After leading them both inside, Ryn patted Kiana, signaling her to look at the somewhat reserved Mei.
"This is Mei's first time at our place. Kiana, why don't you show Mei around the rooms? I'll go back to preparing the food."
"Okay. Let's go, Mei. Let's go see my bedroom, and then we'll find a room for you." Kiana nodded at Ryn, then cheerfully pulled Mei towards the bedroom.
"They're both gone, right? Well then, I declare this place Ryn Plaza." Ryn tied on an apron, ready to cook a few of his specialty dishes to welcome Mei.
After a while, Ryn looked at the dish in his hand. It couldn't be described as perfect in color, aroma, and taste, but it was certainly a delicacy one could only eat once in a lifetime. He then promptly dumped it into the trash can.
"Cortana, order some takeout. It seems I've overestimated my own skills."
"I have already placed the order, Master."
"Next time, use your human-like qualities for something else. Saying it like that makes me feel bad."
Spurred on by Cortana's jab, Ryn insisted on trying to cook a few more dishes. Well... they were a vibrant shade of black, but still edible.
After placing the dishes and the takeout on the dining table, Ryn called Kiana and Mei down to eat.
Kiana came down holding Mei's hand. When she reached the table, she curiously glanced at the dishes a few more times, then looked at Ryn and said, "Didn't you say you were cooking? Why is it takeout?"
He picked up his chopsticks and gave Kiana a little tap on her silly head. Ryn pointed confidently to the few plates of black sludge in the corner and said, "What do you mean it's all takeout? I was just afraid you wouldn't be full from my cooking alone, so I specifically ordered takeout. Come and see these dishes I made. Kiana, you have to eat all of this later. Mei, you shouldn't try my cooking; a normal person probably couldn't handle this stuff. You can eat the takeout dishes."
"You jerk, then why do I have to be the one to eat it!"
Although Kiana complained, her body obediently started eating. After all, it was made with Ryn's "overflowing love." Anyway, with her Kaslana bloodline to back her up, it would be fine.
"Maybe we shouldn't eat this... Is it really edible?" Mei was a bit hesitant. Although it was on par with what she currently made, since there was better food available, was there really a need to eat the bad stuff?
Kiana shook her head and continued to eat. As she ate, she said, "Even though it tastes bad, it's still a gesture of goodwill. My dad used to be like this. He couldn't cook, but he insisted on letting me taste the flavor of love. I couldn't refuse my dad's love, and I certainly can't refuse Ryn's love."
Mei was very moved after hearing this, but Ryn was a different story. His toes were about to dig a hole through the floor.
Kiana, please stop talking, today's meal is different... if you say any more, I'll die of guilt...
In the end, Kiana didn't finish it either. Ryn snatched it away and set it aside. Mei looked at the few plates of black dishes and, out of curiosity, took a small bite.
It tastes terrible... but is this the sentiment Kiana was talking about? Although it's awful, it's not completely inedible. It melts in the mouth and transforms into a warm current that flows through the whole body, making one feel full of energy. Because it contains the maker's enthusiasm and love for cooking, so this is the meaning of cuisine...
However, why am I starting to see memories from my childhood... Huh, why is Kiana running over here...
"Mei! Ryn, come quick, Mei fainted!" Kiana hurriedly caught the falling Mei and stuck her hand in her mouth, trying to fish out the dark cuisine.
"I told you not to try it, why did you have to eat it... Cortana, prepare medical measures." Ryn quickly called for Cortana, then, while Kiana wasn't looking, fed all the dark cuisine to the drain.
Cortana scanned and treated her, only to find that Raiden Mei hadn't fainted from food poisoning. The stress and fatigue that had accumulated during this period had finally caught up with her. Mei hadn't had a proper rest and relaxation in a long time.
Ryn shook his head at Kiana, signaling her to take Mei to get some good rest.
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Mei slept for a long time, very peacefully. Kiana's vitality and care made her feel very secure.
The next day, when Mei woke up, she saw Kiana watching over her, draped in a blanket Ryn had given Kiana. Mei gently stroked Kiana's face. She felt as if this white dough ball had opened a new chamber in her heart.
After rubbing her face against Kiana's, Mei finally noticed another person standing by the bed. A person made of data, real yet untouchable.
Cortana noticed Mei looking at her and smiled. "Hello, Raiden Mei. I am the butler of this house. You can call me Cortana."
"Just call me Mei... Are you an artificial intelligence?"
Mei shook her head, then asked. In the Far East, peers cannot address each other directly by name; only those who are close can. But Mei felt that, apart from the few people in this house, she no longer had any closer peers.
Cortana nodded and said, "I am an advanced artificial intelligence, currently appearing before you as a holographic projection. Kiana watched over you all night. Ryn and I couldn't persuade her otherwise, so Ryn asked me to stay by your side. Your body needs rest."
Mei placed Kiana on the bed, covered her with the blanket, tidied up a bit, and walked out of the room with Cortana.
As they were walking, Mei suddenly thought of something and asked Cortana, who was beside her.
"Cortana, can you cook?"
"No, I don't have a physical body..."
Cortana was a bit puzzled, then looked at Mei as if she were an idiot. What was the difference between that and asking an air conditioner repairman what his job was while he was fixing an air conditioner? If she could cook, why would Ryn and Kiana be blowing up the kitchen every day...
Mei felt a little awkward under Cortana's gaze and only then realized what an embarrassing question she had just asked. Mei had nothing now. Kiana had brought her home, but she didn't want to freeload off Kiana and Ryn. She also wanted to do something for this family. Yesterday's meal made her understand that cooking wasn't just about filling one's stomach, but also for the happiness of those around her...
Based on her extensive experience watching TV dramas, Cortana could see that Mei was still a bit reserved.
"Don't worry, you don't need to be concerned about anything in this house. Living happily and freely is the best reward for Kiana and Ryn. However, if you want to learn to cook, I have tutorials for thousands of dishes here."
"Thank you... Cortana. Then I'll be counting on you to teach me how to cook!" Mei was very happy. She would definitely become a great chef!
"Alright, first, repeat after me: 'Pots, bowls, and ladles, submit to me.'"
"Huh?"