126: Chapter 126 A Life of Ups and Downs, Like Duckweed in the Rain

"What would you like to order, guest?"

Hearing the proprietress's inquiry, Ning Yuan immediately snapped out of it, realizing he had been staring so intently that she must have noticed.

"Ahem!"

Ning Yuan gave a couple of dry coughs to hide his embarrassment before saying:

"Bring me a pot of wine and two of the shop's specialty dishes!"

"Coming right up! Please, take a seat anywhere. I'll be right back!" the proprietress said happily. With that, she hurried away from the counter and entered a side door, where the clattering sounds of her getting to work soon followed.

Only after she vanished from sight did Ning Yuan reluctantly withdraw his gaze. He walked over to a table and sat down composedly.

"Tsk, tsk, that figure..."

Ning Yuan recalled the sight of the proprietress's departing back and the impressive size of her chest, unable to help marveling in his heart. What did she eat to grow like that...? Among all his women, many might have higher beauty scores than her, but not a single one possessed such a domineering figure!

He wondered if there was some Secret Manual for it. If there was, should he ask for advice? If Tao Yao and Nangong Xi... had such domineering figures to go with their incredible beauty, just thinking about it was wonderful!

No, he had to find a way to get closer to her later and ask; maybe such a thing really existed!

For the sake of his own 'happiness,' he could throw his pride away!

"Guest, all the dishes you ordered are here!"

Suddenly, a voice interrupted Ning Yuan's fantasies, pulling him back to reality. When he looked closely, two meat dishes, one vegetable dish, and a pot of wine had already been placed on the table.

"Thank you, Proprietress!" Ning Yuan thanked her with a smile.

Narrowing her eyes, the proprietress waved her hand and laughed, "Oh, no need for thanks! It's just business! Please enjoy your meal, guest. Let me know if you need anything else!"

After greeting him, she turned and went back behind the counter. Resting her chin on one hand, she stared blankly outside, her delicate brows slightly furrowed as if she were deep in thought.

Ning Yuan silently picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of meat, and began eating somewhat absentmindedly while thinking about how to approach her.

"Hmm? This taste..."

As he ate, Ning Yuan suddenly froze. His eyes widened slightly as he looked at the piece of 'Colorful Feathered Chicken' before him, unable to suppress the shock in his heart.

Ning Yuan had eaten Colorful Feathered Chicken many times before, but never had the flavor compared to this. The meat was tender and smooth, incredibly delicious, perfectly seasoned, and had a unique flavor he had never encountered before.

This flavor combined with the original taste of the chicken, completely sublimating it and raising it to another level.

This was... the work of a Spirit Chef!

Ning Yuan looked at the proprietress with disbelief. This meant she was a Spirit Chef, and her culinary rank was definitely not low.

At that moment, the proprietress seemed to sense Ning Yuan's gaze. She turned her head toward him, and seeing his shocked expression, she understood immediately. Smiling, she said:

"What's wrong? Surprised by how good it is? Let me tell you, this is my own unique secret recipe. You won't find it anywhere else!"

At this point, she seemed to think of something. The smile vanished from her face, and she sighed.

"If you like it, eat as much as you can! You might not be able to eat it again in the future."

Hearing this, Ning Yuan was stunned. Not being able to eat it again... did that mean she was... closing down?

The taste wasn't bad at all; how could she be closing? Then Ning Yuan remembered there were no other customers in the shop. This was even stranger—how could such delicious food have no patrons?

Ning Yuan slowly set down his chopsticks and asked, "Proprietress, what do you mean by that? Also, the food is extremely delicious, so why are there no customers?"

Her eyes instantly dimmed, and her fair face took on a troubled look. Nevertheless, she began to tell Ning Yuan her story:

"Sigh, it's all because I'm too beautiful..."

The proprietress's original name was Tang Jingyi. She had fled from the Tianxiang Sea Territory and subsequently hid her true appearance while running this tavern on Triangle Island. Relying on her unique skills, business had been quite good.

Moreover, she was socially adept, often shelling out large amounts of Spirit Stones to various dark forces to avoid unnecessary trouble. Since she had disguised herself as an ugly woman, naturally, no one harbored any lustful intentions toward her.

But who could have known that a Soul Transformation expert would somehow end up here? He discovered her hidden appearance, and her true beauty ignited his lust, making him vow to possess her.

Tang Jingyi naturally refused. She then threatened to take her own life, forcing the Soul Transformation expert to temporarily back off. However, he also put out the word that Tang Jingyi was reserved for him and that no one else was allowed to touch her.

To avoid trouble, the people of Triangle Island gradually stopped coming to Shuxin Pavilion, lest the Soul Transformation expert misunderstand and they lose their lives.

People would also come by every few days to cause trouble, pressuring Tang Jingyi to submit to that Soul Transformation expert. This was why she had been hiding earlier, thinking Ning Yuan was just another troublemaker.

After learning the full story, Ning Yuan pondered for a moment and said, "Have you never thought about leaving Triangle Island?"

"Of course I have! How could I not? But people are watching; I can't leave even if I want to!" Tang Jingyi said with a miserable expression, her fair face scrunched up like a bitter melon. She didn't know how much longer that Soul Transformation expert could restrain himself. If he lost patience and decided to take her by force... Since she wanted to leave and he just happened to need a Spirit Chef, wasn't this a perfect match?

But before Ning Yuan could voice his thoughts, a few thuggish-looking fellows walked in. One of them said with a smirk:

"Manager Tang, we're back! Have you thought it over? If you have, then come with us!"

However, Tang Jingyi was quite feisty. Upon hearing his words, she immediately cursed, "Go consider your mother! Why don't I see your mother going with you? Oh, I know, your father must have disagreed!"

"Tsk, tsk, what a filial son, actually thinking about cuckolding his own father. Why didn't your father beat you to death?"

"Or is it that your father is already gone, which is why you have the guts? Or maybe your mother is gone..."

"..."

Next, Tang Jingyi opened fire with full force. She cursed the entire time without using a single vulgar word, yet every sentence cut to the bone. Ning Yuan was left stunned by her performance.

Even the hooligans were scolded until their faces turned various shades of blue and white. It was a spectacular sight; they couldn't even squeeze in a single word.

"Hehehe..."

Ning Yuan naturally couldn't help but laugh at such an entertaining show. He had truly broadened his horizons today; he never knew cursing could be done like this.

He had been too shallow before, only knowing those couple of phrases like "your mom" or "holy shit"... It really lived up to the saying: "Blame my lack of culture; one 'holy shit' travels the world!"

Suddenly, those men glared at Ning Yuan. Because Tang Jingyi was favored by a Soul Transformation expert, they didn't dare offend her too much, so they had to endure being cursed at.

But now that they saw someone gloating at their expense, how could they possibly hold back?