unveiling today is quite simple. It is still the clam fish soup I shared with you before, but the ingredient proportions require attention.¡± Liao Ning, dressed in a simple white sportswear, exuded a refreshing aura. She presented the prepared golden clams. ¡°Golden clams possess detoxifying properties. When combined with deep-sea fish in a boiling soup, the high temperature and high -quality proteins effectively counteract the toxins found in the Golden Toad. This neutralizes the components of the loyalty potion..¡± Chapter 240 - Chapter 240: No Medicine Chapter 240: No Medicine Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations While Liao Ning explained the process, she swiftly executed each step with practiced ease. She had performed this maneuver countless times and was exceptionally familiar with it. Once the soup was ready, Loya arranged for the activation of the five senses sharing system. The viewers in the live-stream were able to experience the delectable clam fish soup once again. ¡°Indeed, ancient delicacies still rely on Liao Ning. Only she can create such a delicious soup!¡± ¡°I have attempted this recipe before, but it has never turned out this mouthwatering! Liao Ning truly deserves her reputation as the top ancient delicacy expert.¡± ¡°This ancient dish is both affordable and easy to make, with readily available ingredients. It surpasses the expensive ancient recipes recommended by this princess.¡± ¡°Look at how she¡¯s dressed. Does she even look like someone who can cook such incredible food?¡± ¡°If it weren¡¯t for the empire saving Liao Ning, we would never have known the antidote formula.¡± Loya interjected sarcastically, ¡°The royal family incurred significant losses by making the antidote formula public. However, in order to ensure the genuine loyalty of every mermaid, the royal family decided to disclose the formula. This is also Miss Liao¡¯s way of expressing gratitude to the royal family.¡± ¡°Alright, today¡¯s ancient food live-stream comes to an end. Stay tuned for the next episode featuring a new ancient recipe. I¡¯ll be waiting for you in the live-stream!¡± With a final smile directed at the camera, Loya concluded the live-stream and brought it to an end, denying Liao Ning any opportunity to address the audience. Liao Ning chose not to stoop to Loya¡¯s level. She had achieved her objective, firmly believing that the mermaids would soon comprehend her true intentions. Initially, the king intended to utilize the live-stream to win the people¡¯s hearts. At the very least, he expected the mermaids within the empire to cease their rebellion. However, he hadn¡¯t anticipated Loya¡¯s act of revealing the raw materials for the formula to Ke Lang in advance. Upon witnessing Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream, the merfolk eagerly set out to purchase the required ingredients, unaware that prices had already skyrocketed. ¡°What? The Golden Toad is priced at 10,000 star coins?¡± an enraged mermaid grabbed the collar of the shop owner. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing? Are you rebelling?¡± The shop owner showed no fear. ¡°Take a good look. Only the Sam family¡¯s shop possesses Golden Toads in the entire empire. Buy it or leave if you don¡¯t want to!¡± Several mermaids, who had consumed the antidote, attempted to argue with the shop owner, but the guards swiftly arrived, forcing the mermaids to disperse. Numerous mermaids who had yet to consume the antidote remained on Planet Empire, completely defenseless against the guards. In that moment, Loya answered Ke Lang¡¯s call with a smile on her face. ¡°Your Highness, you truly have a knack for business. With the Sam family buying out the entire Golden Toad market, the merfolk will have to spend a fortune to obtain the antidote,¡± Sam¡¯s voice rang out, exuding an air of self-satisfaction. At that very moment, he held a young mermaid in his arms. Many mermaids were willing to exchange their bodies for star coins in order to secure enough golden clams. Loya¡¯s voice dripped with disdain. ¡°That¡¯s nothing. Are you truly going to let the mermen slip out of your control?¡± Sam tightly pinched the mermaid beside him, eliciting a groan. Only then did he respond with satisfaction, ¡°Of course not. Mermaids are such obedient creatures. We can¡¯t allow them to escape our control. Following your instructions, I have infused a significant amount of Golden Shells into the golden clams. The antidote is rendered ineffective.¡± Loya¡¯s smile widened upon hearing the response she desired. ¡°Excellent.¡± The Golden Shell closely resembled the golden clams, differing only in minor patterns. However, the Golden Shell itself possessed a certain level of toxicity. When combined with the Golden Toad, it nullified the effects of the antidote. Regardless of how many Golden Toads the merfolk purchased, they would be unable to produce an effective antidote. Not only would the merfolk be incapable of rebellion, but they would also direct their anger towards Liao Ning. As anticipated, just two days later, a group of mermaids gathered in front of the royal castle once again. However, this time, they sought confrontation with Liao Ning. ¡°What is happening?¡± The king¡¯s anxiety grew palpable. Loya swiftly offered an explanation, ¡°Father, I have made inquiries, and the mermaids are claiming that consuming the antidote has been futile. Many of them have fallen ill.¡± ¡°How is that possible? Wasn¡¯t the rebel army using the same antidote formula? How could there be such a mistake?¡± The king had great faith in Liao Ning¡¯s expertise in ancient delicacies. Furthermore, the antidote research institute of the rebel army had already conducted studies on it, confirming the effectiveness of the ingredients. Thus, there shouldn¡¯t have been any issues. Loya countered, ¡°Father, appearances can be deceiving.. How can we be certain that the formula provided by Liao Ning is genuine? She might have been sent by the rebel army to undermine the royal family¡¯s standing with the people!¡± Chapter 241 - Chapter 241: Proving Her Innocence Chapter 241: Proving Her Innocence Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Upon hearing Loya¡¯s words, the king¡¯s expression grew solemn, and he pondered in silence. Meanwhile, the clamor of the mermen¡¯s resistance outside the castle grew louder and more intense. Observing the king¡¯s contemplative state, Loya hastened to speak, ¡°Father, over a thousand mermaids have already escaped. If the mermaids revolt once more, it will only bring further disadvantage to the empire. You must make a decision.¡± ¡°Your Majesty, I believe there¡¯s something suspicious about this.¡± Zhou Ling, upon learning of the situation, hurried to the king¡¯s presence. He looked at Loya with a distrustful expression. ¡°The price of golden clams has soared to over 10,000 star coins per unit. The merfolk can¡¯t afford it at all. The antidote provided by Liao Ning has been thoroughly tested by the rebel army. The content of her live-stream has remained virtually unchanged. There shouldn¡¯t be any issues with the antidote.¡± Though addressing the king, Zhou Ling¡¯s gaze remained fixed on Loya. Under his piercing stare, Loya felt a twinge of guilt, but she maintained her resolve. ¡°Why are you looking at me like that? I didn¡¯t do anything during the live-stream. It¡¯s Liao Ning¡¯s fault.¡± ¡°Are you certain?¡± Zhou Ling¡¯s voice turned chilly, a layer of frost forming in his eyes. Upon discovering Loya¡¯s true identity as Zhu Fei, Liao Ning had believed that she acted in the best interest of the citizens and had no intention of exposing her. Liao Ning had even destroyed evidence that could have proven Zhu Fei¡¯s identity, but Loya had attempted to harm her. ¡°Of course,¡± Loya replied, though for some reason, she felt an inexplicable sense of guilt whenever she encountered this mermaid. She dared not meet his gaze. Zhou Ling ignored her and continued addressing the king, ¡°The price of golden clams has skyrocketed, and now we have the incident of antidote poisoning. I believe someone is intentionally undermining imperial authority. Your Majesty, this matter must be thoroughly investigated.¡± After a moment of contemplation, the king inquired, ¡°What approach do you propose? The merfolk are currently outside the castle, and you shouldn¡¯t assume that everything will be fine just because we have the loyalty potion. Many of them have already consumed the antidote.¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t we have Liao Ning produce an antidote in front of everyone and arrange for a test subject to verify its efficacy? Since the royal family aims to win over both the merfolk and the people, this issue must be resolved flawlessly, providing the merfolk with a satisfactory explanation.¡± Upon witnessing Loya¡¯s flustered expression, Zhou Ling could roughly discern the situation at hand. He may not have known the specifics of Loya¡¯s actions, but as long as Liao Ning could prove her innocence, all of Loya¡¯s plans would crumble. ¡°No!¡± As expected, Loya swiftly objected. ¡°Father, an incident has already occurred with the formula. It¡¯s impossible for the merfolk to trust Liao Ning again. Instead, why don¡¯t we capture her and offer the merfolk an explanation? What if there¡¯s another issue with her antidote? Wouldn¡¯t that prove the ineffectiveness of the royal family in front of everyone?¡± Loya had made up her mind not to allow Liao Ning to make an appearance. Once she caught sight of the golden clams in the hands of the merfolk, she would undoubtedly discover the problem. ¡°If we need to demonstrate that the royal family is unaware, I can personally produce the antidote based on Liao Ning¡¯s method. This way, if any complications arise, it would only concern Liao Ning and have no bearing on the royal family.¡± The king¡¯s expression shifted upon hearing her words, seemingly swayed by her conviction. Swiftly countering, Zhou Ling interjected, ¡°If there truly is an issue with Liao Nings formula, it should be exposed publicly. Similarly, it would have no implications for the royal family. However, if someone is framing Liao Ning, it suggests a desire to undermine public support for the royal family. Perhaps there are hidden motives at play, aiming to overthrow the monarchy¡¯s rule.¡± ¡°What nonsense are you spouting?¡± Loya¡¯s voice turned sharp, momentarily forgetting her fear of Zhou Ling. She couldn¡¯t allow Liao Ning to be absolved of suspicion. Observing the two individuals before him, the king recollected the deal between Loya and Ke Lang. After pondering for a moment, he decided to let Liao Ning resolve the matter herself. Liao Ning was escorted to the king by the guards, while Loya glared at her with malicious intent. ¡°There¡¯s an issue with the antidote formula you provided. The mermaids are currently protesting,¡± the king¡¯s voice carried a hint of threat. ¡°I¡¯ll give you a chance. If you produce the antidote in front of the merfolk, I won¡¯t treat you unfairly. However, if you intentionally provide me with the wrong formula, both you and your nephew will meet your demise.¡± Liao Ning also heard the mermaid¡¯s protest in the room. She looked up at Loya and then at Zhou Ling before nodding. ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with my formula. I¡¯m willing to prove my innocence..¡± Chapter 242 - Chapter 242: Truth Chapter 242: Truth Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Liao Ning is a rebel army consultant. She wants to kill us.¡± ¡°Let her come out and give the merfolk an explanation. How can the royal family protect the rebel army?¡± ¡°Does the royal family want all the mermen to die? The royal family has to give an explanation!¡± ¡°Hand Liao Ning over! Hand Liao Ning over!¡± As the mermaid roared angrily, Liao Ning appeared on the platform on the second floor of the castle. The moment she appeared, the mermaid¡¯s roar became louder and louder. ¡°It¡¯s her! She gave us the poisonous antidote!¡± ¡°She¡¯s the one who raised the price! She doesn¡¯t give us a way out at all!¡± ¡°She deserves to die! Execute her!¡± Hearing the voices below the stage, Liao Ning was not afraid. She turned around and looked at Zhou Ling, who was standing behind her. He nodded at her, and Liao Ning smiled before taking a step forward. ¡°Everyone, I¡¯m Liao Ning.¡± Her voice spread through the speaker. ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with the formula for the antidote for the loyalty potion. When I was captured by the rebel army, I¡¯ve already tested it countless times. I believe many of you have also taken the antidote sent by the rebel army.¡± When the merfolk, who had been clamoring, heard her words, many people fell silent. Many people watched as their companions ate the antidote sent by the rebel army, especially the Lu Fei family. Almost all of them had taken the antidote and recovered. This could not be denied. Suddenly, a young voice sounded. ¡°But my uncle took the antidote, but he was poisoned yesterday. What happened?¡± As soon as the little mermaid¡¯s voice sounded, some of the mermaids whispered and questioned her. ¡°How did your uncle make the antidote yesterday?¡± Liao Ning squatted down and looked at the little mermaid. The little mermaid was not afraid. He raised the soup bowl in his hand forcefully. ¡°It¡¯s this clam fish soup. I spent a lot of money to make it according to your live-stream. ¡± Zhou Ling jumped down from the second floor, picked up the soup bowl in the little mermaid¡¯s hand, and quickly returned to the second floor to hand the clam fish soup to Liao Ning. Liao Ning scooped up the ingredients with a spoon and examined them closely. She noticed that the patterns on a few clams were different from genuine golden clams. ¡°These aren¡¯t golden clams,¡± Liao Ning exclaimed, ¡°but rather similar-looking clams that are poisonous. If I¡¯m not mistaken, someone mixed these counterfeit clams into the ingredients, rendering the antidote ineffective and causing people to get sick.¡± Her words ignited a wave of realization among the merfolk. Many mermen began inspecting the ingredients they had purchased, realizing that they too had unknowingly acquired the counterfeit clams, most likely from Earl Sam¡¯s shop. ¡°The patterns are indeed different!¡± ¡°I have them too, and they¡¯re definitely Golden Shells!¡± ¡°Count Sam is behind this! He¡¯s the one who plotted against us!¡± The blame shifted swiftly towards Count Sam as the merfolk voiced their condemnation. Meanwhile, Loya took advantage of the commotion to secretly attempt to contact Ke Lang through Al communication, but there was no response. Sensing the opportune moment, Zhou Ling addressed the crowd. ¡°Rest assured, the empire will provide a thorough explanation for this incident. Right now, Liao Ning will personally prepare a new batch of antidote. If anyone has doubts, you can witness it being made here. The empire will not let anyone go unpunished!¡± With a nod from Zhou Ling, Liao Ning swiftly gathered the necessary ingredients and began preparing the clam fish soup right at the event location. The mermaids below the stage watched her every move, and some even started recording the scene on their devices. Once the soup was ready, Liao Ning scooped a bowl and addressed the merfolk below. ¡°I believe many of you have already tried the clam fish soup method. Is anyone willing to try this new batch? I assure you, there is absolutely no problem with this antidote. I am willing to stake my life on it!¡± Her words stirred curiosity and trust among the mermen, and many eagerly volunteered to try the new antidote. At that moment, Loya exchanged a glance with a guard standing nearby. The guard immediately stepped forward, attempting to seize the fish soup from Liao Nings hand. Zhou Ling, however, swiftly intervened and grabbed hold of the guard¡¯s hand. ¡°What are you trying to do?¡± he questioned, suspicion etched across his face. ¡°N-nothing. It¡¯s nothing.¡± The guard did not expect someone to stop him and was a little flustered. Zhou Ling persisted, prying the guard¡¯s hand open to reveal a small packet of yellow powder hidden within his palm. ¡°Seize him!¡± Zhou Ling commanded, and several guards swiftly closed in on the suspicious guard. ¡°It wasn¡¯t me!¡± the guard protested, looking desperately towards Loya for assistance. Loya, seizing the opportunity, rushed forward, feigning a stumble as she collided into the guard, sending him tumbling to the ground. ¡°You dare to tamper with the antidote in the presence of the royal family?¡± Loya shouted, putting on a convincing act of righteous indignation.. Chapter 243 - Chapter 243: Calming Down Chapter 243: Calming Down Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Loya had already prepared a poisonous needle in her hand. It wouldn¡¯t kill anyone from the height of the second floor, but the poisonous needle in her hand could kill the guard. After that person fell to the ground, he struggled a few times but could not get up. In the end, he stopped breathing. At this moment, all the mermaids retreated and looked at the guards on the ground coldly. Only then did Loya stand up and elegantly dust off her skirt. She looked up at everyone. ¡°The empire will never allow any traitors to appear. This is what happens to people who want to harm the citizens of the empire.¡± Her words were powerful, but she did not receive everyone¡¯s approval. The mermaids still remembered how this princess treated the little mermaid. Seeing that no one was supporting her, Loya took the fish soup from Liao Ning¡¯s hand and drank it in one gulp. ¡°The empire invited Miss Liao to help its people escape the mental breakdown. I¡¯m willing to believe that there¡¯s definitely nothing wrong with her ancient delicacies. I¡¯m willing to use myself as an experiment for everyone.¡± No one expected the princess to do this. Many merfolk and commoners were moved- ¡°Who else is willing to give it a try? I dare to guarantee in the name of my princess that I can definitely help everyone recover.¡± Upon hearing Loya¡¯s words, the mermaid silently raised her hand. This time, Loya didn¡¯t tamper with it and got the guards to distribute fish soup to the mermaids. As Liao Ning had personally chosen the ingredients this time, and she had increased the concentration appropriately, the antidote effect was better. As expected, many people who drank the fish soup immediately saw the effect, and their expressions changed. ¡°Darling, you can laugh. You can laugh!¡± ¡°I can feel happiness. I have feelings now! ¡± ¡°I really got rid of the loyalty potion. It¡¯s unbelievable!¡± Cheers came from the mermaids from time to time, and the mermaids stopped resisting. The pressure outside the castle finally dissipated. The little mermaid who had spoken just now shouted at Liao Ning, ¡°Liao Ning, can I get a bowl for Uncle? He can¡¯t come over, so I want to bring a bowl back for him. ¡± Hearing her words, many merfolk also made a request. ¡°The golden clams cost 10,000 star coins per catty now. We really can¡¯t afford it. Can I bring some back too?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. In the past, it only cost a few star coins. Now, you can¡¯t buy it even if you want to.¡± ¡°Even if he bought it, I wonder if there¡¯s something else mixed in. He¡¯s really afraid of being poisoned!¡± Seeing that the matter had calmed down, the king appeared in front of everyone. He waved at everyone, indicating for them to calm down. ¡°There must be someone behind this incident. The royal family will provide everyone with golden clams for free. Miss Liao¡¯s formula has already been made public. Everyone can go back and make the antidote yourselves!¡± The king looked at Liao Ning again and said with a smile, ¡°Miss Liao is an ancient food researcher. The ancient delicacies she researches can help everyone treat mental breakdowns. In the future, Miss Liao will be a loyal friend of the empire and will live-stream every other day. I swear in the name of the king that the price of all ingredients will not increase. Every citizen of the empire can afford ancient delicacies!¡± As soon as the king finished speaking, guards carried a few boxes of golden clams and began to distribute them to the merfolk. Many commoners also received the golden clams. ¡°Long live the Empire! Long live His Majesty the King!¡± ¡°Long live the Empire!¡± The people who received the ingredients began to cheer, while the king watched all of this with a smile. Finally, he brought everyone back to the castle. The king said approvingly, ¡°Miss Liao, Olift, you did well.¡± ¡°I said that there¡¯s no problem with my formula.¡± Liao Ning nodded slightly and said, ¡°I¡¯ve already proven my loyalty. Then can you let my nephew go and let him be with me? My request isn¡¯t too much, right?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± The king was clearly in a good mood. ¡°I like this little fellow very much. I didn¡¯t imprison him. I only let him attend classes with the children of the nobles. I¡¯ll get someone to bring him here later.¡± ¡°Father!¡± Loya wanted to stop him. She knew that Liao Nai was Liao Ning¡¯s only weakness now, but she saw the king¡¯s threatening gaze. ¡°Miss Liao has already proven her loyalty to the empire. We have to give Miss Liao and the merfolk an explanation this time.¡± The king said to Zhou Ling, ¡°I¡¯ll appoint you as a lieutenant colonel now. Lead a team to Earl Sam¡¯s house to investigate this matter. You must give the citizens of the Empire a satisfactory answer, understand?¡± Zhou Ling nodded and left. Liao Ning was also brought to meet Liao Nai. At this moment, Loya really panicked. ¡°Father, Ke Lang works with the royal family.. You can¡¯t¡­¡± Chapter 244 - Chapter 244: Ke Lang Is Arrested Chapter 244: Ke Lang Is Arrested Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°What can¡¯t I do? Is he cooperating with the royal family or with you?¡± The king looked at Loya impatiently. ¡°You should know your position. If not for the fact that you¡¯re afraid of a scandal in the royal family, do you think you would still be alive?¡± The king stood up and said, ¡°You¡¯re on your own.¡± As she watched the king leave, Loya clenched her fists and put them down weakly. All her cheap shots, a cheap trick, were seen by the king. If not for the fact that she was still useful, she would have been executed long ago, but she could not do anything now. All of this was because of Liao Ning! Just as Loya returned to her room, someone from the Al suddenly sent her an email. It said, ¡°Miss Zhu Fei.¡± She opened the email in a panic, but when she saw the contents, Loya smiled again. At this moment, Liao Ning, who had been brought down, finally saw Liao Nai. The little guy was indeed not abused. He was wearing gorgeous court clothes, and there were a few servants following him. ¡°Auntie!¡± Liao Nai ran over, but he did not throw himself into Liao Ning¡¯s arms. Liao Nai stroked the little guy¡¯s head and said, ¡°You can be with Auntie in the future. Let¡¯s go.¡± Seeing that the few people behind him were about to follow, Liao Nai said unhappily, ¡°I¡¯m going back with Auntie. You don¡¯t have to monitor me anymore. Go down.¡± The guard beside Liao Ning nodded at them and they bowed before leaving. Liao Ning was a little surprised. As expected of the villain of this world. The little guy was only five years old, but he already had such a powerful aura. Even the imperial guards and servants were a little afraid of him. However, at the thought that the little guy¡¯s evil value had not decreased, Liao Ning immediately changed to a gentle tone. ¡°What do you want to eat tonight? Auntie will make it for you.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need. The royal family also has chefs. Auntie, just leave some for me in the live-stream in the future,¡± Liao Nai said softly. ¡°There are people monitoring everywhere now. Auntie, don¡¯t reveal too many ancient delicacies formulas to them.¡± Seeing the cautious expression on the little guy¡¯s face, Liao Ning shook her head helplessly. She wasn¡¯t afraid of the ancient delicacies recipe being made public, but she was concerned about when she would be able to return to the Interstellar Alliance. On that particular day, the empire¡¯s news reported that Count Sam¡¯s youngest son had privately increased the price and even sold the Golden Toad mixed with golden shellfish to the merfolk. On the other hand, Count Sam prioritized righteousness over his family. Not only did he donate a large sum of star coins to compensate the mermaids, but he also took the initiative to send Ke Lang to prison. ¡°Father! I¡¯m your heir. You can¡¯t be so heartless!¡± Ke Lang was already locked up in prison, with his expressionless father standing outside. ¡°You fool!¡± Earl Sam glared at him fiercely. ¡°Loya is just a small citizen from a trash planet. What benefit do you think there is in working with her? Your short-sightedness almost destroyed the Sam family.¡± Sami looked at Ke Lang disdainfully. ¡°Brother, you¡¯ve enjoyed a good life for so many years. It¡¯s time for you to pay for the family¡¯s sake.¡± When the king allowed Liao Ning to publicly create the antidote, Sami had already sensed that something was amiss. Observing Loya¡¯s abnormal behavior at the time, she deduced most of the story through a little investigation. In order to protect the Sam family, Sami suggested that Ke Lang take the blame, shoulder the responsibility, and accept all the consequences. ¡°You can¡¯t blame others for your stupidity. Loya is a princess, and the royal family won¡¯t make her mistakes public, so this mistake can only be attributed to the Sam family.¡± Sami glared at Ke Lang. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for the fact that I endured humiliation and joined the rebel army as a spy, do you think the Sam family would still exist?¡± Count Sam couldn¡¯t be bothered to look at his foolish son any longer. He turned around and left. Besides Sami, he still had an unknown heir. Even if his disappointing son died, it wouldn¡¯t matter. ¡°Father! Father! You have to save me. I¡¯m your only son!¡± Ke Lang continued to shout, but Earl Sam didn¡¯t turn around. Sami walked up to him and smiled coldly. Then, she turned to nod at the guard and left. ¡°Lord Ke Lang, I¡¯m sorry.¡± The guard went forward and opened the cell door. Ke Lang hid in a corner in panic. ¡°W-What are you trying to do? I¡¯m the count¡¯s son!¡± The guard¡¯s tone was apologetic. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but this was also the count¡¯s idea..¡± Chapter 245 - Chapter 245: Alliance Chapter 245: Alliance Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations The following morning, news of Ke Lang¡¯s suicide in prison spread. Sami, speaking on behalf of his father, promised that the Sam family would sell various ingredients to the empire¡¯s citizens at the lowest prices in the future as compensation for the mermaids affected by the incident. This helped calm the situation. By the time Sami found Loya, it was evident that maintaining her high status was becoming difficult because Sami had discovered her true identity. ¡°No need to be nervous. Ke Lang is already dead. You won¡¯t be implicated in this matter,¡± Sami reassured her. Sami looked down on Loya¡¯s pettiness and continued, ¡°I won¡¯t expose your identity either. We shall be allies from now on. Don¡¯t worry.¡± When Loya received an email from the interstellar space instructing her to contact Sami, with the promise of cooperation and the elimination of Liao Ning, she was initially skeptical. However, she was surprised to establish immediate contact with Sami. Not only did she rid herself of Ke Lang, but she also gained an ally. Nevertheless, after experiencing numerous twists and turns, Loya knew that there was no such thing as a free lunch. ¡°Why are you helping me? What do you want from me?¡± Loya asked cautiously, fully aware that people wouldn¡¯t assist her without expecting something in return. ¡°Heh, what can you offer me? Money? Status?¡± Sami found it amusing. ¡°We¡¯re simply utilizing your current identity to get rid of Liao Ning. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Surely, Your Highness is aware of that?¡± Loya asked curiously, ¡°Do you hold a grudge against Liao Ning?¡± ¡°That¡¯s none of your concern. Just know that our goals align,¡± Sami replied cryptically. Loya realized that individuals from the Interstellar Alliance were supporting Sami, particularly when she recalled that someone at the food competition had also desired Liao Ning¡¯s demise. She sensed she was glimpsing the truth. Since they aimed to deal with Liao Ning, they shared the same objective. Consequently, she inquired, ¡°What is your plan then? What do you need me to Only then did Sami reveal her plan with a smile. When Loya followed Sami¡¯s plan and approached the king with her proposal, he displayed no belief in her words. ¡°Is that truly what you think? Are you willing to be Liao Ning¡¯s assistant?¡± he questioned. Since Loya¡¯s arrival in the empire, her livestream had indeed captured the attention of the people and nobility. However, the king knew well that Loya was merely a self-centered woman seeking a place in high society. Liao Ning¡¯s presence posed a threat to her status, making it unlikely for her to readily accept the role of Liao Ning¡¯s assistant. ¡°Father, you¡¯re right,¡± Loya responded sincerely, gazing at him. ¡°I am indeed inferior to Liao Ning. The same was true in the interstellar space. Each of her ancient delicacies is unique, but I lack the ability to match her. However, the empire is my only path now. I am willing to learn the art of ancient delicacies for the empire and continue managing a royal food manor. I am dedicated to serving the empire.¡± The king remained skeptical, narrowing his eyes at her. After a moment, he spoke, ¡°Very well. Collaborate with Liao Ning to conduct an ancient food livestream every other day. Continue your work at the food manor. You may leave.¡± Having obtained the king¡¯s approval, Loya let out a sigh of relief. As long as the king still perceived her as valuable, she could live comfortably and also have an opportunity to eliminate Liao Ning entirely. Once Liao Ning was gone, she would be the sole remaining princess in the royal family capable of cooking ancient delicacies. At that time, she would be able to pursue her desires without constraint. Envisioning this outcome lightened her steps. She hurriedly made her way to Liao Ning¡¯s room. Upon seeing her enter, Liao Nai transformed into a wolf and snarled at her. ¡°What are you doing here? Get out!¡± Loya did her best to maintain a friendly smile. ¡°Liao Ning, I acknowledge my past mistakes, but I also desire to contribute to the people of the empire. I have informed Father that I will serve as your assistant in the future and am willing to learn the art of ancient delicacies from you. I hope you will be willing to teach me.¡± Liao Ning regarded her with disbelief. If this were the Zhu Fei of the past, she would never have uttered such words. Although Liao Ning was a little suspicious, she still stroked Liao Nails fur and said, ¡°My ancient food recipe is public to begin with. I have no objections if you¡¯re willing to learn it.¡± Upon hearing her words, Loya looked very happy. ¡°That¡¯s great! What are you doing for the live-stream today? I¡¯ll help you prepare the materials now.¡± Seeing that Liao Ning was silent, she quickly explained, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. In the future, the prices of the ingredients you make for ancient delicacies will definitely not increase. Ke Lang has already committed suicide to avoid punishment. No one in the empire will dare to do this again Chapter 246 - Chapter 246: Testing Her Skills Chapter 246: Testing Her Skills Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning regarded Loya with suspicion. If she hadn¡¯t known her true identity as Zhu Fei, she might have been inclined to believe her. Initially, Loya¡¯s livestreams did feature simple ancient delicacies, and she seemed genuinely motivated to benefit the empire¡¯s citizens. However, with the allure of power, status, and wealth, her original intentions had shifted. At this moment, her greatest adversary was Liao Ning. In an attempt to gain Liao Ning¡¯s trust, Loya pleaded pitifully, ¡°You must understand that I was discovered on a trash planet and am not a true princess. The imperial family is ruthless. If I¡¯m deemed worthless, I¡¯m nothing. Please give me a chance to be your assistant.¡± As Liao Ning gazed at the face before her, which bore no resemblance to Zhu Fei, she recalled that Loya¡¯s earlier livestreams had indeed aimed to help citizens cope with mental distress. Her heart softened. ¡®Very well, I will write down today¡¯s ingredient list.¡± ¡°No need for that. You can use the Al to send me the information,¡± Loya hastily interjected. ¡°However, the Al can only access the royal family¡¯s intranet and cannot disseminate the information publicly.¡± Liao Ning decided to give it a try. Indeed, the Al could connect to the internal local area network. Letting out a sigh, she concluded that having a restricted network was better than having none at all. She proceeded to send the ingredient list to Loya. Expressing her heartfelt gratitude, Loya then left Liao Ning¡¯s room. However, as soon as she stepped outside, her expression turned arrogant and disdainful. ¡°Prepare these ingredients and deliver them to the livestream room,¡± Loya instructed the maid by her side. ¡°Also, arrange for my attire during the livestream. It must be more exquisite and luxurious than Liao Ning¡¯s, do you understand?¡± ¡°Yes, Your Highness,¡± the maid nodded obediently, although she found herself in a difficult position. Previously, Loya would at least wear practical clothing suitable for livestream activities. Now, she insisted on upholding her princess status during the broadcasts, requiring lavish attire and makeup. How could she focus on preparing ancient delicacies? The maid covertly glanced at Liao Ning¡¯s door and surmised that the princess sought to suppress her. It seemed that she could only arrange the most ordinary clothing for Liao Ning. As the livestream commenced, netizens witnessed Loya adorned in an exquisite gown made of Glacier Silver Silk and silk lace, while Liao Ning stood before them in a waiter¡¯s uniform. ¡°Hello, everyone! My livestream is starting again! Today, Princess Loya will be my assistant,¡± Liao Ning announced. Observing Loya¡¯s attire, a profound sense of helplessness washed over Liao Ning. How could she effectively assist while dressed in such an extravagant gown? Would she simply be relegated to a decorative role? Netizens in the comment section were far from courteous. [If Liao Ning hadn¡¯t mentioned that she was the assistant, I would have assumed she was the main livestreamer.] [Of course, a princess dresses differently from ordinary individuals. She exudes an inherent noble aura. It¡¯s incomparable!] [Being an assistant is already demeaning for a princess. Who knows how unwilling she truly is?] [But dressing Liao Ning as a servant seems excessive, doesn¡¯t it? The stylist is in for a beating!] Having arrived in the empire, Liao Ning rarely interacted with netizens, choosing instead to focus on the livestream itself. ¡°Today, I¡¯ll be making a simple fresh vegetable and potato pancake for everyone. It¡¯s an easy and affordable recipe!¡± Following Count Sam¡¯s family¡¯s price increase, the cost of many common ingredients in the empire had surged. Liao Ning had assessed a few ingredients before settling on potatoes. However, the potatoes in this world were signiticantly larger than those in her previous realm. Each potato was the size of a watermelon. Unfortunately, due to their unwieldy nature and enormous size, hardly anyone purchased them for consumption. ¡°Peel the potatoes just as I¡¯m doing, and cut them into small pieces,¡± Liao Ning instructed. Lacking a convenient peeler, she resorted to using a dagger and swiftly transformed a large potato into small, diced portions, displaying her agility in the process. Loya, while passing over the ingredients, displayed a slight frown. Their ultimate plan was to ultimately ¡°bring¡± Liao Ning to justice. If she possessed such impressive skills, it could potentially complicate matters in the end. Lost in her thoughts, Loya failed to notice that Liao Ning had already started steaming the potatoes. Helplessly, Liao Ning looked at her and pleaded, ¡°Your Highness, could you pass me the next set of ingredients?¡± As per their pre-arranged process, once Liao Ning handled the current ingredients, Loya, in her role as the assistant, was supposed to commence the next step. However, she remained motionless. Noticing Liao Ning¡¯s slight dissatisfaction, Loya suddenly felt the need to test her skills once again. If she intended to capture Liao Ning in the future, she had to stay vigilant. ¡°Alright, these are the flour, pepper, and salt that we¡¯ll be using next,¡± Loya stated, passing over a crystal bottle containing the mentioned materials.. However, she ¡°accidentally¡± failed to secure her grip on the crystal bottle containing the salt¡­ Chapter 247 - Chapter 247: Connection Chapter 247: Connection Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning, who had grown frustrated with Loya¡¯s absent-mindedness, witnessed the crystal bottle tumbling towards the ground. Reacting swiftly, she extended her right hand, clutching a dagger. Miraculously, the crystal bottle landed safely on the blade, averting its fall. ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to,¡± Loya uttered apologetically. Shaking her head, Liao Ning set the crystal bottle aside and proceeded to pick up a spoon. ¡°Once the potatoes are steamed, we¡¯ll mash them to make delicious mashed potatoes. The spoon will be more convenient for this.¡± Liao Ning skillfully stirred the mixture of mashed potatoes. ¡°Next, we¡¯ll add half the amount of flour, a small spoonful of pepper, and salt.¡± ¡°For an added twist, you can incorporate your preferred vegetables. Personally, I¡¯ll include corn kernels, diced carrots, and spinach. Ensure the ingredients are evenly distributed through stirring.¡± ¡°If you desire a softer texture, you can add a little more flour, but be cautious with the quantity as potatoes are quite filling.¡± ¡°Afterward, allow the mixture to cool for a short while before shaping it directly. ¡± Liao Ning took a small portion of the mixture and formed it into a pancake. ¡°Remember how to make pancakes? I previously mentioned the importance of controlling the thickness of the small pancakes, as it affects how easily they fry.¡± She continued, ¡°In a lightly oiled pan over low heat, place the small round pancake you¡¯ve already prepared. Let one side cook until golden before flipping it over.¡± ¡°Once they achieve a golden color, similar to mine, they are ready to be savored!¡± As Liao Ning¡¯s culinary creation neared completion, the aroma of potato cakes permeated the livestream room. Loya silently observed each step taken by Liao Ning. Though seemingly straightforward, Loya hadn¡¯t considered that these ingredients could be transformed into ancient delicacies, let alone known how to prepare pancakes. In that moment, Loya couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Liao Ning possessed a treasury of ancient recipes. How else could she have conceived such a diverse array of ancient delicacies? And why was she willingly revealing all the methods to create them? As Loya reflected on Liao Ning¡¯s recent assistance, a seed of suspicion took root in her mind. How could someone who may just be an illegitimate daughter of the Liao Family possess such remarkable abilities? Was it possible that the Liao Family had been clandestinely grooming her all along? Could they be the ones behind the plot to eliminate her? Startled by her own conjecture, Loya feigned a cough and averted her gaze. However, her heart raced with anticipation. She felt she was getting closer to unraveling the truth. ¡°Then, let Princess Loya be the first to taste it!¡± Liao Ning reluctantly delegated the task of food tasting to Loya, as she was neither an assistant nor an interpreter for the livestream. ¡°Okay, okay!