TL: Moonlit
After the allergy incident at the Ai Su Gourmet Restaurant, major hospitals on the North Star experienced a wave of allergen testing.
On the official website of the restaurant, Lin Su posted relevant tips for testing allergens to ensure that every customer who made a reservation on the website could see them.
Many people who saw the tips on the Star Network speculated in the comment section, wondering what the arrangement at Ai Su Gourmet Restaurant meant.
It wasn’t until someone posted the incident of the lamb allergy online that everyone realized that food shouldn’t be consumed indiscriminately.
For a while, people from various star regions rushed to hospitals for allergen testing, with a strong sense of readiness even if their star region didn’t have Ai Su Gourmet Restaurant.
—
After the allergy incident, due to proper handling, the public also understood that Ai Su Gourmet Restaurant was not affected.
Xie Bai stood on the steps of the restaurant, watching the people coming down from the floating car, waving at them with a smile, “Lin Feng, you’re back! Come in!”
Lin Feng lightly tapped Xie Bai when he saw the scene, “Xiao Bai, did you deliberately come out to greet us?”
Xie Bai: “Yes, Lin Su said you would be arriving soon, so he asked us to come out and take a look. I didn’t expect that I just came out and you were already here.”
Lin Feng reached out and gently patted Xie Bai’s shoulder, “You’re really good at controlling time, Xiao Bai. I heard that your culinary skills have improved a lot?”
“Just a little progress, still far behind Uncle and Brother Zhou,” Xie Bai glanced at Lin Feng playfully, smiled, and pushed the door open. “Lin Feng, today, Lin Su personally cooked, you’re in for a treat.”
“Really? I’ve been missing the meals cooked by Uncle and Lin Su these past few days,” Lin Feng beckoned the research team behind him to enter the restaurant. Su Jin saw the newcomers and greeted them with a smile, “You finally arrived, go to the second floor, everything is ready.”
Lin Feng led the team to the second floor, while Su Ge stayed behind. Watching Xie Bai, who had closed the door and entered the kitchen, Su Ge pursed his lips, wanting to say something, but then heard Lin Feng calling for him from upstairs, so he sighed and said, “Coming.”
Watching Xie Bai go to the kitchen, Su Ge finally went upstairs.
As the team leader for this research mission, Duke had been observing the surroundings with a strange look since they entered the restaurant. It was different from the magnificent decoration style of the Bai Mansion in the capital star.
The Ai Su Gourmet Restaurant had a more cozy and comfortable decor style, with simple wooden decorations and green plants, giving a feeling of closeness to nature and approachability.
“The feeling here is so comfortable. No wonder so many people long to come here and taste the delicious food.”
“Just being in this environment makes me feel relaxed. I don’t feel dry or uncomfortable at all. Just sitting here is so comfortable.”
“I love this place. I’ve been to the Bai Mansion too, but the decoration style there is too cold and makes me feel uneasy. Here is much better.”
“Today, we are lucky to benefit from Lin Feng’s connection. Otherwise, relying solely on our reservation, who knows when we would have gotten a chance. I didn’t expect to taste such delicious food on North Star so soon. I need to take pictures and show off to my colleagues later.”
“But it’s just a meal. Is it really necessary for you all to be so excited? Haven’t you had enough to eat at the Bai Mansion in the capital star?”
He Lu, sitting in the innermost seat, couldn’t help but express his dissatisfaction. He felt that these people were so useless, making it seem like they had never seen the world before, just because of a meal of purified cuisine.
His gaze fell on Lin Feng, who was talking to Su Ge, and as the only female in the team with purification ability, He Lu felt a bit of annoyance.
“How can you compare the Bai Mansion to Ai Su Gourmet Restaurant, He Lu? They are completely incomparable, right?”
“Why can’t I compare? The Bai Mansion has been operating in the empire for so many years. This place has only been open for a short time. In terms of experience, the Bai Mansion has more foundation.”
“Even if the Bai Mansion has been operating for a long time, it doesn’t mean their food is delicious. Ai Su Gourmet Restaurant has received rave reviews online. Are you selectively blind? Besides, the Bai Mansion is about to close down, you know?”
