"The happiest thing is slurping noodles," Wen Xuān xuān swallowed, smelling the aroma. "After eating luosifen, I won't eat anything else."
Li Bowen placed the items on the table and said, "There's still so much left!"
Seeing this, Wen Xuān xuān picked up a stinky tofu and started eating, her mouth suddenly full. She could barely speak clearly.
"I'll heat up the pan-fried buns tomorrow for breakfast."
Li Bowen said nothing, as he was already dizzy from the stench.
The smell was intoxicating.
Soon, the luosifen was served.
The broth was red, with the noodles hidden beneath. A crispy-looking fried egg lay on top, along with greens and braised duck feet.
Wen Xuān xuān was eager to dig in, but she still wanted Li Bowen to eat first.
Li Bowen's face was full of refusal. "No need, you eat it. I can't eat anymore."
Wen Xuān xuān blinked her big eyes at him. "But if you watch me eat, I won't be able to eat."
"I'll eat the pan-fried buns," Li Bowen decisively picked one up and put it in his mouth.
It tasted quite good, actually.
Wen Xuān xuān began to slurp her noodles contentedly. Every bite was delicious!
She deliberately saved the fried egg for last, letting it soak up all the soup. This last bite was the essence!
After finishing the noodles, she took a sip of the broth. One word: satisfying!
While she was eating her noodles, Li Bowen unknowingly finished all the pan-fried buns.
They both sat there, unwilling to move, stuffed to the brim.
Wen Xuān xuān laughed heartily, clutching her stomach, very happy.
"I'm so happy today, thank you!"
"As long as you're happy."
Li Bowen looked at her gently, enduring both pleasure and pain. He had never eaten so much in his life.
After sitting for a while, they strolled home together, as if to aid digestion.
Before leaving, Wen Xuān xuān packed some delicious food for Qiao Xīnyuè.
She couldn't let her keep eating dog food all the time!
The city at night was brightly lit with neon signs. The night breeze was cool, but their clasped hands were exceptionally warm.
Under the streetlights, their shadows stretched long.
A journey that should have taken ten minutes took over half an hour to reach the entrance of the residential complex.
Wen Xuān xuān looked at him longingly, then suddenly hugged his neck and gave him a fleeting kiss on the lips.
Li Bowen immediately wrapped his arms around her waist and deepened the kiss.
The longer they kissed, the heavier Li Bowen's breathing became. Finally, he almost fled in disarray as he released Wen Xuān xuān and stepped back a few paces.
His voice was hoarse. "It's very late, you should go back quickly!!"
Wen Xuān xuān's eyes were like water, her cheeks flushed. She bit her lower lip, feeling very shy.
"Then I... I'll go back."
"Mm." Li Bowen's eyes still held lingering desire, but he had to endure and restrain himself.
Wen Xuān xuān walked into the complex, looking back at him repeatedly.
She desperately wanted to throw herself into Li Bowen's arms and never be separated again.
But not now. Temporary restraint was for a better future!
After returning to her apartment, Wen Xuān xuān knocked on Qiao Xīnyuè's door.
But the door remained shut for a long time.
It was so late, she couldn't possibly not be back yet. And it was too early to be asleep.
She took out her phone and called Qiao Xīnyuè.
The call was answered quickly. The wind was loud on Qiao Xīnyuè's end, clearly indicating she was still outside.
Wen Xuān xuān immediately asked, "Xīnyuè, why aren't you home? Where did you go?"
Qiao Xīnyuè replied, "I'll be back soon. I'm already downstairs in the complex. I was just out for a walk."
"You're alone?"
Wen Xuān xuān was a little puzzled. Why was she wandering around so late at night? Didn't she know it was dangerous?
Qiao Xīnyuè hesitated for a moment and said, "Not alone. I'm with Zhou Tiān."
Zhou Tiān?
Wen Xuān xuān's expression was a little strange, but she didn't think much of it. She said, "Oh, I bought you some late-night snacks. I'll wait for you."
"Okay, bye then." Qiao Xīnyuè hung up the phone.
She smiled at Zhou Tiān beside her. "I'm heading back now, bye."
"Okay, I'll watch you go in. Bye." Zhou Tiān nodded with a relaxed expression and waved goodbye.
Qiao Xīnyuè quickened her pace into the complex and went directly to the eighth floor.
Meanwhile, Wen Xuān xuān was still waiting at her door, holding a white plastic bag. Several wooden skewers poked out from inside; it was clearly barbecue.
Hearing the elevator ding, Wen Xuān xuān looked towards the elevator entrance and saw Qiao Xīnyuè walk out.
She waved the bag in her hand, a smile on her face. "You're back. Here, for you."
"Thanks."
Qiao Xīnyuè smiled faintly and stepped forward to open the door.
After entering the apartment, Wen Xuān xuān sat on the sofa and placed the bag on the coffee table.
Qiao Xīnyuè went to the refrigerator to get some drinks. It wouldn't be right to eat barbecue without a drink.
When Qiao Xīnyuè returned, Wen Xuān xuān casually asked, "Why were you out for a walk with Zhou Tiān?"
Qiao Xīnyuè opened a bottle of drink and handed it to Wen Xuān xuān first. She picked up a grilled sausage, took a bite, and said.
"You and Li Bowen were kissing, so Zhou Tiān and I had to leave. He insisted on walking me home, even though I refused.
He's going through a breakup and is in a bad mood. He definitely needs someone to talk to, and I couldn't just leave him alone! So that's how it happened."
Wen Xuān xuān's face turned slightly red. She glared at Qiao Xīnyuè. "Can we please ignore the kissing part?"
Qiao Xīnyuè ate with relish, her eyes full of amusement. However, she didn't tease her further and changed the subject.
"These grilled skewers aren't spicy! Why didn't you add chili for me?"
"Be grateful you have something to eat." Wen Xuān xuān would never admit she had forgotten.
"This isn't satisfying enough." Qiao Xīnyuè got up and went to the kitchen, retrieving some chili powder used for stir-frying to dip her food in.
Wen Xuān xuān couldn't eat another bite. She didn't even want to drink anything. She sprawled on the sofa, scrolling through her phone, just keeping Qiao Xīnyuè company.
Ling Family Old Residence.
Xià Wǎn táng leaned against the bed, her mind full of the food photos Wen Xuān xuān had sent.
Suddenly, all the memories of the back street of the school flooded back, making her so hungry that she couldn't sleep.
She couldn't help it. She thought that even if she couldn't eat it, it would be nice to look at it. So she searched for mukbang videos to watch.
Once she started watching, she couldn't stop. She was practically drooling.
Listening to the chewing sounds and looking at the delicious food on the screen, her saliva kept increasing.
Líng Yùchēn came out of the bathroom after showering and saw Xià Wǎn táng constantly swallowing as she stared at her phone screen.
The sounds coming from the phone were of someone eating.
He walked closer and glanced at the phone screen. The person on the screen was eating barbecue while facing the camera.
Xià Wǎn táng hadn't noticed him standing by the bed, showing how engrossed she was. He could even hear her swallowing.
"If you really want to eat that much, I'll take you to eat some tomorrow."
Xià Wǎn táng was startled by the sudden voice from above. Still shaken, she said, "When did you get here? You scared me to death."