Eating

Xie Xie stared at the somewhat familiar shop before him, his eyes widening in surprise. "Huh? Isn't this the shop Uncle Li runs?"

The shop was not large. A small stove had been set up outside the entrance.

Nearly a hundred small burners were arranged across the stove, each one steadily holding a clay pot for stewing beef.

Steam billowed from those clay pots like cheerful little sprites, continuously releasing the rich, mellow fragrance of beef.

As the steam churned, the pot lids occasionally gave off soft humming sounds, as if they were bouncing excitedly.

The tempting aroma slipped quietly through the gaps, like an invisible ribbon drifting lightly through the air, shamelessly luring in passing pedestrians.

Inside the shop, there were only five small rectangular tables arranged neatly in a row.

Those tables could hold at most a little over twenty diners, yet half the seats were already occupied.

It was late autumn, and the temperature outside had gradually dropped. However, the instant Gu Chen and Gu Yue stepped inside, a wave of warmth rushed over them like a spring breeze.

At the same time, that mouthwatering beef fragrance poured straight into their nostrils without reservation, like gentle hands caressing every part of their bodies, making them feel completely relaxed.

Gu Yue shot Xie Xie a slightly surprised glance, the corners of her lips curving upward as she teased, "I never expected a young master from a wealthy family like you to visit a little roadside shop like this."

Faced with Gu Yue's teasing, Xie Xie did not immediately snap back as he usually did.

He merely looked silently around the shop and murmured, "Actually... before she passed away, my mother really loved the pot-stewed beef from this place."

As he spoke, Xie Xie's gaze softened, as though he had sunk into deep memories of happier days.

With that, he hurried into the little shop without hesitation, heading straight to the very back before slowly sitting down beside the innermost wooden table, which was old but scrubbed spotlessly clean.

The other three followed closely behind him and filed inside.

They walked briskly over to Xie Xie's table and took their seats across from him one after another.

At that moment, the busy owner—a middle-aged man of average build with a slightly oil-stained apron tied around his waist—

caught sight of Xie Xie and the others by chance. He immediately put down what he was doing and came over with a broad smile. "Well, if it isn't little Xie Xie! What brings you here today?

And you even brought some new friends along.

What do you say? Ordering the usual?"

Hearing that, Xie Xie quickly looked up and gave him a polite, friendly smile. "Mm-hm, thank you, Uncle Li. We'll have the usual."

Not long after he finished speaking, the crisp clatter of a spatula striking an iron wok came from the kitchen.

Before long, four fragrant servings of pot-stewed beef, four large bowls of plump, glistening white rice, and two plates of tasty side dishes made with fresh greens were swiftly brought to the table.

Looking at the neatly arranged dishes, Uncle Li said with a beaming smile, "Heh, this is the first time you've brought friends to my little shop. Since that's the case, these two side dishes are on the house!"

As he spoke, he extended his broad, warm hand and gently patted Xie Xie on the head, his eyes filled with the affectionate kindness of an elder toward his own nephew.

Tang Wulin's eyes widened as he stared at Xie Xie in disbelief.

After all, Xie Xie had always been extremely demanding about hygiene, to the point of near obsession.

His bed was always spotless, easily the cleanest and tidiest in the entire dormitory.

And if anyone dared to give him a Head Pat Kill, it would be like lighting a powder keg—he would fly into a rage on the spot.

Yet everything happening before Tang Wulin and Gu Yue now was completely beyond their expectations.

When the owner of this little roadside shop gently touched him, Xie Xie did not dodge in the slightest.

On the contrary, a bright smile bloomed across his face as he politely said, "Thank you, Uncle Li."

The sight was simply too unexpected!

Both Tang Wulin and Gu Yue were utterly astonished by Xie Xie's reaction.

How had this guy, who was known for being such a clean freak, suddenly become so easygoing?

He was practically a completely different person from the Xie Xie they knew, as though their image of him had been utterly overturned in that instant.

Gu Chen was not particularly surprised. He sat quietly to the side, pretending to be mute. He knew the person before them was a hopeless tsundere.

Just then, Xie Xie called out excitedly, "What are you all standing around for? Hurry up and try it!"

With that, he impatiently reached out and lifted the lid off the clay pot in front of him.

In an instant, an incomparably rich beef aroma rushed into their faces and quickly filled the air.

Everyone looked closely and saw that the broth in the clay pot was a deep, enticing dark gold, with small chunks of beef quietly soaking within it.

Xie Xie happily picked up a pair of chopsticks and lightly prodded one of the pieces of beef.

Amazingly, the seemingly firm piece of beef became incredibly tender the instant it touched the chopsticks.

He carefully picked up the beef, placed it steadily atop a bowl of snowy white rice, then took a mouthful of steaming rice with it and chewed contentedly.

Watching his blissful expression, it was as though he were savoring the finest delicacy in the world, his face overflowing with happiness and satisfaction.

Seeing how deliciously Xie Xie was eating, Tang Wulin could no longer suppress his urge. He eagerly copied Xie Xie and began digging in.

"Wow, this is so good!" he exclaimed involuntarily as he chewed.

The flavor was simply incredible. The tender, juicy beef gave off a rich fragrance, and together with the full-bodied broth, its wonderful savory taste spread through his mouth.

The rice perfectly balanced that richness, making the flavor even more harmonious and perfect.

Seeing this, Gu Yue, who was seated beside them, carefully picked up a bite and placed it in her mouth.

After taking only a small taste, her beautiful eyes immediately lit up. Clearly, she too had been won over by the delicious food.

This unremarkable little shop had somewhat dim lighting, while its tables and chairs looked rather old and worn.

Yet such an ordinary-looking place hid food this astonishing.

The large chunks of beef were cooked full of flavor, the thick soup was fragrant and rich, and the delicate side dishes were fresh and refreshing.

Paired with a bowl of steaming white rice, it warmed them from the inside out, as though all their exhaustion had vanished in that instant.

The four of them, who had undergone several days of special training together, now sat around the table enjoying a meal. The atmosphere was far more harmonious than it had ever been at the academy.

Xie Xie and Tang Wulin, who had initially been at odds with each other, had already eased their relationship earlier.

As for Gu Chen and Gu Yue, they had always been close companions.

After only a few days together, they already seemed very familiar with one another, and everyone's personality had been displayed in full.

Xie Xie was sharp-tongued but soft-hearted—a hopeless tsundere.

Tang Wulin was soft and gullible, the type who could be coaxed home.

Gu Yue was rather cold by nature and only cared about Gu Chen.

Gu Chen was proud and quiet, but he gave people an overwhelming sense of security.

Just then, Xie Xie raised his head and called out to the busy Uncle Li, "Uncle Li, please bring us another thirty servings!"

He knew perfectly well that, given the appetites of the two monsters before him, this little bit of food was nowhere near enough.

Tang Wulin said, "Thanks."

"What?" Xie Xie looked up at him.

Tang Wulin said helplessly, "Your name is really inconvenient. I meant thanks, not Xie Xie."

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This chapter was also meant as a transition, but writing it made me hungry too.

No, I can't take it anymore. I'm going to get something to eat.