Free Web NovelChapter 1039: Chapter 715: Publicly Showing Affection [18] Shock! The Tool-User Netizens Awaken! (Part 2)
The second table only had two steamed buns, very simple.
[Feels like Nora Scott is a bit over the top. Three people, eight dishes, it’s such a waste.]
[Even if it’s to grab attention, there should be limits. Not playing by the rules does attract fans, but going too far is just showing off.]
[Seriously. Nora doing her own thing is one thing, but dragging Actor Chapman into it. Poor Chapman had such bad luck to meet Nora.]
[A perfectly fine actor with zero negative reviews, and he’s stuck in Nora’s hands. I saw someone trashing Chapman online today.]
[I’m curious to see what trick Nora will pull next. If she just calls a friend to cover the bill, that’s too predictable and boring. It’s a reality show after all, can’t they avoid unnecessary drama?]
...
In the livestream, as fans and casual viewers went off to have dinner, the traffic slightly dropped, and haters couldn’t wait to start emerging.
About an hour later.
The meal concluded.
Everyone was satisfied except for Lennon Turner and Margaret Stone.
The tool·server appeared again and told them: "Settle the bill at the first-floor cashier."
So, the three groups of guests headed downstairs one by one.
However—
They should have been able to leave after paying. But when Nora, Henry Chapman, and Pedro Langley went downstairs, the couples in the first two groups stayed on, seemingly eager to see a show.
"You need a receipt for it to be official."
Emily Bay twirled a receipt between her fingers, signaling that "dine and dash" wasn’t an option.
"Oh." Nora responded, calmly walking to the counter, "Give me the receipt."
"Sure."
The girl at the counter responded cheerfully and quickly printed out the receipt, handing it to Nora.
"Hey! Isn’t this against the rules?" Seeing this, Margaret Stone couldn’t hold back and rushed forward, "Young lady, she didn’t pay, and you just gave her a receipt? Even if you’re her fan, you shouldn’t disregard the rules."
In the livestream:
[Exactly, it should be done according to the rules.]
[How come no money is needed and yet Nora gets a receipt?]
[Fans are going overboard, right?]
[Openly giving preferential treatment?]
...
"Well..."
The girl at the counter blinked, looking at Margaret Stone then at Nora.
She answered honestly, "She’s the owner of our restaurant. No need for the owner to pay for a meal."
"..."
"..."
"..."
Silence filled the place.
"Owner?" A few seconds later, Margaret Stone spoke again, her voice wavering, "How is that possible?"
"I’m the big boss’s sister." The counter girl explained, "Back when my brother was struggling, Nora helped him open this restaurant. Calling her the owner is not wrong. This is a private restaurant. There’s no reason for the owner to pay for their meals, right?"
"..."
Indeed.
Margaret Stone was speechless.
And, just from this explanation, everyone’s heads were filled with ellipses and exclamations.
—Can this really happen?!
[Damn? And yet some say Nora doesn’t have plot armor or protagonist perks?!]
[...Are we just repeatedly humiliated tools?]
[The whole world revolves around Nora?!]
[I’m speechless.]
[Everywhere she goes, she’s known, and everything clears the way. Even a female protagonist’s script wouldn’t dare give such perks, right?]
[I want to know what Nora did in her past life to have such a big advantage in this one. Is it still time for me to imitate her past life’s experience?]
[Tech experts, come out! Smack me and tell me this is all fake! Nora is all arranged by capital!]
[Character setting! Script! I’m an idiot if I believe it!]
...
Once again, netizens went wild.
Margaret Stone opened her mouth to say something, but it turned into "How is that possible?" instead.
"Why not?" The counter girl tilted her head, asking in confusion.
"..."
Margaret Stone couldn’t comprehend the "why not," just felt this was all too bizarre.
She had heard of Nora’s uncanny contacts, recognized wherever she went during filming.
But she thought it’s only limited to the Northwest and a bit of Nora’s luck.
—This is a small town in the South!
"I’ve been to all ’Martial Arts Villages’." Nora said with one hand in her pocket, the other looped around Pedro, smiling, "Knowing a few people isn’t a big deal, right?"
"..."
Margaret Stone was too embarrassed to speak.
But, it was an explanation.
Nora started visiting all the "Martial Arts Villages" from the age of ten.
Her master used to send her out during summer and winter breaks, sometimes to deliver a message, sometimes to lend a hand. And her master had many friends in the martial world. The skilled ones were all outstanding individuals from each Martial Arts Village.
If Nora wanted to meet them, she had to travel to their hometowns.
Also, in the martial world, relationships are broad and complicated. Staying a few days and doing one or two things could be more exciting than what the average person experiences in a year.
"Let’s go."
Nora said to Pedro Langley and Henry Chapman, then ignored the others present, leaving the restaurant with them.
—The livestream would end once they left the restaurant.
After their departure, the guests and staff in the restaurant remained in a bewildered state for quite some time.
—Even the program team didn’t expect that the most reputable place they found locally was actually invested in by Nora!
—Nora is simply unbelievable.
In the livestream:
[I never thought I’d see this day.]
[... I have calmed down.]
[Whoever says don’t criticize Nora, you’re bound to be proven wrong? I believe it.]
[God’s favorite daughter.]
...
*
When they went back in the evening, it was only natural for Nora and Pedro to want Henry to continue being the driver.
Henry, having reached his limit, threw the car keys to Pedro, pushed Nora into the passenger seat, and took over the back seat himself.
Nora and Pedro exchanged a smile and complied with Henry.
"Here."
Henry handed his phone to Nora.
The program team had temporarily installed cameras in the villa, so once inside, Nora and Pedro would be in the "filmed" state again.
So it’s best not to use phones.
If they had to, it could only be done in the privacy of the car.
Henry wouldn’t be joining them for the program the next day.
He was here to experience "martial arts."
Filming the show was of no interest to him, and acting as a driver was even less appealing. His goals were clear; he didn’t want to waste time with Nora and the others.
Nora chuckled and asked, "What time do you want to visit?"
Henry pondered a moment and said, "Any time is fine."
So, Nora dialed a number saved in Henry’s phone in advance, telling the person to pick Henry up at nine in the morning. She also instructed them to give Henry a good tour of the Martial Arts School and Hall, and to showcase some skilled practitioners.
"Of course, of course. I’m a big fan of his."
The voice on the other end responded resolutely.
Nora hung up and returned the phone to Henry.
"He is the grandson of a local martial arts master, inheriting a whole lineage of skills. Not yet superior to the predecessor, but solid in martial arts. In the martial arts world, he’s considered quite formidable." Nora was in good spirits, giving Henry a brief introduction.
"Oh. Compared to you?" Henry asked.
"..."
Nora gave Henry a cool glance.
Henry pressed his lips together, understanding.
*
The journey continued in silence.
The car drove to the "Villains Valley."
Upon entering the community, it was anything but quiet; in fact, it became livelier.
Perhaps the restrictions at home had driven these martial folks to the community. There were gatherings for outdoor barbecues, card games, chess matches, and sessions of storytelling and banter ... everywhere, it was a buzz with activity.
This was a scene unseen in the city.
However, as the car moved inward, approaching the villa area, it gradually grew quieter.
Nora yawned, wanting to wash up and get a good rest.
At that moment—
A small figure was suddenly thrown into view, appearing under the car’s headlights.
Pedro quickly slammed on the brakes!