¡± Loya activated the five senses sharing system. Gracefully, she placed the small round cake on a plate, deftly sliced it into four portions using a knife and fork, and finally brought a morsel to her mouth. The potato cake melted in her mouth, delightfully crispy. The flavors of corn, carrots, and the robustness of the potatoes burst open her taste buds in an instant. ¡°Mmm, it¡¯s absolutely delicious! You must try it!¡± Loya maintained her elegant smile. The on-site staff had already received their orders. Liao Ning could only livestream without interacting with the online audience. Once Loya had finished tasting, the staff cooperatively fixed her radiant smile on the screen and concluded the livestream. One of the staff members whispered, ¡°Lady Liao, can I have a taste too? I was drooling just now.¡± ¡°Absolutely! I¡¯ve never had authentic ancient cuisine before!¡± ¡°She can¡¯t recreate such a splendid dish at home. She¡¯s no match for Lady Liao.¡± ¡°Indeed, the Imperial Gourmet Manor is so exorbitant that I¡¯d rather not even consider going there.¡± The empire¡¯s potatoes were known for their large size, allowing Liao Ning to make around 30 to 40 small pancakes. She kept a dozen for Liao Nai and Zhou Ling, sharing the remaining ones with the staff. The event venue buzzed with a lively atmosphere as the staff and Liao Ning engaged in cheerful conversations, no longer feeling like strangers. However, Loya¡¯s mind was preoccupied, prompting her to abruptly leave the livestream room. Restlessly, she paced back and forth, consumed by thoughts. If the Liao Family desired Liao Ning¡¯s demise and had been in collaboration with Sami for an extended period, it indicated a larger scheme at play. Furthermore, Loya realized she had unwittingly become a part of their plan, potentially serving as a mere pawn. These individuals held knowledge of her true identity, leaving her vulnerable to betrayal. Should the time come, the king could claim to have been deceived by her, leaving her with no escape. Frustrated, Loya activated the Al system and diligently searched for information on the Liao Family and Earl Sam. Yet, despite her efforts, she couldn¡¯t uncover any apparent connection between the two families. Suddenly, her eyes caught sight of a news article from years ago, igniting a glimmer of hope within her.. Chapter 248 - Chapter 248: Secret Chapter 248: Secret Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations The news article shed light on a pair of illegitimate children from the Liao Family¡¯s previous patriarch, who happened to be Liao Ning¡¯s grandfather. The patriarch had been framed and bore two illegitimate children, whom he never allowed to return to the main Liao Family. Instead, they were raised within a side branch. The elder siblings were then placed in the Liao Family¡¯s caravan. Tragedy struck when one of the girls fell victim to an attack by rebel forces, and her whereabouts remained unknown. However, the capable brother made his way back to the main Liao Family, positioning himself as a strong contender for the future head of the family¡ªLiao Chen. A gossip site sought to attract attention by sensationalizing the Liao Family¡¯s affairs, portraying Liao Chen, who was just a minor manager at the time, as more influential than reality dictated. But Loya understood that Liao Chen had since transformed. He now oversaw numerous properties of the Liao Family within the Interstellar Alliance. Although not officially registered under his name, his capabilities were evident. Loya¡¯s previous business ventures had connections to Liao Chen, who even managed a military factory on the capital planet. The sight of Liao Chen and Liao Xi together in the news struck Loya with surprise. Liao Xi bore a striking resemblance to the present Sami. If there were any connections between the Liao and Sam Families, it would likely be through this pair of siblings. If Liao Xi had not returned to interstellar space, it indicated that they harbored alternative plans within the empire. Liao Ning and Liao Nai had already been designated as heirs to Liao Jun¡¯s legacy. Considering Liao Nail s young age, Liao Chen regarded Liao Ning as his greatest threat. Loya meticulously analyzed the connections. While she hadn¡¯t yet unraveled the intentions behind Sami and the others, she grasped the core aspect. As long as she held Sami and the others¡¯ secret in her hands, she needn¡¯t fear being abandoned. Following the conclusion of the livestream, Liao Ning remained proactive. In addition to fostering a positive rapport with the staff, she began investigating the current state of affairs within the empire. As anticipated, significant turmoil erupted within the rebel army once she departed. Moreover, the empire had curtailed the supply of essential ingredients to the rebels, prompting a forthcoming mental breakdown among their soldiers. Upon returning to the room, Liao Ning discovered Zhou Ling and Liao Nai eagerly awaiting her. She presented them with the potato cakes she had made. ¡°Enjoy them while they¡¯re still hot, or they¡¯ll lose their crispiness later,¡± she lovingly patted Liao Nai¡¯s hair, and the little boy eagerly grabbed two pieces of pancakes with his hands, offering the remaining one to Zhou Ling. Confused, Liao Ning observed them closely as Zhou Ling removed the necklace from around his neck and set it aside. After a few minutes, he reverted back to his original form. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Liao Ning quickly locked the door, ensuring no one would stumble upon Zhou Ling. Zhou Ling smiled and proceeded to recount the entire story to her. Only then did Liao Ning carefully place the necklace back on him. ¡°Just be careful not to let anyone discover your true identity.¡± ¡°You¡¯re the only one who knows.¡± He approached Liao Ning, and she placed the necklace around his neck, causing him to transform back into a mermaid. Noticing Liao Nai¡¯s curious gaze fixed upon them, Liao Ning gently pushed him away and changed the subject. ¡®Will the mermaids rebel again? Is there any chance for us to escape?¡± ¡°The mermaids have been appeased, and the empire is currently stable,¡± Zhou Ling responded, his expression turning serious. ¡°I¡¯ve spoken with Zhou Ye, and he has taken the opportunity to send the deer back to the capital planet. The rebel army is in a weakened state and unlikely to launch an attack on the empire for the time being.¡± With the empire no longer in turmoil, their chances of escaping dwindled. Additionally, the interstellar space did not plan to directly oppose the empire. Worry clouded Liao Ning¡¯s gaze as she glanced at Liao Nai, her thoughts dwelling on how the system had failed to inform her about the decrease in Liao Nails evil value. ¡°Auntie, please don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll be fine. I¡¯ve been studying and training within the empire. If anything happens, I¡¯ll protect you,¡± Liao Nai assured her with confidence. Seeing the boy¡¯s unwavering conviction, Liao Ning forced a smile. ¡°Yes, you¡¯ve grown into a young man. Thank you for your efforts!¡± Liao Nails ears turned red. He grabbed a piece of potato cake and started to eat it with head lowered. Seeing the embarrassed look on his face, Liao Ning and Zhou Ling exchanged a look and smiled, showing a trace of happiness in each other¡¯s eyes.. Chapter 249 - Chapter 249: Strange Recipe Chapter 249: Strange Recipe Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations During this period, Liao Ning felt a sense of tranquility reminiscent of her time in the peaceful interstellar space. Though confined within the walls of the royal castle, she could still venture out with Liao Nai. Using Loya¡¯s account for livestreaming, Liao Ning had gained some knowledge about the interstellar space through her daily interactions with fans. However, Loya, who had previously served as her assistant, remained unconvinced. Despite having numerous followers on her own account, Loya knew they were drawn to Liao Ning, not out of genuine fondness for her. The king displayed considerable tolerance towards Liao Ning. As long as her requests were reasonable, he would fulfill them without hesitation. Even Liao Nai¡¯s training was conducted at the finest facilities within the royal family, guided by instructors from the empire. Considering the possibility of Sami being Liao Xi¡¯s daughter and the absence of the enigmatic Madame Sam, Loya believed it necessary to teach Sami a lesson, ensuring that Liao Ning wouldn¡¯t constantly steal the limelight. Upon encountering Sami, Loya voiced her discontent directly. ¡°You claimed to have a well-planned strategy. Am I merely meant to serve as Liao Ning¡¯s assistant, playing a supporting role?¡± ¡°What else can you do? Should I have the king eliminate her?¡± Sami sneered. ¡°Don¡¯t you understand your position? You may represent the royal family through Liao Ning¡¯s livestreams, but what if you become useless? My dear Lady Zhu Fei?¡± ¡°You! Lower your voice, or I¡¯ll drag you to hell!¡± Loya pointed at Sami fiercely, her words laced with determination. ¡°And be careful, dear Liao Family!¡± At the mention of the Liao Family, Sami¡¯s composure faltered. ¡°What do you know?¡± She swiftly regained control. ¡°Regardless of what you know, you can¡¯t accomplish anything without me. You¡¯ll be replaced by Liao Ning and discarded!¡± Faced with Sami¡¯s unyielding nature, Loya attempted to regain her composure. ¡°I¡¯m truly concerned. If this continues, the people of the empire will attribute the stabilization to Liao Ning¡¯s efforts, with no regard for my contributions or the royal family¡¯s involvement.¡± Sami scoffed dismissively. ¡°It¡¯s merely the calm before the storm.¡± Loya retrieved a worn-out ancient gourmet cookbook. ¡°I have an ancient gourmet cookbook here, made with green kale. Find a way to convince Liao Ning to use green kale in her next livestream.¡± Reluctantly, Loya carefully studied the recipes. The materials she had acquired from the company were only fragmented pages and photographs. This marked her first encounter with ancient delicacy recipes. She grumbled, ¡°Why would we give her such a valuable recipe? I can also prepare ancient dishes.¡± ¡°You fool! Do you think the Sam Family sold ingredients to the commoners at their original price just to solidify the royal family¡¯s power and promote Liao Ning?¡± Sami¡¯s impatience grew. ¡°Regardless, after this livestream, I guarantee that Liao Ning will provoke the anger of the people. You are the only ancient food livestreamer in the empire and the esteemed Princess of Dawn.¡± Back in her room, Loya remained puzzled about Sami¡¯s plan and the Liao Family¡¯s intentions. She perused the recipes once more before turning her attention to Liao Ning. As Liao Ning reviewed the recipe, she confirmed that it indeed contained instructions for crafting ancient delicacies. Though incomplete, the method for utilizing green kale was strikingly similar to her own knowledge. She didn¡¯t see any issue with it, but why hadn¡¯t Loya prepared it herself? ¡°Where did you get this recipe?¡± Liao Nai spoke up. He harbored a dislike for Loya, sensing that he had encountered this woman before. ¡°Ancient food recipes are incredibly valuable. I can¡¯t just share them easily,¡± Loya replied confidently, having prepared an excuse in advance. ¡°That¡¯s the imperial family¡¯s recipe. Originally, I was the one making the ancient delicacies, but now Liao Ning is the livestreamer. I agreed to be her assistant, so she becomes the main focus of everything.¡± To convince Liao Ning, Loya added, ¡°However, you should mention that the imperial family provided the recipe for your livestream. This particular dish is currently enjoyed by the imperial family as well. Don¡¯t assume you can take all the credit.¡± Liao Ning remained perplexed, but Loya¡¯s explanation made sense. She nodded in agreement. As soon as Loya left the room, a meaningful smile graced her face.. Chapter 250 - Chapter 250: Precaution Chapter 250: Precaution Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations After Loya¡¯s departure, Liao Nai approached the recipe and sniffed at it, expressing his concerns. ¡°Auntie, I feel like there might be a trap in here!¡± Liao Ning affectionately ruffled the child¡¯s hair. She too had her doubts, but given recent smooth events and Loya¡¯s lack of troublemaking, she couldn¡¯t be certain of Loya¡¯s intentions. However, when she saw the worried expression on Liao Nai¡¯s face, she smiled reassuringly. ¡°This type of green kale isn¡¯t poisonous or expensive, and it¡¯s quite easy to prepare. There shouldn¡¯t be anything wrong with the recipe.¡± Despite her reassurances, Liao Nai remained anxious. Liao Ning playfully pinched his nose. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, everything will be fine. Besides, didn¡¯t you promise to protect me, my little hero?¡± ¡°Yes, I will definitely protect you!¡± Liao Nai declared, patting his chest with determination. Before the livestream, Liao Ning decided to prepare stir-fried kale and had a few staff members taste it to ensure its safety. Satisfied that there were no issues, she made the decision to use the recipe provided by Loya during the livestream. She approached the livestream with great caution, meticulously checking every ingredient and seasoning. Loya, oblivious to Sami¡¯s plans, remained relaxed and dismissive. ¡°Ms. Liao, you¡¯ve livestreamed here numerous times. Surely you don¡¯t believe that the royal family would humiliate themselves in front of the entire online audience?¡± Liao Ning regarded Loya, observing her relaxed and impatient demeanor. It seemed that everything was fine. Was she simply overthinking things? Shaking off the strange notion, Liao Ning cleared her mind and instructed the staff to commence the livestream. The moment the livestream began, millions of netizens flooded in, eagerly tuning in to watch. [I am waiting for Liao Ning¡¯s live-stream every day. I miss Liao Nings own ID live-stream!] [I¡¯ve been eagerly waiting for Liao Ning¡¯s livestreams. I miss her original ID livestream!] [I tried the ancient food last time, and it was not only delicious but also affordable. It solved my family¡¯s problem.] [Liao Ning always thinks about us. She uses the most affordable ingredients.¡±] [Ever since I started making ancient delicacies with Lady Liao, I¡¯ve fallen in love with cooking as a mermaid. Ancient delicacies are amazing! ¡°] As Liao Ning¡¯s livestream gained more influence, netizens from the Interstellar Alliance flocked to watch. Even mermaids and elves who had never watched livestreams before became interested, resulting in a surge in popularity. Liao Ning maintained her gentle smile. ¡°Hello, everyone! Today, we¡¯ll be discussing ancient delicacies. Let¡¯s prepare a simple stir-fried green kale.¡± Green kale was locally grown in the empire and didn¡¯t require imports. Previously, it was mainly used as livestock feed, resulting in a low market price. [Isn¡¯t that for the singing birds?] [Can mermaids eat it too? One star coin is quite expensive.] [I have the same question! Can mermaids be included in the dish?] Amused by the comments, Liao Ning didn¡¯t know whether to laugh or sigh. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s edible! Green kale is packed with nutrients, refreshing, and delicious. It¡¯s also very affordable. You can prepare it in various ways.¡± She glanced at the expressionless Loya and continued, ¡°Green kale is also a common ingredient in ancient cuisine. Today¡¯s precious ancient recipe is provided by the imperial family, who also indulges in these delicacies.¡± Loya evidently hadn¡¯t expected Liao Ning to disclose that the recipes came from the royal family, leaving her momentarily stunned. Caught off guard by the attention directed at her, Loya stuttered, ¡°Yes, yes! I also enjoy green kale. It¡¯s so delicious!¡± Upon hearing Loya¡¯s panicked response and witnessing her disconcerted appearance, netizens mercilessly laughed at her. [My singing bird loves green kale too, hahaha!] [Look at her attire! She resembles a squawking rooster!] [Are all royals into such peculiar hobbies? This is hilarious!] While enduring the mockery in the comments, Loya maintained a smiling facade, yet she silently cursed the netizens. However, recalling Sami¡¯s words¡ªpredicting Liao Ning¡¯s imminent downfall¡ª and realizing that she only had to endure it for one more day, Loya forced herself to bear the situation. Soon enough, Liao Ning wouldn¡¯t be able to maintain her arrogance. Observing the comments, Liao Ning interjected, ¡°Today, I¡¯ll teach you how to prepare stir-fried green kale. It¡¯s delicious and easy to learn. I¡¯m confident you¡¯ll enjoy the taste once you try it..¡± Chapter 251 - Chapter 251: Poisoned Chapter 251: Poisoned Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°First, we need to prepare the green kale. Due to its size, we suggest cutting it into shreds. Alternatively, you can peel a leaf or two before shredding to make preservation easier.¡± Liao Ning made her best effort to cut open the green kale, while Loya stood elegantly, showing no intention of offering assistance. Liao Ning sighed inwardly. She didn¡¯t want to stoop to Loya¡¯s level. It seemed that the princess was determined to maintain her elegance until the end. ¡°Now, dice the scallions, ginger, garlic, and red peppers. Heat a small amount of vegetable oil in a pot, then stir-fry the scallions, ginger, and garlic over low heat until fragrant.¡± She added the sliced green kale and stir-fried it on high heat until it changed color. ¡°Add a suitable amount of salt and soy sauce, and it¡¯s ready to be served!¡± Liao Ning worked quickly. Stir-frying vegetables was a simple task, and she completed the dish within 10 minutes. The green kale and red peppers exhibited a beautiful color. ¡°The stir-fried green kale is done! Now, let¡¯s invite our princess to taste it.¡± Liao Ning gently pushed the plate towards Loya, who elegantly took a small bite and smiled. ¡°Green kale is truly delicious¡ªflavorful and affordable. The royal gourmet abbey will also feature this dish. Everyone is welcome to try it!¡± The livestream ended with a fixed shot of Loya¡¯s smiling face. Afterward, the staff gathered around. ¡°I can¡¯t believe green kale can be so enjoyable. It¡¯s truly astonishing!¡± ¡°Ms. Liao, you are incredible! You can turn anything into food!¡± ¡°Green kale is so affordable. If I eat ancient food every day, I might be able to save enough money to buy a large house in the empire within two years!¡± The staff members engaged in their own conversations, while Liao Ning prepared to give the small plate of green kale to Liao Nai. ¡°You can¡¯t take the dishes away today,¡± Loya suddenly intervened, pressing her hand down on Liao Ning¡¯s arm. Confused, Liao Ning asked, ¡°Why not?¡± ¡°This dish was provided by the royal family, and my parents havent tried it yet,¡± Loya confidently explained. ¡°You¡¯ve already given the rest to the staff, and I¡¯ll serve this plate to my father.¡± Without waiting for Liao Ning¡¯s consent, Loya elegantly picked up the plate and departed from the livestream room with her maid. Liao Ning watched her leave, puzzled. However, it was just a plate of green kale, and she could easily make more. Yet, when she went to gather the ingredients, she discovered that there were no more green kale in the livestream room. ¡°Where is the green kale?¡± Liao Ning inquired, turning to one of the staff members. ¡°The princess instructed us to collect all the ingredients after the livestream, and they¡¯ve been taken away. Ms. Liao, would you like more green kale? Shall I go zet some?¡± Following Loya¡¯s orders, the staff saw no issue with this. After all, the large quantity of green kale took up space in the livestream room, so it was natural to clean it up. However, Liao Ning couldn¡¯t shake off her sense of foreboding. She stashed the remaining green kale in her coat pocket and returned to her room. ¡°What are we having for today¡¯s meal, Auntie?¡± Liao Nai grew impatient. His rapid growth and daily training had increased his appetite. Liao Ning retrieved the snacks she had made a few days ago. ¡°Considering the circumstances today, can you have some snacks for now? I apologize.¡± The child wasn¡¯t fussy. He picked up the snacks and began to eat. Though the royal family had chefs who prepared ancient delicacies daily, the taste couldn¡¯t compare to those made by Liao Ning. Aware of Liao Ning¡¯s recent emotional state, Liao Nai offered consolation. ¡°Auntie, don¡¯t worry. I believe that Uncle will definitely bring us back home, and I will protect you too.¡± ¡°Alright, thank you for your understanding, ¡± Liao Ning replied, her hand gently caressing his hair. Yet, a lingering sense of unease persisted within her. The next morning, her suspicions were validated. In the early hours, the castle alarm blared, rousing Liao Ning from her slumber. As she opened her door, a sight greeted her: guards stationed at every entrance, standing on high alert. ¡°His Majesty has been poisoned! Secure the network and seal all entrances!¡± their urgent commands echoed throughout the castle.. Chapter 259 - Chapter 259: Confrontation Chapter 259: Confrontation Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Loya rushed to the king¡¯s side, assisting him until he gradually calmed down and recovered. Recalling the ministers¡¯ objections, the king¡¯s fury intensified. ¡°She was merely participating in state affairs to investigate the poisoning. Why did you stop her? Are you also involved in the poisoning?¡± His words sent shockwaves through the room. The First Prince bowed his head, deep in thought. Attempting to defuse the tension, the Queen intervened. ¡°We are a family. Let¡¯s not dwell on this any longer. It¡¯s a positive thing for your sister to share some of the burdens.¡± She turned to Loya and added, ¡°You are still young. If you have any questions, you can seek guidance from your three brothers. Your father and I are here for you. You may leave now.¡± Loya offered a slight nod and addressed the king, ¡°Father, I have arranged for the distribution of honey to the poisoned individuals. It is being distributed outside the castle gates. I will go and assess the situation.¡± The king closed his eyes, nodding in response. He appeared visibly fatigued as he reclined back on the bed. The Eldest Prince had initially intended to pass on the responsibilities to Loya, but seeing the king¡¯s lack of desire to continue, he had no choice but to depart. ¡°I¡¯ve seen you grow up on a barren planet, but I never expected you to possess such capabilities,¡± the Eldest Prince whispered into Loya¡¯s ear. ¡°I hope you understand your position.¡± Despite the Eldest Prince¡¯s fondness for his sister, her recent actions had veered off course, especially her desire to involve herself in politics, which directly affected the interests of the other princes. The ministers had reached a consensus that the Eldest Prince should assume governmental responsibilities. In the event that the king did not awaken, he would be next in line for the throne. However, Loya¡¯s introduction of the antidote, coupled with the king granting her involvement in governmental affairs, left the Eldest Prince feeling cautious. Feigning ignorance, Loya smiled and replied, ¡°Of course, I understand my position. I am the princess of the empire, and it is my duty to think of my father¡¯s well-being and make valuable contributions.¡± She offered a slight bow before continuing, ¡°Elder Brother, please excuse me. I need to distribute the honey.¡± Observing Loya¡¯s departure, the Eldest Prince narrowed his eyes, sensing the need to address certain matters. Meanwhile, in the live-stream room, Liao Ning perspired profusely as she worked on producing more antidotes. To expedite the drying process, they even utilized equipment from the laboratory, causing the temperature in the room to rise significantly. ¡°Auntie, let me help,¡± Liao Nai volunteered, transforming back into his wolf form and using his claws to crush the petals. Liao Ning wiped the sweat from her brow, expressing her concern. ¡°I wonder what¡¯s happening outside. Many people have been poisoned.¡± ¡°At least 10,000 people have been affected,¡± a staff member whispered. ¡°The staff in the live-stream room all passed away suddenly yesterday. I¡¯ve heard that many people outside were poisoned, but only a few dozen have died.¡± She glanced at the staff member beside her and, ensuring nobody overheard, approached Liao Ning. ¡°The person in the live-stream room died yesterday. My sister felt dizzy when she returned home, but she passed away this morning when she came to work¡­ Biting her lip, she fought back tears. ¡°My sister said you are a kind person, and she trusted you. I trust you too. I hope you can uncover the truth.¡± Witnessing her struggle to contain her sadness, Liao Ning felt a pang of discomfort. These people had lost their lives due to her actions, and she knew Loya was undoubtedly the culprit. Liao Ning nodded in acknowledgment. ¡°I won¡¯t let their deaths be in vain. I will pursue the truth.¡± After an afternoon of distribution, the royal family¡¯s honey had been distributed to nearly all affected households. Although the quantity provided was not substantial, it proved sufficient for detoxification. Loya emerged as the savior of Planet Dynasty. The entire palace treated her with reverence, and even the people of the empire began to speak highly of the Princess of Dawn. However, there were those who couldn¡¯t accept this turn of events. ¡°You fool! You¡¯ve ruined everything!¡± Sami confronted Loya as she was delivering honey to the royal family. ¡°You¡¯ve destroyed the plan. Liao Ning won¡¯t die now. Everything has been thrown into chaos!¡± Sami was clearly in a sour mood. According to the plan, Liao Ning was slated for execution in a matter of days. Once news of her and Liao Nai¡¯s demise was confirmed, the inheritance rights of the Liao Family would transfer to Liao Chen. Yet, all of these carefully laid plans had been disrupted by Loya. Sami glared at her, demanding an explanation. However, Loya appeared unfazed.. ¡°What¡¯s the purpose of her death? Why would I want her dead?¡± Chapter 260 - Chapter 260: Sacrificial lamb, scapegoat Chapter 260: Sacrificial lamb, scapegoat Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°We had a deal!¡± Sami¡¯s voice trembled with excitement. ¡°You agreed to my proposal, so why did you change the plan halfway? Do you realize the extent of the losses this will bring?¡± ¡°What does it matter? I am the princess of the empire. I can¡¯t simply stand by and watch the king perish, can I? If he dies, I¡¯ll be left with nothing.¡± Loya elegantly took a sip of her fruit tea. ¡°We¡¯re all driven by self-interest, and there are greater gains ahead. Why should I assist you?¡± ¡°You wretched woman!¡± Sami yearned to leap at Loya and tear her throat apart. ¡°Do you even comprehend what¡¯s happening with the king? The truth about the pollen will soon be revealed, and the Sam Family will be entrusted with transporting all the green sprouts. If the Sam Family crumbles, you¡¯ll face damnation! ¡± Sami approached Loya with an even fiercer expression. Yet, Loya remained undeterred. ¡°The king already knows I¡¯m not the true princess. He has entrusted me with governmental affairs and ordered me to investigate this matter thoroughly, If you want the Sam Family to remain unscathed and the Liao Family to be kept out of this, you¡¯d better choose your words wisely.¡± Upon hearing Loya mention the Liao Family once again, Sami¡¯s anger subsided. This woman possessed an alarming amount of knowledge, and now she had earned the king¡¯s trust. The situation was growing increasingly difficult. ¡°What is it that you want?¡± Sami inquired coldly. Rather than answering directly, Loya posed a question of her own. ¡°I heard that there used to be a queen in the empire.¡± ¡°What?¡± Sami stared at her incredulously. ¡°Zhu Fei, don¡¯t indulge in delusions! Do you think the king would hand the throne to an outsider? Stop daydreaming!¡± ¡°Perhaps the dream will become reality?¡± Loya regarded her with a half-smile. ¡°You and your mother have been residing with the Sam Family for some ulterior motive, haven¡¯t you? I don¡¯t know the exact intentions of the Liao Family, but if the royal family becomes our ally, perhaps our dream can come true.¡± Sami scrutinized Loya and realized she wasn¡¯t jesting. She cautiously asked, ¡°What do you want?¡± It was only then that Loya smiled. ¡°That¡¯s how negotiations should proceed. Since we¡¯re working together, I will undoubtedly protect you.¡± The following morning, Loya presented the results of her investigation to the king. ¡°Are you certain of this?¡± The king scrutinized the findings, harboring some doubts despite the absence of concrete evidence. ¡°Yes, Father, ¡± Loya responded respectfully. ¡°Count Bell¡¯s estate has been cultivating green kale, and the majority of green kale available in the market comes from their family. We also have evidence suggesting that Count Bell once kept a large number of elves and harvested pollen from the green sprouts. Due to the high toxicity of the pollen, almost all the elves in their family perished. ¡± The king¡¯s expression grew serious. He had received reports several months ago regarding the demise of the elves in Earl Bell¡¯s family. The elves were skilled in potion-making, and unless faced with fatal injuries, their deaths wouldn¡¯t occur in such large numbers. Moreover, Earl Bell had always been a supporter of the First Prince¡¯s family, so the king hadn¡¯t delved further into the matter. He believed that a family aligned with the Third Prince¡¯s faction wouldn¡¯t betray the royal family. However, the current turn of events cast doubt on that belief. ¡°Who gave you permission to search Earl Bell¡¯s residence? Do you have no respect for the royal family and nobility?¡± The Eldest Prince shouted at Loya, disregarding the king and failing to bow. ¡°How dare you!¡± The king, already suspicious of Earl Bell, became even more furious upon witnessing the Eldest Prince¡¯s behavior. ¡°Had it not been for Loya¡¯s investigation, we would have remained unaware of the Bell Family¡¯s rebellious intentions. They even poisoned me and attempted to harm the empire¡¯s citizens!¡± The king tossed the results of Loya¡¯s investigation toward the Eldest Prince. ¡°This is the family that supports you. Are you involved in this or not? Do you wish for my demise so that you may ascend to the throne?¡± Staring at the investigation results, the Eldest Prince glared at Loya. ¡®You fabricated this! The Bell Family would never engage in such treachery!¡± Before Loya could answer, the king¡¯s voice sounded again. ¡°They won¡¯t do such a thing.. What about you? Will they do this for you so you can take the throne?¡± Chapter 261 - Chapter 261: No Regrets Chapter 261: No Regrets Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°The Bell Family has been supporting you all these years, and they are offering money for you to inherit the throne. Do you think I¡¯m unaware of this?¡± The king¡¯s voice turned icy, despite his ongoing recovery. His regal presence and authority remained undiminished. Upon hearing the king¡¯s words, the Eldest Prince realized that he had lost his composure. He bowed and attempted to explain, ¡°Dear father, Earl Bell has always been dedicated to the royal family. He is your long-time friend, and you know him to be loyal.¡± The King scoffed. ¡°Loyalty? Is it to me or to you?¡± He couldn¡¯t fathom Earl Bell betraying him. However, observing the haughty expression on the Eldest Prince¡¯s face and recalling the minister¡¯s remarks from the other day when he had fainted, the king realized that everyone desired the Eldest Prince to ascend the throne. No one was concerned with saving him. Taking a deep breath, the king glanced at Loya, her head bowed. She had no way out, and he was her only means of escape. Consequently, she would exert every effort to save him. ¡°Loya, lead the guards to raid the Bell Family. Once you gather conclusive evidence, there¡¯s no need to report back to me. A portion of their assets will be distributed as compensation to the victims of the poisoning, while the remainder will be allocated to the national treasury. Earl Bell¡¯s immediate family shall face execution to provide the public with an explanation.¡± Excitedly responding to the king¡¯s command, Loya replied, ¡°Understood!¡± The Eldest Prince was about to interject, but Loya halted him. ¡°Elder Brother, Father has only just recovered. You wouldn¡¯t want him to become agitated again, would you?¡± ¡°It¡¯s all because of you!¡± The First Prince gritted his teeth. Yet Loya paid no mind. She respectfully bowed and departed, leaving behind a provocative smile. Aware of the king¡¯s temperament, the Eldest Prince refrained from further pleas for mercy. Instead, he swiftly left, attempting to contact the Bell Family in a bid to save some lives. Word soon spread that Earl Bell had colluded with the rebel army and contaminated the empire¡¯s supplies. However, a solitary figure discreetly removed her glasses and wiped away tears. This was the girl whose sister had tragically passed away. Liao Ning passed her a tissue and asked with concern, ¡°How are you holding up? Has your sister¡¯s family sorted everything out?¡± Taking the tissue, the girl shook her head, her tears flowing even more. Not pressing for more information when she remained silent, Liao Ning refrained from prying. However, just as Liao Ning was about to leave, the girl suddenly halted her. ¡°Lady Liao, I appreciate what you did earlier. I hope you can help me uncover the truth, so I can find peace before I die.¡± Confusion filled Liao Ning¡¯s gaze as she looked at her. Suddenly, a faint red glow flickered in her eyes, and within seconds, the guards opened the door to the live-stream room. ¡°Bell Minnie, your family has been identified as traitors to the empire. All members of the Bell Family are to be taken into custody. Arrest her!¡± ¡°What are you doing? She has been within the castle, innocent of any wrongdoing!¡± Liao Ning tried to argue with the guards, but her efforts were in vain. In the end, she could only watch as the little girl was apprehended, her eyes filled with fear and sorrow. While others among the staff were engrossed in their discussion, Liao Ning slumped into a chair, overcome with exhaustion. Suddenly, she felt something in her pocket. She reached inside and discovered a small, square object. [Ding! System Prompt: Congratulations to the host for successfully completing the dangerous mission. The mission reward has been delivered. Please check it.] Startled, Liao Ning wondered if this small object could be the system¡¯s reward, perhaps containing a mysterious clue about the Planet Dynasty. Before she could examine it further, Loya walked into the room, dressed impeccably. Adorned in an aqua-blue gown embellished with diamond-studded shoulders and matching aqua-blue gems adorning her head, Loya exuded elegance. Even her silk gloves were adorned with aqua-blue diamonds. She stood gracefully before the camera, casting a glance at Liao Ning and speaking in an oddly-toned voice, ¡°I have to attend to my father¡¯s needs, receive reports from the ministers, and capture the traitors. Don¡¯t you find it tiring, Lady Liao? You¡¯re merely preparing in the live-stream room, and yet you seem too fatigued to stand?¡± The nearby staff began showering her with flattery. ¡°Your Highness, I¡¯ve heard of your involvement in politics. You¡¯re the first princess in the history of the Planet Dynasty.¡± ¡°Yes, you¡¯ve worked tirelessly. You haven¡¯t fully recovered from the poisoning. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated princess.¡± ¡°Thank goodness you discovered the traitor; otherwise, many more lives would have been lost within the empire..¡± Chapter 262 - Chapter 262: Snow Fungus Soup Chapter 262: Snow Fungus Soup Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Upon hearing the staffs praise, Loya glanced at Liao Ning with a sense of pride and declared, ¡°Alright, everyone, you¡¯ve all done a tremendous job. Let¡¯s begin the live-stream.¡± Finally, Liao Ning rose to her feet and positioned herself in front of the camera. ¡°Greetings, everyone, and welcome to our live-stream!¡± Loya greeted with a warm smile as she initiated the opening speech. ¡°I hope all of you have successfully recovered from the poisoning. If not, we have prepared a plentiful supply of fire lotus honey. I worked overnight to produce a large batch, and Earl Sam generously contributed his own honey as well. It is sure to cure everyone.¡± Hearing Loya¡¯s words, Liao Ning could no longer contain her laughter. She and the staff in the live-stream room had toiled tirelessly throughout the night, with even Liao Nai lending a paw in wolf form. This princess truly knew how to claim credit. Yet the netizens were deeply moved by her words, particularly when they witnessed the Princess of Dawn personally distributing the honey. The people of the empire held a more favorable view of her. [I received the honey from the princess yesterday. I am so touched!] [Me too! I never expected you to go above and beyond for us!] [Which other royal family would do such a thing? Princess of Dawn, I stand by you!] [Yes, I support you too, Princess!] [Princess, you don¡¯t look well. You must not have rested enough while making the nectar yesterday, right?] Loya maintained her smile. She now understood the power of the people. As long as the citizens of the empire stood behind her, her dreams would come true. ¡°Thank you for your concern, but I must deliver a successful live-stream of ancient delicacies. I want the people of the empire to have access to healthy and affordable culinary delights from ancient times. I hope this will help everyone overcome their mental distress.¡± Loya delivered yet another passionate speech and concluded, ¡°Now, let¡¯s allow Ms. Liao to continue guiding us on how to prepare these ancient delicacies.¡± Liao Ning¡¯s expression tensed. She hadn¡¯t anticipated Zhu Fei¡¯s remarkable political acumen since arriving on Planet Dynasty. It seemed she would certainly garner votes for the Senate. Collecting herself, Liao Ning put on a smile. ¡°Thank you for your support. Today, we will be making lotus seed lily snow fungus soup. This dessert is suitable for all ages and has a delightful texture.¡± Following the incident, she had to exercise great caution in selecting ingredients. Although she knew those with ulterior motives wouldn¡¯t act for the time being, Liao Ning remained vigilant. The ingredients she chose were readily available on Planet Dynasty and could even be found by the roadside, minimizing the risk of tampering. ¡°Soak the lotus seeds and lily leaves you¡¯ve gathered in water for half an hour, ensuring they are thoroughly cleaned.¡± Next, she soaked the snow fungus for over 10 minutes, meticulously washing them. ¡°Start by boiling the snow fungus alone for approximately 20 minutes before adding the lotus seeds and lily petals.¡± They would also need to add some rock sugar. For those who preferred a sweeter taste, they could adjust the amount to their liking. ¡°Continue cooking for another 20 minutes, and it will be ready.¡± With the ingredients prepared, Liao Ning swiftly whipped up the lotus seed, lily, and snow fungus soup. Meanwhile, Loya stood a bit farther from the pot. Her attire felt cumbersome, and the intense heat had caused her makeup to smudge. Liao Ning continued patiently, ¡®Many people experience coughing fits when poisoned, and honey water can help alleviate coughs. However, honey is a precious resource. Hence, today, I am teaching you how to make this dessert, which can be enjoyed hot or cold, using easily accessible ingredients.¡± ¡°I hope that everyone can successfully recover from the poisoning, and I will exercise even greater caution when selecting ingredients in the future.¡± Many viewers in the live-stream were ardent fans of Liao Ning. Most of them trusted her and even sympathized with her. [Liao Ning, I trust you. I also purchased the green sprouts from the capital planet, and they are completely safe!] [Exactly! There¡¯s someone with malicious intent behind this. Liao Ning is innocent.] [Why hasn¡¯t Liao Ning returned yet? Has she been abducted by the empire?] [Why hasn¡¯t the empire released them? And why didn¡¯t they use Liao Ning¡¯s account for the live-stream?] As sympathy for Liao Ning grew among the viewers, Loya became increasingly irritated. In response, she served herself a bowl of lotus seed, lily, and snow fungus soup. ¡°Let me taste it first!