Lin Que followed the navigation,
We wandered through a maze of alleyways.
Most of the streetlights here are quite old, casting a dim, yellowish light that makes the shadows very long.
The exhaust fumes from the main roads were gone, replaced by a smoky, earthy smell of soap powder and cooking oil.
That's the taste of life.
Lin Que stopped at the end of Willow Leaf Lane.
A person was standing under a huge old locust tree.
Even from a distance, you could tell how thin he was.
Ye Xi wasn't wearing the dress that made her shine under the spotlight.
A simple white T-shirt tucked into light-colored jeans, paired with canvas shoes.
Her ponytail was tied high, making her look like a high school student who had just finished evening self-study.
However, that face was completely covered by a huge black mask.
He pulled his hat brim down low, shrinking into the shadows of the trees, and every now and then he would glance warily toward the alley entrance, looking like a petty thief who had just committed a crime and was about to run away.
"here!"
Seeing Lin Que approach, his exposed eyes instantly lit up, and his hands, which had been tucked into his sleeves, suddenly waved twice.
Lin Que didn't speak, his gaze lingering for a second on the hand that had retracted.
Only when Lin Que got closer, and in the light of the streetlamp, could he see that the skin peeking out from the edge of her mask was somewhat pale.
Two faint dark circles hung under his eyes, impossible to hide no matter what he did.
His hands were stuck in his pockets as if he had nowhere to put them.
These hands are expensive, but right now they're covered in SpongeBob Band-Aids.
A shiny callus has formed on the outside of my little finger, and the redness and swelling haven't subsided yet.
Lin Que didn't point out her weariness, but simply raised an eyebrow and looked her up and down:
"Your outfit is quite nice. Anyone who didn't know better would think you're a spy coming to make contact, or maybe you have some special mission?"
"Sh-!"
Ye Xi quickly pulled down her mask, revealing a fair but somewhat tired face.
She playfully stuck out her tongue and lowered her voice:
"What kind of special agent is this? This is called tactical camouflage!"
You have no idea how many street photographers there are around here. If they photographed me slurping noodles at a roadside stall, my sister Yang would come all the way from her house and nag me to death.
"I only have one task now, and that is to fill my stomach!"
You have no idea, those few pieces of boiled chicken breast almost killed me.
As she spoke, she naturally grabbed Lin Que's sleeve and pulled him deeper into the alley:
"Hurry, hurry! I came out behind my sister Yang's back, we can't let them find out!"
The two of them walked side by side into a narrow alley that could only accommodate two people.
After walking a few steps, a rich and overpowering aroma wafted towards us.
That's the aroma of chili oil exploding in boiling bone broth, mixed with the wheaty scent of pickled vegetables and flour, making your mouth water.
A tiny shop with a very small storefront came into view.
The sign was a blackened wooden board with a few words scrawled crookedly in red paint:
"Liu's Authentic Luhe Pork Belly Noodles".
There are only five or six tables in the store.
The place was packed with people, and the sounds of slurping noodles filled the air, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.
"Uncle Liu! Are there any seats left?"
Ye Xi called out familiarly as soon as she entered the room.
The bald owner, who was scooping noodles in front of a large iron pot, suddenly flicked his hand, sending his long chopsticks flying through the air in a beautiful spray.
He squinted, peering through the rising steam, and his oily face instantly broke into a wide smile as he called out in fluent Nanjing dialect:
"Goodness! Isn't this Little Yezi? It's been months! I thought you'd become famous and forgotten about Uncle Liu's little corner of the world!"
"No way!"
Ye Xi smiled and took off her hat, not minding the slightly greasy tables and chairs, and sat down in an empty corner:
"I've been craving your chili oil ever since I was abroad, so I brought my friends here as soon as I got back."
"friend?"
Old Liu paused for a moment while holding the strainer.
Those eyes, which had seen countless people, darted around and landed on Lin Que, who was following behind Ye Xi.
That glance was full of meaning.
Lin Que recognized that look; he had seen it in his elderly mother's eyes a few months ago.
"Still the same as before?"
Old Liu draped the towel over his shoulder, gestured towards Lin Que with his chin, and spoke in a loud voice:
Two portions?
Ye Xi's cheeks were slightly flushed, whether from the heat or something else, it was hard to tell.
She didn't explain, but quickly pulled two pairs of chopsticks from the chopstick holder and mumbled a reply:
"Yes! Two servings! Both should have the 'Family Portrait' style! Extra chili oil! This one... could you put less noodles and more pork skin?"
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