Snacks

They quickly finished walking around the small campus.

As they left through the back gate, Lin Qingxue pointed at a street in the distance. "There's a shop over there. I've eaten there several times. The food's really good."

Song Chen looked over. It was an ordinary snack street.

There were all kinds of stalls by the roadside, selling fried noodles, grilled skewers, wontons, and more. The whole place was bustling with life.

"Your family lets you eat this stuff?" he asked, a little surprised.

Lin Qingxue blinked. "I sneak it. If my dad found out, he'd definitely scold me. He says street food is dirty and affects your Vitality Value."

Song Chen smiled.

"Then let's go."

They walked out of the school side by side.

The sunlight was warm, and the breeze was gentle.

They had only walked a few steps when Song Chen suddenly stopped.

"What's wrong?" Lin Qingxue looked back.

Song Chen looked at her face and hesitated. "You look really pretty today."

Lin Qingxue's face turned bright red.

She lowered her head, even the tips of her ears turning pink. Embarrassed, she said, "Y-you look pretty good in your Combat Suit too."

Then she quickened her pace and walked ahead.

Song Chen stood where he was, watching her from behind.

Her pale pink skirt swayed gently in the breeze, and her long hair fluttered, glowing softly in the sunlight.

He suddenly felt that the sunlight was especially nice today.

He caught up with her.

One in front and one behind, they walked into the lively snack street.

They strolled at an easy pace.

Lin Qingxue stopped in front of a grilled-skewer stall, her eyes sparkling as she stared at the oily meat skewers sizzling on the grill.

She waved grandly. "Boss, ten skewers!"

Then she turned to Song Chen. "Do you eat spicy food?"

"I do."

"Then make them extra spicy!" She smiled, her eyes curving into crescents, and took a bill from her pocket.

Song Chen put his hand over hers. "I'll pay."

"No. I said I'd treat you." She stubbornly held the money out, moving so quickly you'd think she was afraid he'd snatch the chance to pay.

When the skewers were ready, she took one and handed it to him first.

Song Chen took it and bit into it. The spicy chili and the savory meat burst across his tongue.

She watched him nervously from beside him.

"Is it good?"

"It's good."

She smiled and took a bite of her own, then fanned her mouth furiously when the spice hit.

Song Chen bought a cup of sour plum juice from the neighboring stall and handed it to her. She took it and gulped down a mouthful. Tears welled at the corners of her eyes from the heat, but she was still smiling.

They walked and ate as they went.

Skewers, fried noodles, candied hawthorn, fried rice cakes... They bought just one of each and shared it.

When they passed a ring-toss stall, Lin Qingxue stopped and stared at a plush toy in the farthest row.

It was a chubby white rabbit holding a carrot, with an adorably innocent look.

"You want it?" Song Chen asked.

"Mm..." She looked a little embarrassed.

"I've wanted one since I was little, but my family wouldn't let me buy one. They said toys were a distraction from my studies."

Song Chen went to the stall and exchanged some change for five rings.

He weighed one in his hand, then casually tossed it. The ring landed perfectly around the rabbit.

Lin Qingxue cheered and ran over to pick it up, hugging it to her chest.

Song Chen watched her happily clutching the rabbit and said nothing.

Holding the rabbit, she tugged at his sleeve and led him onward, pointing to a men's clothing shop in the distance. "Come on. It's time to buy you some clothes."

Before long, they walked into the shop.

Lin Qingxue seemed like a different person as she darted between the racks, soon carrying a stack of clothes in her arms.

Shirts, jackets, casual pants, and a few pieces she couldn't name but insisted were "pretty."

She pushed him into the fitting room. "Try this one. And this one too."

Song Chen came out wearing a dark blue shirt. She tilted her head and studied him for a long moment. "It's okay, but it's not quite right."

He tried on a light gray one next, but she shook her head.

"Too formal."

The third outfit was a simple white T-shirt with a black casual jacket.

