Chapter 237 : Wednesday Chef God
Chapter 237: Wednesday Chef God
He really didn’t know whether the cordyceps his mom had eaten before were genuine or not.
But the ones gifted by the Rushuang Empress this time should undoubtedly be real.
It wasn’t that he had faith in her family’s wealth — after all, even rich people could buy counterfeits — but rather because if they weren’t real, they wouldn’t have caused both his parents to get nosebleeds at the same time.
He had started learning traditional Chinese medicine recently, and he already knew a bit about this herb.
Cordyceps sinensis — sweet in taste, warm in nature — mainly entered the lung and kidney meridians. It nourished the lungs and kidneys, stopped bleeding, and transformed phlegm.
Boiling it in water was indeed a common method of consumption, but it depended on one’s personal condition — it wasn’t suitable for everyone.
Simply put, it was good stuff, but not necessarily for everyone. Use it as appropriate.
Other methods included brewing it into tea, grinding it into powder to drink, making porridge, or stewing it with chicken, pigeon, fish, or pork ribs.
As for tea — forget it. Although Liu Rushuang’s gift today was certainly fine tea, his family was never much into drinking tea.
Only during holidays or when guests visited would his mom brew a pot; otherwise, she’d rather drink cold water than tea.
But stewing chicken soup — that was a good idea. With his cooking skills, he should be able to bring out the herb’s effect perfectly. Still, he’d need to look up some medicinal food videos online first.
After being scolded by his mom Zhou Min, Lin Mo awkwardly ran to the bathroom for a quick wash before going back to his room to rest.
Though he was in a good mood, he had drunk some wine earlier, and once he lay down, he quickly fell into a drowsy sleep.
——
Meanwhile, that night, Liu Rushuang and Su He lay under the blankets, listening to the rain outside.
“In Jiangning, it’s one thing for you to squeeze into my bed. But now that I’m home, you still wanna share my blanket? Damn it, I almost wish I were a man so I could stab you dead right now,” Cousin Su He grumbled as she climbed into bed in her pink pajamas.
Leaning lazily against the headboard in white pajamas, Liu Rushuang chuckled. “How’s that my fault? Tell you what — go take a trip to Thailand, I’ll cover the surgery cost. Better to benefit my own cousin than a stranger!”
“Cut it out. If you really wanted to benefit me, you wouldn’t mind even if I didn’t go to Thailand. Who says I have to?” Su He said, pulling out a cucumber — plump, glistening, green, still covered with tiny spines, fresh and tender.
Liu Rushuang: ???
“Hey? We’re just talking — don’t you dare do anything!”
“Pfft, you’ve got such a dirty mind,” Su He retorted, snapping the cucumber cleanly in half with a crisp crack, handing one piece over.
Liu Rushuang: “I don’t need it. If you really can’t hold back, I can step out and give you some space.”
“If you dare keep running your mouth, I’ll stuff both ends of you shut,” Su He said viciously, biting into her cucumber with a loud crunch.
This time, Liu Rushuang stayed silent, afraid of provoking her cousin into actually acting out.
Then Su He fished two cans of cocktails from under the bed. “Here — eat and drink a little. You’ll sleep better later.”
Liu Rushuang took a can, and the two of them huddled together watching one of the currently trending short dramas.
Over the past year or two, short dramas had become explosively popular. Despite featuring unknown actors, cheap props, and stiff dialogue, they were raking in serious money.
With their brainless plots and instant gratification, they quickly won over audiences nationwide — from elementary and middle schoolers to retired uncles and aunties.
The genres were endless — domineering CEOs, childhood sweethearts, the “chasing wife to the crematorium” trope, “rebirth to ace the college entrance exam with your ex’s white moonlight” — an endless stream of absurd storylines.
Many even starred female leads named Liu Rushuang. The one Su He was watching now was exactly that — Liu Rushuang, betrayed by her ex-husband, then finding a man even better to take revenge.
It was addicting enough that Su He had even paid for extra episodes.
