Chapter 23: Selling Potatoes

Chapter 23: Selling Potatoes

The next morning at 6 AM, the sky was just beginning to brighten. Cang Cheng finished washing up, still half-asleep, yawning and rubbing his eyes.

He was still groggy, stumbling as he walked, clearly not fully awake.

"Cang Cheng, stop! There’s a wall ahead."

"The cup is on your left, not your right side."

"You’ve got your clothes on backward."

"Watch out for the stairs; don’t wander off in your dreams."

Hilmeth considerately reminded him, warning him about various things, more reliably than a navigation robot.

When they reached the last stair, Cang Cheng missed a step.

Instinctively, Hilmeth reached out to catch Cang Cheng’s waist, but, as expected, his arm passed through Cang Cheng’s body again.

Hilmeth still lacked a physical form.

He clenched his fists.

Cang Cheng jolted awake instantly after tripping.

He steadied himself by holding onto the railing and wiggled his ankle. Fortunately, apart from being startled, Cang Cheng was unharmed.

Hilmeth frowned. "Watch your step when going down the stairs next time."

Cang Cheng soothed him, "I’m just too sleepy, Mo. Sorry for worrying you."

Hilmeth said, "Be more careful next time."

When Cang Cheng arrived in the living room, Mù Xīng and Mu Mu were already helping Philip prepare the potatoes for today’s potato product sale.

Today, Cang Cheng planned to sell mashed potatoes, fries, and raw potatoes on Luo Ri Star. They needed to slice some potatoes and mash others.

Mù Xīng sighed, "Mu Mu, peel these potatoes. I didn’t ask you to cut them into chunks."

There were no automatic potato-cutting machines on Luo Ri Star, and there were only a few such devices in the entire star system. To process so many potatoes, manual labor was needed.

Mu Mu picked up a potato skin that was about a finger's thickness and blinked with innocent eyes. "Brother, isn't this potato skin?"

Mù Xīng said helplessly, "Go help Philip with mashing the potatoes!"

Mu Mu obediently put down the potato chunks. "Okay, brother."

Cang Cheng greeted them with, "Morning."

"Sir, good morning."

"Sir, morning."

"Good… good morning, Executive Officer brother."

Cang Cheng said, "You all came early. Have you had breakfast?"

"I've already eaten a lot of potatoes, burp."

Mu Mu patted his little belly and let out a satisfied burp.

Cang Cheng smiled and patted Mu Mu’s head. "Is there anything I can help with?"

Philip said, "Sir, we can handle it. You can rest over there."

Mù Xīng said, "If possible, can you use the Spirit Runes to help cut the potatoes, Sir?"

The two spoke almost simultaneously, and after speaking, they glanced at each other before looking back.

Philip gave him a disapproving look: Why would you ask Sir to do such a thing?

Mù Xīng raised an eyebrow: If it increases efficiency, why not?

They silently vied with each other.

Thinking that using the Spirit Runes would help lighten their load, Cang Cheng nodded. "I can use the Spirit Runes to cut some potatoes."

As he spoke, fluorescent blue magic concentrated at his fingertips, and he drew a line in the air.

Several wind blades formed, slicing through the air with a few swift swooshes, cutting all the potatoes in the three baskets into strips as thick as fingers.

It was done in less than a second.

Mu Mu gaped. “Wow! Pretty brother, you’re amazing!”

Cang Cheng looked down. “Pretty… brother? Me?”

Mu Mu’s green eyes twinkled, and he nodded repeatedly.

“Right, pretty brother, you look really good. Even Brother thinks you look good.”

Mù Xīng spoke softly. “Mu Mu.”

Mu Mu didn't budge. “I’m just telling the truth~ Brother, don’t deny it. Clearly, you also find the Governor brother good-looking.”

Cang Cheng shifted his gaze to Mù Xīng, a faint smile hanging on his lips.

Mù Xīng, compared to the first time Cang Cheng met him, was noticeably more confident and refined.

Mù Xīng’s previously frizzy milk tea-colored hair had become smooth, and the ends were tied back to prevent it from getting in the way of test tubes.

