Chapter 15: Talking About Love Under the Couple Trees!

The small noodle shop is hidden in Jiaochang Lane.

Jiaochang was a place where the military used to drill, also known as a parade ground.

The surrounding area is dominated by Western-style architecture, with plane trees planted on both sides; in the golden autumn season, the leaves turn yellow, giving it a romantic, bohemian atmosphere.

Tang Ye entered and found a seat near the middle, wiped the edge of the table with a paper napkin, and said to the inside with a smile, "Boss, two bowls of Long-fish Noodles. For one of them, no green onions, extra pepper, mince the cilantro, drizzle two drops of sesame oil, cook the noodles a bit firmer, keep the broth light, and absolutely no MSG or chicken powder. When they're ready, blanch two pieces of tender pea shoots and place them right on top."

Seeing Tang Ye speak without even pausing for breath, Cheng Lin retorted indignantly, "When Lu Zhishen provoked the Magistrate of Zhenguan in *Water Margin*, he didn't have that many demands for mincing the meat! Are you sure you're here to eat and not to cause trouble?"

Tang Ye was surprised, "Sister Lin, you're actually a *Water Margin* fan? Usually, men love *Water Margin*, and women love *Dream of the Red Chamber*."

Cheng Lin said crossly, "It was an excerpt in our middle school textbook!"

Tang Ye chuckled, "I like Hujia Niang!"

Cheng Lin's eyes rippled, "Hujia Niang? Her story is a tragedy, though!"

Tang Ye slapped his thigh, "And you say you're not a *Water Margin* fan? Did you collect the *Water Margin* cards too?"

"You're quite childish sometimes!" Cheng Lin realized Tang Ye was teasing her, and a beautiful smile bloomed on her face.

At this moment, the boss poked his head out from the kitchen and said with a smile, "Little Tang, it's been a long time! Who is this?"

To prevent the boss from misunderstanding, Tang Ye quickly introduced her, "This is my superior."

"No wonder I haven't seen you in a while! Where have you been making your fortune lately?"

Tang Ye knew Cheng Lin liked cleanliness, so he picked up two pairs of chopsticks and scalded them in the boiling water, "I went to work in Pinghu, and I've been thinking about your noodles the whole time!"

The boss smiled, "Should I make the superior's bowl the standard way?"

Cheng Lin took the scalded chopsticks from Tang Ye's hand and quickly said, "I'm not as picky as he is."

The boss turned and walked toward the kitchen, grinning as he defended Tang Ye, "He's just messing around with me!"

In a moment, two steaming bowls of noodles were placed on the table.

"Drink the soup first, then eat the noodles. Be careful not to burn yourself."

Cheng Lin took a sip of the soup, and the rich aroma instantly filled her mouth, "The taste is indeed excellent."

Tang Ye gave a relaxed smile and shouted toward the inside, "Someone is complimenting you."

The boss brought a small dish of pickles to the table, "Homemade pickles, don't mind them."

Cheng Lin tasted one; it was salty, crunchy, and refreshing, "You and the boss must have known each other for many years, right?"

"Seven or eight years! The boss is a good person; you should come by often to support the business."

Cheng Lin mused that Tang Ye had a special kind of charisma, and she smiled, "Thank you for introducing me to such a good place."

After finishing the Long-fish Noodles, Tang Ye let out two satisfied burps.

The two left the shop and saw the famous "Couple Trees" of Jiaochang.

Two plane trees stood on either side of the road, their upper branches intertwined as if a couple were embracing.

Cheng Lin stared, lost in thought, "Tang Ye, do you believe in love?"

Tang Ye picked up a leaf from the ground and tucked it into his pocket, intending to use it as a bookmark in a book, "Of course I do! In a person's life, there are all kinds of relationships, but only love can truly create resonance!"

Cheng Lin asked again, "Can love last forever?"

"All love in this world is sweet at the beginning, but as time passes, it slowly becomes bitter."

Cheng Lin smiled, "You act like you know so much. Have you ever been in love?"

Tang Ye scratched his head, "Not many times, but I do have experience! When I was four, my desk mate in kindergarten had a crush on me; at ten, I didn't do well on an exam, and a girl who also didn't do well was afraid to go home, so she smashed her piggy bank and insisted I elope with her, even forcing me to say that I would never marry anyone else in this life; at twelve, a neighbor sister five years older than me thought I looked particularly cute and stole my first kiss; at fifteen, I received love letters from more girls than I could count on one hand; after eighteen, every Valentine's Day, I had more chocolate than I could eat."

"Can you stop bragging?" Cheng Lin laughed until she was doubled over. Once she finally calmed down, she suddenly became serious and asked softly, "Do you think there is such a thing as pure love in the world?"

"Yes! A love of the soul, higher than marriage, higher than the physical—a love where hearts beat as one."

"Is love at its peak unrelated to physical desire?"

Tang Ye felt the topic was a bit sensitive and said with a smile, "Some things just happen naturally."

*Ding-a-ling*, "Excuse me!"

Someone rode a bike past, and Tang Ye quickly pulled Cheng Lin aside.

Cheng Lin's body tilted, and she nestled into Tang Ye's arms; time seemed to freeze, and her mind went blank.

