I said you are all war criminals

"It's not a serious illness, just pneumonia."

Deng explained, "Xiangzi felt that I didn't need to get an IV, so he prepared a therapeutic meal for me."

Hakuno breathed a sigh of relief; he didn't want Deng to "win and run away." However, Hakuno was still curious about what Shinomiya Kojiro's special dish tasted like, so he asked Deng, "Do you know how to get a demon-level chef to make a special dish?"

Deng took a sip of red wine, put down the glass, and chuckled, "Got his approval."

"Approve? How do you approve?"

Bai Ye asked, thinking, is it like in the hot-blooded comics, where I have to challenge myself with my cooking skills? Wait, I don’t think I can cook…

“Show your passion and understanding of cooking.”

Deng answered briefly.

Hakuno's spirits immediately deflated. Passion? Understanding? His passion for food was limited to eating, and his understanding of it limited to whether it was tasty or not. It looked like he'd miss out on trying Shinomiya Kojiro's signature dish.

"Forget it, I'd better just eat my meal in peace."

Hakuno gave up struggling and picked up the menu again. While he couldn't get his signature dish, the other dishes should be pretty good. He vaguely remembered Shinomiya Kojiro as some kind of vegetable magician, so he flipped to the vegetable section and randomly ordered a French vegetable dish with a fancy-sounding name.

While waiting for the food to be served, Bai Ye chatted with Deng from time to time.

"By the way, Deng, what are your plans next?"

Hakuno asked casually.

The lamp replied, "First, let you give up destroying the world."

"I won't destroy the world,"

Bai Ye smiled slyly, "I don't have any opinion on the world."

"I know."

Deng nodded slightly.

At that moment, the vegetable dish Shiro had ordered arrived. The plate was filled with a variety of brightly colored vegetables, meticulously arranged to look like a work of art. Shiro picked up his fork, scooped up a piece of vegetable, and placed it in his mouth.

"Well……"

Bai Ye's eyes widened instantly, and an indescribable deliciousness exploded in his mouth. This seemingly simple vegetable dish actually contained such rich layers of flavor. The flavors of each vegetable blended perfectly together, while each retained its own unique flavor.

"This... is so delicious!"

Bai Ye couldn't help but admire it.

Deng also stretched out his fork and took a piece of vegetable. "Hmm, it's delicious. But it's still far from Xiangzi's cooking skills."

"What you said makes me look forward to Xiangzi's cooking skills... By the way, it seems like you haven't seen Xiangzi for a while? Are you going to see her tonight?"

Hakuno said, "She said she would come to my house tonight."

104

Chapter 104 Today is Xiangzi's defeat.

Xiangzi is in a good mood today.

The transaction of dream mushrooms was quite successful, and the chefs in the dark cuisine world did not really engage in cheating - there were two chefs who wanted to lower the price, but after Xiangzi showed his strength, everyone still made the deal at the originally agreed price.

Xiangzi hummed a little tune as she walked cheerfully through the streets of Tokyo. Today had been quite fruitful, and even the air felt a little fresher. She imagined meeting Hakuno later, perhaps going to see that latest movie together, or to that new Italian restaurant... As she thought about it, the corners of her mouth curled up in a charming smile.

The door of Shirano's house was ajar. Xiangzi knocked twice and walked in. What she saw was a scene that froze her instantly: Shirano and Gao Songdeng were sitting in the living room, with tea and snacks in front of them, and the atmosphere was as harmonious as a painting.

Xiangzi also noticed that Gao Songdeng was wearing a light blue dress today, which made her look particularly gentle and lovely.

Xiangzi felt as if his heart was being tightly gripped by an invisible hand, and breathing became difficult.

She knew she was late.

I'm late again.

But she still tried to maintain her calmness on the surface and forced a smile: "Excuse me, Bai Ye, Deng is here too."

Gao Songdeng raised his head and nodded slightly to Xiangzi.

"Welcome back."

"haven't seen you for a long time."

Xiangzi tried his best to make his tone sound natural, but his heart was in turmoil.