On his pure white lab coat, dark blue embroidery adorned the collar, with a blue and white color scheme similar to Cang Cheng’s attire.

Though still black-rimmed, his glasses were now thin-framed, giving him a less clumsy appearance.

Cang Cheng said with a half-smile, “Mù Xīng, do you also think I’m pretty?”

Mù Xīng’s ears, hidden by his hair, flushed slightly.

He adjusted his glasses and nodded, feigning calmness. “Yes, very handsome.”

“Thank you. I think I look pretty good too.”

Cang Cheng accepted the praise with ease.

Hilmeth, standing transparently behind Cang Cheng, impatiently wiggled the tip of his tail.

But Cang Cheng didn’t notice.

After that, Cang Cheng used the Wind Blade runes again to help peel the skin off two baskets of potatoes. Then, he brought the freshly fried potato pancakes to the living room to enjoy.

The potato pancakes were made by coating shredded potatoes in flour. The flour was taken from Simon's cargo ship and would run out after use.

Luckily, wheat cultivation had been successful, so they could frequently enjoy potato shred pancakes in the future, and soon, they would also be able to enjoy bread.

Cang Cheng ate the potato pancake in small bites.

The potato pancake was crispier than fries. They were salted before frying, giving them more flavor than fries, but eating too much could become tiring, so it was best to enjoy one or two pieces occasionally.

Cang Cheng munched with a 'crunch crunch' sound, feeling a bit disappointed: "[Too bad you can't try this, Mo. These freshly fried pancakes are really delicious.]"

"[By the way, have you noticed your energy increasing recently? Any sense of being able to form a physical body soon?]"

Hilmeth, arms crossed, replied: "[I can feel the energy increase, but I still can't form a physical body.]"

Cang Cheng frowned: "[That's strange... With my current magic power, you should be able to form a physical body, Mo. I wonder what the issue is?]"

Cang Cheng currently had the magic power of a mid-level mage, which should have been sufficient for Mo to take physical form, though the duration might be short.

Hilmeth: "[Magic power?]"

Cang Cheng, unflustered: "[Slip of the tongue, I meant energy. I think this term suits Spirit Rune Masters well. What do you think about it?]"

Hilmeth's response was indifferent: "[It's alright.]"

Cang Cheng reassured: "[Don't worry too much, Mo. I think it won't be long before you can form a physical body. Don't worry too much.]"

Hilmeth: "[Mm.]"

He pondered.

Hilmeth guessed that the reason he couldn't form a physical body might be because most of the energy he received from Cang Cheng went into repairing his body and soul.

He hoped he could form a physical body soon!

He disliked existing in a non-physical state. Although it was nice to be able to pass through walls freely, he couldn't touch Cang Cheng.

*

After dealing with the potatoes, it was already 8 o'clock, which was exactly the time people woke up.

After putting everything on the mobile vending cart, Cang Cheng and his three companions, along with one soul, arrived at the Central Plaza.

Phillip pressed a button on the cart, and the previously dark mobile vending cart instantly lit up, accompanied by a crisp AI announcement.

"Potatoes, selling potatoes! Potatoes that have been tested and are safe to eat. One potato for 20 stellar coins, a cup of mashed potatoes for 30 stellar coins, and a serving of fries for 30 stellar coins.

The latest naturally pollutant-free potatoes cultivated by the experts under the Governor of Luo Ri Star! Don't miss out as you walk by!"

"Potatoes, selling potatoes..."

The clear AI announcement soon echoed throughout the Central Plaza, confusing the residents.

"Potatoes? Are they the edible ones I'm thinking of?"

"Is this possible? One potato for 30 stellar coins? This must be some kind of counterfeit tech!"

"But... it’s said the governor recently cultivated them. There’s even a test report..."

"Just because someone says so, you believe it? Why are you so gullible?"

"Only 30 stellar coins... that’s really cheap. Even nutrient solutions cost 10 stellar coins per vial when they’re cheap."

"There’s no harm in giving it a try."

"What’s that smell... it smells amazing! I'm hungry; I’ll go check it out."

...