¡± Taking a small bite, she smiled. ¡°I can¡¯t believe that ingredients found everywhere can create such a delicious ancient dish. You all must try it for yourselves.¡± Sensing Loya¡¯s impatience, the staff promptly ended the live-stream as she uttered her final words.. Chapter 263 - Chapter 263: Informant Chapter 263: Informant Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Loya slammed the bowl down with force. ¡°Ms. Liao, your role is solely to handle the live-stream. Don¡¯t say anything else.¡± She stormed out of the live-stream room, seething with anger. However, Liao Ning had no desire to engage in an argument with her. She reached into her pocket and retrieved the object that was placed inside. Realization dawned upon her that Minnie must have slipped something into her pocket during their conversation. Considering Minnie¡¯s words, Liao Ning felt that it could potentially be significant evidence. Hurriedly returning to the room, she locked the door and extracted the item from her pocket. It was a small, square object, no larger than her thumb, made of a solid material, and bearing the letter ¡°B¡± on it¡ªclearly belonging to the Bell Family. Liao Nai approached and inquired, ¡°Auntie, why do you have a noble¡¯s memory chip?¡± ¡°Memory chip?¡± Liao Ning asked in confusion. ¡°I learned about this from noble children. Each family possesses a memory chip that can store a vast amount of data. It primarily records important information within the family, stored in the control room of the family¡¯s core Upon hearing Liao Nai¡¯s explanation, Liao Ning inquired further, ¡°Is there a way to access its contents?¡± Liao Nai pondered for a moment before replying, ¡®You need to connect it to an authorized person¡¯s Al, and the owner must grant authorization using their biological data, such as iris scans or fingerprints.¡± Suddenly, Liao Ning recalled that Minnie had been wearing a pair of unfamiliar glasses while staring intently at her before being taken away. Could she have used those smart glasses to capture her iris information? With caution, Liao Ning activated the Al, connected it to the chip, and entered the identification page. She anxiously widened her eyes, awaiting the scanning process. [Ding! Identification successful. User: Liao Ning, authorized by Bell Minnie. Reading system information, please wait.] To their surprise, the chip contained only a small video despite their expectations of finding a wealth of secret information about the Bell Family. ¡°What? The borrowed elves are all dead? Hasn¡¯t the Sam Family offered an explanation?¡± exclaimed a portly man dressed in an Earl¡¯s gown, whom Liao Ning presumed to be Earl Bell. An attendant responded, ¡°Count Sam stated that he would compensate us for the loss. I heard that the elves were taken deep into the forest, and some sort of accident may have occurred. However, Count Sam has already provided us with a substantial amount of gemstones as an apology. What do you suggest we do in this situation?¡± ¡°He¡¯s being so generous?¡± The man glanced at the gemstones, growing impatient. ¡°Never mind, with the scarcity of elves these days, the Sam Family is fortunate to possess them. Let¡¯s transfer the gemstones to the army. The capital is facing a shortage.¡± The video concluded, and an attached page displayed Earl Bell¡¯s contract with the elves, bearing Earl Sam¡¯s signature. Liao Ning clicked on another video, which was somewhat blurry and clearly recorded in secret. The audio was intermittent, but she could discern the figures of Sami and another woman, lurking in a concealed corner and difficult to see clearly. Sami¡¯s voice could be heard. ¡°I underestimated you.¡± ¡°With this contract, the Bell Family will be implicated as the ones who poisoned you, as long as you execute it flawlessly,¡± the woman declared, waving the paper in her hand with an air of pride. Sami seized the contract and responded, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Earl Bell is doomed this time. The Sam Family won¡¯t give him a chance to stage a comeback.¡± ¡°Of course, with the assistance of the Liao Family, you will be safe. Remember your promise.¡± The recording ended with a freeze-frame on Sami¡¯s face. The cameraperson must have terminated the recording out of fear of being discovered. Then the system displayed an image of the contract between the Sam Family and the Bell Family. Although the picture was somewhat unclear, the contents were legible. The contract outlined the transfer of all ingredients from the Sam Family to the Bell Family for distribution, accompanied by the stamped seals of both families. Liao Ning gazed at the contract in astonishment. It had been signed just a few days prior to the incident involving the poisoning of the green licorice. It became clear why the green licorice had been sold through the Bell Family¡¯s shop. Earl Bell had been made the sacrificial lamb, a scapegoat. Particularly when the Liao Family was mentioned in the video, Liao Ning¡¯s heart skipped a beat. She had never imagined that the Liao Family held influence on Planet Dynasty. It appeared that Sami was a spy working for the Liao Family. Liao Ning lowered her head and glanced at Liao Nai, who wore an expression of deep concern. An increasing sense of unease enveloped her.. Chapter 264 - Chapter 264: New Mission Chapter 264: New Mission Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Ever since being abducted by the rebel army and subsequently arriving on Planet Dynasty, Liao Ning had never suspected any involvement from the Liao Family. In fact, it could be said that after the ancient food competition, the Liao Family had not caused her or Liao Nai any harm. Liao Ning had no desire to inherit the vast fortune of the Liao Family. Her sole fOcus was on raising Liao Nai safely and accomplishing her mission in this world. However, if the Liao Family was indeed connected to the poisoning incident, she would undoubtedly become their target. Loya had released her out of selfishness, granting her a chance at survival. Otherwise, with the Liao Family¡¯s methods, she would have undoubtedly perished this time, and even Liao Nai would not have survived. ¡°Auntie, does this have something to do with the Liao Family?¡± Liao Nai also observed the images displayed on the Al and sensed that something was amiss. Liao Ning gently stroked his hair. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I will handle this situation.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll protect you too,¡± Liao Nai proclaimed earnestly, his gaze fixed on her. Liao Ning returned the smile, but deep worry still lingered within her. The situation was dire. It seemed that the Liao Family would not let her go. As a result, both she and Liao Nai would be in danger on Planet Dynasty. At least, they would be protected once they returned to the capital planet, and Zhou Ling would be safer there as well. Liao Ning seized an opportunity to meet with Zhou Ling, and the two exchanged the latest developments. They were both taken aback by the revelations. Zhou Ling remarked, ¡°Liao Chen should be in charge of the Liao Family, but as far as I know, there has been no indication of any contact between him and Planet Dynasty.¡± ¡°Liao Chen?¡± Just as Liao Ning found herself puzzled, another system notification chimed in. [Ding! Congratulations to the host for unlocking a new mission: Rescue loyal subjects. Mission content: Rescue Earl Bell¡¯s family and expose the sins of the Sam Family. Mission reward: 2,000 system points, 50 million interstellar space coins. Additional mission reward: Obtain information about the Liao Family.] [Ding! System Notification: Liao Chen is Liao Ning¡¯s youngest uncle, the illegitimate son of Liao Ning¡¯s grandfather. He has one missing twin sister. Liao Chen possesses significant resources and power within the Liao Family.] Although the system didn¡¯t provide much information about Liao Chen, Liao Ning had some prior knowledge. It seemed that if she and Liao Nai were to inherit the family fortune, it would directly impact Liao Chen¡¯s interests. He could potentially be the mastermind behind all this. Worry etched across Zhou Ling¡¯s face as he spoke, ¡°Liao Chen maintains a low profile within the Interstellar Alliance, but he holds the same standing as the elders of the Liao Family. He should not be underestimated. You must be cautious. I will find an opportunity to send you and Liao Nai back.¡± Liao Ning nodded in agreement and suggested, ¡°Could you also investigate the connection between Sami and the Liao Family? Something feels off.¡± ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll look into it. Earl Bell is scheduled for public execution in three days. Hold on to the information you have and find an opportunity to expose it.¡± Liao Ning tightly gripped Zhou Ling¡¯s hands and slipped a small bag of biscuits into them. She blushed slightly and admitted, ¡°The ingredients here are limited, and you don¡¯t have to rely on nutritional supplements all the time. I made these for you.¡± Zhou Ling lowered his head and examined the biscuits in his hands. It may not have been much, but he couldn¡¯t help but smile. Meanwhile, Minnie endured torture in her cell. ¡°You were following me that day, weren¡¯t you? You captured images of the contract as well?¡± Sami taunted, holding a needle and repeatedly rubbing it against his palm. ¡°I¡¯ve seen the security footage. You were holding the camera, right? But where is the video file? You even copied the Bell Family¡¯s surveillance footage. Where is it?¡± Sami¡¯s voice carried a twisted gentleness, unsettling Minnie. Her eyes were bloodshot, but she remained silent. Despite the numerous marks on her body, Minnie refused to utter a single word. ¡°Minnie, you¡¯re just a distant relative of Earl Bell. You don¡¯t have to die for the Bell Family, do you? If you hand over the documents, I will plead for your family¡¯s safety. Minnie, you¡¯re a smart girl, aren¡¯t you?¡± The needle in Sami¡¯s hand traced back and forth across Minnie¡¯s face, cutting her skin and drawing blood. Observing the drops of blood, Sami¡¯s eyes glimmered with a mix of excitement and madness.. Chapter 265 - Chapter 265: Darling Uncle Chapter 265: Darling Uncle Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Just imagine it, this hallucinogen will not only force you to speak the truth but also make you suffer immensely, as if you¡¯re engulfed in flames, and you may even feel like you¡¯re being torn apart.¡± Sami¡¯s eyes gleamed with excitement as he examined the needle. ¡°It seems I¡¯ll finally get to experience it firsthand, won¡¯t I? Those who¡¯ve tried it before all died, and I couldn¡¯t get anyone to describe the sensation to me. I hope you¡¯ll be able to convey it in one breath.¡± Despite biting her lips, Minnie remained resolute in her silence. She knew that she would die today, but as long as the evidence in Liao Ning¡¯s possession was exposed, it would give the Bell Family a chance to make a comeback. Thinking of Liao Ning¡¯s death and her family¡¯s arrest, Minnie stared defiantly at Sami. ¡°You¡¯ll rot in hell!¡± ¡°Oh, is that so?¡± Sami thrust the needle into Minnie¡¯s vein. ¡°Then I guess you can get a taste of hell.¡± The cell echoed with screams mixed with sadistic laughter, even causing the hardened guards to wince. After a prolonged period, Minnie¡¯s screams ceased. Sami kicked the leopard lying on the ground. Unable to withstand the torture any longer, Minnie transformed back into her beast form. ¡°You¡¯re still alive? The Bell Family is truly resilient. How can a branch family member transform into a black panther?¡± Just as she was about to continue the torment, Sami received a message from Liao Chen through the Al. [Confirmed: Zhou Ling is on Planet Dynasty. We need to resolve this issue promptly and bring him back to Liao Nai.] Sami brushed the dust off her hands, then leaned down and whispered to the battered Minnie on the ground, ¡°I¡¯ll let you live a little longer. Think carefully before speaking, or else you¡¯ll truly descend into hell next time.¡± Back at her residence, Sami contacted Liao Chen using the Al. ¡°Uncle, can you confirm Zhou Ling¡¯s whereabouts?¡± The Al screen switched to reveal a thin man. He had white hair like Liao Ning, ¡°I have contacts within the military. The Al chip that Zhou Ling took from the military has been traced. One is on Planet Dynasty, and the other is on Planet Golden Rice.¡± Suddenly, the man appeared to be in great discomfort. He furrowed his brow and pressed his temples. ¡°Uncle, is your condition worsening again?¡± Liao Chen waved his hand dismissively. ¡°Liao Ning is in the capital, and the Al chip should be with her. The other person from the rebel army must be Zhou Ling. We can¡¯t allow them to cross paths.¡± Liao Chen had been informed by the military that Zhou Ling had taken two mini Al chips to rescue Liao Ning. However, he remained unaware that Zhou Ye was still alive, and both Zhou Ling and Liao Ning were currently on Planet Dynasty. ¡°I will find a way to eliminate Liao Ning as soon as possible, and I will bring Liao Nai back to you swiftly,¡± Sami stated with a resolute expression. The bloodline of the Liao Family was formidable, but not everyone could endure its power. Liao Chen and Liao Xi¡¯s mother had drugged the head of the Liao Family and conceived children with bloodline defects. These flaws had become increasingly apparent as the siblings grew older. Only the pure white wolf bloodline within the Liao Family could aid in their purification. The reason Liao Nai had never been hunted down was because he possessed the sole pure bloodline of the Liao Family. ¡°How is your mother?¡± Liao Chen suddenly inquired. Sami¡¯s expression turned somber. ¡°I¡¯ve tried various medicines and even the blood of elves, but none have been able to halt her aging process. She¡¯s currently in a comatose state, Uncle¡­¡± Her voice trailed off as tears welled up in her eyes, and she could no longer continue speaking. Liao Xi had always been frail, and her illness had manifested earlier than Liao Chen¡¯s. Throughout the years, Liao Chen had claimed to search for various remedies to cure their conditions, but in truth, she had always used Liao Xi as a test subject. After consuming countless poisons and antidotes, Liao Xi¡¯s body had grown increasingly weak, causing her to age at an accelerated rate. Two years ago, Liao Xi had fallen into a deep slumber, and Sami had been forced to join the rebel army in search of a cure. However, despite the passage of time, no solution had been found. ¡°Let¡¯s seize an opportunity to experiment with Liao Nails blood. It¡¯s only a rumor that the bloodline of the Liao Family can rectify these defects. No one has ever truly tested it before.¡± Liao Chen massaged his temples, mustering a few words. ¡°Inform me when it yields results.¡± The Al screen abruptly went dark, but Sami¡¯s face contorted with disgust. ¡®Yes, dear uncle of mine..¡± Chapter 266 - Chapter 266: Working Together Chapter 266: Working Together Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations One day had passed, yet Liao Ning was still at a loss as to how to save the Bell Family. Her Al was unable to transmit any information, and she hesitated to retrieve the Al chip from Zhou Ling, fearing the risks involved. Furthermore, Loya¡¯s surveillance made it nearly impossible for Liao Ning to make contact with Zhou Ling. She could only hope for some flaws in the live-stream that would allow her to expose the contents of the incriminating video to the public. While pretending to gather ingredients for the upcoming live-stream, Liao Ning made her way through the castle. She discreetly glanced at the prison located in the basement and quickly moved on. Compared to the previous day, there was an additional team of guards stationed at the prison entrance, indicating that Earl Bell was indeed being held there. As she was about to turn the corner, Liao Ning¡¯s attention was drawn to a rustling sound coming from the stairwell. She honed in on the noise and discerned faint, hurried breaths of several individuals. Narrowing her eyes, Liao Ning prepared to investigate the situation when she was intercepted by the Eldest Prince. ¡°Lady Liao,¡± he said with a tinge of anxiety. ¡°Where are you headed?¡± Liao Ning remained silent, her brows furrowed as she sensed a possible collusion between the Eldest Prince and the security guards. ¡°You cannot roam freely within the royal castle. Return to your room!¡± Urgency tinged the First Prince¡¯s voice. With only five minutes remaining until the shift change, the First Prince sought to create an opportunity for his men to rescue Earl Bell by diverting Liao Nings attention. ¡°I am going to the kitchen to check on the ingredients for the live-stream. I have the right to move about the castle freely, and you have no authority to stop me.¡± Liao Ning remained composed, her gaze scanning her surroundings. Suddenly, she noticed that the surveillance cameras overhead had ceased their usual blinking. They had been deliberately deactivated. The Eldest Prince grew increasingly nervous, but before he could utter a word, Liao Ning took the initiative. In a hushed tone, she spoke, ¡°There is an additional team of guards at the entrance of the prison in the basement, and there may be more individuals inside. We must not act hastily.¡± ¡°What are you talking about? I don¡¯t understand,¡± the Eldest Prince attempted to mask his surprise, but Liao Ning saw through his unease. Aware of the Eldest Prince¡¯s connection to the Bell Family, she realized he was unaware of the guards¡¯ presence. Realizing that the incriminating evidence couldn¡¯t be made public, Liao Ning turned her attention towards the corner where the ambushers lay in wait. Continuing, she said, ¡°Even if he manages to escape, Earl Bell will forever be a scapegoat, sacrificed for the sake of others.¡± ¡°Are we simply going to let the Bell Family be condemned?¡± The Eldest Prince ceased his pretense upon hearing her words. ¡°This has nothing to do with you. Earl Bell has been framed, and I must save him. Just pretend you haven¡¯t seen anything. ¡± Determined to let the ambushers carry out their plan, he brushed aside Liao Ning¡¯s warning. ¡°I possess evidence!¡± Liao Ning stopped him in his tracks. ¡°I have evidence proving Earl Bell¡¯s innocence. If this evidence is made public, he will not face execution the day after tomorrow.¡± The Eldest Prince regarded her with confusion. Liao Ning had been abducted, and he could only speculate on the King¡¯s intentions. He never expected this woman from the Interstellar Alliance to aid him. Guiding the Eldest Prince to a secluded corner, Liao Ning produced the video from her Al. ¡°Sami! It was the Sam Family¡¯s doing!¡± The Eldest Prince clenched his fists, his voice filled with determination. ¡°Give me the video, and I will make them pay!¡± Liao Ning motioned for him to lower his voice and spoke softly, ¡°You cannot reveal the evidence just yet. We must catch them off guard.¡± Hearing her words, the Eldest Prince forced himself to regain composure. Liao Ning¡¯s assessment was correct. Given his close ties to the Bell Family, if he were to present the evidence, the King might execute them preemptively. He took a deep breath and asked, ¡°What is your plan? If you need anything, just tell me. As long as you can save the Bell Family, I would owe you a favor.¡± Liao Ning thought for a while and said, ¡°I have a live-streaming show tonight, and I am going to post the evidence online, but I don¡¯t have anyone I can use..¡± Chapter 267 - Chapter 267: Hawthorn Cake Chapter 267: Hawthorn Cake Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations In the current situation, the assistance of the First Prince and others seemed unlikely for the Bell Family in obtaining evidence. The Sam Family appeared to be prepared, requiring the Bell Family to catch them off guard. If all the evidence could be revealed during the live-stream, even the king would be unable to cover up for the Sam Family. The Eldest Prince had also considered this situation. With the Sam Family now controlling the transportation route of Planet Empire, allowing them to continue dominating could have repercussions on the Empire itself. ¡°Alright, leave this to me. My men will meet you at the live-stream room,¡± assured the individual in charge. The couple exchanged nods and departed. Liao Ning felt an overwhelming nervousness. She was uncertain if the plan would succeed, considering its implications on the Bell Family¡¯s lives and her own mission. The Liao Family had already initiated their actions. Liao Ning needed to gather information about the Liao Family¡¯s activities, enabling her to counter their moves effectively. Heading to the kitchen to prepare some hawthorn juice, she returned to the room only to find Liao Nai missing. After inquiring with the guards, she discovered that Liao Nai had been taken to attend a noble class. Liao Nai frequently joined classes with children of nobility, and it was during one of these sessions that he had learned about the memory chip. While Liao Ning didn¡¯t think much of it at the time, she now focused on preparing for the upcoming live-stream in the evening. To meet the Eldest Prince¡¯s men promptly, Liao Ning arrived at the live-stream room early in the morning. As expected, there were two unfamiliar faces present. Approaching her, one of the men carried a large pot of hawthorns. ¡°Lady Liao, these are the hawthorns you requested. Please inspect them for any issues.¡± Liao Nai avoided eye contact, meticulously selecting hawthorns one by one. The others present remained oblivious to the interaction between the two. At that moment, the man spoke up, ¡°I have been sent by the Elder Prince to assist you. I will implant the virus into the system, allowing you to temporarily share the documents with your Al. However, you¡¯ll have a maximum of one minute, so prioritize the crucial content at the beginning.¡± ¡°Understood,¡± Liao Ning replied succinctly. The man hesitated before speaking, ¡°Also, regarding the virus¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ve already implanted the virus beforehand. I don¡¯t know you, so there¡¯s no need to worry,¡± Liao Ning reassured him. Placing the selected hawthorns on the work table, she added, ¡°You can take these down. I¡¯ll handle the rest myself. ¡± Surprised, the man nodded and departed with the remaining hawthorns. Loya arrived a bit late that day. She had been occupied with numerous tasks and had reaped many benefits from her actions against the Bell Family. Her efforts had gained recognition from the people, and she had even engaged in extensive charity work. As a result, the Princess of Dawn had become highly popular among the empire¡¯s citizens. To showcase her elegance, she was still dressed up, donning a white dress that matched the hawthorn¡¯s ancient delicacy as today¡¯s ingredient. The skirt and bodice featured intricate red gem inlays, and her earrings were adorned with large red gems as well. ¡°Are you ready?¡± Loya picked up a hawthorn and pursed her lips. ¡°Where did you find these peculiar recipes? Liao Ning had an important task ahead and didn¡¯t want to argue. She simply stood by Loya¡¯s side, remaining silent. Loya scoffed and initiated the live-stream. ¡°Welcome back, everyone! Today, I have prepared a simple yet delectable ancient dish for you ¨C hawthorn cake.¡± Liao Ning began explaining the procedure with a smile. ¡°First, you need to select the ripe red hawthorns and thoroughly wash them. Remove the cores and stems before choosing the best red hawthorns for enhanced flavor. Next, fill a pot with water and add the processed hawthorn pulp. Allow it to simmer over low heat for approximately 20 minutes.¡± As Liao Ning began cooking the hawthorns, the man who had met her swiftly proceeded to implant the virus into the Al system of the live broadcast room. Once he finished, he signaled to Liao Ning that the task was complete. However, Liao Ning refrained from immediately connecting to her Al. She needed to ensure that all the crucial images were shared within the final minute. She engaged the netizens in a discussion about the various effects of hawthorns, allowing the full duration of 20 minutes to pass. ¡°Time¡¯s up after 20 minutes. Let¡¯s let the hawthorns cool down for a moment, and then we can use a blender to puree them into a smooth consistency..¡± Chapter 268 - Chapter 268: Video Release Chapter 268: Video Release Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations As the blender¡¯s noise grew louder, Liao Ning utilized her Al to connect with the live-stream, successfully synchronizing the broadcast. ¡°The fruit paste is ready! Now, pour the paste back into the pot and add a specific amount of white sugar. Keep stirring over low heat.¡± Observing the mixture¡¯s viscosity and the appearance of bubbles would indicate its readiness. Next, prepare around 20 grams of lotus root powder, dissolve it in cold water, and pour it into the pot while continuing to stir. Eventually, a sticky liquid would form. ¡°We will now transfer the pulp into a container and let it cool. Once it solidifies, we can cut it open and enjoy.¡± As the popularity of the ancient food live-stream increased, the functionalities in the broadcasting room became more comprehensive. The cooling function was promptly activated, allowing the hawthorn fruit paste to cool down completely. Only then did Liao Ning cut a small piece, placing it on a plate before handing it to Loya. At that moment, Loya delicately picked up a small fork and exclaimed, ¡°The hawthorn cake is wonderfully sweet and tangy!¡± As the staff activated the five senses sharing system, Liao Ning¡¯s video feed seamlessly merged into her Al¡¯s stream. However, the other staff members had already witnessed the image transmitted by Liao Ning, leaving the netizens astounded by the revelation. ¡°I underestimated you.¡± ¡°With this evidence, as long as you handle things discreetly, the Bell Family will be the ones accused of poisoning.¡± ¡°Rest assured, Earl Bell¡¯s downfall is inevitable this time. The Sam Family won¡¯t give him a chance to stage a comeback.¡± Liao Ning played the footage of Sami being apprehended. Uncertain of how long the connection would hold, she prioritized releasing the primary evidence. The video was brief, followed by a picture of the contract as conclusive evidence. As expected, less than a minute had elapsed. The moment the picture was revealed, her Al connection was abruptly severed, abruptly ending the live-stream. An air of silence descended upon the live-stream room, with everyone wearing bewildered expressions. Only now did Loya sense that something was amiss. ¡°What¡¯s happening? Weren¡¯t we live-streaming? Why did the function suddenly stop?¡± The staff exchanged puzzled glances, unsure how to explain the situation to the princess. Just then, the guards entered the room, blocking Liao Ning¡¯s path. An irked Loya inquired, ¡°We¡¯re in the middle of a live-stream. What are you doing here?¡± One guard respectfully responded, ¡°Your Highness, Lady Liao¡¯s Al connected to the live broadcast room. She synchronized some videos and documents, and she needs to be interrogated.¡± ¡°What video? What are you talking about?¡± Loya felt a surge of panic as she turned to Liao Ning. Liao Ning remained silent as she departed with the guards. She knew that Earl Bell and his family had likely succeeded in their plot. Meanwhile, the Elder Prince¡¯s men had promptly made their exit, leaving no trace of evidence behind. Alone in the interrogation room, Liao Ning pondered the gravity of today¡¯s events, entwining two prominent families. No minister wished to get entangled, thus all awaited the unfolding of events. Only the king possessed the authority to personally interrogate them. As expected, half an hour later, someone arrived to escort her to the presence of the king. And there was not only the king in the hall, but also Loya, the three princes, Zhou Ling and a group of ministers. Liao Ning made an effort to compose herself, maintaining a steady stride as she moved forward. ¡°Lady Liao, did you plant the virus in the live-stream room?¡± The king¡¯s voice carried a stern tone. Avoiding direct eye contact, Liao Ning acknowledged without hesitation, ¡°Yes, I was responsible for uploading the videos and contract photos.¡± Loya immediately interjected, her voice filled with accusation, ¡°Why would you do such a thing? You are attempting to frame us! The Sam Family is dedicated to the well-being of the empire. Father, she is an advisor to the rebel army. She undoubtedly has ulterior motives.¡± Earl Sam, a staunch supporter of Loya, had been contacted by her upon watching the incriminating video. Loya hoped that the Sam Family could swiftly devise a countermeasure. However, the clarity of the evidence in the video left no room for doubt. It explicitly implicated Liao Ning, offering no alternative explanation. The Elder Prince, already sensing the collusion between Loya and Sami, spoke icily, ¡°Earl Bell is also deeply committed to the empire¡¯s welfare. What makes you so certain that Lady Liao is framing us? We can easily find someone to verify the authenticity of the video. No further arguments are necessary..¡± Chapter 269 - Chapter 269: Restricted Movement Chapter 269: Restricted Movement Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Most of the ministers were in support of the Elder Prince, except for Earl Bell, who had gained favor due to his straightforward nature and significant donations to the empire. His generous contributions were appreciated by most officers. Many people had pleaded on behalf of the Bell Family, and the ministers saw it as an advantageous opportunity, especially considering the compelling evidence they possessed. ¡°Your Majesty, Earl Bell annually donates half of his profits to the army. I believe he has been framed, ¡± one minister asserted. ¡°Yes, Your Majesty, Earl Bell provided the flying devices to combat the interstellar space robbers,¡± another minister added. ¡°If Earl Bell had aligned himself with the rebel army, Planet Dynasty would have been conquered long ago. It is highly unlikely that he would rebel,¡± a third minister chimed in. Loya, lacking influence within the ministerial circle, found solace in the support of the Sam Family. However, she now stood alone. ¡°Father, this time it is you who has been poisoned. If anything happens to you, what will become of us?¡± Loya stepped forward, her gaze fixed on the ministers. ¡°During your coma, discussions were held regarding whether my brother should assume the position, and now you are siding with Earl Bell. What is your true motive?¡± The ministers turned their attention to Loya, yet she remained composed and had been performing well as of late, leading to a deadlock between the two factions. ¡°Enough! Silence!¡± The king¡¯s head throbbed. He turned to Liao Ning and said, ¡°Present all the evidence you possess. Olift, verify it!¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty!¡± Zhou Ling approached Liao Ning, who retrieved the memory chip provided by Minnie. Subsequently, the contents of the memory chip were analyzed and presented to everyone, with the royal family¡¯s technical team scrutinizing the videos. ¡°Your Majesty, the videos and photos are authentic,¡± Zhou Ling reported. Loya fixed her gaze on the video¡¯s contents, relieved to find that she was not implicated and her voice was inaudible. Fortunately, she lacked evidence linking her to the Sam Family, otherwise her reputation as a princess would have been irreparably damaged. ¡°Is there anything else you wish to add?¡± The Elder Prince asked arrogantly. Then, he directed his attention towards the king. ¡°Father, this is all part of the Sam Family¡¯s scheme. As you can see, the elves must have obtained the pollen from the Sam Family. Otherwise, the quantity wouldn¡¯t be so substantial. They had planned this in advance. The Bell Family has been wrongly accused!¡± The evidence was indisputable, and the king himself had started to doubt Earl Bell¡¯s betrayal. The king nodded solemnly. ¡°I hereby declare that Earl Bell was framed. All previous judgments are to be overturned, and the Bell Family¡¯s members are to be released, their honor restored.¡± Observing the king¡¯s decision, Loya chose not to say anything further. ¡°What about Earl Sam¡¯s residence? It is clearly visible in the video that the man is Sami.¡± ¡°Yes, and we must uncover the identity of the person who framed Earl Bell along with her!¡± ¡°Perhaps this is an attempt to poison you, Your Majesty!¡± ¡°Yes, we must get to the bottom of this!¡± Upon hearing the ministers¡¯ remarks, the king¡¯s gaze turned cold. He turned towards Loya and questioned, ¡°What did you say when I asked you to investigate this matter?¡± Loya felt a chill run down her spine upon hearing his words. With utmost respect, she replied, ¡°Father, I was blinded by the superficial evidence. You know that my intentions were solely focused on your well-being. I only sought to apprehend the individual responsible for poisoning you.¡± Observing Loya¡¯s reaction, the Elder Prince sneered, while the Second Prince maintained a stoic expression. Only the Third Prince came to her defense. ¡°Father, my sister has never been involved in the power struggles between the royal family and the nobles. She was not deceived. Please find it in your heart to forgive her this time.¡± ¡°Yes, Father, I was truly deceived,¡± Loya sobbed uncontrollably. ¡°Please find it in your heart to forgive me this time, as I acted only to save you with the antidote.¡± The King sighed, his expression filled with helplessness. ¡°Leave this matter to your Elder Brother. You may go now.¡± As they prepared to depart, the king¡¯s voice suddenly halted them in their tracks. ¡°Completely deactivate Lady Liao¡¯s Al. She is not permitted to utilize it any longer, nor is she allowed to roam freely within the castle..¡± Chapter 270 - Chapter 270: Missing Liao Nai Chapter 270: Missing Liao Nai Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning gazed helplessly at the king, fully aware that the royal family had crossed a moral boundary. Although her access to the Al had been restricted in the past to isolate her from the outside world and prevent any potential trouble, she accepted this fate. Her mission was accomplished, and her next step was to seize an opportunity to escape Planet Dynasty and seek refuge away from the grasp of the Liao Family. As expected, upon returning to her room, Liao Ning was greeted by a system notification. [Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully completing the mission of rescuing loyal subjects. The mission reward has been released. Please review it.] Additional Mission Reward: Information on the Liao Family Liao Chen: The current manager of the Liao Family, holding comparable status to senior members of the family. He possesses authority over most of the family¡¯s assets. Liao Chen has a twin sister named Liao Xi, who resides on Planet Dynasty. Liao Chen has the ability to transform into a white wolf, but his bloodline is impure. His vital signs are problematic, and his condition remains unknown. Accompanying the system¡¯s reward was a picture of Liao Chen and his sister from their childhood. The moment Liao Ning laid eyes on the image, she was left utterly dumbfounded. Liao Xi bore a striking resemblance to Sami. This picture confirmed one truth to Liao Ning: Sami was not a spy for the Liao Family; she was, m tact, a memDer or tne Liao Family. saml was Liao xrs aaugnter. And Liao Xi resided on Planet Dynasty, implying that she was the mysterious Madame rarely seen at Earl Sam¡¯s residence. Liao Ning¡¯s anxiety grew as she realized she couldn¡¯t use the Al to contact Zhou Ling or share the crucial information she had uncovered. Just as her apprehension reached its peak, the system delivered yet another notification. [System prompt: Villain No. 1 possesses an evil value of 30%. Please purify Villain No. 1 promptly.] It was at that moment Liao Ning noticed the absence of Liao Nai, who hadn¡¯t returned from his classes. Uncertainty gnawed at her. Something must have gone wrong. She attempted to open the door, but the guards intervened, reminding her of the king¡¯s orders. ¡°Lady Liao, you are forbidden from wandering the castle.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t intend to leave, but where is my nephew? Hasn¡¯t he returned from school yet? What¡¯s the reason for the delay?¡± Witnessing Liao Ning¡¯s distress, the guards too became puzzled. The noble children had limited classes, and Liao Nai wasn¡¯t one to roam aimlessly through the castle alone. ¡°What could be happening?¡± Liao Ning found strength in Zhou Ling¡¯s timely arrival. ¡°My nephew hasn¡¯t returned. Is something amiss? With a composed expression, Zhou Ling reassured her, ¡°Lady Liao, do not worry. I will find him and bring him back safely.¡± Liao Ning felt a surge of relief as Zhou Ling¡¯s presence provided her with renewed confidence. She knew she had to locate Liao Nai as quickly as possible. Zhou Ling inquired about the circumstances surrounding Liao Nai¡¯s early departure that morning, seeking any relevant details. Only then did he realize that all the noble children had already returned from school, except for Liao Nai, whom no one had seen throughout the day. As Zhou Ling tirelessly searched for Liao Nai, a maid arrived at Liao Ning¡¯s room, carrying a box of fresh ingredients. ¡°Halt!¡± The guard interjected, blocking the maid¡¯s path. Wearing a sweet smile, the maid responded, ¡°These ingredients were sent as a token of gratitude from the individuals who were cured of the poison. They wish to express their appreciation, Lady Liao.¡± With an air of nonchalance, the maid opened the box and continued, ¡°They have also sent some for you, Your Highness, which I have delivered. These are specifically for Lady Liao. If you doubt me, you may inquire with Her Highness.¡± The maid¡¯s demeanor seemed completely natural. Observing that the box contained only ordinary ingredients, the guard allowed the maid to enter. Upon hearing the door open, Liao Ning rose to her feet. The maid smiled warmly. ¡°Lady Liao, these are the ingredients sent by the people whose lives you saved. They wish to express their gratitude for your heroic actions.¡± The maid selected a bunch of green grapes and spoke deliberately, ¡°You must try these grapes. I heard that your nephew adores them as well.¡± Placing the box down, the maid exited the room. Liao Ning swiftly seized the green grapes. As expected, one of the grapes in the center bore a slight scar on its surface. Carefully peeling back the skin, she discovered a miniature Al chip concealed within. Upon contact with her skin, the chip dissolved seamlessly. Instantly, her Al received an invitation. Liao Ning beheld Sami¡¯s pallid face illuminated under dim lighting. ¡°Liao Ning, who is this?¡± Chapter 271 - Chapter 271: Mission Chapter 271: Mission Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations In the dimly lit room, Liao Nings eyes widened as she beheld a sight of horror. Chained in a corner was a white wolf cub, tubes attached to its body, with red liquid flowing out. ¡°Liao Nai! Liao Nail¡± Liao Ning exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. Hearing Liao Ning¡¯s voice, the wolf cub weakly lifted its head, lacking the strength to stand. Sami arched an eyebrow and glanced over her shoulder, expressing disdain. ¡°Oh? He still has some strength left? It appears the anesthesia isn¡¯t sufficient. But we can¡¯t administer too much, or the blood quality will be compromised.¡± ¡°What do you want?¡± Liao Ning attempted to maintain control over her voice, but she couldn¡¯t help but notice its trembling, tinged with fear. Indeed, she was afraid. Liao Nai¡¯s condition remained uncertain, his evil value had escalated, and he was being drained of his blood. Liao Ning wondered how much longer he could endure. ¡°What do I want? I want to live a life of luxury, but you¡¯ve ruined everything! Curse you, Liao Ning!¡± Sami¡¯s face turned pallid, her eyes bloodshot. She seethed with anger, as if she could burst out of the camera and tear Liao Ning apart. However, her expression quickly transformed into one of sorrow. ¡°My mother is ill, and she requires blood from the Liao Family to heal. But she was captured and fell into a coma. She has no connection to the Sam Family. She is innocent.