Chapter 79: Like Nourishes Like

While preparations were in full swing at the hospital, Zhong Xiao was also making the most of her time in her space, harvesting without restraint.

Just as she had expected, when she entered the space again, her merit points were already sufficient to unlock more system functions.

[Ding! Detected that 156 lives have been saved, totaling 1560 merit points. Please select a system function to exchange.]

[Auto-Slaughter — After poultry in the space matures, it will be slaughtered and frozen automatically. You can customize the number of live poultry to keep, and any extra will be sent for slaughter.]

[Auto-Processing — The processing workshop in the space, complete with recipes, such as turning wheat into flour.]

[Chef’s Blessing — Grants the host culinary skills, currently up to level three, Senior Chef.]

[Healer’s Touch — Grants the host medical skills, currently up to level one, Junior Physician.]

[Library Pavilion — Includes future technology information, lost crafts (such as ancient brewing techniques), exam question banks (not yet unlocked).]

[…]

There were plenty of other functions below, but most were still locked. Zhong Xiao didn’t bother to look through them all now—she could always explore them later as she accumulated more merit points.

So, she used her current merit points to unlock Auto-Slaughter, Auto-Processing, Chef’s Blessing (Level Three), and Healer’s Touch (Level One).

And just like that, she’d spent it all.

How quickly it all went, Zhong Xiao thought to herself.

After choosing the space functions, Zhong Xiao waited inside for a while. In less than ten minutes, five pigs, three cows, two sheep, and a flock of chickens had been slaughtered.

She set the number of live poultry in the space—no matter how much they reproduced, only three males and three females of each type would be kept; the rest were sent to the auto-slaughterhouse.

After unlocking this function, a cold storage unit appeared in the space, chilling to the bone just by approaching it.

There was a transparent panel outside, listing the types and amounts of meat inside.

Zhong Xiao could select any item, and it would be brought out from the cold storage.

She calculated briefly—tonight, she would make Spirit Spring Poached Chicken, Steamed Bass, and Crab Casserole for Jiang Yuan and Song Yanzhou, with some water spinach stir-fried as a side.

After taking all these ingredients from her space, Zhong Xiao was suddenly seized by an unfamiliar impulse.

She just wanted to pick up a knife and spatula and start cooking right away.

In the past, Zhong Xiao had no talent for cooking. After all, she had been a pampered young lady, never so much as touching kitchen water with her fingers.

After her fall from grace, she had no ingredients, let alone the opportunity to cook.

But at this moment, facing the fish on the chopping board, she felt as if she’d been preparing fish for ten years. She picked up the knife—one swift motion.

She struck the fish’s head with the knife’s spine, descaled it, and washed it clean.

With scissors, she slit open the fish from the vent to just below the gills, removed the innards, and pulled out the gills.

She cleared away the blood and any remaining organs.

Next came the knife work, rubbing salt to remove any fishy odor, and stuffing ginger and scallion into the belly and cuts. She set it aside to marinate for ten minutes.

During this time, Zhong Xiao boiled water in a pot and began to prepare the chicken and crab.

The whole chicken (or legs) went into cold water with ginger, scallions, and cooking wine.

She whipped up a quick sauce: minced garlic, chili oil, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, Sichuan pepper powder, and sesame oil.

The meat crab (or blue crab) she cut into pieces, coated with starch, and fried until golden.

She stir-fried the base sauce, added seasonings, simmered, and reduced it.

While this was happening, Zhong Xiao slipped the fish into the steamer, placing scallions and chopsticks underneath. Once steamed, she poured hot oil over the fish.

In just an hour and a half, the whole Song household was filled with a delicious aroma.

Even Jiang Yuan, who was resting in her room, followed the scent downstairs. Seeing Zhong Xiao bustling about in the kitchen, and the array of vibrant, fragrant dishes, Jiang Yuan’s mouth fell open.

“Xiao Xiao, did you make all this… by yourself?”

Zhong Xiao smiled proudly.

“Yes.”

She had to admit, she was amazing!

No, actually, her space was amazing!

Zhong Xiao led Jiang Yuan out of the kitchen. “There’s too much smoke and grease in here, sister-in-law. Wait outside, I’ll just stir-fry the water spinach, and then we can call Big Brother Song to eat together.”

Just as she finished speaking, the front door opened and Song Tingshen stepped in.

The moment he entered, Song Tingshen was greeted by the rich aroma of home-cooked food.

No, he had already caught a whiff of it downstairs.

He’d assumed it was a neighbor making dinner, but to his surprise, it was his own home.

Jiang Yuan greeted him, “Tingshen, you’re back? Perfect timing, Xiao Xiao has cooked up a feast. Let’s eat together.”

Song Tingshen’s brows lifted slightly.

“You cooked all this?” he looked toward Zhong Xiao.

Her eyes sparkled with pride and appreciation for her own cooking skills.

“Yes, Commander Song, come and try some.”

Song Tingshen withdrew his gaze, glancing at the kitchen. “Let’s eat later. Comrade Zhong Xiao, Commander Song has invited you to dinner tonight.”

“Huh?” Zhong Xiao was puzzled. “Commander Song? Where?”

“At the military district canteen. The cooks and guards have already gone out to buy supplies. They’re preparing the meal now. Commander Song sent me to invite you.”

Jiang Yuan looked from Song Tingshen to the dazed Zhong Xiao.

Quickly recovering, she gave Zhong Xiao a little push toward Song Tingshen.

By instinct, Song Tingshen reached out, steadying Zhong Xiao by the shoulder.

Having just come in from outside, his body was still warm; his palm radiated heat. Even through the fabric, Zhong Xiao could feel his temperature—hotter than most.

Song Tingshen quickly released her, but the lingering softness against his palm made his breath deepen imperceptibly. He discreetly clenched his fist.

Jiang Yuan’s voice rang out behind them with a laugh, “Go on, Xiao Xiao, don’t worry. Your carefully prepared dishes will be enjoyed slowly by your big brother and me. You go have some fun with Tingshen—the food in our canteen is excellent.”

Zhong Xiao glanced back. Jiang Yuan winked at her playfully.

With a helpless smile, Zhong Xiao gave in and reminded Jiang Yuan, “There’s a kettle of water in the kitchen—before the crab casserole is done, add some to the pot, it’ll taste even better.”

That was the Spirit Spring water she’d brought from her space.

Although the crab, fish, and chicken had all grown up drinking Spirit Spring water—and were already packed with restorative power—Zhong Xiao thought a little more wouldn’t hurt. Who knew, maybe it would double the effect.

Jiang Yuan nodded, “Alright, don’t worry, you go ahead.”

“And the crab,” Zhong Xiao added, “make sure Big Brother eats plenty. Crabs have eight legs—eat them to strengthen your limbs.”

Jiang Yuan paused, then burst out laughing when she realized what Zhong Xiao meant, clutching her waist in mirth.

“Xiao Xiao, you’re too funny, hahahahaha—”

Beside them, Song Tingshen lowered his gaze, the faintest hint of a smile touching his lips where no one could see.

By the time he looked up, the smile was gone, his expression cool and indifferent once more.

“Let’s go,” he said.