Thanks for Msos for returning as a Supporter!
===BREAK===
"Here, this is tonight's feast—fire-roasted stone lizard."
Burnice set down a huge platter of roasted meat, her face beaming with enthusiasm as she stared unblinkingly at Arden and the others.
Arden looked at the table and saw a whole large lizard, sizzling with oil, its meat a tempting pink, and the aroma wafting in waves.
Gulp~!
He swallowed instinctively.
Though "lizard" sounded intimidating, it actually looked quite appetizing. Besides, Arden had grown up in Waifei Peninsula—a place comparable to "Guangdong" in terms of cuisine—where almost anything with four legs except a table, and everything that flies except an airplane could be considered food.
Yiji and Belle, however, were a bit more particular.
"Uh… can we eat this?"
Belle stared nervously at the stubbornly open-eyed lizard head.
"We can't… lose!"
Yiji, being strong-willed, wasn't about to back down in front of Arden.
"We're all here and everyone's eating—should be fine."
Saying that, Arden picked up a knife and fork, skillfully cutting off the lizard's head and tail, keeping only the meatiest middle section. He then removed the skin, sliced the fragrant meat, divided it into three portions, and placed them on his, Yiji's, and Belle's plates.
"Dig in!"
"…"
Seeing the situation, Belle steeled herself.
At worst, I'll just die!
"Wuwuwu… huh?"
Then, all three of them simultaneously let out satisfied sounds.
Surprisingly, the roasted lizard tasted really good.
Perhaps because it was wild, the lizard exercised often, giving the meat a firm yet tender texture. The natural ingredients retained their original flavor, and combined with the Outer Ring locals' rich culinary experience, it turned out unexpectedly delicious.
It tasted somewhat like rural free-range chicken.
And so, the three of them ate lizard meat and drank Fuel Drink alternately, feasting heartily.
The Fuel Drink, despite its name suggesting gasoline, was actually an energy beverage similar to Monster. Drinking it made the body feel powered-up, hence the name.
…
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. Add the boost from the Fuel Drink, and both Yiji and little Arden were full of energy.
Only Belle, in the adjacent room, was having bad luck. Tossing and turning in bed, she couldn't fall asleep.
"Really, why do you have to shout so loud! Afraid I won't hear?"
She covered her ears and buried herself in the blanket.
The next morning.
"I love you, hubby!"
"I love you too!"
After sending greetings to Yixuan, Ju Fufu, and Sweety far away in Yunkui Summit via text—signal being weak in the Outer Ring—Arden patted Yiji beside him.
"Time to get up!"
"Mm, ugh…"
Creak~~!
The slightly old-fashioned door opened as Arden and Yiji stepped out.
"Good morning, Belle!"
Coincidentally, Belle, staying next door, came out as well.
She looked a little rough—dark circles as if she hadn't slept all night. Her clothes and skirt were fairly neat, but she only had one sock on, and her slippers didn't match.
"Uh… didn't sleep well?"
Arden asked with concern. Many people have trouble sleeping in new environments, sometimes just a different pillow disrupts them. He thought Belle might be one of those people.
But she wasn't.
"Is it my fault or yours!?"
Belle shot Arden and Yiji a sharp glare.
"..."
Arden wasn't dumb—he immediately caught on. "Heh, hehe… we'll be careful tonight, I promise!"
"..."
Belle rolled her eyes and sighed inwardly.
Tonight as well!? Young people have it easy, but such reckless behavior… sigh! Oh well.
Ultimately, it was their business, so Belle let it go.
"Remember to keep your voices down."
"Oh!"
Yiji slightly tilted her head, then confidently linked her arm with Belle's. "Belle, let's go take a shower. You could use a bit of refreshment."
Unlike in Yunkui Summit, Outer Ring locals preferred morning showers. After last night's intense activity, Yiji was sweaty and needed to clean up.
However, Blazewood only had a public bathhouse, which Yiji wasn't used to. She wanted someone familiar to accompany her.
"Heeheehee!"
"Hahaha!"
"Caesar, have you gotten bigger again? Big chest, but no brains!"
"Lucy, can I borrow that fragrant shampoo of yours?"
"No!"
"Hey! Don't hog it!"
"..."
"Ah! This is so nice!"
Outside the container-converted bathhouse, Lighter sighed, listening to the commotion inside.
It wasn't just a public bath—there was only one room, so the boys had to wait for the girls to finish.
"Lighter, are you starting to daydream?"
Arden's voice came from nearby. He, too, was waiting for the bathhouse. "I advise you to abandon that thought. Bathing with girls isn't as wonderful as you imagine."
Arden sounded like someone who had been through it before.
"Oh? How so?"
Lighter perked up, curious. Having no experience, he couldn't imagine what could go wrong. Bathing with pretty girls should be every man's dream, right?
"Sigh—"
Seeing Lighter so stubborn, Arden sighed again. "Do you really think bathing with girls will naturally lead to… all sorts of wonderful things?"
"Yes, yes, yes!"
Lighter nodded eagerly like a little chick. "Isn't that, right?"
"Absolutely not!"
Arden said firmly. "Physiologically, girls tolerate heat better than boys…"
He began explaining scientifically. "They prefer different water temperatures. When bathing together, if both want a comfortable temperature, disputes are inevitable…"
He rolled up his sleeve, revealing scratch marks on his arm.
"This is the result."
Arden patted Lighter's shoulder and stood up. "This is from experience. Don't go down the wrong path."
"Thanks for the advice, senior!"
Under Lighter's admiring gaze, Arden stepped toward the bathhouse.
Though bathing together wasn't ideal, seeing a beautiful girl emerge afterward was undeniably appealing.
…
"Later, I'll take you both for a ride!"
Belle and Yiji had just finished bathing when they ran into Arden.
The Sons of Calydon were bikers, and Arden had a sidecar motorcycle. With some time before the Tour de Inferno, he planned to show them the Outer Ring scenery.
Of course, Arden had never been to the Outer Ring either and wanted to see it himself.
"Great!"
"Um… we won't get in your way, right?"
Belle worried that if Arden and Yiji got too excited while riding, she'd be in an awkward situation.
"No! Yiji sits behind me; you take the sidecar."
"Oh, okay… okay then."
===BREAK===
Like the story and want more chapters?
Join and support me by joining my Patreon!
[email protected]/SiRoasa