Chapter 17: Handmade Fried Skewers

The pedestrian street paved with bluestone was gradually shrouded in rain and mist, as if draped in a light veil.

The fine drizzle danced under the warm-colored lights, pattering against the umbrella with a soft "rustle."

Zhao Yaqian held her umbrella and stood beside him, blinking her large eyes as she said, "I was just thinking about calling you to ask if you'd brought an umbrella, and I didn't expect to see you right away."

"Thank you." Tang Song looked at her, a smile appearing on his face involuntarily.

"You're welcome! Let's head over quickly."

"The fried skewer shop isn't far. Just walk to the end of this street and turn left for 300 meters."

The pedestrian street was bustling with people, noisy and lively, mixed with the sound of music.

Yet, under the umbrella, Tang Song felt exceptionally peaceful and content.

At the tip of his nose was the fresh, sweet scent of her body mixed with the smell of damp earth, which was very refreshing.

By glancing slightly to the side, he could see Zhao Yaqian's exquisite and three-dimensional profile.

Her forehead was full, slightly slanted bangs rested against it, her nose bridge was high, and her lips were red and plump.

Rainwater was blown by the wind onto her thick, long eyelashes, and as they fluttered slightly, they were like butterfly wings dancing lightly.

Tang Song's consciousness seemed to drift for a moment; he reached out directly and took hold of the umbrella handle.

His right pinky finger brushed against Zhao Yaqian's index finger, like an electric current passing through.

Zhao Yaqian looked over, puzzled.

"Um, this umbrella is quite heavy, and there's wind, so let me hold it."

"Oh, oh, alright then."

Tang Song let out a breath of relief.

If it were the old him, he would never have had this kind of courage.

……

The name of the fried skewer shop was very simple: Handmade Fried Skewers.

The shop area wasn't large, only about 40 square meters, with 6 or 7 tables set up.

Against the wall was a row of refrigerated display cabinets filled with all kinds of ingredients.

"The juicy sweet potato skin here is delicious. Let's get two; one skewer for each of us."

"We need starch sausages and Wang Zhongwang sausages, the vegetarian steak is also good, and there are quail eggs and small lamb skewers."

"Oh, right, we can't forget the vegetables: cabbage, bean curd skin with cilantro, potato towers..."

Zhao Yaqian, having walked into the shop, seemed to have entered her home turf, bustling about to pick out skewers.

She revealed the lively energy that a girl of her age should have.

Soon, the glass bowl in her hand was filled to the brim.

Zhao Yaqian beamed, "I haven't been here for nearly half a month. This time I'm going to eat my fill. Brother Song, don't be polite; just take whatever you like."

After all, she had received an earring worth 700 yuan from this friend of hers.

Although Zhao Yaqian didn't have much money, she still wanted to grit her teeth and splurge once.

"That's enough, there's really quite a lot; we definitely won't be able to finish it." Tang Song pointed at the glass bowl.

Zhao Yaqian licked her lips, "Then let's leave it at that for now; if it's not enough, we'll order more!"

After placing the skewers on the counter, the somewhat bald shop owner calculated the total with a calculator.

A total of 32 skewers, 115 yuan.

Amidst Zhao Yaqian's sweet compliments, the owner generously knocked 5 yuan off the price.

However, Tang Song noticed that his beautician friend still wore a pained expression when she paid.

Clearly, this 110 yuan was not a small amount for her.

The two found a table by the window and sat down.

Zhao Yaqian blinked her large eyes as she sized Tang Song up for a while, then said in surprise, "Brother Song, are you losing weight? You're much thinner than you were on Sunday."

She had a deep impression of Tang Song's face and could clearly feel that it had shrunk by a circle.

"Yeah, I've been losing weight lately. Eat more later; I need to control my diet."

Zhao Yaqian stuck out her tongue in embarrassment, "If I'd known, I wouldn't have come here."

"It's fine, I'll just pick the vegetarian ones to eat."

The fried skewers were soon brought over, steaming hot and emitting an enticing aroma.

