Chapter 82: The Uncle’s Insights on Love

Wuyou City was a leisurely little town, and when night fell, restaurants of all kinds along every street and alley would burst into lively activity. Over time, this had become a unique feature of the city, drawing in plenty of visitors from afar, eager to experience its famed evenings.

By the time Lin Huang and Leng Yuexin returned to Wuyou City, darkness had already descended. The restaurants were all open for business, many setting their tables out in the open air by the roadside. As the aromas of food wafted through the air and crowds flowed in and out of the bustling eateries, Lin Huang’s stomach began to protest. He then remembered that he’d only had a bit of breakfast the entire day.

Leng Yuexin, on the other hand, seemed a little overwhelmed by the surging crowds; she was rarely found in such thronged places.

“You must be hungry too. Let me treat you to some food,” Lin Huang offered, though it was really his own hunger that prompted him. Still, it felt wrong to eat alone and leave Leng Yuexin standing by.

“Ah?” Leng Yuexin hesitated. She had never eaten at these roadside stalls before.

“What would you like?” Lin Huang asked.

“I… anything is fine…” Leng Yuexin was embarrassed to refuse his kindness. Inwardly, she consoled herself that since Lin Huang was her savior, she could force herself to swallow even if the food didn’t suit her taste.

“Then I’ll order. Can you handle spicy food?” he asked.

“It’s fine,” Leng Yuexin nodded.

Lin Huang wasn’t all that familiar with the local cuisine, as the variety of ingredients in this world far surpassed those on Earth, and he had only tried the more common fare before. Many of the foods offered at these stalls were entirely new to him.

But when it came to eating, Lin Huang was no novice. He had traveled often and, apart from scouring the internet for food recommendations, had developed his own foolproof method: the busier a place was, the better the food.

He might not recognize every ingredient, but picking out the popular restaurant was easy enough.

“Let’s go to that one!”

After scanning the surroundings, Lin Huang spotted a place with a line out the door and pulled Leng Yuexin into the queue with him.

Leng Yuexin’s presence attracted some curious glances. Her attire was modest, yet her bearing was unmistakable—she was clearly not an ordinary girl.

After about ten minutes of waiting, it was finally their turn. The owner, a middle-aged man behind the counter, looked up and grinned at Lin Huang, “Young man, your girlfriend is very pretty!”

Leng Yuexin blushed, while Lin Huang quickly waved his hands, “Uncle, you’ve misunderstood. We’re just friends.”

The owner just laughed and didn’t press further. “What would you two like to eat?”

“Why don’t you recommend something?” Lin Huang replied. He knew that owners often pushed their specialties, hoping to turn first-timers into regulars.

“My portions are generous—two dishes and a soup will be plenty for you both,” the owner said, beaming. “My specialties are charcoal-grilled tenderloin, made from the loin of the Glacier Boar, and succulent roasted veal ribs, using the rib cage of a Minotaur. For soup, I’ll bring you a Twinvine Blossom broth—light and perfect to cut the richness.”

“Sounds good, let’s do that.” Lin Huang nodded in satisfaction.

“Can you both handle spicy food?” the owner asked again.

“Mild is fine,” Lin Huang replied at once.

“Alright, just find a seat. Your food will be ready soon.”

Spotting an empty table at the outdoor stall, Lin Huang led Leng Yuexin over.

Back in university, Lin Huang often spent summer nights at roadside stalls with his roommates, grilling skewers and drinking beer. Later, as work and social engagements increased, he rarely visited such places anymore.

These small open-air eateries in Wuyou City stirred a wave of nostalgia in him, making him miss the simple life he once had on Earth.

Leng Yuexin sat across from him, noticing Lin Huang staring blankly at the tabletop. Feeling the awkward silence, she took the initiative to speak, “Do you come to places like this often?”

“No, this is my first time here,” Lin Huang replied, startled, then smiled. “There was a similar street in my hometown, but I haven’t been in ages.”

“Oh…” Leng Yuexin nodded, unsure how to continue the conversation.

“Have you never been to this sort of food street before?” Lin Huang could tell she was a little out of place here.

“No,” she shook her head, quickly adding, “My family wouldn’t allow it.”

