Hehe, bet you didn't expect that-I'm back!

Aurum Alley.

"Jiang Yao, are you buying all those ingredients to make something delicious again?"

Bailu's eyes were glued to the Qiongshi Bird Skewer in Jiang Yao's hand.

She hadn't looked away for even a moment.

As a result, the poor little High Elder bumped into a certain Aeon who preferred to remain anonymous no fewer than five times.

She wiped the shameful tears from the corner of her mouth.

Originally, she'd planned to eat something nice and then head back.

After all, her status was special, and she couldn't stay out too long.

But!

But Jiang Yao!

He'd actually gone off to buy more ingredients.

How was this anything but tempting a dragon girl?

Bailu thought she'd already treated everyone who needed treatment over the past two days, and things were peaceful.

Surely staying out a little longer wouldn't hurt?

It was only one afternoon!

She was staying!

"Yeah. What else would I do with them?"

Jiang Yao felt certain people really owed March 7th an apology.

Who said March 7th was a dummy?

Take a look at this High Elder before you talk!

Hmm, uh... hiss...

Was it possible...

That they were both dummies?

Yes, Jiang Yao suddenly understood everything.

"Then... slurp... could you give me another Qiongshi Bird Skewer? I can do anything for you!"

Bailu really was craving one.

She'd always loved sweets.

Jiang Yao's Pulled-Sugar Qiongshi Bird Skewer had opened up a whole new world for her.

She'd never eaten anything so wonderfully sweet!

How could one skewer possibly be enough?

At least five!

No, ten!

"Nope. I'm saving these for my companions."

Jiang Yao was deeply moved, but refused anyway.

To be fair, he was rather fond of little girls.

But there really weren't any extra Qiongshi Bird Skewers!

As for giving Bailu his own skewer?

Sorry.

What's a little girl worth?

She'd only slow down my eating!

"Then... once you finish cooking later, can I mooch some food and drinks off you?"

Bailu voiced that rather shameless request with a perfectly innocent expression.

"Sure, no problem."

Jiang Yao agreed without hesitation.

"Hehehe, I'm going to stuff myself silly! Gahahahahaha!"

Bailu planted her hands on her hips, her tail swaying.

It had been ages since she'd felt as relaxed as she did today.

Even Phantylia, who had been following them the whole time and was utterly exhausted, found herself wondering—

This was the High Elder? This was the Luofu's current High Elder?

At this rate, the Luofu would be finished by the next generation without me doing anything!

Did a Luofu like this really need me to intervene?

Tch. If it weren't for the Ambrosial Arbor, as if I'd even want to come!

What a coincidence.

Jiang Yao was thinking about the Ambrosial Arbor too.

The Ambrosial Arbor wasn't ordinary wood or lumber.

It was Yaoshi's blessing.

Even to Jiang Yao, an Aeon of a higher standing, it was still a blessing.

It was much like Tayzzyronth in nature.

A gift from nature!

He was feeling a little peckish.

But it wouldn't be appropriate to make a big production of taking it.

He could put it on his list first, though.

Once he had a chance to get his hands on that chocolate sweetheart on Nanook's body...

It wouldn't be too late to collect the Ambrosial Arbor he'd left in the Luofu's care.

Of course, Jiang Yao was only fantasizing.

Compared to a pie in the sky...

He preferred the feast right in front of him.

He had quite a lot to make this time.

Dream Tapir Roll, Hot Floating Mutton Milk, and Singing Lotus Root Cake.

That was only two snacks and a drink.

Even counting one Qiongshi Bird Skewer per person...

That still wasn't enough for lunch.

He needed some substantial dishes.

Had they really thought Jiang Yao had simply left?

Not a chance~

After making the Qiongshi Bird Skewers...

Jiang Yao had found a moment to check his phone, which had kept vibrating earlier.

He'd read and replied to Asta's shipping list.

He'd read and replied to Himeko's takeout request.

He'd read and replied to Yan Cui's pickup reminder.

And he'd skimmed Yan Cui's dispatch list.

So...

Of course he'd left that spot to buy some ingredients to go with them.

He wanted to treat his companions to a good meal.

Yep, definitely not because I wanted to eat them too~

With the discernment of the Aeon of Voracity...

