As evening approached, Mo Lei left the classroom, bringing the day's lessons to an end.
The students around them left in twos and threes.
Meng Chen rose from his seat as well.
"What's wrong, Meng Chen?"
Ning Rongrong blinked her big eyes and looked at him in puzzlement.
"Rongrong, let's eat out today."
Ning Rongrong was surprised. Usually, this fellow wanted to head straight to the Crown Prince's Residence after school. Why had he suddenly changed his ways today?
Before Ning Rongrong could ask, Meng Chen had already walked over to Gu Yuena's desk.
Gu Yuena looked at the approaching Meng Chen, a question in her eyes.
Meng Chen went straight to the point. "Thanks to Brother Qinghe, they've identified the people who framed me in the Southern Suburbs. The mastermind paid me a hefty sum for emotional distress."
"You really helped me out the day before yesterday. Would you do me the honor? Dinner at the best restaurant in Heaven Dou City, my treat. Order whatever you want, and eat your fill."
Standing behind Meng Chen, Ning Rongrong was secretly happy for him as she listened to the first part.
But when she realized he was actually inviting Gu Yuena, the little girl instinctively pursed her lips again.
Still, she remembered the encirclement in the Southern Suburbs the day before yesterday. Without Gu Yuena's intervention, Meng Chen might truly have died.
Ning Rongrong swallowed her temper, stepped forward, and gently tugged Gu Yuena's sleeve.
"Hey, Gu Yuena, it's not often Meng Chen is this generous."
Lifting her pointed chin, Ning Rongrong gave a light huff, making a show of magnanimity.
"And I know a place that's ten thousand times better than the academy's food. Come with us."
Gu Yuena remained seated, looking at the two before her.
Normally, with her pride as the Soul Beast Co-Ruler, she had nothing but disdain for such mundane human dining.
But then she remembered the piece of Spirit Jade Snow Cake she had eaten that morning.
That unusual texture really had been something she had never experienced before.
It's only a casual meal, anyway. I can also take the opportunity to observe this rabbit with a golden dragon hidden inside him at close range.
Having found herself a reason, Gu Yuena stood and nodded lightly.
"All right."
Seeing Gu Yuena agree, Meng Chen breathed a sigh of relief.
To be honest, he had only worked up the courage to give it a try. He hadn't expected her to actually accept.
Ning Rongrong, however, looked excited as she took Gu Yuena's arm and led her outside.
The three walked out of the classroom building side by side.
The carriage from the Crown Prince's Residence had already been waiting at the academy gates for quite some time.
A guard lifted the curtain. Meng Chen hopped aboard, followed by Ning Rongrong, who pulled Gu Yuena into the carriage.
A dozen or so minutes later, the carriage stopped in Heaven Dou City's busiest central district.
The Listening Cloud Tower.
Apart from the Imperial Royal Kitchen, this was the most luxurious restaurant in Heaven Dou City.
The entire building stood beside the water. As soon as they reached the entrance, the restaurant's proprietor came out to greet them.
"Young lord, Miss Ning, please come in!"
The proprietor personally led the three up to a private riverside dining room on the top floor.
Once they were seated, Meng Chen took a soul coin card straight out of his Soul Tool and handed it to the proprietor.
"Bring out all your signature main dishes. Money is no object."
The proprietor accepted the gold card with both hands, repeatedly voicing his agreement as he bowed and withdrew.
Ning Rongrong propped her chin in both hands, her dark eyes darting around as she teased him with a grin.
"Oh my, Viscount Meng is certainly throwing his wealth around today. Then I won't hold back."
Before long, maids carried one delicious dish after another to the round table, each a feast of color, aroma, and flavor.
There were also all sorts of exquisite pastries, a dazzling array that covered the entire table.
Rich aromas soon filled the private room.
Sitting in a sandalwood chair, Gu Yuena gazed at the steaming dishes, a ripple stirring deep in her eyes.
In the Star Dou Great Forest, soul beasts had always eaten their prey raw, fur and blood and all.
Yet the food before her, transformed by flames and all manner of unusual spices, could give off such enticing aromas.
"Classmate Gu, try the roast pork ribs. These are from a hundred-year-old Redfire Boar, crisp outside and tender inside."
Using the serving chopsticks, Meng Chen picked up a golden roasted pork rib glistening with fat and placed it on the white jade porcelain plate before Gu Yuena.
Though Ning Rongrong said nothing, she still ladled out a small bowl of steaming Flying Dragon Bird and mushroom soup, then gently pushed it toward Gu Yuena.
