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Chapter 67 - Chapter 67: Ye Xinglan's Silence: A Free Meal?

"Treating everyone, covering all expenses..."

"Only if you actually have the money."

A trace of helplessness crossed Tang Luochuan's face. This Xu Lizhi was utterly unreliable.

"How... how much?"

Upon entering the restaurant and seeing the menu prices, Tang Wulin fell silent. The premium bluefin tuna cost 70,000 Federal currency per serving, and none of the signature dishes were priced below 50,000.

Holy moly...

To put it bluntly, if he didn't restrain himself, he could go bankrupt without even getting full. His entire savings wouldn't cover four servings of this fish.

Maybe... he shouldn't have brought Xu Lizhi here? These prices were outrageous!

"Hello, we'll take ten of these tuna dishes."

Xu Lizhi barely glanced at the prices before pointing at the most expensive item on the menu and ordering casually.

He simply chose whatever looked tastiest—price tags had never concerned Xu Lizhi when dining out.

"Ten servings... Now that's some serious money."

Tang Wulin couldn't help thinking that Xu Lizhi truly lived up to his reputation as a big spender—700,000 Federal currency just for the tuna alone.

This meal would cost a fortune...

"Tang Wulin, and your brother too."

"Order whatever you want—I'm starting with these ten."

Xu Lizhi handed them the menu without ceremony.

"Huh?"

Tang Wulin blinked, then his mouth twitched. So those ten servings were just for Xu Lizhi? He'd assumed they were for the whole group.

"Well... I'll just have one serving."

Tang Wulin replied calmly.

"One? That's nowhere near enough!"

Xu Lizhi frowned in confusion.

"Haha, it's fine."

Tang Wulin shook his head inwardly. Getting full was impossible with this food—even ten servings wouldn't do it.

Better to just sample the taste.

"Wu Lin enjoys fish too."

"Let's get six servings—one for me, five for you."

Tang Luochuan chuckled and amended the order.

"Brother, we can't..."

Tang Wulin hesitated. Having someone else pay for such expensive dishes felt...

"Don't worry about his money."

"I'll cover our portion—money isn't an issue for me."

Tang Luochuan transmitted privately. Federal currency was the least of his concerns—while not exactly nation-rich, he had millions in savings.

If he couldn't even treat his little brother to a meal, what kind of elder brother would he be?

"Oh? In that case..."

Tang Wulin's eyes brightened. Spending his brother's money felt more acceptable than imposing on others.

"But it's so expensive, and you're only getting one serving..."

As Tang Wulin wrestled with this thought, Tang Luochuan had already handed the menu to the waiter.

"So what if it's expensive?"

"If you want it, we'll have it."

Tang Luochuan smiled gently, shaking his head.

"Brother..."

Tang Wulin could only nod, but determination blazed within him. He would earn mountains of money someday.

Then he'd never need to rely on his brother's support again.

"Excuse me, please put my portion on a separate check."

"Don't include my portion when my friend settles the bill later."

Of course, Tang Luochuan prioritized efficiency. No sooner had they finished ordering than he followed the server outside to pay for his and his younger brother's meals in advance.

As for Xu Lizhi's portion…

Wasn't he treating them? Then he could pay for himself—hopefully, he wouldn't end up unable to cover his own meal.

"So good…"

"Really delicious."

Soon after, Xu Lizhi was devouring the food in front of him with gusto, his face brimming with delight, as if he wanted to pick up an entire fish and gnaw on it.

Ten fish had already been reduced to one.

"It really is delicious."

Tang Wulin similarly demolished his five servings of tuna with the speed of a whirlwind, his face filled with satisfaction. Only when he glanced at his brother did a hint of silence settle over him.

"Brother, you only ate one serving…"

"Won't you be hungry?"

He couldn't help but ask. His brother had given him most of the food, barely eating anything himself.

"Hahaha, I don't crave food the way Wu Lin does. You know that."

Hearing this, Tang Luochuan laughed. He had little interest in food, let alone the kind of appetite Tang Wulin possessed.

"Xu Lizhi, you."

