Dylan: "Alice, Let's Sleep Together Tonight."

"This is the result of my hard work this past year!"

Swallowing hard, looking at Dylan's serious and stern face, Alice Nakiri said with a solemn expression.

At this moment, a thin layer of sweat had formed on her palms.

Although she had given her all, showcasing everything she had achieved this year, she didn't dare to relax even a bit before Dylan nodded.

The theme of the dish was noodles.

Noodles made using molecular gastronomy.

The reason this theme was chosen was precisely because of the Lanzhou beef noodles they had eaten together in the afternoon. Dylan had set the theme based on that, asking her to make this.

And the dish she made now was a molecular gastronomy version of "noodles that are not noodles," adapted from a "non-noodle" dish Dylan had previously taught her! It was primarily made using clear chicken broth, saffron, carrageenan, and gellan gum, supplemented with rehydrated dried squid shreds, which not only enhanced the noodles' flavor but also mimicked their unique chewiness.

"The main body of the noodles carries the flavor of chicken broth. Because carrageenan and gellan gum were added, the reshaped noodles are incredibly elastic. The rehydrated squid shreds acting as the core of the noodles add to their resilience, preventing the texture from being too fragile and breaking apart when picked up. Furthermore, the rehydrated dried squid shreds provide an indescribable umami! This umami, layered with the umami from the chicken broth, creates a unique duet on the palate!"

Picking up a noodle, one could clearly see the rehydrated squid shreds within the translucent, chicken-broth-based noodle.

Although there was still a slight difference in texture compared to real noodles, the gap was already very small!

Due to the cooking method, this dish could only be served as cold noodles, giving a refreshing and invigorating sensation.

By the time he came back to his senses, the bowl of cold noodles in front of him was empty.

"You did very well. Using only the few remaining ingredients in the kitchen, you were able to create such a delicious cold noodle dish. It perfectly met the requirements of the test I gave you. It seems that in the year I was away, you didn't slack off at all."

Watching Alice Nakiri's expression change from nervous to excited, Dylan put down his chopsticks, a rare smile appearing on his face as he praised her.

"That's great!"

"However, this dish still has some flaws. I won't tell you the specifics. You continue to learn, and a year from now, I will test you on this topic again. At that time, you will need to improve the taste of this dish by at least one level."

Seeing Alice Nakiri jump up in excitement, Dylan didn't get up to celebrate with her but continued with a stern face.

To be honest, Special Grade was just the beginning. The current Alice Nakiri was merely standing at the very bottom of a towering mountain range.

And to climb it, to reach the highest peak, one could only do so through constant self-refinement!

"No matter what, at least I've passed the current assessment, right!?"

Looking at Dylan's serious demeanor, Alice Nakiri couldn't help but pout.

They had finally reunited after so long, and instead of thinking about doing something fun, this guy was testing her cooking skills. What an unromantic fellow!

"Blockhead Dylan-nii!"

Alice Nakiri complained non-stop in her mind, then looked at Dylan with a resentful expression.

"For now, you've met my requirements, but we still..."

Before Dylan could finish his sentence, Alice Nakiri gracefully and quickly walked towards him, unceremoniously throwing herself into his arms and resting her head on his chest.

"What's wrong? So suddenly..."

Feeling the softness in his embrace, Dylan reflexively put his arms around her slender waist, feeling its warmth, and then, feigning composure, he spoke.

"Since I've passed Master's assessment, what about my reward as a disciple? Master wouldn't be so stingy as to not prepare a reward for his disciple, right?"

Lifting her small head, a noticeable blush appeared on the young woman's face.

Evidently, Alice Nakiri wasn't adept at this sort of thing either, but Dylan was an out-and-out blockhead, so she had to be the one to do it! Otherwise, if neither of them took the initiative, how would their relationship progress?!

"Reward? What kind of reward do you want?"

Looking at the extremely proactive young woman before him, Dylan smiled, reached out to pick her up, adjusted his posture slightly, and had her sit on his lap.

"I'll take whatever Master gives me."

Seeing Dylan's slightly playful expression, the blush on Alice Nakiri's face deepened, and her heart skipped a beat.

How was this different from what she had imagined? Wasn't she supposed to be the hunter?

Why did it seem now that she was more like prey that had dived headfirst into a hunter's trap, and a smug one at that?!

Something was wrong, nine out of ten parts wrong!

"You'll take whatever I give you? In that case, if your master gives himself to you, would you take him?"

Looking at the red-cheeked young woman in front of him, Dylan couldn't help but feel a little mischievous and spoke in a half-joking tone.

"Yes! I'll take whatever Master gives me!"

Hearing Dylan's half-joking words, Alice Nakiri nodded frantically, her expression incredibly serious, her eyes so determined it seemed as if the world could end and it wouldn't change.

"Then, let's sleep together tonight."

Looking at Alice Nakiri's expression, Dylan suddenly said this.

"Ah? Okay!"

Hearing Dylan's words, Alice Nakiri was stunned at first, her cheeks visibly reddening, but she still nodded with determined eyes.

"Don't overthink it. It's just ordinary sleeping together, sharing a blanket. As for that kind of thing, let's wait until you're older."

