Chapter 1875 - 336:

The soup house generally opens rather early. There are those who come after a night shift, those heading to an early shift, and others who get up early specifically to enjoy the first pot of soup.

A large pot is used, and it certainly doesn't just cook one pot of ingredients, but the first pot undoubtedly has the richest flavor.

Tan Wenbin and Lin Shuyou went to order dishes. Shortly after, they brought over four bowls of meat soup, four servings of shredded pancakes, four portions of meatballs, and four bottles of an icy beverage.

Li Zhiyuan stirred his soup bowl with chopsticks. The bowl had plenty of meat, topped with a layer of scallions and coriander, all of which looked incredibly appetizing.

Taking a sip, the soup tasted fragrant and delicious, rich in flavor.

Though it also had chili, it didn't aim for the numbing spiciness sought after in Sichuan cooking. It was more diverse than the Northern preference for hot pot, less fussy than the Eastern coastal variety, and heavier than Southern tastes.

Even if one isn't a local, they are quite likely to find their most favored flavor here, one they had yet to discover.

If one had to use a single word to describe this taste:

"Central!"

"Delicious!"

Run Sheng had already finished a bowl of soup. While traveling, he typically saves money, so for him to praise food from outside establishments is truly rare.

Tan Wenbin smiled, stood up, took Run Sheng's bowl, and went to refill it, adding meatballs and shredded pancakes along the way.

Run Sheng asked, "Is refilling free?"

Tan Wenbin replied, "Yes, but you probably can only refill once. Meat can't be added. Once you finish the second bowl, we will pay for another round. Feel free to eat, we all will eat to our fill."

Li Zhiyuan finished a bowl and soaked a serving of shredded pancakes in the soup before putting down his chopsticks.

Next comes the "stocking up" moment for the three friends.

According to past experience, when searching for clues among the waves, new leads will follow, although none have surfaced yet. So they might as well enjoy themselves while they wait.

There were some customers, but not many, hence after ordering so many bowls, not only did some local ladies cleaning up the tables peek curiously, but even the owner came out to see the spectacle, counting the bowls and cheering them on.

Li Zhiyuan got off the table and went to sit at the entrance of the store on a plastic stool.

In front was the last quiet moment before the city awoke, while behind was the tangible aroma of cooking.

The young man had a hunch; this would likely be their most relaxed meal for a while.

The top forces in Jianghu were set to unite against the Yu Family, which would inevitably stir turmoil. From Li Zhiyuan's understanding of the architect, they would likely find an appropriate entry point to send the Lighter in.

These martial arts factions would break through Yu Family's gates, the Jiang Shui would sweep in to sever their roots.

A woman's silhouette appeared ahead.

She wore casual white attire with a ponytail, giving off a fresh and elegant vibe.

Yet, watching her step closer and examining her gait, Li Zhiyuan felt a sense of discord.

Previously, when Alii wore clothes bought by the Grandmaster, Li Zhiyuan had felt similar.

This indicated that this woman did not usually wear such modern clothes, still following her habitual manner of walking.

Her face had long been obscured by a dimly lit street lamp.

But as she came closer, the foggy sensation dissipated, revealing her true appearance.

A very young woman, one could even call her an "older sister."

Moreover, Li Zhiyuan had seen this sister in a "dream."

Chen Xiyuan.

Dragon King Chen Family.

When accompanying Grandma Liu to a meeting at "Wangjiang Building," only she was outside the plaza, who discovered his identity.

Looking back on it, this was hardly a coincidence, but rather, the Dragon King's fortune bestowed on her to "mindfully discern" his disguise.

Yet Grandma Liu intervened, pulling back the curtain and interrupting the process, so she shouldn't remember him.

This was indeed the case; Chen Xiyuan truly did not remember the young man before her.

But this didn't hinder her from once again finding interest in the boy sitting at the soup house entrance.

After all, at "Wangjiang Building" plaza, she had thought this "ordinary family" child in "real life" was truly handsome, prompting her to engage him in conversation.

"Little brother, is this soup house good?"

"It's delicious."

"Good, then I'll try it too."

Chen Xiyuan stepped up the stairs, then paused before entering, bending down once more to gaze at the boy sitting in front of her.

She couldn't understand why she felt inexplicably familiar with the boy. Was it just because he was handsome?

Chen Xiyuan shook her head and walked into the shop.

When ordering, the owner apologetically stated, "You must wait a bit longer; it's almost ready, almost ready."

Chen Xiyuan sat down, glanced at the neighboring table with three young men leaning back, full and content, and the tall stack of bowls on their table.

A smile appeared on her face; when someone beside her eats heartily, one often catches on, growing more interested in eating.

As Tan Wenbin, Run Sheng, and Lin Shuyou finished digesting their meal, Brother Xiao Yuan connected them with the Red Line, his voice resonating within them:

"Close your eyes and stay still; it's none of our business."

The owner brought over a tray. Behind him, the boss's wife glared at him intensely because patrons typically carry their own soup; witnessing a pretty girl come in, he proactively brought it to her.

"Here's your soup and the shredded pancakes for you..."

Before he could finish, a gray mist suddenly surged into the store.

Everyone inside came to a halt, either sitting or standing, motionless.

Li Zhiyuan at the entrance was the first to be enveloped by the gray mist; he cooperated by dimming the light in his eyes, making himself appear more sluggish.

Within the gray mist, a tall, lean man emerged, the mist was emitted from his mouth.

The man sneered:

"Wretched woman, after killing so many from my Yu Family, you actually have the luxury to sit down and enjoy soup?"

Chen Xiyuan moved to the store's entrance, then walked two steps forward, positioning the boy at the door behind her.

"With your nest about to crumble, why do all of you beasts keep crawling out?"

"Bitch, are you in such a rush to die?"

Chen Xiyuan drew out a flute from her sleeve and nodded:

"Yes, you should die early, or else my soup will get cold."