How to Date? Stinky Little Brother, Eat

"To deal with a straight-laced man like the Young Marquis, you can't confront him head-on; you have to flirt with him."

"Tease?"

"Um, your gesture is a bit exaggerated. I wasn't talking about the gesture itself. Haven't you heard that a woman who knows how to be charming has the best life?"

Having at least seen pigs run in his past life, Little Li in this field, giving his opinions with great expertise.

Zhong Ling was completely taken aback, almost to the point of calling him Master Li. He thought to himself, "As expected of the prodigy on the Hidden Dragon Ranking, he has traveled thousands of miles and knows so much."

Didn't you see the way Cold Fairy looked at him?

Even angelic people can't do without him; he definitely has some authority.

If you really don't understand, just translate this.

"Isn't this a storybook?"

"The recent update included a storyline about the Joyous Union Sect, and I must say it's quite something. I suspect Senior Brother Ouyang did some on-site investigation."

"??"

Half an hour later, all sorts of skewers were placed on the table.

Just then, the restaurant became lively again, as dinner had passed and it was time for late-night snacks. Jiawei Restaurant was bustling with activity once more, and barbecue stalls featuring the characteristics of Southern Border were set up on the street, billowing white smoke.

Li Mo brought out the skewers and sauce.

This place was originally run by a retired Squad Leader, and on his days off, many familiar faces from the camp came, many with their families, giving it a bit of an old-timer's barbecue vibe.

"Young Marquis, you're eating here too?"

"Did you come alone? If you don't mind, would you like to sit at a table with the rest of us?"

"Huzi, Young Marquis' brother'."

"Hello, Brother Hou."

"?"

Zhong Zhenyue hadn't eaten a single bite when he suddenly realized he wasn't so hungry anymore, and he felt a bit restless.

To be honest, he was quite envious, but when he thought about his experience in Yun Province, he couldn't help but shudder.

"Where's Sister Ling?" Zhong Zhenyue asked casually.

Li Mo placed the skewers on the grill and smiled mysteriously, "She said she needed the proprietress's help to change her clothes."

"Change clothes?"

Zhong Zhenyue was stunned.

Before they had exchanged more than a few words, the boss's door suddenly opened, and Zhong Ling, wearing silver ornaments and dressed in Southern Border clothing that was relatively open for the Central Plains, walked in gracefully.

Don't say it, really don't say it, there's a certain charm to it.

Tsk, I wonder what Ice Block would look like in that outfit?

The Ice Block's waist isn't a waist, it's...

Li Mo turned his head, smiling as he prepared to see Zhong Zhenyue's reaction.

"You audacious vixen! How dare you come to Southern Border to harm me!"

Zhong Zhenyue looked on alert, springing up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, clutching the lamb skewers for protection.

Li Mo: "..."

Oh my god, I got bitten by a snake once!

However, this situation was within Little Li's expectations (Heavenly Mandate Divine Eye), and he had already discussed it with Zhong Ling beforehand.

"You ate your own food when you were four years old..."

"Sister, please stop talking..."

Zhong Zhenyue became obedient. Zhong Ling twitched her lips, sat down next to him, glanced at Little Li was calmly grilling skewers, and suddenly felt courageous. She put on a smile.

"Don't call me 'sister' today, it makes me sound so old."

"Come on, have some skewers!"

"Here comes the little flying stick!"

Zhong Zhenyue, drenched in sweat and swallowing hard, looked at Li Mo with eyes that seemed to say, "Save me."

Unfortunately, Master Li was too choked by the smoke to see it.

Not long after, the huge restaurant suddenly fell silent for a moment. Ice Block leisurely came out of the room, sat down next to Li Mo, and watched him grill skewers while resting his chin on his hand.

She glanced at the two people not far away, her expression somewhat strange.

What happened to them?

"I guess it could be considered... dating?"

"?"

Ying Bing's aloof gaze, which was about to be directed at the skewers, lingered on Zhong Zhenyue and Zhong Ling almost imperceptibly. The smoke rising from the skewers gave her an ethereal air, which was quite absurd.

She was momentarily lost in thought.

Want to date...?

Her life had been filled with crises and unpredictable events. She disliked scheming against others, so she quietly secluded herself in the Cassia Palace.

Aside from the occasional feeling of loneliness, she had actually gotten used to it.

Until he was reborn, it started with daily meals, then they practiced martial arts together, slept in the same bed, bathed in the same pool, and he even gave her massages...

Ying Bing felt somewhat dazed. How come she seemed to have done all these things that she could never have imagined before?

Does this... count as dating?

How should one approach dating?

It couldn't possibly be like what he imagined...

Ying Bing felt she needed to take this into consideration.

Well... I'm just looking into it. I can't be completely ignorant about this and just do everything he suggests...

Before I knew it, Master Li had finished grilling all the skewers, which were fragrant and sizzling with oil.

Zhong Ling over there had truly made up her mind; once she opened the door, she completely abandoned all her reserve.

"Brother, have one!" Zhong Ling quickly grabbed a skewer of grilled chives.

"Pfft--cough cough cough!"

Zhong Zhenyue coughed violently after being choked by the chili powder.

"..."

Ying Bing's brows furrowed slightly.

Hmm, she's older than Li Mo, so it's a bit strange for her to call him "brother"...

"Emmmm"

Li Mo thought for a moment and realized that he seemed to have overlooked something.

Do Lao Zhong know that they aren't biologically related?

Just then.

Zhong Ling seemed to be losing her composure, slamming her silver hair ornament on the table and grabbing his neck.

"Don't be so arrogant with me, little brat! Give it to me!"

"Sister, you... you've got me in a chokehold..."

Zhong Zhenyue has become honest.

Well, the mighty Eight-Armed Young Flood Dragon, the Young Marquis of Zhenyue, is now eating barbecue skewers, weak, helpless, and pitiful.

"Puff..."

Little Li sighed, but couldn't help laughing.

This was a case of starting a full-scale offensive after negotiations failed; half of the previously agreed-upon tactics were wasted.

Those around couldn't help but laugh at the sight.

Zhong Zhenyue was embarrassed, and while Zhong Ling went to get the wine, he lowered his voice and asked:

"Brother Li, what's wrong with her?"

"Old Zhong, aren't you envious that the brothers all have families?"

"Mmm."

Have you ever heard the poem, "I searched for him a thousand times in the crowd, then suddenly turning around, I found him where the lights were dim"?

Zhong Zhenyue fell into deep thought.

Ying Bing's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she turned her head slightly to take in the boy's eloquent expression.

The restaurant was bustling and noisy, filled with the aroma of barbecue and the hazy atmosphere of everyday life. Yet, in his heart, it became clearer and clearer, and he knew exactly what his expression should be like even with his eyes closed.

Zhong Zhenyue seemed to understand but not quite:

"Brother Li, what does that mean? Could you please put it more bluntly?"

"What if your older sister wasn't your older sister..."

"?"

"Would you miss your older sister?"

"???"

Little Li felt he had done his best.

Even if he loses this round, he's still an SVP!

Just as he was thinking this, a skewer of grilled meat was offered to him. Little Li wondered if his hand had its own thoughts, but it wouldn't automatically feed him, would it? So he turned around and found the Ice Block looking down at him.

She was holding up a skewer of grilled mushrooms.

"Eat."

"Um?"

"You little brat, eat."

Did the little rascal really not go play with the black monkey? Was it fun?