The saxophone in the D country restaurant was boisterous, and the afternoon sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto the tabletops.
The waiter led them to a table by the window.
F City was a top-ranked culinary city, brimming with traditional delicacies. It had taken Xu Qian an immense effort to find this D country Western restaurant.
She had scoured countless recommendations before discovering this restaurant, which was not only grand and highly praised but also offered excellent food.
A blonde, blue-eyed waiter handed them the menus. Xu Qian took hers, recognizing none of the characters. For someone who hadn't even passed the third level of English, reading D language was an ordeal.
Xu Qian tried her best to maintain a composed expression, studying the squirmy, eel-like characters on the menu, planning to just order two dishes randomly.
"You're holding the menu upside down."
Xu Qian's face stiffened. She quickly righted the menu, concealing her flushed cheeks.
How embarrassing...
[Ding, Tang Zhiyuan's favorability +2, total 14.]
It increased his favorability?
Xu Qian's eyes darted around. Tang Zhiyuan might like sweet, clingy, and a bit silly girls. As long as she could complete the mission, she was willing to change.
"What do you want to eat?"
"Ah, anything is fine for me."
Xu Qian adjusted her facial expression, doing her best to make her tone, movements, and expression more sweet.
Tang Zhiyuan wasted no time. He beckoned the waiter and quickly ordered a string of dishes in D language.
"What does Mr. Tang do?" Xu Qian propped her chin on her hands, her dark eyes sparkling with a smile.
"Ordinary professor," Tang Zhiyuan replied curtly.
Xu Qian gritted her teeth inwardly but remained undeterred, pressing on. "So, do you always teach at F University?"
"My coming to F City is purely for work requirements."
"Oh, I see. When are you going back?"
"In half a month."
A glint of light flickered in Xu Qian's eyes. In half a month, the apocalypse would have already begun.
After he spoke, Xu Qian realized the conversation had stalled. She had no choice but to carry it.
"Mr. Tang, what do you teach?"
"Biomedical research."
Xu Qian, bracing herself, continued to ask, "Are you a doctor?"
"Not exactly. For example, I research immunotherapy for tumors, the development of anti-aging technology, correction of genetic defects, gene engineering techniques like cloning and in-vitro fertilization. But... I also understand some basic medicine."
Xu Qian's eyes curved into crescent moons, beautiful and pure. "I've had a headache recently. Could you take a look for me?"
"Give me your hand."
Xu Qian didn't understand but obediently extended her hand. The mission target was God.
Tang Zhiyuan gently held her pulse. The pulse was weak and smooth.
His slightly cool fingertips on her wrist sent goosebumps across her skin. The headache wasn't a lie; her head had been throbbing faintly since her rebirth.
Tang Zhiyuan frowned slightly. "You are too mentally tense. Relaxing appropriately will bring some relief."
His hand was about to withdraw, but Xu Qian quickly grabbed his long, cool fingers.
Tang Zhiyuan didn't pull away. He simply raised his indifferent eyes and looked at her quietly.
This girl was very strange. Her profile was unremarkable, with a simple background and origins. She had no reason to approach him.
Her palm was smooth but had a slight callus, though not the kind from habitually using firearms or blades.
"You..." Do you also know Chinese medicine?
The waiter began serving the dishes, interrupting their conversation. They naturally let go of each other and fell silent. The waiter brought two large mugs of beer. The mugs were so big that Xu Qian couldn't hold them with both hands. She took a sip of beer.
The dishes included pea soup, sweet crepes, sauerkraut and pork belly, sauerkraut and frankfurters, hamburger steak, and steak tartare.
Having experienced the apocalypse, Xu Qian was not picky about food. She could eat anything, no matter how unappetizing.
However, D country cuisine was truly... not delicious.
Tang Zhiyuan had never seen a woman eat so much...
Except for the steak in front of him, everything else was wiped clean.
"Lady, Black Forest Cake."
Xu Qian pursed her lips into a sweet smile, scooped a piece of cake into her mouth. The cake sponge was thin and crisp, the creamy frosting exuded a sweet fragrance, and the black chocolate shavings on top were incorporated into it.
"Mmm... delicious."
Tang Zhiyuan's lips curved slightly upwards.
[Ding, Tang Zhiyuan's favorability +2, total favorability 16.]
After finishing the cake, Xu Qian's stomach was bulging. She was completely stuffed.
It was 2 PM after dinner. Xu Qian certainly couldn't let Tang Zhiyuan leave just yet.
With a smile, Xu Qian cautiously probed, "Mr. Tang, do you have any plans this afternoon?"
Tang Zhiyuan wiped his mouth with a napkin, his tone indifferent. "Nothing in particular."
Xu Qian blinked and lowered her voice alluringly, "Mr. Tang, you're new to F City. Shall we take a walk around F City? I'm a native of F City, and there are many delicious things here that only I know."
"Let's go."
They walked along the seaside embankment. There were many colorful, characteristic buildings and numerous small shops selling food and drinks. After a stroll, Tang Zhiyuan was carrying a lot of local snacks.
Passing by an escape room, Xu Qian's eyes lit up.
"Mr. Tang, let's play an escape room."
Xu Qian tugged at his arm, refusing to let go.
Tang Zhiyuan frowned. He really didn't want to play such childish games.
Seeing Tang Zhiyuan's displeased expression, Xu Qian immediately hugged his arm, pleading and acting spoiled.
Seeing that Xu Qian was on the verge of rolling on the ground, Tang Zhiyuan reluctantly agreed.
The available escape rooms were "HSBC Hospital" and "704 Zombies."
Xu Qian preferred "704 Zombies," and Tang Zhiyuan went along with her.