Chapter 240: Sour Soup Fish!
「Two days later.」
On an off-road vehicle heading to Qianzhou, Southern Province, the driver was a casually dressed girl. She was under twenty years old but very pretty.
"Mr. Lin, we will arrive at Kai City in two more hours. Our destination this time is Thunder Mountain in Kai City."
Inside the car, Liang Sheng looked at Lin Mu excitedly and began to explain earnestly. Ever since Lin Mu had saved him at the martial arts meeting in River City, Liang Sheng had remained deeply grateful. He had tried to visit several times, but his elder brother always stopped him, even reminding him to show more respect to the Venerable Master. Traveling with Lin Mu this time, Liang Sheng felt both excited and nervous.
After all, he was sharing a car with Grandmaster Lin Wudi, ranked sixteenth on the Heavenly List! It’s just that the Venerable Master is so low-profile. I’m only calling him Mr. Lin or Young Master Mu... if my big brother finds out when I get back, who knows how he’ll chew me out.
"Mm. I’ll rest for a bit. Call me when we arrive," Lin Mu nodded, then closed his eyes.
His only purpose for heading to Southern Sky was to find those three medicinal herbs, but he had a premonition that this trip would not go smoothly.
"Understood, Mr. Lin. You rest well; I’ll call you when we get there," Liang Sheng said respectfully.
"Dad, why are you so polite to this guy? You’re not like that normally," the girl driving said irritably. "I’ve never even seen you be this courteous with the elders in our family."
"Shut up!" Liang Sheng scolded in a low voice. "What do you know? Just drive the car!"
"Fine, I don’t get it! You’re the one who gets it, alright?" the girl retorted, puffing out her cheeks in dissatisfaction.
From their first meeting, Liang Shanshan had been unhappy with her father’s overly courteous, even groveling, treatment of Lin Mu. It left a bitter taste in her mouth. In her heart, her father had always been a hero. Yet today, she saw him acting so cautious and reverent in front of a young man not much older than herself. She was utterly indignant.
"Shanshan, don’t be so resentful," Liang Sheng said with a wry smile. "Mr. Lin’s strength is far beyond what you can imagine. So, you must be polite and respectful to him in the future. It can only do you good, no harm."
"Strength?" Liang Shanshan scoffed disdainfully. "Dad, don’t tell me this arrogant guy is a martial artist?"
She, Liang Shanshan, had also practiced martial arts with her father since she was young, but to this day, forget Internal Energy, she wasn’t even an Innate Martial Artist. Although her skills weren’t great, three or four burly men were no match for her. How old was the guy in the back anyway? Even if he’d started training in the womb, he probably wasn’t as strong as her.
"Ah, you stubborn girl. You’ll understand in due time," Liang Sheng said helplessly.
Liang Shanshan pretended not to hear.
...
Lin Mu opened his eyes.
"Have we arrived?" He glanced outside and noticed that the people here were dressed differently, exuding an exotic charm. He also found some of their speech hard to understand.
A dissatisfied voice immediately came from the driver’s seat. "We’ve been here for a while! If it weren’t for my dad seeing you were still asleep, we would have already reached Thunder Mountain. Because of you, we have to stay in Kai City for the day and can only go to Thunder Mountain tomorrow!
"Do you have any idea how precious our time is? Do you think everyone is as idle as you are?"
Her father had told her that this man was from some family in River City and had just come along for a sightseeing trip. What did he think she was? A tour guide? They were here to procure medicinal herbs!
Liang Shanshan was already annoyed with Lin Mu, and now that he had caused a significant delay, her resentment grew. Staying an extra day in Kai City would disrupt their entire schedule. The Liang Family was in the medicinal herb business, so Liang Shanshan knew better than anyone that they couldn’t afford delays at a time like this. If someone else beat them to it, they would return empty-handed.
"Sorry, it was my fault you’ve been held up," Lin Mu apologized, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
Liang Shanshan snorted coldly, seeming to not appreciate the gesture.
Lin Mu felt a bit helpless but didn’t offer any further explanation.
Just then, Liang Sheng walked over. "Mr. Lin, you’re awake?" Seeing him up, he said, "Mr. Lin, by the looks of it, we won’t be able to reach Thunder Mountain today. How about we rest here for the night and go tomorrow?"
Lin Mu naturally had no objections.
