"Holy shit! Lin, this medicine of yours is incredible! Where did you buy it? Get me a few more bottles!"
Zhao Jie instantly forgot the agony in his rear. His eyes lit up as he grabbed Chen Lin's arm, as though he had seized the key to happiness for the rest of his life.
"An exclusive formula. Not for public release."
Chen Lin casually patted his shoulder, a hint of mischief hidden in his smile.
"You haven't seen anything yet. This bottle's effects are only just starting to kick in."
After that ordeal, Zhao Jie lost all interest in speeding around. He obediently drove back into the city and parked near the high school they had once attended.
The two walked into the Old Ma Beef Noodle Shop, a place that held countless memories of their youth.
It was still the same familiar little shop, its walls yellowed by cooking fumes.
And there was the same owner, wearing a greasy apron and looking perpetually impatient.
The owner was scrolling through short videos with his head down. Hearing the wind chime at the door, he called out without looking up, "Check the wall yourselves for what you want!"
But when he saw the enormous black vehicle outside, he froze.
He looked again at Chen Lin and Zhao Jie, who had gotten out of the car, and his habitually half-lidded eyes widened into circles.
In a tenth of a second, the impatience on his face was replaced by an incredibly warm smile.
"Oh! It's Xiao Lin and Jie! Haven't seen you two in years. You've really struck it rich! Come in, come in! What would you like today? I'll give you double the meat!"
They ordered two bowls of beef noodles.
The flavor was still familiar, but their outlook on life had