Under the night sky.
The restaurant's sign was particularly eye-catching under the illumination of the lights.
Inside, the place was bustling with activity, every table filled with delighted diners.
Head Chef Ye Chen.
Had just completed an exquisite French foie gras dish.
Without a moment's delay, he began washing his kitchen knife with warm water.
The flowing water gently caressed the blade, washing away the faint traces left from slicing the foie gras.
After cleaning, he dried it with a knife cloth.
The sharp kitchen knife then gleamed with an intimidating cold light.
The blade was like a mirror, clearly reflecting Ye Chen's handsome face. His well-defined features, deep bright eyes, and the confident slight smile at the corner of his mouth made him look incredibly charming!
...
Unexpectedly.
At this seemingly ordinary moment.
A mysterious ripple suddenly stirred within the restaurant.
Ye Chen stood quietly, his body beginning to emit soft white specks of light without any warning.
Upon closer inspection of his deep, bright eyes, they too underwent a dramatic transformation.
It could be seen.
That the black pupils began to rotate rapidly.
And the speed increased steadily, with the pupils faintly beginning to glow as well.
Initially.
The light was extremely faint.
Like the weak twinkling of distant stars in the night sky, barely perceptible.
However, as time passed, the light gradually grew brighter until it fully manifested, taking on a peculiar snowflake-like shape.
Seeing Ye Chen enveloped in white light and his pupils transformed into snowflake shapes, Bocuse, who had just finished eating the Roast Whole Pig and was still craving more, instantly widened his eyes in shock.
...
After a brief moment of astonishment.
A strong feeling surged within Bocuse.
He hurriedly rushed over to Ye Chen in quick steps, each stride filled with a mix of panic and tension.
Finally.
He reached Ye Chen's side.
Instinctively, he reached out to gently pat Ye Chen's shoulder, hoping to rouse him from this mysterious state.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he touched his shoulder, a piercing cold instantly transmitted from his fingertips, like a sharp ice blade stabbing straight into his marrow.
Bocuse shuddered from the sudden chill, reflexively jerking his hand back.
"Huh?"
Ye Chen suddenly snapped awake.
The snowflake shape in his eyes immediately vanished.
At the same time, his bright eyes returned to their usual calm and depth.
He was slightly taken aback, then looked towards the utterly incredulous Bocuse beside him, his gaze revealing a hint of confusion and bewilderment.
Bocuse stood there dumbfounded, his eyes full of terror, likely understanding what had just happened!
...
In the real world.
Humans do not exhibit such bizarre light effects or ocular changes.
This mysterious phenomenon easily brings to mind supernatural powers, magic, or unknown mystical occurrences, giving off an aura of mystery and elusiveness.
However.
The anomaly that appeared on Ye Chen.
Hinted that he might possess some unknown Special Ability.
After paying the bill and stepping out of the small restaurant, Bocuse stared blankly at his fingers beginning to form tiny ice crystals, suddenly lost in a whirlwind of thoughts!
"Special Ability?"
"Is it some kind of super visual power?"
"Or is it some kind of super tactile ability that can stimulate physical potential through touching kitchen utensils?"
"Huh?"
"No, no."
Bocuse murmured to himself, then seemed to have an epiphany: "That bone-chilling cold, and the snowflake-like light appearing in his eyes... Could it be... the special ability he awakened is freely controlling ice?"
"That's not right either. In my memory, no such special ability exists in this world."
"Unless..."
Suddenly, Bocuse's face showed astonishment: "His special ability is temperature control."
"It's just that he just awakened and doesn't know how to control it properly, causing the temperature to drop sharply and create that bone-chilling cold!"
...
Recently.
In the food science journal "Delicious,"
a research report from the University of Arkansas's Food Science Department was published, showing that: The temperature of food can not only change its texture but also alter people's emotional responses to soup and other foods.
For example, saltiness is most preferred at 55℃, while "garlic aroma" reaches its peak at 40℃.
From common life knowledge.
Different serving temperatures can make food flavors more complex.
The same ingredients, processed at different temperatures and served at different temperatures, will present different flavors.
That is to say.
Taste isn't just about sensing sweet, sour, bitter, and salty through different areas of the tongue.
Smell also multiplies different flavors, stimulating taste buds.
Conversely.
Controlling temperature
can also help suppress the release of unpleasant food odors.
This is why some foods taste better when cold - humans can clearly perceive how food temperature affects flavor.
"This is absolutely incredible!"
"If he can truly control temperature at will, then any ingredient in his hands would become treasure."
Bocuse sighed deeply.
After all, Ye Chen already possessed Fantasy Ingredients like Jewel Meat and Roast Whole Pig.
And now he had awakened this special ability - Bocuse couldn't even imagine how terrifying Ye Chen would become in the future!
...
Preparing ingredients:
1 Scare Apple (only Lv1), along with jujubes, goji berries, white fungus, etc.
Oh!
And rock sugar too.
Soak the white fungus in warm water for half hour in advance.
Then remove the yellow stem part and tear into small pieces by hand - the finer you tear it, the faster it will release its gelatinous texture.
Next, peel the Scare Apple and cut into small pieces, then put some white fungus, jujubes, and goji berries into the pot, adding sufficient water all at once.
Simmer over low heat.
After cooking, add rock sugar until dissolved.
Thus, the homemade sweet soup dish made primarily with white fungus, jujubes, and apples, supplemented by goji berries and rock sugar:
White Fungus Jujube Scare Apple Soup · New Version, is complete!
...
This soup
contains three main ingredients: Scare Apple, white fungus, and jujubes.
Among these, the flavor, texture, and effects of Scare Apple naturally need no explanation, while white fungus can moisturize lungs and jujubes have calming properties.
Such a bowl of apple sweet soup would be perfect for nourishing the weakened Nakiri Mana's body.
The finished product
presents a thick, gelatinous state.
The broth is sticky, plump, and richly aromatic.
"Mmm~"
"Smells so fragrant!"
Leaning closer, she twitched her nose and sniffed.
When that rich apple fragrance wafted into her nostrils, the impatient Nakiri Mana couldn't help but close her eyes and sigh in admiration.
"Mana-sama, please taste my cooking."
"After all, this is my first time making dessert soup with Scare Apple, so... I'd like to hear your opinion."
Anne said expectantly.
"Alright!"
"Then I'll begin!"
Hearing this, Nakiri Mana directly picked up the bowl of snow fungus red date apple soup and took a small sip.