Zhen Hua's little cafeteria.
It wasn't large, only about twenty square meters, with a round table and simple furnishings. It looked plain and unadorned.
"Sit down first. I'll go make the food," Mu Ye said, turning toward the kitchen.
Zhen Hua hurriedly called after him, "Chef, remember to make us some hearty dishes today!"
"I know."
Mu Ye didn't even look back. He answered and went into the kitchen.
"Elder Han, let's sit down first."
Zhen Hua invited them politely, pulling out a chair with the warm hospitality of a host.
"Mm."
Han Tianyi gave a slight nod, his expression calm as he took his seat.
One after another, everyone gathered around the round table and sat down.
After Fang Lin sat, Na'er obediently settled beside him, her purple eyes curiously taking in their surroundings.
It was her first time in this little cafeteria, and everything seemed new to her.
Before long, a steady, rhythmic chopping sound came from the kitchen, followed by the faint sizzle of oil heating in a pan. They could even vaguely hear Mu Ye humming softly.
As soon as this Body Douluo stepped into the kitchen, his whole demeanor grew relaxed and cheerful.
It wasn't long before Mu Ye came out.
By then, he had changed into a white chef's uniform.
His sleeves were rolled up to his forearms, and he looked neat and brisk, like a completely different person from before.
The first dish was Millennium Earth Dragon Tendon.
A small piece of a whole Millennium Earth Dragon Tendon had been stewed for who knew how long. It was soft and tender, its translucent sheen gleaming, and it was infused with rich, savory flavor.
The second dish was Deep Sea Millennium Tuna.
The plate held strips of fish, cut into long pieces. They were a deep, dark blue, and there were more than thirty of them.
The fish glistened with a fresh sheen, as though it had just been hauled up from the depths of the sea.
The third dish was Red Jade Shrimp.
Fifteen red things were arranged neatly on a huge platter. They looked a bit like shrimp, but they were astonishingly large.
All fifteen were bloodred, their color gleaming with a warm, jade-like luster.
Their plump, rounded bodies had been carefully peeled, leaving only the translucent shrimp meat.
Though they hadn't been seasoned heavily, their rich, sweet aroma had already filled the air, making everyone's mouth water.
Next, Mu Ye brought out a pot of Moonlight Rice.
The moment he lifted the lid, a faint silvery-white gleam met their eyes.
Each plump, distinct grain was shaped like a crescent moon, glimmering with a faint silvery-white sheen.
This rice came from the bitterly cold Far North. It could only be harvested once every three years, and the yield was extremely scarce.
The three dishes and the pot of Moonlight Rice filled most of the round table.
They looked, smelled, and tasted delicious. Just looking at them was enough to whet one's appetite, and their tempting aromas filled the room.
Zhen Hua was the first to pick up his chopsticks. Grinning, he urged them on. "Come on, come on, don't be shy. Eat while it's hot!"
"Once it gets cold, it won't taste nearly as good."
Only after Han Tianyi, Zhen Hua, and Mu Ye had begun eating did Fang Lin pick up a piece of Red Jade Shrimp and put it in his mouth. The moment it touched his tongue, he froze for a moment.
The meat was springy and smooth, and waves of sweet, fresh flavor unfurled across his tongue.
It barely needed chewing before the shrimp melted in his mouth.
Then a warm stream of spiritual energy flowed down his throat and into his body, coursing slowly through his meridians in a sensation of indescribable comfort.
It felt less like eating and more like taking some rare heavenly treasure.
"Delicious!"
Fang Lin's eyes lit up, and the words escaped him.
Seeing him, Na'er imitated him and put a piece of Red Jade Shrimp into her mouth.
She carefully took a small bite. Then her eyes lit up, as if she'd discovered some incredible treasure.
She went on to eat in little bites, her cheeks puffed out like a kitten that had stolen a fish. Her face was full of satisfaction, and her purple eyes curved into crescents.
Han Tianyi picked up a piece of Earth Dragon Tendon and chewed it, nodding slightly.
He said nothing, but his expression showed clear approval.
Zhen Hua ate with gusto, holding a bowl of Moonlight Rice in one hand and a King Crab Leg in the other.
