Chapter 44

Chapter 44

At Wu Star Hospital.

In the genetics department.

Lu Wei accompanied Danjiao through the registration and procedures.

The doctor instructed Danjiao to lie still beneath the machine. The little one glanced at Lu Wei with big eyes as he looked at the enormous device.

Lu Wei offered his fist. "Be a brave boy."

Danjiao bumped his own pudgy fist against Lu Wei's, letting out an "Aww."

It was unclear who had taught this child to make such sounds. Despite his young age, he seemed to enjoy letting out these cries, though he certainly wasn't some wild beast.

Lu Wei supported his chin as he watched Pang Qiu take a step forward.

The examination began promptly.

The director was also waiting outside for the results.

Although the hospital in Wu Star had yet to fully align with the advanced medical standards of the galaxy, it was still capable of conducting a genetic test promptly.

They all went to the department together to view the outcome.

The doctor pointed at the report and shrugged, "It shows that the gene isn't recorded in our database on Wu Star, indicating an unknown genetic makeup."

For the maternal side: Unknown.

For the paternal side: Unknown.

Lu Wei speculated that perhaps as an Earthling who had transmigrated, his genes hadn't been documented in Wu Star's records, thus resulting in an 'unknown' for his father's side.

But for his mother...

Could it be that Danjiao's mother wasn't from Wu Star?

The director's hands trembled as he held onto the results.

"Very well, very well!"

Lu Wei: ?

The director clapped his hands. "This is great news!"

Lu Wei: "How so?"

The director wore an expression that said, "Now, this is something you don't understand." "If it's not in Wu Star's database, it means it doesn't come from any nearby planets. It could be from a more advanced civilization in a distant place."

Wu Star and the surrounding planets.

It was merely a matter of distinction within the same category.

Like choosing the tallest among dwarves.

If the child's genes were found to be of such origin, wouldn't that mean Wu Star would have to settle for mediocrity in this competition?

Curiously, Lu Wei asked, "How far away are we talking?"

The director stroked his chin with the pad of his finger. "Hard to say. In any case, it's not one of the genetic data already recorded around Wu Star."

As long as it wasn't from here, that was good!

Lu Wei nodded as if he understood.

—This meant they still had no clue where the kid's mother was right now.

Danjiao gazed wide-eyed. "Isn't Danjiao a child of Wu Star?"

Lu Wei was well aware that if he let Little Pang Qiu have his way, the latter would surely embark on a whimsical inquiry into which planet he hailed from and which rock he had sprung out of.

Sure enough, the moment this notion emerged.

Pang Qiu promptly followed up with a question, "Daddy, who is Danjiao, the little child?"

Lu Wei: "You are the esteemed vinyl subscriber, QQ Yellow Diamond member, and KFC Super Member's offspring."

Director: "..." I'm sorry, I don't understand.

Danjiao's eyes sparkled with excitement. "That's incredibly awesome, right?"

Lu Wei nodded seriously. "Not just ordinary impressive."

Every Thursday, they could enjoy the luxurious pauper's feast.

"Woah!" Danjiao exclaimed.

The little plump ball, Pang Qiu, was pacified by his words.

After the genetic testing, the director solemnly offered Danjiao a direct pass to the finals of Wu Star.

Lu Wei inquired, "A direct pass?"

The director smiled enigmatically, "I have a wildcard for the Wu Star finals, and of course, I'm saving it for Danjiao. It'll astonish everyone when the time comes."

Pang Qiu, who was busy catching insects, seemed unenthusiastic and began rolling on the ground, turning his lovely little outfit into a dusty mess.

How could this be tolerated?

The live broadcast was paused as they went to retrieve the ball.

Lu Wei chased after it, scolding, "Lu Danjiao, if you dare roll on the ground again, you won't have any dinner tonight!"

The director, left aside, was speechless.

"Don't you two know the value of that direct pass?"

Well, anyway, with your superior genes, you have the final say.

Finally, after five minutes, he successfully caught the ball and, with it in hand, bid farewell to the director.

