Reboot Arc — Chapter 247: Xia Ningxin’s Dinner

Zhihao Zhang and Shiyan... Whom should I save?

Had I really never thought about this question before?

If such an emergency truly arose, whom should I go and rescue?

Moxing frowned, unsure how to answer.

Beside the table, one of the officers said, “That’s practically a life-or-death question.”

“I definitely couldn’t answer it.” Another officer shook his head. “It’s too difficult.”

“President,” Shiyan whispered, “it would be fine if someone else answered that question, but isn’t it a little too cruel to make Moxing answer it?”

“Don’t worry. He’ll be able to give us an answer.” Zhihao Zhang smiled.

Moxing’s lips moved slightly. He drew a deep breath and lifted his head.

“I...” He paused. “I want to save both of you. But if I absolutely had to choose one...”

“I choose to save Shiyan.” Moxing spoke firmly.

“Huh?”

Shiyan froze for a moment. The answer itself might not have been surprising, but Moxing’s expression was exceptionally serious.

“Ever since I was little, I’ve known one principle: whenever there’s danger, girls should always be protected first. At the same time, I believe President Zhang can turn danger into safety, because he always gives off an incredibly dependable and reassuring feeling! So I choose to save Shiyan!”

“That may not have been the most appropriate thing to say, but I still firmly believe in my choice!” Moxing added.

The moment Moxing finished speaking, everyone in the room fell silent for a second. The sudden quiet was strangely harmonious, and no one found it uncomfortable.

“Very well.” President Zhang applauded. “That was a decisive choice.”

The other officers began applauding as well, agreeing with Moxing’s reasoning. Shiyan gave a slight nod too.

“Thank you for the applause, Senior Brothers and Sisters...” Moxing bowed deeply. “I’ll continue working hard.”

“You may leave now. Someone will inform you of the interview results later.” President Zhang gestured for him to go.

“Thank you, everyone. Then... I’ll be leaving first.” Moxing scratched his head before waving goodbye to the others.

“Go on.” President Zhang nodded.

“Mm.”

At that moment, Moxing’s heart was in turmoil. Recalling what he had just said, he felt rather embarrassed. Shiyan wouldn’t realize that he liked her, would she?

“Moxing—”

Moxing was just about to turn and leave when Shiyan suddenly called out to him.

“What is it, Shiyan—” Moxing’s heart began to race. “Senior Sister?”

He had deliberately added the title “Senior Sister” to ease the awkwardness. Could Shiyan have something else to say to him? Oh no, everyone was watching. This was so embarrassing...

Who am I?

Where am I?

What am I supposed to do?

“Remember to remind the next interviewee to wait one minute before knocking and coming in,” Shiyan said.

“Oh, that’s all? All right.” Moxing came back to his senses. He suddenly remembered that this was indeed part of the interview etiquette, so he nodded. “I guarantee I’ll complete the mission!”

A while later.

After leaving the Shenluo Palace, Moxing looked back at the long, S-shaped line and finally managed to breathe a sigh of relief.

His heart had been pounding nonstop while he was speaking with Shiyan. He had been so nervous! His performance should have been all right, shouldn’t it? Surely she wouldn’t lower her opinion of him because of it!

Moxing rubbed his eyes. When his right hand touched his cheek, he realized that his face was burning hot.

Damn it, this is so humiliating!

Why was a grown man blushing?

Forget it, forget it. I’m not thinking about this anymore! It wasn’t early, and it was time to have dinner. He had slept until noon, hurriedly eaten lunch, and then rushed over to attend the university student council interview. He had never expected so many people to be waiting in line. Before he knew it, the entire day had passed.

Time was like water in a sponge, except I somehow lost my sponge!

This feeling of doing absolutely nothing was awful. Even last night’s bandit-suppression operation had felt more fulfilling than the entire day.

Tonight?

Oh, right!

Tonight I’m going to West Shopping Street!

Xia Ningxin is treating me to dinner!

Although he had no idea why she wanted to do that, it felt as though he absolutely had to go.

West Shopping Street.

The road was lined with shops, and traffic flowed endlessly.

The sun was setting in the west, casting a melancholy glow over the willow-lined streets.

Moxing had been there before and was fairly familiar with the area—

Or so he thought!

Where in the world was West Shopping Street, Number 198?

He had asked countless passersby, but none of them knew. Even the shop owners nearby had all shaken their heads. This world did not even have navigation apps. How was he supposed to find the place?

“Right!”

Moxing suddenly realized that there was still a certain bug living inside him. And it was none other than the mighty Water Dragon God!

“Kashin! Kashin! Help me out! Use your powerful perception to find an address for me!”

Yet there was no response. Moxing sounded more like he was talking to himself.

“Kashin? Could the Dragon God be sleeping in? Or can I only summon him when I’m in danger?” Moxing scratched his head.

“Eh? Junior Brother Moxing? What a coincidence!”

A familiar voice came from behind him. Moxing turned around and found Senior Brother Cai Hong.

“Senior Brother Cai Hong? You’re here too?”

“Yeah, haha. I’m working the evening shift here today.” Cai Hong smiled.

“Oh.” Moxing nodded. He knew that Cai Hong often took odd jobs to earn money, so he ought to be familiar with this area.

“By the way, Senior Brother, I wanted to ask you something,” Moxing said.