No excellent ingredient could escape his eyes.

Before long, he returned to Auntie Gao's stall with his arms full of ingredients.

"Auntie Gao, same as before. Mind letting me use your lovely setup?"

Jiang Yao smiled.

Bet you didn't expect that.

Hey, I doubled back! I'm here again~

"Huh?"

Auntie Gao froze on the spot.

She stared at Jiang Yao, simply staring in silence, so distracted that she didn't notice she'd coated the Qiongshi Bird Skewer she was making the old way with too much sugar.

It wasn't just Auntie Gao.

There were also the customers who'd stayed at the stall.

They stared blankly at Jiang Yao, who had left only to return.

Suddenly, the breakfasts in their hands didn't taste good anymore!

Bleep! Bleep!!!

He'd stirred up their cravings until they couldn't stand it anymore and ordered breakfast right there.

Because his food had smelled so amazing earlier, they'd ordered plenty.

And then, a little while later...

The slow eaters hadn't even finished their breakfasts.

Those who'd ordered a lot still had some left too.

And now they had to watch the "culprit," whose "crimes were too numerous to list," return?

With his arms full of ingredients, no less?

Seriously, dude.

Are you messing with us?

Huh?!

In short, whether stall owner or customer...

They were all struck speechless at that moment.

"Uh, is that a no?"

Jiang Yao's bewildered question...

Dealt their hearts another devastating blow.

Criminal!

Absolutely criminal!

We want to beat you up now. Would that be criminal?

The customers wanted to cry, but had no tears.

Especially after witnessing how Jiang Yao had used simple ingredients and seemingly simple techniques to make food that looked and smelled wonderful, and surely tasted just as good.

Those Pulled-Sugar Qiongshi Bird Skewers had truly opened their eyes.

They'd practically wished they could turn from men into girls and replace Bailu as the one tasting his food!

We're almost full now, and only now do you show up?

You've got to be freaking kidding me!

"Of course! Absolutely!"

Auntie Gao hurriedly set down the Qiongshi Bird Skewer in her hand.

"Come on, young man, hurry! Show Auntie what other special tricks you've got up your sleeve."

"Use whatever ingredients you like. I won't charge you. I'd just like to ask you to make one extra portion for me, nothing more. Would that be all right?"

The moment Auntie Gao spoke...

She turned the tables on Jiang Yao.

"You bet~"

Jiang Yao nodded, flashing a handsome smile.

He wasn't some kind of devil.

Why would he deliberately tease people's appetites?

The Pulled-Sugar Qiongshi Bird Skewers had been purely an accident.

He wasn't particularly fond of sweets.

So he hadn't made many.

But!

What he was about to make...

Would be a different story.

Still, before serving the main dishes...

He needed to prepare a few appetizers.

"Hey, young man, what are you making this time? Will you be selling it?"

One customer, unable to bear the craving any longer, asked.

Even though he was full...

He was still craving more.

"Noooo... way!!!"

Jiang Yao drew out the words.

At once, the customers' faces twisted in anguish.

They could only turn their grief and indignation into appetite, doing their utmost to finish whatever breakfast remained in their hands.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yao used that time to sort the ingredients.

By the time he finished sorting them,

the diners around him had pretty much finished eating and were full.

Only then did Jiang Yao say leisurely, "Oh, right, everyone. I'll be making a hearty dish in a bit. Free samples, limited spots—first come, first served!"

Silence.

Dead silence.

The diners around him, along with Auntie Gao beside the stall,

all stared at Jiang Yao in horror.

Seriously, dude.

So that's how you're going to play this?

Fine, fine, fine!

Since you're making the first move... pfft, I mean, making a hearty dish.

Then even if we burst, we're going to try it!

But.

No sooner had that thought crossed their minds

then they heard Jiang Yao start chatting with Auntie Gao:

"Hey, Auntie Gao, can you freeze it? I want to freeze the Hot Floating Mutton Milk~"

"Who'd drink Hot Floating Mutton Milk in weather this hot?"

"It's got to be Iced Floating Mutton Milk! Chilled to the core, spirits ready to soar~"

At once, despair returned to the diners' eyes.