Brother Nan nonchalantly twirled her car keys and hummed an unknown tune as she walked out. But instead of driving, she scanned a shared bicycle and rode toward the breakfast place she had chosen.
Is it breakfast, perhaps?
The place she had her eyes set on was an online sensation, a local chicken rice noodle restaurant that seemed to be called Yunwei Workshop. There were many branches in Caiyun, and theoretically, the recipes should be similar, yet the tastes varied greatly.
By noon in Banna, the sun was already brutally scorching, a sure sign of summer's might in Yi Province. As they rode, they were baked like dogs.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, each ordered a bowl of local chicken rice noodle soup.
The owner mentioned they could add chicken feet, wings, and legs. Huai Xu didn't hesitate to add three chicken legs. Brother Nan, figuring Huai Xu wouldn't eat the smaller items after his three legs, ordered a chicken foot and a chicken wing each for herself and Zhou Li.
The rice noodles were served quickly, along with the added items.
Zhou Li scooped up the milky white soup with a spoon, added a few strands of rice noodles, blew to cool them, and then tasted—
The flavor was incredibly rich!
Brother Nan had previously taken him to a place in Chunming that had already impressed him greatly, yet today's establishment surpassed that one in terms of sheer flavor. The difference was that the former emphasized a light, nearly translucent broth, whereas this place offered a richer, milky white soup. Zhou Li didn't know how they made it; he just knew it was delicious, teeming with a meaty fragrance on top of its rich umami.
Each had its own merits.
The chicken used was free-range black-footed chicken. The feet and wings were black, stewed until the skin was tender and flavorful, and drenched in a rich, aromatic broth that looked utterly satisfying.
He picked up a piece and put it in his mouth. With a light bite, the meat simply fell off the bone.
Zhou Li glanced at Huai Xu, feeling the chicken legs might be a bit less tender, but their advantage was more meat. After considering, he thought it best to stick with Brother Nan's choice.
While eating, Brother Nan struck up a casual conversation with the owner.
First, she asked about the technique for stewing the chicken soup.
Her own restaurant back in Yan City also served chicken soup noodles, but it was hardly professional. In Caiyun, amidst a plethora of chicken soup rice noodle places, it hardly stood a chance.
The owner was quite talkative, possibly influenced by Brother Nan's good looks, and seemed to be an open book.
Lively conversation ensued, and Brother Nan boasted about franchising their brand, opening a dozen branches across Yi Province, with ambitious plans to expand nationally. Then, changing tack, she inquired about other good eateries nearby. The owner mentioned that on their bike ride over, they had passed a farmer's market. A street there sold groceries by day and various foods by night, which were reportedly even tastier and cheaper than those at the night market.
Brother Nan noted down each detail in her little notebook.
In the afternoon, they drove back and made a token visit to Gaozhuang, but found it uninteresting. Then, they roamed around Manting Park. They heard about a bonfire party with rather pricey tickets and hesitated over whether to attend.
They had dinner in the evening.
They had chicken fat rice.
What happened next was something Zhou Li had never anticipated—Brother Nan actually found an internet café near the market, signed up as a member, and started playing games with them!
They played as a trio.
Huai Xu, as the Deity, led two noobs, yet they mostly won more than they lost.
Playing "Landing Box," they won almost every game.
"It's eleven o'clock."
Zhou Li looked at his watch, slumped down in his seat, and caught a glimpse of a guy frequently stealing glances at Brother Nan. He asked, "Are we still going to the farmer's market?"
"Oh, right!" Brother Nan slapped her forehead. "Let's go now! Don't hurry to log off. We'll walk around and buy some stuff to eat. Otherwise, it'll get cold by the time we bring it back to the hotel, or we might end up squatting by the roadside... Hey, squatting by the roadside to eat doesn't sound too bad, does it?"
Thus, the three logged off and left the internet café, heading to the small lane next to the farmer's market.
The quiet alley from daytime had indeed transformed into a bustling night market. Each tricycle was topped with an incandescent light, its cart converted into a small stall. They predominantly sold barbecue and local delicacies, a dazzling sight.
Twenty minutes later, the three were squatting at the edge of the street by the alley, forming a circle, quietly chatting and laughing while they ate, drawing the attention of passersby.
Zhou Li picked a grilled rib from Brother Nan's banana leaf and casually asked, "Are we going back online later?"
"No, you don't like going online," Brother Nan shook her head.
"No, we're not going." Brother Nan still waved her hand.
