The overlord of the gods is interrogating the alien female spy.

　"Judging from its variety, the fish looks very tender and bouncy... I want to eat pickled fish."

　Adding to the fact that the dragon girl beside him had a color scheme that resembled pickled cabbage, Chen Lingxu's mouth watered just thinking about it, and thus the fate of this fish was decided.

　“Great! I happen to have some sauerkraut that I made last year that I haven’t finished eating.”

　"It won't taste bad, will it?"

　When the conversation turned to her area of ​​expertise, she couldn't help but puff out her chest and confidently vouch for him.

　"Watch your auntie show you her skills, and I guarantee you'll eat three bowls of rice and still want more."

　"Is that so? Then I'll be waiting to savor this delicious food."

　Chen Lingxu listened to her words, but seemed to be deep in thought.

　Shu's house was in a corner of the Great Wilderness City, and it was no different from the houses of other residents of the Great Wilderness. The courtyard was surrounded by a brick wall, and there was a side room on each side of the main house. Some vegetables were planted on the land to the east of the courtyard. Judging from the leaves, they were probably radishes, cabbages, celery, cucumbers, and the like. There was also a chicken coop on the west side, where several chickens were raised.

　"This way, this way."

　Shu took out his key from his waist, opened the door, and beckoned Chen Lingxu to come inside.

　"Um……"

　Upon entering the house, one can see two stoves connecting the east and west rooms, as well as two back rooms. This 'hall' contains two large water vats and a wooden table, serving as the hall, kitchen, and dining room.

　"Give me the fish, I'll take care of it. Xiaoxu, you go inside and rest for a while, the rice will be ready soon."

　As soon as he entered the house, Shu got busy, gutting and scaling the fish, fetching water to cook rice, and getting firewood to start a fire for cooking.

　"it is good."

　Chen Lingxu showed no courtesy and went straight into the east room.

　There were very few things; besides a small table on the floor, there were only neatly piled bedding in the corner.

　Located in the northern part of the Great Yan region, the Great Wilderness is fine in spring and summer, but in winter, relying solely on bedding for warmth is an underestimation of the power of the north wind. Therefore, this earthen kang (heated brick bed) system was adopted. When the fire was lit, the heat was transferred into the room, making the kang warm and ensuring that one was not cold while sleeping.

　It's just that if it's too hot, it's easy to get a sore throat.

　There were two wooden chairs on the ground, which looked quite old. After hesitating for a moment, Chen Lingxu still chose to sit on the kang (a heated brick bed). He was afraid that he would crush the chairs, which were about the same age as him, and then he would have to pay for them.

　"Uh huh huh..."

　The sound of millet singing drifted from outside through the curtain. She liked to hum a few lines while working, a habit Chen Lingxu had discovered while fishing.

　And another point...

　"Dinner's ready, Xiaoxu. Come and try your sister's cooking and see if it suits your taste."

　It seems that after Chen Lingxu was impressed by her fishing skills and allowed her to call him "little brother," she took a particular liking to this title and would constantly say things like "your sister Shu" or "your sister Shu." She would be overjoyed if Chen Lingxu responded, and she wouldn't be discouraged if he didn't respond, and would just amuse herself.

　The rice from the Great Wilderness is indeed excellent. As soon as the lid is opened after cooking, the whole room is filled with fragrance. Chen Lingxu sniffed the aroma and felt that it was somewhat familiar, as if the rice served in Yu's restaurant was the same kind.

　The fact that this quality of rice is used in restaurants certainly reflects their meticulous approach, but it also indicates that its production volume is indeed quite high.

　"I also have some pickled vegetables that I made myself. Have you ever had vegetables like this in Baizao?"

　Judging from his tone and self-identification, Shu knew what the outcome of his inquiry would be.

　"I have never eaten such... ordinary dishes before."

　It's either even more shabby fast food or raw meat, or a lavish feast with lots of meat and vegetables.

　But this one main dish, plus a bowl of pickled cabbage shreds, was neither stingy nor lavish; Chen Lingxu had never eaten anything like it in his life.

　"That's right."

　After all, he was a prince born with a life of wealth and privilege... I think the greatest suffering he ever endured in his life was the bitterness of the medicine he drank when he was sick.

　"Let's try it."

　She served him a full bowl of overflowing white rice, and then waited for him to taste her cooking.

　"Hmm...it smells pretty good."

　Chen Lingxu picked up a piece of fish and pickled cabbage with his chopsticks and shoveled some rice into his mouth.

　"Not bad...it tastes like..."

　"Little Xu? What's wrong? Is it not tasty?"

　Seeing that he only took one bite and then stopped eating, Shu couldn't help but ask him worriedly.

　"fine……"

　Chen Lingxu put down the bowl and glanced at the ordinary pickled fish again.

　"How did you do it?"

　"It's a very ordinary cooking method. Although it may not be as good as what your family cooks make, it shouldn't taste bad."

　"It's not bad. It's pretty good."

　Chen Lingxu took a deep breath, picked up another chopstick, and slowly savored it.

　Did Shu add something to the dish, or is he really that old...? He's eating a bite of food and a bite of rice, and he's making himself look like a revolving lantern.

　It should suit his taste, right?

　Seeing that he was eating without saying a word, and even eating faster and faster, Shu felt a little relieved.

　"Make me some soup."

　"well?

　Okay. Hmm...would you like more rice?

