The little boy had been looking forward to Lu Mingming's reward for days, diligently guarding the fields.
Today, as usual, he went to inspect them and suddenly saw that the potato sprouts in the field had yellow leaves, their stems drooping powerlessly, appearing half-dead.
The little cub was terrified and immediately ran to call Lu Mingming.
Lu Mingming practically ran to the potato field.
Due to the chief's widespread announcement, the local Blue Stars knew about the peculiar actions of these outsiders, especially their concern for potatoes, which they considered poisonous, finding it utterly incomprehensible.
When this incident occurred, a group of Blue Stars gathered around the fence to watch the show.
Besides the Blue Stars, the backs of Orlanar and Lu Yan's heads were very conspicuous in the crowd.
These two men had never worked in the fields before. They knew what potatoes were when cooked, but they didn't know how to plant them, and they stood there anxiously.
Orlanar, being clever, contacted an agricultural expert from the Alliance using his comlink to inquire about potatoes. Unfortunately, the explanation was too brief, and they were talking past each other.
The Blue Stars pointed at the withered sprouts in the potato field:
"This has happened again! After this batch withers, a new batch will immediately grow, and the potato fields will expand even further. What can be done?"
"Yes, it's too troublesome to solve. They grow wherever you throw them!"
"Alas, let's hope the other vegetables are not affected by this so-called potato and become poisonous."
"What about Sister Mingming? This is your hard work."
The little boy was more anxious than Lu Mingming, stomping his feet on the spot, feeling frustrated by the potato sprouts.
Seeing the potato field before her, Lu Mingming breathed a sigh of relief.
"It'll be fine."
Lu Mingming patted the soft hair on the little cub's head, which was as smooth as brocade woven with fine silk threads, causing the little cub to look up at her in confusion.
"This is normal."
Lu Mingming squatted down to explain to the little cub, who had red eyes.
"Actually, we can find someone to dig out the potatoes today. If we wait any longer, all these potatoes will start sprouting."
"Really? You're not just comforting me, are you?"
The little boy sniffled.
He had been guarding the little potatoes for the past few days, and with a sense of responsibility, he had treated them as precious treasures, developing a bit of affection for them.
"Really, why would Sister lie to you?"
Lu Mingming softened her voice and comforted him gently.
The bald man, who had been waiting for a long time, efficiently took out a shovel and raised it high in a gesture.
"Streamer Mingming, tell me where to dig, and I'll go into the field anytime!"
He had already rolled up his trouser legs and was wearing basic cloth shoes.
Lu Mingming pursed her lips and smiled, "Thank you for your trouble. I'll give you an extra bowl of potato stew with ribs later."
"There's such a good thing?! Call me more often in the future!"
The bald man broke into a smile, eager to rush into the field, more excited than a badger spotting a melon.
"Yes, please dig the first hole for me. Dig around the green shoots; the potatoes are buried in the ground."
Lu Mingming instructed.
In fact, they could be pulled out directly, but Lu Mingming was afraid that the bald man's strength would be too great and he might accidentally break the branches, which would still waste time to dig them out again.
Following Lu Mingming's command, the bald man carefully dug the soil with a small shovel.
It was his first time transitioning from a subordinate who carried guns and cannons to a laborer in the fields. His movements were slightly unfamiliar, but after two minutes, he got used to it and immediately sped up, gently uncovering the surrounding black soil.
A smooth, yellow sphere covered in damp soil gradually revealed half its head. The bald man exclaimed in surprise and continued to dig, handling it with great care, fearing he would damage the potato and jeopardize his extra meal.
"I'll help too!"
The little boy volunteered, his fair and plump little hands not afraid of getting dirty. He squatted nearby to help the bald man.
With their combined efforts, it took about six minutes to pull out a complete potato seedling.
"Streamer Mingming, look. This is a potato, right?"
The bald man showed it off with great pride.
The seedling in his hand had about 4 to 5 small potatoes, each large and plump, perfectly round.
"Yes!"
Lu Mingming brushed the dust off the surface of the potato with her palm.
"You can place them on a table to dry. I'll make a meal for everyone tonight. Remember not to get them wet or expose them to direct sunlight, or they will sprout."