Xiangzi knew that Hakuno and Deng had fallen in love at first sight. Now that they had met, Xiangzi was already a step too late...

Fortunately... it was just a step late.

"Xiangzi, you're here. I ordered something. Let's eat together."

Hakuno didn't seem to notice Xiangzi's subtle thoughts at all, but just asked Xiangzi to sit down.

"I didn't expect that you and Deng would know each other."

Xiangzi sat down calmly, right next to the lamp.

Xiangzi picked up a piece of cherry blossom cake and put it in her mouth to chew slowly. The sweet taste did not ease the bitterness in her heart. She observed Bai Ye and Gao Songdeng calmly, and the natural intimacy between them made her feel uncomfortable.

Hakuno seemed completely oblivious to Xiangzi's annoyance and excitedly announced, "Xiangzi, Deng and I have decided to date! We are so compatible, it's like we were destined to be together."

He said, shaking Deng's hand, who gave him a shy smile in return.

Xiangzi forced a smile and said, "Congratulations, you two are such a perfect match."

In reality, Xiangzi was roaring in his heart: A talented man and a beautiful woman? You old cow eating young grass, how big is the lamp!

"Actually, I fell in love with her the first time I saw her,"

Bai Ye continued, as if completely immersed in the sweetness of love, "She is like a little angel, pure and kind."

“…I’m not that good.”

Deng lowered his head, a blush on his cheeks.

Xiangzi resisted the urge to roll his eyes and said casually, "But Hakuno, Deng is only a high school student, and you're already in your twenties. If this relationship is made public, people might gossip about it, right? For Deng's reputation, it's best for you to keep your relationship secret."

Bai Ye was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said: "Xiangzi is right, I really didn't consider this point. Deng, let's keep it a secret for now and make it public when the time is right."

Deng nodded obediently, then took out a stone from his pocket and handed it to Xiangzi: "Xiangzi, this is a gift for you."

Xiangzi took the stone and touched its rough surface with her fingertips. An inexplicable sense of familiarity washed over her. She examined the stone carefully. The grayish-white surface was dotted with a few tiny black particles of irregular shape.

Wait... this stone...

An image flashed through Xiangzi's mind: a glass cabinet filled with various stones. It was a display cabinet that Hakuno used to commemorate the late Takamatsu Touma more than ten years later... This stone seemed to be placed in that glass cabinet.

...The label on it seemed to say that this was the first stone that Hakuno and Deng found together.

"Is this really okay for me?"

Xiangzi couldn't help asking.

In response to this question, Deng lowered his head and answered in a very shallow voice.

"Because Xiangzi is a very important person to me. So, I want to have important memories with Xiangzi."

Xiangzi held the stone, rubbing his fingertips over the rough surface, as if to smooth it out. Deng's words were like a thin needle, precisely piercing her softest spot. This was foul, this was so foul. She looked at Deng beside Baiye, the scene as glaring as the midday sun, making it almost impossible for her to open her eyes.

Lost, completely lost.

The feeling of knowing you will lose but still watching yourself go to defeat is more painful than losing directly.

……never mind.

How can you be considered a loser if you have never even stepped foot at the starting line?

Xiangzi twitched the corner of his mouth slightly, "By the way, Bai Ye, regarding the wildfire matter, I have already contacted the lead singer, guitarist, and drummer."

Xiangzi took a deep breath and tried hard to suppress the sour feeling in his heart, just like swallowing a piece of stone that would hurt his teeth.

"I've already contacted several members regarding the wildfire."

She forced a dry smile, trying to make her tone sound relaxed and natural. "The lead singer is Nana Ohba, a very explosive girl; the drummer is Kuro Sakurai, who is experienced and has solid skills; the guitarist is Kotoko Iwanaga, who is very talented and has a lot of spirit."

During these days, Xiangzi also found time to contact his former band members. Although Nana Ohba had some difficulties, she finally agreed. As for Sakurai Kuro and Iwanaga Kotoko, they were easily persuaded once Xiangzi told them about the monsters.

Hakuno's eyes lit up, as if he saw his band already standing on the stage of the Budokan.

