Chapter 850: A Lunch Date....
Translator: Endlessæantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Su Wenxiu saw carriages heading toward town on the right while the ones entering Su Teng Village were on the left. That way, many carriages could traverse the roads and not get in the way.
Meanwhile, the pedestrians could walk on sidewalks. Everything looked standardized and convenient. Although shops were on both sides of the street, the scenery was beautiful because of its unique architectural style.
The walls were colorful, and there were wooden benches on the sidewalks where those who grew tired from shopping could sit and rest. Some even bought snacks and ate them there.
Meanwhile, many others queued up at the shops on either side of the streets. Su Wenxiu smiled as he looked around. He even saw a signboard on the road ahead as he walked forward. The signboard pointed toward places like the library and the food street.
“Everyone likes this signboard,” Zi Die said, “People won’t get lost in the bustling streets with this.”
“Is it easy to get lost?” Su Wenxiu asked.
Zi Die nodded, saying, “It’s because of how big this area is. There are several factories, farmers’ markets, convenience stores, and food stalls. Having a travel map makes this place easier for people to navigate.”
Zi Die remembered how shocked she was when she first walked around here. Although she and her parents had visited many places and experienced countless things, she had never seen a more beautiful and prosperous area.
It was even more beautiful at night as the street lamps came to life. Most shops opened early and closed pretty later. People would stroll around after lunch.
There was also no need to worry about crimes as guards patrolled the area every night. That was why Zi Die liked this place.
People had also bought the nearby houses and moved to Su Teng Village as it became increasingly lively and prosperous. Su Teng Market had also doubled
in size. People also often visited the Grand Theater to watch the play.
Su Wenxiu listened as he observed the changes along the way. He realized how much livelier this place was. He was even more amazed when they arrived at the food street.
The street was vast but with almost no gaps between people. People lined up in front of each stall, waiting for their food.
“Whoa! How many people are there?!” Su Wenxiu was shocked.
“It’s this crowded every day,” Zi Die said, “We have to line up to buy things here, but all the food is worth the wait. You can’t get them elsewhere, either.
Believe it or not, it’s even more crowded during rest hours. There’s still some space now, so we can get in.”
Su Wenxiu wanted to visit the paper mill and printing factory but thought it was better to accompany Zi Die for lunch first. He sighed when she was still insistent on squeezing through the crowd.
‘Forget it, as long as she’s happy.’
“Let’s go in, Professor.”
“All right.”
People walked in and out as the two entered the crowd. Therefore, it was inevitable for Su Wenxiu to bump into Zi Die a few times as they squeezed through the crowd.
Still, he protected her along the way, not wanting anyone to bump into her. Zi Die did not overthink it at first, but she noticed him protecting her after a while. Suddenly, she lost her balance and fell into his arms.
At that moment, she caught a whiff of his pleasant scent. It carried a hint of medicinal herbs. Her head buzzed, and her mind went blank. She could only think of how refreshing Su Wenxiu smelled.
Zi Die tensed, and her heart pounded so quickly that it was about to jump out of her throat. Su Wenxiu did not notice her behavior and only focused on protecting the girl. He softly asked, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Professor.” She blushed and shook her head, not daring to look into Su Wenxiu’s eyes.
Things got much better when the duo reached the innermost part of the food street. Although there were not that many people in this area, there was still no place to sit. People would get their food and then eat as they walked.
There were many shops here, too, but most of which were on the second floor. When the customers came to eat, they would enter a restaurant and wait so it was not as crowded outside.
Zi Die sighed in relief when they reached the entrance of Big Bowl Noodles.
“We’re here, Professor. The pickled fish noodles are my favorite.”
She was excited when she mentioned her favorite dish. Su Wenxiu became wide-eyed when he saw her smile.
“Have you tried pickled fish noodles before, Professor?”
Su Wenxiu nodded. “Yes, I have. I even helped my sister make it at home once. ”
Surprised, Zi Die blinked and asked, “You helped Miss Su make pickled fish noodles?”
She asked because she had heard that Su Wenxiu could do anything. Still, she did not know he could cook. Moreover, Su Wenxiu would not lie to her. He nodded and said, “Yeah, we made it at home once.’
Although he seldom cooked at home, he would help whenever possible. The noodles he made for himself were pretty good because he followed Su Binglan’s steps.
Sometimes, he would not have time to go home for lunch when he was busy teaching at the medical school. He would then cook for himself in the teachers’ dormitory.
Zi Die lit up as she said, “1 want to try your cooking one day. It must be delicious, right?”
Su Wenxiu was about to say something but realized it might be inappropriate, so he held back. Even so, it did not discourage Zi Die as she would come of marriageable age soon. By then, she would show her sincerity toward Su
Wenxiu.
“Professor, can I learn to cook from you?” Zi Die became shy.
Su Wenxiu lowered his head to look at her in puzzlement as she continued, “l remember you saying that you wanted to make medicinal cuisine and open a shop.
“l know medicinal cuisine and pills are similar in some ways. The former can nourish one’s body, too. I want to learn to cook so that I can combine food with herbs and make tasty medicinal cuisines..”