Chapter 240 Cook Ning Rongrong
"Yuhao, come to my room tonight."
Qian Renxue's voice quietly reached Huo Yuhao's ears through telepathy.
Her voice, though soft, was like a fine needle, piercing through the surrounding noise and reaching directly into Huo Yuhao's mind.
Her voice carried an undeniable air of command, yet it was also gentle.
Huo Yuhao's gaze then turned to the direction Qian Renxue had left in.
Although she had disappeared from sight, her image remained vividly in Huo Yuhao's mind.
Although he couldn't see Qian Renxue's face, Huo Yuhao could sense from her voice and her gait that Qian Renxue was in a very good mood at the moment.
Her steps were light, full of anticipation and joy.
As for why Huo Yuhao could sense Qian Renxue's feelings, it's probably because they were kindred spirits.
There seemed to be an unspoken understanding between them, as if an invisible thread connected their hearts.
This feeling allowed Huo Yuhao to accurately perceive Qian Renxue's emotional changes on many occasions, just like now, when he could feel her inner joy.
Qian Renxue naturally knew that Huo Yuhao had come to Tiandou City to find her. She wasn't surprised by his arrival; on the contrary, she felt a sense of anticipation.
The reason why Huo Yuhao is currently with Xue Beng and Xue Xing is probably because Yuhao has a new plan in mind.
Huo Yuhao is always like this; he takes every step with careful consideration and makes every decision after thorough deliberation.
Qian Renxue had unwavering faith in Huo Yuhao's wisdom and abilities. She knew that whatever Huo Yuhao's plan was, it was for their shared goals and future.
However, Huo Yuhao and Qian Renxue knew this, but Xue Beng and Xue Xingwang, who were standing nearby, did not.
They knew nothing of Huo Yuhao's true intentions, simply regarding him as a resource or a potential ally.
They noticed that Huo Yuhao's gaze was fixed on Xue Qinghe's back, which made Xue Beng's heart skip a beat.
Huo Yuhao's gaze on "Xue Qinghe" made him feel uneasy, but he absolutely could not let Huo Yuhao's attention be focused on Xue Qinghe.
Xuexing and Xuebeng exchanged glances, as if conveying a tacit understanding in silence. Then, they acted almost simultaneously, as if it were a perfectly coordinated effort that had been rehearsed countless times.
Huo Yuhao felt a gentle hand pat his shoulder.
He turned around and saw a familiar face—Xue Beng, who was holding a drink with a fawning smile and carefully offering it to Huo Yuhao.
"Your Majesty, the journey to the Prince's residence is long. Please have a drink to soothe your throat." Xue Beng's voice was full of respect and eagerness.
Huo Yuhao looked at Xue Beng's expectant face and did not refuse.
As the saying goes, one cannot hit a smiling face, and faced with such thoughtful hospitality from Xue Beng, he found it difficult to refuse. So, he smiled and accepted the drink from Xue Beng's hand.
As for whether Avalanche would dare to poison the drink, Huo Yuhao was confident.
After all, Avalanche isn't stupid; how could it dare to poison something inside?
However, even if Xue Beng really dared to tamper with the drinks, Huo Yuhao was not worried at all.
Huo Yuhao's gaze fell on the drink in his hand again. He found that the drink had a very unique appearance, with bright colors and an enticing aroma.
The beverage in the glass has a soft pinkish-white color, reminiscent of the color of peach blossoms in early spring, which evokes the image of peach petals swaying gently in the breeze.
This drink is not only visually appealing, but also exudes a refreshing peach blossom fragrance, as if it can transport you to a fragrant paradise.
And within this aroma, there is also a hint of almond fragrance. The two aromas intertwine to form a unique fragrance that is intoxicating.
Huo Yuhao carefully brought the cup to his lips, closed his eyes, and savored the drink.
The moment it entered his mouth, he felt a hint of sweetness, a sweetness that was clear and pure, without any impurities, sweet but not cloying.
