Chapter 8 I Didn’t Come Here for a Meal

Mount Panlong, a sacred place situated in the heart of a bustling city. Inside, it featured woodlands, lawns, a horse farm, a golf course, and much more. They took a stroll around Mount Panlong. By that time, dusk had already settled in. "Except for the forest around the mountain, everything else should be demolished." Su Chen stated calmly as he held Luo Luo, standing at the entrance of Mount Panlong. He continued, "This includes the gate here." "Yes, Mr. Su, I assure you the quickest completion of the task." Li Cheng, who had accompanied us throughout, offered his guarantee. "Mr. Su, would you like me to escort you and the little princess?" "That won't be necessary." Su Chen replied with a slight shake of his head. He then carried Luo Luo and exited through the gate. Su Chen had planned to take the subway back home with Luo Luo. Frequent visits to crowded places were intended to help his daughter overcome her shyness and timidity. Currently, Su Chen was primarily focused on improving Luo Luo's character. "Luo Luo, Daddy will prepare dinner for you when we get home." Su Chen reassured her. In the crowded subway, Su Chen's embrace felt like the safest harbor. He gently kissed Luo Luo's cheek, wearing a smile. Luo Luo's face lit up with joy, yet she also felt a bit shy. She clung to Su Chen's neck and whispered softly in his ear, "Daddy is the best." What a tender little princess she was! Su Chen couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness. In his view, his daughter should be fearless, outgoing, and cheerful, unafraid of anything. However, it seemed that they still had a long way to go to achieve that goal. "Sweetie, you're so adorable! How old are you?" Two girls nearby had been observing Luo Luo for a while. One of them, a girl with a ponytail, smiled warmly as she inquired. "Eh?" Luo Luo hesitated. She didn't seem keen on interacting with strangers and buried her head in Su Chen's neck, avoiding a response. Su Chen chuckled in resignation. After a few unsuccessful attempts at persuading her, he looked somewhat helpless. It appeared that in her daily life, Bai Qianqian didn't expose Luo Luo to strangers or crowded places. Staying within their own comfort zone was the current approach. More than half an hour later, Su Chen returned home with Luo Luo in his arms. Typically, a two-and-a-half-year-old child would have transitioned out of diapers by now, but Luo Luo's growth seemed slower, and she was still using them. Su Chen tidied her up, placed her in the baby stroller, took out two toys, and wheeled the stroller to the kitchen door. "Mmm..." The little princess happily played with her toy airplane, swaying it back and forth. "Daddy is going to make dinner for you." Su Chen said with a smile, affectionately patting his daughter's head. Since he began bonding with his daughter, the little princess had already won Su Chen's heart in a short period of time. He now considered what his daughter could eat before cooking. He entered the kitchen and glanced at the recipes on the side. These recipes were all prepared by Bai Qianqian and were suitable for young children's nutrition. "What should we make for dinner?" Su Chen pondered for a few seconds and quickly came up with a plan. Chicken and vegetable balls, mashed potatoes, chicken cake, and carp soup. The main course would be creamy buns. He took the ingredients out of the refrigerator and then fell into deep thought. "When it comes to cooking, I don't have much expertise." Su Chen admitted. "I should have suitable techniques in the martial arts methods I know. I can learn as I go." Su Chen's mind flashed with various martial arts techniques. In today's world, the martial arts community was not uncommon, and its heritage ran deep. Su Chen possessed extensive knowledge about martial arts techniques. After contemplating for a few seconds, Su Chen's expression changed slightly. "Magic Chef Yun Wuxi!" Ninety years ago, a remarkable figure named Yun Wuxi emerged in the martial arts world. He was not only a culinary genius but also highly accomplished in martial arts. Yun Wuxi had merged martial arts with cooking to create the Nine Star Magic Chef Technique. Su Chen vividly remembered meeting Yun Wuxi, who was over one hundred and seventy years old at the time. Yun Wuxi had served as an imperial chef, showcasing extraordinary culinary skills. In his later years, only Su Chen had the privilege of tasting dishes prepared by Yun Wuxi's own hands. "After that meeting, within a few years, Yun Wuxi passed away. I believe I may be the last person in this world who understands the Nine Star Magic Chef Technique." Su Chen reflected with a touch of emotion. As spring turned to autumn, time passed swiftly. Many people Su Chen had known had already passed away. Even though they had once shone brightly, in the end, they all became a part of the earth. Originally, Su Chen was an ardent cultivator, aiming to break through, forge a path to the heavens, and enter the world of immortal cultivation to seek the path to immortality. However, now that he had a precious daughter, it seemed as though the world had lit up, giving him the motivation to do anything. "Let's begin." Su Chen said as he retrieved a meat cleaver. He mentally rehearsed the Nine Star Magic Chef Technique several times. For cultivators, the skills of the martial arts world were exceedingly simple. The knife flashed as it repeatedly struck the chicken breast, and oddly enough, each cut stopped precisely at the chopping board's edge. This allowed Su Chen to chop quietly, as if he were afraid of disturbing his daughter, who was playing in her stroller near the doorway. In just a few dozen seconds, the chicken breast remained unchanged on the chopping board, but Su Chen