Chapter 857

Pig: [I tested her.]

Cockroach: [How did you test her?]

Pig: [I asked her if she had a falling out and if she wanted to join us. She said yes.]

Cockroach: [??]

Cockroach: [Are you an idiot? You just believe whatever she says? You didn't even verify if it was true before trusting her?]

Pig: [I told you! If you don't trust her, why ask me to recruit her? If you trust her, why bother testing? Anyway, I brought her in. If you're not satisfied, just kick her out!]

Evelyn put down her phone and looked across the table.

Poppy was tilting her head, looking back at her innocently.

"Chatting like this right in front of me," Evelyn said calmly, "isn't very appropriate, is it?"

Poppy blinked. "What's inappropriate? I'm telling the truth."

Evelyn picked up her phone again, her fingers lightly tapping the screen. "Where is Cockroach?"

"Country B."

Poppy answered without hesitation.

Evelyn paused.

She looked up, carefully studying Poppy's expression.

The other woman's eyes were clear, her expression open and honest, with no hint of concealment.

Evelyn was silent for a moment, then asked, "Have you met her?"

"Of course I have!" Poppy laughed, revealing two small canine teeth. "I often go visit her to hang out. I travel all over the world! My company is managed by Astrid anyway!"

Evelyn: "..."

She suddenly felt a twinge of guilt for deceiving someone so guileless.

Evelyn put down her phone and looked at Poppy. "Can you take me to see Astrid?"

"Sure." Poppy agreed readily, then added, "But first you have to pass the group's test!"

"Test?"

"Yeah, we admire strength. We only bow to the strong." Poppy said seriously. "If you can gain everyone's approval, then you can join us!"

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "What test did you pass?"

"Uh..." Poppy scratched her head, looking a bit embarrassed. "I'm a really good cook."

Evelyn: "?"

Poppy immediately puffed out her chest. "I'm seriously an amazing cook. I won them over with my culinary skills, so they all accepted me as Fourth Sister! I'm a very capable Fourth Sister."

Evelyn: "..."

Is it because there are only four people, and you're the fourth, so what choice did they have?

Poppy suddenly looked at her. "It's dinnertime. Let me show you my skills, let you witness my cooking. Even though I don't mind being Fifth Sister, you still need to surpass me in at least one thing. Then I can give you the Fourth Sister position."

With that, Poppy turned and walked into the kitchen.

Evelyn and Alexander exchanged a glance and followed.

In the kitchen, Poppy handled the ingredients with practiced efficiency.

Half an hour later, three dishes and a soup were placed on the dining table.

"Try it." Poppy handed over a spoon, her eyes expectant. "My cooking is fantastic, these dishes are practically banquet-level! I'm a national culinary champion!"

Evelyn took the spoon and tasted a bite.

She frowned slightly.

Alexander also tasted it, his expression neutral.

"How is it?" Poppy's eyes sparkled.

Evelyn said slowly, "It's okay."

"Hah, I know, you tycoon types. Even if you eat something delicious, you'll only say it's 'okay'!" Poppy said confidently. "You don't need to pretend in front of me. Every time I cook, the other three fight over the food. You two don't need to be so reserved."

Evelyn and Alexander exchanged another look.

To be honest, Poppy's cooking was indeed good.

But because the Ashcroft household had Elian Cross with his eating disorder, Evelyn cooked personally every day.

Both their palates had been spoiled.

This food was just... average...

Evelyn and Alexander took a few more bites, then put down their chopsticks.

Seeing this, Poppy smiled even wider. "Oh, too shy to eat much, huh? Okay, fine. After I leave, you two can fight over it."

She turned to Evelyn. "Alright, Rabbit, tell me, what are you good at?"

Evelyn rested her chin on her hand and looked at Alexander. "What am I good at?"

Poppy waved her hand. "I won't bully you with cooking. I know that's the least useful skill. As long as you show me something else you're good at, something better than me, then from now on you're Fourth Sister, and I'm Fifth Sister!"

Evelyn was silent.

She was good at... a bit of programming.

And a bit of cooking.

And a bit of scientific research.

And a bit of martial arts...

Poppy urged, "Say something! What are you actually good at? What are you going to beat me at?"

Evelyn stood up. "How about... I also cook something for you?"

Poppy was stunned. "Ah, you don't have to do that. As long as you're good at something else, I'll let you be Fourth. You don't need to compare your weakness to my strength..."

Evelyn rolled up her sleeves. "It's fine. I actually feel like cooking anyway. Someone else is coming over for dinner later."

Poppy followed her, still trying to dissuade her. "No, really, there's no need..."

Evelyn had already entered the kitchen.

She opened the refrigerator and scanned the ingredients.

Then she got to work.

Poppy stood to the side, initially with an amused attitude.

But soon, her expression changed.

Evelyn's movements were fluid.

Chopping, adding to the pan, stir-frying, seasoning.

Every step was precise and efficient.

A tempting aroma gradually filled the kitchen.

Poppy's nose twitched.

She couldn't help but lean closer.

Evelyn didn't look up. "Step back, careful of the oil."

Poppy obediently took two steps back, but her eyes remained fixed on the food in the pan.

Twenty minutes later.

Four dishes were arranged on the dining table.

The color, aroma, and presentation were all impeccable.

Poppy picked up her chopsticks and took a bite.

She froze.

She took another bite.

And another.

Then, she put down her chopsticks and looked at Evelyn.

Her expression was complex.

"You..." Poppy opened her mouth, then closed it. "Your cooking is this good?"

Evelyn wiped her hands. "It's okay."

Poppy was silent for a moment.

Suddenly, she pulled out her phone and sent a message in the group chat.

Pig: [I lost.]

Cockroach: [?]

Eagle: [?]

Rat: [?]

Pig: [Rabbit's cooking is better than mine. From today, she's Fourth Sister. I'm Fifth Sister.]

Cockroach: [...Are you serious?]

Pig: [Dead serious.]

She put away her phone and looked at Evelyn solemnly. "From today onward, you are Fourth Sister."

Evelyn: "...That simple?"

"Of course." Poppy said matter-of-factly. "We agreed. You just have to surpass me in some aspect, and I'll give up my position."

Evelyn looked at her and suddenly asked, "What if I surpass you in every aspect?"

Poppy blinked.

Then, she smiled.

"Then you'd be First Sister."