“Can you two stop discussing the Bai Mansion here? Either shut up and eat quietly or go back to the hotel to rest.” Duke couldn’t stand the two people next to him anymore. He had always believed that when sending people on assignments like this, it was best not to bring along fragile females.
Not to mention the trouble they caused when they were unhappy. They were really difficult to deal with.
“If you don’t want to eat, then don’t. I don’t care.” He Lu suddenly stood up, deliberately making a loud noise, attracting the attention of Lin Feng and Su Ge. With red eyes, he sniffed as if he had been greatly wronged.
When Lin Feng turned his head to look, he asked, “What’s wrong, He Lu? Why are your eyes so red? If you’re not feeling well, do you want to go back and rest?”
Just as Lin Feng finished speaking, the expressions of the other members of the research team, led by Duke, who were sitting at the table, instantly became strange. Su Ge looked at He Lu’s gaze fixed on Lin Feng, then glanced at Lin Feng’s indifferent response, and sighed softly. Fool.
He Lu’s eyes became even redder due to Lin Feng’s seemingly indifferent attitude. He avoided eye contact, turned around, and quickly ran downstairs.
Coincidentally, Lin Su came up from downstairs and encountered this scene, causing him to blink his eyes in confusion. “It’s almost time for the meal. Why did he leave?”
“He had something to attend to and needed to go back. Don’t worry about him. Hello, Lin Su, I am Duke, the team leader of this research team.” Duke stood up quickly to greet Lin Su. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Hello, everyone. It’s a pleasure to meet all of you. Today’s meal, please enjoy it without reservation. Let’s all have a great time.” Lin Su smiled and shook hands with Duke, displaying a generous and natural attitude that made people feel warm and friendly.
The simmered hot pot soup, emitting hot steam, was quickly brought up to the second floor, arousing the curiosity of many onlookers.
The rich and aromatic fragrance spread through the air, instantly capturing everyone’s attention.
Even Lin Feng and Su Ge, who had already eaten, stopped their conversation and silently watched as the copper pot was placed in the center of the table.
“What is this? Why does it smell so good?”
“I know this. Someone shared it online. It’s called hot pot, and they say the taste is so good that it can make your tongue melt.”
“I don’t know about melting my tongue, but I feel like I could drown in this soup!”
As he listened to the whispers around him, Duke’s mouth twitched. These were all researchers who came from the capital star, usually behaving properly and professionally. But now, after coming here, they seemed to have abandoned all pretenses.
Drown in soup? Swallow your tongue? Is this the kind of talk people involved in academia should be having?
Duke smiled at Lin Su, attempting to save face for his team members. “They don’t usually behave like this. It’s just that the food here is too fragrant.”
Lin Su thought it was fine. He didn’t feel any distance between them. “As long as everyone is happy, there’s no need to be restrained. This is a dual-flavored hot pot. This side is non-spicy mushroom broth, and this side is spicy broth. You can choose according to your taste. The method of eating is simple. Just put the ingredients on the plate into the soup, let them cook for a bit, and then scoop them out to eat. These are the condiments.”
“Let me show them. Lin Su, I have good news to tell you after we finish eating.” Lin Feng picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a piece of meat, and put it into the soup. “Like this, it’s ready to eat when it changes color.”
Lin Su stood by and smiled. “Then eat quickly. I’ll be waiting for your good news.”
After saying that, he saw Xie Bai coming up with the prepared dessert and reached out to help, placing the dessert on the table. “Take your time and enjoy. If you need anything, Su Ge, let me know.”
“Okay.” Su Ge nodded and watched Xie Bai go downstairs. When he shifted his gaze, he met Lin Feng’s teasing eyes. “Why are you looking at me?”
“Have you and Xie Bai made up yet?” Su Ge knew he would ask this question, and shook his head. “Mind your own business.”
“What business do I have to mind? This time, I applied for another three-year extension to postpone my marriage. With my status, the Empire will approve it.” Lin Feng looked proud of his ability to remain single, and Su Ge couldn’t help but want to punch him. “I hope you don’t meet anyone you like in the future.”
