Chapter 3: Grilled Squid

8 PM. Chu Zhou wasn’t back yet, and there weren’t many inquiries on Wangwang, so after patiently replying to a few, Qu Yanning hopped on his little tricycle and headed to the night market.

The street was already bustling with activity.

Qu Yanning set up his stall in the same spot as before.

He waited another ten minutes before the squid delivery guy arrived.

The deliveryman hauled down a full box of squid and placed it where Qu Yanning had specified.

Then he turned and brought down a smaller box from the truck.

“Boss, here’s the batch of whole cleaned squid you asked for. Please check them.”

Qu Yanning nodded, counted through them, and paid.

The night’s business officially began.

The first batch of squid wasn’t even fully grilled yet when customers from the previous night, still craving more, came looking for him.

One of them, eyes fixed on the grill, struck up a conversation. “Boss, is it just squid skewers you sell?”

“I’ve got whole squid today.” Qu Yanning smiled, stepping aside slightly to let the customer see the squid behind him.

The customer craned his neck for a look. “How much for a whole one?”

“Fifteen yuan each.”

“I’ll take one!”

“Got it.” Qu Yanning scored the squid with a knife and placed it alongside the skewers on the grill.

The red-hot charcoal sizzled as it seared the tender squid.

Business was even better than yesterday.

Qu Yanning was juggling grilling and taking payments, sweat dripping from his forehead—when, of course, his phone started ringing.

Wiping his brow, he pulled out the buzzing phone.

The screen showed it was Chu Zhou calling.

“Hello? Zhou Zhou?”

Surrounded by the noisy crowd, Qu Yanning had to strain to hear Chu Zhou’s words.

He was done with his shoot and heading over.

“It’s packed over here! Don’t come!” Qu Yanning shouted into the phone.

But Chu Zhou kept repeating, “Hello? Hello? I can’t hear you.”

Qu Yanning: “……”

“Boss, stop calling—your squid’s about to burn!” someone from the front of the line called out.

Qu Yanning clutched his phone and looked down—sure enough, the squid tentacles were curling up and starting to scorch.

He quickly stopped talking, handed off the grilled squid, and went back to work.

When he finally had a second to glance at his phone again, Chu Zhou had hung up.

There was a WeChat message:

Chu Zhou: Send me your location.

Qu Yanning sent his location in a hurry and got back to his chaotic rhythm.

When Chu Zhou finally arrived, following the location pin, his eyes widened at the long queue.

He knew Qu Yanning’s stall was popular, but this? This was insane.

Toting his small handbag, Chu Zhou began squeezing through the crowd. “Excuse me, excuse me…”

People turned, ready to scold whoever was trying to cut in line—until they saw Chu Zhou’s stunning face. Instantly, no one said a word.

Chu Zhou took advantage of the moment and slipped past, making his way around the grill to stand next to Qu Yanning.

He tossed his little handbag over his shoulder with flair and declared, “Qu’er, I’ll help you collect the money.”

Qu Yanning held the squid away from him, afraid the oil might splash on his outfit. 

Chu Zhou was dressed in a spaghetti strap top and a super-short skirt, standing on ten-centimeter heels—a jarring contrast against the greasy night market setup. “Stand back a bit. I don’t want to get anything on you.”

But Chu Zhou didn’t care.

He dove into the role instantly, raising his voice in a dainty falsetto, “Everyone line up! Five squid skewers for ten yuan! Pay first, then take your food…”

A guy waiting nearby chuckled and gave Qu Yanning a teasing thumbs-up. “Boss, your girlfriend’s pretty capable.”

Qu Yanning handed over the squid, flustered. “Uh, we’re not…”

But the guy didn’t wait for the explanation.

Waving him off, he squeezed back through the crowd. “You’re a lucky man, boss. Wishing you two a long, happy life together!”

Qu Yanning: “……”

By the time they’d sold out the entire box of squid and packed up, Qu Yanning had lost count of how many times people had wished them “eternal love” and “lots of babies.”

Expressionless, he stuffed his little wallet into his pocket.

“What’s wrong? Not happy?” Chu Zhou bumped into him, still putting on a syrupy voice.

Qu Yanning puffed up his cheeks and glared at him.

Chu Zhou bumped him again, pouting, “You’re still not satisfied even with a beauty like me as your girlfriend?” That did it—Qu Yanning burst out laughing and called him a drama queen.

