"Black Tortoise City? I haven't heard of any big city with that name nearby." Yue Feiyan tilted her head, thinking hard.

"I'd like to know what kind of place Black Tortoise City is too."

A calm male voice came from behind the red-haired girl.

Yue Feiyan's forehead twitched. She didn't even need to turn around—just hearing the voice was enough to know who it was.

She raised a hand to her forehead and muttered, "Lu Chuan… you again? Why do you keep showing up everywhere?"

"I heard someone say you brought people here for lunch, so I came to take a look."

Lu Chuan walked over to the table, squinting at Luciel and his companions.

"Who I bring is none of your business." Yue Feiyan narrowed her crimson eyes, her gaze sharp and dangerous.

"No, no, I just came to see, that's all." Lu Chuan quickly waved his hands and slipped into the seat at the next table.

He hurried to explain, "I'll just sit here quietly. I won't disturb you."

"???" Luciel glanced at the man named Lu Chuan in surprise. The guy looked a bit sleazy, but he was nearly one meter eighty tall—how could he act so spineless?

For a moment, Luciel thought an "urban drama" might play out, where some fool would provoke him, and he'd have to show off and slap him down.

But then Yue Feiyan glared at Lu Chuan and raised her fist. "If you're as annoying as last time, you'll be lying flat for another ten days."

"…Oh." Luciel instantly understood. It wasn't that Lu Chuan was too cowardly—it was that the red-haired girl was simply too terrifying.

Yue Feiyan turned back, blunt as ever. "I want to know everything about Black Tortoise."

"It's a long story," Luciel reminded gently.

"True."

She tilted her head, thought for a moment, and said, "Then at least tell me what life there is like."

"Life? Then I'll talk about mine specifically."

Luciel's lips curved slightly as he began weaving his tale. "Life in Black Tortoise City is quite good. For breakfast, I usually have a bowl of porridge with some pickled vegetables."

"After a light breakfast, I'll read the newspaper—catching up on major events from the day before."

"Then I head to work. As for my job, well… I'll skip the details."

Luciel paused briefly, then continued with a faint smile, "After a busy morning, I'll treat myself to a proper lunch."

"A proper lunch? What's that like?" Yue Feiyan leaned forward, fully drawn in.

The way Luciel described it sounded so peaceful, almost like a world where one never had to worry about food or survival.

"…" Liyue and Minuo secretly exchanged a look. Both saw the same thought in each other's eyes: Luciel really knows how to spin stories.

Just then, the boss arrived with their food. "Miss, the three dishes you ordered are ready."

"Set them down." Yue Feiyan waved him off.

The boss carefully placed the plates and quietly withdrew.

The "three regulars" were her usual favorites: one roast, one broth, one stew.

"Let's eat and talk." Yue Feiyan licked her lips slightly.

The maid at her side immediately stepped forward to arrange the tableware.

"Perfect." Luciel glanced at the dishes—fresh meat, not dried for once.

Mino wasn't slow either. Seeing the maid's gesture, he quickly took out utensils and helped portion the food.

"The fresh meat here is the best. Go on, try it." Yue Feiyan cut herself a piece of roast and popped it into her mouth with practiced ease.

Luciel nodded, trying a bite as well.

The taste was a little fishy, slightly overcooked, and the texture was a bit dry… but compared to jerky, it was far more enjoyable.

"How's the lunch in Black Tortoise?" Yue Feiyan blinked her red eyes curiously.

"Quite good," Luciel replied with a soft smile, "though the flavor is different from here."

"That's fine then. I was worried you wouldn't be used to our food." She sighed in relief. "Go on—what else makes a 'good lunch' in your city?"

She truly longed to know more. The life he described made her heart itch; she wanted to wander the outside world too. But her mother, Yuezhu, never allowed her to travel far.

"Well, a good lunch usually means eating meat." Luciel put down his knife, stretched out his hand, and began ticking off fingers one by one. "There's roast chicken, fried steak, stewed fish, braised duck…"

"Wait… I've never even heard of those dishes." Yue Feiyan's pink lips parted slightly in surprise.

"They're recipes invented by certain chefs, unique creations. Naturally, they aren't shared outside."

Luciel's own mouth watered as he spoke. He stabbed a piece of stew and chewed—it was still a little salty and fishy.

"Oh, so they're secret recipes." Yue Feiyan nodded in realization.

"After lunch, I return to work." Luciel kept weaving his tale, "…and by mid-afternoon, I'll need some afternoon tea to refresh myself."

"Tea? That bitter stuff?" Yue Feiyan wrinkled her nose.

"Starlight Tea isn't like the rest. It's bitter at first, but then comes a lingering sweetness. It fills you with energy… and if you drink it regularly, it can even extend your life."

Luciel's eyes narrowed slightly, his face taking on a faintly blissful expression.

"I've drunk tea before—every kind was unbearably bitter," Yue Feiyan muttered, skeptical. "Never heard of this Starlight Tea you're talking about. Is it really that good?"

Her mother forced her to drink tea daily. Bitter, astringent brews with no hint of sweetness. If not for their supposed health benefits, she'd have dumped them long ago.

"It's normal you've never heard of it," Luciel explained smoothly. "The Starlight Tea Tree is a sacred tree of Black Tortoise City. Its yield is extremely low, and since it can prolong life, it's rarely seen outside."

That part wasn't entirely fabricated. Drinking Starlight Tea truly did lengthen one's lifespan.

"I'd like to try it someday," Yue Feiyan said with a hint of regret.

"Huh? You're telling me it extends life?"

Lu Chuan suddenly butted in with a mocking laugh. "Then I want to try some Starlight Tea too."

"Shut up." Yue Feiyan snapped her head toward him, her fiery red eyes blazing.

Lu Chuan instantly shrank, nodding frantically. "Y-yes, yes…"

Luciel silently thanked the man. His poorly timed comment was actually the perfect "outside proof." If Luciel had brought up Starlight Tea himself too eagerly, it might have looked suspicious.

"I don't doubt you," Yue Feiyan said softly.

"Miss Yue, you invited me to lunch," Luciel said with a faint smile. "So allow me to invite you to tea. I'll prepare a cup of Starlight Tea for you—it might even help cut the greasiness."

"What? You really have Starlight Tea?" Yue Feiyan's eyes widened in astonishment.

"I happen to have a little." Luciel glanced briefly at the now-docile Lu Chuan, then said calmly, "Xiao Nuo, brew the tea."

"Yes, sir."

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