¡± Liao Ning cautiously inquired, ¡°Liao Xi?¡± ¡°You know everything!¡± Sami¡¯s countenance reverted to fury. ¡°If you wish for your nephew to survive, save my mother and contact me. You have three days, or else you¡¯ll be collecting his lifeless body!¡± Upon hearing Sami¡¯s threat, Liao Nai shouted at the camera, ¡°No, no, Auntie, don¡¯t come!¡± Sami pivoted and delivered a series of kicks until Liao Nai ceased moving. ¡°He remains alive for now because he still possesses value, but I cannot guarantee his fate afterward,¡± Sami panted heavily. ¡°Time is limited. Begin the countdown now.¡± Following the conclusion of the video, Liao Ning received a notification from the system. [Ding! Congratulations to the host for initiating a new mission: Rescue the Rebellion. Mission Description: Save Rebellion No. 1 and reduce their evil value to below 20%. Mission Reward: 2,000 system points and 20,000 interstellar space coins.] [Ding! Congratulations to the host for unlocking the hidden mission: Secret of the Liao Family. Mission Description: Uncover the secret of Liao Chen and his sister, and obtain information about the Sam Family. Mission Reward: 1,000 system points, 10,000 interstellar space coins. Additional reward for the hidden mission: Unlocking Liao Ning¡¯s background.] Liao Ning was left speechless, overcome by shock. The system had assigned her two missions, both intricately connected to the Liao Family. The sight of the tubes connected to Liao Nai¡¯s body haunted her thoughts. Could it be that the blood of the Liao Family possessed some unique properties? However, time was slipping away, leaving her with little room for pondering the reasons behind Sami¡¯s actions. Her priority was to save her mother and then to find a way to substitute Liao Nai. Just as she contemplated how to leave the room, the door swung open, and Zhou Ling entered. Having discovered the video of Sami abducting Liao Nai but unable to locate them, Zhou Ling shared the information. Sami¡¯s early-morning kidnapping had allowed her to evade capture when the Sam Family was raided. Liao Ning recounted her conversation with Sami to Zhou Ling, and then she inquired, ¡°Where is Sami¡¯s mother?¡± With a grave expression, Zhou Ling replied, ¡°The Sam Family has been apprehended. Earl Sam¡¯s wife is currently comatose and being held in the heavily guarded basement cell. Sneaking in will be incredibly challenging.¡± Liao Ning contemplated for a moment before asking, ¡°Can your necklace alter my appearance as well?¡± ¡°I am uncertain if it will work,¡± Zhou Ling shook his head. ¡°Moreover, you can¡¯t be left alone in the cell with an unconscious woman, can you?¡± Liao Ning realized that this plan was not feasible. Even if they managed to infiltrate the cell, neither she nor Zhou Ling would be capable of removing the unconscious Liao Xi. In a sudden realization, Liao Ning remembered Sami¡¯s words about Liao Xi being in a coma, requiring the bloodline of the Liao Family to save her. Considering the extraction of Liao Nai¡¯s blood, Liao Ning scrutinized her own arms and murmured softly, ¡°What if Liao Xi awakens?¡± Chapter 272 - Chapter 272: Secret Discovered Chapter 272: Secret Discovered Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Zhou Ling frowned as he asked, ¡°Do you have a way to awaken Liao Xi? Madame Sam has been in a coma for years, and it seems unlikely that she would regain consciousness. What do you plan to do?¡± Liao Ning chose not to divulge the information about the Liao Family¡¯s bloodline to Zhou Ling. She knew that if he realized the risks she was about to take, he would undoubtedly try to dissuade her. However, she needed to take this chance. ¡°I might have a potential solution. I want to give it a try. If Liao Xi wakes up, she wouldn¡¯t want her daughter to be in danger, and she might come with me.¡± Seeing Zhou Ling¡¯s concerned expression, Liao Ning reassured him, ¡°I have extensive knowledge of ancient delicacies, and these are my own recipes, after all. I just want to attempt it.¡± After contemplating for a moment, Zhou Ling responded, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll do my best to sneak you in, but promise me not to take any unnecessary risks, okay?¡± Although Liao Ning nodded earnestly, she was already prepared to face the dangers ahead. That night, the Elder Prince assumed the role of manager, replacing Loya, and he seized the opportunity to grant Liao Ning some freedom. She could now move about the castle, albeit without access to the Al or the local area network. ¡°I¡¯ve already instructed the guards to locate Sami. If they find your nephew, I¡¯ll inform you immediately,¡± the Elder Prince reassured her with a smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, she won¡¯t be able to escape from Planet Dynasty. We will definitely find her.¡± Liao Ning smiled and nodded, but a day had passed, and she remained oblivious to the current situation. ¡°There¡¯s another matter I need your assistance with,¡± the Elder Prince confessed sheepishly. ¡°There¡¯s an Elf Elder who was poisoned in the dungeon you previously visited, and she¡­ I was hoping you could prepare some of your ancient delicacies.¡± Liao Ning¡¯s eyes lit up upon hearing the mention of the dungeon. ¡°An Elf Elder is poisoned? Aren¡¯t elves skilled in creating various potions?¡± The Elder Prince appeared embarrassed. Evidently, there were certain matters that couldn¡¯t be casually disclosed. ¡°We haven¡¯t found an antidote for over two years. You¡¯re allowed to move about the castle because I asked Father to grant vou a chance to see if vou can uncover the formula for the antidote.¡± Liao Ning had been concerned that she wouldn¡¯t have an opportunity to access the basement, so she readily agreed to the task. Accompanied by the Elder Prince, Liao Ning descended into the underground prison, making her way directly to the first cell. Upon entering, she was surprised to find that there was no foul odor lingering in the air. Instead, a mixture of various medicinal scents permeated the space. Two women lay within the cell. One possessed long golden hair and the distinctive pointed ears of the elves, with faint translucent green wings barely visible behind her back. Liao Ning¡¯s astonishment grew ¨C elves were known for their pointed ears, but having wings meant this woman was more than just an elf elder. The other woman lying on the adjacent bed was none other than Liao Xi, the individual Liao Ning had been seeking. Liao Xi appeared pale, her features displaying the signs of age, yet an air of tranquility surrounded her. However, neither woman displayed any indication of awakening. ¡°She is¡­ the elder of the elves,¡± the Elder Prince spoke with unease. ¡°Two years ago, she came into contact with the pollen of the Overlord Flower on the green forest planet, causing her to fall into a deep slumber. During this time, we¡¯ve attempted numerous methods to prevent her from waking.¡± Liao Ning observed the elf intently, a sense of confusion washing over her. Elves had inhabited Planet Green Forest for centuries, and even if the flower possessed toxic properties, it shouldn¡¯t have rendered an Elf Elder unconscious. Something peculiar must be at play. As she focused on the patterns adorning the elf¡¯s wings, she began to notice an uncanny resemblance to the wings of insects. At that moment, a notification resounded within her mind. [Ding! System Prompt: The host can exchange 50,000 system points for the Forced Hibernation and Awakening Method. Would you like to proceed with the exchange?] ¡°Why waste time with small talk?¡± Liao Ning grumbled inwardly. Wait, hibernation? Liao Ning felt a spark of realization. She stared at the elf before her in disbelief. [Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Forced Hibernation Method. The system will provide you with information regarding the elves.] The formula for the antidote materialized within Liao Nings mind, accompanied by newfound knowledge about the elves. [The elves resided on Planet Green Forest. Ordinary elves relied on plants to counteract toxins, while elven pharmacists were typically candidates for the position of elder.] When elves interbred with individuals of other races, their offspring underwent mutations, acquiring the appearances and abilities of the other race. [For instance, the combination of elves and insectoids would result in offspring with wings and corresponding insectoid capabilities.] Before Liao Ning could fully process this information, she witnessed the Elder Prince gently caressing the elven woman¡¯s hair, his eyes filled with affection and tenderness.. Chapter 273 - Chapter 273: Awake Chapter 273: Awake Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning felt a tinge of embarrassment. It seemed that she had stumbled upon an unbelievable secret. Noticing her gaze, the Elder Prince turned around awkwardly. ¡°Can you awaken ¡°I¡¯m not certain,¡± Liao Ning replied, a hint of embarrassment coloring her tone. ¡°I¡¯ve never come into contact with the pollen before, and it appears that she hasn¡¯t been poisoned, or else she would have succumbed to it after two years. However, I¡¯m willing to give it a try. Just be aware that I may need to enter and exit the prison frequently. What are your thoughts?¡± Her priority was to awaken Liao Xi, and the Elder Prince presented her with an excellent opportunity. ¡°Of course,¡± the Elder Prince responded with evident delight. ¡°I¡¯ve explored numerous methods to aid in her recovery, but I understand that it can¡¯t be rushed. This is the emblem of the imperial family. With it, you¡¯ll have unrestricted access to the prison. No one will impede your movements. If you require any materials, simply inform the guards, and they will make the necessary arrangements.¡± With the Bell Family¡¯s reputation restored and the Elder Prince positioned as the favored heir to the throne, he commanded nearly everyone in the castle. Thus, he harbored no concerns about Liao Ning deviating from her task. Liao Ning accepted the emblem, feeling reassured. However, to ensure she wouldn¡¯t be disturbed, she stipulated, ¡°I have one condition. If the antidote proves successful, I do not wish to disclose the formula.¡± Recalling Loya¡¯s past actions, the Elder Prince smiled inwardly and reassured her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Loya won¡¯t be involved in this, and I won¡¯t allow her to come here again.¡± After all, Countess Sam was present, and Loya maintained a close relationship with the Sam Family. It was possible she might act out of line. In an effort to earn Liao Ning¡¯s trust, the Elder Prince added, ¡°Rest assured, I¡¯ll expedite the search for your nephew, Liao Nai, to ensure his safety. You can focus on the antidote.¡± Expressing her gratitude once more, Liao Ning watched as the Elder Prince exited the cell. She then turned her attention to studying the methods to awaken the elf. According to the system, the elven woman had recently entered a state of hibernation. It was unlikely that the Elder Prince knew she had deliberately chosen to enter this state. The cell¡¯s temperature had been set to a comfortable 26 QC. However, according to the system, simply raising the temperature to 30 oc and introducing the pure dew extracted from the petals of the Overlord Flower would immediately rouse her from slumber. But Liao Ning was in no rush. Instead, she instructed the guards to gather various ingredients and antidotes. Since they were conducting the pretense of studying the antidote, they needed to maintain the appearance of a serious endeavor. To ensure the uninterrupted study of the formula and protect the secrecy surrounding the antidote, the Elder Prince had already dismissed the caretaker from the cell, leaving Liao Ning alone. She observed the two women lying before her, contemplating which one to awaken first. Ultimately, she clenched her teeth and decided to awaken the elves first. Liao Xi was likely an adversary, and there was a chance she might be unable to leave with her upon awakening. Liao Xi could potentially cause trouble. However, since the system had provided information about the elves, it implied that they could be of assistance. Liao Ning adjusted the air conditioner¡¯s temperature and carefully boiled the petals, extracting a substantial amount of pure dew. By the time she finished, her brow glistened with perspiration, and the elves on the bed displayed signs of improvement. Their wings emitted a soft glow, suggesting that they were nearing awakening. Had it not been for the pollen poisoning, the elf would have already roused. All Liao Ning needed to do was administer the distilled pure dew as the antidote. She patiently waited for the pure dew to cool before gingerly placing the liquid into the woman¡¯s mouth. Extracting pure dew was no easy task. A considerable number of petals were required to yield just a single vial of the precious liquid. Yet, even after administering all the liquid, the woman remained devoid of any immediate signs of awakening. Just as Liao Ning was about to inquire if the system had provided her with a false formula, the woman¡¯s eyes stirred upon the bed, gradually unveiling her amber irises. Liao Ning positioned herself before her. ¡°You¡¯re awake? Are you feeling unwell?¡± The woman regarded her intently, inquiring, ¡°Why have you awakened me? What has happened to your nephew?¡± Chapter 274 - Chapter 274: Butterfly Chapter 274: Butterfly Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°My nephew? How did you know?¡± Liao Ning looked at her in disbelief. The woman nodded slightly. ¡°His name is Liao Nai, right? I heard your conversation.¡± Liao Ning¡¯s astonishment grew even more. She had assumed that the elves would lack consciousness while in hibernation, but this woman seemed to possess awareness. The woman rose slowly, her movements stiff from being bedridden for an extended period. She retracted her wings, causing them to shrink and vanish. ¡°So, you awakened me because you were under threat?¡± The woman regarded Liao Ning with an emotionless gaze. ¡°Not entirely due to a threat from the Elder Prince, but because my nephew was kidnapped by her daughter.¡± Liao Ning gestured towards the unconscious Liao The woman lowered her head, pondering for a moment. Then she inquired, ¡°Do you have an escape plan?¡± ¡°I have a way to escape by myself,¡± Liao Ning replied, spreading her hands helplessly. ¡°But I can¡¯t bring you along.¡± Liao Ning had no intention of revealing the full situation to an unfamiliar elf. However, since the woman overheard her conversation with the Elder Prince, there was no need to conceal anything. However, the woman stated, ¡°I have a method to facilitate your escape.¡± Liao Ning stared at her incredulously. ¡°What?¡± The woman repeated, ¡°I can help you escape. If you can awaken her, you can bring her along as well.¡± Observing Liao Ning¡¯s disbelief, the woman offered an explanation. ¡°I can always elude capture, but I have nowhere to hide, and I will eventually be apprehended. If I help you escape, you must assist me in finding the Multi-Feather Butterfly to conceal my identity.¡± Liao Ning fell silent, needing time to process the events of the day. After a while, she inquired, ¡°Who are you? What were you doing in the dungeon? Are you truly an elder of the elves?¡± Upon hearing the question, the woman immediately began to explain her story. Her name was Lili, a descendant of both the elves and the butterfly lineage. Lili possessed exceptional talent in pharmaceutics, and thus, when the empire formed an alliance with the elves, she was chosen to represent them in the empire. Lili had two unique abilities. First, her butterfly wings could emit a subtle sound wave that had a compelling effect on creatures, causing them to follow her commands. This granted her a prominent position among the elves, though she always kept her wings hidden to protect her secret ability. ¡°It seems our connection was destined for trouble. Once, while bathing in a hot spring, I accidentally revealed my wings to the Elder Prince. At that time, I believed him to be a trustworthy individual, and he assured me that he would keep my secret. I considered him my closest friend within the empire, but how wrong I was! He turned out to be a despicable person!¡± Lili¡¯s face contorted with anger as she finally showed her emotions. Her eyes burned with fury. ¡°I thought he genuinely cared for me and respected the elders of the elves, but in reality, he sought to exploit the abilities of both the elves and the insectoids!¡± Initially, the Elder Prince managed to maintain his composure while gradually approaching Lili. However, she soon discovered that the royal family and nobles were using the elves as captives to create potions, and even beautiful elves and mermaids were being treated as mere playthings. Just as Lili was preparing to escape with the elves, the Elder Prince revealed his true intentions. ¡°He professed his love for me, but his true motive was for me to bear his child, a child who would possess the combined abilities of the elves and the Zergs, enabling him to ascend the throne!¡± Lili¡¯s eyes turned bloodshot, and she clenched her fists tightly. Liao Ning could sense the intense anger and despair radiating from her as she recounted her tale. ¡°So, you were forced into hibernation?¡± Liao Ning asked, seeking clarification. ¡°Yes,¡± Lili replied bitterly. ¡°I pretended to agree to his proposal, leading him to release the elves who accompanied me. Then, he forced me into a state of hibernation using a poisonous flower. Being part-insect, entering hibernation renders me unable to conceive, let alone bear a child for such a shameless individual!¡± A heavy silence fell between them, enveloped in the weight of their shared struggle. Liao Ning turned to Liao Xi who was motionless, asking, ¡°If I can wake her up, how can you escape?¡± At this moment, Lili showed a smile and her translucent wings spread out from her body. ¡°With my superpower, of course..¡± Chapter 275 - Chapter 275: Awakening Chapter 275: Awakening Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°The sound waves emitted by the butterfly wings have the power to influence and control creatures that hear them. However, as a half-blooded individual, I lack the full commanding ability. I can only exert control over them for a limited time, roughly ten minutes. Nevertheless, I can use this power to manipulate the guards and prisoners in the dungeon,¡± Lily explained. She continued, ¡°Additionally, I have a scale powder that can be used to create a potion. If this woman wakes up, I can make her obedient and follow my orders for a period of two to three hours.¡± Lily had been in a coma for an extended period and had relied on nutritional supplements to sustain her vital signs, so she was not overstating her abilities. Liao Ning found Lily¡¯s words encouraging. Two days had passed, and tomorrow was the final day. Time was of the essence. ¡°Alright, I will go back and make the necessary preparations for our departure. I will come to check if she can wake up in the evening,¡± Liao Ning declared. Rising from her seat, she added, ¡°I will inform the guards that you are undergoing an antidote absorption process, so no one should disturb you.¡± Lily nodded, affirming her understanding. ¡°1 will prepare the potion and ensure her compliance.¡± With an agreement in place, Liao Ning left the cell. On her way back to her room, she crossed paths with Zhou Ling and informed him about the recent developments. ¡°I will accompany you,¡± he stated firmly, looking directly at Liao Ning. ¡°I know you are about to undertake something perilous, and I will protect you.¡± Liao Ning had intended to ask Zhou Ling to rendezvous with her later, but he had already discerned her plan. Considering that both she and Liao Nai were absent from the palace, and Zhou Ling had no reason to remain there, Liao Ning nodded in agreement. Once Lily assumed control over the prison guards, she would be able to unleash various animals, leading to an assault on the palace. At that point, no one would pay attention to a missing mermaid. At midnight, Liao Ning arrived at the prison with a basket of herbs. Suddenly, Loya¡¯s voice emerged from behind. ¡°Miss Liao, you are truly diligent. Despite losing your nephew, you still dedicate yourself so ardently to aiding my brother?¡± ¡°I have no choice but to obey the Elder Prince¡¯s orders,¡± Liao Ning replied dismissively, refusing to meet Loya¡¯s gaze. However, Loya had no intention of letting Liao Ning achieve her objectives. Sam¡¯s family had already been ruined, with only Sami remaining uncaptured. Loya realized she might need to rely on Sami to turn the tables. ¡°How could there be an aunt like you? Poor Liao Nai,¡± Loya remarked with a hint of superiority. ¡°But you must be happy, right? The burden is finally lifted.¡± Observing the herbs in Liao Ning¡¯s hands, Loya¡¯s curiosity was piqued. ¡°Why are you bringing those herbs into the prison? Are you treating someone?¡± Liao Ning had no intention of divulging Lili¡¯s imprisonment to Loya, and she ignored the question, proceeding directly into the prison. As Loya attempted to follow them, the guards barred her entry. Having lost many privileges, she was not permitted to enter the dungeon at will. Fuming, Loya shot a resentful glare at the guard and departed. Unbeknownst to her, Zhou Ling, who had been hiding in the shadows, witnessed the interaction. Inside the prison cell, as Liao Ning entered and closed the door, Lili slowly rose from the bed. Observing Liao Ning with a needle in hand, about to draw blood, Lili intervened. ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°Waking her up,¡± Liao Ning responded without elaborating. She brushed off Lili¡¯s hands and continued with the blood extraction. Unsure of how much blood was needed to revive Liao Xi, Liao Ning filled an entire tube, all the while under Lili¡¯s watchful gaze, her brow furrowed in confusion. Finally, Liao Ning administered her blood into Liao Xi¡¯s body. The moment her blood entered Liao Xi¡¯s veins, Liao Xi visibly rejuvenated, and the wrinkles on her face diminished. ¡°Is this the blood of eternal youth? Can it make you young again?¡± Lili asked, her eyes filled with surprise and excitement. Liao Ning stood in stunned silence. It was no surprise that beautiful women often became fixated on anti-aging measures. After the administration of a single tube of blood, Liao Xi¡¯s complexion took on a healthy rosy hue, making her appear as though she were in her thirties or forties. Half an hour later, Liao Xi slowly opened her eyes. Upon seeing the white-haired figure of Liao Ning, her eyes widened with incredulity. ¡°You belong to the Liao Family?¡± Liao Xi¡¯s voice was weak, her throat parched, but the genuine anger in her eyes couldn¡¯t be feigned. Liao Ning offered a slight nod but refrained from providing a verbal response. The air between them crackled with animosity as they locked eyes. In the midst of their tense standoff, Lili seized hold of Liao Xi¡¯s hair and inserted a small pill into her mouth. With casual indifference, Lili inquired, ¡°Can we leave now?¡± Chapter 276 - Chapter 276: Escape Chapter 276: Escape Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning was utterly speechless as she observed Lili¡¯s innocent expression. The elf possessed the face of an angel, and their behavior was truly unexpected. Liao Xi, who had just taken the pill, appeared slightly bewildered, but she rose to her feet under Lili¡¯s guidance. Lili extended her wings, which nearly filled the entire cell. Handing a small amber-colored pill to Liao Ning, she said, ¡°Take this first, before I exert control over you too.¡± Without hesitation, Liao Ning swallowed the pill, earning a nod of satisfaction from Lili. Lili then inquired, ¡°Are you ready? I¡¯m about to begin.¡± Liao Ning nodded earnestly and positioned herself beside Liao Xi. Closing her eyes, Lili began to flap her wings. Liao Ning could hear a faint sound followed by the opening of cell doors, accompanied by the roars of wild beasts and the screams of humans. After a short while, Lili¡¯s forehead glistened with sweat, clearly indicating her struggle. One minute later, the basement cell filled with the cacophony of collisions and shouts. Weakened, Lili folded her wings and slumped onto the bed. ¡°No, there are too many large beasts here. I can¡¯t control them for even ten minutes. Let¡¯s go.¡± Liao Ning helped Lili to her feet and tied their wrists together with a rope to prevent them from getting separated. Lifting the weakened Lili, Liao Ning spoke, ¡°There are numerous beasts in the prison. Even without your control, they will escape. We can leave amidst the chaos.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to be so strong,¡± Lili remarked with a smile. ¡°I¡¯ll recover after a brief rest. Once I¡¯m out of here, I¡¯m planning to indulge in a feast. I¡¯ve grown tired of the taste of nutritional supplements.¡± She then turned to Liao Xi and instructed, ¡°You, old woman, follow her and don¡¯t get lost.¡± Liao Xi mechanically nodded, her eyes still clouded. Lili attempted to adopt a fierce expression, lifting her chin at Liao Ning, as if to say, ¡°Look at me!¡± Liao Ning felt even more helpless as she observed Lili pouting. She realized that one couldn¡¯t judge a person solely based on their appearance. Who would have imagined that Lili, who seemed elegant and gentle, possessed such a wild personality? Amidst the chaos, the three of them made their way out of the cell. The prison was filled with wounded prisoners and unfamiliar beasts that Liao Ning had never encountered before. Noticing Liao Ning¡¯s surprise, Lili darted around, providing explanations about the various creatures they encountered. ¡°That¡¯s a coastal planet giant rhinoceros.¡± ¡°This fierce-looking creature is a long-billed duck beast, but it¡¯s actually a vegetarian.¡± ¡°The one over there is a seven-star beetle. It¡¯s still young, with only two stars on its back.¡± Suddenly, Lili¡¯s eyes lit up, and she grabbed Liao Ning, pulling her towards a particular spot. ¡°Oh my god! That¡¯s the black dragon of the Fire Tribe! It can fly! Let¡¯s ride it to escape!¡± A crowd of guards had already gathered around the black dragon. It was evident that the dragon had suffered abuse for a prolonged period, with many scales missing from its body. It wreaked havoc, setting fire to the palace. Exerting all her strength, Liao Ning dragged Lili to the side. ¡°If you want to escape and stay hidden, you must listen to me now!¡± Her tone turned unfriendly as she continued, ¡°The black dragon is attracting all the guards¡¯ attention. If you ride it, you will become the center of attention! Are you out of your mind?¡± Lili gazed at the black dragon, while Liao Ning turned her head away. ¡°Stop looking at it. There¡¯s no future for you with it.¡± Lili rolled her eyes and pursed her lips, seemingly discontented. She believed that with the black dragon, she could fly out of the castle within seconds. Just then, Zhou Ling emerged from the shadows. ¡°The aircraft is ready. Follow me.¡± Upon spotting Zhou Ling, Lili¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement. ¡°You¡¯re a Multi-Feather Butterfly? Why do you resemble a mermaid? Why do you have the scent of a beast? Are you her lover? And how did you acquire this flying machine?¡± Sensing that Zhou Ling was on the verge of getting angry, Liao Ning quickly covered Lili¡¯s mouth and shot her a threatening glance. Only then did Lili blink her eyes, attempting to convey that she would refrain from asking any further questions. Liao Ning finally released her grip. The four of them boarded the spacecraft tucked away in the corner. In the midst of their departure, numerous other spacecraft took off, all heading toward the beleaguered black dragon. As their aircraft ascended, Lili glimpsed the heavily bombarded black dragon on the ground. She stole a glance at Liao Ning and playfully stuck out her tongue.. Chapter 277 - Chapter 277: Trust Me Chapter 277: Trust Me Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning taunted, ¡°Do you really think you can tame a black dragon?¡± Lili shook her head, adamant about not wanting to end up like the black dragon. As they conversed, a raspy voice suddenly echoed from the rear of the spacecraft. ¡°Are you from the Liao Family? Why did you abduct me?¡± Ten minutes later, Liao Xi regained consciousness. Liao Ning regarded Lili suspiciously. Lili hastily explained, ¡°I¡¯ve been in a coma for two years and haven¡¯t eaten anything. My powers have been weakened¡­¡± Observing her guilty expression, Liao Ning realized that this beautiful Elf Elder was unreliable. However, since Liao Xi had accompanied them, Liao Ning decided to contact Sami first. She used the Al interface to reach out to Sami, who promptly answered the video call. ¡°Lady Liao, you certainly know how to create a spectacle. All for¡­ Mom? Are you really awake?¡± Sami¡¯s tone transformed from mocking to complete astonishment. Tears welled up in her eyes as she gazed at the image on the screen. But Liao Ning wasn¡¯t in the mood to indulge in their mother-daughter reunion. She cut to the chase, asking, ¡°How is Liao Nai? Where should we meet?¡± Sami, still reeling from the shock, took a moment to respond. Liao Xi had been in a coma for an extended period, yet now she was not only awake but also restored to her former self. After collecting herself, Sami said, ¡°I¡¯ll send you the address based on our location.¡± Liao Ning¡¯s Al received the coordinates, revealing an abandoned factory laboratory in the outskirts. Sami had been conducting experiments on Liao Nai there. Before Liao Ning could react, Sami interjected, ¡°You may come with my mother, but if I see anyone else, Liao Nai will meet his demise.¡± The image on the Al interface shifted. Little White Wolf lay unconscious, hooked up to tubes that drained his blood, keeping him alive. Witnessing the distressing scene, not only did Liao Ning¡¯s heart sink, but Lili and Zhou Ling also grew serious. ¡°I want to see my nephew alive! Don¡¯t you dare lay a hand on him!¡± Liao Ning forced the words out, her voice filled with urgency. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, he won¡¯t die,¡± Sami sneered before abruptly ending the call. Liao Ning¡¯s mood soured, and Lili remained silent. Meanwhile, Liao Xi, seated in the back, observed everything with cold detachment. Even when faced with Sami, Liao Xi displayed no emotional response, as if she were looking at a complete stranger. An eerie silence filled the aircraft, only broken by the sound of the wind outside. Unable to bear the oppressive atmosphere, Lili unfurled her wings, sprinkling scale powder that she swiftly molded into dozens of small pills in her hands. Liao Xi watched Lili¡¯s actions intently. Suddenly, Lili seized her own hair and forcefully stuffed all the pills into her mouth. In an instant, Liao Xi struggled, then her demeanor turned vacant again. Meanwhile, Lili continued to shake off scale powder and craft more small pills. ¡°Is she alright? Are you sure she¡¯ll be fine?¡± Liao Ning asked skeptically. Lili responded unhappily, ¡°Do you still not trust me? I am the youngest Elder of the elves!¡± Liao Ning inwardly lamented, You don¡¯t trust me either. Otherwise, how could Liao Xi have awakened so quickly? You don¡¯t trust me either, or you wouldn¡¯t have made so many pills all at once. Lili motioned for Liao Xi to open her mouth once more and tossed the dozens of pills inside. She smiled with satisfaction. ¡°One pill can last for over 10 minutes, and with 20 or 30 pills, it should last for an hour, right?¡± Observing Lili¡¯s smug expression, Liao Ning swallowed her retort. As long as Liao Xi was alive, nothing else mattered. ¡°We¡¯re almost there,¡± Zhou Ling¡¯s voice broke the silence. ¡°I will accompany you. It¡¯s too dangerous for you to go alone.¡± ¡°Count me in too!¡± Lili interjected. ¡°She only listens to me, and I can create more pills at any time. You need me.¡± But Liao Ning shook her head. ¡°Sami is a very suspicious person. She will definitely set up an ambush. I can go alone. Trust me..¡± Chapter 278 - Chapter 278: Rescuing Liao Nai Chapter 278: Rescuing Liao Nai Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Zhou Ling glanced at Liao Ning and nodded subtly. He understood that once she had made her decision, there was no turning back. However, he vowed to protect her from the shadows. The aircraft descended slowly, finally landing amidst the ruins. Liao Ning stepped off, accompanied by Liao Xi. Lili had already instructed Liao Xi to follow Liao Ning¡¯s lead, turning her into a mere puppet. As soon as Liao Ning set foot on the ground, Sami¡¯s flight monitor detected her presence. Liao Ning received a message shortly after. ¡°Come to the 17th floor. No one else is allowed to accompany you.¡± Sami¡¯s emotions were a mix of excitement and complexity. Earl Sam had never paid much attention to her, and she had grown up as the daughter of an earl without receiving any care from her family. Chen Xi, despite being unwell, had shown her occasional warmth. It was this warmth that had sustained Sami until now. Her sole objective was to rescue her mother, the only family member she truly cared about. Liao Ning maneuvered through a stretch of abandoned corridors, reaching a dilapidated elevator. She took a deep breath before ascending with Liao Xi by her side. As the numbers on the elevator display changed, Liao Ning¡¯s heart pounded in her chest. Ding! The elevator doors opened, revealing a dimly lit 17th floor, accompanied by the stench of blood. Suppressing her repulsion, Liao Ning followed the faint light. Pushing open a decrepit security door, she laid eyes on Liao Nai, his body covered in tubes. ¡°Liao Nai!¡± She rushed towards him, but the tubes restrained her from taking any rash actions. In that moment, Sami emerged from a corner, sprinting towards Liao Xi in excitement. ¡°Mom, mom!¡± Her eyes brimmed with joy as she gently caressed Liao Xi¡¯s hair and face, but Liao Xi remained unresponsive. ¡°What have you done to her? You wretched woman!¡± Sami, too, noticed something amiss with Liao Xi. She gripped Liao Nings arm tightly. ¡°I administered some medicine to make her obedient,¡± Liao Ning replied calmly. ¡°If you want her to recover, you must release Liao Nai first.¡± Sami hadn¡¯t anticipated that Liao Xi could be controlled, nor did she expect her to awaken. She was reluctant to accept this reality. After briefly confronting Liao Ning, she shook off her grip and swiftly manipulated the instruments, pulling out the tubes from Liao Nai¡¯s body, still carrying his blood. Liao Nai let out a cry of pain and opened his eyes weakly. ¡°Auntie, is that you?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s me!¡± Liao Ning embraced his frail body, but he was too weak to respond. Seeing Liao Ning, he felt a sense of security and nestled into her arms. ¡°Liao Nai! Liao Nai! Sami, what have you done to him?¡± Liao Ning¡¯s voice trembled. She surveyed the room filled with instruments and the overpowering scent of blood. The bottles around them were likely filled with Liao Nai¡¯s blood. A dreadful suspicion crept into her mind¡ªcould it be that there was something wrong with their bloodline, prompting the need for Liao Nai¡¯s blood? Sami, too, was infuriated. Liao Xi had yet to fully awaken and remained in a dazed state. ¡°How did you wake her up? Without the blood of the Liao Family, she would never have awakened!¡± Sami had been uncertain about the efficacy of Liao Nail s blood, but once she had experienced its energizing effects herself, she became fixated on it. And the fact that Liao Xi had awakened must be connected to Liao Ning in some way. Sami was determined not to let them go. She waved her hand, conjuring several vibrating steel wires that hovered menacingly around Liao Ning before launching towards her. Liao Ning swiftly lifted the wolf cub, evading the assault of the steel wires. However, the number of wires multiplied rapidly, rendering her unable to move while still holding onto Liao Nai. In that critical moment, a faint yellow light appeared outside the window on the 17th floor. Liao Nine¡¯s gaze locked onto Lili. who flaDDed her wings with great effort. Lili silently mouthed some words, and in the next instant, Liao Xi struck Sami¡¯s neck. Although Liao Xi had just regained consciousness and lacked strength, Sami felt the pain and halted her attack on Liao Ning. Realizing that the situation was deteriorating, Lili shouted, ¡°Come over here! I¡¯ll take you away!¡± Only then did Liao Ning rush towards the window and pass Liao Nai into Lili¡¯s waiting arms. As she caught the wolf cub, Lili descended by a meter, but she gritted her teeth and extended a hand.. ¡°Come on, I¡¯ll get you out of here!¡± Chapter 279 - Chapter 279: Largest Property Chapter 279: Largest Property Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning felt torn. Lili could easily fly through the air, but Liao Nai was nearing his physical limit, making it unlikely for him to be carried by her. Furthermore, the height of the 17th floor made it too risky for all three of them to attempt a fall. ¡°Hurry! I can¡¯t hold on much longer!¡± Lili urged anxiously, reaching out her hands. However, just as Liao Ning hesitated, she suddenly felt a steel wire tighten around her neck. Grabbing onto the wire, she shouted, ¡°Take him away first!¡± In the next moment, more steel wires shot out from the window, aiming for Lili. Sensing something amiss, Lili swiftly flapped her wings and departed with Liao Nai. Meanwhile, all the steel wires entangled Liao Nings body, dragging her back. ¡°You still think you can escape?¡± Sami sneered, looking down at her. ¡°Since you came here to exchange for your nephew, you can stay. It seems your blood is effective too.¡± As Liao Ning struggled to free herself, a flying craft suddenly materialized outside the window. It was an invisible aircraft, appearing without a sound. ¡°Mom, our team has arrived,¡± Sami said softly, taking Liao Xi¡¯s hand as they entered the spacecraft. With a wave of her hand, Sami threw the cocooned Liao Ning onto the craft. At that moment, Zhou Ling approached in another aircraft, prepared for battle, and activated the missile mode. ¡°Lady Sami, should we retaliate?¡± one of the guards asked. ¡°No, we can¡¯t open fire here. If the Imperial Army discovers us, no one will be able to escape,¡± Sami replied, pressing the invisibility button, causing the aircraft to disappear once again. ¡°Damn it, damn it!¡± Zhou Ling cursed, striking the control panel in frustration. Lili continued to administer pills to Liao Nai, sighing with relief as she witnessed the little girl return to her human form. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I couldn¡¯t save her,¡± she said guiltily. ¡°But this little one is in a critical condition. I don¡¯t have any medicine with me to fully heal him. He¡¯s losing too much blood.¡± Zhou Ling focused on controlling his breathing, striving to calm himself down. He needed to make the right decision swiftly. He and Liao Ning had initially planned to bring Liao Nai back to the capital planet and depart from there. However, their plans had been disrupted, and he couldn¡¯t leave just yet. Inhaling deeply, he spoke, ¡°I¡¯ll take you back home first.¡± ¡°What about you? What about Lady Liao?¡± Lili¡¯s eyes welled up with tears as she blamed herself. She had believed that she and Liao Ning were aiding each other, as long as they could escape from the clutches of the imperial family. She was still a free elf. But now Liao Ning had been captured, and her nephew remained in a comatose state. Lili couldn¡¯t simply return to Green Forest Planet. ¡°Come back with me. The elves will surely show their gratitude for saving me. I will use the power of the elves to rescue Liao Ning. You have to trust me this time.¡± Concerned that Zhou Ling might doubt her words, Lili revealed the symbol on her shoulder. ¡°I am genuinely an elder of the elves. I can certainly assist you.¡± Zhou Ling fell silent for a moment before nodding and initiating the aircraft. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s return to the elves and allow Liao Nai to recover there.