My Ability Pool is Superior-Chapter 189 - 188: Shrimp Claypot Rice

Lv Bai searched himself for a moment and said, "I have no money."

This was the truth.

He had already borrowed a whole set of clothes from the store owner; borrowing money on top of that would be a bit much.

"No money?"

The green-haired youth spat on the ground, stood up unhappily, and raised his voice to increase his intimidation: "If I find money on you, it’s all mine, okay?"

Passersby noticed their conflict but no one stepped forward to defend Lv Bai.

Most people had amused smiles. Some bystanders even stepped out from shops to whistle at the green-haired youth, all looking like they were there for the entertainment.

That’s Chikan Bay for you.

Shootings happen almost every day, and street robberies are just minor incidents.

In fact, if the green-haired youth hadn’t acted first, some other thugs would probably have come looking for trouble.

After all, Lv Bai looked like an easy target.

Seeing Lv Bai didn’t react, the green-haired youth took a step forward, intending to search him himself.

"Stop scaring me."

However, Lv Bai stepped back half a step and sincerely reminded, "Someone like me who played 4399 games with invincible mode since childhood, has no stress tolerance."

The green-haired youth didn’t know what 4399 was, but he could tell Lv Bai wasn’t scared of him.

This made him even more displeased: "Then today I’ll make you handle some stress!"

As he spoke, he raised a fist, intending to punch Lv Bai in the face.

At that moment, a loud thump came from a nearby shop.

It was the sound of a cleaver hitting a cutting board.

Lv Bai looked towards the source of the sound and saw a girl with an apron tied around her waist.

She stood in a semi-open kitchen, dressed plainly and without makeup, yet exuded a neighborly gentle beauty. Being about seventeen or eighteen, she had an additional touch of youthful charm.

At that moment, she was staring directly at the green-haired youth, her petite face flushed with a hint of anger.

Typically, such a girl showing anger wouldn’t scare off thugs, only excite them further.

Yet, the green-haired youth sighed helplessly, waving his hand at her: "What are you thinking? I’m just joking with this little buddy here."

Having said that, he put his arm around Lv Bai’s shoulder, speaking with an undertone of threat: "Right, Xiaobai?"

As the situation developed to this point, quite a few onlookers booed.

Some even teased loudly.

"Xia, why are you chickening out?"

"Can’t you stand up for yourself? A big brother like you being scared of little sister Xia is unacceptable."

"Break it up, break it up, this guy’s just a siscon."

The green-haired youth immediately retorted, holding his neck stiffly.

For a moment, the street was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

It was as if the scene had shifted from a Triad movie set to a romantic sitcom.

Truth be told, this wasn’t a good sign. Such a quick shift indicated that Chikan Bay residents were used to illegal behavior.

Fights, even deaths, are just small episodes in their daily lives.

Xia Mei ran out and pulled Lv Bai towards the store.

Seeing this, before the green-haired youth could say anything, the neighboring folks began teasing.

"Xia, be careful your sister doesn’t turn against you."

"Yeah, yeah, watch out. That pretty boy looks quite handsome. Women fall for that nowadays."

The green-haired youth curled his lips.

"Scram, stop talking nonsense. My sister is just kind-hearted. Didn’t you just meet her today?"

...

Shrimp Claypot Rice.

Before entering, Lv Bai glanced at the sign above the door.

In the afternoon, the shop was quiet, with no customers.

Xia Mei said nothing the whole time, making the store feel even quieter.

She walked to the counter, took a ballpoint pen, wrote a line on the back of a receipt, and handed it to Lv Bai.

[Don’t worry, my brother just wants to earn money to treat my illness.]

Xia Mei’s handwriting was neat, but Lv Bai’s attention quickly shifted to the note’s content.

He raised an eyebrow and looked at the girl in front of him, silently pointing to his mouth: "You..."

Xia Mei did not shy away and nodded calmly.

Then she picked up an unused receipt and wrote on the back.

[You must’ve been scared, right? I’ll treat you to a meal, so don’t blame my brother.]

Even though he wasn’t scared...

Lv Bai hadn’t eaten in quite some time, so since a meal was offered, why not?

He smiled kindly: "You’re too kind."

Xia Mei waved her hand a bit self-consciously and quickly turned around into the kitchen.

The semi-open kitchen design was meant to assure customers about the food quality.

Especially in a chaotic place like Chikan Bay, individual restaurants must adopt such designs, or business wouldn’t thrive.

Soon, Xia Mei placed a bowl of claypot rice before Lv Bai.

With no other customers at the moment, she simply sat across from Lv Bai, taking a ballpoint pen to write.

[Once you’re done eating, you should leave. This place isn’t for you.]

"Chikan Bay isn’t friendly to outsiders?"

Lv Bai tossed a piece of shrimp into his mouth, the texture surprisingly smooth.

Xia Mei shook her head, thought for a moment, and wrote.

[Someone like you shouldn’t be in Chikan Bay.]

Lv Bai glanced at Xia Mei and continued eating.

"But I have nowhere else to go."

He spoke with the same gentle demeanor.

Though, to Xia Mei, it was probably misunderstood. She quickly scribbled with the pen again.

Unfortunately, before she could finish writing, the green-haired youth returned to the store.

Seeing the store’s situation, he was shocked.

"Damn! Not paying protection fees is one thing, but how do you even get a meal out of it?"

Xia Mei turned to the green-haired youth, her expression slightly dissatisfied.

Xia’s brother twitched his mouth, surrendering: "Fine, fine, let him finish eating and then leave, okay?"

Xia Mei crumpled her half-written paper, wrote a new note, and showed it to Xia.

[He’s homeless and pitiful.]

After reading it, Xia questioned warily: "What does that have to do with us?"

Seeing Xia Mei’s expression turn to grievance, he was at his wits’ end.

"Oh dear, we still need to save money for your treatment. How can we afford to help..."

Taking advantage of their conversation, Lv Bai had already finished his serving of shrimp claypot rice.

He placed his chopsticks on the bowl’s rim and said, "Don’t worry, Xia."

With that, Lv Bai got up and headed to the door.

At the entrance, he paused, turned back with a cheerful smile directed at Xia Mei.

"The claypot rice was delicious. Thank you."