Mygo, you guys seem to be getting a bit heavy-hearted.

Chapter Thirty: Love-Filled Bento Boxes

Hearing Yanming call her, Xiangzi responded and immediately changed into slippers in the entryway before going over.

As for Yanming's mutterings to himself just now... everyone has their own little habits, maybe it was Yanming's second personality acting up again.

"Hey, Xiangzi, look at this... I can cook any kind of meal, but I'm stumped by a simple bento box. There are so many things to consider for such a small box... I'm dizzy." Yanming poured the failed bento box into a plate and said to Xiangzi.

Judging by the number of failed attempts on the plate, you can tell he has tried many times.

Xiangzi walked over to him, looked at the counter and said, "Yanming-kun wants to learn how to make bento boxes?"

Yanming nodded: "Yes, even I sometimes don't feel like cooking lunch. In those cases, having a bento box is much more convenient, saving me from eating unhealthy food from convenience stores."

Perhaps the last sentence is the key.

Xiangzi had never seen him buy the discounted bento boxes from the convenience store, but Xiangzi himself always liked to buy them to eat when he didn't have time.

Therefore, Yanming's reason for learning to make bento boxes is self-evident.

Xiangzi did not choose to expose him, because she knew that given Yanming's personality, no matter how conclusive the evidence was, he would not admit to it.

"Take another look, and if that doesn't work, move on to the next one. I refuse to believe it!"

Could a bento box possibly stump him?

If he couldn't figure it out this morning, he would have eaten the entire strategy guide right there and then!

【Σ(っ°Д°;)っ】

【Wait, why is that now?!】

'I just blurted it out. I don't eat idiots; it'll make me stupid.'

【No, that's not true! Host, you...】

Good morning, Meow Meow Meow!

A girl's sweet and lively voice came from Yanming's phone, drowning out the system's complaints.

"Today I'm going to teach you how to make a beautiful bento box that you can make at home. Hmm... because it's easy to sweat when cooking, I'm only wearing light makeup today. What? You still look great, and your skin texture is really nice. Ugh, no, not at all—"

The very first sentence in the video is a pointless waste of time. Is a face all that's acceptable to watch these days?

I came here to learn how to make bento boxes, you bastard!

Yanming complained and dragged the progress bar back a bit. Seeing that Xiangzi seemed to be somewhat interested in the video, he turned around a little and leaned against the porcelain bowl next to him for support.

"Everyone, please pay close attention! Next, Meow Dream will show you the entire production process. If you're interested, please pause the video!"

"First like this... then like this... do this and then like that... Ta-da! Done! It's easy, right?"

The girl in the video, who looked like a larger version of Takamatsu Akari, was like a magician, constantly filling the bento box with food, as if afraid that Yanming would secretly learn something.

The beautifully presented bento box was placed in front of the camera for less than a second before being taken away again, and the camera focused on Miaomeng's face again.

You're good-looking, but the problem is this is a bento-making tutorial, you jerk! Who wants to watch this, you jerk!

"Oh dear, I'm sure everyone has learned it by now, right? Meow☆~"

No one could possibly learn that, you idiot! Who wants to listen to your malicious attempts at cuteness, you idiot!

"Making this bento is so tiring! Look, I'm all sweaty! Luckily, I used a brand new product from xx, so my makeup won't smudge no matter how much I sweat. I've put the purchase link below the video, so everyone can give it a try! Bye-bye, Meow Meow!"

The video is over.

"..."

Those annoying beauty influencers!

You better not let me see you in real life! If you ever fall into my hands, you're in for a world of trouble!

【Um… Host?】

[Ah, it's been hit so badly its whole body has turned grayish-white, how pitiful...]

'Shut up!'

[Sobbing]

Xiangzi patted Yanming's shoulder, who was feeling down, and comforted him, "Actually, many female middle school students in this country make their own lunches, so don't be discouraged, Yanming-kun."

Yanming looked at her.

Xiangzi proudly puffed out his chest.

Inflating baby octopus.jpg

It's time to show off your skills!

Half an hour later——

"That's it. I took into account the nutritional balance and the calories needed for the afternoon's activities. What do you think, Yanming?"

Yanming agreed, "As expected of Xiaoxiang, his teaching is much more detailed than what's shown in the video. If I try again, I should be able to get it."

"That's not what I'm asking. I'm asking how the bento I made turned out?"

Yanming was taken aback for a moment, then replied, "Of course it was done very well, at least it's impeccable to me."

I haven't tried it yet, so I don't know how it tastes, but judging from the color and aroma alone, Yanming would give it at least a high score of seven out of ten.

"That……"

"?"

