Chapter 12: A Little Warmth

chnology press conference were in high demand, with attendees including industry peers, distributors, and media representatives. Actually, Shu Tinglan had already obtained three tickets from Lin Zhif...She turned and walked toward Qining High School. In the distance, she saw that the wonton noodle shop she used to frequent was still open, but it lacked its usual bustle. Only a few customers sat sparsely. This wonton noodle shop wasn't far from Qining High School. After evening study sessions, a large group of students would come here for supper, making it lively. The owner and his wife were kind and could remember everyone's preferences.

Shu Tinglan prefers to drink soup and eat vegetables, but dislikes eating vermicelli. The boss always puts a lot of vegetables in the dish, with only a few strands of vermicelli as garnish.

Cheng Chen likes spicy food, but because it's late-night snack, the boss always advises her to eat light in the evening. Even if Cheng Chen is unhappy, the boss insists on putting less chili peppers in her food.

Lu Kuo was a big boy with a huge appetite. Every time Cheng Chen couldn't finish his meal, Lu Kuo wouldn't mind at all. He would eat everything left on Cheng Chen's plate, even the soup.

Shu Tinglan suddenly remembered that Zhuo Y uan had been joining them for late-night snacks for a while, but he wouldn't eat. He would just sit quietly and wait for Lu Kuo.

Once Lu Kuo said, "Why are you here if you're not going to eat"

Zuo Yu'an said, waiting for you.

Lu Kuò let out a sarcastic smile: "What do you expect me to do We're not on the same path, you know. It's not really about the alcohol."

At that time, Shu Tinglan still thought, their relationship was good, it would be nice to spend a little more time together.

Around the time of Zhu Yu'an, it was very quiet, and he didn't eat late-night snacks. So Shu Tinglan almost didn't remember him participating. It wasn't until now, standing opposite the entrance of the noodle shop, that it seemed like his shadow from back then was still there.

The boss, seeing customers arrive, still greeted them with a smile and asked, "What would you like to eat"

"Congee," she replied, smoothly finding her usual window seat.

There weren't many people in the shop, and the boss quickly finished making it and brought it over. I had nothing to do, so I chatted with her.

"Aren't you a local"

The boss had completely forgotten about her.

"Well, I'm off on a business trip."

“You don’t sound like someone from Qining. But you kind of resemble a young girl who used to come to our shop often. That girl was heartless, she left after graduating high school and never came back. Back then, she was as pretty as a porcelain doll. My wife would secretly add an extra egg to her wonton soup every time. She’d been talking about it for years, saying she dreamt of having a daughter that beautiful, and that when she grew up, she would be prettier than any celebrity.”

Shu Tinglan was taken aback, only then realizing that the "little girl" her boss was talking about was her. So that egg dish had been specially made for her, not something that usually came with the noodle soup. Cheng Chen said she was always slow to catch on and couldn't feel other people's kindness.

"Honey, come here and take a look. Doesn't this girl look like the little one who always came to our shop back in the day"

The proprietress came over at the sound and really took a few good looks at Shu Tinglan, then shook her head in disappointment.

"Their features are beautiful, but their auras are different. That little girl is arrogant and aloof, ignoring everyone. This girl has a peaceful and approachable demeanor."

The proprietress pointed out the difference with a single glance.

Shu Tinglan just smiled, not expecting to meet people who remembered her when she returned to Qining after many years. And these two were complete strangers to her; she didn't even remember them. But did the proprietress misunderstand her She wasn't haughty in high school; she just disliked socializing, so she spoke less.

The taste of the congee was as good as ever, only missing the fried egg at the bottom of the bowl. On a whim, I took a picture of the congee and the shop where I bought it, and posted it on my social media with the caption: "A little warmth."nner. Meanwhile, Zhuo Y uan stood in the last row, and the two were very close.Though everyone wore the same uniform and moved in unison, Zhuo Yu'an stood out from the crowd with his imposing presence...