Chapter 4: Activating the System Shop
"Would you like to become a nutritionist in the future, my dear?"
Xiao Linfeng ignored the question of how she intended to sell her dishes and instead posed this query. After all, nutritionists could be admitted to military academies through special recruitment!
"I don't have any supernatural abilities, so becoming a nutritionist is my only real option." Qiao Xin had not yet fully grasped the intricacies of this world, but since cooking was her only skill, it was the most advantageous path for her.
"With your talent, my dear, once we reach the Capital Star, you can obtain a primary nutritionist certification. Then, you can apply for a StarNet specialty store for your pre-prepared meals. Once you come of age, you can use your status as a nutritionist to apply for special recruitment into the Capital Star's military academies."
Xiao Linfeng had already mapped out her entire career path; all she had to do was follow the steps.
"Dad, the primary certification isn't enough anymore. Special recruitment now requires a mid-level nutritionist certification!" Xiao Ruyi quickly interjected. She then looked at Qiao Xin and added, "Though with cousin's skills, passing the advanced exam would be a breeze!"
Qiao Xin blinked, looking toward her parents.
Xiao Linshuang nodded. "I will handle the StarNet shop for you, dear. I'll find suppliers for the ingredients and seasonings. You can look over the application requirements first; we have two years, so there's no rush to pass the exams!"
"Is the competition for the nutritionist certification not fierce in the Capital Star? Should we consider taking the exam back home?" Qiao Zhenxing worried on his daughter's behalf.
"What are you saying, brother-in-law? My dear’s skills will only truly shine in the Capital Star! Besides, a primary certification issued in the Capital Star is equivalent in value to a mid-level one elsewhere. For her own good, she must take it there!" Xiao Linfeng had deeper considerations.
If Qiao Xin opened a shop selling semi-finished meals, her techniques could easily be stolen by other nutritionists. However, nutritionists in the Capital Star cared deeply about their reputations and would be less likely to resort to such petty theft immediately, providing her with the window she needed to rise to prominence. Once she established herself, no one could easily suppress her. He would also make sure to introduce her to influential figures; even if some people were hard to please, her food certainly wouldn't be.
While supernatural talent could make one powerful, that power was limited to the individual. Background and connections were not things gained through strength alone—they required generations of accumulation. Qiao Xin might lack talent, but her parents weren't helpless. With her status as a nutritionist, she could secure a husband with high potential and perhaps bear children with great talent. Even if they remained untalented, she could use her position to maintain ties with the great families of the Capital Star, ensuring a comfortable life. Talent might not be inherited 100%, but her culinary skills could be passed down!
"Dad, I haven't even started yet, why do you seem more stressed than I am? Mom said we have two years!" Qiao Xin comforted her father immediately.
Her father always put her feelings first; how could she possibly back down? The Capital Star sounded like a high-level place, perhaps similar to the ancient Kyoto she knew. It was a place where anyone she bumped into could be someone of status. Obtaining her certification there would be like graduating from the most prestigious university—or at least, gaining the key to enter one.
"The nutritionist certification exams are held on the 15th of every month. We missed this month, so we'll have to wait for the next. If you have any questions, cousin, just ask Brother Li and Brother Liu—they are both advanced nutritionists." Xiao Ruyi pointed to the two men who had been standing in the background.
"Very well, I will trouble Brother Li and Brother Liu then." Qiao Xin bowed slightly to them, and they quickly returned the gesture. Truth be told, after witnessing her skills, they felt embarrassed to even call themselves advanced nutritionists.
"I'll prepare the study materials for you, dear. With Li and Liu tutoring you, we can put the transfer to a new school on hold. Once you pass the exam, you can decide which school you want to attend. If you don't want to go, we can hire private tutors," Xiao Linfeng continued to arrange her affairs.
"I agree. We've spent so many years exhausted by that extended family; it's time we relaxed a bit too," Xiao Linshuang added. They had originally planned to teach Qiao Xin to manage their own business once she came of age, but now that they had separated from the family, they wanted to support their daughter's own endeavors. While it was hard for a nutritionist to stand out, a good one was highly sought after in the interstellar age. Some families would even resort to violence to fight over a single talented nutritionist!
"There's no rush to look at the materials. Everyone on the starship hasn't eaten yet, so I can make some more food now and teach Brother Li and Brother Liu a few things. After that, I can focus on my studies!" Qiao Xin hadn't forgotten her task. Six people had already given her sixty points of 'Affection,' and she was only a little short of the one hundred needed to unlock the system store. How could she give up now?
"That works, just don't overwork yourself." Xiao Linfeng hurried off to gather the materials.
Xiao Linshuang and Qiao Zhenxing prepared to assist their daughter, and even Xiao Ruyi was enthusiastic. Cooking in large batches was well-suited for pre-prepared meals. Qiao Xin directed everyone in preparing the ingredients and taught Li and Liu how to mix the seasonings. She let them handle the simple cold dishes and stir-fries, while she took charge of the meat dishes herself.
Soon, ten dishes were ready, and the first group of diners arrived.
"Wow! Smells amazing! Did the chef change today?"
"Shut up and just eat! Be grateful we have something to eat at all!"
A group of ten soldiers, dressed in black military uniforms, each took a tray and lined up for their rations.
"Today's food is so good, you'll be licking your plates clean!" Xiao Ruyi joked as she helped serve.
"Little Ruyi, don't tell me you had a hand in this!" the first person in line said, recoiling his tray with exaggerated fear.
"Does me hunting the star-beast count as a contribution?" Xiao Ruyi brandished her iron ladle, threatening to swat him.
"Haha, give me more meat!" The man quickly pushed his tray forward and made his request. Xiao Ruyi gave him a generous scoop of each of the five meat dishes, and he took a large bowl of rice that had been pre-portioned.
"It's rare to get fresh vegetables; who cares about meat? I want all five vegetable dishes!" the person behind him said, choosing only the greens, which made Xiao Ruyi gasp in surprise. Even though she was sick of eating grilled meat outdoors, she still loved her meat.
Once the ten of them sat down, they took one bite and immediately devoured the food like a storm. After finishing one plate, they went back for seconds. Some tasted every dish, while others focused only on what they had already tried.
As they went back for their second helping, Qiao Xin received a system notification: "Congratulations to the host for reaching 100 Affection points. The system store is now open."
Qiao Xin took a look, and her vision went black. A single dish only yielded one Affection point, but the cheapest item in the store was ten points! As for the item that could change her parents' fate—a tool called the 'Refuge Amulet'—it cost one hundred thousand Affection points. It was brutal and straightforward.
"Little I, do you think I can earn this in half a year?" Qiao Xin gritted her teeth.
"Host, although I am useless, there are items in the store that can help you. Please do not question the main system store!" Little I protested righteously. "Affection points refresh daily, so there is no need for the host to worry."