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Shen Xiche ignored him, of course. Instead of throwing it out, he ladled two small bowls for Shen Luoluo and Shen Jingyao.

"Just try a couple of bites. If you don't like it, I'll dump the whole pot right away."

Shen Luoluo picked up her chopsticks and took a couple of bites. "It's actually really good. It's like stinky tofu—smells awful, tastes delicious."

Shen Xiche said, "Exactly! Luoluo gets me."

Shen Jingyao sat down, still skeptical, and took a bite under Shen Luoluo's and Shen Xiche's expectant gazes.

They watched him closely, but Shen Jingyao remained as composed as ever. His expression gave nothing away.

"Well? Is it good?" Shen Xiche asked eagerly, a little nervous. Naturally, he wanted everyone else to like what he liked.

It was Shen Jingyao's first time eating anything like it. The flavor was strange—not particularly good, but not bad either. He could eat it. "It's all right."

Shen Xiche huffed. "Have a few more bites. It gets better the more you eat." Then he looked at Shen Jiayan, who had kept his distance from the table. "Shen Jiayan, even Big Brother says it's all right. You sure you won't try it?"

"If you don't, the three of us will finish it."

Shen Luoluo joined in. "It really is good. Want to try?"

Seeing all three of them eating, Shen Jiayan began to waver. "You can really eat that?"

"Why would I lie to you? You eat stinky tofu. What's there to be afraid of?" Shen Xiche pressed.

At last, persuaded by everyone, Shen Jiayan edged over to the table and tried a bite of the rice noodles. His eyes lit up. He took a second bite, then a third.

Shen Xiche draped an arm over his shoulders. "Well? Not bad, right? You almost missed