"Drink it while it's hot. This soup is excellent for nourishing your vitality and blood. It gets gamey once it cools."
Looking at the steaming food before her,
Gu Yuena raised her slender, fair right hand, picked up her chopsticks, and placed a small piece of steaming meat into her mouth.
The next second, Gu Yuena froze almost imperceptibly.
The rich, meaty aroma of fat bursting on her tongue, the sauce, and the warm, fire-attribute soul power contained within the Redfire Boar instantly enveloped her entire mouth.
The sensation was simply wondrous.
A gleam suddenly lit up Gu Yuena's violet eyes.
"Well? I didn't lie to you, did I?"
Seeing Gu Yuena's eyes brighten, Ning Rongrong lifted her chin like a little peacock fresh from victory, then picked up a piece of fish herself and began eating.
"The Listening Cloud Tower has been open in Heaven Dou City for decades. I usually have the steward reserve a table in advance."
Gu Yuena said nothing.
This Silver Dragon King, who had once wielded the laws of heaven and earth,
now had all her attention utterly captured by the table of human delicacies before her, each brimming with color, aroma, and flavor.
Her hands, however, were clearly moving several times faster.
Across from her, Meng Chen and Ning Rongrong had been eating and chatting. Gradually, their movements slowed as they stared, dumbfounded, at the silver-haired girl wholly absorbed in devouring her meal.
Ning Rongrong couldn't help leaning toward Meng Chen's ear and whispering.
"Hey, Meng Chen, won't she hurt her stomach eating that much?"
"Don't worry. She'll be fine!"
Meng Chen was already blooming with delight inside.
Even the mighty Silver Dragon King couldn't escape the law of "I take it back-this is delicious."
The meal lasted well over an hour, and by the time the last plate of exquisite pastries had been swept clean,
night had descended over the whole of Heaven Dou Imperial City outside the window.
Sated with food and drink, the three walked out through the Listening Cloud Tower's entrance.
The night breeze swept toward them with a biting chill as Gu Yuena walked through it.
Although her expression remained cool, the faint blush on her delicate cheeks and the satisfaction deep in her eyes betrayed her pleasure.
The human world isn't entirely a filthy place without merit, after all.
At least when it comes to satisfying the palate, these frail creatures have indeed developed some astonishing tricks.
"Whew... I'm stuffed to death. I really let myself go today. Grandpa Sword will definitely tease me about getting fat when I get back."
Ning Rongrong rubbed her little belly and cast a rueful glance at Gu Yuena beside her, silently wondering where this woman had put that entire tableful of food.
Just then, the luxurious carriage from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, sent to collect Ning Rongrong, slowly approached from the street corner.
Gu Yuena's gaze lingered on the carriage for a moment. Then she suddenly turned to Meng Chen, who was strolling leisurely behind them.
"Meng Chen."
Meng Chen paused in surprise and stopped walking.
Ning Rongrong also turned back in puzzlement, her dark eyes flicking between the two.
Meng Chen scratched his head. "Classmate Gu, is there something else?"
Gu Yuena gave Ning Rongrong an indifferent glance, then looked straight into Meng Chen's eyes and spoke softly.
"I have something to ask you in private."
At those words, Ning Rongrong's delicate brows immediately rose. Her little mouth pursed, and her little radar instantly switched on.
What could they possibly need to discuss without me?
Could these two have some shameful secret behind my back?
Seeing Ning Rongrong on the verge of bristling and transforming into the Little Demoness, Meng Chen hurried forward, gently patted her shoulder, and softened his voice.
"Rongrong, it's getting late. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's guards are still watching from behind us."
"Go back to the sect and rest first, so Sect Master Ning and Senior Sword Douluo won't worry."
"Classmate Gu probably just wants to go over the ambush in the Southern Suburbs the day before yesterday. I'll tell you all about it at the academy tomorrow."
Ning Rongrong bit her lower lip, looked into Meng Chen's clear eyes, then glanced at the expressionless Gu Yuena beside him.
Though the girl was willful, Meng Chen had always known his limits. Besides, Gu Yuena hadn't shown the slightest hostility throughout their meal today, leaving her no reason to lose her temper.
"Hmph, acting so mysterious. Who cares about your little secrets anyway!"
Ning Rongrong huffed and gave Meng Chen a kick with the tip of her shoe. Then she waved goodbye to Gu Yuena and climbed into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's carriage.
"Meng Chen, if you dare be late tomorrow, I won't let you off!"
The curtain fell. Accompanied by the clopping of hooves, the luxurious carriage gradually receded, disappearing into the night at the far end of the long street.
Before you continue