Chapter: Sweet Rewards
In the kitchen, all kinds of ingredients were laid out.
"Mina, crack ten eggs for me."
Mina grabbed a bowl and cracked ten eggs into it.
Cheng Yu first separated the egg whites from the yolks, added a certain amount of white sugar to the yolks, then heated them in a water bath. He stirred while heating, melting the sugar and mixing it with the yolks, then set it aside to cool.
Next, he poured whipped cream into a bowl, added a spoonful of vanilla extract, and beat it several times to mix thoroughly. Then he added mascarpone cheese.
He added the cooled egg yolk mixture and continued stirring.
"Mina, you stir this. Keep stirring for about five minutes."
Cheng Yu handed the bowl of cheese mixture—blended with cream, egg yolks, and cheese—to Mina.
"Okay."
Mina took the whisk and continued stirring the cheese mixture.
Cheng Yu lit a fire on the small stove beside him, boiled coffee on it, then dipped ladyfinger biscuits into the espresso to give them a coffee aroma.
He placed the coffee-soaked ladyfingers in a square pan.
"Mina, pour the cheese mixture in," Cheng Yu said.
"Mm."
Mina poured the stirred cheese mixture into the square pan. The mixture filled the gaps between the ladyfingers and the sides of the pan.
Finally, he sprinkled a layer of cocoa powder on top and set it aside to cool and set.
Tiramisu—a high-sugar, high-calorie food. Easy to gain weight if you ate too much, but absolutely delicious.
Looking at the large piece of tiramisu in the square pan, Mina swallowed hard, curious about what it tasted like.
"Cheng Yu, can I try some?" Mina's tail wagged excitedly.
"No, it's still warm. Wait until it cools and sets before eating."
"Oh, okay."
Mina could only wait patiently.
Half an hour later, the tiramisu had completely cooled and set.
Cheng Yu cut a small piece with a knife and handed it to Mina. "Try it."
Mina took a bite, and her eyes lit up instantly. "It's delicious! Sweet and fragrant!"
In Mina's mind, everything Cheng Yu cooked was first-class delicious.
Cheng Yu cut the tiramisu cake into small pieces. "Call Ivennie in. Let her try it too."
Mina went outside to call Ivennie.
A moment later, Ivennie walked into the kitchen. "Sister Mina said you wanted to see me?"
"Come try this."
Cheng Yu picked up a piece of tiramisu with a knife and offered it to Ivennie.
Smelling the sweet aroma in the air, Ivennie's big round eyes filled with surprise. "What is this?"
"You said you like sweets, so I made this for you," Cheng Yu said earnestly.
Ivennie had lacked family love since childhood. For the first time, someone had made food specifically for her. She was deeply moved, her eyes shining.
Seeing Ivennie in a daze, Cheng Yu asked, "Don't you like it?"
"No, I... I'm just not used to being cared for."
Ivennie picked up the tiramisu and took a bite. It tasted sweet, with a rich egg aroma and strong coffee fragrance.
She'd never eaten anything this delicious in her entire life.
"Wow~ It's so good."
Her eyes turned red, and tears fell from the corners of Ivennie's eyes.
She was touched because Cheng Yu had made food for her. And because this thing called tiramisu was truly delicious—the taste struck her soul.
After wiping her tears, Ivennie walked over to Cheng Yu, opened her arms, and hugged his waist tightly. She rested her head against his chest.
"Master Cheng Yu, why are you so good to me?"
Cheng Yu hadn't expected Ivennie to initiate a hug. After a moment of surprise, he smiled gently. "I hope you won't have to wander anymore."
Hearing this, warmth flooded Ivennie's heart.
[Host has gained +40 Favorability from Ivennie]
Cheng Yu was a bit surprised that Ivennie's favorability toward him had increased so much.
As expected, girls who lacked care growing up are particularly easy to win over.
His total favorability with Ivennie had reached 60 points.
Gently stroking Ivennie's light-green hair, Cheng Yu looked into her eyes. "This will be your home from now on. I'll protect you."
"Yeah."
Ivennie felt a deep sense of security and nodded slightly.
Seeing Cheng Yu and Ivennie hugging, Mina walked up behind Cheng Yu and wrapped her arms around his waist from behind, resting her head on his shoulder. "I want a hug too."
Sandwiched between the two beauties—Mina and Ivennie—Cheng Yu grinned, his eyes curving into crescents like a goofy emoticon.
"By the way, Ivennie, how's your plant growth magic coming along? Can you use it on seeds?"
Cheng Yu remembered there were many crop seeds in the system shop—carrot seeds, cabbage seeds, chili seeds, pepper seeds...
Plant growth magic was a divine farming skill. There was a large farm in front of the manor. If Ivennie mastered the magic, she could grow fruits and vegetables herself without spending money to buy them or consuming positive emotion points to exchange them from the system shop.
"I've read the magic book. Seeds should work, but I'm not very skilled yet."
Ivennie could only make seedlings grow quickly at the moment. She hadn't yet reached the level of making seeds grow into plants rapidly.
Cheng Yu wasn't in a hurry. He comforted her. "It's okay. Take your time."
"For Master Cheng Yu, I'll work hard!"
Ivennie clenched her fists, her eyes full of determination.
I must learn plant growth magic as soon as possible.
That way I can help Master Cheng Yu.
At lunch, Cheng Yu shared some tiramisu with Maxi and Austin.
"Cheng Yu, with you here, I'll never successfully lose weight in my life."
Maxi ate the delicious tiramisu cake with tears in his eyes.
This high-calorie food was packed with calories. Every bite felt like gaining fat.
But because it was so delicious, he couldn't help eating more.
The conflicting emotions made him feel miserable.
"Your cooking skills are superb. I never knew the profession of chef could be so incredible. I've never seen such a great chef as Cheng Yu—someone who can make food this delicious," Austin praised.
When night fell, darkness enveloped Bailu Town. The woods near the manor filled with the chirping of insects.
Candlelight flickered. Cheng Yu sat in the study, reading The Encyclopedia of Plants and Animals on the Celsis Continent.
The door opened. The tall Mina walked in wearing her classic black-and-white maid outfit. She closed the door behind her and locked it.
The bright candlelight illuminated Mina's beautiful figure—snow-white skin, soft and delicate. She was as beautiful as a white lotus emerging from water.
Her long neck was pale and refined, shimmering with soft light. Her thin, rounded shoulders and slender arms like lotus roots, combined with her towering chest and curved waist, her soft white skin forming smooth, flowing lines—all radiated the unique beauty of a young woman.
"That... I'm here."
Mina was in her mating season now. Yesterday, she'd asked Cheng Yu to help her with her physiological needs, and he'd agreed.
Red-eyed, white-haired, animal-eared girl—Cheng Yu was excited. He opened his arms to Mina. "Come here."
No longer hiding her desire, Mina's beautiful face showed a smile. She threw herself into Cheng Yu's arms at the fastest speed.
...
(Ten thousand words omitted here)