“These spicy wheat noodles were really delicious!”

Luo Qiqi exclaimed, still savoring the chewy texture of the noodles while blowing hot air from her mouth. Even as tears streamed down from her eyes, the glistening chili oil coating the noodles beckoned her to take another bite.

Even after her group had met with Ikasa and Xin Ruo, she was still smacking her slightly swollen and stinging red lips. She had felt like breathing fire every time she slurped the strands of noodles but her taste buds wanted more!

Ikasa rubbed the head of the short girl whose hair was tied in twin pigtails and turned his gaze to look at Bu Fan and Chu Qing.

Bu Fan had a tranquil and blissful expression on his face as if he had attained nirvana after experiencing a foodgasm.

‘This must be something like a post-nut clarity for Foodie Chefs…’

Ikasa mused looking at his serene face. His eyes moved to Chu Qing. Not only were the teenager’s lips red and swollen, he also had a sulky expression on his face as he tightly held the pouch hanging by his waist.

He occasionally threw annoyed glances at Luo Qiqi and Bu Fan while weighing the money bag. Noticing his displeasure, Xin Ruo could not help but ask, “Why is your face so sour? Did you not like the food?”

Her question broke open the dam as Chu Qing began to vent his frustrations and complaints about the two foodies to Ikasa and Xin Ruo.

“These two idiots ate 300 gold worth of food! 300 Gold!”

Chu Qing almost failed to suppress his shout. He had felt his heart bleed everytime gold coins disappeared from the pouch. When he had come to the trade Fair he had 800 gold in the pouch. Before he knew it, Luo Qiqi and Bu Fan had made it much much lighter!

Ikasa had already made a concession and paid the Inn’s charges from his pocket. Chu Qing had celebrated this fact and thought he would be able to save at least 500 gold at the end of the trip.

Yet, they were only on their third day of the trip and nearly 500 Gold had been spent on food expenses alone!

“Stupid Qiqi, you know nothing but to eat! And that Bu Fan also is a starving ghost!”

Chu Qing mumbled his complaints. The enhanced senses of Luo Qiqi immediately picked up the insults directed her way. She glared at Chu Qing and then coyly swung Ikasa’s hands while complaining,”Big Brother, Chu Qing did not let us drink the cold and bubbly soda they had. It was only 10 gold per tumbler as well!”

Then she pulled at Bu Fan and said,”If Brother Bu could try the drink, he definitely would have replicated it. We would be earning hundreds of gold just from selling the Soda and Chu Qing made us miss this chance.”

As she ended her complaint, she glared at the eldest of the teens. To give credibility to her speech, she even drew Bu Fan into the conversation and asked, “Isn’t that right, Brother Bu?”

Ikasa had an amused smile as he heard Luo Qiqi speak. He did not miss the small wink she threw at the stunned and speechless Bu Fan. How could he not understand the passive aggressive quarrel between these teens?

One only wanted money, while the other only cared about food. Usually they got along well but now that their desires were intercepted, sparks were bound to arise.

Ikasa shook his head slightly and patted Bu Fan on his shoulder who was caught in the middle of the teens fight.

“Bu Fan, try the food to your heart’s content and also bring this little foodie along. But don’t forget that if you cannot make me a few delicious dishes, I will deduct all the money you spent from your salary, understood?”

The first half assuaged the Chef and he nodded enthusiastically. Only when he heard the second half did he become nervous. He swallowed his saliva and nodded, resolving to not just enjoy the food but also pay attention to the techniques used to prepare the dishes.

Luo Qiqi became happier when she heard that she could still bring Bu Fan to various food stalls to try the food there. She made a face at Chu Qing who scowled at her.

Then Ikasa brought Chu Qing to a side and crouched, such that his eyes were at the same level as the teenager.

“Chu Qing, did you ever think everything will be so expensive in this City when making the bet?”

Ikasa asked the teenager with a smile. He knew that Chu Qing had definitely not taken this into consideration. The teenager had calculated their expenses by the standards of a Tier-3 City and immediately jumped into the bet.

Chu Qing shook his head with an aggrieved expression and confirmed Ikasa’s thoughts. Ikasa placed his warm palm on the teenager’s shoulder and imparted him with his wisdom.

“Chu Qing, being greedy for money is good. However, before making a decision, you should not be blinded by greed; You need to be aware of the circumstances and conditions you will be facing.”

“Had you known about the price difference between a Tier-3 City and Tier-2 City, would you have still accepted the bet as is?”

Chu Qing shook his head. Vehemently. Ikasa smiled as he already knew this would be the answer.

“You would have tried to negotiate the terms of the bet, right?”

Ikasa asked with a small grin, speculating about the teenager’s next course of action. Chu Qing moved his head up and down, like a hen pecking at grains.

“I would’ve asked for more funds or reduced the places where the funds could be used…”

Chu Qing trailed off as he began to think what he would’ve done differently. Ikasa smiled as this was what he was aiming for – Educating the eldest of the teenagers.

He wanted the teen to be aware of the consequences of a hastily made decision. Now, Chu Qing would be more cautious before he would agree to any deal.

Ikasa patted the shoulder of Chu Qing twice and stood up straight from his crouching position. Looking down into the teen’s eyes, Ikasa gave him a word of advice.

“Remember, always be aware of the situation before you jump into any decision. This is my first life lesson for you. I made a few mistakes and they cost me. I hope you don’t make the same mistakes yourself.”

Chu Qing was left stunned by his words for a few moments. He saw Ikasa and the group getting further away and he hastily caught up with them.

He reached Ikasa’s side and whispered with admiration, “Brother Ikasa, thank you for the lesson. I have truly learned that Haste makes Waste and Knowledge is Power.”

However, he would not be Chu Qing if he did not have a motive behind his praise. With a slight hesitation and anticipation, he asked Ikasa, “Since I have learned my lesson, can I keep the rest of the gold in the bag?”

Ikasa’s lips twitched. ‘This money grubbing ghost!’ Ikasa cursed in his heart with slight amusement.

“Consider this bet as your lesson and the money you will spend as your lesson fee.” Ikasa said with a straight face and lengthened his strides leaving a stunned and fuming teenager behind.

“Damn it!” Chu Qing yelled as he punched his left palm with his right fist and ran to catch up with the group.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep