Chapter 262 238: Outdoor Cooking

Mei Ru Xue giggled, neither admitting nor denying. She didn't mind if Xu Chunliang embarrassed himself, but since she was working as a leader in Hu Shan Town, she had to consider the possible impact.Xu Chunliang brought quite a lot of things. As a dean, arranging these kinds of things became very convenient. He didn't even need to show up; Zhang Haitao just had the cafeteria prepare everything. There were ingredients for barbecue, hotpot, and a full array of side dishes and seasonings.

Even though it was already chilly in early winter, the large bonfire beside them kept it from feeling cold at all. Besides, Mei Ru Xue was wearing a thick military coat, warm and windproof.

Even in a military coat, Mei Ru Xue managed to wear it with a sense of elegance and unique fashion.

She intended to help, but Xu Chunliang told her to rest, giving him a chance to ingratiate himself with the Town Mayor.

Mei Ru Xue looked around; it seemed as if only they and the bonfire were left in the world, and her mood was more relaxed than ever. Feeling childish for a moment, she circled around the bonfire.

Her graceful figure spun around, the military-green coat flaring in the night. Her silhouette was reflected elegantly and perfectly in the firelight, like a green fairy dancing solo in the dark.

Xu Chunliang looked at her with a satisfied smile, thinking she was delightful enough to be a feast, yet why did he feel even hungrier? Grandmaster Xu realized clearly that what stirred his feelings wasn't just his appetite.

Mei Ru Xue took off her heavy cotton coat and came over to help him, "You're something else, even coming up with this."

Xu Chunliang said, "It's really not easy to invite you over for a meal. I wanted neither to attract attention nor fail to let Mayor Mei eat and drink well. I truly racked my brains."

Mei Ru Xue said, "Are you trying to ask me for a favor? Let's see if this meal is worth it first."

Xu Chunliang said, "No, I won't say. Eating my food makes you soften your stance, and you won't find a reason to refuse me later."

Mei Ru Xue laughed, "Actually, refusing someone doesn't require a reason."

Xu Chunliang set the grill, laid out the moisture-proof mat, and took two soft cushions from the car. Both sat down, Mei Ru Xue kneeling, while Xu Chunliang crossed his legs like a meditating monk, expertly starting to heat the oil and prepare the pan.

Mei Ru Xue said, "Not bad, I didn't expect you could cook!"

Xu Chunliang said, "There's no choice; poor kids take charge early. You can't imagine my miserable life."

"Don't underestimate people, I know a bit."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "That's great; I'll enjoy the privileges later."

It was unclear if it was the reflection of the bonfire or out of shyness, but Mei Ru Xue's face turned red. She intended to say, 'What does that have to do with you?' but swallowed the words, sighing lightly, "Since I came here to work, I rarely have such free and easygoing times. It's so good here, being able to think of nothing, watching the night sky, lake, reeds, and the bonfire, and listening to the wind blowing through the leaves—it's very healing."

Xu Chunliang said, "You talked a lot but missed the key part—because of me. Without me, being out in the wild wind wouldn't be called healing; it would be called torture."

Mei Ru Xue laughed, her eyes sparkling like stars in the sky. She couldn't deny his words. Without him as company, she wouldn't have thought to picnic on the lakeside. It was his presence that made even such wild and deserted surroundings feel warm and secure. Perhaps this is what people called the sense of security. Because of Xu Chunliang, escaping her life in the Capital City became interesting and meaningful.

Xu Chunliang was adept at creating surprises in ordinary moments. Even on a remote island far from the city, in a deserted wilderness, he could still craft unexpected romance.

Xu Chunliang finished grilling the meat and invited Mei Ru Xue over to taste it. The local mountain lamb, grilled on an iron plate, required only a sprinkle of lake salt to fully unleash the succulent and tender essence of the meat.

Perhaps it was the environment or her mood, but Mei Ru Xue felt it was the best barbecue she had ever tasted in her life.

Xu Chunliang expertly picked up some pork belly, placed it on the grill, and seared both sides to a golden brown. Mei Ru Xue wrapped the pork belly in a lettuce leaf and handed it to him with a smile, "Offering flowers to Buddha."

Xu Chunliang said, "The hardest thing to bear is a beauty's favor."

Mei Ru Xue stuffed the wrapped pork belly into his mouth, "Stop talking, not even eating can silence you." She let Xu Chunliang eat while she took charge of grilling.

Xu Chunliang remembered something and went to the car to fetch a bottle of wine.

Mei Ru Xue reminded him not to drink and drive, warning him that if caught, he could lose his license. Xu Chunliang replied that he hadn't even received his license, so there was no license to lose.

Mei Ru Xue told him not to drink, pointing out that driving without a license along with drinking could get him detained.

Xu Chunliang laughed, "At worst, I'll leave the car here, and we'll walk back later."

Mei Ru Xue said, "I've noticed you never play by the rules."

Xu Chunliang said, "Life is short, just a few decades. If you follow all the rules with every step, wouldn't life be so dull? It's breaking the rules that creates surprises, and without surprises, you can't call it a delight. For example, our meeting was a surprise."

Mei Ru Xue recalled how they met and couldn't help but laugh, "It wasn't exactly a surprise. Our work ensured we'd cross paths sooner or later."

