I am a hero of the former civilization.

"You, you always complain that this is too expensive, that is unnecessary, and after all that, you still end up slurping noodles." Ryan grumbled as he thought about it. Kevin was the same way; why was he so fond of slurping noodles?

Hua raised her head slightly, picked up a piece of beef and put it into Ryan's bowl: "I'm not interested in Western food anyway, and your money didn't fall from the sky, every penny is precious."

Do you know where my money came from?

"I'm just guessing, since you've never mentioned your family before, senior brother."

Ryan's expression froze. He hadn't expected that Hua, though seemingly simple-minded, was actually quite shrewd. That's right, despite his rich kid appearance, every penny he had was earned from making the Black Gloves of the Fire Moth a few years ago.

As for the family...

“Senior brother, I know you’ve been very good to me, and that’s why I want to find a way to repay you.” Hua interrupted Ryan’s thoughts, propping his head up as he said, “Besides, I know why you took time out today. Of course, I should treat you to lunch, so I can only treat you to noodles.”

The girl remained serious, which made Ryan a little embarrassed. While she was understanding, she could also be incredibly dense.

"When did you learn these twisted principles?" Ryan poked the girl's forehead, picked up his chopsticks, put the beef back in his hand, and then stuffed a wad of noodles into his mouth.

Hey, this tastes so much better than eating noodles with Kevin!

Ryan immediately realized that the saying "beauty is food for the eyes" was true, and felt that he had been doing all these years willingly.

This has absolutely nothing to do with investing in Thirteen Heroes or anything like forming a good relationship; it's simply because Hua is worthy of his doing so.

"Since you don't like staying on Huaizhong Road, where are you planning to go this afternoon?"

"Senior brother, you should have asked me sooner."

"Hey, I was originally planning to treat you to some lavish food, but since you're not willing, I'll just go along with it and see if you're really living a good life in Canghai."

“Then I’ll make the arrangements. Let’s go now.” Hua got excited and grabbed Ryan’s arm to leave.

Neither of them had driven, and Ryan then noticed that Hua's high school was actually not far from Huaizhong Road. Since school was on holiday, he only walked around the entrance and then took a group photo with a somewhat embarrassed Hua at the school gate.

The photo taken by a passerby was ugly; even Ryan's eyes were squinting. He wanted to delete it, but he couldn't resist her insistence, so he sent it to her.

How can you treat a lousy photo like a treasure? I bought you clothes earlier but you didn't want them, and now you're determined to snatch them back.

Ryan couldn't quite understand what Hua was thinking at this age, but looking at her fair neck, he felt that it wasn't bad. She was like a blank sheet of cloth, retaining some things and having been painted with a few colors by himself.

At least the color is correct. I don't expect her to become as lively as Alicia, but at least she shouldn't look so bitter and resentful.

"Tell me, where are you going next?"

"There are several things at the snack street next to Canghai University that I'd like you to try."

Didn't you just eat noodles?

Ryan glanced at the girl's flat chest and let her drag him forward. They ran for about two miles until they came to a more lively alley.

The alley is narrow, with street vendors on both sides. Most of the diners are young, mostly students from the nearby Canghai University, and in June, there are even more people in hot pants and with long legs.

The air was filled with a rich aroma. Chicken wings were tumbling in the oil, and squid was sizzling on the hot plate. A sprinkle of spices and chili made Ryan's mouth water.

"Senior brother, I'm going to buy two bowls of ice jelly."

"Well, I'll just find somewhere to sit." Ryan found a small stool and sat down. He didn't just sit there for nothing; he bought two servings of sweet tofu pudding and ate them with a plastic spoon while watching the crowds move by.

The atmosphere was very down-to-earth, a completely different world from the battlefields or laboratories he usually frequented. For a moment, he even forgot about the Third Honkai Impact.

No wonder people seek refuge in the mountains for minor matters and in the city for major ones; who says that noise and bustle cannot cleanse the soul?

Ryan wasn't interested in famous mountains and rivers, but he really enjoyed the atmosphere of the city, observing the faces, whether ordinary or beautiful, and watching the joys and sorrows of men, women, and children.

An elderly couple supporting each other, a young couple bickering, a vendor sweating profusely, a woman diligently cleaning, and a deliveryman rushing to and fro.

It was this feeling that made Ryan feel truly alive in this world, rather than like a high and mighty transmigrator pointing fingers at NPCs, his mind filled with nothing but the beauties from the Thirteen Heroes.

Even though he knew that all of this would soon vanish, Ryan was not discouraged; instead, he tried even harder to remember them.

"Brother, what are you looking at?"

Hua had already sat down next to me without me noticing. She scooped up a spoonful of tofu pudding, then ate a bite of ice jelly, and showed a satisfied expression.

Ryan glanced at the plastic bowl on the table. Inside was something that looked a bit like jelly, topped with a layer of hawthorn, raisins, and peanut crumbs.

He took a sip; the brown sugar was sweet, and Ryan smiled, pointing to the bustling crowd.

"Of course, I'm looking at people."

Chapter Forty-Nine: Thunderstorm Approaching

Judging people?

Hua tilted his head slightly, somewhat puzzled. What was so interesting about all the people on the street? Didn't they find it crowded?

Fortunately, she was in a great mood today and even smiled: "Senior, you have quite the talent of a philosopher. You always say things that are hard to understand."

"You already said philosopher, do you still want to understand?" Ryan, eating his ice jelly, also became interested. "Want to hear something more profound and mysterious?"

"Sure, this sounds interesting."

Hua ate and watched, her mood improving. Over the years, Ryan rarely took her out to play; when they were together, he mostly taught her boxing and swordsmanship.

"Hua, do you have feelings for me?"

