I Think Yours Tastes Better

"Brother Lin, Sister Gu Yue."

"Our Class Promotion Tournament is over, and we don't have classes for the next two days. You can finally go out and eat something good with me, right?"

As they left the administrative building, Xie Xie looked at Tang Wulin and Gu Yue walking together ahead of him. Smiling, he immediately spoke up.

He had wanted to take them to a restaurant he loved for quite some time, but he had never found the opportunity.

Now that even the Class Promotion Tournament they had been looking forward to was over, they should finally be able to go together.

"Go out?"

"Wulin, do you want to go?"

Hearing that, Gu Yue turned to Tang Wulin beside her without hesitation and asked slowly.

She had never had much of an opinion about things like eating out, or going out to have fun.

Her meaning was very clear: if Tang Wulin went, she would go.

And if she did not go, then there was absolutely no way they would be going.

"..."

"That's some authority."

Seeing this, Xie Xie was unsurprised, yet he could not help but sigh.

Sister Gu Yue only cared about Brother Lin's opinion. That really was...

Brother Lin's status as head of the household was truly something to admire!

"I believe it."

"One day, I'll have a place in the household like Brother Lin too."

As Xie Xie was thoroughly consumed by envy, he could not help thinking this firmly.

He strongly believed that, with his personal charm and character, he would definitely find a gentle, sweet, virtuous, adorable girlfriend.

Just imagining her being soft and helpless, only able to cling to him and call out, "Brother Xie Xie," made him, who had never dated before, drool with excitement.

He felt that having a girlfriend was absolutely possible!

"Hm? Me?"

"Of course I want to go. I've been staying at the academy all this time. I hardly even go shopping, much less go out to eat anything delicious."

Hearing Gu Yue's question, Tang Wulin smiled slightly, nodded, and replied.

"Is that so..."

Gu Yue nodded in agreement.

Indeed, ever since she had come here, it seemed they had barely gone out at all. It was about time they had some fun.

"Hehe."

"As the host, Young Master Xie Xie of Eastsea City has an obligation to show you around Eastsea City and treat you to some delicious food."

Xie Xie wore a bright, cheerful smile as he spoke.

"No need."

However, Gu Yue shook her head the next moment, clearly meaning to refuse.

"Huh?"

Xie Xie froze at the sudden reaction, clearly unable to understand what was going on. Just then, Tang Wulin spoke.

"Gu Yue is right."

"It's fine if you're treating us to food, but as for shopping..."

"The two of us can do that on our own."

Tang Wulin smiled softly, as though he had seen through Gu Yue's thoughts, and explained.

Xie Xie: "..."

"Mm."

"That's what I meant."

Gu Yue nodded in response.

At the same time, a faint blush appeared on her face before vanishing in an instant.

Xie Xie: "..."

"You two."

"Are seriously."

"Too much!!!"

With tears of envy, jealousy, and resentment on his face, Xie Xie felt utterly miserable and could not help saying so.

He swore that when he met his own sweet and adorable girlfriend someday, he would be just as affectionate with her and make these two jealous!

"Only."

"My gentle girlfriend whom I have yet to meet."

"Where are you?"

Xie Xie looked up at the sky and could not help daydreaming.

It was hard to imagine that a real nine-year-old boy was already thinking about such things. It was truly rather strange.

Not long afterward, in an obscure snack street in western Eastsea City.

Though it was only a snack street, everyone knew that true delicacies were found among ordinary people. All kinds of delicious aromas drifted through the street, making mouths water.

"Let's eat that first. Clay-Pot Beef is especially tender and soft, and it tastes even better with some rice."

In the end, Xie Xie, acting as their host, stopped in front of a restaurant called "Clay-Pot Beef" and said with a smile.

The restaurant was not large, but the delicious fragrance inside constantly drifted out, tempting passing pedestrians.

"Clay-Pot Beef..."

"So we really came to this restaurant."

Standing behind Xie Xie, Tang Wulin looked at the scene before him and could not help thinking so. Clearly, this was exactly what he had expected.

Other than this restaurant, even if this young master of Eastsea City searched the entire city, he probably would not find another place he liked.

After all, delicious food was certainly attractive, but food with a story behind it—especially a sad story—was often even more moving.

"I remember there was a little incident here in the original story. Hopefully, that kind of accident won't happen this time."

Tang Wulin thought silently.

"This is one of our local specialties."

"You may not have tried it before, but I'm sure you'll like the taste."

Xie Xie chuckled and introduced it.

As he spoke, he immediately led the two of them inside and sat down quietly.

"Oh? Xie Xie, long time no see."

"You haven't been here in quite a while. You even brought friends this time. The usual?"

Seeing him, the owner immediately laughed and welcomed him.

He was a middle-aged man, somewhat thin, with an oil-stained apron tied around his waist and a smile covering his face.

"Yes, Uncle Li."

"Thank you."

Xie Xie said with a smile.

Before long, Uncle Li brought over three servings of Clay-Pot Beef, three bowls of rice, and two vegetable side dishes.

"This is your first time bringing friends here, so the side dishes are on the house."

"Uncle still has work to do, so I won't keep you kids company."

Uncle Li said with a cheerful smile, his gaze toward Xie Xie filled with affection, as though he were looking at his own nephew.

"Brother Lin."

"Hurry and try it while it's hot. It's really delicious."

Xie Xie looked at Tang Wulin beside him and said with a smile.

"All right."

Hearing that, Tang Wulin nodded and immediately lifted the lid of the clay pot before him.

At once, a rich beef aroma spread out.

The broth was dark golden, with chunks of beef visible within. With just a light touch of the chopsticks, the beef had already become soft and tender.

"Let me see what this is like."

Tang Wulin chuckled, placed some beef on his rice, and ate it. In an instant, the rich flavor of the beef and the fresh, savory broth were perfectly balanced by the rice.

"It's very good."

Tang Wulin said sincerely.

"It really is."

Gu Yue copied Tang Wulin and took a bite as well, unable to help being moved.

It was just such a small shop, with dim yellow lights and worn tables and chairs, yet it had astonishingly delicious food. Beef, rich soup, side dishes, and rice—all of it left them feeling warm inside.

"Wulin."

"Do you feel it too?"

"Does yours look tastier than mine?"

At that moment, Gu Yue suddenly raised her head, looked at Tang Wulin before her, and said with a smile.

"Hm?"

"Is that so?"

Tang Wulin smiled and asked.

"Mm."

"I want to try yours."

Gu Yue said directly.

"..."

Faced with this scene, Xie Xie fell silent.

Why had he come along with these two in the first place?