Chapter 64: Tenbiyama High
Chapter 64: Tenbiyama High
"Some people used to say they never eat pig's trotters, but now they keep complaining when they don't have it for a meal." Ye Linfang's teasing voice echoed through the house.
"This… this is different. Xiao Jiang specially prepared it for me. How can it be compared with those pig trotters out there?" Taking the lunch box from Xue Ruyan, Xue Tanxin shook his head happily.
"Those people outside aren't even qualified to compete with Xiao Jiang."
Seeing her husband acting like a child, Ye Linfang didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Xue Ruyan walked over and handed the other lunch box to her grandmother.
Meanwhile, Xue Tanxin had already sat down impatiently, opening the lunch box with excitement. As soon as he unfastened the lid and saw the glowing pig trotters inside, he let out a satisfied sigh.
"This is the feeling!"
It was the Snow Grandpa Special Edition of Glowing Braised Pork Trotters.
"Hmm!" After taking a bite, Xue Tanxin couldn't help but nod frantically. Then, he picked up his phone and sent a voice message to Jiang Tian.
[Xiao Jiang, the food you made today is really delicious! I couldn't help but give you a thumbs-up after the first bite!]
Not long after, Jiang Tian replied.
[As long as you like it! I just received some new spices, but they were too expensive.]
Xue Tanxin: [What's so precious? In the end, it's still me, the old man, who gets to enjoy the happiness.]
Jiang Tian: [I won't waste these precious spices. Please enjoy them slowly.]
Across from him, Ye Linfang remained much calmer, eating slowly while watching her granddaughter.
Xue Ruyan didn't know whether to laugh or cry when she saw her grandfather chatting so happily with Jiang Tian.
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A Budding Friendship Between Generations
Ever since they started bringing Jiang Tian's dishes home, her grandparents had become obsessed with his cooking.
Especially Grandpa Xue Tanxin, who took the initiative to ask for Jiang Tian's contact information.
Now, the old and young duo had become unexpectedly close, frequently chatting about recipes, ingredients, and cooking techniques.
Every time Grandpa Xue found a new cooking video, he immediately sent it to Jiang Tian, offering suggestions and encouraging him to develop new dishes.
He even bought rare spices for Jiang Tian, hoping he could experiment with them.
And Jiang Tian?
Naturally, he didn't disappoint.
To satisfy his loyal customer, he poured his heart into every dish.
However, Xue Ruyan had to be the one keeping things in check.
The two cooking enthusiasts had too much fun experimenting, which sometimes led to strange and dark culinary disasters.
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A Change in Perspective
While her grandfather chatted away, Ye Linfang observed her granddaughter's expressions.
Then, she casually asked, "Xiao Ruyan, are you still planning to apply to Xingcheng Hongwu University?"
"With your current progress, it should be no problem for you to try for the top-ranked Shangjing University."
Hearing this, Xue Ruyan's eyes lit up.
"Can I really get into Shangjing University now?"
"Grandma's guess isn't wrong. It should be possible," Ye Linfang said before pausing slightly. "Your current strength compared to your sister's at that time—"
She immediately stopped talking, realizing she almost said something wrong.
However, her granddaughter's reaction was unexpected.
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A Newfound Calmness
"Compared to my sister, I'm still far behind," Xue Ruyan admitted. "But I'd rather choose Hongwu University in Xingcheng than go to Shangjing."
She shook her head slightly, firmly answering her grandmother's question.
Ye Linfang carefully examined her granddaughter's expression, feeling surprised.
---
Healing an Old Wound
Her granddaughter had always harbored resentment and frustration when it came to her older sister.
For years, whenever her sister was mentioned, Xue Ruyan would show a hint of helplessness—an emotion stemming from her deep frustration and powerlessness at ever surpassing her.
Her sister's talent was like a towering mountain—one that seemed impossible to climb.
But now…
She wasn't showing that same frustration.
Her expression was calm.
As if… she no longer cared.
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The Source of Her Confidence
"Has my little Ruyan matured this much?" Ye Linfang thought, feeling a sense of relief.
"Your mindset has changed," she commented with a smile.
"Have I?" Xue Ruyan blinked, looking puzzled.
Her grandmother didn't press further, but instead gently encouraged her.
---
What Changed?
For the longest time, her sister had been an unbeatable mountain.
But now, there was someone else.
Someone who wasn't just a mountain.
Someone who was like the endless sky—vast and unreachable.
Whenever she trained against Jiang Tian, she felt that gap.
Not frustration.
Not resentment.
Just pure realization.
Compared to him, her sister didn't seem so terrifying anymore.
---
Jiang Tian's "Preparation" for the Exam
Ever since learning that the martial arts college entrance exam would take place on a real battlefield, Jiang Tian had been preparing frantically.
But his preparations were… different.
While other students trained in combat drills, studying alien weaknesses, and battlefield survival tactics…
Jiang Tian?
He studied recipes.
He researched cooking techniques.
He experimented with new flavors.
And he practiced his butchering skills.
He even bought livestock with similar meat compositions as the aliens to practice cooking in advance.
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The Devil in the Kitchen
While others were preparing for war…
Jiang Tian was preparing for a feast.
And those poor alien races?
They were about to meet a living nightmare.
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Her Final Thought
As she watched her grandfather gleefully eat another bite, Xue Ruyan couldn't help but chuckle.
Her grandmother noticed and asked, "What are you thinking about?"
She smiled and shook her head.
"I was just thinking…"
"Jiang Tian is going to be a truly terrifying chef."
Her grandmother laughed.
"A terrifying chef? That's an odd way to describe someone."
"You'll see, Grandma. You'll see."