Zhao Yaqian grabbed a portion of cabbage and handed it over: "Try it quickly. The ingredients here are very fresh, and the taste is great, especially the sauce."

"Thank you, Qian Qian."

Outside the window, the rain was sometimes heavy and sometimes light, with customers occasionally rushing in.

The youthful, lively, and hot-bodied Zhao Yaqian attracted quite a few gazes.

The two sat there, eating fried skewers while chatting.

Besides skincare, they also talked a bit about life and work.

In the last few days, Tang Song had chatted with her quite a bit on WeChat, so the two didn't feel awkward getting along.

"First, try a mild acid-based product, apply a small amount behind your ear to see if it turns red or causes an allergy within 24 hours, and then apply it to your face... For the first few days, leave it on for at most 5 minutes to ensure your skin..."

"I live in Tiankuo Garden. Although it's a bit far from here, taking the No. 26 bus gets me right there."

Perhaps because she had left the workplace, Zhao Yaqian was full of life.

She didn't care much about her image either, eating the skewers in a carefree manner, with seasoning sticking to her lips and chin.

……

Walking out of the Handmade Fried Skewers shop, the rain had eased up a lot.

Zhao Yaqian shook the bag in her hand, looking a bit embarrassed: "It seems I ate almost everything, and I even had the rest packed up. You didn't even get to eat a few bites."

Tang Song held the umbrella and laughed: "It's good enough to satisfy my cravings. I've been eating fat-loss meals lately until I'm about to throw up—chicken breast, oatmeal, eggs, boiled vegetables—I don't even want to think about it."

"When I get my salary, I'll treat you to a steak dinner!" Zhao Yaqian patted him on the shoulder.

While comforting him, she was also comforting herself.

After the other two beauticians in the shop ran off, she had been doing all the work by herself.

If the boss could keep his promise and pay all the back wages next month, she could receive nearly 20,000 yuan at once.

This money would allow her to pay off her loans and rent, with three or four thousand left over.

The two chatted as they walked, and before they knew it, they arrived outside the hair salon.

A man happened to walk out of the hair salon and shouted in surprise: "Yaqian!"

Tang Song looked in the direction of the voice; it was a middle-aged man in his mid-thirties with a mature style.

Thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a side-parted hairstyle.

He was wearing an apricot-colored casual jacket, straight-leg trousers, and casual shoes.

Zhao Yaqian's expression changed, and she whispered: "Mr. Li."

"Good evening." Li Jingzhong nodded, his gaze sweeping toward the young man standing beside her: "Who is this?"

"A friend of mine. Um, Mr. Li, are you here for a haircut?"

Li Jingzhong looked up at the sign of the Yizi Beauty and Hair Salon and laughed: "Forget it. Your shop probably won't last many more days, so I won't continue topping up my card here."

Zhao Yaqian's heart skipped a beat, and she secretly glanced at Tang Song's face from the corner of her eye.

Her eyes held some panic and fear.

She had always known the news that Yizi Beauty Industry was about to go bankrupt.

But when Tang Song topped up his card, she hadn't told him, which counted as deception and a betrayal of his trust.

After getting along for a few days, she truly regarded him as a friend and was very afraid that he would despise her because of this.

Noticing that Zhao Yaqian's expression was off, Tang Song asked with concern: "Are you okay?"

"No, I'm fine." Zhao Yaqian didn't quite know how to explain.

Li Jingzhong watched their small interaction and raised an eyebrow: "Yaqian, I really appreciate you and don't want to see you waste your time in the beautician industry. Seriously consider the offer I gave you; don't let your future self regret it."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Li, I won't consider it." Zhao Yaqian bowed slightly, then looked at Tang Song with timid eyes: "Brother Song, um, I'm going back to work first. You keep the umbrella; there are plenty more in the shop."

"Alright, goodbye." Seeing her unease, Tang Song didn't say anything more.

Zhao Yaqian whispered "Goodbye" and ran off. ===== CHAPTER 18 =====