Cultivation Daddy-Chapter 112: Summer Heat (1)

The weather is getting hot lately, and the children were occasionally getting heatstroke when they played outside for too long.

It was alright during the weekend because they were at home, but he was worried about what would happen to them at school. He frowned as he thought of the streaming hot sun.

He does have a few dishes in his restaurant that have a cooling effect, both of which are heavy dishes that can’t be eaten just anywhere. With this thought in mind, he entered his space. He went straight to the bookshelf, searching for a particular red book.

His fingers brushed over the spines of numerous books and scrolls until he finally found it, the worn red cover reminds him of the days he was learning how to cook.

When he worked in the mortal restaurant in his previous life, he was amazed at their food and drinks. They were countless and endless. That’s when he bought this cookbook with over 500 pages, even at this point, he hasn’t cooked half of the dishes in here.

He came here with a sense of urgency he needs to create something special for the children’s lunch today. Something that will relieve them from the sweltering sun.

He opens the book and scans the pages. Recipes for cool soups, refreshing fruit salads, and chilled drinks filled the pages. He tapped his finger against the shelf, contemplating which dish or drink would be best.

But he considered the children’s taste, and he knew they’ll like something sweet. He flipped a few more pages and paused. His eyes lit up instantly. Smoothies, fruit smoothies, that’s it. He also used to love this drink, but he’d forgotten about it because of the cold weather.

He looked over the recipes, there wasn’t a set recipe for making smoothies. The possibility is endless, he could use common fruits like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, cherry, mangoes and so on. Or he could use other non common fruits like Fruit lotus petals, snow jade mint, moon dew fruit, glacier melon, and even elusive silverberries. Each fruit had its unique properties, perfect for heat reduction.

He checked the warehouse and gathered some ingredients, but he ended up planting some. Luckily, many plants only take a few minutes to be ready for harvest in his space. He grabbed a handful of various fruits.

He brought the things outside and started to prepare them in the kitchen. Thanks to the spiritual energy in the space, ordinary fruits that are grown there would also become spiritual food.

He placed the frost lotus leaves and the jade mint into a big bowl. He released his spiritual energy from his finger tips, swirling it around the ingredients. He put in some spirit milk and ice cubes that he made with his ice energy, as he worked, the scent of sweetness and freshness filled the air. Soon, the smoothies were ready. He repeated the same process, making many different kinds of smoothies.

When the children woke up, he was preparing their breakfast.

"Good morning, Dad." Li Yuhan greeted, as he walked into the kitchen.

The delicious aroma of the dishes seemed to pull him out of his dozeness and he rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off the remnant of sleep.

"Good morning, Xiao Han. You don’t seem well rested." Li Jain said as he glanced over his shoulder, stirring a pot of rice porridge on the stove: "Did you stay up late again?"

"Just a few extra minutes." Li Yuhan shrugged with a sheepish grin on his face.

"You shouldn’t stay up late for no reason. If you have that much time, you should be doing your homework or advanced reading."

"I know, Dad, I just... lost track of time." He said guiltily. Then as if he thought about something, his eyes narrowed and he shifted the blame: "It’s all because Yujian is not there to nag me about time. How long is he going to remain sick?"

Li Jain sighed: "I know you miss him, but he needs time to recover. Pushing him won’t help."

Li Yuhan leaned against the wall: "I don’t miss him. I just hope he feels better soon. It’s not the same without his poker face." He paused and added as if afraid that he’ll be misunderstood: "But I’m not worried about him, either."

Li Jain stopped what he was doing and looked at Yuhan speechlessly. He wanted to say ’Son, the more you deny it, the more obvious it becomes that you miss your brother.’

But he just shook his head instead: "Xiao Han?"

"Yes, Dad?" Li Yuhan straightened up, meeting his father’s gaze with a hint of compliance.

"Go help your brothers get ready for school. Breakfast is almost ready." Li Jain waves his hand.

"Yes, Father." Li Yuhan returned upstairs.

🌺🌺🌺

After breakfast, Li Jain packs the children’s bags with their lunches and snacks. He told them there is a new fruit drink to reduce the heat. They could drink it anytime during the day and don’t have to wait for lunch time.

