183: Momoko Akanekubo, who has no sense of propriety

The light was not blinding, yet it possessed a strange allure, as if it could stir the inner desire for 'perfection.'

“This is...!” Second Generation Melk's pupils shrank. She subconsciously took a step forward and reached out, her fingertips trembling slightly as she touched the golden crystal closest to her.

It was cold and hard, yet it seemed to contain a warm, gentle energy.

“Melk whetstone?! Raw ore of Melk's Stardust!”

“Correct,” Lin Luo nodded, watching Second Generation's eyes instantly light up. “Your father gave it to me.”

“Father?!” Second Generation stood up abruptly, the color draining from her face before being replaced by an excited flush. “He... where is he? How is he? Why...”

Lin Luo pressed his hand down slightly, signaling her to stay calm, and smiled warmly. “He's fine. He just needs to complete a very important task, so he can't return for now. He asked me to tell you...”

Next, Lin Luo recounted everything he had seen and heard at the bottom of the abyss, his interaction with First Generation Melk—including his barely audible voice, his habit of needing an 'amplification stone' for normal conversation, the real reason for his seclusion, and his unreserved pride and trust in his daughter—telling it all in great detail.

Finally, he conveyed First Generation's simple yet weightily significant message: “He asked me to tell you that he's doing well, his work is almost finished, so don't worry. Keep up the good work; he believes you can do even better than him.”

Hearing this, Second Generation Melk could no longer hold back. Her long-maintained facade of strength shattered completely. Tears gushed out like a broken dam as she covered her face, her shoulders shaking violently as she sobbed uncontrollably, abandoning all decorum.

Those were not just tears of joy at learning her Master was safe, but tears of release for six years of worry, self-doubt, and the massive weight that had finally been lifted from her heart.

Erina and Akane Kubo Momo watched from the side, both moved by the scene, and did not speak to interrupt.

Only when Second Generation's crying subsided into soft whimpers did Lin Luo speak softly:

“Now you know, right? Your father acknowledged you long ago. He didn't leave the Melk Workshop to you because he had no choice, but because he believed that only you could inherit his mantle and even surpass him.”

Second Generation looked up, her vision blurred by tears still clinging to her face, but her eyes—usually sharp and bright—now resembled gems washed by rain, clear and firm. She nodded vigorously, her voice thick with nasality:

“So that was it... No wonder Master was mumbling when he left; I couldn't understand a word no matter how hard I listened... I thought I wasn't good enough and had disappointed him...” As she spoke, she couldn't help but let out a small smile, mixed with tears, yet it was her most relieved and relaxed smile in six years. “Regardless, Master is alive... that's truly wonderful!”

The boulder that had weighed on her heart for six years finally crashed down. The unease and self-doubt that had occupied her soul were blown away in a single breath by her Master's belated affirmation.

She took a deep breath, wiped away her tears, walked up to Lin Luo, and bowed deeply:

“Mr. Lin Luo, thank you so much! Thank you for bringing news of Master and for your words of comfort.”

This time, her gratitude was solemn and heartfelt.

Lin Luo waved his hand. “It was just on the way. Now you can rest easy and walk your own path with more confidence.”

Second Generation broke into a smile through her tears and nodded firmly.

Erina watched this scene, then looked at Lin Luo's seemingly casual yet actually meticulous and thoughtful actions, a subtle softness flashing through her purple eyes.

Akane Kubo Momo also pouted and muttered quietly, “I guess you're somewhat useful...”

In the kitchen, Lin Luo leaned against the counter with his arms crossed, watching Erina, dressed in pure white chef's attire, focused on preparing ingredients.

The kitchen knife in her hand fluttered like a butterfly, its rhythm on the cutting board crisp and neat. Various ingredients were rapidly disassembled and carved under her hands, revealing their most perfect state.

“Is that the set of knives Second Generation made for you?” Lin Luo asked, looking at the blade that seemed to come alive in her hand.

“Yes.” Erina didn't look up, but she couldn't hide the satisfaction in her voice. “They're very easy to use. Not only are they sharp, but they can also stimulate the umami of the ingredients to a certain extent, making it easier to handle special ingredients.”

“I don't understand much about that,” Lin Luo smiled slightly. “As long as you find them comfortable to use.”

He gestured with his hand, guiding a spiritual light with his fingertips, and some powders shimmering with a dreamlike golden light fell lightly into a nearby seasoning box. “Try this, 'Melk's Stardust.' Isn't it said that any dish becomes incredibly delicious with just a little bit added?”

Erina's eyes lit up, and she responded happily, “Okay!” Just as she was about to use it, several crystal-clear crabs, looking as if they were carved from rubies, suddenly appeared before her.

“What are these? They're so beautiful!” Erina was drawn to the brilliant luster.

Lin Luo chuckled with a bit of pride. “They don't just look good; they taste good too. The shells are actual rubies. I brought them back from the Bottomless Abyss, thinking you might like them.”

As he spoke, he opened his palm, and a magnificent, docile flame danced within it. The ruby crab shell fragments he had collected earlier were thrown into the fire. When his palm closed and opened again, a lifelike butterfly hairclip carved from pure ruby lay quietly in his hand, reflecting dreamlike colors under the light.

“Are you paying the bill for your... somewhat dissatisfactory behavior recently?” Erina glanced at him sideways, her tone reproachful, but the joy flashing in her eyes betrayed her. “Specifically trying to please me?”

