Grilled Fish, Xu Sanshi, and Jiang Nannan (Part 2)

As dusk gradually fell, a large number of vendors gathered at the East City Gate. The crowd was packed shoulder to shoulder, and cries of hawking goods rang out without end. They had all come to do business with Shrek Academy's students.

At the side of the road, Tang Ya worked with a cheerful "heave-ho" to help Huo Yuhao set up his grilled fish stall. Beside the grill, a colorful illuminated sign reading Little Huo Grilled Fish lit up.

"Done! I really am a little genius!"

Tang Ya clapped her hands, planted them on her slender waist, and wore an excited expression on her pretty face. "Yuhao, from now on, you can set up your stall here after class without worry. Get the cafeteria aunties to prepare twenty green fish for you every day. Including charcoal and seasonings, each fish costs about three Copper Soul Coins, so selling them for five is enough. The money you earn can cover your basic expenses, and it won't take up too much of your cultivation time."

"Thank you, Teacher Xiaoya!"

Tears glimmered in Huo Yuhao's eyes. Since his mother, Huo Yun'er, had passed away, Tang Ya had been the kindest person to him. She had first helped him enter the continent's number one academy as a specially recruited student, and now she was allowing him to support himself so he would no longer have to worry about being unable to afford meals at the outer courtyard cafeteria.

Huo Yuhao secretly swore that he would definitely help Tang Ya revitalize the Tang Sect!

"It's nothing!" Tang Ya waved a hand, looking unconcerned. "I'm going to take a stroll. Remember to save two grilled fish for me!"

With that, she tossed out a Silver Soul Coin and nimbly slipped into the crowd like a swimming fish, vanishing from Huo Yuhao's sight.

After watching Tang Ya leave, Huo Yuhao rolled up his sleeves and began preparing the fish. Having helped his mother in the kitchen since childhood, he was highly skilled at cooking. His hands moved swiftly as he scaled, gutted, cleaned, and marinated the fish in one seamless motion. He tossed several blazing red charcoal briquettes beneath the grill, and Little Huo Grilled Fish officially opened for business!

The grill Tang Ya had acquired was not particularly large, and Huo Yuhao could cook four fish at a time. With the meticulous spiritual detection of his Spirit Eyes, his grilled fish skills would rank among the best even across the entire Douluo Continent.

Before long, a light sheen of oil flowed over the green fish as they turned golden brown. The rich, fresh aroma of grilled fish burst forth, serving as the best possible advertisement. Quite a few people immediately gathered before the stall.

One Shrek student in a yellow uniform could not resist the temptation and bought a fish. When he took a bite, a faint crackling sound came from his teeth meeting the fish, clearly showing that the skin had been grilled perfectly crisp.

After tasting it, he repeatedly gave a thumbs-up, then wolfed down the entire grilled fish in just a few bites.

Everyone there was sharp enough to understand what that meant. They hurried to line up, determined to snatch a grilled fish today!

Huo Yuhao was overjoyed. At first, he had worried that his grilled fish would not be popular and that he would disappoint Tang Ya, but it seemed he had worried for nothing.

A long line formed before Little Huo Grilled Fish. Huo Yuhao grilled each fish with great care. He knew that quality was the key to keeping customers coming back, so he did not dare be careless in the slightest.

One grilled fish after another came off the grill. Soon, only the final batch of four remained. Huo Yuhao wiped the sweat from his forehead and wrapped up the two fish he had set aside for Tang Ya. A successful end to the day was almost within reach.

"Junior, how much are the grilled fish?"

A soft female voice reached his ears. Huo Yuhao looked over and saw an exceptionally beautiful girl standing before him.

The instant he saw her face clearly, Huo Yuhao could not help but stare. The most beautiful girls he had ever met were Ning Tian and Tang Ya. The former possessed an innate air of noble grace, like a bright moon hanging high in the sky, while the latter was pure and lively, like a free wind sweeping across the wilderness.

Yet this girl was entirely different from both of them. She looked around fifteen or sixteen, with a tall, well-proportioned figure. Her long hair fell behind her in large waves, and she wore a rabbit-ear headband. Her face was as lovely as jade, like snow piled upon flowering branches, while her eyes resembled a clear pool of water. She carried a naturally elegant, gentle charm.

Especially the trace of tender softness in her brows and eyes—she looked so delicate that anyone who saw her would feel pity for her. It gave Huo Yuhao an urge to comfort her.

"Senior, the grilled fish are five Copper Soul Coins each."

He had seen enough of the world, after all. Though he froze for a moment, it lasted only a second before Huo Yuhao quickly recovered and answered.

"That's a little expensive. Considering the cost and preparation, three Copper Soul Coins at most would still leave you with a profit."

Her voice was as gentle and warm as her appearance, like a spring breeze brushing through willow branches with a soft rustle. If she had not been bargaining, Huo Yuhao might truly have become lost in it.

"I'm sorry, Senior, but my grilled fish have a fixed price."

Huo Yuhao did his best to remain calm. Tang Ya had set the price, and he did not want to change it casually. Besides, he felt it was fair enough. If he really sold them for three Copper Soul Coins, he might as well live on air.

"I'm sorry. I was only calculating it casually. Sorry to disturb you, Junior. I'll definitely try one if I have the chance next time."

The stunning girl had not expected her always-successful bargaining to fail. She smiled and apologized to Huo Yuhao, then turned to leave.

"The last two fish! Little Junior Brother, we're so lucky!"

An excited female voice rang out behind her.

"Kid, you dare refuse to sell?"

At that moment, a deep, booming male voice filled with anger suddenly exploded through the air. Immediately afterward, a streak of golden light shot toward Huo Yuhao's stall like lightning.

Clink—

The golden light struck the grill precisely and embedded itself completely within it. It was a Gold Soul Coin.

A figure strode over. He wore a black Shrek Academy uniform and appeared to be around the same age as the girl. He was tall and powerfully built, with thick brows, tiger-like eyes, a straight nose, and a square mouth. A trace of baby fat still lingered on his face.

He quickly passed the beautiful girl and arrived at Huo Yuhao's stall, reaching out to grab the grilled fish from the grill.

The girl was so furious that the rabbit ears atop her head stood straight up. "Xu Sanshi, what are you doing?!"

Xu Sanshi had long learned to selectively ignore the girl's scolding. Huo Yuhao rushed over to stop him, but Xu Sanshi dodged aside with a flash and picked up two grilled fish with a playful grin.

"Nannan, I'm buying grilled fish for you!"

Suddenly, Xu Sanshi, who was eagerly trying to curry favor with the goddess, felt someone grab the back of his collar. He was slowly lifted into the air, inch by inch. He hurriedly tried to use his Soul Power to resist, only to discover that it seemed to have been dissolved by something. Not a trace of it could circulate.

"Who is it?! What are you doing?!"

Xu Sanshi panicked and flailed helplessly in midair, like a drowning man desperately struggling to save himself. He twisted his head to look behind him, then saw a handsome face that instantly made cold sweat pour down his back.

"B-B-Big Brother...!"

Xu Sanshi looked on the verge of tears. He stopped struggling, and his body hung straight down as though he had resigned himself to his fate.

"Oh, it's you, kid." Ling Bai smiled pleasantly. "You've got some nerve, trying to snatch something from right under my nose."

The moment he heard that, Xu Sanshi's heart went cold. One word: doomed!