Xiangzi raised his head, and their eyes met and exchanged glances in the next moment. Yanming caught a glimpse of an ambiguous meaning flashing in Xiangzi's eyes.

"From now on, I'll make you lunchboxes too, okay? I can't always let Yanming-kun work so hard for me, can I? I should do something for you too, that's fair, right?"

"..."

...So it's really hard to guess what girls are thinking. Xiao Xiang probably already figured it out, but why did she still say such things?

"Tap." Yanming gently flicked Xiangzi's forehead with his clean fingers.

"I don't have the habit of eating bento boxes."

Undeterred, Xiangzi continued, "Then why did you suddenly want to learn today?"

This meant that Yanming should occasionally be more honest with her, and she believed he would understand.

However, Yanming remained unmoved: "You know my reasons."

Xiangzi shook his head: "I don't know."

As long as Yanming doesn't explicitly state the answer, she doesn't know; at most, it's just a "guess."

Yanming washed his hands, packed one of the warm bento boxes, and handed it to Xiangzi before speaking: "But I know you know."

"Hmm—it's no fun to cheat like this, Yanming-kun!" Xiangzi said angrily, it seemed that the phenomenon of regression had progressed to the next stage.

【? ? ? 】

Know what? How do you know everything? But it doesn't know anything yet!

What exactly happened? What riddle are these two talking about?

Someone please explain this to me!

【Hate!】

……

After dropping Xiangzi off at school, he indeed ran into the girl while waiting at a traffic light on his way back.

While waiting for the light, the "light" finally appeared, lol.

It's so cold!

Good morning, Xiaodeng. Are you feeling better after you went back yesterday?

"...Whoa! It's Mr. Yanming, you scared me..."

Ah, ah, this.

Yanming scratched his nose awkwardly.

Chapter Thirty-One: Penguins Eat Meal Replacements

"Oh right, Xiaodeng, there's something I forgot to ask you when we parted last time." Yanming suddenly remembered something not very important.

"Ok?"

Yanming took out his phone: "Let's add each other on Line. Also, I'd like to ask you for a copy of the sheet music for 'Spring Shadow'."

The notebook the system stole contained only lyrics, not music. Since he wanted to understand Crychic and help Deng rebuild it, Yanming felt it was necessary to listen to the band's only song and see what kind of effect it would ultimately produce.

Even without the melody, Yanming could feel the emotions contained in the lyrics... Deng is certainly a genius at writing lyrics, but he may not be a composer.

Therefore, there must be someone in this band who is specifically responsible for composing.

Lyrics and melody are two important components of a song, and arguably the two most crucial ones.

This is the difference between a "creator" and a "performer".

If we compare a complete song to a person, the creator gives it appearance and body, while the performer fills it with soul and life.

If you want to reunite C-group, "Spring Shadow" is definitely an unavoidable part. As Illusion has said, this is "their" song, a crychic song.

"Huh?... The sheet music for 'Spring Shadow'? The music for this song... was written by 'that person'..."

It was actually 'that person'?

From his passionate creation to his eventual departure, what exactly happened in between?

Yanming thought to himself.

"This is my LINE account. Please wait a moment for the sheet music... Also, I have an audio clip from our rehearsal together. Would you like it?"

Yanming was surprised by the unexpected reward: "Thank you, Xiaodeng, you've been a great help."

"It was Mr. Yanming who helped me!"

Yanming's words excited Gao Songdeng again.

Just then, several students wearing the same school uniform as Deng walked by on the roadside.

"Is that... Lantern Girl?"

Because of Takamatsu Akari's petite and cute appearance, she is not only popular in her class but also throughout the entire school. In addition, her behavior is seen as somewhat aloof by others. So, after recognizing Akari, the group immediately went wild.

"Who is Deng talking to? I'm not seeing things, am I? That motorcycle..."

"They're obviously people from outside the community..."

"Could it be that a stranger is hitting on Deng?"

As soon as this guess came out, a group of people couldn't sit still. They rushed forward and, without saying a word, protected the lamp in a circle formed by several people. Not to mention the lamp, even Yanming didn't know what was going on.

"?"

What?

"Xiaodeng, are they your friends?" Yanming asked, noticing that they were wearing the same green school uniform.

"Little lamp?"

"when……"

A gasp of disbelief erupted from the student group.

Could it be that they have a problem this time?

Deng lowered his head: "Mr. Yanming..."

"Mr. Yanming!?"

"Deng, you...know each other?"

The lamp nodded.

The girl who had just mentioned that it was a stranger who had hit on the female middle school student suddenly slapped her forehead.

Oh no! It seems like she really messed up this game!

Deng paused for a moment, seemingly understanding their thoughts, and then spoke softly in defense of Yanming: "Mr. Yanming... is a good person who helped me."