"Not eating it!"
All three girls shook their heads violently.
One single bite had already caused a full-on clothes-explosion.
If they ate the whole thing they didn't even dare imagine what would happen.
Just thinking of some possible indecent scenarios made their hearts tremble.
"Even though this imitation roast meat has… a tiny bit of a special effect,"
Han Feng said calmly, "its flavor really is incredible.
Not eating it would be too wasteful.
You can each take some home and eat it secretly in your rooms."
Tiny bit?
They had literally exploded out of their clothes just now.
Barbara almost snapped on the spot.
But—
Han Feng's suggestion did tempt her.
Although the earlier embarrassment was extreme, the flavor of the dish had been undeniably amazing.
Otherwise, how could it have made her feel… that good?
In fact—
Barbara discovered something even more dangerous:
She kind of wanted to experience it again.
If I eat it alone… no one will see, right?
Even if I blush, squeeze my legs, or… explode again… it's only embarrassing for me.
Mona had the exact same thought.
As long as she wasn't caught, there was no problem.
Everyone has secrets, right?
And missing out on this dish would be a crime against her own appetite.
"Then let's split it three ways,"
Noelle suggested with a smile.
She, too, had been secretly tempted.
She planned to test it out later— alone, with all doors locked.
The three quickly reached an agreement and divided the dish equally.
"Since that's for later, let's finish the Cosmic Giant shumai first.
Or Klee's going to drool herself into dehydration."
Han Feng chuckled.
Everyone turned—
Klee was standing in front of the massive shumai, drooling like a tiny waterfall.
Eyes full of longing.
"Then let's eat!"
Mona waved her over, laughing.
"Hooray! Finally!!"
Klee practically sparkled.
The group tactfully avoided mentioning anything earlier and focused on enjoying the giant shumai.
With the condiments produced by the Gourmet Tablecloth, everyone ate happily.
But the Cosmic Giant shumai was simply too enormous.
They couldn't finish it.
So Barbara decided to bring the rest home— to share with Jean and Lisa later.
"Right! Han… Han Feng, let's add each other!"
Before leaving, Barbara suddenly remembered something.
She took out her phone and ran up to him.
Jean had given her the device earlier and taught her how to use it.
When she learned Jean already had Han Feng added…
Barbara had been unreasonably jealous.
"Boss Han, if you're okay with it…
I want to add you too,"
Mona said shyly, taking out her own phone.
"Oh! Klee forgot she has a phone too!!"
Seeing the two take theirs out, Klee smacked her forehead.
She'd been too obsessed with bomb-comics earlier and completely forgot her phone existed.
But if she added Brother Han Feng—
She could talk to him every day!
Klee scrambled through her bag and pulled out her little red phone.
Jean had personally chosen it for her.
Klee treasured it dearly.
"Brother Han Feng, I want to add you too!"
"One at a time, no rush,"
Han Feng said, amused.
Of course he accepted all the friend requests.
Though he only gave Klee a nickname:
"True Monarch Who Sets Mountains on Fire."
As for Barbara and Mona—
"Traitor" wasn't appropriate, and "Half-Dragon-Slaying True Monarch" would sound weird.
So he left their names normal.
"Hehe~ Then we can chat anytime now!"
Barbara smiled brightly.
Thinking back, she was now convinced— Jean must have been messaging Han Feng on her phone earlier.
Noelle watched from the side with a hint of envy.
Everyone had a phone.
Everyone could message the boss anytime.
She couldn't.
But then she reminded herself:
I live with the boss.
Why would she need a phone?
No matter how much they chat, none of them were as close to the boss as she was.
That thought instantly lifted her spirits.
After adding Han Feng, the girls left with their food.
The manga shop was quiet again, leaving only Han Feng and Noelle.
"Boss, should we close now?"
Noelle asked, glancing outside at the dark sky.
Yesterday, they closed around this time.
Han Feng glanced at the system.
[Host: Han Feng]
[Comics Available: One Piece (East Blue), Cardcaptor Sakura, Digimon Adventure,
Chuunibyou Demo Koi ga Shitai!, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Cooking Master Boy,
The Hero Is Overpowered But Overly Cautious, Detective Conan,
Journey to the West, Tom & Jerry, Doraemon, Mr. Vampire…]
[Mission 1: Serve 10 customers to receive a comic draw.
Progress: 9/10 (0 draws available)]
[Mission 2: Serve 100 customers total to obtain a special reward.
Progress: 96/100]
"Not yet.
Let's stay open longer tonight."
Just four customers left.
He had to finish the mission.
With luck, he might unlock that special reward tonight.
"Okay, Boss!"
Noelle nodded obediently.
Whatever the boss said— she would follow.
That was what a good maid should do.
Meanwhile—
"Here, Klee—this is your share of the roast meat!"
Barbara said as the group walked home.
This was the portion Noelle had packed.
"Thank you, Barbara-sis!"
Klee accepted it eagerly.
She wanted to try the "highest praise of gourmet cuisine"
that Han Feng had mentioned.
Barbara and Mona exchanged a look, then both crouched down in front of her.
"When we get back, go straight to your room to eat it.
Don't tell Acting Grand Master Jean about earlier, okay?"
"Don't tell Jean?"
Klee blinked.
But she had been thinking of sharing the food with her…
"Ahem.
If you tell her in advance, she won't get a surprise the next time she comes to read manga, right?"
Barbara's eyes darted around as she made up a reason.
The real reason:
Her earlier… scene was far too embarrassing.
She absolutely could not let Jean find out.
"Oh! It's a surprise for Captain Jean!
Then Klee won't tell!"
Klee nodded vigorously.
If it was for a surprise— then secrecy was absolutely necessary.
"Hehe~ Klee is such a good girl!"
Barbara rubbed Klee's fluffy head affectionately.
—------------------------------
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