Realizing Habits

"Are you really at Qi Gathering stage?"

Chang Liuyun wondered a with scrutinizing gaze.

Flustered, Lei Mingxing hastily replied.

"I am at Qi Gathering! I'm telling the truth!"

Lei Mingxing's words didn't help at all, quite the opposite, they caused Chang Liuyun's suspicions to grow even bigger.

Lei Mingxing also realized this while looking at his darkening eyes, she hurriedly rummaged in her head for any ideas on how to salvage this. A sudden thought flashed through her mind.

Wait, maybe it was strange to not eat for so long at Qi Gathering?

...That was probably it.

...Her habits from her past life really did more harm than good.

Lei Mingxing sighed inwardly, having found the reason for Chang Liuyun's sudden shift in mood. She awkwardly opened her mouth to explain.

"Not eating for a few days is an old habit of mine. I don't even realize it anymore."

There was still a small doubtful light inside Chang Liuyun's eyes, but luckily for Lei Mingxing, he decided to drop the topic.

His reasoning was that she probably wouldn't tell him anything more conclusive than that, no matter how persistent he was. At least that was his superficial reason.

In truth, he actually believed Lei Mingxing's words a bit, he didn't think that she was lying and he usually had a pretty good gut feeling when it came to judging a person's character. But this also added one more mystery to his strange companion, who clearly came from some noble family...

Shaking off these thoughts, Chang Liuyun instead announced:

"Is that so? In that case, let's get something to eat."

Chang Liuyun turned around and walked towards a stall, still dragging Lei Mingxing along.

Lei Mingxing let out a breath of relief and curiously looked at her companion's chosen food stand.

Before them stood a stall specializing in chicken meat skewers, with appetizingly oily meat sizzling on the grill, only waiting for a potential customer.

Seeing the skewers in all their savory goodness like this, Lei Mingxing's mouth also began to water.

"Four Skewers, please."

Chang Liuyun ordered.

"Coming right up!"

The stall owner quickly prepared their order but he couldn't help sneaking a few extra glances at Lei Mingxing.

"Twenty yuan, please," the owner said and with a short wink in Lei Mingxing's direction he added, "There is also an extra skewer for the beautiful lady."

Distaste welled up inside Lei Mingxing, directly spoiling her appetite. But she still took out the coin bag from her bosom and counted twenty yuan before handing them to Chang Liuyun to pay.

Chang Liuyun's face turned red, receiving the slightly warm coins but fortunately, his blush was hidden beneath his mask. He paid the stall owner in a deliberately nonchalant manner, before calmly receiving the skewers from the other.

With the food in hand, the two left.

Chang Liuyun picked up one of the skewers and began gnawing on it while holding the others for Lei Mingxing to pick.

Lei Mingxing shook her head.

"I don't want any."

Chang Liuyun withdrew his hand.

"Is there something else you want then?"

Lei Mingxing shook her hand again.

She knew that this didn't look very good, but any appetite she might have had was thoroughly ruined by the scalding gaze of the stall owner that was still sticking to her like a dog skin plaster.

It had nothing to do with the stall owner specifically, he just caused the suppressed emotions inside her heart to spill out again. This caused her to become hyper-aware of where she was and everything that was going on around her, adding to her unease and disgust. She had to really focus on remaining calm, so she could continue walking in the crowd like this.

Chang Liuyun glanced at Lei Mingxing's tightly closed eyes and felt a bit of pity rising in his heart. He had a hunch that she was once again struggling with the same thing as earlier.

So, despite his doubts towards the other, Chang Liuyun looked around to find something to take Lei Mingxing's mind off her inner turmoil.

Soon, something caught Chang Liuyun's eye.

"How about that?"

Lei Mingxing looked up, following the direction of Chang Liuyun's finger.

Not far away from them was a small cart with an old man standing in front of it. Countless children were huddled around him with glittering eyes.

Chang Liuyun pulled Lei Mingxing toward the cart without waiting for her to answer.

As soon as they got near, the crowd of children parted in front of them, casting them curious and intimidated glances.

Chang Liuyun and Lei Mingxing's tall statures were a strange sight for the children. There were not many people as tall as them here, and most of the ones who were, worked as big and scary mercenaries who would rather die than come close to such a stall.

"One sugar figure, please."

The old owner of the cart was also visibly impressed by these unusual patrons.

"Which one will it be, young man?"

Chang Liuyun turned to look at Lei Mingxing.

The latter was taken aback by the sudden question, originally she was about to take out the coin purse but now her hand halted halfway. She hurriedly looked at the several candy figures, and after a few seconds of consideration, she chose a petit and cute bird candy.

"This one, please."

The old owner nodded and took the last little magpie candy.

"That would be three yuan, please."

Lei Mingxing was about to take out the money, when suddenly a voice sounded behind the group.

"I'm sorry, please wait a moment!"

Lei Mingxing froze on the spot upon hearing this familiar voice. She hoped that she was mistaken, but she dared not glance behind her in case her guess was correct.

"Please let me buy that magpie figure, it's my little sister's favorite!"

The person behind her said.

This mention of a little sister confirmed Lei Mingxing's doubts about the other's identity.

She didn't dare move even a single muscle, like a rabbit face to face with its ferocious predator. She didn't even blink.

Unfortunately, her companion hadn't noticed her body becoming as stiff as a wooden sculpture, too focused on the new arrival's rude behavior.

Small theater:

Meat Skewer Stall Owner: How do you conquer a lady's heart? Through her stomach!

Lei Mingxing: ...Ugh.