"Great! Xiangzi, you're so awesome! I don't know how to thank you!"

He excitedly held Xiangzi's hand and shook it vigorously, completely unaware of Xiangzi's stiff expression and slightly trembling fingers.

Xiangzi pulled his hand back without leaving a trace. "When everyone is free, let's meet up, get to know each other, and discuss the band's style and development direction."

"Yeah!"

Bai Ye nodded repeatedly, "I'll leave the band's affairs entirely to you, Xiangzi. I believe in your vision! I will definitely support you with all my strength!"

As he spoke, he turned to look at Deng again, his eyes so gentle that they could drip water, "Deng, what do you think?"

"I believe in Xiangzi,"

Deng smiled gently, "Xiangzi has always been very capable and can do anything."

...It would be great if we could do everything.

Xiangzi sighed in his heart.

Forget it.

…She doesn’t care that much.

105

Chapter 105: Yaba language is released.

Time passed unconsciously.

Hakuno, Takamatsu Touma, and Ichiri, the three of them came to the Tower of Babel together.

"Today is Kita's debut match..."

Hakuno crossed his arms over his chest, then shifted his gaze to Ichiri, who was trembling so much that his features were dislocated, "Are you okay, Ichiri?"

"No, no, no, no problem..."

Ichiri's whole body was shaking.

So Deng took the initiative and held Yili's hand.

"It's okay... there's nothing to be afraid of."

The lamp looked straight into Yili's eyes.

"We are with you."

She whispered, "We've always been here."

Deng's hand was warm and soft, like a gentle cloud, enveloping Yili's cold, stiff fingers. This warmth flowed slowly along her fingertips, into Yili's bloodstream, into her nerves, tense with fear. Deng's breath was soft and shallow, misting over the back of her hand, tickling like the brush of a feather.

"Thank you, Deng..."

Yili was finally able to make a sound, although it was still weak and feeble, it was much better than the complete loss of voice just now.

The three of them walked side by side towards the elevator leading to the underground. As the elevator slowly descended, Yili felt as if there was a little hamster spinning frantically in his stomach. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his churning emotions.

With a ding, the elevator door opened.

The underground space was much more spacious and brighter than Yili had imagined. The air was filled with the faint smell of disinfectant, mixed with sweat and some unknown fragrance. The noise was bustling, with all kinds of shouts, cheers, and calls intertwined, like a pot of boiling water, constantly bubbling.

Yili's ears were buzzing from the sudden noise, and she subconsciously hid behind Bai Ye.

Hakuno led Ichiri to a large electronic screen where the match schedule was scrolling. He pointed to a line of text and said, "Look, Kita's match is in the first round. Her opponent is Yuba Lee, the Explosive Kung Fu Girl. I heard she's very powerful."

Bai Ye stroked his chin, his eyes sparkling with excitement, "This game is sure to be exciting. I can't wait."

Only then did Ichiri notice his opponent's name. Yuzuba Lee? Explosive Kung Fu Girl? The name sounded terrifying. Ichiri panicked, "Wait, Hakuno, aren't we here to stop Kita from competing? Why are you so excited?"

Hakuno laughed heartily and ruffled Ichiri's hair. "Don't worry, Ichiri. Kita is very strong and won't lose that easily. Besides, even if she does lose, it's not too late for us to find a way. Let's wait and see, maybe there will be a surprise."

Ichiri was about to say something, but was grabbed by Hakuno and walked towards the audience. The lights followed closely behind them.

The clamor from the audience was like a tangled mess, tightly entangled with Ichiri's nerves. Hakuno was waving his arms excitedly, as if he couldn't wait to jump into the ring and fight. This guy is really talking without any worries! Ichiri cursed inwardly, clenching her fists nervously. She secretly glanced at Deng beside her and found that she was pursing her lips tightly, her brows slightly furrowed, and her eyes were fixed firmly on the center of the arena. It felt like Deng was more worried about Kita than she was.

"Lights! Sound! Camera! Ready! Ladies and gentlemen! Now, let's welcome the two contestants!"