“So, how is it? Tasty or not?” Xu Linxiu’s eyes lit up as he looked at Song Wanci, a little nervous but clearly excited.
Song Wanci picked up another bite of rice and slowly chewed it, then gave a slight nod.
“Hehehe, that’s great! My cooking skills aren’t just for show!” Xu Linxiu grinned proudly and picked up a piece of tofu for himself.
So salty!
His eyes widened—he had put in too much salt.
Then why did Song Wanci say it was good?
Xu Linxiu glanced at her expressionless face as she calmly ate her meal. His gaze softened.
Looks like sect-issued instant meals really are the way to go. I better not try to cook again until I’ve figured out how seasoning works… cough cough.
Xu Linxiu pulled out a few instant meal packs from his storage ring. After infusing them with spiritual energy, the meals began heating up on their own, gradually releasing a mouth-watering aroma.
“Let’s eat these instead. Just throw out the stuff I made,” Xu Linxiu said as he stopped Song Wanci from reaching for another piece of tofu.
Song Wanci didn’t respond. She picked up the tofu anyway and placed it in her bowl.
Xu Linxiu pressed his lips together but didn’t stop her again. After plating the instant meals, he began quietly finishing the overly salty dishes himself.
…
…
After they finished eating, Xu Linxiu quickly cleaned up, then pulled over a small table and took out two teacups.
He brought out a pouch of “Drunk at Heart” tea leaves from his storage ring and waved them at the distracted Song Wanci.
“Want to have some tea?” he called out while tossing the leaves into the teapot.
“I’m telling you, this stuff is amazing… The first time I heard it was just tea, I refused it completely, but after one sip, I was hooked,” Xu Linxiu said, chattering away as usual.
Song Wanci didn’t speak but walked over and sat beside him, silently listening as she looked at him.
“This stuff’s better than wine. Though they each have their own charm—tea nourishes the body, wine eases sorrow.”
As he spoke, Xu Linxiu poured two steaming cups of tea.
“Want to try it?” Xu Linxiu looked at her with anticipation and took a sip himself.
The fragrance of the tea quickly filled his mouth—starting with a faint bitterness, it soon turned into a rich, mellow aroma.
Song Wanci lifted her cup with both hands and took a small sip.
“It’s good,” she said softly under Xu Linxiu’s hopeful gaze.
The two sat in silence, savoring the tea and enjoying the peaceful, pleasant afternoon.
…
…
Once they had almost finished, Song Wanci stood up.
“Heading back?” Xu Linxiu got up too, ready to walk her out.
She nodded slightly and turned toward the door.
Xu Linxiu followed her out of the cave residence, then paused, ready to turn back.
But after thinking it over, he didn’t feel right letting her go back alone.
I’ll walk her home. I’m just worried she might run into someone like Qin Feng again.
Yes, that’s all!
Humming a cheerful tune, Xu Linxiu placed his hands behind his head and quickly caught up to Song Wanci.
She glanced at him, her expression calm and gentle.
“I’ll walk you back. I don’t want you running into someone like Qin Feng again,” Xu Linxiu said with a slight smile.
Song Wanci turned back and continued walking toward her courtyard.
Xu Linxiu smiled and stepped forward. She silently followed behind.
“You know, Qin Feng must be so pissed right now. Just thinking about him being angry makes me happy.”
“But seriously, I never thought he’d be that harsh toward a girl who’s always defended him.” Xu Linxiu shook his head, his tone full of disdain for Qin Feng’s actions.
Song Wanci quietly listened, gradually slowing her pace.
Xu Linxiu rambled on about everything—from Qin Feng, to the Azure Cloud Sword Technique, to how the Sect Master had executed Elder Lin Ming…
All the way, Xu Linxiu never stopped talking, and Song Wanci simply listened silently, her expression calm.
It almost seemed like… they both enjoyed this kind of time together.
“Ah, we’re here.” Xu Linxiu had just started talking about some weird gossip he read in the sect’s newsletter when they arrived at Song Wanci’s courtyard gate. You are reading on g.com, the official source.
She stepped forward and opened the door.
“Good night. I’m heading back,” Xu Linxiu said with a squinting smile and waved at her.
Song Wanci paused at the entrance, then turned her head. Her lips parted gently as if speaking.
“Good night.”
Though her voice was soft, Xu Linxiu’s sharp ears caught every word.
Then she walked inside without looking back.
Xu Linxiu stretched with a yawn, rubbing his drowsy eyes.
“Time for bed.” With a flash, he quickly returned to his cave residence.
Not long after, he had finished washing up and was lying on his bed, ready for a good night’s sleep.
Suddenly! His eyes snapped open, and he sat up abruptly.
“Wait a second. System, were you really not going to give me my mission reward unless I asked?!”
[Oops, my bad! (≧▽≦)]
[Mission complete. Reward has been delivered to the system inventory.]
[Congratulations, Host! You successfully cut off a child of destiny’s opportunity. Qin Feng’s fate points have been reduced by 930. Remaining fate points: 8,910.]
[Host fate points: 930.]
[Fortune: -1,258.]
“Ugh, just looking at that -1,000+ fortune makes my head hurt. I’m scared I’ll trip every time I leave the house.”
[Don’t worry. As long as you have this system’s protection, your negative fortune won’t affect your safety. It’ll only impact your chances of finding opportunities.]
“Ahaha, well, that’s fine then.” Xu Linxiu waved it off carelessly. Opportunities? He had to look for them himself?
Wouldn’t stealing Qin Feng’s be way faster?
If he remembered correctly, Qin Feng should be getting a pretty decent opportunity soon.
As he thought about it, a mischievous grin crept onto his face.
[So shameless ╮(￣▽￣)╭]
“Whose side are you on?! Say one more snide word and I’ll knock your stupid interface offline!” Xu Linxiu growled, clenching his fist.
“Oh right,” Xu Linxiu suddenly remembered. “That Dao Bone in the system inventory—what exactly is it used for?”