"Alright."

Seeing that Zhang Beixing was unwilling to disclose more, the young man didn't press on. After chatting with Zhang Beixing a bit more, the young man climbed to the upper bunk to play with his phone and began sharing the day's events with others.

Zhang Beixing, on the other hand, reflected with some amazement that he now actually had fans. Wasn't this essentially becoming a public figure?

After scrolling through pictures of beauties for a while and noticing it was getting late, he chucked his phone into his pocket. Not long after, he drifted off to sleep.

「June 3rd, Monday.」

「2:00 PM.」

The train stopped at the station in Yiling City, Beihu Province.

Carrying his luggage, Zhang Beixing alighted from the train. Having slept throughout the journey, he felt refreshed and invigorated.

He walked down the platform and headed towards the exit. Zheng Jituo, who had been waiting there for a long time, spotted him and waved a greeting.

Seeing this, Zhang Beixing waved back and walked over.

Zheng Jituo slung an arm around Zhang Beixing's neck, his face filled with unconcealable surprise. "Lao Zhang, you're something else! Summer vacation only started a few days ago, and you've already gotten involved with the military without a word, even filmed a recruitment video! Awesome!"

Hearing his friend's praise, Zhang Beixing waved his hand dismissively. "It was alright, just averagely cool. I only had a minute of screen time in the recruitment video released by the 'Military in Yanjing' official account. Nothing worth mentioning. Low-key, low-key."

"You know I care the least about these things."

As he spoke, Zhang Beixing put on an air of complete indifference.

At this, Zheng Jituo's eyelid twitched. He glanced at Zhang Beixing, then at the passersby who, attracted by the commotion, were looking over because Zhang Beixing had suddenly raised his voice by three or four notches while speaking.

And you call this not caring? he thought inwardly.

But he didn't call him out on it.

After all, what Zhang Beixing had done was indeed pretty damn awesome!

He wasn't even a soldier, yet he had collaborated with the military to film a recruitment video and had a full minute of screen time.

Even A-list celebrities might not get such treatment!

"Yes, yes, yes, you're absolutely right. You, Zhang the great internet celebrity, are the most low-key and the most indifferent to fame and fortune," Zheng Jituo said sarcastically. "So, shall we get going and grab a bite to eat now?"

"Ever since you started working out, your appetite has become enormous. Plus, you've been on the train all day; instant noodles definitely wouldn't be enough for you. How about we go get some proper food to fill you up, and then head to West Yin Mountain?" Zheng Jituo suggested.

Zhang Beixing nodded. "Sounds great. It's actually my first time in Yiling, Beihu Province, and I'd love to try some local specialties. Shall we go then?"

"Let's go, let's go! Get in the truck!" Zheng Jituo hollered.

The two then climbed into the small pickup truck Zheng Jituo had borrowed from his uncle and, swaying gently, drove off to find something to eat.

Due to its geographical location, Yiling lies with Bashu to one side and Jingchu to the other. This meant Yiling's cuisine was significantly influenced by both.

To put it diplomatically, it was a fusion, embodying the characteristics of both regions. The dishes aimed for a balance: numbing-spicy, salty-savory, rich in authentic flavors, and appropriately subtle.

But to be blunt, it was a case of being outshone by its neighbors.

When it came to numbing spice, Yiling couldn't compare to the adjacent Bashu region. In terms of subtle, authentic flavors, it didn't quite measure up to Jingchu.

Thus, it was awkwardly sandwiched between the two, constantly being compared to them.

Even so, Yiling was still far better off than their hometown, Shishi. At least Yiling's local cuisine had distinctive features and could serve to promote the area.

It wasn't like Shishi. They had painstakingly developed a supposedly signature dish, only to look at its name: "Anhui Beef Banmian Noodles."

After all that effort, they ended up diverting all the attention to Anhui. It even left Anhui folk scratching their heads, thinking, We have lamb banmian, but what on earth is this beef banmian?

「After their meal...」

"BURP—I'm stuffed! That was a really satisfying meal," Zheng Jituo said, leaning back. His plump body slumped in his chair as he picked his teeth with a toothpick and looked at Zhang Beixing. "Speaking of which, Lao Zhang, I haven't asked you yet. Why did you suddenly decide to come visit right now?"

Hearing this, Zhang Beixing swallowed the tiger-skin egg he was eating and mumbled indistinctly, "What's up? You're not happy I came? Afraid I'll interrupt you asking out your little nephew's teacher?"

As the old topic was brought up again, Zheng Jituo's smile instantly vanished. "No! Seriously, are we never going to let this drop? I was completely out of my mind when I said that back then. Besides, the teacher already forgave me. Can we please not talk about it anymore?"

Zhang Beixing's expression showed understanding, then he asked with a curious look, "So, are you two actually going on a date now?"

"A date? My ass! No, that's not what I was talking about at all, okay?" Zheng Jituo retorted. "I asked why you came at this time because I just wanted to know how long you're planning to stay. You know our classmates are organizing a group camping trip here soon. If you're staying for a longer period, that's one thing. But if you're only here for a few days and then leaving, then when the camping trip happens, tell me, should we invite you or not?"

"Oh, so that's what you meant. I'm planning to stay here for a while, about half a month or so. Speaking of which, Jituo, do you happen to know where I can buy a spear around here?"

Having answered Zheng Jituo's question, Zhang Beixing remembered that the issue of acquiring a spear, a crucial weapon for his Martial Arts Training, was still unresolved. Thinking that Zheng Jituo's maternal grandmother's family was from Yiling and that Zheng Jituo would be familiar with the place, he posed the question.

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