Forest Hidden Blue

Going out to eat with Lin Mo was a rare treat for Jiang Yunlu.

Her family usually kept a close watch on her, with chauffeurs picking her up and dropping her off from Monday to Friday.

Even on weekends, it wasn’t often that she could arrange to meet Lin Mo—either she had cram school or family commitments.

So when she found out that Lin Mo frequently dined with Xie Yuling, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy.

Jiang Yunlu naturally looped her arm through Lin Mo’s.

Lin Mo didn’t pull away, his eyes fixed on the map as they walked out of the sports center.

The complex was quite large.

It took them over ten minutes to make their way from the badminton hall to the entrance.

“What are we eating today?” Jiang Yunlu asked, glancing up at the sky.

The weather was lovely.

Lin Mo checked his phone.

“How about Thai food? The reviews say the chef trained in Thailand—should be authentic,” he said, shaking his phone slightly to show the screen displaying a highly rated little restaurant.

Jiang Yunlu smiled, her lips curving into a charming arc. “Sounds perfect! I’ll trust your food radar, as always.”

She had complete faith in Lin Mo’s taste.

Side by side, they followed the map’s directions, weaving through a maze of narrow, aged alleyways.

After countless twists and turns, they found themselves standing in front of a residential building.

Jiang Yunlu couldn’t help but laugh. “Lin Mo, are you sure there’s a restaurant here? Don’t tell me we’re about to crash someone’s dinner.”

Lin Mo swept the area with his spiritual sense and quickly pinpointed the shop’s location before pocketing his phone.

“From here on out, I won’t even glance at my phone—I’ll lead us straight there.”

They squeezed past a cluttered, narrow passage, and suddenly, the space opened up slightly. Tucked beneath a weathered apartment building was an inconspicuous sign: Hidden Blue.

“Wow! You actually found it,” Jiang Yunlu exclaimed, gripping Lin Mo’s arm as she studied the place.

The restaurant was indeed tiny, its entrance so plain you could walk past it a hundred times without noticing.

But that only piqued her curiosity. “Hidden Blue? What an interesting name—like blue hidden in a forest?”

The blue lettering glowed faintly in the fading sunlight, adding a touch of mystery.

“Let’s head in first,” Lin Mo said, pushing open the slightly heavy glass door.

A wave of fragrance—lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and a hint of coconut—washed over them, instantly rewarding their search.

If it smelled this good, the food had to be delicious.

They exchanged a glance, sharing the same thought without words.

Hidden Blue lived up to its name in more ways than one—it was not only well-hidden but also cozy.

Just five small, rustic wooden tables, each draped in blue-and-white checkered cloths.

The walls were a soft sky blue, adorned with Thai-themed artwork and peculiar wooden carvings.

Three of the tables were already occupied, the low hum of conversation blending with the mouthwatering aromas in the air.

Lin Mo and Jiang Yunlu took a seat by the window.

A server in casual clothes, wearing an apron, approached with a warm smile.

“Table for two? Here’s our menu—our seafood tom yum soup and curry crab are must-tries! Even the shrimp crackers are imported straight from Thailand.”

She placed two glasses of lemon water in front of them.

Jiang Yunlu took the menu, her eyes sparkling as she flipped through it, and whispered to Lin Mo, "Just from the smell, I can tell it's going to be good. I'm already excited."

Lin Mo watched her eager expression and discreetly extended his divine sense to scan the kitchen.

Nothing unclean caught his attention.

These days, Lin Mo rarely bothered to check the cleanliness of restaurants with his divine sense when dining out.

After all, if he did, there might not be much left for him to eat.

But when it came to meals with Jiang Yunlu, he made sure to take a closer look.

As Jiang Yunlu held the menu, memories of their time at the Eight Dragons Ice House resurfaced.

She knew Lin Mo had a bottomless appetite.

So she tilted her head and looked at him.

"If I order a lot, can you finish it all?"

Lin Mo smiled. "Of course. Feel free to try more flavors."

Jiang Yunlu grinned and swiftly skimmed through the menu, her fingers dancing across the pages.

"Hmm, Thai spring rolls—these look good. Mango sticky rice, a must! Thai golden shrimp cakes, one order. Stir-fried morning glory, gotta have some greens. Charcoal-grilled pork neck, add that too. Oh, and lastly, some shrimp chips."

She rattled off the dishes in one breath, and Lin Mo couldn’t help but chuckle. "With that kind of delivery, you could perform a crosstalk routine."

Jiang Yunlu puffed her cheeks and glared at him. "I just really want to eat all of it!"

"Alright, alright. Jiang the pufferfish can order whatever she likes," Lin Mo teased, resting his chin on his hand with an indulgent smile.

The waiter’s pen paused mid-air as he glanced at Jiang Yunlu, then subtly eyed Lin Mo’s doting expression.

The restaurant’s menu was extensive, but her order included several hearty dishes—even the appetizers were sizable.

When confirming the order, the waiter’s smile stiffened slightly. He asked carefully,

"Just the two of you? These dishes might be too much. Would you like to reduce the order?"

His tone was polite, laced with subtle concern—he didn’t want the guests to waste food, nor did he want leftovers to affect the restaurant’s reputation.

Jiang Yunlu waved her hand dismissively, beaming. She pointed at Lin Mo. "Don’t worry, he’s a bottomless pit. This amount? No problem at all."

Lin Mo’s lips twitched almost imperceptibly, but he didn’t refute her, silently accepting the title.

The waiter studied Jiang Yunlu’s confidence and Lin Mo’s calm demeanor. Though still doubtful, he couldn’t insist further.

He could only pray inwardly that this "bottomless pit" lived up to the claim.

Politely collecting the menu, he said, "Very well, I’ll place your order now."

The kitchen sprang into action as soon as the order arrived—most dishes were made fresh to order.

Some, like the shrimp chips, were pre-prepared and served first.

These shrimp chips weren’t the brightly colored kind.

The rainbow varieties weren’t exactly artificial, just starch and food coloring, turning nearly transparent when fried.

But this restaurant’s chips seemed to be authentic Thai imports, made with real shrimp.

They fried up a pale golden-brown, opaque and fragrant.

Next came the Thai spring rolls.

The plate held just four spring rolls, but each one was nearly half the size of a palm.

Wrapped in Vietnamese rice paper, they were filled with squid, chicken, shredded cucumber, and fresh greens.

Dipped in fish sauce or Thai chili sauce, they tasted even better.

Jiang Yunlu took a bite and nodded in satisfaction.

"So delicious! I’ve never had this in Thai cuisine before."

Lin Mo couldn’t help but laugh. "This is actually Vietnamese food."