“Heh, thanks for the kind words.”
Su Ge rolled his eyes and didn’t want to talk to him anymore.
Lin Su and Xie Bai came down from upstairs together. When they returned to the back kitchen, Xie Bai, lost in thought, almost slipped. Fortunately, Lin Su caught him with a gentle hand. “What are you thinking? Pay attention to the road. What if you got hurt?”
“Sorry, I’ll be more careful next time. Lin Su, I have a question to ask you,” Xie Bai reached out and tugged on Lin Su’s sleeve, signaling him to come aside.
Lin Su raised an eyebrow, finding it amusing that Xie Bai looked so shy and conflicted. Playing along, Lin Su allowed himself to be led to a less crowded corner. “What’s the matter?”
Xie Bai pulled him down to a crouch. “Lin Su, it’s about a friend of mine. He used to be quite stubborn, and his fiancé didn’t like him much and treated him coldly. But now, my friend has changed for the better, and his fiancé’s attitude has also improved. However, my friend is feeling conflicted and doesn’t know if he should accept his fiancé. If it were you, Lin Su, what would you do?”
“Well, it depends on whether you like him or not?”
Xie Bai quickly waved his hands, emphasizing that it wasn’t about himself. “It’s not me, it’s my friend!”
Lin Su curved his lips, finding Xie Bai’s “I have a friend” routine particularly adorable. “Okay, not you, but your friend. It still depends on whether your friend likes his fiancé. If he does, then they should be together. What’s there to be conflicted about?”
“But his fiancé didn’t like him before. It was only after he changed that the fiancé started liking him…”
“Is your friend worried that his fiancé doesn’t genuinely care?” Lin Su looked at Xie Bai and patiently explained, “From what I see, it’s quite normal for his fiancé to have felt that way before. Put yourself in his fiancé’s shoes. If it were you, would you like someone who was willful and reckless, or someone who was sensible and reasonable? Your friend’s previous personality, the one his fiancé didn’t like, was understandable. But as he changed and became different, people can shine. As his fiancé, it’s natural for him to start liking him. If you also like your friend, then it’s a perfect match. Why are you so conflicted?”
“But what if his fiancé starts liking someone better in the future?” Xie Bai whispered, expressing his concerns. “Although my friend has improved, he still hasn’t become outstanding, so…”
“In that case, continue to work hard and become even better, to the point where the other person can’t help but focus on you.” Lin Su patted Xie Bai’s shoulder gently and stood up. “Think it over. I’ll go check if there’s anything else I can help with.”
Xie Bai nodded lightly. “Thank you, Lin Su. I think I… will talk to my friend about it.”
Lin Su ruffled Xie Bai’s head and then turned to leave. Coincidentally, he ran into Su Ge walking from upstairs towards their direction. Their eyes met, and Lin Su raised an eyebrow.
Su Ge raised his hand to cover his mouth and coughed. “Is Xie Bai inside?”
Lin Su nodded and smiled, revealing a dimple on his cheek. “He’s in there!”
Su Ge didn’t say much and went inside on his own. Lin Su watched him go and felt like he had discovered something incredible.
“Lin Su, I’ve been looking for you.” Lin Feng came down from upstairs and saw Lin Su standing downstairs. He hurriedly ran down. “I mentioned earlier that I have good news to tell you. Let’s go back. Are you okay here?”
Although the last sentence was asked in that manner, Lin Feng’s eyes were filled with a message that said, “Let’s leave quickly.”
Lin Su chuckled. “I’m fine. Just wait for me to tell Female Father, and what about those people upstairs…?”
“Don’t worry about them. They’ll go back on their own after finishing their meal.”
After Lin Su told Su Jin, he walked back with Lin Feng.
The restoration construction of Farm No. 13 was nearing completion. The large construction robots responsible for the work had been withdrawn, leaving only a few small robots to handle maintenance and cleanup on-site.
Lin Feng had been away for less than a week and was amazed to see the houses fully restored.
“So, what’s the good news?” Lin Su asked.
