Cheng Xiaofan certainly wouldn't tell his mother the truth. It was impossible to say, absolutely impossible to tell anyone.
"Mom, I'll tell you the truth!"
His eyes darted, and he said with a smile, "A master from the capital came here this time and taught me a secret technique, the Food Upgrading Technique."
"With this upgrading technique, the taste of the food I make is naturally much better than before! But—"
He changed the subject, "This Food Upgrading Technique can be used occasionally. If used too often, it consumes too much of the body's vital energy!"
Cheng Xiaofan was preemptively setting expectations, fearing that his foodie father would ask him to cook frequently and invite friends over for drinks.
"Cheng Fugui, did you hear that? Your son is telling you this!" Miao Xiuhua said sternly to her husband.
"..." Cheng Xiaofan was instantly devastated.
Mom, do you have to be so obvious?
How am I supposed to act like a filial son in front of Dad from now on!
"Come, come, everyone eat!"
Cheng Xiaofan, fearing an awkward silence, urged everyone at the table, "My upgraded food is full of positive energy, very nourishing!"
"Don't be shy in front of such nourishing food, rush to eat, eat like wolves and tigers, it's all free!"
The food from the spatial dimension was, of course, very nourishing.
The first time he made it for Long Xingyun and Jiang Xueyan, they had just broken through their cultivation. Cheng Xiaofan worried about their physical exhaustion after the breakthrough and specifically made them a dish from the spatial dimension.
The second time was for Ye Shisan after his purgatory-like treatment, when his body was very weak. Cheng Xiaofan made him the same spatial dish when he went to White Python Lake.
The first two times were not as abundant as today, nor as meticulous.
In fact, without Cheng Xiaofan's urging, everyone was eagerly eating, enjoying themselves immensely.
Han Jie and Teresa, in particular, were gazing at each other affectionately, clearly deeply in love, suggesting that there would be a story unfolding that night.
The meal lasted a full two hours before ending.
After everyone had left, Cheng Xiaofan was preparing to rest when he heard the sound of a car braking outside the courtyard gate.
He looked out the window and saw an old man and a young man, both Taoist priests, emerging from the car.
The younger Taoist priest behind was carrying a gaunt old man on his back.
Cheng Xiaofan came downstairs and into the courtyard.
Just then, the two Taoist priests entered the courtyard.
"Woof woof!"
Taotibao, who had been dozing in a corner of the courtyard, suddenly opened his eyes and barked fiercely at the two Taoist priests.
"Who are you, and why are you trespassing on the territory of Uncle Dog?"
"Quickly report your names, lest I bite off your kneecaps!"
The two Taoist priests couldn't understand dog language. They were startled by Taotibao's fierce demeanor, recoiling over ten steps.
"Get lost!"
Cheng Xiaofan shouted at Taotibao, "Stop barking at everyone you see!"
Taotibao immediately said, "Master, I feel these two Taoist priests are a bit suspicious, so I was just scaring them!"
Cheng Xiaofan had already sensed that the two Taoist priests were somewhat suspicious through the window.
It was precisely because these two were suspicious that he came downstairs to see how they were carrying an old man who was about to die into the courtyard.
The leading old Taoist priest, upon seeing Cheng Xiaofan, immediately put on a smile, bowed deeply, and said, "May I ask if you are Master Cheng of Zhuxi Village?"
Cheng Xiaofan nodded slightly and said, "Yes, I am Cheng Xiaofan!"
"May I ask what business you have with me here?"
Daoist Qingfeng heard that the young man in front of him was indeed the Cheng Xiaofan he was looking for. He bowed again, saying, "Reporting to Master Cheng, this humble Taoist is from Qingfeng Temple, located more than ten li from the lower street of Jinbao Town. I heard that Master Cheng is a famous divine doctor. This humble Taoist has come here to ask you to save someone."
Cheng Xiaofan scanned Daoist Qingfeng from head to toe and chuckled, "Who told you I'm a divine doctor?"
Daoist Qingfeng licked his lips, his face full of smiles, looking as if he was vying for favor with Taotibao, and said, "Master Cheng is so famous, who in the world doesn't know him, who doesn't know him!"
"If others say I'm a divine doctor, then I am one?" Cheng Xiaofan said unhappily, then turned to go back inside.
*Thump!*
Daoist Qingfeng became anxious and quickly ran in front of Cheng Xiaofan, kneeling down with great agility, his face a mask of sorrow, saying, "Master Cheng, I know that Daoist Ku of Jinniu Mountain is your friend. I am his junior brother. Please, for my senior brother's sake, help me!"
Cheng Xiaofan sneered, "Qingfeng, right? I'll ask you, is the Shennong portrait popular in Jinbao Town market your work?"
"Ah, Master Cheng, how did you know?" Daoist Qingfeng blurted out in astonishment.
Cheng Xiaofan glanced at the old man being carried by the young Taoist priest beside him and sneered again, "If I'm not mistaken, the Shennong portrait you drew was based on a photo of this old man when he was in his prime, wasn't it?"
"Ah... ah... ah..." Daoist Qingfeng stammered three times, unable to speak.
How could this Cheng Xiaofan know such a secret?
The fact that he had used Mr. Ma's photo from his prime as a model to paint the Shennong portrait was known only to the young Taoist priest who was always by his side, and no one else.
At this moment, Daoist Qingfeng couldn't help but cast a suspicious glance at the young Taoist priest beside him, wondering if this matter had been leaked by him.
The young Taoist priest, unnerved by Daoist Qingfeng's gaze, quickly said, "Daoist Qingfeng, don't suspect me. I absolutely did not tell anyone about this!"
"Daoist Qingfeng, don't be so suspicious,"
Cheng Xiaofan said calmly, "I saw from the aura emanating from this old man that he must have looked like he did in his prime, which is how I knew that the Shennong portraits sold in the market originated from your temple."
"..." Daoist Qingfeng was stunned again.
This young man was too terrifying! He could tell what an old man looked like in his prime just by looking at him?
What kind of eyes did he have?
After stammering for a while, Daoist Qingfeng honestly said, "Master Cheng, you are too amazing. What you said is correct. The Shennong portraits circulating in the market were indeed painted by me based on Mr. Ma's photos from his youth!"
Cheng Xiaofan sneered, "Why did you do that?"
Daoist Qingfeng stammered, "Mr. Ma suffered from kidney failure. His son-in-law took him to numerous hospitals and famous doctors, but none could help him. Later, he saw my advertisement for treatment on a utility pole and came to me."
"His son-in-law said that if I could cure his father-in-law's illness, the reward would be at least one million. I thought the price was too amusing, so I agreed immediately!"
"I told his son-in-law that I could not only cure his father-in-law's illness but also give him a young and strong body."
Cheng Xiaofan sneered, "Tell me, what treatment method can you use to completely cure his illness and give him a young and strong body?"