Chapter 39: 15% System Progress

Chapter 39: Chapter 39: 15% System Progress

Xi Yunxui decided to stop thinking about Huo Jingchen.

The man’s recent behavior toward her was strange.

Very strange.

But she had already spent enough time trying to understand it.

Perhaps she really had misunderstood him.

Perhaps he was simply lonely.

Perhaps he was simply being kind to one of his employees.

Whatever the reason, she decided not to dwell on it.

She adjusted the small backpack hanging from her shoulder and walked into the villa.

The moment she entered, a servant who had been waiting nearby immediately approached her.

"Miss Xi."

Xi Yunxui stopped.

"Yes?"

"Madam is waiting for you. She asked me to bring you to her."

Xi Yunxui nodded.

"Alright. Thank you for coming to get me."

The servant smiled politely.

"This way, please."

Xi Yunxui followed.

As they walked through the villa, she couldn’t help looking around.

The place was beautiful.

Although smaller than the main Huo residence, it was still clearly a luxurious property. The polished floors reflected the warm lighting overhead, elegant paintings decorated the walls, and fresh flowers had been arranged in beautiful vases.

Xi Yunxui quietly observed everything.

Modern houses really were something else.

A large painting here.

A decorative statue there.

Even the corridor looked more beautiful than the most expensive rooms she had known in her previous life.

Still, she didn’t linger too long.

She was here because Madam Huo had requested her.

Soon, they arrived at a large bedroom.

The servant stopped.

"Madam is inside."

"Thank you."

Xi Yunxui waited until the servant left before raising her hand.

Knock. Knock.

"Come in."

Xi Yunxui opened the door.

"Madam—"

She stopped.

Su Meilan was sitting on the edge of the bed.

And she looked worried.

Not mildly concerned.

Actually worried.

Her brows were slightly knitted, and she kept clasping and unclasping her hands as though she were thinking about something troublesome.

Xi Yunxui blinked.

I’ve never seen Madam Huo look like this before.

The memories of the original Xi Yunxui confirmed it.

Madam Huo was usually graceful and composed.

Even when things went wrong, she rarely showed much panic.

Yet today, she looked as though something was weighing heavily on her mind.

Then Su Meilan looked up.

The moment she saw Xi Yunxui, her entire expression brightened.

"Yunxui!"

Xi Yunxui smiled.

"Madam."

She walked farther into the room.

For some reason, seeing how relieved Su Meilan looked made her remember Huo Jingchen’s face whenever he saw her.

The realization suddenly struck her as amusing.

So they really are mother and son.

Even the way their eyes brightened when they saw someone they were happy to see was similar.

A quiet chuckle escaped her lips.

Su Meilan blinked.

"Why are you laughing?"

Xi Yunxui immediately waved her hand.

"Nothing, Madam."

She smiled.

"I just remembered something funny."

Su Meilan looked curious.

But instead of asking more questions, she simply smiled.

"Well, I’m glad I made you laugh."

She reached out and took Xi Yunxui’s hand.

"Come and sit with me."

Xi Yunxui obediently sat beside her.

She was comfortable around the Huo family by now.

She could joke lightly, answer questions naturally and speak freely when necessary.

But she never forgot the difference in their positions.

They were kind to her.

They treated her well.

They trusted her with responsibilities.

So she respected them in return.

Su Meilan looked down at their joined hands and sighed.

"I’ve gotten myself into a little trouble."

Xi Yunxui tilted her head.

"What happened?"

Su Meilan gave her an embarrassed smile.

"I lost a bet to some old friends."

Xi Yunxui’s eyebrows lifted.

"A bet?"

"Yes."

She sighed again.

"And unfortunately, the punishment for losing is that I have to host a gathering for them."

Xi Yunxui tried not to smile.

"So that’s why you’re worried?"

Su Meilan gave her a helpless look.

"Wouldn’t you be worried too?"

Xi Yunxui thought about it.

"If the punishment is simply hosting a gathering, I don’t think it’s too terrible."

"You don’t know my friends."

Su Meilan shuddered dramatically.

"They’re very difficult guests."

Xi Yunxui couldn’t help smiling.

"Are they really that troublesome?"

"They are."

Su Meilan leaned slightly closer.

"They’re extremely particular about food."

Xi Yunxui nodded.

"Alright."

"One doesn’t eat spicy food."

"Alright."

"Another dislikes food that’s too oily."

Xi Yunxui nodded again.

"Alright."

"One of them is particularly picky about seafood."

"I understand."

"And another..."

Su Meilan sighed.

"...will complain if the food isn’t hot enough."

Xi Yunxui stared at her.

Then she laughed softly.

"Madam, it sounds like you’re preparing for battle."

Su Meilan immediately laughed.

"Exactly!"

Xi Yunxui smiled.

