Rebirth at the Start: This Fate is Too Explosive!

Chapter 484 Breakfast at the cafeteria: Crab Roe Soup Dumplings!

She skillfully picked up the sturdy ribbon that had been prepared beforehand, took a deep breath, and wrapped it tightly around and around her chest, binding her proud curves so tightly that she could hardly breathe, until they became flat and inconspicuous under her clothes.

Then, she picked up a small box of specially made, skin-colored ointment-like substance and, looking in the mirror, precisely applied a few realistic "freckles" and "mole" to her cheeks and forehead. She then made her originally smooth and shiny hair slightly frizzy and let her thick bangs cover her overly bright eyes once again.

Finally, she put on the faded, oversized old T-shirt and equally shapeless pants.

In the mirror, the breathtakingly beautiful girl disappeared, and she returned to being the silent, ordinary, and seemingly about to blend into the crowd.

She pushed open the door, her clothes damp and carrying the distinctive scent of soap from the bathroom. With her head down, she silently walked back to her bed.

As usual, she retreated into that safe corner that belonged only to her.

......

The morning sunlight, carrying a hint of coolness, gently shone on the sycamore trees in front of the boys' dormitory building, whose branches and leaves were gradually becoming more lush.

Xian Zuling and Su Luming were already waiting as promised under the familiar sycamore tree, with the bluestone path under their feet slightly damp with morning dew.

Unlike usual, their hands were empty.

Last night, Ye Fan specifically instructed that breakfast was not necessary.

Today, he's going to take them to the cafeteria to try the authentic crab roe soup dumplings and delicious shrimp roe wontons that he's been longing for.

Ye Fan's fondness for Huaiyang cuisine is well-known in the dormitory, and crab roe soup dumplings are a classic Huaiyang morning tea delicacy.

The production process of these soup dumplings is extremely meticulous.

The main ingredients are freshly extracted crab roe and meat, carefully simmered pork skin jelly, high-quality flour, and concentrated chicken broth.

Its soul lies in the thin, delicate noodles, and the rich, hot broth inside.

There's even a set of rules for how to eat it: "Lift gently, move slowly, open a window first, then sip the soup."

Compared to soup dumplings from other places, it has almost demanding requirements for the elasticity of the dough, the umami concentration of the soup, and the freshness and proportion of crab meat and crab roe.

Many small shops, either due to cost constraints (using dead crabs or less crab roe) or poor skills (thick skin, bland or greasy broth), often produce crabs that merely look the part but lack the amazing freshness and satisfaction.

Fortunately, there is a stall run by an experienced chef on the second floor of the Nanjing University cafeteria. His crab roe soup dumplings are highly praised by teachers and students. They are available in limited quantities every day, so if you go too late, you really won't be able to get any.

She had never tasted the ancestral offering before, and when she heard that Ye Fan wanted to eat it, she secretly felt a little excited.

Before long, Ye Fan, leaning on his crutches, appeared at the entrance of the dormitory building.

He saw the two people waiting under the tree right on time, and a slightly surprised smile appeared on his face: "Wow, so early today?"

The spirit of the ancestor remained quiet, only glancing up at him slightly as a response.

Su Luming stepped forward briskly, reaching out to help him up as if it were a habit, while complaining in a crisp voice:

"Of course I had to be early! You have no idea how popular that crab roe soup dumpling shop is! They only make a limited number of steamers each day, and if you go too late, you won't even get a hot dumpling skin! I went there several times last semester and it was all for nothing!"

Her tone was slightly exaggeratedly anxious, but her bright eyes shone with longing for delicious food.

Ye Fan nodded in agreement, leaning slightly against Su Luming's outstretched arm. "That makes sense! Looks like you two are even more eager than this glutton. So what are we waiting for? Let's go!"

He leaned on his cane, his steps slow but his direction unusually firm, as if the steaming, sizzling crab roe soup dumplings were beckoning him.

Xian Zuling silently followed, walking on Ye Fan's other side and supporting his other arm.

......

The three of them then headed to the cafeteria.

The cafeteria was already bustling with activity in the early morning, and a warm mist filled the air with the aromas of various breakfasts.

The shrimp roe wontons and crab roe soup dumplings are especially tempting with their fresh and fragrant aroma.

When they reached the crab roe soup dumpling window on the second floor, Su Luming was calculating which line to join to save time when his gaze inadvertently swept over Ye Fan's empty hands.

She was a little curious as to why Ye Fan hadn't brought his books. She hadn't noticed while helping him to the restaurant, but her eyes widened in surprise as she exclaimed, "Hey! Ye Fan! Where are your textbooks? You have two classes this morning!"

Ye Fan, leaning on his cane, didn't stop walking and said in a relaxed tone, "Oh, that. I have some important plans this morning, so I won't be going to the classroom."

He turned his head and raised his chin at Xian Zuling, who had been silently following beside him: "Xian Zuling, you'll come with me later too."

"What?!" Su Luming raised his voice instantly.

She quickly lowered her voice, but her tone was still full of disbelief and the sense of responsibility she had as the class monitor: "You two are going to...skip class? How can that be! If you get caught, you'll lose points for your participation!"

Her delicate eyebrows furrowed tightly, and she had a look on her face that said, "Are you all crazy?"

Ye Fan stopped and turned around, a familiar, slightly roguish smile on his face, as if reassuring a startled child: "Secretary Su, don't be so nervous!"

He counted on his fingers, speaking slowly:

"First, the teacher might not even take attendance; you know his personality. Second, even if he suddenly decides to take attendance, there's always you. You're the model student union secretary; you can easily find a legitimate reason like helping the counselor organize urgent materials to ask for leave for the ancestral offering—it's just a matter of a word, isn't it?"

He paused, then his smile widened: "As for me, that's even simpler. If Ye Fan is called, that kid Li Yifeng will immediately raise his fan-like hands and loudly answer for Comrade Xiao Ji! And if the real Xiao Ji is called, it'll just mean he didn't come!"

He continued, "Anyway—I've already bought out the naming rights to Xiao Ji for a long time!"

Su Luming was taken aback by his logically clear "emergency plan". After thinking about it carefully, it seemed that... that was indeed the case!

These teachers do indeed frequently skip roll call, and students can easily fabricate excuses for leaving the dorm. Li Yifeng impersonating Xiao Ji is an open secret in the dormitory...

But she still felt something was off and pressed, "Then why did you skip class? And why did you choose a time when you had class in the morning? You didn't have class in the afternoon, couldn't you have gone to the library?"

Her gaze swept back and forth between Ye Fan and the bowed ancestral spirit, carrying a hint of inquiry and "Are you hiding something from me?"

Ye Fan rolled his eyes inwardly. This girl really knows how to get to the bottom of things...