¡± Taking advantage of the chaos within the royal castle, Zhou Ling left Planet Dynasty under the guise of an imperial guard. Meanwhile, in the other aircraft, Liao Xi regained consciousness. She stared coldly at Sami, who was trying to ingratiate herself. ¡°You took so many years to wake me up, you worthless fool?¡± ¡°Mom, you¡¯re aging rapidly, and I.. ¡® Slap! Before Sami could finish her sentence, Liao Xi struck her across the face. ¡°Am I old? Am I?¡± ¡°No, no, Mom! You¡¯re the most beautiful mother in the world.¡± Sami hastily retrieved a mirror and held it up before her. ¡°Look, you¡¯ve become much younger now. You¡¯ve truly recovered!¡± Seeing her reflection in the mirror, Liao Xi smiled once again. She glanced at Liao Ning, curiosity etched on her face. ¡®You¡¯re my elder brother¡¯s illegitimate daughter? Who is your mother?¡± Liao Ning glared at her but remained silent. She had no knowledge of who her mother was. As a member of the Liao Family who couldn¡¯t even shapeshift, her origins were a mystery to her. Liao Xi stood up, lifting Liao Ning¡¯s chin with a single hand. ¡°She looks like a pure-blooded member of the Liao Family. How vexing!¡± ¡°Mom, Uncle mentioned that if we eliminate her, the Liao Family¡¯s assets would be ours,¡± Sami cautiously reminded her. ¡°You imbecile!¡± Liao Xi snorted.. ¡°She and Liao Nai are the most valuable assets of the Liao Family!¡± Chapter 280 - Chapter 280: Sibling Relationship Chapter 280: Sibling Relationship Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Sami was about to inquire further when a video call came through the Al interface. Switching on the Al, Sami saw that Liao Chen had aged significantly in just a few days. ¡°Liao Xi, you¡¯re awake? The cub¡¯s blood worked!¡± Liao Chen¡¯s sunken eyes finally displayed a glimmer of joy. ¡°How did you end up like this?¡± Liao Xi didn¡¯t mince her words. ¡°I knew the blood of the Liao Family would work. Why did you need me to conduct so many experiments? We are indeed siblings!¡± Liao Xi¡¯s words displeased Liao Chen. ¡°It¡¯s an honor for you to contribute to my cause! You¡¯re aiding the future head of the Liao Family. I¡¯ve already dispatched the army to retrieve you, bring back Liao Nai, and reveal your location to me.¡± Sami stole a glance at Liao Xi, who wore a faint smile. ¡°You can¡¯t bear it, can you? It seems you can only survive a few more years with the blood from my heart.¡± Sami¡¯s eyes widened upon hearing this revelation. She had been completely unaware. Liao Chen asked calmlv, ¡°What is it that vou desire?¡± ¡°Do I have the freedom to do anything I please?¡± Liao Xi smiled. ¡°Well, that¡¯s true. The pure bloodline of the Liao Family rests in my hands, and your life depends on my whims.¡± Liao Chen narrowed his eyes but remained silent, while Liao Ning carefully analyzed the conversation between the two. ¡°You¡¯re not the only one aware of the Liao Family¡¯s secret. I too am a member of the Liao Family, and just look,¡± Liao Xi leaned closer to the camera. ¡°Observe how youthful and vibrant I am. Unlike you, I fear that your funeral is fast approaching, isn¡¯t it?¡± Liao Chen seethed with anger, coughing uncontrollably but unable to utter a word. After a few minutes, he composed himself and asked, ¡°Liao Xi, what do you want?¡± ¡°I want the Liao Family¡¯s assets.¡± Liao Xi instructed Sami to bring Liao Ning to their location so that Liao Chen could see them. ¡°Why haven¡¯t you killed her? Once she¡¯s dead, the Liao Family will be mine, ours!¡± Liao Chen¡¯s face turned crimson with rage. ¡°Why kill her? If she¡¯s willing to transfer the inheritance to me, I can become the head of the Liao Family as well, ¡± Liao Xi declared with satisfaction. ¡°And I can enjoy a long life. Liao Chen, think carefully before you engage with me.¡± Without hesitation, Liao Xi ended the call and then indicated a location for Sami to fly to. Liao Ning was utterly stunned by the unfolding events. The fact that the siblings were truly related by blood and had no regard for family ties, except for their own gains, deeply troubled her. It dawned on her that she owed her survival to Liao Xi¡¯s actions. [System prompt: Host has completed the mission of rescuing the antagonist. Antagonist No. 1 has an evil value of 20%. Mission reward has been granted. Host, please check.] Only now did Liao Ning recall her hidden mission¡ªto uncover the secrets of Liao Chen and the others, as well as the secrets of the Sam Family, in order to gather clues about her own identity. With that in mind, she inquired, ¡°It seems like you have a strained relationship with your brother. So he¡¯s after me and Liao Nai solely for his own benefit.¡± Liao Xi cast a disdainful glance at her. ¡°You don¡¯t need to sow discord between us. We don¡¯t have a good relationship. We¡¯re merely using each other.¡± Recalling how Liao Chen had cast her aside during the attack and forced her into a marriage with the despicable Count Sam, Liao Xi seethed with anger. Particularly when Liao Chen approached her again, she had thought he had finally found his conscience, only to discover that he wanted her heart¡¯s blood. It was Liao Chen¡¯s assault on her that had caused her to age rapidly and fall into a coma. Liao Ning¡¯s mocking continued, ¡°What can you possibly do with him? He¡¯s part of the Interstellar Alliance, and you¡¯re stuck here on Planet Dynasty. You might even end up being captured and taken back.¡± Unfazed, Liao Xi responded, pretending not to care, ¡°As long as I have him in my possession, he¡¯ll find a way to rescue me. Besides, you¡¯re not the only one I hold leverage over. I also possess the Sam Family¡¯s properties and secrets.¡± Upon hearing about the Sam Family¡¯s secrets, Liao Ning grew increasingly nervous. The Sam Family had other hidden truths. Just as Liao Ning was about to inquire further, the aircraft began its descent, and what she saw outside the window left her utterly shocked.. Chapter 281 - Chapter 281: Medicine Chapter 281: Medicine Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations The ground, which should have been dark, shimmered with an ethereal glow. As the aircraft descended, Liao Ning¡¯s gaze pierced through the darkness, revealing a surprising sight. Nestled deep within the forest, a hidden camp unveiled itself before her eyes. Countless airborne vessels dotted the sky, accompanied by vigilant patrol teams on the ground. The emblem of Earl Sam¡¯s clan, an ¡°S¡± symbol, fluttered proudly on the camp¡¯s flag. Liao Ning wasn¡¯t the only one taken aback. Sami, too, was filled with astonishment. She was aware that the Sam Family possessed a mercenary army, but such militaristic might was not unique to them; many noble families enjoyed similar privileges, overlooked by the royal family. However, the Sam Family¡¯s presence was different. Their camp teemed with hundreds of soldiers and housed an impressive arsenal, indicating a formidable strength that surpassed expectations. Nervously, Sami queried, ¡°Mom, are all these forces part of our army? Are we here to rescue Dad?¡± Although she doubted the depth of Liao Xi and Count Sam¡¯s love, she hesitated to suggest that the Sam Family might be engaged in rebellion. During her time in the rebel army, she had noticed the Sam Family making calculated moves. It was evident that these soldiers and weapons had not materialized overnight. Liao Xi remained silent, instead directing the aircraft to land near a towering structure. She disembarked first, and the soldier, upon sighting her, promptly holstered his weapon. ¡°Madame Countess!¡± Acknowledging the soldier¡¯s greeting with a nod, Liao Xi gestured behind her. ¡°Escort this woman to the dungeon and deliver her to Parson. Inform him that she belongs to the Liao Family.¡± The two soldiers swiftly escorted Liao Ning away. Liao Ning found herself transported to the depths of the underground complex, the third level below ground. Unlike the dank and dimly lit prison within the royal castle, this dungeon resembled a scientific laboratory. Soft, white lights adorned the walls, and even the sensor doors emitted a pristine white glow. She was ushered into a room enclosed by bulletproof glass, with only a single recliner in its midst. ¡°You hail from the Liao Family? And your hair, too, is white?¡± A man¡¯s voice reverberated from the loudspeaker. Liao Ning raised her gaze and encountered a young man with disheveled white hair and black-framed glasses. His white coat was rumpled, clearly reflecting his careless demeanor. ¡°May I ask your age? You appear to be an adult female wolf, am I correct? White fur, hmm? How potent is your attacking ability?¡± The man inquired, diligently recording the information in the Al system as part of his planned procedure. Liao Ning brooded silently, aware of her inability to transform and uncertain of what awaited her. However, she refrained from uttering a word. ¡°The Liao Family is renowned for their obstinacy; I understand,¡± the man commented, adjusting his glasses before pressing a button beside him. Instantly, a dense mist enveloped Liao Ning, filling the room with the acrid scent of medicine. ¡°Fret not, this is an enhanced version of the inducer designed to expedite your transformation. I have other experiments to conduct, so time is of the essence. ¡± A repugnant odor assaulted Liao Ning¡¯s senses, and she suddenly felt a wave of weakness sweep over her, causing her to collapse onto the recliner. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± The man outside swiftly deactivated the button, swung open the glass door, and inhaled the scent of the inducer. He morphed into a scrawny white wolf. Yet, his fur exhibited a mixture of white and gray hues, uneven and disheveled, reminiscent of his untidy hair. ¡°You can¡¯t shift forms?¡± the white wolf queried, trembling as it circled around Liao Ning. The white wolf sniffed at Liao Ning, expressing helplessness. ¡°I am Parson, possessing the bloodline of the Liao Family. But why do you appear so feeble?¡± ¡°Parson!¡± As Liao Xi¡¯s voice resonated, Parson reverted to his human form. Utterly helpless, he inquired, ¡°What purpose does such a feeble woman serve? It feels like a waste of time.¡± Liao Xi offered him a cold smile and cast a disdainful gaze upon Liao Ning. ¡°She is our remedy.¡± ¡°Remedy?¡± Parson readjusted his glasses, perplexed. ¡°She doesn¡¯t possess the ability to shapeshift. Besides her striking appearance, I fail to discern any usefulness in her.¡± As Parson spoke, his eyes widened in disbelief, his expression transforming into one of horror. He stared at Liao Xi, searching for answers. ¡°How did you awaken? And how did you regain your youth?¡± Liao Xi rolled her eyes, exasperated. ¡°You¡¯re only realizing this now? That¡¯s precisely why I referred to our beloved Lady Liao as our remedy..¡± Chapter 282 - Chapter 282: Back to Planet Empire Chapter 282: Back to Planet Empire Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Xi provided a brief account of her awakening, leaving Parson utterly shocked. ¡°How is that even possible? Your blood was never that effective. Besides, she¡¯s an illegitimate daughter. It doesn¡¯t make sense,¡± Parson exclaimed, bewildered. ¡°Nothing is impossible. Actions speak louder than words. That¡¯s precisely why I brought her here,¡± Liao Xi declared, picking up a nearby needle and inserting it directly into her own vein, drawing out a vial of blood. ¡°Look at yourself first¡ª cure your own ailments before doing anything else.¡± She tossed the needle to Parson and departed. Parson injected the blood into his body without hesitation. Ten seconds later, Parson¡¯s hair transformed to a dark gray shade. He removed his glasses and addressed Liao Ning, saying, ¡°Only when you regain your vision can you see clearly. You are truly beautiful.¡± Unable to contain her curiosity, Liao Ning asked, ¡°What is wrong with you?¡± She was convinced that Liao Chen and Liao Xi weren¡¯t the only ones afflicted by illness. Parson must be suffering as well, and they all shared the bloodline of the Liao Family. There had to be some significant secret hidden within. ¡°I don¡¯t know, but I am undoubtedly sick. Since you cannot assume human form, you must be unwell too,¡± Parson responded, a hint of discomfort in his voice. ¡°More accurately, there¡¯s something amiss with the Liao Family¡¯s bloodline.¡¯ Parson proceeded to recount his experiences. Like Liao Xi and Liao Chen, Parson¡¯s mother had been coerced by the family to seduce a man from the Liao Family, resulting in his birth. Such circumstances were not uncommon. The Liao Family wielded considerable influence due to their vast business empire, even extending to their collateral branches. Numerous smaller families coveted their power. However, the children born from such unconventional unions often had inherent flaws or met untimely deaths. ¡°So, what is wrong with the Liao Family¡¯s bloodline? You cannot transform, and my eyesight is failing, while Liao Xi is rapidly aging. Do you think the Liao Family is afflicted by some genetic disease?¡± Parson regarded Liao Ning earnestly, but she remained at a loss, unable to offer any answers. She had been assigned by the system to do all kinds of missions since she transmigrated, and she had not yet figured out the real identity of Liao Xi. Seeing that she was silent, Parson said to himself, ¡°I have been studying it for many years, but I can¡¯t figure it out. But Liao Xi woke up with your blood, what about that?¡± He took up one needle and approached Liao Ning, who shouted. ¡°What are you doing? I am warning you, I will not be nice to you!¡± Parson pushed the top of his nose and realized that his glasses had been taken off. He pursed his lips. ¡°You are not as good as me, save your energy.¡± He extracted Liao Ning¡¯s blood and left happily with the needle. By this time, Zhou Ling and Lili had returned to Green Forest Planet, but there were not many elves left here. Lili took Zhou Ling and Liao Nai to the gathering place of the clansmen, but they only saw a few underage elves. ¡°The nobles of the empire have taken many clansmen away with the army, and we are the only ones left.¡± ¡°And the light at home is out. My family is gone.¡± ¡°Same at my home. I can sense that they are gone.¡± ¡°Why did they kill the elves? Why?¡± The little elves cried that they had no combat power or ability to protect themselves. No one even knew how to make potions, so they could only live in the depths of the forest. Lili consoled them and flew deep into the forest, looking for medicines that could help Liao Nai recover. Soon, she came back with all kinds of plants to make potions. As she kept injecting her mental power, the plants turned into liquids of various colors, and finally formed a small pill in her palm. Zhou Ling aided the unconscious Liao Nai to his feet and administered the pill. Observing his complexion turning a healthy shade of red, Lili felt a sense of relief. Apologizing, she said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I thought the Elf Tribe could provide assistance, but even the Green Forest Planet has been affected.¡± Zhou Ling shook his head. He understood that Planet Dynasty had always harbored ambitious aspirations. However, due to the Interstellar Alliance¡¯s formidable military might, they had maintained an illusory peace for many years. If they wanted to rescue Liao Ning, they needed to locate Liao Xi, and their starting point would be Earl Sam. With determination in his eyes, Zhou Ling resolved to return to Planet Dynasty, firmly believing that Liao Ning was still there. Aware of his intentions, Lili declared, ¡°I will accompany you on your journey. If you wish to return to the royal family, you will need my assistance..¡± Chapter 283 - Chapter 283: Deal Chapter 283: Deal Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°No, we have a deal,¡± Zhou Ling asserted firmly. ¡°I will drive you home. If you want to help, please take care of this little one.¡± Zhou Ling gentlv caressed Liao Nai¡¯s hair. his thoughts momentarily clouded by the absence of Liao Ning. Lili persisted, insisting, ¡°If you hand me over to the Elder Prince, he will undoubtedly trust you. That way, you¡¯ll have someone to rely on within the royal family and a chance to get closer to Earl Sam. He must know the whereabouts of Lady Liao.¡± With conviction, Lili continued, ¡°As an Elder of the elves, there aren¡¯t many of us who possess potion-making skills. The Elder Prince wouldn¡¯t dare harm me. Moreover, I have the ability to manipulate the will of others. I can be your ally when we return together, right?¡± Zhou Ling gazed at Lili intently, contemplating her proposal before finally nodding in agreement. The two of them made arrangements for Liao Nai¡¯s care with the remaining elves before embarking on their journey back to Planet Dynasty. News of Zhou Ling¡¯s return with Lili spread swiftly, prompting the Elder Prince to rush to the gate to receive them. ¡°Lili! Is it truly you?¡± he exclaimed, reaching out to embrace her, oblivious to her obvious disgust and resistance. ¡°Elder Prince, she escaped from the prison. I witnessed her fleeing the other day and followed her out of town,¡± Zhou Ling informed him, but his words fell on deaf ears. The Elder Prince was completely absorbed in the joy of finding Lili. Meanwhile, a riot had erupted in the underground prison. The royal family had suffered significant losses, with over half of the captive creatures escaping. Many innocent bystanders were also caught up in the chaos, resulting in casualties and injuries. Loya had discovered the Elder Prince¡¯s vulnerability and used money to pacify the affected individuals. It was clear that she intended to continue her fight for the throne against him. Overwhelmed by the circumstances, the Elder Prince had never anticipated Lili¡¯s return unharmed. His focus was solely on this woman before him. ¡°Olift, you have done an exceptional job,¡± the Elder Prince declared jubilantly. ¡°From this day forward, you will assume command of the royal guards and the security forces. Accompany me and report back. Your promotion is imminent, and there is much work to be done in this critical time.¡± The Elder Prince guided Lili onto the spacecraft, followed by Zhou Ling boarding his own vessel. Upon returning to the royal castle, Zhou Ling made a beeline for the cell where Count Sam was incarcerated. Due to the prison¡¯s damage, Count Sam¡¯s punishment had been delayed. In just a few days, Earl Sam had endured unimaginable torment, resulting in significant weight loss. As someone entered the cell, Earl Sam mustered a smile. ¡°Your Majesty, what more do you have in store? Let¡¯s see how you treat your own brother!¡± Suppressing his surprise, Zhou Ling approached Earl Sam and swiftly inserted a truth-telling pill into his mouth. The pill was a gift from Lili, designed to be most effective during interrogations. Considering past experiences, Zhou Ling wasted no time in beginning his questioning, fearing that the pill¡¯s effects might fade at any moment. ¡°Are there any more hiding places associated with Sam?¡± he inquired. ¡°Yes,¡± Earl Sam replied mechanically, his eyes lacking their usual luster. Seizing the opportunity, Zhou Ling posed his next question, his tone grave. ¡°Where is Sami?¡± Earl Sam appeared hesitant upon hearing the question, but ultimately responded truthfully, ¡°In the desolate mountains and forests, there is a military base belonging to the Sam Family.¡± Zhou Ling hadn¡¯t anticipated the existence of a Sam Family military base. His thoughts drifted back to Earl Sam¡¯s earlier remarks¡ªit seemed that Sam was connected to the King as well. Delving deeper, he asked with a stern voice, ¡°What is your relationship with the King?¡± ¡°I am his brother,¡± Earl Sam replied emotionlessly. ¡°I am a member of the royal family who was fostered within the Sam Family.¡± Zhou Ling pressed on with his inquiries. ¡°Why did you form an army? Are you planning to rebel?¡± ¡°I am not rebelling. I am reclaiming the throne that rightfully belongs to me. I should be the King!¡± In that moment, many previously incomprehensible pieces of the puzzle fell into place for Zhou Ling. Why did the Imperial Family permit Earl Sam to exert control over the majority of the shipping business? And why did they turn a blind eye to the actions of the Sam Family? Even when the king fell victim to poisoning, Earl Sam had not been swiftly executed. Before Zhou Ling could delve further into his inquiries, Earl Sam regained consciousness. ¡°What did you do to me just now?¡± He rubbed his throbbing head, unable to recall recent events. ¡°Would I dare to do anything to the royal family?¡± Zhou Ling narrowed his eyes, drawing nearer to Earl Sam, his voice laced with intrigue. ¡°After all, you are the king¡¯s brother, aren¡¯t you?¡± Earl Sam¡¯s expression turned unfriendly, his eyes filled with suspicion. ¡°What do you want?¡± ¡°I wish to strike a deal with you..¡± Chapter 284 - Chapter 284: Money and Power Chapter 284: Money and Power Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Zhou Ling had received news from Zhou Ye that the rebel army was already preparing to attack Planet Dynasty, making it incredibly difficult for them to escape with Liao Ning. Not only would the imperial family prevent their departure, but the rebel army would as well. Moreover, Liao Ning was still in Liao Xi¡¯s custody. Their only chance of escape lay in creating chaos on the capital planet. If Count Sam¡¯s army could engage three armies, it would be much easier for them to return to the capital. When Zhou Ling informed Earl Sam about his plan, the latter remained silent, scrutinizing him with suspicion. ¡°Who are you?¡± Sam asked in a low voice. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter who I am. What matters is that you will soon face execution,¡± Zhou Ling replied teasingly. ¡°I propose a deal that could save your life.¡± Sam raised an eyebrow, his double chin quivering. ¡°What kind of deal? What do you want?¡± Seeing Sam¡¯s guard start to lower, Zhou Ling revealed his plan. ¡°The royal family is closely monitoring you, preventing me from extracting you. However, I can bring your army inside.¡± Sam was taken aback. He hadn¡¯t expected this man to be aware of his army¡¯s existence. Suspicion evident in his voice, he asked, ¡°What do you seek in return?¡± Zhou Ling smiled. ¡°I seek wealth and influence. I am but a lieutenant colonel, nothing more.¡± Relieved, Sam let out a sigh. He dreaded encounters with individuals who asked for nothing, particularly those from the rebel army who were willing to sacrifice everything for their ideals. This man, however, clearly had an agenda. As long as he had a hidden agenda, Sam telt reassured. Glancing at his injured arm, Sam said, ¡°You cut open my right arm, revealing the highest mark badge of the Sam Family. You will go to the base in the barren mountains and assume the highest authority.¡± ¡°As long as you can secure my escape and eliminate the king, I can become your brother, the king. I swear upon the royal family that you will be appointed as the empire¡¯s general,¡± Sam confidently declared. Zhou Ling smiled in response. ¡°I sincerely hope that you will uphold your end of the bargain, Your Majesty.¡± With an agreement reached, Zhou Ling swiftly departed from the prison. Earl Sam was scheduled for execution in a matter of days, and it was imperative for the Sam Family¡¯s army to launch an attack beforehand. Without their leader, the army¡¯s combat effectiveness would be significantly diminished. Thanks to the Elder Prince¡¯s favor, Zhou Ling¡¯s aircraft encountered no hindrances as it headed straight towards the Sam Family¡¯s military base. Meanwhile, in the dungeon of the military base, Parson appeared visibly thrilled. Clutching a needle, he spoke to Liao Ning with excitement in his voice. ¡°Your blood, being pure, possesses the power to activate regenerative cells. It¡¯s truly unbelievable!¡± Liao Ning observed as Parson injected the needle into his own vein, resembling a drug addict reveling in euphoria. Parson¡¯s hair turned black, and his skin improved. His eyes emitted a yellow glow. Releasing a howl, he transformed into a black wolf, completely different from the one Liao Ning had encountered days ago. Not only had the wolf grown larger, but its fur color had also changed. Extending its claws, Parson spoke, ¡°Who is your mother? What other abilities do you possess? I know you won¡¯t divulge any information, but as long as you remain in my custody, I will eventually uncover your secrets.¡± A sinister gleam lingered in Parson¡¯s eyes, but Liao Ning paid him no attention. Just as Parson reverted to his human form and prepared to extract Liao Ning¡¯s blood, the dungeon door swung open. With a hint of displeasure, Parson retorted, ¡°Didn¡¯t anyone inform you that you can¡¯t simply barge into my laboratory?¡± However, upon seeing the person who entered, Parson realized he was unfamiliar with the leader. Liao Ning, bound to the recliner, was equally astonished¡ªit was Zhou Ling. Addressing the soldiers behind him, Zhou Ling commanded, ¡°Release her immediately!¡± ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing? She¡¯s mine! My experimental subject!¡± Parson rushed forward to intervene, but none of the soldiers paid him any heed. ¡°Liao Xi, you can¡¯t let them take her away!¡± Liao Ning, now free from her restraints, glanced up and beheld not only soldiers accompanying Zhou Ling, but also the furious figures of Liao Xi and Sami.. Chapter 285 - Chapter 285: Attacking Planet Empire Chapter 285: Attacking Planet Empire Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Zhou Ling ceased any further conversation with Parson and instead approached Liao Ning, enveloping her in his arms. Lowering his head, he inquired softly, ¡°Are you alright?¡± Liao Ning shook her head, bewildered and curious about the unfolding situation. ¡°We¡¯ll talk about it later,¡± Zhou Ling replied in a hushed tone. He then exited the dungeon with the weakened Liao Ning. Parson attempted to intercept them, but the soldiers swiftly thwarted his efforts without mercy. ¡°What is happening? Liao Xi, you owe me an explanation! Don¡¯t you understand the importance of the experiment at this moment?¡± Parson grew increasingly anxious. He had endured enough torment and was unwilling to relinquish his chance at returning to normalcy. However, Liao Xi coldly stated, ¡°I will handle this.¡± Without casting a backward glance, she departed the dungeon. Once inside a secure room, Zhou Ling closed the door and conducted a scan of the surroundings using an Al. A sigh of relief escaped him upon confirming the absence of surveillance cameras. Overwhelmed by the abrupt turn of events, Liao Ning couldn¡¯t contain her curiosity any longer. ¡°This is so sudden. I have so many questions. How did you find this place? And why does everyone listen to you? Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Zhou Ling proceeded to explain the entire situation to her. Liao Ning was taken aback. She had never expected Earl Sam to be the king¡¯s brother. The Sam Family must have been accumulating resources and recruiting soldiers for rebellion all these years. [Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the hidden mission: Secret of the Liao Family. Please check the mission rewards.] [Liao Ning¡¯s background: Liao Ning is the illegitimate daughter of the former head of the Liao Family, and her mother is the chief of the sea demons possessing purifying abilities. She possesses the ability to transform into a sea demon or a white wolf. The two bloodlines are in conflict and require specific stimulation to transform into her human form. Liao Ning, being of the pure lineage of the Liao Family, possessed a unique ability. Her blood could provide temporary recovery for those with defects. However, if she were to tap into the sea demon¡¯s purification ability, she could grant complete recovery and access the family¡¯s inherited power. Overwhelmed by this revelation, Liao Ning couldn¡¯t help but exclaim internally ¡ªwhat kind of intricate setting was this? Was she already so formidable? No wonder she had been kept separate from the main family. It wasn¡¯t solely due to her status as an illegitimate daughter; it was because she harbored the potential of two bloodlines. However, despite learning about her background, Liao Ning couldn¡¯t find happiness in it. Even if Zhou Ling could mobilize Count Sam¡¯s army, both Liao Xi and her daughter would never allow her to go freely. Moreover, Liao Nai remained alone on Green Forest Planet, and she needed to bring him back as soon as possible. Zhou Ling also unveiled his plan. ¡°Count Sam¡¯s army has been biding their time and maintaining their strength for years. They have spies within the imperial army. With the recent turmoil caused by the mermaid riot, the empire¡¯s power has significantly diminished. Adding the rebel army, it won¡¯t be a problem to topple the empire.¡± ¡°I will accompany you,¡± Liao Ning asserted. ¡°Lili returned for my sake, and I must save her. Then we will journey to Green Forest Planet together and bring Liao Nai back home.¡± Zhou Ling nodded. ¡°I have already discussed this with Elder Brother. He will persuade Li Xian to join us in the assault on Planet Dynasty, allowing us to return home together.¡± The prospect of finally returning home choked Liao Ning up. Mili must be feeling anxious as well. The next morning, Zhou Ling issued the order for the army to attack Planet Dynasty. Many of Count Sam¡¯s troops were former subordinates of the previous king. They had always believed in Sam as the rightful heir and were eager to assist him in reclaiming the throne. However, Liao Xi voiced her objections. ¡°l disagree! As the Countess, you must listen to me. Don¡¯t take action now. The most crucial thing is to conserve your strength! You can¡¯t allow so many lives to be sacrificed solely for Sam!¡± Her words carried a sharp edge, yet her certainty wavered. The Sam Family¡¯s army served as her final trump card. If she aimed to seize control of the Liao Family, without this army, she wouldn¡¯t stand a chance against Liao Chen. Sami, who had just discovered that Earl Sam was the king¡¯s brother, found herself in a state of shock. If Earl Sam were to ascend the throne, she could become the queen as well. Noticing Liao Xi¡¯s gaze upon her, Sami spoke up. ¡°If my father entrusted him with the badge, it means he¡¯s in a dire situation. I believe we should prioritize his rescue.¡± ¡°Sami, do you even realize what you¡¯re suggesting?¡± Liao Xi interjected, her voice resounding with authority. Undeterred, Sami pressed on. ¡°If we want to restore order, we must ensure my father¡¯s survival. Without him, we¡¯ll be left with three princes and the Princess of Dawn, and we won¡¯t have any influence in the matter.¡± For once, Zhou Ling found himself agreeing with Sami¡¯s perspective.. Finally, he declared, ¡°Tomorrow morning, we will launch an attack on Planet Empire!¡± Chapter 286 - Chapter 286: Chaotic Battle Chapter 286: Chaotic Battle Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations At the break of dawn, Earl Sam¡¯s army stood prepared, soldiers primed for battle. Zhou Ling had already made contact with Zhou Ye, and the rebel army was in the midst of preparing their assault on Planet Dynasty. Once the chaos of the battle erupted, it would provide an opportune moment for their escape from the planet. Zhou Ling¡¯s objective was clear¡ªto rescue Lili and rendezvous with Zhou Ye on the green planet, enabling the entire family to depart from the empire as swiftly as possible. It was inevitable that the rebel army would eventually seize control of the empire. The imperial forces would be fractured, and Count Sam¡¯s army lacked substantial combat experience. Only the rebel army, popular among the people and armed with the military distribution map provided by Zhou Ling, possessed the strength necessary for victory. Donning military attire, Zhou Ling stood before the towering edifice, with Liao Ning by his side. ¡°Warriors, today is the day we reclaim the throne for Count Sam, and you will become the founders of our new nation! Now, let us march!¡± Zhou Ling¡¯s voice resonated with determination. At his command, soldiers boarded spacecraft and airships, laden with an assortment of ammunition. Every individual from the military base was mobilized. Zhou Ling and Liao Ning also entered a medium-sized invisible airship¡ªan essential tool for their escape. ¡°Mother, what should we do?¡± Sami¡¯s anxiety consumed her. She knew that Liao Ning and the others were involved in something significant, but she felt powerless to intervene. ¡°And now you ask me? Why didn¡¯t you stop him yesterday? You useless fool!¡± Liao Xi glared at Sami before stepping onto the spacecraft. Determined to save Count Sam, Liao Xi insisted on being present. After a night of internal struggle, she had finally made up her mind. If she couldn¡¯t seize control of the army, she would at least return to Planet Empire and secure the Sam Family¡¯s assets. That was what she needed to survive. Additionally, she had obtained the antidote to cure her illness. Her gaze fixated on the spot where Liao Ning¡¯s airship had vanished. Amidst the ensuing chaos, she needed to obtain Liao Ning¡¯s blood in order to negotiate with Liao Chen. The airship carried only the two of them, shrouded in a heavy silence. Liao Ning, having never experienced real warfare, couldn¡¯t help but worry about the potential implications for innocent civilians. Sensing her concerns, Zhou Ling reassured her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Li Xian will be a just and compassionate leader. He will treat the people well.¡± Liao Ning nodded silently. She had been in contact with Li Xian for a considerable period and recognized his qualities as a leader, especially his commitment to equality among all individuals. Lost in her thoughts, Liao Ning suddenly realized that the army had arrived at the gates of Planet Dynasty. Under Zhou Ling¡¯s command, everyone stealthily took cover. Zhou Ling disembarked from the airship, confirming his identity before the guards swiftly opened the doors. In an instant, as Zhou Ling returned to the airship, a multitude of aircraft surged through the gates, catching the guards off guard. Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the city gate, the guards received a distress signal and prepared to confront the incoming forces when suddenly, the gates were forcefully breached. The rebel army entered confidently, while the mermaid army stormed through the gates of the royal castle without causing harm to any civilians. Everything unfolded with astonishing speed. Before the royal family could react, chaos erupted within the prison located beneath the castle. In the midst of this turmoil, the Elder Prince found himself bound to a bed, his gaze fixed upon the jubilant Lili flapping her wings. ¡°Darling, why are you playing this game with me? It¡¯s not fun at all. Release me!¡± Under his coaxing and coercion, Lili reluctantly agreed to his proposition. However, just as the Elder Prince was about to indulge in his desires, his expression soured upon hearing the commotion outside. Wearing a sycophantic expression, he pleaded, ¡°Lili, I must step outside and assess the situation. Untie me, and we can continue our activities upon my return.¡± Lili retracted her wings, casting him a disdainful gaze. ¡°What more do you want? You¡¯re repulsive, and your dreams are futile!¡± ¡°You needn¡¯t trouble yourself going outside. I¡¯ll inform you of the situation.¡± Lili glanced down at him. ¡°Don¡¯t you know about the Butterfly¡¯s abilities? I controlled the feral beasts you imprisoned, and they¡¯ve wreaked havoc on your castle once more!¡± Before the Elder Prince could utter a word, one wall of his chamber was forcefully demolished, and the head of a black dragon emerged. Lili flew to the dragon¡¯s neck and settled herself, gently patting its scaled surface.. ¡°This time, I shall ride the flying dragon! My darling, let us depart now! ¡° Chapter 287 - Chapter 287: Heart Blood Chapter 287: Heart Blood Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Earl Sam¡¯s army, while not particularly skilled in actual combat, possessed impressive equipment. When combined with the rebel army¡¯s assault, numerous soldiers stormed into the castle. Just as Liao Ning prepared to rush into the basement to save Lili, a deafening roar resonatea tnrougn tne air. ¡®l¡¯ne castle¡¯s root was torcetL111Y displaced, ana an enormous black dragon soared into the sky, capturing everyone¡¯s attention. However, Liao Ning¡¯s surprise exceeded that caused by the dragon itself. Her astonishment grew as she noticed a small black dot on the dragon¡¯s neck, vigorously waving at her. ¡°Lady Liao, I¡¯m here! I¡¯m riding a dragon! Isn¡¯t he magnificent?¡± Lili exclaimed with excitement. However, the black dragon seemed less pleased, emitting flames from its nostrils and venting its anger towards the ground. Liao Ning swiftly located an unmanned aircraft and prepared to board it. Yet, the moment she opened the door, she felt a sharp pain on the left side of her neck. She turned around to find Liao Xi, syringe in hand, extracting her blood. ¡°Leaving so soon? I won¡¯t let you go!¡± Liao Xi accelerated her actions. Reacting swiftly, Liao Ning delivered a kick to Liao Xi¡¯s stomach, causing her to retreat and dropping the syringe. Suddenly, the black dragon unleashed a thunderous roar, shaking its head uncontrollably. It was evident that Lili¡¯s control over it had waned. Liao Ning had no time to engage in further confrontation with Liao Xi. She swiftly boarded the spacecraft, escaping the wrath of the black dragon alongside Lili mere moments before it unleashed its fury. ¡°Did you see that? I actually rode a dragon! I was so magnificent up there! I¡¯ve never flown so high before!¡± Lili gushed with excitement, still caught in the thrill of riding the dragon. Liao Ning piloted the aircraft and made her way towards Zhou Ling¡¯s airship. With surprise and excitement, Lili followed Liao Ning onto the airship, bombarding her with questions. ¡°Do you have airships? Your boyfriend must be incredibly wealthy. Is he of noble or royal lineage? He couldn¡¯t possibly be a profiteer, could he?¡± ¡°Lili!¡± Liao Ning felt a headache coming on. ¡°Would you like some candies to enjoy? Observing the innocent expression on Lili¡¯s face, Liao Ning couldn¡¯t bring herself to utter the words ¡°shut up.¡± However, she understood that actions could speak louder than words. Retrieving the candies she had prepared for Liao Nai, Liao Ning promptly stuffed them into Lili¡¯s mouth. At first, Lili seemed startled, but soon her countenance transformed into one of utmost satisfaction, effectively silencing her. At this point, Zhou Ling had already rendered the airship invisible, steering it towards Green Forest Planet. He received news that Zhou Ye had arrived with his men, but Liao Nai was nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, chaos enveloped the royal castle, and Sami, donning the cloak, arrived at the underground prison where Count Sam was being held captive. Liao Xi followed closely behind. Sami hastily lifted the unconscious Earl Sam and turned to Liao Xi for assistance. However, in the next moment, a look of terror overcame her. ¡°Mom, what¡¯s happening to you? Why are you aging again?¡± Sami exclaimed, fear in her voice. Liao Xi¡¯s hair turned grey, her eyes began to sink, wrinkles multiplied on her skin, and her body trembled. Evidently, she was reaching her limit. Liao Xi stared at her reflection in a glass window, disbelief etched on her face. Hastily, she injected Liao Ning¡¯s blood into her body. Yet, the small amount of blood proved insufficient, only restoring her hair to its natural black color but failing to halt the aging process. Helplessly, Liao Xi sighed. ¡°It appears that the effects of the medicine have a time limit.¡± Sami rushed to her side, attempting to offer solace. ¡°Mom, what should we do? Should we capture Liao Ning? With her around, you won¡¯t have to endure sleep.¡± Liao Xi shook her head, then turned to Sami, gently stroking her hair. ¡°Mom¡­¡± Sami¡¯s eyes reddened, tears welling up. In the next moment, her pupils dilated. She lowered her head in disbelief, only to see a dagger 10dged In ner neart. ¡°Mom, Mom?¡± Sami couldn¡¯t fathom what was happening. She desperately tried to remove the dagger, but Liao Xi drove it in deeper. Liao Xi wore a pitiable expression as she smiled. ¡°Darling, blood can cure me too.. Have you forgotten?