Chapter 5:Peng Deng

"At the intersection of Linping Road and Chong'an Street, opposite the Jinxiu Nianhua community..." Meng Xian murmured to herself as she got off the bus, her eyes scanning her surroundings.

The bustling streets and the early morning sunlight painted a vibrant picture, blending seamlessly with the mental map she had formed earlier.

She compared the landmarks and buildings with the details in her memory, crafting a navigation route to her destination.

After confirming the route, she began walking with purpose, her steps light yet steady. The cool morning breeze brushed against her face, bringing with it the scents of nearby food stalls and the distant hum of traffic.

It didn't take long for her to spot the restaurant. "The first floor of No. 770 Chong'an Street," she read out quietly, matching it with the address Zhou Mingrui had given her. Her gaze lifted to the sign above the entrance, "Wang Er Hotpot Grilled Fish."

Meng Xian nodded to herself, satisfied that she had arrived at the right place. She pulled out her phone, checking the time on the screen saver. It was 10:47 in the morning on the 12th, a full thirteen minutes ahead of her 11 o'clock meeting with Zhou Mingrui.

Punctuality was one of her habits, a trait she prided herself on. It allowed her a buffer for any unforeseen circumstances, ensuring she never had to rush or panic.

She was dressed in a simple white blouse and a grey loose skirt that flowed just below her knees, a sling bag hanging casually over her shoulder, and white sneakers completing her look. Her long hair, usually tied in a practical ponytail for work, cascaded freely down her back today, adding a touch of casual elegance to her appearance.

Taking a deep breath, Meng Xian pushed open the door and stepped into the restaurant. The interior was alive with activity—clattering dishes, bubbling hot pots, and the chatter of patrons filled the air.

The warm, inviting aromas of grilled fish and spicy broth mingled, creating a homely and welcoming atmosphere.

As she navigated through the bustling crowd, searching for Zhou Mingrui, she heard a familiar voice calling out, "Meng Xian, this way!"

Meng Xian turned her head and saw Zhou Mingrui sitting at a window seat not far away. He was waving energetically and standing up, his friendly demeanor unmistakable even from a distance.

As Meng Xian approached, she noticed that Zhou Mingrui wasn't alone. Across from him sat a young man who appeared to be around the same age. He had a strikingly handsome face and was engrossed in his phone.

When their eyes met, he looked up, offering a polite and slightly curious smile.

Meng Xian took a moment to study the young man, her gaze lingering as she processed the new encounter. Just then, Zhou Mingrui, having spotted her approach, made his way over to her. He placed a friendly hand on her shoulder, guiding her towards the table.

"Meng Xian, go ahead and sit down. I'll let the waiter know we're ready for our order," Zhou Mingrui said, his voice cheerful despite the slight flush on his cheeks.

Meng Xian nodded, her curiosity piqued as she walked towards the young man. As she approached, the young man stood up, putting his phone aside with a practiced ease.

He extended his hand in greeting, a warm and confident smile gracing his features.

"Hello, I'm Peng Deng, Zhou Mingrui's childhood friend," he said, his tone friendly and sincere.

"Although this is our first meeting, I've heard quite a bit about you from Mingrui."

Peng Deng grinned. "It's good to finally meet you."

Peng Deng's grin widened, and for a moment, Meng Xian felt a strange undercurrent in his words. There was something almost teasing in the way he spoke.

Before she could ponder further, Zhou Mingrui's sudden coughing fit drew her attention. She turned to see him with a slight flush on his face, clearly trying to regain his composure.

"Are you okay?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.

Zhou Mingrui managed a twitchy smile. "Yeah, I'm fine, don't worry."

Meng Xian watched him for a moment longer, sensing there was more to his reaction than he let on, but decided not to press the issue.

Unbeknownst to her, Zhou Mingrui was sending a death glare at Peng Deng, who simply grinned back mischievously.

Turning her attention back to Peng Deng, Meng Xian concealed her swirling thoughts, raising the corners of her mouth slightly and shaking his hand.

"Hello, Peng Deng. I'm Zhou Mingrui's colleague, Meng Xian."

"It's nice to meet you too," Peng Deng replied with a smile,

Meng Xian pondered deeply as she observed Peng Deng.

