In this world overrun with demons and monsters, having no strength truly meant getting nowhere!
The laws here were laidback, and roadside robberies were common. Without some strength, you might not even make it out of this forest alive!
Although lazing around here for life sounded tempting, the system had a point. Since he was already on this continent, he’d have to eventually venture out and explore this strange and fascinating world.
Plus, the inn wasn’t that big yet—only forty rooms. If guests were deliberately encouraged to spread the word, there’d be trouble once the crowds came.
Too many people would be overwhelming!
He had to take things step by step! Only by becoming stronger himself and expanding the scale of the inn could he accommodate more guests.
“System, speaking of cultivation… I completed my first task—why didn’t I get a cultivation reward? Didn’t you say my realm would be directly upgraded?”
“Dear host! Rewards are randomized!”
Xiao Yu was speechless.
Random rewards? And not every reward improved his cultivation? That sounded like an endless grind!
Petting the lazy Da Huang lounging nearby, Xiao Yu let out a deep sigh.
Dinner Time!
Xiao Yu decided to whip up a new dish. From the magical fridge, he pulled out a three-pound chicken.
Cleaned to perfection—not a feather in sight. Gotta admit, this fridge was really intelligent!
Time for a northeastern specialty: Braised Chicken with Mushrooms!
Ding! Detected new dish: Braised Chicken with Mushrooms. Added to menu!
Xiao Yu checked the info:
Braised Chicken with Mushrooms
Level: 1-star
Effect: Increases body toughness
Price: 5 spirit stones
As expected, a new menu item!
Right now, with few customers, he could still manage.
But what about when business picked up? Wouldn’t that be exhausting?
Suddenly, his eyes lit up with inspiration—he thought of the giant vats used in school cafeterias!
“System, don’t tell me you’re trying to turn me into a chef!”
“Dear host, in the future, there will be professional robotic chefs to replace you!”
Xiao Yu was thrilled. So he wouldn’t have to cook forever—awesome!
“Do the robot chefs’ dishes have the same cultivation effects as mine? You know what I mean!”
“Yes! Robot chefs produce food with the same effects!”
Nice!
With Xiao Bai at the front desk and a robot chef in the back, he could truly live the dream!
He got pumped just thinking about it. I really am meant to be a boss!
“So keep working hard, host!”
Yup. For the sake of my salted fish dreams, I’ll give it my all!
“Whoa! What smells so good?”
The Chen siblings came downstairs, drawn by the delicious aroma wafting from the kitchen!
“Wow, this smells amazing!”
Chen Mo ignored everything else and just stood there breathing in the air like it was life itself.
“Hey! You trying to suck up all the air and suffocate the rest of us?”
Xiao Yu rolled his eyes at the pitiful scene.
Chen Mo shuddered at the familiar voice.
“Haha! Senior—didn’t see you there!”
Xiao Yu carried out a steaming pot of braised chicken with mushrooms.
“Don’t call me senior—just boss is fine.”
“Oh! Got it, boss!”
“Hello, boss!” Chen Mo’s sister eyed the glowing, fragrant dish and swallowed hard.
What heavenly dish is this? It’s glowing!
Xiao Yu ignored them and scooped half of it into a bowl.
The siblings’ hearts raced. Was… was he giving it to them?
How could they be so lucky?!
“Da Huang, dinner!”
The siblings: “???”
A yellow blur zoomed over.
Xiao Yu smiled and stroked Da Huang’s fur.
“Eat slowly. There’s more if you’re still hungry.”
Boom!
The siblings were shattered.
That divine dish—he gave it to the dog?!
Too cruel!
Xiao Yu happily ate by himself. Not gonna lie, his cooking was pretty top-notch. But the quality of the ingredients played a big part too.
He glanced sideways at the two.
“What are you doing here?”
“Well, we…”
Chen Mo just opened his mouth when his stomach growled loudly.
Embarrassed, he scratched his head and grinned sheepishly at Xiao Yu.
“Boss, uh…”
“Hungry?”
“Yeah… hungry!”
Xiao Yu grinned to himself. Let’s see if you’ll spend some spirit stones now after that smell attack!
“There, menu’s on the wall.”
Chen Mo turned to look—and nearly choked.
“Whoa, boss, these prices are savage…”
“Brother, shhh! You trying to die?” His sister kicked him in the shin.
Realizing his slip-up, Chen Mo broke into a cold sweat and quickly glanced at Xiao Yu—who didn’t react, just kept eating.
He let out a relieved sigh.
“Bro, be careful! If you wanna die, don’t drag me with you!”
“Okay okay, I’ll be more careful. But seriously, these prices…”
“Wait!”
When they saw the effects listed next to the dishes, they froze.
“This… is this for real?!”
Chen Mo turned to Xiao Yu, eyes wide.
“Boss, what’s written here—is it true?”
“Mhm.”
With that confirmed, Chen Mo threw a fist in the air.
“From today on, I, Chen Mo, will rise!”
Earlier, the two had tested the room’s cultivation benefits—and it really was three times faster than outside!
Now with these spirit-enhancing dishes, they were over the moon!
Chen Mo trembled with excitement.
“Hey hey, are you two eating or not? If not, I’m clocking out!”
“Clocking out? What’s that mean?”
“Hmm? Meals are only available during my dinner time. Any other time—don’t even think about it. You can gnaw on bark if you’re hungry.”
That was a hard rule!
You think I’d get up at midnight to cook because you’re hungry?
Dream on!
To earn a few extra spirit stones at the cost of his rest? Not happening!
So Xiao Yu made a rule: meals only during his dinner time. Miss it and tough luck.
Still wondering when that chef robot would be ready!
I just want to be a lazy boss, man!
“Boss, one Braised Chicken with Mushrooms, two Fried Rice, one Tomato Egg Noodles!”
“Go pay Xiao Bai and wait.”
“Okay, boss!”
Xiao Yu, done eating, turned back into the kitchen to cook.
“Miss Xiao Bai, here’s eight spirit stones!”
“Thank you, guests!”
…
Ding! New Task Unlocked: Small Profit!
Target: Earn 500 spirit stones in revenue.
Current Progress: 39 / 500
Another task popped up! Xiao Yu checked the task board.
Only 39 stones so far—still a long way to go!
Before long, the dishes were ready!
Xiao Yu had Xiao Bai serve the food. The Chen siblings sat properly at the dining table, eyes never leaving the kitchen door.
“Hey, you ordered so many carbs—rice and noodles. Why not get a fish too?”
“Hehe, we’re good boss!”
The fish healed injuries. They weren’t hurt—no need to splurge unless it was cheaper!
Schemer boy alert.
Xiao Yu rolled his eyes and walked out of the dining hall.
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