¡± Chapter 288 - Chapter 288: Starting the Live-stream Chapter 288: Starting the Live-stream Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Sami¡¯s eyes brimmed with fear, sorrow, and a faint hint of madness. However, as her life ebbed away, she finally succumbed to death, carrying her unresolved grievances with her. Liao Xi gazed at her lifeless daughter and tightened her lips. Swiftly, she produced a syringe to collect Sami¡¯s heart blood. Her current predicament offered little hope. She could slip into an eternal slumber at any moment, presenting her with a pivotal choice: to fight for her own survival or allow the loathsome descendant of Earl Sam to persist. To Liao Xi, this was a question without cost. As Sami¡¯s blood coursed into her veins, Liao Xi¡¯s countenance transformed with a semblance of delight. While it might not match the potency of Liao Ning¡¯s blood, it remained the life essence of her closest kin. It bestowed upon her the vitality of a 40-year-old and a significant boost in stamina. With meticulous care, Liao Xi preserved the remainder of Sami¡¯s heart blood. Ke Lang was already deceased, leaving Sami¡¯s heart blood as her sole lifeline. At that moment, Earl Sam exhibited signs of rousing. Upon hearing his voice, Liao Xi¡¯s contemptuous disposition surged, prompting her to seize a dagger and thrust it into his heart. She then removed Earl Sam¡¯s left eye, preserving it within a glass vial. Lastly, she appropriated Sami¡¯s invisibility cloak and hastily departed the scene. Upon arriving at Green Forest Planet, Zhou Ling and the others discovered Zhou Ye and Olift already waiting for them. produced a syringe to collect Sami¡¯s heart blood. Her current predicament offered little hope. She could slip into an eternal slumber at any moment, presenting her with a pivotal choice: to fight for her own survival or allow the loathsome descendant of Earl Sam to persist. To Liao Xi, this was a question without cost. As Sami¡¯s blood coursed into her veins, Liao Xi¡¯s countenance transformed with a semblance of delight. While it might not match the potency of Liao Ning¡¯s blood, it remained the life essence of her closest kin. It bestowed upon her the vitality of a 40-year-old and a significant boost in stamina. With meticulous care, Liao Xi preserved the remainder of Sami¡¯s heart blood. Ke Lang was already deceased, leaving Sami¡¯s heart blood as her sole lifeline. At that moment, Earl Sam exhibited signs of rousing. Upon hearing his voice, Liao Xi¡¯s contemptuous disposition surged, prompting her to seize a dagger and thrust it into his heart. She then removed Earl Sam¡¯s left eye, preserving it within a glass vial. Lastly, she appropriated Sami¡¯s invisibility cloak and hastily departed the scene. Upon arriving at Green Forest Planet, Zhou Ling and the others discovered Zhou Ye and Olift already waiting for them. ¡°Where¡¯s Liao Nai? Haven¡¯t you seen him?¡± Liao Ning inquired urgently, her concern deepening as she contemplated his remaining 20% dark value. ¡°Auntie?¡± Suddenly, a feeble voice emanated from the thorny bushes. Lili promptly spread her wings and ascended into the sky. She called out to the concealed beings within the thorny underbrush, ¡°Little ones, come out. I¡¯m back. These people are all friends.¡± In response to her words, a group of small elves, including a robust wolf cub, cautiously emerged from their hiding places. ¡°Auntie!¡± Liao Nai rushed toward Liao Ning, enveloping her in a tight embrace. Liao Ning cradled the wolf cub¡¯s head tenderly, her voice choked with emotion. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry for causing you worry. We¡¯ll be heading home soon.¡± [Ding! System alert: Villain No. I¡¯s wickedness level has dropped to 10%. Host, please continue your efforts.] Upon hearing the system notification, Liao Ning finally breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Liao Nai remained free from malevolence, there was still hope for this world. The group arrived at Lili¡¯s residence, and Lili brought out her cherished honey to treat everyone. As they gazed at the cups of honey water, Liao Nai¡¯s stomach let out an audible growl. He mumbled, embarrassed, ¡°I¡¯ve been surviving on honey and flower dew for the past few days. Otherwise, I¡¯d be eating grass. I, I¡­¡¯ Liao Ning smiled warmly and patted the young one¡¯s head. It was evident he hadn¡¯t had a proper meal in quite some time. ¡°I¡¯ll check what ingredients we have. Today, I¡¯ll put on a little show and cook something delicious for everyone, alright?¡± Upon hearing Liao Ning¡¯s proposal, everyone, except the elves, eagerly anticipated the treat. Lili looked puzzled. ¡°What do you mean, a show? What are you planning?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you know? My aunt is an expert in ancient cuisine. She¡¯s the top live-streamer for ancient recipes, and her dishes are extraordinary!¡± Liao Nai boasted proudly. The mention of delicious food made Lili¡¯s face light up with anticipation. Even the other little elves were eager to assist Liao Ning in finding ingredients. Just as Liao Ning returned with her newfound helpers, Zhou Ling had set up the live-streaming equipment. Furthermore, he and Zhou Ye had reverted to their original appearances. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Why are they live-streaming at a time like this?¡± Liao Ning was puzzled. With the Planet Empire embroiled in a chaotic conflict, wouldn¡¯t a live-stream reveal their continued existence to the world? Zhou Ling nodded. ¡°We¡¯ve already contacted the Interstellar Alliance¡¯s forces. They will come to retrieve you. It¡¯s been too long since you were last seen, and the planetary government hopes you can explain the motives behind the empire¡¯s abduction.¡± Liao Ning inquired, ¡°Are they trying to win public support?¡± Zhou Ling elaborated, ¡°Not only that, but the Interstellar Alliance may also join the battle soon. With my brother still alive and you, an ancient culinary expert who can help people cope with the mental strain, it¡¯s quite promising.¡± Upon hearing his explanation, Liao Ning nodded decisively.. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get ready for the live-stream!¡± Chapter 289 - Chapter 289: Honey and Fruit Porridge Chapter 289: Honey and Fruit Porridge Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations When Liao Ning initiated the live stream, a sense of confusion swept through the audience. [¡°Who¡¯s that? Is that really Liao Ning?¡±] [¡°Liao Ning¡¯s streaming from her own account! Has she returned to the Interstellar Alliance?¡±] [¡°Isn¡¯t Liao Ning no longer in the empire? Has she been rescued?¡±] [¡°Could it be that her account¡¯s been hacked? Why¡¯s the setup so minimal?¡±] [¡°Liao Ning, please give us a secret sign to confirm it¡¯s you.¡±] Upon reading these comments, Liao Ning couldn¡¯t suppress her laughter. ¡°It¡¯s truly me. Want a closer look? I¡¯ll be live-streaming through my own account from now on, continuing to teach everyone the art of creating ancient delicacies! No longer shall I be under someone else¡¯s control.¡± With those words, Liao Ning playfully winked and gestured for Zhou Ye to make an appearance on screen. Standing at attention, Zhou Ye addressed the audience with formality. ¡°Greetings, everyone. I¡¯m Miss Liao¡¯s assistant for this live stream. I¡¯m Zhou [¡°Who did he say he was?¡±] [¡°Who¡¯s Zhou Ye? He looks like a soldier.¡±] [¡°Oh my goodness! Is this Colonel Zhou? The missing Colonel Zhou?¡±] [¡°It¡¯s my boss! It¡¯s really Colonel Zhou!¡±] When Liao Ning first began her live stream, the viewer count was just over 100,000, with many doubting its authenticity. However, Zhou Ye¡¯s sudden appearance sent shockwaves through the stream. Historically, many soldiers had shown little interest in ancient delicacies. But as soon as they caught wind of Zhou Ye¡¯s presence, practically every serviceman accessed the military Al to join the live stream, eager to inquire about Zhou Ye¡¯s circumstances. This marked Zhou Ye¡¯s inaugural live stream. As he glanced at the barrage of questions flooding the screen, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit flustered. He wasn¡¯t entirely sure how to respond to the myriad inquiries. Liao Ning swiftly clarified, ¡°Colonel Zhou has actually been residing on Golden Rice Planet since his disappearance. We encountered him during our time in the empire. Now that we¡¯re in a secure situation, we plan to return to the capital planet in a few days.¡± In that moment, Zhou Ye recollected the reason behind his departure from the country. He took a series of deep breaths and asserted, ¡°Indeed, the military will dispatch a team to retrieve us. Please rest assured that the Interstellar Alliance remains committed to our rescue, and its soldiers stand unwavering in their dedication to the safety of all civilians.¡± True to his rank, Colonel Zhou¡¯s words radiated inspiration, prompting a surge of excitement among the netizens. The live stream immediately escalated to a higher level. Meanwhile, amidst an inopportune rumble of stomachs, Liao Nai and the elves couldn¡¯t help but betray their hunger. It was only then that Liao Ning broke into a smile and began her live cooking demonstration. ¡°Today, I¡¯m here to reassure everyone of my safety. Simultaneously, I¡¯m excited to continue introducing you to the world of ancient delicacies.¡± Gently, she showcased the fruit basket in her possession, its contents all freshly picked from the Green Forest Planet. Their vibrant colors were tantalizing and unique to this particular world. ¡°My focus today is on honey fruit porridge, featuring honey specially crafted by the elves, giving it a distinct and potent flavor.¡± ¡°Begin by simmering the rice until it becomes a smooth porridge, then dice the apple and banana into small pieces, ensuring you peel the apple.¡± She continued with enthusiasm, ¡°Next, blend the elves¡¯ unique honey into the cooked porridge, stirring it until thoroughly combined. Let the porridge cool slightly, and it¡¯s ready to enjoy!¡± Despite the abundance of ingredients on Green Forest Planet, some seasonings were scarce, prompting Liao Ning to adapt to local resources. Moreover, with the sizeable audience present today, other dishes couldn¡¯t be prepared as swiftly, aligning with Liao Ning¡¯s intended plan. She dished out two bowls of porridge, one for Zhou Ye and another for Liao Nai. The young one transformed into a wolf, gracefully leaping onto the stage before indulging in a taste of the fruit porridge. Beside him, Zhou Ling activated the five senses sharing system, taking dainty sips of the porridge and extending the experience to all the viewers. [Colonel¡¯s got style. A handsome man enjoying fruit porridge is just adorable!] [Liao Ning¡¯s impeccable as always! This honey is incredibly silky. Where can we get it?] [Absolutely! The honey even has a hint of floral fragrance. What kind of honey is this?] [The wolf cub¡¯s back! Oh my goodness! My little one, Auntie¡¯s missed you so much!] As the porridge neared completion, Liao Ning gently pulled Lili, who had been covertly sneaking tastes, in front of the camera. ¡°Meet Miss Lili, the youngest elder among the elves. These magical beings not only excel in crafting potions but also produce this extraordinary honey.¡± ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to a long-lasting collaboration with the elves. In time, everyone will have the chance to savor the unique delicacies they bring.¡± Though a tad nervous, Lili¡¯s eyes radiated gratitude upon hearing these words. The elves were currently juggling numerous responsibilities. It remained uncertain how many elders and clan members they could rescue from the empire this time. However, if they could generate income by selling the elves¡¯ honey, it would provide them with financial independence, liberating them from dependence on others for sustenance and medicine.. Chapter 290 - Chapter 290: Really Fated Chapter 290: Really Fated Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Ever since receiving the new mission notification from the system, Liao Ning had been plagued by worries. Despite her return to the capital planet, Liao Ning knew that, while the Liao family might not openly attack her and Liao Nai, the whereabouts of Liao Xi remained unknown. Furthermore, the lurking presence of Liao Chen, with covetous intentions, added to her apprehension. Safety seemed elusive, and inheriting Liao Nai¡¯s father¡¯s legacy felt like an unattainable dream. Under this constant state of unease, Liao Ning and her companions finally reached the first destination of their journey back: the transit space station. In the midst of the chaos that had engulfed Planet Dynasty, interstellar space pirates had begun to exploit the situation. Even though the rebel army had taken control of Planet Dynasty, many royal families and nobles clung to resistance. The repercussions extended to the surrounding planets, as the people sought refuge within the Interstellar Alliance. Refugees could now be found on numerous neighboring small planets. While Li Xian had refrained from attacking civilians directly, the ravages of war had left no citizen of the Empire untouched. Even the transit space station had become a refuge for many. Zhou Ling led her group to the heart of the space station, where the welcoming party awaited their arrival. ¡°It¡¯s been a while! Are you all having a grand adventure?¡± Su MO greeted them warmly, moving in for a big hug when he saw Zhou Ling. Zhou Ling, however, swiftly evaded the hug, and Zhou Ye stood her ground, preventing Su MO from getting too close. An unimpressed Su MO remarked, ¡°I risked my life to come and fetch you. Do you have any idea how perilous it is out here, with refugees and interstellar space pirates running amok? Only a true friend like me would dare to pick you up. Hmph!¡± Zhou Ling retorted with a hint of disdain, ¡°It¡¯s no surprise the Su family showed up when there¡¯s a chance to show off. Besides, with this large entourage, your life isn¡¯t in any danger. Even interstellar space pirates would think twice before crossing your path.¡± Observing their playful banter, Liao Nings spirits lifted. Although the capital planet still lay ahead, having someone to receive them had brought her a much-needed sense of reassurance. The airship required refueling, leading to them being accommodated in the guest rooms of the space station. Just as Liao Ning was about to retire for some rest, Su MO hesitated for a moment before turning to her with a slightly embarrassed look. ¡°Liao Ning, the military has assigned me a mission that requires your assistance.¡± ¡°What kind of mission?¡± Zhou Ling asked cautiously. After contemplating it for a moment, Su MO explained, ¡°The relationship between the Interstellar Alliance and the Empire is rather delicate right now. The influx of refugees, especially from exceptional races like the elves and mermaids, is becoming prominent. Our military has an interest in them.¡± ¡°Considering your previous involvement with them, the higher-ups hope that you can continue to live-stream on behalf of the Interstellar Alliance,¡± Su MO scratched his head. ¡°Additionally, it¡¯s a way to showcase how highly the military regards you and to demonstrate our purpose in coming to pick you up. Could you also express your support for the Interstellar Alliance?¡± Liao Ning responded with a hint of exasperation, ¡°I served as a consultant for the rebel army and represented the royal family on Planet Empire. Are you certain you want me to now represent the Interstellar Alliance?¡± Su MO could only offer a dry laugh in response, understanding that he was leveraging Liao Ning¡¯s popularity to garner support. Nevertheless, he was following orders, as the Su family had been directly instructed to retrieve her. As the atmosphere grew a bit awkward, Zhou Ling chimed in, ¡°Is your primary reason for being here because you¡¯re my friend?¡± Su MO shrugged, his actions having already answered that question. Liao Ning also recognized that the Su family had additional motives for their support. Acknowledging the situation and Su Mo ts constraints, she conceded, ¡°A friend of Zhou Ling is a friend of mine. I¡¯ll prepare for the live-stream tonight. Do we have the necessary ingredients here?¡± ¡°Yes, indeed!¡± Su Mo¡¯s enthusiasm returned. ¡°The space station has a well-stocked storage center. Ever since I discovered the therapeutic properties of your ancient recipes for mental well-being, every space station has been keeping a supply of raw ingredients. Just let me know your requirements!¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll consider what to prepare. Please arrange for the live-stream, and make sure we have the necessary kitchen utensils.¡± Liao Ning pondered for a moment and suggested, ¡°Would you like to change into something more official? After all, you¡¯re representing the military as my assistant, and it seems like you¡¯ve fulfilled your mission already.¡± ¡°Absolutely not! I¡¯ll go get dressed right away. Well, actually, I¡¯ll start preparing for the live-stream now.¡± With those words, Su MO departed, clearly excited about the task ahead. Suddenly, Liao Ning sensed a lingering gaze at her back. She swiftly turned around but found no one in sight. In a dimly lit corner, a pair of yellow eyes fixated upon her. ¡°Liao Ning, it appears fate has a way of bringing us together!¡± Chapter 291 - Chapter 291: Strawberry Fruit Cookies Chapter 291: Strawberry Fruit Cookies Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning had achieved celebrity status, and her presence was widely recognized. Along her journey, countless eyes were drawn to her. Yet, the sensation of being scrutinized still sent shivers down her spine, akin to the unsettling gaze of a venomous serpent. However, every time she attempted to pinpoint the source of this unnerving attention, it proved elusive. ¡°What¡¯s troubling you?¡± Zhou Ling inquired, gripping her hand with genuine concern. Liao Ning shook her head. It was plausible that exhaustion had taken its toll on everyone during the arduous journey. Perhaps it was all in her imagination. Given the military¡¯s specific request for her livestream, Liao Ning carefully perused the ancient delicacies recipe. She selected strawberry fruit biscuits, a choice ideal for the troops. This not only ensured convenience for the soldiers but also served as a means to promote honey and strawberry fruits on Planet Green Forest through Lili. Upon arriving at the livestream location, she encountered Su MO, already adorned in his new military uniform, with his hair neatly styled. ¡°Liao Ning, I¡¯m all set,¡± he declared with excitement. He introduced a new addition, ¡°You¡¯ll need to freeze this quickly. We have a military rapid-cool refrigerator here, capable of achieving an hour¡¯s worth of refrigeration in just two minutes. Unfortunately, we lack an oven, but we have him.¡± Following his gesture, Liao Ning spotted a robust man in a slightly undersized military uniform. Su MO gave the man¡¯s shoulder a reassuring pat. ¡°Meet Nat. He has the ability to transform into a fire dragon.¡± With wide-eyed amazement, Liao Ning watched as Sam promptly transformed into a towering black dragon, standing two to three meters tall, his expression unfaltering. He breathed out a controlled burst of flames, perfectly roasting the cooing chicken that had recently been prepared on the table. Su MO approached Nat once more, offering a friendly pat on his shoulder before he reverted to his stoic human form and stood to the side. Observing Liao Ning¡¯s astonishment, Nat couldnt help but blush slightly. ¡°Liao Ning, I have a deep appreciation for your ancient cuisine. It¡¯s an honor to assist you in this endeavor.¡± Hearing this revelation, a sense of discomfort washed over Liao Ning. The fact that this imposing, burly man turned out to be a fervent fan of hers was quite unexpected. She vigorously shook her head and hastily spoke, ¡°Since everything is prepared, let¡¯s begin.¡± ¡°Hello, everyone! My livestream is now underway! Today, I¡¯m here on the space station to share this experience with all of you!¡± The moment Su MO initiated the livestream, an influx of over a million fans swarmed into Liao Ning¡¯s broadcast. Su MO had just mentioned his imminent livestream. Publicity efforts on the capital planet were already in full swing, with all the soldiers and their families tuning in to watch. [Liao Ning has arrived at the space station? Are you planning to return to the capital planet soon?] [Liao Ning has started her livestream. Does this mean the journey has been safe?] [Did the Interstellar Alliance¡¯s army really pick you up? Is everything secure now?] Seeing the netizens express such profound concern for her safety touched Liao Ning deeply. She responded, ¡°The Interstellar Alliance¡¯s army has come to escort us. This is Su MO, the military representative who will be assisting me today.¡± ¡°And this is Nat. He¡­¡± Liao Ning paused, carefully considering her words, realizing that she couldn¡¯t give him a full introduction. She could only allude to him as another assistant. It wasn¡¯t feasible to explain that he was a human-shaped oven, right? Nevertheless, she believed that the viewers would have quite the revelation later. Indeed, there was a human-shaped oven. ¡°For today¡¯s livestream, I will be teaching you all how to make strawberry fruit biscuits. They are easy to prepare, have a long shelf life, and are particularly suitable for soldiers to carry.¡± ¡°Make sure to gather flour, eggs, butter, white sugar, and of course, strawberries and honey. This will ensure the biscuits are exceptionally delicious. ¡± She didn¡¯t forget Lili¡¯s aspiration to become a wealthy woman and promptly showcased the honey. ¡°Here we have honey gifted to me by an angelic elf. We¡¯ll rely on it to enhance the sweetness today.¡± ¡°Start by allowing the butter to soften, then add a bit of white sugar and mix the two together thoroughly using a spoon.¡± She grinned and extended it to Su Mo. He momentarily appeared bewildered before promptly taking the spoon and stirring. With the mixture in progress, Liao Ning resumed her instructions, ¡°Now, crack the eggs and pour them into the butter. Keep stirring continuously.¡± ¡°You have the choice of using either dried or fresh strawberry fruit. It needs to be finely diced and added to the butter-egg mixture, along with the honey.¡± ¡°Lastly, introduce a small amount of flour. Similar to what we¡¯ve done before with pancake batter, you¡¯ll want to stir until everything blends evenly and forms a dough.¡± ¡°Next, shape the dough by hand, molding it into rectangular strips or cutting it with a knife.¡± ¡°I¡¯m placing these bite-sized biscuit pieces into the freezer, using the military¡¯s rapid-cooling refrigerator. It has the remarkable ability to freeze an hour¡¯s worth of work in just two minutes.¡± Then, she gave Nat¡¯s shoulder a friendly pat, mimicking Su MO¡¯s earlier gesture.. Chapter 292 - Chapter 292: Parson Appears Chapter 292: Parson Appears Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Nat reacted swiftly, morphing into a fire- breathing dragon in the blink of an eye. The live-stream camera promptly switched to a wide-angle shot, capturing the entire spectacle. The fire dragon, filling nearly two-thirds of the room, gently lowered its massive head and emitted a small, controlled flame, using it to bake miniature biscuits. The sight was undeniably comical. Liao Ning could feel the intense heat above her, almost as if her hair was about to ignite. The sheer presence of such a colossal creature hovering above her was overwhelming. She struggled to blink, attempting to divert her attention away from the human-shaped oven beside her, as she continued to guide the viewers through the biscuit-making process. ¡°Everyone, simply place the frozen biscuits into your home oven. Typically, bake them for about 20 to 25 minutes, ensuring the thickness of the biscuits is just right, or else¡­¡± Suddenly, the scent of burning wafted through the air. As expected, a few of the biscuits near Nat had already turned into charred offerings. At that moment, laughter erupted among the netizens in the comments section. [What¡¯s the Fire Dragon up to? That flame is barely larger than a lighter!] [Shouldn¡¯t the Fire Dragon be leading the charge in battle? I can¡¯t imagine the Fire Dragon Warriors trying their hand at cookie baking!] [How is he keeping a straight face? Hahaha! Will a smile from him result in the leader¡¯s hair catching fire?] [A human-shaped oven is so versatile. Wen can make biscuits, Wu can stand guard, and now we have a human-shaped oven!] [Could this be one of my coworkers? Nat, is that really you?] ¡°Remember, revealing classified military personnel information is strictly prohibited!¡± Su Mo¡¯s eyes twitched as he read the comments. By this point, Nat had transformed back into his human form and was looking at Liao Ning with an apologetic expression. Liao Ning smiled back at him, disposing of the burnt biscuits. ¡°No worries. Just a few nieces got a bit crigny- The rest turned Oilt prptty well- Von handled the fire control impressively.¡± She presented the freshly baked biscuits to the two of them, encouraging them with a welcoming gesture to give them a try. Simultaneously, she activated the five senses sharing system. The biscuits offered a delectable taste, enriched by the addition of honey and strawberries. They practically melted in their mouths, delivering a luscious and mellow flavor. Nat¡¯s eyes widened with astonishment as he exclaimed, ¡°Liao Ning, did I actually bake these cookies? Is this my handiwork?¡± Upon hearing him address her by her full name, Liao Ning put on a forced smile and replied, ¡°You did an excellent job.¡± ¡°Liao Ning, seriously? I can whip up ancient delicacies too! Hehe!¡± Nat appeared somewhat embarrassed but also proud of his culinary prowess. This heartwarming scene set the live-stream comments section ablaze. [Hahaha, are all military personnel this entertaining? Liao Ning? She really deserves to be called ¡°sister¡± by everyone!] [Fire Dragon Burnt Biscuits is 100 points funny, but Liao Ning is 1,000 points funny!] [The human-shaped oven is not only practical but also has an adorable personality. Definitely worth having!] Observing the comments from the netizens and noticing Nat¡¯s smug expression, Su MO leaned in and whispered, ¡°Wipe that silly grin off your face. If you enjoy cooking ancient delicacies so much, head to the mess hall!¡± Nat immediately snapped to attention, maintaining a serious demeanor while continuing to savor the unfinished biscuit in his mouth. As the live-stream concluded, and Liao Ning prepared to retreat to her quarters, she once again experienced that unsettling feeling of being watched. This time, instead of vocalizing her concerns, she utilized Al to contact Zhou Ling. She proceeded toward the star observation corridor, a secluded spot during nighttime. While standing in the corridor, gazing at the starry expanse beyond, an unexpected figure suddenly rushed out from the right. Liao Ning instinctively reacted, tilting her head to the side and gripping the intruder¡¯s hand. ¡°Parson?¡± It was only then that she realized her attacker was none other than Parson, albeit a slightly altered version from her previous memory. He sported black-framed glasses, and his yellow eyes appeared somewhat unfocused. Liao Ning realized she could easily snap his thin arm with minimal effort. Zhou Ling and Zhou Ye hurried over at that moment. Upon seeing the subdued intruder, Zhou Ling couldn¡¯t recognize him at all. ¡°He¡¯s a part of the Liao family, but he doesn¡¯t truly belong to our family,¡± Liao Ning briefly explained Parson¡¯s peculiar situation before relinquishing him to the custody of the Interstellar Alliance¡¯s military. As Parson was being escorted away, he suddenly mustered all his strength, pushing aside a soldier. Swiftly, he transformed into a wolf and lunged at Liao Ning, clamping down on her arm with his teeth. They had assumed Parson was subdued, and those around him reacted with a slight delay. Despite Zhou Ling¡¯s determined efforts, Parson stubbornly refused to release his bite. It wasn¡¯t until Zhou Ling delivered a firm slap to the back of Parson¡¯s neck that he finally lost consciousness. As he fainted, an astonishing transformation unfolded before everyone¡¯s eyes.. Chapter 293 - Chapter 293: Calming the Chaos Chapter 293: Calming the Chaos Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Lili appeared visibly agitated, her eyes brimming with tears. Though she vigorously nodded, words escaped her lips. Her innate beauty now seemed to be overshadowed by vulnerability and gratitude. In the eyes of the online community, she exuded an aura of nobility and kindness. [Is the elven elder really this beautiful? She¡¯s practically an angel! ] [Liao Ning must have countless friends. Are all the elven elders as friendly as her?] [I¡¯ve always heard that elves are kind-hearted, and this lovely lady just proves it ¨C she¡¯s like an angelic elf.] [From now on, I¡¯ll only consume angel honey. Supporting beauties is a must!] [Angel honey sounds like a great name. I¡¯m ready to buy honey made by this beautiful elder!] Amidst the enthusiastic comments from netizens, Liao Ning concluded the live stream, having successfully accomplished her mission. Meanwhile, Lili was engrossed in scrolling through the comments on the Al interface. ¡°They¡¯re saying I look like an angel! Well, it can¡¯t be that close, can it? Next time, I should flaunt my beautiful wings; that¡¯ll truly give me an angelic vibe!¡± ¡°They¡¯ve praised my beauty. Haha, Liao Ning, did you see that? Everyone says I¡¯m beautiful. Just as I thought, I¡¯m the most beautiful woman among the elves!¡± ¡°An angelic elf? This title is even better than ¡®elder.¡¯ Those Interstellar Alliance folks are just adorable!¡± The rest of the group sat in silence, focused on their porridge. Only Lili eagerly read and occasionally pulled Liao Ning into discussions about her beauty. This excitement carried on until nightfall. While the others prepared to rest, Lili held Liao Ning¡¯s hand. ¡°Do you think my honey can really sell? How should I package it? Should I feature my beautiful face on the label, or perhaps the Transient-Winged Butterfly?¡± Liao Ning massaged her temples, feeling a headache coming on. ¡°Lili, do you want to accompany me to the Interstellar Alliance tomorrow? You might just become a superstar.¡± ¡°Really? Can I?¡± Lili¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement. However, she quickly added with a hint of embarrassment, ¡°I¡¯ve already received a message. Planet Empire has been occupied by the rebel army. In a few days, the elders will return with their clansmen. I¡¯ll gather everyone to produce honey and, if possible, some basic potions too.¡± Lili fixed her determined gaze on Liao Ning. ¡°I may not be as capable as you, but I understand that the elves have a lot on their plate right now. I need to empower my clan members, give them the means to protect themselves. By partnering with the Interstellar Alliance, we can break free from oppression and build our own army.¡± Liao Ning was taken aback by Lili¡¯s unexpected sense of purpose beneath her seemingly unreliable exterior. But Lili soon revealed her true colors, a mischievous grin forming. ¡°I¡¯m going to be the wealthiest woman on Planet Green Forest in the future. An angel, an elf, and a wealthy woman¡ªall rolled into one. Just thinking about it makes me content.¡± Seeing the longing in Lili¡¯s eyes, Liao Ning couldn¡¯t help but place her hand on her forehead in amusement. They continued to chat for a while, finalizing plans for transporting and selling the honey. Finally, Liao Ning retreated to her room. Excitement filled her as she realized she would be returning to the capital planet the next day. Listening to Liao Nai¡¯s steady breathing in the small bed beside her, she drifted off to sleep. Lili handed the honey to Liao Ning with a solemn expression. ¡°Remember to stay in touch. Whether I become the wealthiest woman among the elves depends on you!¡± Liao Ning couldn¡¯t help but smirk as she accepted the honey. ¡°Fear not, our wealthy angel, you shall have what you desire.¡± Olift, Lu Fei, and the others decided to remain on Green Forest Planet, but Davies chose to accompany Zhou Ye to the Interstellar Alliance. In his own words, upon waking up, he found himself in the presence of Zhou Ye and Mi Lu. According to the Zergs, they were essentially like surrogate parents to him, and the thought of being apart from them was inconceivable. The group embarked on the airship, gradually leaving the ground behind. Liao Ning was filled with a whirlwind of emotions. Just as she was brimming with anticipation about her return to the capital planet, a sudden system notification interrupted her thoughts. [Ding! Congratulations to the host for unlocking a new mission: ¡°Calming the Chaos¡ªlnheritance.¡± Mission details: Assume control of the inheritance and secure the position of Liao family overseer. Mission reward: 50 million interstellar space coins and 10,000 system points..] Chapter 294 - Chapter 294: Peerless Treasure Chapter 294: Peerless Treasure Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations A mere moment ago, Parson appeared to be teetering on the brink of death, his mental state in turmoil. When he plummeted, crimson blood still trickled from the corner of Liao Ning¡¯s mouth, but an astounding transformation had taken place. The creases etched into his skin rapidly smoothed, and his physique grew markedly more robust. Simultaneously, his once-gray hair took on a rich, youthful black hue. The assembled onlookers gaped in disbelief at Parson¡¯s miraculous transformation, then shifted their attention to Liao Ning, who clutched her bleeding arm. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Zhou Ling acted swiftly, draping his coat over Liao Ning¡¯s trembling form. Liao Ning merely shook her head. The presence of military personnel and numerous spectators amplified her apprehension. Many must have witnessed the bizarre spectacle, some even filming it. Aware that saying more could only compound the situation, she wisely kept silent. Particularly when she encountered an individual who stared at her with a manic glint in their eye, she sensed that something was awry. ¡°I¡¯ll escort you back,¡± Su MO intervened, his voice hushed. ¡°Don¡¯t say a word. Leave this matter to me.¡± By now, whispers pervaded the crowd. ¡°Is he ill? Can he actually transform into a wolf? Is he from some influential family?¡± ¡°Why the sudden change in appearance? His hair¡¯s gone black. Did he consume some sort of elixir?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t you see it just now? No elixir was involved. He bit her, right there.¡± ¡°That woman seems to be some ancient food live-streamer, right? She appears to have extensive knowledge, even capable of addressing mental breakdowns.¡± ¡°Remember, she shared the antidote recipe for the loyalty potion earlier. Could she be an apothecary?¡± ¡°Could her flesh have some mystical properties?¡± The final hypothesis garnered unanimous agreement. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Su MO promptly summoned a few soldiers to escort Liao Ning back to her quarters. ¡°I¡¯ll find a way to downplay what just occurred,¡± Su Mo¡¯s typically playful grin vanished, replaced by a more somber expression. ¡°We¡¯ll discuss this later. You all stay in the same room tonight. Don¡¯t separate. I¡¯ll reinforce the guards at the door.¡± Su MO had a wealth of experience in intelligence, having encountered various races with unique abilities over the years. However, once such abilities were exposed, they could pose a grave threat to the respective race. For instance, the merfolk¡¯s strength eventually turned them into mere playthings and puppet armies for the empire. Similarly, the elves, with their potion-making skills, were imprisoned by both the empire and nobles to endlessly craft various concoctions. In Liao Ning¡¯s case, she might have attracted the attention of someone with sinister motives. Su MO was well aware of this, and so was Zhou Ling. He immediately issued instructions, ¡°When we depart tomorrow, we¡¯ll leave as soon as the supplies are ready. The entire army will depart together.¡± After a moment of contemplation, Su MO nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll inform the troops right away. Given the number of people joining this mission, it might take some time. We¡¯ll leave in two hours. Do not leave this room again.¡± Liao Ning felt a tinge of anxiety. She had observed the expressions of those around her earlier¡ªthey had looked at her as if she were an invaluable treasure. Among the space station¡¯s inhabitants, there were likely refugees, but there might also be interstellar space pirates posing as refugees or spies from other planets. Her safety was undoubtedly at risk. Zhou Ling tended to her wound and offered reassurance. ¡°I won¡¯t let any harm come to you. Trust me.¡± Before Liao Ning could respond, a commotion erupted outside the room. It seemed that a substantial number of people had arrived and clashed with the guards stationed at the door. These individuals clearly sought Liao Ning, and their room was situated deep within the innermost area. Although they could attempt to escape, they had recently exposed themselves. Venturing out might lead to their entrapment. In this tense moment, Davies urgently exclaimed, ¡°Come over to my side!¡± The small group swiftly converged around Davies. His body emitted a soft green glow, and he promptly harnessed the Multi-Feather Butterfly¡¯s unique ability to alter everyone¡¯s appearance. Next, he released a sprinkle of scale powder from his wings and applied it to the spot where Liao Ning had been bitten moments ago. Remarkably, the wound on her skin vanished instantly. ¡°The scale powder can only conceal the wound; it doesn¡¯t possess healing properties. However, it should maintain your altered appearance for a day or two. Just try to stay close to me, ¡± Davies explained. The clamor beyond the door escalated, punctuated by the unmistakable sounds of weapons discharging. Through the window, they witnessed a multitude of people fleeing in fear and departing in aircraft. Zhou Ling wasted no time in making a decision. ¡°Let¡¯s exploit the chaos and make our escape. We¡¯ll reach out to Su MO once we¡¯re safe. Stay together, and don¡¯t get separated..¡± Chapter 295 - Chapter 295: Hidden Identity Chapter 295: Hidden Identity Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations When he opened the door, a scene of chaos awaited him outside. The soldiers had detained numerous individuals, but a few managed to slip past them. These intruders were unsure of Liao Ning¡¯s precise location, yet they were certain their quarry was somewhere within. As Liao Ning and her companions emerged, the men who had broken in hesitated briefly. Then, one of them spoke, ¡°If you value your lives, leave immediately. Do not hinder me in my search for her!¡± Liao Nai yearned to confront them, but Liao Ning restrained him. In the eyes of onlookers, they resembled a mother and son duo¡ªunassuming and devoid of any apparent threat. It was Davies¡¯ clever alteration of their appearances that had allowed them to pass unnoticed. Upon reaching the airship, an unexpected sight greeted them: a group of heavily armed men stood before them. The man who seemed to be their leader declared, ¡°You all caught sight of Liao Ning just now, didn¡¯t you? The Big Boss wants her and the child beside her. Spare no mercy when you encounter them later.¡± A query arose from one of the men, ¡°What about the others beside her? They appear to be military personnel. What should we do with them?¡± ¡°Colonel Zhou? The two of them have vanished once before. It won¡¯t matter if they vanish again. Ensure there¡¯s no trace left behind. Just leave the woman and child.¡± As the leader smugly issued these instructions, Zhou Ling suddenly materialized behind him, her tone cold as ice, ¡°Then it shouldn¡¯t matter if you disappear forever, right?¡± Before the leader could react, he felt a chilling sensation at his throat and crumpled to the ground. Zhou Ye and Davies swiftly subdued the remaining men, while Liao Nai stood guard, barring anyone from approaching Liao Ning. ¡°Speak up, who ordered you to capture Liao Ning?