"Young Miss, why are you asking these things?"
Compared to Astra Yao's sharpness in this area, Evelyn—who had grown up knowing absolutely nothing about this subject and was merely treating it as research—appeared a bit... goofy.
Although the heavy emotions in her heart were making Evelyn feel a little breathless, after Andrew said he already had a girlfriend, she had assumed she was being rejected and had already prepared herself to give up voluntarily.
She would respect Andrew's thoughts.
If this were just between Andrew and Evelyn, this newly confirmed affection would have ended right there with a bland conclusion. But this situation wouldn't exist without Astra Yao.
Facing Evelyn's confused expression, Astra Yao looked confident, showing no sign that she felt heartbroken or rejected. This made Evelyn feel baffled. But after reacting, her expression turned to one of admiration.
"As expected of Young Miss! Even after encountering something like this, you can remain completely unaffected!"
Seeing Evelyn completely misunderstand the situation, Astra Yao suddenly felt that her best friend was really a bit too... unassertive when it came to romance.
But right in front of Andrew, even Astra Yao knew it wasn't appropriate to speak too directly. After all, until she actually met the person, this was all just Astra Yao's own speculation.
Andrew, observing Astra Yao's expression which clearly said she had something to tell Evelyn, immediately realized what was happening. He consciously took a few steps back to show he was busy and continued grilling the Diablos leg meat.
Since the steak was about to be ready, Andrew simply focused completely on the task. After all, since he chose to be honest, no matter the final result or how Astra Yao and Evelyn treated him, Andrew chose to accept it.
Seeing Andrew cooperate by acting like he heard nothing, Astra Yao immediately pulled Evelyn into the living room. Then, she whispered an explanation to her.
"Eve, Andrew's girlfriend might not actually reject others~"
Hearing this, Evelyn was a bit confused. How is that possible? Since Andrew already expressed he had someone he liked and specifically rejected them, it clearly meant he was very opposed to this.
Evelyn couldn't understand why Astra Yao was so brimming with confidence. Seeing Evelyn—who had always appeared shrewd, capable, and valiant in front of her—now wearing a bit of a goofy expression, Astra Yao couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Unable to figure it out, Evelyn had to beg for mercy with a bit of embarrassment:
"Young Miss, stop laughing at me! Just explain it to me directly."
Seeing Evelyn say this, Astra Yao stopped laughing and explained softly:
"If it's someone you truly like, just like a hardcore fan seeing their idol reach such an agreement, one would still get jealous more or less, right?"
Stealing a glance at Andrew in the far-off kitchen, Astra Yao said affirmatively:
"Just like if you, Eve, suddenly found out that Andrew, as your boyfriend, made an agreement with us to meet often and make things specifically for me. Wouldn't you be angry?"
Evelyn shook her head decisively and said:
"If it's Young Miss, I wouldn't mind no matter what."
Astra Yao nodded immediately and said:
"Exactly, just like I wouldn't mind you. But Andrew's girlfriend's first reaction upon hearing this was the same as ours!"
As Astra Yao said this, Evelyn immediately caught on.
"So this is actually more likely Andrew's self-restraint!"
"Exactly!"
Seeing Evelyn realize it, Astra Yao nodded excitedly. Evelyn didn't have a deep understanding of this area, but she knew basic common sense.
In New Eridu, views on relationships vary greatly. Many support monogamy, many accept other arrangements, and many disagree with them. But most men actually don't care about these nuances, often just respecting their loved one's thoughts.
Based on Andrew's previous reaction, they had subconsciously assumed it was his girlfriend's insistence, especially since he had expressed his feelings. But now... it seemed the situation might be the opposite?
Arriving at this conclusion, Evelyn and Astra Yao looked at each other in dismay for a moment, then couldn't help but chuckle in unison. This was truly a path they had never imagined.
But because of this, they liked him even more. After all, no one dislikes a partner who treats feelings seriously. This was actually quite rare in New Eridu.
However, despite this, Evelyn still couldn't help but pour a basin of cold water on the idea:
"But Miss, this is just your guess based on Andrew's words. What if you're wrong?"
Astra Yao hesitated slightly, then said firmly without hesitation:
"There's an old saying in the Waifei Peninsula: 'As long as the hoe is swung well, no wall cannot be toppled!' I won't give up!"
Hearing this, Evelyn was shocked by Astra Yao's words, but then couldn't help but laugh softly.
"True, that's just like your personality, Miss."
Looking at Astra Yao's determined face, Evelyn said:
"Miss, you know I don't understand love. But as long as you've decided, I won't give up either."
At this moment, the two reached a complete consensus through their brief conversation.
Meanwhile, Andrew, who had already perfectly grilled the Diablos steak, hesitated for a moment. He looked at the two who were still conspiring about something, and finally chose not to sneak closer to eavesdrop.
Instead, Andrew chose to call out from the kitchen:
"Astra, Eve! Food's ready!"
Then, he subconsciously reminded Evelyn:
"You should have many old injuries on your body. Eat more, it can help you recover a lot."
Seeing Evelyn nod seriously, Andrew once again realized the current situation and wilted again. One could only say, this was the price of being a buzzkill.
On the rectangular marble dining table, a minimalist chandelier composed of multiple small incandescent bulbs illuminated the dining room brightly. The huge floor-to-ceiling windows were right next to the table, fully incorporating the black night sky while shutting out the loneliness belonging to the dark.
Although New Eridu had just experienced that terrifying monster invasion this evening, the streets were not empty. There wasn't even an atmosphere of panic.
It was as if so-called disasters were the most common things in New Eridu. Couples were snuggling together on the streets below, enjoying everything around them. An old woman was taking her grandson to play with other children in the park not far away, smiling as she watched her grandson's happy face.
