At the main entrance of Riverdale Grand Plaza.
Andrew Han approached with a smile, striding over with long confident steps. "Monica Zhang, you’re early. Didn’t we agree on noon?"
"You’re early too. Better early than late, right?" Monica took two steps toward him. "Today I’m treating you to crab pot, or anything else you want—whatever you feel like eating."
"Mm."
Andrew nodded.
He glanced at Monica’s white sneakers, dotted with pink accents and looking freshly clean, then looked at his own shoes—brand new black athletic sneakers, just changed, but a bit plain.
He’d brought an extra pair of shoes today for his visit to Rockchant Martial Arts Gym.
After all, with his current strength, even a slight use of Internal Power could shatter his shoes. Unless he reached the Solidified Core level and could fully materialize his Internal Power, it was impossible to avoid damaging his clothes.
"Let’s go."
Monica tilted her head, glancing at Andrew’s dazed expression.
"Mm, let’s go." Andrew lifted his head, expression calm, no longer distracted, and walked with Monica toward the escalator at Riverdale Grand Plaza.
It was a long escalator, running directly up to the fourth floor.
Buzzing softly.
The escalator ascended.
Monica stood a step above Andrew on the escalator, looking down at him. "You seem a bit short."
"I’m short and proud, I’m short and loud. So what if I’m short? It’s not like I eat your rice." Andrew’s lips curled into a smile, tossing out a spontaneous rhyme.
Huh?
Monica’s pink lips parted, but she was left speechless.
Andrew, usually known for ending conversations, actually had such quick wit? And those lines weren’t really about being short... but that didn’t matter.
"Alright then."
Monica quietly stepped down two steps on the escalator, then looked up at Andrew. "Now you're taller," she said.
"No, no, height really doesn't matter at all," Andrew replied earnestly. "What matters is how elevated your spirit is."
"Oh." Monica was a little stunned by his words.
She pondered for a moment, secretly admiring Andrew's logic, and decided to step back up to her previous escalator spot.
"Wait," Andrew reached out to stop her.
"What is it?" Monica asked, a little confused.
"You should stay on the lower step," Andrew suggested seriously. Monica froze for a moment, then covered her mouth and burst out laughing.
Below them.
Two young men with heavy backpacks exchanged awkward glances, let out deep sighs, and could only stare down at their phone screens.
...
A moment later.
Inside the crab pot restaurant.
The decor was simple, but the tables and chairs were refined and spotless. At noon, the place was bustling with diners.
They waited a full ten minutes for a table, ordered the dishes they'd agreed on, and sat across from each other at a small table, chatting as they waited for the food to arrive.
Clack.
The crab pot was brought over and placed on the table.
Andrew took in the rich, spicy aroma and swallowed. "Did you order it extra spicy?" he asked.
"Nope," Monica replied.
Monica blinked her pretty eyes twice.
Andrew picked up a piece of tofu drenched in chili. "Tastes great, really whets my appetite. Honestly, I can handle spicy food," he said, trying to sound casual.