https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-529-Mr-Meow-Thinks-Lanchi-is-Too-Kind-to-Him/12584747/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-531-Huperian-Wants-to-Save-Lanchi/12584761/
Chapter 530: Lanchi Doesn't Find This Amusing
Chapter 530: Lanchi Doesn't Find This Amusing
Before long, Lanchi handed Mr. Meow back to Shubilian, allowing her to hold the cat.
The two chatted as they walked out of school, heading east towards Mr. Meow's Restaurant, just two blocks away.
The summer sun bathed the ancient buildings of Ikelite in a warm glow, bringing the stone walls and sculptures to life. Lanchi and Shubilian strolled along the broad sidewalk, their path lit by the sunlight, with the majestic clock tower of Ikelite Academy looming even grander in the daylight behind them.
"Lanchi, wait," Shubilian said. "Are the three of us really going to have lunch together?"
Shubilian felt that it might be better if they avoided each other a bit.
For example, Lanchi could stay on the first floor while she accompanied Tata for lunch at home on the second floor.
Or she and Lanchi could dine on the first floor, letting Antanas keep Tata company for lunch at home.
Since she and Lanchi would be going to the Shadow World tomorrow anyway, they might be gone for a few days or a month or two. Tata and Lanchi wouldn't see each other for a while, and by the time Lanchi returned from the Shadow World, the two of them should be able to get along naturally.
"I think that at this moment, the more we deliberately avoid each other, the more it shows our guilt. No matter what Tata chooses, I should take a proactive attitude—as long as she's willing to see me, I'll wait for her."
Lanchi replied, "And I've never been a funny character. This morning's incident was too bizarre and won't happen again. From now on, I won't make any more mistakes until I retire gracefully."
He explained this very seriously.
"Well, that's true."
Shubilian nodded, quietly observing Lanchi.
He didn't seem to find the morning's events particularly embarrassing.
His mental fortitude was unimaginable.
Mr. Meow didn't know what to say. He just looked at Lanchi.
Although you look handsome and calm now, you were truly hilarious when you were reciting those romantic lines this morning.
"Are you really okay now? Won't you unconsciously recall the things you said this morning when you see Tata, like that line, 'Tata, you're so cute...'?"
Shubilian asked tentatively.
"I'm really fine," Lanchi replied without hesitation, cutting her off before she could continue reciting that line.
"You don't have to worry about me, Shubilian."
"Then... can I not sit between you and Tata later? How about you two sit together?"
Shubilian asked.
"......That's fine."
Lanchi nodded.
"Why did you hesitate just now?"
Shubilian moved a little closer and examined Lanchi.
Her eyes seemed to say, "Don't be stubborn. If you need help, just ask."
"......"
Lanchi seemed to have dozed off, remaining silent for a while.
"Alright, alright, I won't make things difficult for you," Shubilian said, waving her hands as she saw Lanchi's expression.
"You're the best, Shubilian," Lanchi said with a smile.
"Don't say that..."
Shubilian lowered her head, looking at the street and avoiding Lanchi's sincere gaze.
They quickly covered the less-than-a-kilometer distance to the east, soon arriving at the bustling Mr. Meow's Restaurant, just in time for lunch. Mist rose from the chimney, creating a cozy atmosphere.
Every time a customer walked in, the wind chimes above the door rang pleasantly along with the opening of the door, accompanied by the sound of the clock tower striking twelve noon in the distance.
The two, now in sync, laughed and chatted.
"If I'm not mistaken, we'll see Tata coming downstairs as soon as we open the door," Lanchi said to Shubilian as they approached the entrance, a sense of anticipation in his voice.
"Hmm?"
Shubilian didn't understand why Lanchi was so sure.
"Tata usually comes downstairs for lunch precisely at noon. If she's late, she'll get hungry."
Lanchi knew from the sound of the clock that it was time for Tata to eat.
It was a conditioned response.
Seeing that Shubilian still looked doubtful, Lanchi displayed the confident professionalism of one who knew Tata better than anyone else.
"There was once a biologist named Pavlov who conducted an experiment. At the start of the experiment, his dog would naturally salivate at the sight of food. Pavlov took advantage of this reaction by presenting the dog with a neutral stimulus, such as a bell, simultaneously with the presentation of food. After repeated pairings, the dog began to associate the ringing of the bell with the arrival of food. Eventually, all it took was the sound of the bell to make the dog salivate."
Lanchi explained to Shubilian.
"Oh, I see," Shubilian said, feeling a bit confused but sensing that Lanchi's head might be in danger.
As they pushed open the door, they indeed saw a figure descending from the second floor, causing Lanchi's voice to trail off. His expression became solemn, and his heart began to beat a little faster.
