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Progress Through Persistence

  "Why have you washed so much rice, Fan'er?"

  Lin Fan's mother shuffled out of the bathroom with Xiaolan's small hand steadying her elbow. The short journey had left her breathing labored. This brief excursion was the only time she would leave her bed all day, despite Lin Fan's gentle encouragement to move more.

  Seeing the tightness around her eyes, the way her shoulders hunched against invisible pain, Lin Fan felt his chest constrict.

  "I have a couple more orders today." The lie tasted bitter on his tongue. If she knew about the wasted broth, the failed attempts, her worry would only worsen her condition. Keeping her emotions in check was crucial for her recovery.

  "That's good." His mother eased onto her bed with a barely suppressed wince, the hollows beneath her cheekbones more pronounced in the morning light. "That broth was good. I had it this morning, and I felt rejuvenated."

  "Yes, brother. Can you make more today?" Xiaolan bounced on her toes. "Even Kaoi asked for a repeat, and he never asks for anything twice."

  "I don't know. I used a special herb from father's pouch. Let's see." He hated saying no to his sister, but he had his limitations.

  Lin Fan poured fresh water over the rice, watching as it carried away the brown polished layer. The clean water turned cloudy with each rinse. His father used to grow rice in their small plot behind the house. That rice had smelled earthy and sweet, nothing like this common grain with its faint, dusty aroma.

  Lin Fan smiled as he gave the rice one final rinse. Though common and cheap, he had plans for this humble ingredient. A simple recipe, but perhaps with his newfound understanding, he could transform it into something more.

  "I will leave a bit early today as I don't have to make the breakfast." Lin Fan carefully transferred the rice into three clean earthen pots and loaded them into a large cloth bag. He hoisted it onto his shoulder, surprised by how light it felt. Was it because of his cultivation?

  Lin Fan walked carefully along the damp streets of the Lower East Quarter, marveling at his newfound strength. The qi flowing through his meridians made his muscles respond with unexpected vigor. A new energy surged through his entire body even after yesterday's long hours of cooking.

  The golden warmth still circulated in his core as he thought about his mother. She had sipped the Heart-Warming Broth this morning, color momentarily returning to her hollow cheeks. For those brief moments, she had looked like herself again.

  Lin Fan noticed the world differently now. Colors seemed more vibrant, scents carried complex layers he hadn't noticed before, and sounds registered with new clarity. Cultivation had sharpened his senses beyond what he thought possible.

  He arrived at his stall to find the garden snake from yesterday still there, coiled beside the small stove. Its pale green scales caught the morning light as it lifted its head to watch Lin Fan with unusual focus. It seemed to be waiting for him.

  "Still here?" Lin Fan frowned, waving his hand gently. "I could get in trouble if the health inspectors find you. Go, shhh."

  The snake remained, staring at him with unblinking eyes.

  "Fine." Lin Fan shrugged and arranged the pots in a triangular formation, following his father's notes. The pots clinked softly against each other.

  The snake watched his every movement with keen interest, its head tilting slightly.

  "System, show me status," he thought. Blue characters flickered into existence before his eyes. He had only heard about the system, and now he could experience it himself. It felt surreal.

  System: Quest Progress: 2/5 Spirit-Infused Dishes Created

  System: Time Remaining: 2 Days, 12 Hours

  "Good morning, young man." Old Xu arrived at the counter earlier than usual. His watery eyes studied Lin Fan with surprising focus. "You look different today."

  "Just well-rested, Uncle Xu."

  "No need for pretense with me. I knew your father well enough to recognize that glow. That broth yesterday was no ordinary food."

  Lin Fan froze, ladle halfway to the pot. He stared at Old Xu in surprise.

  "You knew? But how? You didn't even taste it."

  Old Xu chuckled softly, eyes twinkling.

  "I passed the stall late last night and found you cooking. I sniffed some good things. Those with eyes to see noticed." Old Xu pulled a small cloth bundle from his robe. "Spring ginger, fresher than what you'll find at market. Grows in my window box where morning light hits it just right."

  When Lin Fan's fingers touched the ginger, information flowed into his mind:

  System: Basic Identification Skill Unlocked.

  Basic Identification Skill: An Alchemist Cook can understand the basic herbs on touch. Automatically activated.

