Chapter 44: Chapter 44: The Three Men Are Filled with Jealousy and Envy Towards Ming Ye

In the new plot unlocked by the system, Jiang Wanwan had been reborn.

She wanted to steal everything from the original owner and replace her as the Empress. She had already stolen five of her husbands, and next on her list were the sixth husband and the throne.

The original owner was her biggest obstacle, and she wouldn’t be spared. Therefore, Jiang Yunnuan had no path of retreat.

"First, cook!"

Ming Ye’s dissatisfied urging cut through Jiang Yunnuan’s thoughts.

She turned to look at him, feeling a wave of helplessness. ’Ever since he had a few bites of my food, is eating the only thing on this guy’s mind?’

’I’m at my wit’s end with him.’

"I’m getting to it, I’m getting to it! What’s the rush? I won’t go back on my promise to you."

The moment she said that, three other pairs of eyes immediately locked onto her. Their gazes were intense, scorching, yet restrained, making Jiang Yunnuan tense up.

"Ahem. With the help of your food, our Cultivation should be twice as effective, allowing us to make rapid progress."

Jun Yao coughed, his voice tinged with awkwardness.

With him breaking the ice, Fu Yuan quickly nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Our Cultivation Resources are scarce, so it’s difficult to make any progress in the short term. Besides, after being held up by you for so long, our bodies are severely depleted and need to be replenished as soon as possible."

Jiang Yunnuan was speechless.

’I’m not the one who held them up! I didn’t!’

Suddenly, she noticed something was off. Even Jun Yao and Fu Yuan had spoken up, but Si Xie, who was usually so sharp-tongued and talkative, was completely silent, as if he’d gone mute. ’This isn’t right.’

She looked up and saw that Si Xie’s handsome, bewitching face was swollen beyond recognition. He pursed his lips, looking like he wanted to say something but was holding back, appearing deeply conflicted.

When he saw her looking, he quickly averted his gaze, refusing to meet her eyes.

’Whoa, what’s wrong with him?’

’Why is he suddenly acting all shy?’

Jiang Yunnuan strode over and grabbed his wrist.

"What are you doing?"

He flinched as if pricked by a needle, his whole body trembling as he turned to stare at her with terrified eyes.

"What do you think I’m doing? I’m healing you. Did you think I was going to eat you? Or take advantage of you? Look at yourself, swollen up like a pig’s head. Who would want to take advantage of that?"

"I don’t get it. You knew you couldn’t beat Bai Luo, so why did you fight him? Were you just itching for a beating?"

Jiang Yunnuan mocked him mercilessly as she looked at his wretched injuries.

Then, she activated her Healing Ability. A faint, emerald-green glow emerged from her palm, flowing into his body through their point of contact.

Si Xie felt his entire body being enveloped by a mysterious, gentle power. The energy rapidly repaired his damaged physique, making him feel as comfortable as if he were soaking in a warm spring.

But soon, a sense of humiliation and dejection washed over him. He lowered his head listlessly and ignored her.

It was rare to see him not talking back, and Jiang Yunnuan found it a bit unsettling.

"Hey, cat got your tongue? Don’t you usually have a sharp tongue? Why didn’t you say anything back when Bai Luo was humiliating you like that? Or is that mouth of yours only good for arguing with me?"

Hearing this, he snapped his head up. His silver-white eyes were bloodshot, turning them a startling crimson.

"Because it’s all true! I’m a good-for-nothing who can’t win a fight or even keep his own woman! It’s not just him—everyone in the entire Empire who knows me says so! Are you satisfied now?"

Seeing his self-loathing expression, Jiang Yunnuan froze. A wave of regret washed over her. ’I think I said the wrong thing!’

Thinking about the original owner’s past actions, her lips parted, wanting to say something to fix the situation, but for a moment, she was at a complete loss for words.

"I’m sorry."

After his wounds were healed, she let go of his arm, apologized, and turned to walk toward the villa.

The four men stared, stunned by the scene. Then, Ming Ye started after her.

Meanwhile, a flicker of regret and helplessness crossed Si Xie’s eyes. ’Should I not have said that?’

’Even though I lost miserably to Bai Luo today, she protected me. She didn’t mock or humiliate me in front of everyone. She even had Jun Yao get revenge for me. She’s really so different from before.’

’Maybe I shouldn’t take my old frustrations out on her.’

[Ding! Si Xie’s affinity has increased. Current affinity: 10.]

[Ding! Si Xie’s affinity has increased. Current affinity: 20.]

[Ding! Si Xie’s affinity has increased. Current affinity: 25.]

Just as she reached the living room, a series of notifications for increased affinity rang in her mind.

Jiang Yunnuan paused, stunned. After her experience with Jun Yao, she didn’t celebrate too soon. Instead, she patiently waited for the notification that his affinity was about to drop.

"Why did you stop?"

Suddenly, Ming Ye’s deep voice sounded from behind her.

Seeing her stop, Ming Ye, who was right behind her, frowned. Jiang Yunnuan knew exactly what he wanted—he was clearly rushing her again.

’He keeps nagging and nagging. This guy is so impatient. Then again, I have been dawdling for a while.’

"I’m going, I’m going!"

Although she’d agreed to cook only for Ming Ye, she used her Points to redeem a large number of ingredients from the system’s shop.

As she and Ming Ye worked in the kitchen, three figures stood guard outside the door, their six eyes staring intently at them.

Two hours later, the dining table was laden with ten dishes and a soup, completely filling the space.

Sichuan Boiled Fish, Lamb Hot Pot, Big Plate Chicken, Pan-fried Eggplant, Sweet and Sour Ribs, Golden Tofu, Hand-Torn Cabbage, Yuxiang Shredded Pork, Sugared Tomatoes, Smashed Cucumber Salad, and a Creamy Mushroom Soup.

The air was thick with a rich, tantalizing aroma.

Smelling the aroma, Si Xie and Fu Yuan stared eagerly at the table laden with colorful, mouthwatering dishes, unable to stop themselves from gulping.

Compared to the other two, Jun Yao was clearly more restrained, but his eyes were also glued to the food, unable to look away.

Ever since tasting food worthy of a master chef, the monotonous, bland Energy Liquid was no longer palatable. They even felt as though they had wasted the past twenty years of their lives, completely unaware that such exquisite flavors existed in the world. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Unfortunately for them, this feast had nothing to do with them!

The three were filled with envy and jealousy toward Ming Ye. ’All of this delicious food is for him alone? Can he even finish it all?’

’It’d be better if he just ate until he burst!’

’Just because he slept with that woman for one night? What did he do to deserve a feast like this all to himself?’

"Stop staring and come help with the rice!"

Their eager, pleading expressions reminded Jiang Yunnuan of giant puppies begging for food. Her heart softened, and she decided to stop teasing them.

Hearing her words, their expressions changed in an instant, replaced by wild joy.

’There’s some for us, too?’

’This is an amazing surprise!’

Fu Yuan and Si Xie shoved Jun Yao aside in unison, rushing into the kitchen to carry out the bowls of rice.

Jun Yao was speechless.

After everyone was seated, Ming Ye surveyed the spread of dishes, then frowned at Jiang Yunnuan.

"You said you’d give me a chicken leg. Which one is it?"