Zhou Baowei left his spot, probably heading to the restroom to drop off some pearls.
Bai Bufan watched Zhou Baowei’s desolate back, biting his lip, his eyes filled with hesitation and unease. Was what he was about to do inappropriate?
So he turned to Lin Li, took a deep breath, and asked:
"Lin Li, if I sneak a piece of Bao Wei’s omelet now, do you think I’ll get caught?"
"Probably not, but can’t you finish the food in your bowl first before eyeing what’s in the pan?" Lin Li gave a steady analysis, "Also, be careful in case Bao Wei is baiting us and is secretly lurking at the door, wiggling his butt and spying on us."
"True, never mind, I’ll let him off today." Bai Bufan nodded, finishing off the buns in a few bites, sipping through a straw from his soy milk. Excitedly, he asked, "Lin Li, about last night, what’s the deal?"
"I’ll buy you a pudding at lunch."
"Who asked about pudding—you’re really getting me one? Thanks, bro!
Ahem, but let’s talk about lunchtime stuff at lunchtime." Bai Bufan grinned slyly, then eagerly returned to the topic: "Stop keeping me in suspense, you know what I want to ask. What’s the deal with having a target for the weekend?"
"I ran into a buddy last night..."
Lin Li recounted last night’s events to Bai Bufan in relative detail.
"So if that guy really sends me the map of Xiling Chicken Farm, we’ll have more options, and we can consider it carefully then. If he doesn’t send it, it doesn’t matter, I’ll go tonight to check out Tianhong Chicken Farm, as he mentioned."
"Going tonight? I have a feeling I’ll be sick tonight, the kind the medical office can’t cure. Wait for my sick leave note!" Bai Bufan suddenly stood up.
It’s decided, toothache it is.
"See, you’re in a rush again. My store scouting mission tonight is just to check the surroundings outside; the real entry and consumption would wait until the weekend, what’s the hurry?" Lin Li explained.
"Oh, right." Bai Bufan relaxed a bit and then had a moment to marvel: "There really are professions for everything, with experts in every field.
I never imagined there could exist a genius like Song Luping in this world, and you’re so connected with him.
He’s right, Lin Li, maybe you really are fated to be the protagonist, destined to become a king. The only issue is that you won’t become the king he expects—a king of indulgence—but, instead, you’ll become quite the opposite, the ’Yellow Sweep King.’
Damn, a dark lord grooming a saint of justice, a navy admiral’s grandson wanting to become a pirate king! I can’t wait for the day he discovers your true identity, Lin Li. Make it into a novel; I’d surely follow it and praise you as the author!"
"Indeed, this is my destiny." This was exactly him, as Lin Li had already immersed himself in the identity of the righteous saint.
"The skies of Xiling will change because of you; I see the future, a vast expanse of clarity. But is this a blessing, or a curse?" Bai Bufan looked up deeply towards the sky outside the window, only to break character a second later: "Hey, Lin Li, look over there, Lao Da is working hard today, planting so much cotton!"
It seems Bai Bufan and I think alike; Lin Li felt gratified about this.
No longer role-playing, Bai Bufan said to Lin Li with interest: "I really want to meet this Song Luping, this guy must be a top talent; chatting with him must be quite interesting."
Lin Li blinked, suddenly remembering something he forgot to mention to Bai Bufan.
"Oh, right, Bufan, I forgot to tell you, you actually know Song Luping." So he spoke gently.
"Huh? I’ve met him? Let me think... No, I don’t remember having any relatives with the last name Song," Bai Bufan furrowed his brow slightly, delving into his memories, and eventually shook his head.
The adults he knew were few, none fitting the description.
So he changed his question: "Lin Li, or have you already introduced my buddy to this buddy of yours?"
"Neither, it’s just that I used your name when in front of him."
"Oh, I see." Bai Bufan nodded, "So you used my—?"
"Name?!" He jerked his head, glaring intensely at Lin Li.
Lin Li nodded slightly, responding: "Yes, exactly, so strictly speaking, he doesn’t know me; he only knows you, Bufan. He’s your buddy, not familiar with me."
So Song Luping knows Bai Bufan, but if you ask him who Lin Li is, how could he answer?
Bai Bufan’s gaze gradually darkened.
While Lin Li remained calm, he didn’t forget to remind: "If you really want to meet Song Luping and even become friends with him, I can introduce you.
As long as you present an excellent beetle image, he’ll see you as a confidant immediately.
But, Bufan, you have to remember, when you meet him, don’t say you’re Bai Bufan because Bai Bufan is already me."
"·Heh·heh, ·Lin·Li, you are the guy I’m going to eat." Bai Bufan gritted his teeth, forcing a smile.
"In the world we roam, when we’re out and about, who uses their real identity?" Lin Li looked unconcerned, waving his hand nonchalantly, even somewhat proud.
"Is that your damn excuse for using my identity?! I roam the world too, what identity do I use?"
"Oh, that works too."
"No wonder last night you felt a slight hint of guilt when I didn’t use your name during the nude chat; turns out it was about this matter." Bai Bufan’s eyes showed a trace of grievance, but his expression soon relaxed considerably, "Great, now I can finally hold my head up in front of the class leader.