Chapter 570: The Mysterious Roujiamo of Middle-earth
For the young girls, indulging in such exquisite cuisine was a source of pure, unadulterated bliss. Sonoda Umi and Minami Kotori were practically glowing with excitement, their usual refined composure melting away in the face of the feast. Meeting new friends and sharing a rare, leisurely meal together was already a treat, but the sheer quality of the food had completely shattered their expectations. As aspiring culinary enthusiasts, the depth of flavor left them deeply satisfied.
However, the two girls had other reasons for their high spirits. Kotori was absolutely thrilled because she had just found her ultimate muse: Kasugano Sora. Her creative mind was already racing, sketching out a dozen different ways to tailor the most adorable, frilly outfits for the quiet, silver-haired girl.
As for Umi, her heart was full because she had finally tasted the exact, elusive flavor profile she had spent months dreaming about. It was a truly delightful revelation.
The group of girls chatted animatedly between bites, their laughter filling the warm air of the restaurant. One by one, they finally reached their limits, letting out soft, contented sighs as they set down their polished cutlery.
Umi glanced over at the three figures lounging nearby, watching a movie on the screen, before tentatively speaking up. "Shopkeeper Ren!"
Ren paused, turning his head with a mild look of inquiry. "What's wrong? Do you want to add anything else to your order? Or do you need something specific?"
Umi shook her head rapidly, her dark hair swaying. "No, no, no! I just wanted to ask... Shopkeeper Ren, could I possibly ask you for some cooking guidance? Just for a few specific dishes! I promise it won't take up too much of your time!"
Ren offered a relaxed smile. "In a few days, the Student Council of Totsuki Culinary Academy will be coming here for an on-site study session. If you have any questions then, you can ask them. Those Totsuki students are top-tier; they can definitely give you some excellent pointers."
Umi's eyes widened in pleasant surprise. "Really? That would be amazing! When exactly?"
After Ren provided the scheduled time, Umi nodded deeply, expressing her sincere thanks, and settled back into her seat.
Karura, noticing that everyone had finished their meals, leaned forward with a bright, energetic smile. "Are you guys in a hurry to head back today?"
"Not at all." Erina smiled softly, her posture elegant as she rested her hands in her lap. "The President is away on a business trip today, so it's just Kotori and me at home. We're definitely not in a rush. Besides, tomorrow is the weekend."
Karura immediately stood up, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Perfect! Come on, let's go find Sora and the others! I'm telling you, it's been a long-standing rumor that Sora's room is an absolute paradise. Though, I don't know if you'll feel the same way, Umi."
"Let's go, let's go! Ren, we're heading upstairs first!"
Umi and Kotori both offered polite bows and a synchronized "Excuse us," before Karura eagerly pulled them toward the staircase.
Lucifer watched the girls disappear up the steps, a lazy, amused smile playing on her crimson lips. "They really are a fascinating bunch of little girls."
Pandemonica, who had been quietly sipping her coffee, adjusted her glasses and tilted her head. "Boss, do the 'little girls' you just mentioned include Karura?"
Lucifer crossed her arms, her tone taking on a haughty, defensive edge. "Yes, why wouldn't it? Even if she's technically a sister figure, she's still a little girl to me."
"Boss, are you simply trying to imply that you're still young?" Pandemonica asked, her voice perfectly deadpan.
Lucifer's cheeks immediately puffed out in indignation. "I am young! No... I am eternally young! Hmph! Ren! What do you think?"
Ren looked at the Queen of Hell, taking in her flustered, demanding expression, and let out a low chuckle.
Lucifer's eyes narrowed, a sudden sense of foreboding washing over her. "What are you planning to say? Choose your next words carefully, or I'll bite you."
Instead of answering directly, Ren stepped closer, casually wrapping an arm around Lucifer's waist and pulling her against him. He looked down into her eyes with a perfectly straight face and sighed dramatically. "Auntie Lucifer... I don't want to work hard anymore."
Lucifer, entirely familiar with the modern internet culture he was referencing, froze for a split second before bursting into a fit of uncontrollable laughter. She playfully slapped Ren's arm, her shoulders shaking. "So you only call me 'Auntie' when you want a sugar mommy to support you?"
"Then what should I call you?" Ren teased, his grip on her waist firm and warm.
"Call me... Pfft—hahahaha! No, no! I still can't accept being called that, hahahaha!"
Pandemonica watched the exchange with mild bewilderment, her tired eyes blinking slowly. "Lucifer... Auntie?"
Lucifer caught her subordinate's confusion. Her eyes darted between Ren and the tired demon, a mischievous spark igniting in her gaze. "Ren, Ren, why don't you try that line on Pandora too? She seems highly curious."
Pandemonica stiffened. Before she could even process the suggestion, Ren had already reached out, smoothly pulling her into his embrace.
She was completely stunned. Her usually sharp, analytical mind short-circuited as she found herself pressed against his chest. She blinked rapidly, instinctively shrinking her arms inward like a shy schoolgirl, her gaze locked onto Ren's face as a deep, noticeable flush crept up to the tips of her ears.
