The four changed into their usual clothes, then headed out of Eastsea Academy with light steps.
The snack shop Xie Xie had been talking about wasn't very close. It took them a full half hour to get there.
Xie Xie led them to a braised beef shop. It was small, with a few wooden tables simply arranged inside, and black clay pots bubbling away over the fire.
Gu Yuena unconsciously moved half a step closer to Lin Chen. Her nose twitched lightly, and the enticing aroma had clearly whetted her appetite.
Tang Wulin's eyes were already shining as he stared at the pots simmering over the stove.
The four took their seats. A kind-looking middle-aged man came over—clearly the owner—and smiled familiarly when he saw Xie Xie. "Xie Xie, you've brought three friends today. The usual?"
"Yes, thanks, Uncle Li," Xie Xie replied with a smile.
Before long, four servings of braised beef were brought out, along with two side dishes.
"Xie Xie, this is the first time you've brought friends here. These two side dishes are on the house," Uncle Li said, raising a hand to pat Xie Xie on the head.
The sight left Tang Wulin completely dumbfounded.
He knew Xie Xie was a clean freak, but faced with Uncle Li's affectionate gesture, he didn't show the slightest resistance. Instead, he was all smiles.
A faint curiosity flickered in Gu Yuena's eyes. She turned her head and glanced at Lin Chen beside her, seeming just as surprised to see Xie Xie in this light.
Xie Xie gave a light cough and waved them on. "What are you all waiting for? Hurry up and try it. This braised beef is delicious."
Tang Wulin could hardly wait. At once, he picked up his chopsticks and put a piece of beef in his mouth.
The tender meat melted on his tongue, and its rich, savory juices burst across his palate. His eyes lit up, and he praised it through a mouthful of food. "So good!"
Then he eagerly dug in, stirring his chopsticks around in the pot, looking utterly smitten.
Seeing this, Xie Xie lifted his chin smugly and looked across at Lin Chen and Gu Yuena as if to say, "I told you so." "Well? Hurry up and try some."
Gu Yuena picked up a small spoon and gently scooped up a little beef, tasting it in small bites. The delicious flavor softened her expression, and the corners of her lips lifted slightly without her realizing it.
Lin Chen picked up his chopsticks, wondering, Is it really that good? He took a bite, and it was just as described.
He turned to Gu Yuena and said softly, "Na'er, I'm going out to buy some drinks. You can take your time eating."
With that, he stood and walked out of the shop.
As soon as Lin Chen had disappeared around the alley, Xie Xie put down his chopsticks. His face was full of gossip as he leaned toward Gu Yuena and asked in a lowered voice, "Gu Yuena, do you like Lin Chen?"
Gu Yuena's hand, holding the spoon, jolted to a stop. A blush spread across her fair cheeks. She furrowed her brows and tried to look composed, but her voice came out embarrassed and cross. "Xie Xie, what nonsense are you talking about? Keep it up and I'll tell Teacher Wu to make you do extra training."
Her flustered, evasive gaze and her suddenly quickening heartbeat had already given her away.
Tang Wulin, who had been busy eating, looked up too and blinked in confusion, clearly curious.
Before Gu Yuena could respond, Xie Xie continued, eager to help. "Stop denying it. Wulin and I can help you win Lin Chen over. We'll make sure nothing goes wrong."
The blush on Gu Yuena's cheeks deepened. She was just about to argue when footsteps sounded at the door.
Lin Chen had just returned, carrying milk tea, and sensed that something was off about the atmosphere at the table. Xie Xie and Tang Wulin were both avoiding his gaze.
He walked over and handed Gu Yuena a cup—the flavor she loved most. "Here. Your favorite."
Holding the cool milk tea, Gu Yuena could only lower her head, embarrassed that Xie Xie had just exposed her feelings, and take small sips.
Lin Chen's gaze fell on Gu Yuena. He noticed at once that her ears were flushed an alluring red. "Na'er, what's wrong?"
Gu Yuena stiffened. Her fingers tightened around the milk tea, and her eyes darted away. She didn't dare meet his gaze, and could only offer a flustered, quiet explanation. "It's... it's hot."
As soon as she finished, her gaze shifted to Xie Xie across the table. She drawled, "When I came in, I think I heard someone saying something about making sure nothing went wrong. What were you talking about?"
Xie Xie's heart lurched. He avoided Lin Chen's gaze, picking at the beef in his bowl as he mumbled, "Nothing. You probably misheard."
Tang Wulin simply lowered his head and buried himself in his braised beef, pretending he hadn't heard a thing and trying to disappear completely.
Seeing that they weren't going to say anything, Lin Chen didn't press them. He decided to ask Gu Yuena in private what they'd discussed at the table.
Only after Tang Wulin had eaten another ten servings did they finally pay and leave the beef shop.
Uncle Li watched the four of them walk away and sighed. "Kids these days can really put it away."
Tang Wulin had shown off his appetite to the fullest, eating his way from one end of the street to the other.
Xie Xie put a hand on Tang Wulin's shoulder. "I'm so stuffed I can barely walk now."
Lin Chen, on the other hand, hadn't eaten much at all. His appetite couldn't compare to the Golden Dragon King's bottomless stomach.
Gu Yuena was a little different. Ever since her Martial Soul Awakening, her once-superhuman appetite seemed to have diminished considerably. Now she turned slightly and leaned naturally against Lin Chen's shoulder, her soft voice tinged with laziness. "I'm so full, Lin Chen."
Her warm breath brushed his shoulder. Yun Linchen tilted his head slightly and looked at the girl's faintly puffed cheeks. Without thinking, he raised a hand and gently stroked her back to ease her discomfort from overeating.
Xie Xie caught sight of this and was about to tease them, but remembering how close he'd come to having his own gossip exposed, he swallowed his words with a rueful look and rolled his eyes.
Lin Chen's gaze sharpened slightly as he looked toward the street ahead. "It looks like something's happening up there."
At that, Gu Yuena and the others followed his gaze.
There was a commotion up ahead, with a crowd of onlookers gathered around. Wasn't that the braised beef shop they'd visited just a little while ago?
"Let's go take a look," Lin Chen said gravely, already striding forward.
They hurried through the crowd. As they drew closer, a despairing wail rang clearly in their ears. It was Uncle Li, the owner of the braised beef shop.
"You can't do this! This is how I make my living!"
Xie Xie immediately hurried forward and pushed through the crowd. The sight before them sent a surge of anger through all of them.
The stove where the braised beef had been simmering not long ago had been overturned. Black clay pots lay shattered everywhere, and scalding broth and charcoal were scattered across the floor. Everything was a mess.
Uncle Li lay on the ground in a sorry state, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. One eye was badly swollen, and his face was full of grief and fury.
Lin Chen's brows knitted together as the air around him turned icy. He stepped forward steadily, his voice calm but carrying a bone-chilling menace. "Stop."
Before you continue