At half past five that evening, Ling'an Academy.
Rippling Splendor Building was bustling.
Starting today, Ling'an Academy had suspended all classes, and some programs had even begun their final exams. Normally, the cafeterias would have been quieter by now, while the shopping streets on and off campus grew busier.
But the cafeterias were serving free food today and tomorrow.
The Golden-Finned Fish's deliciousness had received the emperor's seal of approval. The cafeterias had also devised all sorts of ways to cook it, some so strange that you could hardly tell you were eating fish. Aside from the few people who truly couldn't eat fish, even those who disliked it came to try some.
Chen Shu made a round of the stalls and got fried fish, steamed fish, and fish balls with tofu. Qingqing got fish with chopped chilies and fish with pickled mustard greens.
Chen Shu said she lacked imagination.
The young girl got fries with fried fish and ketchup.
But Chen Shu said nothing to her.
Qingqing was not pleased about that.
As they sat eating, he kept up a running commentary. "There's really something wrong with your Rippling Splendor Building cafeteria. With fish this good, how do they make fish balls that aren't even as tasty as the ones at the Military Academy next door...?"
Ning Qing ignored him.
He lowered his head and ate a couple of bites. After barely half a minute of quiet, he reached his chopsticks toward her tray again. "Let me try yours..."
Ning Qing paused to let him take some.
Then, in the tone of a food critic, he declared, "Your school cafeteria plays it too safe. It's neither sour nor spicy. Don't you think?"
This time, displeased as she was with him, Ning Qing had to speak.
"You make it next