"Hmm..."
As he listened to Ma Xiaotao, Chu Ge looked thoughtful.
Though she spoke calmly, and there seemed to be nothing particularly wrong with her words, given how well he knew her...
The meal was genuine, but the matter she had casually tacked on afterward certainly wasn't incidental. That was probably the real reason she had come.
"Hmm?"
"If we're going out to eat, we can all go together, right?"
Ah Yin clearly hadn't read anything more into those words. Taking them at face value, she smiled gently at Ma Xiaotao and declared with perfect conviction.
Xiaotao wanted to have a meal with Chu Ge. Surely adding her to the party wouldn't be a problem! Besides, it would bring the three of them closer together!
"Hmm?"
"We certainly can."
Naturally, Ma Xiaotao didn't refuse. As she spoke, she turned toward Chu Ge, curious to see his reaction.
"Of course."
Chu Ge smiled and nodded. Since both women wanted to go together, he certainly wouldn't refuse.
"Since this is my first time meeting you, Sister Ah Yin, this one's on me!"
"Today, I'll make sure you eat your fill."
Ma Xiaotao grinned and giggled.
At the very least...
I absolutely can't treat her to grilled fish!
"Sister Ah Yin, where do you usually live? Is it far from here?"
Curiosity crossed Ma Xiaotao's face, and she couldn't help asking.
Sister Ah Yin wasn't from the Academy, but since she had appeared here, surely she didn't live too far away.
"Hmm?"
"No, it's quite close."
Ah Yin shook her head and replied with a smile, assuming Ma Xiaotao meant whether she lived far from Chu Ge.
She usually stayed in the golden ancient tree. They were in the same Academy, so how could it be far?
"So you live in Shrek City..."