Shadows of the Deep Space Chapter 2 - 2 2 Since it is here, make it comfortable

However, it doesn't appear all that terrible; this plump face actually looks pretty good, far from ugly.

It's merely the extra weight that spoils the whole picture.

Should I manage to slim down, I'd likely turn out quite attractive.

Luckily, my features are reasonably balanced; if they were all askew, I'd truly be in a hopeless state.

In truth, Su Ming failed to grasp that his hefty frame, exceeding 180 pounds, had actually preserved his life.

Without that substantial mass, which brought down the storage room's ceiling, he would've become a dangling specter ages ago.

After a while, Su Ming emerged from the bathroom and settled on the bed's edge.

He released a soft sigh.

Though his head throbbed a little still, the pain had eased considerably compared to earlier.

While out cold, Su Ming had absorbed a considerable portion of the memories.

Even if certain fragments remained unprocessed, they no longer posed significant issues.

With this in mind, Su Ming raised his gaze and scanned the room's furnishings.

The space was elegantly furnished throughout, adorned with numerous intricate models and statues.

Su Ming rose from the bed and approached a nearby shelf.

Arrayed there were statues of stunning female commanders in crisp uniforms, radiating a heroic and vibrant aura.

Naturally, there were also sleek mecha figures and spacecraft replicas.

Standing out among them was a bold black Star Destroyer replica.

Even as a mere miniature, it captured a vivid realism, its polished ebony surface shining brightly, with evident cannon muzzles and ejection bays—truly striking.

And this very Star Destroyer represented the former Federation's mightiest vessel, the Grey Angel.

Su Ming rubbed his brow and returned to perch on the bed, wearing a resigned look.

The original owner's boyhood aspiration had been to enlist in the forces, command mecha, and cross paths with a graceful, alluring starship skipper.

Regrettably, aspirations shine brightly, yet the world delivers harsh truths.

From early years, he had toiled diligently in studies, but his aptitudes proved woefully lacking, yielding only average results.

Creak~

Just then, the door swung open, admitting a maid sporting a smattering of freckles, clad in a dark maid's attire.

Spotting Su Ming on the bed, she exclaimed with thrill,

“Young Master, you've come to?”

Upon catching the maid's exclamation, Su Ming whipped his head toward the entrance and identified her instantly.

This was their household helper, Chen Hui.

He gave a slow nod in acknowledgment.

As Su Ming acknowledged her, Chen Hui dashed downstairs posthaste.

Meanwhile, in the expansive, luminous dining area, Zhao Ning had whipped up a bountiful array of delectable fare.

Aromas wafted from juicy roast chickens, alongside rich, oily braised pork pieces and trotters.

“Madam, Madam,” Chen Hui urged breathlessly.

“What's the matter?” Zhao Ning pivoted to eye the rushing Chen Hui and inquired.

“The Young Master is up.” Chen Hui swiftly informed Zhao Ning.

“He's awake?

Wonderful!

I've prepared all his beloved dishes; take them to him,” Zhao Ning directed, beaming with delight.

“Yes, ma'am.” Chen Hui answered promptly.

At that instant, Su Ming descended the curving stairs and addressed his overjoyed mother,

“No need, I've come down myself.”

“My precious boy, how are you faring?

Any aches or pains?” Zhao Ning welcomed him, overflowing with happiness.

“Feeling much improved,” Su Ming replied with a gentle nod.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ning guided Su Ming to the table and seated him, her tone brimming with worry,

“My dear son, you've skipped proper meals for a full day; you must be starving.

These are all your favorites—dig in heartily.”

Zhao Ning's words stirred a cozy sensation within Su Ming.

He sensed her genuine affection for her child.

Unbidden, he examined his newfound mother more closely.

At 1.7 meters in height, she wore a snug red dress that accentuated her figure, her complexion pale and smooth, face soft and kind, accented by a petite mole near her lip's edge, enhancing her charm.

She carried herself with refined poise.

“Something amiss?”

Zhao Ning caught Su Ming's fixed stare and questioned with curiosity.

“Nothing at all.”

Su Ming shook his head, shifting his attention to the table's bounty.

He eyed the opulent array of dishes and seemed a tad uncomfortable.

It was entirely meat-based, and with his already plump build, he couldn't afford to indulge further like this.

Noticing Su Ming perched still, gazing at the spread without touching it, Zhao Ning queried puzzledly.

“Son, do these not suit your palate?”

“Uh, I'm not quite hungry for them; got any veggies?

Something milder would be ideal.”

Su Ming phrased it to sound natural.

Zhao Ning and Chen Hui froze at Su Ming's words, momentarily unsure how to reply.

“Is there an issue?”

Sensing their hesitant faces, a trace of anxiety crept into Su Ming's tone.

“None whatsoever, son.

Whatever you'd like, Mother will ensure you have it.

I'll order from Mailongsi immediately!

Vegetables will arrive by morning, alright?”

Zhao Ning reassured Su Ming without delay.

“An order?

That's overkill; ordinary market greens would suffice, nothing fancy required.”

Su Ming reacted with surprise.

“Son, have you overlooked it?

Vegetables are scarce and pricey; ordering is the way to obtain them.”

Zhao Ning clarified for Su Ming, her voice laced with care.

Chen Hui hastened to soothe Zhao Ning.

“Madam, the young master never favored vegetables before, so it's expected he wouldn't remember.”

Listening to the women's exchange, Su Ming abruptly comprehended that he truly had seldom consumed vegetables.

This stemmed partly from his innate dislike and partly from their status as rarities.

In this era, vegetables carried exorbitant costs, akin to high-end luxuries.

Conversely, meat proved far more affordable, sourced from lab-grown animals nourished on feed derived from refined beast oils.

Observing Su Ming's quiet demeanor, Zhao Ning assumed he was displeased and hurried to indulge him.

“My dear son, settle for today's options, and tomorrow we'll prepare your greens.”

“Fine, I'll have a little.”

Su Ming then grabbed a morsel of meat to sample, inwardly praising its taste—it was succulent, flavorful, and left no residue.

Thus, he seized another piece, then a third…

Zhao Ning observed from her seat, gazing at Su Ming devouring the food with fondness.

Yet, as Su Ming poised to insert the eighth slice into his mouth, he abruptly paused, staring at the morsel on his chopsticks, and scolded himself inwardly,

“What's going on?

How did I consume so much?

I absolutely cannot go on.”

Su Ming's logic urged him to stop.

Nevertheless, his form hungered for more, and his chopstick-wielding hand automatically advanced toward his lips.

With effort reining in his hand, Su Ming diverted the food from his mouth.

But his urges resisted, attempting once more to feed himself.

In this manner, Su Ming shuttled the meat to and fro beside his lips repeatedly.

Ultimately, he resolutely returned the piece to the dish and rose to his feet.

“Son, done eating already?

Weren't these to your liking, or perhaps you'd fancy a sweet treat?”

Zhao Ning inquired worriedly.