27: Chapter 27 Ah, I'm not the same person I was a month ago.

Just as dawn was breaking, inside the villa.

Su Biqing broke her usual habit of sleeping in; without even needing an alarm, her eyes snapped open early.

She climbed out of bed and ran to Song Lan's room in her slippers, making a 'patter-patter' sound as she knocked on the door.

"Sister Biqing, why are you knocking so early?" Song Lan asked, clutching her messy hair with sleepy eyes.

"What hobbies does Zhang Mu have? I've prepared gifts to bring over."

Her mouth twitched twice. Song Lan looked back at the digital clock on her desk and took a deep breath:

"What's wrong with you!

It's only five o'clock, do you know that!

Who goes to someone's house for a visit at five in the morning!"

Su Biqing seemed to realize she was a bit overexcited and waved her hand awkwardly: "Well, preparing gifts takes time too."

"Is it really necessary..." Song Lan rubbed her eyes. "Brother Mu, hmm... I don't think I've seen him have any special hobbies."

"Oh right, Brother Mu's computer screensaver is an anthropomorphic cat; he might like the 2D world."

2D world?

To Su Biqing, this was a somewhat unfamiliar term, but she understood 'anthropomorphic cat.'

"Go back to sleep." After saying that, Su Biqing hurriedly ran back to her room.

"Honestly, couldn't she just go at noon?

Ha—" Muttering to herself, Song Lan yawned, closed the door, and crawled back under the covers.

...

The sun had just peeked out.

Zhang Mu threw off his blanket and brushed his teeth and washed his face.

When he was finished, instead of immediately summoning the portal, he took his phone out of his inventory and dialed Ye Ming's number.

After about ten seconds of ringing, the call finally connected.

"Hey, Senior, why didn't you answer when I called you several times last night?

Asleep? No wonder.

It's nothing much, just asking about that dinner you said you'd treat me to. It's been several days without a word.

Very busy? Okay, I got it. I'll wait until you're free then. Bye."

The call ended.

Zhang Mu sat on the sofa for a while before heading to the vegetable market to buy rapeseed oil, soy sauce, vinegar, and other seasonings for cooking. He also bought some fresh vegetables and pork before returning home.

He and Potter ate instant noodles every day; while they enjoyed it, he had long since grown tired of it. Today at noon, he would cook a meal for the two of them as a teacher-initiation gift.

He packed the things he bought into a large plastic bag, put it in his inventory, and prepared to summon the portal.

"Knock—knock-knock—"

A knock sounded at the entrance, very light and with a hint of hesitation.

Who is it?

He just talked to his Senior on the phone, the Dean Grandma wasn't in good health, and she didn't know where he lived either.

Is it Song Lan? Dr. Song has my address, so it can only be her.

Zhang Mu pulled the door halfway open. The woman standing outside was somewhat unexpected, yet within reason.

"I remember your name is... Su Biqing?"

"Is something the matter?"

His tone was neither cold nor warm. Su Biqing didn't feel like she was being treated coldly; if she were in his shoes and had her door blocked for no reason after doing nothing, she'd probably have started cursing directly.

Yet Zhang Mu's attitude was merely a bit indifferent, which was quite gentle.

"Mr. Zhang, I'm very sorry about last time." Su Biqing flashed an apologetic smile. "I was too impulsive in how I handled things. Please forgive me."

"A small misunderstanding, it's fine once it's cleared up." Zhang Mu didn't dwell on it, giving a casual reply before moving to close the door. "Nothing else? Then goodbye."

"Wait!" Su Biqing held the door. "Mr. Zhang, I hope to talk to you about the crystal gems."

As she spoke, she slightly puffed out her chest, making the snow-white curves exposed to the air appear even more rounded.

Puzzled by this action, Zhang Mu scratched his head. What was this woman doing?

"You can just talk to Song Lan about the crystal gems. I've handed them all over to her to handle. Goodbye."

He pushed the door as he spoke.

"Wait!" Su Biqing reached out to resist the door, wondering in her heart why her 'cleavage offensive' wasn't working.

"What else?"

Seeing Zhang Mu's expression gradually becoming impatient, she hurriedly took a packaging box out of the gift bag in her right hand: "I heard from Song Lan that Mr. Zhang quite likes the 2... 2D world."

"This is an authentic figurine I bought from a specialty store. I hope you'll like it, Mr. Zhang."

Glancing at the 'duck-sitting' Cat Girl inside the high-grade transparent acrylic packaging box, a hint of disdain rose at the corner of Zhang Mu's mouth.

If I hadn't seen a live Cat Girl... Heh, I'm not the same person I was a month ago.

A figurine? Trash!

"Thanks, I like it very much. Goodbye."

"Wai—"

BANG—

Slamming the door shut with force, Zhang Mu summoned the portal and arrived in the Other World.

First, he found a deserted alley to take out the seasonings, then he trotted to Potter's house, fed a sausage to Big Yellow, and went up to the second floor.

Avril was already waiting for him in the temporary classroom converted from a bedroom.

