When Jiang Fuyue and her group came out after their meal, they saw Edmond sitting at the shop entrance, perched on a small stool. With his long limbs tucked in, he was holding a baguette and eating it with great relish.
With each bite, he let out a little gasp of delight, his face full of contentment.
“Pfft—”
Huo Fanjin couldn’t hold back. “And here I thought he was something special. One baguette and he turns into a total goofball.”
Fanye swallowed. “He’s eating it so deliciously though…”
Fang Canyang nodded. “Smells good.”
Then, he exchanged a glance with Fanye and turned back inside to get one for himself.
Gao Zhaoming and Huang Hui followed right behind.
Jelena, looking curious, trailed after them.
Huo Fanjin: “Are you guys for real?”
Even as she complained, her feet moved on their own, diving straight into the crowd.
“……”
Lin Shumo put away his phone and turned to Jiang Fuyue. “Zhong Ziang wants to take us out for late-night eats. You in?”
Before Jiang Fuyue could answer, Zhong Ziang arrived.
He first greeted Lin Shumo with a smile, but when he turned to Jiang Fuyue, his expression immediately turned aggrieved and his tone took on a whiny edge. “Didn’t invite me to dinner? Stingy.”
Jiang Fuyue’s mouth twitched.
“I’m generous though—treating you to a midnight snack. No refusing. You have to come.”
“……”
Zhong Ziang went to ask the others, but everyone shook their heads—
Huo Fanjin: “No way, I’m stuffed. I can’t even drink a sip of water now. You guys go.”
Fanye: “I need to be back at the hotel before eight.”
The rest declined too—either not hungry or wanting to rest.
So in the end, the midnight snack group consisted of just Zhong Ziang, Lin Shumo, and Jiang Fuyue.
Jiang Fuyue was about to bow out too, when Zhong Ziang suddenly protested—
“You’re really playing favorites now. Too much!”
Jiang Fuyue looked at him blankly, as he started to grumble: “You gave Yici a KT drone for his birthday. I looked it up—limited edition! And me? You didn’t even invite me to dinner. Now I’m treating you and you still won’t come? Tell me—what’s he got that I don’t?”
Jiang Fuyue was caught off guard.
“Is he better looking than me? Richer than me?”
“……”
“Anyway, I want a clear answer—are you coming or not?” His pitiful tone couldn’t hide the firmness of his demand.
Lin Shumo turned his head, unable to bear watching.
In the end, Jiang Fuyue: “Fine. I’ll go.”
Young Master Zhong grinned. “That’s more like it—fair and square…”
Before leaving, she turned back and gave Cao Dou a few instructions.
He glanced toward the entrance, nodded. “Got it. I’ll take care of it in a bit.”
Fifteen minutes later, a plate of egg fried rice was placed in front of Edmond, who had just finished gnawing on his baguette.
Edmond looked puzzled. “This for me?”
Cao Dou: “Yup.”
“Why?”
“So you can experience the depth and richness of Chinese cuisine.”
“I still don’t get it.”
Cao Dou set the plate down. “Eat. It’s from Jiang Fuyue.”
With that, he turned and went back to attending customers.
Edmond stared blankly for a moment, then hesitantly picked up a spoon and took a bite.
The next second, his lake-blue eyes lit up.
…
Meanwhile, Zhong Ziang led Lin Shumo and Jiang Fuyue to a nearby open-air food stall.
As soon as they sat, he waved his hand: “Boss, bring the menu!”
“Sure thing!” A plump woman in an apron bustled over. “What’ll it be?”
Zhong Ziang answered like a regular: “Stir-fried beef ho fun, spicy crayfish, twice-cooked pork, and three bottles of beer!”
Lin Shumo: “I don’t drink.”
Zhong Ziang gave him a sideways glance. “Don’t act. Cut it out.”
Lin Shumo coughed and sheepishly rubbed his nose.
Jiang Fuyue raised an eyebrow.
Zhong Ziang beamed. “You drink beer?”
“Of course.” Jiang Fuyue nodded.
Lin Shumo couldn’t help giving her a second glance.
The stall owner lady added, “We’ve got fresh lamb skewers, just off the grill. Want some?”
