Jessica finally found herself at a loss for words. (*3) Today's events had unsettled her, and despite resisting the urge to drool over the steaming food, she exhaled sharply before sitting across from Fang Senyan:

"These tools aren't edible," she said, "Promise me one thing and I'll forget about punching you. Takeout dinner at InterContinental - Australian lobster on me!"

Fang Senyan's voice dripped with frost:

"No promises."

Jessica choked again, realizing this was the first time in her life she'd met someone who defied all social norms. "You don't even ask what it is before rejecting me?"

He scoffed,

"How long have we known each other? What would you find appealing about me? It's just a damn drag race."

"Can I pay cash then? Just name your price!" Jessica felt her resolve crumbling.

Fang Senyan smirked,

"Do I look like someone in dire need of money?"

The memory of him throwing out $20,000 for a single glass of Cognac came back to silence her just as the waiter delivered stir-fried pork ribs. Mistaking Jessica's association with Fang Senyan, he handed over chopsticks. The dish looked unassuming until Jessica took a bite - sweet and sour sauce coating crispy batter, succulent pork absorbing every flavor under thick glaze. Her eyes widened instantly.

The first bite led to unstoppable consumption. After finishing several ribs, her target shifted to the plum-blossom shrimp nearby. Freshness burst in every chew as plump shrimps fused with garlic, scallions and plum essence. The sweet-sour medley harmonized perfectly with oceanic freshness.

At twenty years old, Fang Senyan had endured death-defying trials within the nightmare space. Seeing Jessica's unspoiled nature despite her coddled upbringing softened his stance slightly. He pointed at the tangle-vegetable offal soup:

"Drink."

Unappealing in appearance, even Jessica would normally ignore it. Under his piercing gaze, she hesitantly tasted a spoonful and gasped - sweet crisp greens in clear broth with just enough white pepper to elevate without overpowering.

As she reached for another ladleful, Fang Senyan stopped her, calling out:

"Bring her spinach liver soup."

Jessica protested instantly:

"No! I want this one, I never eat liver!"

Ignoring her complaints, he stated flatly:

"After injury, spinach liver broth replenishes blood most effectively."

Her defiant posture collapsed mid-protest. When the new soup arrived, she sipped silently while tears slid down her still-puffy cheeks into the bowl.

Sometimes a single careless remark can shatter a girl's defenses. Beneath Jessica's rebellious exterior lay deep longing for genuine care - but everyone around her either ignored this need or offered tainted affection. This stranger's indifferent concern struck straight to her core, untainted by ulterior motives.

After eating his fill and paying the bill, Fang Senyan rose to leave. Jessica looked up in alarm:

"Where are you going?"

He smiled faintly:

"Home. To sleep. By the way, your friend will arrive soon - go home early tomorrow, get a proper splint for that left hand."

As he exited into the night, she sat motionless, watching his retreating figure with lingering wistfulness...

...

Fang Senyan deliberately avoided detection but later realized no one had pursued the bar incident. This was typical in Hong Kong - even murders went unsolved without witnesses. Using prior contacts, he began searching for Da Si's group while worrying about their storm survival chances. After a week-long delay, he descended into the building and re-entered the nightmare space.

First priority: checking the fused black stone anchor attributes! Sprinting toward the western military zone, other contracters barely reacted to his frenzy - some even silently wished him failure in their hearts. He rushed into an empty service room and demanded retrieval of the fusion equipment. A brand new artifact materialized before him.

**Equipment Rarity:** Silver Story Tier

**Stats Boosted:** Strength/Agility/Stamina +2

**Drawbacks Added:** Charisma -5, Attack Cooldown Extended 5%

**Passive Ability:** Pain Accumulation (Gain temporary stamina increase upon damage; stackable up to two layers for 300 seconds)

**Special Effect at Max Stack:** Giant's Soul manifestation grants additional 50 HP and 15% melee attack boost.

**Requirements:** Stamina > 10,000

**Weight:** 104 grams

Despite the mountain monster's aggressive nature, this artifact proved formidable. The scarred Henry mark had vanished entirely - enemies now whispered about calling it "The Giant's Stone" in mockery.

This upgrade satisfied Fang Senyan greatly. Without hesitation, he applied the hard-earned Quart Type Metal Dissolution Elixir onto the upgraded "Giant's Resolve". After bright lights flared:

**System Message:** You may claim this item immediately for standard enhancement only.

**Or store it in a culture dish to maximize elixir effects...**

**Warning:** Maximum effect duration could be excessively long due to elixir instability.

Fang Senyan shrugged off the dilemma - he never chased perfection at extreme risk. The ordinary enhancement would suffice until his next world entry. Better safe than overambitious!

Returning home, he found a disaster scene: goblin goldmine snored on the floor with drool pooling beneath its yellow whiskers. His room had become a trash dump - blackened walls, makeshift stove burning in red bricks, dented kettle whistling while beer bottles and orange soda cartons cluttered every corner.

Fang Senyan massaged his temples in disbelief:

"God! How did my space turn into a junkyard?"

The goblin opened sleep-crusted eyes lazily:

"Don't touch my precious treasures, Master."

Enraged beyond reason, he kicked the pile of trash shouting:

"Clear this mess out NOW!"