Huh? Isn't This A Galgame?

Snowflake porcelain?

A moment ago, Xu Dongsheng’s spoon almost knocked over the translucent vase in the center of the table.

The vase’s clear exterior was etched with snowflake patterns of various sizes and shapes.

Wen Nan’s gaze involuntarily drifted to the dining room entrance, to the two tall vases on either side, and to the two candlesticks on the fireplace.

It seemed that in this villa, any vessel with snowflake patterns carved on the outside mustn’t be broken.

If broken, it would anger the housekeeper.

But what are the consequences of angering her? Being kicked out of the villa?

Just as Wen Nan was pondering, he heard Jiang Xueying whispering in Xu Dongsheng’s ear, "Did you hear clearly?"

The tone had a bit of the flavor of Wen Nan’s old school teacher.

Wen Nan thought to himself that indeed, she was a skilled manager, warm like the spring breeze when she smiled, yet as cold as winter when she warned, her face changing expressions faster than flipping a book.

Xu Dongsheng shivered, nodding vehemently, "Yes, yes, I heard clearly! Heard clearly!"

Jiang Xueying stood up satisfied, snapped her fingers at the long-haired girl in the purple dress behind her, and gestured toward Xu Dongsheng’s plate:

"The guest accidentally spilled his soup earlier, bring out the remaining all-vegetarian set from the kitchen, and serve the guest fully."

"Ah?"

Xu Dongsheng turned pale at this, looking helplessly towards the president beside him.

Jiang Xueying patted Xu Dongsheng’s shoulder lightly, causing him to withdraw his gaze in a panic, then he heard Jiang Xueying say with a smile, "Mr. Xu, there’s no need to be so frugal; our set meals here are fulfilling enough, you won’t go hungry, Mr. Ye. You don’t need to rush to share your portion, if he’s still hungry, we’ll serve more for him."

After speaking, Jiang Xueying turned courteously to Wen Nan, "Mr. Ye, would you like some more?"

Wen Nan put down his utensils, smiled in gratitude, and said, "No need, I’m quite full, can’t eat another bite."

Jiang Xueying’s smile widened, she asked, "Mr. Ye, are you satisfied with today’s dishes?"

"Satisfied," Wen Nan nodded, "very satisfied."

As soon as he finished speaking, a system notification popped into his mind——

9527: [Congratulations, contestant! You have successfully triggered the highest level hidden subplot in this main storyline - the Head Chef’s Appreciation!]

9527: [If you complete this subordinate storyline, you will have the opportunity to simultaneously obtain all key item rewards for the ’Maid Xiao Huang’s Favor,’ ’Maid Ah Zi’s Favor,’ and ’Maid Susu’s Favor’ subplots.]

9527: [Would you like to confirm the activation of the subplot?]

This time, the hidden subplot can actually be chosen to activate? Does that mean it can be skipped in favor of only doing the main storyline?

Wen Nan looked around the dining table, noticing that the other players were also wide-eyed and dazed like him.

It seemed the other players had also triggered their subplots.

According to the system, players who chose different set meals could trigger the corresponding maid’s subplot.

And Wen Nan… naturally succeeded in having them all.

He immediately chose to confirm activation.

In the next moment, Jiang Xueying spoke a few words into her earpiece and then walked over to Wen Nan beaming, "Mr. Ye! Great news! We have just received word from the kitchen that our Head Chef is very impressed with your creative way of dining and would like to invite you to the kitchen to taste the Head Chef’s special hidden menu. Would you be willing to participate?"

Wen Nan gladly accepted.

Jiang Xueying cheerfully raised her hand, indicating for him to follow her.

As Wen Nan stood up, Xu Dongsheng, sitting nearby, turned even paler, as if the sky had fallen.

Wen Nan patted his shoulder, "Try it, the taste isn’t bad."

Following Jiang Xueying out of the dining room, Wen Nan casually asked, "Xiao Xue, your little treasure is…?"

Originally, Wen Nan intended to ask who the little treasure was, but on second thought, could this little treasure actually be a part of Jiang Xueying’s own body? Like an earlobe, or a toe, or a navel, or perhaps…

But Jiang Xueying laughed and said, "Later, I will take you upstairs, and you’ll naturally see it."

It didn’t seem like it was a part of her body.

During their conversation, the two walked through a narrow passageway into a dim basement.

Wen Nan was taken aback.

Who puts a kitchen in the basement?

Thinking aloud, the door opened, and a familiar pungent stench hit them. The kind that places you in an old, neglected latrine, flooded Wen Nan’s mind.

The smell was too accurate; it was undoubtedly the kitchen.

Wen Nan stepped over the kitchen threshold, instantly hearing a "squelch." Looking down, he realized he’d stepped in some kind of animal organs, sticky and slick, with dark red blood mixed with creamy animal fat, soiling his shoes.

He extracted his shoe from the mess and continued forward, the soles sticking to the grimy, greasy floor, creating a "squishing" noise. freewebnøvel.coɱ

Snow Mountain Villa, from inside out, is all pristine snow and crystal visuals, but this kitchen was dark crimson, completely contrasting with the outside.

The walls on both sides were lined with cages housing mice, lizards, snakes, and insects.

Passing these cages was a row of prep stations, gleaming with cold white surfaces, smeared in blood, white slime, and brown liquids, each station manned by an assistant intently working with ingredients.

The scene resembled a biology or medical lab more than a kitchen.

Crossing the prep stations, Jiang Xueying led Wen Nan to the far end, where a figure stood with their back turned, busy chopping meat.

This person wore a bloodstained chef’s coat, their chef’s hat dyed a dark red.

Beneath the oversized coat was a full, curvy posterior and a slender waist.

A cleaver was tucked into the waistband at their back, each hand gripping a knife, chopping into the cutting board with resounding thuds, causing the surrounding tables to tremble.

"Xiao Ji," Jiang Xueying called out, "I’ve brought the guest."

The Head Chef turned around upon hearing this.

Wen Nan finally saw clearly—it was a girl with thick eyebrows and big eyes, rather cute.

Only, her face and clothes were covered in blood and grime, messy hair framing her cheeks, with a cigarette clamped in her teeth, looking… fiercely adorable?

Xiao Ji tilted her chin, pointing a knife at Wen Nan, "You’re Ye Jiu?"

Wen Nan nodded, "That’s me."

Bam!

Xiao Ji immediately slammed the cleaver into the cutting board, extending her empty hand, "Nice to meet you!"

Wen Nan glanced at the hand reaching towards him.

Xiao Ji, thinking he was disgusted by her dirty hand, withdrew it, wiping part of the greasy meat scraps and blood on her apron.

Taking this opportunity, Wen Nan activated his skill in his mind.

9527: [Your skill, Mind Reading Technique, has been activated; it will last for a total of 10 minutes.]

"Nice to meet you!"

Wen Nan stepped forward, firmly shaking her greasy hand, getting straight to the point:

"Are you the target I’ve been aiming to strategize with?"