Chapter 3: This Is Prepackaged Food
“Sweetheart, let your sister take you for a stroll while your uncle talks with your parents.”
After the starship took off, Qiao Xin was handed over to a short-haired woman.
Xiao Ruyi, Qiao Xin’s cousin.
Her face was always cold, and Qiao Xin didn’t dare speak to her.
“Cousin, does the starship have a kitchen?”
Finally having some free time, Qiao Xin wanted to prepare some pre-made dishes first.
She didn’t know how to sell them yet, but she could have those around her taste them first.
What better way to gather favor points than from the people nearby?
“Yes.” Xiao Ruyi indifferently led her to the starship’s kitchen, where Xiao family’s dedicated nutritionists worked.
When not on missions, most people preferred delicious food.
“Can I use what’s here?” Qiao Xin looked at some familiar ingredients, already planning what to make.
“Yes, ask them if you don’t understand.” Xiao Ruyi nodded toward the two nutritionists, then went to sit in the dining area.
Her rare day off was ruined by her father, and she was quite annoyed.
Even if it was her aunt’s child, he was a waste; was such a big fuss really necessary?
She needed to complain to her friends or she’d be miserable!
Qiao Xin paid no mind to Xiao Ruyi’s coldness. Instead, guided by the culinary system, she got acquainted with the various ingredients in the kitchen.
The two nutritionists treated her politely. She unconsciously began directing them as assistants, preparing and portioning the ingredients.
After seasoning the condiments, she started cooking. The aroma spread, leaving the two nutritionists stunned.
It looked like a hodgepodge, so how could it smell this good?
Xiao Ruyi, still complaining to her friends, was also taken aback. She walked over and stared in disbelief at what Qiao Xin was cooking.
“Why are these vegetables and meat being stir-fried together?”
In the star system, grilling meat was the norm, and vegetables were prepared separately to avoid mixing flavors and to preserve nutrition.
But that method wasn’t particularly tasty.
“Of course chili stir-fry needs meat!” Qiao Xin looked puzzled.
The star chilies were similar to the bell peppers from her world, and star beast meat resembled lean pork, so she wanted to see if they could be stir-fried together, never expecting such a question.
“Won’t the flavors mix badly?” Xiao Ruyi swallowed nervously, curious to try.
“I don’t know. It’s my first time cooking this, so I’ll taste it first.” Qiao Xin had never heard of the flavor mixing issue between chili and meat, so she quickly tasted it herself.
Indeed, it tasted like chili stir-fry meat, and she was satisfied.
With a few swift moves, the dish was plated and placed in front of Xiao Ruyi.
“Try it.”
Favor points—she was determined to earn them!
Xiao Ruyi, a meat lover, immediately grabbed a piece and brightened as she tasted it. She had no idea what spices were used, but the flavor was full-bodied.
Chewing, the meat was tender, and combined with the seasoning, it nearly made her bite her tongue.
“Delicious!”
She quickly claimed the plate, finishing all the meat alone. Glancing at the star chilies, she hesitated but tried one—and then cleared the plate.
“Star chilies, usually so bland, can actually taste this good!”
“Congratulations, host, you’ve earned 1 favor point,” the culinary system’s AI announced, and Qiao Xin almost wanted to strangle it.
Only one favor point for a single person?
“Host, one plate can only give one favor point per person~ Please work harder~” the system’s AI teased mischievously.
Qiao Xin mixed five cold dishes, smiling sweetly, “Cousin, try these.”
Xiao Ruyi glanced at them— all vegetarian—and looked troubled. “I prefer meat.”
“That’s fine, I’ll make you some meat dishes,” Qiao Xin said, not one to cause difficulties.
“Miss, may we try some?” the two nutritionists asked eagerly.
No one had ever thought of eating star system vegetables this way!
Why blanch the mud vegetables?
What kind of dish is it to toss them after blanching?
Is it really okay to eat purple leaf vegetables raw?
Their minds filled with questions, but Qiao Xin had already started stewing and pan-frying meat, so they had to ask Xiao Ruyi.
“Go ahead and eat,” Xiao Ruyi waved them off, unable to understand vegetarians.
The two nutritionists immediately tasted the dishes and almost got into a fight, which startled Xiao Ruyi.
Could it be they ate something forbidden, triggering mutations?
Their eyes were red!
Qiao Xin never expected the two nutritionists to almost fight over cold dishes, but seeing the ten favor points credited to her account, she breathed a sigh of relief.
At least they just liked it...
Because of their commotion, Qiao Xin prepared extra food.
By the time her uncle and parents arrived, Xiao Ruyi and the two nutritionists were already full.
“What smells so good? What are you eating?” Xiao Linshuang came over directly.
“Mom, you try it too.” Qiao Xin brought up the extra dishes, inviting her uncle and father along. “Uncle, Dad, you try some.”
The three were baffled but enticed by the aroma, so they smiled and tasted the food.
Luckily, having prepared enough, and since all three were composed, no quarrels arose.
“Sweetheart, you can cook?” Xiao Linfeng was shocked as he quickly ate.
Xiao Linshuang and Qiao Zhenxing exchanged glances. They never hired nutritionists for her, nor had they seen her keen on the kitchen at home.
“Haha, Uncle, these are just pre-made dishes anyone can make. Even people who can’t cook can handle it!” Qiao Xin said frankly, not worried about being seen as strange.
“Really?” Before the three could respond, Xiao Ruyi jumped up first.
“Of course! Cousin, try this cold dish first. Just mix this seasoning in,” Qiao Xin handed her a cold dish and the dressings.
Xiao Ruyi stirred it haphazardly, then tasted it, her eyes shining.
“I never thought I could make something this delicious!”
“This isn’t really your cooking, is it?” Xiao Linfeng quickly pushed his daughter aside and tried a bite himself.
“It’s indeed good, and convenient,” he said, falling into thought.
“Cousin, may I try the meat?” Xiao Ruyi’s gaze fixed on the meat dishes.
“Sure.” Qiao Xin gave her a plate of star chili stir-fry meat. “Just pour this dish and the seasoning into the pan and stir-fry on high heat.”
Xiao Ruyi didn’t know how to cook but could stir. Qiao Xin didn’t object. When the aroma rose, she taught her how to judge doneness. Soon, the star chili stir-fry was ready.
Xiao Ruyi eagerly took a bite, eyes wide, then placed the plate in front of her father.
“Try this! I cooked it!”
She actually managed to make such a delicious meat dish!
Those years of eating grilled meat had been a nightmare!
Xiao Linfeng was shocked again. His expression shifted repeatedly as he looked at Qiao Xin with complex feelings.
“Sweetheart, does your pre-made dish really suit everyone?”
Qiao Xin nodded. “I’ve prepared the dishes and seasonings. Just a second round of cooking is needed. Even beginners can do it.”
Hearing that the seasoning was her own creation, Xiao Linfeng finally relaxed.
As long as the key elements were in her hands, it was fine.