11: Deluxe Flamed Steak and Gu Nianqiu

The afterglow of the setting sun painted the alloy dining table a warm orange.

Gu Nianqiu, like a child presenting a treasure, brought a huge steak to Lin Mo.

The steak was perfectly seared, with an inviting golden-brown crust and a tender, rosy-pink interior.

Rich black pepper sauce drizzled over it, still sizzling, and a faint layer of flame flickered around the steak, yet it didn't burn, instead emitting a peculiar aroma.

"Brother Mo, hurry and try it! My special 'Deluxe Flame Steak'! I made it specifically to celebrate my sister's first victory!"

Gu Nianqiu's large eyes were filled with anticipation, like a child waiting for praise from a parent.

Lin Mo cut off a small piece and put it into his mouth.

The meat was tender and juicy, the crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside texture bursting on his tongue, mixed with spicy black pepper and an indescribable hot energy, instantly igniting his taste buds.

A surging warmth rose from his stomach, quickly flowing through his limbs, dispelling the fatigue of a day's sailing; every cell in his body cheered.

System Prompt: You have consumed Gu Nianqiu's carefully prepared 'Deluxe Flame Steak' (a-rank cuisine). All attributes temporarily +1, lasting 3 hours.

Lin Mo raised an eyebrow, looking at Gu Nianqiu.

"Not bad, you can even make Western food."

"Actually, I couldn't."

Gu Nianqiu stuck out her tongue, shaking her head a little shyly.

"But after I obtained this 'Master Chef' Talent, many recipes just appeared in my mind, and when I want to make something, my body just moves on its own, it's super magical!"

Lin Mo nodded, his evaluation of this a-grade Talent rising a few more points.

This was more than just a divine skill; it was practically a mobile BUFF generator.

He turned his head to the other side of the dining table.

Gu Zhixia was lowering her head, meticulously cutting the steak on her plate with a knife and fork, her movements mechanical and stiff.

She never looked up, a strand of black hair falling to cover half of her face, but Lin Mo could still see the abnormally flushed tips of her ears.

She dared not look at him.

As soon as she saw Lin Mo's face, the scenes from the cockpit that afternoon replayed in her mind like a movie, uncontrollably and frantically.

His burning gaze.

His irresistible actions.

His low, playful voice, whispering close to her ear.

"Indeed thin, feels good to the touch."

The sensation of that large hand on her leg, through that thin layer of fabric, was still frighteningly hot.

That unfamiliar, numbing sensation that made her whole body go soft seemed to linger, making her restless.

Shame, anger, and an inexplicable panic she couldn't quite articulate, all tangled into a mess in her heart.

This scoundrel!

How could he... do such a thing so naturally!

"Sister?"

Gu Nianqiu's voice pulled her back from her chaotic thoughts.

"What's wrong with you? Why is your face so red? Is the steak too spicy?"

Gu Zhixia's body stiffened, almost snapping the knife and fork in her hand.

She suddenly looked up, but then quickly avoided Lin Mo's smiling, probing gaze.

"No... nothing."

She cleared her throat, trying to keep her voice steady.

"It's a bit hot in here."

She reached out and symbolically fanned her hot cheeks.

Gu Nianqiu tilted her small head, her round eyes full of confusion.

"Hot? The wind on the deck is so strong, I even feel a bit chilly."

"If I say it's hot, it's hot! Eat your food!"

Gu Zhixia grumbled with a hint of exasperation, quickly burying her head and devouring the food on her plate with almost brutal speed, just wanting to end this uncomfortable dinner quickly.

Lin Mo watched, the curve of his lips deepening.

He didn't expose her.

Watching an ordinarily proud and aloof female war god display such a flustered demeanor was indeed a pleasant diversion.

"Nianqiu, tomorrow morning we'll go explore a new island. Make some extra breakfast; your sister expended a lot of energy today, she needs a good replenishment."

