Forbidden Zone of the Human Race

Sky Diner was a newly-opened restaurant in Marsh City. It was an upper-class restaurant, and even its name sounded fancy. It was a famous chain in China that was opening its twelfth branch in Marsh City. The first eleven had all opened in gigantic Chinese cities.

Why were they opening a new branch there? Naturally, it was because Annot’s arrival had drawn much attention to Marsh City. Borrowing the city’s relationship with her, the government took the opportunity to quickly develop the city. Every major city had to start from somewhere.

Xiang Ning and his sister sat within a sophisticated private room in the restaurant.

Neither of them had ever been to such a fancy restaurant before. When they looked down, they could see Marsh City’s night view as they were sitting on the top floor of Marsh City’s third-tallest building. The entire top floor had been bought by Sky Diner, who even extended the flooring outward.

There were four private rooms available, north, south, east, and west. The rooms were floating in the air while their floorboards projected beautiful designs. With just the press of a button, every wall would turn transparent so patrons could enjoy the beautiful view outside.

Of course, people from the outside couldn’t see inside.

The private rooms were one of the iconic attractions of Sky Diner.

“Big brother….” Xiang Xiaoyu was wearing a pale pink blouse and had her hair up in an elegant ponytail. Along with her big, round eyes and chubby cheeks, she looked like a little princess who, at that moment, seemed rather uncomfortable. In the past, she had looked forward to enjoying good things. After listening to other people talk, or seeing beautiful scenes on the television, she wanted to experience it all.

However, when it came down to real life, she was just too used to a frugal lifestyle to be comfortable in a fancy place like Sky Diner. Yes, it was beautiful, but it didn’t feel real. She felt like it wasn’t cozy like home, just nice to look at.

She looked at Xiang Ning, giving him a small smile. Xiang Ning stuck his tongue out and said, “This isn’t home, so of course it won’t feel like we’re there.”

But Xiang Xiaoyu thought everything tasted better at home, so that was normal. Being there felt like telling a person who didn’t drink tea or wine how good a certain tea or wine was.

All they could say was, yes it tastes good. Yes, it smells good. Yes, it’s nice.

The food was good, but if you asked her what ‘good’ meant, she couldn’t tell you.

Xiang Ning looked at his sister, who hadn’t sat comfortably since the beginning. He whispered, “What’s up? Not used to this? Don’t worry, me neither.”

“Really?” She looked at Xiang Ning, not believing him.

He chuckled, “Look at this tier three beef steak! You’ve got to use a knife and fork to eat this, I’m not used to it at all.”

“Haha, you’re so stupid. Even I can use a knife and fork,” she chuckled.

“Really? Where’d you learn?” He grinned as he watched her clumsily cutting her steak with a knife and fork.

She smiled. “On TV.”

“Teach me then?”

“Alright.”

To tell the truth, Annot admired the siblings’ relationship. She was present at the dinner as well, as she was the one who had called for the gathering.

Xiang Ning’s sister had acted like a typical fangirl when she’d met Annot. However, like him, she hadn’t gone into a daze when she saw Annot’s face. They talked like new friends, and Annot, who was usually repulsed by strangers, quickly grew close with Xiang Xiaoyu.

Anran, who was watching from the side, was relieved.

However, Xiang Ning noticed Anran’s reaction and felt constipated. Ohoho! Is it all because I’m a guy? Every time I interact with Annot, you act like you’re protecting her from a robber! But now that Annot and my sister are having so much fun they’re practically joined at the hip, you’re smiling?

Sensing his resentment, Anran’s eyes darted at him. She twirled her hair and smiled. “Mr Xiang Ning, do you want me to teach you how to eat a steak?”

Xiang Ning rolled his eyes and expertly cut the steak using Xiaoyu’s method. No one knew that, in order to prevent himself from looking stupid in front of Anran, he had used Comprehension to gain a knife and fork skill, which had cost him a thousand Fury Points. If this was in the past, he would have been in pain from the hefty price.

......

After dinner, Annot and Xiang Ning walked out of the room to a balcony.

When Xiang Xiaoyu saw them leave, she gave them a knowing glance and didn’t follow, but rather started talking to Anran about various strange topics.

“I’m leaving for Azura tomorrow.” Annot didn’t beat around the bush. Her feelings for Xiang Ning were complicated, to say the least. The night of the concert, had she not been afraid in the face of Peng Saike’s assassination attempt?

Obviously, that would be impossible. She was terrified, but in the depths of her heart, she trusted one person to protect her.

“Really.”

A surprising, yet logical reply. Annot merely smiled at Xiang Ning’s simple response and handed him a slip of paper. “Remember to call if you’ve got the chance to visit Azura.”

Xiang Ning took the piece of paper from her and nodded with a smile. He didn’t say anything else. He understood that it was only fate that had brought them together, and there was almost zero chance of them meeting again. This farewell would likely be forever.

After dinner, he left with Xiang Xiaoyu, leaving Annot staring at the city on the balcony.

Anran stood next to her, unsure of what to say. This was the first time she had treated Annot as just another normal girl.

“He really is special,” said Annot.

“Yeah, he is. However, you must know that he’s already blocked one attempt for you. If we stay, it could only hurt him,” Anran slowly said. She knew Annot well, and this was the first time she had seen her feel so much for another person.

“I understand.” They watched Xiang Ning, who was already on the ground floor, mounting his Windbreaker.

…...

Along the way home, Xiang Ning drove slowly. He didn’t want to pull down his visor so he could feel the cool breeze on his face. His sister, who was hugging him from behind, said, “Annot seemed different today.”

“Mm.”

“She seemed a little sad.”

“Mm.”

“Mm. Probably because she’s leaving Marsh City, I guess she’ll miss this place.”

“Oh, really?” Xiang Ning naively looked up at the sky, not reading between the lines.

Doge & Chacha's Thoughts

A knife and fork skill? Is there anything the system doesn't have? In that case, he should've bought the flirting skill and read the room skill or something :/

Could've bagged Annot right there and then lmao

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