At 7:30 PM, all the dishes had been uploaded. Wanxing sent word that the virtual restaurant was ready.

The fans on her end were also waiting with bated breath. Jiang Qiuqiu summoned her housekeeper and assistant bots, and together they began uploading the food in the livestream room.

Billions of people were huddled in the livestream room, ready to snatch up the food. This even caused the crowds of young people at the New Year’s Eve Gala Plaza to thin out a bit.

One delectable dish after another was uploaded. The portions today were actually quite generous; Jiang Qiuqiu had set it up so that everyone had two chances to claim something.

Those who managed to get something happily shared their success in the bullet comments!

[Wow!! My mom and I managed to get the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall! I’m so happy!]

[My whole family was trying to grab their own dishes, and now we’ve all gathered to share what we got on our terminals. It’s turned into a delicious and sweet New Year’s Eve dinner!]

These were just words, but if one could see the reality behind them—

Through the Star Network and beyond the screens, harmonious families gathered together, watching the food livestream just as they might have sat around watching the Spring Festival Gala years ago.

Watching the stream was a joy. Trying to grab the food was a joy. And actually getting something was yet another joy.

Everyone gathered in a single room, full of festive cheer—something that hadn’t happened last year.

And there were many others who were brought together just like this, all connected by a delicious meal.

There were so many different dishes that distribution was a complicated affair. Even with Jiang Qiuqiu managing it, the process took nearly half an hour.

At 7:50, the virtual restaurant opened, and the livestream viewer count dropped by nearly a hundred million people.

Those who had been invited to this grand affair were already lying down in their holographic pods.

Qiudao and Changbei, being jinxed, didn’t manage to get any spots. However, their good buddy Terry, thanks to his ridiculously good luck, had snagged four of them.

Changbei traded a weapon to Terry for two of the spots.

Even so, before getting into his holographic pod, he was still grumbling, "This trade isn’t worth it."

"Your weapon is obviously much more valuable... We could have probably just bought our way in—"

"Get a grip, Qiudao! We can’t compete with them on money. Now lie down, we’re about to go in!"

"Alright, but to make up for the loss of your weapon, I’ll—"

He was still going on. Changbei, who had almost lain down completely, scrambled back out, ran over to Qiudao, and pushed his head into the pod. "I don’t even care about my own stuff, so what are you so worked up about!"

’One measly weapon in exchange for the happiness of two people. Isn’t that a great deal?’

Mei Lin was also waiting to enter.

She had four spots, and a room held ten people. So, she spent a fortune buying enough additional spots to book an entire private room.

She didn’t want to invite a lot of people. Her father had to come, and so did Housekeeper Jiang, the old butler, and the head maid. Five people was the perfect number.

The group had already entered their holographic pods. Mei Lin and Duke Dais walked at the front, while Jiang Jiang, the old butler, and the head maid trailed behind.

"Mei Lin, is this what that streamer you’re so fond of lately has created?"

"It is, Dad! Don’t underestimate her. The food here is incredibly delicious!" Mei Lin had become one of Jiang Qiuqiu’s most die-hard fans. "Once you try it, you’ll understand. Spending Star Coins on food this good is a no-brainer."

"Alright, alright." Although Duke Dais himself wasn’t one for culinary indulgence, his little princess enjoyed it, so he tagged along.

’Of course, the only unpleasant part of this outing... was that Mei Lin had actually brought *that person* along.’

The father and daughter exchanged a few more words before Mei Lin suddenly spun around, her voice rising. "Housekeeper Jiang, what are you doing standing all the way back there?"

"Am I not your Young Miss?! Why are you standing so far away?"

Hearing this, Jiang Jiang instinctively glanced toward Duke Dais.

Duke Dais shot him a furious glare. ’Why is he looking at me right now!’

"Well? Are you coming over here or not?"

"Right away, Miss."

He walked briskly to the front of the group.

Only then did Mei Lin nod. "What’s wrong? Aren’t you happy I invited you to eat?"

"Not at all. I’m very happy. Thank you, Miss."

"..." ’He’s being insincere. What’s gotten into him lately?’ Mei Lin frowned.

As the group chatted, they arrived at the private room she had booked.

Mei Lin’s spirits lifted again. ’Who cares about all that unpleasantness? As long as there’s a good meal to be had, there’s no problem that can’t be solved.’