Chapter 248: Come Eat a Kidney to Replenish

While the members of the Ark Sisters Tea Party gathered at Xia Wan's home, subtly probing for "inside information," another corner of the New Era presented a completely different atmosphere.

At the Deep Space Mothership Construction Base, in the Rest Area outside the Core Dock.

It was evening, shift change time. Many engineers, technicians, and Security Personnel, having just finished a day of intense labor, clustered in small groups in the Rest Area, eating nutritious dinners provided by the mess hall or their own packed lunches. The air reeked of sweat, oil, and food—a gritty, industrial scent.

Qin Feng, accompanied by Su Wenqian and Lei Dong, had just finished his routine inspection of the day's progress at the dock and happened to pass through this Rest Area.

Upon seeing Qin Feng arrive, the previously noisy Rest Area fell noticeably silent. Workers rose to their feet, faces filled with reverence and excitement, offering silent salutes to their supreme leader.

Qin Feng waved his hand, signaling them to relax and continue eating. His gaze swept over these builders—faces weary but eyes bright—each one a cornerstone of the New Era.

He strolled over to a small table surrounded by several young engineers. Several trays sat on the table, along with a small pot bubbling steadily, emitting rich, mouthwatering aromas—clearly someone's personal home-cooked dish.

"Sir!" The young engineers immediately put down their chopsticks and stood up nervously as Qin Feng approached.

"Sit." Qin Feng's tone was calm; his eyes fixed on the small pot. "You made this?"

The lead engineer was a sturdy, dark-skinned young man named Wang Tiezhu, a backbone of the Power Systems Department, renowned for his skill and straightforward personality. He scratched his head, smiling sheepishly: "Report, Sir—it's a recipe from my hometown. I cooked some lamb offal to give the brothers some extra strength, hehe."

The pot churned with lamb tripe, intestines, heart, and other parts; thick broth floated with several bright red chilies, making anyone's appetite stir.

Qin Feng nodded, unbothered by the rustic dish. He understood the hardships of frontline workers; a little relaxation and extra meal was perfectly reasonable.

Seeing Qin Feng showed no displeasure—indeed, seemed slightly interested—Wang Tiezhu's courage swelled. He grabbed a clean bowl, swiftly scooped out a large, tender, plump lamb kidney from the pot, and offered it eagerly to Qin Feng with a simple, warm smile:

"Sir, you're burdened with countless duties—you expend the most energy! Here, freshly stewed kidney, eat it while hot, to replenish yourself!"

At these words, Su Wenqian and Lei Dong both subtly paled. Su Wenqian instinctively moved forward to stop him. For the Sir to eat this… food… in this setting?

The other workers held their breath, staring at Wang Tiezhu's outstretched bowl, silently fearing for him. This Wang Tiezhu was too reckless!

Yet Qin Feng, gazing at the steaming, sauce-drenched kidney offered to him, then at Wang Tiezhu's pure, earnest smile born of care and respect, showed no sign of disgust or displeasure.

Under countless tense gazes, he… reached out and took the bowl.

Then, before everyone's incredulous eyes, he used a clean chopstick beside him to pick up the kidney, expression unchanged, placed it in his mouth, chewed slowly, and swallowed.

"Tastes good." He set the bowl down and offered a brief evaluation.

"!!!"

The entire Rest Area fell utterly silent.

Everyone was stunned.

The Sir… actually ate it?! Ate the kidney from Wang Tiezhu's pot?!

Wang Tiezhu himself stood frozen, mouth agape, as if unable to believe his eyes.

Su Wenqian and Lei Dong exchanged glances, both seeing utter shock in each other's eyes. They had followed the Sir for years—knew his diet was always simple, refined. When had they ever seen him consume such… down-to-earth food in such a setting?

Qin Feng seemed oblivious to their astonishment. He nodded at Wang Tiezhu: "Good skill. Keep it up."

With that, he turned and left the Rest Area, Su Wenqian and Lei Dong still frozen in shock behind him.

Only when Qin Feng's figure vanished at the end of the corridor did the frozen air in the Rest Area seem to melt instantly.

"Holy shit! Tiezhu! You're legendary! The Sir ate your kidney!!" "The Sir said it tasted good?! Am I dreaming?!" "Quick! Let me taste a bite! Catch some of the Sir's divine aura!" "Wang Tiezhu! You've got to save me some of that lamb offal! I'll pay double… no! Triple points!"

The workers immediately swarmed around Wang Tiezhu, clamoring excitedly. Wang Tiezhu clutched the bowl Qin Feng had used like a sacred relic, grinning dumbly, too overwhelmed to speak.

For these frontline builders, the leader's humble acceptance of their most basic kindness—even tasting their coarse food—carried a sense of recognition and morale boost far stronger than any hollow encouragement.

Qin Feng, now away from the Rest Area, still wore no expression.

He had not acted to win hearts; he simply followed his instinct. The kidney truly tasted good, but more importantly, he felt Wang Tiezhu's unadulterated sincerity.

On this thorny path, these simple, loyal followers were part of his strength too.

Su Wenqian followed behind him, gazing at the Sir's still-straight back, recalling the unbelievable scene just now, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

The Sir… always seemed to reveal a completely different side without meaning to.

Cold as ice, indifferent to provocation, wielding thunder. Yet here, he calmly accepted a humble worker's offering, steeped in the scent of everyday life.

Which one, then, is the real him?

Perhaps, both.

His grandeur and his minutiae, his coldness and his warmth, together formed this complex, profound, forever unfathomable…

Qin Feng.

Su Wenqian let out a quiet sigh, yet an almost imperceptible smile—unnoticed even by herself—curved at her lips.

This Sir… seemed more human.

And it made her, more determined than ever to follow him.