Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 896: Chapter 895: The Complex and Ever-Changing Heart of a Young Girl

The allure of delicious food is boundless.

One of the most fundamental desires of humans is appetite, and this isn’t subject to one’s willpower. Moreover, this is in the virtual world—everything in this world is fine, except for one thing: you cannot hide your expressions. Because this game is reproduced by machines directly reading human brainwaves, how you think is accurately displayed in this world.

If it were the real world, Asuna might still be able to control herself from showing expressions, but in this virtual world, when she felt the intense stimulation of the delicious food, she immediately showed an intoxicated expression.

How embarrassing!

Asuna lowered her head in a mix of delight and shame. Among this group of people, her usual demeanor is somewhat serious and stoic. Now she was showing such an expression, especially in front of Fang Zheng, which Asuna thought was simply... mortifying!

In fact, Asuna’s strong reaction wasn’t just because of the food. The dishes made by NPCs were delicious, but not to such an exaggerated extent. The main reason was, since entering the game, Asuna had been living quite austerely. She had devoted herself entirely to strategy, training, and leveling up. When she got hungry, she usually ate some dry bread or a few sandwiches. It was only on the day Fang Zheng’s guild was established that she had a little bit of good food at a banquet, but even then, she was worried about the future, so everything tasted like wax to her, and she couldn’t savor the flavors.

But now, the first floor’s lord had been defeated, and they had a good start. Asuna’s nerves weren’t as tense, and after wandering the streets with Fang Zheng for half a day, her anger had mostly subsided. This was when her defenses were at their weakest, and the delicious steak was like a sharp sword that pierced through the last defense within Asuna’s heart, allowing her to be completely immersed in the attraction of the food.

Asuna lowered her head, desperately trying to control her expression, but completely unable to. She wanted to stop eating for a moment, but her hand seemed to have developed independent consciousness, cutting the steak piece by piece and delivering it to her mouth...

She just couldn’t stop!!

How embarrassing... thankfully no one else saw it...

However, just as Asuna thought this, suddenly a familiar voice rang by her ear.

”Ah, isn’t that Brother Fang Zheng and Sister Asuna?”

”.........”

Asuna looked up to see Yuki waving excitedly at her and the others from a distance, while Leafa and Aoba nodded with slight embarrassment and greeted them.

”You guys came too?”

Fang Zheng put down his utensils and waved towards Yuki and the others. Yuki immediately ran over to Fang Zheng like a little puppy being called by its owner.

”Yeah, Brother Fang Zheng, the food here is pretty good. We had some money on hand, so we thought of coming to have something nice. What are you eating? It looks like Sister Asuna is really enjoying it.”

”Ugh......”

Hearing Yuki’s words, Asuna wished she could find a hole to bury herself in. However, Fang Zheng didn’t have any extraneous thoughts and simply gave Yuki a slight smile.

”We just randomly ordered a few dishes... want to join us?”

”Sure, sure, food tastes better when everyone eats together!”

With her innocent and naive personality, Yuki was instantly thrilled upon hearing Fang Zheng’s suggestion. If one could compare her to a puppy, her imaginary tail would be wagging furiously right now.

But for some reason, at this moment, Asuna felt somewhat... a little uncomfortable inside. Although she couldn’t put it into words, Asuna didn’t hope for Yuki and the others to join in. She certainly had nothing against Yuki and the others, it was just...

”Ah, there’s no need, Mr. Fang Zheng.”

Compared to the naive Yuki, Aoba was much more attuned to the atmosphere. She immediately ran over, grabbed Yuki by the arm, and then apologetically bowed to Fang Zheng and Asuna.

”Sorry to disturb you... my apologies...”

As she spoke, Aoba pulled Yuki away, and you could hear Yuki grumbling in dissatisfaction, ”Eh? Why can’t everyone eat together?” or something of the sort...

”Ah......”

Watching Aoba drag Yuki away, Asuna opened her mouth, wanting to say something more. She felt very conflicted inside, worrying that Aoba might have misunderstood and thought she was on a date with Fang Zheng and left because of that. But at the same time, Asuna felt reluctant for the three of them to join in. She didn’t know why; earlier, when she and Fang Zheng were shopping together, she was very angry, but now Asuna found herself growing used to this feeling...

Thinking of this, Asuna’s thoughts suddenly changed again.

Should she have dressed up a bit before coming out today? Well... this is a game, and there aren’t any cosmetic products for sale... but was her earlier behavior unsatisfactory? Will Mr. Fang Zheng be displeased? Will he think she’s being petty?

For some reason, where before Asuna was annoyed at Fang Zheng for dragging her out, now she started worrying that her sulky actions earlier might have upset Fang Zheng...

What else can be said, but that a young girl’s heart is indeed complex.

Fang Zheng didn’t mind what Asuna was thinking. He was pondering game settings while considering how to conduct his experiments, all the while finishing off the steak in front of him, the dessert that followed, and a cup of juice. One had to admit, this virtual world felt quite realistic. If not for that nincompoop Kayaba Akihiko trapping so many people in the game, it would have been a highly enjoyable otherworldly journey.

But then again, if his brain hadn’t gone haywire, Fang Zheng feared he wouldn’t have come to this world.

After finishing their meal, Fang Zheng took Asuna back to their base.

Of course, when he said ”base,” it was simply a hotel Fang Zheng had spent some money to rent. After all, their guild level was only at Level One, and they needed to reach Level Three to apply for and purchase a proper guild base. Until then, like other guilds, Fang Zheng could only buy or rent a place to act as their guild base.

”So, I have some matters to attend to. After you’re done eating, go back to your room and get some rest, relax.”

Standing at the door, Fang Zheng smiled at Asuna and said.

”If you’re unsure what to do, you could try practicing cooking a bit. Delicious food really can relax the mind, and I saw you enjoying your meal today. Cooking for yourself when you have nothing else to do is a good way to unwind.”

”Ugh.........”

Hearing Fang Zheng’s words, Asuna’s face suddenly turned red as she lowered her head and nodded slightly. During the meal, since Fang Zheng hadn’t commented, she thought he hadn’t noticed. She didn’t expect he’d seen it all along but just hadn’t mentioned it...

”Well, I’ll be going back now.”

After saying this, Fang Zheng pushed open the door and intended to return to his room. But just then, Asuna, not knowing why, suddenly looked up and stepped forward, calling out.

”Mr. Fang Zheng!”

”Hmm? What’s the matter?”

Hearing Asuna’s call, Fang Zheng turned to look at her. But as Asuna looked at Fang Zheng, she suddenly didn’t know what to say. She originally wanted to suggest going out with Fang Zheng again sometime, but hadn’t realized until just now—it’d be like a date?!

She’d never been on a date with a young guy before!

”No, it’s just.........”

Thinking about it, Asuna blushed slightly, glancing around awkwardly before biting her lip shyly.

”I just wanted to say... thank you...”

”You’re welcome.”

With those words, Fang Zheng nodded and smiled at Asuna before walking into his room. Watching the door close, Asuna stood in silence for a moment, then sighed.

......Might as well... practice some cooking skills when I go back.