At that moment, something suddenly moved inside her backpack.

She froze.

A tiny bump appeared beneath the fabric.

Then another.

Xi Yunxui’s smile disappeared.

No.

The backpack moved again.

Su Meilan noticed.

"What was that?"

Xi Yunxui immediately placed one hand over the bag.

"Nothing."

The bag wriggled.

Xi Yunxui smiled stiffly.

"Absolutely nothing."

Another tiny movement.

Su Meilan raised an eyebrow.

Xi Yunxui quickly opened the bag slightly.

Two golden eyes stared up at her.

King C.

The tiny creature had apparently decided that remaining hidden was no longer worth the inconvenience.

Its little head began pushing toward the opening.

Xi Yunxui immediately pinched one of its cheeks gently before speaking to it through telepathy.

"Stay inside."

King C glared at her.

[Why?]

Because you’re not coming out.

[I am hungry.]

You ate vegetables before we left.

[That was many hours ago.]

You have the appetite of an army.

King C looked deeply offended.

[I am an exalted divine beast. Naturally, I require sufficient nourishment.]

Xi Yunxui pinched its cheek again.

Be quiet.

King C’s cheeks puffed up.

He looked like a tiny, angry ball of white fur.

Xi Yunxui quickly closed the bag.

Su Meilan stared at her.

"Yunxui..."

"Yes, Madam?"

"What is in your bag?"

Xi Yunxui laughed awkwardly.

"Just something I brought from home."

The backpack moved again.

Xi Yunxui immediately pressed it against her side.

"It’s harmless."

Su Meilan looked suspicious.

But before she could ask further, Xi Yunxui quickly changed the subject.

"You wanted to talk to me about the gathering?"

Su Meilan looked at her for a moment.

Then sighed.

"Yes."

She shook her head.

"I’ve already arranged the venue and everything else."

Her expression became helpless.

"But the food is what worries me."

Xi Yunxui understood.

"You want me to prepare it?"

Su Meilan’s eyes immediately brightened.

"Yes."

Xi Yunxui smiled.

"I’ll do my best."

"You always say that."

Su Meilan smiled warmly.

"And then you somehow exceed everyone’s expectations."

Xi Yunxui scratched her cheek.

"I’m not sure about that."

"I am."

Su Meilan gently patted her hand.

"I want you to prepare the meals they’ll eat."

Xi Yunxui nodded.

"Alright, Madam."

Then—

[Ding!]

Xi Yunxui’s eyes shifted.

[New Mission detected!]

Her expression immediately became attentive.

[Mission: Impress Madam Huo’s friends with the Host’s culinary skills.]

[Requirement: Prepare a meal capable of satisfying the guests and leaving a strong positive impression.]

Then came the reward.

[Reward: System Progress +15%.]

Xi Yunxui’s eyes widened.

Fifteen percent?

That was a huge reward.

Her previous missions had generally rewarded only a few percentage points at a time.

This one alone could push her system progress forward significantly.

Su Meilan noticed her sudden silence.

"Yunxui?"

Xi Yunxui quickly smiled.

"Yes, Madam."

She stood.

"Don’t worry. I’ll take care of the food."

Su Meilan immediately looked relieved.

"Really?"

"Yes."

Xi Yunxui nodded.

"Just tell me what your friends like and dislike. I’ll arrange the menu."

Su Meilan smiled brightly.

"I knew asking you was the right decision."

She began listing their preferences again.

Xi Yunxui listened carefully, committing every detail to memory.

She had managed three younger siblings in her previous life.

One hated onions.

One couldn’t tolerate very spicy food.

One would eat vegetables only if they were prepared a certain way.

Compared to that, several picky adults didn’t seem too frightening.

When Su Meilan finished explaining, Xi Yunxui nodded.

"I understand."

"Thank you, Yunxui."

"It’s my job, Madam."

She smiled.

"And you’ve always treated me well. Helping with this is nothing."

Su Meilan’s expression softened.

"You really are a good girl."

Xi Yunxui smiled.

She turned toward the door.

"I’ll go see what ingredients we have."

Just as she was about to leave—

A tiny voice sounded from inside her backpack.

[I would like to see the ingredients too.]

Xi Yunxui stopped.

She slowly looked down.

You are staying inside.

[Cruel.]

She gently pinched the backpack.

"Behave."

Su Meilan stared at the bag.

Then at Xi Yunxui.

A small smile appeared on her lips.

For some reason, she had a feeling that Yunxui’s new pet was going to bring quite a bit of excitement to their lives.

Xi Yunxui, meanwhile, walked out of the room with determination.

Fifteen percent system progress.

She couldn’t afford to fail.

And judging by the list of guests’ preferences Madam Huo had just given her...

This dinner was going to require more than ordinary cooking.

It was going to require a little creativity.