"Ah, Dad, um, what's up? Is something wrong?" Alice Nakiri picked up her phone. After she became an adult, she started managing her own restaurant and traveling the world.
Her father, Soue Nakiri, was a very open-minded person, perhaps influenced by Western culture. After Alice became an adult, he rarely interfered with her life. He only called on important holidays.
"Do you have a boyfriend yet?" Soue Nakiri's voice drifted.
Alice Nakiri froze.
"Hm?" Alice retorted with an interrogative sound, indicating her surprise. Why was her dad suddenly asking about this?
"Hm?" This time, Soue Nakiri didn't shy away from the topic as readily as usual.
"What's wrong with not having a boyfriend?" Alice replied honestly. She had no boyfriend, so she said so.
"Nothing, just asking. And to tell you some news," Soue pondered for a moment, deciding not to hide the news. Even if he didn't tell her, Alice would eventually find out anyway.
"Erina is pregnant again," Soue said. The words struck like thunder.
Alice's mouth slightly moved. It felt like a giant hammer had slammed into her head, leaving her momentarily stunned. "That fast?" She had been living at Erina's house for the past week. Something had happened on the first day, but was the pregnancy that fast? Was it because of Renz's exceptionally good physique?
"What's 'that fast'?" Soue frowned.
"Nothing, I'm just a bit shocked," Alice coughed.
"Then when will our family..." Soue paused, hinting.
"Ah, ah, ah, what's going on with my signal? The cross-country call signal is so bad, Dad, what are you saying? I can't hear you. Could you please repeat it?" Alice deliberately held the phone further away to create the illusion of a bad signal. "Oh, why can't I hear anything? If it's important, let's talk about it next time."
She hung up. Mission accomplished. Alice flashed a triumphant smile.
Beep beep beep...
LINE message notification...
Soue Nakiri (Dad):
"Find a partner soon. If you drag it on, you'll be over thirty and won't be able to get married."
Hardcore?? (marriage urging), most lethal.
Alice's smile froze. Erina, look what you've done! Aren't you deliberately messing with me?
Alice decided to put her phone out of sight and off. I! Will! Go to her house to demand an explanation!
---
In the TV Station Office
"Withdraw?" Junichi Matsumoto, sitting at his desk in the office, stood up abruptly upon hearing the news. "Why withdraw?"
Erina Nakiri withdrawing from the competition? Wasn't this sabotaging their production team? All the promotion for the Food Soul Competition... not to mention the live broadcast, the later edited episodes, they were all meant to fully promote Erina Nakiri. If she withdrew, all their work for the first season would be in vain.
"I need a legitimate reason, Mr. Nakiri," Junichi poured himself a cup of tea, calming himself down, wanting to hear the reason. Although it seemed the dominant figure in the Nakiri couple should be Erina Nakiri, the main speaker in this conversation was the husband. Nine times out of ten, the reason for the withdrawal was related to him. Junichi wanted a clear explanation. At the very least, they couldn't just withdraw without a clear reason, wasting the TV station's time and effort.
"If it's about the salary, we can provide additional funds," Junichi said, looking at Renz's face.
The TV station's collaboration with the Nakiri family was unpaid from the Nakiri side. The original purpose of establishing the competition was to promote cuisine and help unknown or independent chefs gain recognition. The past two seasons had been successful; after all, cooking shows were niche content, and the TV station had received good advertising revenue. If the Nakiri family wanted to negotiate further due to financial issues, they could report it to the TV station. They weren't unable to pay the money, as long as the amount wasn't excessive.
"It's not about money," Renz shook his head.
"Then why withdraw?" Junichi was baffled. If it wasn't about money, it must be about fame. But if they wanted to make a comeback through the show, and all their editing revolved around the Nakiri couple, with all the camera time on them, how could they not become famous?
"My wife is pregnant," Renz said, spreading his hands.
The air solidified. Junichi stopped talking. This reason was truly ironclad; it was so firm that he couldn't push his demands further.
"But this is really difficult," Junichi's finger tapped lightly on the table, making a rhythmic sound. "This season's audience is clearly here for Miss Erina."
"If I announce her withdrawal, our production team won't be able to handle the pressure."
"How about, Mr. Nakiri, you reconsider and make a new decision?"
"If we make temporary changes now, it won't just be a matter of money; all our manpower and resources will be wasted."
"Mr. Nakiri, I heard some rumors a long time ago that you also have some talent in cooking. A husband and wife are one, after all. You could take on the judge's role, and Miss Erina could still make an appearance." Junichi pleaded.
Cooking? Talent? When did I acquire this talent? I don't even know about it. Moreover, Renz clearly remembered that Haruna had complained that his breakfast was terrible. So, that rumor must be false!
Renz was about to refuse, but Erina, who had been silent, nodded.
"I agree."
Hey! I haven't even opened my mouth, and you've already agreed? Renz turned his head, his eyes filled with confusion. Erina, however, gave him a reassuring look.
"Since Erina has made her decision, I also agree," Renz said in a tone that showed he was completely at Erina's mercy. "But if my performance isn't good, there's nothing I can do about it."
"If your performance isn't good, that's my problem," Erina retorted with a slight pout.
Their conversation seemed to create a private bubble, forgetting about the other person in charge.
"It's fine, we have post-production editing!" Junichi, though he had just been forced to swallow some "dog food" and felt a little hurt inside, carried on, knowing there was a turnaround in the situation.
However, as he thought about it more, he grew increasingly annoyed.
You think having a wife makes you great?
You think having children makes you great?
You think marrying into a prestigious family makes you great?
You think having a good relationship with your spouse makes you great?
Damn it, it really is great!
Teary-eyed.
Why don't I have a wife yet?! Why hasn't the country assigned me a wife?! Why am I working so hard only to pay for other people's marital bliss?! Watching them grinning sweetly at each other while I, an elite single man, have to figure out their problems.
Swallowing bitterness, perhaps this is the adult world.
--------More Bonus Chapters!!!!
Every 300 power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter