Deng Family's Beef Noodles, fragrance wafting for ten miles.
In a large bowl, golden alkali noodles were swimming in a broth with a thick layer of beef tallow, immersing the tender beef chunks. It was topped with vibrant red chili oil, sprinkled with chopped green onions, and garnished with fresh cilantro.
The taste was truly mouth-watering.
Yan Xiaoxi, enjoying the steaming hot soy milk, buried her head in the bowl filled with enticing flavors, eating heartily. Her mouth was full of beef tallow, and she was sweating with satisfaction.
Sometimes, she'd stick out her pink tongue, teary-eyed from the spiciness, and occasionally, she'd happily banter with Yan Yuchen, using her chopsticks to grab a piece of beef from his bowl.
Yan Yuchen, of course, wouldn't back down.
So, the two of them ate from their own bowls while trying to grab from each other's.
In no time, the bowls were empty, thoroughly enjoyed.
They drank soy milk contentedly, exchanged playful banter, wiped their mouths, and lazily stood up, leaning against the table, heading towards the market.
"Little sister, you're a girl, eating so much. Aren't you afraid of getting fat?"
"Mind your own business. So what if I get fat?"
"If you get fat, you won't be able to get married. I'm just concerned about you, and, of course, our parents. I'm afraid you won't be able to get married and will be a burden on them."
"You! Hmph, then I'll stick to you and let you take care of me!"
"I never raise pigs, and I'm not planning to build a pigsty... Oh, come on, let go. Just said you're a pig, and now you've turned into a dog so quickly."
"I'll bite you! I'll bite you, you scoundrel!"
"Little sister, you can bite, but why bite my ear? It's been days since I cleaned my ears; wax is overflowing."
"Ugh..."
The two of them continued their playful banter as they entered the market, looking around without a clue about what vegetables to buy.
After a while, realizing the agreed time with Yuan Xiaofen was approaching, Yan Yuchen said, "How about this, little sister? Let's go pick up Yuan Xiaofen first, and then she can help us choose vegetables. After all, she's a guest. It's a kind gesture, what do you think?"
Yan Xiaoxi stared at him as if he were an idiot, saying, "Brother, if you know she's a guest, why ask her to choose vegetables? Can you even do that?"
Yan Yuchen was stunned and quickly corrected himself, "Sorry, I misspoke. What I meant was, let her come and pick vegetables, not buy them."
"Hmph, that's more like it."
The two of them bantered their way out of the market.
On the agreed-upon bridge, Yuan Xiaofen, wearing a green dress and carrying a small backpack, stood gracefully in the morning breeze, admiring the view of the moat.
When she saw Yan Yuchen and Yan Xiaoxi approaching, the girl smiled gently, walked over, and said, "Yan Yuchen, your parents really know how to choose a place. The scenery here is beautiful."
Yan Yuchen smiled but didn't say anything.
On the side, Yan Xiaoxi grinned and said, "Little Fen, my brother wants to say that no matter how beautiful the scenery is, it can't compare to your beauty. Don't ask me how I know his thoughts; I'm like a tapeworm in his stomach."
A delicate blush appeared on Yuan Xiaofen's cheeks, like the morning glow on the horizon, exceptionally beautiful.
Yan Yuchen glared at his little sister and said, "Ignore her. This girl loves to talk nonsense. Let's go, we'll go to the market first, and you can help us choose vegetables—no, I mean, pick vegetables."
The three of them arrived at the market together. Yuan Xiaofen skillfully selected some vegetables, and she even knew the prices of each variety, impressing Yan Yuchen.
After buying the vegetables, the three of them chatted happily on their way home.
Meanwhile, in Yan's courtyard, Hu Gua Gua was instructing someone to place a basin of water above the iron gate, preparing to drench Yan, who she expected to return like a drowned chicken.
A charming woman named Nuan Yi stood by her side, wanting to advise her but ultimately just sighed without speaking.
In her eyes, Hu Gua Gua's status was so noble that she shouldn't be doing such things, but due to the relationship with Jindan, she had no choice.
Soon, Yan Yuchen's laughter echoed from outside.
Hu Gua Gua raised an eyebrow, a smug expression on her face. She gestured to Nuan Yi and Hua'er, and the three quietly glided from the side of the courtyard wall, flying out.
Instead of going far, they hid behind the willow trees by the moat, secretly watching Yan's front gate.
Yan Yuchen, carrying the vegetables, walked ahead. When he reached the gate, about to put down the vegetables to open the door, Yuan Xiaofen stepped forward and said, "Give me the key; I'll open it. It's inconvenient for you."
"It's in the left pocket."
Yan Yuchen said, and Yuan Xiaofen reached into his pocket, took out the key, and opened the door.
Seeing this scene, Hu Gua Gua was instantly infuriated. She stamped her foot in anger, "Why does that scoundrel always have such good luck!"
Hua'er secretly breathed a sigh of relief. There was something mixed in that water. If it drenched a girl, it would be tolerable, but if it soaked a guy, it would be...
"Splash!"
Just as Yuan Xiaofen opened the iron gate, a large basin of water suddenly poured down from above. Yan Yuchen, quick-witted, rushed forward and pulled her into his arms.
"Splash!"
The water poured down directly on both of them, soaking them completely, and the basin fell to the ground with a "crash."
Yan Xiaoxi, who was walking at the back, was startled.
Meanwhile, Hu Gua Gua, hidden behind the willow tree, clapped her hands, laughing heartily. She thought, you reap what you sow, you can't live comfortably when you act like a hero!
Yan Yuchen released Yuan Xiaofen from his arms, touched the wet clothes, sniffed them, and said with a smile, "It's okay, clean water. Probably just a prank."
By the moat, Hu Gua Gua and her companions stood with open mouths, wearing stunned expressions.
Especially Hua'er, her face turned so red it seemed like she might bleed.
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