Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle-Chapter 963 - 472: The Mayfly’s Gift
The three of them chatted for a while in the kitchen, mostly between Qin Huai and Zhao Cheng'an, while Xia Mubing remained silent, possibly because he's not good with words, or perhaps he just wanted to listen to Zhao Cheng'an and Qin Huai talk at that moment.
Qin Huai has a very rich introduction system and experiences with other spirits, every time one wakes up, he has to repeat it, and he's highly skilled now, speaking very smoothly without any omissions.
While Zhao Cheng'an talks, he tends to be more whimsical, speaking wherever his thoughts take him, or even wherever his dreams take him, switching from the first life to the sixth in a second. Often he's reminiscing his glorious achievements as the Beiping Thief King before suddenly shifting to talking about the natural scenery of the African savanna.
As they continued talking, Zhao Cheng'an took out Qin Huai's phone from his pocket, handing it over naturally, "Oh right, Qin Huai, here's your phone. When I first woke up, I wanted to test my skills since they might have gotten rusty, so I took it without thinking. I don't know if you'd noticed."
Qin Huai took the phone and stuffed it in his pocket, squeezing out a sentence, "Guess if I noticed."
You're good at stealing, but don't steal again. We're truly living in a society governed by law. The Beiping Thief King won't become Beiping's legend; he'd end up in Beiping's jail.
Times have changed, man. There's surveillance now.
Later, Zhao Cheng'an suddenly asked Qin Huai what gifts he received, and what gifts other awakened spirits had given.
Qin Huai honestly shared, even about how he had become the sole heir to Luo Jun's inheritance, and if anything ever happened to Luo Jun, he'd be the primary suspect.
Other spirits offered money, but Zhao Cheng'an frowned, deep in thought.
"It's not that I'm stingy," Zhao Cheng'an clarified first, "I'd love to give money, but right now I don't have it. I've used it all to replenish stock. I've only got a little over a thousand on me, not even enough to order food at Fen Garden."
"If you don't mind, Qin Huai, I could give you some stocks and funds I bought, as I don't want them anymore."
Qin Huai: Are you referring to those green stocks that instantly make one's face turn pale upon opening the software?
Just as Qin Huai was about to refuse, suggesting he consider his circumstances and if needed, he could send Director Qin's WeChat to suggest donating something to the Sanmalu Children's Welfare Institute like Qu Jing rather than stocks or funds, and not those so-called art pieces or paintings.
Before Qin Huai could say anything, Xia Mubing generously waved his hand, offering to take care of the gifts.
"It's normal for A sheng not to have money; money just doesn't stick with his personality. Ping'an promised to take care of A sheng back then, but with Ping'an gone, I'll fulfill the promise for him."
"I can't give the entire inheritance, as I must leave most of it to Xiao Hang. But I've invested in multiple properties in Beiping over the years like office buildings, courtyard houses, apartments, and shops, with quite a few antiques and paintings piled up in the warehouse at the back; though, those things are probably worthless."
"Later I'll have my lawyer sort out my real estate and send it to me. Xiao Qin, feel free to pick anything you like."
"A sheng, try not to be too extravagant with spending. I'll transfer you some pocket money first." Xia Mubing said, taking out his phone to open WeChat, squinting as he tried transferring funds to Zhao Cheng'an, but the amount was too large to transfer, so Xia Mubing asked Zhao Cheng'an for his bank card number to do it through mobile banking.
Two minutes later, Zhao Cheng'an's mobile banking showed a deposit of 500,000 yuan.
Qin Huai: !
Senior brother, do you need a junior brother? Truth be told, in this life, Zhao Cheng'an is Master Zhou's direct disciple, making me practically half a disciple of Master Zhou too, so rounding up, I'm Zhao Cheng'an's junior brother. Since you're Zhao Cheng'an's senior brother, you're my senior brother too! It's not about the money, it's about…
The main concern is that Zhang Guanghang thinks we're here to scam you. Since the money's been received, the scam reputation shouldn't be borne by Zhao Cheng'an alone; I can take part of it.
Our system's male protagonist is just this kindhearted.
Zhao Cheng'an felt dizzy from the warmth of the money, murmuring touched, "If only Ping'an were still here, then I could take two portions of money."
Qin Huai: …Mayfly, pull yourself together, how can you face Master Zhou at Taste with your current mental status?
Hearing Zhao Cheng'an's words, Xia Mubing sent another 200,000.
Qin Huai: … 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎
Senior brother!!!
The three chatted in the kitchen until after 10 PM. Despite not being satisfied, it was time to leave. If they stayed any longer, Zhang Guanghang outside would likely call the police. Qin Huai worried chatting too late would disturb spirits in the group trying to sleep. After this chat, there was another one planned in the [Believe in Love Family] group where Luo Jun and others didn't yet know the good news about Mayfly's awakening, and the family members were waiting eagerly for the scoop.
