Chapter 13

Ramen isn't particularly rare; there are many ramen shops in River City. However, the Su family's ramen is meticulous in its handmade process. If one doesn't understand the subtleties, they will never be able to learn it no matter how much they observe.

Xiao Bing kneaded the dough into a ball, then rolled it into a not-too-thick, not-too-thin long strip. He placed the strip on the cutting board and began to slice it into uniform pieces with his knife, the movements so swift and precise that they were a blur.

Perhaps to highlight the uniqueness of the Su family's ramen, the small shop prepared the noodles right in the hall for everyone to see. Every customer could witness the process firsthand.

As Xiao Bing worked, everyone in the shop watched in amazement. Kneading, shaping, slicing, and rolling the dough, every move was fluid and magical. Li Chunlan's skill in making ramen was proficient, but Xiao Bing's was an art form. No one would have thought that ramen could be elevated to such an artistic level.

Achieving this level of mastery is not easy, especially for women who naturally lack the arm and wrist strength of men. After Su Peiya's father passed away, no one could match Xiao Bing's skill in making the Su family's ramen.

Ye Zi propped her chin in her hand, her eyes fixed on Xiao Bing without blinking. The two girls across from her exchanged glances and giggled. Xu Wenting deliberately said in a coquettish voice, "It looks like Little Ye has a crush on Big Brother Bing. A hero and a beauty, a handsome worker and a wealthy heiress, it's like a fairy tale."

Chen Yuanyuan also looked at Xiao Bing with starry eyes and chimed in, "He is indeed very handsome and manly, but it's a pity he's just a worker..."

Chen Yuanyuan paused and then laughed, "But it doesn't matter. As you said, Little Ye's family isn't short of money. The richest in River City, inheriting a bit of the family business would last for ten lifetimes. Why would she need a man to support her?"

As she spoke, Chen Yuanyuan suddenly realized something was wrong and quickly shut her mouth. Ye Zi's gaze returned, her brows slightly furrowed. Chen Yuanyuan stuck out her tongue and asked, "Ye Zi, are you angry?"

"No," Ye Zi said lightly, "Just don't mention my family. My family is my family, and I am me."

Chen Yuanyuan stuck out her tongue again. Xu Wenting laughed and interjected, "Ye Zi, are you really interested in him? There are so many boys at school chasing after you, but you never cared. I've never seen you pay attention to any man before."

Ye Zi turned her head and looked back at Xiao Bing. Her eyes were like a mist, and no one could tell what she was thinking. When Xiao Bing finally brought over a large bowl of ramen, her eyes curved into a smile, and a faint smile appeared at the corners of her mouth.

Xiao Bing placed the large bowl of ramen in front of Ye Zi and sat down in the chair next to her. The waitress, Li Hong, brought over two more large bowls of ramen and set a few small dishes on the table.

"Would you like something to drink?" Xiao Bing smiled. "This one's on me."

Ye Zi smiled, "You owe me a drink. You're not going to pay off the debt with just a bowl of ramen, are you?"

"This one is for your friends. The next one, I'll treat you alone..."

"So, this meal is mainly for my friends?"

Xiao Bing laughed heartily, "That's right."

Ye Zi also smiled, "Hey, what would you two like to drink? I cooked for you two today, you know."

Xu Wenting found it amusing to watch Ye Zi and Xiao Bing banter and tried to suppress her laughter, "Two bottles of drinks will do."

"What kind of drinks?"

"Anything is fine."

Ye Zi said indifferently, "I don't mind either."

Xiao Bing snapped his fingers and looked at Li Hong, "Sis Hong, bring three bottles of black tea. Put it on my tab."

Li Hong agreed and brought over three bottles of black tea, placing them on the table.

Xu Wenting, who was quite pretty and young, looked at Xiao Bing with her big, watery eyes, "Big Brother Bing, tell us, how long have you known each other, and how did you meet? Come on, Big Brother Bing~~."

Xu Wenting spoke in a soft, coquettish tone, deliberately showing a bit of girlish charm, which had a certain irresistible allure.

Chen Yuanyuan also urged, "Yeah, Big Brother Bing, tell us. Is there a story between the two of you?"

Ye Zi looked at the two of them with a half-smile, "Isn't it a bit inappropriate to ask about these baseless rumors in front of me?"

Chen Yuanyuan laughed, "If it's baseless, then you shouldn't be afraid of Big Brother Bing saying it, right?"

