“Welcome!”

Lu Jue, accompanied by four small maids, welcomed their first customer.

“Lu Jue-jun, long time no see. I didn’t expect you to be here.” Mejiro Grandmother leaned on her cane, a benevolent smile appearing on her wrinkled face.

“It’s a pleasure to see you again.” Lu Jue smiled politely, “Rather than a chef, I still want to be a Trainer.”

Behind Mejiro Grandmother followed the three young ladies: Mejiro McQueen, Mejiro Dober, and Mejiro Ryan.

“Hello, Teacher Lu.” x2

Mejiro Dober and Mejiro Ryan greeted him politely.

Only Mejiro McQueen hesitated for a few seconds. “Hello, Teacher.”

“Hello, everyone, but there’s no class today.” Lu Jue’s gaze lingered on Mejiro McQueen for a second before he turned sideways and gestured, “Please.”

If there was anyone least interested in Lu Jue’s classes, it was undoubtedly the tsundere young lady, Mejiro McQueen.

Even with Ms. Kusa’s extensive promotion at the school, Mejiro McQueen remained unimpressed.

However, it wasn’t that she looked down on ordinary food; after all, she usually ate in the cafeteria.

She had simply seen too many delicacies and was purely uninterested.

Lu Jue led the four to their seats and winked at Rice Shower, signaling her to present the menu to the guests and provide necessary explanations.

Eishin Flash and Taiki Shuttle consciously went to get the tableware.

“Let’s have two servings of this Crystal Shrimp Jelly, and also this… Red Wine Pear?” Mejiro Grandmother was clearly a bit confused.

“This is an appetizer that perfectly combines the mellow aroma of red wine with the refreshing sweetness of snow pear,” Rice Shower explained. “The alcohol content is not high, so you won’t feel dizzy after drinking it.”

After she finished speaking, she looked at Lu Jue, who gave her an encouraging look.

“Then let’s have two servings of this dish too.” Mejiro Grandmother smiled at Rice Shower, then continued looking at the menu, “For hot dishes, I’ll order Furong Egg Flower Crab…”

After Mejiro Grandmother finished ordering, she handed the menu to the other three.

Mejiro Ryan and Mejiro Dober finished ordering, and finally, it was handed to Mejiro McQueen.

“Scallop Egg White Fried Rice?” Mejiro McQueen was full of doubts.

To put it plainly, wasn’t that just Egg Fried Rice? She heard from Mejiro Grandmother that Lu Jue was no less skilled than those culinary masters in the country.

But could such a simple dish also be served?

“Yes, scallops are dried scallops. The umami of the scallops enhances the overall flavor of the fried rice, and the egg whites, when stir-fried, have a tender and smooth texture, forming a contrast with the texture of the rice.” Rice Shower spoke with increasing confidence, much more fluently than before.

It was evident that she had put in a lot of effort last night.

Lu Jue hadn’t taught her any of this; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been standing by, ready to step in at any moment.

“I see…” Mejiro McQueen nodded. After hesitating for a moment, she still didn’t order it, only getting dessert and drinks.

“McQueen, are you not having a main course?” Mejiro Ryan asked.

“Hmm, I made plans with a friend to go to a festival, so I might eat something else later. I want to save some room.”

“Alright, please wait a moment then.” Lu Jue collected the menu and walked towards the kitchen with Rice Shower.

...

Before entering the kitchen, Lu Jue patted Rice Shower’s head.

“Rice Shower, you were great today.”

Upon receiving the praise, Rice Shower’s eyes and brows curved with a smile.

However, when she looked up, she found that Lu Jue wasn’t looking at her. Instead, he withdrew his hand and walked directly into the kitchen.

That back… why did it feel like Oni-chan was angry?

Did she do something wrong? It couldn’t be Rice Shower’s fault, could it? Oni-chan had just praised her.

Rice Shower, puzzled, followed him in.

“Oni-chan…” As soon as she entered the kitchen, she froze in place, closing her mouth just in time.

Lu Jue had already begun preparing the dishes, his movements so skilled and swift that Rice Shower felt like she was watching an art performance.

Rice Shower didn’t dare to disturb him, only quietly stepping a few paces closer to see if there was anything she could help with later.

However, at that moment, she heard Lu Jue’s buzzing murmur, like a mosquito.

“You like eating snacks, but you don’t like eating the food I make, right? You chose to eat snacks, right? You’re not interested in my class, right?”

The resentment was so strong that Rice Shower could feel it even from two body lengths away.

Oni-chan was really angry… or rather, anxious?

She stifled a laugh, never expecting Lu Jue to have such a cute side.

“O-Oni-chan…” Rice Shower tentatively called out.

“Oh, Rice Shower, why did you come in?”

Lu Jue turned his head and saw Rice Shower; the resentment on his face instantly vanished, replaced by a sunny smile.

Rice Shower had heard of face-changing, a national treasure of the Dragon Kingdom, but she never expected to see it without going abroad.

“Is there…” Rice Shower swallowed. Lu Jue’s face was clearly turned towards her, but his hands were still deftly chopping vegetables.

Her voice slowly weakened. “Is there anything Mimi can help Oni-chan with?”

“Not for now. Mimi can go rest for a bit, or continue observing and learning.”

“Okay, okay.” Rice Shower’s expression was a bit unnatural.

Why did Oni-chan suddenly call her “Mimi”?

Hmm… did he learn it from Uralala? Because Uralala sometimes called her that too.

It just felt a little strange.

...

The appetizers could be served first. After preparing them, Lu Jue called Nu Tao.

“Mr. Lu Jue, do you have any instructions?” Nu Tao had been idle for a while, lost in thought.

“Serve these dishes to the guests first.”

“Okay, okay~”

“Slow down, don’t spill them… Otherwise, I’ll punish you by making you recite tongue twisters, or cut off the ahoge on your head, hehe.” Lu Jue grinned, making a scissor gesture with his fingers, performing the “cut” action.

Evil Lu Jue, bullying Nu Tao online.

“So scary!!! ヽ(*＞Д＜)o゜” Nu Tao pushed the cart and left, the clumsy girl still muttering about not tripping on flat ground.

“Rice Shower.”

“Here!” Rice Shower tensed her body, the little Uma Musume standing at attention.

“Uh… no need to be so nervous.”

“You scared me, I thought Oni-chan was going to punish me too.”

“It’s not impossible…” Lu Jue accidentally blurted out what was on his mind.

“Huh?”

“It’s nothing, nothing. Help me wash the ingredients over there.”

“Okay~”

Rice Shower picked up the ingredients and went to the sink. When she turned her eyes, Lu Jue was again working with a body full of resentment.

...