"Boss, you take your time strolling with Sister Gu Yue. We're heading out to grab some food too."
With a wave of farewell from Tang Wulin and the others, the group quickly disappeared from Tang Luochuan's sight.
No one wanted to disturb their boss and his future wife, least of all his close brothers.
"Your little brother..."
"Sure knows how to read the room."
Gu Yue watched the scene with an elegant smile. Of course he did—he never complained whenever she monopolized Luo Chuan's time.
"Absolutely..."
Tang Luochuan nodded. Wu Lin had always been a well-behaved and sensible kid, and now he even looked at Gu Yue with the reverence of a younger brother toward his future sister-in-law.
Hmm...
Maybe Wu Lin was even hoping Gu Yue would stick to him like glue?
"Let's go. We said we'd try some street food today. Now, where was that food street again?"
Tang Luochuan snapped out of his thoughts and turned to the girl beside him, his expression calm.
"Is that so?"
"Then I'll just follow Luo Chuan's lead."
Gu Yue nodded.
"Sounds good."
"..."
Before long, Tang Luochuan and Gu Yue had arrived at Donghai North Food Street.
Everywhere they looked, delicious treats abounded—countless small eateries and street stalls lined the bustling area.
As one of Donghai City's many food streets, the offerings here were dazzling. Though the ingredients might not be extravagant, the flavors were undeniably fantastic.
"What should we eat..."
"Luo Chuan, let's try that place! I've never seen this before!"
Gu Yue pointed at a small shop, smiling.
"Oh?"
"Sure."
Following her finger, Tang Luochuan caught a whiff of rich, mouthwatering aromas—the scent alone was enough to entice.
Then, a large sign came into view: Braised Beef in a Jar.
"Huh?"
"This braised beef..."
Tang Luochuan pondered for a moment before realization struck.
Wasn't this the exact dish Xie Xie had introduced to Wu Lin in the original story? The same place where Xie Xie recounted that encounter he despised so much? Please don't tell him Wu Lin and the others would show up here too...
"Young man, care for some braised beef?"
The shop owner, a middle-aged man, smiled warmly in their direction.
"One serving, please."
Tang Luochuan nodded in agreement. Just then, a loud voice reached his ears from a distance:
"Since the boss isn't around today, I'll take you guys here first. Don't let the modest setting fool you—the taste is amazing."
"I love this place! And speaking of which, I have to tell you about this one encounter..."
"Eh?"
"Boss?!"
Xie Xie and the others appeared on the scene. He had been about to continue his story when his gaze landed on Tang Luochuan nearby, leaving him momentarily stunned.
Could it be...
Did the boss also like braised beef in a jar?
"Brother, you're here too?"
Behind Xie Xie, both Zhang Yangzi and Tang Wulin couldn't help but ask. After wandering around, they had somehow crossed paths again.
"What a coincidence."
Tang Luochuan couldn't help but sigh.
From a distance, the familiar voice reached his ears—it seemed he got exactly what he wished for.
"This way,"
"we can all eat together."
Tang Luochuan couldn't help but laugh. Gu Yue's hope for some alone time was likely dashed now.
"It's fine. They're your friends, after all. No big deal."
Gu Yue shook her head, not dwelling on it.
Though she would have preferred spending time alone with Luo Chuan, she wouldn't insist on it if situations like this arose.
"Huh?"
"Xie Xie's here."
Upon hearing Xie Xie's voice, the shop owner immediately brightened up, a smile spreading across his face.
"Uncle Li."
Xie Xie greeted him warmly.
"Haven't seen you in a while! Are these all your friends? Good, good! It's great to make more friends."
"Kids, just wait here. Uncle will go prepare the braised beef for you right away…"
The owner didn't linger long and soon headed back to his small shop, beaming with joy.
"Xie Xie, you and that uncle seem really close."
Watching the scene, Tang Wulin couldn't help but remark. After all, the owner had been all smiles the moment he saw Xie Xie.
"Yeah."
"I come here often to eat. Even when I was little, my mom used to bring me here all the time…"
Xie Xie's expression grew distant as he spoke.
Slowly, his thoughts drifted to the origin of his name—derived from that fateful encounter. His mother had named him in gratitude for the moment she met his father under a cherry blossom tree.
But he'd rather…
that encounter had never happened.
"Never mind that. Today, let's all enjoy the food. The braised beef here is amazing—just take your time eating it, or else…"
"you'll end up devouring it all in one go."
Xie Xie snapped out of his thoughts, composing himself before putting on a mysterious smile.
"Hahaha!"
"Then I'll make sure to eat even more."
Tang Wulin's eyes sparkled with anticipation. Good food? Now that was something he couldn't resist.
"I wonder how long it'll take…"
Crash!
Just then, the sound of a plate shattering rang out from inside the shop, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
"That's not right. Uncle Li is always so careful, so careful!"
Xie Xie's face twisted in confusion. But the next moment, under his bewildered gaze, something else was thrown out—this time, it was Uncle Li himself.
"Uncle Li!"
Xie Xie gasped in shock, rushing forward to help him up, his face full of concern. What was going on?!
"Old Li, enough with the nonsense. Don't you understand the simple Reason of paying protection money? You give me money, I protect you—no one bullies you. Simple Reason."
"Pay up."
Behind Uncle Li stood a towering man, looking down at him with a domineering air. He was burly, imposing, and completely bald.
"Brother Guang Long, it's not that I don't want to pay. I just can't afford to anymore. My wife is sick, and I'm saving up for her treatment…"
"If I don't have the money, she'll die."
Uncle Li pleaded almost desperately.
His wife now needed to spend a considerable amount of money every day just to have a chance at recovery—how could they possibly afford to pay protection fees?
"Your wife?"
"What does your wife's illness have to do with me?"
"You got a wife, but I don't? If you don't give me money, how am I supposed to feed your old lady? Hand it over now!"
Guang Long snorted coldly, speaking with displeasure.
"Pay me the protection fee, and at the very least, I won't come around to bully you. But if you don't pay, I'll make your life miserable..."
"What does your wife's safety have to do with collecting protection fees? You can't short me even a single cent!"
"If you really dare to refuse, Li, do you think this little shop of yours will stay open for long?"
(End of Chapter)