“You say this prince is meticulous—does that count as praising this prince?”

A trace of joy stirred in his heart!

He looked at her sideways. That delicate face held an irresistible attraction.

But Ji Yunshu quickened her pace, leaving him behind.

Jingrong pressed on…

“Come on, say it—were you praising this prince just now?”

Catching up to her steps, Jingrong wore the shameless expression of someone who wouldn’t give up.

“Master Ji, say it!”

He was just short of twisting around to tug at Ji Yunshu’s sleeve!

Ji Yunshu kept her brows lowered and rolled her eyes at him countless times.

She had no time to work on the case right now, yet this Buddha was actually in the mood to pursue such questions.

To prevent him from continuing his shameless pestering…

Ji Yunshu simply said:

“Yes, I was praising Your Highness. Are you satisfied now?”

“No.”

With one word, he blocked her!

Ji Yunshu’s steps halted abruptly, quite astonished. She turned, her bright pupils looking straight at him, uncomprehending: “What exactly does Your Highness want?”

The corners of his lips curved upward with thick playfulness: “This prince feels you haven’t praised enough.”

“You…”

“This prince is not only meticulous but also understands what it means to cherish worthy talent and appreciate beautiful appearance.”

Ji Yunshu’s shoulders trembled. She immediately averted her gaze and walked forward again, tossing out: “Your Highness’s thoughts are truly peculiar. I don’t understand.”

She understood—of course she understood!

The worthy talent was her, the beautiful appearance was her!

For Jingrong to suddenly say such things to her, he must have… already discovered her female identity.

Yet he deliberately didn’t expose it!

Ji Yunshu’s heart tightened into a knot. She dared not slow her steps even half a pace, afraid that if she walked side by side with him again, she would hear more of his strange words.

Walking from the village to the city, the sky had gradually darkened!

There were quite a few people on the small road. Street vendors called out their wares, steaming noodle stalls were set up one after another.

People coming and going!

Lanterns hanging at corners!

Women and children at peace!

An atmosphere of tranquility!

The entire Jinjiang main street was bustling with excitement.

Ji Yunshu walked through the crowd with Jingrong following behind her.

She thought that once she got around the entire street, she would part ways with him.

Unexpectedly, someone suddenly grabbed her right hand. Her steps halted. The force on her wrist was quite strong, pulling her stumbling several steps until someone’s hand braced her shoulder, finally steadying her stance.

Looking sideways, she met Jingrong’s gaze directly.

He smiled slightly: “I’m a bit hungry and a bit tired. Why don’t we sit down for a bowl of noodles and rest?”

She instinctively tried to pull away immediately, but helplessly, her wrist was imprisoned in Jingrong’s palm. Unable to match his strength, she couldn’t break free!

“Your Highness, release me.”

“On a winter night with such scenery, surely you’re not planning to go back and lie in bed to sleep?”

“Yes.”

“But this prince thinks that would be quite a waste.”

A waste, your head! On a cold winter night, if not sleeping, should she have a snowball fight?

Before Ji Yunshu could refute his words, her body had already been dragged by him to a nearby noodle stall, where they sat down at an empty spot.

Jingrong waved his hand: “Boss, two bowls of noodles with gravy sauce, one without scallions.”

“Coming right up!”

The boss tossed his towel over his shoulder and began bustling about.

Jingrong added: “Boss, when you put the noodles in the pot, stir them slowly a few times with chopsticks. When you take them out, remember to rinse them with cold water—that way they’ll taste more fragrant.”

“Will do!”

So practiced!

Hey, hey, hey, Jingrong—did you grow up on the streets? Why are you so familiar with street stall noodle-making procedures!

But…

Ji Yunshu asked him: “Your Highness thinks… I don’t eat scallions?”

Jingrong reached into the chopstick holder, picked up a chopstick, tapped it against the teapot in front of him, and replied: “Last time at the Zhou family, you always picked out the scallions before eating your dishes. Anyone with eyes could see.”

Hmm, you have good eyes.

“But Your Highness got it wrong. I don’t dislike scallions.”

“Hmm? Wrong? Where did I get it wrong?”

Jingrong was curious. How could he be wrong? You clearly picked out all the scallions!

Now Ji Yunshu smiled, also picking out a chopstick from the holder and tapping it against the teapot in front of her.

“Does Your Highness remember which dish I was picking scallions from?”

Jingrong squinted his eyes in thought, then his eyes lit up: “Stir-fried small fish.”

“Good memory. But does Your Highness know that if you add scallions to stir-fried small fish, all the fishy smell from the fish goes into the scallions? Though I’m accustomed to the bloody smell of humans, the fishy smell and bloody smell are completely different. The fishy smell is pungent, even disturbing to one’s peace of mind, but the bloody smell entering the nose is rich yet not cloying—if you’re accustomed to it, it even carries a clean note.”

Clang…

As soon as Ji Yunshu finished speaking, the sound of a soup ladle hitting the ground came from behind.

The boss’s face twitched, greatly startled and frightened by Ji Yunshu’s words just now.

The boss immediately forced a smile and brought up two bowls of noodles: “You two… enjoy your meal.”

His voice trembled!

The customers he encountered today were so strange, with such unique tastes!

The boss put down the noodles and immediately walked away.

Ji Yunshu couldn’t help but laugh aloud, completely forgetting her displeasure at being forcibly dragged here by Jingrong.

Her lowered brow and gentle laughter all fell into Jingrong’s eyes!

He was very curious—when this woman changed into women’s clothing with her hair flowing to her shoulders, how beautiful would she be!

Realizing he had been staring, he immediately collected his expression.

He said: “Hurry and eat, or it’ll get cold.”

Picking up his chopsticks, Jingrong had already begun eating with relish.

Ji Yunshu glanced at him and also moved her chopsticks.

But after just one bite, she set them aside.

In contrast, Jingrong’s bowl of noodles—after a few scoops with his chopsticks, the bowl was empty. Looking up and seeing Ji Yunshu’s bowl barely touched, he asked: “Not eating anymore?”

“Can’t eat it.”

“Then don’t waste it.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Jingrong had already pulled her bowl of noodles over.

“Don’t…” Ji Yunshu’s face showed shock.

Too late to stop him, Jingrong inserted his chopsticks into her bowl of noodles and began eating with relish again.

At that moment, Ji Yunshu was thunderstruck by his behavior, left crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Her mouth opened slightly and didn’t close for a long while.

After Jingrong finished her bowl of noodles too, he was thoroughly satisfied. Seeing her startled little appearance, the corners of his lips smiled. He extended his slender fingers, hooked them under her chin, and lifted slightly.

Closing her slightly open mouth!

“Why is Master so surprised? This prince doesn’t even mind you.”

“…”

“Alright, I’m full. Let’s go.”

Jingrong pulled out silver coins and placed them on the table, then once again took Ji Yunshu’s hand.

They left the noodle stall and stepped into the crowd!

Looking at her hand held in Jingrong’s palm, Ji Yunshu felt extremely awkward.

With a flick of her hand, her long sleeve slicing through the air, Ji Yunshu had already withdrawn her hand. She clasped both hands tightly to prevent Jingrong from extending his demonic claws toward her again.

“It’s getting late. I should head back.”

Ji Yunshu’s expression was cool. Having said this, she had already walked around Jingrong and left with rapid steps.

Jingrong stood in place for a moment, looking at his empty hand. The warmth from moments ago gradually dissipated.

After a moment, he turned and chased after her…