But sitting beside her, Liu Rushuang felt uncomfortable hearing her own name shouted from the phone again and again. Finally, she couldn’t hold back: “Hey, are you doing this on purpose? Can you change it? It’s too awkward.”
“It’s just the same name — what’s awkward about it? Don’t you think the story’s satisfying?” Su He countered.
She really did find it enjoyable. Both leads were attractive — she loved watching beautiful people fall in love.
“Enjoyable? This plot’s dumb as hell. The guy cheats during marriage, the woman from an ordinary family marries rich, and after divorce she finds an even richer man to get revenge?
Why though? How does a woman from an ordinary background, with nothing but a pretty face — no business experience, no special skills — suddenly find success after divorce? What, is divorce a prerequisite for success now?” Liu Rushuang complained from the depths of her soul.
To her, it made zero logical sense.
She herself was a businesswoman, and even she had to rely on her family, gradually taking over their work. Starting from scratch required both capital and connections. Without family support, she might not even make it.
“It’s TV — they’re all like this now. Let me ask, do rich folks like you ever really marry into poor families? Like, the cliché rich heiress falls for the broke guy, or CEO loves the poor boy?” Su He asked meaningfully.
Liu Rushuang thought seriously, then nodded. “Rarely. First, different circles. Hard to even meet. Second, even if you do, you’re usually not on the same wavelength. No spark.”
“What about you then? Think you could?” Su He suddenly asked, staring at her.
The question caught Liu Rushuang off guard. Her heartbeat quickened. “I can’t say.”
“So that means maybe?” Su He pressed.
After thinking for a while, Liu Rushuang puffed her cheeks. “My family’s situation is special. I’m the only child. They don’t really pressure me about marriage. As long as I like him, it’s fine.
But I’m not like those brainless drama rich girls who fall head over heels at first sight. At least, the guy has to have something that attracts me.
In short, either he’s outstanding — a ‘potential stock’ — or he’s someone who approaches me without any ulterior motive. Then I can handle the outside affairs, and he can handle the home, provided I actually like him.”
Given her background, she had met plenty of impressive men, but almost none who approached her without some hidden motive.
Those with money wanted to boost their businesses through her; those without wanted to use her as a shortcut to success.
And those who were rich yet genuinely liked her — like Yuan Hua — she simply didn’t like back.
As the two chatted, suddenly the drama’s male and female leads began leaning in and kissed.
Both women instantly went silent, eyes glued to the screen.
When the kiss ended, they turned to each other, biting their lips, faces full of envy.
The story might be stupid — but damn, it was sweet. With the leads being so good-looking, it hit even harder.
Su He: →_→
“You’re craving it?”
Liu Rushuang: ←_←
“You’re not? You’ve dated before. So tell me, what’s it feel like to kiss someone?”
“It’s been years, I forgot, okay? Hey, don’t look at me like that! I’m not giving you one. Not my job.” Su He said quickly, catching the gleam in Liu Rushuang’s eyes.
Liu Rushuang snorted. “Please. I didn’t want you anyway. If I really wanted to kiss someone, I’d have one in no time!”
“Yeah right. You’re rich — just fund your own web drama, play the female lead, pick any male lead you want. Make it 81 episodes, 8 minutes each, 5 minutes of kissing per episode. I’ll even name it for you: 『The CEO Fell for a College Senior』. Guaranteed hit — you’ll make bank and get all the kisses you want!” Su He sneered, her lips rattling nonstop.
To her surprise, Liu Rushuang didn’t argue back — instead, she started seriously considering the idea.
“You actually want to shoot it? Girl, you’re starving worse than anyone! Are you that desperate?” Su He cried, wide-eyed.
Unfazed, Liu Rushuang replied slowly, “You can be the lead. I’ll invest. You get the kisses.”
“My good sister — I knew you were the best! Come, cheers!” Su He instantly flipped her attitude, grinning as she clinked bottles with her.
The male lead was so handsome anyway — she was craving too.