Seeing the young woman's slightly trembling eyelashes, Dylan knew exactly what she was thinking. He reached out and pinched her cheek, speaking in a slightly teasing tone.

After all, she was a young woman he had watched grow up. To suddenly make a move on her felt a little awkward, to say the least.

So Dylan decided to take it slow, starting with sleeping together, and then gradually progressing. This way, it wouldn't be too difficult for Alice Nakiri to accept.

"Of course, I know! And, what kind of thing are you talking about? I don't quite understand."

Although Dylan's next words made Alice Nakiri a little disappointed, she could accept it. After all, you eat a meal one bite at a time. The fact that Dylan could accept her now already made her very happy!

"I don't believe you wouldn't understand. If you really don't understand, then let's wait until you do before taking that step. Otherwise, wouldn't I become a bad man who deceives innocent young women?"

Looking at Alice Nakiri's feigned innocence, Dylan reached out and pinched her cheek, then spoke.

"Well, I think I might understand a little..."

Hearing Dylan's words, Alice Nakiri immediately admitted it. She didn't want things to go off track just when they were about to naturally progress.

Although she knew in her heart that Dylan was joking, she didn't dare to gamble. If she won, great, but if she lost, she'd be a real clown!

After all, at her age, she did have some needs in that department, and with Dylan as the object of her affection, it made it even harder for her to let go!

"Cute. Then let's go back to the room."

"Mm."

Watching Alice Nakiri's reaction, Dylan couldn't help but sigh in admiration.

As he spoke, he picked Alice Nakiri up in a princess carry and walked straight to the room, while Alice naturally put her arms around his neck.

As for whether it was just ordinary sleeping together, only the two of them in the room, under one blanket, would know.

This was also their shared secret.

The next day, Dylan woke up early, made a simple breakfast, ate, rested for a while, and then started his morning run. This was a habit he had developed over the past few years.

The plan for the day is made in the morning; only enough exercise can awaken a body that has slept through the night. And clearly, he wasn't the only one with this habit.

"Morning, Dylan-kun."

A man with a scar on his heroic face and bulging muscles appeared beside Dylan at some point and started running with him.

"Oh, it's the old man. Morning."

Seeing Senzaemon Nakiri suddenly appear beside him, Dylan's expression didn't change much. He just greeted him indifferently and continued at his own pace.

"It seems you've already met Alice. I never expected you to be her master. No wonder you could train her to this level. In less than a year, she went from not being a Special Grade to a Seven-Star Special Grade, and even possesses the potential to reach greater heights... What an astonishing fellow."

Glancing at the home Dylan had prepared for Alice Nakiri behind him, a smile appeared on Senzaemon Nakiri's face.

For his granddaughter to be connected with such a strong individual was of enormous benefit to him, and indeed, to the entire Nakiri family! If Dylan hadn't progressed so quickly, and if the Eight-Star Special Grade assessment hadn't yet begun, he would probably already be an Eight-Star Special Grade. Yesterday, the casually made radiant-grade Yuxiang Rousi had truly startled him. He might not be able to make many radiant-grade dishes in his entire lifetime, yet in Dylan's hands, it seemed like a common home-cooked meal that could be made casually. Such a standard undoubtedly reached Eight-Star Special Grade!

"Star ratings and such are just empty names. What's important is the skill in one's hands. Alice is a good child, and I will nurture her well." Facing Senzaemon Nakiri's praise, Dylan gave a noncommittal smile.

"However, there's one thing I don't understand. Why did you want to teach at Totsuki's elementary division? With your abilities, you're more than qualified to teach the high school division."

Senzaemon Nakiri asked. Actually, what he initially wanted to offer Dylan was the position of Special Advisor.

This position was below the Academy Director but was not influenced by the Totsuki Elite Ten Council. Totsuki Academy only appointed a Special Advisor almost once every hundred years.

A Special Advisor didn't need to manage anything, just be affiliated with Totsuki Academy, give one or two lectures a year, and receive numerous benefits. If they encountered a student they liked, teaching them a thing or two would be a great fortune for Totsuki.

But Dylan refused, insisting on teaching the elementary division, being an ordinary Chinese cuisine teacher, euphemistically calling it "cultivating talent for them," saying that the current Totsuki was too uninteresting...

Helping to cultivate talent was undoubtedly a good thing.

However, Senzaemon Nakiri wouldn't believe that an Eight-Star Special Grade expert like Dylan would be so idle as to come to Totsuki to cultivate talents.

Therefore, Dylan's purpose in coming to Totsuki was worth scrutinizing.

However, such an amazing Eight-Star Special Grade chef had come knocking on their door. It would be a waste not to use him. Thus, even knowing there might be a conspiracy, he still allowed Dylan to become Totsuki's Chinese cuisine teacher.

Regardless, before implementing any "conspiracy," having him teach more talented students who could achieve higher rankings in international competitions would also improve the quality of their next intake of students.

"Because I want to find opponents of the same age for Alice. Right now, due to a lack of competition, her progress has slowed down significantly."

