novelhk Chapter 43: Stealing Half a Day of Leisure
Chapter 43: Stealing Half a Day of Leisure
"Oh, right, Chen, shall we go out and relax for a bit later?" Gu Yue's voice was clear and cold, like jade striking each other. She adjusted her collar and said in a somewhat nonchalant tone.
"this……"
Just as Yu Chen was drawn to Gu Yue's unique aura, Xie Xie's voice came.
"Brother Chen, how about we go out and have some fun?"
"Go out for some fun? Sure, where to go? You decide."
In order to maintain physical fitness and condition, the evening special training was canceled during the promotion competition. Moreover, there was Gu Yue's invitation just now, and now with Xie Xie's help, Yu Chen naturally accepted it gladly.
"Since that's the case, it's lunchtime now, everyone must be hungry, right? Besides, we just won the game."
Xie Xie paused for a moment, then clapped his hands and decided on his destination.
"Then let's go out and have a big meal to celebrate! There's a food street near the college, and there's a place there I can guarantee will be amazing. It's called 'Braised Beef in a Pot,' the owner is super nice, the beef is stewed until it's incredibly tender, the broth is rich and flavorful, and you could easily eat three big bowls of rice with it!"
Listening to Yu Chen's arrangements, Xie Xie also spoke excitedly about his own ideas.
"Okay, I'm actually hungry, let's go then."
Yu Chen nodded slightly in agreement, and when he heard that Xie Xie was going to treat everyone to a meal, a glint of light flashed in the eyes of the little foodie Tang Wulin.
"Gu Yue, didn't you say you wanted to go out and relax? Come on over," Yu Chen invited Gu Yue.
"Hmph." Gu Yue snorted lightly, her gaze sweeping over Xie Xie indifferently. She was clearly somewhat dissatisfied with Xie Xie's arrangement that had taken the lead, but she did not refuse and turned to walk out first.
"Follow me, you won't go wrong!"
Xie Xie raised his chin, his eyes gleaming with undisguised smugness.
"In Donghai City, I've already scouted out countless restaurants and entertainment venues. Follow me, and I guarantee you'll have a blast and eat to your heart's content!"
Since Yu Chen personally invited Gu Yue, Xie Xie didn't say anything inappropriate. He had a premonition that if he provoked Gu Yue now, he would definitely get a bad beating.
Although he was already level 19, just one level away from becoming a Great Soul Master, Xie Xie was still being suppressed when facing Gu Yue.
In addition, his first impression of Gu Yue was her fierce battle with Yu Chen, so Xie Xie was always afraid of Gu Yue and only dared to talk about her verbally. He often slandered Gu Yue as a female tyrant in the dormitory.
Having made up their minds, the group acted swiftly, leaving the school immediately.
The management of students at Donghai Academy is similar to that of university life in my previous life, but not as strict. When there are no classes, students can freely enter and leave the school without needing any leave slips, as long as they return on time.
About fifteen minutes later, a sweet and alluring fragrance suddenly appeared in the air. The further you went, the stronger the fragrance became, as if someone was holding a delicious treat and waving it in front of your nose.
"Arrival!"
Xie Xie stopped in his tracks and pointed to a narrow alleyway ahead. The aroma was wafting out of the alleyway.
The food street doesn't appear luxurious or spacious, but just as you arrive at the entrance, a variety of aromas waft over, whetting your appetite.
"Xie Xie, which shop are you talking about? Hurry up, I can't wait any longer." The aroma in the wind whetted Tang Wulin's appetite, and he urged impatiently.
"Hehe, let's go eat at that braised beef restaurant first. They use generous portions and never skimp on the ingredients. I eat here often; it's especially delicious!"
Soon, Xie Xie led Gu Yue, Yu Chen, and Tang Wulin into a small, simply decorated but clean and tidy shop.
"Oh, it's Xie Xie. You've brought your friend to patronize my business this time."
Upon seeing an acquaintance arrive at the shop, a middle-aged man approached with a broad smile and greeted him warmly.
"That's right, Uncle Li. The usual."
Looking at the middle-aged man, Xie Xie smiled and spoke softly, showing no arrogance whatsoever.