"Alright, let’s do as you say."
Liang Sheng immediately beamed with joy. "Oh, Mr. Lin, please don’t say that! This is what I should be doing."
"Hmph!"
Unable to stand her father’s obsequious behavior any longer, Liang Shanshan threw open the car door and got out.
BANG!
She slammed the door shut.
"Uh..." Lin Mu was a bit embarrassed.
Liang Sheng, however, just smiled. "Mr. Lin, don’t mind the girl. That’s just her temperament. I’ll have a word with her when I get the chance."
Lin Mu shook his head. "No need. It’s not as if she’s wrong."
Then, Lin Mu also got out of the car. "Let’s go. I’ve heard the local snacks here are quite good. Let’s give them a try."
"My treat!"
Liang Sheng was overjoyed and chuckled.
"Oh, how could I accept? How could I possibly accept? But, I do know a place that makes excellent sour soup fish. Let’s go try it!" Despite his polite protests, Liang Sheng showed no hesitation.
So, the three of them found a small restaurant hidden in an alley, where Liang Sheng ordered three fish and several side dishes in one go.
"Boss, add more bean sprouts and extra sour soup! And make it quick!" Liang Sheng called out before sitting down with a grin.
The restaurant was small, with room for only three or four tables, but business was good and it was completely full. The owner had to bring out a small folding table and place it by the doorway for them.
"Oh my, I’m so sorry, everyone. It’s busy today, so I’ll have to ask you three to make do here," the owner, a young man whose Mandarin had a thick accent but was still understandable, apologized profusely. "I’ll give you a discount later to make up for it."
"No need, no need. Go on with your work," Liang Sheng said, waving his hand.
"You got it! Please take a seat, your food will be right out!" the owner said cheerfully before hurrying away.
Liang Sheng turned to Lin Mu. "Mr. Lin, don’t judge it by its appearance. I guarantee that after one taste of this place’s sour soup fish, you’ll be craving a second."
"Greatness often hides in plain sight. Many of the world’s finest delicacies are found in deep mountains and old forests," Lin Mu replied with a smile.
"You seem to know a thing or two," Liang Shanshan commented, glancing at Lin Mu.
Lin Mu just chuckled, offering no explanation.
Interestingly, for a woman from the city, Liang Shanshan showed no disdain for the modest establishment and even seemed quite delighted. This wasn’t an act but a genuine expression. This girl isn’t half bad, Lin Mu thought.
"Here you go! Your sour soup fish for three!"
Shortly after, the owner brought over a large pot. The broth inside was bubbling and steaming, and three tenderly cooked fish tumbled merrily within.
"Let’s dig in!"
As soon as the pot was on the table, Liang Shanshan eagerly grabbed a bowl and started to ladle soup for herself.
"Mr. Lin, with sour soup fish, you have to drink the broth first and then eat the fish. The flavor is simply divine!" Liang Sheng explained, uncharacteristically refraining from scolding his daughter.
The three of them ate the three fish and several side dishes until they were dripping with sweat, exclaiming in delight.
Toward the end, Liang Shanshan and Lin Mu even started fighting over the last few morsels. It couldn’t be helped; it was Lin Mu’s first time trying such a deliciously sour and spicy dish. Paired with the restaurant’s unique local side dishes, the meal was absolutely addicting.
And he also discovered that this Liang Shanshan could really eat.
Two pairs of chopsticks lunged for the last fishbone at the same time.
Their eyes met, and sparks flew.
"Mine!" Liang Shanshan put force into her wrist, trying to snag the fishbone and pull it into her bowl.
However, the other pair of chopsticks were quicker.
The fishbone did a little twirl in the air and was snatched away.
Lin Mu, holding the fishbone with his chopsticks, declared, "You lose."
"Hmph!"
Although resentful, Liang Shanshan accepted her defeat and put down her chopsticks.
Just then, the young man across from her placed the fishbone in her bowl.
"Go on, eat it. I’m full."
Liang Shanshan was taken aback and glanced at him.
His face bore a faint smile.
"Hmph. You’re the one who gave it to me, so don’t you dare say I didn’t play fair."
Without further ceremony, Liang Shanshan picked up the fishbone and began to slurp away, the rich flavor making her eyes narrow in bliss.
Hmph. It seems this guy isn’t so detestable after all.