In the evening, upon returning home, Lu Wei prepared a sumptuous feast for the adorable Pang Qiu.

To begin with, he was quite skilled, and now, after opening his shop, his craftsmanship has been further honed.

Seducing Pang Qiu with an intoxicating fragrance that made him cry out in delight.

Pang Qiu was quite complementary, giving his approval with thumbs up while indulging in the food.

After the meal, the father and son lounged together in a rocking chair.

With a hint of bashfulness, Little Pang Qiu said, "Dad, I like you."

Lu Wei, lying in the recliner, fanned himself and replied, "Oh, I also like myself."

Little Pang Qiu's thought process had always been peculiar, "Uh-huh! So, am I a rival in love with Dad?"

Lu Wei couldn't fathom where this plump youngster had picked up the term "rival in love." "Not really."

Egg dumplings inquired, "What's that?"

After some thought, Lu Wei tossed out a trendy term: "You could say we're shipmates."

"What's a 'tongdan', Daddy?" Little Pang Qiu exerted himself to snuggle into Lu Wei's embrace.

Lu Wei showed no hint of embarrassment as he declared audaciously, "Being 'tongdan' means that we both have feelings for the same person. For example, if you like Father, you can say that Father is your 'dan.'"

Pang Qiu nodded, his understanding somewhat uncertain, "Oh, then I'll be Daddy's little fan. Daddy is so perfect, and he cooks delicious food too! Awesome!"

Lu Wei was amused by this.

---

In the interstellar world, food had evolved into highly concentrated nutrient fluids with various flavors.

Opening a restaurant against the tide might not have been the best choice here.

Yet, Lu Wei still went ahead with it.

He felt as if it was something he had planned for a long time.

Among the pre-prepared meal kits, none could surpass the popularity of braised chicken and pork rice. Thus, Lu Wei prepared these two dishes.

Wu Star's environment resembled Earth, hence it also had creatures similar to chickens, ducks, and pigs.

This allowed him to recreate dishes that could evoke nostalgia for home-cooked meals.

The menu also featured burgers, a type of fast food.

There was a reason for its rapid popularity on Earth, and it was believed that it could also make a mark in the interstellar market.

And so, "Rice Bowl with toppings·Burger" opened its doors!

On Earth, those familiar with ordering takeout could easily tell that this was a chain specializing in pre-prepared meals, but aliens wouldn't know that.

He sampled the dishes alongside the young ones who had recently started eating solid foods other than milk.

—Though one couldn't take this child's opinions seriously.

After all, Danjiao found everything delicious.

He would even give a compliment to obviously wrongly seasoned food, pretending to love it.

One wonders whose appetite for anything and everything he inherited.

Having secured a direct pass to the finals of "Cub's Great Inventions," Danjiao had no other commitments aside from the nursery.

On weekends, he clung to Lu Wei, insisting that Lu Wei take him to the store.

It was a newly renovated and recently opened rice bowl and burger shop.

Lu Wei busied himself with skewers, taking the chance to sneak a taste when the crowd thinned as the chef.

After taking a bite, he wore a contented smile.

Now this was food.

Nutrient solution was trash in comparison.

Danjiao blinked his big eyes. "Daddy, what are you eating? I want some too."

Lu Wei took another bite, savoring the flavor. "Kids can't handle it, it's too hard to swallow."

Pang Qiu gazed at the skewers. "Then what is this?"

"This is called 'Palm Treasure.'"

"Palm Treasure?"

Lu Wei pointed to a specific spot on his foot. "Right here."

Pang Qiu responded, "Ooh."

The adorable Pang Qiu accompanied him as a mascot in the shop.

Neighbours passing by couldn't resist coming in for a visit.

All because the little one was warmly hospitable and had great sales potential, addressing everyone as 'big brother' or 'sister', making the aunts and uncles who walked by chuckle with delight.

By morning, the sales were quite substantial.

Lu Wei remarked, beaming with pride, "As expected of my brother."

When it was time to close up shop in the evening, Pang Qiu obediently held onto the edge of Lu Wei's sleeve, waiting patiently.

