"Wait, system, what did you just say?" Mai Ge was stunned for a moment and asked hesitantly.
"Congratulations, host! A new mission has been triggered by the three consecutive questions! Please capture a wild Flaming Chicken within 24 hours! Note that you must capture it yourself, not buy it! Reward for successful mission: a gold-edged cleaver! Unlock the ingredients and cooking utensils needed for braised chicken. Penalty for mission failure: -0.5 physical fitness points." The system repeated.
"Not this sentence, the previous one." Mai Ge shook his head.
"No." The system repeated.
"No, okay then. Looks like I had a good dream last night. I'd better focus on business today." Mai Ge smiled and gently closed the refrigerator door. He turned around, picked up a glass, poured himself some water, and took a sip to calm his nerves.
"Holy crap! This system is acting up first thing in the morning! I was so happy, and then suddenly this exciting task is thrown at me without any regard for my feelings!" Mai Ge cursed inwardly, never expecting the system to be so shameless.
No wonder he felt something was off about the system's words when he was in the trial ground yesterday. It turned out that, unlike usual, after he successfully completed the mission yesterday, the system didn't unlock the permissions to use the kitchen utensils and purchase the ingredients needed for the braised chicken. Instead, it deliberately set a trap for him to fall into today.
Flaming Chickens are level one magical beasts, and they live in the wild. Putting aside whether Mai Ge can beat a fighting rooster right now, the time allotted for completing the task within 24 hours is a huge pitfall. Does the system expect him to just casually close the restaurant and go kill chickens today?
No, he's going to catch Flaming Chicken!
Anyway, he has already felt the overwhelming anger of the diners. He wonders if some radicals will be unable to resist throwing bricks at his restaurant's windows. Losing some customers because of breaking his promise is not worth it. Although the restaurant is not short of customers now, but as a good boss who values integrity, he still can't get over this.
"The mission has been issued. The 24 hours countdown has begun. Please complete the mission as soon as possible!" The system's stern voice rang out, and then quietly added, "Also, please don't insult my intelligence."
"System, what book have you been reading lately?" Mai Ge suddenly asked quietly.
"An Actor Prepares." the system replied seriously.
"You drama queen!" Mai Ge exclaimed angrily, and looking at the 24 hours countdown that had already started ticking in his mind, he suddenly became a little anxious.
He wasn't too worried about losing to the Flaming Chickens. After all, his body had returned to normal, and with a handy weapon, taking on a Flaming Chicken shouldn't be a problem.
It's no big deal if he stands up his guests for a day. When it comes to conscience, once you get used to the pain, it stops hurting.
But he promised Amy yesterday that he would make her a meaty breakfast this morning, but now the system has completely messed things up. Even a skilled cook can't cook without rice!
"This system has not built any food production lines and cannot provide any finished food products." the system replied earnestly.
"Well... how about you go to Earth and order me some takeout? Don't worry, I definitely won't skimp on the delivery fee." Mai Ge wasn't ready to give up.
"You can't afford the errand fee for one time space teleportation." the system calmly stated.
"How much?" Mai Ge persisted.
"Fifty thousand gold coins." the system replied.
"Then let's talk about buying knives and kitchen utensils. Tell me, how much do you want?" Mai Ge rolled his eyes. Fifty thousand gold coins—he couldn't come up with that even if it killed him.
"Well…you can't afford that either." The system was already starting to sound smug.
"You win." Mai Ge pulled up a chair, sat down, and fell into deep thought.
The countdown in his mind was still ticking. Judging from the system's tone, spending money could solve the problem, but the problem was he didn't have any.
This is truly a sad story…
Is the system trying to prove that it, the one selling ingredients, is not to be trifled with, and has already begun to rebel?
It seems that catching the Flaming Chicken is a must, and those guests will definitely have to be stood up, but he doesn't want to just brush off Amy. After thinking for a while, he suddenly asked, "System, can I just buy and use the ingredients in the refrigerator?"
"This system does not recommend that you research recipes on your own. You are still a novice, and the dishes you make on your own are not up to the standard of the restaurant. They may lower the restaurant's style and cause customers to feel disgusted, and..." the system objected.
"As long as it matches the fatherly love I have for Amy, that's enough." Mai Ge put down his water glass, got up and walked towards the kitchen, tying his apron as he spoke.
"A plate of Braised Prawns and a plate of Stir-fried Green Peppers With Eggs. It's a pity I don't know how to make Red Braised Pork Belly, but a plate of sliced Braised Pork would be nice too." Mai Ge muttered to himself as he walked toward the kitchen.
"Hos..." the system tried to speak.
"System, if you keep talking nonsense, I'll never upgrade to level 2 again in my life." Mai Ge said calmly while preparing the marinated pork belly.
The system immediately fell silent.
Not much pork belly needs to be cut, because it's only enough for two people to eat for breakfast. Mai Ge deliberately cut off a little extra lean meat to avoid it being too fatty and greasy.
Put the rest in the refrigerator and let the system handle it, making sure it can still be used tomorrow morning.
"It smells so good! Daddy, what delicious food are you making?" Amy, carrying the Ugly Duckling, came downstairs at some point. She had changed into a little mage's robe, her silver hair loose, with a single ahoge sticking up. She looked at Mai Ge, who was stirring the wok, with surprise and curiosity and asked.
"Just sit there quietly and wait a bit, and you'll find out." Mai Ge said, turning to Amy with a smile.
"Okay." Amy nodded, happily sat back down, and looked expectantly toward the kitchen.
The prawns, now red, were emitting an enticing aroma. The cooking method was largely the same as that of braised chicken, but with less sugar and no side dishes. Only simple spices such as ginger, garlic, and chili were added. Soy sauce was poured in, the lid was put on, and the prawns were simmered for a while. When plating, they were arranged neatly, and a plate of delicious and flavorful braised prawns was ready.
After washing the wok, Mai Ge made a stir-fried green peppers with eggs. The golden eggs paired with the tender green peppers looked very appetizing.
The braised meat was ready. It was taken out, cut into long strips and thin slices, and served with a small dish of sour and spicy sauce. Mai Ge carried three plates of food and two bowls of white rice out of the kitchen.
"Wow, Daddy, what are all these dishes? Did you come up with them last night?" Amy asked in amazement, her eyes shining as she looked at the dishes on Mai Ge's tray.