Chapter 24: A Scratch
Wang Ming: “…”
Ao Chen: “…”
“Divorced, divorced, divorced!” Before Ao Chen could answer, Wang Ming urgently declared.
Ao Chen: “…”
Depressed Uncle: “…”
“So get divorced then, why are you so quick to deny it?” the depressed uncle, seemingly defending his master, looked at Wang Ming with displeasure.
Wang Ming: “…”
Shoot, I came off as low-EQ, Wang Ming thought.
“No, no, Older Brother, you misunderstood,” Wang Ming quickly explained.
“I’m afraid if I deny it too late, it’ll look like I’m taking advantage of him,” Wang Ming explained sincerely.
Ao Chen: “…”
Depressed Uncle: “…”
“Alright,” the depressed uncle nodded sheepishly.
“If it’s street food, I’ll eat anything,” the depressed uncle said, surprisingly undemanding.
“Just get me a sesame paste cold skin noodle dish, some cold chicken wings, a bowl of hand-pulled noodles, a bowl of machine-pulled noodles, a plate of spicy crayfish, a plate of garlic crayfish, a plate of thirteen-spice crayfish…”
The depressed uncle continued, proving his earlier statement – he’d eat anything if it was street food.
Wow, you’re reciting a menu here? Wang Ming thought to himself.
Then, he casually glanced at his fiancé and noticed a slight twitch of his lips.
Wang Ming: “…”
Did that man just smile? Wang Ming was astonished. Is this something I can see for free?
Maybe he knows what I’m thinking, Wang Ming belatedly remembered their previous conversation about mind-reading, after recovering from his shock.
“I didn’t mean to,” Ao Chen said as Wang Ming was filled with doubt.
“Your inner monologue was…well, to use your words, it basically broke the fourth wall,” Ao Chen honestly admitted.
Wang Ming: “…”
It’s my fault for having a running commentary? Wang Ming thought, carefully halting his inner monologue.
“What are you two doing? I said I want another plate of salt-and-pepper crayfish, did anyone hear me?” The depressed uncle raised his voice, emphasizing his presence.
Wang Ming: “…”
Ao Chen: “…”
“Yes, yes, we heard you,” Wang Ming nodded.
This older brother isn’t going to single-handedly wipe out the world’s crayfish population, is he? A terrifying thought occurred to Wang Ming, causing him to tense up and tremble slightly.
“Alright, then…should I go with you guys?” The depressed uncle, mindful of his master’s presence, asked.
That would be great, Wang Ming thought. Forget anything else, just those eight hundred and sixty plates of crayfish – without several people to carry them, I don’t know how I’ll bring them back.
However, just as Wang Ming was thinking that, he heard Ao Chen say, “No need, just the two of us are fine.”
He was referring to himself and Wang Ming.
Wang Ming: “…”
Some people just like to make things difficult for themselves, Wang Ming thought.
But since Ao Chen had spoken, Wang Ming naturally gave him face and didn’t object.
Wang Ming bid farewell to the depressed uncle and followed Ao Chen toward the night market.
Wang Ming was quite familiar with this night market.
He’d been very thorough when renting his apartment, investigating nearby affordable, clean, and delicious street food stalls.
Some shops had been there for over a decade, frequented by old neighborhood residents. A business that lasted that long certainly wasn’t a one-hit-wonder; if anyone got food poisoning, they wouldn’t return.
Wang Ming expertly led Ao Chen to several stalls he’d “scouted,” where long queues had formed.
Wang Ming: “…”
How long will this take…? Wang Ming looked at the crowds and sighed.
He turned to his silent companion.
Wang Ming: “…”
If it were another friend, we could at least chat. Standing in line with this man…I’m just standing in line alone, Wang Ming sighed inwardly.
“Sigh…”
Wang Ming sighed audibly.
Wang Ming: “…”
I’ve been alone for too long, I just blurt out what I’m thinking, Wang Ming realized.
“What’s wrong?” Following social etiquette, Ao Chen asked, hearing Wang Ming’s sigh.
Wang Ming: “…”
“It’s just too many people, that’s all,” Wang Ming waved his hand.
I should have brought my phone, Wang Ming thought.
He had a phone, but he wasn’t exactly a heavy phone user.
And his phone battery was practically dead—one minute of use required ten hours of charging. It wouldn’t last long.
“If you’re very hungry, we can choose somewhere without a queue,” Ao Chen considered.
Wang Ming: “…”
I know where this domineering CEO wants to take me, Wang Ming thought.
Then he realized he might be trapped in endless social obligations.
“No, it’s alright,” Wang Ming shook his head.
Wang Ming and Ao Chen stood together in silence, looking at each other while waiting in line.
Wang Ming: “…”
Gradually, due to boredom, Wang Ming put on a suffering face.
Sigh… Wang Ming sighed inwardly.
Thank goodness we’re getting divorced soon. If this natural-born marriage couldn’t be dissolved, I’d have to deal with this man for the next hundred years. That would be terrible.
Wang Ming started to mutter to himself, passing the time.
Meanwhile, the usually impassive Ao Chen suddenly raised an eyebrow.
He sensed a scratch on the red line that stretched between him and Wang Ming.