"Boss, the bill!"
"Coming right up, Sister Tong."
There were several food stalls in the South District, but Yan Huan had rarely eaten at any of them, only occasionally passing by their entrances.
As a result, he felt that not only were their specialties similar, but even the bosses standing at the doors—wearing aprons, cigarettes dangling from their lips, and squinting as they stir-fried—seed to have been mass-produced from the sa wholesaler.
Only an experienced "South District Expert" could find the rare, delicious, and affordable SSR-tier gems among these identical-looking stalls.
Clearly, Tong Yingying was one of those experts.
This was the unanimous conclusion Yan Huan and An Le reached after tasting the dishes.
At this mont, the boss's muffled response acknowledging the bill struggled to pierce through the steaming heat of the woks and the noise of the old exhaust fans.
By the ti it reached Yan Huan's ears, it was as weak as the nearly dried drops of alcohol in the haphazardly scattered beer bottles on their table.
"Sister my foot, you're making
sound old,"
Tong Yingying had apparently heard it clearly. While complaining about the middle-aged man using the sa form of address as Yan Huan, she lightly pushed her thumb, effortlessly popping the cap off a beer bottle.
"Pop!"
Air rushed into the previously sealed bottle, and the silvery-white beer foam surged up like a cresting wave of silver upon a golden sea.
What wafted over was not the extravagant scent of precious tals, but the sll of alcohol mingled with the aroma of craft malt.
That was also precisely the scent of the night breeze in Linn's South District.
"."
Stare...
Holding the beer bottle, Tong Yingying looked helplessly at Yan Huan and An Le beside her...
Of course, she was mainly looking at Yan Huan.
"What? This is beer, alright? What's the difference between this and water?"
Showing absolutely no signs of intoxication, Tong Yingying simply poured the beer into her glass, defending her actions.
Just earlier, the three of them had spent a long ti discussing the "Modifier subjugation plan." Seeing that it was getting late and there was no ti to cook, they simply ca out to find food.
Tong Yingying's plan to beco a teacher had not even taken its first step. Yan Huan had not even had the chance to ask for details about her discussions with Teacher Lin Wanwan before his mouth was stuffed with delicious food.
Just like now, where he was left speechless by Tong Yingying's claim that "beer is water."
Hearing this, Yan Huan raised his eyebrows, not denying her logic.
Compared to Tong Yingying's previous style of drinking like the god of wine had possessed her, today was indeed considered mild and refreshing.
"But Sister Tong, the food here is actually pretty good, and you're so familiar with the boss. How co I've never heard you ntion it in all the ti I've been working for you?"
Beside them, An Le took small sips of her soy milk without making a sound, quietly absorbing any information regarding Yan Huan's part-ti job at Tong Yingying's place.
"Because I hadn't been here for a long ti even before you started working for , alright?"
Resting her chin on her hand, Tong Yingying looked at the bustling food stalls around them and said helplessly,
"In the past, my godmother used to bring
and Sakayori Mina all the way here to the South District for late-night snacks. She knew what the specialties of my hotown were and specifically brought
here."
"Your godmother?"
"Yeah. An old lady who was exceptionally good to ..."
Yan Huan glanced at Tong Yingying and asked calmly,
"Sister Tong, how did you et your godmother?"
If it were the past, whenever her history was brought up, Tong Yingying would usually laugh it off and gloss over it without saying a word.
That was why, until now, Yan Huan could only deduce Tong Yingying's past from the sparse clues found in her fragnted words.
Although the information he had gathered so far was enough for him to piece together a complete tiline.
For instance: Sister Tong's previous decadent state, her wealth, her mysterious faction, the maid nad Nara, her trip to Tokyo to hunt down a culprit...
But no matter how many clues there were, it obviously could not compare to her speaking about it personally...
Yet he did not expect that today, after drinking so low-alcohol beer, Tong Yingying would unexpectedly have a stronger desire to talk than ever before...
It was as if these few bottles of craft beer were even more intoxicating than high-proof spirits.