The vendor cart had been announcing for nearly 10 minutes without any customers, but Cang Cheng wasn't in a hurry. People always need time to get used to new things.

He asked Phillip to open the steamer.

The next moment, a unique food fragrance spread through the air.

It was a flavor that couldn’t be described in words, something nutrient solutions can never replicate.

The scent was pure and capable of stimulating people’s appetites.

The aroma spread far and wide, and some people opened their sealed windows, sniffing the air curiously before clutching their rumbling stomachs.

Another moment passed, and someone approached Central Plaza.

Ming Bai limped to Central Plaza, unable to sit still because of the enticing scent.

His attention was first drawn to the person standing next to the merchant cart.

The man was wearing a style of loose jacket he had never seen before, with a faint smile at the corners of his lips, though his dark eyes seemed cold, emitting an intangible pressure.

Is this the Fifth Prince… Cang Cheng?

Ming Bai took a moment to recognize Cang Cheng, who looked very different from the rumors.

Then, his gaze shifted to the three large baskets of potatoes next to the merchant cart, and the pots emitting the fragrant aroma of potatoes.

Ming Bai’s eyes widened, and his stomach growled even more loudly.

Wow, they really have potatoes?

And they’re selling so inexpensively?

Ming Bai picked up a potato and weighed it in his hand. The potato didn’t cry out 'ah.'

“Why are these potatoes so cheap? Outside, they sell for over a thousand star coins each.”

It was Mù Xīng who answered him.

“We used the latest biotech. The inspection report is on the holographic display behind you.”

“Did you develop this?”

Ming Bai knew of Mù Xīng, another unfortunate soul who had been exiled to the border planet, just like him.

However… hmm…

Mù Xīng seemed somewhat different from before.

If he had to describe it… there was a spark in his eyes now?

Mù Xīng nodded in confirmation. “Yes, it’s me.”

Ming Bai smiled at Mù Xīng. "If it's you, then I'm relieved. I'll have boiled potatoes, mashed potatoes, and fries."

Philip began frying the fries, while Cang Cheng ladled the mashed potatoes into bowls. Mù Mù took a small spoon and drizzled sauce over the mashed potatoes.

Mù Xīng handled the cashiering. "That comes to 80 stars."

Ming Bai picked up a fry and popped it into his mouth as he made the payment.

The crispy exterior of the potato burst under his teeth, and the soft interior exploded in his mouth. The slightly salty flavor satisfied both his taste buds and his stomach.

Ming Bai scooped another spoonful of mashed potatoes.

In contrast to the rich texture of the fries, the mashed potatoes were smooth and melted in his mouth, with a gentle flavor.

Ming Bai’s eyes widened, and he gave Mù Xīng a thumbs-up. "Everything is so delicious! Impressive, Mù Xīng."

Mù Xīng said, "If you want to praise someone, praise Sir Cang Cheng. He suggested cultivating the potatoes and provided me with the financial support."

Huh, when did Mù Xīng start fawning over Cang Cheng?

Is Cang Cheng that charming?

Ming Bai was puzzled internally but smiled at Cang Cheng.

Then he limped away, the faint metallic sound accompanying his steps.

With Ming Bai as the first to try the potatoes, the residents of Luo Ri Star, who had been observing, also bravely approached the cart to buy potato dishes.

This is food that sells for thousands or even tens of thousands of stars elsewhere! It’s a steal, so why not try it?

And didn’t they notice the governor standing right by the cart?

With such a handsome governor, these foods couldn’t possibly be bad.

"A serving of mashed potatoes."

"I’ll have a serving of fries."

"I’ll take one of each."

Cang Cheng and the others packed the potatoes efficiently. Though their movements were still somewhat awkward, they managed without making any errors.

"Oh my, is this what real food tastes like? It’s so good."

"Mom, can I have another fry, please?"

"Will the governor really avoid bankruptcy?"

"I suddenly feel that Luo Ri isn’t so bad after all..."

Soon, a crowd started to gather in the formerly quiet square. They were relishing fries or mashed potatoes, with contented smiles.

This was likely the most relaxed and joyful morning they had known since their abandonment on Luo Ri Star.