Xu Chunliang pulled out a Perilla Leaf and wrapped a piece of pork belly for her, while also showing off an anecdote about it.

Mei Ru Xue noticed he was drinking Weishan Lake wine and softly said, "If you'd told me earlier, I could've brought you a better bottle."

Xu Chunliang said, "The key to drinking isn't the liquor itself, but who you drink with."

"I hope my presence hasn't dampened your drinking mood."

Xu Chunliang laughed heartily, "It has, it's made me all the more enthusiastic. Xiaoxue, your dance earlier was beautiful."

Mei Ru Xue smiled faintly, "That wasn't really dancing, just a few spins. I've learned ballet and know a bit of folk dance." Although Xu Chunliang was a year younger than her, he called her Xiaoxue, but Mei Ru Xue didn't feel uncomfortable; instead, she found it quite pleasant.

Xu Chunliang said, "It's apparent."

"You can tell?"

Xu Chunliang nodded, "Your body is very flexible; it's clear you've studied either dance or martial arts."

Upon hearing the word "martial arts," Mei Ru Xue remembered the incident when he fought someone: "I've learned a bit of self-defense, not martial arts. But surely you've learned some, otherwise, you wouldn't be getting into fights all the time."

Xu Chunliang corrected, "I call it standing up for injustice."

Mei Ru Xue said, "Stop making excuses for yourself. Since you're so good at fighting, why not show me a few moves?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Sure, but I have one request: after I practice, you dance for me to add to the fun."

Mei Ru Xue nodded happily, "Then you'll have to impress me first."

Xu Chunliang looked around and headed towards the bonfire. Mei Ru Xue didn't know what he intended to do, her eyes followed his figure.

Xu Chunliang picked a stick from the firewood, its front half already charred, leaving about three feet. He twirled his wrist, and the stick spun in his hand, with the fiery end glowing brighter with his movements.

Xu Chunliang said, "I can't dance, so I'll show you a set of swordsmanship passed down from the Xu Family."

The Xu Family is known for traditional Chinese medicine, not martial arts. How could they have swordsmanship? But Mei Ru Xue didn't know that and really thought he had a family-inherited sword art.

Xu Chunliang walked a few steps forward, using the stick as a sword. He shook the fire-stick in his hand, and the red glow spread and expanded in the night. Because the tip wasn't completely out, waving it created a light painting effect.

A red light meandered through the night like a glowing long snake. This move is called Golden Serpent Shadow. As the sword momentum was about to exhaust, with a flick of his wrist, one red light became ten, dozens, hundreds, wrapping Xu Chunliang's figure among hundreds of red trails, known as Serpent Shadow Myriad Returns.

Mei Ru Xue was surprised that he could make a fire stick look like a Star Wars lightsaber. The movements were both supple and robust, as if dragons leapt and tigers sprang. Using the stick as a sword, like a golden serpent flicking its tongue, hissing sounds were ceaseless. The stick's speed accelerated, slicing through the night, tearing the cold wind, and it danced like a swimming dragon, traversing four directions. Sometimes as light as a swallow, sometimes as swift as a lightning snake, sometimes heavy as a thousand pounds, like a serpent trapped in a walled city.

In the climax of his performance, Xu Chunliang soared into the air like a dragon, stabbing the fire-stick straight into the sky, which ignited anew from the friction with the air.

Xu Chunliang expertly twirled a sword flower and casually threw the fire-stick.

With a pop, the fire-stick embedded in the bonfire, sparks flew. Xu Chunliang remained poised and dashing, like a jade tree facing the wind. Seeing Mei Ru Xue's expression, he knew he had impressed her.

Mei Ru Xue was dazzled, and in her daze, a speck of dust drifted into her eye.

Mei Ru Xue cried out softly and shut her eyes.

"What's wrong?" Xu Chunliang hurriedly came over. Hearing that Mei Ru Xue had dust in her eye, Xu Chunliang naturally cupped her pretty face.

Mei Ru Xue was momentarily stunned and didn't have time to refuse before her face was already in his big hands.

"Open your eyes!"

Mei Ru Xue opened her tearful eyes, and Xu Chunliang blew into her left eye.

Their eyes met, and they both pursed their lips. Mei Ru Xue, blushing, pushed him away, saying, "I'm fine now."

Xu Chunliang felt secretly ashamed. Mei Ru Xue's appearance just now almost made him lose his composure. If she hadn't pushed him away at the critical moment, he might have done something uncontrollable.

Damn, the environmental pollution of the 21st century is too severe. My cultivation is like rowing upstream; if I don't advance, I retreat. Even this steadfast will has become increasingly restless.

Screw the will; faced with temptation, if I don't fall, who will?

Mei Ru Xue took out a tissue to wipe her eyes, recalling the scene just now. Her heart pounded wildly, but her mind continued replaying Xu Chunliang's elegant image of wielding the sword. She had to admit, that rogue looked really cool using the sword!

Bringing her here certainly had ulterior motives. Mei Ru Xue knew his intentions, yet she wasn't afraid at all. The burnt smell in the air reminded her that she got so engrossed in watching him perform that the meat on the grill was charred.

Xu Chunliang cleaned the grill with a smile, and when he looked at Mei Ru Xue, she found herself a bit shy to meet his gaze.

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