Lin Luo walked closer and gently pinned the ruby butterfly to the side of her golden hair. The brilliance of the gem complemented the luster of her hair perfectly.

“Yes,” he lowered his voice with a smile. “I came specifically to please the Young Miss.”

Erina gave his shin a light kick, the force not heavy. “Sweet talker. Then do fewer annoying things.”

Lin Luo rested his chin on her shoulder, his warm breath brushing past her ear. “So... is Lady Erina still angry?”

Erina quickly stole a glance around, confirming they were the only two in the kitchen, before rolling her eyes at him. “Behave yourself!”

Just as she turned her head back and her attention wavered for a split second—

“Chu~”

A soft, swift kiss landed on her lips.

Erina's body stiffened, her purple eyes widening instantly. Lin Luo took the opportunity to wrap his arm around her waist, wanting to deepen the kiss... “You guys~”

A crisp voice, laced with obvious teasing, rang out inopportunely at the kitchen door.

Akane Kubo Momo was holding her teddy bear, staring at them with wide eyes without blinking, her face written all over with the expression 'caught you.'

Erina's fair cheeks instantly turned bright red, like a ripe tomato. She pushed Lin Luo away forcefully, her voice cracking slightly:

“Get out!!!”

Lin Luo was pushed back a step. He rubbed his nose and walked out of the kitchen somewhat dejectedly. As he passed the doorway, he glared at Akane Kubo Momo for ruining his moment and whispered, “You have no discernment at all!”

Akane Kubo Momo was completely unfazed, instead holding out a small hand righteously. “Give me some 'Melk's Stardust,' and I promise to have 'plenty' of discernment in the future.”

“Go ask Second Generation for that! Isn't she grinding right now? Why ask me?” Lin Luo said irritably.

“Because you brought it back, it's your stuff.” Akane Kubo Momo hugged her bear tightly, speaking very seriously.

Hearing this, Lin Luo raised an eyebrow in surprise and looked her up and down. “You... I didn't expect you to have such principles.”

“Momo is that kind of person,” Akane Kubo Momo lifted her small face. “I won't just take other people's things, nor will I... touch people randomly or be handsy.” She emphasized the last few words.

Lin Luo's face darkened. “...That incident wasn't intentional! Fine, fine, I agree. Use as much as you want, as long as you stop bringing that up. And also—” He pointed to the kitchen door, “in the future, show some discernment.”

Having achieved her goal, Akane Kubo Momo nodded contentedly. “Got it~”

Lin Luo watched the little girl skip away with her bear, then looked back at the closed kitchen door. From inside came the faint sound of Erina tidying kitchenware, sounding flustered yet shy. He shook his head helplessly.

After gathering his thoughts, he walked toward Second Generation.

At that moment, she was bent over her workbench, fully concentrated on grinding a strangely shaped blade.

Her movements were steady and rhythmic, each stroke of the grindstone carrying the precision of a thousand refinements.

With her movements, fine golden dust fell from between the whetstone and the blade, shimmering with a dreamlike luster under the light—that was the 'Melk's Stardust' being ground out.

Her entire mind seemed immersed in this work, so much so that she didn't notice Lin Luo approaching, nor did she notice a gaze falling on her slightly sweaty forehead and focused profile.

“Second Generation, take a break,” Lin Luo found a random spot to sit beside her, resting his chin on his hand as he watched her work. “Working from morning till night like this looks exhausting.”

The sound of grinding stopped abruptly.

Second Generation Melk's body stiffened slightly, as if she only just realized someone was nearby.

She slowly turned her head. Seeing it was Lin Luo, the tense and focused expression on her face relaxed slightly, but her bright eyes still held the sharp light of being immersed in the world of her craft.

She set down the blade and whetstone and wiped her hands on her apron, her movements a bit awkward.

“Mr. Lin Luo,” she said, her voice still carrying a slight breathlessness from the grinding, “it's not hard; I'm used to it. Besides, I have a surge of energy right now that I want to release...”

Lin Luo looked at the reignited, firmer light in her eyes, knowing she had moved past the excitement and relief of hearing about her Master and had converted those emotions into a more powerful drive. He smiled and didn't try to persuade her to rest again.

“Alright, as long as you know your limits.” He stood up and brushed off non-existent dust from his clothes. “By the way, I saw what looks like a hot spring outside. Can I use it?”

Hearing this, Second Generation nodded and pointed toward the back of the stone house. “Of course. My Master dug and diverted it here years ago. The water temperature stays around 41 degrees year-round. It's very effective for relieving fatigue and relaxing the muscles and joints.”

“Thanks.” Lin Luo waved to her and turned to walk out of the house.

The hot spring pool was indeed quite large, set against a mountain wall with only a simple stone eave above to block wind and rain, and no other cover around. In such an uninhabited deep mountain, so-called privacy didn't seem that important.

Steam rose lazily, like dancing gauze under the cold moonlight. The water surface was as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the starry sky, which shattered into fine silver splinters with every imperceptible ripple.

Lin Luo walked to the edge and tested the water temperature—it was warm and pleasant, exactly 41 degrees. The spring water was crystal clear with a faint scent of minerals.

He didn't undress immediately, however. Instead, he rubbed his chin and stared at the steaming spring water, a thoughtful glint flashing in his eyes.

A moment later, the corners of his mouth curled up unconsciously into a meaningful, even somewhat 'mischievous' smile.