I Start with a Mysterious Island

Chapter 301 - 244: Hurry Up and Say Yes! Don’t You Dare Refuse

She lifted her right hand to smooth the hair lying against her chest, looking for all the world like a sly little fox whose scheme had just succeeded.

’I’d thought about asking Su Yue to teach me how to cook before, to do something about my non-existent culinary skills, but I felt like it’d be too much trouble and was too embarrassed to ask. Now she’s brought it up herself...’ Lin Li thought to himself, overjoyed.

At the dining table, the two were lost in their own happy thoughts, both in excellent spirits.

...

Su Yue’s cooking was truly exceptional, on par with a chef from a five-star hotel. The six dishes and one soup left Lin Li feeling completely satisfied.

Full and content, Lin Li looked at the empty plates on the table and thought to himself.

’Su Yue made much larger portions than usual today. If it weren’t for the lingering side effects of the Magical Little Fruit, there would’ve definitely been a lot of leftovers from this spread.’

After finishing the last of the chicken soup in her bowl, Su Yue pulled a napkin from the dispenser on the table and dabbed her mouth. Then, she turned to the blissfully content Lin Li and asked.

"Lin Li, where did you buy this chicken? I stewed half of it before, and my mom couldn’t stop praising it after she tried some.

She said it tasted way better than the free-range chicken a friend brought her once, one that was raised on a mountain."

"Uh..."

’This is no ordinary chicken...’ Su Yue’s question sent Lin Li’s mind racing.

’I can’t just tell her it’s not a normal chicken, that it’s a Luhua Chicken Beast.’

After she asked, he paused for a couple of seconds before concocting a story.

"I just happened to come across it at the market. The vendor told me his chickens were the best in the whole market and that I could get a refund if it wasn’t good.

He was bragging so confidently, and the chicken itself looked to be of good quality, so I bought the last one he had at his stall."

Su Yue listened to the story Lin Li had clearly just made up, but she didn’t give it a second thought. She just nodded, then stood up and began clearing the dishes from the table.

Having just enjoyed a free meal from Su Yue, Lin Li saw her start to clear the table and immediately stood up to help.

"Don’t worry about it! I can get it," Su Yue said.

"After you cooked this whole spread, I’d feel bad if I didn’t do anything. I’ll wash the dishes! You go watch TV in the living room," Lin Li said, hastily gathering the dishes and carrying them to the kitchen.

Seeing his insistence, Su Yue didn’t argue. She followed him into the kitchen and saw him picking up the dish soap, ready to start washing. Taking her apron off a hook on the wall, she called out to him.

"Lin Li, wait. Put this apron on so you don’t splash water all over your clothes."

"Oh." Lin Li nodded, taking the apron from her and starting to put it on.

"Let me help you with that!" Seeing Lin Li fumbling with the ties behind his back, Su Yue stepped forward and tied them for him.

As a faint, pleasant fragrance wafted from behind him, Lin Li felt a little awkward and raised a hand to rub his nose.

"All tied. You can start now." After carefully tying the apron for him, Su Yue gave his arm a light pat and left the kitchen.

’Having to wear an apron just to wash some dishes... women are so particular,’ Lin Li, who never wore an apron at home, grumbled to himself after she left. He then turned on the faucet and started washing the dishes.

Back in the living room, Su Yue sat on the sofa and turned on the TV. Though she stared at the program, her attention was focused on the sound of dishes being washed in the kitchen.

From the radiant smile on her face, it was clear she was feeling particularly happy.

...

After finishing the dishes, Lin Li came out of the kitchen and found Su Yue in the living room, watching the news.

The broadcast was about something he’d already seen: the news that Tie Qiu Heng had been apprehended and was back in prison.

Lin Li sat down beside her. Su Yue, her eyes still on the screen, suddenly remarked, "They caught that escaped convict so quickly. The Investigators are really efficient!"

Sitting beside her, Lin Li heard this and grumbled inwardly, ’What does she mean, "the Investigators are efficient"? The only reason that guy was caught is because of me.’

Once the report on Tie Qiu Heng’s capture concluded, the news program ended and a commercial break began.

"Azure skies, an endless ocean, soft sandy beaches, and joyful spirits of the sea.

Here, you can enjoy a rare moment of bliss in the sweltering summer... Crescent Bay in Qiong City welcomes you."

Su Yue watched the travel commercial, her eyes sparkling. She turned to Lin Li, who had just picked up his phone to scroll through some short videos. "Lin Li, how has work been lately?"

Lin Li, about to start scrolling, knew she was asking about his non-existent job as a delivery van driver.

He responded as he swiped past a few uninteresting videos on his phone.

"It’s been all right. But it’s been too hot lately, so I’ve been taking fewer jobs. I’ll pick up more runs when it cools down."

"Oh, I see! It really has been hot. It’s probably good to take it a little easy."

Uncharacteristically, Su Yue didn’t lecture him about persevering with his work and not slacking off just because of a little heat, as she usually would.

"Huh?!!" Lin Li looked up from his phone, his eyes filled with confusion. This wasn’t her normal reaction at all.

His confusion didn’t last long, however. He quickly figured out the reason for her unusual response.

"Lin Li, since it’s so hot and you’re not in the mood to take jobs anyway, why don’t we go to Qiong City for a few days?"

Su Yue tore her eyes away from the commercial, turned to meet his gaze, and proposed with a smile.

"Huh?"

The recent high-intensity Mutant Beast hunts had gone smoothly, allowing him to break through to the Second Order High Rank at a speed unimaginable to ordinary people. But it would be a lie to say he wasn’t physically exhausted.

After reaching the Second Order High Rank, Lin Li had already planned to put his training on hold and take a break to rest and recover.

To him, a break meant holing up at home with the AC blasting, reading comics, and playing video games—a true homebody’s vacation.

The idea of going out, let alone traveling to another city, just seemed like a huge hassle and wasn’t even on his radar.

But now that Su Yue had suggested a trip to Qiong City, his first instinct was to refuse. The words, however, got stuck in his throat.

’After all, I just ate a huge, delicious lunch she made for me, and she’s even planning on teaching me how to cook.’

’If I just turn her down flat, it would be a complete slap in the face!’

’Will I ever get to bum a meal off her again? Will she still be willing to teach me how to cook?’

Su Yue, having suggested the trip to Qiong City, watched Lin Li stare at her in surprise, neither agreeing nor refusing.

She then said with a radiant smile, "Of course, I could go to Qiong City by myself, but I think it would be more fun to have company along the way.

If you agree to come with me to Qiong City, I’ll cover your round-trip fare."

"..." Lin Li was speechless. ’What is she talking about?’ he thought. ’Do I look like someone who’s worried about a little travel money?’

"So, are you in?" Su Yue pressed when he remained silent.

The pleasant smile never left her face, making it seem as if she wouldn’t mind at all if he refused her invitation to Qiong City.

In reality, however, her thoughts were... ’What is this blockhead staring at me for? Say yes already! Don’t you dare refuse!’

...