"You suddenly ran off, and it turns out you came here."

Just then, a sharp voice rang out, and a golden-haired figure appeared at the scene.

She looked about the same age as the others, also clad in a green school uniform. But unlike Xu Lizhi's bulky appearance, it suited her with an air of grace.

Her golden ponytail swayed behind her, and her large, azure-blue eyes were strikingly beautiful. Her fair, delicate skin gave off an exceptionally soft impression.

"Ye Xinglan."

Tang Luochuan's gaze lingered on the girl with curiosity. So this was the future Sword God of the Dragon King era.

But for now, there was still an unmistakable arrogance in her demeanor—perhaps just the nature of a child, proud because of her talent.

"Xing…"

"Xinglan-jie!"

"What are you doing here?"

At the sight of the newcomer, Xu Lizhi froze, the remaining half of his meal forgotten as he blurted out the question.

"What am I doing here?"

"You disappeared without a word! Teacher Shen couldn't find you anywhere, and here you are, stuffing your face!"

Ye Xinglan snapped coldly.

"I was just too hungry…"

"My new friend here brought me to this place to eat. I was planning to go back after finishing."

Xu Lizhi mumbled meekly.

"Brought you to eat?"

"Who's to say he wouldn't sell you off as meat…"

Ye Xinglan rolled her eyes before shifting her gaze to the others nearby… Hm?

"This guy."

"He's really strong."

Her attention fixed on Tang Luochuan, a flicker of surprise crossing her eyes. She could sense that his aura far surpassed hers, and that intangible pressure…

His strength…

Could he be much stronger than her?

"Looks like you should go."

Seeing Xu Lizhi frozen in place, Tang Wulin couldn't help but chuckle. So he had sneaked out, after all.

"Wu Lin."

"Since we're done eating, let's go."

Tang Luochuan spoke slowly, his gaze resting on Ye Xinglan just as hers had been on him earlier, offering a polite smile.

Then, he turned and left without looking back.

"Brother, wait for me."

Tang Wulin silently followed, calling out.

"They seem like interesting people..."

"Probably here for the competition too."

Ye Xinglan pondered, thinking to herself that she'd love to challenge them if given the chance.

Then, she turned an annoyed look toward the chubby boy still stuffing his face in front of her.

"What are you standing around for? Let's go."

"You just met two nice people who treated you to dinner. What if they hadn't been nice, huh?"

Ye Xinglan said exasperatedly.

"Ah, I'm coming..."

Xu Lizhi immediately straightened up, speaking quickly.

"Hold it, you can't leave."

Just then, the waiter from earlier blocked their path, his expression unamused as he stated bluntly.

"Huh? Why can't we leave?"

Ye Xinglan looked puzzled, unable to help asking.

"You haven't paid yet."

"Pay? Weren't you all together?"

Hearing this, Ye Xinglan fell into thought—weren't those two the ones who brought Xu Lizhi to eat?

"You were together. Didn't they pay for you?"

Ye Xinglan said somewhat blankly.

"No, I'll pay."

Xu Lizhi nodded, stating matter-of-factly.

"You'll pay... do you even have money?"

Ye Xinglan wore a thoughtful expression. This place clearly wasn't cheap, and he'd eaten so much... could he really afford it?

She'd just called those two nice people, but Xu Lizhi wasn't the brightest—what if they'd scammed him?

"Of course I can pay, it's only..."

Xu Lizhi snorted, but upon taking the bill, he froze completely. Ten servings of the signature tuna dish alone cost 700,000 Federal currency.

Add in the other side dishes, and it came to 750,000...

Patting his Soul Guidance Device, which held only 50,000 Federal currency, Xu Lizhi awkwardly scratched the back of his head.

"The money."

The waiter said coldly, glaring at Xu Lizhi with clear displeasure. This brat had been eating like there was no tomorrow earlier...

Now he thinks he can leave without paying?

What, trying to dine and dash?!

"Xinglan-jie, maybe..."

"We should call Teacher Shen?"

Ye Xinglan: ???

(End of Chapter)

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