Only then did Lin Huang remember—she was a noble. He didn’t know much about nobles, but imagined them rather like European aristocrats, raised with strict etiquette and forbidden from eating at roadside stalls.

Not wanting to probe further into her family affairs, Lin Huang changed the subject, “What exactly was that creature underground?”

“That was a Nether Orchid Wraith, an undying entity from the Abyss of the Severed Realm. Over a hundred years ago, a transcendent from my family sealed it in the Forest of Forgetfulness, hoping a descendant would eventually slay it, ignite their Life Flame, and ascend to the transcendent rank. I came here for that purpose. But when I descended, I found it had undergone a second mutation—its combat ability hadn’t increased, but its overall power was at least ten times stronger than a century ago. If not for you, I would’ve died down there.” Leng Yuexin recounted the origins of the subterranean monster.

“Was Li Yanxing the helper you invited?” Lin Huang asked.

“No, I was traveling alone and met them by chance. The Li family has close ties with mine, and he knew about my mission to slay the wraith for advancement. He offered to help, and seeing that he was strong and seemed decent, I agreed. I never expected him to be such a despicable person!” Leng Yuexin gritted her teeth as she spoke of Li Yanxing.

But Lin Huang found the story of her chance encounter with Li Yanxing rather suspicious.

Just then, the waiter brought their food, halting the conversation.

Lin Huang had eaten many delicacies, but the owner’s two signature dishes nearly made him swallow his own tongue. The flavors of this otherworldly cuisine, with its unique ingredients, far surpassed most of what Earth had to offer, and the chef’s skills were exceptional.

Even Leng Yuexin, who had initially been reluctant to eat at a roadside stall, couldn’t stop herself. Her taste buds made it clear—there was no resisting such delicious food.

After cleaning all three large bowls, Leng Yuexin wiped her mouth and couldn’t help but sigh, “I’ve never eaten at a small place like this before, but it’s truly delicious. Thank you.”

“If there’s another chance, I’ll treat you to something else,” Lin Huang replied with a smile.

“I’ll be leaving soon—my family is sending someone to pick me up. You’ll be leaving soon too, won’t you?” Leng Yuexin asked.

“I’m heading out first thing tomorrow. If I don’t go back, my sister will start to worry,” Lin Huang said with a wry smile.

“Oh…” Leng Yuexin fell silent for a moment, then spoke again, “There’s something I’m not sure if I should ask.”

“Go ahead, I’ll answer as best I can.” Lin Huang nodded, already preparing several explanations in his mind.

“I want to know—why did you save me?” Leng Yuexin finally voiced the question.

She had many doubts about Lin Huang: why was he in the underground cavern to begin with? What kind of miraculous methods had twice pulled her back from the brink of death? She could tell the Lin Huang in the cave wasn’t some duplicate—so how did he get out?

“Maybe I just found you agreeable,” Lin Huang lied offhand, unable to admit that he was compelled to act by the activation of a mission card.

“That’s all?” Leng Yuexin seemed dissatisfied with the answer.

“That’s all. I found you agreeable, so I helped you,” Lin Huang replied seriously.

“Alright, I’ll accept that answer—for now,” Leng Yuexin said, sensing he was still withholding something, but she didn’t press further. Glancing at the time projected by her Emperor’s Heart Ring, she stood up. “It’s about time. I should go.”

“Alright, let’s have a meal together again sometime,” Lin Huang stood as well.

“I’ll send your spoils to you. Goodbye!” Leng Yuexin turned and left without hesitation.

Lin Huang watched her go, then signaled the owner, “Check, please!”

The owner came over with a grin. “What’s this, young man? Things didn’t work out? Let me tell you, men should be persistent when it comes to women. When you’re my age, you’ll know—such stunning beauties are rare in a lifetime. When you find one, you can’t let her go so easily! Go after her, there’s still time to make it right. And next time, take her to a fancier place…”

“Uncle, we really are just friends…” Lin Huang paid quickly and beat a hasty retreat.

“A good girl like that, and they part so easily. Young people these days, I just don’t understand them…” the middle-aged owner sighed as he watched Lin Huang leave.