“I’ll tell you when we get back,” replied Lin Feng with a playful smile. Just as he was about to say something else, he noticed a strange hovercar parked outside the gate. “Do we have guests at home?”
Lin Feng looked at the silver ‘W’ logo on the car and his mouth fell open, his eyes filled with surprise.
Before he could say anything, Lin Su had already pushed open the gate and entered the house, calling out, “William, do we have guests at home?”
Today, Lin Feng had brought the research team back with him, so early in the morning, Lin Su and Su Jin went to the restaurant to help out. Kane and Ai Chen were busy with the breeding activities at the farm, so they temporarily stayed there. At home, only William and a few contracted beasts were left to guard the place.
Even though Lin Su knew intellectually that William was formidable, he couldn’t help but worry about the safety of the big fox.
Lin Feng followed Lin Su into the house and watched as he pushed open the door, causing the crying inside the room to abruptly stop.
Lin Feng and Lin Su stood at the doorway, their similar dark eyes filled with obvious surprise.
Inside the room sat a tall and muscular male figure, who bore a striking resemblance to William, sharing about seventy to eighty percent of his features. Amongst his black hair were a pair of pointed black dog ears.
The large and fluffy dog ears trembled slightly, as if startled by something.
His reddened eyes fell on Lin Su, and Will spoke with a slight nasal tone, “Hello, I am William’s brother, Will.”
Lin Feng gasped for breath.
How could the Emperor of the Empire be here?!
Lin Su realized a moment later that the tall male who introduced himself as William’s brother, Will, was none other than the Emperor!
Seeing Lin Su’s surprised expression, William spoke up, “Lin Su, come over. Don’t worry, he’s just here to check on me.”
“William’s condition has always worried me. I can’t be at peace until I see him with my own eyes,” Will explained, struggling to hold back his tears. In doing so, he appeared particularly pitiful. “I’m sorry, I’m not usually like this. Seeing William doing so well now, I can’t control my emotions.”
It had been a long time since he had cried in front of others, but he couldn’t help it.
He just wanted to find a place to cry freely. This was too stifling.
Lin Su observed the towering male silently shedding tears.
Never in his wildest dreams did he expect that the current Emperor of the Empire would be such… a crybaby.
William sighed, “Brother, do you want to go outside and get some fresh air to calm yourself down?”
Will obediently stood up, “Yes, I’ll go and compose myself.”
Just as Lin Feng was considering whether to contact his Male Father to report the Emperor’s whereabouts, he suddenly locked eyes with a pair of reddened eyes. He felt a twinge in his heart. “Ahem, let me take you to the yard.”
“No need, I want to be alone for a while,” Will replied. He needed some time to cry in peace; otherwise, he would probably continue shedding tears for a long time.
Knowing the current Emperor’s penchant for crying, Lin Feng didn’t insist.
However, after making sure that Will had indeed run out alone without any personal guards, Lin Feng contacted Lin En.
Meanwhile, as Will vented his emotions outside, Lin Su turned his gaze towards William. His black, shiny cat-like eyes were filled with astonishment.
William lifted the corner of his lips and said, “My brother is indeed a little different. After he vents, he’ll be much more normal.”
Lin Su nodded with a smile, “Hmm, he’s worried about you, so I understand.”
William looked at Lin Su, who was earnestly trying to salvage Will’s dignity, and felt that this small female who found reasons to convince himself was exceptionally adorable. “He won’t stay here for long. He’ll be going back soon. During this time, treat him like an ordinary person.”
Lin Su breathed a sigh of relief. Will’s identity was indeed too weighty for him. If William hadn’t mentioned it, he wouldn’t have known how to approach him. “Did he come here alone?”
“Yes.” Based on his understanding of Will, he most likely sent everyone away and secretly drove the small multi-purpose spacecraft out. Will appeared gentle and amiable, but in reality, his abilities and temperament were not much inferior to his own. There were even times when Will could remain composed while crying.
“…Seems like he won’t be staying for long indeed.” Will had to be “captured” and brought back. He suppressed his amusement. “It’s not easy for him to come out for a trip.”