had made over a thousand cuts. The entire chicken breast had been transformed into minced meat. He then chopped a small amount of vegetables. Combine the vegetables and meat, placing them together and stirring thoroughly with a spoon. Su Chen opted not to use common seasonings. In his hand, there appeared a white jade bottle. From within it, he sprinkled some pale green powder. Known as Mellow Powder. This powder is extracted from the Spiritual Treasure Star Fragrance Tree. It's the perfect seasoning, capable of enhancing the natural flavors of the ingredients. Whether in terms of taste or nutrition, the effectiveness of Mellow Powder has reached its pinnacle. Spiritual Treasures, they are the gifts of nature, able to aid martial artists and cultivators alike. Ranging from the first-order Spiritual Treasure to the ninth-order, their value is such that even a first-order Spiritual Treasure can incite a fierce competition among martial artists. The Star Fragrance Tree, on the other hand, belongs to the third-order Spiritual Treasure category. With Mellow Powder at hand, there's no need for salt or chicken essence. After a light sprinkle, Su Chen proceeded to prepare the other ingredients. He began by steaming a large potato. Next, he cracked two eggs, added a bit of warm water, and started steaming a savory egg cake. Finally, he turned his attention to the carp soup. A palm-sized carp was placed on the cutting board. Su Chen, holding a short knife, deftly moved his right wrist. The Nine Star Blade Technique was unleashed. After several hundred swift cuts, Su Chen set the knife aside and gently pulled at the fish's tail. The entire fish skeleton came off perfectly. If any contemporary chef witnessed this scene, they would undoubtedly be astonished. The fish bones, including the head, were separated from the flesh flawlessly. This skill was nothing short of remarkable. However, in Su Chen's presence, everything unfolded with natural ease. The whole fish, devoid of any bones, was placed in the pot along with a bit of water to start simmering the soup. Su Chen, not accustomed to the kitchen, found great enjoyment in his current culinary endeavor. While he was engrossed in cooking, there was a creaking sound. The room's door swung open. In walked an alluring beauty, her almond-shaped eyes and delicate features exuded a sensuous charm. "Luo Luo, why are you sitting here? Mommy Shiyan is here." she said. Chen Shiyan placed her bag down, slipped on her slippers, and hastened toward Luo Luo, her eyes scanning the surroundings. Where's that guy? Oh? He's actually in the kitchen? Well, he does know how to do something useful. Chen Shiyan cast a few sidelong glances and noticed that Su Chen was solely focused on his tasks, without acknowledging her presence. This left Chen Shiyan feeling rather displeased. "Luo Luo, sweetie, do you miss your godmother?" Chen Shiyan extended her hand, intending to pick up Luo Luo. "Well, I do." Luo Luo responded with grace, lifting her little arms in agreement. And just at that moment... "You can stop hugging now, you're covered in the scent of perfume, don't suffocate my daughter." Su Chen said without turning his head, in a calm tone. Chen Shiyan's arms stiffened instantly. "What did he say?" Her beautiful eyes turned towards the kitchen. "I haven't asked you for anything yet, and you dare to pick a fight with me?" she retorted. "Mommy Shiyan, Daddy doesn't want hugs." Luo Luo hesitated for two seconds and then pulled her little arms back. She really listens to Daddy. "Heh, heh..." Chen Shiyan forced a laugh, seething with anger! In front of Luo Luo, she held back her temper and didn't say anything. But to let Su Chen off the hook? Not a chance. "Luo Luo, sweetheart, you can play for a little while, okay? Godmother is going to check on dinner." Chen Shiyan patted Luo Luo's head and then quickly walked into the kitchen. Standing beside Su Chen, Chen Shiyan lowered her voice and said with a forced smile: "You, a man who started a mess and abandoned it, do you really have the nerve to come back?" Su Chen gave her a faint glance and ignored her. "What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?" Chen Shiyan sneered. "I don't know what Bai Qianqian was thinking, leaving Luo Luo with you. Let me remind you, I am Luo Luo's godmother. Until Qianqian comes back, I'll be keeping an eye on you!" "You should worry about yourself," Su Chen replied calmly. "Dressed up so elaborately, heavy makeup and all, don't corrupt my daughter." "What did you say?" Chen Shiyan was fuming! She clenched her teeth and retorted, "I'm just wearing light makeup, can't you see that? And I'm Luo Luo's godmother. I can't corrupt her. It's you I'm worried about, an irresponsible man. I'm afraid you might run off with Luo Luo." After saying this, Chen Shiyan caught a whiff of the fragrant fish soup. It smells so good! Her stomach let out a grumble. This faint sound did not escape Su Chen's ears. He turned his head slightly, looked at Chen Shiyan, and said seriously, "If you're here to freeload, then please leave. Dinner is not for you." "Ha? Haha, that's hilarious. The president of a big company like me coming to freeload on your food? You crack me up, Su Chen. If I eat something you've cooked, I'd be a dog!" Chen Shiyan stared at him with wide eyes. Su Chen nodded slightly, "That's fine." He continued cooking. Chen Shiyan's continuous chatter fell on his ears. Su Chen paid no attention to her, letting her mutter to herself. Su Chen focused on cooking. Under the influence of the fragrant spices, the kitchen soon filled with an enticing aroma. Chen Shiyan's stomach growled a few times in succession. She couldn't continue talking, her eyes fixed on the carp soup that had just come out of the pot. "It smells so good..."