An Awkward Meal

Inside the Yingkelai Restaurant, in Heaven No. 3 Private Room).

The atmosphere was somewhat somber. Zhou Huan sat at the head of the round dining table, with Zhang Lexuan to his left, Jing Hongchen to his right, followed by Xiao Hongchen, an unknown girl, and Meng Hongchen.

The food and drinks hadn't even been served yet, but the atmosphere for the meal was already extremely bad.

The main problem was that Jing Hongchen was very respectful, like a subordinate; Xiao Hongchen looked gloomy and sat on pins and needles; Meng Hongchen puffed out her cheeks in frustration and didn't say a word; and the unknown girl didn't dare to speak at all.

The only thing everyone agreed on was that silence was the norm for today's lunch.

Zhang Lexuan appeared calm and collected, but her hand had already reached under the table and pinched Zhou Huan's thigh hard. The meaning was clear. "Serves you right for being so talkative! What kind of nonsense is this 'chance encounter is better than a planned meeting' and 'let's have a meal together'?"

Do you look like you can eat now?

The Hongchen family was already quite reserved and awkward when they happened to run into each other, and you still insisted on having dinner with them?

What kind of crazy move is this?

Actually, Zhou Huan was also speechless. He was just being polite in a casual way.

In an unfamiliar city, at a restaurant, if you bump into someone you know, isn't it perfectly normal to exchange pleasantries?

I didn't make you have to agree.

There's no way around it; these are behavioral habits stemming from Zhou Huan's memories of his past life.

He clearly forgot that with his current power and status, how could Jing Hongchen dare to refuse if he asked to have dinner together?

This has led to this awkward situation.

Zhou Huan sighed inwardly; he knew he had to take the blame for his own mistakes.

Helpless, Zhou Huan could only force a laugh and make conversation, "Has the Hall Master Hongchen been managing Heaven Dou City these past few years?"

Jing Hongchen replied as if reporting a task, "Yes. Five years ago, our family was sent here by the Empress Dowager to manage Heaven Dou City."

Zhou Huan nodded. "That's good. It seems that your Sun Moon Empress Dowager values your family quite a bit."

Jing Hongchen replied, "I am indeed grateful for the Empress Dowager's trust."

And then... and then there was silence again, an awkward silence.

After a long while, Zhou Huan racked his brains and then turned to Meng Hongchen, praising, "It's been more than ten years since I last saw you. Miss Meng's Soul Master cultivation has progressed quite well. You're already Titled Douluo, so you must be Rank 9 Soul Master by now."

Having felt stifled for so long, Meng Hongchen never expected to be praised so suddenly. She felt a secret delight and said with a touch of smugness, "Of course, I am a genius, after all."

Zhou Huan nodded slightly, agreeing with this assessment. Whether it was talent or Martial Soul, Meng Hongchen was excellent, even among the top tier. Achieving the Titled Douluo at the age of just over thirty was not difficult for her.

However, Xiao Hongchen, who was originally more talented, ruined himself in a Soul Master Competition. Now he has only barely broken through to the Soul Douluo, and his realm is not very stable. It can be said that he has no hope of becoming Titled Douluo in this lifetime.

However, given the already awkward situation, Zhou Huan certainly couldn't bring up Xiao Hongchen, so he focused the conversation on Meng Hongchen: "He is indeed quite a genius, surpassing 90% of the genius Disciple at Shrek."

Upon hearing this, Meng Hongchen frowned. "Is 90% really that low?"

Zhou Huan rolled his eyes speechlessly. "You should be content. Of those people from our generation, the dozen or so who participated in the Mingdu Soul Master Competition back then, how many of them aren't Titled Douluo now? Let alone Titled Douluo, there are even Super Douluo and Limit Douluo. As for Huo Yuhao, who became a god, there's no need to mention him. Besides, when I said 90% of the genius Disciple, I meant the same batch of Disciple from the Inner Court, not just the participants from back then. Otherwise, you'd only be ranked in the middle."

Hearing Zhou Huan's words, Meng Hongchen curled her lip, her tone somewhat sarcastic. "So you think you're so Shrek, huh?"

Clearly, she was a prime example of someone who outwardly obeyed but inwardly resentful. This startled Jing Hongchen, causing his beard to tremble. He glared fiercely at his still-ignorant granddaughter, thinking to himself, "I've really spoiled this brat. How old is she? She still doesn't know her place. How dare she take her anger out on Deity?"

Actually, Jing Hongchen was overthinking it.

It was rare for Zhou Huan to find a topic to talk about, so that everyone wouldn't feel awkward sitting there. How could he possibly get angry over Meng Hongchen's little temper?

Besides, Zhou Huan never considered himself superior to others. It was perfectly normal for them to chat normally and occasionally exchange a few harmless banter.

It's even more impossible for someone to act as if everyone else is an ant just because they are strong or have a high level of understanding, and that everyone has to be respectful when speaking to them. What's the point of living like that?

Zhou Huan has always believed that humans and gods are equal in terms of personality and dignity.

There's no need for others to treat you like an emperor just because you're powerful.

This is clearly not the life Zhou Huan wanted.

Meng Hongchen's previously aggrieved expression transformed into a defiant one, daring to confront Zhou Huan, which Zhou Huan actually found quite amusing.

Thanks to Meng Hongchen's "brainless" bluntness, Zhou Huan was finally able to have a few words with her, well, mainly to annoy Meng Hongchen.

But at least the atmosphere wasn't as dull as before.

Once the dishes and drinks were served one by one, the meal was finally edible, and people could occasionally comment on how the food tasted.

While it wasn't exactly a home away from home experience, it was at least a normal diplomatic meal.

After the meal, Jing Hongchen, who had been feeling uneasy, finally found a reason to leave, since she couldn't very well disturb the couple's trip.

Soon, after having the Yingkelai Restaurant arrange accommodations for Zhou Huan Yingkelai Restaurant in Heaven Dou City for the next few days, Jing Hongchen left with Xiao Hongchen and the other two.

Meng Hongchen took another look at Zhou Huan and Zhang Lexuan. During their meal and conversation, she learned that the two of them had gotten married. She felt instantly depressed again. She didn't even have a boyfriend yet, how infuriating!

After the others left, Zhou Huan slumped into a chair, looking utterly dejected, and sighed heavily, "Ugh, so tiring. Suddenly I understand that feeling of 'the higher you climb, the colder it gets.' I used to think that was just something people said to show off, but I never thought it would happen to me today."

Zhang Lexuan rolled her eyes cutely. "It's all your fault. You knew it would be awkward, but you still ate with me."

Zhou Huan gave a wry smile, "This... is indeed my fault."

After a pause, Zhou Huan suddenly pulled Zhang Lexuan close, hugged his wife, and said, "Wife, do you know what it means to be well-fed and clothed?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lexuan's face instantly turned bright red. "Are you kidding me? Don't you have any shame, doing this in broad daylight?"

Zhou Huan chuckled, kissed his wife's rosy cheek, and said, "We're on our honeymoon, so there's no distinction between day and night, hehe."