Lu Mingming was dumbfounded.
Did this man hold a grudge and was still dwelling on past scores?
Lu Mingming said, "If you feel I was in the wrong, I can refund you the money for the tea at the original price. Besides, I discovered its true function, which can be considered a contribution to interstellar people."
Her expression was so sincere when she told a lie that it made it difficult for anyone to say anything harsh.
People outside of Xing Fu Star did not understand what tea was, thinking it was just a local specialty of the small planet.
The little prince, craving the new food Lu Mingming had made, immediately chimed in, "Teacher Lu, please let Sister Lu off this once. What's there to fuss about? You are magnanimous."
How could he not fuss about this item?
If he had kept all of it in his hands, the profit would have been over a hundred million star coins a year!
The bald man wanted to interrupt, but the man in mink extended his arm, blocking his action.
"Alright. Since the prince has spoken, let's let it go."
A smile curved the man's usually stern face, and he extended his hand in a gesture of goodwill.
"Allow me to reintroduce myself. My name is Lu Yan, and I am a stellar traveler."
A stellar traveler? That must be some rich young master traveling around.
Lu Mingming seized the opportunity to descend.
She quickly responded, "Hello, I'm Lu Mingming, a small streamer. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Both of them displayed the politeness of social situations, shaking hands with a gentle, perfunctory grip.
Conversely, the man's hands were rough, with calluses on his fingertips, making Lu Mingming feel strange, unlike a pampered noble who waited for money to come without lifting a finger.
Especially on the fingertips of his thumb and index finger, she had heard that people who held guns regularly developed calluses in these areas.
Lu Mingming recalled the first time she met Lu Yan. Strong men cleared the way on both sides, welcoming her off the giant ship only after ensuring safety. Could he be a very high-ranking stellar admiral or possess an even higher military rank?
Perhaps the other party's identity was not ordinary, so Lu Mingming dared not show any abnormality on the surface, feigning nonchalance as she withdrew her hand.
"Alright, alright. Since we've met, let's proceed with the scoring now!"
The little prince squeezed in from the gap, asking with great anticipation.
"Sister Mingming, what dish did you draw?"
The little fellow really said it casually, calling his sister that for a meal. However, Lu Mingming dared not acknowledge him as her brother.
"Your Highness, the dish I drew this time is Fried Ice Cob."
Lu Mingming placed the prepared dish on the table for the judges to score.
Upon hearing the answer, the little prince could hardly believe his ears and asked again in surprise.
"Really? No one has ever succeeded in making this dish."
"Someone might have framed it."
The short man snorted and exposed the matter in front of everyone.
The胖 man, as if provoked, shakily went to unlock the lid of the incubator, veins bulging on his forehead, a thin layer of sweat seeping out.
"Instead of saying that, why not see how she made it?"
As long as she hadn't made it, he would still win!
The next second, the fragrant Fried Ice Cob from the packaging bag immediately slapped him in the face.
The胖 man's face turned pale, and he looked flustered, his eyes fixed on the table, letting out a scream of disbelief, "How is that possible? Why could you make this dish that no one has ever cracked? Did you bribe the examiner?!"
He then turned into a madman with a sinister grin, "I know! You disguised it with other dishes to pass!"
Lu Mingming's face turned cold, "All the surveillance in the examination room can prove my innocence. On the other hand, you bribed someone to use such tactics. Shameless."
"Who dares betray me?"
The胖 man, his eyes red, turned his accusations towards the little cub who was still shorter than the table, his tone fierce.
Lu Mingming immediately stepped forward to shield the little fellow, sneering,
"Are you revealing yourself?"
Almost everyone present could recognize who had a problem, but no one dared to voice their suspicions easily.
As the two confronted each other, a man's voice broke the silence.
"Your little quarrel is truly entertaining."
The crisp sound of leather shoes approached the table—Lu Yan was the first to pick up a Fried Ice Cob with tongs and put it in his mouth, drawing everyone's gaze to him and making them momentarily forget the argument.
"Teacher Lu, you started eating first!"
The little prince, with his usual impulsive and impatient nature, quickly beckoned the staff, "Quick, quick, quickly give me one."
The little knight was not to be outdone and joined in.
