After Qi Qiong relaxed, low spirits surged up within her.

“Ah Hao, how can people’s hearts be so wicked?”

Never mind them—Mother must have been deeply hurt by Sun Xiuhua.

“People’s hearts naturally have both good and bad.” Lin Hao said casually. “Think of my father.”

Qi Qiong’s heartache immediately vanished.

The unconscionable things Wen Rugui had done were known throughout the capital, and she as a neighbor knew even more clearly.

In comparison, Sun Xiuhua was only a cousin they’d interacted with for a very short time, whereas Wen Rugui was Ah Hao’s biological father. If Ah Hao could be so open-minded about it, what right did she have to be melodramatic?

“Ah Hao, thank you for enlightening me today, or I would have been endlessly pestered by Sun Xiuhua.”

Lin Hao smiled. “The Commandery Princess was just too angry. Under normal circumstances, you wouldn’t need my reminder at all.”

“I still must thank you.” Qi Qiong grasped Lin Hao’s hand. “Come on, let’s go to a restaurant. My treat.”

Lin Hao knew Qi Qiong was still feeling uncomfortable inside and naturally wouldn’t refuse, so the two went out again.

“I know of a noodle shop. Though it’s not some grand restaurant, the noodles are firm and refreshing, the broth is delicious, and even the cold side dishes ordered casually are tasty. Today I’ll take you to try it.” Qi Qiong showed off her treasure noodle shop, not noticing Lin Hao’s expression holding back laughter.

If she wasn’t mistaken, what the young commandery princess was talking about should be an eatery called “Liu’s Pockmarked Noodle Shop” that A’Shuo had once taken her to.

Of course, going to eat there together with her friend would also be very nice.

Summer days grew dark late. Though it was nearly dinner time with wisps of cooking smoke visible everywhere, the sky was still quite bright.

“Look, it’s right here!” Getting out of the carriage, Qi Qiong pointed with her hand.

Though called a noodle shop, it wasn’t one of those tiny storefronts but rather a two-story building. Lights were already lit inside at this hour, with many people going in and few coming out—it was prime time for customers.

On the banner fluttering in the wind were written the four large characters “Liu’s Pockmarked Noodle Shop.”

“Please come in, young ladies.” A server enthusiastically came forward to greet them, guiding the two to a seat by the window.

Qi Qiong ordered several small dishes, then fell into decision paralysis.

“Last time I had the beef noodle soup, but I think the braised pork dry noodles should also be good. I kind of want to try it…”

Lin Hao nodded. “The braised pork dry noodles are delicious.”

Qi Qiong looked over questioningly.

Lin Hao sat up straight, completely serious. “Braised pork with both fat and lean meat, the sauce soaking into the firm noodles—just thinking about it makes it sound delicious.”

“Then braised pork dry noodles it is.” Qi Qiong finally made her choice.

Lin Hao was very decisive. “Beef noodle soup.”

Last time when she came with A’Shuo, they’d had the braised pork dry noodles. She had long planned to try the noodle soup on her next visit.

Before long, two bowls of fragrant noodles along with several refreshing side dishes were brought out.

Qi Qiong began talking about the origin of the shop’s name. “I heard this noodle shop didn’t used to have such good business, nor was it this large—just a small establishment that could seat three or four tables. Later the shopkeeper remarried, and the new proprietress he married had excellent skill at hand-rolling noodles, so they gradually expanded the shop…”

Lin Hao had also heard these things. Her attention was focused on a woman greeting customers.

The woman was in her early thirties, her hair wrapped in a small-flowered blue cloth, small silver earrings hanging from her ears. She looked clean and efficient, though the haggardness in her expression was quite obvious.

This woman was the shop’s proprietress. Besides her, there was also a server in the main hall, and a thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl who occasionally went to the back kitchen to fetch noodles.

Lin Hao remembered that during her last visit, this proprietress had been busy in the back kitchen the whole time, only coming out once, her spirits full and robust.