Caught off guard by the question, the girl paused for a moment, then nodded without hesitation: "Yes, I want to follow in your footsteps and become your strong support."

The answer is obvious: among the thirteen heroes, Hua was the one who came into contact with them earliest and was most deeply influenced.

"Yes, but don't let your dreams imprison your life. You must know—"

Ryan took off his glasses, stretched out his right hand, and brushed his bangs, which reached his eyebrows, onto the top of his head, his tone both indifferent and gentle.

“Admiration is the feeling farthest from understanding.”

Hua stopped holding the plastic spoon and stared at the man in front of her in astonishment. For a moment, goosebumps rose on her skin, and her mind went completely blank.

At this moment, Ryan in front of her became utterly unfamiliar, as if he were above the starry sky, beyond her reach. A single sentence from him instilled a sense of fear in her.

Fortunately, Ryan suddenly smiled, brushed his hair down, put his glasses back on, and immediately regained his gentle demeanor.

"Doesn't it seem a bit mysterious and impressive?"

It's not just impressive but also terrifying upon closer inspection.

Hua blinked, then sullenly propped his head up with his hand: "Senior brother, it's best if you just act like you normally do. Don't play the philosopher."

"Actually, there's another philosophy, but I won't demonstrate it today, I'm afraid you won't be able to accept it." Ryan coughed lightly, poured the last mouthful of ice jelly and brown sugar water into his mouth, and then casually tossed the plastic bowl aside. "Let's go, I think that grilled squid place is pretty good, what's up? Want some sweet tofu pudding?"

"Actually, savory tofu pudding is tastier," Hua muttered, standing up. "Senior brother, were you reciting lines just now?"

"Hmm, a line from a major villain. To be honest, if I hadn't met you guys, I might have really had a chance to become him." Ryan shrugged, sighing softly to himself.

This statement is philosophical, yet also somewhat true. He didn't want Hua to be too deeply influenced; Hua should live a strong, independent, and passionate life. It can only be said that taking care of someone is a double-edged sword.

Of course, he wouldn't be a lunatic and stab me in the back, saying something like, "My stupid junior sister."

"A villain? That's good. Senior brother is definitely not a villain." Hua breathed a sigh of relief. He preferred Ryan to joke with him, because this enthusiasm belonged to only a select few.

"Then what am I?"

"Heroes, heroes who forge ahead and never retreat!"

"That's a good compliment. Now, tell me, what else would you like to eat?"

In the height of summer, the two squeezed through the crowded alleyways, eating their way from one end to the other, until dinner time, when their stomachs were basically full.

So Ryan was taken to a milk tea shop in Canghai University. Hua told her that she worked there last year and loved the environment, often finishing her homework there before going home.

Seeing that the girl was in high spirits, as if she wanted him to delve into every corner of her life, he did not object and entered Canghai University through the side gate.

Ryan looked around and saw that the shop was not big, but the decoration was fresh and elegant, with white walls, a long wooden table, several good quality oil paintings, and a few bouquets of preserved flowers as decoration.

The shop owner was a middle-aged woman who still had a charming appearance. She was wearing a floral dress and looked quite tasteful. She was greeting Hua gently.

"Haven't seen you for months, and you've found a boyfriend so quickly? Which department is he in at our school?"

"No, store manager, this is my senior apprentice," Hua quickly explained, only to see the store manager's smile deepen.

As for senior students, they're just there to flirt with junior girls; she's seen it all before.

"Really not!"

"Alright, alright, I got it. Hua, why don't you make this senior a blueberry milk tea? Consider it my treat."

"Thank you, manager." Hua bowed politely and asked Ryan to wait a moment before going behind the bar.

The middle-aged woman and Ryan exchanged a smile and a nod before she went about her business.

Tasteful and cultured.

Ryan felt a surge of affection, but he didn't bother to explain about the boyfriend thing. He simply walked to the small bookshelf next to him, picked out some magazines and novels, and finally randomly picked one out and found an empty seat to sit down.

The sea in June wasn't too hot, and the afternoons were especially pleasant. Ryan slowly flipped through his novel, feeling as if time itself had slowed down.

Ryan didn't dislike the slow pace. As he told Hua, focusing too much on one thing would eventually lead to obsession. Only by enriching one's life could one maintain a continuous source of resilience.

The concepts of urgency and slowness, movement and stillness, are themselves a science. Of course, he didn't experience the pain and the subsequent impulse to turn to the dark side.

"Dr. Lane?"

After turning a few pages, a voice made Ryan instinctively turn his head, and he saw a man with curly hair and a slightly effeminate appearance standing behind him.

"Dr. Damian, I didn't expect to run into you here."

He recognized this as a former colleague, so he closed the book, stood up, shook hands with him, and before he could ask, told him why he had come to Canghai.

"To see your junior sister?" Damian glanced at the busy girl, somewhat puzzled.

Hua looks like an ordinary high school student. How could she possibly become the junior sister of this genius? She said meaningfully, "Dr. Ryan, you have good taste."

Another person who misunderstood.

Ryan shook his head, too lazy to explain. The two weren't exactly friends, so why bring up personal topics?

"After you came to Canghai, you're still doing research on imaginary numbers?"

"Yes, it's my old profession, but unfortunately I don't have Dr. Mei's talent. Recently, many of my projects have stalled." He sighed, looking somewhat dejected.

Ryan then noticed that Damian's eyes were bloodshot, his beard was unkempt, and his shirt collar was yellowed; he looked like a tired, trapped beast.

Doing research is more despairing than fighting, because in fighting you can fight desperately, but in academic research all you have left is the most rational rigor. If you don't know how, you can smash your head and still not know how.

"I think you should take a break; maybe you'll get some inspiration."

Are you, like me, sitting here drinking coffee and reading a novel?