Chapter 341: Dining Room
Chapter 341: Dining Room
While they were making their way through the long corridor and towards the dining room, Yi Chen glanced at Zhou Mei, who was walking beside him, and opened her status panel.
===== Status Panel =====
Name: Zhou Mei
Age: 13 years
Strength: 60-> 70
Cultivation: Fourth Level of [Meridian Refinement Stage]
Qi Nature: Water
Remark: A talented sprout [Regenerate: 10,000 EXP]
======================
"It seems you weren’t lying. You’ve really entered the fourth Meridian Refinement stage..."
Yi Chen muttered with praise evident in his voice as he pulled back his gaze.
"Of course! Why would I need to lie about something like that! However, what about you, Brother Chen? You are still stuck at the Fifth Meridian Refinement Stage, aren’t you?"
Zhou Mei asked with a hint of gloating present in her voice.
She knew that within just three months it would be impossible for Yi Chen to increase his cultivation by another level.
"Who knows? Maybe I’ve already reached the Sixth Meridian Refinement Stage. It isn’t just you who can cultivate, you know?" Yi Chen stated with a playful smirk, still not revealing his cultivation level to her.
Hearing his reply, Zhou Mei snorted in an annoyed manner and said, "Does Brother Chen take me for a fool? If that was truly the case, then you would be rubbing that fact on my face rather than playing with words like you are right now.
It’s alright though. There’s no need to be ashamed. Since my spirit root’s grade is higher than Brother Chen’s, it’s only a matter of time before I catch up with you."
As she finished those words, she slightly tilted her chin up with confidence evident on her face.
’This girl...’ Yi Chen shook his head in amusement, seeing how silly she was acting as they continued walking alongside each other.
"It’s here."
Zhou Mei stated while pointing towards a seven-foot-tall double door. The next second, she walked a bit ahead of Yi Chen and pushed it open.
As the door was pushed open, a large table filled with neatly placed cutlery appeared in front of their eyes, and Yi Chen couldn’t help but be reminded of the last time he had had dinner with the Zhou family in this room.
At that time, he was only at the Ninth Elementary Transformation Stage, just a step away from reaching the Meridian Refinement Stage.
However, just a few months later, which in reality were years to him, he had returned with his cultivation already at the Ninth Meridian Refinement Stage.
His eyes soon went towards the end of the table where an elegantly dressed woman was talking with a couple of staff members while instructing them about a few things.
Sensing the opening of the door, Zhou Fei’s attention was instantly directed in their direction as a welcoming smile formed on her face the next second.
Instructing something to the staff standing next to her, she walked in their direction with a cheery expression on her face.
"Yi Chen," Zhou Fei called with a bright smile and continued, "You’re finally here. Do you know just how impatient Zhou Mei had been since yesterday when she heard about your visit? She’s been-"
"MOM! Stop lying! When was I ever excited?!" Zhou Mei immediately countered with an embarrassed tone, stopping her mother from finishing her words.
Yi Chen only needed to witness this to realise whether to believe Madam Fei or Zhou Mei.
A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he witnessed this exchange, and he cupped his hands towards Zhou Mei the next second, "Greetings, Madam Fei, you’re still looking as young as an orchid."
Knowing fully well that she liked being called young, Yi Chen naturally didn’t forget to compliment her while at it.
"Wha..." Zhou Mei couldn’t help but be at a loss for words when she heard this while staring at the wrinkles next to her mother’s eyes with a weird expression.
Meanwhile, hearing Yi Chen’s compliment a pleased smile naturally formed on Zhou Fei’s lips but it lasted for only a second because of Zhou Mei’s reaction.
Glaring daggers towards her, she said, "Your next week’s city visit stands cancelled."
"Nooooo...Mom, I cultivated day and night like promised to achieve this break. You can’t just go back on your promise now!" Zhou Mei whined in a defeated manner when she heard this.
"I can do whatever I want as your mother. If you want me to cancel this week’s plans as well, then continue arguing with me." Zhou Fei said with a snort before turning towards Yi Chen.
"I apologise for showcasing this side to you, Yi Chen." Zhou Fei said with a bitter smile and directed her hand towards the end of the table the next second.
