Chapter 165: Street Snacks

She had no idea that last time, while injured in the woods and slipping in and out of consciousness, she had mentioned many of her likes, all of which Ling Chen had memorized without missing a word. However, she completely forgot what she had said once she came to.

Walking along, browsing the stalls, and snacking away, Nanrong Wanqing’s pretty face was lit up with a bright, happy smile. She had almost forgotten how long it had been since she felt this happy.

After finishing some mung bean cakes and pine flower pastries, Nanrong Wanqing’s eyes suddenly sparkled as she pointed at a stall ahead, excitedly saying, "Ling Chen, they have rice noodle rolls over there, I want some."

"Alright, let’s go get some."

Ling Chen smiled faintly, pushing Nanrong Wanqing to the stall, "Vendor, two bowls of rice noodle rolls, no chili."

Seeing a round table set up beside them, Nanrong Wanqing couldn’t help but suggest, "Let’s sit down and eat. You must be tired from walking so much."

"It’s nothing." Even though he said that, Ling Chen still sat down at the table.

Before long, two bowls of rice noodle rolls were brought to them.

"How does it taste?"

"Delicious," Nanrong Wanqing said with a satisfied smile, "These rice noodle rolls have to be eaten fresh. Lin used to buy them for me, but the taste changes by the time she brings them home."

"Take your time, there are over a hundred stalls here, we can go through them one by one."

"No, I can’t... I’m afraid of gaining weight," Nanrong Wanqing said shyly. "I seldom eat late-night snacks; this is the first time I’m making an exception."

"You have such a good figure, you won’t get fat. Just eat to your heart’s content without worrying."

Hearing his compliment, Nanrong Wanqing smiled slightly and continued to savor the delicious rice noodle rolls.

Before long, more and more people arrived at the stall, and the round table was filled with patrons. However, everyone’s gaze seemed to settle on Nanrong Wanqing.

No wonder, as one of East Sea City’s golden flowers, Nanrong Wanqing’s charm was irresistible. Despite the disability in her legs, her delicate beauty and demeanor were akin to a goddess descending to Earth. Moreover, her sitting in a wheelchair added a touch of vulnerability, eliciting an instinctive tenderness from the depths of people’s hearts.

"Beautiful lady, hello, let’s get acquainted. My name is Jiang Yunkai," a young man sitting nearby initiated a conversation.

Nanrong Wanqing gave him a brief glance without a word, focusing on her rice noodle rolls instead.

"Beauty, I..."

"Pal, stick to your rice noodle rolls and don’t bother others for no reason," Ling Chen interrupted him impatiently.

Jiang Yunkai sized up Ling Chen and smiled, showing his teeth, "Ah, so you have a boyfriend."

Ling Chen nodded, appreciating that the guy got the hint.

"But having a boyfriend doesn’t matter. Haven’t married yet, and even if you are married, divorce is always an option."

This sudden statement from Jiang Yunkai instantly irked Ling Chen.

"Ling Chen, I’m done eating, let’s go," Nanrong Wanqing put down her chopsticks and spoke softly.

Seeing her speak up, Ling Chen abandoned the idea of bickering with the other man, pushed the wheelchair back onto the street, and continued their stroll.

Jiang Yunkai’s mouth twitched into a smirk as he stood up and started to follow them, matching their pace.

Seeing that he kept following them, Ling Chen frowned slightly; this guy really didn’t know when to quit.

Afraid that he would take action, Nanrong Wanqing advised, "There are plenty of people like him, no need to get into a squabble."

Not too far away, Ling Chen noticed a grilled skewer stall by the road and stopped, "There are skewers over there, do you want some?"

Nanrong Wanqing was a bit eager but hesitated, seeing so much meat.

Knowing what she was thinking, Ling Chen grinned widely, "It’s fine, eating one or two won’t make you fat."

"Well... okay then," Nanrong Wanqing ultimately could not resist the temptation of delicious food.

"Boss, give me five skewers."

"Okay..." The stall owner was about to respond, but his face suddenly changed, and he corrected himself: "Sorry, we’re all sold out."

Ling Chen pointed to the heaps of skewers nearby, "Are you treating me like I’m blind? There are so many here, aren’t they yours?"

"I already said they’re sold out, what’s with all the useless talk? Hurry up and move, don’t block my business."

As he spoke, the stall owner cautiously glanced behind Ling Chen.

Noticing his gaze, Ling Chen immediately turned his head and saw Jiang Yunkai standing behind him with a smile.

"Boss, give this lady here a few skewers," Jiang Yunkai stepped forward and greeted the owner.

"Alright! Brother Jiang, please wait a moment, they’ll be ready shortly."

Ling Chen looked at Jiang Yunkai with a playful gaze, noticing that this young man wielded some clout on this street; even the stall owner seemed to fear him.

Having dealt with Jiang Hao and the others for so long, he was all too familiar with such characters.

"Ling Chen, let’s go back, it’s getting late and we have to work tomorrow."

Nanrong Wanqing spoke up, not wanting him to get into a conflict.

"Okay."

Ling Chen hesitated for a moment and then nodded.

But at that moment, suddenly, from the opposite side of the street came a burst of cursing, followed by a clanging noise, as if something had been smashed to the ground, sending numerous tourists running over with panic on their faces.

Beside him, Jiang Yunkai’s expression turned cold as he walked straight over.

Before long, a group of more than thirty thugs wielding steel rods surged forward, smashing all the stalls on the street, striking people without mercy.

"Stop it!" yelled Jiang Yunkai.

"Brother Jiang is here."

"Brother Jiang, you must stand up for us."

The stall owners around saw Jiang Yunkai as if they had seen a lifesaver, and they ran over to him one after another.

Seeing the actions of these stall owners, Ling Chen was somewhat surprised. He had originally thought Jiang Yunkai to be a common street thug, which is why these stall owners were afraid of him. Now, it seemed that was not the case.

It looked like the stall owners respected Jiang Yunkai quite a bit; such respect was not typically accorded to an ordinary street thug.

"Everyone, step back. I’ll handle this."

With those words, Jiang Yunkai stepped forward, gave the thugs a scan, then fixed his gaze on the leader and frowned, "Huang Zhan, I’ve warned you, you can’t touch this street. Did you take my words as a joke?"

"Jiang, don’t get too cocky. From today on, this street is under the control of the Green Tiger Gang. If you dare to interfere, don’t blame me for being unkind."

The Green Tiger Gang?

Ling Chen’s mind stirred; wasn’t Qi Jianhui the boss of the Green Tiger Gang?

As he contemplated, he heard Jiang Yunkai say: "Come at me if you have the guts. If I take a step back, then I’m not Jiang Yunkai."

"Fine, you’re asking for it. Brothers, grab your weapons, charge!"

Facing more than thirty thugs, Jiang Yunkai was calm and unabashed, aggressively charging forward.

His arms twisted, his waist turned, and with a simple move, a thug was knocked to the ground.

Watching his movements, Ling Chen’s eyes lit up, thoughtfully observing Jiang Yunkai.