Soon, Uncle Li brought four servings of braised beef, rice, and side dishes to the group.
As soon as the lid was lifted, a cloud of white steam billowed up, and the sizzling aroma of meat wafted straight into my nose like a little hook, instantly waking up all the cravings in my stomach.
The soup noodles swayed gently, and pieces of beef the size of dice were soaked in the thick, golden-brown broth, glistening with a dark golden sheen, as if glazed by the setting sun. Just looking at it made one's mouth water.
"I'm starting!"
Gazing at the delicious food before him, Tang Wulin, a self-proclaimed foodie, couldn't wait to pick up a piece and put it in his mouth. The next moment, a look of pure bliss appeared on his face:
"Wow, this is delicious! Xie Xie, you didn't lie this time! You've given us such great food, I really have to thank you, Xie Xie!"
"Hmm...of course."
Tang Wulin's repeated "thank you" to Xie Xie momentarily stunned him. After regaining his senses, Xie Xie eagerly began to eat his meal, picking up a piece of beef as he spoke.
Tang Wulin said speechlessly, "Your name is really bad. When people thank you, I can't hear which 'thank you' they mean."
Xie Xie suddenly gave a bitter smile, his eyes slightly red.
My mother named me this. She told me that the reason she gave me this name was...
After telling the story of his name, Xie Xie suddenly slumped onto the table, as if he had shed all pretense and was revealing his true feelings to others.
Tang Wulin gently patted Xie Xie's back. Gu Yue sat there somewhat blankly, looking at the crying Xie Xie, something gradually appearing in her eyes.
Looking at Xie Xie's current state, Yu Chen didn't offer any comfort. So many years had passed; Xie Xie didn't need anyone's comfort during this moment of sadness.
……
Sure enough, Xie Xie returned to normal after a short while.
"Hmm, haha, this braised beef in a pot is absolutely delicious. Brother Chen and Gu Yue, let's eat together."
Xie Xie's sadness quickly subsided, and he invited the two to enjoy the food.
"Okay, I'll try it too. Hmm, it tastes pretty good!"
As Gu Yue savored the beef in her mouth, she exclaimed in amazement, and Yu Chen was also amazed.
Although these foods provided Yu Chen with negligible amounts of energy, their taste was quite amazing compared to anything he had ever eaten.
However, Yu Chen did not overindulge. After satisfying his appetite, when Xie Xie wanted to order more food, he only symbolically ordered two more dishes and did not eat any more.
"Uncle Li, fifteen more servings, please!"
The four cans of beef were empty in the blink of an eye. Xie Xie wiped his mouth and called out to Uncle Li with practiced ease. Having shared a dorm room with Yu Chen and Tang Wulin for so long, he knew their appetites all too well. Although he didn't know why Yu Chen wasn't feeling well today, he was sure Tang Wulin could easily finish these cans of beef.
"Fifteen servings? Can all of you small guys fit them in?"
Uncle Li leaned out halfway, the rag in his hand suspended in mid-air, his face full of a "don't be silly" expression.
"Don't worry, Uncle Li, there are two big eaters sitting here."
Xie Xie patted the shoulders of the two people beside him, grinning from ear to ear.
"Alright, as long as you can eat your fill, I'll have enough to eat on my stove."
Uncle Li shook his head and happily went into the kitchen.
"Thanks, Xie Xie, you've gone to so much trouble."
Hearing Xie Xie's words, Tang Wulin scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly.
"It's nothing, just a small amount. Come on, keep eating."
Upon hearing this, Xie Xie laughed heartily and invited Tang Wulin to eat some side dishes.
"Braised Beef in a Pot is here!"
Soon, Uncle Li, with a kind and honest smile on his face, brought out a pot of stewed beef and placed it in front of the group.
As the four men left the clay pot beef restaurant, the other diners, seeing the clay pot on their table, also felt their appetites whetted and shouted to Old Li:
"Old Li, it seems your cooking skills have improved a lot. Those kids can actually eat so much. Give me two servings of beef stew in a clay pot."
"Haha, wow, kids these days can really eat!"
……