  Spring Ginger: Common ingredient with uncommon properties. Early harvest. Contains trace qi alignment with rejuvenation. Beneficial for meridian clearing.

  Lin Fan accepted the ginger, feeling warmth spread through his hands.

  "Thank you," he said, moved by the gift. "This is perfect for today."

  His eyes remained fixed on the system message. This new skill would save so much time and effort.

  "Old Xu, I don't have the broth from yesterday, but I have your regular here." Lin Fan said, apologetically.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  "Bring it on, kid. I'm hungry already." Old Xu chuckled.

  After serving Xu his pork belly, Lin Fan began preparing his next cultivation attempt: a ginger rice porridge his father's notes called "Health Renewal Soup." He reflected on yesterday's failures, determined not to repeat them.

  Last night, Lin Fan had spent hours reflecting on his failures. He recalled the state of his mind when he infused the food with his own warmth and qi. With a clearer understanding of the process, he was determined to use this insight today.

  This time, Lin Fan worked methodically. He washed the spring ginger and sliced it with unexpected precision. The snake slithered closer, moving toward one particular piece with its tongue flicking rapidly.

  "Something wrong with this one?" Lin Fan noticed a slightly darker core in the slice and set it aside, surprised at the snake's perception.

  "Can you really identify the bad rot?" Lin Fan asked, knowing he won't get the answer back. "We should start cooking now."

  Lin Fan slowly cooked the rice, stirring in a steady rhythm while controlling his breath. Instead of forcing energy into the food, he formed a circuit between himself and the porridge, letting the qi flow naturally. Minutes turned into hours as he prepared the dish.

  Golden particles appeared, creating gentle, stable patterns like ripples in a pond. The aroma became richer, carrying hints of sunshine and fresh growth along with the familiar scent of ginger and rice.

  System: Spirit-Infused Dish Created: Health Renewal Soup (Basic) System: Quest Progress: 3/5 Spirit-Infused Dishes Created.

  Lin Fan's smile widened, his heart swelling with accomplishment. On the first try, he succeeded.

  "We did it, little friend." Lin Fan chuckled, glancing at the snake. The aroma of the porridge filled the air, warm and inviting.

  If Old Xu were still here, Lin Fan would have offered him the new dish. However, it had taken a couple of hours to cook the rice, and Old Xu had already left.

  Lin Fan didn't have to wait long for a customer. An old woman with gnarled hands stopped by shortly after. She wasn't a regular.

  "Young man, what can I get for one copper?" she asked, her voice weary. She wore a patchy robe and looked depleted, reminding him of his mother.

  Lin Fan's heart softened. "Aunt, I will serve you pork belly and a bowl of rice. Is that enough?"

  "Are you sure, young man? Isn't it too much for one copper?" Doubt flickered in her eyes.

  Lin Fan smiled warmly. "You look like my mother, aunt. So why not?" He filled a bowl and plate, then pushed a pair of chopsticks toward her. He brought out a stool so she could put the plate down.

  The woman tasted the porridge, her eyes widening in surprise. "Young man, what did you put in this? My hands haven't felt this limber in years." She flexed her fingers with evident wonder, the joints moving more freely than before.

  "It's my secret, aunt. Don't forget to tell others, but don't mention that I give away food for one copper. I would have to close down if rumors spread." He chuckled softly.

  The old woman joined him with a hearty smile, her eyes twinkling.

  The smile on her face made Lin Fan's day. These smiles were why he cooked.

  By midday, Lin Fan had served more customers than usual. Many mentioned the warmth they felt after eating, their eyes bright with gratitude. The snake, which Lin Fan called "Noodle," sometimes slithered closer to help identify ingredients with the bad taste, or rot.

  As the afternoon progressed, Lin Fan thought about his mother. This morning, he had hidden his failures from her to prevent worry, knowing how deeply emotions affected her condition. But perhaps he had been thinking too narrowly. If his cooking could ease an old woman's joint pain, could it not also help his mother?

  The realization gave Lin Fan new purpose. He decided to prepare a special portion of the Health Renewal Soup to bring home tonight, focusing on its healing properties.

  As evening approached, Bai Mei arrived, his perpetual frown deeper than usual.

  "Have you heard about Seraphic Delicacies? New place opening two streets over. Fancy wood and imported glass, backed by the Ye family."

