Chapter 874: Chapter 853: Interstellar Superstar 23
Xiao Gen gradually introduced his homeās garden to Anning.
From the various flowers to the small pavilions, bridges, streams, and stone buildings inside, he described everything.
Anning listened carefully.
She pretended to be someone who hadnāt seen the world, occasionally exclaiming in surprise, looking at Xiao Gen with starry eyes: "Really, I didnāt expect... This must be hard to cultivate, right?"
"Oh, is this the Jun Porcelain mentioned in the primordial era of the Mother Star?"
"My favorite is the clothing from the Middle Ages of the Mother Star, this is a Qipao, right? Itās so beautiful, look at this embroidery, all handmade, such craftsmanship doesnāt exist anymore today."
"Iām really envious of you, being able to stroll through such a garden from time to time."
"Your garden is even prettier than the most beautiful park in the Imperial City."
Each of these praises was heartfelt, and Xiao Gen responded with a smile, but he secretly looked down on Anning.
Just a shallow girl, vain, and if she were of no use, who would want to pay attention to her?
Seeing that Anning was becoming more and more dependent on him, Xiao Gen smiled and asked, "How is my brother doing? I heard you are SSS-level in spiritual power; can you help guide my brotherās spiritual power a bit?"
Anning tilted her head and thought for a long time: "General Xiao, to be honest, Marshal Xiaoās situation is really bad. Although I am SSS-level in spiritual power, I really canāt guarantee to cure Marshal Xiao. At most, I can treat him for a while, making it less painful for him. His spiritual power is too shattered; I fear... I think other than someone with 4S-level spiritual power, thereās probably no one who can cure him."
Xiao Gen turned his face away, and after a long while, he turned back.
Anning noticed his eyes were slightly red: "Donāt be too sad, Marshal Xiao sacrificed his spiritual power to save others; his achievements are remembered by all the citizens of the Alliance. He is destined to be recorded in the history books; he is a hero, but even heroes reach an end."
"I know."
Xiao Gen still looked somewhat sad on his face: "But as his family, I canāt help but feel sad."
He looked at Anning solemnly: "I ask Miss Cui to take care of my brother, I... really ask you."
"Itās what I should do."
Anning whispered: "He is a hero; I am willing to do what I can for him."
Anning looked at the sky: "Letās go back."
Xiao Gen nodded.
When they returned to the main residence by tour car, it was almost dinner time.
As soon as Anning entered the room, Mrs. Xiao smiled and waved at her: "Youāre back, how was the day?"
Anning smiled and sat down: "It was great. The garden at your home is truly beautiful."
"Iām glad you like it. If you like, stay for a few more days; let Ah Gen or Ah Mei take you around, you can also go on your own."
Mrs. Xiao appeared kind, speaking softly to Anning.
Xiao Mei, who was browsing a forum, turned her head to look at Anning: "If Sister Ning likes it, Iāll accompany you for another stroll tomorrow."
"Sure."
Anning agreed with a smile.
Soon it was dinner time, and the five of them, including Anning, gathered around the dining table.
Just as Xiao Gen sat down, a robot came in from outside, holding a large box and announcing, "The takeout has arrived, Master. The takeout from Lotus Cottage that you ordered has arrived."
As soon as Xiao Gen heard it, he quickly got up and brought the box to the table.
"What takeout?"
Xiao Mei asked Xiao Gen.
Xiao Gen laughed, "Itās a private kitchen I discovered recently. The food there is exceptionally delicious, and there are many dishes weāve never seen before."
As he spoke, he opened the thermal box and took out the packaged dishes one by one.
Soon, the living room was filled with a rich aroma of dishes.
Xiao Mei took a deep breath: "Smells amazing."
Both Marshal Xiao and Mrs. Xiao also found it very fragrant.
Xiao Gen opened the packaging boxes and had the robot bring in cooked, light-green rice: "Iāve had it a few times, and the taste is really fantastic. Try it."
Xiao Mei took a bite of the dish, followed by a bite of the sour and spicy shredded potatoes, and praised: "Itās wonderful, simply fabulous, so delicious. My goodness, Iāve never tasted anything this good."
Anning looked at the various delicacies on the table.
She picked up chopsticks and tried some Mapo Tofu.
In truth, the taste wasnāt that great; it was not even as good as the taste from small diners in modern streets. Itās just that people in the interstellar era have forgotten the methods of various cuisines, and the dishes developed by interstellar-era chefs would be considered dark cuisine in modern times.
People used to dark cuisine would find even ordinary modern meals supremely delicious.
Anning bit into the tofu, which wasnāt tender enough, the Sichuan pepper didnāt penetrate well, and it was too spicy and pungent. Anyway, if Anning were to criticize, she could find plenty of faults.
Still, sheād rather eat this than those dark cuisines.
Because it was too spicy and pungent, Anning ate while involuntarily shedding tears.
"Oh my, didnāt I say it was explosively delicious, Mom look, Sister Ning is moved to tears by the deliciousness."
Anning wanted to say it was the spiciness, but she couldnāt control her tears, afraid they would flow into her mouth if she spoke, so she let Xiao Mei continue talking.
Marshal Xiao tasted a little stir-fried meat and sour and spicy shredded potatoes: "Itās indeed very tasty; letās order takeout from them in the future."
Mrs. Xiao nodded and asked Xiao Gen for the website.
Seeing everyone was particularly fond of the dishes, Xiao Gen couldnāt help but feel a bit proud.
Who wouldāve thought that Lotus Cottage was a private kitchen opened by Fang Xiaolian?
If he hadnāt investigated, he wouldnāt have thought that Fang Xiaolian, a celebrity, could cook so deliciously.
Thinking about the buns and pastries steamed by Fang Xiaolian, he couldnāt help but swallow; they were incredibly, incredibly, incredibly delicious.
After dinner, Anning told Mrs. Xiao she wanted to see Xiao Yuan.
Mrs. Xiao asked Xiao Mei to accompany her upstairs.
Xiao Gen, watching Anningās figure disappear around the staircase corner, turned back to talk to Marshal Xiao.
"Dad, this afternoon I asked Miss Cui, and she said my brotherās condition is very hard to treat, unless thereās a 4S-level spiritual power, otherwise..."
Marshal Xiaoās face turned slightly somber: "Letās leave it for now. Ask Miss Cui to sing to your brother every once in a while, let him recover well. Miss Cui, at such a young age, achieving an SSS-level spiritual power, sheāll break through sooner or later. If she does break through, maybe your brother..."
The words made sense, but even Marshal Xiao didnāt feel confident in his heart.
"I hope she can break through soon."
Xiao Gen remarked, "Dad, even if brother canāt... you must not be too sad."
Marshal Xiao patted Xiao Genās hand: "I understand, I can handle it."
When Anning and Xiao Mei arrived at Xiao Yuanās room, they saw Xiao Yuan was still asleep.
She walked over step by step, and when she reached the bedside, she reached out to hold Xiao Yuanās right hand, closing her eyes to sense the spiritual power within Xiao Yuanās body and his soul state.
After a while, Anning said to Xiao Mei: "Ah Mei, could you step out for a moment? Iād like to try and see if I can help channel his spiritual power a little."