Ren smiled down at her, his voice dropping into a smooth, teasing murmur. "Auntie Pandora... I don't want to work hard anymore..."
Pandemonica felt a sudden, bubbling urge to laugh, but she desperately bit the inside of her cheek to maintain her composure. She looked up at him, her heart beating a frantic rhythm against her ribs, and gave a small, serious nod. "Mm... then... don't run the shop anymore. Auntie will support you."
Lucifer couldn't hold it in and erupted into another peal of laughter.
Ren chuckled, gently releasing his hold on the flustered demon. "Pandora, you really are interesting. But I have to admit, you look incredibly cute when you're shy."
Pandemonica immediately whipped her head away, staring intensely at the floor, absolutely refusing to speak. Even after Ren stepped back, she kept her chin tucked down, hiding her burning face in silence.
Lucifer watched them with a playful, satisfied smirk. This was exactly the reaction she had wanted to see.
Over time, she had come to a quiet realization: these girls were never going to return to Hell. She wasn't worried about Justice in the slightest; the blind demon was simply enjoying the ride, perfectly capable of distinguishing between casual fun and deep emotional entanglement. Modeus, on the other hand, had completely failed to draw that line. It was blatantly obvious that the lustful demon had fallen for him, and considering that certain lines had already been crossed, there was nothing Lucifer could do about it now.
That left only Pandemonica.
For some inexplicable reason, Lucifer suddenly felt like an exhausted mother fretting over her daughters' marriage prospects. Realizing the absurdity of her own thoughts, she didn't know whether to laugh or sigh.
Unlike a dramatic maiden, Pandemonica didn't run away in embarrassment. She simply sat back down on the sofa, her posture rigid, and forced herself to stare at the movie screen as if her life depended on it. Lucifer nodded to herself, quite satisfied with her subordinate's grounded behavior.
Far away, across the dimensional divide, on the war-torn lands of Middle-earth.
Aragorn and his companions had finally secured their ultimate victory. Standing outside the quiet hospital room where the Hobbits were resting, Aragorn offered a weary but deeply relieved smile. "Although we have endured far too many hardships and tragedies along this path, I am deeply grateful that victory ultimately favored our side."
Legolas smiled softly, stepping forward to clap a reassuring hand on Aragorn's shoulder. "Everything unfolded as it was meant to, my friend. It is a time for celebration. The courage and contribution of those Hobbits cannot be overstated."
"Indeed," Gimli rumbled, his gruff voice tinged with sorrow. "It is just a bitter pity about King Théoden... He was a good, honorable monarch."
"We can do nothing but mourn the fallen," Legolas said gently. "But come now, Gimli! Cheer up. We have won the final victory!"
Aragorn nodded, his gaze distant but warm. "Yes, you are right. We can only honor their memory by living well. But tell me, do you two remember? Long ago, we agreed that after our victory, there was one very specific thing we needed to do."
Gimli scratched his thick beard, his brow furrowing in thought, but he came up blank.
Legolas, however, chuckled and nodded in immediate understanding. "Yes, I remember perfectly. We need to go visit that human Shopkeeper of yours—the one who could easily be called your mentor. He aided us greatly in his own way."
Gimli's eyes widened in sudden realization, a massive grin splitting his face. "Oh! The Roujiamo!"
"Hahaha!" Aragorn and Legolas burst into joyous laughter, the tension of the war finally bleeding out of them.
Just then, an elderly figure draped in sweeping white robes, leaning on a wooden staff, approached the trio. Gandalf the White offered them a kind, knowing smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I take it you three are discussing that peculiar restaurant where you received your 'teachings'?"
Aragorn turned, bowing his head respectfully. "Gandalf. We won..."
Gandalf waved a hand dismissively, his smile widening. "The news of our victory has already spread to the furthest corners of Middle-earth, Aragorn. We have much more pressing matters to discuss now."
"More pressing matters?" the three warriors echoed in unison, thoroughly confused.
Gandalf's eyes twinkled with ancient mischief. "Yes. Matters such as... Roujiamo."
"Hahaha!"
The halls of the healing houses echoed with the booming, unburdened laughter of the four heroes, their minds already drifting toward the promise of a warm, perfectly spiced meat sandwich waiting for them across the realms.
[Akarin's Note: "Auntie, I don't want to work hard anymore" (阿姨,我不想努力了) is a highly popular Chinese internet meme. It is used jokingly by young men who claim they are so exhausted by the struggles of modern career life that they want to find a wealthy, older woman (a "sugar mommy" or "Auntie") to financially support them so they can just be lazy.]
[Akarin's Note: Roujiamo (肉夹馍) is a famous street food originating from Shaanxi Province, often referred to as the "Chinese Hamburger." It consists of heavily spiced, slow-braised shredded meat (usually pork or beef) stuffed inside a crispy, pan-baked flatbread.]
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