"I just got here, and everything is still unfamiliar..." Fang Ling thought hard but still felt this wasn't a good idea.
They had just met. Calling her "senior" was only out of courtesy, the only contact they had was during team induction and healing.
They were practically strangers. He didn't even know how to start a conversation.
"That's exactly why it's better, you being a stranger. Familiar faces are useless," Qin Ming nodded firmly.
Is that so?
Fang Ling began to understand a little.
When someone is close to you, it's easy to lean on them emotionally, which makes grief even worse.
But in front of strangers, people tend to be more resilient?
"Besides, you're the perfect person to comfort her. Coming from a beggar background, all alone and persevering to get here, it's inspiring. You've had a similarly lonely experience, and maybe that'll resonate with her."
The situation was urgent, but Qin Ming had still put considerable thought into it.
At first glance, asking Fang Ling to console her seemed abrupt, but it actually made sense.
Ye Lingling didn't know many people well at the academy, and the few she did were already on the team.
But they all came from happy families. Even Dugu Yan, who lost her parents, had a doting Titled Douluo grandfather.
Only Fang Ling was different.
The newcomer with a tragic background, crippled since childhood, born into hardship, yet still strong and full of spirit. His identity, his past, and his quietly radiant personality made him the best candidate to comfort Ye Lingling.
Fang Ling thought for a moment and admitted Qin Ming had a point.
Though Ye Lingling's situation was a bit odd, this might actually be a good opportunity to build a connection with her.
In the original timeline, she never attempted anything extreme, so things probably wouldn't go wrong just because he got involved.
He began thinking about how to start the conversation...
Just then, his stomach rumbled loudly.
After running all morning, even he was hungry.
And if you're hungry, you should eat.
That gave him an idea.
Fang Ling's expression turned slightly odd. Under the watchful eyes of the teachers, he jumped down from the tree.
He quickly moved upwind of Ye Lingling, and started cooking.
He left her to cry. He didn't interfere.
He took out various spices.
Thanks to the Frost Snow Ring's built-in refrigeration, and in preparation for joining a new group, he had stocked up on fresh ingredients before coming to the academy.
Ye Lingling, still crying, was distracted by someone suddenly arriving nearby.
The new junior? What was he doing?
She saw Fang Ling use his martial soul to chop wood, then take out a table, some pots, and pans from his ring. He chopped vegetables, diced meat, stir-fried...
A strong flame flared up.
His movements were smooth and practiced, almost mesmerizing to watch.
Soon, a dish that smelled so good it instantly lifted one's spirits was complete. He held it up in one hand.
As he brought it closer, the rich aroma made Ye Lingling's taste buds tingle, her mouth began to water, and her stomach growled loudly.
Her cheeks flushed red, and she quickly covered her belly with her hand. Her eyes were still puffy from crying, the black veil damp with tears stuck to her cheek.
"We're not even close. What are you doing here?"
Her voice was cold.
Fang Ling responded gently, "Senior, want to eat?"
Ye Lingling lowered her head and wiped her face with a towel. She switched to a new black veil and finally looked up, her voice thick with nasal congestion, sounding a bit cute:
"Hmph~ The teachers sent you to cheer me up again?"
She had run so far that she really was hungry. But her pride and stubbornness made it hard to give in easily.
"Go away. I'm upset right now. I don't want to eat anything."
"Really not eating?"
Fang Ling leaned in slightly, his tone light and teasing, like he was comforting her.
"You can cry after you eat. You must be starving after all that running."
"Hmph!" Ye Lingling was annoyed. She made up her mind and turned her head away firmly.
Fang Ling shook his head slightly. Well then, don't blame me.
He thought to himself: If you don't eat, I will!
He picked up the chopsticks and calmly started eating with obvious enjoyment.
Each bite was slow and deliberate, full of elegance and satisfaction.
The aroma wafted in the air, and the soft sounds of chewing wove through the silence like invisible threads, teasing all of Ye Lingling's senses.
Damn Fang Ling, doing this on purpose?
She was already exhausted from all the running. Sitting there on her knees, the hunger hit her hard, and she cursed under her breath.
It smelled amazing. She really wanted to eat.
But as soon as the thought came up, she scolded herself internally.
Ye Lingling, what are you thinking?
How can you be so easily tempted?
But the scent reached her nose, and the chewing sounds made her drool uncontrollably. Her stomach kept growling.
Everything was inviting her to join this culinary feast.
She turned her head slightly. Fang Ling's face was full of satisfaction, and she saw every detail clearly.
Her desire for food clashed hard with her baseless stubbornness.
In the end, the craving for that delicious meal won out, just a little.
Ignoring what she had said earlier about not wanting food, Ye Lingling slowly reached out her hand and mumbled,
"I want some too."
She was still a little hesitant in her movements.
Fang Ling simply smiled and handed her a bowl and chopsticks. A playful glint passed through his eyes, as if he had known all along this would happen.
How could he not?
The "Smells So Good" effect always punishes those who aren't honest with themselves.
Ye Lingling used her delicate fingers to hold the chopsticks and picked up a slice of tender meat.
After a brief pause, she lifted her veil slightly, blew on the meat, and brought it slowly to her lips.
The meat touched her tongue, and instantly, a burst of savory, subtly sweet, and rich flavors bloomed in her mouth.
It was like the harmony of mountain spring water and the warmth of spring sunlight, with just a hint of spice teasing every nerve of her taste buds.
It wasn't just a physical sensation. It was emotional healing, too.
All her sadness and worries faded.
"So good..."
Ye Lingling whispered from the heart. After a moment's thought, she took off her veil.
Underneath it was a face like a freshly blooming peach blossom, soft, rosy, and smooth like porcelain, as delicate as a flower petal in the morning dew.
Her watery blue eyes sparkled with emotion.
She had been crying, of course they were watery. Her cheeks still held faint traces of tears.
With the veil off, she started eating in small, quick bites.
Fang Ling felt a quiet satisfaction inside.
He filled her bowl, served her soup, and then joined her in eating.
After the meal, Ye Lingling had stopped crying. Delicious food truly can soothe the soul.
Feeling a bit content, she wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and asked curiously,
"Why did the teachers send _you_?"
"How did they know you could cook? And that you carry all these tools and ingredients with you?"
"Your food really is better than what the academy serves."
Ye Lingling admitted that much.
Fang Ling shook his head.
"No. I think it's just because of my background."
"Background?"
"Yeah," he lowered his voice, "Before I became a soul master, I was a beggar. I survived a broken leg on my own."
"What?" Ye Lingling was completely stunned.
"How... how is that even possible? A broken leg, how did you...?"
"Maybe a lot of people would've died from it, but I didn't. I'm still alive."
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