Her eyes lit up. She walked around him once. "You look great!"

She stepped back two paces to look him over, then came forward and straightened his collar. "This one."

She stood very close, close enough for him to catch the faint scent of cherry blossoms in her hair.

Her fingertips felt a little cool when they brushed his neck.

Song Chen stood completely still.

Just then, a voice came from the shop entrance.

"Qingxue?"

Lin Qingxue's hand froze, and they both turned around.

A young man stood at the entrance, around twenty years old, wearing a finely tailored white Combat Suit with a silver badge pinned to his chest.

It was the emblem of a famous martial hall in Shangjing.

Lin Qingxue froze for a moment. "Zhang Hao? When did you get back?"

Zhang Hao walked in, his gaze sweeping between her and Song Chen. "I just got back yesterday."

His smile never changed, but there was a hint of scrutiny in his eyes. He pointed at Song Chen. "Who's this?"

"My classmate, Song Chen." Lin Qingxue's tone had grown a little cooler.

Zhang Hao's gaze landed on Song Chen, looking him up and down, then back up again.

The look was light, as soft as a feather, but Song Chen could feel the weight behind it.

He saw the new jacket Song Chen had just put on, the old coat hanging in the fitting room, and a corner of the dark blue-green Battle Armor peeking out from beneath it.

"Song Chen?" He repeated the name, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.

"I've heard so much about you."

But despite what he said, his tone made it clear he hadn't heard anything about him.

Lin Qingxue had clearly noticed, too. Her brow furrowed slightly. "Zhang Hao, we have things to do."

Zhang Hao smiled. "What's the rush? It's been so long. Let's catch up."

His gaze swept over Song Chen again. "Are you preparing for the college entrance exam, Song? Which school are you planning to apply to?"

"I haven't decided yet," Song Chen said.

Zhang Hao nodded thoughtfully. "Fair enough. When it comes to the college entrance exam, it all depends on your strength."

He raised a hand and casually flexed his fingers. "You'd better think it through. I got into Martial Arts University in Shangjing, so I immediately left certain lowlifes miles behind."

He said "lowlifes" offhandedly, as if he were commenting on the nice weather.

Lin Qingxue's expression darkened. She was about to speak when a saleswoman came over. "Sir, would you like us to wrap up the outfit you tried on?"

Lin Qingxue spoke first, taking out her phone to pay. "Wrap it up."

Zhang Hao glanced at the price tag and smiled. "Qingxue, you're treating him? Can't your classmate Song pay for it himself?"

The air fell silent for a moment. Lin Qingxue's face turned cold. "Zhang Hao, that's enough."

Zhang Hao spread his hands. "I was just asking. After all, Qingxue, your family's well-off. It's not like just anyone could..."

Another saleswoman came over then, cutting him off. "Sir."

Her gaze fell on the dark gold badge on Song Chen's chest, and her expression turned respectful. "May I ask if you're a core member of the Divine Dragon Martial Hall?"

Song Chen nodded.

The saleswoman became even more respectful. "Our store manager is also a Martial Artist with the Divine Dragon Martial Hall. He recognized your badge just now and said all your purchases here are on the house."

She paused, glancing at Zhang Hao before continuing. "The store manager also said that the Divine Dragon Martial Hall has only a handful of core members across Anning City. It's our honor to serve you."

Zhang Hao's smile froze.

The saleswoman didn't look at him. She continued speaking to Song Chen. "The Battle Armor you're wearing is B-Grade, isn't it?"

"Our store manager said it's worth at least thirty million. Not many people in all of Anning City can afford one."

But every word landed like a slap across Zhang Hao's face.

His complexion turned from green to white. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but nothing came out.

B-Grade Battle Armor.

Thirty million.

A core member of the Divine Dragon Martial Hall.

He looked down at the white Combat Suit he was wearing. It was a brand-name outfit, sure, but...