Chapter 24: The Secret Ingredient is Love

The kick was light, feeling like a mere tickle to Mo Jin. She calmly caught Lin Mo’s ankle, her thumb grazing the smooth skin of her calf as she gave it a gentle, reassuring squeeze.

In her feverish daze, Lin Mo’s face, which had been scrunched up in annoyance because her “popsicle” had melted, instantly relaxed. She became as obedient as a kitten.

Satisfied, Mo Jin tucked the quilt tightly around her. “Stop fussing,” she rumbled softly, a hint of a protective threat in her low voice. “I’ll be back in a moment.”

Lin Mo just rolled over, back to Mo Jin, and drifted back to sleep, dreaming of finding a giant block of ice in a steaming hot pot.

Mo Jin stepped outside, allowed the cool air to drop her body temperature, and then returned to pull Lin Mo back into her arms. Through the night, as the fever waxed and waned, Mo Jin repeated this cycle until finally, Lin Mo’s temperature stabilized.

The Longing for “Long Life” Noodles

By morning, Lin Mo was weak but awake. Mo Jin brought over some simmered chicken soup, blowing on it gently. “Open up. Drink some soup.”

The aroma was heavenly, but Lin Mo’s stomach turned at the sight of the oily broth. She took two sips and looked at Mo Jin piteously. “I don’t want soup. I want noodles.”

Mo Jin frowned. She had never made noodles in her life.

Lin Mo knew she was being difficult, but being sick made her crave the comfort of the “Long Life Noodles” the orphanage auntie used to leave for her. Her voice was soft and unknowingly coquettish. She tugged at Mo Jin’s sleeve, her eyes misty. “Even instant noodles are fine. I think the Bee Robot still has enough money in the account for one bowl.”

“I understand,” Mo Jin said, tucking her in before heading out.

Lin Mo smiled to herself. Great! Instant noodles. I wonder if she’ll get Braised Beef or Pickled Cabbage? Either way, I’ll be happy.

The Ice Queen’s Cooking Show

Mo Jin checked the Bee Robot’s balance and was shocked. Thanks to Lin Mo’s consistent “food porn” broadcasts, they had nearly 1,000 followers, and the earnings had reached a significant sum.

They had enough for instant noodles, but Mo Jin worried they lacked nutrition for a recovering patient. She looked at the bag of flour in the corner. If there is flour, there must be a way to make noodles.

She reluctantly started a livestream. It was early, with only a few dozen viewers. [OMFG! It’s the teammate! She’s so beautiful I’m dying!] flashed across the screen.

Mo Jin ignored the compliments. “Does anyone know how to make noodles?” she asked bluntly.

A high schooler named “Sweet Monkey,” a regular fan of Lin Mo’s cooking, jumped at the chance. [Look at me! I’m a noodle pro!]

Under Sweet Monkey’s frantic guidance, the “Ice Queen” began her culinary journey.

1. Add flour. (Mo Jin dumped half a bag, spilling a third on the counter).
2. Add water. (She added too much).
3. Add more flour. (Now it was too dry).
4. Mix. (She hesitated at the sticky dough, then plunged her elegant fingers in for Lin Mo’s sake).

After wasting an entire bag of flour and producing several “failed” lumps, Mo Jin finally managed to pull out a bowl of something that vaguely resembled noodles. She boiled them in the chicken soup and brought them to the bed.

The Taste of Sincerity

Lin Mo looked at the “noodles.” They were thick, uneven, and looked more like flour scraps than noodles. They were definitely not instant noodles.

She looked at Mo Jin, who was acting perfectly nonchalant, as if she hadn’t just struggled with a bag of flour for an hour. Lin Mo took a bite.

It’s raw in the middle!

She was about to say something when she noticed a tiny, almost invisible speck of white flour caught in the hair near Mo Jin’s ear.

Her heart did a backflip. She made these herself. For me.

Tears welled up in Lin Mo’s eyes. “Did… did you make these?”

“No,” Mo Jin lied, her ears turning pink. “I bought them.”

The little bear has learned how to lie, Lin Mo thought warmly. She finished every single scrap of the undercooked, thick noodles, not leaving a drop of soup.

The Brown Spot Crisis

Later that day, after another nap, Lin Mo suddenly bolted upright. “I feel… uncomfortable.”

Before Mo Jin could stop her, Lin Mo ran out into the rain and shifted. She transformed into a massive, towering stalk of bamboo, shooting up toward the clouds, basking in the downpour. The sudden surge of spiritual energy was so great that nearby plants and animals felt their own cultivation levels jump.

Lin Mo felt a desperate need to vent her power. She grew taller and taller, looking down at Mo Jin, who now looked like a tiny toy panda next to the cabin.

But as the sun began to peek through the clouds, the growth slowed. On the vibrant green bamboo skin, several dark red spots began to appear.

The Bee Robot flew down, its electronic eyes flashing red. “Warning! Team 666, your member is in a state of extreme weakness. Diagnosis: Brown Spot Disease. Symptoms: Weakness, soft limbs, and erratic growth spurts. Recommended Treatment: High-purity Carbendazim Powder.”

“Price: 9,999 Shells. Would you like to purchase?”

As the prompt finished, the towering bamboo let out a rustle and collapsed.

Mo Jin caught the weakened Lin Mo as she shifted back to human form. A small red mark had indeed appeared on Lin Mo’s neck.

“Confirm purchase!” Mo Jin said urgently.

“Payment successful. Delivery in progress.”