After a moment of silence, thinking about the dish he had tasted last night, Dylan's voice reached Senzaemon Nakiri's ears. Such an ordinary reason?! If that was really the case, then their Totsuki could have an Eight-Star Special Grade chef presiding for at least four years!

"I need to pick up the pace. See you later."

With these words, Dylan suddenly accelerated, and soon his figure was far in the distance.

Senzaemon Nakiri watched his retreating back, silently changed direction, and began to ponder.

"His arrival, I don't know if it's good or bad. However, one thing is certain: he is definitely the best whetstone for the Era of Raw Jade!"

The two had met at a Sino-Japanese culinary exchange. At that time, Senzaemon Nakiri represented the Japanese culinary world, while Dylan represented the Chinese side.

Although both combatants were juniors in the culinary world, with skills only at the level of first-class chefs, one of them possessed the innate ability to communicate with ingredients.

Upon discovering this, Dylan had actually jumped down from the judges' panel, quickly approached the junior who possessed this talent of communicating with ingredients, and asked him how he did it.

Possessing such talent yet still willing to humbly ask for guidance – such behavior did not invite ridicule. Instead, it sent shivers down the spines of all the Special Grade chefs present, including himself.

Because they were also very curious, but due to their own pride, they couldn't bring themselves to ask. Yet Dylan did, and in front of them and the audience.

After this incident, they were stunned to realize.

At some point, they had lost this ability that allowed for rapid progress.

.

Putting on airs could indeed make one seem more dignified.

But it also made them lose the possibility of further improvement. As masters, they should always maintain the heart of an apprentice!

"What a peculiar man. It seems Totsuki is going to get lively from now on!"

Senzaemon Nakiri sighed softly, a smile appearing on his face. The Era of Raw Jade might arrive sooner than he thought!

"..."

After finishing his morning run and returning home, just as Dylan opened the door, a white figure rushed up and hugged his waist tightly.

"Where did you go? You didn't even tell me before you left. I thought you had abandoned me again!"

As she spoke, the young woman lifted her head, her eyes slightly teary.

"I saw you were sleeping so soundly. Don't worry, even if I really had to leave, I would take you with me this time. Besides, it's not worth crying over, is it?"

Dylan patted Alice Nakiri's head, wiped the tearstains from the corners of her eyes with his finger, and at the same time, felt surprised. How had this child become so fragile?

Just because he went out for a morning run?

"These are leftover from waking up. I dreamt that you secretly left while I was asleep. When I woke up and wanted comfort, you were actually not here!"

As she said this, Alice Nakiri's voice carried a hint of resentment.

However, it was indeed her being overly sensitive. Dylan wasn't her possession; how could he possibly stay by her side twenty-four hours a day?

"I've already made breakfast. Haven't you always wanted to try the morning tea from Guangzhou? That's what we're having for breakfast today." Feeling the somewhat oppressive atmosphere, Dylan clapped his hands, effectively ending the previous topic, and then started talking about today's breakfast. Half a year ago, during a phone call, Alice Nakiri had been telling him how much she wanted to eat Guangzhou's morning tea, and he had remembered it until now.

"I've already finished it all."

Hearing Dylan's words, Alice Nakiri couldn't help but blush.

"Even when you're sad, you don't forget to taste the food?"

Seeing her like this, Dylan couldn't help but tease.

"Dylan-nii, with your cooking right there, how could anyone resist eating it!"

Looking at Dylan's expression, Alice Nakiri, exasperated, started playfully hitting his chest, providing a well-reasoned answer.

"That's true."

Letting Alice Nakiri hit his chest, enjoying the beauty of this moment, Dylan felt that coming to Totsuki was truly wonderful!

Especially last night...

"Alright, next I'm going to the cooking classroom to deliver yesterday's reward. Are you coming with me, or staying home to do your own thing?"

After a moment of tenderness, Dylan looked at Alice Nakiri and asked.

"Although I really want to go with you, I've already scheduled a Shokugeki with Ryo Kurokiba. I didn't expect that guy to follow me here, and he's been bugging me every day, insisting on a Shokugeki duel with me! He's just a weakling, yet he's so arrogant. The appointed time is this morning!"

Despite her words, the fighting spirit rising on Alice Nakiri's face revealed her true feelings.

"Ryo Kurokiba? He's indeed a decent opponent. With his current strength, even Erina might not be his match."

Although Dylan hadn't paid much attention to Ryo Kurokiba, the guy kept asking questions, so he had learned a few things from him. It wasn't much, but it was enough to be dominant at Totsuki, as Ryo himself wasn't weak and had always been competing with Alice.

"Why did you suddenly mention Erina? Are you two very close!?"

Perhaps because Dylan said it so naturally, Alice Nakiri couldn't help but puff up her cheeks, a hint of jealousy in her voice.

"Isn't it to differentiate between you and her? Besides, I only met her yesterday, how could we possibly be close?"

"Actually, it doesn't matter if you're a little closer. I don't mind that. But I must be the main one!"

Looking at Dylan, Alice Nakiri said this with her hands on her hips. After finishing, she hugged Dylan's neck and planted a kiss on his cheek.

"Good morning, Dylan-oniichan."

_____

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