CHAPTER 21
Such a precious weekend was wasted.
The task of returning the cat to its home was completed, but instead of receiving the reward, I was implicated and made a guinea pig.
The old man with the hoarse voice made promises and painted a picture of a bright future, but his plans were interrupted by a decree from Her Majesty the Queen.
He had suffered and endured hardship, but received no benefit whatsoever. Sheng Qing was on the verge of tears.
Huh? A foul odor wafted over, and Sheng Qing sniffed.
Oh, the source was myself. After soaking in that weird solution for a whole day, it's no wonder I smelled bad.
But after her ears turned red for only a short while, Sheng Qing naturally convinced herself and dragged her tired body into the crowded throng.
"Boss, cut it from here, yes, add a little more." Sheng Qing stood in front of a pork stall, gesturing laboriously.
"Girl, you can eat so much?" The boss moved the knife a little to the right. "I, Old Zhu, have a great reputation in this business, but you still have to buy fresh meat."
Why are you bragging?
Sheng Qing forced a smile, took the chopped pork pieces, and paid promptly. Following the vendor's recommendation, she bought some potatoes and seasonings from the vegetable stall next door before heading back.
Back home, Sheng Qing went straight to the kitchen. She quickly washed the meat and potatoes, then put them all into the stew pot. On a whim, she added some seasonings that she didn't recognize but smelled quite good.
Once the lid is closed and the heat is turned on, it's simmering happily.
Judging that it would be quite a while before the stew was ready, Sheng Qing decided to wash up first before enjoying it.
I glanced out the window and saw that the sun was already setting; I had barely managed to catch the tail end of the weekend.
With high hopes in mind, Sheng finished her shower, dried her hair, changed into clean and tidy home clothes, and sprawled out on the sofa in a relaxed, sprawling manner.
What's that smell? It's like something's burning.
Oh no! I forgot there was something simmering in the pot!
Sheng Qing rushed into the kitchen and turned off the stove with lightning speed.
Oh no! All that hard work I put into stewing this meat! Sheng Qing cried, mixing in the parts that hadn't yet burned at the bottom and scooping out the parts that looked untouched.
I dipped some in with my chopsticks and tasted it. It didn't taste burnt, but the flavor was a bit strange.
Sheng Qing's gaze fell on the empty bag of seasonings she had added on a whim. It seemed, perhaps, maybe she had added a little too much.
Kitchen novices should avoid impulsive ideas, especially those who are truly clumsy in the kitchen.
I forced myself to take another bite of potato, but it was just too hard to swallow. Okay, today's culinary showcase: I've been promoted to the fried kitchen team.
Sheng Qing reluctantly threw away the defective products and opened all the windows to air out the smell.
Before the aroma had even dissipated, the fragrance of food, seemingly from nowhere, wafted in, and my stomach growled twice, much to my dismay.
I wish I could freeload a meal there.
Sheng Qing stood on the balcony, tiptoeing to look in the direction from which the fragrance was coming.
The lights in the living room of the next suite came on, and the host, who had set out the prepared food, was turning to go to the kitchen.
Why does this figure look so familiar?
Sheng Qing blinked, leaned out from behind the balcony railing, and tried to get a better look.
The host turned off the kitchen lights and came out carrying a clean set of bowls and chopsticks.
Meng Yunxi? What's he doing here?
Sheng Qing's eyes widened, and she gasped softly, accidentally bumping her arm into the flowerpot next to her.
"Bang!" The flowerpot fell off the wooden railing and was about to hit a passerby below.
In a flash, Sheng Qing summoned the power of the wood element, and a branch quickly extended to steadily support the flowerpot, slowly returning it to his hand.
Sheng Qing patted his chest, thank goodness.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a neighbor on the next balcony who had come out to watch the little accident.
"I'm sorry~" Sheng Qing apologized sincerely with a smile.
"What are you doing?" a questioning voice came from behind.
It was so embarrassing that she didn't dare to turn around. Sheng Qing stiffly waved her hand to indicate that everything was alright, and then tried to hide inside the house.
"Sheng Qing." The other person called out her name accurately.
Sheng Qing paused with one foot already halfway into the room, then her smile returned.
"What a coincidence, Captain."
My stomach rumbled in protest, much to my dismay.
"I absolutely did not mean to go to your house for a free meal!" Sheng Qing retorted, glancing up as if she saw a hint of a smile flash across Meng Yunxi's eyes, but it was quickly covered by indifference.
