Number Nine is My Dream Lover: [Looking at the streamer’s expression, it really makes you damn hungry! Boohoo, but this is a cow’s stomach! A cow’s stomach! Even though it smells incredibly good, and I can’t even control my drooling anymore, I just swore I wouldn’t eat this kind of offal! What do I do!?]
Elderly Handsome Man: [You’re really something, little girl. Is this still that stinky cow stomach from earlier? Your hands truly live up to the reputation of turning decay into magic—it’s simply miraculous! This old man is truly convinced! The texture strikes right at the heart! Wonderful!]
Love Ugly Shellfish, Love Kale: [Are you serious, old man!? Hearing you say that, I suddenly can’t hold back anymore. It’s just a cow’s stomach, and it’s just virtual data anyway, what am I afraid of! I’m grabbing a strip and stuffing it right into my mouth. So... delicious! My god, is this really cow stomach!? Junior, please accept my bow!]
...
Gan Lan put down her chopsticks halfway through her meal because the black bean sauce pork ribs were done steaming!
In a joyous mood, she stood up and walked to the kitchen. The moment she lifted the steamer lid, an enchanting aroma washed over her. It wasn’t as rich as the Money Belly, but it still made her want to devour the dish immediately!
The black bean sauce pork ribs had a bright red hue, interspersed with the deep black of the fermented black beans. They might have looked a bit like dirty things, but they complemented the vibrant red ribs surprisingly well.
Gan Lan swallowed hard. She took out the steamed ribs and put in a raw batch to continue steaming. Walking briskly, she carried the cooked ribs toward the dining table, feeling quite impatient.
As soon as she arrived at the table, she saw that Gulu had sneaked over while she was in the kitchen. He was carefully picking up a small strip of Money Belly, muttering to himself, "I’ll test the real thing for you guys. I’m a robot anyway. It’s just a cow’s stomach; I’m not afraid!"
Having given himself an undeniably flawless justification, he instantly became emboldened. Without feeling the slightest sting of embarrassment, he popped the "dirty thing" he had previously mocked into his mouth. His eyes lit up. He chewed rapidly and swallowed. "I didn’t really taste anything. I’ll eat a few more strips to check."
As he spoke, he picked up two more strips and shoved them into his mouth, one after another...
Holding the black bean sauce pork ribs, Gan Lan stood behind Gulu. She really wanted to ask, "Doesn’t your face hurt?" It was a pity his entire body was mechanical; how could he feel pain?
The viewers in the live stream: [...] They had never seen such a brazen robot.
Gan Lan coughed. Hearing the sound, Gulu’s hand paused. Then, he picked up another chopstick-ful and continued eating. "I’m just afraid that eating too many of these dirty things will be bad for your health. I’ll eat more of them for you so your body won’t have any problems. No need to thank me, it’s my duty."
Gan Lan fell silent. His logic was so sound that she actually couldn’t find a way to refute it.
She could never win an argument with Gulu, but she still had to try. The corners of her lips curled up. "No, I still have to thank you. After all, you’ve almost finished both of these plates. These dirty things really shouldn’t be eaten in excess! Since you’ve eaten these two plates of dirty things, you won’t need to eat any ribs!"
Setting down the two plates of black bean sauce pork ribs, Gan Lan blocked Gulu’s chopsticks as they reached for the new dish. "These aren’t dirty things. They aren’t suitable for you~"
"Hmph! You cheapskate! If they aren’t dirty things, I’ll just apologize to the Money Belly, alright!?" Gulu sounded aggrieved, but he still stood up and bowed to the Money Belly in front of him. "I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have called you a dirty thing. Please forgive me!"
Then, he turned his head and snorted at Gan Lan, whose shoulders were shaking with suppressed laughter. "Is that enough!? Can I eat the ribs now!?"
Gan Lan couldn’t hold it in any longer and burst out laughing. She truly hadn’t expected Gulu to be so adaptable, actually apologizing to the Money Belly. She hadn’t known such a thing was even possible!
"Alright, seeing how sincere you are, I forgive you on behalf of the Money Belly. Eat up~" Without waiting for Gulu, Gan Lan picked up a piece of the ribs.
The viewers in the live stream were absolutely stunned by Gulu’s maneuver.
My Life is So Hard: [Holy crap! You can actually do that!? Then let me do it too. Money Belly, I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have judged a book by its cover—oh wait, judged a stomach by its cover! I never expected you to have such inner depth. You have deeply captivated me and left me wanting more...]
Sky Blue: [It’s still me who has a discerning eye, recognizing the extraordinary nature of this cow’s stomach. Your appearance now is deeply engraved in my mind. I’ve been completely captured by you, and no words can express my love... Money Belly, you are beautiful and fragrant!]
...
As a piece of the black bean sauce pork ribs entered her mouth, Gan Lan’s eyes narrowed in pleasure. The ribs had soaked up the rich broth and the unique flavor of the fermented black beans. It practically melted in the mouth; with a light suck, the meat slipped right off the bone. The taste was absolutely heavenly.
Gan Lan quickly served herself a bowl of rice. Yes, she had cooked rice earlier just in case, and now it was definitely coming in handy.
She poured more than half of the black bean sauce pork ribs and their broth over the fragrant, distinct grains of rice. Scooping up a large spoonful of rice soaked in the flavorful sauce, she brought it to her mouth. The texture and the aroma were intoxicating.
Gulu followed suit, though he poured the Money Belly and its broth over his rice instead. Scooping up a large spoonful of broth-soaked rice, he shoved it into his mouth and immediately let out a sigh of admiration. "This is way too delicious! The taste is incredible!" He scooped up another large spoonful, picked up a piece of rib to go with it, and ate them together, his expression turning blissful.
Hot Pot Balls: [Ah!! This stinky Gulu is way too lucky. I’m so jealous, jealous, jealous to death! But mixing the broth with rice must taste phenomenal. The ribs truly melt in the mouth—fragrant and savory, striking straight at the soul. It’s godly!]
Binbin: [I really want to be the robot by sis’s side. This treatment is way too good. You get to eat whatever Junior makes! I’m suddenly crying sad tears, biting my handkerchief and sobbing softly. Sis, look up at pitiful me T^T]
Moonlit Grace: [You weakling, you can’t even beat me, yet you want to be a robot by Junior’s side? Even though Gulu is a bit annoying, he can fight! He can wash vegetables, and he even knows how to mix hot and sour sauce. He’s a legendary all-rounder! If it were you, could you do it!?]
Feiran: [...]
Gan Lan couldn’t see the yearning comments from her friends in the live stream. She had buried her head and was eating heartily. In no time, she finished one bowl of rice, scooped another, and poured the remaining half of the black bean sauce pork ribs over it, continuing to sink into culinary ecstasy, unable to pull herself away...
Not to be outdone, Gulu also served himself another bowl. He muttered, "Are you a pig? You finished a bowl of hot and sour noodles, a bowl of rice, and now you’re having another bowl! Keep this up and you’ll get as round as a ball."
"Do you ever have anything nice to say? Can’t even the food shut your mouth?" Gan Lan swallowed a mouthful of rice and immediately shot back.
Gulu instantly feigned cowardice, making a zipping motion across his mouth before continuing to eat.
By now, the black bean sauce chicken claws were also ready. Although Gan Lan had been immersed in the delicious food, she was actually looking forward to the chicken claws the most. Hearing the chime from the steamer, she dropped her spoon, stood up immediately, and headed toward the kitchen!