If you want to survive after transmigrating, become the male protagonist's new mother.

Midday.

Steam seeped out from the half-open door, carrying the scent of soapberry and other herbs.

When Pei Yuening came out of the bathroom, there were many new marks on her body.

He had changed into a new shirt, and he felt a little uncomfortable with every step he took.

Luo Ren remained silent, simply offering him his assistance naturally.

No one mentioned what happened in the bathroom. In short, Pei Yuening was helped up those few steps by Luo Ren from behind.

Luo Ren accompanied him to the sofa chair in the living room, and only let go of his hand after he was settled down.

Then, he raised his hand and waved it gently.

A very light stream of magical energy slid from his fingertips and unlocked the inner door.

The butler and his servants waited respectfully outside the door, clearly having been waiting for some time.

Everyone kept their expressions under control; no one looked up or said a word.

The butler bowed slightly: "Your Grace, Young Master Pei, good afternoon."

"We don't yet know the young master's preferences, but the kitchen has already prepared the ingredients. You two can give us your orders at any time."

Luo Ren turned his head and glanced at Pei Yuening.

Pei Yuening leaned back on the sofa, clearly quite tired.

His back sank slightly as soon as it touched the soft cushion, but he paused upon hearing this.

"..."

I'm so tired, so hungry, I don't want to move, my whole body aches.

But do we have to eat swill...?

Pei Yuening was torn between his inner thoughts and his own, and finally, he sighed.

"Let me do it." He stood up, supporting himself on the handrail, and Luo Ren immediately put his arm around his waist.

Pei Yuening leaned against him and turned to the butler: "Mr. Butler, where is the kitchen? I can come by myself."

The butler remained well-trained, asking few questions and looking around infrequently.

"Young Master Pei, the kitchen is at the end of the corridor on the left."

Pei Yuening nodded.

The kitchen was slightly smaller than that of the ducal mansion in the capital.

Pei Yuening steadied herself against the kitchen counter and glanced at the ingredients prepared on the cabinet.

He was exhausted, so he only planned to do something simple.

After much deliberation, he finally chose eggs and monster shrimp.

He began preparing the ingredients, and Luo Ren silently held him from behind.

Pei Yuening ignored him.

He chopped the shrimp into a paste, added salt and lemon juice, mixed it well, and set it aside to marinate.

Then, crack the eggs into a bowl.

Luo Ren rested his chin on his head and watched him take the pot and heat it up.

"Do you need me?"

Pei Yuening shook her head: "No need, it will be quick."

He brushed a thin layer of oil on the bottom of the pan, and after it was heated, he poured in the egg mixture.

As the edges began to solidify slightly, Pei Yuening gripped the pan handle and turned the pan, spreading the pancake thin and evenly.

Once the bottom has solidified, you can spread the shrimp paste evenly on top.

Once it has slightly set, you can start rolling the egg pancake from one end, and then gently press it down with a spatula to set the shape.

Next, turn the heat to low and fry until the surface is slightly browned, making sure the shrimp paste is fully cooked.

Finally, drizzle with tomato sauce and serve.

The thick egg rolls were cut into finger-width pieces and neatly arranged on a white plate. The cross-section was golden, and you could see the tender pink shrimp paste embedded in the middle.

Luo Ren sniffed, and his eyes seemed to brighten for a moment.

Pei Yuening patted the hand that was wrapped around his waist, signaling him to let go, and Luo Ren obediently helped him to the restaurant.

The servants quietly went into the kitchen to clean up, while the butler brought the dishes to the table.

Luo Ren pulled out the chair to the lower right of the head seat for Pei Yuening. The butler stood quietly to the side, waiting until they were both seated before lifting the lid.

Pei Yuening laid out her napkin, forked a piece of egg roll, and put it in her mouth.

The warm texture combined with the tender shrimp meat creates a rich and flavorful experience.

He had just taken a bite when he glanced up casually—

Luo Ren had finished eating.

Pei Yuening: "..."

He sighed.

This won't do; I'll definitely scold him when he comes in.

……

The garden was quieter in the afternoon than the restaurant.

A breeze blew from the distant pond, carrying the scent of grass and earth.

Pei Yuening was helped through the corridor by Luo Ren. His steps were still a little weak, but he didn't say anything.

Luo Ren's hands steadily supported his waist, and every step he took was difficult, but he never urged him on.

Tea sets were already laid out on the stone table in the pavilion.

Flower tea is brewing in a white porcelain teapot, the petals unfurling on the water's surface, revealing a faint luster.

Luo Ren pulled out a rattan chair for him, and as soon as Pei Yuening leaned against the backrest, he relaxed completely.

The two sat side by side, and Luo Ren's hand naturally reached out, his five fingers interlocking with Pei Yuening's.

His palms were dry and warm, and Pei Yuening leaned on his shoulder, rubbing his thumb back and forth on the back of his hand.

"What are your plans for next week?" Luo Ren asked casually.

"It doesn't seem to be anything serious..."

Pei Yuening thought for a moment, then raised her eyes teasingly: "What? Are you bringing me to the western suburbs again?"

"..." Luo Ren's ears turned slightly red: "No."

Pei Yuening chuckled: "Just kidding."

He muttered, "It's not that it's impossible... it's just that I don't know if I have the energy."

"Um?"

"I'm participating in the preliminary rounds of the Three Schools Cup on Friday."

Luo Ren's eyes flickered, but he quickly regained his usual expression.

Then, he said calmly, "Well, that's good."

Pei Yuening stared at him for a moment: "...You only said those four words?"

Luo Ren looked back at him.

Pei Yuening shook their clasped hands in dissatisfaction: "Why don't you say a few more words? You could at least praise me."

Luo Ren was silent for a moment.

Then he tightened his fingers, enveloping Pei Yuening's hand entirely in his palm: "I believe in you, you can do it."

Pei Yuening opened her mouth.

"...Never mind." He turned his face back, looking at the grass blades swaying in the wind in the garden, and muttered under his breath, "You can't expect anything good to come out of a dog's mouth."

Luo Ren didn't reply.

Pei Yuening took a sip of tea and changed the subject: "Speaking of which..."

"I don't really know what the selection process is like, I just heard that it involves a showdown."

The original work even uses 500 words to describe Ollie's homesickness, and by the end he has won a perfect victory with Ryan. The author doesn't mention the details of that part at all.

"I have no idea how the match will be conducted or what the rules are."

Pei Yuening said, turning her head to look at Luo Ren: "Is this selection process public? Can I ask someone else?"

"You can ask," Luo Ren said. "It's not a secret, and it's the same every year."

Pei Yuening blinked: "Really? Do you know anything about it?"

Luo Ren looked at him, his gray-blue eyes sparkling like stars in the afternoon sunlight.

"Know."