Tong Yingying's eyes lost focus as she took a sip straight from the bottle, speaking with casual indifference,
"Back when your Sister Tong was still in the country, my dad heavily favored sons over daughters. Every day he saw , his hands would itch to hit . And my mom just acted like his enabler.
"In a perfectly fine ho, my dad spent all day treating
like his boxing opponent. When he was done, my mom would step in for the post-match chanting and salvation prayers...
"Wouldn't that drive anyone crazy?"
Tong Yingying scoffed, took another sip of beer, and shook her head.
"So right after the Gaokao, I exhausted all my strength to run away from that shithole and ca to Linn to study.
"My dad was against it from the start. My mom begged everyone just to squeeze out enough living expenses for
to eat one al a day every month. They were clearly trying to force
to go back.
"Moving forward, everything in Linn was expensive; without money, it was truly difficult to take a single step. But retreating? I was holding onto my pride and refused to go back to my country with my tail tucked between my legs...
"I just stubbornly pushed through day by day. It made studying here feel like wilderness survival. I was practically one step away from gnawing on tree bark.
"Fortunately, I had good luck and t an old lady who sent people to collect debts..."
Soon after, Tong Yingying glanced at the lively food stall she had not visited in a long ti and explained,
"At that ti, she found out where my hotown was and brought
all this way late at night to eat supper.
"The first ti I ate here, I nearly burst into tears... It's just a pity that I haven't been back to eat since she left."
Yan Huan followed her gaze, observing everything about the food stall. After a few seconds of silence, he said,
"Sister Tong, the reason you previously cooped yourself up in the bar in the South District was because of your godmother, right?"
"You could say that..."
However, after that brief look, Tong Yingying did not show any sadness on her face. Instead, she offered a free-spirited smile.
She poured the remaining beer from her bottle into her glass, but instead of drinking it, she tipped the beer onto the ground by the street.
Watching the alcohol spread out like a spiderweb across the uneven pavent, she could not help but murmur,
"No matter what, the animal that Sakayori Mina and I hunted for so long was blown up in Kyoto by your fireworks, along with his old patron...
"Now Sakayori Mina won't be returning. She's passed the Sakuramiya family's screening and intends to stay by that delicate Eldest Miss's side.
"I don't plan on going back either, but I still need to start a new life..."
As she spoke, she raised her eyes to look at Yan Huan and An Le beside him.
"For example, helping you deal with those Hosts of whatever Modifiers to save the world?"
Looking at Tong Yingying, Yan Huan handed her an unopened cup of soy milk left on the table and smiled,
"It would be even better if you could quit smoking and drinking along the way."
"Yeah, yeah, I'm working on it..."
With a flick of her finger, Tong Yingying popped the seal off the soy milk as easily as if it were a toy.
Just then, the boss ca over with the bill. Tong Yingying slapped a few bills on the table, then turned to leave.
"Let's go, retreat!"
Yan Huan glanced back at An Le. Seeing that they were leaving, she quickly chugged the rest of her soy milk in a few mouthfuls, as if unwilling to let it go to waste.
Afterward, she wiped her mouth and left the shop under Tong Yingying's watchful gaze.
"Alright, it's getting late..."
Outside, in the neon-illuminated city, a few honks faintly flashed by. Tong Yingying stretched lazily before looking at An Le with a scrutinizing gaze.
Sensing Tong Yingying's gaze, An Le imdiately offered a slight smile and said considerately,
"Then I'll head back first. Um... Xiao Huan, Sister Tong, see you later."
"Oh, you're quite sensible. Knowing to call
'Sister' now?"
Tong Yingying clearly loved hearing that.
Seeing how sensible An Le was, without a single out-of-line action from start to finish, Tong Yingying finally lowered her guard against her slightly.
She turned back to Yan Huan. It seed the evening breeze had sobered her up a little, and as she recalled her previous heart-to-heart confession, she could not help but feel a little embarrassed.
"Alright then... you should head back and rest early too. There's school tomorrow..."
Yan Huan watched An Le leave, his heartbeat seemingly stuttering slightly.
He had not forgotten that An Le had co to the South District today specifically to see him.
But before they could even spend a mont alone, they had been interrupted by Tong Yingying.
