The hematology department office was filled with warmth, but the hospital cafeteria was in an uproar.
As rumors passed from mouth to mouth, the story quickly morphed into "Ouyang Yunjian brought his biological daughter to work at the hospital."
Single doctors hearing that their male idol already had a daughter wailed one after another, devastated beyond words.
"Who's the mother? Let her come out! I want to challenge her to a duel on the rooftop — only one of us can come down!" a single nurse from the emergency department cried out.
"A weak question: did you fall off the rooftop or just walk down the stairs?"
"Are you inciting trouble? You come out first, and I'll duel you!"
"Impossible, this can't be true. I don't believe it — give me back my male god..." wailed a single nurse from neurology.
"Today is the darkest day of my life; my world has lost its light, oh my god!" sobbed a literary-spirited single nurse from thoracic surgery.
"No appetite anymore, I can't eat!"
"This hospital no longer gives me the motivation to stay here. Sisters, if fate allows, see you again in another life!"
"We're lucky compared to that rich second-generation Ferrari heiress who's been obsessively pursuing Dr. Ouyang Shan. I wonder if she'll go crazy when she finds out he has a kid!"
...
In the kitchen of the Cai Family's mansion, Cai Haoran was dumbfounded watching the strands of silver-like noodles dance between Su Zhu's hands.
"Su Zhu, are you doing magic?"
Cai Haoran, who was attending university in the capital, had come back specifically to celebrate his grandfather's birthday. Shortly after seeing his grandfather, his father Cai Dongmin sent him to keep Su Zhu company in the kitchen and to help out.
Su Zhu was there to lend a hand, but the Cai Family wouldn't take her for granted because she was a friend of the Young Master of the Meng Family.
It wasn't appropriate for Cai Dongmin to accompany her, so with his son back, Cai Dongmin sent Cai Haoran instead to show the Cai Family's respect for Su Zhu.
Children of the elite were not the arrogant playboys novels often described. Cai Haoran showed Su Zhu respect, at least on the surface.
But seeing Su Zhu effortlessly toss a dough ball weighing over twenty kilograms, his subtle look of condescension disappeared — this was something he couldn't do!
What followed was a spectacular show of hand-pulled noodles that left Cai Haoran completely amazed.
"Su Zhu, can you teach me this trick?" Holding Su Zhu's arm, Cai Haoran's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm and admiration.
Su Zhu smiled wryly, a bit surprised. "You want to learn how to make hand-pulled noodles?"
"Yes, exactly this!" Cai Haoran pointed to the silver noodles on the tray, his tone firm.
"This isn't something you can learn in a day or two — it takes years of hard practice."
"How long, roughly?"
"At least five years."
"Then forget it!" Cai Haoran gave up completely.
Maybe he could try for a month or two, but five years? No way. If his grandfather found out he was willing to spend five years learning to make hand-pulled noodles, he'd break his legs.
At 12:40, after several rounds of drinks and most dishes served, Su Zhu began cooking the noodles while Cai Haoran and another helper arranged bowls.
The chicken broth was ready, with one poached egg per bowl — a local longevity noodle tradition. Su Zhu had already fried all the eggs and placed them on a tray.
The silver noodles couldn't be cooked too long. One minute after the water boiled, Su Zhu turned off the heat, using chopsticks to portion the noodles into bowls — about one to two taels of noodles per bowl.
Then she ladled the broth, added two cooked bok choy leaves, topped with the poached egg, and done!
"So fragrant! I'm drooling already. Su Zhu, can I have a bowl to try first?" Overwhelmed by the aroma of freshly served noodles, Cai Haoran rubbed his hands and smiled at Su Zhu.
"Get a big bowl."
"Got it."
Cai Haoran quickly grabbed a large bowl from the cupboard and placed it on the counter next to Su Zhu. He stared at the pot of noodles boiling, his Adam's apple bobbing nervously.
Four taels of noodles went into the bowl, broth poured on top, and with chopsticks ready, Cai Haoran eagerly grabbed the noodles and stuffed them in his mouth.
"Wow, so delicious!"
"Ow, ow, it's so hot! But so good!"
"Slow down, be careful not to burn yourself. Let it cool a bit!" Su Zhu smiled and reminded him.
"Too late to cool it down now. Su Zhu, these noodles you make are absolutely amazing. Wow, so good!" With noodles still in his mouth, Cai Haoran picked up another big chopstick-full of noodles and stuffed it into his mouth.
Seeing this, Su Zhu shook her head with a wry smile, no longer trying to stop him.
This was a familiar scene — it happened every day at her own shop.
Meanwhile, the longevity noodles were laid out on the dining table in the back courtyard's living room.
Five elderly men sat at the table. In the center was Cai Wenqing wearing a dark purple Tang jacket embroidered with the "Fu" character (symbolizing good fortune). Seated to his left was Liang Junhai, the recently retired top official of Zhonghai Municipal Government.
"Come, come, everyone eat some noodles. Wishing long life and prosperity every year," Cai Wenqing said with a smile, inviting the guests.
"Good, good, let's take the old leader's blessing — long life and prosperity every year," Liang Junhai said, picking up noodles with his chopsticks.
"Long life and prosperity every year."
"Long life and prosperity every year."
"Huh? This noodle..."
As soon as he tasted it, a look of surprise flashed across Liang Junhai's face.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]