"......"
Tata paused when she saw the two figures.
First, she found it hard to believe that Lanchi was thinking about that damn thing twenty-five hours a day out of twenty-four.
His expression and reaction just now seemed to have become his daily routine!
Then, for some reason, Tata's mind echoed the words from that morning, and she averted her gaze.
In that moment, Talia hesitated several times, as if debating whether to continue meeting them or turn back.
In the end, Talia continued downstairs, pretending not to care at all.
She encountered the two of them along the way.
Without a word, as if by mutual agreement, they all sat at the bar by the window so they didn't have to face each other directly. Once seated, they remained mostly silent.
The air between the three of them became unusually quiet.
It was as if they had returned to that afternoon's walk after their awkward encounter at the Wilforts', shrouded in silence.
"I'll go to the kitchen to cook, meow. What would you like to eat? I'll make it for you."
Mr. Meow jumped down from Shubelian's arms onto the table and addressed the three of them.
As the owner of the restaurant, he was now personally acting as their exclusive waiter and chef.
"Anything is fine with me."
"I'm easy too," Lanchi and Shubelian replied in turn.
"I'm the same as them," Talia finally spoke up.
"Then I'll whip something up, meow!"
Mr. Meow knew the atmosphere was tense, so he jumped off the chair and nimbly headed for the kitchen.
The window-side table fell silent once more.
"..."
Shubelian looked at Lanchi and Tata, both dearest to her, sitting on either side. She didn't know what to say at this moment.
"Tata," Lanchi spoke up, feeling that he should be the one to break the ice first, regardless of age, Tata was still a young girl.
"I'm sorry," Talia interrupted Lanchi.
She looked at him and continued, "Thank you for finding Antanas and the others."
Talia's words were slow and measured, like a child who had just learned to speak, expressing her gratitude to Lanchi.
"It's okay, Tata. Let's make amends," Lanchi said with a smile.
Sometimes, when both parties take a step back, problems can be quickly resolved.
While it might take some time to completely eliminate the estrangement, at least they had both chosen a positive approach.
Mr. Meow watched from the corner, nodding his head in satisfaction and relief.
He never expected that the couple he had initially pushed together would now finally show some signs of change.
Suddenly, Antanas, who was passing by the corridor between the restaurant and the kitchen, spotted the cat on the floor.
"Hey, Mr. Meow, what are you doing here?" Antanas asked, looking at the little black ball of fur by her feet.
Then she followed Mr. Meow's gaze and understood.
"I didn't expect them to make up so quickly. I thought things would be awkward for a few more days," Antanas remarked.
"Meow," Mr. Meow agreed, acknowledging Antanas' perceptiveness.
"By the way," Antanas bent down and picked up Mr. Meow, bringing him to one side of the wall on the first floor of the restaurant. "Mr. Meow, what do you think of this painting I bought? Planarifei said it's rude, but I really think he's wrong this time. This is clearly a work of art."
Antanas proudly pointed to the abstract painting on the wall and asked for Mr. Meow's opinion.
The painting depicted three human-like shapes intertwined, leaving much to the imagination.
"Let me see," Mr. Meow narrowed his eyes.
He had been too rushed when entering and leaving the restaurant earlier that morning, and having not returned in half a year, he hadn't noticed the new addition to the restaurant's decor.
Although it was abstract art.
It seemed strangely familiar...
"Hey, the bottom figure's silhouette looks a lot like Lanchi."
Mr. Meow laughed and pointed with his paw at the painting, then turned to Antanas.
"Now that you mention it..."
Antanas stared at the painting, and the more she looked, the more she agreed.
"Doesn't the middle one look like Shubelian, meow?"
"It does seem that way. And according to that, is the one on top similar to Tata?"
"Meow hahaha! Indeed!"
Mr. Meow and Antanas' laughter filled the entire Mr. Meow's Restaurant.
"By the way, where did this painting come from? I feel like I've seen it somewhere before," Mr. Meow asked.
"It's said to be the latest sand painting divined by the United Parliament of the Kingdom using the Stellar Chessboard, possibly depicting a scene from somewhere in the world," Antanas explained, also somewhat clueless.
Mr. Meow: "..."
No...
That's not right...
Cold sweat broke out on Mr. Meow's forehead, and he slowly turned his head stiffly. He saw the three of them by the window, all staring at the painting.
Their mouths were agape, and their pupils trembled.
"Meow meow meow!!!'
Mr. Meow was so startled that he almost barked and bolted from Antanas' arms, dashing into the back kitchen and refusing to come out.
(End of Chapter)
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