Chapter 33: So the Steak Was Personally Made by the Empress

Chapter 33: Chapter 33: So the Steak Was Personally Made by the Empress

Shu Yao retorted coolly, "The Empress explicitly stated in her invitation that this is just a casual family dinner. There’s no need to dress so formally."

"How can you be so casual when meeting the Empress? Your outfit alone shows how disrespectful your attitude is!" Zhen Zhen looked smug. "If you didn’t have any decent clothes, you should have said so earlier. Our Xiangxiang is kind, good-hearted, and generous; she definitely would have given you a few outfits."

"Darling!" She leaned against Lin Yaodong. "Xiangxiang has given away all the clothes she doesn’t wear anymore, right? Oh my, if we had known that the daughter of you and your ex-wife was wandering around the garbage dump, we should have just thrown Xiangxiang’s old clothes there."

"But it’s not too late now, right?" Zhen Zhen gave Shu Yao a bright, patronizing smile. "Remember to let us know before you head back to the garbage dump. We’ll pack up Xiangxiang’s old clothes and have the garbage disposal robots deliver them to you in Zone 9!"

Lin Yaodong agreed, "Good idea!"

Shu Yao scoffed. "Not just anyone’s trash is qualified to be shipped to Zone 9."

As they spoke, several attendants pushed dining carts forward. A woman in a blue apron walked at the forefront, her long black hair tied into a simple knot. With light, elegant movements, she placed the plates one by one in front of Shu Yao, Lin Yaodong, and Zhen Zhen.

Zhen Zhen lifted the silver warming cover over her plate. Seeing the thick, heavy black pepper steak inside, she wrinkled her nose in disgust and muttered softly, "It’s completely black and looks absolutely unappetizing. It’s far worse than the steaks our Xiangxiang makes!"

Hearing this, the elegant smile on the blue-aproned woman’s face stiffened for a moment. She walked gracefully to the head of the table and untied her apron.

Only then did they realize that beneath the apron, she wasn’t wearing an attendant’s uniform, but—pajamas! It was a set of white flannel pajamas, complete with a cute little animal pattern on the pocket.

The woman did not take her seat. Instead, she greeted her guests with calm elegance. "Good evening. It is an honor to dine with all of you tonight."

"The Empress?!"

Zhen Zhen and Lin Yaodong immediately realized that this elegantly yet casually dressed woman was Empress Yudola of the Federation. The couple shot up from their seats to greet her. Shu Yao also stood and offered a polite nod to the Empress.

After inviting them to sit, Yudola took her own seat. "Please, try the steak I made myself."

"So the Empress made this steak herself! Oh my, my husband and I are truly in for a treat today! This steak is tender and juicy; one can tell at a glance that it’s top-tier beef imported from the Outer Star System! Most importantly, the Empress has controlled the heat perfectly, bringing out the absolute best qualities of the meat!"

Zhen Zhen heaped excessive praise on the Empress’s hand-cooked steak without a shred of embarrassment, acting as if she hadn’t been the one turning up her nose at it just moments prior.

Lin Yaodong chimed in, "Indeed, indeed. The steak made by the Empress is almost better than the ones our Xiangxiang makes."

Empress Yudola beamed. "I am actually a fan of Miss Xiangxiang. I learned how to make this black pepper steak by watching Xiangxiang’s live streams. I’ve been studying many of the dishes she cooks on her stream."

Hearing the Empress personally admit to being their daughter’s fan, Zhen Zhen and Lin Yaodong were overwhelmed by the unexpected honor, instantly feeling that the distance between them and the Empress had vanished.

"If there is time in the future, I will have Xiangxiang come to the palace to personally teach the Empress how to make a few good dishes!" Lin Yaodong couldn’t wait to offer.

Zhen Zhen was even more eager, wishing she could fly home immediately to deliver this wonderful news.

"That would be wonderful!" Yudola, who had been smiling warmly, suddenly revealed a look of regret. "I also invited Xiangxiang. Why didn’t she come?"