Chapter 237 - 237 Ninety-four

Words : 1247 Updated : Sep 27th, 2025

237: Ninety-four. Anna’s third time cooking and Lu Li’s unusual emotions 237: Ninety-four. Anna’s third time cooking and Lu Li’s unusual emotions The latest news from the Earlen Peninsula Duchy happened yesterday. Due to the potential improvement in Anna’s cooking skills, Lu Li paid attention to the news about food prices. Vegetable prices remained high, as did beef and lamb, while potatoes had also increased slightly in price due to their overuse as a substitute for vegetables. Flour, aided by some capitalist merchants, was also trending upwards, but was timely prevented by the Earlen Peninsula Duchy’s parliament and some nobles, barely maintaining stability. It was said that in some countries far from the center in the inland areas, where upper echelon control was weak, flour prices had been driven to astonishing levels. With no vegetables available and meat unaffordable, even bread had become so expensive that only after toiling for hours could one barely fill one’s stomach, igniting signs of unrest. Being a commercial city with a port, Belfast, even with a declining fishing industry, was doing better than inland cities and everything was still stable for the time being. Lu Li just hoped that this stability would last as long as possible, until he understood the true nature of this world, until he resolved the two troubles that plagued him. Twenty minutes later, when Lu Li was almost done reading the three newspapers, Anna came out of the kitchen carrying a pot of boiling meat soup. “Try this again, um... I guarantee it tastes better than before.” Anna seemed somewhat sheepish, her gaze drifting to the side. Lu Li said nothing. He set down the newspaper, rose from his seat, and sat at the dining table, waiting for Anna to serve the wooden bowl like she was trying to please him, and then he took a spoonful of the soup. “How is it?” asked Anna, hope in her eyes twinkling like stars. After a few seconds of silence, Lu Li took a second spoonful and spoke quietly. “Keep cooking tomorrow.” The calm words seemed like high praise to Anna. She covered her mouth to keep from laughing out loud, her eyes crinkling into crescents, and she couldn’t help but giggle softly, darting back into the kitchen as Lu Li looked up at her. Although the flavor was still not good, it was at least salty meat soup now. Lu Li thought to himself. It wasn’t enjoyable, but Lu Li had a full meal after a long time. The last time was Mrs. Phelin’s bean stewed meat. Speaking of which, Oliver, who had introduced him to this dish, had left over half a month ago and hadn’t been in touch since. But, his sister Jojo hadn’t reached out either, so perhaps everything was fine. Jojo, a girl with the traits of an adventurer, was actually studying at a music academy, and coincidentally, she attended the same academy as Anna’s friend Daisy. Perhaps she might become a wandering poet in the future, if the world didn’t continue to deteriorate. Now, all the data he gathered pointed towards a world becoming increasingly difficult to live in... No, that’s not right. A few minutes after lunch, as he sat on the couch letting his thoughts wander, Lu Li’s dark eyes narrowed slightly. His thoughts had become somewhat strange. Because of the Sanity Value? No, the Sanity Value wouldn’t make his thoughts so peculiar... Was it Anna’s doing? But he had already removed everything from the kitchen that Anna could possibly use as ingredients, Lu Li felt like a traveler wearied by countless sleepless nights, his chaotic thoughts struggling to focus, bizarre, dream-like ideas continuously emerging. He barely maintained his ability to think and called Anna to him. “What did you put in the food?” “Um... the usual.” “Be more specific.” “Water, diced meat, potatoes, salt, and a little bit of my affection...” Was it the water? Lu Li’s eyes briefly hardened, then uncontrollably softened. He struggled to identify the odd item among the five ingredients, “What do you mean by ‘a little bit of my affection’?” With his eyes usually calm now showing laziness, his demeanor changed— the mystery faded and he became a bit... Anna couldn’t quite describe it: Approachable? Vibrant? Either way, Lu Li appeared more like a normal person at the moment. Anna stared at Lu Li for a long while until he asked again, and she shyly glanced away, “It’s just... my power...” Lu Li was sure he hadn’t misheard, she had indeed said that. “How did you do it?” Lu Li asked. Anna replied slowly, “I just threw my power into it...” Novice cooks always try to be creative, intending to mix different ingredients to create tastier food. But that’s no reason to be throwing power into food. “Why?” Anna finally realized that Lu Li’s peculiar state might have something to do with her and shrank back, saying, “I... I just thought stirring the soup with a spoon was troublesome, so I lazily used my power to stir it...” “...” Lu Li said nothing. Anna had made an innocent mistake, not as he had imagined, scooping up a lump of power and laughing sinisterly as she stirred the soup, letting the power blend into it... Lu Li’s thoughts uncontrollably drifted to topics he normally wouldn’t consider. Lu Li had never drunk alcohol, but his current state seemed somewhat like that of a drunk person. “It won’t cause any trouble, will it...?” Anna asked, somewhat worried. “It should be temporary,” Lu Li leaned his head back against the sofa, feeling the chaos subside. It was nearing 11 o’clock; it seemed Tesla wouldn’t contact him today. That was probably for the best, otherwise, Tesla might have encountered a very different Lu Li: frequently distracted, inexplicably emotional, and more talkative. “Then... then you rest well...” Anna, the culprit, feeling uneasy, fetched a book from the bedroom and sat next to Lu Li, occasionally glancing up at him. “Where are you... where are you... stop hiding... come join us quickly... where are you...” Listening to the murmuring voices in his ears, Lu Li closed his eyes. Three hours later, when Lu Li awoke and opened his eyes, he saw a pair of clear eyes. “Better now?” Anna floated back, creating some distance. Lu Li looked down and thought about a few things, his mind clear and focused. He nodded, “It’s better now.” Anna, fingers clutching at her skirt, looked down dejectedly, “I have no talent in cooking, maybe you should...” “You won’t make mistakes once you’re familiar with it,” Lu Li interrupted her. Anna suddenly looked up, disbelievingly at Lu Li. Such encouraging words coming from Lu Li...? Was he doing this for her...? Moved, Anna’s eyes began to redden, too embarrassed to say those cheesy, bashful words and eventually, covering her increasingly red cheeks, she dashed back to the bedroom. If they ever needed to establish a refuge from disaster, someone would have to do the cooking. Lu Li thought to himself, withdrawing his gaze and looking towards the Detective Agency’s door. On the door, several lips continuously opened and closed as they wriggled on the wood. ... The next morning. During the chilly early dawn, the phone rang. Tesla’s voice came through the speaker, informing Lu Li that they could begin the third test.

Chapter 237 - 237 Ninety-four

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