¡± Zhou Ling seized one man by the hair, lifting him off the ground. Tears welled up in the captive¡¯s eyes as he pleaded, ¡°Big Brother, we have no personal grudge. I¡¯ll pay you the commission for this job. Just let us go.¡± At that moment, Zhou Ling and her companions had all undergone transformations, rendering them unrecognizable to these men. However, Liao Ning had grown increasingly suspicious. She confronted the situation head-on, asking, ¡°Did Liao Chen send you here?¡± Liao Xi recognized that her blood was valuable, so seizing Liao Nai would only be a hindrance. Liao Chen, on the other hand, remained uncertain about whose blood held significance, hence his intent to capture two individuals. Perhaps Parson¡¯s appearance this time wasn¡¯t mere chance. He seemed determined to expose Liao Ning¡¯s distinctiveness and capitalize on the ensuing chaos to abduct her. He might even attempt to pin the blame on interstellar space pirates at the event venue. As expected, when the man heard the name ¡°Liao Chen,¡± terror flickered in his eyes. He vehemently denied, ¡°Liao Chen? Who¡¯s Liao Chen? I don¡¯t know him. I truly have no knowledge of Liao Chen! The Liao family has nothing to do with this!¡± The more he protested, the more convinced Liao Ning became that Liao Chen was the mastermind behind this plot. Suddenly, a deafening explosion erupted from the direction of the room where the army was stationed, followed by a raging inferno. Realizing there was no time to waste, Zhou Ling exchanged a meaningful glance with Zhou Ye and swiftly dispatched the remaining captives before boarding the airship. Zhou Ling deftly piloted the airship. ¡°We¡¯re low on fuel, so we¡¯ll have to find a mid-route planet for refueling. I¡¯ve informed Su MO that we¡¯re departing. We¡¯ll rendezvous there.¡± Although they had narrowly evaded danger, and the airship had successfully taken to the skies, Liao Ning¡¯s heart remained uneasy. Her concerns deepened as she received another notification from the system. [Ding! Congratulations to the host for unlocking the hidden mission: Hidden Identity. IV11SS10n Objective: ¡®l¡¯ranstorm Into a wmte WOlt, conceal tne bloodline of a sea demon, evade all forms of pursuit, and safely return to the capital planet. Mission Reward: Obtain a 200-square-meter portable space and gain clues about the sea demons.] While the allure of the portable space and the desire to uncover the secrets of the sea demons tantalized her, the system¡¯s missions were becoming increasingly absurd. She had never managed a successful transformation before, making evasion even more challenging. At this point, it seemed likely that it wasn¡¯t just Liao Chen and Liao Xi who were intent on capturing her. Moments earlier, she had employed the Al to check. The video footage of Parson biting her and swiftly regaining his youth had already garnered hundreds of millions of views. Some individuals had even initiated a reward for information leading to her whereabouts. In her frustration, Liao Ning longed to vent her exasperation to the heavens.. System, could you please have a little more humanity? Who concocted such a mission? Chapter 296 - Chapter 296: You’re a Sea Demon Chapter 296: You¡¯re a Sea Demon Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations The turmoil within the transit space station was swiftly brought under control by the Interstellar Alliance¡¯s military forces. Simultaneously, Su MO received top-level directives: expedite the return of Liao Ning to the empire while keeping it discreet. They were explicitly prohibited from continuing their live- streaming activities. Su Mo¡¯s keen instincts allowed him to discern a significant shift in the situation. Initially, the government had intended to herald Liao Ning¡¯s return with great fanfare, but the sudden change in orders suggested something nefarious. Coupled with the recent station unrest, it was apparent that Liao Ning had become the target of individuals with hidden agendas, considering her prominent role within the Interstellar Alliance. Upon receiving Su Mo¡¯s message, Zhou Ling¡¯s countenance instantly grew grave. His initial plan had been to rendezvous with Su MO at the next space station, but it seemed circumstances had altered that course of action. Consequently, he promptly altered the airship¡¯s landing coordinates. ¡°We¡¯ll be arriving at Planet Deep Sea shortly. Be prepared.¡± ¡°Deep-sea Planet?¡± Liao Ning inquired, her confusion apparent. ¡°Aren¡¯t we supposed to meet up with Su MO?¡± True to its name, Deep-sea Planet was primarily an aquatic world, with less than a fifth of its surface comprised of land. Energy resources were scarce, and it hardly seemed suitable for restocking supplies. Zhou Ling didn¡¯t respond immediately, but Liao Ning noticed the unease in his demeanor and expressed her concern. ¡°Is this because of me? Is someone from the military seeking my arrest?¡± When Zhou Ling disclosed their destination as Deep-sea Planet, Zhou Ye speculated that the military might have received different orders. He elucidated, ¡°Though the Interstellar Alliance may seem unified, there are underlying factions within its upper echelons. It¡¯s possible that there¡¯s a divergence of opinions regarding your situation. Staying low-profile for now might be in our best interest.¡± Zhou Ling further explained, ¡°Deep-sea Planet does offer energy resources, but we might have to engage in trade with the indigenous sea demons or giant crocodiles. During that time, it¡¯s imperative that you conceal your identity and regard us as ordinary empire citizens fleeing the chaos.¡± ¡°Sea Demon?¡± Liao Ning¡¯s tension escalated upon hearing that term. According to system notifications, her mother had been a Sea Demon with the ability to transform into one. Perhaps, on Deep-sea Planet, she could uncover vital clues about her past. However, when the notion of concealing her identity crossed Liao Ning¡¯s mind, it brought on a throbbing headache. She couldn¡¯t help but wonder what these sea demons actually looked like. What if, in her original form, her imperfections were glaringly obvious to anyone who saw her? The airship touched down on a diminutive island, immediately encircled by a motley assortment of creatures. Davies¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°Oh my goodness,¡± he exclaimed, ¡°What on Earth are these? They don¡¯t resemble humans like me at all.¡± Liao Ning peered out of the window. ¡°These ¡®monsters¡¯ have human bodies but the heads of beasts,¡± she observed as they swarmed around the airship. Zhou Ye provided some insight, saying, ¡°That one is a white-finned manatee, the individual with the snake-like head is a sand snake beast, and the lizard-like figure is a horned lizard beast¡­ They¡¯re all small creatures native to this island. Their abilities are modest, and while they can¡¯t fully mimic humans, they pose no threat.¡± As Liao Ning gazed at the ¡°monsters¡± outside, her earlier apprehensions began to dissipate. Perhaps the sea demons resembled these creatures, and the risk of her true identity being exposed seemed increasingly unlikely. Just as she started to relax, a striking white-haired man materialized before the airship. His upper body was bare, and his lower half appeared to be covered by blue tights fashioned from fish scales. Flowing white hair framed his striking blue eyes¡­ At the sight of him, both Zhou Ling and Zhou Ye furrowed their brows. Davies turned to Liao Ning with astonishment. ¡°Could this be your long-lost brother?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not unusual for people to resemble each other,¡± Liao Ning attempted to explain, ¡°Just like your Multi-Feather Butterfly is probably green like you, right?¡± The man outside the airship emitted a sonorous sound wave. ¡°Who are you? I am the leader of the sea demons in this region. Descend immediately!¡± Davies blurted out, ¡°You¡¯re a sea demon?¡± ¡°Sea demon? You¡¯re the sea demon here. Your whole family is made up of sea demons!¡± Liao Nai promptly transformed into a wolf cub and positioned herself in front of Liao Ning. ¡°She¡¯s my Auntie. The Liao family can transform into wolves. Is your feeble brain malfunctioning as well?¡± Davies glanced at the robust wolf cub and spoke somewhat awkwardly, ¡°You have a point there. If she¡¯s your Auntie, she can¡¯t be a sea demon. But Miss Liao being a mutated white wolf? She¡¯s remarkably striking.¡± Liao Ning could only manage a wry chuckle. The system was undeniably crafty.. It was clear that if she were to stand among the sea demons, something would undoubtedly seem amiss, wouldn¡¯t it? Chapter 297 - Chapter 297: Humanoid Pill Chapter 297: Humanoid Pill Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°I¡¯ll rephrase it. The airship has already come to a halt in my domain beneath the sea. You must emerge from it, or I¡¯ll resort to violent measures to destroy the airship!¡± The eyes of the sea demons surrounding the airship emitted an eerie blue glow. The surrounding seawater swiftly surged, drawing other monstrous creatures towards the vessel. Zhou Ling swung open the door and declared, ¡°Let¡¯s disembark. We must negotiate with them.¡± One by one, the four of them exited the airship. Thankfully, Davies had the ability to alter their appearances, ensuring that they appeared as ordinary individuals. Davies had concealed his own figure for greater mobility. Upon seeing the four civilians, including women and children, the sea demon visibly relaxed. ¡°Are you refugees from the Planet Empire? Or are you nobles, flying airships like this?¡± Liao Ning, alerted by rustling sounds along the surrounding shoreline, followed the noise and discovered many white-haired sea demons concealed there. They likely would have been attacked had they not exited the airship when they did. Zhou Ling was the first to speak. ¡°We¡¯re small-scale merchants from the Planet Empire. We managed to escape the city during the rebel attack, but we¡¯ve run out of fuel and had to land here.¡± With one arm around Liao Ning and the other around Liao Nai, with Zhou Ye standing behind them, Zhou Ling presented the image of a troubled businessman. Only then did the sea demons wave their hands, causing the seawater to recede, and the lurking sea demons along the coast dispersed. ¡°I am the leader here, Mika. You can restock your supplies here and engage in trade with us.¡± Mika stepped forward. ¡°Since you¡¯re merchants, you should be familiar with Deep-sea Planet¡¯s customs. Energy resources are scarce here, making the exchange rates quite steep.¡± Zhou Ling nodded and inquired, ¡°We require a substantial amount of fuel. What¡¯s the price?¡± Deep-sea Planet boasted abundant marine resources, but other essential supplies were in short supply, making them unobtainable with money, so bartering was the norm here. Mika appeared troubled. ¡°Lately, there has been an influx of refugees from the Planet Empire. The Sea Demons now require the elven antidote.¡± ¡°Has anyone fallen victim to the sea demons¡¯ poison?¡± Liao Ning blurted out the question but quickly realized her rudeness. Upon seeing Mika¡¯s suspicious gaze, she hastened to rephrase her inquiry. ¡°Since you require us to trade the antidote for fuel, we need to know what specific potion you require, correct?¡± Her revised words put Mika at ease, though he didn¡¯t immediately address her question. ¡°You can stay here for the day. If you possess elven potions, come to me, and we can arrange a fuel exchange.¡± With that, Mika departed. Liao Ning watched him leave and noticed a small village on the opposite side of the island, apparently the gathering place of the sea demons. Once they returned to the airship, Zhou Ling inquired, ¡°Do you still have a method to counteract the poison? Do you possess the pills Lili gave you?¡± Liao Ning searched through her belongings in frustration. From what she remembered, Lili had indeed provided her with various pills for her extravagant lifestyle, but none seemed to have detoxifying properties. ¡°There are whitening pills, vision-enhancing potions, and sweetening pills here¡­ Liao Ning sighed as she continued her search. Lili had certainly supplied her with a multitude of pills, but none appeared to be antidotes for poison. Davies interjected, ¡°If you can create an antidote for the loyalty potion, do you have knowledge of crafting other antidotes?¡± Inwardly, Liao Ning rolled her eyes. Did everyone assume she was a master pharmacist above elven standards? Suddenly, the system sent her a notification. [Ding! System Notification: The host can exchange 50,000 system points for the All-purpose Antidote formula. Would you like to proceed?] ¡°Exchange! Deduct it next time and just send me the formula,¡± Liao Ning grumbled to herself. [System prompt: The formula has been delivered. Host, please review it.] While Liao Ning was obtaining the antidote formula, the others perceived her deep in thought. Upon inspecting the formula, Liao Ning¡¯s heart skipped a beat. The ingredients, such as golden clams, transparent jellyfish, and regular jellyfish, were readily available in the oceanic environment. There were also items like blue kelp and green raspberries, which she had stored in her inventory. However, the critical component was elven honey, used to form the antidote into a pill, and an essential ingredient: Liao Ning¡¯s own blood. Liao Ning¡¯s expression turned somber, as if she herself were the humanoid antidote.. Chapter 298 - Chapter 298: Medicine Scent Chapter 298: Medicine Scent Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Upon realizing that the system¡¯s mission required her to conceal her identity and successfully transform into a white wolf, Liao Ning was overwhelmed by an intense headache. The situation had grown more complex than simply grappling with her inability to transform; her true identity as a sea demon with purifying abilities was on the brink of exposure. With a gentle grasp, Liao Nai held Liao Ning¡¯s hand reassuringly. ¡°Auntie, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll ensure your safety. We will find our way back to the capital planet.¡± Zhou Ye also stepped in to offer solace. ¡°Indeed, they didn¡¯t demand an antidote. The victim of the poisoning must be someone important. We¡¯re not the only ones without the cure, so there must be an alternative solution.¡± Davies, feeling somewhat responsible, admitted, ¡°I blame myself for speaking too much. Even if you could create an antidote for the loyalty potion, it¡¯s not guaranteed you¡¯d know how to formulate another antidote. Don¡¯t blame yourself.¡± However, to everyone¡¯s surprise, Liao Ning responded with disbelief, ¡°I do know how to create one.¡± Davies was taken aback. ¡°You do? What do you know?¡± Zhou Ling and Zhou Ye also leaned in, their eyes filled with curiosity. Liao Ning shrugged helplessly. ¡°I can¡¯t be certain if it¡¯ll work, but it¡¯s worth a try. After all, they didn¡¯t specify any restrictions on antidote creation.¡± Zhou Ye was eager to inquire further, but Zhou Ling intervened, stopping him. ¡°Do you require assistance?¡± Zhou Ling asked directly. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Liao Ning responded promptly, ¡°We need golden clams, transparent jellyfish, jellyfish, green kelp, and sea raspberries. These should be available nearby. I¡¯ll need to work on the antidote alone. You may¡­¡± Zhou Ling nodded in understanding. ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll gather the ingredients you need. Is there anything else you require?¡± Liao Ning thought for a moment before saying, ¡°Prepare the ingredients. I need to make an antidote alone. You might.. She couldn¡¯t continue speaking, but she knew she had to exercise more caution when employing her own blood this time. She felt a pang of shame for not being able to share her secrets with those around her. ¡°Alright, we understand,¡± Zhou Ye said. ¡°We¡¯ll head to the operating room later. You can work on the antidote here in the lounge. Just give us a call if you need anything.¡± Gratefully, Liao Ning looked at them and nodded vigorously. Zhou Ling and Zhou Ye moved swiftly, preparing all the necessary ingredients. Liao Ning, too, readied the bottles and jars for refining the components. Zhou Ling handed the items to Liao Ning and affectionately ran his fingers through her hair. He smiled and said, ¡°I¡¯ll be right outside. Don¡¯t hesitate to call me if you require any assistance.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Liao Ning said, her voice trembling. She hadn¡¯t expected Zhou Ling and the others to show her such respect. In her eagerness to secure the needed ingredients swiftly, Liao Ning closed the door and began the process of concocting the potions. Though it was referred to as potion-making, it essentially involved purifying several ingredients and blending them in specified proportions. The crucial element was the addition of a drop of her own blood. In truth, the formula provided by the system wasn¡¯t overly demanding. It merely called for a single drop of her blood. Liao Ning suspected that her blood might possess detoxifying properties. Considering that her identity as a sea demon could potentially aid those with compromised bloodlines, Liao Ning sensed that her character in this world must have a formidable background. This was likely why she was being pursued. However, she couldn¡¯t afford to dwell on these thoughts at the moment. Her immediate priority was to swiftly create the antidote while concealing her true identity. Purifying the essences of various substances, particularly seafood, wasn¡¯t a straightforward task. After eliminating the moisture content, only a limited amount of effective antidote remained. Consequently, Liao Ning spent five to six hours meticulously refining the components. It wasn¡¯t until dawn broke that she reached the stage of adding elven honey to the mixture. She then pricked her finger with a needle and allowed a drop of blood to fall into the concoction. As she completed the final step, a faint medicinal fragrance immediately filled the room, its scent remarkably pleasing. The aroma wafted beyond the confines of the airship, reaching not only the passengers on board but also drawing the attention of numerous humanoid creatures and a handful of sea demons who had congregated outside. Swiftly, Liao Ning secured the pill within a tightly sealed bag, allowing the fragrance to gradually dissipate. As she stepped outside, Liao Nai rushed to her side. ¡°Auntie, did you succeed? There was such a delightful scent just now. Is it from the antidote?¡± Upon seeing the dark circles under the child¡¯s eyes, Liao Ning tenderly ran her fingers through his hair. With a proud smile, she displayed the pill in her hand. ¡°Yes, Auntie succeeded!¡± Just then, Mika¡¯s voice resonated from outside the airship.. ¡°Can someone from inside please come out and explain the fragrance we just experienced?¡± Chapter 299 - Chapter 299: Elder Poisoned Chapter 299: Elder Poisoned Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning furrowed her brow. Seizing a moment when no one was looking, she discretely placed her pricked finger into her mouth, staunching the bleeding with her saliva. She couldn¡¯t be certain whether her blood had triggered the peculiar scent in the air. The door of the airship swung open, and Zhou Ling headed out to negotiate with Mika. ¡°Hello there, what was that scent earlier? Did it have something to do with medicine?¡± Mika¡¯s eyes sparkled with curiosity. He had been patrolling the island when he suddenly caught a faint whiff of medicinal fragrance in the air. And it wasn¡¯t just him; many people around him had also detected it. Uncertain why they were heading toward the airship, Mika watched as the medicinal aroma dissipated. He wondered if these refugees might have some medicine in their possession. Rather than immediately revealing the antidote, Zhou Ling hesitated. ¡°We¡¯re merchants from the Planet Empire. In the past, we¡¯ve traded for elven antidotes with other merchants, but we¡¯re not sure which one you require. So, we¡¯re unsure if we can exchange it for fuel.¡± ¡°Absolutely!¡± Mika¡¯s excitement was palpable. ¡°Elven potions are exceedingly rare. We must attempt it if there¡¯s an antidote available. If the antidote you provide works, the Sea Demons will reward you generously.¡± Mika was convinced that these high-ranking merchants must possess valuable medicine. If they could truly cure the elder, it would restore hope for the Sea Demons. ¡°But¡­¡± Zhou Ling seemed skeptical. ¡°My airship requires a substantial amount of fuel. Can you guarantee that I¡¯ll receive enough fuel in exchange for the antidote?¡± Seeing the doubt in Zhou Ling¡¯s eyes, Mika grew anxious. Fuel was an extremely precious commodity on Deep Sea Planet, often traded with numerous merchants. Not only was the airship before him sizable, but it also appeared to be carrying weapons, suggesting it would require an extensive supply. If the antidote proved ineffective, would the Sea Demons waste a significant amount of fuel? After a moment of contemplation, Mika proposed, ¡°On behalf of the Sea Demons, I can extend an invitation to you and your family to visit our Sea Demon tribe. Once the antidote¡¯s effectiveness is confirmed, we will uphold our promise. Even if it doesn¡¯t work, I pledge to provide you with a portion of fuel to ensure you can fly to the next planet to replenish your supplies.¡± Zhou Ling accepted Mika¡¯s proposal and returned to the airship to brief the others. ¡°Everyone, not everyone should accompany us. Miss Liao, Liao Nai, and Davies, please remain on board,¡± advised Zhou Ye. ¡°Deep Sea Planet has always been shrouded in mystery and potential dangers. We must leave someone on the airship, especially given the influx of refugees. We can¡¯t afford to have someone hijack the airship and disrupt our plans.¡± While the others had no objections to Zhou Ye¡¯s reasoning, Liao Ning disagreed vehemently. ¡°I¡¯m the one who prepared the medicine. I understand its properties, so I must go,¡± she insisted. ¡°Big Brother, you stay behind and take care of Liao Nai. Davies can provide us with scale powder to maintain our current state.¡± Liao Ning had thought her decision through carefully. She needed to witness the Sea Demons¡¯ situation firsthand, hoping to find a way to undergo transformation. After some deliberation, Zhou Ling lent strong support to Liao Ning¡¯s suggestion, and the two of them left the airship. Outside the airship, the Sea Demons were already prepared. They swiftly guided Zhou Ling and Liao Ning to the Sea Demon tribe atop a colossal manatee tamed by the Sea Demons. The majority of the tribe members had either white or gray hair, with only a fraction of them possessing blue eyes. Moreover, many Sea Demons hadn¡¯t fully transitioned into human forms and still retained webbed hands and feet. Mika guided them to a distinctive castle. The structure was constructed primarily from seashells, yet it emitted no oceanic odor. The walls were softly illuminated by the luminescence of shellfish, exuding an understated sense of luxury. Eventually, they arrived in a spacious room, unmistakably a bedroom, with numerous young Sea Demons bustling about. As Mika entered, all the young Sea Demons bowed respectfully to him. A small Sea Demon approached with red eyes and spoke, ¡°The elder remains unconscious. Today, he coughed up more black blood.¡± Gently unfolding a handkerchief in her hand, she revealed it stained with thick black blood, emanating a fishy odor. He then elucidated to Zhou Ye and Liao Ning, ¡°The individual afflicted is an elder of the Sea Demons and serves as the purifier of Deep Sea Planet. Should she perish, it will have dire consequences for both the Sea Demons and the other races inhabiting Deep Sea Planet..¡± Chapter 300 - Chapter 300: Future Patriarch Chapter 300: Future Patriarch Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning¡¯s knowledge of the Sea Demons was limited, with all her information coming from the system. Through Mika¡¯s introduction, she discovered that since the disappearance of the previous patriarch, the Sea Demons had split into two factions. One faction, led by an elder, insisted on waiting for the return of the Sea Demon team leader, who possessed the strongest ability among the Sea Demons and could purify the toxins in the Deep-sea Planet¡¯s seawater. The other faction, led by the rebel named Quidy, a cousin of the previous team leader from a branch family, lacked the purification ability of the patriarch. Instead, he attempted to control the Sea Demons and the entire Deep-sea Planet using various potions. Quidy had managed to obtain the sacred object of the Sea Demon race, the Heart Crystal, which allowed him to purify a portion of the seawater toxins. He harbored ambitions of becoming the future patriarch. Mika¡¯s words revealed a shocking revelation: the elder¡¯s poisoning was linked to Quidy. Mika expressed his disdain for Quidy¡¯s actions, revealing that he had even sold many Sea Demons to merchants from other planets to secure his power. These Sea Demons were subjected to torture, death, and were treated as commodities or delicacies. Mika was fervent in his belief that Quidy deserved severe consequences for his actions. Liao Ning¡¯s gaze shifted to the ailing elder on the bed. Her complexion was pallid, and her face had an unnatural purple hue. Although she was breathing, her condition was critical. It was evident that if the poison wasn¡¯t neutralized soon, she wouldn¡¯t survive. Mika¡¯s words ignited a fury within Liao Ning. Her anger wasn¡¯t solely because of her Sea Demon heritage but also because she couldn¡¯t tolerate the malevolence of someone harming their own kind. From her pocket, Liao Ning retrieved a pill and handed it to Mika. ¡°Administer the medicine to the elder first, and let¡¯s see if our antidote is effective.¡± With great care, Mika unsealed the bag containing the pill, releasing a fragrant medicinal aroma that permeated the entire castle. The enticing scent drew the attention of many Sea Demon clansmen, who gathered at the door out of curiosity. Mika hesitated for a moment before gently placing the pill in the elder¡¯s mouth. However, even after more than ten minutes had passed, the fragrant aroma of the medicine had dissipated, and the elder showed no signs of awakening. The room was filled with an air of anticipation just moments ago, but it had now transformed into a sea of disappointment. Several Sea Demons discreetly wiped away their tears, their cries slowly echoing through the room. ¡°Elder, elder, what¡¯s happening?¡± Suddenly, a small voice from a young Sea Demon pierced through the sobbing. The elder convulsed with violent coughing, expelling blackened blood. ¡°Are you spies sent by Quidy? Do you intend to harm the elder?¡± Mika¡¯s accusing glare was directed at Liao Ning and Zhou Ling. Instantly, a group of guards rushed in, forming a tight circle around the two newcomers. But just as a guard was about to apprehend them, an elderly voice cut through the tension. ¡°Is that the Patriarch? Has the Patriarch returned?¡± All eyes turned towards the elder, their expressions shifting from disbelief to hope. The elder had managed to sit up against the headboard, her face flushed with color, and her once lifeless blue eyes now sparkled with vitality. ¡°Elder, you¡¯re awake?¡± Mika leaned eagerly against the bed, his gaze fixed on her. However, the elder¡¯s attention was drawn to Liao Ning. Her perceptive blue eyes seemed to pierce through everything. Only then did Mika quickly order the guards to step back, and he approached with Liao Ning and Zhou Ling. ¡°These two are merchants from the Planet Empire. It was their elven antidote that saved you.¡± ¡°The elven antidote?¡± The elder smiled warmly. ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s the elven antidote, isn¡¯t it, Miss?¡± The elder regarded Liao Ning with benevolence and extended her hand. Liao Ning promptly reached out to hold it. Tears welled in the elder¡¯s eyes. ¡°Good child, good child.¡± However, aware of their audience, she refrained from saying more. Turning to Mika, the elder requested, ¡°This lady seems skilled in medicine. I¡¯d like her to examine if any poison remains.¡± Simultaneously, she tightened her grip on Liao Ning¡¯s hand discreetly. Liao Ning responded promptly, ¡°I would prefer to examine the elder privately. My medical skills are a closely guarded secret. Please allow us some privacy.¡± Mika hesitated to depart, but he reluctantly complied when the elder nodded in agreement. Respecting her wishes, he exited the room along with everyone else. With all others gone, the elder turned her gaze towards Zhou Ling, and Liao Ning swiftly vouched for him, ¡°He¡¯s a reliable individual.¡± The elder nodded and extended her hand. A transparent crystal sphere swiftly formed around them. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± she reassured Liao Ning, gently stroking her hand. ¡°The crystal barrier provides soundproofing. Our conversation will remain private, my future young chief..¡± Chapter 301 - Chapter 301: Heart Crystal Chapter 301: Heart Crystal Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning¡¯s eyes widened in astonishment as she gazed at the elder. The elder¡¯s eyes radiated kindness and affection as they met hers. With a tender touch, the elder gently stroked Liao Ning¡¯s hair. ¡°Your white hair is truly exquisite, much like your mother¡¯s.¡± Liao Ning was taken aback. ¡°You¡­ can you see my true appearance?¡± She felt a mixture of surprise and trust towards the Sea Demon elder. The elder responded with a warm smile. ¡°It¡¯s not just you. There¡¯s another, too. The Multi-Feather Butterfly possesses the power to deceive, but my Sea Demon elder¡¯s eyes can pierce through illusions.¡± Liao Ning observed the elder¡¯s deep blue eyes and sensed an unspoken connection to her clan. Perhaps this was the inexplicable bond she felt with her own people. ¡°Don¡¯t fret. With your mother gone, apart from me, I¡¯m afraid you¡¯re the only one who can perceive the truth. No one else can glimpse your genuine self.¡± The elder, still recovering, let out a cough after speaking a few words. Liao Ning hurriedly assisted her in reclining. ¡°I¡¯m alright,¡± the elder reassured her with a wave of her hand. Contemplating the current state of affairs among the Deep Sea Demons, Liao Ning hesitated momentarily. She asked with a hint of uncertainty, ¡°Was my mother a Sea Demon? Was she the Patriarch? Then what happened to her¡­ I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m not sure how to respond.¡± Aware that her background had been bestowed upon her by the system, Liao Ning was unsure of her next steps. However, one thing was clear: her mission in this world was to prevent the two young rebels from embracing evil. Everything else seemed secondary. The elder sighed. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for the antidote and your appearance, I wouldn¡¯t have been certain of your identity as the Patriarch¡¯s daughter. Sea Demon blood possesses the power of purification, but it¡¯s most potent in pure-blooded Patriarchs and elders. Therefore, upon taking the antidote, I immediately recognized you as the Patriarch¡¯s offspring.¡± Liao Ning pressed her lips together, grappling with a flood of emotions and questions, unsure of what to say next. Zhou Ling was quick to inquire, ¡°Is knowledge of the Patriarch¡¯s bloodline a well-guarded secret among the Sea Demons, or do all the clan members possess this information?¡± The elder, though puzzled by Zhou Ling¡¯s question, trusted that Liao Ning had chosen to keep him informed and thus nodded in affirmation. ¡°The Deep Sea Galaxy Water carries a certain level of toxicity. Sea demons have command over the sea, but only the Patriarch can purify this poison. There¡¯s also myself, an aging elder.¡± A hint of sorrow played on her face. ¡°However, I¡¯m getting on in years, and I haven¡¯t identified a younger generation member with the potential to become an elder. Mika¡¯s bloodline has imperfections, and we¡¯ve been patiently awaiting the Patriarch¡¯s return.¡± She gently clasped Liao Ning¡¯s hand. ¡°Dear child, the Patriarch possesses the capability to rectify bloodline flaws and select the next elder.¡± ¡°But I¡¯m unsure if I possess such abilities, ¡± Liao Ning admitted hesitantly. ¡°Moreover, I cannot transform. I haven¡¯t been able to since I was young. The Liao family can shift into wolves, but I cannot. Additionally, I¡¯ve never undergone the transformation into a sea demon.¡± Despite never having transformed, Liao Ning appeared to share some resemblance with most sea demons. ¡°It appears the Patriarch did leave with him after all,¡± the elder mused thoughtfully. ¡°The two pure bloodlines tend to suppress each other, so you may not be able to transform immediately. Nevertheless, this isn¡¯t a concern. You¡¯ve returned, and as long as you possess the Heart Crystal, it can awaken your latent powers. You will be able to transform and wield the abilities of the sea demons. ¡± Liao Ning conversed with the elder about Deep-sea Planet and the Sea Demons before departing from the sea demon race¡¯s castle. Mika graciously accompanied them back to the airship. ¡°Worry not; I will send the fuel tomorrow morning. If you have any other requests, don¡¯t hesitate to ask! ¡± The awakening of the elder was a stroke of good fortune for the sea demon race, and they all gazed upon Liao Ning and her companions with profound gratitude. However, Liao Ning had no intention of departing immediately. With the newfound ability to transform, her mission was halfway complete. Furthermore, she no longer needed to worry about being powerless in certain situations. Furthermore, she had numerous system missions to complete and the responsibility of overseeing the affairs of the Liao family. Avoiding transformation was simply not an option. Zhou Ling, perceptive as ever, led Liao Ning to the lounge and inquired, ¡°Do you intend to assist the elder in reclaiming the Heart Crystal? What are your intentions Chapter 302 - Chapter 302: You Are You Chapter 302: You Are You Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll accompany you,¡± Zhou Ling¡¯s voice was barely more than a whisper, yet it resonated deeply within Liao Ning¡¯s heart. She gazed up at him with a sparkle of excitement in her eyes, and Zhou Ling responded with an affectionate chuckle. ¡°I can¡¯t let you face danger alone, especially in your mother¡¯s house. If it were me, I¡¯d stay too.¡± Liao Ning¡¯s heart swelled with warmth, but she hesitated before asking, ¡°Aren¡¯t you curious about my background? I might have a hidden past, perhaps even a connection to sea demons or something¡­¡¯ She paused, struggling to find the right words. While she trusted Zhou Ling, she couldn¡¯t reveal anything about the system, at least not yet. Zhou Ling¡¯s reassuring smile remained unchanged as he took a step closer, wrapping his arms around her. ¡°None of that matters. You are you, and that¡¯s all I need to know.¡± With their decision made, they agreed to remain on Deep-sea Planet while Zhou Ye escorted Liao Nai and Davies back to the capital planet. ¡°Auntie, can¡¯t I stay with you?¡± Liao Nails eyes welled with tears. He didn¡¯t want to be separated from Liao Ning any longer. Liao Ning knelt down, gently holding his hand. ¡°Auntie has something very important to take care of here. It¡¯s not safe for you to stay.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of danger!¡± Liao Nai nearly cried. ¡°But your safety is our top priority,¡± Zhou Ling¡¯s tone hardened slightly. ¡°Your presence here could hinder us. Once we¡¯ve resolved everything, we¡¯ll rush back to you as soon as we can.¡± Zhou Ye gazed at his brother, momentarily speechless, before turning to console Liao Nai. ¡°Mili misses you terribly. Come back with me to comfort her, and we¡¯ll wait for Auntie to return together. Besides, many people are pursuing Auntie right now. It¡¯s safer for us to leave separately, don¡¯t you agree?¡± In the end, the young boy reluctantly nodded and agreed to return with Zhou Ye after receiving comforting words from both Liao Ning and Zhou Ye. Zhou Ye left the escape vehicle on the airship to Zhou Ling and spoke with a sense of urgency. ¡°The situation on the capital planet remains uncertain. Let¡¯s disguise ourselves and head back first. We¡¯ll establish contact with the Su and Zhou families when the time is right. Our priority is to protect Liao Nai. You can return once I¡¯ve made the necessary arrangements.¡± Olift also produced a necklace crafted from scale powder. ¡°Remember, try to conceal your identity. My scale powder can¡¯t withstand water. You understand that, right?¡± Zhou Ling accepted the necklace, and Zhou Ye provided a few more instructions before driving away with Liao Nai and Davies. As Liao Ning watched the airship ascend into the sky, a touch of melancholy washed over her. However, upon reflection, she realized that by completing the system mission in her transformed state, she could ensure Liao Nails safety. She took a deep breath and formulated her plan. ¡°First, let¡¯s visit the elder and ascertain the whereabouts of the heart crystal.¡± Given the significance of Liao Ning¡¯s identity, the elder lacked the strength to protect her at this moment. Therefore, no one raised suspicions when the elder expressed his intention to host his savior. Nevertheless, Liao Ning informed the current leader, Mika. ¡°Are you truly the Little Patriarch?¡± Mika had circled Liao Ning several times, unable to see anything extraordinary in this seemingly ordinary Earth woman. ¡°You¡¯ll see once she can wield the sea demon Patriarch¡¯s abilities to aid you in becoming the next elder.¡± ¡°Then, was the scent I detected last time your blood? Can you genuinely help me rectify the flaw in my bloodline?¡± Mika was considered one of the most promising among the younger generation, but he lacked the immensely potent purification abilities of an elder, which had prevented him from being eligible for the position. This had always been a source of frustration for him. Liao Ning responded, ¡°I can¡¯t guarantee it will work, but we must locate the heart crystal first.¡± With that, Mika employed an Al to retrieve a map of Deep-sea Planet. ¡°There are over 30 islands on Deep-sea Planet, with 20 of them under the sea demons¡¯ control. Currently, we hold these 15 islands, while Quidy has taken over these five islands.¡± He outlined an area and continued, ¡°South Mountain Island in the south used to house the heart crystal. It also serves as the source of purification in Quidy¡¯s territory. I suspect the crystal is still there. Although he can utilize the heart crystal, he isn¡¯t the Patriarch and can only achieve limited purification. Thus, he has remained confined to these five islands without further expansion.¡± Liao Ning inquired, ¡°How can we reach there? Swimming?¡± She moistened her lips, acknowledging that she could swim, but attempting to swim to South Mountain Island seemed like a perilous endeavor. Amused by her apprehension, the elder chuckled. ¡°Even sea demons can¡¯t swim that distance. They travel on fire seahorses..¡± Chapter 303 - Chapter 303: South Mountain Island Chapter 303: South Mountain Island Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations When Liao Ning laid eyes on the seahorse, an impending headache began to take hold. The seahorse was unmistakably a seahorse, after all, so why should it be such an elusive target in the vast sea? Unless Quidy suffered from a severe case of nearsightedness, spotting one shouldn¡¯t pose much of a challenge. Liao Ning pressed her fingers to her temples and inquired, ¡°Is there no alternative? Perhaps a submarine, for instance?¡± Mika, looking puzzled, retorted, ¡°Submarine? What¡¯s that supposed to be? Are there exotic creatures lurking in the depths of the Deep-sea Planet that I¡¯m unaware of? Are they affiliated with the Interstellar Alliance?¡± It was at that moment that Liao Ning realized submarines didn¡¯t exist in this world. With a sigh, she accepted her fate and remarked, ¡°Never mind. I suppose swimming over to the fire seahorse is still the best option. All I need is a name, right? Otherwise, gaining access to the island could prove to be quite the challenge.