Zhong Ziang nodded. “Sure. Start with thirty skewers.”
“Alright! Bottles or cans for the beer?”
“Bottles! Gotta have the feel!”
Soon enough, the skewers weren’t ready yet, but the beer was served—an old local brand from Linhuai.
Zhong Ziang deftly popped open the bottles. One went to Lin Shumo, another to Jiang Fuyue, and the last for himself.
He tilted his head back and chugged, nearly half gone in one go.
He finished with a loud belch—“Refreshing!”
Jiang Fuyue glanced around. The atmosphere reminded her of a time in her past life, before she inherited the Lou family estate, wandering with Ye Qianji.
Back then, the grandfather granddaughter duo would sleep wherever they could, eating at shabbier stalls than this, drinking stronger liquor than this beer.
Lost in thought, she unconsciously picked up her bottle.
By the time the skewers arrived, her bottle was already half-empty.
Zhong Ziang and Lin Shumo were both shocked.
“You drink?”
“You’re drinking too?”
They spoke at the same time—only to be met with a cold snort from Jiang Fuyue.
“Do I look like someone who doesn’t drink?”
They nodded in unison—yes!
Jiang Fuyue: “……”
Seeing they were all kindred spirits, even Lin Shumo dropped his reserved act.
Zhong Ziang, of course, went all in and asked the server to bring over a case—twelve bottles.
“You kids don’t look that old, but you sure can drink!” The plump boss lady sat nearby, sorting vegetables, chatting casually.
In the stall behind her, her husband was manning the wok. Flames flared up with each stir-fry, sending fragrant smells wafting out.
It was still early, so the place wasn’t busy. Apart from one other table, it was just them.
Zhong Ziang lifted his chin proudly. “Of course.”
Lin Shumo: “……” What’s there to be proud of?
Jiang Fuyue blinked. Are all boys this childish?
The boss lady chuckled. “Drink in moderation, though. A little buzz is fun, but too much hurts the body!”
Jiang Fuyue looked at the man cooking. “You two run this place together?”
“Yep! Making a bit of money to support the family.” Her smile deepened, laugh lines etched clearly into her round face.
Zhong Ziang chimed in, “This is what they call a perfect match, right?”
“Haha, I don’t know fancy sayings. I just believe—marry a chicken, follow the chicken!”
Zhong Ziang burst out laughing. “Same thing, same thing!”
Jiang Fuyue poured a small cup of beer and handed it over. “Cheers?”
“Gladly!” The boss lady wiped her hands on her apron and reached out.
They clinked cups, drank, and exchanged smiles.
Zhong Ziang and Lin Shumo were both stunned by how natural Jiang Fuyue was—her familiarity, the casual slang, and her relaxed gestures. Clearly, this wasn’t her first time at this.
“You…”
They wanted to ask, but didn’t know how.
Just then, the skewers arrived.
“Eat up,” the boss lady beamed, giving a thumbs-up. “My husband’s cooking is top-notch!”
“Hurry it up, woman!”
“Coming, coming!” She called back and rushed to the back.
Next came a big plate of spicy crayfish—bright red and piping hot, the aroma was mouthwatering.
Then the stir-fried beef ho fun—dark and glossy, with thick chunks of beef, not a scrap of gristle.
Last was the twice-cooked pork, its doubanjiang aroma rich and heavy, with soy sauce caramelization, slivers of ginger, red chili, and green peppers.
Boss lady: “Try it, how’s it taste?”
Zhong Ziang took a bite and nodded repeatedly. “Amazing!”
She beamed. “Enjoy!”
After 8 p.m., more customers poured in. The stall buzzed with laughter, clinking cups, and drinking games.
Zhong Ziang and Lin Shumo were already tipsy, only Jiang Fuyue remained clear-eyed—though a faint blush had bloomed on her cheeks.
She picked up a skewer just as a commotion broke out in the distance. As it came closer, angry curses became audible—
“That’s the place, right?”
“Yeah! That couple! Brother Fei ate here last night and ended up in the hospital with food poisoning. They won’t admit fault!”
“So they wanna play dumb? Alright boys, block the stall!”
