Chapter 39: Grilled Fish, Xu Sanshi, and Jiang Nan'nan (Part 2)
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As the sky grew darker, the East City Gate was bustling with vendors, the crowd dense and noisy with various hawking voices, all vying for the business of Shrek Academy students.
On one side of the road, Tang Ya was setting up the Grilled Fish Stall with a series of "heave-ho"s, the colorful sign for Little Huo's Grilled Fish glowing beside the grill.
"Done! I'm such a little genius!"
Tang Ya clapped her hands, her slender waist accentuated, her face beaming with excitement. "Yuhao, you can focus on setting up the stall after school every day. Get twenty Bluefish from the cafeteria auntie, and with the cost of charcoal and seasonings, each fish will cost about three Copper Soul Coins. So, you can sell them for five Copper Soul Coins each. The money you earn can cover your basic expenses without interfering too much with your cultivation time."
"Thank you, Teacher Xiaoya!"
Huo Yuhao's eyes shimmered with tears. Since his mother, Huo Yun'er, passed away, Tang Ya had been the best person to him. She had helped him enter the continent's top academy as a special student and now enabled him to support himself, so he wouldn't have to worry about affording the food in the outer courtyard cafeteria.
Huo Yuhao silently vowed to himself that he would help Tang Ya revitalize the Tang Sect!
"It's no big deal!" Tang Ya waved her hand, feigning nonchalance. "I'll go for a walk. Remember to save me two grilled fish!"
With that, she tossed a Silver Soul Coin and deftly slipped into the crowd, disappearing from Huo Yuhao's sight.
After watching Tang Ya leave, Huo Yuhao rolled up his sleeves and began the preparations for grilling fish. Having helped his mother with cooking since he was young, his culinary skills were excellent. He deftly scaled, gutted, cleaned, and marinated the fish in one smooth motion, then threw a few glowing coals into the grill. Little Huo's Grilled Fish was officially open for business!
The grill Tang Ya had brought wasn't particularly large, allowing Huo Yuhao to cook four fish at a time. With the help of his Spirit Eye's meticulous mental detection, his grilled fish skills were among the best on the entire Tang Sect Continent.
Before long, the golden-brown Bluefish began to exude a light layer of oil, and the rich, fragrant aroma of the grilled fish wafted through the air. This was the best form of advertising, and soon a crowd gathered at the Grilled Fish Stall.
A Shrek Academy student in a yellow uniform couldn't resist the temptation and bought a fish. As he took a bite, the slight crackling sound of his teeth meeting the fish indicated that the skin was perfectly crispy.
After tasting it, he gave a big thumbs up and quickly devoured the fish in a few bites.
Everyone was astute, and upon seeing this, they all understood. They lined up one after another, determined to get a grilled fish today!
Huo Yuhao was delighted. He had initially been worried that his grilled fish wouldn't be popular and that he would disappoint Tang Ya, but his concerns were unfounded.
A long queue formed in front of Little Huo's Grilled Fish. Huo Yuhao worked very diligently, knowing that quality was the key to a steady stream of customers. He didn't dare to be careless.
One grilled fish after another came out of the grill, and soon only four fish from the last batch remained. Huo Yuhao wiped the sweat from his forehead, wrapped up the two fish reserved for Tang Ya, and was almost done for the day.
"Junior, how much for the grilled fish?"
A soft female voice reached his ears. Huo Yuhao turned to see a stunningly beautiful girl standing before him.
The moment he saw her face, Huo Yuhao was momentarily stunned. The most beautiful girls he had seen were Ning Tian and Tang Ya. The former exuded a regal and graceful aura, like a bright moon hanging in the sky, while the latter was pure and lively, like a free breeze blowing across the wilderness.
This girl was different from both of them. She looked to be about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a slender and well-proportioned figure. Her long hair cascaded in large waves down her back, and she wore a rabbit ear headband. Her face was as smooth as jade, her beauty like a snow-covered tree, and her eyes were like clear pools of water, exuding a gentle and elegant demeanor.
Especially her soft and tender expression, which evoked a sense of pity and a desire to comfort her, made Huo Yuhao feel an urge to offer her solace.
"Senior, the grilled fish is five Copper Soul Coins each."
Though he was momentarily stunned, Huo Yuhao quickly regained his composure and replied.
"A bit expensive, isn't it? Considering the cost and preparation, you could sell them for three Copper Soul Coins and still make a profit."
The girl's voice was as gentle and warm as her appearance, like a spring breeze rustling through willow branches. If not for her bargaining, Huo Yuhao might have been completely entranced.
"Sorry, Senior, my grilled fish is non-negotiable."
Huo Yuhao tried to remain calm. The price was set by Tang Ya, and he didn't want to change it easily. Besides, he felt the price was fair; selling them for three Copper Soul Coins would leave him with nothing to eat.
"Sorry, I was just calculating. I disturbed you, Junior. I'll definitely try them next time."
The stunning beauty hadn't expected her usual successful bargaining to fail. She smiled apologetically at Huo Yuhao and turned to leave.
"Last two fish, little junior, we're so lucky!"
Behind her, a delighted female voice rang out.
"Brat, you dare not sell?"
At that moment, a deep and angry male voice suddenly boomed, and a golden light shot straight toward Huo Yuhao's stall.
"Ding—"
The golden light hit the grill and embedded itself perfectly, revealing a Gold Soul Coin.
A figure strode over, dressed in a black Shrek Academy uniform, about the same age as the girl, tall and muscular, with thick eyebrows, tiger-like eyes, a straight nose, and a square mouth, his face still retaining a hint of baby fat.
He quickly passed the stunning beauty and reached Huo Yuhao's stall, reaching for the grilled fish on the grill.
The girl was so angry that her rabbit ears on her head stood up. "Xu Sanshi, what are you doing!"
Xu Sanshi had long learned to selectively ignore the girl's scolding. Huo Yuhao rushed over to stop him but was dodged with a quick move. Xu Sanshi picked up the two fish with a grin.
"Nannan, I'm buying you some grilled fish!"
Suddenly, Xu Sanshi felt someone grab the back of his collar and lift him up bit by bit. He tried to use his soul power to resist but found it completely dissolved, unable to move a single bit.
"Who! What are you doing!"
Xu Sanshi was panic-stricken, flailing his arms and legs in the air like a drowning person struggling to save himself. He turned his head and saw a handsome face that made him break out in a cold sweat.
"B-b-brother!"
Xu Sanshi wanted to cry but couldn't, and his body went limp, resigned to his fate.
"Hey, it's you, kid." Ling Bai smiled amiably. "You've got some guts, trying to take from me."
Hearing this, Xu Sanshi's heart sank. One word: doomed!
(End of Chapter)