Chapter 83: Then Would You Cook for Me for a Lifetime?

“So… this is the place you said you’d take me out to eat?”

Under the dim yellow light, Ling Xiaoyou looked to both sides of the alley, only to see darkness stretching out in both directions.

If this were a horror movie, at least some kind of demon or ghost would have to appear to live up to this atmosphere.

Directly in front of them stood a store nestled in the alley, with no signboard to show its name.

Where the sign should have been, there was only an old desk lamp emitting a faint yellow glow, strangely failing to attract any bugs even in the summer heat.

The store door looked rather old, with a red-painted wooden frame and frosted glass, giving off the vibe of the 1970s or 80s.

Mm, a perfect place for shooting a suspenseful horror film!

“Yes. Don’t let the creepy atmosphere fool you—it’s actually a really nice store.”

Bai Shuanglian nodded, casually taking Ling Xiaoyou’s small hand.

The latter merely glanced at her but didn’t resist, allowing herself to be led toward the store.

“Creak~”

The sliding door let out an aged groan as Ling Xiaoyou and Bai Shuanglian entered the little shop together.

“Mm, it’s surprisingly spacious.”

Upon entering, Ling Xiaoyou scanned her surroundings.

Perhaps because it was so remote, there weren’t many customers, and the place was quite clean.

Despite the old furniture and lights, there wasn’t much dust, which made Ling Xiaoyou relax a little.

As for the layout and environment, Ling Xiaoyou found it pretty ordinary, just like the small restaurants near her home in her previous life—nothing special.

If she had to point out a difference, it would be that the lighting here was more orange than in those little restaurants, creating a better atmosphere than cold white lights.

“Welcome… Oh, it’s Little Lian.”

An elderly voice called out, pulling Ling Xiaoyou from her thoughts.

She turned toward the sound and saw a kind-looking old lady stepping out from the back.

When the old lady noticed Ling Xiaoyou’s gaze, she gave her a gentle smile.

“Hello there, little girl. Did Little Lian bring you here?”

Ling Xiaoyou nodded instinctively, wanting to greet her but unsure how to address her.

So, she looked at Bai Shuanglian for help.

Bai Shuanglian smiled at her, then turned to the old lady.

“Elder, I brought my friend here for a meal this time.”

Elder?

Ling Xiaoyou froze, then suddenly realized something odd.

She was a ghost!

If she didn’t reveal herself, ordinary people shouldn’t be able to see her at all!

But this old lady could see her, and considering Bai Shuanglian called her ‘Elder,’ Ling Xiaoyou guessed she must also be a cultivator.

Whether she was a demon, ghost, or human, she couldn’t tell.

Still, most likely a human cultivator.

Other ghosts would be terrified to meet a human cultivator.

But Ling Xiaoyou didn’t feel nervous—after all, Bai Shuanglian was by her side.

Though this person could be weird at times, she trusted Bai Shuanglian wouldn’t harm her.

“Hello, Elder. My surname is Ling, given name Xiaoyou. You can just call me Xiaoyou.”

Ling Xiaoyou maintained her manners in front of strangers, smiling at the old lady as she introduced herself.

“Hello, hello.”

The old lady smiled kindly at Ling Xiaoyou, then turned to Bai Shuanglian.

“That’s wonderful, Little Lian. It’s great to make such a good friend.”

“Yes.”

Bai Shuanglian nodded, answering earnestly.

“Meeting her is the greatest fortune of my life.”

At these words, Ling Xiaoyou’s cheeks turned red.

She wanted to say something, but with someone else present, she couldn’t bring herself to speak.

She could only pinch Bai Shuanglian’s waist in protest.

Bai Shuanglian’s expression didn’t change much.

She simply squeezed Ling Xiaoyou’s small hand in return, pressing lightly.

Ling Xiaoyou wasn’t sure if Bai Shuanglian had hit some ghost pressure point, but her hand went all soft and numb, losing its strength.

She glared at Bai Shuanglian and quickly pulled her hand back.

Bai Shuanglian just smiled, not pressing further.

Their little exchange didn’t escape the old lady’s eyes.

She watched them and smiled.

“You two have such a good relationship.”

Ling Xiaoyou’s face flushed again. Not knowing how to reply, she rubbed her hands together, trying to regain feeling.

“What would you like to eat? I can cook anything you want.”

The old lady asked as she walked toward the kitchen.

The last sentence was clearly directed at Ling Xiaoyou, surprising her.

If she asked for boiled cabbage in plain water, would the old lady really be able to make it?

“I’ll have my usual.”

Bai Shuanglian led Ling Xiaoyou to a seat as she spoke.

“Uh, for me… ramen, I guess.”

Ling Xiaoyou hesitated, suppressing her urge to order boiled cabbage, and chose something more common.

“All right, just wait a moment.”

The old lady nodded knowingly and entered the kitchen.

When the kitchen door closed, Ling Xiaoyou curiously leaned in to Bai Shuanglian and whispered.

“So who exactly is that old lady? You even called her ‘Elder’.”

Bai Shuanglian’s cultivation was already at the Golden Core Stage.

In cultivation novels, that was powerful enough to found a sect.

Even someone like her had to call the old lady ‘Elder.’ How strong must she be?

But Bai Shuanglian’s answer surprised Ling Xiaoyou.

“I’m not really sure.”

Bai Shuanglian shook her head.

“Just that when I was a child, my elders brought me here a few times, and I’ve been calling her that ever since.”

“I see.”

Ling Xiaoyou stroked her smooth chin thoughtfully.

“So you’re familiar with her—do you come here often?”

“…”

Bai Shuanglian didn’t answer immediately.

She paused, and for the first time, a blush crept over her usually calm and beautiful face.

It was the first time Ling Xiaoyou had seen Bai Shuanglian blush.

So cute!

“Well… I don’t know how to cook, so if I want to eat, I can only come here.”

Bai Shuanglian seemed a little embarrassed.

She was already an adult, yet couldn’t cook—a bit useless, really.

“Wait, you can’t cook?!”

Ling Xiaoyou exclaimed, her face lighting up as if she’d just heard some amazing news.

“There are some things… more difficult than cultivation.”

Bai Shuanglian looked at Ling Xiaoyou’s delighted expression and tried to defend herself.

“Hmph, but I can cook!”

Ling Xiaoyou ignored her defense, crossed her arms, and lifted her chin proudly.

Finally, she’d found something she could do better than Bai Shuanglian!

How could she not be proud?

Seeing Ling Xiaoyou’s triumphant look, Bai Shuanglian puffed out her cheeks and, for once, looked her age—a young girl.

But then, as if remembering something, Bai Shuanglian’s face softened into a gentle smile.

She took Ling Xiaoyou’s hand and gazed into her crimson eyes.

“Then… would you be willing to cook for me for the rest of my life?”

Looking into Bai Shuanglian’s starry eyes, so serious and bright, Ling Xiaoyou was stunned, then her face turned red all over again.

“N-no way!”

After she blurted it out, she seemed to think her words were too harsh and quickly added, blushing even more.

“But… but helping you occasionally… that’s fine!”

At her words, Bai Shuanglian smiled happily.

“Mm, I’ll look forward to it!”