area51novel Chapter 113 Shaved Ice
Chapter 113 Shaved Ice
On a summer afternoon after training, the sun still shone brightly.
With a wave of her arm, Ma Xiaotao excitedly led everyone into a cool alley near the college.
"We're here, this is it!"
Looking up, you see a small cold drink shop. The storefront is painted a light mint green, and the signboard is made of simple wood with the four characters "Qingliang Xiaozhu" (Cool Retreat) written in white paint, making it look clean and welcoming.
The glass windows were sparkling clean, and from the outside, one could vaguely glimpse the warm lighting and wooden tables and chairs inside.
As you push open the door, the crisp sound of wind chimes rings out. The store is indeed not large, but it is arranged in a neat and orderly manner.
The walls are covered with light blue striped wallpaper, and there are several small wooden tables with matching chairs. On the tables are small glass bottles with fresh mint leaves.
The air was filled with a light, sweet but not cloying aroma of milk and fruit, which instantly dispelled the heat outside.
"Let's do it the usual." Ma Xiaotao smiled familiarly at the proprietress behind the counter, then turned to her younger classmates and said, "Take a look at the menu, order whatever you like, their shaved ice and ice cream are especially great!"
Huo Yutong and the others sat down around the table and accepted the menus that were handed to them.
The menu was handwritten and pasted into a retro hardcover notebook; the handwriting was neat and charming.
The variety of offerings is truly impressive: from classic red bean and mango shaved ice to spherical ice cream in various flavors; from shaved ice with fresh fruit to delicate desserts such as mousse and pudding; and even handmade cookies and waffles to accompany the set meals.
The prices listed on each item are very affordable, making them excellent value for money.
"There are so many kinds..." Several girls huddled together, discussing in hushed tones, their faces beaming with anticipation.
At this moment, Ma Xiaotao's signature extra-large strawberry parfait was served. The ice cream, bright red strawberry sauce, cream and colorful sugar pearls piled up like a small mountain were visually stunning and attracted the attention of the younger students.
Ma Xiaotao coughed lightly and smiled somewhat embarrassedly.
Dai Yueheng and the others, however, were unfazed and leisurely ordered their usual drinks and desserts—iced coffee with scones, sweet double-skin milk pudding, and colorful rainbow ice cream balls…
Soon, the shaved ice that Huo Yutong and Xiao Xiao ordered arrived. It was served in a wide-mouthed glass bowl, piled high, and drizzled with various kinds of jam, making it crystal clear.
They laughed and shared with each other, each spoonful offering a blend of sweet and cool sensations.
Just as this sweet and cool sensation filled the air, a certain being deep within Huo Yutong's spiritual sea was also aroused.
Tianmeng "looked" at the joyful scene outside, especially those few bowls of tempting shaved ice, and smacked her lips.
"Hmm...it looks really good," she murmured to herself. For this million-year-old spiritual beast, simulating physical sensations with mental power was not difficult.
With a slight thought, pure and solid spiritual energy quickly outlined and shaped it before her. In the blink of an eye, a bowl of shaved ice, exactly like the ones outside, emitting a slight chill, appeared in her hands, even the glaze of the drizzled jam was perfectly simulated.
She conjured a spoon with satisfaction, scooped up a large mouthful, and put it into her "mouth." The cool and sweet sensation spread through her mind, making her close her eyes contentedly.
After taking a couple of bites, she seemed to suddenly remember something and turned to look at other corners of the Sea of Spirit.
"Well, sharing happiness is worse than enjoying it alone." Tianmeng said, her spiritual power surging again, and in an instant, she replicated a third of the shaved ice.
She carried the three bowls of shaved ice with her gentle mental power, and they floated towards the mental areas where Hyotei, Electrolux, and Crescent Moon were located.
"Try it, it tastes alright."
Hyotei glanced at the glistening ice cream that floated in front of them, and finally "reached out" to take it.
Beibei and He Caitou opted for large glasses of chilled juice, sitting down to chat as they drank.
