Still, a purchase was a purchase. After a quiet nod between them, they proceeded with the steps and carried their cups to the seating area, a few seats away from Hao.
As they waited, Yunlan Qingyi leaned closer and whispered.
“What do you think it will taste like, Mei Mei?”
“I’m not sure… but I doubt it will be anything amazing.” Li Mei whispered back.
Three minutes passed. Yunlan Qingyi, unable to hold back her curiosity any longer.
“This should be ready now, right Mei Mei?”
“Yes, Yiyi.” Li Mei answered with a nod, her eyes already on the cup in front of them.
The two of them simultaneously opened their cups, and the instant they did, a rich, savory scent wafted up – something warm, slightly smoky, and deep.
It was a mix of umami and something hearty – a blend of herbs and roasted meat, filling the air. The fragrance alone made their mouths water.
They quickly composed themselves, but their hands trembled slightly as they held their chopsticks.
Who said it’s not gonna be delicious?
Li Mei, strict as ever, pushed down her own surprisex. “Wait, Yiyi.”
“It could contain something dangerous… some kind of substance. That’s why it’s affecting us this way.”
“I’ll try it first, to be safe.” Li Mei protective nature taking over.
Yunlan Qingyi couldn’t argue, even though she was desperate to taste it now.
“Go ahead, Mei Mei. Please make it quick.”
Li Mei wiped the small bit of drool from the corner of her mouth, shaking her head in silent resignation.
With a small sigh, she picked up a long, slippery strand of noodles, coated with the deep brown broth. She brought it to her lips, hesitated for a split second, and then took a bite.
The moment the noodles hit her tongue, she froze, eyes wide. The savory taste exploded in her mouth. The broth was incredibly flavorful, the spices blending perfectly.
It was unlike anything she’d ever eaten – far surpassing even the finest dishes prepared by the palace chefs or the most renowned pavilions.
The flavor was so rich, so satisfying, it felt as though her senses were being awakened for the first time.
She slurped the noodles down, almost in a trance, still staring in disbelief. How could something so simple, something prepared in such a rudimentary way, taste this incredible?
It was like a food fit for immortals, yet it was served in a small cup with no ceremony.
How is it this good?
Yunlan Qingyi, noticing Li Mei’s stunned expression, couldn’t restrain herself any longer.
“It’s safe, right, Mei Mei?”
“I’ll eat now.”
Before Li Mei could even answer, Yunlan Qingyi had already scooped up a large bite of noodles and stuffed them into her mouth.
“Hmmhm… slurp… Mmm! This is delicious, Mei Mei!” Yunlan Qingyi exclaimed, completely forgetting her manners as she enjoyed the taste.
“Your manner, Yiyi…” Li Mei said.
But even as she spoke, she too couldn’t resist. Her chopsticks moved back to her cup, and she took a bite, almost without realizing it.
The two sat there, their previous doubts long forgotten as they relished the unexpected but utterly heavenly meal.
Before they knew it, their cups were empty.
Not a single drop of broth remained.
They blinked.
“Why… why does it feel like I’ve never eaten in my life?” Yunlan Qingyi murmured.
Li Mei stared at hers with equal shock. “This can’t be normal…”
They both looked up at each other – and immediately stiffened.
“…You have soup on your nose, Yiyi.”
“You’ve got a noodle strand stuck to your cheek, Mei Mei.”
They stared. Then pointed. Then blinked again.
“…No, you first!”
“No, you – !”
A beat.
Yunlan Qingyi and Lin Mei both burst into soft, uncontrollable laughter.
The kind of giggle that bubbled up before they could stop it.
Across the room, Hao and Mo Xixi watched with squinting eyes.
’…They’re not… entering the noodle trance?’ Hao thought.
’Wait, don’t tell me…’
’Could it be… they also have the same special constitution as me?’
Hope sparked in his chest like a firework.
He clenched his fist.
’Yes… Yes! I’m not alone!”’
But just as that hope bloomed –
The giggles stopped.
And like two puppets with their strings cut, Yunlan Qingyi and Li Mei slowly… eerily… stopped moving.
Their backs straightened.
Eyes fluttered shut.
Silence.
Hao’s face crumbled.
’Ahhh – !!’
Hao collapsed dramatically onto the table, face-down.
Not again!! I thought I found my people!
Meanwhile, deep within Yunlan Qingyi’s inner world.
Darkness.
She floated in a vast, silent space, her body glowing gently like a lantern in the night.
It was quiet. Strangely comforting. No sounds, no thoughts, just the stillness of the void.
But then – something changed.
She could feel it now. Spiritual qi. Endless waves of it.
It wasn’t chaotic or wild like what she felt during cultivation practice.
It was warm.
Gentle.
It flowed toward her like a river of light, surrounding her body, soaking into her bones and meridians.
Her breathing slowed. Her mind cleared.
Then she noticed it – the wall.
It wasn’t something she could see, but she felt it. A strange barrier deep inside her.
Cold.
Heavy.
Yunlan Qingyi had always known something was wrong with her body. Countless physicians described it as an exceedingly rare condition – one that had never been recorded in history.
Cultivation techniques didn’t work on her. Pills had no effect. Spiritual qi would enter her, then vanish like smoke.
No progress. No change.
Until now.
That same spiritual qi – the kind that disappeared before – was staying inside her.
Gathering.
Building.
Was it the noodles? That small cup of broth and noodles?
It didn’t make sense. But the warmth it gave her earlier was the same warmth flowing through her now.
The barrier inside her cracked.
Her body trembled.
She gritted her teeth. There was pain. Her veins felt like they were stretching open, wide and raw.
But she didn’t cry out. She reached toward that wall – whatever it was – and pushed.
Crack.
A brilliant surge of light burst from her chest.
Qi flooded in, spiraling through her once-blocked meridians.
Yunlan Qingyi’s body lifted higher in the void, as if weightless.
The pain was gone. Replaced by a rush of power she had never known.
She opened her eyes – at least, it felt like she did.
The void sparkled.
She could breathe the qi around her now. Her body drank it in like water.
For the first time in her life, she felt… whole.