Ryan had only ever seen Chinese food on television before. Naturally, he was excited to try it for the first time today.
Besides, the white food he had just stuffed into his mouth looked healthy and refreshing.
The dressing on the fish mint was a delicious Sichuan-style cold dressing, with a balance of spicy, sour, and sweet flavors. As Ryan savored it, his eyes brightened slightly, and he immediately began chewing the fish mint.
The first bite was crisp, crunching and bursting with juice like sugarcane. But then that juice exploded in his mouth, sending an intense fishy odor straight up his nose.
It was like bloody water mixed with rust, with a handful of dirt sprinkled in, followed by a powerful aftertaste and a faint, fresh herbal scent.
Those bizarre layers of flavor made Ryan scrunch up his little face.
He instinctively wanted to spit it out, but the moment he opened his mouth, Soldier Boy's voice reached him. "No wasting food."
Ryan froze, his expression contorted. "But Grandpa... this tastes awful."
"No." Soldier Boy shook his head solemnly. "When I was little, I was taught never to waste food."
Ryan blinked, forced himself to endure the discomfort, and swallowed with difficulty.
"Haha, good."
Soldier Boy nodded in satisfaction. He had finally fallen for it.
Cunning little brat. Both you and your dad are getting it today. Neither of you is getting away.
This is your punishment for interrupting my sweet dreams.
Homelander watched from beside them, his brow furrowing slightly. Although he had no idea what that white stuff was, his son's expression told him it had reached a whole new level of awful.
"Ryan, is it really that bad?" Homelander asked quietly.
Ryan nodded emphatically without hesitation, his soft, fine golden hair bobbing along, like a well-behaved