Chapter 10: Poisoning

"Indeed, what has that wicked female done to you?"

Ye Xi, hearing this, followed up with keen interest. He simply did not believe that Hua Susu could truly change for the better, especially by acting with such sudden benevolence to provide them with mental stabilization. However, seeing Xin Bai’s current state, it seemed she had indeed done something. Ye Xi’s initial desire to watch the spectacle softened, and he began to probe cautiously. If she were truly channeling mental energy into them in earnest, could his own abilities be restored?

Que Qing let out a cold scoff at these words. "What could she have done? Nothing more than luring you in, giving you a taste of sweetness just like she used to before leading you into another trap. Such a simple ruse, and you actually believe it, Xin Bai?"

Although Xin Bai was also somewhat skeptical of Hua Susu, what she had done yesterday was truly different from before. Without intentionally taking sides, he stated the facts flatly: "She really was different yesterday compared to how she was before."

"Xin Bai, have you really been deceived by her?" Que Qing shook his head at the remark.

"There is no need to put it that way. Whether or not I have been deceived, I do not know. I only know that my mental consciousness map has opened up considerably."

"What did you say..." Que Qing was incredulous.

Su Yu waved his hand through the air, sensing for a moment before his eyes narrowed. "Your mental consciousness map really has been opened."

A single stone stirred up a thousand waves. These words sent ripples through the hearts of the four men. When they contracted with a female, their only goal was the expansion of their mental consciousness maps. Had Hua Susu not been backed by the Blue Nuo Kingdom, they would never have chosen her. Previously, she had always been negligent in this regard and treated them poorly, so the expansion of their consciousness maps had remained stagnant. If she could truly help them expand their maps, it meant their combat power would increase, allowing them to head to the battlefield. For a moment, all five were lost in thought.

Just then, the butler arrived. Seeing them all together, he instructed the robot to place the items Hua Susu had made onto a nearby table, smiling as he said, "This was made by the Princess herself. She said it is a gift for the Beast Husbands to taste."

"What did you say? This thing was made by that wic... by Hua Susu? She is actually capable of cooking? Butler, we all know what kind of person Hua Susu is; you don't need to speak up for her." Luo Yan did not believe it for a second.

The butler smiled. "Lord Husband Luo, this was truly made by the Princess herself. I, for one, would not know how to make these things called 'buns'."

As he spoke, he stepped forward and lifted the lid. "Look, they are round and plump, and they smell quite fragrant."

Luo Yan glanced forward skeptically. Seeing the white objects, his expression shifted to surprise. "I have never seen these before. Did she really make them herself?"

The butler looked at him with a smile. "Certainly."

Que Qing glanced at them, his expression barely changing. "She is that kind-hearted? Who knows if there is poison inside?"

The butler chuckled. "The buns have already been scanned by the robot; they are confirmed to be safe. If the Lords do not believe it, you are welcome to scan them again."

Ye Xi leaned in and took a sniff, a smile playing on his lips. "This scent... it actually smells quite good."

Que Qing raised an eyelid toward him. "Are you mad? You would dare to eat something sent by that wicked female?"

Xin Bai looked at the buns without moving, but Su Yu walked over and picked one up to taste. "I will try it."

Seeing Su Yu actually pick up a bun, Que Qing looked confused and incredulous. "Su Yu, you are actually going to eat it?"

Luo Yan stood to the side, staring at the bun, his mouth nearly watering. But he had to force himself to resist. Damn it, why did such a fragrant thing have to be made by that wicked female? It smelled so good; it looked delicious. The white dough wrapped around the oily broth—one bite would surely be succulent and juicy. He decided he would have to look closely so he could find someone to replicate it later.

Su Yu did not answer Que Qing. He picked it up with a calm expression, inspected it, and took a bite. Instantly, the rich broth burst forth in his mouth. The meat flavor was intense, completely different from the meat-flavored nutritional supplements. He said, with some surprise, "It is indeed better than nutritional supplements. It has more flavor."

"Good? Su Yu, have you been addled by a drugged bun?" Que Qing snorted.

"Su Yu, should I go call a physician for you?" Luo Yan asked, sounding worried. Although the buns smelled fragrant, Que Qing was right—couldn't a poisoned bun smell just as good?

"I am truly fine. If any of you wish to eat, you may try some," Su Yu said, his expression calm.

Su Yu was a man who never lied. Once these words were spoken, the expressions of those present became somewhat astonished. Could it be that Hua Susu really had not poisoned the buns?

Seeing Su Yu eating, Xin Bai felt a stirring in his heart. After a moment of hesitation, he finally reached out and took one to taste. One bite in, and it was truly as Su Yu had said—full of rich meat flavor. While the daily nutritional supplements were flavorful, that taste felt like it was floating in the air, lacking substance. The meat in his mouth was a tangible, genuine flavor. He could not help but nod and sigh, "It is truly delicious!"

Luo Yan had been eager to try it all along. Hearing Xin Bai also say it was good, he blinked and asked, "Xin Bai, is it really good?"

Xin Bai nodded and handed a bun to Luo Yan. "If you don't believe me, try it."

Luo Yan wanted to refuse, but that fragrance seemed to have a hook, pulling at his nose until he couldn't stop. Unable to resist any longer, he took it and began to eat. The moment he took the first bite, his eyes lit up. "This is really not bad!"

He then began to eat with great gusto. After finishing one, he was left wanting more. Seeing there were still some on the tray, he looked up at the other two. "Ye Xi, Que Qing, hurry and eat! It won't taste good if it gets cold."

"Hmph, I won't eat it. Who knows what ingredients that wicked female put inside?" Que Qing glanced at them and scoffed coldly.

Ye Xi narrowed his eyes. "I don't care for meat, so I will pass."

He did not believe for a second that Hua Susu had suddenly become so kind without some ulterior motive. It was only Su Yu being soft-hearted, Xin Bai being a hot-headed youth, and Luo Yan being a glutton that made them believe it.

"Ding! Luo Yan's favorability +5; current favorability -74."

"Ding! Que Qing's favorability -5; current favorability -84."

"Ding! Su Yu's favorability +3; current favorability -76."

"Ding! Xin Bai's favorability +4; current favorability -80.99."

After finishing her meal, just as Hua Susu intended to pull up her optical computer to check some data, the system began to ping incessantly. Sending the buns today was just a casual probe to test their attitudes toward her; she had not expected that the first ones to gain favor would be Su Yu, Luo Yan, and Xin Bai. Xin Bai went without saying, as she had just soothed his mental body yesterday. Su Yu’s reaction was a surprise, as was that of Luo Yan.

"Wait, Que Qing doesn't like meat, so he doesn't eat it—but his favorability actually dropped? Is he sick?"

"Host, Que Qing suspects you poisoned them."

Hua Susu: "..."

Never mind. It is useless to argue with a fool.