Chapter 2141: Dining Together
"So, you’re a fan of comics and novels too?"
Zhu Yanyi blinked in surprise. "I remember Junior Sister Changning was the one obsessed with novels. When did you become a fan as well?"
"Junior Sister Changning is the one who led me astray," Gu Jun said helplessly from the side. "She’s been crazy about all kinds of novels lately. It seems many of them were left behind by you."
"I mostly left behind comic strips. There were only a few novels," Zhu Yanyi said, refusing to take the blame.
"I’ve read them all. The comic strips were good, but I prefer novels. Especially that one about the domineering regional steward’s love story—it’s much more interesting." Seeing Mi Xiao’s expression, Zhu Yanyi was certain she was a true novel addict.
Zhu Yanyi tapped her forehead. "But I didn’t buy any novels this time, so I didn’t bring any. I went for training. I barely had time to spend with my parents, let alone visit a bookstore. Besides, novels are just for entertainment. It’s better not to read too many."
"It’s fine. I have strong self-control. Don’t worry, I’ll be okay. I just love the plots. That feeling of loving someone to death, especially the trope where the husband abuses her wife for a moment of pleasure, only to chase her in a crematorium later—it’s amazing," Mi Xiao explained seriously.
Zhu Yanyi thought for a moment, then nodded, indicating she understood. However, she decided not to encourage it. "But I don’t have any novels with me right now. What should we do?"
"No matter what, you must get me one!" Mi Xiao demanded directly.
Zhu Yanyi was speechless. "You can’t expect me to write one for you."
"You could. If you write it, I’ll definitely read it." Mi Xiao wasn’t just a fan anymore; she was a novel maniac.
Zhu Yanyi looked at Mi Xiao in shock. "Senior Sister Mi Xiao, you’re not just a fan; you’re a maniac. If you’re so obsessed, why don’t you write one yourself?"
Mi Xiao sighed. "I want to, but I only know how to read, not write. My writing skills aren’t good enough."
"Then I’m out of ideas," Zhu Yanyi said with a smile.
"Sigh. You people don’t truly love me," Mi Xiao lamented.
Zhu Yanyi rolled her eyes. "It doesn’t matter if we don’t truly love you, as long as Senior Brother Gu Jun truly loves you."
Gu Jun: (⊙o⊙)…
Mi Xiao: (????)
Ouyang Tianyun and the others burst into laughter.
Seeing that Mi Xiao seemed to have moved on from the novel topic, Zhu Yanyi turned to Ouyang Tianyun. "Senior Brother Tianyun, do you need help?"
"Sure." Ouyang Tianyun looked around. "Help me prepare a plate of peanuts as a cold dish."
"Salt and pepper peanuts or seaweed peanuts?" Zhu Yanyi asked.
"Salt and pepper. Everyone can accept that flavor. Some people don’t like seaweed," Ouyang Tianyun replied after a moment’s thought.
"Okay." Zhu Yanyi took out some peanuts from the side. They were already fried from before; she just needed to sprinkle some salt and pepper on them.
Considering the large number of guests, the peanuts were served in a large basin, about a foot in diameter, filled to the brim.
For cultivators, eating such food was simple. They didn’t worry about getting full. Even if their stomachs felt slightly bloated, a single cycle of internal energy would resolve it.
The guests were mostly familiar faces from the Lincang Training Ground. Hong Mei was absent. Cui Changjiu was in seclusion. Wen Ziyuan was out on a mission. Some others were away on assignments. Those with good relationships who were available had all come. The attendees included Yi Yunfei and Jian Feiyan, who arrived together. Their expressions showed a new intimacy and naturalness, suggesting Yi Yunfei had finally broken through the barrier. It was a nice ending.
There were also Gu Jun, Mi Xiao, Lei Danfeng, Niu Wulang, Cui Changning, Sikong Xuran, Bai Haochen, and Yuan Yanqiu.
Including Ouyang Tianyun, Zhu Yanyi, and Yu Qingyun, it was quite a gathering.
Ouyang Tianyun’s cooking wasn’t particularly exquisite; he focused on quantity. He prepared a large pot of snake soup, a big basin of snake ribs, a huge portion of braised rabbit meat, a large basin of pickled cabbage fish, and a mushroom soup. There were also plenty of fruits.
Not many varieties, but huge amounts.
"Everyone, please eat freely. There’s more if you finish. I still have plenty of ingredients stored," Ouyang Tianyun said, adding a bucket of marinated duck eggs to the table.
Zhu Yanyi contributed some Meng Po's soup. For some reason, the academy had a rule against drinking alcohol, so everyone used Meng Po's soup as a substitute.
Fortunately, the Meng Po's soup tasted quite good.
Everyone sipped their Meng Po's soup and began to dig into their favorite dishes.
"Senior Brother Tianyun and Junior Sister Yanyi, we haven’t had anything this delicious since you left a year ago," Mi Xiao said with a regretful expression. "If I had known, I would have joined you on your training trip."
"Training depends on opportunity," Zhu Yanyi smiled. "Besides, you can’t go on a training trip just for a meal. If the Dean found out, she would scold you."
"Right," Mi Xiao seemed to remember something. "Junior Sister Yanyi, have you checked your herb field yet?"
"Not yet. When I returned, I first organized the plants in my courtyard. I plan to go to the herb field tomorrow," Zhu Yanyi said seriously.
"Be careful. Someone has occupied the herb fields of the students who are not in the academy. It’s not exactly occupation; mainly, they forcibly pick your herbs and don’t take care of the fields," Mi Xiao warned seriously.
Zhu Yanyi frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"
"How should I put this?" Gu Jun spoke up. "Five months ago, Shangmo Academy sent some exchange students here. They wanted to plant herb fields too. We originally gave them empty plots, but they found their own growth too slow. They noticed that the fields of the absent students were growing well."
"Surely they didn’t just let them do whatever they wanted? Didn’t the Dean intervene?" Yi Yunfei asked.
"The Dean wanted to, but these students behaved well in front of him. Behind his back, they went to ruin others’ fields. Moreover, one of them is the grandson of our academy’s Martial Elder. Because of the Martial Elder’s influence, no one dared to say much," Gu Jun said helplessly.
"How is their combat strength?" Zhu Yanyi asked curiously.
"Their combat strength is above average. Not too high, but not low either," Gu Jun answered.
"When do they usually go to the herb fields to cause trouble?" Zhu Yanyi asked again.
"Usually in the evening, when everyone else has left the herb fields," Gu Jun said.