Su Mo's mind momentarily went blank.
The familiar scene reappeared before his eyes.
He saw the fried rice stall again, along with the small bucket of coins placed on the counter.
Immediately, Su Mo realized he had returned to his world.
In front of him, a customer had just taken the fried rice and was about to leave.
This exact scene was identical to the moment right before Su Mo entered the Mist Space.
"So that means the time spent inside the Mist Space might only be a blink of an eye in this world—maybe it's even seamless, without costing any time at all," Su Mo thought to himself.
If the Mist Space really had this property, then if he ever encountered an unbeatable enemy, he could just escape into the Mist Space.
He could wait there until some powerful ally showed up, or until he himself grew strong enough to defeat the enemy and then emerge again.
It might be a bit of a sneaky tactic, but it's safe.
Definitely a solid ace up his sleeve.
Just as he was thinking this, the customer holding the fried rice left, revealing the slender figure of Eina behind him.
Seeing the delicate silhouette and her distinctly elven ears, Su Mo suddenly recalled the conversation he had with this guild official before entering the Mist Space.
At that time, without the "golden finger" power-up, he was strongly resisting going into the dungeon.
No matter how much Eina persuaded him, he refused, even managing to convince her instead.
"..."
Thinking about it now, Su Mo felt a bit speechless.
For the first time, he realized that having great persuasive skills could also be troublesome.
But now, with the golden finger power in hand, he absolutely had to venture into the dungeon.
Otherwise, he couldn't explain the strength he now possessed.
With this thought, Su Mo apologized to the next customer briefly, then immediately called out to Eina.
"Wait, Miss Eina!"
Hearing the call from behind, the half-elf girl turned around and looked at Su Mo.
"What's up? Is there something you need help with?"
She asked with curiosity.
Although he had refused to enter the dungeon, and they probably wouldn't have much interaction afterward, Eina was still willing to talk with Su Mo because of his good looks.
This was the reality of a world where appearance mattered so much.
"Yeah, actually there is something."
Su Mo nodded. "Miss Eina, you mentioned before that if I ever changed my mind, I could come to you anytime, and you could provide dungeon strategy and other related info and services, right?"
"That's right."
Eina looked slightly puzzled.
Of course she remembered saying that.
But why was he suddenly bringing it up now? Could it be...
Just as this wild thought crossed her mind, Su Mo voiced it out loud.
"That's exactly it. I'm not waiting for some other time—I've already changed my mind."
"Huh?"
Eina was stunned. Even though she had her suspicions, she found it hard to believe what she just heard.
"What did you just say?"
She asked in disbelief.
"I said, I've changed my mind right now. I suddenly want to go on a dungeon adventure."
Su Mo spoke clearly and deliberately.
It was precisely because he said it so plainly that Eina's surprise only grew.
"Are you joking? Didn't you just say the dungeon was too dangerous and you didn't want to go?"
"But now, I've come to realize something."
Su Mo wore an expression of sudden enlightenment.
"Since I've become an adventurer, how could I be afraid to even step into a dungeon? That would be too cowardly. It's just some danger—how can an adventurer let that stop them?"
Su Mo spoke passionately, but Eina's expression grew increasingly strange.
"Adventurers shouldn't just recklessly rush into danger—let's leave that aside for now."
Shaking her head, Eina gave him a look of disbelief and said,
"Weren't you just saying earlier, very firmly, that your dream was to live a peaceful, plant-like life? That adventuring wasn't really your thing?"
"...I do want that peaceful, plant-like life, of course," Su Mo waved his hand.
"But now I suddenly realize that exploring dungeons—that's the true romance of being an adventurer. So I've decided to pursue a romantic life of adventure."
Aina fell silent for a moment, then asked,
"You also said your little shop actually makes more money than the average adventurer. So, are you not planning to run the shop anymore?"
"Ahem."
Clearing his throat smoothly, Su Mo answered like water flowing down a stream,
"The shop's been open for a month now, but the secret recipe for my Yangzhou fried rice has already been copied by other owners. I figure in another month, there'll be fried rice just like mine all over the place. So this shop was never going to last. Better to be an adventurer in the dungeon."
As expected from Su Mo—his talent for nonsense was impressive. In a blink, he spun a whole story that left Eina completely dumbfounded.
"..."
Eina was beginning to question her life choices.
How could he be right whether he said one thing or the exact opposite?
The very reason he used to reject her just moments ago, he had now completely overturned.
After a long silence, Eina looked up.
She felt like she'd gained a brand-new understanding of Su Mo right then.
With a resigned tone, she confirmed,
"Alright, if you're so sure about this, then I don't have any objections."
"Just… you're not going to change your mind again later, are you?"
"Of course not, I never go back on my word."
Su Mo patted his chest with confidence.
Seeing this, Eina's eye twitched. She felt like she'd seen this scene before.
Wasn't it the same guarantee he gave when he said he would definitely not go to the dungeon?