It was just that it was difficult for him to ask An Le to stay right now. Even if he spoke up, Tong Yingying probably would not let it slide easily.
Hiss...
This was only the beginning, yet the potential pain of trying to juggle multiple boats was already showing its clues.
It seed to be a warning to Yan Huan: this was only the beginning; he was in for a rough ti ahead.
But Yan Huan had already made his choice. After all, he could not bear to part with either Spencer or An Le, so naturally, he could not regret it now.
'So, I'll just invite An Le over to my place alone next ti to make up for it.'
Thinking this, Yan Huan nodded in agreent,
"Alright, Sister Tong." And with that, the three of them parted ways at the entrance of the food stall.
On the way back, as Yan Huan took a walk to digest his food, he considered the specific asures to take.
"Starting with Bai Yi and Ye Shiyu sounds simple enough, but figuring out exactly what to do is genuinely a headache..."
Hearing this, Myau-chan manifested on his shoulder and pondered,
"Why not find sothing for them to do, ow? If they get busy, they won't have the energy to overthink and ss around."
"Hmm... but I'd also have to keep an eye on them to ensure they don't use their Modifiers in the process..."
As he walked, a sudden flash of inspiration hit Yan Huan, giving him an idea.
"That's right, isn't the Spring Culture Festival coming up soon? At that ti, every class will organize corresponding activities, and parents will also co to visit.
"Maybe that's a good opportunity..."
However, Myau-chan was not following Yan Huan's train of thought. Instead, it suddenly raised its paw pads and patted Yan Huan's cheek.
His thoughts interrupted by Myau-chan's paw pads, Yan Huan looked up...
Only to see An Le standing quietly at the bottom of his apartnt building, just like she had been this afternoon. It even gave Yan Huan the illusion that she had "respawned."
If it were not for the tangible scent of her body wafting over on the night breeze, Yan Huan really would have suspected the person in front of him was just an illusion.
"An Le? Didn't... didn't you leave?"
Yan Huan quickly stepped forward, approaching An Le.
Hearing this, An Le's face beca slightly flushed, looking extrely embarrassed.
However, above the embarrassnt in her eyes, a sly gleam was remarkably conspicuous.
"I... I tricked Sister Tong. I saw her walk far away, so I didn't go to the station. Instead, I circled back!"
'So cunning?'
'She even knows how to pull a surprise counterattack?'
On his shoulder, Myau-chan was deeply shocked.
"I see..."
Yan Huan was equally astonished, simply staring straight at her charming face, which looked like a little pink flower in the darkness.
He studied her for a long ti before he managed to tear his gaze away with difficulty, rembering to move his feet and lead her upstairs.
With a slightly flushed face, An Le followed beside Yan Huan up the stairs. In her eyes, there was a faint hint of anticipation and joy.
However, as they walked, Yan Huan could not help but ask,
"It's so late. Won't your parents ask questions? Should you first..."
"No need! Before I ca over this afternoon, my mom and dad already said they won't be coming ho tonight."
An Le waved her hand to show it was completely fine, but Yan Huan stopped in his tracks and frowned.
"They're not even coming ho?"
"Mhm..."
An Le pursed her lips and said understandingly,
"Mom is an older mother, so she needs a lot more care. Right now, both of their hearts and minds are entirely focused on that younger sibling, so for the ti being..."
Listening to her words, Yan Huan suddenly felt a pang of guilt.
Guilt over not taking the initiative to ask her to stay earlier, even if it ant secretly texting her on Plane behind Tong Yingying's back.
"An Le..."
But perhaps because they were childhood sweethearts, they possessed an almost innate mutual understanding.
Therefore, the mont Yan Huan just barely opened his mouth, An Le knew what he was going to say. She hastily waved her hands,
"There's no need to apologize. I... I understand."
Hearing this, Yan Huan could not help but chuckle helplessly,
"What exactly does that little brain of yours understand this ti?"
"Just... I know that what's going on with Xiao Huan can't be exposed."
An Le pursed her lips. She rubbed the ring on her hand and gently explained,
"If we're exposed, the other Hosts might suspect that we're secretly cooperating. It would increase the risk of exposing the fact that Xiao Huan knows about the Modifiers.
