Dinner was a quiet affair.
Neither Chu Mu nor Number One spoke, and the atmosphere in the room was rather heavy.
Naturally, no one had much of an appetite in that setting.
Before Lina could finish demonstrating all thirteen ways to eat the meal, Number One set down her utensils and said:
"I'm done."
After a pause, she turned toward Herta.
"Eat more. Get some nourishment."
As she spoke, she glanced at Herta's chest and seemed to give an almost imperceptible shake of her head.
Herta: "!!!"
Still, she reined in her displeasure and said in a sweet voice:
"Big sis, why are you leaving after eating so little? Was there something lacking in my hospitality? Is the food not good?"
"The food is quite good," Number One said flatly. "I just really don't have an appetite today."
"All right." Herta nodded with feigned regret, then pointed at Lina. "I love Lina's cooking. With her here, I feel like I'll definitely gain ten pounds-no, twenty!"
Number One couldn't help smiling. She looked at Lina and said:
"Take good care of this young lady for now. Once your work here is finished, I'll arrange for you to head the kitchen at the Alliance's finest hotel."
With a single casual remark, she had given Lina an entirely different future.
At that moment, Lina truly understood what the head chef had told her: even a little slipping through the fingers of those at the top was enough to benefit those at the bottom for a lifetime.
As her mind wandered, she suddenly recalled the head chef's instructions and hurriedly lowered her head.
"U-understood."
Without looking back, Number One opened the door and left.
Once her footsteps had faded, Herta immediately turned up the radio and switched to a music station.
She motioned for