Just as Chambers was about to go out to look for Ronnie, a clear voice rang out, "Master, I'm back! Do you think this firewood is enough?"
Ronnie emerged from the peach grove, covered in sweat. He had dragged back seven or eight peach branches, tied to a large axe with vines from the grove. The weight was clearly a considerable burden, and he sounded slightly out of breath as he spoke.
"You really chopped firewood? Can you even lift that axe?" Chambers asked in surprise.
Ronnie blushed slightly and said, "No, I used magic to cut these back, but my magic is rather weak. By the time I recovered, the sun had already risen, and it was almost noon, so I came back first. I'll go back this afternoon."
Chambers' heart skipped a beat. "What kind of magic did you use? Fire magic to chop wood? You're not planning to burn this place down, are you?"
"Of course not! I used an ice blade! Look, ice element! I beg you, condense into a sharp, massive blade, and cut through the shackles and fetters of this world!" With a flash of light, a nearly transparent ice blade appeared before him.
"Ah! You know two types of magic?" Chambers' eyes almost lit up. He wasn't a mage, so he naturally didn't know that ice and fire magic couldn't be practiced together. He was only thinking about how he'd found a treasure. "Ice, that's great! Ice can also be used in cooking. It seems I need to change my teaching methods. If ice and fire are used properly, the dishes will be... Alright, let's go eat."
The lunch wasn't lavish, just two dishes and plain rice. But how could dishes made by Chambers be bad? Ronnie ate with even more relish this time. Since wandering the continent with his father, this was the first time he'd eaten so steadily. His satisfied stomach made his little face rosy.
"How was it? How did it feel?" Chambers asked eagerly after Ronnie finished eating.
"Delicious, really delicious," Ronnie said sincerely.
Chambers stared at him, dumbfounded. "That line again?"
"Wow, I forgot. Maybe it was from using magic to chop wood earlier, which drained my mental energy. Master, I'll definitely remember tonight."
Chambers looked at Ronnie speechlessly, almost exploding in anger. She snorted and said, "I'll forgive you this time, but three strikes won't be enough."
Ronnie chuckled and said, "Master, don't be angry. Actually, I had a feeling this time. I don't know what these two dishes are, but they're savory and have a refreshing aftertaste. They're crunchy and feel very pleasant. And they're warm inside."
Chambers said irritably, "That's all? You've made me waste all that effort. Do you know why they taste so good? Ordinary people..." Cooking leafy greens is simply a matter of first putting oil in the pan, then adding scallions and ginger to sauté, followed by the greens, and finally seasonings. The reason my stir-fries taste so good is firstly because of the ingredients—I use the freshest vegetables, picked right from the forest and immediately added to the pan. Secondly, I don't use oil, so it won't feel greasy. Most people probably couldn't even stir-fry vegetables without oil, but I can use water instead. This water contains special ingredients, including some medicinal substances. After mixing, this water not only prevents the vegetables from sticking to the pan but also makes them sweeter. Also, the heat is crucial when stir-frying; often, a difference of just a moment can completely change the flavor. Remember, no matter what the food, to make it delicious, you must bring out its original flavor. Do you understand?
Ronnie, somewhat bewildered, said, "Teacher, isn't it too early for you to tell me all this? Shouldn't we proceed gradually?"
Chambers replied, "I'm just letting you know that there's a reason why delicious food is delicious. Alright, go take a nap. Start chopping wood this afternoon. There's a wood-chopping knife in the corner on the left side of the kitchen; that's what you'll be using. From now on, you're not allowed to use magic when chopping or splitting wood, understand? That's a complete waste. Magic should be used at the most crucial moments in cooking to show its value. If only I knew magic!"
From that day on, Ronnie lived an orderly life. Every morning, he would get up early, tidy up his bedroom and kitchen, then eat breakfast and listen to Chambers explain culinary knowledge. Chambers didn't seem in a hurry to teach him practical skills, but rather carefully explained the various skills a chef needs to master. The second thing was to chop wood. Chopping wood wasn't difficult; splitting it was. Under Chambers' tutelage, Ronnie learned that chopping wood requires observing the grain of the wood; different grains require different splitting directions, and splitting wood evenly is no easy task. Lunch was the same as breakfast; besides sharing his thoughts on the dishes Chambers prepared, he listened to their explanations. The afternoon session involved chopping wood again, but Chambers didn't emphasize the quantity, but rather the fineness of the wood. After dinner, having listened to Chambers' explanations, Ronnie returned to his room to meditate. Meditation was not only the best way to cultivate magical power, but also the best form of rest.
Time passed day by day, and Ronnie finally understood what it meant to go from thin to fat. Although he chopped wood constantly every day, his exercise wasn't much. Coupled with Chambers's varied and delicious meals, each containing tonics like Solomon's seal and ginseng gathered from the forest, Ronnie's body expanded rapidly, like an inflating balloon. Of course, he also grew taller thanks to the nutrition, but it was disproportionate to his weight.
A year later, the once handsome child was gone. From any angle, Ronnie's body looked like a ball. When Ronnie asked Chambers if he was too fat, Chambers simply told him that he would definitely lose weight in the future.