Chapter 29: Cooking Food.
Ethan went to the kitchen, grabbed the leather subspace pouch, and pulled out the materials he had collected.
[Mana-Heart Orchid.]
[Sunfire Ginseng.]
[Moondew Lotus.]
[Verdant Spirit Grass.]
He placed all of them on the kitchen counter and stared at them for a while. He had already seen their effects through the system, but there was one problem.
"How the hell am I supposed to cook these?"
He grabbed the Mana-Heart Orchid and looked at it from different angles.
"Do I boil it? Fry it? Crush it?" He scratched his head as he looked at the other herbs.
"I have never cooked anything like this before." Before he could think any further, a translucent screen appeared in front of his eyes.
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◇ HERBAL CULINARY GUIDE ◇
═══════════════════════
[Available Materials]
└ Mana-Heart Orchid ×3
└ Sunfire Ginseng ×2
└ Moondew Lotus ×1
└ Verdant Spirit Grass ×5
─────────────────────
[Recommended Recipes]
└ Mana-Nourishing Soup
└ Sunfire Ginseng Porridge
└ Moondew Lotus Tea
└ Verdant Herb Dumplings
─────────────────────
◇ MANA-NOURISHING SOUP ◇
[Required Ingredients]
└ Mana-Heart Orchid ×2
└ Verdant Spirit Grass ×2
└ Water: 500 ml
[Instructions]
└ Step 1: Wash the Mana-Heart Orchids thoroughly.
└ Step 2: Cut them into small pieces.
└ Step 3: Place the orchids into boiling water.
└ Step 4: Add Verdant Spirit Grass.
└ Step 5: Simmer for 15 minutes.
└ Step 6: Stir gently before serving.
[Effects]
└ Restores Mana Core Stability.
└ Improves Mana Circulation.
└ Reduces Mana Fatigue.
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◇ SUNFIRE GINSENG PORRIDGE ◇
[Required Ingredients]
└ Sunfire Ginseng ×2
└ Verdant Spirit Grass ×2
└ Grain: 200 g
└ Water: 400 ml
[Instructions]
└ Step 1: Wash the Sunfire Ginseng.
└ Step 2: Slice it into thin pieces.
└ Step 3: Add the ingredients to a cooking pot.
└ Step 4: Cook on low heat for 20 minutes.
└ Step 5: Stir until the mixture becomes soft.
[Effects]
└ Restores Stamina.
└ Relieves Physical Fatigue.
└ Improves Natural Vitality.
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◇ MOONDEW LOTUS TEA ◇
[Required Ingredients]
└ Moondew Lotus ×1
└ Water: 300 ml
[Instructions]
└ Step 1: Separate the petals.
└ Step 2: Place the petals into hot water.
└ Step 3: Allow them to steep for 10 minutes.
└ Step 4: Remove the petals before serving.
[Effects]
└ Calms the Mind.
└ Reduces Mental Exhaustion.
└ Improves Concentration.
└ Enhances Mana Control.
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◇ VERDANT HERB DUMPLINGS ◇
[Required Ingredients]
└ Verdant Spirit Grass ×1
└ Grain Flour: 150 g
└ Water: 100 ml
[Instructions]
└ Step 1: Grind the Verdant Spirit Grass.
└ Step 2: Mix it with the flour.
└ Step 3: Add water gradually.
└ Step 4: Knead until the dough becomes soft.
└ Step 5: Shape the dumplings.
└ Step 6: Steam for 15 minutes.
[Effects]
└ Replenishes Energy.
└ Accelerates Recovery.
└ Strengthens Physical Resistance.
═══════════════════════
Ethan stared at the screen for a few seconds.
"Oh." He looked at the herbs again. "So this is how I cook them."
He didn’t waste any more time and started following the instructions one by one. First, he washed the Mana-Heart Orchids before carefully cutting them into small pieces.
He placed a pot over the stove, poured water into it, and waited until it started boiling. Soon, the Mana-Heart Orchids went inside.
A pleasant smell immediately began spreading through the kitchen.
Ethan’s nose twitched slightly. "Smells pretty good." He added the Verdant Spirit Grass and lowered the flame.
