Chapter 26 part 2
Tears streamed down Bai Chengzhu’s face. This man hadn’t lied. He truly was a dual-S-level healer.
Only a healer of this level could have such an immediate effect.
Even though the outburst level hadn’t dropped, the fact that the pain had been alleviated was already a significant result.
Because he was so relaxed, the small white bundle unconsciously began to return to human form.
Ning Yunyi, sensing it was enough, withdrew his hand. He didn’t want the effect to be too perfect and raise suspicion.
Just as he was about to check the results, the previously teary-eyed Bai Chengzhu suddenly shut the only window of the wooden cabin with a swift motion.
Ning Yunyi raised an eyebrow. "What happened?"
Bai Chengzhu coughed lightly, wiping his face with his sleeve. "A’Cheng just fell asleep. The effect was excellent, but since he’s now back in human form, it’s... inconvenient."
Ning Yunyi understood what was "inconvenient." "Since it worked, he won’t worsen today. Shall we stop here? I have other matters to attend to, but I’ll return tomorrow."
Bai Chengzhu, now extremely enthusiastic, replied, "I’ll transfer the agreed-upon star coins to you."
Ning Yunyi hadn’t expected Bai Chengzhu to be so generous. "No rush. You can transfer it once the outburst level has been fully reduced."
Bai Chengzhu was deeply grateful that Ning Yunyi had stabilized his son’s condition. Remembering something, he pulled out a box from his coat. "I can’t let you work for nothing. Take this. It’s not part of the previous agreement."
Ning Yunyi didn’t refuse. He accepted the box, opening it to find himself pleasantly surprised by Bai Chengzhu’s generosity.
Inside was a 3S-level energy crystal.
Just earlier, he had seen one auctioned for seven million star coins.
Bai Chengzhu explained, "This crystal was meant for tomorrow’s auction. But since I’ve found you, there’s no need to auction it. I’ll sell something else instead."
Ning Yunyi didn’t let Bai Chengzhu see him off and left on his own. He took a detour, ensuring no one was following him, and then returned to the villa via a different route.
By the time he arrived home, there was still half an hour left before his livestream.
Inside the villa, the big cat and Ning Xiaomiao were still sitting on the steps from yesterday.
This time, there was also a small robot.
Ning Xiaomiao was delighted with it, especially since it was a gift from his father.
Even the big cat hadn’t expected Ning Yunyi, who wasn’t joking, to actually repair the one-time-use, scrapped little robot.
There was only one downside—the robot had ample battery life. Ever since Ning Yunyi left, Ning Xiaomiao hadn’t stopped playing the recorded messages.
“Good boy, father’s out. He’ll be back later.”
After hearing this message on repeat, Ning Xiaomiao continuously made the little robot play the phrase “good boy.”
The big cat lay there, listening to the little robot walk around, circling its ears: “Good—boy.”
The big cat sighed, quietly lifted a paw, and covered its large ears.
But just as it covered them, something felt off. It looked towards the little one, only to lock eyes with a disbelieving and accusatory stare.
The big cat rolled over, pretending to stretch lazily, and put its paw down.
Ning Xiaomiao suspiciously eyed the big cat. Did it really not cover its ears just now?
While pondering, Ning Xiaomiao suddenly stood up, grabbed the little robot, and dashed outside.
The big cat flipped back over and shook its fur. Upon closer inspection, the grayish-white fur seemed to be slightly darker in color than when it first arrived.
Just after shaking off the fur, the big cat’s nose twitched, and it looked ahead in disbelief.
At the same time, the door was pushed open, and Ning Yunyi’s voice echoed, “I’m back.”
But as soon as he stepped inside, he saw the little kitten clutching the robot, its eyes brimming with tears as it gazed at him. It even took a step back.
Ning Yunyi: "???"
The big cat silently approached, sniffing the air, its expression changing. Who dared to steal from their home in the brief time he was away?
Ning Xiaomiao hugged the little robot, tearfully looking at him. “Father, did you really just go out for something simple?”
Ning Yunyi: “Of course. Father was out handling important business.”
Ning Xiaomiao dragged his words, “Reeeally?”
The big cat flicked its tail, as if adding its own weight to the question: But why do you smell like another beast?
Ning Yunyi finally realized what was going on. He had thought there wouldn’t be any scent left from Bai Shaozhu since he didn’t make direct contact, but considering the entire courtyard reeked of Bai Shaozhu’s scent, it wasn’t surprising that he picked up some.
And with the big cat’s sharp nose and the little one’s half-beast sensitivity, no wonder the two of them were treating his return like a crisis.
Ning Yunyi picked up the little one and explained, telling them about how pitiful Bai Shaozhu’s situation was. As expected, the little guy worriedly asked, “Will he get better?”
Ning Yunyi reassured, “Of course. With Father here, there’s no problem.”
The big cat thoughtfully gazed at Ning Yunyi. Was he really a dual-S-level healer?
Why did he seem different from the healers it had encountered before?
But with its spiritual power currently suppressed, perhaps its senses were off?
Ning Yunyi glanced at the time, realizing it was about right. He gently pinched the little one's face. Despite being well-fed for a while now, the child had been undernourished for too long and still looked a bit thin. Holding the little one, he headed inside. "It'll get cold in a few days, so let's have something nourishing today."
The little one and the big cat's eyes immediately lit up. More delicious food?
Ning Yunyi first took a quick shower, then pulled out the ingredients. With only two minutes left until the stream started, he prepared everything.
Ning Yunyi opened up Xingbo and began the livestream.
When Ning Yunyi said he was going to provide nourishment, he meant it. With the weather turning colder, what’s better to eat than lamb soup?
So, aside from the lamb soup, Ning Yunyi also planned to make cumin lamb.
To finish off, there would be pan-fried tofu and minced eggplant. Lunch was now all set.
Lamb soup requires a bone broth base. First, Ning Yunyi blanched the lamb and chopped lamb bones in water.
He then started a fresh pot, adding clean water, and began simmering. He tossed in a packet of spices, its contents hidden from view, and added nothing else.
This ensured the lamb soup would have a pure, unadulterated flavor.
While the broth simmered, Ning Yunyi turned to preparing the cumin lamb.
He took a piece of lamb leg and sliced it into thin pieces, then marinated it with cooking wine, green onions, and ginger to remove any gaminess.
While waiting for the meat to marinate, Ning Yunyi heated another pan and dry-roasted cumin seeds. Once fragrant, he ground them into a fine powder on the cutting board.
He mixed the cumin powder with some mild chili powder to enhance the aroma.
When the lamb slices were ready, he stir-fried them briefly with hot oil, then flash-fried them on high heat with more oil.
Once each piece of lamb had a deep, crispy color, he quickly tossed them into the mixed cumin and chili powder, ensuring every piece was evenly coated. Finally, he added some cilantro for that finishing touch.
From the moment Ning Yunyi began roasting the cumin seeds, an unfamiliar yet tantalizing aroma filled the kitchen, spreading like a massive net that engulfed everything.
The big cat and Ning Xiaomiao cracked open the door just a sliver, standing in line, one large and one small, desperately sniffing the air. What was this? Why did it smell so strange?
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