The gathering dusk cast a crimson veil over the Soul Fighting Arena. The crowd dispersed like a receding tide, leaving only scattered voices drifting through the air. Xiao Xiao stood on tiptoe, her gaze fixed on that figure, her eyes shining with admiration.
The image of Huo Yuhao confronting the Black Tortoise's phantom kept replaying in her mind. The golden light surrounding the boy seemed even more dazzling than the sunset clouds overhead.
Huo Yuhao flexed his slightly aching wrist and turned toward his grilled fish stall. The setting sun stretched his shadow long, and flecks of light like scattered gold danced across his blue hair.
Although the eight thousand Gold Soul Coins he had won at the Soul Fighting Arena were enough to keep him spending freely for a long time, that humble little stall was still the foundation of his livelihood at Shrek (his means of putting food on the table). "A few melons and dates are still money." What if he lost it? Of course, if he did and found out who had stolen it, the Golden Dragon Explosive Fist made no exceptions (he would treat the thief to a few Golden Dragon Explosive Fists).
As he stepped through the arched entrance to the Soul Fighting stage, a figure in pale purple suddenly came into view. Jiang Nannan stood leaning against a corridor pillar, the setting sun tracing a hazy golden edge along her profile. The silver bells in her hair swayed gently in the breeze, giving off a delicate chime.
Noticing Huo Yuhao's gaze, she walked slowly toward him, her skirt brushing the ground and stirring up a faint scent of magnolia.
"I'm so sorry I caused you so much trouble because of my situation." Jiang Nannan lowered her eyes, her voice as soft as willow catkins in spring. She remembered Xu Sanshi losing control, then recalled how Huo Yuhao had calmly defeated his opponent in the Soul Fighting Arena, and a trace of guilt welled up in her heart.
Huo Yuhao laughed heartily. "Come on, senior, it's only natural for things to get a little lively on my first day running a stall! I'm happy you like my grilled fish, too."
He winked, a sly gleam flashing in his eyes. "Besides, thanks to you, senior, my grilled fish stall has become a real hit. I'll have to advertise it properly from now on-'deliciousness certified by Senior Jiang Nannan.' I'm sure I'll have more customers than I can handle!"
Jiang Nannan burst out laughing, and her tense expression finally relaxed. "You really are optimistic, junior."
Huo Yuhao silently did the sums in his head, though he showed nothing on his face.
That really was optimistic. He used to make only a few copper coins a day, but now he had earned 8,000 Gold Soul Coins in a single day. Together with the prize money from the Soul Fighting Arena, he would have the capital to survive when he went to another timeline in the future (he could spend freely). Of course, that was all a matter for later.
A flicker of excitement appeared in his eyes at the thought, but he quickly returned to normal.
"Senior Nannan, could you come with me for a moment?" Huo Yuhao suddenly said seriously, pointing to his stall not far away. "There's something I'd like to talk to you about in private." His tone was sincere, yet held a faint suggestion that she could not refuse.
In the sunset, the boy's blue hair glowed softly, and his blue eyes were so deep that she could not see their depths.
Jiang Nannan was briefly taken aback, then nodded. She followed silently behind Huo Yuhao, a trace of puzzlement rising in her heart. What does he want to tell me? Or does he blame me for causing trouble?
The clamor at the Soul Fighting Arena had yet to die down when a group of onlookers crowded around Huo Yuhao and streamed toward the grilled fish stall.
Bei Bei and Tang Ya followed as well, their eyes shining with eagerness to bring the genius into the Tang Sect. Tang Ya kept muttering, "Huo Yuhao, Tang Sect, Huo Yuhao, Tang Sect," with a playful air that brought an indulgent smile to Bei Bei's face.
Xu Sanshi mingled among them with a dark expression, kicking aside stones in his path from time to time, as though he still had not recovered from the bitterness of defeat.
Most conspicuous of all were several academy teachers. Wang Yan was not among them, of course. He was still reading in the library, able to explore the academy's confidential library thanks to an extra benefit that came with Yan Shaozhe's sudden assignment.
The sight of the teachers whispering among themselves lent the "sightseeing trip" a more official air.
