Chapter 6: Wen Xiang Climbs the Wall

“Exactly, I still have to learn how to set it up properly. Once I bring it home and configure it, Uncle and Cousin can buy ingredients themselves whenever they want to go out. It’s very convenient.”

In her own world, Qiao Xin had long wished for an automatic vegetable and seasoning dispenser. Unfortunately, the technology of her time could only handle simple tasks like washing and chopping vegetables; the actual preparation still had to be done by hand.

Most of the workers she employed were reluctant to cook for themselves. After she finished preparing the ingredients, she still had to cook two meals a day, which was quite exhausting.

She had considered outsourcing the work, but people always had their own agendas. After receiving the ingredients from her, they wanted her recipes too, and even used her name to snatch business. After several such incidents, she gave up on expanding and focused solely on maintaining her loyal customers.

In the end, her private kitchen operated under purchase restrictions, but that only aroused envy, and she became a target.

Xiao Linfeng furrowed his brows tightly.

“Sweetheart, aren’t you afraid someone will steal your recipes once you set them up?”

Qiao Xin blinked. “There should be some kind of confidentiality application for recipes, right?”

Xiao Linfeng’s eyes lit up briefly, then clouded over again.

“There is, but only senior nutritionists can apply for it.”

Qiao Xin quickly waved her hand. “That’s okay. I’m not afraid even if the ten dishes I made before get promoted.”

She was joking — just five vegetarian dishes and five home-style stir-fried and stewed meat dishes, nothing secret or special.

“Really?” Xiao Linfeng’s eyes brightened again, and he instinctively rubbed his hands together. “Sweetheart, can you sell two machines to Uncle?”

Qiao Xin hesitated, then suddenly slapped her forehead.

Of course!

Why sell them herself?

What she needed was popularity points. As long as the dishes produced by the machines were counted as her own, why not make them automatic vending machines?

“Uncle, we’re family. No need to haggle. Once I finish setting them up, I’ll give you a set!”

Qiao Xin had witnessed how wealthy her family was, so she wasn’t too concerned about the cost of two machines.

Besides, she was spending popularity points, and her uncle would keep providing those endlessly!

“Hahaha, then Uncle won’t be polite.” Xiao Linfeng had always thought she was spoiled by her sister and brother-in-law, but now he realized her carefree nature was actually quite admirable.

“Can it really be like that?” Xiao Ruyi was shocked but shook her head after thinking about her own status.

She was just an ordinary soldier now and couldn’t even safeguard the machines she brought.

Better to secretly enjoy the perks than openly flaunt them.

Xiao Linshuang and her husband smiled warmly, watching them. Any resentment caused by the Qiao family’s presence had now turned to relief.

Their precious daughter, even without natural talent, could live better than anyone else!

Soon, the delivery arrived. Qiao Xin’s machines came first. Since there were many, they inspected them right in the courtyard.

Ten vegetable preparation machines, ten seasoning dispensers, and one production machine.

“Cousin, what does this machine do?” Xiao Ruyi looked at the production machine, feeling it looked somewhat familiar.

“That one is the automatic cooking machine. I want to see if it can really make dishes,” Qiao Xin answered while setting up the recipes.

Actually, the AI had already configured everything with one click, but she needed to act like she was figuring it out.

“I thought so. But can something made by a cooking robot really taste good?” Xiao Ruyi recalled some restaurants using intelligent cooking robots, but the dishes they produced were far from appetizing.

“With my recipes, it shouldn’t be bad. We’ll find out soon,” Qiao Xin said cautiously, knowing results would speak louder than words.

Just as she finished pretending, the ingredients Xiao Ruyi had bought arrived.

She asked the household helper robot to wash everything, and Xiao Ruyi insisted on trying to cook herself.

It was just a matter of putting the ingredients into the machine, with Qiao Xin guiding her amusedly from the side.

None of the machines came with packaging boxes; packing required either a packing robot or manual effort.

Since the system allowed unlimited packaging, it was easy to get caught if not careful.

Having a packing robot made much more sense.

Xiao Ruyi prepared one portion of each of the ten dishes. The production machine could make everything except cold dishes. She followed the prompts to put ingredients into the corresponding slots and then waited.

The vegetable preparation machine didn’t emit any scent, but the seasoning dispenser did. The enticing aroma coming from the production machine wafted over, catching the attention of nearby neighbors.

“Did the Xiao family get a new nutritionist? This smell isn’t like what they usually send over.”

A family on the left, finally resting at home, became restless at the scent.

“Could they be trying out new dishes? That family doesn’t usually have good taste.”

“Should we go check it out?”

“Don’t. I heard Xiao Linfeng brought his sister’s family back. The girl was tested and found talentless, and her engagement was broken off. It’s not a good time to bother them now.”

“I see…”

As respectable people, they decided not to disturb them after all.

The family on the right was less reserved and shouted directly into the courtyard.

“Old Xiao, what are you making? Smells so good!”

Xiao Linfeng waved cheerfully. “Just an experiment. Honestly, these robots are really handy nowadays.”

When they refused to say more, the man actually climbed over the wall!

“Dad!”

“Old He!”

His wife and children called out helplessly and hurried to the door to follow him.

Seeing the people in the yard, the woman was momentarily stunned.

“Linshuang? You’re back?”

Xiao Linshuang came forward. “Sister Qiuwan, I’m back.”

Feng Qiuwan glanced at the little girl beside Xiao Ruyi and patted her hand, hesitating to speak.

She clearly knew something about them.

“He Qing, come greet your Aunt Xiao.” Feng Qiuwan beckoned her son over.

He Qing respectfully bowed but kept glancing toward Xiao Ruyi.

“That’s enough, go find Ruyi,” Feng Qiuwan said dismissively.

He Qing ran off immediately.

“Sister Ruyi, what are you making? It smells so good!”

“Little Qingqing, I’m cooking something delicious. When it’s ready, I’ll share it with you.” Xiao Ruyi glanced at him. Seeing it would still take some time, she quickly tossed together a cold dish.

“You still have to wait a bit. Try this first.”

He Qing watched her mix a sauce with some unappetizing mud-like vegetables, his face turning pale.

“Sister Ruyi, can you really eat this?”

“Of course! Definitely edible!” Xiao Ruyi saw his doubt and fiercely shoved it into his hand.

He Qing made a grimace but bravely took a bite, chewing and chewing, then finished the entire bowl.

“Sister Ruyi! I never thought this mud vegetable could taste so good! I’d rather drink nutrition fluid than touch this stuff!”

Xiao Ruyi smiled mysteriously, patted his shoulder, and nodded toward Qiao Xin.

“My cousin taught me that recipe. Even I can make it. Pretty impressive, right?”

“Awesome! Cousin, can I make this too?” He Qing immediately looked at Qiao Xin.

Qiao Xin smiled. “The one my cousin made uses prepped ingredients. You can make it if you use those, but if you buy the mud vegetable raw, you probably won’t get it right.”