Chapter 16: Raphael’s Culinary Art

“Sister-in-law~ What are we eating today?”

Ruina followed the aroma of food wafting through the house until she stood behind Raphael.

Raphael sighed helplessly, poured the vegetables from the pan into a dish, and turned around.

Leaning half her body against the counter, she said with exasperation, “Miss Ruina, I’ve told you many times—I’m not in that kind of relationship with Master. Please stop calling me that.”

“Hehe, got it, sister-in-law. I understand, sister-in-law.”

Raphael looked at Ruina’s incorrigible behavior and couldn’t help sighing.

She finally understood why Laiyinmute had given her a raise.

This money wasn’t easy to earn.

She turned away, ignoring Ruina’s antics behind her.

She still had two new dishes to try.

Casually, she picked up the cookbook she’d bought a while back and flipped through it, stopping at page 176.

It was a fairly ordinary recipe: omelet rice.

This dish was simple in some ways, difficult in others.

The tricky part was cooking the egg layer on top—it demanded precise heat control and technique.

Being off by even a few seconds could mean starting over.

She took a small bowl from the cupboard, cracked three eggs into it, and added a pinch of salt.

Picking up chopsticks, she whisked vigorously.

Before long, the separated egg mixture became a uniform yellow liquid.

With the prep almost done, Raphael glanced at the cookbook once more, memorizing each step.

She poured a little oil into the pan to coat it, waited a few dozen seconds, then dipped her chopsticks into the egg mixture and touched them to the pan.

The egg on the chopsticks cooked instantly.

She poured in the egg liquid, gently swirled the pan, and when the egg began to set slightly, pushed it inward.

The final step was sealing.

Raphael looked at the egg that had already fallen apart and fell silent.

She dumped the mess onto a plate and set it in front of Ruina.

“Eh?! Great! Sister-in-law’s cooking is the best! I knew you loved me.”

Ruina happily took a bite, delighted by the texture.

Meanwhile, Raphael returned to the kitchen to keep working.

Watching her retreating back, Ruina smiled.

‘If only Sister Raphael really were my sister-in-law. I’ve been so worried about my brother.’

Laiyinmute sat on the bed, shaking his head to clear the grogginess.

He stood up, grabbed the clothes from the chair, and pulled them on.

He ruffled his messy red hair, slipped on his slippers, and pushed open his bedroom door.

A hand immediately grabbed his ankle.

He looked down—it was none other than his dear sister, Ruina.

She gazed up at him with a pleading expression, as if she’d endured some inhuman torment.

“Brother, please save me. I’m dying.”

A huge question mark appeared over Laiyinmute’s head.

“Huh? What nonsense are you talking? Why are you lying by my door? If you want money, forget it.”

Raphael walked up to Laiyinmute, bowed slightly, and said, “Good afternoon, Master. Lunch will be ready soon. Please wash up, and it’ll be done.”

Hearing that voice, Ruina wrapped her arms around Laiyinmute’s leg, crying pitifully.

“Wahhh, big brother, save me!”

“What’s wrong with her?”

Laiyinmute looked at Raphael, pointing at Ruina clinging to his leg.

“Nothing, Master. I’ll take Miss Ruina away now.”

Raphael grabbed Ruina by the calf and dragged her off, leaving a trail of thin scratches on the floor from the force.

Ruina shot a resentful look at Laiyinmute, who was clearly not going to intervene.

‘Huh?‘ Laiyinmute was puzzled. ‘What are they up to?‘

But he didn’t dwell on it.

He turned and walked into the bathroom to wash up.

A few minutes later, Raphael’s voice came from outside.

“Master, lunch is ready. Time to eat.”

Her tone was full of joy.

Laiyinmute dried his hair and walked out.

As soon as he reached the kitchen, he was startled.

Ruina sat at the table, her eyes lifeless, a yellowish liquid dripping from the corner of her mouth—downright eerie.

Raphael was sitting across from her.

When she saw Laiyinmute, she trotted over to the kitchen, picked up a plate of omurice, and placed it at the seat next to Ruina.

Seeing this, Ruina scrambled to the bathroom, tripping several times on the way.

The aroma of oil, eggs, and tomato wafted into Laiyinmute’s nose.

He swallowed and sat down. Picking up a spoon, he scooped up a bite.

The egg was drizzled with ketchup, and underneath was pristine white rice.

He put it in his mouth and chewed slowly.

The expression on his face stiffened.

Raphael, who had been watching him intently, now looked nervous, anxiously awaiting his verdict.

Laiyinmute dug in, spoonful after spoonful.

He occasionally picked up some of the other dishes with his chopsticks.

“Burp~”

He cleared the table, satisfied.

Patting his now-single-ab stomach, he let out a contented burp.

“So? So? How is it, Master? The new dish!”

Raphael stared nervously at Laiyinmute’s face, his eyes half-closed in a relaxed expression.

“It’s delicious. I’ve always trusted your cooking. To make it this good on the first try is impressive.”

Raphael beamed with joy.

Having her cooking recognized by someone else—how could she not be happy?

“By the way… do you know what’s wrong with Ruina? She’s been acting weird since earlier.”

Raphael scratched her cheek awkwardly, avoiding his gaze.

She glanced at the trash can stuffed with eggshells, then wrung her hands nervously and stammered, “Mi-Miss Ruina… she probably ate too much. Yeah, that’s it.”

She even nodded to confirm her own story.

Creak.

The bathroom door opened.

Ruina came out and immediately met Raphael’s eyes.

Her legs gave way, and she dropped to her knees, tears streaming uncontrollably.

“Sister-in-law… no, Sister Raphael, I’m begging you. Don’t make me eat eggs anymore. Wuwuwu… if I eat any more, I’ll turn into an egg!”

Then, in a few quick steps, she threw herself at Raphael, hugging her leg and smearing tears and snot all over Raphael’s smooth white calf.

Laiyinmute gave his sister a look of disgust, then turned to Raphael with confusion.

Raphael, feeling his gaze, awkwardly scratched her cheek again and turned her face away.

She pointed at the trash can in the corner, overflowing with eggshells.

Laiyinmute curiously opened the fridge.

A few days ago, there had been two full trays of eggs.

Now only a few scattered ones remained.

The corner of his mouth twitched.

And so, under Ruina’s vehement protests, eggs disappeared from their meals for the next few days.

Raphael gladly accepted—after all, eggs were expensive, weren’t they?