It seemed that Vishdair misunderstood Lin Guang's silence. He walked up to Lin Guang and pinched his cheeks hard: "What are you thinking about? You're not planning to exercise today, are you?"

"What kind of person do you think I am?"

Lin Guang struggled quite a bit to escape her claws, feeling both amused and helpless: "If I don't go, I don't go, it's not like I'm losing anything."

Outside the door, Miaomiao rolled her eyes slightly: "So, you have no plans to go out and have fun today? Good thing I have a backup plan."

"Amusement park or gaming, which one do you choose?"

Saying this, Miaomiao reached over and pulled a seemingly familiar suitcase next to her, which Lin Guang only just noticed.

"Let's play games."

Lin Guang instinctively made the choice and stepped aside; he admitted that he didn't really like crowded places.

"Then sorry for the intrusion~"

Miaomiao bounced in with her suitcase. She wore a pair of white canvas shoes with black laces, the uppers looking brand new as if just bought from the store.

Beneath her fair and slender ankles was a glimpse of white ankle socks paired with high-waisted jeans, accentuating her fair, well-proportioned legs, highlighting the unique youth and vitality of a high school girl.

"Eh?"

Miaomiao suddenly stopped, turned around to face Lin Guang, and suddenly brought her exquisite face close, her eyes blinking, with her long lashes slightly trembling.

"Did you change your body wash?" Her nostrils flared slightly as if smelling, a tint of curiosity flashed across her face, "I feel like you have an indescribable fragrance... What brand of body wash is it?"

"Fragrance?"

Lin Guang's first thought was about the new body wash he bought for Vishdair, which may have gotten onto him while sleeping. He lowered his head to smell but didn't catch anything.

But that was normal, even if the scent had slightly changed, usually, you wouldn't notice it yourself.

"I haven't changed it." He thought for a moment and still gave an answer.

"Eh?"

Just then, Chelina, dressed in a maid outfit, came over from the living room into her view, leaving Miaomiao momentarily stunned.

"Oh my…"

Her face, snapping back to reality, flashed with mischief as she retracted her head, with that smile reminiscent of the teasing childhood friend who lived next door… Oh, and she did happen to be Lin Guang's childhood friend.

"Is this your new partner? Or… did I come at a bad time?"

"What on earth is going on in your head every day?" Lin Guang groaned.

"Just kidding."

Before Lin Guang could say anything, Miaomiao had already put on that giggling face again, bouncing over to Chelina, where they made quick introductions, making acquaintances.

Actually, Miaomiao brought quite a few game discs over this time, but considering the number of people, they ended up playing something similar to "Super Mari○ Party" from last time.

For some reason, Vishdair was being unusually friendly towards Miaomiao today.

Game time always flies by quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was time to prepare dinner.

Lin Guang put down the controller and got up from the sofa: "I'll cook today."

"You all keep playing."

Having not cooked for nearly two days, the ingredients he bought before were still stored in the storage ring, making him itch to cook given he was a cook at heart.

Fortunately, his storage ring was a Tier Three premium spiritual artifact, rather expensive but worth every penny. The grade was sufficient, and its preservation effect for storing low-tier spirit beast ingredients was excellent, unlike the difficulty with the Ring of Void.

Otherwise, it would've been too late to buy groceries now.

But just as Lin Guang had said this, the wolf-eared maid standing beside him walked up in front of him with a calm and gentle tone: "Master, leave it to me."

Miaomiao also added: "Exactly, how could we let the birthday star cook!"

Lisa's golden-green eyes seemed to sparkle with confidence, as if she had prepared quite a bit for today: "Lisa has learned a few new dishes, and all the ingredients are ready."

Seeing their enthused looks, Lin Guang had a bit of a headache.

Even Vishdair appeared quite spirited: "I'll show you all my cooking too!"

The atmosphere suddenly grew silent as the remaining four exchanged glances.

"What do you mean?"

The silver-haired girl raised a nice eyebrow: "Can't mercenaries cook?!"

"Alright then." Lin Guang couldn't help but laugh.

"Let's show off our skills then."

Everyone bustled about clinking utensils for an hour.

Finally, dinner consisted of a few Great Xia stir-fry dishes Lisa recently learned, Vishdair's baked potatoes, Lin Guang's grilled fish, Miaomiao's handmade longevity noodles, and Chelina's Neapolitan-style pizza.

Everyone's culinary skills were quite commendable, making the dinner atmosphere exceptionally lively.

Even Vishdair, whom not much was expected of initially, surprised everyone with her baked potatoes.

Though seemingly simple, the cooking was just right, and once peeled, the aroma dispersed, tasting soft and sweet, making them a popular dish.

—And it turns out, the Lupus Race is indeed a canine species.

Initially, Chelina still stuck to her maid role, refusing to sit down and eat, but eventually, Lin Guang forced her to sit next to him, allowing him to notice her subtle movements clearly.

Upon eating Lin Guang's grilled fish cooked with Samadhi True Fire, even a normally calm person like her displayed a sparkling light in her orange-red eyes, while her wolf tail attempted to stay subdued but occasionally swayed visibly from side to side.

Even if she hadn't tried to hide it, Lin Guang, through their contract, could sense the ripples in her heart.

That was… the deep appreciation and contentment from tasting a long-awaited delicacy.

As expected.

The grilled fish initially stated to be for the "Eleven" the Wind Speed Wolf, but she likely snuck some bites after getting it back.

