"Uh... Alright, thanks."
Long Ming looked at the meat bun in his hand. It felt too awkward to put it back, so he took a bite.
The meat bun was delicious. ’It’s been years since I’ve had buns from this place,’ he thought.
"Good, isn’t it?"
An Qing beamed at Long Ming.
"Yeah, it’s delicious."
"Then have a few more."
An Qing grabbed two more and stuffed them into Long Ming’s hands.
"Whoa... I don’t need this many. I won’t be able to finish them."
"Don’t be shy."
"Sigh... Alright."
Long Ming sighed. He was hungry anyway, so he stopped protesting.
Just then, Tang Yue handed him a cup of soy milk, smiling.
"Brother Long, have some soy milk to wash it down! It’s all-natural, too."
"Okay."
Long Ming took the soy milk and drank it all.
An Qing immediately handed over another meat bun.
"Have another one."
"No more, really!"
Long Ming hurriedly refused.
"Oh, come on, it’s the last one! It’d be a shame to throw it out."
"Aren’t you two eating?"
"We already ate before we came."
"Fine."
Long Ming found it hard to refuse their enthusiastic offer, so he took the bun and ate it.
After finishing four buns, he let out a small burp.
Just then, Xiaoqi and Cloud Fish ran over, calling out joyfully.
"Long Ming, we brought you breakfast!"
Long Ming froze. He turned to see Xiaoqi and Cloud Fish running toward him, carrying the exact same meat buns and soy milk.
"Hey, Xiaoqi."
An Qing greeted Xiaoqi with a wide smile.
The smile on Xiaoqi’s face vanished instantly, replaced by an angry glare at An Qing.
"An Qing, what are you doing here?"
"Nothing much. Just bringing Long Ming some breakfast, you know?"
An Qing then leaned against Long Ming, replying with an air of innocence.
"You... Get away from him."
Xiaoqi said, her face dark.
’She’s clearly trying to steal him away from me.’
"Alright, Long Ming, we’ll be going now."
An Qing bid Long Ming an intimate farewell, then left with Tang Yue.
Xiaoqi then turned to Long Ming, her gaze reproachful.
"Long Ming, you’re not going to let them lure you away, are you?"
"Uh, how could I be? I can’t be won over with a single breakfast. Don’t worry, I’m still with Group Five."
Long Ming explained helplessly.
"Is that so? Here’s the breakfast we brought you."
Xiaoqi held out the bag of buns to Long Ming.
Long Ming looked at the buns and felt a wave of awkwardness.
"Um, Xiaoqi... I’m already full."
"See? You say that, but I went to all this trouble to bring these, and you won’t even have a taste."
Xiaoqi looked at Long Ming, her expression full of grievance.
"Stop, stop. I’ll eat."
Long Ming relented, steeling himself.
"That’s great!"
Xiaoqi quickly began handing him the buns one by one.
Forcing himself, Long Ming ate three more. He felt like he was going to burst and quickly waved his hands.
"I can’t. I can’t eat another bite."
"Here, have some soy milk to wash it down."
Xiaoqi immediately handed him the soy milk.
Long Ming stared at the soy milk, dumbfounded.
Xiaoqi and Cloud Fish stared at him, their eyes full of hopeful expectation.
"I’ll drink it."
Long Ming forced it down.
Seeing him drink it, Xiaoqi said happily,
"Another bun?"
"No! I’m really full. I have to go back and rest."
Long Ming really couldn’t take it anymore. In one sitting, he’d eaten seven buns and drunk two cups of soy milk. He felt like his stomach was going to explode.
"I’ll walk with you."
Xiaoqi offered enthusiastically.
"No, it’s fine. I can get back by myself."
"Alright then. Take care on your way back."
Since Long Ming insisted, Xiaoqi didn’t press the issue.
Long Ming quickly turned and beat a retreat.
...
「A short while later.」
Long Ming walked out of the main entrance of the Star Wish Club, feeling like he was about to explode.
Just as he was about to leave, he noticed the sky had filled with dark clouds, and a light rain had begun to fall.
Long Ming stopped short. ’Of course it’s raining today, and I don’t have an umbrella. Just my luck.’
Long Ming let out a long breath and pulled up his hood.
Just as he was about to dash out into the rain, an umbrella suddenly appeared from behind, shielding his head.
Slightly taken aback, Long Ming turned to look.
It was Luoxue. She had changed into a light purple blouse and a blue skirt. Her silver hair was draped over her shoulders as she held an umbrella, stepping up beside him. She spoke calmly.
"It’s raining. Let me take you home."
"No, it’s alright. I can just take the subway."
Long Ming politely declined.
"Then I’ll take you to the subway entrance."
Luoxue’s gaze was calm as she looked at him.
"Alright."
Since Luoxue insisted, Long Ming didn’t protest further.
They walked on, neither of them speaking.
Then, Luoxue suddenly broke the silence.
"Long Ming, have you considered transferring to the Combat Group?"
"Let’s not. You know my health is poor. I can’t handle high-intensity combat."
Long Ming shook his head, gently refusing.
"Alright. And thank you for bringing back the nuclear fuel rod for me."
"It was nothing. Just doing my part."
Long Ming replied calmly.
"By the way, weren’t you curious why I wanted that fuel rod?"
The corners of Luoxue’s mouth lifted into a rare smile as she asked.
"Yes. You said before that it wasn’t about the money. Is the fuel rod a quest item for a safe box?"
Long Ming asked, confused.
"No."
Luoxue replied, shaking her head.
"Then what is it?"
His curiosity was piqued.
"You want to know?"
"Yes!"
"Then are you mentally prepared for it?"
Luoxue’s expression suddenly turned dead serious as she looked at him.
"Ah? Wait! Don’t tell me!"
Seeing how serious she was, Long Ming decisively shut it down.
’Some things don’t need to be said to be understood. Judging by the situation and Luoxue’s attitude... it confirms my suspicion.’
"Are you sure? If you want to know, I can make an exception and tell you."
"No, I really don’t want to hear it. Sometimes, the more you know, the more worries you have."
"You’re as sharp as ever."
Luoxue remarked lightly.
"Thanks for the compliment."
Long Ming gave a bitter smile.
They reached a parking area by the side of the road, where a stunning, dark-red supercar caught their eyes.
The entire car was built from carbon fiber, with the emblem of a griffin on its hood.
It was a supercar made by Ah Daoqi, with a starting price of 30 million Mountain Coins.
Luoxue pressed a button on her key fob, and the car door swung open.
But Long Ming remained where he was, not getting in.
"Aren’t you getting in?"
Luoxue asked, turning to look at him.
"I’d better not."
"Why not?"
"Well, I haven’t showered in three days. I’d get your car dirty."
Long Ming replied with a smile.
"I don’t mind."
Luoxue watched him, her expression calm.
Long Ming was silent for a few seconds. ’I know she doesn’t mind,’ he thought, ’but I should know my place. I can’t take her kindness for granted.’ He then refused again.
"Let’s just forget it. If I take a shortcut from here, I’ll be at the subway entrance in five minutes. Driving me would be a ten-minute detour for you. It’s too much trouble."