The call ended, and Yangyang let out another soft laugh. Noah had no idea what she found so amusing.
But he had to admit, being around someone in such a good mood was infectious—it lifted his own spirits and made him feel just as cheerful.
"General Jiyan had to rush back to the Midnight Rangers last night after his report. He said he regretted not meeting you in person and asked me to pass on his thanks."
As they walked, Yangyang steered the conversation.
"He also said that if you ever want to visit the Norfall Barrens as a guest, he'll make sure to treat you well."
"That Jiyan guy's pretty decent, huh."
Noah shrugged playfully.
"Hopefully he doesn't drag me into fighting Ovathrax when I get there."
According to the main storyline, Retroact Rain would start falling in about two days, and Ovathrax would take the chance to launch a massive assault on Jinzhou.
Oh, right—and Phrolova, an Overseer of the Fractsidus, would also summon a horde of Tacet Discords to attack the city.
No big deal. In the game's plot, Jinzhou survived the crisis without much trouble—as long as the Rover was found within those two days.
Yangyang couldn't help laughing at Noah's remark.
"How could he? You'd be a guest. General Jiyan wouldn't drag you into fighting a Threnodian—oh, look, the Central Resonance Beacon is right ahead."
The Central Resonance Beacon—Jinzhou's largest server. It managed the city's map data, defense systems, and regional information, though for most people its main function was navigation.
Under Yangyang's guidance, Noah placed his Pangu Terminal on the beacon.
[Module "Map" — Unlocked.]
A line of text only Noah could see appeared. Now he could pull up the Jinzhou map whenever he wanted.
Unfortunately, unlike in the game, he couldn't just click a beacon on the map and instantly teleport across the world.
He still had to walk.
His current panel had nine functions: Summon, Quests, Mail, Exploration, Inventory, Resonators, Data Bank, Team, and Map.
Huh!
Noah suddenly noticed a red dot on the Mail icon. He instinctively opened it and found a new message.
[Compensation]From the Wuthering Waves team: To thank everyone for their understanding and patience with current issues affecting the experience, we are distributing compensation… (omitted)
Attached: 10 Radiant Tides.
Noah recognized this as one of the server-launch compensation mails from the game. He had no idea why he was receiving them, but he claimed the reward without hesitation.
Ten pulls secured.
Current resources: Radiant Tides ×30, Lustrous Tides ×30, Astrite ×1800, Shell Credits ×380,000.
"We're almost at Panhua's Restaurant—look."
Following the direction Yangyang pointed, Noah looked up and saw Chixia high on the stairs, gripping the handrail and waving enthusiastically.
"Yangyang! Noah! Hurry up!"
"Coming, coming!"
They climbed the stairs, rounded a corner, and there it was—the famous Panhua's Restaurant. Steam from bamboo steamers mingled with charcoal smoke, creating an inviting aroma that made mouths water even from a distance.
"Auntie Panhua, I brought friends! This time we want—"
Chixia, who had been talking to Auntie Panhua, suddenly turned and asked:
"Noah, what flavors do you like?"
Before Noah could answer, Auntie Panhua's eyes widened in shock, her voice carrying a thick local accent.
"Oh my goodness! Chixia, this is Noah—the great hero who saved Jinzhou?"
"Yes, Auntie Panhua. This is the heroic Noah who defeated the Fractsidus member Scar and rescued Jinzhou."
With confirmation, Auntie Panhua's enthusiasm exploded. She quickly wiped her hands on her apron and warmly ushered Noah in.
"Come in, come in! It's my honor to have the great hero visit Panhua's Restaurant. Shuncai, prep the ingredients—I'm pulling out my best cooking for the great hero!"
The three sat down, and soon dish after dish was brought to the table.
Jinzhou Skewers, Jinzhou Hotpot, Jinzhou Mala Tang, Red-Oil Hand-Torn Chicken, Spicy Meat Slices, Sparrow-Plume Spicy Meat, Fragrant Lemon Stew…
"Okay, okay, Auntie Panhua, no more—we can't finish all this!"
"It's fine, it's fine! Take the leftovers home, on the house!"
Noah hurriedly stopped the fiery enthusiasm of Auntie Panhua. After much persuasion, he finally convinced her to stop.
Yangyang swallowed a big mouthful, her face glowing with happiness.
"This is the first time I've seen Auntie Panhua this excited. You're the reason, Noah."
"Man, she's too enthusiastic—I'm a little overwhelmed. I've never experienced anything like this before."
Noah picked up a piece of red-oil hand-torn chicken, still a bit shaken.
"I just did what I could. Auntie Panhua's going overboard."
"You say it so casually, but what you did meant everything to Jinzhou."
Chixia fished a slice of meat from the mala tang and continued:
"Speaking of which, while patrolling today, everyone looked at me differently. They treat me like a hero now—wherever I go, I'm welcomed."
Noah nodded in agreement.
"You deserve it. The people of Jinzhou were saved in part because of you."
"By that logic, the gratitude you're getting is also well-earned. So don't feel awkward about it."
Hearing that, Noah paused. He hadn't expected Chixia to turn his own words back on him. He couldn't help laughing.
"Alright, you win."
They were only halfway through lunch when word somehow got out. More and more people started showing up at Panhua's Restaurant, pretending to eat while sneaking glances at Noah.
Gradually the place filled up. Some people, finding no seats, simply stood.
Noah felt like a panda in a zoo, constantly under hundreds of curious gazes.
If it weren't improper, some might have even reached out to touch him.
So this is what it feels like to be a hero—a public figure.
Under everyone's stares, they hurriedly finished their meal. Noah found Auntie Panhua to settle the bill.
Hero or not, heroes don't eat for free—especially since he had plenty of Shell Credits.
After several refusals from Auntie Panhua, Yangyang finally mentioned that the meal was being covered by the Magistrate of Jinzhou. Only then did Auntie Panhua accept payment, while warmly inviting Noah to come back anytime.
As soon as the three left, the crowd inside finally burst into excited discussion.
"So that's what the great hero who saved Jinzhou looks like—tall, handsome, and fair-skinned."
"They were eating so happily—I didn't dare speak loudly earlier, afraid of disturbing them."
"Hahaha, I think the hero is pretty down-to-earth. When he ate the skewers, he finished them in one bite like me, mouth full of oil."
"Boss, boss! Ten orders of Jinzhou Skewers for me too!"
"Here come the little flying sticks!"
Outside, Noah and the others chatted as they walked.
"Being too popular isn't always great—getting stared at by so many people."
Seeing Noah's wry expression, Yangyang couldn't help smiling, her eyes curving into pretty crescents.
"The people of Jinzhou are warm, hospitable, and sincere. You might feel a bit troubled now, but you'll definitely grow to love this city."
At that moment, strolling around Jinzhou, Noah had no idea that the enthusiasm of its people was only just beginning.