While the soup was cooking, he started preparing the Sunfire Ginseng Porridge.
He washed the ginseng, sliced it carefully, and placed it inside another pot along with the grain, water, and herbs.
Then he began preparing the Moondew Lotus Tea. He separated the petals and placed them inside a cup filled with hot water.
Finally, he prepared the Verdant Herb Dumplings. He followed every instruction shown by the system, and soon the kitchen was filled with the aroma of freshly prepared food.
Ethan looked at everything he had prepared. There were several dishes placed neatly across the kitchen counter.
He picked up the soup bowl and smelled it. "Not bad."
He looked at the other food. "Hopefully they like it."
After finishing everything, Ethan went to the washroom and freshened himself up.
By the time he returned, several minutes had already passed. Unbeknownst to him, both Athena and Isolde had already woken up.
Ethan walked toward their bedroom and pushed the door open.
Both ladies were awake. A faint smile appeared on his face. "Good morning."
He walked toward Athena first. Without wasting any time, he carefully picked her up in his arms.
Athena’s cheeks immediately became slightly pink. "E-Ethan..." Her voice cracked a bit, which certainly didn’t seem like her usual self. "Hold on."
He carried her carefully before placing her onto the wheelchair.
After making sure she was sitting properly, Ethan turned toward Isolde.
He walked toward her and extended his hand. "Come on."
Isolde gently grabbed his hand. Ethan helped her get up from the bed and supported her as they started walking outside.
Since Isolde couldn’t see, Ethan carefully guided every step she took.
Soon, the three of them reached the hall. "I’ll prepare everything. You two go freshen up."
Athena nodded slightly while Isolde gave a small nod as well.
The two ladies went toward the washroom while Ethan returned to the dining table.
He placed every dish onto the table. The Mana-Nourishing Soup was placed in the center.
The Sunfire Ginseng Porridge was placed beside it, while the Moondew Lotus Tea and Verdant Herb Dumplings were arranged neatly around them.
Ethan looked at the food. Everything looked much better than he had expected.
"Looks like I didn’t mess it up." He muttered under his breath.
He pulled out the chairs and waited. After a while, he heard footsteps. Ethan turned his head. His eyes immediately widened slightly.
Athena and Isolde had returned. Athena’s blue hair fell gently around her shoulders, while her blue eyes looked especially beautiful under the morning light.
Beside her was Isolde. Her black hair rested naturally around her face, and her black eyes looked calm and peaceful.
For a few seconds, Ethan simply stared. His face slowly became hot. His cheeks turned bright red.
’Why the hell do they look so good this morning?!’ He quickly turned his attention toward the food.
He took a deep breath. ’Focus, Ethan.’ He picked up the bowls and started serving the food. "Here."
He placed the food in front of Athena before doing the same for Isolde.
After that, he carefully helped Athena sit properly.
Since she couldn’t move her body below her neck, Ethan picked up the spoon and brought the food toward her mouth.
"Open."
Athena’s cheeks became slightly red again. She remembered the way she had shouted at him yesterday; a glimpse of guilt flickered past her face, but she didn’t waste any time and opened her mouth.
Ethan fed her the first spoonful. "How is it?" Ethan’s question seemed genuine; he actually wanted to know if he had messed up or not.
Athena slowly chewed before giving a small nod. She didn’t want to show it but the food was significantly better than anything Elina cooked. "It’s good."
A faint smile appeared on Ethan’s face. "Really?"
"Yes." She replied right away; her tone still remained a bit firm.
He looked oddly satisfied by those two words. "Good."
He continued feeding her while Isolde ate her own food beside them.
Every now and then, Ethan glanced toward Isolde to make sure she was eating properly. "Isolde, how’s yours?" He asked as he looked right into her eyes.
She nodded. "It’s good."
Ethan smiled. "I’m glad that you both liked it."
The room soon became quiet. There was no argument. No kind of anger from yesterday’s fight, also there wasn’t any grudge either.
Only the sound of spoons touching the plates and the occasional words exchanged between the three of them.
Ethan looked at both of his wives. For some reason, his chest felt strangely warm.
He lowered his gaze toward the food and continued feeding Athena. ’Maybe... this isn’t such a bad life after all.’