Chapter 510: The Famous Soup Noodles

On the morning of September 1st, a rare day off, Chen Shi took Lin Dongxue out early, winding through the streets and alleys of the old town, surrounded by rows of old houses.

Lin Dongxue complained, “Where are we going so early? You’re being so mysterious and won’t tell me.”

“We’re almost there, almost there,” Chen Shi teased.

“You’ve said that how many times now?”

Turning a corner, they found a noodle shop at the end of an alley. Despite it being seven in the morning, the place was packed with mostly retired seniors. Outside, the cook was pulling noodles and preparing them, while a large pot of broth simmered, releasing steam and the aroma of red chili peppers.

“We’re here.”

“So we came all this way just for breakfast?” Lin Dongxue laughed.

“This place has the best flavor in all of Long’an City. There’s no other place like it. I guarantee you’ll never forget it once you try it.”

“It looks really spicy,” Lin Dongxue eyed the big pot warily.

Inside, they had to wait a bit for a seat. Chen Shi ordered two bowls of beef meatball noodles. Even though he asked for mild spice, the noodles came with a layer of bright red chili oil on top. “Enjoy!” he said.

Lin Dongxue hesitantly took a bite, immediately choking on the spiciness. She coughed and said, “This soup…”

“Tasty, right?”

“It’s a bit bitter and way too spicy.”

“The first bite is always the hardest. Once you finish a bowl, you’ll be sweating all over. Then have a bottle of iced mung bean soup, and you’ll feel amazing.” Chen Shi took a bite of a meatball, savoring it. “Mmm, so good! This place was closed for a few years and just reopened recently. It’s been packed ever since. I heard about it from a passenger and came to try it. I was hooked right away.”

“I don’t think it’s that great.”

“It’s a matter of taste…”

“Shut up!”

After finishing the bowl, Lin Dongxue was indeed sweating. Chen Shi ordered two cups of iced mung bean soup. The cool drink soothed her burning mouth, making her feel refreshed.

Taking advantage of a moment, Chen Shi discreetly filled a small bottle with some of the soup.

“What are you doing?” Lin Dongxue asked. “Taking it back for analysis?”

“I bet with Old Peng that this soup might have opium in it, which is why it’s so addictive. I’m taking it back for testing.”

“Captain Peng came here too?”

“We came together a few days ago.”

“What!?” Lin Dongxue was surprised. “You brought him here before bringing me?”

“Are you jealous?”

“What do you think?”

“You were busy that day,” Chen Shi defended himself.

Recently, things had calmed down a bit, allowing for a normal Sunday. The crime rate in Long’an City dropped during the hottest two months, which was not superstition but supported by yearly data.

A new term, “996,” had emerged online, referring to the work schedule in some IT industries: working from 9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week. As police officers, they often worked in a “996” mode but for less pay, with no one to vent their frustrations to.

Lin Dongxue noticed two people at the next table, a young man with gray-dyed hair and an older man with naturally gray hair. The young man looked disheveled, sitting slouched, while the older man ignored the no-smoking sign and lit a cigarette.

Soon, the waiter brought two bowls of noodles. The young man pulled a paper bag from his pocket, took out a dead cockroach, and tossed it into the bowl.

Lin Dongxue kicked Chen Shi under the table and pointed subtly.

The young man stirred the cockroach into the noodles, then slammed the table and yelled, “Who’s the boss? Look at this!” He held up the cockroach with his chopsticks. “What kind of hygiene is this?”

The waiter apologized, “I’m sorry, I’ll get you a new bowl.”

“A new bowl!?” The two men stood up, the young man threw the bowl to the floor, “I’ve already eaten some. I want compensation for mental distress!”

The older man stood aside, smirking.

Lin Dongxue muttered, “Such a low-level scam still exists?”

Chen Shi said, “They’re definitely here to cause trouble.”

Others in the shop sensed the scam too, but with the two men being aggressive, and most customers being elderly, no one wanted to get involved. Some quickly paid and left.

“Where’s the boss? Get out here! I want an explanation!” The young man became more arrogant.

This couldn’t be ignored. Lin Dongxue stood up, “Cut the act. I saw you put that cockroach in the bowl yourself. If you want to scam someone, find a new trick!”

The young man glared at her, “Who the hell are you, playing the hero?”

The older man grinned, “Mind your own business, kid. Go cool off somewhere else.”

Lin Dongxue, enraged, said, “I’m a police officer!”

The young man was stunned, signaling the older man. He quickly stubbed out his cigarette and smiled, “A police officer, I see. It’s a misunderstanding!”

Just then, a middle-aged man approached, “What are you doing here again? Causing trouble first thing in the morning? Really?”

Lin Dongxue was surprised. They were family, but the uncle didn’t seem like a good person either.

The man smiled at Lin Dongxue, “It’s a coincidence. We have a police officer here. Let’s sort this out.”

Lin Dongxue said to the boss, “I saw what happened. If the police are called, I can testify.”

“Thank you,” the boss said. “He’s my uncle, and this is my cousin. No need to trouble the police.”

“Why? Feeling guilty?” the uncle taunted. “Officer, you don’t know the whole story. He’s occupying my property. Half of this shop is mine. He opened it without my permission.”

“Uncle, have you no shame?” the boss retorted. “I paid you for the house. Stop causing trouble.”

“I never got the full amount. You owe me tens of thousands. My son is unemployed, my family lives off my pension, and you’re making money while I suffer. Is that fair?”

“Get out and stop ruining my business!”

The uncle, enraged, grabbed his nephew’s collar, “Tell me to get out? Let everyone judge. Is it right for family to steal property?”

Lin Dongxue, overwhelmed, said, “Enough! Everyone, come with me to the police station.”