The once-humble grilled fish stall was now surrounded so tightly that not even a drop of water could have gotten through. The crackling of charcoal mingled with waves of exclamations. Huo Yuhao, however, seemed oblivious to the noise around him. He deftly skewered the freshly cleaned fish and set them on the grill. As he gently waved his fan, fat dripped onto the coals, sending up clouds of white mist laden with the fragrance of cumin.
"By the way, Junior Yuhao, what did you want to see me about?" Jiang Nannan was jostled toward the stall by the crowd, the tips of her ears reddening with embarrassment. She looked at the boy's profile as he focused on grilling the fish, the silver bells in her hair swaying gently with her movements.
Without looking up, Huo Yuhao nimbly turned the fish with his long fingers. Only when its crisp, golden skin had acquired an enticing sheen did he carefully hold it out to her. "Here, take it, senior."
"I don't have any money on me. I can't accept your grilled fish." Jiang Nannan instinctively stepped back half a pace, her moon-white skirt brushing across the flagstones. Catching sight of the curious gazes of the students around them, she unconsciously tightened her fingers around the silk sash at her waist.
Huo Yuhao suddenly chuckled, a tender look tinged with pity in his eyes. "You don't need to pay. It's my treat."
He pressed another skewer of grilled fish into her hand and lowered his voice. "I was going to ask you to wait a little while. Once there were fewer people around, I'd treat you to two fish. You probably didn't bring any money today, senior, judging by how you were hemming and hawing when you said it."
"I figured you didn't want everyone watching you unable to afford it, and I understand. It's just that your friend interrupted me," he continued. "Besides, I didn't expect so many more people to turn up. Looks like my plan backfired."
Jiang Nannan's eyelashes trembled violently, and her earlobes turned rouge-red in an instant. She looked down at the glistening grilled fish in her hands, suddenly recalling how the boy had crushed Xu Sanshi with the force of a thunderbolt in the Soul Fighting Arena. Yet now, to spare her embarrassment, he had helped her out so discreetly.
"So that's how it was..." she murmured. A little warmth rose in her heart, only to be overtaken by guilt. It's all because of me that he got into so much trouble...
"All right, senior, just consider your beauty payment for this grilled fish." Huo Yuhao straightened, winked at her, and turned to serve the other customers.
The onlookers erupted.
"Oh my god! He's way too smooth!"
"Help! This is just like a scene from a storybook!"
"He's strong, he can cook, he speaks gently, and he knows how to look after a girl's feelings. What a good man-no, he'll definitely be a good man someday."
Several girls covered their burning cheeks and whispered among themselves, and some even pulled out little notebooks to record the scene. Someone shouted, "The supernova and the outer court goddess are perfect for each other," setting everyone laughing. Even Xu Sanshi, standing in a corner, coughed awkwardly twice.
Of course, quite a few people also felt their spirits sink without realizing it. So, is the real outcome that the supernova Huo Yuhao wins the beauty's heart?
"The supernova and the outer court goddess-could that work?"
"Whether it could or not, it's got nothing to do with us. Looks like the goddess is a famous flower with an owner already."
"I'm so heartbroken. Boss, give me six skewers of grilled fish. I'm going to turn my grief and indignation into an appetite."
As dusk deepened, the smoke and fire from the grilled fish stall made a charming picture with the blush on the girl's ears.
Just then, Xu Sanshi's hoarse roar rang out like a thunderclap.
He shoved his way through the onlookers, the remnants of his Martial Soul's presence still trembling faintly around him. The money pouch containing eight thousand Gold Soul Coins made a piercing sound as he squeezed it. "Huo Yuhao!" He hurled the pouch at him. "I lost, and I'll honor the bet. This is yours."
Huo Yuhao caught the heavy pouch steadily, a ripple passing through his blue eyes.
The surface of the pouch still held the warmth of Xu Sanshi's palm, heated by a measure of unwillingness. "You're strong." Xu Sanshi's Adam's apple bobbed violently, his eyes beneath his fringe scarlet as blood. "I acknowledge your strength. Your strength is suffocating."
"But I refuse to accept you. Nannan is mine. No one can even think of taking her away from me. No matter how strong you are, I still refuse to accept you."
The onlookers cried out in surprise, their whispers spreading like a tide.
"That senior is very strong too, but he ran into a real monster of Shrek."
"I feel so sorry for that senior."
P.S. Please recommend, keep reading, and add this to your collection.