42. Another Competition
Tang Yiyi sighed to herself. No matter how carefree she tried to be, it would still take some time to forget someone she had been in love with for two years.
Sitting at the entrance of Qin’s Noodle House, beneath the orange glow of the overhead lamps, surrounded by steaming bowls of noodles and the diners eating heartily, her heart gradually began to warm. Everyone who came here, regardless of their manners, was simply seeking to satisfy one of the most basic desires in life: a hot bowl of noodles, enough to make one feel happy and content.
Xiao Xie ran over, her face alight with joy, whispering, “Yiyi, look, this…” She pointed to her ear. “It’s working! Before my period, here—” she gestured to her chest, “—I always felt swollen and sore, but this time, nothing.”
“When’s your period coming?”
“If it’s not delayed, tomorrow.”
“Alright, when it comes, I’ll switch your ear seeds.”
“Okay. Yiyi, did you see today’s Yicheng news?”
“No, what’s up?”
“Yicheng is holding a King of Noodles contest. They want netizens to nominate their favorite noodle king.”
“Huh? Another contest?”
Xiao Xie looked puzzled. “What do you mean ‘another’? There’s never been one before.”
Tang Yiyi waved her hand dismissively. “It’s not the same thing. Is Qin’s Noodle House entering?”
“It’s not self-registration—it’s by recommendation. As long as someone nominates you, you’re in the contest. Then people vote online, and the top ten compete live on TV.”
“The TV station is really busy these days.” Tang Yiyi glanced toward the shop. Qin Baike was still sitting at the table by the kitchen door, drinking water and looking at his phone. “Baike, are you interested in competing for the noodle king?”
Xiao Xie shook her head. “He doesn’t even use WeChat. He really doesn’t care.”
After speaking, Xiao Xie went off to greet customers, and Qin Baike returned to the kitchen. Seven or eight workers—probably just off their shift—entered, dressed in yellow uniforms, covered in dust and black grease.
They joked loudly, discussing the King of Noodles contest. A short man in his forties shouted, “Of course I’m voting for Qin’s! I’ve been eating their noodles for over thirty years. This is the only place I love.”
A younger worker chimed in, “That place in the south of town—it’s just a stall, doesn’t even have a name, but it’s really good. Every morning it’s packed, you have to queue up. How do we nominate them?”
“Just call it the South Town Noodle Stall!” Everyone burst into laughter, delighted with the idea.
After eating noisily, the group left.
Tang Yiyi saw Qin Baike resume his usual seat and hurried over to sit opposite him. “So many people love your noodles—you really have a shot at winning!”
He looked up from his phone at her. “I’m not interested.”
Liu Xin, overhearing, added, “Bro, Qin’s definitely has a chance. Online voting is easy—I can get my classmates to vote and share. The numbers will shoot up.”
Qin Baike set his phone on the table, gazing at them with a sigh. “Liu Xin, what’s the best bowl of noodles you’ve ever had?”
“Me? The first bowl you made for me. I’ll never forget it.”
“And you?” He turned to Tang Yiyi.
“There are lots of good ones. I can’t recall the best.” She blinked, thinking.
“Imagine you’re really hungry. What do you crave most?”
“My mother’s egg noodles,” she replied with certainty.
“If you had to choose the noodle king, wouldn’t you pick the one in your heart?”
“Exactly.” Liu Xin nodded.
“Now you understand. Eating noodles isn’t just about filling your stomach—it’s about family, memories, special feelings. Everyone has their own noodle king.”
Tang Yiyi protested, “That may be true, but if Qin’s joins the contest, its reputation will soar!”
Qin Baike smiled. “Qin’s has never lacked fame. As long as the flavor is there, let things take their course.”
Tang Yiyi asked, “Baike, which place makes the best plain noodles, aside from sentimental reasons?”
“They each have their strengths. The noodle house on Liberation Road has been around the longest and is the most famous. Their pickled vegetables and peanuts are especially fragrant—I can never replicate that. But my chili oil is more aromatic than theirs, and they’ve never surpassed it. It all comes down to personal preference.”
“Really? I’ll go try them tomorrow morning and compare.” Tang Yiyi was clearly enthusiastic about the contest.