"Bye Dad,"

Li Cheng, Li Jingsheng and Li Juanxin said as they left with Fu Seng.

An hour later, Li Jain took the other three brothers.

He returned home after dropping them off.

"Boss, a letter came for you." Bai Lian came knocking on Li Jain’s study door.

Li Jain raised his brows curiously: "A letter? Who is it from?" He gestured for him to enter.

Bai Lian stepped in with a sealed envelope: "It is addressed to you from someone called Patriarch Li."

Li Jain took the letter and looked at it thoughtfully. He carefully broke open the seal, unfolding the letter.

The letter asked for the original owner to find a time and go back for a visit to his family. From the content of the letter, the person who wrote it seems to have a good relationship with the original owner. But from the memory he got, the original owner’s view on his family is negative.

Come to think of it, the original owner was a spoiled brat who didn’t suffer any hardship until he was kicked out of the family residence.

It seems he’ll have to go and see how things are for himself. With a sigh, Li Jain leaned back in his chair.

He doesn’t like complicated situations, it would be nice if everyone could just be happy... But he knows that is unrealistic. Humans would always find ways to complicate their lives, driven by desires and grievances.

"What does it say, Boss?" Bai Lian asked, interrupting Li Jain’s thoughts

Li Jain paused, then said: "It’s an invitation for a reunion."

"Oh, ok." Bai Lian turned to leave but suddenly stopped in his tracks and looked back: "Old man Ling is to order some dishes, but he insisted on you serving him yourself."

"What a troubling old man." Li Jain laughed and made his way to the tavern.

The Spiritual Tavern was bustling as usual. Li Jain doesn’t really like to come in here when he doesn’t want to break.

It can’t be helped, the people "love" him too much. Their greed, schemes, and admirations are too enchanting for him. Every time he comes in, especially in the middle of the day, he’ll be filled with boundless spiritual energy.

"Xiao Jain, there you are." Old Ling spotted Li Jain with his sharp eyes and waved at him.

"Good day, old Ling. Do you want to sit?" Li Jain asked

"No need, I’m just here for the dishes. Old Yan stopped by my place a few days ago and told me about your request. I’ll see what I can contribute."

Li Jain raised his eyebrow, totally intrigued: "Oh, okay... You have my thanks in advance."

"What? You thought only old Yan had connections?" Old Ling asked coldly

From Li Jain’s expression, he could tell what he was thinking.

"Indeed, I underestimated your network. But I wouldn’t dare look down on you."

Old Ling scoffed and waved his hand dismissively: "You youngsters always think you know everything. Just because I don’t flaunt it doesn’t mean I’m not well connected."

Li Jain nodded in approval: "You really are low-key. The fact that you still run business in that shop that’s collapsing, says it all."

Old Ling almost fell when he heard Li Jain’s words. But looking at Li Jain who was staring at him with pure admiration, he couldn’t bring himself to curse.

He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck with a reluctant smile: "You really know how to flatter an old man. Come and take my order. I’m buying a lot so I’ll need a discount."

"Why do you need so much all of a sudden?" Li Jain asked curiously.

"I’m leaving town for a few days. I have some important matters to attend to. And it has been ten years since I left home to run a business in this town."

You’ve been in a broken shop for ten years?... Li Jain was really speechless.

Could it be that his talisman isn’t making money? Li Jain thought but quickly dismissed the idea. That’s very unlikely because he had seen how prosperous his business is.

Then the only conclusion is, old Ling is afraid to spend the money he earned. This is what the humans would call stingy or not being free handed.

Li Jain found another thing to think about. But he wanted to wait. He wasn’t in a hurry to Breakthrough yet.

"Before you leave, do you want a talisman that will keep your shop from collapsing in your absence?"

Old Ling raised an eyebrow, he was clearly intrigued but also skeptical: "Why would my shop collapse? I’m only leaving for a few days."

Isn’t it obvious?

"I’m just worried for you. If the children hit it with a ball? Or a strong wind blowing?"

It’s a building for crying out loud, not a balloon. It doesn’t need to be coddled!!!

But he was too lazy to argue with Li Jain: "Sure, thanks." He said reluctantly.

"Don’t mention it." Li Jain smiled lovingly.