By the Vast Sea.
The sea breeze blew Kitten's fur out long, and she opened her mouth wide.
"Ah~"
She seemed to want to swallow all the wind into her belly.
"Moo!"
Old Ox stretched out a hoof and covered her mouth.
What were you trying to do, you silly cat? Weren't you afraid of getting a stomachache?
"Meow."
Shayu County.
"Your rolling-fish noodles are ready, dear guests."
The waiter came over carrying a large tray with three bowls of noodles and some side dishes on it.
Rolling-fish noodles were loach noodles.
Li Ping'an picked up some noodles and took a bite.
He still remembered coming here for the first time all those years ago.
The first meal he, Old Ox, and Changqing had eaten here had been these rolling-fish noodles.
After all these years of twists and turns, he hadn't expected this noodle stall to still be here.
The noodles seemed to taste just as they had before, too.
Li Ping'an ate slowly, alternating between mouthfuls of noodles and bites of garlic.
Just then, the crackle of firecrackers suddenly rang out nearby.
Along with the firecrackers came the beating of gongs and drums.
A grand wedding procession slowly approached from one end of the street.
The procession was astonishingly long.
The groom sat high on horseback, brimming with spirit.
Servants stood on either side, baskets in hand.
The baskets were filled with countless copper coins.
The servants grabbed handfuls of coins and scattered them around.
At the same time, they called out, "Our young master is getting married today!"
"Congratulations!"
"May you soon have a fine son!"
"..."
A beggar blocked the way, clacking his rhythm sticks.
"Heaven builds a magpie bridge, wondrous matches grace the earth; flowers bloom in pairs, joyfully joined in marriage.
"Heaven rejoices, earth rejoices,