The little ones chattered and scrambled, swallowing the hot food whole, their cheeks stuffed full like cute little hamsters.
With a bite, the soft, crispy crust gave way, and the cool, icy juice burst, filling their mouths.
The little cubs' eyes widened, finding the dish's texture magical!
In contrast, Lu Yan calmly finished the entire Fried Ice Cob. His expression was neither pleased nor displeased, showing no hint of surprise, which further deepened Lu Mingming's trust in Lu Yan's identity as a stellar traveler.
If not for his extensive experience, how could he appear so nonchalant?
"It is indeed good. I can give it a score of 4.8."
The man elegantly wiped his mouth and announced the result.
The short man was overjoyed as never before. He pulled out the little cub who had accompanied Lu Mingming during the exam and asked, "Little contestant, how many points would you give?"
As he said this, his voice trembled.
"I, I can give the same score as Big Brother."
The little cub spoke tremblingly.
"You!!"
The胖 man was so enraged that he almost spat out a mouthful of old blood. He clenched his fist, ready to strike the child, but was firmly held by Lu Yan's large palm, blocking the attack.
Lu Yan slowly increased the pressure in his palm, and under the immense force, the胖 man twisted his face in pain and knelt on the ground.
Realizing he had offended the wrong person, the胖 man cried and begged for mercy, "Please, please, let go."
Lu Yan narrowed his long, narrow eyes and used his elbow to fling the胖 man in front of Lu Mingming, kicking up a cloud of dust.
He spoke forcefully, "Apologize to her."
The胖 man's palm was bright red, with bruises appearing on his knuckles.
Sweat trickled down the胖 man's cheeks, his entire body damp and emitting a sour odor.
He choked back his resentment and knelt on the ground, grudgingly saying, "If you don't expose what I've done, I can let you work at Gude Fen Castle. I used to be their butler."
"Trying this trick to deceive people again? Which streamer who went there hasn't disappeared without a trace?!"
Mentioning this seemed to strike a nerve with the short man.
"My nephew was deceived by you and went to work at Gude Fen Castle, and we haven't heard from him since. Streamer Mingming, don't be fooled!"
The short man's resentment, accumulated over years, erupted. If it weren't for the esteemed guests present, he would have rushed up to beat the胖 man.
"I understand."
Lu Mingming nodded in agreement.
She thought to herself, the short man was indeed like the little cub said, revealing information, which meant he knew many secrets.
Upon mentioning this, the胖 man lowered his head, admitting defeat, and said nothing further.
"Exactly, exactly. Why not join our Imperial family? I can offer you the position of Senior Childcare Specialist, with an annual salary of 50 million star coins. If you're not satisfied, we can negotiate!"
The little prince chuckled, clearly enjoying the chaos and showcasing his financial power.
At this moment, Lu Mingming was clearly about to become the first person in history to pass two qualification exams consecutively, and by succeeding in the main planetary competition, her fame would spread even further. If she managed to enter the top three, a salary of 50 million star coins would be a mere pittance!
On the surface, the little prince smiled, but a hint of solemnity flashed in his eyes.
If the Alliance could acquire a talent who might become a special-grade childcare specialist, it would be a clear increase in strength for the empire.
"Or you can come with me. Name your price."
Lu Yan joined the "battle," took a bone whistle strung on a silver thread from his neck, and handed it to Lu Mingming. The bald man exclaimed "Ei" and tried to stop him, but ultimately did not dare to voice any objections.
"This is a token for you. If you ever need help, you can find me in District Thirteen anytime."
Lu Yan did not give Lu Mingming a chance to refuse, directly placing it in her hand.
"Thank you all for your kind consideration."
Lu Mingming dared not agree to anyone. Agreeing to one would mean offending the others.
She said with a wry smile, "I am not considering developing elsewhere for the time being. My main goal now is to enter the top ten in the main planetary competition."
The others did not press. It was just a casual remark, and it was best if no one got their way.
The short man calmed his breathing. If he snatched the talent away right in front of everyone, he would be a sinner to the Alliance.
It was good as it was; he would soon be promoted and receive a raise.
Thinking of this, the short man grinned, unable to hide his amusement, "Then let's present Streamer Mingming with her qualification certificate now!"