“No more, no more. If I drink more, I’ll start wanting a man,” Liu Rushuang waved.
Su He: “No worries, I’ll find you one! Didn’t I mention my cousin? If not now, when?”
Liu Rushuang: “Come on, this little bit of booze is nothing. Get another bottle — one each!”
They glanced at each other — and both burst out laughing uncontrollably.
Men would never guess what women talked about in private. Two lovestruck, kiss-deprived girls giggling in bed, occasionally letting out eerie “keh keh keh” laughter — it scared Lin Mo’s aunt and uncle half to death. They thought the two were turning into zombies.
——
The next morning, the sky cleared. Lin Mo unusually didn’t go for his morning exercise — not because he didn’t want to, but because he suddenly felt his eyes sore and his body feverish. Probably from getting caught in the rain yesterday.
“Autumn rain brings cold, you know. It’s getting chilly — I went out earlier and even short sleeves felt cold.
When your vacation ends, remember to take your fall clothes back,” Mom Zhou Min said, handing him fever medicine and a cup of water.
Lin Mo nodded weakly, listless and pale.
His parents assumed it was because he wasn’t feeling well. They didn’t realize his gloom came from his emotions.
After waking, besides the physical discomfort, a wave of grief hit him again — the sorrow over his friend’s death that had been suppressed by the Kirin Watermelon’s effects.
Once midnight passed, it all came flooding back.
While asleep, it wasn’t so bad. Awake, though, it was overwhelming. Still, thanks to the buffer from yesterday, today’s emotions weren’t quite as crushing.
“Got it, Mom.”
After drinking the medicine, Lin Mo set down the glass, went to the fridge, and stared for a long while at the remaining watermelon before finally closing the door.
He remembered too clearly that disorienting emotional split from last night. He’d rather bear it naturally this time.
“Hey, son, I’m driving today — let’s go out for a bit! Your dad’s coming too. I made plans with a few friends to hang out,” Zhou Min said cheerfully.
Her son looked so handsome now — she had to show him off! Plus, a little trip might help his mood. As for the fever — under 38°C, just a mild one. The medicine would fix it soon enough.
But Lin Mo waved his hand. “Nah, I’m not feeling well. You and Dad go have fun. Drive safe. I’ll rest.”
He turned and went back to his room.
“This kid — maybe he should just get a shot at the clinic!” Zhou Min sighed.
Old Lin comforted her. “Come on, he’s too old for that. Just a fever. Let him rest. We’ll go.”
Back in his room, Lin Mo shivered at the mere thought of an injection. No way — those hurt like hell. He’d rather die.
Lying in bed, waiting for the medicine to kick in, he pulled out his phone to browse his shopping page.
It’d been days since anything good showed up. His mood was bad — what better cure than sudden riches? Come on, something valuable!
【rpg-7040mm Rocket Launcher — three shells included; 100% intercepted by barbed wire. ￥6.74】
【Inflatable doll — recommended for you; ￥4.43】
【Wednesday Chef God — Watch full series of 《Cooking Master Boy》 and 《Chinese Little Master Chef》 and 《God of Cookery》, then grind salt, sugar, chili, Sichuan pepper, star anise, cinnamon, and cumin into powder; mix with chopped scallion, ginger, and garlic; add soy sauce, vinegar, oil, yellow wine, douban paste, soybean paste, ketchup, oyster sauce, light and dark soy sauce (no less than 15g each); coat with starch, deep fry (finished dish no less than 500g); after eating, every Wednesday your culinary skill will reach the highest level — far surpassing a National Banquet Chef: ￥501】
【Baseball bat — can be used for self-defense or recreation, suitable for all genders: ￥1.23】
Seeing these four products, Lin Mo — who had been lying half-dead — sat bolt upright in shock.
“What the hell is this?!”
The longest product description in history. Sure, the skill effect was powerful — but was the prerequisite trying to kill him?
Even the Dark Cuisine Realm didn’t have recipes this terrifying.