"Moreover, if I stand by Xiao Huan's side having cast off the status of childhood sweethearts to step into sothing further, I'm afraid it would only cause a lot of trouble for you, right?
"So..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Yan Huan turned around with a frown and pulled An Le into his arms.
He gradually held her soft body tightly, pressing against her so seamlessly that it seed impossible for them to be separated.
"That's not true, An Le..."
Feeling her body filled by his warm embrace, An Le blinked and revealed a blissful smile.
She held Yan Huan tightly in return, asking softly near his neck,
"The thing Xiao Huan told
before... about how I should say whatever thoughts I have out loud. Does that still count?"
"Of course. Why do you ask?"
"I'm not doubting Xiao Huan. It's just... I really want Xiao Huan to agree to this..."
As she spoke, An Le nervously loosened her hold on Yan Huan slightly.
She raised her head, gently reaching up to cup Yan Huan's cheeks, and said in a small voice,
"Even if we can't expose ourselves in public for this reason or that, at least here...
"Here, where it's just Xiao Huan and , can we stop hiding things completely?"
As she spoke, her face turned bright red again. Her eyes darted away evasively as she released Yan Huan's cheeks.
"So... from now on, can I often sneak over privately to... spend ti alone with Xiao Huan?"
Yan Huan's pupils contracted slightly, and even his throat felt as if a storm was surging inside, making it difficult to suppress his emotions.
However, looking at the girl in his arms—her eyes shimring with moisture, resembling a little deer offering herself up to be slaughtered—that urge to bully her crept back into his heart little by little.
He fought hard to suppress the impulse to bully, break, and make her cry just because she was too adorable. He forcefully bit down on a strand of hair by her temple and asked in a low voice,
"Just spending ti alone, without doing anything else?"
His scorching breath, like the exhalation of a lion, brushed against her earlobe, causing her eyelashes to tremble wildly.
But she was truly as soft as a marshmallow. Even when Yan Huan was deliberately acting wicked and bullying her, she could only follow his lead and respond,
"Eh? Then... mhm... Doing nothing is fine too... As long as I'm alone with Xiao Huan..."
That stubbornness she forced out after being bullied made Yan Huan unable to hold back. He gently let go of her hair and leaned his head down.
An Le's eyes contracted slightly, but she did not resist in the slightest. She rely tilted her head back subconsciously, leaving herself at his rcy.
"Mmph..."
"Are we really doing nothing, An Le?"
Yan Huan's deep voice was like a lethal poison, or perhaps sweet frosting?
Her eyes misty, An Le could not tell the difference for a mont.
It was only after a long internal struggle that she seed to give up resisting completely. Covering her flushed red face with her fingers, she spoke in a soft, sticky voice,
"...Do... doing a little bit... is also okay..."
"!!"
"Ah, ah, Xiao... Xiao Huan—mmph!"
However, the second after she spoke, she was suddenly scooped up by the waist by a completely out-of-control Yan Huan. Her entire body clung to him, like a small boat adrift in a violent storm...
Looking ahead, Yan Huan's expression was dark, blue veins bulging all over his body. He was already like an arrow on a drawn bowstring—he had no choice but to fire.
Gripping his keys tightly, he trembled as he opened the door, almost as if he were going to snap the key in half. Then, carrying an overwhelming dark aura, he charged into the rental apartnt, pulling the door shut behind him.
They left behind a black cat and a white snake sitting upright by the door, resembling an honest deity and an honest Modifier blocked by a browser's adult content warning.
Myau-chan licked its paw pads, all while quietly and vigilantly eyeing Little Finger beside it...
It was as if it feared that Little Finger would take advantage of Yan Huan and An Le's absence to deceive or launch a sneak attack against an old deity comrade like itself.
However, Little Finger rely flicked its tongue, genuinely having no ti to pay attention to the cat.
"Creak..."
Because in the very next second, the faint sound of cheap wooden boards shaking ca from inside.
"."
It seed that the broken bed in Yan Huan's rental apartnt really needed to be replaced.
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