"Want to eat together?"
"Really?" Sheng Qing wanted to decline, but before the other party could answer, she blurted out, "Thank you, Captain, I'll be right there."
It can be said that fate played a trick on the greedy pig, and he got it without any effort at all.
Sheng Qing ran to the kitchen and grabbed a clean set of bowls and chopsticks, making sure everything was ready.
Just before leaving, he remembered that he could give the bracelet to Meng Yunxi to take with him, so he could use it as an opportunity to present it to her.
"I thought you changed your mind and weren't coming?" Sheng Qing pushed open the half-closed door, about to bump into Meng Yunxi standing behind it. She steadied herself and barely avoided him.
"How could that be? This is a dinner that you, Captain, have prepared with great care." Not knowing what to say, it's always best to start by flattering him.
"It looks, smells, and tastes amazing! Captain, you're truly amazing!" Sheng Qing stubbornly gave Meng Yunxi a thumbs-up while holding the bowl and chopsticks.
"Call me by my name outside of work hours," Meng Yunxi said calmly as she sat down at the table after closing the door.
"Thank you, Meng Yunxi... Brother?" Sheng Qing tentatively added a word to express affection.
"Hmm," Meng Yunxi replied coldly.
It's so cheesy, when calling someone "captain" sounds so natural.
Seeing that a set of bowls and chopsticks had been prepared at the empty seat opposite Meng Yunxi, Sheng Qing casually put down the set he had brought.
Sheng Qing's stomach felt like it had been parched for a long time and then received sweet rain.
Meng Yunxi is very considerate when it comes to meals, something Sheng Qing had already experienced, and this time was no exception.
The indifferent tone, coupled with Zhou Dao's constant adding of food and rice, created a strange feeling that momentarily stunned Sheng Qing.
Meng Yunxi, who had put down her chopsticks early, seemed to be getting a little bored while waiting. Her gaze first fell on Sheng Qing, who was focused on eating, then shifted to look at the scenery outside the window, then returned to the food on the table that was almost empty, and finally looked at Sheng Qing again.
"Did I eat too much?" Noticing Meng Yunxi's scrutinizing gaze, Sheng Qing reluctantly put down her chopsticks and asked somewhat embarrassedly.
Meng Yunxi looked slightly embarrassed and coughed lightly, saying, "No."
"Can I eat a little longer?" Sheng Qing asked, picking up his chopsticks again only after Meng Yunxi nodded in approval.
Keep in mind that she hadn't had a proper meal for a whole day and night, and that was while she was eating in secret.
Perfectly implement the "Clean Plate Campaign".
Sheng Qing offered to clean it up, but Meng Yunxi refused, saying she was afraid Sheng Qing wouldn't be able to clean it properly.
Fortunately, he was rejected. He hated washing dishes and cleaning more than anything in his life. Sheng Qing was secretly pleased.
Having eaten and drunk my fill, I really wanted to lie on the sofa and rest for a while. But leaving now would be too inconsiderate, even for someone as oblivious as Sheng Qing.
Sheng Qing stood guard at the kitchen door, watching Meng Yunxi busy himself, his gaze fixed on his slender, well-defined fingers.
These hands are such a waste to use for washing dishes; they should be used to play the piano and become an outstanding musician.
"Can you play the piano?" This question seems familiar.
After neatly arranging the washed dishes and chopsticks, Meng Yunxi used a clean towel to dry the excess water from her hands.
"What?" Meng Yunxi looked at her with a puzzled expression. "What piano?"
So that's not how it works. Sheng Qing looked regretful.
Meng Yunxi frowned almost imperceptibly.
“A musical instrument.” Sheng Qing gestured with his hands as if playing the piano, his expression sincere. “Has no one ever complimented you on how long and nimble your fingers are? They’re really perfect for playing the piano.”
Meng Yunxi's expression suddenly became somewhat strange, and Zhengzheng looked at Sheng Qing.
"Am I talking too much?" Sheng Qing's voice became sticky as he sensed the unusual atmosphere.
Meng Yunxi's gaze seemed to carry warmth, and Sheng Qing inexplicably felt hot all over, her heartbeat becoming restless.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Sheng Qing felt like she couldn't quite get her tongue out. "Did I say something wrong?"
Meng Yunxi's gaze remained fixed on Sheng Qing, and as if she had made a decision, she slowly moved closer to Sheng Qing.
