The Spirit of Gourmet

Chapter 296 Reencounter with Qi Bing
During the journey on the "Leaping Fish" cruise ship, Egg Baby's level quietly increased to Lv21, and his experience points even exceeded 40 points.

"We're one step closer to a complete overhaul."

Qin Lang patted Danbao's head, then his gaze fell on Danbao's forehead.

The red fire symbol that appeared on Egg Baby's forehead after it acquired the fire-attribute gem has now become quite dim.

This fire-attribute gem will soon be fully absorbed after Egg Baby advances to one star and two stars.

When we upgrade to three stars later, I'll have to help Egg Baby get another one.

But those are all things for the future. Right now...

Qin Lang closed his eyes again and, overcome by a wave of drowsiness, quickly drifted off to sleep.
-

At the table in the room, Qin Lang slowly added the last stroke, and looking at the landscape painting in front of him that was exactly the same as the fifteenth painting, he nodded in satisfaction.

"I'll go to the association with Dongdong and the others to register later, and we can look for clues about the painting while we're at it." With that, Qin Lang folded the hand-painted painting and stuffed it into his pocket, picked up the small fish tank that had already been changed for water, and walked to the deluxe fish tank.

"Xiao Cai, you..."

Before Qin Lang could finish speaking, Xiao Cai had already leaped up from the luxurious fish tank and gracefully landed in the small fish tank.

"Let's set off together then." Qin Lang looked at Danbao and Lala beside him, smiled, and then pushed open the room door.

Outside the door, Cao Dongdong, Zhao Qian, Zuo Ge, and Fatima were all ready to go. After a night's rest, they had all shaken off their fatigue.

"Is everyone all packed up?" Qin Lang asked, somewhat surprised.

“Of course, we’ve been waiting for you.” Zhao Qian chuckled. “I specifically invited Zuo Ge along too. Once we complete the travel registration at the association, we can go to Yuehu City together to experience the local specialties.”

“Speaking of the local specialties of Yuehu City, boating is one of the must-try activities.” Cao Dongdong grinned. “Boating on the vast Yueyu Lake is an absolutely amazing experience.”

“Although…” Zuo Ge’s lips twitched slightly, “Have you forgotten how we got here?”

Cao Dongdong: “…”

He almost forgot that everyone had originally come by cruise ship.

Seeing the strange expressions on the other people's faces, Cao Dongdong quickly tried to cover it up, "Besides the cruise, I also know about the other special attractions."

"No rush." ​​Qin Lang chuckled. "We'll probably stay in Yuehu City for a while, and we can slowly experience its unique features."

"Let's go to the Spirit Chef Association first."

Qin Lang's words were agreed upon by the other four. They chatted all the way and soon arrived at the Yu Ling Chef Association in Yuehu City, which was not far from the hotel.

Just as they reached the association's entrance, a swift and elegant figure appeared before Qin Lang and his group of five. Qi Bing, who was about to leave the association, looked up at Qin Lang and the others, then suddenly stopped. "Is it you?"

"Hello, Captain Qi." Qin Lang smiled and nodded at the other person.

"No need to be so polite." Qi Bing smiled. "I'm not much older than you, just call me Qi Bing."

"Our last meeting was too rushed, and I haven't had a chance to properly thank you for your help. If it weren't for you, the situation in Yuehu City might be much worse than it is now." As she said this, Qi Bing's eyes dimmed a little.

"That would be something no one wants to see."

"We were just doing our best." Qin Lang smiled, then noticed that Qi Bing was holding a bouquet of white lilies, which seemed to be used to commemorate the deceased.

"Sister Qi Bing, what are those flowers in your hand?"

"It's to commemorate a staff member of the association who passed away." She sighed softly as she said this. "In the disaster three days ago, he was buried in the rubble while protecting people during their safe evacuation."

"By the time he was rescued, he was already..."

At this point, a look of sorrow appeared on everyone's faces. "Crash—"

With a soft sound, the fish tank in Qin Lang's hand trembled slightly. The little fish in the tank flicked its tail, and Qin Lang quickly understood what it meant, and then asked.

"What happened three days ago... what are the casualties like?"

"The overall casualties are not high." Qi Bing shook his head. "Because the civilians were evacuated in time, only a portion of them were affected and suffered minor injuries."

"One of the association's staff members was killed, but the others who sustained serious or minor injuries have all received proper medical treatment."

"This result is far better than expected."

"Is that so..." Qin Lang sighed. "Sister Qi Bing, could you wait for us for a moment?"

“We are here to register our travel with the association. After we finish, we will go together to give a bouquet of flowers to the staff member who sacrificed his life.”

Several other people nodded.

Those staff members who sacrificed their lives to protect the public under such circumstances deserve our utmost respect.

"Of course." Qi Bing was a little surprised, then her gaze towards Qin Lang and the others softened. "I'll wait for you here."

After temporarily bidding farewell to Qi Bing, Qin Lang and the others quickly completed their travel registration at the association. After receiving various information about attractions and food recommenders and spirit handlers provided by the association, they returned to the entrance to reunite with Qi Bing.

“There are exactly six of us.” Qi Bing glanced at the others. “Come with me, I’ll drive you there.”

Led by Qi Bing, Qin Lang and the others quickly spotted her car.

Just like Qi Bing's own style, it was a very imposing-looking six-seater SUV.

Qin Lang sat in the passenger seat, while the other four people sat comfortably in the back.

“We’re going to the Yuehu City Cemetery now. All the deceased in Yuehu City are buried there,” Qi Bing said softly. “The staff member who sacrificed his life was named Yue Kang. His funeral was just held yesterday.”

"I couldn't participate because of a mission, so I'm making up for it today."

"Where are his relatives?" Qin Lang asked.

“Yue Kang’s parents have both passed away, and he is not married, so he has no other relatives.” Qi Bing sighed. “The association can’t even find anyone to distribute the pension.”

Upon hearing this, everyone fell even more silent.

“Speaking of which…” Qi Bing turned her head and glanced at the small fish tank that Qin Lang was holding, “I was just about to ask that.”

"Why do you carry a fish tank with you when you go out?"

"Won't this be inconvenient?"

"It's alright." Qin Lang shook his head. "Xiao Cai is an important partner of ours, so we should bring her along on the trip."

He didn't dare tell Qi Bing Xiao Cai's identity yet, after all, in a sense, the sacrifice of the staff member named Yue Kang was closely related to Xiao Cai.

Qi Bing nodded and asked no more questions.

They traveled in silence, and soon the group left the central urban area of ​​Yuehu City and arrived at a spacious suburban area.

Looking at the lush trees not far away, Qi Bing stopped the car.

"Here we are."

(End of this chapter)