Chapter 695: I’ll Be Your Girlfriend

Once the Golden Tree broke through, the explosion of life energy would be something that the array he had set up here could not conceal. At that time, the Peacock Demon clan would surely sense it, and even the entire Kali Mountain range would be affected. The Golden Tree itself didn’t possess much combat ability, at least not unless it became an Emperor, but its life aura was incredibly powerful. Once its evolution was complete, it would reach another level, making it difficult to keep Golden Valley hidden.

With the numerous challenges Tang San and Mei Gongzi were currently facing, it wasn’t suitable for the Golden Tree to break through now. Everything needed to wait until Tang San successfully crossed his tribulation.

Just like the vegetables, the seafood was the best and freshest available, just brought back by Tang San from the Endless Blue Sea as a tribute from the Sea Clan.

The translucent lobster meat was sliced into thin pieces, and the fresh golden clams had orange-yellow meat and golden shells. The large bamboo shrimp tails still wriggled, resembling rainbows. There were also massive long-legged crabs already cut into sections, and scored squid slices—all laid out in a dazzling array that made one’s mouth water just by looking at them.

Mei Gongzi gazed at the sumptuous spread of food on the table, momentarily dazed, then looked at Tang San across the table with a bit of surprise, a questioning look in her beautiful eyes.

Tang San smiled and said, "Since you became the city lord, you’ve been constantly tense, busy with work and cultivation. The time for reporting to the Ancestral Court is approaching, and we’ve prepared almost everything we need. It’s time to relax and enjoy a good meal. Today, don’t think about anything—just enjoy the food. I also bought some fine wine, a specialty fruit brew from Kali City, made from eight types of fruit rich in life essence. It must be aged for eighteen months in special barrels made of water pomelo wood, which only grows in the Kali Mountains, before it’s ready to drink. Give it a try."

As he spoke, Tang San took out an exquisite crystal decanter. Through it, the wine inside shone like ruby. He poured two glasses, and immediately, the rich fruit aroma filled the air, making one’s appetite grow.

Mei Gongzi quietly watched Tang San pour the wine, her gaze gradually softening, and she softly said, "Thank you."

"You're thanking me? Really?" Tang San chuckled. "You indeed carry a lot of responsibilities, but what I carry is you. Not only do I have to help you fulfill those responsibilities and accompany you as you grow, but I also need to take care of your everyday life!"

As he spoke, he picked up a wine glass and handed it to Mei Gongzi, taking the other for himself. They gently clinked their glasses together, the clear, resonant sound bringing a foreign yet delightful tone to the peaceful Golden Valley.

"Come on, give it a try," Tang San said with a smile.

Mei Gongzi took a sip, and her eyes immediately lit up. There was none of the expected alcohol taste—only a pure and refreshing fruit fragrance that filled her mouth. The subtle aroma even rose up to her nose, making it feel as though her entire body was exuding the sweet scent.

Tang San brought the glass to his lips, about to take a sip, when Mei Gongzi's slender, fair hand suddenly covered the rim of the glass.

Tang San was startled, "What's wrong?"

Mei Gongzi looked at him with a half-smile and said, "Someone here seems to be underage,

hehe!

You’re not yet an adult, so you can't drink alcohol. As your dear elder sister, how could I let you make such a rookie mistake?"

Tang San was taken aback, only now remembering that in this world, he indeed wasn’t yet eighteen!

Seeing the playful glint in Mei Gongzi's eyes, Tang San couldn't help but feel both amused and helpless. He put down the wine glass and said, "My mental age spans two lifetimes, you know."

Mei Gongzi laughed cheerfully. "That's just your side of the story. Go out and tell people, see who believes you're a reincarnated soul."

Tang San couldn’t help but laugh too. "I don't care if others believe it or not, as long as you do."

Mei Gongzi snorted softly. "I don't believe it either. You need to behave, okay?"

"Alright," Tang San said, resigned, as he set down the glass. Mei Gongzi promptly snatched his glass, poured the wine into her own, and took another sip. A faint blush appeared on her pretty face as she giggled, "It's really good."

