Nature is truly a miraculous craftsman.
Because evolution theory was met with many questions, another variant that gained wider acceptance emerged: the theory of evolution.
There is also a phenomenon known as convergent evolution, where completely different species evolve remarkably similar traits in certain parts.
Take, for example, this oceanic mega straw.
It was still very fresh and lively; the chef brought it out, and it was spewing water energetically, which made the resemblance even more uncanny.
An Nuannuan's cheeks felt a bit warm, and she glanced at Xu Musen.
Xu Musen quickly covered her mouth, fearing she would say some outrageous things with all seriousness.
An Nuannuan's big eyes rolled around, and she just shook his arm that she was holding.
Xu Musen ordered some to eat, not exactly chasing the concept of "like cures like," but rather for the sake of trying something new.
Actually, seafood generally tastes similar, and the main appeal is the freshness or the texture.
And since we've come to a seafood buffet, of course we'd go for the expensive treats, not to mention those geniuses who start with two kilograms of kelp.
Xu Musen carried a plate with the coveted grilled oysters and geoduck, strolling forward contentedly.
"The dishes in your hand have a lot of class."
Zhu Yulan had also arrived at some point, looking at Xu Musen's choice of food and smiling meaningfully at him.
Yang Xiaotao followed behind her, a true foodie, with a plate piled up with various seafood, looking blissful and warmly greeting Xu Musen when she saw him.
Xu Musen cleared his throat, "Coming to a buffet, naturally, you'd pick the expensive stuff."
"No need to explain, as long as you're happy," Sister Zhu interrupted him, her gaze turning to An Nuannuan, revealing a smile, "Nuannuan, long time no see. Do you mind if I join you for a meal today?"
"Oh no, not at all. You and Xu Musen are friends, and it's only right to treat you to a meal," An Nuannuan responded always courteous and maintaining a bit of distance with others.
Standing beside Xu Musen now, she also exuded a propriety akin to that of a proprietress.
Zhu Yulan looked at An Nuannuan, remembering the first time she met her when this girl was still naive and simple.
If others didn't initiate conversation, she could stay silent all day without uttering a single word.
Like an exquisitely crafted doll with her own thoughts, yet seemingly searching for a reason to exist.
Although still somewhat naive, she now radiated a girlish and endearing charm.
Her eyes harbored much that wasn't there before, like a garden ravaged by wild fire, nourished and warmed, bursting anew with dazzling blooms.
They say love is the best beauty regimen for a woman. Zhu Yulan had been a skeptic, but seeing An Nuannuan's transformation, she became a believer.
Look at her now, speaking with such confidence.
Zhu Yulan didn't know why but felt an inexplicable sense of gloom, like something everyone else had yet seemed out of reach for her in this lifetime.
To others, she was the golden girl lacking nothing.
These words seemed a luxury to Zhu Yulan.
She looked at Xu Musen and An Nuannuan, her eyes flickering.
"Is this all you're having?"
Xu Musen looked at the contents of her plate, which were nearly devoid of seafood, save for two abalones and lobster tails, accompanied by some desserts and fruit.
"Not much of an appetite today."
"Tsk tsk, buffet restaurants love customers like you. You're spending so much for one person. You might as well go to my milk tea shop, a few hundred bucks could keep you fed for half a month," Xu Musen shook his head, somewhat pitying the wasted meal cost.
"If you feel sorry about it, eat more on my behalf. Xiao Tao and I will give you our abalones too!"
Zhu Yulan said, seeing his expression, she felt a thrill in tricking him and passed her plate's abalones and lobsters to him.
But her words drew some meaningful smiles from the surrounding guests.
Xu Musen remained silent, thinking that this young lady really didn't stand on ceremony, offering such dishes right off the bat.
Of course, such thoughts were a bit indecent, the fault of social norms.
Just like before the internet became widespread, a chrysanthemum was truly just a cooling and fire-reducing flower.
Yang Xiaotao, an intense internet surfer, seemed to grasp something and blushed with embarrassment.
"Sister Zhu, I... I'll eat mine. Let's... go get something else!"
Yang Xiaotao pulled Zhu Yulan to the side.
"Why are you rushing off like that?"
Zhu Yulan was a bit mystified, especially by the looks from those around them, but what was wrong with what she said?
Yang Xiaotao's face turned even redder, and after making sure no one was listening, she finally stammered out her revelation to Zhu Yulan.
And then Zhu Yulan's cheeks turned visibly red with remarkable speed!
"Pfft! Who said that's what I meant? Pervert, indecent, disgusting!"
Zhu Yulan stomped her foot and cursed, wondering why people nowadays were so vulgar.
With a flushed face, she wanted to rush over and snatch back her... meal.
"Hey, Sister Zhu, what are you doing?"
Yang Xiaotao tried to stop her again.
"I'm going to take my stuff back."