When Zhang Siyu followed Wen Ning inside,
she had barely crossed the threshold when her stomach let out an extremely loud growl, painfully jarring in the quiet shop.
She immediately ducked her head, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
Wen Ning glanced back at her.
"When was the last time you ate?"
Zhang Siyu hemmed and hawed for ages before finally squeezing out an answer.
"I think it was three days ago."
Wen Ning froze for a moment.
"You haven't eaten for three days, but you've still been crouching at the alley entrance every day, writing and drawing? Wait, was that bottle of soda the last of your worldly wealth? Did you come here to slay monsters or to cultivate immortality by starving yourself?"
Hearing Wen Ning say that about her, Zhang Siyu protested.
"It's not like I wanted this! My wallet and phone were stolen on the train. I only had money for that cola because I washed dishes for someone. Besides, I came here all by myself. I don't know a soul, and I was too embarrassed to ask strangers for help."
Wen Ning sighed. This girl really had society to thank for not having starved to death.
He turned and walked over to the little secondhand fridge, taking out a few eggs and a bag of dried noodles.
As he put some water on to boil, he said without turning around,
"A direct disciple of Dragon-Tiger Mountain squatting outside my shop for three days without eating. If word got out, people would think I abused young girls here."
Zhang Siyu murmured,
"Thank you, Boss Wen."
Then she set her backpack beside a chair and sat down at the table.
Big Yellow came in through the doorway and sat in front of