Chapter 17: Suspicion
The sound of the door slamming echoed oddly in the quiet foyer.
Pei Zhanxi’s nerves, already taut, jolted violently. She instinctively recoiled like a frightened rabbit, as if the door had cut off her only escape.
Meanwhile, Wang Yan strolled casually to the living room sofa, kicked off his shoes, and stepped barefoot onto the soft carpet, radiating ease and confidence.
“Don’t just stand there—sit wherever you like,” he said, pointing to the shoe cabinet. “There are some unopened slippers on top; just pick a pair and wear them.”
Pei Zhanxi froze for a moment, then mechanically followed the instructions like a wound-up doll, slowly moving toward the cabinet. She selected the plainest-looking pair that seemed to fit, tore open the packaging, and slipped them on.
Carefully, she sat on the edge of the sofa nearest the door, back straight, hands neatly on her lap, clutching her old backpack tightly. Her gaze remained fixed on the pristine slippers covering her feet.
“Sit for a bit. I’ll go prepare lunch,” Wang Yan called from the kitchen, his tone light and cheerful.
In the kitchen, the door closed behind him, and the familiar system interface immediately popped up on his retina. He scrolled through the in-game store, eyes locking onto a particular item:
[Eternal Spirit Knife: Legendary cookware, unmatched sharpness, can alter the essence of ingredients, restores seafood freshness, small chance to enhance dish effects.]
“Buy!”
Emotion points drained rapidly, and a blade of antique design with a faint blue glow materialized in his hands. Its surface was warm to the touch, almost alive.
Next came the ingredients:
[Mystic Scaled Fish: Firm, delicate flesh with faint aquatic energy, excellent for nourishing yin.] — Buy!
[Top-quality Cistanche deserticola: …] — Buy!
Wang Yan spent his emotion points lavishly, acquiring everything needed for the “Vitality Fish Stew” recipe. Without a top-tier knife, processing these special ingredients would have been tedious.
As he prepared to close the interface, a small flashing “Link” icon appeared beside the recipe. Curiosity piqued, he clicked:
[Linked Recipes Acquired:]
- Ten-Complete Vitality Chicken Soup
- Vitality Mystic Scaled Fish Stew
[Current Link Progress: 2/7]
[Collect seven specific nourishing recipes to unlock a mysterious combination effect that greatly enhances physical and special abilities!]
Wang Yan’s eyes lit up. A collection quest—a super prize awaited if he completed it.
He scanned the store for other recipes… only to recoil. They were all expensive, far beyond his current emotion points. He shrugged—focus on these first, master their effects, then plan the next steps.
Tomorrow: Angelica Red Date Black-bone Chicken Soup
Day after: Polygonatum Lily Lung-nourishing Porridge
“Eternal Spirit Knife, don’t fail me now!” Wang Yan muttered, excitement gleaming in his eyes.
With the knife, he sliced the Mystic Scaled Fish effortlessly. Scales fell away, flesh became paper-thin, translucent, glistening. Every movement flowed like a choreographed dance. The medicinal ingredients’ essences were perfectly extracted and merged with the fish.
The kitchen filled with an indescribable aroma—oceanic depth mingled with herbaceous warmth, almost alive, seeping into every corner of the living room.
Pei Zhanxi, sitting tensely on the sofa, could not help but inhale sharply.
The aroma was overpowering, like invisible hands teasing her already tense nerves and growling stomach.
Her cheeks flushed crimson as a tiny “grumble” escaped her abdomen.
“Coming out!” Wang Yan called, entering with a massive white porcelain bowl. The fish stew, creamy and thick, was dotted with vibrant green scallions and plump goji berries. Half a Mystic Scaled Fish lay in the soup, its crystalline flesh glistening.
He placed the bowl on the table and carefully served two smaller portions. One was pushed toward Pei Zhanxi.
“Pei Zhanxi, come! Try my cooking. I promise it will… be unforgettable!”
Drawn by an invisible string, Pei Zhanxi shuffled to the table and sat at the designated spot.
The stew’s aroma assaulted her senses. The translucent fish, creamy broth, and Wang Yan’s overly handsome, expectant face caused an internal war—eat or resist?
The natural instinct overpowered hesitation. Trembling, she scooped a small spoonful, closed her eyes, and tasted it.
Boom—an explosion of flavor!
The fish’s sweetness and delicate texture were intensified to perfection, melting on her tongue. The creamy broth, infused with herbs, was smooth and rich, with no bitterness—every element perfectly harmonized.
[Taste Shock +100]
[Amazement +50]
Her body stiffened, eyes wide. Guarded tension melted away under this extreme taste.
She quickly grabbed another spoonful, completely forgetting her earlier concerns. Delicious! Absolutely delicious!
Then—a sudden, strange warmth surged from her stomach upward, quickly becoming scalding. The heat raced down her spine to her lower abdomen.
A strong, unfamiliar fluttering overtook her. Her legs weakened, she clutched the spoon tightly as it trembled.
This… this feeling?
Pei Zhanxi paled. He had drugged it!
The seemingly innocent, delicious stew—his hand had manipulated her!
[Panic +40]
[Betrayal Anger +60]
[Extreme Shame +80]
Fear and anger surged, eclipsing the taste entirely. The stew now appeared poisonous in her eyes.
She dropped the spoon, body taut, eyes scanning the surroundings and door. Windows! Escape routes!
Her mind raced—those two initial bites might have been a mistake. Now, with the effect kicking in… what should she do?
“Well? How’s the taste?” Wang Yan’s voice interrupted, casual as he continued eating.
He noticed her sudden pause. Pei Zhanxi’s eyes locked on him, filled with suspicion and fury.
“…It’s… fine,” she stammered, too afraid to insult the food directly.
“Oh? Just ‘fine’?” Wang Yan raised an eyebrow, feigning disappointment, then relaxed. Perhaps the system exaggerates effects, or perhaps it simply didn’t work on her.
He finished his portion, wiped his mouth, and calmly carried away her untouched bowl.
“Looks like Pei Zhanxi isn’t hungry, or it’s not to your taste. I’ll finish it myself—no waste.”
She froze, bewildered. He… took her portion? Ate it?
He returned from the kitchen, washed two bowls, wiped his hands, picked up his jacket and keys, and smiling brightly, said:
“Pei Zhanxi, I need to step out for a bit. Take your time to rest. When you leave, just… lock the door for me. Keys are on the hook inside.”
Without waiting for a reaction, he left, door shutting behind him with a BANG!
Alone in the living room, Pei Zhanxi stood dazed.
Her bowl had vanished, leaving only empty dishes. He had eaten her portion, left her alone, and expected her to lock the door herself.
Was he really… that trusting? Or suspicious?
Was the fish stew just… food?
Or was her bodily reaction—her flustered, fluttering sensation—real?
What kind of person was he, really?
[Confusion +70]
Her mind raced, the mysterious complexity of Wang Yan weighing heavily on her.