I controlled the entire Zerg race with my superb culinary skills.

After breakfast, Shen Nanxi happily went to work. Chu Yang, carrying a large basket on his back, led Xu Le and Chu Xinhang into the mountains.

Overnight, many mushrooms sprouted up in the mountains. Chu Yang looked excitedly at the mushrooms covering the ground, explaining to the two of them which ones were edible and which ones were poisonous, while he kept picking them up.

Soon, the three insects filled their baskets. Xu Le controlled the mechanical insects to transport the mushrooms back, and then returned with the empty baskets.

Picking mushrooms is really addictive; Chu Yang couldn't stop picking them, they were everywhere.

The insectoids don't eat these wild mushrooms at all because no insectoids know how to cook them, and many common, brightly colored fungi are poisonous.

Chu Yang and the others only drank some nutrient solution for lunch. There were not only mushrooms on the mountain, but also chestnuts.

"There's even this in the mountains! We're rich! We're rich!"

Chu Yang excitedly picked up the chestnut burlap sack that had fallen to the ground, and gently stepped on it with both feet. The burlap sack cracked open, revealing the shiny chestnuts inside.

"You're amazing, Your Majesty. How did you know there was fruit hidden inside this spiky ball?"

Chu Xinhang looked at Chu Yang with admiration. He had been going up the mountain with him for the past two days and had seen many things that were not in textbooks.

"Hehe, I just discovered this by chance. You can take the chestnuts out like I did just now. I'll make you some sugar-roasted chestnuts tonight."

Hearing that there was more food, Chu Xinhang excitedly went to pick chestnuts. Xu Le watched Chu Yang's back, pushed up his glasses, and a mysterious look flashed in his eyes.

Today's harvest was plentiful; the backyard was piled high with mushrooms and chestnuts. Chu Yang took off his coat, brought out three small stools, and taught them how to select and clean them.

In the courtyard, Xu Le noticed the vegetables growing in a transparent glass room not far away. He looked incredulous and pointed there, asking a question.

"Boss, are those vegetables?"

"Yes, those are all vegetables grown by the male master himself. How about that? Isn't the male master amazing? He can actually grow vegetables."

Chu Xinhang said proudly, recalling that he had the same expression when he first saw the sprouts emerging from the soil, because no insectoid had ever managed to grow vegetables outside the research lab.

"Haha, it's very simple. I just planted them randomly, and I didn't expect them to survive. It must be because the seeds from the research institute were good."

Chu Yang chuckled dryly, not daring to look up and meet Xu Le's gaze, and didn't dare to stop what he was doing.

"It seems the boss is indeed a special male insect."

Seeing Chu Yang's shifty eyes, Xu Le's lips curved slightly, and she stopped pressing him for answers. There were some things that shouldn't be known by too many insects.

Chu Yang secretly vowed to himself that he would never invite other insects to his house again after what happened today.

For dinner, I made mushroom soup, spicy stir-fried mushrooms, stir-fried mushrooms with meat... all mushrooms.

After dinner, Chu Yang made roasted chestnuts, and the fragrant aroma filled the entire living room.

After it was cooked, Shen Nanxi, like a little glutton, couldn't wait to peel one and eat it.

It has a powdery texture and a sweet taste; every bite fills your mouth with the sweetness and aroma of chestnuts.

"too delicious!"

Seeing Shen Nanxi's blissful expression, Chu Xinhang and Xu Le couldn't wait to peel one and put it in their mouths.

The sweet and lingering flavor of the chestnuts also chased away the chill.

The three insects kept eating one after another, and Chu Yang thoughtfully poured them each a glass of water.

"Chestnuts are delicious, but you can't eat too many, or you'll get a stomachache from overeating."

Before leaving, Chu Yang specially packed a bag for Xu Le to take back and eat, and planned to bring the rest to the store for Pan Cheng and the others to try the next day.

The next day, all the insects in the shop shed tears of happiness when they tasted the mushroom-filled buns and roasted chestnuts.

So they hung a sign at the store entrance saying it was a limited-edition seasonal item, and of course, the price was much higher than other items.

Chu Yang initially thought the price was too high, but Xu Le said it was a limited edition, so the price would naturally be higher.