Huo Yuhao savored it carefully. He tasted the peach juice, the slight bitterness of the almonds, and the richness of the milk. These flavors blended in his mouth, creating an indescribable and wonderful taste.
Avalanche stood aside, witnessing the entire process of Huo Yuhao tasting the beverage. A satisfied smile appeared on his face.
However, before the avalanche's smile could fully unfold, a familiar voice shattered the tranquility.
Ning Rongrong lay lazily on a chair not far away, her eyes half-closed and a mischievous smile playing on her lips. She said languidly, "Hey, little rascal, after all these years, you're still so clueless! Where's my drink?"
Ning Rongrong's words instantly brought Xue Beng's thoughts back to the past, and the days when he was bullied by Ning Rongrong flashed through his mind like a movie.
He remembered those humiliations, and the times when Ning Rongrong teased him.
But now, he does need Huo Yuhao's help, and he can't ruin the relationship he's worked so hard to build because of a momentary impulse.
So, Xue Beng suppressed his dissatisfaction and turned to prepare drinks for Ning Rongrong, even though his heart was filled with helplessness and resentment.
Xue Beng was filled with resentment and anger. He muttered to himself, "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, never underestimate a young man's potential. Just wait until I become emperor..."
However, Xue Beng soon realized that even if he were to one day sit on the throne of the Tian Dou Empire, he would still feel helpless in the face of Ning Rongrong.
Ning Rongrong is not only the apple of the eye of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, but this school also holds a transcendent position on the continent.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is not only financially powerful, but also wields profound influence in politics and military affairs.
What made Avalanche even more helpless was that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School had already formed an alliance with the powerful Spirit Hall.
The Spirit Hall, a behemoth that almost no one on the Douluo Continent dared to challenge, harbored countless Title Douluos and powerful Soul Masters. Xue Beng knew all too well that even if he became the emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, he would have no chance of contending with the Spirit Hall.
Behind Ning Rongrong, there are two titled Douluo with unfathomable strength as her protectors.
Making an enemy of Ning Rongrong is tantamount to making an enemy of the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, and may even incur the wrath of the Spirit Hall.
Avalanche sadly discovered that his revenge plan had come to an end before it had even truly begun.
Avalanche was filled with frustration; perhaps he would never be able to avenge himself.
After all, not only herself, but even her father, the Great Emperor Xueye, couldn't do anything to Ning Rongrong.
However, Xue Beng is now a "mature" prince, so naturally he wouldn't get caught up in these matters with Ning Rongrong.
Watching Xue Beng go to get a drink, Huo Yuhao raised an eyebrow, turned his gaze to Ning Rongrong, and asked the question that had been puzzling him: "By the way, do you two know each other?"
Ning Rongrong felt a little flustered when she heard Huo Yuhao's question. She didn't want Huo Yuhao to know how naughty and mischievous she had been as a child; she preferred to bury those "bad deeds" deep in her heart.
So she quickly changed the subject, trying to divert Huo Yuhao's attention from that awkward question.
"Oh, Yuhao, those were all trivial matters from the past, not worth mentioning, really."
Ning Rongrong adopted a relaxed demeanor, trying to mask her inner unease with a lighthearted tone, "By the way, let me introduce this drink to you."
Then, Ning Rongrong pointed to the drink in the glass and began to explain in detail: "This drink is called Peach Blossom Dew, and it is one of the specialty snacks of Tiandou City. The ingredients used to make it are very unique, including peach blossom tea, peach juice, and carefully selected almond paste. These ingredients, when mixed together, not only have a unique taste, but also have certain health benefits."
Ning Rongrong continued to explain, "The process of making this beverage is also very particular. First, the peach blossom tea needs to be brewed at a specific water temperature to ensure that the tea is fragrant; the peach juice must be made from the freshest peaches to ensure the sweetness of the juice; as for the almond paste, it must be finely ground and blended to ensure that its texture is delicate and that it blends perfectly with the other ingredients."
Then, as if she had just thought of something, Ning Rongrong added, "Moreover, the preparation of this drink is also very particular."
As Huo Yuhao listened to Ning Rongrong's story, his curiosity was completely piqued.