Lu Mingming repeatedly reminded them.
As soon as she finished speaking, the bald man, who was eager to eat, quickly and skillfully dug up potatoes from three pits.
"Streamer Mingming, look, are these enough for tonight's meal?"
The bald man's eyes were filled with greed.
He couldn't wait!
"Enough, enough. I'll go get the ingredients for the potato stew with ribs later."
Seeing that Lu Mingming was leading the outsiders and so easily decided to try potatoes, the Blue Stars whispered among themselves.
"Do you have an antidote at home? If they get sick later, it will take a whole vat!"
"Oh dear, we advised them, but they didn't listen. We told them eating potatoes would make them sick, but they don't believe us. There's nothing we can do!"
"Yes, they need to learn from their mistakes. It's good for them to suffer a bit."
Hearing these words, the chief also worried about Lu Mingming.
She once again seriously advised, "Mingming, have you considered it further? I'm not joking; eating potatoes will really cause trouble."
Lu Mingming replied with equally firm conviction, "Please trust me. I have expertise in cooking. You can question my character, but you cannot question my culinary skills."
The chief was stunned and couldn't find a retort for a moment.
"I invite everyone to come and have dinner tonight, or just watch the excitement."
Lu Mingming smiled, revealing two sweet dimples, and greeted them warmly. The Blue Stars exchanged glances and agreed to come and see the novelty that evening.
After the basic arrangements were made, the gathered crowd gradually dispersed, leaving the outsiders standing there.
"Sister, I have medicine here. Do you want to prepare it in advance?"
The little boy had been quietly listening to the Blue Stars' words and was very worried about Lu Mingming's safety.
Lu Mingming smiled and chided, "You're really prepared early."
"I didn't expect to taste Streamer Mingming's cooking again. I didn't get enough of the cream puffs last time."
Recalling the soft, creamy texture of the cream puffs, Lu Yan was truly craving them.
During the month Lu Mingming was missing, Lu Yan tried to find chefs to replicate the cream puffs. They all said they had watched Lu Mingming's stream but couldn't achieve her success rate.
Even if they made them, they weren't quite right; it seemed Lu Mingming's cream puffs were the most delicious.
Lu Yan interrupted expressionlessly, delivering a subtle blow to Orlanar.
Orlanar's ears perked up guardedly.
Cream puffs?
Was it from the time she streamed using her secondary account?
This guy ate them??!
Orlanar's head felt like it had a pair of large cat ears, drooping sadly.
If she had said something earlier, Mingming wouldn't have been separated from him for so long, let alone have unknown wild men appear out of nowhere.
Orlanar's thoughts drifted further and further, while his face exuded a chilling aura.
Lu Yan glanced at him imperceptibly. "What's wrong? Are you angry? You really can't take a little stimulation."
If Lu Mingming didn't know Orlanar, she would have, like everyone else, thought he was furious.
This guy... is he sad?
Lu Mingming sighed inwardly, her resolve softening. She took a step closer and tugged at his sleeve, hinting, "If you want to eat them, I can make them for you when I have time."
After speaking, she subtly glanced at Orlanar.
That guy was so easily appeased; this simple sentence made the great ice mountain melt again.
She's holding my hand again...!
Orlanar gazed at the small hand holding his sleeve and let out a soft "Mm."
"Satisfied?"
Even Lu Mingming didn't realize that her voice, unintentionally softened, sounded a bit like a coo.
"...I know."
Orlanar was speechless for the first time, his ears turning red at his beloved's gentle words.
"I despise people like you. You'll end up as a woman's captive," Lu Yan scoffed from the side.
The bald man chuckled, "Boss, if you're not eating, I'll eat your share. I didn't eat much of the cream puffs last time; other chefs treated me."
"You eat...?"
Lu Yan's calm eyes shot out two invisible beams of cold light.
Although there was no killing intent, it made the bald man shiver, smelling a hint of death from those two simple words.
"Haha, no, I won't eat. I was just joking."
He immediately declared his refusal and turned his head, muttering.
"You say that about others, but you're the same."