Zhou Li indeed wasn't keen on surfing the net, but he had no objections to doing it with Brother Nan and Huai Xu. Moreover, if every online session was followed by eating roadside snacks , he thought he might grow fond of the activity.
In the dim light, Brother Nan didn't see his expression but pointed at his bowl and said, "This is good!"
Zhou Li nodded and laughed.
Just moments ago, to save time, Brother Nan had suggested they split up to make purchases. Zhou Li bought beef offal soup. It mainly featured meat from the cow's head and bones—a fairly large bowl with little broth, for only twenty yuan.
It had a lot of fresh peppers, just the way Brother Nan liked.
Their first day in Banna thus concluded.
They still didn't rush to visit tourist spots since Brother Nan's primary purpose for the trip was to explore food. Thus, they spent the entire day wandering around the city looking for eateries and even stopped by a supermarket.
Brother Nan always had plenty of reasons.
For instance, when traveling, you should do it in a way that makes you comfortable. And visiting the biggest local supermarket, for example, can really help you get a feel for an unfamiliar city. And then there were other reasons...
That evening, they bought tickets for the show at Manting Park.
The event lineup was actually quite varied. It included a mediocre buffet dinner and a fairly good ethnic performance. Afterwards, people from all over danced around a bonfire, with designated leaders guiding the steps. The atmosphere was fantastic. Unfortunately, Zhou Li wasn't much for this kind of lively excitement, so Brother Nan stayed with him, while Huai Xu, on the other hand, had a great time.
The final activity was releasing river lanterns.
As they released the river lanterns, the whole park darkened. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people held lotus lanterns. They formed a long line stretching from the bonfire square all the way to the riverbank, placing their lanterns into the water one by one. It was a spectacular sight.
Brother Nan and Zhou Li were at the very front. Upon hearing the host instruct everyone to make a wish, she leaned in close and whispered to Zhou Li, "Hey, what wish are you going to make?"
Her features flickered uncertainly in the candlelight, her eyelashes casting shadows, looking very beautiful.
Zhou Li hesitated. "Health and long life for my family?"
Brother Nan nodded seriously and added for him, "And may your kids smoothly get into university."
Zhou Li could tell Brother Nan was teasing him. He remained silent for a moment, then looked at Brother Nan under the candlelight. "Then what should I wish for?"
"You figure it out yourself!"
"I don't know. It seems like that's what everyone wishes for."
"Don't make those vague, illusory wishes, and don't pin all your hopes on a wish; it's not that effective. You'd be better off having your dad drink a few more cups of goji berry soy milk! You need to make wishes that are tangible, short-term, and achievable through your own efforts. Doing this has several benefits..." Brother Nan started lecturing again. "For example, saying it out loud reinforces the memory, and you'll consciously work towards that goal. And someone like me, Brother Nan, can secretly give you a push to help you achieve your wish. Also, such small wishes aren't much of a burden on me. Bigger ones are a no-go, like if you wished to become the Emperor—that's out. And also..."
"Like what, for example?" Zhou Li interrupted her, gesturing to the long line of people still waiting behind them.
"Find a suitable girlfriend!" Brother Nan declared emphatically.
"Just wish for that!" Brother Nan glared at him.
"Then what are you wishing for?"
"Why?" Brother Nan clearly didn't want to answer. "Are you planning to give me advice?"
"Then what do you care?"
"Find a suitable boyfriend?"
"Hmm... I'll give yours a boost!"
"How will you boost it?"
"I'm not telling you." Brother Nan frowned, somewhat impatiently urging him, "Hurry, hurry! There's limited space here. Don't block the way. Make your wish and quickly release the lantern. We need to find a high spot to take photos!"
Zhou Li took another glance at Brother Nan.
The candlelight was yellow, and the lotus lantern was red. The flame, reflecting the lantern, also appeared red, casting a crimson glow on Brother Nan's face.
Zhou Li held the lotus lantern and closed his eyes, silently repeating in his heart—
May I find a suitable girlfriend.
May I find a suitable girlfriend. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ N0v3l.Fiɾe.net
May I find a suitable girlfriend.
You have to say it three times.
He thought, perhaps this is how most people make wishes?
Zhou Li bent down and placed the lantern into the water.
When he turned his head, Brother Nan was looking right at him, her eyes blinking, eyelashes fluttering. She asked, "Finished making your wish?"
"Is it the one I suggested?"
"Alright, then I've made mine too."
Then Brother Nan also closed her eyes. Her long eyelashes cast shadows on her fair skin.
Zhou Li silently watched her, quickly pulled out his phone.
1.81 seconds later, he put it away.