Xiao Bing watched the three girls bicker, feeling as if he had become several years younger. Finally, the fire of their argument burned to him, and he stopped laughing, seeing all three girls looking at him expectantly.

Xiao Bing rubbed his nose and smiled bitterly. Ye Zi said, "Go ahead, it's fine."

"Alright, I'll tell you. It's actually very simple. Ye Zi was being bullied by some thugs in a public place, and I chased them away."

Xiao Bing described the heroic rescue matter-of-factly, without any hint of boasting or seeking credit. Ye Zi looked at Xiao Bing with a complex expression, then lowered her head, lost in thought.

Xiao Bing continued with a smile, "Now, are you satisfied with your curiosity? Do you find it boring and dull? It's nothing like the love stories of Prince Charming and Snow White you imagined, right?"

When he finished, he noticed the two girls looking at him with shining eyes. Chen Yuanyuan, who was more outgoing and lively, said excitedly, "A hero saving a beauty! Big Brother Bing, rescuing a little girl in a crowd of thugs, it's like something out of a romance novel."

Xu Wenting, who was a bit more reserved than Chen Yuanyuan, also covered her mouth and giggled, "Big Brother Bing and the little girl, a perfect match."

Xiao Bing laughed bitterly, "Don't say such things, or Ye Zi might get angry."

Xu Wenting asked with a half-smile, "You're so afraid of her getting angry, so you must love her, right? I heard that men in the military are usually very tough and never know the meaning of fear, except for the women they like..."

Ye Zi couldn't take it anymore and coughed lightly, "I need to correct you. Bing Ge is called Bing Ge because his name is Xiao Bing, and I call him Bing Ge, not Big Brother Bing... although Bing Ge did serve in the military before."

As she spoke, even Ye Zi lost confidence. She remembered what Xu Wenting had said: men in the military are usually very tough and never know the meaning of fear, except for the women they like...

Originally, Ye Zi just wanted to explain the origin of the name "Bing Ge," but instead, she inadvertently sparked the two girls' intense curiosity. Girls love military men, especially handsome and rugged veterans. The two girls excitedly chattered and asked non-stop. Xiao Bing told them some minor stories, only mentioning that he was a veteran and choosing to share some relatively simple missions. Even so, it still elicited cheers from the two girls.

Little Ye Zi, with her soft, white hand, gently supported her face, watching Xiao Bing tell his stories with a faint sparkle in her eyes.

At the same time, Xie Lun was still sitting in the Heavenly King Hall of the Peony Fairy's residence. He had been sitting there since around 3 PM, drinking countless cups of tea. He had been sitting from 3 PM until 8 PM, and his anger had been building, feeling humiliated. If it were any other time, he would have left long ago, but now, he couldn't think of anyone else in the North District who could punish Xiao Bing except for the Northern Heavenly King.

When under someone's roof, one must bow one's head!

Xie Lun thought to himself that after dealing with Xiao Bing, he would find a way to avenge today's humiliation.

At this moment, the quiet Heavenly King Hall finally had visitors. Two maids in red dresses walked over with small, quick steps. They stopped in front of Xie Lun and smiled sweetly, "Boss Xie, our Peony Fairy has just bathed and changed. She invites you to her boudoir."

Boudoir?

Xie Lun's Adam's apple moved, his breathing quickening. He stood up and followed the two maids, his legs feeling numb from sitting for so long. He almost stumbled when he first stood up but recovered after a few steps.

As he followed the two maids, Xie Lun wondered, why is the Peony Fairy inviting me to her boudoir?

Xie Lun didn't dare to think too much. No one in River City dared to have designs on the Peony Fairy. Although her name was Fairy, her actions were even more terrifying than those of a female demon.

Yet, Xie Lun couldn't help but think. No one had ever seen the Peony Fairy's true face, but there was a rumor that she was as beautiful as a fairy and as alluring as a fox spirit. The more mysterious a woman, the more she could stir a man's desires. The unseen Peony Fairy had taken on various forms in the hearts of River City's men, and some lecherous men had even fantasized about her in their minds.

Xie Lun followed the two maids through a long corridor lined with various peony flowers. The entire corridor was filled with the fragrance of peonies, and this rich aroma made Xie Lun's heart grow increasingly restless.

At the end of the corridor was a pink door. The two maids stopped, walked up to it, and knocked gently, calling out softly, "Fairy, Boss Xie has arrived."

"Please come in," the voice was soft and seductive. The simple two words sent a current through Xie Lun's body, igniting a fire in his lower abdomen.