It seemed the proprietress had encountered something unpleasant.

Lin Hao knew she wasn’t any particularly clever person. Since her rebirth, in order to escape her predicament, she’d had no choice but to ponder things more. Over time, this had cultivated a habit of enjoying observation and speculation.

However, who among the living didn’t have troubles? Though Lin Hao had this speculation, she didn’t think much of it and lowered her head to take a bite of noodles.

The noodles were firm, smooth, and very flavorful.

Yet she vaguely felt they lacked the amazing first impression she’d had on her first visit.

Could it be because the person was different?

Glancing at her friend, Lin Hao secretly shook her head.

She wasn’t someone who valued romance over friendship. Coming here with the young commandery princess should mean eating with even more enjoyment.

Perhaps like many delicacies, the first time eating always left a deep impression that was unconsciously beautified.

Lin Hao ate her noodles unhurriedly.

Just then, several men suddenly walked in.

The youth walking at the front appeared to be seventeen or eighteen years old. He coughed heavily, drawing everyone’s attention.

The proprietress’s expression changed. She immediately went to greet him. “Dalang, why have you come—”

The youth pushed out with his hand and perfunctorily cupped his fists toward the diners. “Everyone, once you’ve finished eating, please leave first. We have some family matters to handle.”

The several people following behind him were all burly and rough-looking, clearly not people to be trifled with. Seeing this, the diners put down their chopsticks and bowls one after another and walked out. Once outside the shop they didn’t leave but stood with hands tucked away, watching the excitement unfold.

A large man climbed the stairs to drive people out. The wooden stairs creaked under his weight, and in the blink of an eye, the customers eating noodles upstairs had also all left.

Lin Hao and Qi Qiong didn’t move for the moment.

The youth walked over. A flash of admiration crossed his eyes as he gave the two a grin. “We have some family matters to handle. Would you two young ladies do us the favor of coming back another day? When that time comes, I, Liu Da, will treat you.”

Lin Hao sat without moving.

Seeing she didn’t move, Qi Qiong also sat without moving.

“You two—”

Lin Hao didn’t want to hear this greasy voice and said lightly, “But I haven’t finished my noodles yet.”

The smile left Liu Dalang’s face. “I said, miss, come back next time and I’ll treat you.”

Lin Hao sat completely still. “But I want to eat them right now.”

Liu Dalang raised an eyebrow but was pulled aside by a middle-aged man whose features bore some resemblance to his. “Dalang, let the young ladies finish their noodles. It won’t take much time.”

Liu Dalang glanced at the middle-aged man, who gave him a look.

His high-spirited momentum eased somewhat. Liu Dalang noticed several people who had drawn near at some point.

These people, both men and women, were clearly dressed as servants. It was obvious these two young ladies came from wealthy families and were not to be provoked.

He was also someone who knew when to bow his head, and immediately cupped his fists. “Then you two young ladies take your time eating.”

It wasn’t until Lin Hao and the other finished eating slowly and carefully and walked out with their maids and guards that Liu Dalang secretly cursed his bad luck.

As Lin Hao walked out the shop door, she heard the sound of a stool being kicked and couldn’t help but glance back.

Liu Dalang stood before the proprietress, his face fierce. “Do you even know what proper womanly conduct means? My father is sick to the point of dying, yet you still show your face in public and come to the shop. Are you hoping my father dies so you can take this shop for yourself? Let me tell you, as long as I’m here, don’t even think about it!”

“Dalang, stop making trouble. The noodle shop depends on this time to make money—”

“Make money, make money—all you know is making money. You just don’t want to care whether my father lives or dies, right?” Liu Dalang pushed the proprietress, making her stumble.

The young girl responsible for serving dishes ran over and stood in front of the proprietress. “Why are you pushing my mother!”

Inside the shop was noisy and chaotic, while outside was also filled with discussion.