When the morning lesson ended, Potter happened to return.

Zhang Mu stopped the two of them as they were about to tear open instant noodle packages, declaring that he would let them taste true deliciousness today.

He had the two of them wait at the living room table while he took the plastic bag to the open kitchen against the wall and started working.

He heated the wok and poured in oil, then added ginger, garlic, and a piece of dried chili. He tossed the shredded pork into the crackling oil, frying it until the surface was golden-brown, then added the shredded green peppers to the wok.

Next, he added half a spoonful of salt and a little soy sauce, stir-frying over low heat.

The tempting aroma of pork mixed with ginger and garlic gradually filled the living room.

Avril and Potter, who were chatting, both twitched their noses at the same time.

Exchanging a look, they each grabbed a silver fork and quietly crept up behind Zhang Mu, their eyes fixed on the green pepper pork strips in the wok, which had already taken on the color of the soy sauce.

Meanwhile, Zhang Mu was busy reducing the sauce over high heat and finishing the dish.

The green pepper pork strips, perfect in color, aroma, and taste, were piled onto a porcelain plate. He turned back to scoop water to wash the wok.

"Holy crap—"

Startled by the two of them, Zhang Mu recovered and patted his chest: "What are you standing behind me for?"

The two of them didn't have time to pay him any mind. Potter raised the silver fork in his hand and shoveled it into the dish, while Avril was slightly more reserved, elegantly forking a strip of meat and putting it in her mouth.

Then her elegance vanished because Potter was eating very fast; if she were any slower, she'd only be left with ginger and garlic.

Zhang Mu's expression changed drastically: "Stop! That's not how you eat it! You have to eat it with rice!"

Driving away the reluctant pair, he kept all the dishes he made afterward within his line of sight like he was guarding against thieves.

An hour later, four dishes and one soup were laid out on the dining table.

From their time together, Zhang Mu knew that the two of them preferred sweet and sour flavors. Therefore, the four dishes were—Sweet and Sour Pork Fillet, Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs, and Fish-Fragrant Shredded Chicken.

For the only dish that wasn't sweet and sour, the green pepper pork strips, he had also specifically chosen non-spicy peppers.

The two, who had only ever tasted boiled, roasted, or pan-fried food with a bit of coarse salt and cane sugar, immediately picked up their forks and spoons and launched a fierce offensive against the four plates of richly seasoned stir-fry.

Soon, the pot of white rice Zhang Mu had cooked hit the bottom, and the four porcelain plates were left with only sauce.

The Tomato and Egg Soup was also scooped clean.

Having finished everything, Potter found a toothpick somewhere and had it in his mouth, his lips smacking occasionally as if he were reminiscing about the Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs.

Avril, on the other hand, regained her calm elegance and sat upright. Perhaps because she had eaten a bit too much, she secretly let out a small burp.

Zhang Mu actually caught a glimpse of it but pretended not to notice.

After resting for a bit, he picked up the bowls and chopsticks and went to the cupboard to wash them.

Just as he scooped some water, Avril walked over leisurely, tied up her ice-blue long hair, and rolled up the wide sleeves of her mage robe:

"Heat some warm water. I'll wash, you rinse."

Was she thinking that eating for free wasn't right and wanted to do some work to pay for the meal?

A princess of the Lake Kingdom, who had lived in luxury since childhood—could she even wash them clean...

Thinking that if it didn't work out he'd just wash them again privately, Zhang Mu put the bowls into the left side of the double sink and boiled a kettle of warm water.

After pouring some warm water and alcohol into the left sink, Avril's plain white palms grabbed a cloth and began to work.

Soon the first plate reached Zhang Mu's hand. He gave it a casual rinse with cold water in the right sink, feeling all over the inside and outside of the plate.

He was quite surprised; it was washed very clean, without a single trace of grease.

Don't look down on washing dishes; being able to wash every corner until it made a 'squeak-squeak' sound when rubbed meant that even if she didn't do it every day, she at least did it often.

Moreover, there was no dish soap in the Other World, only alcohol.

Catching sight of his small movements, the corners of Avril's moist lips curled up slightly, a bit proud: "Junior... seems very surprised."

This was an expression she would never have made in front of a stranger before. After spending so much time with Zhang Mu and not being subjected to those oppressive, scrutinizing gazes, she had also become much more relaxed and natural.

"Uh, I thought princesses were all the kind that..."

Avril interrupted him: "The kind of beautiful bird that stays in an exquisite birdcage?"

"Sorry, Senior is very impressive." Zhang Mu felt that viewing others through stereotypes was indeed impolite; the latter half of his sentence was also sincere, rather than just polite talk.

The two didn't chat anymore, standing side by side in front of the double sink; she washed, and he rinsed.

The passing of dishes between them was smooth and fluid. Since it was their first time cooperating, after a moment of inattention, their fingertips lightly brushed against each other.

Zhang Mu remembered Potter saying that she was very averse to being near men, let alone physical contact.

He paid a bit more attention afterward, and what had just happened didn't occur again.

