Chapter 9: A Feast of Flavors—This Feature Deserves a Five-Star Review

The group chat flickered softly on the screen, casting a pale glow over Kyren's face as he leaned back in his chair, fingers hovering thoughtfully above the keyboard.

"Tianyi-chan, what are you up to right now?" he typed.

It was a simple message, casual and friendly—but the question was loaded. Kyren didn't want to come out and ask if she was eating again. That would sound suspicious. Instead, he prodded the topic gently, letting the bait dangle.

Seconds later, a reply pinged in.

"Eating."

Followed by a selfie of Luo Tianyi, cheeks adorably puffed out, mid-bite into a steaming basket of xiao long bao. Her expression was pure bliss—contentment wrapped in dumpling-scented steam.

Kyren chuckled softly. No doubt about it… Her Highness, the Supreme Foodie, lives up to her title.

He typed back, still grinning:

"Tianyi-chan, aren't you worried about gaining weight eating like that every day?"

It wasn't a judgment—more like genuine curiosity. There was something endearing about the way she so unabashedly loved food. Kyren wondered if people like her really existed—those who could feast endlessly and still float like a feather.

Tianyi answered without hesitation:

"Nope~! If I were going to gain weight, my fans would've noticed by now."

Before Kyren could form a response, another message slipped into the chat—this time from Rin.

"Then why eat so much every day if you're worried about it?"

Clearly, Rin had been lurking.

Tianyi answered cheerfully:

"Because I want to eat. If problems come up later... Well, I'll deal with them then!"

Kyren sighed, shaking his head with a half-smile. That's so Tianyi… sweet, simple, and completely ruled by her stomach.

As if on cue, his own stomach growled in protest. The sound echoed in his room like a war cry. He winced.

Focus, Kyren. Time to test a theory.

"Tianyi-chan, have you ever thought about uploading food to the group chat?"

Now that was the real question.

If anyone could test whether the system supported food uploads, it was Luo Tianyi. Her fanbase even called themselves the "Imperial Kitchen Corps," for heaven's sake. Among them were professional chefs who often sent her handcrafted delicacies, hoping for her praise—their version of a royal decree.

Tianyi's response was slow, but thoughtful:

"Huh… I never thought about that before. Let me give it a try~"

Kyren's breath caught. He stared at the screen, heart pounding.

One second…

Two…

Three…

A chime echoed.

[Group Member – Luo Tianyi has shared a dish: Tianjin Soup Dumplings. The Group Food System is now active.]

His eyes widened.

It worked.

It actually worked!

He all but dove into the new tab that had opened—the Group Food Library—his stomach growling louder now in anticipation. But just as he located the freshly uploaded dish, another notification popped up.

[Group Member – Kagamine Rin has sampled Luo Tianyi's Tianjin Soup Dumplings.]

Kyren's world tilted.

No...

His heart sank. His dinner—his experiment—had just been stolen before his very eyes.

Back in the main chat, Rin's message blinked cheerfully.

"Tianyi-chan, these really are authentic Tianjin dumplings! With this sharing feature, you can give everyone a taste of your favorites~"

She even added a smiling sticker, beaming with triumph.

Kyren stared blankly. Rin… you may have just assassinated a man's hope for survival tonight.

Apparently, Tianyi hadn't expected Rin to claim the food either.

"Rin-chan… I meant to share that with the Group Owner…"

Then, after a pause, another message came through—this one laced with mischief:

"Well, too late~ But I won't steal the next one, promise. Leader, what do you want to eat?"

A photo followed.

Kyren nearly teared up. Tianyi-chan… I love you.

The picture displayed a sprawling banquet spread across a table the size of a small stage. Platters gleamed under soft lighting, each more enticing than the last—steamed buns, glazed meats, elaborate noodle towers, dishes he couldn't even name. It was a museum of culinary artistry.

Maybe Tianyi realized that. She followed up with:

"Just tell me the position of the dish you want. You don't need to know the name."

He scanned the picture carefully, eyes darting across unknown treasures until he found something familiar: Yangzhou Fried Rice. Simple. Classic. Comforting.

"Tianyi-chan, I'll have the Yangzhou Fried Rice."

"OK~"

Three seconds later:

[Group Member – Luo Tianyi has shared a dish: Yangzhou Fried Rice.]

He could hardly contain himself. He clicked the food tab again. There it was—a vivid platter of fried rice so colorful, it practically radiated flavor. Every grain was separate yet glistening, perfectly cooked, with bits of egg, scallion, shrimp, and ham mixed in harmony.

He tapped the 3D icon. A sci-fi interface popped up: Retrieve | Comment | Cancel

He hit Retrieve.

Suddenly, a glowing projection of the rice emerged from the screen. Then—woosh—a weight dropped into his hand.

His phone went dark. The plate was real.

Kyren nearly dropped it.

It was hot. Fragrant. Real.

And he was starving.

Without even thanking Tianyi, he sat cross-legged on the floor and devoured the meal like a man who hadn't eaten in days—which, in a way, he hadn't.

He'd arrived in this world at around eleven in the morning. It was now well past seven. No lunch. No dinner. He was running on fumes and desperation.

One of my core principles, he thought between mouthfuls, is "man is steel, rice is fuel—skip a meal and you're done."

Two skipped meals had left him near collapse. If not for the hope that this strange "group system" might offer sustenance, he might've been curled up in some dark alley contemplating life choices.

Do I regret this? he wondered.

He had been given a miraculous second chance—one most people would envy. But honestly? A small part of him did regret it. Not because the opportunity wasn't special, but because survival in this world had proven much harder than expected.

The future might be bright, he mused, but only if you live long enough to see it.

He finished the last grain of rice. The plate shimmered in his hands, dissolved into sparkling particles, and vanished into his phone.

Kyren blinked. "Okay, that's just… absurdly high-tech."

With energy finally back in his limbs, he allowed himself a moment of playful sarcasm.

Then, remembering his manners, he messaged:

"Tianyi-chan, thank you for the Yangzhou Fried Rice. It was amazing."

Her reply came quickly:

"As long as the Group Owner's happy~ Want more? I still have plenty!"

He smiled softly, warmed by the gesture.

"One plate is enough. My stomach isn't as bottomless as yours."

"No worries~ Just ask anytime. I'll always share delicious food with you!"

Kyren leaned back with a sigh.

My dear foodie princess… Am I wrong to think this means I get free meals for life?

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