The colored marks, the spiderwebs hanging with long threads, and the wall tiles with chipped corners.
Every detail spoke of age.
Of course, it wasn't Li Chonglou being picky, but this was the Executive Department base of the General Bureau!
Even if it was just a branch base, it was a place many masters of the fourth and fifth layers strained their heads trying to get into.
And yet, it looked like this?
Seeing Li Chonglou’s expression turn incredibly silent, Chen Pingfan chuckled, "Brother Li, to be frank, my reaction was similar to yours when I first saw this place. However, some things are not about outward appearances if their inner substance is sufficient."
Alright.
Li Chonglou took a deep breath, determined to see what was so special about this so-called student meal that was offered as a perk.
The process wasn't complicated. Within a few seconds of pausing, Li Chonglou understood how it worked.
The serving area was clearly divided into two zones. One had a sign that read "Student Meal," and the other read "Regular Meal."
However, as Li Chonglou walked towards the student meal section, he noticed Chen Pingfan heading for the regular meal area.
Li Chonglou couldn't help but grab him.
"Didn't you say there's a new recruit benefit for the first seven days, including this student meal?"
Chen Pingfan gave a wry smile, "There is, but haven't I already yielded mine to them?"
"Them" naturally referred to Wu Di and the other two.
Li Chonglou frowned and asked, "So you've transferred your seven days to them?"
Chen Pingfan paused for a moment, then shook his head, "It's not like that. Our student meal benefit isn't given directly as time; it's in the form of vouchers. See that small basin over there? It contains our exclusive dining vouchers, but they don't check names when serving."
Li Chonglou finally understood the real process. With his sharp eyes, he spotted two cards still standing upright in the basin.
He scanned the cafeteria. Although many people were looking his way, Li Chonglou ignored them and found Wu Di and his companions.
One of them was still savoring the food with an expression of pure bliss.
His demeanor was such that an uninformed observer might think he was engaged in something illicit.
However, this also made Li Chonglou realize something: even if they could use the vouchers, they had to finish their own meals first.
So, that settled it.
Li Chonglou directly pulled Chen Pingfan over, "Since I'm here, there's no question of giving up this benefit. Let's go and taste this specialty that only the Executive Department has."
Before Chen Pingfan could react, he was already being pulled towards the student section.
"Alright, I haven't tried it myself anyway."
With a change of thought, Chen Pingfan also showed a slight smile.
Arriving at the basin, they indeed found two cards left, one with Chen Pingfan's name and the other with his.
But it was peculiar that his card, both in material and font, seemed to have been hastily made.
Holding the card, Li Chonglou remembered Captain Wang.
It seemed that his free meal today was all thanks to Captain Wang.
At that moment, Chen Pingfan reached for his voucher, but just then, an accident occurred.
Another hand reached out before his and grabbed the card.
Both their expressions froze simultaneously.
Li Chonglou turned his head and saw that the person who took the card was Liu Tixing from their group of three.
However, Liu Tixing's expression was even more unpleasant than Chen Pingfan's.
"According to our agreement, it's my turn to use it today!"
Liu Tixing was naturally unhappy.
Chen Pingfan giving up his voucher was a great thing for them, but there was only one voucher, and only one meal per serving. It was unseemly for three people to share.
So, they had agreed to each use it for one day, with the last day to be decided later.
Today was supposed to be his third day. The previous two days, he had watched the other two eat double portions, making him drool with envy. Now that it was finally his turn, he was told it wasn't possible?
That wouldn't do!
Liu Tixing stared intently at Chen Pingfan, the threat in his eyes clearly evident.
Even if he got it back tomorrow, today, it simply wasn't acceptable!
Chen Pingfan knitted his brows, thinking of Liu Tixing's background, and finally sighed silently.
"Forget it, who can I blame but myself for not belonging to any faction? I can't compete with them."
What was initially just suspicion of complicity might have led to some targeting at most. But in this situation, if things truly escalated, it would be a genuine offense!
As the saying goes, it's better to avoid trouble if possible.
Chen Pingfan had already made up his mind to give up.
However, before he could speak, Li Chonglou suddenly snatched the small card from Liu Tixing's hand.
He said calmly, "Sorry, this one isn't addressed to you."
"Let's go."
He shoved the card into Chen Pingfan's chest. Before the latter could react, Li Chonglou pulled him along to the counter to get the meal.
Only Liu Tixing was left standing there, his face ashen.
Behind him, many people were looking over.
His fists were clenched tightly. If looks could kill, Li Chonglou would have been riddled with holes by now.
However, in doing so, he had successfully shifted the conflict between Liu Tixing and Chen Pingfan onto himself.
Standing at the serving counter, the absent-minded Chen Pingfan worried, "Brother Li, you've completely offended him now. I was thinking it's better to avoid trouble..."
Li Chonglou rolled his eyes, "It might be for someone else, but I've felt for a long time that this guy looks at me strangely. Even if this hadn't happened, he probably wouldn't have been friendly towards me."
So that's how it was.
Chen Pingfan nodded. Well, it wasn't him offending people anyway. Since the other person had figured it out, why should he worry?
Thus, his thoughts returned to the student meal.
First, the appearance. It didn't look much different from regular dishes, and the smell was the same. But if one looked closely, they would notice an additional ingredient on each.
A long, black ingredient that neither of them had eaten or seen before.
After the two found a quiet spot to sit, Li Chonglou picked up a piece and sniffed it.
He detected a faint osmanthus fragrance.
"It smells rather pleasant." Li Chonglou took another sniff, but his expression suddenly changed.
He felt a stream of clarity surge through his mind!
Cool and refreshing, it made him feel invigorated!
"This stuff has such a potent effect?"
Chen Pingfan, sitting beside him, also noticed this. However, he didn't think much of it and directly popped it into his mouth.
Watching Chen Pingfan's reaction, Li Chonglou was not surprised when, the next second, Chen Pingfan showed the same look of bliss as Wu Di and the others.
Many older students cast knowing smiles, as if watching a play.
Indeed, those who had joined earlier would have this mentality. This was the so-called pride of those who had been through it.