Chapter 14: Braised Chicken

Hearing Chu Wei’s words, the others finally came to their senses.

Yu Huaiyu protested, “I was first! I’m sharing a room with you!”

Xia Wulei muttered, “...We’re only temporarily sharing a room, it’s not like we’re living together.”

Zhu Chen eagerly chimed in, “Sister Xia, I want in too! Me too!”

Hong Qi hesitated, “Um, Miss Xia, if it’s convenient, I’d like to join as well...”

“All right, all right, that’s enough!” Xia Wulei pushed away the faces crowding around her.

“I’m a newcomer. I was thrown straight into the mission after dying; I don’t even have any contact info!”

Hong Qi understood and then pulled out his own contact details. “This is my address in the Trans-Frontier Realm...”

Xia Wulei was speechless.

Chu Wei smiled faintly. “Wulei wouldn’t be just any ordinary player; she’s bound to rank on the leaderboard. Hopefully, we’ll have the chance to tackle another mission together.”

“...Sure.”

Xia Wulei covered her chest, feeling her heart race uncontrollably. Truly, this was the charm of the beloved system—Chu Wei’s smile made even her heart flutter.

Regarding the Trans-Frontier Realm Chu Wei and Hong Qi mentioned, they said little, only telling everyone that they’d understand after completing the newbie mission.

Yu Huaiyu was still a bit disgruntled. “I’m clearly the one closest to you, yet Chu Wei got ahead of me!”

Xia Wulei said nothing; she thought it was a matter of intelligence.

At that moment, Aunt Wang finished preparing the chicken and came out to inform them. Seeing they weren’t leaving, she gave up on persuading them and simply went along.

After all, having these people around greatly improved the meals.

Sigh, how could she wish for them to stay in such a dangerous place just because the food was good? Aunt Wang silently scolded herself.

Unaware of Aunt Wang’s rich inner thoughts, Xia Wulei took the plucked and cleaned chicken and began considering how to cook it.

With the village’s limited facilities and poor conditions, she glanced at the large iron pot over the stove and an idea formed.

Xia Wulei took out treasured seasonings, placed the whole chicken in a basin, sprinkled salt, sugar, pepper, dark soy sauce, cooking wine, and oyster sauce, then began marinating the meat.

She evenly rubbed the marinade inside and out, covered it with a plate, and set it aside, then started preparing other dishes.

Feeding five adults and one child was quite a task. Aunt Wang, no longer indifferent as before, stepped into the kitchen to assist Xia Wulei.

This was a huge help since Yu Huaiyu only knew how to wash rice and cook it; the rest was beyond him.

Aunt Wang prepared the chicken giblets nearby for stir-frying, while Xia Wulei plucked two fresh bok choy and began washing them.

Of course, there had to be some greens on the table.

Once the chicken finished marinating, Xia Wulei cleaned and dried the iron pot, laid slices of ginger and chopped scallions on the bottom, placed the chicken inside, and poured the marinade over it.

Finally, she covered the pot and waited patiently.

She also made popcorn, which Yu Huaiyu had been clamoring for. Aunt Wang was startled by the crackling sounds.

“Is this... really not burning?”

“Don’t worry, Aunt Wang. It won’t explode the pot.”

Xia Wulei lifted the lid to reveal a pot full of golden, plump popcorn. Aunt Wang’s eyes widened in surprise.

Mixing the popcorn with caramelized sugar, each piece was coated in a rich glaze, making it irresistibly flavorful.

Yu Huaiyu, drawn by the aroma, was already waiting by the kitchen door and eagerly grabbed the popcorn as soon as it was ready.

“Sis, let me help you! Let me help!”

Meanwhile, the scent of the chicken wafted through the air. Xia Wulei uncovered the pot and poked the meat with chopsticks. Feeling it tender enough, she removed the lid and poured hot oil over it.

“Sizzle, sizzle.”

The scalding oil crisped the chicken skin and meat slightly, releasing an explosion of fragrance that made Xia Wulei’s mouth water uncontrollably.

At the dining table, everyone was ready.

Xia Wulei quickly stir-fried a simple meat dish, brought out the stew, and then the meal began.

Yu Huaiyu complained about eating too much popcorn out of greed, leaving little chicken for himself, which Zhu Chen eagerly snatched up.

“Sister Xia, your cooking is amazing! Did you study at New Oriental in your past life?”

Zhu Chen devoured the food while praising it. The chicken was tender and smooth; the parts touched by hot oil were crispy and fragrant. He felt he could finish the whole chicken alone.

Xia Wulei shook her head. “No, I’m just an ordinary office worker.”

She had no other pursuits; good food was the greatest joy in life.

Thanks to the internet’s wealth of recipes, even amateurs could create dishes full of color, aroma, and taste.

Much credit also went to the farming system. The produce from the space was inherently fresh and delicious, and with minimal cooking, Xia Wulei could craft mouthwatering meals.

Satisfied after the meal, Yu Huaiyu happily announced, “Tiger Wang’s affection level is maxed! I’ve completed my task!”

Yu Huaiyu’s reward was increased mental power, which enhanced his awareness of the surroundings and the likes or dislikes of NPCs and other players.

After receiving the reward, Yu Huaiyu couldn’t wait to close his eyes and focus on Zhu Chen, feeling carefully. After a while, he hesitated before speaking.

“Uh, it seems you’ve overeaten.”

Zhu Chen replied, “...Indeed.”

It really worked! This information lifted Yu Huaiyu’s spirits immensely.

Now, except for Zhu Chen, everyone had completed their tasks. Zhu Chen’s water-carrying mission only had the final trip at dawn remaining.

Nervous, Zhu Chen had planned to rest after the meal but found he couldn’t sleep.

At dawn, Xia Wulei and Zhu Chen left the village together.

“There’s a small lake five kilometers east. That’s where I first collected water.”

Zhu Chen led the way with a water cup in hand. The moon hung high, illuminating the path ahead.

Xia Wulei realized this was the same path she had taken when teleporting into the game.

After over half an hour of walking, her legs aching, she finally saw the small lake Zhu Chen had mentioned.

The lake wasn’t large—about the size of half a basketball court. The surface reflected the surrounding overgrown grasses. Its depth was unclear.

The scene was somewhat eerie. Zhu Chen felt a chill but mustered courage to approach and scoop water with his cup.

“Good thing you came with me, Sister Xia. Otherwise, I wouldn’t dare to walk this far alone...”

Zhu Chen said shyly, dipping the cup into the icy, bone-chilling water, shivering as his fingers touched it.

“Brr, it’s so cold.”

Just as Zhu Chen was about to lift the cup, a pale, wet arm suddenly emerged from the lake and grabbed his wrist!

“Ah!”

Caught off guard, Zhu Chen was yanked with tremendous force, tumbling headfirst into the water!

“Zhu Chen!”