The Sujia kitchen was currently a whirlwind of activity. Zhang Ma, wearing a chef’s hat, stood by the stove with two other maids.
They were busy washing and chopping vegetables in a coordinated effort, preparing the meal that would be served to the Eldest Miss for lunch.
Of course, even though this particular meal arrangement had come somewhat unexpectedly, the standards could absolutely not be lowered.
The Sujia household always kept a surplus of fresh ingredients on hand to handle any sudden requirements.
However, since only two young girls would be eating, the portion sizes for each dish were appropriately reduced.
Every ingredient was carefully portioned; whatever went unused was labeled and set aside, to be consumed within two days…
Yet, just as Zhang Ma was earnestly directing the other two in preparing the feast, an unexpected guest suddenly arrived in the kitchen.
Accompanied by the light sound of the door pushing open, a lazy and somewhat playful voice drifted slowly from behind Zhang Ma.
“My, Zhang Ma, good afternoon.”
“What are you planning to cook for lunch today?”
“M-Miss Su!?”
Despite the chill running down her spine, Zhang Ma forced herself to stay steady. She turned around with a forced, fawning smile and beamed at Su Wanli.
“Oh my, what brings you to the kitchen today? We didn’t have time to prepare for your arrival. Look at how messy this kitchen is…”
“Hmm? What kind of talk is that? Are you saying that because I don’t usually come here, you all get lazy with the cleaning?”
Although the girl’s tone didn’t carry any obvious anger, cold sweat broke out on Zhang Ma’s forehead involuntarily.
“O-Of course not! It’s just that if we knew you were coming, we would have made sure the kitchen was in its most perfect state, ahaha…”
Looking at Zhang Ma’s terrified expression and seeing her Female Villain Value unexpectedly increase by 2 points, Su Wanli raised an eyebrow slightly.
‘What’s going on? I didn’t intend to say anything mean, but the moment I opened my mouth, it carried such a sense of pressure.’
‘Has my personality actually changed in just a few short days?’
‘…No, it must be a temporary influence. Once the Plot Mission is completed and I’m free from the constraints of the Female Villain Value, everything will return to normal.’
Su Wanli gave herself some useless comfort in her mind before shrugging at Zhang Ma and offering what she considered to be a gentle smile.
“Heh, no need to be so nervous. Didn’t you teach me how to make Butter Shrimp the other day? A teacher for a day is a father for life. This lady isn’t an ungrateful person, so just relax.”
“Ha… haha, you’re right… Wait, no, how could I ever be compared to President Su? You’re really flattering me too much…”
…She told her to relax, and yet the woman was still like this.
But then again, in Zhang Ma’s eyes, her “Villainess Persona” was likely already set in stone. There was no point in trying to change her style now; it actually saved her from further pestering.
Su Wanli glanced up at the clock on the kitchen wall, reached for a white apron hanging behind the door, and walked over to an empty stove. She grinned at Zhang Ma and the two maids.
“Alright, Zhang Ma, enough of that. Is everything you’re making almost finished?”
“Miss Su, w-we still have one stir-fry and…”
The younger maid reflexively started to answer, but the older maid and Zhang Ma both tugged at the corner of her clothes.
“Y-Yes, Miss Su, we are finished with the kitchen. Please, use it as you like. We’ll be going now…”
Just as they were hurriedly preparing to leave—
“Hmm? Wait, don’t be in such a rush to go.”
Su Wanli pressed a hand onto Zhang Ma’s shoulder, wearing an unreadable smile.
“Before you leave, help me prepare a few ingredients first, okay?”
***
Heh, the System was right. Her previous way of thinking had been far too narrow.
If she only focused on the traditional ways a villainess expressed herself, the ending would likely be poor.
So, looking back at the experiences of the last few days — her “persona” actually had another possibility.
— A “studious” Villainous Eldest Young Lady.
This meant that no matter what new things she learned, it wouldn’t seem out of place in Meng Wange’s eyes. This applied to cooking as well.
Of course, this setting only worked on Meng Wange.
Su Wanli smiled as she picked up a piece of peeled yam, snapped it into two sections, and tossed them into a large pot of boiling, milky-white soup.
‘If a capricious Eldest Miss happened to be passing by the kitchen and happened to develop an interest in cooking, then learning how to boil a pot of White Porridge from Zhang Ma would be perfectly normal, right?’
‘…Of course, this definitely isn’t because Meng Wange has a fever today and I want to help her nourish her body. At most, it can only be considered a “side effect.” After all, I can’t finish such a large pot of porridge alone, so sharing a bit with her is only logical.’
‘…Very good. I’ll use this excuse to fool the System.’
**[…Host, unless specified otherwise, the System can read your inner thoughts at any time.]**
“Heh, so what if you heard? What are you going to do about it?”
“Anyway, there aren’t any other tasks right now. Just consider this as me preparing a pot of scalding hot porridge to ensure Meng Wange can’t sleep well.”
**[Understood. When reporting today’s progress, the System will refer to the reason provided by the Host. Please continue your roleplay.]**
“…Glad you’re sensible.”
Su Wanli snorted, grabbed a handful of washed goji berries, and tossed them into the pot.
“…Wait, what’s next?”
It seemed like there weren’t any other ingredients to add. The last step… was just putting on the lid?
She stared at the pot of boiling White Porridge as small bubbles rose to the surface, lightly rubbing her chin.
‘It feels… a bit too ordinary?’
Meng Wange wasn’t an ordinary person; she was the “Halo Heroine” of this world.
How could a pot of ordinary White Porridge possibly move her?
Since she had already decided to “capture her heart,” she absolutely couldn’t just make an ordinary pot of porridge.
She had to make — a stylish, “special White Porridge” that belonged only to her.
That’s right. The persona could be ordinary, but the cooking could not be.
As a traditional villainess, there were some feelings that could not be spoken aloud.
But if all that concern was melted into this bowl of porridge — then it would be different.
Even the System wouldn’t be able to dock her Female Villain Value for that…
“Alright, Su Wanli!”
“Give it your all and let Meng Wange feel your ‘sincerity’ in the very first bite!”
At this moment, the Villainous Eldest Young Lady, who was currently rolling up her sleeves and focusing all her energy on how to dazzle the heroine, had completely forgotten—
Certain extremely important matters.