Dark Cuisine Great Demon King

Today was the day the exam results would be announced.

Bai Yuyou woke up early to prepare breakfast. Wearing her Pikachu apron, she skillfully fried eggs in a pan—placing perfectly round sunny-side-up eggs onto a plate before turning up the heat. As white smoke began to rise from the pan, she tossed in diced cucumbers and meat.

The sizzle of oil seemed to wake up the entire morning.

With practiced ease, Bai Yuyou tilted the pan slightly, letting the flames lick its edges. In an instant, the entire pan was engulfed in fire! Unfazed, she gave the pan a quick flick, sending the meat and cucumbers dancing in the flames. She then grabbed the pre-mixed soy sauce and oyster sauce, drizzling it around the edges. Another sizzle—the flames vanished, replaced by an irresistible aroma.

Once the stir-fried cucumber and meat were plated, Bai Yuyou took slices of bread, stuffed them with the eggs and filling, and neatly cut the sandwich in half.

"It's done," she said, placing the meal on the dining table.

Without realizing it, she had learned how to cook.

As she looked at the hearty breakfast she had prepared, a thought crossed her mind—

Tang Keke once said that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.

Bai Yuyou didn’t quite understand the connection between the stomach and the heart, but she had practiced cooking diligently anyway—alongside studying music, academics, and more. Despite the workload, she found it fulfilling.

Especially when she was with Ye Shuang. Everything felt enjoyable around him. She loved this kind of life.

"Meow!" At her feet, Yīwàn (Ten Thousand) rolled around like a fluffy meatball.

Bai Yuyou crouched down and poked its belly. "You need to lose weight, Yīwàn."

"Meow?"

"You’ve grown up." Bai Yuyou studied the cat, comparing it to the frail, injured kitten she had once rescued. Now, with its glossy fur and a plump belly, it looked like an entirely different creature.

"I’ve grown up too," she mused, gently ruffling Yīwàn’s head before standing up.

Just a little more, and she and Ye Shuang could become husband and wife.

The sound of knocking interrupted her thoughts. She walked over and opened the door—

"Yuyou~~~~" Tang Keke stood there, cheeks sunken, arms limp, as if all energy had been drained from her body.

"Keke, you’ve turned into a zombie," Bai Yuyou observed.

"Ugh, I barely slept last night. Today’s the day the exam results come out," Tang Keke groaned, her entire being radiating gloom.

"Even in my dreams, I was eating Chen Qin’s… experimental cooking."

"Oi, what’re you sayin’, lass?" A grinning face suddenly appeared behind Tang Keke. Chen Qin had materialized out of nowhere, resting her hands on Tang Keke’s shoulders.

"Wah?! The Dark Lord of Culinary Catastrophes has arrived!" Tang Keke shuddered, her backpack trembling with her.

"What nonsense are you spouting? Need a lesson in The Analects of Violence?" Chen Qin clenched her fists, twisting Tang Keke’s head playfully. "Seems like you’ve got a lot to say about my cooking, huh?"

"You know what they say—'If a gentleman isn’t firm, then—'"

"Ow ow ow! Sorry, sorry, Sister Chen Qin!"

The sound of slippers shuffling down the stairs interrupted them. Ye Shuang, looking drowsy, yawned as he descended—only to pause at the sight of three girls crowding the doorway.

"What are you all doing at the door?"

"Chen Qin wants to conquer the world," Bai Yuyou explained.

Ye Shuang blinked. "Huh?"

"Seems like you’ve got an opinion too, little Bai Yuyou," Chen Qin teased, pinching the girl’s soft cheeks.

"Mmm."

"Such energy this early," Ye Shuang muttered before heading to wash up.

By the time he returned, Chen Qin and the others had already started breakfast. As he sat down, Bai Yuyou slid a plate toward him—a fragrant sandwich waiting.

"Looks great. What time did you wake up?" Ye Shuang asked. He had set an alarm to make breakfast, but Bai Yuyou must have woken earlier and turned it off.

"Six. Wanted you to sleep more."

"You should rest too. You have classes, while I can nap in the school clinic sometimes."

"It’s okay. You usually make breakfast. It’s tiring." Bai Yuyou shook her head.

Tang Keke giggled. "Don’t worry, Brother! It’s fine if Yuyou cooks sometimes!"

"Alright, better than…" Ye Shuang’s gaze drifted to Chen Qin, who was dressed sharply in office attire—a crisp white blouse accentuating her figure, paired with beige trousers and a diamond-studded Hermès belt.

"Oi, I’m just a slow learner, alright?" Chen Qin huffed, though she was well aware of her culinary shortcomings. Seeing Ye Shuang’s hesitant expression, she grumbled, "Haven’t you heard? 'A scholar’s progress should be reassessed every three days.'"

"Three days, then another three," Ye Shuang began, only to feel Chen Qin’s foot press down on his.

"Never mind," he surrendered, raising his hands.

"What brings you here today?"

"There’s an exhibition nearby. I was invited, so I dropped by since it’s close."

"Even with your packed schedule, you still make time. Impressive."

"And who do you think I’m making time for?" Chen Qin took a bite of the sandwich—only to pause. It was too good.

Last time Bai Yuyou had cooked at her place, the food had been average. How had she improved so quickly?

Was talent really a thing?

In truth, Chen Qin simply lacked time to practice, while Bai Yuyou cooked daily—even at school, where weekly culinary classes were mandatory.

"Summer break’s coming up. You won’t have school duties, right?" Chen Qin asked.

"Nope. Like the teachers, I get paid vacation," Ye Shuang confirmed. Few perks beat summer break—especially for someone with his job.

"Let’s go somewhere!" Chen Qin suggested.

"Like?"

"Abroad. A vacation."

"Abroad?" Ye Shuang considered it, then glanced at Bai Yuyou. "Yuyou, want to go?"

If possible, taking her on a trip would be nice.