There was very little information about Zhou Mingrui's best friend in the original novel Lord of Mysteries. Despite its vast expanse of 4.47 million words, Peng Deng appeared only four times in total. Each appearance was a fleeting glimpse, a small piece of a much larger puzzle.

The first mention of this character came when Zhou Mingrui, who had transitioned into Klein Moretti through a journey across time and space, reflected on his past. As a multifaceted scholar of sorts—one who fancied himself knowledgeable in a multitude of disciplines—Klein recalled his best friend, who often teased him for knowing "a little about everything."

This brief mention painted a picture of a relationship grounded in camaraderie and shared experiences.

The second mention occurred in a tense moment when Klein, using his revolver to intimidate a secret order member who had intruded into his home, recalled his past life.

Among the scattered memories was the friendship with his best friend, a bond formed through shared activities like football, basketball, games, and mahjong.

This nostalgia hinted at a deep connection, one that had played a significant role in his previous life.

The final two mentions were set in the eerie and ethereal Sefirah Castle. Following his escape from a dangerous game with Amon in the God-Forsaken Land, Klein found himself in the castle, isolated and haunted by the will of the Celestial Lord.

To stave off the creeping despair, he conjured a comforting banquet, complete with exquisitely prepared food and glowing candlelight.

The guests present at this surreal gathering included familiar faces from the Tarot Club, but among them were four figures out of sync with the rest—one of whom was identified as Zhou Mingrui's best friend.

The revelation of these figures was both intriguing and unsettling. They included Zhou Mingrui's parents, his failed first love, and Peng Deng, his best friend.

The presence of Peng Deng, in particular, stood out. He was not merely a figment of nostalgia but an active participant in the most personal and vulnerable moments of Zhou Mingrui's life.

The extra chapter of Lord of Mysteries, titled [In Modern Times], offered another layer to this enigma. It was an unusual side story, depicting Klein's journey in a dreamscape where he became Zhou Mingrui once more. Stripped of his memories and tricked into drinking an assassin's potion by Tianzun, Klein's experiences in this modern script were vividly detailed.

However, the most striking aspect of this episode was the prominent role Peng Deng played. Unlike Zhou Mingrui's parents and first love, who were absent from this modern tale, Peng Deng's character emerged as a central figure.

This emphasis on Peng Deng's role, despite his lack of prominence in the original work, was both intriguing and unsettling.

Meng Xian was deeply immersed in the world of Lord of Mysteries, a universe where every detail could unravel new layers of understanding.

Her role as a writer and a meticulous observer meant she couldn't help but delve into the minutiae of the story, even beyond its pages.

This meticulousness became evident when she participated in discussions among fellow book enthusiasts, dissecting every nuance and theory about the enigmatic characters and their roles.

One of the most compelling theories she encountered was the speculation surrounding Zhou Mingrui's best friend,

Peng Deng.

The final conclusion, which Meng Xian found particularly intriguing, suggested that while Zhou Mingrui might have had a best friend named Peng Deng before traveling through time, the Peng Deng encountered in the dream sequence was likely not the same person.

Instead, this Peng Deng was believed to be a creation of Tianzun, the enigmatic figure who controlled the dreamscape.

The idea that Tianzun could manipulate the dream world to create a semblance of Peng Deng—a figure so central to Zhou Mingrui's past—was both fascinating and unsettling.

When Meng Xian had seen Zhou Mingrui in the company that day, the unsettling thought crossed her mind:

Was she merely a bystander in a grander scheme, a mere NPC in a dream orchestrated by Tianzun? The possibility that her interactions and observations might be part of a controlled narrative was both humbling and disconcerting.

To alleviate her concerns, Meng Xian meticulously examined her surroundings.

She revisited her notes and cross-referenced them with the reality she encountered. She was determined to ensure that her environment was genuine and not part of a fabricated illusion.

That evening, as Meng Xian reviewed her file on Zhou Mingrui's previous life, she conducted an exhaustive search. She cross-checked every detail, making sure there was no mention of a boss named Huang or a peculiar "MLM" company next door, complete with its incessant slogans and an enigmatic vice president named Wu.

Her thorough investigation revealed no such anomalies, but her caution remained.

Her worries persisted, fueled by the knowledge that Zhou Mingrui had previously worked as a hardware engineer.

