With Asta’s assistance, Su Yan and Stelle finished their shopping by evening, buying all the necessary daily supplies, including various furniture, computers, bathroom sets, and more.
As for logistics, Asta had already taken care of it.
A space station starship would head to Planet Blue the next day to purchase supplies and bring back their bought items at the same time.
Returning to the Astral Express, Dan Heng and Welt were chatting in the Parlor Car, while March 7th was watching a TV drama.
The sound of the carriage door opening didn’t draw March 7th’s attention, but Dan Heng and Welt looked over.
“Dinner is in a little bit.
If you don’t have anything urgent, stay on the train for now,” Dan Heng reminded the two.
“The train’s meal times are 8:00–9:00 in the morning, 12:00–13:00 at noon, and 18:00–19:00 in the evening.”
Pausing for a moment, Dan Heng continued listing the rules.
“If you won’t be dining on the train, tell Pom-Pom in advance to avoid wasting food and to keep from making Pom-Pom angry.”
“If there’s any dish you want to eat, just tell Pom-Pom and Pom-Pom will make it for you.”
“Pom-Pom handles the meals on the train?” Extracting what he deemed the key point from Dan Heng’s explanation, Su Yan sat in a chair next to Dan Heng and asked with interest.
Hearing this, Stelle also looked curious, leaning toward Su Yan to ask what she cared about.
“Pom-Pom is so small, how does Pom-Pom cook?”
“Uh, don’t say that in front of Pom-Pom, or Pom-Pom will get mad!”
Seeing Su Yan and the others chatting, March 7th stopped watching TV and leaned over to join the conversation.
Hearing Stelle’s question, she warned Stelle with a solemn expression.
Pom-Pom was very sensitive about height.
Mentioning Pom-Pom’s short stature in front of Pom-Pom would definitely spark outrage.
“Pom-Pom is scary when angry.
Don’t try it, even out of curiosity.”
Welt looked stern as he solemnly warned the two.
“Don’t worry, Mr.
Yang.
Pom-Pom is so cute, how could I deliberately make Pom-Pom mad?”
Though Su Yan had a bit of a chaotic fun-seeker streak, he had his bottom line and wouldn’t get kicks at a companion’s expense.
“Me too,” Stelle promised as well.
Welt nodded at their words and said no more.
Dan Heng seamlessly picked up: “To answer Su Yan’s earlier question, Pom-Pom is usually responsible for the three daily meals, though we occasionally cook a few dishes as well.”
“Is Pom-Pom’s cooking good?” Stelle asked, somewhat puzzled.
“Super good!” March 7th said earnestly.
“You’ll know how delicious it is once you taste it!”
“Oh~” Stelle remained skeptical, yet held onto some anticipation.
“I’m looking forward to it…” A glint of anticipation flashed in Su Yan’s eyes; he was quite curious about alien cuisine.
His defensive item possessed an adaptive evolution trait, so he didn’t need to worry about differences between foreign cuisine and food from his former world.
“Me too…” Stelle chimed in.
“Looking at the time, it’s about ready,” Welt said.
“Let’s head to the Party Car!
Tonight is a welcome banquet for the two of you, and the feast will be quite bountiful.”
“A welcome party?
Hearing this, Su Yan smiled and followed everyone toward the Party Car.
“It’s my first time too!”
Since her past memories were lost, counting from scratch was only natural, and Stelle was quite eager.
The group arrived at the Party Car.
The dining table was set in a corner of the room, while on the opposite side of that same wall was the door leading to the kitchen.
The Astral Express’s kitchen hadn’t originally been in the Party Car—after all, the Party Car used to be the Conference Car.
But times had changed; the Express currently only had three carriages left, and its Trailblaze energy was nearly depleted, requiring strict economy in all aspects.
‘…Maybe I can create items that expand space or replenish Trailblaze energy.’
Su Yan sat in a window seat.
The rectangular dining table was covered with a gray tablecloth.
On his left sat Stelle and on his right Dan Heng; opposite them sat March 7th, Himeko, and Welt.
Pom-Pom’s spot was between Dan Heng and Welt, equipped with a custom-made chair.
As for the food…
More than a dozen dishes were served, no two sharing the same style, each hailing from a different culinary tradition.
Their sole commonality was that every single dish exuded a rich aroma, possessing perfect color, fragrance, and taste.
