Thanks to [Scarred Heart] for the Great God Certification!
Thanks to [Honkai Star Rail Silver Simp] for the Big Health Care!
...
Qi Zhimu fell into deep thought, his gaze occasionally lifting to catch the cunning and expectation flickering in Herta's eyes.
A promise from a past life surfaced in his mind.
Having understood this layer, he suddenly smiled in relief and spoke according to her wishes.
"It's magic, omnipotent magic, right?"
"Exactly right!"
Herta mimicked the Mr. Magician of that time, snapping her fingers in a cool gesture.
Holding her scepter, she spun lightly in place.
Specks of starlight fell from the tip of the scepter, enveloping her entire body.
As the light dissipated, the apron and loungewear on Herta's body vanished.
In their place was a well-tailored purple dress with a mysterious charm, and a pointed wizard hat had appeared on her head.
At this moment, she looked exactly like a quirky and clever witch.
"Once you were my young magician, and now I am your magician girl. Our roles have swapped."
Herta leaned close to Qi Zhimu's chest, tilting her head slightly, her eyes shimmering with light.
In this moment, there wasn't a trace of the arrogance or sharp tongue she showed the outside world; there was only the charm reserved solely for Qi Zhimu.
"When I was little, I said I would marry you when I grew up and take my turn to look after you."
"Although my first attempt at cooking was a failure, for a genius, failure is nothing more than a stepping stone to success."
"One day I will make the perfect breakfast, so I consider myself to be fulfilling my promise step by step."
Qi Zhimu was touched deep inside.
"So many years have passed, and you still remember those innocent childhood words."
Upon hearing this, Herta immediately became displeased. She pouted her lips slightly, feigning anger.
"Back then you said girls shouldn't easily say they like boys, and you said we were still young and didn't understand what it meant to like someone with the premise of marriage."
Qi Zhimu nodded with a smile: "Yes, back then you said you'd wait until you understood later to make a decision."
"We made a pinky promise back then! Now that I've seen all the prosperity of the galaxy, I want to tell you clearly—"
Herta stood on her tiptoes, placing her hands on Qi Zhimu's shoulders and looking directly into his eyes.
"Qi Zhimu, listen well. I, Herta, like you!"
"This affection began that night and has continued until the current Amber Era 2157, never changing."
"What about you? Do you like me?"
It was a passionate confession without beating around the bush.
Qi Zhimu blinked. Under Herta's expectant and slightly nervous gaze, he slowly shook his head and uttered two words.
"I don't."
Herta froze instantly, her hands stiffening, and a flash of disbelief and panic crossed her purple pupils.
She hadn't expected at all that after pouring her heart out so unreservedly, what she would receive was a rejection.
In this moment, she felt her entire world collapsing.
But before the massive disappointment could turn into tears of grievance, Qi Zhimu's next sentence caused her mood to rebound like a roller coaster hitting the bottom.
He lowered his head slightly, pressing his forehead against hers, a smile playing on his lips, his voice full of magnetism.
"I love you."
Herta froze again, her cheeks turning as red as a ripe apple.
Her heart throbbed wildly in her chest, and a sense of fluttering excitement spread through her entire body.
"Your routines are so practiced; you must have said this to many other women over the years, right?" she said, deliberately using a sour tone to hide her inner bashfulness.
So huge, the contrast is really so huge...
The Brother Mu of back then was reserved and subtle; it seemed like he wouldn't say such mushy words even if the sky fell.
And the Mr. Magician who was resurrected because of her was a complete, duplicitous tsundere.
Hearing such words from a tsundere's mouth was like a fairy tale.
Unless the situation was reversed—if she were dying in front of him, leaving only a final confession—would a tsundere be willing to drop the act and face his heart.
"I haven't. I learned it from Xianzhou novels."
Qi Zhimu spread his hands and sighed repeatedly.
"Just last night, so many of my firsts, preserved for over a hundred years in this life, were forcibly taken away by someone. Who could that person be? It's so hard to guess."
Herta gave a soft hmph, though her ears didn't turn red again.
Her actions last night were entirely driven by sincere emotions from her heart.
The impulse of last night stemmed completely from genuine feelings; the longing accumulated over hundreds of years had erupted, capable of even bursting through a volcanic crater.
"Alright, let me finish making breakfast first."
Qi Zhimu gently pinched Herta's soft cheek.
"Would the Great Magician Girl please take a seat at the table? I'll let the Galaxy Ranger handle the rest."
With an unshakeable smile on her lips, Herta obediently sat to the side, resting her chin on her hands and staring intently at his busy back.
"Then I shall properly critique your current skills. If it's not tasty, this genius will deduct points without mercy."
"No problem."
Qi Zhimu began his work, taking the ingredients and processing them skillfully.
The frying pan heated up quickly. He dropped in a small piece of butter, and thick-cut bacon and juicy sausages slid into the pan.
The fat was rendered out by the high heat, and a rich, savory aroma instantly filled the kitchen.
He cracked two eggs into the side of the pan with one hand. The egg whites solidified under the heat, their edges turning an enticing, crispy golden brown.
Paired with tomatoes roasted until juicy and a spoonful of soft baked beans in tomato sauce, a classic Fog City breakfast was quickly plated.
Without stopping, Qi Zhimu uncovered the small soup pot nearby.
He placed his palm near the stove. imaginary energy was converted through his special ability, serving an alternative purpose. Upon touching the flames, the fire's intensity increased instantly.
"To think the power of The Hunt Path could be used by you like this... even I am impressed..."
Herta couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Qi Zhimu shrugged.
"Although the life of a Galaxy Ranger is free and easy, sleeping in the rough is inevitable. To ensure I can eat something good anytime, I had to develop some special uses."
Steam rolled inside the soup pot. The rice grains were boiled until they were translucent and blossomed, and the sweet freshness of seafood wafted out.
Confirming it was about ready, Qi Zhimu shredded and seasoned some raw vegetables, mixing two small dishes of refreshing and crunchy cold salad.
Before long, two breakfasts of vastly different styles were brought to the table.
The color, aroma, and taste were all present. The rising steam from the rice porridge misted between the two of them.
Qi Zhimu handed the utensils to Herta and teased:
"Between a Fog City style breakfast and a breakfast in the style of my hometown in this life, I wonder which one Miss Witch will prefer?"
Herta glanced at the fragrant meal before her. Instead of rushing to take the utensils, she suddenly leaned forward and pecked Qi Zhimu on the cheek.
"Only children make choices. Since you made it yourself, this genius wants it all."
...
I didn't expect this book to reach a 9.0 rating so quickly. Many thanks~~
To celebrate the Lady with the Pointy Hat getting her meal, is it too much for Hajihuan to ask for some Power of Love? (✪ ω ✪)
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