The thought that his new job might involve a boss named Huang or a peculiar company next door haunted her. She feared the possibility of encountering the same bizarre scenarios she had read about, even though there were no such signs in her current observations.

In an effort to avoid any direct confrontation with Zhou Mingrui—fearing it might provoke an adverse reaction from Klein or Tianzun—Meng Xian decided to proceed with utmost discretion.

She spent an entire night researching and verifying details. She was careful not to step on any metaphorical landmines that might reveal her suspicions.

Her research confirmed that there was no romantic businessman named Huang Tao with a daughter named Huang Beibei.

During casual conversations with Zhou Mingrui, she subtly learned about his living situation, discovering that his roommate was a middle-aged man, not the young couple named siatas and Mobet zoroast who were prone to frequent arguments.

Finally, at the celebratory dinner marking Zhou Mingrui's promotion to a regular employee, Meng Xian's worries were somewhat assuaged.

As the conversation shifted from work-related topics to more personal ones, she learned that Zhou Mingrui was indeed an only child, with no siblings named Benson or Melissa. This information, though not entirely reassuring, provided some relief.

Despite the relief, Meng Xian remained vigilant.

The scene refocused Peng Deng released Meng Xian's hand with a warm, genuine smile, his earlier introduction carrying an air of familiarity that both comforted and intrigued her.

Despite the fact that Meng Xian had heard Peng Deng's name mentioned by Zhou Mingrui before, there was a new depth to her understanding now that she was face-to-face with him.

She couldn't help but feel a slight unease—a subtle look in her eyes revealing her cautious curiosity.

As Peng Deng was about to continue, his attention shifted to Zhou Mingrui, who had reappeared with a playful grin, balancing four cans of Coke.

Zhou Mingrui's entrance was marked by a cheerful and somewhat exaggerated flourish, his voice bubbling with enthusiasm: "Come on, iced Coke, everyone has a share!"

The cans of Coke, a seemingly mundane detail, were a symbol of Zhou Mingrui's effort to bring a touch of levity and camaraderie to their gathering.

Peng Deng, in turn, skillfully took over the conversation, introducing the context: "This is the drink included in the group purchase for a meal for four people."

Meng Xian's curiosity was piqued, her gaze shifting between Peng Deng and Zhou Mingrui. "You seem to be very familiar with this store. Have you been here before?"

Zhou Mingrui's face lit up with a nostalgic smile. "Oh, absolutely. This grilled fish restaurant is our go-to spot from university days. We used to come here all the time. It's affordable and the food is really good. Just 60 yuan per person, and you get a great meal."

Meng Xian's gaze softened as she listened. Her thoughts drifted momentarily to Zhou Mingrui's frugal nature. She had recently seen how he meticulously budgeted his expenses, especially after learning about Meng Xian's own commitment to professional courses, which required a significant portion of her salary.

Zhou Mingrui's habit of saving money had intensified, and even small expenses, like buying a bottle of Coke, had become a thoughtful consideration.

"That's quite a good deal," Meng Xian replied, her eyes drifting downward as she thought about her own current weekly food budget. Sixty yuan per person almost matched what she spent in a week, not including her company meal allowance.

Peng Deng, ever the practical one, chimed in with a knowing grin, "But based on experience, a group-purchased meal for four usually only covers two people."

Zhou Mingrui's eyes twinkled with mischief as he responded, "Of course, I've taken that into account." He reached into his pocket and pulled out two more cans of Coke, adding them to the table.

"So, it's actually a meal for four plus a meal for two."

Peng Deng couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head. "Did you binge-watch too much JOJO over the New Year holidays?"

Meng Xian's laughter joined in, a soft, melodic sound that contrasted with the earlier tension.

"At least there's enough Coke for everyone. Speaking of which…" She tilted her head slightly, her curiosity piqued. "Why have we been standing and chatting all this time?"

Peng Deng echoed her sentiment with a nod. "Indeed. It's about time we took our seats."

Zhou Mingrui's eyes crinkled with a sheepish grin. "A bit silly, haha."

Peng Deng's voice took on a teasing note. "Most likely, I was infected by your enthusiasm."

Meng Xian smiled genuinely, appreciating the easy camaraderie between the two men.

It was clear that their playful banter and mutual familiarity created a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. The three of them settled into their seats