A win-win!

"Oh, is that so?"

Asta grew even more dejected.

Any problem money could solve was a small problem.

Asta was confident her wealth could handle most things.

And make them go her way.

But a problem money couldn't solve?

That was a tough one.

Tough...

Then why not just give up?

No, no, no!

Asta, pull yourself together!

Think of that fried egg earlier! Think of that Egg Fried Rice!

You've never tasted anything that delicious before!

Could you accept never eating it again?

Could you accept everything tasting bland from now on, leaving you utterly devoid of desire?

No!

Absolutely not!

Asta racked her brains, trying to find a way to make Jiang Yao stay.

"But we certainly could work together."

Jiang Yao rubbed his chin.

"Huh?"

"Huhhhh?!"

Asta's dejected expression vanished, her eyes practically turning into stars.

A sudden turnaround!

There was still a chance!

"Let me make one thing clear first: I won't stay in any one place for long."

Jiang Yao shrugged.

Especially not anywhere connected to that dumbass Qlipoth.

"But I do need some help."

Jiang Yao found Asta's changing expressions pretty entertaining.

He and Qlipoth were different.

Asta was Asta, and Qlipoth was Qlipoth.

He couldn't turn Asta down just because of Qlipoth!

Whatever else might be said about it, the Interastral Peace Corporation was a major force in the universe.

Its importance lay in how it followed in the wake of the Trailblaze, connecting the various galaxies.

And the Credits system it had established could buy most of the ingredients he wanted.

The only downside was that profit came first.

Besides, the Corporation could do nothing in places the Trailblaze hadn't reached.

So getting aboard the Astral Express was definitely the right move.

But that didn't mean he should give up on the Corporation's resources!

Asta could clearly become a dependable source of support for him.

After all, the Trailblaze advanced into the unknown.

It rarely stopped to rest and resupply or turned back.

In other words, he could indulge, but only once.

If he later wanted something he'd eaten before, he might not have enough ingredients.

Things would be different with Asta.

All he had to do was cook for her in exchange for mountains of ingredients. Could it really be that good?

"Just tell me! I'd be delighted to help!"

Asta watched Jiang Yao eagerly, afraid he might change his mind.

Honestly, Asta had never imagined there would come a day when she couldn't get something she wanted.

Had it been anything else, any other matter or object, she wouldn't have cared.

Forget reacting like this—she wouldn't even have gotten angry. She would simply have ignored it.

That was the confidence that came from having a few hundred million little bits of "spare cash" at home.

But hunger could make people lose their temper.

After tasting Jiang Yao's food, which was astonishing enough to rival an Aeon, Asta could no longer get used to anything else.

Once her cravings had been stirred up, Asta had asked the space station's chef to make her a few dishes.

Either the mutton was too tough and the spices too hot, completely overpowering its savory flavor.

Or the bird meat was so dry she could barely chew it.

Then, on a whim, she had asked the chef to make the simplest possible dish: Egg Fried Rice.

The result had nearly made Asta throw up.

The eggy smell hadn't even been fully masked. She could still taste it.

Was this fit for human consumption?

Truly, going from frugality to luxury was easy; going back was hard.

"It's nothing difficult. You don't need to be so nervous."

Seeing Asta look ready to brave blades and flames for him nearly made Jiang Yao nervous too.

No, seriously, I just want to enjoy some good food in peace. Why do your expression and posture make me look like some kind of monster?

Oh, I suppose I really don't count as human.

Never mind, then.

"As I said, I'm a gourmet for the fun of it. I gradually started cooking for myself because I couldn't find anything good to eat."

Talking about that brought Jiang Yao a flood of bitter memories.

It reminded him of certain readers in his previous life who had started writing their own novels rather than keep swallowing shit.

That was pretty much the same as his current situation.

"But there's only so much one person can do. To put it plainly, I don't have much money, but I do have quite an appetite."

"So could you supply me with ingredients?"

"In exchange, I can take care of your meals. Given practical concerns like distance, I'll find ways to make you desserts and snacks that keep for a long time."

Jiang Yao laid out his terms very frankly.

Just as he'd said earlier, he really didn't like beating around the bush.

"Yes!"

Asta was so excited she nearly jumped.

An unexpected bonus, too!!!

Desserts!

Snacks!

Those were an entirely different discipline from ordinary cooking.

A chef who made great meals might not make great desserts.

Likewise, someone who made great desserts might not make great meals.

She hadn't expected Jiang Yao to be an all-rounder!

This was fantastic!

"By the way, can I request specific dishes?"

A bold idea suddenly occurred to Asta, and in her overwhelming delight, she accidentally blurted it out.

She regretted it the moment the words left her mouth.

She hurried to make amends. "Sorry, sorry! It's not that I doubt your cooking, and I don't have any dietary restrictions. There are just certain flavors I'd like to try."

"It's fine if I can't, though. As long as you make it, I want to eat it!"

Asta watched Jiang Yao cautiously.

She had met plenty of talented people with odd tempers.

One wrong word could make them turn hostile.

Of course, Asta had rarely experienced that herself.

Her wealth and family background meant that no one that impressive dared give her attitude.

But that didn't mean she was unaware of it.

She was afraid Jiang Yao might be that sort of person.

Fortunately, her worries were unfounded.

"Oh, that's fine. Just tell me what you want to eat. I guarantee I'll deliver."

Jiang Yao didn't think that was an unreasonable request.

On the contrary, he thought he'd hit the jackpot!

This was Asta!

A famously wealthy woman!

With her keeping me... no!

With her help, would I ever have to worry about going hungry again?

Not a chance!

Jiang Yao began imagining the happy life ahead of him.

This is wonderful... Asta secretly rejoiced too, so overwhelmed with happiness that she nearly melted into Jiang Yao's arms.

She would have been happy enough just knowing Jiang Yao wasn't angry.

She hadn't expected him not only to take no offense, but also to agree to her request!

And all it would cost her was an amount of Credits that didn't even count as pocket change.

This was easily the most profitable deal she had ever made!

Without a doubt, it was a win-win deal.

Both Jiang Yao and Asta left satisfied.

Asta left in excitement after receiving a pleasant surprise.

Jiang Yao, delighted to have secured the rest of his life, decided to reward himself with something good for breakfast tomorrow.

So he went to the Seclusion Zone.

Yes, the very Seclusion Zone where Ruan Mei had cultivated Cat Cakes and the Starcrusher Swarm King.

Jiang Yao had already been feeling a little peckish before Asta arrived.

True Stings might be ugly and eat absolutely anything.

But with the right preparation and techniques,

their flavor was absolutely among the best in the universe!

Especially True Stings whose bloodline was closer to the Swarm Emperor's—in other words, those at the Emanator level.

Their flavor was the best of the best!

Hm? Why had Jiang Yao tasted them before?

Come on, True Stings like those had been everywhere during the Swarm Disaster.

He'd feasted to his heart's content!