Though unspoken, she surely had it on her mind.

That's the effect Lin Guang aimed for by personally cooking today.

In the past, even if Chelina had gained false freedom from the lab, her body likely always ached.

Sleep would surely be poor, and meals likely random at best, having no life goals in this world, her mood inevitably always at rock bottom, aimless.

How could one's status improve in such conditions?

Not resorting to self-harm already speaks to an incredibly strong will.

But conversely, just making sure she eats and sleeps well provides a strong basis for pulling oneself up from life's doldrums.

Lin Guang reckoned he had ensured good sleep for Chelina.

As for ensuring his partner eats well… That was precisely the duty and mission of the Gourmet God talent.

Often, a steaming hot gourmet meal can offer great comfort to a weary, numb person, not only easing the mind's turmoil and unease but also rejuvenating the spirit.

Lisa was like this, Vishdair was like this.

Chelina should be no exception.

…

The dinner wasn't very hefty because the three had secretly ordered a big cake for Lin Guang without him knowing, delivered shortly before dinner started.

After dinner, the whole group sat on the sofa to rest, with Chelina in her maid outfit still standing behind Lin Guang.

Perhaps due to this, or the presence of "outsiders," Vishdair, who usually snuggled close to Lin Guang, was now sitting on another sofa, with only Lisa sitting beside him.

Lin Guang picked up the remote control and turned on the TV, playing a variety show featuring a graceful man who was the most popular idol in Zhen Sheng City in recent years, often seen in various commercials.

Of course, no one present was interested in idols, so Lin Guang naturally switched to the Zhen Sheng City Number One News Channel.

"Zhen Sheng 30 Minutes" hadn't started, with ads still running, so Lin Guang thought for a moment and then found a topic: "Miaomiao, isn't it late? Wouldn't your aunt and uncle worry? Did you tell them you'd be home late today?"

"Huh?"

For some reason, the smile on Miaomiao's face suddenly stiffened.

"Oh, well," She recovered and pulled her head back, her smile was like that of a childhood friend who used to play tricks on everyone... well, maybe she actually was Lin Guang's childhood friend.

"What does this mean?"

The end of dinner had come, with dishes including a few Great Xia stir-frys Lisa recently learned, Vishdair's baked potatoes, Lin Guang's grilled fish, Miaomiao's handmade longevity noodles, and Chelina's Neapolitan-style pizza.

Such a dinner where everyone's culinary skills were commendable made the meal atmosphere extremely lively.

Despite little initial excitement over Vishdair's baked potatoes, they turned out to be quite good.

Although simple in appearance, they were perfectly cooked, with aroma escaping as the skin was peeled away, revealing hot, soft, and sweet potatoes that were quite popular.

—And it was evident that the Lupus race really is like a canine species.

Chelina, initially assuming the role of a maid and not intending to sit down and eat, was eventually made to sit by Lin Guang's side, allowing him to clearly observe her subtle movements.

Upon tasting the grilled fish that Lin Guang had cooked with the Samadhi True Fire, her usually calm orange-red eyes sparkled with a hint of warmth and sparkle, and although trying hard to control it, her wolf tail behind her slightly wagged side to side.

Even if she didn't try to hide it, Lin Guang could vaguely sense the ripples arising in her heart through their contract.

Those ripples were the emotion of tasting long-anticipated delicious food - one of both gratification and satisfaction.

Indeed.

The very first piece of grilled fish, said to be for that Wind Speed Wolf, was likely something she remembered and longed for, sneaking a taste when she could.

This was the very effect Lin Guang wanted when he decided to cook today.

In the past, even if Chelina had gained false freedom from the lab, her internal organs likely suffered a constant, dull ache.

She probably didn't sleep well, and her meals were likely haphazardly managed; arriving in such a state in this world was already a sign of strong will.

In such circumstances, how could her status improve?

That she hadn't taken more drastic action speaks to remarkable strength of will.

Ensuring Chelina a good sleep was something Lin Guang felt he had at least managed.

And ensuring she eats well... That's precisely the goal of the Gourmet God talent.

Frequently, all it takes is a steaming and delicious meal to offer immense consolation to a weary and numb person.

Lisa was one such person, and Vishdair was another.

Chelina likely wouldn't be an exception to this rule.

...

The dinner portions weren't enormous because the three had already prepared another set of new dishes they learned, which were ready for tonight.

After dinner, the group sat resting on the sofa. Chelina was still standing behind Lin Guang wearing her maid outfit, not having taken a seat to eat until Lin Guang firmly made her sit beside him, allowing him to notice her subtle actions very clearly.

They could all see how even in her usually deep and serene orange-red eyes, there was a sparkle and gleam when she tasted Lin Guang's grilled fish, expertly cooked with the Samadhi True Fire.

Even with her trying to suppress it, a slight wagging of her wolf tail was still visible.

Even if she hadn't tried to suppress it, Lin Guang could vaguely sense the ripples in her heart through their contract.

That was… the profound sense of comfort and satisfaction of tasting long-anticipated delicious food.

Just as expected.

The very first fish he cooked was supposedly for the Wind Speed Wolf, but she must have had her eye on it and surely tasted it after taking it back.

Although unspoken, she surely remembered it fondly.

This was exactly what Lin Guang had intended by cooking himself today.

Although Chelina had perhaps assumed the role of a maid, not intending to sit down and eat dinner, Lin Guang still made her sit next to him, making it easy for him to watch her subtle movements closely.""

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