Lin Mo spoke unhurriedly, his voice not loud, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears.

Gu Zhixia's action of cutting the steak abruptly paused.

"Expended a lot of energy"... coming from his mouth, it sounded like it carried other meanings.

She felt her cheeks flush even hotter.

"Alright!"

Gu Nianqiu immediately responded brightly, and then picked up a large serving of vegetables for Lin Mo.

"Brother Mo, you eat more too! Sailing is hard work!"

The meal ended in this peculiar yet somewhat warm atmosphere.

After eating their fill, the three stood on the second-floor deck.

The last ray of sunset sank below the horizon, blurring the line between sky and sea, and the entire world was enveloped in boundless darkness and deep blue.

The night wind blew, carrying the salty scent of the ocean, a bit chilly.

Gu Nianqiu instinctively hugged her arms, shrinking closer to her sister, her voice tinged with fear.

"It's dark... I'm a little scared... I always feel like something terrifying might suddenly emerge from this dark sea."

"Don't be afraid."

Gu Zhixia embraced her sister, gently patting her back, her voice as cool as ever, yet carrying a reassuring strength.

"Our ship is SSS-grade; ordinary dangers can't even get close."

Her gaze subconsciously fell upon the man's back standing not far away.

Perhaps, what truly put her at ease was not just this ship.

"Tonight, we'll rest in this sea area."

Lin Mo turned around, looking at the two sisters.

"For safety's sake, to prevent surprise attacks from other players or monsters in the middle of the night, the three of us will take turns standing guard."

His suggestion was very reasonable; in this apocalyptic world, one could never let down their guard.

"I'll do it."

Gu Zhixia immediately said, shielding her sister even tighter.

"I'll stand guard for Nianqiu; she's timid and will be scared if she's alone at night."

"No."

Lin Mo directly rejected her.

"You fought the Goblin Lord today, expending a lot of physical energy, and your mind also needs to relax. What you need most right now is good rest to recover to your optimal state."

His tone was unchallengeable.

"I'll arrange it."

Lin Mo extended his finger and tapped in the air.

"I'll take the first shift, from 10 PM to 2 AM."

"Zhi Xia, you take the second shift, from 2 AM to 6 AM."

"Nianqiu, you take the last shift, from 6 AM to 10 AM; you can conveniently prepare breakfast for us then."

This arrangement was very thoughtful.

He left the safest, shortest dawn period for Gu Nianqiu, allowing her to fulfill her responsibility, get sufficient rest, and also utilize her strengths.

Gu Zhixia opened her mouth, wanting to object, but found that Lin Mo's arrangement was indeed the best option at the moment.

She couldn't find any reason.

"Alright, alright, we'll listen to Brother Mo!"

Gu Nianqiu poked her small head out from her sister's embrace and happily agreed.

"I promise you'll have the best breakfast in the world tomorrow morning!"

Seeing that both agreed, Lin Mo nodded.

"Then it's settled."

The three reached an agreement.

By this time, night had fully descended, and the deep night sky revealed a myriad of dazzling stars.

Without the light pollution of the city, the starry sky here was exceptionally clear, a magnificent Milky Way stretching across the heavens, breathtakingly beautiful.

"Wow..."

Gu Nianqiu tilted her small face up, gazingfoolishly at the stars, her eyes reflecting the starlight.

"So many stars, truly... so beautiful."

Lin Mo also looked up at this unfamiliar yet incredibly vast starry sky, a rare ripple stirring in his heart.

He hadn't expected that this crisis-ridden apocalyptic world would be so tranquil and beautiful at night.

After eating their fill and watching the stars, the two sisters yawned and returned to their rooms to rest.

Before leaving, Gu Zhixia paused, looked back at Lin Mo with a complex gaze, but ultimately said nothing, turning to enter the ship's cabin.

On the spacious deck, only Lin Mo remained.

He turned and walked into the cockpit, sitting down in the large captain's chair, beginning his first night watch.