“Go ahead,” Cai Hong replied.

“Someone invited me to dinner, but I can’t find the shop.” Moxing paused. “Do you know how to get to West Shopping Street, Number 198?”

“Huh? West Shopping Street, Number 198?” Cai Hong looked surprised. “That’s the shop where I work part-time!”

“Really? What a coincidence! Senior Brother, could you take me there?” Moxing’s eyes lit up. At last! Heaven was on his side. He had finally found the place!

“The shop is right here.” Cai Hong pointed beside them.

“What?”

Moxing followed his gesture and saw a large, decorative sign overhead. The shop was called FENHUO Snack Shop, and the small plaque beside it displayed the address: West Shopping Street, Number 198.

A while later.

“What? You said Xia Ningxin invited you to dinner?” After Cai Hong finished switching shifts with the clerk at the counter, he exploded at Moxing’s story.

“Mm. She told me a few days ago in front of the hospital.” Moxing nodded.

“Did I hear that correctly? Someone as noble as her actually invited you to dinner?” Cai Hong looked Moxing up and down. “Junior Brother, you have quite a way with women. You’ve even managed to move the Ice Queen with your sincere heart!”

“Senior Brother, don’t make things up.” Moxing awkwardly scratched his head. “Maybe she needs my help with something?”

“Hehe, all right.” Cai Hong smiled. “But why did she arrange to meet you here?”

“I don’t know either...” Moxing glanced over the snack shop’s shelves. Seeing the lollipops, sandwich cookies, and other snacks brought back memories of treats he had eaten before, and he casually said, “Could Xia Ningxin be planning to treat me to snacks?”

“Ahahahaha!” Cai Hong burst out laughing. “Junior Brother, that idea of yours is hilarious! The Ice Queen treating a sincere young man to snacks? You’re killing me!”

“Uh...” Moxing was left speechless. His unrealistic idea really had been absurd.

Suddenly, Cai Hong restrained his laughter, straightened his chest, and returned to his usual expression.

Moxing stared at him in confusion. What was he doing?

“Good afternoon, Shopkeeper!” Cai Hong said with a radiant smile, an overwhelming wave of positive energy coming off him.

Moxing turned toward the door and saw a girl approaching. She had shoulder-length hair, delicate features, and wore an orange, lace-trimmed dress. She looked pure and charming, like the girl next door.

“Good afternoon, Cai Hong. What were you two talking about?” the girl asked with a gentle smile.

“I saw my roommate come to support our shop, and it made me especially happy!” Cai Hong explained.

“Mm-hmm.” The girl turned her head toward Moxing. “You must be Moxing, right?”

“Yes, I’m Moxing.” He nodded. Had his name already spread beyond campus? Even the owner of a snack shop knew him?

“My name is Xiao Cheng. I’m a first-year student at Scarlet Moon Academy, a third-stage Azure-ranked elemental mage, and also the owner of this snack shop.” The girl smiled faintly. “You may call me Orange as well. I look forward to working with you.”

“W-Wait... you’re already a third-stage Azure-ranked mage in your first year?” Moxing exclaimed, dumbfounded.

In all the years of Sacred Sky Royal Academy, only three freshmen had entered the school already possessing Azure-rank strength. And this girl had begun opening a shop and starting a business at such a young age. She was far too impressive!

What had he ever done to deserve her asking for his guidance? He should have been the one asking her for guidance!

“Mm-hmm. Our snack shop owner was also ranked first in this year’s freshman assessment at Scarlet Moon Academy!” Cai Hong praised her from the side.

“Not at all. First place can change at any time.” Orange smiled. “There’s no need to care too much about rankings.”

Good heavens! She was so detached from worldly concerns! Were all the great experts in this world so humble? Zhihao Zhang was like that, Shadow Cannon was like that, and Orange was like that too!

They were all prodigies who had reached Azure-rank strength upon entering school!

And he was always dealing with people of their caliber!

What had he ever done to deserve it?

What had he ever done to deserve it?

“I’m very pleased to meet you.” Moxing quickly nodded in response. “I hope you’ll guide me as well!”

“Then, Moxing, please follow me to the second floor,” Orange said.

“Huh? But I’m still waiting for someone.” Moxing was baffled. He could not understand what was happening. Could it really be as Senior Brother Cai Hong had said? Was his luck with women truly that incredible? Was he like the protagonists in those romantic fantasy novels?

“She’s on the second floor.” Orange smiled. “Please come upstairs with me.”

“Oh, I see.” Moxing suddenly understood. Xia Ningxin had arrived long ago and had been waiting upstairs all this time.

As expected, all the great experts knew one another!

Moxing followed Orange up to the second floor.

The banister was exquisitely crafted, and the floor was covered with a red carpet trimmed in lace. Beautiful landscape paintings hung on the walls, while several unidentifiable plants stood in the corners. Dewdrops on their leaves glittered beneath the lamplight like pearls.

If the first floor was a fully stocked snack shop, then the second floor had a distinctly antique aesthetic, giving it an entirely different charm.

Moxing caught the aroma of food. Orange pushed open a door, revealing a table laden with sumptuous dishes.

My goodness! This is incredibly lavish! It must be the most sumptuous dinner I’ve seen since arriving in this other world!

Unlike Moxing’s astonished expression, Orange looked somewhat puzzled.

“How strange. Where did Little Ning go?”