Shortly after Corin left, the train also reached the deceleration zone.
The security guards on board were no amateurs; they noticed something was wrong and immediately went on high alert.
Dead End Hollow, inside a certain tunnel.
“Master, the train is about to pass the predetermined location. Please prepare for action with the client.”
In the dark tunnel, Li Qianqiao rode his motorcycle, keeping pace with the train passing beside him.
“I’m counting on you, Sis Belle!”
Li Qianqiao picked up Eous and hurled him toward the roof of the train.
However, he used a bit too much force.
Eous violently crashed into the tunnel ceiling first before slamming heavily onto the train roof.
“Little Li!” Belle glared at Li Qianqiao, grinding her teeth.
Li Qianqiao scratched his head and offered an awkward smile.
Belle gave him one last look before opening the roof hatch and slipping inside.
Once Belle was out of sight, Li Qianqiao’s smile faded.
Through the train windows, he could see silhouettes inside.
“Nekomata, there are people inside.”
“I know.”
Nekomata’s eyes turned serious as she slowly stood up on the rear seat.
“I have to keep driving the bike. I’m leaving this to you, Nekomata!”
“Got it, meow!”
Nekomata leaped into the air, shattering the window with a flying kick, and immediately engaged the figures inside in combat.
“You damn pervert! Catch!”
In no time at all, Eous was tossed out of the window.
Li Qianqiao deftly caught the Bangboo as Nekomata shouted at him from the train, “You damn pervert, leave this place to me! Take the Proxies back to the store first. I have Carrot; I’ll meet up with you guys later!”
The train suddenly accelerated, apparently having exited the deceleration zone.
Li Qianqiao hit the brakes.
Watching the train roar past him, he asked Eous, who was still in his arms, “Sis Belle, Brother Wise, what do we do now?”
The Auto Vajin could definitely catch up to the train, but Li Qianqiao wanted to hear Belle and Wise’s input.
Besides, with Nekomata’s skills, she could undoubtedly break through the encirclement.
“The situation isn’t right… Little Li, let’s head back to the store first.”
“Got it!”
…
Sixth Street, inside the Video Store.
Li Qianqiao canceled his transformation after exiting the Hollow and rushed back to the HDD room with Eous.
Belle and Wise were currently discussing the news about Vision Corporation’s delayed demolition.
“Ah, A-Qiao, you’re back.” Wise took Eous from Li Qianqiao’s hands.
“The news says Vision’s demolition has been delayed. There’s no word from Nekomata yet either; I’ll keep an eye on her movements in the meantime. You and Belle go get some rest.”
“Mhm~” Belle stretched deeply, showing off her lovely figure.
The pale skin inadvertently exposed to the air drew Li Qianqiao’s eyes to steal a few glances.
After loosening up her joints, Belle pulled the still-dazed Li Qianqiao toward the exit, shouting back at Wise, who was examining Eous, “Brother! Little Li and I are going to go get some ramen. It’s so late, and my stomach is completely flat. Since you can’t step away, we’ll bring some takeout back for you. What do you want?”
Wise thought for a moment and asked for a bowl of Seafood Noodles.
Belle gave him a thumbs-up and dragged Li Qianqiao off to eat.
Waterfall Soup wasn’t far from Random Play—just a few steps away.
But to Li Qianqiao, those few steps felt more torturous than taking an exam in his past life.
Belle wore a terrifyingly sweet smile, while Li Qianqiao kept his head down in utter silence.
By the time the two sat down at the counter, Li Qianqiao realized his back was completely drenched in sweat.
He wanted to say something, but Belle shot him a glare, shutting him up instantly.
General Chop, the owner of the ramen shop, greeted them enthusiastically.
“Belle, A-Qiao! Here for a bite? Just say the word, whatever you want! Hahaha!”
“General Chop, we are indeed here to eat. I’ll have a bowl of Pork Chashu Noodles, and we’ll take a bowl of Seafood Noodles to go. As for Little Li here…” Belle looked at Li Qianqiao with a smile.
“Say, Little Li, how about I choose for you?”
Was that a question?
Why did it sound like a statement…
Staring intently at the tissue box on the counter, he spoke with a slight tremble in his voice.
“W-Whatever Sis Belle wants…”
“That’s wonderful!” Belle smiled and clapped her hands, turning to General Chop.
“Then get Little Li a bowl of Bitter Melon Wasabi Noodles! Oh, and make it extra spicy!”
“Are you sure?!” General Chop furrowed his brows, looking at Belle in disbelief.
“I don’t have that on my menu.”
“I believe your skills are so good, General Chop, you can definitely make it work! Even if you don’t, it’s fine. Don’t worry about the bill, Little Li is treating us this time, right?” Belle said with a terrifyingly sweet smile.
General Chop looked at Li Qianqiao in confusion, his expression seemingly saying: Kid, are you trying to meet King Yan early?
Li Qianqiao could feel Belle’s gaze on him, so he nodded resolutely.
General Chop looked at Belle, then at Li Qianqiao, finally sighing and turning around to prepare the noodles.
“Sis Belle, I…”
“Shh. This is just a tiny bit of payback for damaging Eous at the tunnel. Make sure you’re more careful next time~”
“Yes, ma’am…”
“Mhm, good boy!”
Belle gently patted Li Qianqiao’s head, like comforting a sad puppy.
Li Qianqiao was experiencing profound inner grief at this moment.
Why did I have to be such a show-off in the Hollow?!
“Here are your noodles! The Seafood Noodles will be ready by the time you’re about done.”
Li Qianqiao looked at the bowl in front of him and swallowed hard.
