324 Chapter 324: Hei Xin (2/2)

”How the heck did you know that?” I asked with a frown. She definitely wasn't here when I was eating, and I didn't see her henchmen inform her about my circumstances. However, Hei Xin merely smiled mysteriously.

”You're not the only one who can break the fourth wall.”

”I'm glad we didn't break any walls at all,” I muttered, casting a glance at the poor restaurant.

Anyway, we ended up herding the other customers back into the restaurant, and the owner was so grateful that he heated my food again – which had gone cold – before sending it back to me. I began helping myself to my meal again, while Hei Xin sat opposite me, sipping some warm tea. Steepling her fingers, she observed me while I ate, which made the moment super awkward.

”You don't seem like you're from around here.”

”You're damn right I'm not,” I agreed in between mouthfuls of food. Hei Xin chuckled.

”If I'm not mistaken…you came here for the CHF, right?”

”WHAT THE FUCK IS THE CHF?! This isn't Battle Frenzy! Stop mixing up the two stories! I know they are very similar, but I am not Wang Zhong!”

Hei Xin cleared her throat. ”Sorry, I meant that you came here for the national tournament, right?”

”Yeah.” I calmed down and nodded before taking a sip of water.

”Which team are you from?” Hei Xin inquired curiously. I shrugged indifferently, seeing no reason to hide the fact from her. Even if I lied now, with her connections and influence, she could easily investigate and uncover the truth.

”Jing Tian Academy.”

”Jing Tian…?” Hei Xin looked stupefied by my answer. She then clasped her hands together apologetically. ”I mean no offense, but…if your team has someone like you, then there's no way it's a weak one.”

”What makes you think Jing Tian Academy is weak?” I countered. Hei Xin giggled at that.

”Ah, yes. Forgive me for my presumptions. You are right, of course.” Her smile widened and her eyes twinkled. ”Crouching tigers, hidden dragons and all that.”

”Are you a fan of Ang Lee?” I asked. Hei Xin's brow furrowed.

”…who?”

”Never mind.”

Hei Xin didn't seem satisfied with my response, but she turned around to beckon the waitress over. ”Pour Mr. Huang some tea.”

”Sure. Excuse me.” the waitress poured me some tea, and I bowed gratefully.

”Thank you.”

Hei Xin was watching me carefully with those pink eyes of hers. It was clear what she was thinking.

He is so humble…and he doesn't seem to be from a powerful, wealthy or influential family.

”I'm very curious.” Hei Xin leaned forward with a smile. ”Are the other members of Jing Tian Academy's team also as powerful as you?”

I merely responded with a mysterious smile of my own as I pushed my glasses up.

”That's a secret. You can't really expect me to give away information about my own team to a potential rival right before the tournament, right?”

”Fair enough.”

I downed the last spoonfuls of soup, and then rose.

”Thanks for the meal…that was delicious!” I raised my hand toward the waitress. ”Excuse me, but I would like to pay.” I glanced at Hei Xin and tilted my head. ”Don't worry about the bill…this will be my treat.”

”Hey, wait!” Hei Xin was flustered, thrown off by my sudden departure. ”I still have a lot of things I want to talk to you about! Besides, I'm the daughter of the Hei Family. I don't need you to pay for me.”

”I'm not belittling you, Miss Hei,” I assured her. ”I just want to thank you.”

”Huh? Thank me? What for?” Hei Xin was further thrown into disarray, gaping at me in confusion.

”For offering me a practice match…and for also looking the other way even though I beat up your subordinates.”

”Hey, they were the ones who threw the first punch. You had every right to act in self-defense. We're the ones who should compensate you for the trouble!”

”Nah, don't worry about it.”

I merely smiled at Hei Xin's protests, and then bowed.

”I'll take my leave then. Speaking of which, I need to meet up with my teammates tonight. To discuss the qualifiers for the tournament.”

With that, I departed.

”Wait…!” Hei Xin called out, but I was already striding out of the door.

”I'm sure we'll meet again!” Actually, I was sure we wouldn't, but knowing how clichés worked, I would end up running into her before long. Otherwise the author wouldn't bother introducing her in the story.

Hei Xin continued to stare after me, but then she sighed and shook her head with a resigned smile.

”Richard Huang, huh?” she mused to herself, grinning cheekily. Damn it. Even though I couldn't physically see her, I was aware of her mischievous expression because of my ability to break the fourth wall. Did I just get involved with quite the troublesome Mistress? Good thing I got out of the restaurant as quickly as possible. She was definitely planning something.

Unaware of my dark, pessimistic thoughts, Hei Xin chuckled to herself. She was really black-hearted (black-hearted in Chinese is prounounced as ”Hei Xin”).

”What an interesting guy.”