He devoured it all with relish, letting out a satisfied sigh now and then.
Mu Ye, on the other hand, ate at his leisure. He unhurriedly picked up dishes and occasionally took a mouthful of Moonlight Rice.
Watching everyone wolf down the food, he wore a faint smile.
For a chef, the greatest praise wasn't words. It was diners who couldn't stop reaching for more.
Before long, the feast had been swept clean as if by a gust of wind.
Not a drop of sauce remained on the plates, and the bottom of the Moonlight Rice pot had been scraped spotless.
"Senior Brother, your cooking is incredible."
Fang Lin put down his chopsticks and spoke from the heart. "This is the best meal I've ever had."
"Yeah, Senior Brother, your cooking is amazing," Na'er echoed, still looking as though she hadn't quite had her fill.
Although Na'er hadn't joined the Body Sect, as Han Tianyi's disciple, it was perfectly natural for her to call Mu Ye her senior brother.
No one, from Han Tianyi to Mu Ye, thought there was anything strange about it.
Mu Ye nodded, looking at the lingering satisfaction on their faces.
He smiled faintly and said warmly, "You can come by whenever you have time. I'll cook for you again."
"Thank you, Senior Brother!"
Fang Lin and Na'er replied in unison, their voices full of delight.
Mu Ye seemed to remember something. He took out two storage rings and handed one to each of them. "Here, here. One for each of you."
"Senior Brother?"
Fang Lin took the ring, puzzled.
He didn't understand why his senior brother was suddenly giving it to him.
Seeing that, Na'er looked just as confused. She blinked her purple eyes, glancing from the ring to Mu Ye.
"These storage rings are full of ingredients," Mu Ye explained calmly. "There's about thirty pounds in each."
He paused, then added, "Eat as much as you like. If you run out, come ask me for more."
"Cultivation takes a lot out of you. You can't let your bodies go without."
Hearing this, Fang Lin sent his mental power into the storage ring. Inside, he saw all kinds of rare ingredients neatly arranged.
Millennium Earth Dragon Tendon, Deep Sea Tuna, Red Jade Shrimp, and some meats and vegetables he couldn't name. Every one of them was top quality and brimming with spiritual energy.
"Senior Brother, this..." Fang Lin began awkwardly.
"Just take them."
Mu Ye waved a hand, his tone leaving no room for refusal. "There's no point keeping all this around. I can't eat that much on my own."
"You young people are still growing. Eat more good food."
Besides, he glanced at Zhen Hua, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "That old thing Zhen Hua freeloads off me all the time anyway. I'm happy to give some to you."
Hearing this, Zhen Hua rolled his eyes and snorted irritably. "You're a chef. If you're giving it away, just give it away. Why'd you have to drag me into it?"
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
Fang Lin and Na'er thanked him and put away their storage rings.
"Oh, right."
Mu Ye remembered something else. He took a small notebook out of his storage ring and handed it to Fang Lin. "You can have this, too."
"Senior Brother, what's this?"
Fang Lin took the notebook, curious.
"This is my Chef's Notes. I've written down some of my cooking insights, as well as ways to prepare ingredients and tips for pairing them," Mu Ye explained casually.
"Senior Brother, this is too precious. I can't..." Fang Lin started to hand it back.
"Take it when I tell you to."
Mu Ye cut him off, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You're a disciple of the Body Sect, which makes you my junior brother."
"Passing these skills on to you isn't passing them outside the sect. It's only right."
He paused and said seriously, "Cultivation is important, of course, but life isn't only about cultivation."
"If you can cook, at least you won't go hungry."
Mu Ye smiled again and added, "Besides, if you find someone you like someday..."
"Cooking her a meal will work better than saying a hundred sweet things."
At those words, the tips of Na'er's ears quietly turned red. But they soon returned to normal, so quickly that no one noticed.
Cradling the notebook, Fang Lin felt not only the texture of the paper, but also the weight of Mu Ye's kindness.
"Senior Brother, I'll make sure to learn everything in it," Fang Lin said solemnly.
Mu Ye nodded, the smile at the corners of his mouth deepening.