Chapter 705: Chapter 707: Cooperative Canteen
Nian Shutong’s proposal naturally greatly appealed to Bald Master Fu. He was now collaborating with the school, meaning that his supply channel was shared with the school. He just had to pay the school for the goods, and everything after that belonged completely to him.
Because their skills were pretty decent, but the patrons were still few, mainly due to the limited variety of ingredients.
Each cafeteria mainly served seafood, but the seafood there was cheap, giving their small cafeteria no real advantage.
“Xiao Nian, are you sure you want to partner with me? Your supply channel, wherever you go, gets top-notch treatment, right?”
“I know, but I like it here.”
Nian Shutong was someone who would act as soon as she had an idea. She genuinely enjoyed the atmosphere here and felt as if she was working on her mental state.
Her cultivation had not improved for quite some time. Although the demand for spiritual energy and poison had increased, she wouldn’t get far if her mental state couldn’t keep up. In her past life, she probably failed because of that aspect.
In her last life, she didn’t temper her heart in the mortal world. This time, she decided to live amidst the ordinary world and had fortunately found a place where she felt at ease. She wanted to give it a try.
“Great!”
Bald Master Fu slapped the table forcefully and picked up the jug from the floor, pouring the wine with a gurgle.
“Come on, let’s drink to this! We’re not doing business today; we’re going to refurbish!”
“Bring it on, I just love drinking!”
Nian Shutong filled a bowl for herself and with a clink of her bowl against Bald Master Fu’s, she drank it all in one go.
And the whole cafeteria really did close, hanging a ‘Closed for Refurbishment’ sign outside. This left some students who wanted to come eat puzzled—why refurbish when it was all okay?
And that student who had reported them, Qiu Cheng, was secretly thrilled. They were closed, and it served them right.
He was not only quietly pleased, but also pretended to be a student in the know, starting to spread some gossip.
Soon, many students who were accustomed to eating here learned one thing: the cafeteria was closed for restructuring because of embezzlement.
However, some students weren’t so convinced. What is there to embezzle in a self-contracted cafeteria? Isn’t it all their own money?
Obviously, Qiu Cheng didn’t realize that the cafeteria was under Bald Master Fu’s own contract. He thought it was all the school’s.
Otherwise, why would they let students in to earn academic credits?
Regardless, after a meal, Nian Shutong and Bald Master Fu had a long private conversation. By the time they were done, it had already turned dark outside.
Looking at the darkened sky, Nian Shutong suddenly remembered that she had forgotten to tell Fu Yunhe.
“Xiao Nian, I’ll get started on this tomorrow. I estimate that it’ll take three days to finish.”
“Good, my vegetables will definitely arrive on time on the third day.”
After making their agreement, Nian Shutong walked out through the back door and looked up at the pitch-black sky, unable to see even a sliver of moonlight.
“Come out.”
Speaking, Nian Shutong walked slowly forward as footsteps behind her started to follow, catching up to her.
“Lucky for me you’re my wife, not my enemy.”
“Why, did our future Commander take a hit?”
Fu Yunhe extended his hand and clasped Nian Shutong’s within his own, his tone rising slightly, “No worries, I’m used to it.”
Nian Shutong nudged Fu Yunhe with her body, and he took the opportunity to partially embrace her shoulder.
“It’s a dark and windy night, and someone is being a bit naughty. Don’t you know I’m your teacher?”
“I know, that’s why I’m the most obedient. I wonder what the teacher feels like doing?”
Her lips curved upward slightly, carrying a tone that seemed lighthearted as if she had lost a dog, which made Nian Shutong stop in her tracks, tip-toeing for a quick kiss, light as a dragonfly skimming water.
“Do you want to do this, is it okay?”
“I think it’s not quite enough, I’m afraid the teacher won’t be satisfied. How about—”
“Don’t worry, next time,” Nian Shutong said with a smile in the darkness, “Let’s start by holding hands.”
“Okay then,” Fu Yunhe said, with a hint of regret in his voice, knowing better than to push for anything more. The two walked along some remote pathways of the school, talking about the day’s events.
“The bald master you’re talking about, is he the one from Canteen 17?”
“Yes, do you know him?”
Nian Shutong asked, very informed.
“I know him. We were comrades-in-arms. In one battle against the Insect Race, he alone withstood the attacks of an SSS Insect Beast, buying important time for our Legion. But in the end, he was left with only his upper body and a partial arm.”
“Even after using the treatment tank when he returned, his limbs grew back but he could no longer cultivate.”
“Every year, there are many like him. Everyone in the canteen he runs is like that; not only that, he even gives the money he earns to these people to support their lives.”
Fu Yunhe’s words didn’t resonate with Nian Shutong’s personal experience, but they did touch her.
“What a respectable person.”
“Yes, they are the most lovable people, protecting the people behind them unseen and with their lives. But when they lose their ability to protect, not wanting to trouble others, they strive to live on their own.”
The topic had unconsciously become heavy.
Nian Shutong’s original intention had been to experience the mortal world for herself, but after hearing Fu Yunhe’s words, she felt maybe she could do more.
She’d start by opening a canteen.
“Alright, I’m here. You should head back.”
As they were about to reach the school gate, Nian Shutong turned to Fu Yunhe and commanded, “Bend down.”
Fu Yunhe, with a smile in his eyes, bent down. But before Nian Shutong could act, he swiftly pecked her lips like a dragonfly skimming the water.
“Is this what you meant?”
“You catch on fast.”
“Of course, I’ll definitely be faster in the future.”
After the quick flirtation, Nian Shutong left the school, and Fu Yunhe turned to head back to his apartment.
Just as he was about to reach his apartment, Wu Shan, standing inside his own room, watched Fu Yunhe’s triumphant disposition and muttered to himself, “That expression, could he be in love?”
Fu Yunhe cast a glance in the direction of Wu Shan’s room, startling Wu Shan enough to hastily draw his curtains shut, not daring to look anymore.
“Damn it, it was just a glance, what am I scared of!”
Wu Shan despised his own recent behavior and, to prove he wasn’t scared, yanked the curtains open again. But by then, there was no sign of Fu Yunhe outside.
Another loss, and Wu Shan seemed to foresee that he couldn’t win in any aspect in the future.
It was truly frustrating.
The night passed quickly, and Nian Shutong’s third Fire Control Class began.
“Today is the last time. If you don’t succeed, there’s no need to return.”
Having said this, Nian Shutong still sat leisurely above, while the students below were sweating profusely, yet many were still clueless, not grasping even a shred of insight.
“I did it! Teacher, I did it!”
A student cheered, controlling his small flame, running towards Nian Shutong, even stumbling in his excitement.
“Very good, congratulations on passing.”
Afterwards, three more students succeeded, making the others anxious.
Wu Shan was among the anxious ones; he had received a firm order from his ancestor to succeed.
But what was going on?
Mingming his ancestor had told him all the tricks, even saying to use the power of the Jade Pendant if necessary, but why couldn’t he succeed?