  "The merchant clan?" Lin Fan looked up from counting the day's meager earnings. "Why would they bother with a restaurant here?"

  "Expansion." Bai Mei snorted, crossing his arms. "They already have three locations in the better districts, yet they want to steal food from poor people."

  Lin Fan clenched his fist, determination flashing in his eyes. "I'll just have to make sure my food is better." He sounded more confident than he felt.

  Because he was a cultivator now, and he had his father's journal. The more he read into it, the more certain he became that his father had also practiced cultivation.

  Before Bai Mei could respond, the snake suddenly darted toward a pile of scallions Lin Fan had set aside. It circled one particular stalk repeatedly. When Lin Fan split it open, a sour smell confirmed hidden rot.

  "That's the third time it's done that," Lin Fan mused. "Always with ingredients that have problems I can't see."

  "Maybe you should keep it around."

  "I think I'll call him Noodle." Lin Fan reached to pat the snake, but he hissed back.

  "Noodle? Really?" Bai Mei chuckled. "Why don't you call him pork belly, or soup."

  "He likes the food, he's shaped like a noodle. It fits." Lin Fan shrugged.

  "Anyway, I will go back. My father wants me to help him."

  Lin Fan nodded, waving goodbye. "Okay."

  He then began collecting the stools he had put outside for customers, stacking them neatly. The wooden legs scraped softly against the ground as he worked.

  As Lin Fan prepared to close the stall, a shadow fell across the counter. He looked up to find a City Guard watching him. A guard with powerful brown eyes.

  Not just any guard, but a young woman about his age. She stood tall with an athletic build, her jade-green uniform wrapped tightly around her chest. The leather armor hugged her shoulders and tapered at her waist, secured by a polished belt that carried her standard-issue saber. Dark hair was pulled back in a practical style that accentuated her strong jawline and elegant neck.

  A small scar near her right eyebrow added character to her otherwise striking looks. Her sharp, intelligent eyes studied him with clear curiosity, missing nothing as they scanned his stall.

  She looked beautiful in her attire, and he almost forgot to breathe for a moment. No beauty came in the Eastern Quarters.

  The fading sunlight caught the insignia on her collar, she was from the Luminous Jade City Guard's eastern division.

  Lin Fan straightened instinctively, his heart quickening. Guards rarely meant good news for stallholders in the Lower East Quarter. His fingers tensed against the wooden counter, still warm from the day's cooking.

  "I'll take whatever that is," she said, nodding toward the remaining portion of Health Renewal Soup. Her voice carried the crisp tones of formal education, but with an underlying warmth that surprised him.

  "It's just ginger rice porridge," Lin Fan said, sliding a cloth over the counter to hide Noodle from view. "Nothing special."

  "That's not what I've been hearing all afternoon. Half the street is talking about the cook whose food makes them feel better."

  Lin Fan carefully ladled the last portion into a clean bowl. When he passed it to her, their fingers brushed briefly. The contact sent an unexpected jolt through Lin Fan's system, as if their qi had recognized each other.

  Her eyes widened slightly, suggesting she had felt it too.

  She paid three copper coins, more than the asking price, and tasted his creation. For just a moment, her official demeanor softened. Something flashed across her face—surprise, appreciation, perhaps something more. Then the guard's mask slipped back into place, though her eyes remained warmer than before.

  "Interesting," she said simply. "I'm Guard Min, recently assigned to this patrol route. I'll be passing by regularly."

  "Lin Fan," he offered in return. "Sunrise Servings. My stall."

  "I know." Her lips curved in the barest hint of a smile. "I heard enough about you today to not forget. Until next time, Cook Lin Fan."

  Lin Fan watched her walk away, her form wrapped tightly in the uniform. She was beautiful. But she was a guard.

  Wariness of authority battled with undeniable attraction.

  Noodle emerged from beneath the cloth, watching the departing guard with the same intensity Lin Fan felt.

  "I know," Lin Fan told the snake, gathering his things. "She's trouble. Beautiful trouble."

  Yet as he packed the special portion of Health Renewal Soup for his mother, Lin Fan felt hope rising stronger than before. Three dishes down, two to go. His cultivation journey was progressing, his cooking improving, his understanding deepening.

  For the first time in months, the weight of their debt felt a little lighter on his shoulders.

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