Chapter 30
Chapter 30
"Had enough?"
Jiang Li's temples twitched. He tilted his head toward Kakayan.
On the grill, two pairs of chopsticks were locked in a stalemate over the last slice of barbecue, the meat sizzling and sending up a ribbon of fragrant smoke that carried the faintest hint of gun-powder.
"Pretty much."
Kakayan flicked her tongue across her lips; she still had room for more. Yet the look on Jiang Li's face said he wasn't about to surrender the final bite.
After a token half-second of hesitation, she released her chopsticks.
Fine—let Jiang Li have it.
She didn't want to look like she was guarding her food bowl.
Jiang Li stared at her and said nothing. Slowly, he lifted the meat, silently grumbling: If she hadn't snatched every slice as soon as it hit the grill, they wouldn't be fighting over the last scrap.
He wasn't fighting for meat.
He was fighting for pride.
He popped the final bite into his mouth, straightened his shirt, and handed Kakayan a napkin before standing up to signal that it was time to leave.
"We don't have to pay for the food?"
"It's on someone else," Jiang Li replied, then added, "The same Li Mou whose meat you kept stealing."
"Then he's a generous guy—treating us for free."
Kakayan dabbed her lips with the napkin.
"It's not free. We'll have to pick up the bill next time."
"Why?"
"Courtesy and reciprocity. You eat someone's food, you return the favor." Jiang Li corrected.
"Sounds like a hassle... We might as well have paid for ourselves from the start."
Kakayan muttered, half-interested.
"Going dutch is fine. Li Mou's just enthusiastic. If he hadn't insisted on treating us, we wouldn't have come out at all. That's how friendships work."
Kakayan bobbed her head as if she understood and followed Jiang Li out.
Outside the restaurant, Jiang Li glanced around.
They were on a commercial street; at the evening rush, every storefront glowed with neon.
He spotted a sign. Tapping Kakayan's shoulder, he said, "Stay right here. I need the restroom."
After two steps he turned back. "You coming?"
When she shook her head, he jogged off.
Kakayan stood alone on the curb, her pink ponytail swaying as she surveyed the street.
Autumn nights grew dark early. Amber lamps stretched the shadows of passers-by into long ribbons.
She pressed her back to the wall and toyed absently with her hair.
People scrolling on their phones drifted past, heads lifting for a quick glance at her.
Soft whispers reached her ears.
"Wow, is she an influencer?"
"Pink hair—could be one of those 'land-mine' girls."
"With that face? Doesn't matter if she's dangerous."
In her wine-red jacket, Kakayan looked like a portrait painted in fine detail—heart-shaped face glowing under the warm light, lips parted just so, pert nose, and rose bangs falling over her forehead.
"Hi—could we get to know each other?" a shy voice asked.
Kakayan's face stayed cool and distant, instinctively shutting the stranger out.
"Um, sorry." The boy retreated, cheeks red.
She blinked, thinking humans really didn't understand social etiquette.
The street buzzed with life; couples strolled arm in arm, some entwined in open affection.
Kakayan watched them with wide, liquid eyes.
For no reason, she pictured herself walking beside Jiang Li.
She shook her head to banish the thought.
She'd heard plenty of human love stories—how the Hero defeated mighty foes, won fame and fortune, and married a noblewoman...
But never had she heard of a Hero marrying his sworn enemy.
Was Jiang Li her enemy?
On the continent of Aze, absolutely—he'd given her treasure away to foolish villagers, destroyed her carefully brewed potions, ruined her carefree life!
Yet they were on Earth now, and circumstances had changed.
With no magic left, Kakayan had no choice but to live in Jiang Li's home.
That made him her benefactor, didn't it?
But Jiang Li had also said they were on the same side—so partners, then.
Was that really true...?
"Little miss, want something to drink? I've got diabetes, can't touch this—help me finish it."
A middle-aged man in a baseball cap appeared, offering a black bottle.
Kakayan recognized Happy Water.
"No worries if you don't want it—just toss it for me."
The man smiled kindly.
"You're quite considerate," Kakayan said, accepting the bottle.
Jiang Li had told her: if anything happens, find the uncle in the hat.
This uncle must have noticed she was thirsty.
The cap looked different, but she didn't dwell on it.
She twisted the cap—fizzy bubbles hissed.
She tilted her head back—
A firm hand suddenly clamped over her wrist.
"You can't drink that."
Jiang Li was back.
His hand was cool, as if freshly dried.
He grabbed Kakayan with one hand and, with the other, snatched the bottle and threw it to the ground.
Fssshhh...
The Happy Water bounced twice; brown liquid gushed out, tiny bubbles popping.
"What are you doing?"
Kakayan looked from the puddle to Jiang Li, brow furrowed.
Was he still mad about the meat?
"Let's go."
He flicked a look over his shoulder and tugged her forward.
"My Happy Water—Jiang Li, you—"
She wriggled free, fingers slipping from his grasp.
She turned back. The man in the cap was crouching, carefully retrieving the bottle.
Strange—he'd said he couldn't drink it.
Why pick it up again?
Before she could ask, Jiang Li's broad hand settled on her shoulder, pulling her close.
For some reason her legs went weak, cheeks and ears burning as if steam might whistle from her head...
"I leave you alone for two minutes and you almost get abducted!"
Jiang Li muttered as he hurried her away.