Pang Qiu stretched out his arms for a hug, "Daddy, my feet hurt."

Lu Wei gently massaged his chubby little feet, "Where does it hurt?"

Pang Qiu pondered for a moment, "My treasure palm hurts."

Lu Wei was speechless.

Lu Wei took his child home to examine his "treasure palm" and confirmed that there was nothing wrong.

After a fragrant bath, he soothed the child to sleep.

Only after the child had fallen asleep did he start to worry about the shop's affairs.

The revenue from the past few days had boosted Earthling's confidence, and now he wanted to expand the menu.

Coincidentally, he won the lottery to access the Star Network that evening.

He could go online and surf.

This was the first time he had logged onto the Star Network this year.

Lu Wei scanned through the information at a rapid pace.

If he were to look for ingredients to cook, his ideal choice would be something that resembled Earthly crops, something affordable and abundant, with which he could establish long-term purchasing arrangements.

However, after an entire night of searching, Lu Wei couldn't find any crops that caught his fancy.

"Tsk, these... " None of them would do.

Finally, he paused on a particular page.

The Asmo Planet in the B System.

It was located several billion light-years away from here.

But!

They grew something similar to potatoes there!

Lu Wei tapped to expand the detailed image and squinted his eyes.

This earthen yellow exterior, plump shape, thin skin, and familiar soil... It was the perfect substitute lover for the cherished White Moonlight Potato!

For Chinese cuisine, potatoes were like a tiger adding wings, giving dishes a soul!

However, after staring at it for quite some time, Lu Wei couldn't find any contact information for ordering this crop.

Lu Wei turned to the broker. "Can you connect me with a vendor on this planet?"

The broker stroked his chin. "Asmo Star? Never heard of it."

He searched and eventually found a piece of information on the galactic network.

"Asmo Star is now under the jurisdiction of the main planet in the B Star System."

"I've heard of the B Star System. They've conquered many neighboring planets with their highly advanced technology. They're quite dominant," the broker said, wearing an expression that suggested "this might not be easy."

Lu Wei was magnanimous. "I'm willing to pay three hundred star coins per kilogram for this crop."

Agent: "We'll definitely get it!"

With such a reliable, wealthy buyer who's naive and willing to spend, what crop could they not handle?

The agent immediately contacted his connections in the B Star System with great confidence.

"Oh, oh, it doesn't fall under your jurisdiction—"

"What? You're talking about Emperor Star?"

Although Lu Wei didn't quite understand, he could guess from his brother's cautious and troubled expression.

After the call ended, Lu Wei promptly asked, "So, how was it?"

The agent shook his head. "It's currently under the jurisdiction of Emperor Star, the main planet of the B Star System. I tried to gauge their stance, and it seems that place is reportedly the private territory of the Emperor of Emperor Star."

Lu Wei's frustration flared. "Who is it?"

Agent: "Huh?"

Estate Agent: "You don't know about the Emperor Star's ruler?"

No-Common-Sense Guy gave a puzzled look. "Should I?"

The elder agent shot him a skeptical glance, then fell silent before explaining, "Emperor Star is a highly advanced planet. Its monarch is rumored to be ruthless and expansionist, having already conquered all neighboring planets. Asmodeus Star is one such example; it's now a vassal of the Emperor Star."

Lu Wei: "Can't I just buy potatoes?"

Estate Agent: ...

"Who could, besides you?" he wanted to ask.

Which king would do business with the common people?

Agent Bro: "Moreover, it's said that the crops on Asmora were created by the king as a gift for his queen, to win her favor."

Lu Wei couldn't care less about delight or displeasure; all he knew at this moment was that...

"So it means I won't be able to get my hands on any potatoes, huh."

Realtor Big Bro: "Mm-hmm."

When it came to that ruthless king, just being alive was already fortunate.

Lu Wei: "..."

So, the crucial element for his perfect potato dish empire, the soul of the pre-prepared meals, was now gone, right?

Wasn't this a bit too much?

Aside from someone like him, who else could have affection for a substitute potato so reminiscent of a beloved companion?

Or could it be that the queen is trying to compete with him for business?