Evolutionary Superstar

[Chasing_Dawn: I bought groceries to cook for lunch. Bought a little too much. Does the great beauty dare to come over and try my cooking?]

[RanRanCat: Sure! Can I bring my Senior as well? (Pretty_plz_cat)]

[Chasing_Dawn: No problem. The more the merrier! (Evil_grin)]

After getting confirmation from Su Xiaoran, Lin Haoren set aside his phone and got to work.

Ding!

[Reading a food recipe, understanding cooking steps, and time management: Cooking Skill Proficiency +3]

[Washing vegetables, improving ingredient control, and understanding: Cooking Skill Proficiency +5]

[Cutting ingredients, understanding proper knife work, improving cutting speed and precision: Cooking Skill Proficiency +9]

While cooking rice and prepping the ingredients, Lin Haoren gained varying amounts of proficiency points based on his level of focus.

Unfortunately, as if his spirit was depleted, he wasn’t able to maintain his focus for long.

His stomach also cried in protest.

[Cooking Skill has reached intermediate-level proficiency, Proficiency: 102/1,000]

By the time the ingredients moved to the stove, his Cooking Skill had already leveled up twice.

’This is good. At least the final taste should be alright,’ Lin Haoren thought.

Ding! Dong!

The doorbell suddenly rang.

Lin Haoren temporarily set aside the hot pan and went to receive the guests.

"Hi, Brother Lin. This is my senior, Mu Qingxue."

Surprise flickered across Lin Haoren’s eyes, but he quickly suppressed his shock and steadied his emotions. He didn’t expect Su Xiaoran’s senior to be someone he knew.

That said, many people don’t know the A-list actress, Mu Qingxue, these days?

"Hello, I’m Lin Haoren. Please come in and have a seat first. Food will be ready soon."

Su Xiaoran hurriedly brought the wary Mu Qingxue inside. The former was free-spirited, while the latter was sharp-eyed, studying every corner in detail.

Mu Qingxue was like a mother hen guarding her chick.

Lin Haoren noticed this detail and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He scratched his cheek helplessly and returned to the kitchen.

Before long, the pleasant aroma of simple home-cooked dishes pervaded the room.

"Wow! Smells good!" Su Xiaoran exclaimed, feeling her tummy rumbling.

She had not eaten much, and her appetite was improved due to Lin Haoren as well. She felt like she could eat a whole pig.

Meanwhile, Mu Qingxue silently stared at Lin Haoren’s back. He seemed familiar, but she couldn’t recall where they had met.

Su Xiaoran noticed her gaze, furrowed her brows for a moment, then a lightbulb lit up in her head.

"Oh, right! Senior, I seem to recall that you and Brother Lin are both from the 2019 Acting Class at Jinhai Academy of Drama. Do you guys not know each other?" She asked with curiosity.

Mu Qingxue froze.

The quiet memory of a low-profile, ordinary young man surfaced. She had seen this person, though they had never formally met, even though they were from the same cohort.

She had noticed this classmate because his gaze seemed quite bright and stubborn, belonging to the kind who would eventually achieve something.

Alas, she had not heard anything from him in a long time and eventually forgot.

"I’ve seen him a few times on campus, but we’ve hung out or cooperated in group assignments," Mu Qingxue said, then turned to Lin Haoren. "How about you, Classmate Lin? Do you remember me?"

"Who doesn’t know the campus belle of our cohort? Others might not remember me, but everyone definitely remembers you, Classmate Mu." Lin Haoren said with a smile as he brought out the dishes.

Braised pork belly, tomato scrambled eggs, stir-fried boy choy, and seaweed egg drop soup, plus rice.

A small edible portion for Oreo was also set aside.

"Food is ready. Wash your hands and come over to eat. Oreo, come and eat."

"Oh!"

Su Xiaoran ran over with excitement, while Oreo swaggered with haughty elegance. It glanced at him, then snorted.

Human, don’t think you can win me back with food. It’s not easy to earn my forgiveness. Oh, this is good stuff.

Oreo took a few bites and quickly forgot about its grudges and resentment.

When everyone sat down at the dining table, Lin Haoren gestured, "Dig in. See if the taste is suitable."

Looking at the appetizing home-cooked dishes, Mu Qingxue was a little surprised. Lin Haoren didn’t look like someone who could cook, let alone cook regularly.

"You’re not treating us like lab rats, are you?" Mu Qingxue joked, picking up her chopsticks with a determined look, as if it were her last meal. "If I don’t make it, remember me fondly."

Lin Haoren’s face stiffened before smiling wryly.

"You’re exaggerating things, Classmate Mu."

"This is so good!"

Su Xiaoran generously praised as she stuffed her mouth with food, eating with great gusto. Seeing such a Su Xiaoran, Mu Qingxue’s appetite improved.

She took a bite, savored its taste, then nodded.

"Passable," she acknowledged.

Lin Haoren smiled with relief after receiving her critical feedback.

Indeed, with intermediate-level cooking, the food wouldn’t be on par with restaurant food. But it did bring the nostalgic feeling of home-cooked meals from their parents.

Mu Qingxue suddenly missed her mom’s cooking.

Su Xiaoran noticed her longing look, and her lips curved into a mischievous smile. She teased, "Yo, someone treated Brother Lin like a villain, but they are warming up real quick, eh?"

Mu Qingxue snapped out of her daze, blushed, then glared at Su Xiaoran.

However, she didn’t refute.

Although Su Xiaoran had misunderstood her, she had to admit her junior was right about Lin Haoren.

This person looked worse for wear, but he indeed carried a warm, approachable aura—the kind that belonged to old folks who had endured all sorts of hardships but could still show kindness to others.

Such people were very lovable and hard to hate.

How could they be bad people?

Mu Qingxue suddenly felt that Hongxing Apartment was not a good residential community.

Those people who spread bad rumors about Lin Haoren without knowing his situation must belong to the group of disgusting, snobbish types.

Lunch ended pleasantly, filled with occasional jokes and laughter.

Although Mu Qingxue didn’t mention the matter of getting Lin Haoren a role, he didn’t bring it up either. He knew it was indeed too late to join with his weak connection.

Mu Qingxue felt bad and took the initiative to add Lin Haoren on HappyChat. She felt he was someone worth befriending.

...

Back in Su Xiaoran’s apartment, Mu Qingxue urged, "Ran Ran, get ready. I’ll take you to the set in 30."

"Senior, is it really impossible to get Brother Lin a role in the production?" Su Xiaoran asked, holding onto little hope.

Mu Qingxue sighed with regret and said, "After meeting your Brother Lin, I also want to help him. However, I’ve realized he is even more unsuitable for an extra role."

"His physical qualities are too lacking. Extras don’t require acting skills, but their physical stamina shouldn’t be lacking."

"It’ll be hard to convince Director Pei when he is underqualified in so many areas."

"I understand, Senior."

Su Xiaoran felt regretful.

However, she quickly made up her mind to find a chance to make it up to Lin Haoren, and...also play with Oreo!

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