What is he going to do? Did I say something I shouldn't have?
Sheng Qing stared blankly at Meng Yunxi, who was getting closer and closer, her eyes filled with panic. She couldn't help but take a half step back.
"Bang!" It slammed against the kitchen door.
It startled the person awake from their dream.
"Are you alright?" Meng Yunxi gently helped Sheng Qing up.
"Her Majesty the Queen asked me to give this to you." Sheng Qing suddenly remembered that she hadn't given the bracelet to Meng Yunxi yet.
"I'm going back." Sheng Qing fled in panic.
Why is Meng Yunxi acting so strangely?
Of course, my own performance wasn't much better either.
Sheng Qing glanced at the closed door, confirming that she was back in her own house.
Oh no, I forgot to bring back the bowl and chopsticks I took with me!
Forget it, now is clearly not the right time to go there.
As for the reason, Sheng Qing himself couldn't figure it out.
A meow pulled Sheng Qing back to reality. The lights came on, and the familiar, snow-white cat came into view.
"Bubu?" she called tentatively.
Huh? Is it a problem with the lighting? Sheng Qing looked up at the bright incandescent light.
No, it's the cat's problem.
The cat's snow-white fur began to turn strangely reddish, the color gradually deepening until it became a vibrant red.
The lights flickered for no apparent reason, and a chilling, clearly malicious gaze swept over me.
In the blink of an eye, the red-haired cat transformed into human form. Its red hair and red clothes moved without wind, and a familiar face appeared.
"Blake?" Sheng Qing called out warily.
Suddenly, an invisible force lifted Sheng Qing up and slammed him heavily against the wall.
With a muffled thud, the unsuspecting Sheng Qing was hit so hard that she saw stars and her body went limp as she slid down the wall.
"Do not look directly at it." A cold voice rang in her mind, and Sheng Qing involuntarily thought of the powerful and sharp gaze sweeping through the depths of her consciousness.
"Open it!" The red-haired boy with Blake's face slowly lifted it up with his hands clasped together.
At the same time, Sheng Qing's neck was gripped by an invisible force, and he slowly rose against the wall until the red-haired boy stopped moving his hands.
"I don't know what you're talking about?" Unable to speak with her throat being tightly gripped, Sheng Qing asked with her eyes.
The grip on her neck tightened, and Sheng Qing's face flushed red from lack of oxygen.
"Blake, stop!" I felt like I couldn't breathe.
"Hmph!" The red-haired boy finally spoke up, "Don't lump me in with him, you useless fellow."
"Who are you?" Sheng Qing tried to open a gap in his sea of consciousness.
“Reid.” The red-haired boy revealed a cruel smile, then suddenly released his grip, and Sheng Qing fell heavily to the ground.
"very good."
The red-haired boy named Reid gently waved his hand, and his aura seemed to be summoned and quickly gathered at his fingertips.
Reed brought his fingertips close to his nose and sniffed them lightly, a look of disdain on his face.
"Not rich enough, what a waste of time." With that nonsensical remark, Reed transformed back into his cat form and darted out the window, disappearing into the dark night.
A gust of cold wind blew by, and as if waking from a dream, Sheng Qing realized that his whole body was soaked in cold sweat.
"I didn't hear anything," Meng Yunxi said calmly.
Sheng Qing was very puzzled. How could he not have heard anything during such a commotion last night?
Am I hallucinating?
"What happened?" Meng Yunxi pressed.
"It's nothing." Sheng Qing shook his head absentmindedly, turned around and jumped onto the strange spaceship, sitting behind Qin Feiyan.
Qin Feiyu grumbled as she reluctantly jumped off the spaceship and boarded with another team member.
Team Zero, consisting of thirteen members, was ready to proceed to explore a secret realm at a designated location, as instructed by Her Majesty the Queen.
Even before the order was given, the old man with the hoarse voice arrived. No one knew where he had found out about Sheng Qing's situation, but he had been waiting for him at the training ground since early morning.
Before he knew it, Sheng Qing was tricked into sharing a bit of his aura as experimental material, witnessed by Meng Yunxi.
What happened to the promised feast? Instead, we're heading to a perilous secret realm.
So the old man with the hoarse voice reluctantly parted with one of the test subjects and made him available for everyone to use.
Yes, it's that strange spaceship. It's certainly much more stylish than walking or riding in a carriage.
Never mind, we'll talk about everything after we finish exploring the secret realm.
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