¡± ¡°Little Patriarch, do you have knowledge of crafting ancient delicacies?¡± Mika asked, his anticipation evident. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that many streamers from the Interstellar Alliance prepare ancient delicacies as a remedy for stress. Have you witnessed any of their streams? Are you skilled in crafting such dishes?¡± A mischievous smile played on Liao Ning¡¯s lips. Not only did she possess the knowledge, but she might even host her own livestream on Deep-sea Planet! Observing her somewhat unusual expression, Mika began to doubt her capabilities. Swiftly, he added, ¡°Of course, you¡¯re the Little Patriarch, so it¡¯s perfectly reasonable if you¡¯re unfamiliar with the art of preparing ancient delicacies. Please don¡¯t take it to heart. Nevertheless, I fear that infiltrating South Mountain Island won¡¯t be a simple task with this plan.¡± Zhou Ling interjected, ¡°Actually, she does, and she¡¯s an expert at it. All we need to do is tie our infiltration into South Mountain Island to the preparation of ancient delicacies.¡± ¡°Really? That¡¯s fantastic!¡± Mika¡¯s excitement bubbled up. ¡°The inhabitants of Deep-sea Planet primarily consume raw seafood due to the toxicity of seawater, resulting in nearly everyone experiencing symptoms of poisoning. Consequently, there¡¯s a constant demand for antidotal potions, but they¡¯re both scarce and costly on Deep-sea Planet. Right now, Quidy is recruiting refugees skilled in crafting ancient delicacies, and many refugees from Planet Dynasty have already migrated to Nanshan Island. ¡± A wry smile tugged at the corners of Liao Ning¡¯s mouth once again. Who would have thought that the art of ancient delicacies would transcend boundaries? Regardless of whether it was the Interstellar Alliance or the Empire Planet, Liao Ning marveled at how the shortage of ancient delicacy experts seemed to follow her, even on Deep-sea Planet. Was this some sort of special boon bestowed upon her by the system? Liao Ning and Zhou Ling exchanged knowing glances. Suddenly, a sense of optimism washed over them. It seemed that their mission might proceed smoothly, and the initial step of infiltrating the enemy stronghold wouldn¡¯t pose a significant challenge. After Mika provided a few more instructions, they mounted the fire seahorse and set course for Nanshan Island. Upon reaching the sea¡¯s surface, Liao Ning was taken aback by the sight of numerous fire seahorses, a common mode of transportation between the islands of Deep-sea Planet. Among them, she noticed many refugees from Planet Dynasty. Although the Planet Empire had achieved relative stability, there were still numerous nobles who sought refuge on neighboring planets, unwilling to submit to the rebel army¡¯s rule, bringing their wealth with them. The fire seahorse proved remarkably swift, and it didn¡¯t take long for them to reach Nanshan Island. However, their arrival was met with an immediate halt. ¡°Who are you, and why have you come to South Mountain Island?¡± The guard scrutinized them with an unfriendly demeanor. With a calm tone, Liao Ning responded, ¡°Greetings, my wife and I have escaped from Planet Dynasty. We¡¯ve run out of resources and are seeking refuge on Deep-sea Planet. ¡± Zhou Ling deftly presented a small gem, and only then did the guard¡¯s expression soften into a smile. Having transformed into unassuming individuals, Liao Ning and Zhou Ling managed to avoid raising suspicion. ¡°The situation is quite delicate at the moment, but I¡¯ll share a secret with you,¡± the guard whispered, drawing closer. ¡°If you happen to possess knowledge of crafting ancient delicacies, you should head to the central castle. Our lord is currently recruiting individuals from the Empire who are skilled in the art of ancient delicacies.¡± With heartfelt thanks, Zhou Ling guided Liao Ning toward the central castle. As they approached, they saw a growing crowd of people who all bore the appearance of refugees, eagerly awaiting opportunities. ¡°Are there any other culinary experts among us? If we can pass the test, the Sea Demons promise us accommodation, meals, and even a salary! Is there anyone else interested in giving it a shot?¡± Despite the favorable terms, it appeared that most escapees from Planet Empire were well-off individuals. The prospect of preparing ancient delicacies didn¡¯t seem to entice many. After all, it was considered a modest and labor-intensive endeavor that didn¡¯t quite align with the status of the wealthy. Just as the guard was about to close the door, Liao Ning exclaimed, ¡°I¡¯ll give it a try. I¡¯ve dabbled in preparing ancient delicacies while watching livestreams at home!¡± ¡°You have experience?¡± The guard scrutinized Liao Ning and Zhou Ling, inquiring, ¡°Are you both certain you can handle it? Take a moment to think it over carefully..¡± Chapter 304 - Chapter 304: After You Chapter 304: After You Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations The guards had been dealing with an influx of nobles attempting to sneak into the castle lately. Despite their wealth, these nobles were notorious for their laziness. The Sea Demons, however, had little patience left to spare for such individuals. Pointing towards the castle¡¯s pinnacle, one guard remarked, ¡°See that? That¡¯s the guy who recently duped our lord by claiming he could prepare ancient delicacies. His remains are probably mummifying up there by now, wouldn¡¯t you say?¡± Liao Ning raised her head to look. Instantly, her hair stood on end as she spotted a grim row of five to six corpses adorning the castle¡¯s roof. They seemed to have been lifeless for quite some time. It was no wonder that when these charlatans arrived at South Mountain Island, no one dared to venture into the central castle. This was the grim fate awaiting those who lied. The guard sighed, ¡°Alright, it¡¯s not easy for the two of you to make it here. Be cautious not to meet the same end. Come on, let¡¯s go. There are some houses outside available for rent.¡± ¡°I genuinely know how to prepare ancient delicacies,¡± Liao Ning asserted, taking a step forward. ¡°You can let me demonstrate. After all, you¡¯re not asking for a wide array of ancient delicacies, are you? I¡¯ve honed my skills preparing dishes for a live audience.¡± The guard squinted his eyes, then relented, ¡°Fine, since you¡¯re so insistent, follow me. If you¡¯ve got the time now, think about your approach. Don¡¯t end up risking your life later.¡± Liao Ning and Zhou Ling followed the guard into the castle, revealing its opulent interior. Pearls adorned nearly every surface, and the entire castle was surrounded by water. The temperature was mild, and a refreshing scent filled the air. ¡°Young lady, this is the largest island on Deep-sea Planet. If you truly possess the skills to make ancient delicacies, you might have a future here,¡± the talkative guard continued as they walked, giving a brief tour of the castle. ¡°It appears you know your way around such dishes as well. Stick to what you¡¯re good at, and don¡¯t let nerves get the best of you.¡± Grateful for his guidance, Liao Ning smiled and proceeded to the kitchen. Upon entering, she overheard someone pleading, ¡°Sir, please, I have money and gemstones. I can offer you all the gems you desire!¡± Seated in the center, a white-haired man waved his hand in exasperation, and the guard swiftly escorted the begging individual away. ¡°Pathetic! Isn¡¯t there a single soul here who knows how to prepare ancient delicacies?¡± the white-haired man exclaimed in frustration. He turned abruptly and spotted the guard ushering in two more individuals. ¡°What? Another fraud? That man from earlier will soon have his heart and lungs ripped out. Later, I¡¯ll toss him into the deep sea as fish food! If you¡¯re impostors, you can take the plunge into the sea right now!¡± Liao Ning observed the man, whose white hair resembled her own. Despite having blue eyes, their shade appeared so dark that they seemed black from a distance. A faint resemblance to Liao Ning herself was apparent; this must be Quidy. Seeing that Quidy was in a foul mood, the guard wisely kept quiet, instead signaling to Liao Ning with a meaningful glance. Liao Ning quickly comprehended the message. She spoke up, ¡°Sir, I¡¯ve learned the art of crafting ancient delicacies from a live-streamer. May I demonstrate my skills?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve learned it before?¡± Quidy seemed somewhat skeptical. ¡°Did you learn it from my kid? The one known as Liao Ning on the live-streams?¡± Liao Ning forced an awkward smile, baffled by the fact that everyone called her Liao Ning. ¡°Yes, I learned from her. I can certainly give it a try.¡± Not detecting any change in Liao Nings expression, Quidy sat back down and relented, ¡°Alright, then, start with clam fish soup. The one that detoxifies the merfolk? It¡¯s a type of soup, correct?¡± Inwardly, Liao Ning sighed. It appeared that he had indeed watched her live-streams and remembered the names of the dishes. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve demonstrated clam fish soup before. I can prepare it,¡± Liao Ning replied respectfully. ¡°However, with so many people watching me prepare these ancient delicacies, I¡¯m feeling a bit nervous. Could you allow us to cook here privately?¡± Surprisingly, Quidy agreed, ¡°Of course!¡± Then, he added, ¡°The two of you can enjoy the soup yourselves.¡± Liao Ning nodded with a grateful smile. The entire kitchen staff withdrew, and guards stood watch at the door. They were within Sea Demon territory, so there was no fear of any mischief from these two newcomers. As for Liao Ning, she worried that her culinary expertise might reveal her true identity, so she requested privacy for their cooking session. With the clam fish soup, a dish she had crafted countless times, Liao Ning swiftly completed the preparation. She allowed it to simmer for a bit longer, concerned that Quidy might grow suspicious if she displayed too much expertise in crafting ancient delicacies. She waited for a full 40 minutes before calling everyone in. ¡°Hey! It seems like you really know your way around this. The aroma is tantalizing,¡± Quidy remarked as he ladled a bowl of soup and extended it towards Liao Ning. ¡°Please, after you..¡± Chapter 305 - Chapter 305: Passing the Test Chapter 305: Passing the Test Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Liao Ning acted without hesitation. She gently blew on the soup, which was still a bit too hot, before sipping from her small bowl. Zhou Ling followed suit, scooping up some soup and savoring its warmth. Quidy stood silently beside them, not uttering a word. After approximately ten minutes had passed, he summoned someone to fetch a peculiar creature. This creature had a head resembling that of a hamster, but its tongue was eerily snake-like. The little beast swiftly lapped at the soup with its unique tongue, closing its eyes as it savored the flavors before finally finishing the bowl. In less than a minute, the little beast transformed into a young boy. ¡°Sir, this soup is a genuine ancient delicacy. Its taste is exquisite. It possesses the power to detoxify poison, though its effects may not manifest immediately on others.¡± Only then did Quidy break into a smile. ¡°You¡¯ve consumed it, and the sea rats have sampled it as well. It appears you possess remarkable abilities.¡± Tentatively, Liao Ning inquired, ¡°Sir, may the two of us stay?¡± ¡°Of course. I¡¯ll have the guards escort you to your rooms later,¡± Quidy responded, paying no further attention to them as he continued to savor the soup. The guard who had brought them into the room returned with two additional individuals. Still somewhat shaken, he remarked, ¡°Thankfully, you didn¡¯t deceive us. It¡¯s not an easy situation for the adults either. With more Sea Demons falling victim to poisoning, they may find relief through these ancient delicacies. He¡¯s quite anxious.¡± ¡°Is the seawater poisonous? What are the consequences of being poisoned?¡± Zhou Ling feigned curiosity with her question. Only then did the guard realize his blunder. ¡°You¡¯re from the Planet Dynasty. It¡¯s not your concern if you¡¯re unaware of the situation here. However, these ancient delicacies can alleviate mental distress. They might prove effective for us as well. You¡¯ve seen the sea rats who were poisoned and couldn¡¯t maintain their human form a moment ago, haven¡¯t you?¡± As the guard waved his hand, Liao Ning noticed that his wrist had turned dark, and his hand trembled uncontrollably. She reached into her pocket, retrieving two biscuits she had made back in the empire, inspired by a tutorial from a live-streamer. She offered them to the guard with a warm smile. ¡°Brother, these biscuits are a specialty from my homeland. I learned the recipe from a live-streamer. Please accept them as a token of gratitude for looking out for us earlier.¡± The guard felt a bit embarrassed, but he accepted the biscuit graciously. ¡°I¡¯m Mike, the castle¡¯s guard. If you ever need anything in the future, feel free to come to me.¡± Most inhabitants of Deep-sea Planet harbored an innate fear of fire. They hesitated to use any heated kitchen utensils, even for simple tasks. Consequently, these kitchen tools remained untouched until the arrival of individuals from Empire Planet. Ancient delicacies, once straightforward to prepare, were virtually non-existent on Deep-sea Planet, making Mike hold them in high regard. ¡°Before, there were just two refugees from Planet Dynasty who knew the art of crafting ancient delicacies. With you two joining, the count stands at four. I suspect that tomorrow, you¡¯ll begin preparing these delicacies for the adults and the army. The Sea Demons will compensate you for your efforts.¡± With those instructions, Mike left contentedly, clutching the biscuits. Upon returning to their room, Zhou Ling and Liao Ning immediately scanned the area with their Al. Fortunately, Deep- sea Planet lacked extensive smart functions, and even surveillance cameras were scarce within the castle, ensuring their privacy. ¡°We¡¯ll start cooking tomorrow. Colonel Zhou, thank you for your cooperation, ¡± Liao Ning quipped with a grin. To her surprise, Zhou Ling appeared grave. ¡°Have you ever wondered who the other two are?¡± ¡°The other two?¡± Liao Ning was initially perplexed but quickly caught on. ¡°You mean the other two who know how to prepare ancient delicacies? They¡¯re just Empire Planet refugees, right? Many people from the rebel army and Empire Planet have seen my live-stream. It¡¯s not surprising that they know how to make these dishes.¡± However, Zhou Ling shook his head. ¡°They¡¯re all civilians.¡± ¡°Civilians?¡± Liao Ning remained puzzled. Zhou Ling elaborated, ¡°Traveling from Planet Empire to the transit space station requires a considerable amount of fuel. Even aristocrats rarely own large airships, let alone ordinary civilians who can¡¯t afford the fuel.¡± ¡°Do you mean those two individuals might be nobles? They could even belong to the royal family?¡± Liao Ning¡¯s anxiety suddenly surged. ¡°Who could they be?¡± Liao Ning was known to many within the royal family and aristocracy. Despite her changed appearance, encountering someone she knew could potentially expose her identity. ¡°That¡¯s precisely why we need to exercise extreme caution tomorrow. Our actions should speak louder than words,¡± Zhou Ling reassured her, gently placing his arm around her shoulder. ¡®We¡¯ll take things one step at a time since we¡¯re here. First, let¡¯s become acquainted with the castle. Once we secure the heart crystal, we¡¯ll make our swift exit. Everything will work out..¡± Chapter 306 - Chapter 306: Meeting Loya Again Chapter 306: Meeting Loya Again Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations The following morning, Liao Ning and Zhou Ling were already well-prepared for their day in the kitchen. It seemed like they were going to spend most of their time there. Mike¡¯s mood had considerably brightened since receiving the cookies the previous day, and today he seemed even more enthusiastic. ¡°Those cookies you shared with me yesterday? My daughter absolutely adores them. Her symptoms from the poisoning have also significantly improved. It appears that these ancient delicacies have remarkable detoxifying properties!¡± he exclaimed joyfully. Liao Ning responded with a warm smile, ¡°I¡¯m delighted to hear that. Whenever I get the chance, I¡¯d be more than happy to make more for her. But I was wondering, am I allowed to use the ingredients here as I see fit? If I need to gather specific ingredients, can I explore the castle freely?¡± If she restricted herself to only working in the castle kitchen, her chances of locating the Heart Crystal would be greatly diminished. Mike leaned in and whispered, ¡°Actually, we Sea Demons don¡¯t have many strict rules. There are some internal differences within the clan right now. As long as you can demonstrate your worth to the adults and work diligently, you should have no trouble moving around the castle as you please. You can also come and go as you wish.¡± Liao Ning nodded with satisfaction. Her skills in preparing ancient delicacies could be her ticket to gaining Quidy¡¯s trust, which in turn could lead her to the crystal. Meanwhile, Zhou Ling discreetly memorized the layout of the castle during their journey. With the central castle spanning six floors, finding the crystal was undoubtedly going to be a challenging task. Upon reaching the kitchen, Liao Ning and Zhou Ling were taken aback by an unexpected sight. ¡°Allow me to introduce these two. They joined us yesterday and will be assisting in the kitchen from now on,¡± Mike pointed towards two women sitting across from him. ¡°These ladies are also from the Empire Planet, and they specialize in preparing ancient delicacies just like you.¡± However, Liao Ning couldn¡¯t hide her surprise, and it didn¡¯t go unnoticed by the other party. As Mike and the other Sea Demons exited the kitchen, one of the women across from them inquired, ¡°You recognize me, don¡¯t you?¡± Zhou Ling narrowed his eyes, remaining silent. Liao Ning lowered her head and whispered softly, ¡®Yes, Your Highness.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no princess here. Call me Amy. And she¡¯s Ciro, remember?¡± Loya¡¯s voice carried a subtle threat. Liao Ning was taken aback by the unexpected presence of Loya and Sami. Moreover, it was apparent that Sami was in poor health, her face nearly pallid. As Liao Ning was still processing the situation, Loya impatiently reiterated, ¡°Did you hear that? You two civilians need to be cautious. Among those in this castle, only the four of us are from Planet Empire. If anyone else discovers our true identities¡­ She gestured to her throat, implying a dire consequence. Liao Ning pretended to tremble and hastily assured, ¡°Yes, we understand. Don¡¯t worry.¡± Observing her fearful expression and glancing at the unassuming man accompanying her, Loya found a stool to sit on. When the rebel army had attacked the city, Loya had already prepared an escape plan. She had gone to Sam¡¯s house to inquire about the whereabouts of the gems hidden there, but to her surprise, she had stumbled upon Sami on the ground. Of course, Loya wasn¡¯t inclined to save her. She wished for anyone who knew her background to meet their demise, but Sami possessed considerable wealth. She had mustered her last bit of strength to strike a deal with Loya before the latter rescued her. Nonetheless, for added safety, she had brought Sami to the sea demon race¡¯s castle, as there were no residents from Planet Empire here, ensuring their security. ¡°Now that you¡¯re here, you can help prepare this fish soup today,¡± Loya instructed Sami, who, despite her frailty, brought out various ingredients with effort. ¡°Ciro, you haven¡¯t fully recovered. You should rest too. I can¡¯t be taking care of you every day,¡± Loya remarked. Sami nodded, a tinge of apology in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Your Highness. I rarely engage in such menial tasks. My health is truly deteriorating.¡± Before she could utter a word, a fit of violent coughing overtook her, and blood began to seep from her chest. Liao Ning, far from being a saint, disregarded Sami¡¯s injuries, focusing instead on preparing ingredients with Zhou Ling. However, she couldn¡¯t help but overhear the exchange between the other two. ¡°Why haven¡¯t you finished yet?¡± Loya asked, her tone dripping with disdain. ¡°I¡¯ll plunge a dagger into your heart and see if you can survive that!¡± Sami retorted without restraint. ¡°Don¡¯t forget who you really are! Do you honestly believe you¡¯re a true princess? Cough, cough, cough!¡± Upon hearing this, Loya didn¡¯t respond with anger. Instead, she wore a sly smile and remarked, ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter whether I¡¯m a princess or not. It¡¯s still better than you! Your own mother dug out your heart.. Oh my, that¡¯s truly chilling! ¡° Chapter 307 - Chapter 307: Discovering Crystals Chapter 307: Discovering Crystals Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Say that again?¡± Sami¡¯s voice turned icy as he tightly clenched his fists. Recognizing the intensity of her anger, Loya fell silent. The two of them had become interdependent for survival in this unforgiving place. Moreover, Sami¡¯s promised treasure had yet to materialize. As for Liao Ning and Zhou Ling, they meticulously focused on their tasks, keeping their heads down while working on the ingredients. Recalling Sami¡¯s earlier words, Loya couldn¡¯t help but feel a twinge of annoyance. She addressed Liao Ning in a cold tone, ¡°Once the soup is ready, head to the sixth floor for cleaning duty.¡± Liao Ning appeared troubled, responding, ¡°But the castle¡¯s rules prohibit us from roaming freely, and aren¡¯t the Sea Demons the only ones allowed on the upper floors?¡± Her expression was a mixture of fear and uncertainty, but a glimmer of hope flickered within her. The castle was vast, with guards stationed on every floor, but water from higher levels flowed down and encircled the castle on its way to the sea. If the heart crystal was purifying seawater, it was likely on the sixth floor. ¡°Enough chatter,¡± Loya impatiently retorted. ¡°What¡¯s the problem with two commoners doing the cleaning? I¡¯m a princess, and she¡¯s a patient. I¡¯ll delegate this task to you. Just wear our brooches and carry them in. The guards won¡¯t pay you any mind.¡± With those words, Loya dismissively pushed a fire lychee aside and gracefully sampled its taste. Liao Ning and Zhou Ling exchanged glances, hastening their work. However, Liao Ning lacked finesse and the soup was only ready an hour later. ¡°Your Highness, we can proceed to the sixth floor for cleaning now,¡± Liao Ning said, still keeping her head lowered, unsure if Loya could recognize her. ¡°Wear these brooches. You two will be responsible for cleaning from now on.¡± Liao Ning and Zhou Ling swiftly accepted the brooches and left the kitchen. Yet, as they passed by Sami, he suddenly sniffed the air, his eyes widening in surprise. Sami felt a hint of uncertainty creeping in. She turned towards Loya and inquired, ¡°Don¡¯t you find her scent oddly familiar?¡± ¡°Have you lost so much blood that it¡¯s affecting your senses? What does she smell like to you? Fishy, perhaps? I¡¯ve had enough of this place. It¡¯s best if you never return,¡± Loya retorted dismissively. Sami made her way to the door, her gaze fixed on Liao Ning as she departed. There was something about her that struck a chord, but the memory remained elusive. Meanwhile, Liao Ning and Zhou Ling used their fellow prisoners¡¯ brooches to descend the stairs until they reached the sixth floor. While the Sea Demons had the advantage of swimming and navigating quickly through the waterways, Liao Ning and Zhou Ling had to rely on their legs to climb to the sixth floor. Thankfully, their sturdy physiques prevented fatigue from setting in. Upon reaching the sixth floor, they encountered a noticeable increase in guards. Despite presenting their brooches, the guards meticulously documented their identities. ¡°You two are responsible for cleaning this floor. Your main task is to clear away the various shellfish and algae that the seawater washes in, but under no circumstances should you touch the crystal. Remember that,¡± the guard impatiently instructed. In truth, they had little fear of anyone attempting to steal the heart crystal. Without the Patriarch or the elders, no one possessed the capability to do so. However, outsiders remained unaware of this fact. Upon learning that the heart crystal was located here, Liao Ning surveyed the area and spotted a substantial amount of seawater surging in the center, with the crystal nestled within. The sixth floor was expansive, devoid of rooms, and resembled a hall flooded with seawater and assorted debris. Their task was to clear away the debris. It was now evident why Loya had been reluctant to visit this floor. Despite the crystal-clear seawater, a considerable amount of litter had accumulated on this level. Even Liao Ning and Zhou Ling required over two hours of diligent work before the floor was finally cleared. Liao Ning also took note of the guards¡¯ shift-changing routine during their cleaning duties. Hardly anyone paid the heart crystal much attention. It seemed that most were aware that daring to pilfer it from Quidy¡¯s headquarters was a futile endeavor. Furthermore, not just anyone possessed the ability to abscond with the crystal. Additionally, like clockwork, a group of three to four individuals descended the stairs every hour, only to retrace their steps an hour later. With the heart crystal¡¯s location pinpointed and the guard shift schedules decoded, Liao Ning began to formulate a plan.. Chapter 308 - Chapter 308: Stealing the Crystal Chapter 308: Stealing the Crystal Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations As they prepared soup for everyone in the castle, Liao Ning and the others toiled until late into the night before retiring to their quarters. To be precise, it was only Liao Ning and Zhou Ling who were engrossed in their tasks, while Loya contentedly enjoyed an assortment of fruits nearby. Sami, on the other hand, had been dozing off due to feeling unwell. Just as they were about to exit the kitchen, Sami abruptly seized Liao Ning by the arm. ¡°Have we crossed paths before? Why do you carry the scent of blood?¡± Her grip landed near the very spot where Liao Ning had suffered an injury, tempting her to instinctively reach for her arm. However, she restrained herself. Liao Ning still wore an apprehensive expression as she answered softly, ¡°Perhaps you¡¯ve encountered it on Planet Empire? It¡¯s not uncommon for one to acquire a faintly unusual odor after handling a multitude of ingredients. Are you feeling alright?¡± Sami scrutinized the woman before her more closely. Indeed, she had never laid eyes on her before. It was only then that she released her hold and spoke with a smile, ¡°Sometimes, after leaving one¡¯s homeland, seeing a fellow countryman can evoke a sense of familiarity. Maybe I¡¯ve made a mistake?¡± ¡°What¡¯s gotten into you today?¡± Loya impatiently interjected. ¡°She appears to be a commoner. How could you recognize her?¡± Nonetheless, Sami smiled and covertly grazed the hand that had been gripping Liao Ning¡¯s arm. She then brought her fingers to her nose and inhaled. In that very moment, she suddenly realized that this woman¡¯s voice was eerily familiar. Paired with the scent lingering on her, Sami became almost certain that this woman was, indeed, Liao Ning. The Liao family¡¯s lineage was distinctive. Even though Sami could no longer be considered a part of the Liao family, a trace of their blood still coursed through her veins. Moreover, the faint aroma of blood from Liao Nings previous injury had not escaped Sami¡¯s acute senses. Upon returning to her room, Sami hastily activated her Al and commenced her search for methods of altering one¡¯s appearance. She had detected the telltale scent of the Zerg on Liao Ning earlier. Having spent an extended period in the rebel army¡¯s laboratory, she possessed some educated guesses. As expected, she soon uncovered information about an insect capable of transforming a person¡¯s appearance. ¡°A Multi-Feather Butterfly? This doesn¡¯t seem to be a run-of-the-mill find,¡± Sami mused to herself. After Liao Ning and Zhou Ling retreated to their room, she outlined the plan. It was common knowledge among the inhabitants of Quidy that the heart crystal resided on the sixth floor. However, without the abilities of the Patriarch and Elder, it remained untouchable. The guards, reassured by the crystal¡¯s perceived security, routinely endured exhaustion. ¡°As long as I can approach the crystal, I can retrieve it. Once that¡¯s done, I¡¯ll use my blood to temporarily replace it and continue purifying the seawater. It should suffice for our escape from the castle,¡± Liao Ning explained. ¡°Your blood?¡± Zhou Ling¡¯s tone was icy, laden with palpable anger. Liao Ning admitted guiltily, ¡°If the heart crystal is removed, the seawater purification system will cease immediately, alerting them to our presence. I only need a few drops of blood to sustain the seawater purification for a whole day. No one will notice.¡± She sought to placate Zhou Ling, drawing her close with a fawning tone. ¡°Please, don¡¯t be angry. I promise I won¡¯t use much blood.¡± ¡°How many drops are we talking about?¡± Zhou Ling, now emotionless, had produced a fish bone needle and was scrutinizing Liao Ning. ¡°Ten drops?¡± Liao Ning replied, her guilt mounting. Observing Zhou Ling¡¯s unchanging expression, she conceded, ¡°Alright, maybe five drops? I¡¯m genuinely worried it won¡¯t suffice, Zhou Ling!¡± Attempting to charm her way out of the situation, Liao Ning found herself with her left index finger pierced. Zhou Ling swiftly collected five drops of blood into a crystal vial before placing Liao Ning¡¯s finger in his mouth. ¡°You!¡± Liao Ning¡¯s cheeks flushed, but she couldn¡¯t muster a word. In that moment, Zhou Ling¡¯s eyes sparkled. ¡°I¡¯ll cooperate with you tomorrow. Don¡¯t fret.¡± The following morning, the two of them resumed their fish soup preparations. With Loya benefiting from two additional helping hands, she remained idle. Meanwhile, Sami intermittently observed Liao Ning. This only solidified Liao Ning¡¯s true identity. Knowing that today was the day to steal the crystal, Liao Ning hastened her pace and headed to the sixth floor to assist Zhou Ling in cleaning. However, the moment they departed, Sami rose from her seat. ¡®Where are you off to?¡± Loya furrowed her brow. Sami moistened her lips.. ¡°I need to search for some medicine to remedy my condition!¡± Chapter 309 - Chapter 309: Make Your Choice Chapter 309: Make Your Choice Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Due to their previous day¡¯s encounter and the recognition by several guards, Liao Ning and Zhou Ling were able to proceed to the sixth floor without any questioning or interruptions. Sami, on the other hand, had resorted to her last remaining invisibility cloak. Her previous cloak had been confiscated by Liao Xi, leaving her with no alternative for self-preservation. She was determined not to use it unless absolutely necessary. Upon entering the hall, Sami discreetly observed the two figures in the corner. To her surprise, they were diligently engaged in cleaning tasks, showing no signs of suspicious activity. She briefly pondered if they had indeed mistaken her for someone else. However, as time passed and more than two hours elapsed, Liao Ning finally made her move. A silent exchange of glances occurred between Liao Ning and Zhou Ling. In response, Zhou Ling swiftly gathered cleaning tools and began tidying up near the remaining two guards. The guards paid no heed, considering it routine work given the daily task of cleaning seawater, which inevitably generated trash. Sami struggled to control her breathing, acutely aware of Liao Ning¡¯s formidable abilities. She suspected that the man with her was not to be underestimated and remained on high alert. Liao Ning surreptitiously approached the heart-shaped crystal, periodically checking if anyone was observing her. Strangely, she sensed a malevolent gaze fixated on her, but despite her vigilance, she couldn¡¯t discern Sami beneath the invisibility cloak. In the end, Liao Ning steeled herself and decided to abscond with the heart-shaped crystal. She pricked her finger with a fishbone needle, causing the crystal to shrink and slowly ascend from the center of the pool towards her. Liao Ning promptly placed a vial containing her blood into the pool, restoring its purification process, all while the guards at the entrance remained oblivious to the covert operation. Just as Liao Ning breathed a sigh of relief upon securing the crystal, she suddenly sensed someone approaching from her left. Years of experience as a bounty hunter had honed her instincts, allowing her to swiftly retreat. As expected, a woman¡¯s hand emerged where she had stood only moments ago. Invisibility cloak! Liao Ning immediately recognized that the hand belonged to Sami. Zhou Ling, noticing her reaction, hurried over. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Liao Ning shook her head and whispered, ¡°Quick, leave!¡± They exchanged a knowing look and promptly exited the sixth floor. Liao Nings pace quickened, and Zhou Ling refrained from asking questions, simply following her lead. As they reached the castle gate, a guard stopped them. ¡°Where are you headed?¡± Although their presence in the castle had been brief, it was evident that few individuals from the empire possessed the skill to prepare ancient delicacies. The guards treated them with respect. Liao Ning scanned the area, failing to spot Mike. She then produced a bag of small biscuits. ¡°Mike mentioned that his daughter improved after eating my biscuits. I¡¯ve brought some for him today.¡± She handed a few biscuits to the guard. ¡°I didn¡¯t make many this time, so please enjoy them. I¡¯ll prepare more next time to diversify your meals.¡± The guards expressed their gratitude, allowing the two to pass without further inquiry. As they approached the port, intending to board the fire seahorse while the guards were distracted, Zhou Ling suddenly kicked behind him. A thud sounded as someone fell to the ground. The invisibility cloak unraveled, revealing Sami, glaring fiercely at them. ¡°Ignore her. Let¡¯s go!¡± Zhou Ling urged, pulling Liao Ning away. It was not the right moment for confrontation. They needed to return to the elders urgently to avert a looming threat. However, Sami, appearing frail, retrieved a bottle of potion and splashed it on Liao Ning with all her might. In seconds, Liao Ning¡¯s true form was exposed. ¡°Your necklace!¡± Zhou Ling disregarded formalities, quickly unfastening Liao Ning¡¯s collar and confirming that the necklace had indeed been soaked. Sami burst into laughter. ¡°Hahaha, it¡¯s really you, Liao Ning! This liquid is a hallucinogen. The scale powder won¡¯t work now. You can¡¯t escape! Either take me with you immediately, or I¡¯ll call for help.. The choice is yours!¡± Chapter 310 - Chapter 310: Finale Chapter 310: Finale Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it!¡± Liao Ning gritted her teeth, her determination shining through her eyes. She was acutely aware of just how unpredictable Sami and Liao Xi could be. In this critical moment, she needed to secure the heart crystal swiftly and not get entangled with this unpredictable woman. However, Sami¡¯s grip on Liao Nings ankle tightened, and the port¡¯s guards couldn¡¯t help but notice the escalating situation. ¡°Who are you?¡± demanded one of the guards. The group of guards quickly converged, encircling the trio. Zhou Ling¡¯s expression grew more severe. He managed to pry Sami¡¯s hand from Liao Ning¡¯s ankle and attempted to lead her away, but the numerous guards had already surrounded them. Curiously, there was no anger in the guards¡¯ eyes. Instead, they exchanged meaningful glances. ¡°Haha, who do we have here?¡± Quidy¡¯s voice rang out, and Liao Ning¡¯s heart sank like a stone. She had reverted to her original appearance, and judging by the guards¡¯ expressions, it was apparent that she had been discovered ¡ª and not just by Quidy. Quidy grinned wickedly and whispered into Liao Ning¡¯s ear, ¡°You must be my long-lost niece I¡¯ve never had the pleasure of meeting. You¡¯re the spitting image of my sister!¡± Zhou Ling stepped forward, positioning himself defensively between Liao Ning and Quidy, his expression radiating hostility. Quidy then turned to address the guards, saying, ¡°Seize them! These individuals are trying to steal our Heart Crystal and endanger the sea demons. They wish for our destruction!¡± However, the guards remained motionless, and whispers began to ripple through the nearby sea demons. ¡°Who is she? Is she one of our kind, a sea demon?¡± ¡°She bears a striking resemblance to our Patriarch. Could she be the Young Patriarch?¡± ¡°With the Patriarch¡¯s powers, we could cleanse our seawater and rid ourselves of the poison forever!¡± ¡°Is she truly a descendant of the Patriarch? Could she be our new leader?¡± Hearing the murmurs of those gathered around, Quidy clenched his fists and shouted, ¡°She¡¯s the one the elder used an illusion to disguise! She¡¯s no sea demon! She employed a secret technique to pilfer the crystal and plotted for our demise right here!¡± However, his words fell on skeptical ears. To most, Liao Nings ability to abscond with the crystal suggested a connection to the Patriarch¡¯s lineage. In that critical moment, Sami surveyed her surroundings and then cast a deliberate glance at Liao Ning. She hastened to approach Quidy. ¡°Sir is absolutely correct. She isn¡¯t a sea demon. She hails from the Liao family of the Interstellar Alliance!¡± Quidy regarded Sami with newfound respect, and she pressed on, her voice trembling with urgency. ¡°I¡¯m also from the Liao family. In her pursuit of survival, she extracted my heart¡¯s blood. Her name is Liao Ning. She¡¯s not one of us!¡± Sami parted her shirt, revealing a gruesome scar that left the onlookers gasping in shock. In the midst of this, numerous sea demons quickly utilized Al to investigate, unearthing Liao Ning¡¯s true identity in a matter of moments. ¡°She¡¯s that live-streamer, isn¡¯t she? She does look familiar!¡± ¡°Indeed, she mentioned her surname was Liao. She can¡¯t possibly be our Patriarch!¡± ¡°She¡¯s been associated with rebel armies and empires. Her presence here on Deep-sea Planet must involve a larger agenda!¡± The mood among the crowd shifted, and it was only then that Quidy wore a triumphant smile, signaling for the guards to apprehend Liao Ning. Seeing the approaching sea demons, Zhou Ling promptly transformed into a white tiger, taking a protective stance in front of Liao Ning. However, in this aquatic realm, the sea demons held direct control over the seawater. Before long, Zhou Ling began to pant heavily, his stamina rapidly dwindling beneath the relentless waves. Despite Liao Ning¡¯s relentless efforts to shield herself from the guards, she remained utterly powerless. In a moment of desperation, a memory surfaced ¨C the elder had mentioned that the Heart Crystal could grant her a transformation if she could harness its power. ¡°Please, Heart Crystal, lend me your strength!¡± Liao Ning implored repeatedly, but the Heart Crystal remained inert, offering no response. In the midst of this dire situation, Zhou Ling had succumbed to the Sea Demons¡¯ control, his body bearing numerous wounds that bled profusely. Liao Ning¡¯s eyes welled up with tears as she watched helplessly. As her tears cascaded down, a few drops found their way to the crystal¡¯s surface. In the blink of an eye, the crystal erupted in a dazzling display of seven-colored light. When the radiant light finally dissipated, the sea demon guards were left in awe, their actions coming to an abrupt halt. Liao Ning had undergone a remarkable transformation. Her once-white hair now radiated a brilliant silver hue, while her sea-blue eyes emitted a soft, azure glow. Her expression had transformed into one of regal dignity. Behind her, the seawater rose to form a majestic curtain. As Liao Ning ascended gracefully into the sky, the sea demons knelt in reverence. Their voices united in a chorus of devotion, ¡°Patriarch is back!¡±