27 Thirsty (2/2)

Chàng Bo was also amazed at the skill, speed and ease that Mao Lu had prepared this. Was he a cooking expert?

Mao Lu was in fact very good at cooking.

His Father's business had been a very famous chain of 5 star restaurants before the bankruptcy.

When Mao Lu had been young he had often toured with his Dad to the various restaurants they had across China, he'd hung out with famous chefs as well. His Father would often tell him that one day he would inherit the business, so he at least had to know the basics.

Also one of Mao Lu's part time jobs had been in a very successful kitchen, however the owner of that restaurant had been his Father's rival in the past, and when he discovered that Mao Lu was working in one of his kitchens he made sure Mao Lu got fired and prevented him from working in any other restaurant.

Mao Lu had found that grossly unfair, and he'd been extremely angry at the time.

From the way his Father's competitors, partners, and friends had turned their back on his Zhang family, the memory of it often made Mao Lu suspect that there was a conspiracy behind his family's bankruptcy. But Mao Lu had no evidence towards this suspicion, and even if he got a confession from someone now , it wouldn't change the events of the past. And he could be completely wrong and there could be no conspiracy behind it.

Although Mao Lu was curious about whether his family bankruptcy had been due to some contrived plot, he didn't want to go around digging it all up just yet. He'd spent so many years trying to move on from it all. He didn't feel like he was emotionally ready yet to look back.

….

Chàng Bo and Mao Lu sat together at the table, chopsticks in hand and noodles in front. \”Well then, let's eat!\” Mao Lu announced.

In an instant Chàng Bo was digging into his noodles. At first he was clumsy at using the chopsticks but he learnt quickly, and soon they were both enjoying a meal together.

In less then fifteen minutes they both contentedly sat back. Mao Lu couldn't help but grin as he stared at Chàng Bo, \”he eats well\” Mao Lu thought.

He then mentally slapped himself for the second time today.

Why was he grinning like a fool and admiring how well Chàng Bo ate? \”If someone was watching this scene they'd think I was head over heels in love with him or something.\”

Mao Lu tried to look away from Chàng Bo but from the corner of his eyes he saw Chàng Bo drinking some water. As he watched him gulp, all of a sudden Mao Lu was feeling thirsty.

Mao Lu grabbed his own glass of water and drank it quickly.

\”Umm so how comes you didn't go out and buy any food if you were so hungry?\” Mao Lu asked as a way to distract himself from his growing thirst.

\”I wasn't prepared to come to this realm for obvious reasons. I don't know anything about the customs, or the currency. I don't even know the languages. Going out to buy food would have just ended up being problematic.\” Chàng Bo said casually as he scraped at the bowl with his chopsticks. He wanted more food.

\”Doesn't know the language????\” Mao Lu was confused. Then how exactly were they communicating?

\”You're a Gatekeeper, you can instantly understand someone in your realm regardless of the language because this realm is yours. And as a Gatekeeper you can use the Realm tongue. Everyone from the 400 realms can understand the words of a Gatekeeper, your words are always understood.\” Gates explained to Mao Lu mentally.

Mao Lu was surprised. That meant that this entire time Chàng Bo had not been speaking Chinese. But it sounded exactly like Chinese in Mao Lu's head. He hadn't even noticed.

\”How do you think you were able to communicate with those practitioners that came from other planets to visit you over the past couple of weeks? Did you think they all knew Chinese? How ridiculous, honestly I wonder if you think things through at all Mao Lu?\” Gates berated, it truly was amazed at how dumb Mao Lu could be sometimes, and yet he could also be so intelligent and wise.

Mao Lu's ears went pink with embarrassment. Of course they all couldn't speak chinese. It had been dumb of him to think that they all could, but it just hadn't occurred to him.

Mao Lu coughed slightly and said aloud to Chàng Bo, \”Well that isn't good, don't worry I'll help you adjust to this realm during your stay and help you understand its customs and the language.\”

\”That would be awesome.\” Chàng Bo smiled, \”I really want to learn more about this realm now. The food you made was just so delicious I've never had anything like it. When I was young all I ate was spiritual medicines and essence enthused plants. This is the first time I've had something with so much flavour. I really want to go out and see the rest of this realm, and taste all the dishes they have to offer. You better take me all over the place I demand to taste it all.\” Chàng Bo said excitedly with a glutinous gleam in his eyes.

Mao Lu blinked.

Chàng Bo blinked back at Mao Lu and then gasped. He'd forgotten himself, he'd gotten caught up in the friendly and relaxed atmosphere and just spoke the way he normally would. He'd even ordered Gatekeeper Lu to take him all over the place. \”Do I have a death wish, why do I keep being so rude to this Gatekeeper, he must be pissed.\”

Contrary to Chàng Bo's expectations Mao Lu laughed.

This was the most genuine Chàng Bo had been with Mao Lu since they first met. Mao Lu liked that Chàng Bo spoke his mind and was finally feeling comfortable around him.

\”It would be my pleasure to show you around this realm and show you the best cuisine. But you're going to have to work hard to learn the languages and the customs, and you should learn how to cook for yourself. It's a good skill.\” Mao Lu had a playful expression as he grinned brightly.

The setting sun came through kitchen window and illuminated Mao Lu's face in a soft orange haze. His bright smile was warm and refreshing, his clear eyes showed no deceit but genuine pleasure and excitement.

Chàng Bo paused, he felt a strange feeling he couldn't identify.

He'd never met someone who was so comfortable with him before and looked at him with no deceit or ulterior motives, but just with genuine interest.

Chàng Bo had matured young when his mother went missing, and because of the sovereign system or rather his fast training speed, he was mostly idolised or hated by those in the same generation as him. He had many enemies and only a few real friends. Yet even his real friends were careful around Chàng Bo since he had such talent and ability, his future was bound to surpass theirs. There was always a barrier between him and them.

Mao Lu not only spoke to him comfortably but also broke all the social barriers between them with such ease.

The way Mao Lu smiled was so honest and genuinely beautiful. Such a pure soul.

Chàng Bo wondered how Mao Lu could have been raised to end up so pure and gentle.

He couldn't help but naturally reciprocate Mao Lu's smile, and they ended up grinning at each other.

As Chàng Bo smiled the Sovereign system's display popped up in front of his eyes.

\”SPECIAL ALERT!

Your fate is intertwined with this Gatekeeper.

Deepen your bond, become unbeatable together.

Change your own fate! Reward: Unlimited fate points\”

\”Huh!!!\” Chàng Bo was shocked. The system had never done this before. Their fate was intertwined? Deepen their bond? Unlimited fate points????

Was this for real?