"Come, let’s get seated first and talk for a while. I’ve already sent someone to call him, so Zhou Mei’s father will be arriving soon as well."
"There’s no need for you to apologise, Madam Fei. I totally understand your feelings. Zhou Mei can really be a handful at times, something I experienced personally back then." Yi Chen said while directing a teasing look towards Zhou Mei, who had started to glare menacingly at him.
"YOU-"
"Let’s not keep standing then. Madam Fei, please." Before Zhou Mei could finish her words, Yi Chen cut her off and immediately gestured Zhou Fei towards the seats, immediately took a seat of his own.
Seeing this, Zhou Mei was forced to swallow her anger while grumbling under her breath.
Seeing the two’s playful exchange, Zhou Fei chuckled softly before taking her seat on the other side of the table.
A staff soon poured warm water for them as Zhou Fei started talking with him to make Yi Chen feel comfortable.
"Hearing about your accolades at the Inter Clan tournament, I was really amazed back then and had even sent Zhou Mei to invite you for a banquet. It’s a pity that you weren’t here at that time..."
Zhou Fei stated with a bitter smile.
"Ah, so that’s why Zhou Mei had visited my place." Yi Chen nodded in understanding while explaining, "During that period, I had gone out with Madam Gao to explore an ancient ruin. That’s why I had been gone for months."
"Madam Gao...ah," Zhou Fei raised her brows in realisation and said while nodding, "So you mean, Manager Gao. What happened with the tomb exploration? I’ve got the news a few days back that the Red Velvet Pavilion’s branch manager is suddenly changing. She’s alright, right?"
Hearing her question, Yi Chen realised that she had no idea about their tomb exploration and also the fact that, along with Gao Zhen and him, there were also Zhou Lan and Xie Rou who were accompanying the two of them.
However, not wanting Zhou Fei to worry for nothing now that Zhou Lan’s state was back to normal, he decided not to share those things with her and just answered in brief, "In the end we were successfully able to clear the tomb and experienced great gains.
As for why the branch manager is changing, I think that’s because Madam Gao had some urgent business in the Silver Cloud Kingdom, so after we had cleared the tomb she directly went there."
"Ah, so that’s how it is." Zhou Fei nodded in understanding.
Meanwhile, Zhou Mei, who was sitting right next to Yi Chen and had been curiously listening to everything that was said, asked, "I’ve heard these tombs are very difficult to clear. What gains did Brother Chen get after clearing it?"
"Well, while I wasn’t able to get my hands on some great artefacts, I was fortunate enough to experience a fortuitous encounter while inside. Thanks to that, my cultivation has increased greatly." Yi Chen answered with a smile.
"...this," Zhou Mei frowned a little when she heard this and couldn’t help but ask the next second, "How great? Just how greatly did your cultivation increase?"
Seeing that the spirit of competition was still fresh inside her, Yi Chen was about to answer her, but just then he felt a spiritual wave pass through his body, making him turn his head towards Madam Fei.
"...Ninth Meridian Refinement Stage already?" Zhou Fei muttered with a hint of surprise evident in her voice.
"!!!"
Meanwhile, Zhou Mei’s eyes couldn’t help but widen when she heard her mother’s words, and immediately turning her head back towards Yi Chen, she couldn’t help but exclaim out loud, "NINTH MERIDIAN REFINEMENT STAGE?! HOW?!"
Hearing her over-the-top reaction, which was complemented with feelings of confusion and bitterness evident clearly on her face, Yi Chen laughed out loud.
"Haha, like I’ve said. I was fortunate enough to experience a fortuitous encounter. That’s how my cultivation improved so quickly."
"This..." Hearing the same words being repeated again, Zhou Mei pursed her lips tightly and snapped her neck toward Zhou Fei the next second, "Mom! I also want to go and explore an ancient tomb! I also want to get stronger!"
"An inexperienced brat like you will die on the very first day of entering one of those tombs," a snort came from the room’s entrance as Zhou Tian made his way inside.
"Greetings, Master Zhou." Yi Chen stood up from his seat and clasped his hands in his direction.