Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage

(Thanks to Fallen Prince's Sword for the monthly ticket.)

With four Mutants now, the Special Response Department had finally begun to take shape, though it was still far from fully formed.

Of the four Mutants, aside from Ye Wanqing, the other three still needed extensive training. Besides combat training and physical conditioning, they also had additional obstacle-crossing exercises similar to parkour.

Only after mastering these fundamentals would they be able to make better use of their abilities.

Thus, they had a few leisurely days ahead of them, doing nothing but training and attending classes every day.

Of course, while they trained, related departments overseas had not been idle either. Whenever they found a new Mutant, foreign politicians and media outlets would launch into extravagant publicity campaigns.

After Yinglong made his media debut, three more LV5 Mutants appeared overseas in succession.

These three Mutants were Counterforce Hero from E Country, Apasi from Y Country, and Werewolf from M Country.

Counterforce Hero's ability was telekinesis. He could use his mental power to crush targets into pieces, even kneading a heavy truck into a massive ball of iron.

Apasi from Y Country possessed the ability to control water currents. High-pressure water jets could even slice through tank armor.

Lastly came M Country's Werewolf. His ability was to transform into a giant beast. In truth, he looked more like a black gorilla standing four or five meters tall. Yet despite his enormous body, both his strength and speed were formidable, reaching LV4 standards. He also possessed powerful regenerative abilities, which was why M Country had placed him among the ranks of LV5.

Of course, that was only how things looked in the promotional videos. No one knew what their true abilities were like.

Take Xiao He, for example. In promotional videos, he could create tornadoes at will, but his real ability was the bizarre power of "being able to defeat anyone named Lin Tiannan."

These promotional campaigns revealed one thing: the whole world was searching for Mutants.

Everyone had been intimidated by Yinglong's abilities.

As for the two people who had stirred up this storm, they were currently jogging leisurely downstairs from home, discussing some recent promotional events arranged by the Special Response Department.

Things had been fairly peaceful lately, and there were no real missions for them to carry out as superheroes. Therefore, the Special Response Department had arranged some promotional events to maintain their public presence, lest Yinglong's popularity fade.

And this promotional event was actually having them attend a simple interview with a famous celebrity half a month later.

It was called an interview, but it was really a short video of around ten minutes, practically a small variety show.

"They really are giving us celebrity treatment..." Xiao He muttered as he ran.

"Aren't you happy? I thought you'd like it." Ye Wanqing said blandly beside him. Xiao He frowned deeply. "I don't have a very good impression of the entertainment industry. You know that. That circle is too messy. Riding their popularity... makes me uncomfortable."

"Then you can refuse." Ye Wanqing wiped away some sweat, then opened her water bottle and took a sip. "All right, let's stop here for today. We'll walk for a bit, then head upstairs."

As she spoke, Ye Wanqing slowed down and began walking forward. Xiao He followed behind her. "It's been almost a month since we started pretending to be a couple, right? The National Day holiday is coming up."

"Yeah." Ye Wanqing said, then suddenly crouched by the roadside. She opened her water bottle and poured some water over a small green sprout growing from a crack in the wall. As she crouched down, a lovely glimpse of cleavage appeared at her chest.

All he could say was that the material was there. Even the slightest movement created a curve.

Seemingly noticing Xiao He's gaze, Ye Wanqing suddenly covered her chest alertly, then looked up and glared at him.

Xiao He remained expressionless. After a moment, he reminded her, "Do you know that watering plants with boiled water can cause them to die from malnutrition?"

"Is that so?!" Ye Wanqing asked in surprise. Xiao He nodded. "Because boiling water reduces its mineral content and oxygen levels."

"Why didn't you tell me before I watered it?!" Ye Wanqing asked irritably.

Because I was looking at your cleavage. Xiao He grumbled inwardly, but said, "How was I supposed to know you were going to water it..."

Ye Wanqing stood up and walked ahead in annoyance. Xiao He followed behind her, then suddenly said, "Little pufferfish."

Ye Wanqing turned back and glared at him, then punched him on the shoulder. Xiao He did not feel a thing and smiled. "I'll take you to Willow Restaurant for lunch today. We'll definitely make it this time."

"Really? We've already failed to eat there twice, you know?" Ye Wanqing asked, giving him a sidelong look, her face full of distrust.

Xiao He's face immediately reddened. "We'll leave a little earlier this time. We'll make it."

In fact, Xiao He had taken Ye Wanqing there last Saturday as well. But the restaurant had a Michelin star, and its food was delicious while its prices were low. So by the time they reached the entrance a little after eleven, the restaurant was already full, with several people waiting in line.

So if this attempt was included, it would be their third visit. Liu Bei had made three visits to the thatched cottage and managed to persuade Zhuge Liang to come out of retirement. It would be ridiculous if Xiao He went three times and still could not get a meal.

"No problem. Today is a workday. If we go a little earlier, we'll definitely get to eat!" Xiao He said solemnly.

Heaven did not disappoint the determined. When Xiao He brought Ye Wanqing to the entrance of Willow Restaurant this time, there were quite a few customers inside, but there was still room for two.

"Boss, I'll have the daily set meal." Xiao He smiled excitedly at the owner, then turned to Ye Wanqing. "Since it's your first time here, I recommend the Hainanese chicken rice. It's really good."

"Then I'll have that." Ye Wanqing replied, then began staring at the proprietress. "The boss's wife is so pretty."

"Right? But apparently she's already a mother of two, and she's nearly thirty this year." Xiao He said softly.

"You can't tell at all! She takes such good care of herself..." Ye Wanqing said enviously. "They say that after having children, your figure changes and your skin gets worse. But her skin is so fair, soft, and firm... She's so beautiful."

Around ten minutes later, the proprietress carried Xiao He's daily set meal over and placed it before him. She blinked and smiled. "That's wonderful. You finally managed to bring your girlfriend here for a meal."

"Huh?" Xiao He looked at her in surprise. How did she know? She had not asked that question even when he came with Huang Ling last time.

The proprietress blinked her beautiful eyes. "She is your girlfriend, right?"

"Ah? Mm, y-yeah." Xiao He nodded. "How did you know?"

"You've brought her here several times, after all." The proprietress smiled. "The first time you came with Huang Ling, you were probably scouting the place, right? You really put a lot of thought into bringing your girlfriend somewhere delicious."

"Ah, haha..." Xiao He scratched his head awkwardly.

"I don't think they're a couple." The owner suddenly said. He set the Hainanese chicken rice before Ye Wanqing and smiled. "But it's obvious that they both like each other very much."

"Is it that obvious?" Xiao He eyed Ye Wanqing suspiciously.

Ye Wanqing glared fiercely at him, seemingly blaming him for letting others see through them again, then lowered her head and started eating. After only a few bites, she covered her mouth and exclaimed, "This is so good... This sauce, it's unbelievably delicious, isn't it?"