“Yeah! Let’s show them what’s what—”
As the gang drew near, the previously bustling stall scattered in seconds. Some customers tossed a few bills before fleeing. Others took the chance to vanish, knocking over chairs and smashing bottles in the chaos.
The boss lady froze in fear. Her husband, thinking fast, grabbed a kitchen knife and shielded her.
“What do you want?!”
“What do we want? Compensation—” snarled the leader.
“We already said we’d cover medical expenses, as long as there’s a legit hospital bill.”
“Hah! Just the bill? What about missed work? Pain and suffering? You think a hospital stay is free?”
“How much do you want?”
“Sixty grand. Not a cent less!”
“This is extortion!”
“Be glad we’re not asking for a hundred K!”
“Fine, we’ll call the cops—”
He reached for his phone.
The gang leader’s face twisted. “Refuse to play nice, huh? Smash it!”
With that, tables flipped and dishes crashed to the ground…
In the corner, Zhong Ziang and Lin Shumo finally stirred.
Zhong Ziang: “Wh-what do we do?”
Lin Shumo: “Call the cops?”
“Maybe we should run? What if they attack us?”
They both looked at Jiang Fuyue—
Only to see her calmly nibbling her skewer, unhurried, serene. Her lashes cast soft shadows under the lights.
Zhong Ziang: “?” Still eating?
Lin Shumo: “?!” Cooler than me?
The meat was indeed tasty. Jiang Fuyue raised her eyes. “Think you can run?”
They tried to get up, but their legs gave out, plopping back down.
“What’s going on?! Why am I so weak?”
“I feel dizzy…” Lin Shumo held his head.
Jiang Fuyue turned the empty beer bottle so the label faced them. “Didn’t check the alcohol content before drinking?”
Zhong Ziang cursed. It was way stronger than what they usually drank.
Lin Shumo was also stunned.
They’d never had this local Linhuai beer—no wonder they couldn’t even walk.
Jiang Fuyue: “I’m not dragging both of you out of here.”
Zhong Ziang: “Then what? They’re fighting already—we can’t just sit here—hic—right?”
Lin Shumo gritted his teeth: “If we move now, we’ll draw attention.”
“So what do we do?!”
Jiang Fuyue: “Wait.”
Zhong Ziang wasn’t drunk yet, but nearly passed out from frustration. “We sit here and wait to be noticed?”
Jiang Fuyue spoke slowly: “You’d better pray we’re not.”
But fate has a twisted sense of humor—
“Bro, look! That table over there hasn’t moved!”
“Yo, not bad. Got guts.” The leader rubbed his chin.
Suddenly, all eyes turned toward them.
Two guys and a girl. All young. Not fleeing. The guys were slumped, the girl’s back straight.
“What’s with these three?”
“No reaction at all?”
“Scared stiff maybe?”
“Shut it—” the leader snapped.
A minion stepped up: “Want me to drive them off…”
“Forget it. They’re not in the way.”
“But… what if they call the cops?”
“They wouldn’t dare.”
“Right, right…”
The leader lowered his voice. “Ignore them. We’re here for the money. In and out!”
“Yes, sir. Almost forgot.”
As they headed for the cash box, the boss glared and swung the knife. “Back off! I’ll cut anyone who comes near!”
“Oho! Want to fight, huh?”
“Boss, take him out!”
“Go!”
A thug lunged, trying to kick away the knife.
The boss flailed, missing every strike. More joined in. The knife flew, and he was knocked down, a rock scratching his face, blood trickling from the corner of his eye.
“Sixty grand! Yes or no?!”
“No! Over my dead body!”
“Fine! Just what I wanted!” The leader’s eyes flashed, turning toward the trembling boss lady. “Grab her! Light the fire, heat the oil!”
Soon, the flames from the stove lit up a big wok of boiling oil.
“Boss! Ready!”
“Press her hand into it!”
“No! Let me go!”
“What are you doing?! Let go of my wife! This is illegal—” the man roared.
Just then—a sharp crack echoed.
A beer bottle shattered on the gang leader’s head. A slender, fair hand held the neck of the bottle tightly…
