Back at the restaurant, it was just their turn in line.
Even better, they were led into a private room.
Sitting in the fully air-conditioned room, Ruan Xingyao finally felt alive again.
Especially with the complimentary cooling herbal tea from the restaurant, the summer heat was completely gone.
This was a beef hot pot restaurant, with beef meatballs being the most popular dish.
Ruan Xingyao immediately ordered two portions—she had to find out what was so special about these beef meatballs.
The broth and dishes were quickly brought in.
Ruan Xingyao, already impatient, picked up her chopsticks and stared eagerly at the pot.
Just then, the door to their private room opened a crack, slowly widening, but no one came in.
Chen Yu was about to stand up to check when he noticed Ruan Xingyao had already lowered her head and was talking to the floor.
Ruan Xingyao: “You’re already so fat, and you still want to eat?”
“Woo-woo-woo…”
【Dog’s not fat! Dog’s just prosperous-looking!】
Chen Yu and Ruan Xingzhuo, sitting at the other side of the table, realized what was happening.
They both stood up and walked over to Ruan Xingyao and You Huan.
Looking down—well, what a sight.
A “Gas Can” was standing on its hind legs, front paws pressed together, bowing to Ruan Xingyao.
It was a poodle, but so fat it looked like a pig.
Not just Ruan Xingzhuo and the others—even Ruan Xingyao herself had never seen one this fat.
You Huan reached out and poked the pudgy poodle’s back, saying, “This little guy’s not gonna burst, is he? Feels like his skin’s stretched thin already.”
She didn’t even dare touch it too hard, afraid it might pop.
Poodle Pig: “Woo-woo… woof woof woof!”
【I told you, Dog’s not fat! My mom said I’m a blessed dog!】
Ruan Xingyao didn’t notice anything unhealthy about it, so she picked up two slices of boiled, cooled beef without dipping sauce and fed them to the pudgy poodle.
The little guy seemed very pleased, chomping happily with satisfied sounds.
But soon, both slices were gone.
It licked its lips, sat back down by Ruan Xingyao’s leg, and tilted its head up at her.
“Yip-yip! Woof woof!”
【Human! Dog wants more!】
Ruan Xingyao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Was this little guy planning to latch onto her?
She poked its forehead and said, “I’m still hungry myself. If you want to eat, you’ll have to wait until I’m done!”
After that, Ruan Xingyao ignored it.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
The restaurant owner came in and immediately spotted the pudgy poodle on the floor.
“It’s you again! You’re pretty clever, huh—this time you actually ran into a private room! Hurry up and get out!” The restaurant owner said, poking the pudgy poodle with the broom in his hand.
The pudgy poodle jumped from the poke, but instead of running out, it pressed even closer against Ruan Xingyao’s leg.
The owner quickly apologized to Ruan Xingyao, saying, “Sorry about that, customer. This dog belongs to the neighbors. Every day it sneaks around this street scrounging food. I didn’t notice it earlier, so it followed you in. I’ll get it out right away.”
Ruan Xingyao just smiled casually and said, “It’s fine. If it managed to score some food, that’s its skill.”
The pudgy poodle understood her words and realized she had no ill will toward it.
It immediately lifted its chin and barked at the owner.
“Woof woof woof! Woof woof woof woof!”
【The human said it’s Dog’s skill! Dog’s not full yet! Dog wants more food!】
This really was a little dog who knew how to push its luck.
Ruan Xingyao poked its forehead and said, “Alright, you need to know the difference between one big meal and every meal being big. Be careful, or one day you won’t be allowed to freeload anymore.”
She could feel that even though the owner sounded harsh and never had a nice word for the pudgy poodle, he wouldn’t hurt it.
And judging by how fat this dog had gotten, chances were the owner had a big hand in that.
The pudgy poodle was sharp too.
It wagged its tail, rubbed against the owner’s leg, then waddled away on its four stubby legs, following the owner out.
The private room door closed, and the four of them could finally eat in peace.
Just then, the first batch of beef meatballs they’d dropped in had finished cooking.
Ruan Xingyao impatiently picked one up and popped it into her mouth.
“Hss! Hot, hot, hot, hot!” Ruan Xingyao’s mouth opened slightly as she blew out air.
“Oh, Xingxing, why are you eating in such a rush?” You Huan quickly handed her a glass of iced drink to cool down.
Ruan Xingyao took a big gulp.
The pain in her mouth eased, and she could finally savor the beef meatball.
Chew, chew. Chew, chew.
Her eyes lit up more and more.
“It’s delicious! Really, really delicious!” Ruan Xingyao couldn’t help but give a big thumbs-up.
For this one bite of beef meatball, all the near-heatstroke suffering earlier had been worth it.
Only at this moment did Ruan Xingzhuo finally let go of the unease he had been carrying.
He was genuinely worried that all those glowing reviews of this beef meatball place were fake, and that in reality it wouldn’t live up to the hype online, leaving Ruan Xingyao disappointed.
Now that he saw Ruan Xingyao truly satisfied, he finally revealed a relieved smile.
You Huan said, “Since you like it so much, Xingxing, when we go back, let’s pack some to take with us. That way, you can eat it anytime.”
The moment Ruan Xingyao heard that, she immediately nodded in excitement, “Yes! Then I’ll buy another suitcase just to pack these beef meatballs.”
Just imagining it made her feel so happy she could burst.
Chen Yu had been quietly observing Ruan Xingyao the whole time.
Aside from her unbelievable abilities, she was just a cute girl who loved food, with a temper that wasn’t exactly mild, but clear in her likes and dislikes, a little cocky, and a little tsundere.
He genuinely couldn’t sense any danger from her at all.
However, thinking of his mission, Chen Yu still forced down his personal judgment.
After all, Ruan Xingyao’s abilities alone were enough to warrant close investigation.
Ruan Xingyao ate an entire portion of beef meatballs by herself, plus some other dishes, until her stomach was completely full and round.
She rubbed her chubby belly in satisfaction and leaned back against her chair.
Just then, her phone rang.
It was a video call from Xie Lin.
Ruan Xingyao answered right away.
Her lazy, unguarded look filled the screen, leaving Xie Lin momentarily stunned.
Before Ruan Xingyao could clearly see Xie Lin’s expression, she already heard Baiyi yelling at the top of its lungs.
“Werwerwerwer! Werwerwerwer!”
【Human! Did you get in touch with the poop-scooper?! Hurry up and let me talk to the poop-scooper!】
Ruan Xingyao’s expression instantly changed.
Feigning anger, she said, “Baiyi! You’ve grown bold, huh! How dare you call me the poop-scooper!”
The moment Baiyi heard Ruan Xingyao’s voice, it bolted over and rammed its head against Xie Lin, almost knocking the phone out of his hand.
— The end of the Chapter–
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