……
During a training session, Chen Zifeng's Soul-Chasing Sword accidentally tore Bei Bei's school uniform, but fortunately, she was not injured.
"Beibei, I'll buy you a new one," Chen Zifeng said apologetically.
"Senior Chen, don't worry about it, it was just an accident." Bei Bei waved her hand, not taking it to heart.
Gongyang Mo chimed in with a smile, "Let me do it. My family runs a clothing business, and we handle most of the academy's uniform orders. We even have a branch in Shrek City."
If you're free after training, let's go shopping together; I'll give everyone a discount.
After training, Beibei went back to her dormitory to change into casual clothes before meeting up with the others at the school gate.
"Amo's shop has beautiful clothes made of good materials, we often go there," Ma Xiaotao recommended as they walked.
The group arrived at the bustling commercial street, where the most eye-catching, spacious storefront was the shop of the Gongyang Mo family.
Inside the bright glass shop window, mannequins wearing elaborately designed and exquisitely crafted long dresses shimmered with a delicate luster under the warm lighting, instantly capturing the attention of passersby.
Stepping inside reveals a completely different world. The store is spacious and elegantly decorated, with clothing displayed in a neat and orderly manner, separated by men's and women's sections.
Looking around, one is greeted by a dazzling array of clothing, from casual wear and elegant dresses to formal gowns, in a variety of colors and fabrics, resembling a mini fashion exhibition.
The air was filled with the clean and pleasant scent unique to new clothes.
Tang Ya took Bei Bei's arm and led him to the men's clothing section with a smile. Huo Yutong and Xiao Xiao naturally headed to the women's clothing section.
The women's clothing section was filled with dazzling lingerie and dresses, a feast for the eyes. Huo Yutong's gaze swept over each exquisite garment until she saw it—
On a standalone display shelf, a wedding dress stood quietly.
Its beauty is almost dazzling. The ivory-white satin flows with a warm, pearly luster, the bodice is adorned with delicate and intricate lace and sparkling rhinestones, and the skirt unfolds like clouds and mist, layer upon layer, embroidered with faint, intertwined floral patterns that shimmer like stars under the light.
Huo Yutong suddenly stopped in her tracks.
"So beautiful..." she murmured, her gaze unable to look away.
In a daze, she seemed to see herself one day in the future, dressed in such pure white, walking step by step towards him.
A sudden heat surged up her cheeks, jolting her out of her reverie.
She hurriedly lowered her eyes, subconsciously raised her hand, and gently grasped the reverse scale pendant that was pressed against her chest.
"Yu Tong?" Xiao Xiao's soft call brought her back to her senses. She quickly cast one last glance at the wedding dress before turning to follow her companion.
Meanwhile, the Sea of Spirituality was also bustling with activity due to the dazzling array of clothing from the outside world.
Tianmeng "browsed" the women's clothing section, enthusiastically using her mental power to create various outfits for herself: Lolita fashion, evening gowns, suits...
She swayed triumphantly in front of Hyotei, exclaiming, "I think I'm absolutely gorgeous!"
Electrolux, on the other hand, changed his usual gray robe into a simple white robe embroidered with green bamboo patterns, which made him look even more refined.
Crescent Moon chose a smart outfit for herself, looking dashing and heroic.
Hyotei recalled the few long dresses she had glimpsed in the women's clothing section earlier, and with a slight thought, she quietly replaced her original illusionary outfit with an ice-blue dress that suited her own temperament.
"Bingbing! You look so beautiful!"
You are the undying, cold light of the far north.
She is the Snow Queen, proud and magnificent.
Jade armor showcases your unparalleled elegance.
The scorpion's tail swayed slightly, causing all things in heaven and earth to tremble in fear.
Your eyes are more dazzling than ten thousand years of frozen ice.
My heart's ocean will rise with eternal waves for you!
"Oh, Hyotei! My goddess! I will forever be your devoted admirer—" Tenmu began her heartfelt recitation of poetry.
"..."
A moment of silence.
In the real-world store, Gongyang Mo generously provided each of his companions with a membership card, which entitles them to a 20% discount at all of his chain stores.