Chu Zhou batted his eyes flirtatiously, swishing his skirt beside the tricycle.

He stomped a foot and purred, “You wicked man~ let’s go~”

Qu Yanning pointed to the ground and drawled, “Pick up your face first, then we’ll go.”

Chu Zhou burst into maniacal laughter, slung an arm around Qu Yanning’s shoulders—standing nearly a full head taller—and said, “Come on, come on. Big bro’s treating you to a hotpot tonight.”

Qu Yanning grinned too, almond eyes curving like crescents. “Let’s go to Wanji.”

“Let’s gooo,” Chu Zhou climbed onto the tricycle, slapping the seat like a cowboy.

His rough, careless movements contrasted hilariously with his delicate appearance.

“Hold on tight.” Qu Yanning started the tricycle. With a sputter, they rolled off toward Wanji.

…

Wanji was one of the top hotpot spots in Shenshi, and its flavor was as legendary as its sky-high prices.

Qu Yanning had only been twice—both times on Chu Zhou’s dime.

Suggesting it tonight was part of his own little plan.

He patted his stuffed wallet and pushed out his chest a bit more.

Since it was a weekday, there weren’t many people at this hour.

No need to wait—they walked straight to a booth in the back.

Familiar with the place, Chu Zhou swiftly ordered the broth and their usual dishes, then handed the tablet to Qu Yanning. “Want to add anything?”

Qu Yanning glanced at it—the must-haves were all there—so he shook his head.

As the food began arriving, Qu Yanning wiped his hands and, while there was still time, headed off to the restroom.

Relieved and feeling light as air, Qu Yanning practically skipped to the sinks.

Someone else was already standing there.

He glanced over casually and then did a double take.

The man at the sink wore a long black robe with intricate buttons fastened all the way to his collarbone.

His head was slightly bowed, revealing only his ink-black sideburns and a sharp, clean jawline.

Qu Yanning looked. Then looked again.

The man was washing his hands slowly, gracefully—every movement elegant and precise, like an aristocrat from a bygone era.

What a weirdo. Who even dresses like that these days?

Qu Yanning grumbled inwardly.

But he couldn’t tear his eyes away.

Just then, as if sensing his gaze, the man raised his head and looked at him.

His eyes were cold, devoid of warmth. “Seen enough?”

“…!” Qu Yanning was caught completely off guard.

His ears turned red as he flailed, trying to explain. “I wasn’t—I didn’t…”

“Hmm?” Xie Qi calmly dried his hands, giving him a glance void of emotion.

Now thoroughly flustered, Qu Yanning scrunched up his round face and bowed his head in apology. “Sorry…”

Caught red-handed. Mortifying.

Xie Qi said nothing more. After a final cold glance, he turned and walked away.

Qu Yanning watched his retreating back with wide eyes.

Only after he disappeared did he bolt back to his seat like a spooked rabbit.

“What took you so long?” Chu Zhou asked, glancing suspiciously at his flushed face and darting eyes. “And what’s with the red cheeks?”

“…Ahem,” Qu Yanning’s heart was still thumping. He took a sip of water to calm down, then leaned in like a conspirator. “I just saw someone even better looking than you.”

Chu Zhou: “…”

His mouth twitched. He forced a polite smile. “Really? How good-looking?”

“Hmm…” Qu Yanning furrowed his brow, picturing the man’s face.

A tall, straight nose.

Thin, pale lips. Fox-like eyes, sharp and distant.

Skin like white jade under the lights.

Like someone who’d stepped right out of a painting.

“Just… ridiculously good-looking.” Qu Yanning couldn’t find the right words, so he repeated it for emphasis.

“……” Chu Zhou gave up trying to understand whatever shock he’d just endured.

He picked up a slice of beef and dropped it into Qu Yanning’s bowl, brushing it off. “Fine, fine. Eat it while it’s hot.”

The steaming beef released its savory aroma.

Distracted by the smell, Qu Yanning took a bite.

“Mmm… So good.”

…

Meanwhile, in the VIP section.

Xie Qi descended the stairs slowly, right hand rolling a string of wooden prayer beads.

“This way, Second Master.” Director Zhang hovered beside him, full of fawning deference.

From a distance, Xie Qi could already catch the distinct scent of a pure yin body.

His eyes drifted toward Qu Yanning’s table only for a moment before turning away.

Under Director Zhang’s eager guidance, he stepped into a black Audi waiting at the entrance.