<strong>Capítulo 1600: Chapter 1593: The Life I Yearn For</strong>


    After Lu Tianxing and Shen Manjun sat down on their chairs, they turned their heads to watch a dough in Uncle Zhang’s hands transform into a crystal-like noodle. They couldn’t help but marvel, “Uncle Zhang, you really are remarkable, your skills are top-notch.”


    Hearing Lu Tianxing’s words, Shen Manjun’s lips curved slightly upward. With a tone of admiration, she said, “Of course! It’s said that Uncle Zhang used to be ay disciple at Wudang, specializing in health cultivation. Later, due to certain circumstances, he left Wudang and became a chef. His noodle pulling and cooking skills have even caught the attention of high-ranking officials. He has been invited to join national banquets several times but always refused. Isn’t it worth the trip this time toe here with me?”


    “It’s definitely worth it.”


    Listening to Shen Manjun, Lu Tianxing slowly spoke, “It truly is that the masters are among the people. But why did Uncle Zhang refuse the invitation to join the national banquet? This should be the highest honor for any chef; why would he turn it down?”


    “I don’t know either. I heard that Uncle Zhang learned his noodle pulling and cooking skills from an elder. After the elder passed away, Uncle Zhang opened a noodle shop, and he doesn’t want to expand it, even turning down investments from any franchisees. As for the reason, I don’t know. Maybe Uncle Zhang is indifferent to fame and fortune, or perhaps he wants ordinary people to enjoy these delicious vors.”


    “I see.”


    Lu Tianxing nodded thoughtfully. After all, not every chef likes fame. For true chefs, honor is not important. In their hearts, as long as the public epts and recognizes their food, they see themselves as the most sessful in the world without needing any des to support it. For people like Uncle Zhang, public approval is their honor.


    “By the way, Man Jun, did you have something in mind when you asked me out today?” Lu Tianxing looked at Shen Manjun’s charming, beautiful face and suddenly said.


    “Why, do I need a reason to see you?” Shen Manjun pouted like a little girl upon hearing Lu Tianxing’s words.


    Seeing Shen Manjun’s demeanor, Lu Tianxing was momentarily stunned, then smiled and said, “Of course not. After the meal, if you needpany, I’m all yours. I promise to serve youfortably, whether it’s bathing, scrubbing your back, or sleeping beside you. You can call on me 24/7.”


    “Go y elsewhere.”


    Hearing Lu Tianxing’s flirtatious words, Shen Manjun’s face was filled with exasperation. She almost forgot that the guy in front of her was aplete rogue, daring to flirt with her the first time they met. It’s no exaggeration to call him audacious. Bantering with such a rogue is simply inviting trouble.


    Just as Lu Tianxing and Shen Manjun were talking, Uncle Zhang came over with two bowls of noodles. Due to other customers, Uncle Zhang greeted Lu Tianxing and then went back to work.


    “Smells so good, the aroma alone makes my mouth water. There’s no question about the skill. I’m increasingly convinced that Uncle Zhang is a chef who truly doesn’t care about fame and fortune,” Lu Tianxing said, taking in a deep breath while looking at the bowl of noodles with red chili oil in front of him.


    “Of course! Otherwise, why would I rmend this ce to you?”


    Shen Manjunughed triumphantly.


    “It seems I made the right choiceing here with you. I’ll definitely have toe back when I have time to savor this again.”


    Lu Tianxing agreed with a nod, picked up his chopsticks, and began eating, hardly bothering to say more to Shen Manjun.


    Watching Lu Tianxing, Shen Manjun’s face broke into a stunning smile. She said nothing more and lowered her head to savor the food.


    As night fell, neon lights flickered, and a faint fragrance filled the air, attracting people.


    Lu Tianxing ate the spicy noodles in front of him, feeling the fiery taste linger in his mouth. Listening to the surrounding chatter, his mood suddenly felt particrly rxed, and he became lost in thought.


    Isn’t this the life he longed for?


    With food and drink, a beautiful woman by his side who doesn’t mind him, sharing a meal at a food stall, chatting, feeling the breeze, and returning home to a warm family hearth. Everything seems so wonderful, so desirable.


    After a while, Lu Tianxing snapped out of his thoughts and looked across the table at Shen Manjun, momentarily stunned.


    Perhaps because of the spicy broth, Shen Manjun kept gasping, her pretty face blushing with a hint of red due to the spicy vor. Her delicate fair skin looked especially alluring under the light, yet it couldn’t conceal her pursuit of food. She ate while gasping, yet her manner remained graceful.


    Seeing this, Lu Tianxing couldn’t help but chuckle, never expecting this woman to be such a foodie.


