Jiang's Noodles Shop.
Chen Dawang cradled a huge bowl in his hands, noisily wolfing down the fragrant braised pork noodles.
He looked every inch like a starving ghost reborn.
"Uncle Dawang, eat slowly. If it's not enough, you can always have more noodles."
Even Zhang Yuan, seated opposite him, felt a pang of pity. This man had probably not eaten his fill in a very long time.
Chen Dawang ate three huge bowls before finally setting down his chopsticks.
He wiped his mouth and said sheepishly, "Yuan... Brother Yuan, I've made a fool of myself."
To a village man, Zhang Yuan—who had treated him to a full meal—already counted as a benefactor, so he spoke far more respectfully.
Zhang Yuan had the waiter clear away the empty bowls, then lifted the teapot and poured him a cup of tea. "What exactly happened with that Zhang Xiong you mentioned?"
"Ah..."
Chen Dawang let out a long sigh, his eyes reddening again. "Back then, lard had smeared my heart!"
When the Chen Family announced that they were recruiting laborers to carve roads through the mountains, he had been the first to rush over and sign up, delighted to think he had landed a fine job.
Who could have imagined it would bring about a calamity that threatened his life?
At the time, Zhang Xiong, whom the Chen Family had hired to guard the City God Statue, had been the first to flee when the strange phenomenon appeared, abandoning several hundred people who were left leaderless like a flock of dragons without a head.
Chen Dawang had first heard someone shouting, "Everyone, run!" Then he saw Zhang Xiong sneaking away.
His mind thrown into chaos, he immediately dropped his tools and fled for his life.
Even now, Chen Dawang had no idea how