Avril noticed this, her peripheral vision glancing at the fixed distance of about two fists between them.

The double sink in this kitchen was very small; if two people stood side by side, their shoulders touching would be the natural stance.

She peeked down, and sure enough, Zhang Mu's legs were standing close to the outer edge of the sink, his upper body slightly tilted inward, rinsing the bowls in this awkward posture.

After staring at his face for a moment, Avril's magic welled up, and her water-soaked right hand instantly became as dry as before.

She reached out two fingers, grabbed the hem of Zhang Mu's shirt, and pulled him a bit toward her side before continuing to wash the dishes.

Eh?

Having his clothes tugged, Zhang Mu naturally noticed. Realizing what she meant, he didn't move back out.

Since she didn't mind it herself, he naturally wouldn't be overly sensitive about it either.

While still washing the dishes, their hands moved their arms in a gentle sway, and their shoulders occasionally brushed together.

After finishing with his toothpick, Potter happened to glance over and his eyes showed some surprise.

But he didn't make a sound, only smiling softly.

Seeing that his two students could get along amicably, Potter rested his chin on the back of his hand and looked at them, feeling a bit happy.

Meanwhile, Avril felt it was quite novel in her heart. It turned out that being with the opposite sex could be so relaxed and leisurely.

For some reason, she remembered the comment Potter made about Zhang Mu when they first arrived at Kas Town—he is an exception.

Teacher.

Avril's eyes were somewhat unreadable; he indeed was special.

"Senior? Why are you dazed? Give me the bowl!" Zhang Mu reached out but caught nothing. Seeing her eyes were unfocused and her hands had stopped, he spoke up to urge her.

His voice was a bit loud.

Avril snapped out of it. She didn't mind his somewhat blunt tone; instead, it felt fresh as she handed over the bowl.

After about ten minutes, they were finally finished washing.

The two sat back at the dining table, intending to relax for a bit before starting the afternoon lessons.

Potter tapped the table twice with his index finger, drawing their attention: "When I came back at noon, I noticed there were Guards stationed at the town gates."

"Has anything happened in town recently?"

They looked at each other and shook their heads simultaneously: "It's been very quiet."

Hearing this, Potter pondered for a moment in confusion. Unable to think of anything, he said: "Maybe they're guarding against the increasingly active magical beasts."

"Also, Zhang Mu, I have some ideas about your illness."

"Really?!" he asked in surprise.

"Yes.

It's just that some rare materials are only sold in the Royal Capital." Potter stroked his white beard. "Wait three more days. If there are no clues about the treasure in three days, we'll set off for the Royal Capital."

Regarding the treasure, Zhang Mu had heard Potter mention it before. Since Potter hadn't found any clues later on, he had forgotten about it.

"Also, Avril's substitute teaching will stop for now. Zhang Mu, starting tomorrow, you will go to the forest outside the town alone to hunt magical beasts."

"Most of them are low-level magical beasts that can't use magic. They're most suitable for you to practice combat right now."

"Teacher." Avril's thin ice-blue eyebrows furrowed slightly. "Isn't it too fast? Junior, he still..."

In Zhang Mu's right hand, a suddenly condensed Fireball hovered, while in his left was a sharp Ice Cone.

Her thin lips parted slightly; she hesitated but ultimately said nothing.

After a moment of silence, she asked: "I didn't sense any mana fluctuations from releasing magic in the house. When did you practice?"

Or rather, how did you do it?

Not to mention the Fireball Spell, Avril knew very well that the teacher had only taught him the Ice Cone Spell four days ago. That meant... he had successfully mastered it in four days?

No, that's not right. He could already release it proficiently, so the time it took to learn it must have been even shorter.

"I practiced whenever I had time when I went out at noon every day." Zhang Mu dispersed the Fireball and Ice Cone.

Avril's heart was in turmoil, and cold air surged out of her body uncontrollably.

Since the day he picked her up, Potter had only mentioned him learning the Fireball Spell in one day once and hadn't said it again since.

She hadn't seen Zhang Mu release magic either, so she thought Potter was boasting and had gradually forgotten about it.

But that sharp Ice Cone just now made her realize that Potter hadn't exaggerated; he was simply stating the facts.

Why?

Deep in Avril's eyes was hidden confusion.

Was that amount of time enough to carefully read through the magic books?

He hadn't gone to the church to receive a Magic Apprentice badge, so why was his Mental Energy sufficient to release magic?

And even control two at the same time.

Avril wanted to solve the questions that kept popping up, but there were so many that for a moment she didn't know where to start asking.

"That's enough." Potter tapped the tabletop. "I told you, Avril, he is an exception."

"Discard your perceptions of common sense, and you'll soon be able to adapt."

"Yes, Teacher." She answered with her mouth, but whether her heart could quickly change, only she knew.

Understanding that she needed time to calm her emotions, Potter didn't say anything more and glanced at the somewhat soft sunlight outside.

Cooking had taken up quite a bit of time; it was already past two o'clock.

"Take half a day off today. Zhang Mu, come over early tomorrow."

"Yes, Teacher."