Chapter 8: The Bargain Price
“Sorry, if it’s convenient...”
The man tilted his tall figure to accommodate the little bundle’s height.
Because of the tilt, the expression on his face softened from cold to slightly embarrassed. He awkwardly extended his holographic interface, but contacting her felt like touching a hot surface.
After all, his little sister’s behavior—eating and taking food without permission—was truly embarrassing.
She didn’t even know the person, yet dared to run into their home and eat their meal!
Although Capital Star was safe, many there were proud and self-important. That she wasn’t chased away as a wild child was already fortunate.
“It’s my honor if someone enjoys my cooking.” Qiao Xin reached out her holographic interface and added him as a friend. “My name is Qiao Xin—Qiao, like the wood tree; Xin, like the glowing flame of the evening.”
“Which ‘Xin’?” The man understood the first part but not the latter.
Qiao Xin was momentarily stunned, then awkwardly clarified, “The ‘Xin’ as in the fiery flame.”
The man saved the note, glanced at her to confirm the name, and then introduced himself, “I’m Lei Wuxie—Lei, like lightning; Wuxie, like innocent and pure.”
Qiao Xin saved the note and showed him hers, then said on her own, “Tomorrow, I can make some food suitable for children. You can come by to pick it up if you’re free.”
Why wouldn’t a child’s appreciation count as appreciation?
This group had to be won over!
“Alright.” Lei Wuxie lifted Lei Miaomiao in his arms. “Then we’ll head back first.”
“Okay, bye~” Qiao Xin still had to help her cousin Xiao Ruyi prepare the food she was taking away!
“Bye, big sister~” Lei Miaomiao, full and happy, waved her little hand cheerfully.
Lei Wuxie: ...
No one really cared about his well-being anyway...
He took a deep breath, caught the scent of food wafting through the courtyard, and strode away.
His little sister had already embarrassed them; he couldn’t shamelessly mooch a meal.
“General Lei, this was made by my cousin. If you don’t mind, please try it and give an honest review?” Xiao Ruyi suddenly handed him a portion of her packed food. Aside from three cold dishes, everything else was included.
Lei Wuxie paused, a flicker of hesitation crossing his usually cold face, while Lei Miaomiao grinned from ear to ear.
“It’s delicious! Brother, take it quickly. Thank you, big sister!”
The little one was truly busy.
Taking a deep breath, Lei Wuxie accepted the substantial portion and solemnly said, “I will savor it carefully.”
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“Thank you very much~” Xiao Ruyi thought this general was quite serious—if he were a bit more approachable, he might attract many admirers.
Qiao Xin regretted missing out on Lei Wuxie’s appreciation value but was delighted to see Xiao Ruyi’s move.
Lei Wuxie glanced at her secretively, finding her smile somewhat dazzling, then hugged Lei Miaomiao and hurried away.
“This general isn’t so bad-tempered after all!” He Qing remarked appreciatively.
Most people here on Capital Star were of noble status; bowing one’s head was rare.
Though his bow was only because of the little bundle Lei Miaomiao.
“You’re full now, so come help me work!” Xiao Ruyi ordered He Qing.
Qiao Xin finished the last stewed meat dish, set it on the table, ended the video recording, and sent it straight to Xiao Ruyi.
“Cousin, I’ve sent the production video to you. Please forward it to Brother He.”
“Why bother? Just send it to him directly.” Xiao Ruyi kicked He Qing disdainfully, and he immediately ran to Qiao Xin. “Cousin, add me!”
Once they became friends, they helped Xiao Ruyi pack the food.
The He family couple chatted indoors with Xiao Linfeng and the others. Eating was already done and dusted.
Messages started to spread in the area, inquiring whose cooking smelled so delicious.
Someone near the Xiao family spilled the news. Xiao Linfeng’s recent efforts to bring back Xiao Linshuang’s family were also spreading, and everyone in a position to connect with Xiao Linfeng was messaging him.
Even Xiao Linshuang was bombarded with messages.
The two had long agreed to keep the secret, claiming they were sending Qiao Xin to take the nutritionist exam, brushing off inquiries.
The He couple, grateful for the food, smiled quietly without speaking.
Others weren’t so shameless to mooch a meal, so they made the most of it!
Their small scheme was obvious.
The Xiao siblings thought they were tactful for not gossiping.
Qiao Xin had twenty machines in total, but only one was for production.
The three of them divided ingredients and seasonings into batches of ten, waiting to be made.
Fortunately, Xiao Ruyi only planned a month’s supply, and cold dishes required no cooking.
“Xin Xin, have you thought about the pricing for your dishes?” Xiao Ruyi asked while loading food into her spatial storage.
“The price will differ for cooked and uncooked dishes. With these two machines, I won’t charge for ingredients, only a processing fee based on the dish type.”
---
“For single vegetarian dishes, it’s ten star credits; for two vegetarian dishes combined, twenty star credits; three kinds, thirty star credits. For meat dishes, since processing meat is more complicated, a single meat dish costs fifteen star credits. Adding a vegetarian dish adds ten star credits, and adding another meat dish adds fifteen star credits.”
Qiao Xin had studied the prices of interstellar vegetables and meats. Those who could afford it wouldn’t mind the processing fee.
After all, a meal made by a beginner nutritionist cost a thousand star credits!
Hence, most people could only survive on nutrient liquids.
She didn’t need to make money; she needed appreciation!
“Aren’t you charging for seasonings?” Xiao Ruyi was shocked by the low prices.
“For seasonings, ten star credits per vegetarian portion; fifteen star credits for clear broth meat dishes; twenty star credits for red broth.” Originally, Qiao Xin hadn’t intended to charge, but seeing her expression, she gave a price.
“Then set it up quickly. I’ll calculate how much to transfer to you.” Xiao Ruyi had her holographic interface do the math.
“Cousin, you really want to calculate this with me?” Qiao Xin was both amused and exasperated.
Xiao Ruyi nodded seriously, “Of course! I have three hundred portions for a month! Including seasonings, that’s six hundred portions. Ten star credits times six hundred is six thousand star credits!”
“Six thousand?” Qiao Xin and He Qing exclaimed simultaneously, swallowing hard.
They hadn’t realized the total amount was so little when accumulated.
He Qing immediately flattered Qiao Xin, “Cousin, from now on I’m your follower. I can do anything—how about no processing fees?”
Xiao Ruyi smacked his head, “How much can you really do? Still, you have to charge what’s due!” she said, turning to Qiao Xin.
Qiao Xin smiled and nodded. People had their good and bad sides. She was glad to have left the mess of the Qiao family; the atmosphere at the Xiao family was just right.
Just then, a pale-faced youth entered the courtyard like a gust of wind, silent and swift.
He swept up all the prepared food from the table, finally regaining some color in his face.
Amidst the fragrant smells filling the courtyard, he sniffed gently and easily found the person with the unique scent.
Infatuated, he leaned close, burying his face in her shoulder, deeply inhaling the aroma, and rubbing against her in bliss.
“Ah—”
Qiao Xin was startled by the sudden appearance, screaming in fright.