Layers of wrinkles bunched together the moment she smiled. When the elderly looked at children, it was like looking at hope.
In New Eridu, people had become accustomed to leaving disasters that had already happened behind them and looking forward. Past scars would be left in the past, and people always faced everything they possessed in the present with a relaxed attitude.
They were enjoying everything they had now.
Yet, in the dining room of Astra Yao's apartment, Andrew himself couldn't perceive the open-mindedness belonging to New Eridu. Even though what was placed in front of him was the Diablos meat he hadn't seen for a long time—specifically the leg meat, which was the most delicious part aside from the heart—his mind wasn't on it at all.
Actually, Andrew had been craving this bite for a long time. Although it couldn't compare to the quality of Rathalos meat recognized by the entire Hunter's Guild, it was still one of the rare delicacies.
After all, the meat of herbivores couldn't possibly taste bad, coupled with the high-intensity exercise from foraging every day. It would be strange if it wasn't delicious.
And in the year or so since he ran from the New World to the Forbidden Lands, he hadn't even heard of it. In the vast Forbidden Lands, the only ingredients that could be called delicious were the Tetsucabra and the Flame-Tailed Dragon.
But no matter how tasty, you can't eat them every day! Although he could occasionally hunt an Aptonoth for a treat, as the foundation of the ecosystem, even Alma wouldn't allow random hunting just to satisfy one's appetite.
As for bear-like meat, the taste was incredibly gamey. Although it tasted quite good if processed properly, one had to know that the Forbidden Lands didn't have that many spices for marinating to remove the gamey taste.
Later, encountering a Rathalos in Dragon City made Andrew excited for a moment, but then he discovered a fact he couldn't handle. As a weapon created through modification, its body would turn into white crystals and dissipate after death.
That was completely inedible.
It wasn't until after defeating the Incandescent Dragon that the ecology of the Forbidden Lands gradually regained vitality, leading to the appearance of Rathian traces and corresponding hunting commissions.
At that time, he accepted the Rathian hunting commission so decisively. Aside from testing his blade, there was actually another very important reason.
That was to expand the ingredients and menu to give Meow-Da, Gu Niao, and Alma a treat and change their taste buds, so they wouldn't have to keep eating female Tetsucabra every day.
Recalling the situation back then, Andrew silently prayed for Gu Niao. He hoped that after he disappeared with that Rathian, Gu Niao would see commissions for Rathian or Rathalos again in the following month.
Otherwise, they would only be able to continue eating like that every day. And adding Gu Niao's culinary skills, which were originally poor and had been neglected for a long time...
He could only hope no one died from eating it. Amen.
Although the topic had drifted a bit far, the fact that both a chef and a super foodie lost their appetite could only mean the situation had become severe to a certain degree.
Now, with this huge delicacy placed in front of him, Andrew just numbly picked up a piece, stuffed it into his mouth, chewed casually, and swallowed it whole. He simply wasn't in the mood to savor it carefully.
Facing this 'Final Judgment' scenario, Andrew really couldn't focus on the food. However, the two sitting opposite him, having made up their minds, didn't expect Andrew to be worrying about these things. So, in a cheerful mood and starving, they chose to eat first.
As the ingredient, the Diablos was a thoroughbred land-roaming dragon. But its classification as a Flying Wyvern gave it a great flavor foundation. Although it couldn't compare to the rich juices and tenderness of Rathalos meat, generally speaking, the supporting leg meat of such massive creatures would be very firm.
And as the leg meat of a Diablos that was constantly running at high intensity, it was even firmer and more elastic than Rathalos meat. Although it was grilled, it had a rich meaty texture like beef.
But Astra Yao was surprised to find that the moment she ate it, there was actually a bouncy feeling. And what followed was the meat juices, sealed inside due to the rapid grilling, gushing out as if they had found an outlet.
As the saying goes, perfect meat needs no seasoning. Andrew added nothing but some salt and black pepper; they were eating the pure meaty aroma of the leg meat itself.
The juice instantly filled her entire mouth. The pure, rich aroma of meat rushed straight to her brain, bringing immense satisfaction to her starving stomach instantly.
The level of deliciousness... Astra Yao was stunned for a moment. After all, in New Eridu, although artificial breeding and ocean fishing meant the available meat wasn't much different from modern society, Dragon Meat compared to ordinary meat was simply not of this world.
It could be said to be a world of difference.
coupled with the warm current that surged immediately after eating, it was countless times stronger than the meals Andrew had made before. She didn't know if it was an illusion, but Astra Yao felt her physical fitness seemed to have enhanced a lot?
Even her figure seemed to become more proportionate and perfect under the influence of this warm current. Could simply eating a meal really have such a strong effect?
Not knowing that using Dragon Meat to make Felyne Meals and using ordinary ingredients were two different concepts, Astra Yao immediately shook her head, tossing the wild thoughts out of her mind. If you aren't active in eating, there's a problem with your thinking. If anything's wrong, talk about it after eating.
She absolutely had to work hard to eat more of such delicious food! As for calorie control... Astra Yao, choosing to lose it back in other ways later, decided to let it go to hell for now!
The salad Andrew had originally prepared was directly thrown to the back of her mind. Evelyn was also somewhat astonished.
To be honest, when Andrew said he was going to cook with that monster's meat, Evelyn couldn't quite believe it. After all, with how hideous it looked, it didn't seem edible at all. Plus, using a monster that appeared for the first time for... eating, instead of research.
Wasn't this a bit too extravagant? But out of trust in Andrew, Evelyn didn't voice any objection. After all, for the current Evelyn, her trust in Andrew was almost on par with her trust in Astra Yao.
____
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