Idiot Doudou, That's Already Been Eaten

In the blink of an eye, it was nearly noon.

Chen Doudou recalled Bibi Dong's words from yesterday and was just preparing to go see her.

Jiang Nannan emerged from the crowd out of nowhere, grabbed his arm, and chirped, "Doudou, let's go! Time for lunch!"

"I heard the academy cafeteria has special meat buns today. If we go too late, they'll be gone."

Chen Doudou smiled, forced to temporarily suppress the urge to see Bibi Dong.

Just as he was about to head toward the cafeteria with Jiang Nannan, a rich, charred aroma mixed with spices drifted by on the breeze.

"It smells so good!"

"It's grilled fish! You can smell this scent from so far away."

"Why would someone be selling grilled fish in the academy? Come on, let's go take a look!"

The crowd grew restless. Many students, enticed by the fragrance, began surging toward the source.

Chen Doudou and Jiang Nannan followed the flow of people until they reached the entrance of the academy cafeteria.

There, in the open space by the door, sat a crude stall.

A large iron pot rested on a makeshift stove filled with glowing red charcoal. Several cleaned fish sizzled on a wire rack, their golden skin bubbling with tiny, crisp pockets of fat.

When they saw that the stall owner was none other than Huo Yuhao, some of the students from their class looked surprised.

"Huh? Why is it Huo Yuhao? Doesn't he only have half a level of innate Soul Power? Why isn't he focusing on cultivation instead of selling grilled fish?"

"You have to admit, though, his grilled fish really does smell amazing."

As for how Huo Yuhao managed to secure this stall, it was actually quite simple.

The academy did not oppose poor students running small businesses to subsidize their living expenses. As long as the operation didn't interfere with academy affairs, one only needed to apply to Director Wang Yan to get approval.

Huo Yuhao had learned of this policy from a teacher only after his physical assessment that afternoon.

"Doudou, do you want to eat some grilled fish?"

Jiang Nannan swallowed hard, her eyes fixed intently on the golden-brown fish as she asked in a low voice.

Watching Jiang Nannan's yearning expression, Chen Doudou rolled his eyes at her, speechless. "Sister Nannan, I think it's you who wants to eat, isn't it?"

"Hee hee."

Caught in the act, Jiang Nannan felt a bit embarrassed, her cheeks flushing slightly.

The young girl was thin-skinned by nature; once called out, she wished she could find a hole to crawl into.

"Fine, let's get a few. I'm curious to try it myself."

Chen Doudou was also quite intrigued. He wanted to know what the grilled fish that had captivated so many female characters in the original story actually tasted like.

"Okay, I'll go buy them."

Jiang Nannan nodded and walked forward quickly.

"Boss, how much for a grilled fish?"

Huo Yuhao was looking down, focused on flipping the fish. Hearing her, he replied instinctively, "Five copper soul coins each. Fair prices for all."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Nannan's delicate brows furrowed, feeling a pinch of heartache. "Five copper soul coins? That's a bit expensive."

She counted on her fingers, "Based on the cost, the fish itself is one copper coin, and the charcoal and spices are another. If you sold them for three copper coins, you'd still make a profit, right?"

In truth, she wasn't short on money.

Ever since arriving at Martial Soul Hall, because her teacher was Bibi Dong, she had received a large sum of pocket money yesterday. Even if she spent it lavishly every day, she probably wouldn't finish it in a lifetime.

But a person's nature is hard to change in a short time.

The thrifty habits she had cultivated since childhood couldn't be undone by a sudden stroke of wealth.

Huo Yuhao froze, surprised that someone would haggle over five copper coins. Was there actually someone poorer than him?

When he looked up and saw Jiang Nannan, he recognized her immediately.

This was Chen Doudou's sister; he had heard people talking about her.

Huo Yuhao put down his spatula, his tone sincere. "Senior sister, if I sell you my grilled fish for three copper coins from now on, could you do me a favor?"

"What kind of favor?"

Curiosity flickered in Jiang Nannan's eyes.

It was only the first day of school; why would someone already be asking her for a favor?

Noticing the washed-out, patched clothes Huo Yuhao was wearing, her guard subconsciously lowered.

"Uh, it's not a big favor."

Huo Yuhao recalled how easily Chen Doudou had released his soul skill.

This shouldn't be too hard, right?

Just then, Chen Doudou walked over.

He handed over fifteen copper soul coins directly, cutting off Huo Yuhao's words.

"No need, five copper soul coins is five copper soul coins. Give me three grilled fish."

"Oh, Doudou, what are you doing? The boss just said three copper soul coins."

Watching him pay the full price, Jiang Nannan felt even more distressed.

Huo Yuhao felt a bit disappointed, but he still nimbly wrapped up three grilled fish and handed them to Chen Doudou.

Chen Doudou took the fish, his keen observation skills naturally picking up on the situation.

He said casually:

"It seems you weren't just giving Nannan a discount, but unfortunately, you miscalculated who you were trying to play."

Only then did Jiang Nannan finally realize what was happening.

So, she had been played by this kid who looked so honest.

In an instant, her gaze toward Huo Yuhao shifted from curiosity to a hint of wariness.

Huo Yuhao hurriedly explained: "It's not like that! I just wanted you to help treat my mother. Her health is very poor, and your soul skill today gave me a lot of hope..."

Chen Doudou frowned: "If you want treatment, you can come to me separately. We can talk, but I don't like it when you do things this way."

Huo Yuhao's heart had gone cold, but hearing the latter part, hope was reignited. He bowed repeatedly in gratitude: "Yes... thank you, thank you!"

Chen Doudou paid him no more mind.

Jiang Nannan pulled him away, and the two found a quiet set of steps to sit on.

The golden grilled fish were still steaming, their aroma mouth-watering.

"Doudou, I'm sorry."

Jiang Nannan apologized, feeling very guilty, her head lowered as she couldn't bring herself to look at him: "I really didn't expect that person to look so honest, yet he actually..."

"But I feel he isn't a bad person; he was just desperate to save his mother and took a wrong turn."

Perhaps because her own mother was also bedridden with illness, Jiang Nannan felt a degree of sympathy for Huo Yuhao.

"Nannan, I know. I didn't take it to heart."

Chen Doudou smiled gently, offering comfort.

He wasn't interested in Huo Yuhao; he simply had a strong aversion to such tactics.

Total strangers, and on the first day of school—he doesn't give anyone else a discount, but gives you one specifically, all to ask for a favor.

It was clearly a trap.

Jiang Nannan nodded and took a bite of the grilled fish.

The meat was tender, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with the spices perfectly infused into every fiber.

Her eyes lit up instantly, shining like two brilliant stars.

She couldn't wait to hand the fish to Chen Doudou: "Doudou, this grilled fish is delicious! You have to try it!"

It was only after he took a bite that Jiang Nannan realized.

This was the same fish she had already eaten from.

Chen Doudou didn't seem to notice, continuing to scarf it down bite after bite while praising: "It really is good."

He finally understood why so many people in the original story loved it; this grilled fish was truly something special.

Yet, he didn't notice the sudden flush of red on Jiang Nannan's cheeks beside him.

The blush spread from her ears to her neck, like a ripe peach.

It wasn't out of shyness, but because...

She had already bitten into this grilled fish!

It was an indirect kiss!

Watching Chen Doudou eat the fish she had bitten without a care in the world, her heart began to race uncontrollably.

Dummy Doudou...

That's the one I already ate from...