Though slightly reluctant, Xia Mubing casually waved his hand saying they should leave, mentioning he won't see them off tomorrow, and they should return to Beiping next time they have time as his old bones might not have many chances left, suggesting visiting at least once a year.
Zhao Cheng'an really created a small group, noting himself as Chen Sheng, Xia Mubing as Xia Sheng, while only Qin Huai used his real name.
When Qin Huai and Zhao Cheng'an left the kitchen, Zhang Guanghang remained outside, shooting sharp glances at Qin Huai and Zhao Cheng'an as if asking what exactly they had done to his master in the kitchen for those hours. But Xia Mubing didn't give Zhang Guanghang the chance to keep staring at them, directly calling him into the kitchen to talk.
Qin Huai and Zhao Cheng'an took a taxi back.
On the way back, Qin Huai didn't immediately add Zhao Cheng'an into the group chat, knowing Chen Huihong's personality would trigger a group call the moment a new person joins. This time was Chen Huihong's prime mobile usage time, and she'd surely notice instantly.
Considering Zhao Cheng'an's recent mental state, Qin Huai feared he might answer the voice chat loudly in the taxi, leaving the driver with a strong impression of having picked up two crazies tonight.
Qin Huai decided to chat about something else.
"Zhao Cheng'an, after you return to Hangzhou, do you plan to..."
"Qin Huai, why do you think Xia Mubing is so persistent in buying Taifeng Building?"
They both spoke almost simultaneously, then looked at each other, Qin Huai mainly showing surprise, noticing at this moment, Zhao Cheng'an reverted to his normal self, not like Chen Sheng, with both his tone and expression much more normal.
"Why are you looking at me with that expression?" Zhao Cheng'an asked.
"I just feel your change is a bit drastic." Qin Huai honestly replied.
"Oh, because I was just pretending." Zhao Cheng'an admitted straightforwardly, "After not seeing me for so many years, if my speaking and acting style changed drastically from before, Xia Mubing would find it uncomfortable."
Qin Huai was once again surprised.
"I actually wanted to say a lot earlier but didn't know what to say," Zhao Cheng'an glanced outside, under the glow of streetlights and numerous other lights, it wasn't dark out, and you could clearly see the pedestrians, "This spot used to be really dark, I often lurked in the dark to scout."
"With so many years passing, places have changed, I didn't even recognize Fen Garden as the former Prince Mansion; how can people not change?"
"Didn't you notice he's actually pretending too? Although his act isn't as good as mine, Xia Mubing wants to pretend to be young but can't pull it off, he's just not young anymore. When he wanted to smile but couldn't back then, it'd seem quite shy. Now he wants to smile but can't, and it just appears benevolent."
"Unlike me, I'm still quite young."
Qin Huai: ...With your reincarnation speed, you don't even have the condition to grow old.
"He probably won't be able to sleep tonight," Zhao Cheng'an remarked, "I probably won't sleep either."
"I've never had so much money in my bank card; my dad's never given me 700,000 at once."
"Oh right, what did you ask just now?"
"You mentioned how Teacher Xia was really persistent in wanting to buy Taifeng Building." Qin Huai chose not to repeat his earlier remark, instead recalling Zhao Cheng'an's words. "Did you mention this earlier?"
"I didn't?" Zhao Cheng'an questioned back, "Maybe we discussed it before, and I forgot the topic later. Taifeng Building changed hands many times back then, eventually being purchased by Li Family's Young Madam, Jiang Huiqin, and now it's in Miss Jiang's son's possession."
"Xia Mubing wanted to buy Taifeng Building and reopen it since decades ago, but Mr. Li, Jiang's son, always refused to sell, saying it was Jiang's last wish to hand it over to Beiping once Li family's descendants return, but throughout these years, even with me here, Li family descendants have not returned to Beiping, and Mr. Li does not reside in Beiping either."
"Xia Mubing continuously tried to buy Taifeng Building, even raising the offer to three times the market price last year, yet Mr. Li stubbornly refused to sell, leaving us confused about their persistence." Zhao Cheng'an sighed.
Qin Huai pondered, "Perhaps it's a matter of sentiment."
"Over the years, changes have happened, with many things different now. Like not even recognizing Fen Garden as the old Prince Mansion in the beginning. But Taifeng Building has been well-preserved, still resembling its former self amid changes. Teacher Xia's insistence on buying it, and Mr. Li's refusal to sell, all reflect a bit of sentiment they hold dear."
Zhao Cheng'an shook his head, "I truly don't get it."
"It's fine not understanding, for if you did, it'd mean there's nothing wrong in your mind."
Zhao Cheng'an: ?
