“After walking for so long, aren’t you tired?”
“I’m fine.”
Shao Mingyuan looked at Qiao Zhao seriously and smiled: “Zhaozhao, I notice you’re very much looking forward to this visit with old friends.”
Qiao Zhao gazed ahead with a slight smile: “Yes, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen them.”
The two stepped into Baiyun Town.
Many breakfast shops in the town were already full of customers. Vendors carrying shoulder poles walked through the streets calling out their wares. The entire town had a simple, bustling atmosphere.
“Let’s eat something first before we go. What would you like?” Shao Mingyuan looked around, dazzled by the variety of southern breakfast foods.
“Let’s have a bowl of rice noodles in braised sauce.” Qiao Zhao looked around and pointed: “Let’s go to that one.”
It was a small food stall set up outside, with a few long tables and benches. The customers had already filled all the seats, with many more standing around eating enthusiastically. An elderly couple was bustling about, sweating profusely.
Shao Mingyuan’s eyes curved: “With so many people, it must be delicious. But… what are rice noodles in braised sauce?”
Qiao Zhao looked up, meeting his bewildered expression, and couldn’t help but smile charmingly: “I just remembered – you’re a pure northerner who’s never eaten this.”
Looking at the young lady’s flower-like smile, Shao Mingyuan’s heart skipped two beats. He smiled tenderly: “Then will Zhaozhao treat me to some?”
Qiao Zhao glanced around and said in a low voice: “Don’t call me Zhaozhao. If others hear, they’ll become suspicious.”
What kind of servant would be called “Zhaozhao”?
“You make a good point.” Shao Mingyuan nodded seriously: “Xiao Zhao, please treat me to rice noodles in braised sauce.”
Xiao Zhao…
Miss Qiao frowned slightly but reluctantly accepted this new form of address. She walked over and said, “Uncle, two bowls of rice noodles in braised sauce.”
“Coming right up.” The old man quickly grabbed two handfuls of rice noodle balls and blanched them in boiling water. In an instant, the balls expanded into smooth, white noodles.
Shao Mingyuan’s eyes showed curiosity.
The old man scooped up the rice noodles and placed them in prepared blue porcelain bowls, smiling: “Young man, you’re from out of town, aren’t you?”
“Uh, yes. You could tell?”
The old man grinned: “Of course! You can’t find such a handsome young fellow anywhere in this whole town.”
Shao Mingyuan’s face reddened slightly, and he couldn’t help but glance at Qiao Zhao.
Qiao Zhao pressed her lips together, thinking: What was this fool looking at her for? Did he want her to chime in and praise him along with the old man?
Perhaps being good-looking was an advantage. The old man ladled a large spoonful of braised sauce over the rice noodles and explained enthusiastically: “This braised sauce is made from our secret family recipe – over thirty different seasonings, plus rock sugar, simmered with pork bones for two or three days and nights to get the flavor just right.”
As soon as the sauce was poured over, a rich aroma filled the air. Shao Mingyuan sniffed and reached for his bowl.
The old man chuckled and stopped him: “Don’t rush, young man.”
Shao Mingyuan looked at Qiao Zhao in confusion.
Qiao Zhao rarely saw this person looking foolish over a simple breakfast, so naturally, she wouldn’t remind him. She simply smiled without speaking.
The old man raised his gleaming, sharp cleaver.
Shao Mingyuan’s eyes narrowed.
What was this? Did eating rice noodles require a cleaver?
The old man’s hand moved swiftly, slicing a piece of golden, crispy pork belly with skin into several thin slices that he arranged on top of the noodles. Smiling, he pointed to the bottles and jars on a nearby table: “Young man, add whatever flavoring you like yourself. There are also crispy beans, pickled bamboo shoots, and pickled long beans – eating them with our rice noodles is divine.”
No need for crispy beans or pickled bamboo shoots – looking at the rice noodles piled high with fragrant crispy pork, the young general was already quietly swallowing his saliva.
