C5 To be Mocked by the System

Preparation was rushed, the utensils felt awkward, and there wasn't enough strength. In short, nothing was satisfactory. The dish she plated was only a third of her peak performance.

[Shaky Hands activated. Available points: 5. To exchange for initial items from the store, you need to accumulate 50 points.]

[Host's skills are lacking. Cutting vegetables looks like a dog paddling. The color, aroma, and taste are nothing to write home about. Review: Tasteless, a plate of garbage.]

[Please keep trying. 021 is here to serve you.]

The mechanical voice chimed in again, with a hint of disdain. So it wasn't her imagination after all.

Tasteless, a plate of garbage...

Xue Ning: "..."

Her fists itched.

[Host, violence won't solve the problem. Keep going~]

Xue Ning blinked, focused her mind, and asked internally: 021, what exactly are you?

021: "..."

After an awkward yet polite silence, a pink manual appeared before Xue Ning—"Miracle Hand System User Guide."

It seemed this system had a bit of a girlish touch.

Xue Ning skimmed through it and finally understood. The Miracle Hand System, true to its name, was like a golden finger. At the novice level, the dishes created were unique and, when paired with rare ingredients, could heal and prolong life. At the master level, it could even save those on the brink of death from terminal illnesses.

Points are earned through genuine praise from others—the more people, the more points you get.

To progress from "Shaky Hands" to "Featherweight," you need 5,000 points. From "Just a Tickle" to "Dainty Prodigy," it takes 10,000 points. The higher the level, the harder it is to upgrade.

Xue Ning felt a wave of longing as she took a deep breath and closed the manual.

Take it slow.

For now, eating is the priority.

Mrs. Zhao, who had been eavesdropping by the door, was worried. She listened to the sounds inside, still uneasy—she had never seen the lady of the house cook before.

It wasn't until the aroma wafted out that Mrs. Zhao took a deep breath, her nose filled with the rich scent, and her stomach growled in response.

She blushed with embarrassment and gave Xue Ning a thumbs-up through the door.

Well! The lady usually keeps a low profile; what was she worried about?

Just then, the sound of the door opening caught her attention.

A few seconds later, Mr. Wang, the butler, wheeled in a man with a face as cold as steel.

He was the owner of the villa and Xue Ning's husband, Lu Bai.

Hearing the commotion, Mrs. Zhao quickly approached, "Sir, you're back."

Receiving no reply, Mrs. Zhao wasn't bothered and continued, "You must be hungry. Please wait a moment; the lady is preparing dinner just for you."

Lu Bai looked up, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. But it was fleeting, as he recalled how that woman had been pestering him for the project just days before. He couldn't help but frown. Was this an attempt to curry favor?

"Mr. Wang, go buy some porridge," Lu Bai ordered coolly. Mr. Wang left without hesitation. He doubted that his wife could whip up anything appetizing. She never cooked, and ever since the accident, Lu Bai's appetite had been poor. Even the finest delicacies couldn't tempt him if they weren't to his taste. Was she trying to starve him on purpose?

After Mr. Wang left, Mrs. Zhao took over the wheelchair, wanting to defend the wife. Initially skeptical, she now genuinely believed the meal was prepared with Lu Bai in mind—the aroma was truly enticing. But before she could speak, the kitchen door swung open.

"Mrs. Zhao, come help with the dishes."

Xue Ning stood frozen at the kitchen entrance, immediately spotting Lu Bai in the wheelchair. Lu Bai saw her too.

​