He savored a sip of peach blossom dew, feeling its unique flavor slowly unfold in his mouth. Then, with a hint of inquiry, he asked, "What's so special about it?"
Ning Rongrong smiled slightly, seemingly satisfied with Huo Yuhao's reaction.
She began to explain in detail the production process of peach blossom dew, from the selection of ingredients to the blending, leaving no detail overlooked.
She described how to pick peach blossoms in a specific season, how to gather fresh peaches in the early morning, and the precise temperature and time control required in the making of almond butter.
"First, we need to brew tea. The tea we brew is peach blossom tea, made from carefully picked peach leaves in early spring when the peach blossoms are in full bloom. These leaves are processed into tea through a special process. The roasting process of these teas is particularly unique, as they are roasted entirely using peach trees as fuel. Therefore, the aroma of peach blossoms is fully locked into the tea leaves, making the peach blossom flavor very rich."
"After the tea is brewed, patiently wait for it to cool naturally. Then, mix it with freshly squeezed peach juice. Pour the mixture back into the kettle and simmer it over low heat. This allows the flavors of the tea and peach juice to meld together more fully."
"In the final stage of boiling, add carefully selected almond paste and a suitable amount of honey to enhance the flavor and complexity. Finally, pour the prepared mixture into a mold and refrigerate it in the freezer for several hours. This is how you make a perfect peach blossom syrup."
Huo Yuhao nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face. "It does sound complicated, but why do you remember these things so clearly? Did you cook before?"
Hearing Huo Yuhao's questioning, Ning Rongrong immediately became displeased. She straightened her back and said with a hint of pride, "Yuhao, what do you mean by that? Do I look like someone who never lifts a finger? I've had a strong interest in cooking since I was a child, and I often learned various cooking techniques from the chef in my family."
Then, Ning Rongrong began to recall: "I remember once, I tried to make a peach blossom tea with fresh peach blossoms and peaches. My dad, Grandpa Jian, and Grandpa Gutou all praised it after tasting it. They all said that my cooking tasted especially like home. From then on, I became even more passionate about studying cooking."
Seeing Ning Rongrong pouting, Huo Yuhao suddenly had the urge to tease her.
"Okay, Rongrong, since you're such a good cook, but you haven't shown me your skills in all these years, do you not love me anymore?"
Huo Yuhao said half-jokingly and half-seriously, with a hint of coquetry in his tone.
Ning Rongrong's face flashed with embarrassment upon hearing this. She hadn't expected Huo Yuhao to pull this stunt at this moment.
She felt a little flustered and didn't know how to respond. Ning Rongrong's cooking skills were indeed good, but that was in theory. In reality, she had tried cooking a few times, and the results were all laughable.
She remembered one time when she enthusiastically prepared a table of dishes, wanting to give Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo a surprise.
However, the consequences of that meal were disastrous. Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo groaned in pain all night after eating her cooking, and ultimately had to call a healing-type Soul Master to detoxify them. This incident left a deep impression on Ning Rongrong, and instilled in her a profound fear of cooking.
However, Ning Rongrong didn't know what to say. She couldn't very well tell Huo Yuhao that her cooking had almost knocked out both Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo. If Huo Yuhao found out, where would she put her face? She didn't want to leave Huo Yuhao with the image of a "kitchen killer."
So, Ning Rongrong accepted the task of cooking for Huo Yuhao without hesitation. She thought to herself, "Anyway, Huo Yuhao is in such good health, so there shouldn't be anything wrong, right?" She tried to ease her anxiety with this self-comforting method.
Ning Rongrong decided to be extra careful this time. She resolved to study recipes carefully and consult with experienced chefs. She hoped to cook a meal that would satisfy Huo Yuhao and prove that she wasn't completely incapable of cooking.
For some reason, looking at Ning Rongrong, who was full of confidence, Huo Yuhao suddenly had an ominous premonition.
It's just a cup of peach blossom tea, it shouldn't, probably, there shouldn't be any problems...
(End of chapter)