Investing in the Reborn Empress, She Actually Calls Me ‘Husband’
Chapter 301: How to Date Silly Boy, Eat Up

"Dealing with a straight-laced guy like the Young Marquis, you can't go head-to-head with him. You’ve got to charm him."

"Charm him?"

"Uh, that gesture is a bit exaggerated. I’m not talking about actions. Haven’t you heard the saying, ‘A woman who knows how to act cute has the best luck’?"

At the very least, having seen how things were done in his past life, Little Li was quite the expert when it came to giving advice on this matter.

Zhong Ling was completely taken in, almost ready to address him as Master Li, thinking to herself, No wonder he’s a prodigy on the Hidden Dragon Ranking. Traveling far and wide really broadens one’s knowledge.

Haven’t you seen the way Fairy Han looks at him?

Even someone as ethereal as her can’t stay away from him—that alone speaks volumes about his authority.

"If you really don’t get it, just flip through this."

"Isn’t this a romance novel?"

"The latest update includes plotlines about the seductive demonesses of the Joyous Harmony Sect. Gotta say, there’s something to it. I suspect Senior Brother Ouyang did some field research."

"??"

......

Half an hour later, an assortment of skewers was laid out on the table.

The tavern had grown lively again, as dinner hours had passed and it was now time for late-night snacks. The streets outside were lined with Southern Border-style barbecue stalls, their grills billowing white smoke.

Li Mo brought out skewers and dipping sauces.

The place was originally run by a retired squad leader, and on days off, many familiar faces from the barracks showed up, some even bringing their families. The atmosphere had the distinct vibe of a veterans’ barbecue gathering.

"Young Marquis, you’re eating here too?"

"Did you come alone? If you don’t mind, why not join us at our table?"

"Hu Zi, greet Brother Hou."

"Brother Hou."

"?"

Zhong Zhenyue hadn’t even taken a bite before he suddenly felt like he wasn’t that hungry anymore. In fact, he was sitting there as if on pins and needles.

Truth be told, he envied them. But the moment he recalled his experiences in Yunzhou, he couldn’t help but shudder.

"Where’s Sister Ling?" Zhong Zhenyue asked casually.

Li Mo placed the skewers on the grill and smiled mysteriously. "She said she needed the Proprietress’s help to change clothes."

"Change clothes?"

Zhong Zhenyue was baffled.

Before he could say much more, the door to the owner’s room swung open. Zhong Ling emerged, adorned with silver ornaments and dressed in Southern Border attire—relatively bold by Central Plains standards—and walked over gracefully.

And honestly? It had a certain charm to it.

Tsk, I wonder how the Ice Block would look in this outfit?

That waist of hers isn’t just a waist—it’s...

Li Mo turned his head, grinning as he prepared to observe Zhong Zhenyue’s reaction.

"Bold demoness! How dare you come to the Southern Border to torment me again!"

Zhong Zhenyue was instantly on guard, leaping up like a cat with its tail stepped on, brandishing a lamb skewer as if it were a weapon.

Li Mo: "..."

Talk about once bitten, twice shy.

But this reaction was well within Little Li’s expectations (thanks to his Heavenly Insight), and he’d already warned Zhong Ling about it.

"You ate your own... when you were four..."

"Sis, please stop..."

Zhong Zhenyue caved instantly. Zhong Ling twitched her lips, sat down beside him, and glanced at Little Li, who was calmly grilling skewers without a care. Feeling emboldened, she forced a sweet smile.

"Don’t call me ‘sis’ today. Makes me sound old."

"Here, have a skewer~"

"Here comes the little flying stick~"

Zhong Zhenyue was sweating bullets, gulping nervously. His eyes darted to Li Mo, screaming: Save me.

Unfortunately, Little Li was too busy getting smoked out by the grill to notice.

Before long, the entire tavern fell silent for a brief moment as the Ice Block—Ying Bing—gracefully stepped out of her room and took a seat beside Li Mo, resting her chin on her hand as she watched him grill.

Her gaze lingered on the pair nearby, a strange look in her eyes.

"What’s going on with them?"

"Probably... maybe... sort of... dating?"

"?"

Ying Bing’s usually aloof eyes, which had been focused on the skewers, now drifted subtly toward Zhong Zhenyue and Zhong Ling. The rising smoke from the grill only added to her ethereal aura—how absurd was that?

For a moment, she seemed lost in thought.

Dating...?

In her past life, her days had been filled with danger and intrigue. She disliked scheming against others, so she’d shut herself away in the Cassia Palace.

Aside from the occasional loneliness, she’d grown used to it.

But after being reborn, things changed. First, it was the daily meals, then training together, sharing a bed, soaking in the same bath, even massages...

Ying Bing felt dazed. How had all these things—once unimaginable—somehow become routine?

Does this... count as dating?

How exactly does one date?

Surely not the way he imagines it in his head...

She decided she ought to study up on it.

Just for reference, of course. Can’t be completely clueless about this, lest I end up following his ridiculous ideas...

Lost in her thoughts, she barely noticed when Little Li finished grilling the skewers—crispy, fragrant, and sizzling with oil.

Meanwhile, Zhong Ling had fully committed. Once she’d broken the ice, she shed all restraint.

"Gege, have a bite~" Zhong Ling swiftly picked up a grilled leek skewer.

"Pfft—cough cough cough!"

Zhong Zhenyue choked violently on the spice.

"..."

Ying Bing’s delicate brows furrowed.

Hmm, since I’m older than Li Mo, calling him ‘gege’ would be weird...

"Em..."

Li Mo pondered, realizing he might have overlooked something.

They’re not blood-related. Does Old Zhong know?

Just then—

Zhong Ling seemed to have reached her limit. She slammed her silver headpiece onto the table and grabbed Zhong Zhenyue by the collar.

"You little brat, stop playing hard to get! Eat this, dammit!"

"Y-yes, sis! You’re... choking me..."

Zhong Zhenyue surrendered.

And just like that, the mighty "Eight-Armed Young Flood Dragon," the valiant Young Marquis, sat there meekly nibbling on his skewer.

"Pfft..."

Little Li couldn’t help but laugh despite himself.

Negotiations failed, so she went straight to force. Half the tactics we discussed went unused—what a waste.

The onlookers couldn’t hold back their chuckles either.

Zhong Zhenyue, thoroughly embarrassed, waited until Zhong Ling went to fetch drinks before whispering:

"Brother Li, what’s gotten into her?"

"Old Zhong, didn’t you say you envied your buddies for settling down?"

"Yeah."

"Ever heard the poem: ‘Searching for her in the crowd a thousand times, only to find her where the lantern lights are dim’?"

Zhong Zhenyue fell into deep thought.

Ying Bing’s lashes fluttered as she tilted her head slightly, taking in the sight of the young man speaking so confidently.

The tavern buzzed with noise, the aroma of barbecue filled the air, and the warmth of the mortal world blurred everything—yet he stood out clearer than ever in her mind. Even with her eyes closed, she could picture his exact expression.

Zhong Zhenyue scratched his head.

"Brother Li, what does that mean? Can you put it plainly?"

"If your ‘sister’ isn’t actually your sister..."

"?"

"...would you still want to kiss your ‘sister’?"

"????"

Little Li felt he’d done his best.

Even if this fails, I’m still the MVP!

Just then, a skewer was held up to his lips. Little Li thought, My hands have a mind of their own, but they don’t feed me automatically. Turning, he found the Ice Block staring down at him.

She was holding out a grilled mushroom skewer.

"Eat."

"Huh?"

"Stinky little brother, eat."

......

The little underdog really didn't go play Black Myth - is it that good?