　"One more spoonful, please."

　"Okay. Eat more if you like, I cooked a lot of rice."

　Although she sometimes helps out cooking at other people's homes, no one had visited her house in a long time. She was very happy that this seemingly young man had come to visit today. And the fact that he could eat so much and was so full was the best compliment to her cooking skills.

　"This is the last bowl. If you want more, I'll cook some more right now."

　"The last bowl...it's alright, it's enough."

　After finishing the last bowl of rice, Chen Lingxu let out a satisfied sigh. Then he looked at the millet beside him, its eyes shining and its tail wagging incessantly behind it.

　"How's the food, Xiaoxu?"

　"Very good. Your cooking skills... I have to admit, are the second best I've ever eaten."

　"I'm glad you like it. But may I ask who came in first?"

　First?

　Chen Lingxu stood up and rubbed his stomach. Although the food didn't even fill one-hundred-millionth of his stomach, it still gave him enough fullness, satisfaction, and... a sense of security.

　"My mom."

　"what……"

　Shu nodded. If that was the case, then she really couldn't compare.

　What is your mother doing now?

　"...dead."

　"Feel sorry……"

　"It's none of your business. Who can avoid something like this?"

　Chen Lingxu waved and walked into the courtyard.

　"Aren't you going to rest for a while?"

　"Go for a walk... I am a Qilin, not a pig. I need to exercise after eating. A walk after a meal will help you live to ninety-nine. Don't you know that principle?"

　"Yes, I know..."

　But for Shu, such words are more like a 'curse'.

　But seeing him eat so well made Shu very happy. Especially his praise... When you're traveling, the best compliment for someone's cooking is "It tastes just like home-cooked food."

　Chen Lingxu looked around the yard, and finally squatted down in the vegetable garden, fiddling with the leaves of a carrot.

　"Ugh……"

　This meal brought back memories from his past life. The taste was ordinary, but once he started eating, he couldn't help but think about it…

　Could it be that Shu's abilities have extended to everything she touches? This causal force has caused him to see Rhodes Island, but thankfully he has strong self-control and didn't show any weakness in front of this person.

　"Besides me, does Ah Xu have a mother?"

　While Chen Lingxu was trying to distract himself, Precys also joined in the fun.

　Of course she knew that Chen Lingxu wasn't talking about her. After all, she was the one who was being cooked and fed. She had only ever fed Chen Lingxu battery blocks, which could hardly be considered food.

　"Of course, although I am a Qilin, I am not one of the first experimental subjects to be born, so of course I have a mother."

　"What's the best dish that Ah Xu's mother made for you?"

　"Well... let me think... persimmon and scrambled eggs."

　Chen Lingxu glanced at the little female ghost.

　"You want to make it for me?"

　"Give it a try. After all, I have to learn these things eventually, otherwise how will I make sure you don't forget to come home in the future?"

　Precyth had nothing to do in the Originium Universe, and she didn't like watching Chen Lingxu flirt with girls. If she couldn't stay idle, she would find something to do.

　"I'm home?"

　The millet I had just finished cleaning was about to be disposed of as swill.

　"I'll pour it for you, you... go wait a bit."

　"That won't do... Oh dear, you child! You should lie down in the east corner of the vegetable garden!"

　The giant Qilin blocked her way, and Shu couldn't even reach the slop bucket; she could only watch as he carried it away.

　"Just leave the bucket outside. Wash your hands and have some fruit first."

　When he returned, Shu invited him inside to rest.

　"Hmm. We'll talk about fruit later, and maybe a pillow so I can take a nap."

　"Okay."

　As Shu watched him push the pillow into the kang (a heated brick bed), he naturally lay down on it. His very natural demeanor made her feel as if the relationship between the two had suddenly become closer.

　Combining this with what he had said before, such as 'her cooking tastes like mom's,' Shu suddenly had a guess.

　"This child..."

　Could it be that he considers her his mother?

　If this makes him feel comfortable, then it's not unacceptable. Moreover, considering that the other party might be the next governor of the Great Wilderness, if it can increase his goodwill towards the Great Wilderness, then this might actually be a good thing.

　"Let's wait and see."

　If she's wrong, it will be awkward and will only make things worse.

　"Hmm~".

　After a while, looking at Chen Lingxu who seemed to be fast asleep, Shu also felt a little sleepy. Thinking about it, she kicked off her shoes, took a pillow, leaned against the pile of quilts, and dozed off for a while.

　After some time, Shu faintly heard the sound of rain. Was it raining? Was there anything outside that hadn't been brought in?

　It seems there's nothing there, so let's continue sleeping. The rain will wash away the heat, and it will become very cool in the afternoon.

　Just as I was thinking this, I suddenly found myself wearing a piece of clothing that was warm and had a unique, pleasant scent.

　Besides her, the only other person in the room was that child.

　Shu opened his eyes, still sleepy, and looked to the other side. He was already awake, but there was no entertainment here, so he remained still.

　It lay there, its tail slapping the surface of the kang (a heated brick bed) intermittently.

　She really looks no different from a child.

　As she pondered, Shu clutched the hem of the robe with her fingertips and closed her eyes once more.

　"boring……"

　Life in the Great Wilderness made Chen Lingxu feel as if he were ten thousand years ago. Every day he ate and slept, and when he woke up he would stay in his nest and stare blankly at the outside world.