Chapter 81 - Chapter 81: Chapter 81: Perception Distance (1/2)

Chapter 81: Chapter 81: Perception Distance

Translator: 549690339

Chapter Eighty-One: The Range of Sensing

Throughout the meal, Xiang Kun continued to observe Tang Baona and others’ moods and physical changes, judging their preference over each dish and adjusting his understanding of their taste preferences accordingly.

However, this was information instinctively collected by his brain, not the result of deliberate observation.

After all, if he wanted to know their opinions and preferences of the dishes, he could simply ask. There was no reason for them to refrain from answering or lie on this matter.

But surprisingly, someone did lie…

“The crispy pork knuckle is the best, followed by the beef broth. The curry beef could be softened a bit more.” Xia Libing’s comments were as Xiang Kun expected, especially since the crispy pork knuckle was made specifically for her.

“I find the beef broth pretty delicious, and the dry pot rabbit meat isn’t bad. The stir-fried chicken is slightly salty. Overall, everything is very good! Sigh… I feel like I ate too much tonight. I’m probably going to put on weight.” Tang Baona, like the rest of the locals, generally preferred lighter tastes. Hence, Xiang Kun had prepared these dishes with a lighter touch to cater to their tastes. He could imagine that the dishes he sent to room 706 might taste somewhat bland to Liu Shiling and her mother.

“Um… I think… the stir-fried chicken tastes the best. Yes, that’s it.” Yang Zhen’er’s opinion was the briefest.

However, Xiang Kun immediately knew she was lying. Not only did her current state betray her insincere words, but her strong reactions to the dry pot rabbit meat were also blatantly obvious. There was no need for him to gauge from her facial expression, heartbeat, or smell. The amount she ate of it alone provided a clear indication.

However, he wasn’t surprised because Tang Baona had specifically asked him not to prepare rabbit meat during their previous phone call. But, later that night, when he texted her to clarify their taste preferences, Tang Baona informed him that if he wanted to make rabbit meat, she would have no objections as long as it was delicious.

Now it’s clear. When she asked him not to cook rabbit meat, it must have been at Yang Zhen’er’s behest. Tang Baona, on the other hand, intentionally wanted to see Yang Zhen’er “swooning” over the dish!

But how did she know that I could make rabbit meat that Yang Zhen’er would love?

After dinner, Xiang Kun went to the bathroom under the guise of flushing the toilet and regurgitated the stone and the food he had eaten.

The three girls cleaned up the dishes and leftover food before Tang Baona suggested playing Ludo – they did bring the board game today as promised!

Xiang Kun didn’t mind, given that the stakes were whoever lost had to wash the dishes…

Ludo is essentially a game of probability. While strategy doesn’t play a significant role, it does matter, especially when multiple people are playing.

Of course, if all three girls gang up against him, winning would indeed be challenging.

However, the wager was that the last person had to wash the dishes, meaning as long as he didn’t come last, he wouldn’t lose.

As the number of players on the field decreased, their influence on Xiang Kun also diminished. His chances of avoiding last place were still quite high.

But he wasn’t bothered about the dish-washing stake in the first place since he intended to do it anyway. So, after a rigorous battle on the Ludo board with the girls, he resigned himself to a seemingly reluctant last-place defeat and trudged off to wash the dishes.

If they so wanted to win against him, he would concede.

Because Xiang Kun deliberately controlled the pace, a game of Ludo lasted an hour. After chatting for a bit following the game, Tang Baona and her friends bid their farewells and left; it was not a weekend, after all, and they couldn’t afford late nights every day.

Returning home, Xiang Kun tidied up the kitchen, took the inner pot of the rice cooker to return it to Shilings Mom in room 706.

Given the late hour, Xiang Kun didn’t enter the room, instead handing her the inner pot on the doorstep and expressing his gratitude before preparing to leave.

But Shiling’s Mom stopped him, her face alive with curiosity, and asked, “So, which one of them is it?”

Xiang Kun was startled, responding, “What do you mean?”

“Your target! You must have a target among those three beautiful girls.”

“Uh… We’re just ordinary friends. I’m not currently considering dating.” Xiang Kun replied, touching his bald head.

Shiling’s Mom chuckled, “Don’t be embarrassed. It’s a natural thing for men and women to marry. Those three girls are all exceptional… If we’re strictly talking about looks and figure, it’s the tall one in overalls who is the prettiest. But, if we’re looking at personalities, the girl with the glasses seems cuter, and she’s beautiful too. The other girl seems fun, but I reckon you’d prefer someone more calm and gentle…”

Unable to fend off Shiling’s Mom’s burning curiosity, Xiang Kun quickly made an excuse, pretended to take a phone call, and escaped back home.

After gathering some equipment at home, Xiang Kun stepped out again, ready to continue with his pre-planned training for the night.

This Blood-drinking Period, aside from the ongoing learning and memory training, Xiang Kun had also scheduled physical training for himself.