Chapter 3: Hot Noodle Soup
Chapter 3: Hot Noodle Soup
As one of the most basic dishes, making clear noodle soup is simple.
Boil a pot of water and once it reaches a rolling boil, add instant ramen.
If he had enough ingredients, Naoki would add scallions and lard, allowing the noodles to absorb the soup. When served in a bowl, the scallions would float to the top, adding a touch of green to the dish, making it more appetizing.
Finally, he would add a drop of sesame oil and a soft-boiled egg that had been prepared beforehand. With a poke of the chopsticks, the golden yolk would slowly flow out and blend with the soup.
Just thinking about it made Naoki's mouth water.
However, back in reality, all he had in front of him were the basic condiments.
Sighing inwardly, Naoki learned from yesterday's lesson and added a moderate amount of salt and chicken essence to the pot.
Soon, a simple bowl of noodle soup was ready.
Naoki served two bowls and as he brought them up, he looked down and the information about the noodle soup immediately appeared in his mind.
[Hot Noodle Soup (C-)
: A basic dish that lacks some key ingredients, resulting in a slightly inferior taste. However, on a cold winter day, it is a good choice to warm the stomach.
Dish Effect: Cold Resistance lv1. Provides protection against harsh cold, warming the body after consumption. Effect lasts for 30 minutes.
Evaluation: Although the ingredients are of low quality, the skilled cooking technique adds a unique flavor. When the player becomes wealthy and is able to cook master-level dishes, they may reminisce about these humble beginnings.]
Naoki: "..."
At this moment, Moto Lizard sniffed the air, curious about the aroma.
"Gaoh?"
Naoki looked at it and then brought the two bowls to the table, beckoning to the Moto Lizard, "Come and give it a try?"
"Gaoh..."
The Moto Lizard frowned anxiously. To be honest, as a Moto Lizard, it wasn't a big fan of the smell.
Moreover, the bowl contained nothing but plain white noodles, and from its perspective, the food didn't seem very appealing.
Naoki immediately understood the Moto Lizard's hesitation and sighed helplessly in his heart. He didn't force it but instead consoled, "Forget it, if you don't want to eat it, then don't."
As he spoke, his eyes lit up as he fantasized, "When I earn money in the future and buy other ingredients, I'll make something you like!"
Naoki was full of expectations for his upcoming ranch life.
Hearing this, the Moto Lizard, instead, felt guilty.
This was a dish specially prepared by its new owner, and it felt rude not to at least taste it. With that in mind, the Moto Lizard looked down at the bowl of noodle soup and hesitated, "Gaoh!"
It then picked up the bowl with its two chubby claws and gulped down the hot noodle soup.
Contrary to its expectations, the taste was simple but comforting. After consuming it, the Moto Lizard immediately felt its body warming up, as if it were snuggled in its mother's embrace.
"Gaoh..."
Naoki was initially surprised by the Moto Lizard's sudden movement, but he quickly calmed down.
Watching the Moto Lizard's reaction and thinking about the effect of the hot noodle soup, he asked with a smile, "How does it feel?"
Hearing Naoki's voice, the Moto Lizard snapped out of its reverie, "Gaoh!"
It immediately lowered its head in confusion, looking at its body.
"Looks like the dish really does provide a beneficial effect to Pokemon," Naoki thought to himself. He continued, "Do you feel warmer now, less chilly than before?"
Although it was already spring, the temperature hadn't fully recovered, especially in the early mornings, which still had a bitter chill.
Moto Lizard lifted its head, looking at Naoki with a surprised expression, as if to say: How did you know?
"Gaoh?"
Naoki smiled and said, "That's the power of food."
"Gaoh..."
Moto Lizard's confusion deepened at this statement, which was quite advanced for its understanding.
After all, it was just a Moto Lizard.
Naoki didn't bother explaining further. He figured that Moto Lizard would understand in time as they lived together.
Having confirmed the positive effect of his cooking on Pokemon, Naoki was in high spirits. He quickly finished his breakfast, washed the dishes, and stepped out of the cottage into the fresh air.
The neglected ranch was overgrown with lush vegetation, and birds could be seen flying overhead in search of food.
Taking a deep breath of the crisp air, Naoki prepared to explore his new surroundings.
He decided to familiarize himself with the area first.
As he walked through the middle of the ranch with Moto Lizard by his side, Naoki realized that the scale of the ranch was much larger than he had imagined.
The perimeter was enclosed by a wooden fence, and the central area was vast. To the east lay a vibrant valley, from which the calls of wild Pokemon could be heard.
The farmland occupied about a third of the ranch, and in the southwest corner, there was a lake with an encircling river. A wooden bridge crossed the river, connecting the ranch to the opposite bank.
Standing on the bridge, Naoki surveyed the broken and rotting wooden fence along the riverbank, aware of the significant work ahead of him.
Weed removal, clearing debris and excess rocks, cutting down unnecessary trees, and plowing the fields for planting—these were just some of the tasks on his mind.
As for repairing the Pokemon cottage for Miltank, Naoki didn't plan to tackle that project just yet.
Firstly, he lacked sufficient wood, and secondly, he didn't have the funds.
After all, rebuilding the Pokemon cottage and purchasing Pokemon like Miltank would require a substantial sum of money.
Standing by the lake at the edge of the farmland, Naoki crouched down to assess the size and depth of the body of water. "Raising fish here would be a great idea," he thought.
According to the original owner's memories, this world contained not only Pokemon but also regular animals.
However, instead of regular fish, Naoki envisioned raising Water-type Pokemon like Magikarp, Goldfish, Feebas, and Basculin.
And if he dared to dream bigger, perhaps even Gyarados, Manaphy, Vaporeon, or Sealeo.
Although these Pokemon weren't edible, the collector in Naoki yearned to have them swimming in his lake, and he knew he would find satisfaction just in watching them.
Naoki mentally listed all the tasks that awaited him, realizing the sheer volume of work ahead.
It would take far longer than he initially anticipated.
Images of the ranch management games he had played flashed through his mind, and Naoki fell silent.
Had he just escaped the 996 work schedule, only to embrace a 007 lifestyle?
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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