Looking at Belle’s bowl: each slice of chashu was incredibly thick, the slightly seared surface dripping with juices at the slightest squeeze of the chopsticks.
One bite, and the meat seemed to melt right in the mouth.
Despite the fat, it wasn’t greasy at all; it merely stoked the appetite further!
The rich broth carried a complex flavor profile—one sip offered both the hearty richness of pork and the fresh umami of chicken!
It elevated the soup’s layers while perfectly balancing the taste!
If you mixed a steaming bowl of white rice into it…
Ahhhhh!
Absolute perfection—!
(Loud screaming)
General Chop’s handmade ramen noodles lay neatly in the broth, white, glossy, and perfectly springy.
The soft-boiled egg, sliced in half, allowed a slow flow of golden yolk to mingle with the soup, adding a velvety texture.
Emerald green scallions and shredded nori dotted the bowl, bringing a refreshing visual and gustatory experience.
(Author’s Note: Writing all this is making me hungry ε-(≖д≖﹆))
Now looking at Li Qianqiao’s ramen.
Hmm… a bowl of green nuclear wastewater.
Eating this would definitely get him killed.
Belle was eating with gusto, while Li Qianqiao was still hesitating.
A robotic arm reached over and patted his shoulder.
Looking up, he saw General Chop smiling and giving him a thumbs-up, a brilliant gleam flashing across his teeth.
Combined with this bowl of green…
Is that you, Guy-sensei?
Li Qianqiao’s eyes suddenly filled with determination.
With the resolve of a man going to his death, he picked up the bowl.
Hold on, what are you doing?
General Chop’s smile froze.
Guy-sensei, I won’t let your past teachings down!
This is my YOUTH!!
Li Qianqiao grabbed his chopsticks, scooped up the noodles that had absorbed the green sludge to their core, and aggressively shoved them into his mouth!
Bruh, are you actually eating it?!
General Chop looked at Li Qianqiao in sheer terror, his inner voice screaming. Find the original chapter at g.com.
My thumbs-up meant ‘I just whipped this up for show, take a symbolic bite and you’re good!’ But you’re eating the whole thing?!
Don’t short videos say men share telepathy when faced with danger?
What the heck is wrong with you…
On the other side, Belle had already finished her battle, setting down her empty bowl with utter satisfaction.
“Phew~ That hit the spot! Little Li, are you… ah?”
Li Qianqiao’s bowl was already completely empty, with only a tiny puddle of green broth left to prove that something had once been inside.
“Sis… Belle, I bleurgh… paid. Let’s… go…” Li Qianqiao’s eyes were vacant, his face pale as a sheet, and sweat poured down like rain.
His body trembled, and a liquid—it was hard to tell if it was broth or bile—leaked from the corner of his mouth.
Any stranger walking by would think he had just chugged wine that had been molding for decades.
“You didn’t actually eat it, did you?! No, no, spit it out! I didn’t mean for you to eat the whole thing! That stuff isn’t fit for human consumption!” Belle’s face was filled with panic.
She genuinely hadn’t expected this beast of a guy to just inhale the entire bowl!
Is he even human?!
“First… let’s get Brother Wise’s bleurgh… food…” Trembling, Li Qianqiao picked up the takeout bag, grabbed Belle, and hurried back to the video store at breakneck speed.
“Kids these days.” General Chop shook his head and started clearing the table.
…
Wise was checking Inter-Knot updates when he heard a bang, and suddenly Li Qianqiao was standing right in front of him.
“Welcome back, A-Qiao. Did you get the…”
Before he could finish, Li Qianqiao shoved the bag into Wise’s arms and sprinted into the bathroom, vomiting violently.
“Bleurgh-wawa… and so, life… is bitter… bleurgh-wawa…”
Hearing the commotion from upstairs, Wise’s mouth twitched.
He looked at Belle beside him and sighed.
“Let’s hear it. What happened?”
Belle laughed awkwardly, then recounted the sequence of events.
“Honestly, neither of you gives me peace of mind. Don’t do that again. And you too, A-Qiao. Since you’re so tough, why don’t you go eat some Ether Crystals while you’re at it?”
Li Qianqiao, who had just finished puking and walked back in, was immediately scolded by Wise.
Unable to retort, he just stood off to the side.
Just as the atmosphere was getting awkward, Nekomata sent a message saying she was almost at the store.
Belle eagerly raised her hand, volunteering to go welcome their guest.
Li Qianqiao used the opportunity to sit on the sofa, chugging water to rinse his mouth.
Wise looked at the two clowns and shook his head helplessly.
Not long after Belle opened the door, Nekomata rushed inside.
“I’m back! Pant… pant… Sorry about that. The Carrot I had could only pinpoint an exit pretty far away…”
Nekomata panted, apologizing profusely.
But midway through her sentence, she froze.
She darted over to the ramen on the table, her eyes sparkling, drool uncontrollably leaking from the corner of her mouth.
“This smell… sniff sniff, it’s the smell of Seafood Noodles! Did you prepare this for me, meow?!”
“Ah, that’s…” Wise was just about to explain, but Nekomata looked over at him with absolute expectation.
“Is it, meow? Is it, meow?”
Urgh… such a blinding, radiant light…
Wise looked at Belle.
Belle started whistling innocently.
He looked at Li Qianqiao.
Li Qianqiao was still violently chugging water…
“Ahaha, yep, we prepared this specifically for you, Nekomata~”
“Yay! That’s awesome, meow!”
Nekomata bounced happily a few times, picked up the chopsticks, and dug in, thanking him between bites: “Thank you so much, Wise! Slurp~ You’re such a good person!”
Wise didn’t say anything; he just forced a stiff, hollow smile.
I’m done.
Just destroy everything already!