He picked up the two bowls the old man handed him when he heard a customer beside him complain: “Old Yang, his bowl is piled so high with crispy pork it’s almost overflowing, but mine only has two or three slices?”
Old Yang glanced at the complaining customer and said without batting an eye: “He’s good-looking!”
The customer was exasperated: “Can good looks fill your stomach?”
Old Yang chuckled: “Well, isn’t that exactly what’s happening? Who told him to be so handsome?”
Customer: “…” He found this somewhat reasonable.
Just then, someone finished eating and paid up. Shao Mingyuan quickly carried the two bowls over to sit down.
Qiao Zhao brought over several small dishes and sat beside him.
“I could have gotten those myself.” Shao Mingyuan’s ears were still somewhat hot.
In the northern territories, when the people thanked him profusely, he could handle it calmly. Who knew that in the south, people would praise someone’s appearance so directly?
For the general, this was undoubtedly somewhat embarrassing, but since it was meant kindly, he couldn’t show displeasure.
Besides—
The young general looked down at the bowl full of crispy pork and curved his lips in a smile.
With all this crispy pork, he couldn’t very well be displeased.
“I’m your servant – I should naturally serve you,” Qiao Zhao said quietly.
The man’s eyes flashed as he leaned close to her ear: “Really? You want to serve me?”
Qiao Zhao’s expression stiffened, and she gave him a cold sidelong glance.
Someone immediately behaved himself, saying quietly: “Don’t be upset. In the future, I’ll serve you instead.”
Miss Qiao’s temple throbbed.
Was this person not taking advantage of her?
Meeting his sincere little eyes, Miss Qiao wasn’t sure anymore.
The young general smiled and handed over a pair of chopsticks: “Eat your noodles.”
Qiao Zhao took the chopsticks and began eating with her head down.
Shao Mingyuan took a bite, and his eyes immediately lit up: “Delicious.”
Qiao Zhao glanced at him: “One should not speak while eating or sleeping.”
Shao Mingyuan raised an eyebrow slightly, his star-like eyes scanning the surroundings as he smiled: “In a place like this, we don’t need to worry about such formalities. Xiao Zhao, try the pickled bamboo shoots – they’re extremely good.”
Qiao Zhao bit her lip.
So this person’s obedience was just to fool her.
Fine, she wouldn’t argue with him.
Miss Qiao ate a bite of pickled bamboo shoots and sighed: “It tastes exactly like I remember.”
Nostalgia and sadness appeared in her eyes: “My grandfather used to love eating this. He said pickled bamboo shoots were the best accompaniment to wine. I once specially came to learn how to make pickled bamboo shoots from this old uncle, but somehow the taste was always a little off.”
“Really?”
“What do you mean?” Qiao Zhao didn’t catch on immediately.
“You know how to make pickled bamboo shoots?”
Qiao Zhao didn’t know why he was asking this. She looked at him suspiciously and nodded lightly.
Shao Mingyuan’s eyes brightened as he said with a low laugh: “Then will you make some for me to eat in the future?”
“Shao Mingyuan, you’re thinking too much!” Qiao Zhao said word by word. Because she didn’t dare speak loudly, instead of seeming angry, she appeared to be acting coquettishly.
Miss Qiao herself felt she lacked threatening power and couldn’t help but deflate.
This guy was taking advantage of his thick skin to have his way with her. Indeed, when people are shameless, they’re invincible.
A piece of golden, fragrant, crispy pork fell into her bowl.
Qiao Zhao looked up.
“The crispy pork is even better – eat more of it.” Shao Mingyuan said with a smile.
His eyes were beautiful – clear black and white, bright as cold stars. At this moment, they were filled with laughter, clearly reflecting her image.
“You eat quickly. What I have is enough.” Qiao Zhao said, lowering her eyes.
The two quickly finished their rice noodles, paid, and left.
“Zhaozhao.”
“Mm?”
“This was the best rice noodles in braised sauce I’ve ever eaten.”
Miss Qiao: “You’ve only eaten this one bowl of rice noodles in braised sauce…”