With her soft body in his arms, Tang Ye stared at Cheng Lin's beautiful red lips, and for a moment, his own breathing began to hitch.

Beneath Cheng Lin's seemingly strong and capable exterior, there was actually a heart riddled with holes.

The reason Cheng Lin had been absent-minded and unwell lately was that her marriage had run into trouble; her husband had met a woman abroad, and not only were they living together, but the woman had also mailed Cheng Lin some messy photos.

Tang Ye had accidentally discovered this secret in a paper shredder.

Cheng Lin quickly regained her composure, realized she had lost her composure, felt her cheeks burning, and changed the subject, "It's getting late, you need to return to Pinghu. Shall I take you to the station?"

The setting sun was like blood.

Tang Ye noticed Cheng Lin's pace quickening, his mood somewhat complicated.

Cheng Lin and Tang Ye walked side by side toward the station.

"Tang Ye?"

A shout came from behind.

Tang Ye turned around and saw Du Xi, wearing a police uniform, and another policewoman walking out of a roadside shop.

Cheng Lin stared at Du Xi, her first reaction being that this girl was very pretty, and she began to analyze the relationship between her and Tang Ye.

"Du Xi, what a coincidence!" Tang Ye introduced Cheng Lin to her, "This is my superior."

Du Xi greeted Cheng Lin openly, "I'm Tang Ye's high school classmate."

"Are you on duty?" Tang Ye saw the notebook in Du Xi's hand and figured she must be conducting interviews, so he didn't want to ask too many details.

Du Xi didn't hide it, "There was a murder case nearby a few days ago, and we're visiting shops to collect clues."

Tang Ye remembered reading about it in the newspaper, "You should be careful yourself. If you encounter a bad guy, call for backup first. Don't be impulsive and go tailing them alone; don't treat your life so lightly."

Du Xi felt a slight warmth in her heart, though she complained, "So in your eyes, I'm that ignorant!"

Tang Ye smiled and explained, "TV dramas often play out like this! A naive policewoman, wanting to earn merit, acts alone to track a brutal criminal, only to accidentally walk into a wolf's den, and then the plot turns into rescuing the policewoman."

The female colleague beside Du Xi burst into a giggle, "Your classmate is very interesting."

Du Xi's pretty face was instantly flushed with a red glow, and she said crossly, "Watch fewer soap operas and read more books when you have nothing to do."

"Just a joke."

"There is still a mission, let's chat again when we have time."

Du Xi waved goodbye to the two of them.

After Du Xi had walked far away.

Cheng Lin feigned a relaxed tone to probe, "Your female classmate is very pretty; she must have a bunch of people pursuing her, right?"

Tang Ye patiently explained, "We lost contact after high school graduation and only met again at a class reunion a few days ago. I don't know if she has a boyfriend, but I don't have any thoughts about her."

Cheng Lin smiled, "Isn't it a pity to miss out on such a good girl?"

Tang Ye gave a wry smile, "Sister, stop provoking me. My mind is on my work every day; where would I have the time for romance?"

"What a pity!"

"A pity?"

Cheng Lin nodded, "I feel sorry for that girl; she missed out on a very excellent boy."

Tang Ye shook his head, "That's only in your eyes that I have some shining points; others might not necessarily see me that way! By the way, let's talk about something practical! Sister Lin, I am now in charge of economic work for Pinghu Town; do you have any resources regarding investment promotion?"

Cheng Lin gave a charming smile, "You've been holding this in for a long time, haven't you?"

Tang Ye breathed a sigh of relief, "For the sake of the Long-fish Noodles, if you have any resources for investment promotion, please remember your little brother."

"Sigh, one who eats another's food is soft-mouthed; I will keep my ears open for you!"

Watching Tang Ye's ingratiating expression, Cheng Lin felt a mix of gratification and disappointment in her heart.

What gratified her was that Tang Ye always placed his career first.

What disappointed her was that his interactions with her were mixed with interests.

However, human relationships are inherently started by interests and gathered by interests.

Tang Ye had just entered Pinghu, so it must be extremely difficult; she really should help him.

……

Du Xi turned to the side several times.

The female colleague Liu Fang noticed Du Xi's thoughts and deliberately brought up the topic, "Your high school classmate is quite handsome!"

Du Xi gestured in front of her, "He was about the same height as me in high school; I didn't expect him to shoot up in university."

Liu Fang said with a smile, "Many boys grow late; he must have had his growth spurt in university. I think you two are quite a good match. What kind of work does he do?"

Du Xi hesitated for a moment, "Deputy Town Mayor on secondment in Pinghu."

Liu Fang widened her eyes, "Could it be the Deputy Town Mayor mentioned in the press release you wrote? You are classmates? What a coincidence! He is seconded in Pinghu Town, but his organizational affiliation is still in the city; long-distance relationships are a bit troublesome."

Du Xi smiled embarrassedly, "You should go be a host for a relationship radio station!"

She looked back behind her again.

It seemed as if Tang Ye had also turned around and glanced at her.

In an instant, it felt as if a snow-white rabbit had hopped and burst into her heart!

……"During the new book period, data is especially important. I beg everyone for collections and comments. Thank you all for your support!"