As they were talking, footsteps could be heard from outside the door. After a while, Will, having “vented” and finally regained his composure, walked in. Although his eyes were still slightly red, his dog ears were no longer trembling. “I apologize for embarrassing you earlier, Lin Su.”
Lin Su stood up. “I understand your feelings, Brother. Do you and William have something to discuss? I’ll prepare some fruits for you to eat and chat.”
After saying that, Lin Su glanced at William and playfully winked, tactfully giving them space as brothers.
As he closed the door, Lin Su saw Lin Feng beckoning to him from beside the door.
“Xiao Su, do you know who he is?” Lin Feng had an expression of indecision, as if he was wondering whether to tell him the truth. Lin Su chuckled and replied, “Yes, His Majesty!”
Upon hearing this, Lin Feng breathed a sigh of relief. “It’s good that you know. I just contacted my male father, and I found out that he’s on vacation today, spending time with my female father. They have no idea that His Majesty sneaked off to the North Star. It seems that His Majesty really ran away without anyone knowing. My male father was driven mad when he heard about it. I’m afraid it won’t be long before someone comes to take His Majesty back.”
Lin Su remained silent.
Will, who had been “reported” shortly after his arrival, was indeed quite pitiful.
But seeing Lin Feng’s nonchalant expression, Lin Su couldn’t help but ask, “Does he often go out alone like this?”
“In recent years, it has improved. During the early years of his reign, I don’t know if it was due to excessive pressure, but there were times when he couldn’t be found.” Lin Feng recalled the past when Lin En would often complain with a sigh, “His Majesty snuck out alone again to calm his mind,” and then he would take people to bring back the Emperor, who had gone outside to “regain his composure.”
Lin Feng wondered what kind of mood Will would be in when he saw Lin En later.
Suddenly, Lin Feng felt that his male father could still hold such an important position. Emperor Will was indeed magnanimous.
Lin Su was unaware of these hidden details, but he felt that being a king was not as easy as it seemed.
Freedom, which everyone else had, was something that Will did not possess.
Various fruits from the yard were picked, and Lin Su prepared a fruit platter to bring to the room.
At this moment, Will was holding a long-eared bunny in his arms, gently stroking its ears. When he saw Lin Su enter, he smiled and nodded at him.
Lin Su placed the items down. “Are you tired? Would you like to take a nap? When you wake up, we can have dinner.”
Upon hearing the word “dinner,” Will’s interest was piqued, but he remembered the terminal that had been ringing non-stop just a while ago. He shook his head. “No need. I should be going back soon.”
The person coming to fetch him was already on the way.
“Stay and have dinner before you leave. Even Marshal Lin will be joining us for dinner.” As soon as William finished speaking, his eyes lit up, and he looked at Lin Su with a smile. “In that case, I’ll trouble you. I’ve been following Ai Su Gourmet Restaurant for a while and have always wanted to try it. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the chance. I don’t know if you’re willing to open a branch of the restaurant in the capital?”
Lin Su understood that Will’s words were testing whether he had the willingness to develop in the capital. After all, he was the king of a nation, and even though his temperament seemed gentle, he possessed the wisdom of an emperor. “I have discussed it with William. Once things are settled here, we will return to the capital. At that time, I will ask my female father if he is willing to open an Ai Su Gourmet Restaurant in the capital.”
“Is it about the recovery center?” Will’s face carried a smile, and his eyes were filled with admiration for Lin Su. Prior to their interaction, his impression of Lin Su was merely that of a capable natural female.
Now that they had met and communicated, he could understand the words spoken by William even more.
Indeed, Lin Su was a charming female who easily evoked a favorable impression.
“The recovery center has just been established, and there are many things that need to be implemented before I can leave. I hope you can understand,” Lin Su replied.
“You have done exceptionally well. If there is anything you need, you can ask for it. As long as it is within the capabilities of the Empire, I can grant it to you,” Will earnestly expressed. For the current value that Lin Su possessed, nothing was too much to ask for.
Lin Su looked at William, his black and shiny feline eyes filled with a smile. “No need. I already have what I want the most.”
Hot Pot
TL’s note: Let’s all be hungry together, hehehe ^v^
