"So what are you guys talking about? What about back then? How come I don't know? Hei Xi! You're not hiding anything from me, are you?"
Bronya advanced step by step. Hei Xi floated in the air nonchalantly, but Lu Ze, standing beside her, was panicking. If they found out, he'd be in for a rough day.
"Ahem, I think everyone must be hungry, right? Let's eat first, eat first! We can talk after the meal."
Seeing that the table was already filled with dishes, Lu Ze quickly pushed the approaching Bronya away. As he left, he called back to Hei Xi,
"You come over and join us too."
Shen He, standing nearby, felt an inexplicable urge to sit next to Lu Ze. However, she thought it might be a bit impolite. While she was hesitating,
Hands from behind pushed her forward. True Monarch Jie Feng walked over with a smile. Looking at the dishes on the table, she wanted to try them.
After all, besides being an inventor crane, she was also an extremely food-loving crane. The delicacies before her were all new, piquing her interest.
"Guests, please also take a seat and taste the skills of our head chef."
As if sensing True Monarch Jie Feng's desire to taste the food, Lu Ze offered her a way out.
Upon hearing that she could taste delicious food, True Monarch Jie Feng politely said thank you, then pulled her disciple to sit opposite them. Guests shouldn't compete for seats with others.
"I say, do you two really need to do this? One sitting on my left, the other on my right. Is there really a need for this?"
Lu Ze started sweating profusely at some point. Hei Xi was on his left, and Bronya on his right. Were they trying to start a fight right in front of him?
"It's just a seat, why make such a fuss? You don't like sitting next to me, is that it? Here, eat!"
Seeing Bronya pick up a large chicken leg with her chopsticks and about to force-feed it to Lu Ze, Hei Xi couldn't stay put either. She also picked up a chicken leg and tried to put it into his bowl.
Before long, the not-so-high rice bowl was piled almost half a meter high, creating a scene of more dishes than rice, like a small mountain, making one hesitant to approach.
"So much, how can I eat it? Even if I stuff myself to death here, I can't eat this much, can I? Do you two really need to do this?"
But Lu Ze had no say in the matter. Two gazes were fixed on him, as if not eating would lead to some unpleasant consequences.
"I'll eat, I'll eat, alright! This is a disaster!"
After eating one chicken leg, Hei Xi rested her chin on her hand, quietly watching him. She smiled gently and whispered,
"Was the chicken leg I picked delicious?"
Lu Ze was about to answer "delicious" when Bronya beside him became displeased. She quickly said,
"This chicken leg was clearly picked by me, when did it become yours? Lu Ze, was this chicken leg delicious?"
The two started arguing again. Wendy, sitting beside them, couldn't stand it anymore. Delicious or not? She made it all, so how could the taste be bad?
With two punches, she hit both women on the head. Wendy rubbed her fists in anger. They couldn't even eat properly, and all the dishes were gone! What was she supposed to eat now!
"You dare hit me! Lu Ze, she hit me!"
Hei Xi's eyes welled up with tears. She immediately hugged Lu Ze and cried in his arms, looking pitiful and deserving of care. But was this really her personality?
Indeed, Hei Xi poked her head out and stuck out her tongue at Bronya provocatively, as if she had won this round, wearing a victorious smile.
"Aaaah! Hei Xi! Let go of him! What are you playing at, being so cunning? Is it really necessary?"
Seeing the furious Bronya, Hei Xi became even more smug, her smile almost uncontrollable.
Lu Ze could only sigh at this conflict, which took him a full half day to resolve. After all, if a fire started, someone had to put it out with water.
"Do you two know you were wrong?"
Lu Ze showed his manly dominance. Even though he was kneeling on the floor, it didn't mean his words lacked firmness.
"Alright, alright, we know. Don't buzz around my head like a fly. We won't do it again. Get up quickly."
Hei Xi was a bit impatient, but seeing the other person kneeling on the floor, she felt a pang of sympathy and wanted to help him up, but he refused to budge.
"I know I was wrong too... I shouldn't have been so rash, I'm sorry. Please get up, don't be like a child, we're all adults now."
As if knowing Lu Ze's soft spot, Bronya directly hugged his arm and acted spoiled, completely uncharacteristic of her.
"You want me to get up? Only if you two apologize to each other and show sincerity will I get up."
There was no other choice; Lu Ze was the one kneeling. The two bowed to each other and said "I'm sorry." He nodded with satisfaction. This was how it should be. Getting along with each other was good.
Seeing that the time was right and going further might be counterproductive, Lu Ze stood up and walked into his room with slightly trembling legs.
Perhaps it was due to kneeling for too long, his legs were weak, sore, and numb. Lu Ze collapsed onto the bed.
As for True Monarch Jie Feng and Shen He, they were already lying on the lounge chairs below, experiencing the game. Since Shen He brought her master, the system directly granted her an hour so she could continue playing the game.
"After resting for a while, I'll go find Ningguang. I hope it goes smoothly and they don't trouble this little shopkeeper anymore."
After resting for about 20 minutes, he changed his clothes and took a shower, as he was going to see someone. Lu Ze went downstairs after finishing everything.
Four little lolis playing games together, and one girl. This kind of life was also quite good.
As for Bronya, she had gone to the Mondstadt store to manage it. Seele had also gone with her, wanting to have a good chat with her Bronya sister about everything that had happened.
"Wendy, I'll be heading out now. I'll return this blank paper to Miss Ningguang. I might not be back for dinner tonight, so you don't need to save a bowl of chopsticks for me."
The latter nodded, acknowledging his words. Lu Ze left the door with peace of mind. Following the secret code given by Ningguang's secretary, he arrived at the Jade Chamber to find the person who ascended the tower.
"You are the guide, aren't you?"
Just as Lu Ze was about to say the secret code, the person smiled and said,
"Isn't this Mr. Lu Ze? Miss Ningguang has given instructions that if you wish to ascend the tower, no secret code is needed. I will take you up now."