Though he had never tasted high-end cuisine before, Su Yan knew what it meant for food to look appetite-inducing.
There were dishes that simply looked mouthwatering.
“Let us welcome Su Yan and Stelle…” Pom-Pom raised a glass, speaking to everyone.
Welt, Himeko, and the others raised their glasses in turn, saying to Su Yan and Stelle, “Welcome!”
“Thank you!” Su Yan and Stelle replied.
With the “welcome ceremony” concluded, Pom-Pom directly announced the start of the meal.
Holding a fork and knife, Stelle took a bit of each dish, sampling their flavors one by one.
Su Yan made a similar choice, tasting every dish first before picking his favorites.
“Stelle, try this one!
It’s super tasty~”
March 7th pointed her fork at a dish, recommending it to Stelle, who was eating with high efficiency.
Without hesitation, Stelle speared a piece with her fork and popped it into her mouth.
“A bit sweet…” Stelle commented after a few chews.
“It’s supposed to be sweet!” March 7th said.
“I prefer spicy,” Stelle had a different view.
The others off to the side didn’t join in.
Su Yan silently savored all the flavors, comparing them to dishes in his memory, only to find there was no comparison at all…
Pom-Pom had probably been serving as chef ever since the Astral Express first set sail, and the conductor’s culinary skills were absurdly high.
‘…Maybe I can create a recipe book and an item that supplies ingredients.’
Thinking of exotic creatures from foreign worlds and all kinds of magical dishes, Su Yan swallowed reflexively.
Glowing dishes, aphrodisiac dishes…
Special monster dishes, buff-granting dishes…
Back when he saw them in stories, he had wanted to eat them, but unfortunately they didn’t exist in reality.
With that thought, Su Yan turned his gaze to Pom-Pom.
If Pom-Pom wanted to make certain special dishes, it would be impossible without his aid and support. This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
In other words, he’d also need to prepare suitable items for Pom-Pom?
Su Yan speared a piece of seared steak.
Thinking back to the chain items he had made earlier, perhaps chef-related items could also be made as chain-types, or rather universal types.
Items exclusive to a single user had far too many restrictions.
Su Yan felt that certain necessary items should be owned individually, but considering manufacturing costs, giving everyone their own was pricey.
Using chained items would cut down expenses.
Most items could utilize a chain mechanism; it was just that some would need reinforced links to prevent being severed.
Thinking along these lines, combined with information revealed in the plot, Su Yan already had a clear plan for making the items.
As for when to start making them…
Naturally after dinner.
Minor tasks were in no rush to be handled immediately; the priority right now was enjoying the delicious food…
Listening to the conversation between Stelle and March 7th beside him, and watching Pom-Pom, Dan Heng, Welt, and Himeko, Su Yan’s lips curled into a slight smile, feeling at ease.
Humans really were social creatures after all.
With that thought, Su Yan turned his eyes to March 7th beside him and used his magical Curio to start a new topic.
“I have a way to make food even more delicious~”
Brandishing the Fusion Gun, he waved it in front of everyone.
Except for Pom-Pom, all the others had already guessed his meaning.
“Give it to me!
Give it to me!
Let me go first…”
March 7th’s eyes lit up in a flash.
Ever since she first saw Su Yan use a Curio, she had held a few ideas…
Now, she finally had the chance.
Passing the Fusion Gun to March 7th, she immediately began combining foods according to her own whims…
“Mmm~” Holding a spoon in one hand and cupping her cheek with the other, March 7th looked ecstatic.
“So sweet!”
“Let me try…” Stelle also picked up a spoon, scooping up some food and putting it into her mouth.
“Tsk!
A bit too sweet for me!
I still prefer spicy.”
Taking the Fusion Gun, Stelle selected some dishes she liked, took a portion of each, placed them on a plate, and fused them together.
“Not bad!
Complex flavor—awesome!”
Himeko, Welt, and Dan Heng joined in one after another, synthesizing new dishes according to their own tastes.
Pom-Pom didn’t stop them either, actively joining in as well.
The sole requirement was not to waste food: whoever synthesized a dish had to eat it all…
Hearing this, everyone reined in their wilder ideas and kept the synthesis ingredients to a minimum.
Eating delicious food while having a great time…
The welcome banquet was a complete success, and Su Yan and Stelle quickly blended into the atmosphere of the Astral Express…