Chapter 288: "I’m Afraid You’ll Have Regrets.

"Brother Xue, do you still want to play Red Light, Green Light? I can play with you! I can go a long, long time without blinking!" Xiao Lang thought Xue Can hadn’t had his fill of the game, which was why he said he didn’t have time to teach him how to use his superpower.

Xue Can ground his teeth.

’He had originally intended to use Xiao Lang to curry some favor, which was why he’d been so patient with the kid. Now the boy was clinging to him, but he couldn’t just shove him aside, or all his previous efforts would be for nothing.’

Xue Can picked up Xiao Lang. The little boy felt a sudden weightlessness, and before he knew it, his arms were wrapped around the older boy’s neck.

Xiao Lang froze, and his eyes instantly welled with tears.

He hadn’t been particularly sad when his father passed away, because his dad had always hit his mom and would beat him too. But occasionally, his dad had been good to him.

His father would pick him up, just like Xue Can had, or let him ride on his shoulders. Just that small act would bring Xiao Lang tons of joy.

Of course, his mother was wonderful to him, and he loved her very much. But sometimes, he really missed his father. He missed being held by him.

"I’m taking you to see Boss Shen make something delicious." Xue Can turned his head and saw Xiao Lang miserably wiping away tears. "What are you crying for?"

Xiao Lang sniffled. "Brother Xue, can you be my daddy?"

Xue Can’s expression instantly soured. "No."

’What kind of nonsense is this?’

Xiao Lang’s lip trembled, and he looked like he was about to burst into tears.

"If you dare cry, I’ll ignore you from now on."

There was no way he was going to comfort the boy, so Xue Can resorted to direct threats.

Xiao Lang was only five, after all. Startled by Xue Can’s threat, he choked back his sobs.

"Fine. I’ll teach you how to project your superpower."

Since the boy had backed down, Xue Can had no choice but to compromise as well.

He shot a glare toward the kitchen before carrying Xiao Lang over to the booth area.

Shen Lu was making granola bars. "Do you like cranberries?"

she asked Fu Cheng.

"Mhm."

"How about sunflower seeds, peanuts, and almonds?"

"Mhm."

"Maybe a few raisins, too?"

"Sure."

As more and more ingredients were added, Shen Lu began to struggle with the mixing. Without a word, Fu Cheng took the spatula from her.

Shen Lu held the bowl steady while Fu Cheng took over mixing the ingredients.

The man’s hands were long and slender, his forearms defined by smooth, well-proportioned muscles. The faint outline of his veins gave off an impression of dependable strength.

"You didn’t spend much time in the kitchen before this, did you?" Shen Lu asked, making small talk.

"No, I never had the time."

’Between classes and training, where would I have found the time to be in a kitchen?’

"So, what are your hobbies?"

Fu Cheng thought for a moment. "I like video games."

That was not the answer Shen Lu had been expecting.

’Fu Cheng seemed like such a serious, old-fashioned type. It was hard to imagine him having anything to do with video games.’

"Is that a recent hobby?"

"No, I’ve liked them since I was in school." Fu Cheng paused. "But it’s not the kind of entertainment game you’re thinking of."

"Then what kind is it?"

"It’s a combat game jointly developed by the four major survival bases. It’s used for simulated battles."

Shen Lu deadpanned. ’So it’s just a digital version of combat training?’

’No wonder Fu Cheng likes it. He’s crippled now and can’t even stand up in the real world, but he’s probably perfectly able-bodied in the virtual one.’

"Do you want to play?" Fu Cheng asked. "If you were to continue your studies, you could get access to the game after getting into a university."

Shen Lu tilted her head. "So I have to go back to school just to play a game?"

’The original owner of this body was seventeen, a senior in high school. She was supposed to take her university entrance exams next year.’

’But now, her identity had been swapped with Shen Lan’s. Shen Lan was the one studying for university, while she had been sent back to the Lower City District.’

"If you want to go back to school, I can help."

’He couldn’t manage anything too difficult, but finding a school for Shen Lu wouldn’t be a problem at all.’

Shen Lu politely declined.

"No, thank you. I’m very happy with my life right now."

’Go back to school? Why?’

’Besides, I’d be going in as a senior, and they’re swamped with schoolwork. Would I even have time to run the shop and grind its defense value?’

’Maybe I could earn some reputation value, but I can get that from doing other things, too.’

’If she were bound to some kind of "Study to Change Your Fate" system, she would have happily trotted off to school long before Fu Cheng even suggested it.’

Shen Lu eyed him. "You’re not looking down on me for not finishing high school, are you?"

"No." Fu Cheng shook his head earnestly. "I’m just worried you might have regrets."

’Besides, Fu Cheng felt someone Shen Lu’s age shouldn’t have to be so burdened and busy. Now that he was slowly recovering, there were more and more things he could do to help.’

"I don’t."

’The original owner might have had regrets, but Shen Lu didn’t. She had already graduated from a university in her own world.’

DING!

The almond thins in the oven were ready. Shen Lu put on a pair of oven mitts, pulled out the four large baking sheets, and set them on the counter to cool.

The rich aroma of the freshly baked almond thins was intoxicating. Shen Lu wanted to peel one off to eat, but it was awkward with the mitts on. She took them off, intending to snatch a piece as quickly as possible.

Fu Cheng grabbed her wrist. "It’s too hot."

"I want one."

"I’ll get it."

Fu Cheng reached out and peeled off an almond thin. Shen Lu’s eyes widened. She suddenly grabbed his large, well-defined hand. His fingertips were pale and clean, without the slightest hint of a burn.

’His skin is so thick and heat-resistant...’

Fu Cheng’s whole body stiffened when Shen Lu’s small, warm, soft hand grabbed his.

His heart seemed to stop for two seconds before it started to pound violently.

"Are all Superpower Users this resistant to heat?" Shen Lu asked curiously. As she let go of his hand, she snatched the almond thin, blew on it twice, and began to eat it with a crunch.

Fu Cheng cleared his throat, suppressing the strange heat that flared up inside him. "Not necessarily. It depends on the person’s constitution."

"It seems you’re pretty heat-resistant. In that case, Xue Can must be even more so, right?"

’Xue Can is a Fire Ability User. Shen Lu figured he could probably stick his hand directly into a fire without any issue.’

"I don’t know," Fu Cheng answered cautiously. "You’d have to ask him yourself."

’Shen Lu felt there was an indescribable depth to the way Fu Cheng was looking at her. Was it because she was eating the snack all by herself?’

Looking at the half-eaten almond thin in her hand, Shen Lu asked tentatively, "Do you want a bite?"

Fu Cheng’s gaze deepened. ’Does she mean... we should share the same piece?’

"Okay."

’So that’s what he wanted.’

Shen Lu broke off the bottom half of the almond thin—the part she hadn’t touched—and offered it to Fu Cheng. "Here."

’The top part has my saliva on it, so I should just eat it myself.’

Fu Cheng was a little disappointed but didn’t let it show. He took the piece of almond thin and popped it into his mouth. The distinct aroma of butter and the faint taste of almonds spread across his palate.

It was baked to a perfect crispness that provided a delightful texture, making it dangerously easy to want another.

"Is it good?" Shen Lu was eager for his feedback.

"It’s delicious," Fu Cheng answered with complete sincerity. "They’re the best almond crisps I’ve ever had."

’It wasn’t a lie. After all, he’d never eaten anything like this before, so of course it was the best he’d ever had.’

’But there was no need to tell Shen Lu that.’

Shen Lu huffed proudly. "Of course it is. You should see who made them!"