Lu Jue carried both the main course and the soup onto the dining cart and personally pushed it out.

If a dish's perfect score was 100, then Lu Jue could confidently say that the dishes he had prepared could score 99 points.

Not perfect, but already close to perfection... such cuisine would allow those with a discerning eye to see a fleeting glimmer of light.

"All done, let's go, Mimi."

"Oh~"

"My apologies, I kept you waiting."

Lu Jue stopped, elegantly lifting the plate.

The moment it was uncovered, a flash of light shimmered, making everyone think it was an illusion. Immediately after, a warm aroma permeated the air, and everyone saw the true appearance behind the light.

"Gulp--" Mejiro Ryan and Mejiro Dober swallowed their saliva in unison.

"I never thought I'd have the chance to eat such a dish!" Mejiro Grandmother's voice became excited; the elder had lived long enough to understand a few things.

"Then... please enjoy your meal."

Before Lu Jue left, he inadvertently glanced at Mejiro McQueen again. Interestingly, her gaze was also fixed on him.

Their eyes met, and a silent war without smoke quietly began.

"These rice grains are so crystal clear, I almost don't want to eat them." Mejiro Dober held her spoon, swallowing several times, but still couldn't bring herself to take a bite.

"Dober, opportunities to taste such delicious food are rare. It's a good thing I came today. Teacher Lu's cooking skills have improved even further."

Mejiro Grandmother could no longer hold back, disregarding her composed image in front of her juniors. With just one bite, she was immersed in another wonderful world.

Mejiro Dober and Mejiro Ryan were the same. Having never tasted such exquisite food, their tongues had even less resistance to deliciousness.

With just one bite, they both showed expressions of intoxication and lingering pleasure.

After the fantasy ended, all three of them simultaneously looked at the steaming Ginseng Black Chicken Soup in the center.

What kind of sparks would ignite if the rice was mixed with the soup and eaten together?

"Did Teacher Lu even consider this step...?"

Grandmother tremblingly picked up her soup spoon, and Mejiro Ryan and Mejiro Dober were not to be outdone.

All their etiquette and manners were thrown to the back of their minds at this moment.

Mejiro McQueen watched this scene and actually felt that the desserts and drinks in front of her were so meager.

The moment she smelled the aroma of the rice, she realized something was amiss.

Please... she wanted to try it too...

"Ryan... can I have a taste?" Mejiro McQueen asked, feeling embarrassed.

"No way, I feel like I don't even have enough for myself."

Mejiro McQueen then turned her gaze to Mejiro Dober, who ungracefully guarded her plate with both hands.

Finally, Mejiro McQueen looked at her grandmother... who had already almost finished.

Before delicious food, everyone is equal.

Grandmother saw through Mejiro McQueen's thoughts, "McQueen, if you want to eat, go and talk to Teacher Lu now. If it's past the reservation time, he might only prepare for the next customer."

"I, I understand..."

"Oni-chan, Rice Shower saw a flash just now." In the kitchen, Rice Shower was still speaking to Lu Jue with an incredulous expression about what she had just witnessed, "Was that my illusion? Did you see it, big brother?"

"A flash? Then does Rice Shower need to get her eyes checked? I know a place..."

"Oni-chan!" Rice Shower was a little exasperated. She hadn't even realized it herself, but she had actually interrupted Lu Jue's words.

But Lu Jue wasn't annoyed; instead, he was somewhat indulgent, "Alright, I'll tell you then. Why do you have to bite, you know?"

"That wasn't your illusion just now. When you make a dish to the extreme..."

Then, Lu Jue began to explain some knowledge that one would only know after deeply studying the culinary arts.

Rice Shower listened, half understanding, but in short, she understood that Lu Jue was very amazing.

Just as Lu Jue was about to continue explaining, the kitchen door was suddenly knocked. It was Nu Tao.

"What's wrong, Nu Tao?"

"Mr. Lu Jue, Miss Mejiro McQueen is looking for you."

"Where is she?" Lu Jue's heart stirred. Oh~ it seemed he had won.

"She's right outside."

"Alright, I'll be right there."

Lu Jue walked out of the kitchen and saw Mejiro McQueen after turning the corner.

Coming to find him on her own initiative, that was quite sincere.

"Miss McQueen, is there something you need?" Lu Jue asked, feigning ignorance.

"Teacher, Teacher Lu... could you make another Scallop Egg White Fried Rice?" Mejiro McQueen said with difficulty.

The two of them hadn't formally conversed many times; one could even say they were only slightly more than strangers.

But privately, they had exchanged glances several times.

"Oh? Let me check the time..." Lu Jue pretended to be troubled, teasing the little Uma Musume again, "It might be a bit too late."

"Is there really no way?" Mejiro McQueen remembered her grandmother's words: miss this village, and there might not be this shop.

How exactly could she get to eat it...?

"Miss McQueen isn't having snacks anymore?" Lu Jue no longer hid his intentions, a hint of playfulness in his eyes.

Mejiro McQueen turned her head, guiltily saying, "My friend suddenly canceled our shopping trip, so I'm not eating them."

This guy, he must be holding a grudge because of what happened earlier, right? Hmph, she would never admit it.

And... this guy's gaze was so annoying. But she really wanted to eat it.

Lu Jue's mischievous desire was satisfied, so he no longer made things difficult for McQueen.

He was afraid that if he pushed her further, she would become desperate and refuse to eat out of spite.

Lu Jue was very adept at handling the delicate balance with a tsundere.

"Alright, then I'll prepare it for Miss McQueen right now. Please wait a moment."

"Okay... you go quickly."

This time, Lu Jue didn't make it as quickly as before. However, he still aimed to give Mejiro McQueen the ultimate enjoyment.

"Done." Lu Jue clapped his hands, his movements fluid and effortless.

Rice Shower watched the rice on Lu Jue's plate with longing eyes, her throat bobbing.

"Mimi, this isn't for you. If you want to eat, I'll make it for you later."

"Okay, I understand." With that "Mimi," she felt like she was being treated like a pet again.