In the hospital, Shen Nanxi was handing out a bag of roasted chestnuts to her colleagues in the office, and they were all captivated by the fragrant and sweet taste of the chestnuts.

Seeing that he couldn't buy anything at the store, he pestered Shen Nanxi to let him use his insider credentials to get the goods.

As it was almost time to close the door that night, Chu Yang noticed a small female insect, about seven or eight years old, standing in the corner by the door.

His oversized clothes were faded from washing, and his dry, reddish-brown hair stared intently at Pan Cheng and the others, occasionally swallowing hard.

Chu Yang took two meat buns from the kitchen and squatted down with a kind smile.

"Here, brother will treat you to some."

The little female insect looked at Chu Yang with fear, her eyes constantly shifting between Chu Yang and the steamed bun in his hand.

"I...I have no money."

He lowered his head shyly and spoke softly.

"It's free. I already told you it's your brother's treat. Take it, it won't taste good if it gets cold."

He forcefully shoved the takeout box containing the buns into the little female insect's hand.

He hesitated for a moment, and after confirming that the steamed buns in his hand were free, he bowed gratefully to Chu Yang.

"Thank you, brother."

After saying that, he took the steamed bun, turned around, and ran away. Watching his figure getting further and further away, Chu Yang thought of his past self for a moment.

Feeling a bit down, I turned around and saw Xu Le standing behind me.

"Boss, you really are a kind-hearted male insect."

Chu Yang smiled a little shyly at the sudden praise.

“He’s come here several times today. Each time he just hides in a corner, sniffs the food, and runs away. He’s so old and wears ill-fitting old clothes. There probably isn’t much food for him at home. Anyway, it’s just two steamed buns, which aren’t worth much money, but it’s worth it if it can solve his problem of having a meal.”

Xu Le smiled and said nothing more, but as she watched Chu Yang's back, her thoughts drifted back to her childhood.

The next day, the little female insect came again, this time followed by a thin female insect. Chu Yang guessed that this must be its parent.

Upon seeing Chu Yang, the female insect knelt down in gratitude, and the little female insect quickly followed suit.

"Hey, what's going on? Get up, get up!"

Chu Yang grabbed the female insect's arm, preventing him from kneeling.

"Sir, my name is Song Liluo, and I am Song Ya's father. Last night, my son stole two of your steamed buns, and I have come here today to make amends."

After saying that, Song Liluo immediately knelt down, and pulled Song Ya, whose eyes were red and swollen, to kneel down with him. The little female insect pouted and looked at Chu Yang expectantly with her big, round eyes.

“I didn’t steal it; this male insect gave it to me.”

She stubbornly defended herself, tears already welling up in her eyes.

"Yes, yes, those two steamed buns yesterday were from me. They were free. Get up now."

Just as Chu Yang was about to reach out to help the kneeling insect up, Xu Le, quick-witted and agile, stepped forward, grabbed Song Liluo's arm, and forcefully pulled the insect up.

Having confirmed that the steamed buns were indeed a gift and not stolen, Song Liluo looked at the small Song Ya standing at her feet with guilt, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, I misunderstood you. Are you still in pain?"

I squatted down and hugged him. Thinking about how I had given him a good beating last night because of the steamed bun incident, I had only meant to scare him, but he gritted his teeth and refused to beg for mercy.

After the father and son embraced and wept bitterly, Song Liluo frowned slightly, his eyes avoiding Chu Yang's gaze, and nervously asked in a low voice.

"Sir, are you... are you still hiring?"

Xu Le, expressionless, was the first to refuse.

"We are currently at full capacity and are not hiring at the moment. If you need a job, you can look elsewhere."

Seeing their pitiful state, clad in thin clothes, Chu Yang felt a pang of pity, but he did not refute Xu Le's words.

Disappointed, Song Lilu bit her lower lip slightly, thanked Song Ya again, and then prepared to leave.

Not far from where they had walked, Chu Yang caught up with them, holding a plate of steamed buns and stuffing it into Song Ya's hand.

"This is for you to eat. We're not hiring right now, but there's something that can help you earn money. Would you like to do it?"