Chapter 12: System Store Locks

Chapter 12: Chapter 12: System Store Locks

Xi Yunxui remained standing in the small kitchen, staring at the unfamiliar machines.

Her confidence from moments ago had completely disappeared.

The stove looked complicated.

The oven looked even worse.

And there was one machine with so many buttons that she wasn’t even sure whether it was a kitchen appliance or some kind of modern weapon.

Huo Jingchen glanced at her.

"If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask."

Xi Yunxui immediately turned toward him.

"Yes, Young Master."

"I’ll return to work."

With that, Huo Jingchen walked back toward his desk.

The office door to the kitchen remained open.

Xi Yunxui waited until she heard him sit down before quietly whispering,

"System."

[Yes, Host?]

"Do you have a manual?"

There was silence.

Xi Yunxui frowned.

"I mean, look at all these things! How am I supposed to use them?"

[...]

"Do you have anything that can help me?"

The system was silent for another moment.

Then—

[Host may use this opportunity to purchase an item from the System Store.]

Xi Yunxui’s eyes brightened.

"Store?"

[The System Store has been unlocked.]

[Current Affection Points: 5.]

Xi Yunxui’s expression immediately fell.

"Five?"

[Correct.]

She frowned.

"Why is it so little?"

[Affection Points are generated from positive feelings directed toward the Host.]

[The positive feelings received during the dinner banquet were brief and therefore generated only a small amount.]

Xi Yunxui nodded slowly.

"That makes sense."

She thought about the people at the dinner.

They had praised her cooking.

They had approved of her handling the situation with Elder Wen.

But those feelings had only lasted for a short time.

"Alright."

She looked around the kitchen.

"Show me the store."

[Opening System Store.]

A translucent screen appeared before her.

Xi Yunxui stared.

There were only three items.

Beginner System Store

1. Medicinal Meal Recipes — Headache & Stomach Relief

Cost: 6 Affection Points

2. Modern Kitchen Appliances Operation Manual

Cost: 5 Affection Points

3. Modern Cleaning Appliances Operation Manual

Cost: 8 Affection Points

Xi Yunxui stared at the three choices.

"That is all?"

[The System Store is currently at Beginner Level.]

[As System Progress and Affection Points increase, additional items will become available.]

Xi Yunxui sighed.

Her eyes returned to the second option.

Five points.

Exactly what she had.

"That one."

She pointed at it.

"But if I spend all five..."

[The System Store will temporarily lock.]

Xi Yunxui’s brows lifted.

"When will it open again?"

[When the Host’s Affection Points reach 10.]

She thought about it.

The store would be locked after the purchase.

But she needed the kitchen manual now.

And she had a mission to complete.

She couldn’t exactly tell Huo Jingchen,

Sorry, Young Master. I don’t know how your stove works.

Xi Yunxui took a deep breath.

"Alright. I’ll buy it."

[Confirm purchase?]

"Yes."

[Purchase confirmed.]

[5 Affection Points deducted.]

[Remaining Affection Points: 0.]

[System Store locked.]

The moment the notification disappeared—

Xi Yunxui’s head suddenly throbbed.

"Ah!"

A flood of information rushed into her mind.

How to operate an electric stove.

How to adjust temperature.

How to use an oven.

How to use a microwave.

How to operate a rice cooker.

How to use a blender.

How to use an induction cooker.

The information came so quickly that Xi Yunxui staggered backward.

She grabbed the edge of the counter.

Her eyes closed tightly.

After several seconds, the dizziness finally disappeared.

She slowly opened her eyes.

She looked at the stove.

Then the oven.

Then the microwave.

A look of amazement appeared on her face.

"Wow..."

She looked at her hands.

"This is like magic."

The system remained silent.

Xi Yunxui suddenly smiled.

"Well, let’s cook."

---

She began preparing the ingredients.

Since Huo Jingchen had a sensitive stomach, she decided against anything spicy, greasy or heavily seasoned.

She prepared a light but nourishing meal.

Soft rice porridge.

Tender steamed fish.

A simple vegetable dish.

And a small bowl of chicken soup with mild herbs.

Her movements were smooth and precise.

She had the instincts of someone who had spent years in a kitchen.

Even though the equipment was modern, the principles of cooking remained the same.

As the food began cooking, a fragrant aroma gradually filled the office.

At his desk, Huo Jingchen paused.

His fingers stopped moving across the keyboard.

He lifted his head.

That smell...

It was different from the breakfast that morning.

But it had the same warmth.

The same homemade feeling.

He slowly stood.

The aroma became stronger as he approached the kitchen.

Then he stopped at the doorway.

Xi Yunxui was standing with her back toward him.

She moved around the kitchen with practiced ease.

She checked the soup.

Adjusted the heat.

Turned the fish.

Stirred the porridge.

Everything was done with remarkable precision.

Huo Jingchen stared.

For some inexplicable reason, a strange thought suddenly appeared in his mind.

She looks like a wife preparing dinner for her family.

He immediately froze.

His expression changed.

What am I thinking?

The tips of his ears turned slightly red.

He quickly looked away.

Ridiculous.

Meanwhile, Xi Yunxui suddenly sensed someone watching her.

She turned around.

Their eyes met.

"Oh!"

She hadn’t realized he was there.

She quickly smiled.

"Young Master, the food is ready."

Huo Jingchen composed himself.

"Is it?"

"Yes."

"Can you serve it?"

"Of course."

Huo Jingchen walked toward the small dining area inside his office.

There was a long table with several chairs, separate from his work desk.

He sat down.

Xi Yunxui carefully brought the dishes over one by one.

She placed the porridge in front of him.

Then the steamed fish.

The vegetables.

Finally, the soup.

Everything was arranged neatly.

Huo Jingchen looked at the food.

It looked simple.

But the aroma was surprisingly appetizing.

He picked up his chopsticks.

Xi Yunxui stood nearby, waiting.

Huo Jingchen paused for a moment.

Then he picked up a piece of fish.

And slowly put it into his mouth.