Tang San rolled his eyes, slightly exasperated. "Let’s eat, let’s eat."

He picked up some vegetables and dipped them into the boiling pot as he spoke.

"Why not start with the seafood? It's so fresh. Shouldn’t it be the first thing we eat?" Mei Gongzi asked curiously while sipping her fruit wine.

Tang San smiled and said, "Seafood inevitably contains some impurities. No matter how thoroughly it’s cleaned, you can’t remove all the impurities from the meat. When you cook it, the impurities are released into the broth, making it more flavorful, but the impurities still remain. If you cook the vegetables afterward, wouldn't they absorb all those impurities? On the other hand, vegetables are pure. When you cook them first, their rich life essence and fragrance infuse the broth, which actually enhances the flavor of the seafood when cooked later."

Mei Gongzi was taken aback, "I always thought you only knew how to cultivate, but you’re quite good at everyday life too, huh?"

Tang San placed the freshly cooked vegetables on her plate and drizzled a bit of sauce over them, smiling as he said, "I used to have a friend known as the Food God[1], and another called the Icefire Demon Chef[2]. Both were extremely skilled at cooking, and they taught me a few things. If you like, I can cook for you whenever we have free time. We could try some grilled seafood next time—it's a different but equally delicious experience."

"Sounds good!" Mei Gongzi replied with a smile. As she ate the vegetables he prepared for her, she seemed to genuinely relax a little.

Tang San continued to prepare various ingredients for her, placing them on her plate and adding the appropriate sauces. Occasionally, he would pick up a clean napkin to gently wipe the corners of her mouth. As Mei Gongzi felt his care, her gaze grew increasingly tender.

"You should eat something too."

"Mm, okay."

As the meal went on, their eyes held only each other's reflections. By the end of it, she was sitting on his lap, seemingly a little tipsy from the fruit wine, gently leaning against his shoulder. Her beautiful face was tinged with a faint blush as she wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers lightly tracing his chest.

Tang San kept one hand around her waist while using the other to occasionally bring food to her lips.

"I never knew you had such an appetite," Tang San chuckled softly.

Mei Gongzi lightly tapped his shoulder in response. "Hey, are you calling me fat? You’re awful!"

Tang San couldn't resist and kissed her cheek. Mei Gongzi lifted her gaze to meet his, her eyes filled with affection.

His heart suddenly burned with heat, and he couldn't help but move closer to her lips. But in a flash of silver light, the beauty in his arms had already vanished.

"You baddie, you were about to do something naughty!" Mei Gongzi reappeared on the other side of the table, pointing a finger at him reproachfully.

Tang San chuckled. "Who can blame me when you're so irresistible? I’m still not satisfied."

Mei Gongzi’s playful mood suddenly vanished, and her gaze grew dark as she softly said, "You have to succeed. You have to, you hear me?"

Feeling the deep emotion in her eyes, Tang San knew exactly what she meant. In truth, she had been continuously worrying about whether he could successfully cross the tribulation. She never said it, and she kept herself busy at all times not because she didn’t want to see him but because she didn’t want to add to the pressure. She was deeply concerned.

"Yes. I will," Tang San nodded seriously.

Mei Gongzi was back in his arms in a flash of silver light. Tang San suddenly felt a warm sensation on his lips. Though it was only a brief touch, it felt as though his very soul had been struck by tribulation lightning.

Mei Gongzi lowered her face, burying it into his chest. "If... if you come back alive, I’ll... I’ll be your girlfriend. The official kind."

Tang San's lips curled into a smile. "The kind where I can kiss you?"

"Mm-hmm."

1. This refers to Oscar, aka Sausage Monopoly, one of the first Seven Monsters of Shrek and the first food-system soul master to be somewhat useful in a fight. ☜

2. This refers to Rong Nianbing, the protagonist of

Magic Chef of Ice and Fire

, a related but different work by TJSS. He appears in Soul Land 2 as well. ☜