During the May Day holiday, the streets of the ancient city were packed with people.
At dusk, Jiang Linyuan and Su Muzhi walked hand in hand along the street, neon lights flickering from the shops on both sides.
They found a noodle shop and sat down, ordering two bowls of braised beef noodles.
A ladleful of red broth was poured over the noodles, thick as amber and steaming hot, its fragrance of scallions and garlic shoots spreading through the air.
Several thick slices of braised beef lay atop the noodles, their grain distinct, tender and richly flavored.
The owner brought over the noodles, along with two bowls of milky-white rice wine.
Su Muzhi sat at the table, still looking a little sulky, her expression unchanged even at the sight of the food.
Jiang Linyuan was afraid that the next second, she would say, "I don't eat beef," then flip the table and storm off.
"Little Su, noodles should be eaten while they're hot."
Jiang Linyuan nudged her bowl toward her.
Su Muzhi glanced at him, stirred the noodles a few times with her chopsticks, tasted them, then pushed the bowl over to him.
"Not good."
Jiang Linyuan tried some. They were quite good.
It felt like Little Su was just looking for an excuse to make demands.
"I told you on the way here, didn't I? If we got here and didn't eat anything good, I'd throw you into the river."
Su Muzhi took another sip of rice wine.
"You'd really throw me in?"
Jiang Linyuan asked.
Su Muzhi laughed.
"Heh, I forgot. Even if you were thrown into the river, some Yu or Lin would come running to save you."
She was still jealous.
"Things are already like this now. Will there be even more in the future?"
She