    “Why are you staring at me like that? Aren’t you going to eat?” Shen Manjun seemed to notice Lu Tianxing’s gaze. After swallowing thest mouthful of noodles, she looked up at Lu Tianxing.


    “Man Jun, I really didn’t expect you to be quite a foodie,” Lu Tianxing said with a smile.


    “A foodie?”


    Shen Manjun was slightly taken aback, then shook her head and picked up a ss of water ced beside her, sipping it lightly: “Maybe so! Tianxing, don’t you want to ask me why I came to find you tonight?”


    “If I ask, will you tell me?” Lu Tianxing replied with a question.


    “Yes.”


    Shen Manjun drank the water in the cup, gazing clearly at Lu Tianxing, and said: “Actually, beforeing again, I thought in my heart about persuading you to leave Beijing, that for you, Beijing now is nothing less than a ce of death; if you stay in Beijing, there’s an eighty to ny percent chance you’ll die here. But after I saw you, I gave up on that idea.”


    “Why.”


    “No reason.”


    Shen Manjun shook her head, slowly let out a breath, and said: “It’s just that after seeing you, I felt confidence from you, felt an unwavering confidence, and at that moment I knew you couldn’t be swayed by my words to leave Beijing. Since I couldn’t persuade you, then I won’t, moreover, didn’t you say that I’m your woman? Of course, a woman should choose to unconditionally believe in and support her man, don’t you think that’s right?”


    Listening to Shen Manjun’s words, Lu Tianxing took a deep breath and said: “Is this your way of confessing to me? Aren’t you afraid of choosing the wrong person?”


    “Thest time we met, I told you already, I’m not young anymore. In a few years, Qiaoqiao will be married; maybe I’ll be a grandmother by then. Even if I take good care of myself, a few yearster, I might not be young and beautiful.”


    Shen Manjun’s smile gradually faded away: “Rather than regretting when I’m old and yellow, it’s better to love properly while I’m still beautiful. However, the only thing I didn’t expect was that the man who moved my heart would be someone more than ten years younger than me. Can you me me for being anxious? And, I also want to be a real woman. My man, are you willing?”


    As she finished speaking, Shen Manjun looked at Lu Tianxing with expectant eyes, her beautiful eyes like rippling waters, making him irresistibly captivated.


    Observing Shen Manjun, Lu Tianxing’s instinct told him this woman truly intended to let him be an animal: “Man Jun, you should know what kind of person I am, I can y around with anything, but never toy with a woman’s feelings. If you’re with me, that’s for life, you understand?”


    “Is this the speech of a womanizer who’s married but keeps a mistress?” Shen Manjun teased.


    “Doesn’t matter what you think, I just want to tell you my stance. If you really follow me, one day you regret it, I will never allow you to leave my side, do you understand?” Lu Tianxing said calmly.


    “Really?”


    Shen Manjun looked at Lu Tianxing, suddenly revealing a breathtaking smile, standing up abruptly and grabbing his hand.


    The delicate, warm touch made Lu Tianxing slightly surprised, looking at Shen Manjun with some confusion.


    “Now you’ve finished the noodles, why not apany me for a walk?” Shen Manjun said to Lu Tianxing with a smile.


    Watching Shen Manjun, Lu Tianxing opened his mouth, really wanting to ask what her ns were—was she nning to take him to a hotel to show her determination in pursuing love?


    But thinking about it, Lu Tianxing decided to forget it; if it turned out to be that, it would be awkward. What if that girl turned on him?


    After saying goodbye to Uncle Zhang, once in the car, Shen Manjun did not say a word, just started the car and drove away.


    The inside of the car was silent, Shen Manjun didn’t speak, and Lu Tianxing also didn’t speak, instead guessing in his mind what Shen Manjun intended to do today.


    After driving for about an hour, Shen Manjun finally stopped the car beside a rtively tranquil river.


    Getting out of the car, Lu Tianxing observed the surroundings; a wooden bridge built by the river’s edge wound along the river, trickling waters sparkling under the moonlight. Streetmps stood beside the bridge, their slightly dim light offering a hint of brightness, creating a mysterious allure.


    On the opposite side of the river were discreetly decorated vis, twinkling lights forming a beautiful scene in harmony with the opposite side.


    “What do you think, this ce is nice, isn’t it!” Shen Manjun’s mouth curved into a subtle smile as she looked at Lu Tianxing beside her.


    Lu Tianxing nodded, indeed it was very nice, perfect for an evening stroll. If his life settled down, having dinner then walking here with the woman he loves every night, it would be a very good choice.


    “Then let’s go for a walk!”


    Without giving Lu Tianxing another chance to speak, Shen Manjun immediately stepped down the stairs towards the wooden bridge.