Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism

Chapter 256 Good Cop, Bad Cop

"What are we going to do for lunch, then?"

"Why have so many of the town's restaurants closed up?"

"Are they no longer open for business? It's all rather peculiar!"

The inn staff were taken aback to find them all still in town.

"Didn't you lot go out rowing together?"

"No."

"Well, that's a shame!"

The inn staff looked genuinely sorry. "Your school had organised the rowing activity to finish up at Lake Skyward, famous for its crabs. Many of the town's restaurant owners were called in to help cook there, but you missed out."

Half of the restaurant owners were busy preparing meals, while the rest didn't want to miss the crab feast and set off early in the morning.

That was why the town was now so quiet.

On hearing this, everyone was dumbfounded.

Silence grasped them.

Then, shock grabbed their hearts.

What? Today's rowing is meant to end with a crab feast at Lake Skyward!?

Good Lord, we've missed out, big time!

Why hadn't they mentioned this earlier?

up, "Why didn't you tell us yesterday? I would have definitely joined

is near our town, and it's really renowned. Didn't you check all

"No."

though we didn't prepare meals today, we've got plenty of instant noodles in the pantry to tide you

compare to a crab

They were speechless.

Words failed them.

fruitless task,

out quick. I'm famished. Haven't eaten

a staff member to fetch the instant noodles, but cautioned, "Mind you, the instant noodles aren't complimentary." Silence

covered by the school, hence there

that was open for everyone, these students opting

of Lake Skyward, Violeta and her companions had already assembled at the

dictated first-come, first-served, it was more of a motivational ploy for the rowers. In the end, everyone would have an

mansion, a bountiful spread of fresh food awaited, buffet-style, offering

crab banquet was

they could feast

acquire keepsakes carved from wood. They were made in the image of

lot of work into these souvenirs. Every crab had little differences between one another, but all looked like they could spring to life at any moment. Post-feast, they were treated to crab-catching and a tour of the ecological farms, an enlightening

proved a hearty affair, eclipsing lunch in both warmth

transport was arranged, and they were all

a day's end that couldn't have been

couple who had joined Violeta's group couldn't hide

hesitant about the boating trip, they had expected little

know they were headed for such

captured numerous photos and shared them, quickly catching the eye of

back at the inn, everyone else made do with instant noodles. They crumbled about the

meal