Liu Xin said, “Bro, don’t worry. I’ll promote Qin’s online and aim for the top ten.”
Xiao Xie came over, “Xin, how will you promote it?”
“Let me think. With Qin’s reputation, someone will definitely nominate us. Since we’re in, the ranking shouldn’t look bad.”
Qin Baike neither affirmed nor denied, letting him do as he pleased.
Tang Yiyi remained opposite Qin Baike, daydreaming. She realized this seat gave a full view of the shop, both the dining area and kitchen, and was the most convenient for the kitchen. No wonder he liked it.
Noticing her lost in thought, Qin Baike reminded her, “It’s late. Go get some rest.”
She came back to herself, looking at Qin Baike. “Baike, it’s so lively and comfortable here. Going home alone feels empty.”
“Watch TV, go online, sleep when it’s time. Or read a book—you’re preparing for next year’s exam, aren’t you?”
“Can’t I relax a bit? I just broke up, I need time to heal.”
Xiao Xie suddenly jumped in, “You broke up?” Her voice was thunderous, and the shop fell silent. All the diners looked at Tang Yiyi.
Tang Yiyi was startled by the outburst, leaning back. After a brief silence, Qin Baike spoke calmly, “Well, by tomorrow, everyone in the alley will know you broke up.”
“Yiyi, did you really split with your boyfriend?” Xiao Xie continued loudly.
“Can’t you keep your voice down?” Tang Yiyi replied weakly.
“That’s great. When will I get to fall in love and break up at least once?”
Tang Yiyi rolled her eyes at her. “No one falls in love just to break up. I hope love never ends, that two people stay together for life.”
A middle-aged man, dressed like an office worker, commented, “That’s a bit of an extravagant wish.”
His words were like a sigh. Everyone understood—lifelong companionship had become an unattainable ideal. Perhaps knowing it’s so hard to achieve, people cherish less when together, and break up easily, moving on without regret.
“I want that extravagant kind of love,” Tang Yiyi murmured, head bowed.
Qin Baike looked at her somber face. “Let me cook you a bowl of plain noodles. You haven’t tried mine yet.”
“Alright.”
Qin Baike went into the kitchen to prepare the noodles himself. Uncle Chen watched, smiling, as Qin Baike skillfully drained the noodles, added seasonings, everything neat and careful. Uncle Chen ladled a bowl of kelp soup and set it beside her. Qin Baike brought out the tray, placing it before Tang Yiyi, satisfied as he saw the joy spark in her eyes at the first bite. In the world of little foodies, things are never too complicated.
“Brother Bin was right—Baike’s plain noodles are just a little bit better than Uncle Xiang’s.”
“You’ve tried the ones at the end of the alley?”
“Yes,” Tang Yiyi glanced at Qin Baike, seeing no reaction. It seemed Uncle Xiang’s affairs no longer affected him. “Baike, your chili oil really is amazing, better than anyone else’s.”
“That’s the hallmark of Qin’s plain noodles.”
“Uncle Xiang learned from Qin’s, no wonder they’re similar.”
Qin Baike looked at her. “Qin’s chili oil has a special spice, passed down from my grandfather’s father.”
“That sounds impressive—like a martial arts secret.”
“Sort of. It’s a closely guarded secret.”
“You’re the only one who knows the recipe?”
“Yes.”
“But Uncle Xiang has a daughter. If he passes it to her, you won’t be the only one.”
Qin Baike smiled faintly and got up to work.
The next morning at six, Tang Yiyi woke promptly, got ready, told her mentor’s wife she wouldn’t be home for breakfast, and set out for the noodle house on Liberation Road. She wanted to try the noodles Qin Baike praised for their fragrant pickled vegetables.
Having lived in Yicheng for over a month, she was familiar with the main streets and directions. By the time she reached Liberation Road, her step counter read 3,626 steps—still a bit short.
Determined to finish her daily quota before breakfast, she noticed an alley beside the noodle shop she hadn’t explored before and decided to venture in. The alley was narrow, lined with trees on one side, their dense shade nearly covering the whole road. At this hour, there were few vehicles, but many people out running.
As she jogged, she saw a familiar figure ahead, running slowly, barely faster than walking.
She overtook and turned back. “Xiaoxiao!” she called in delight. “It’s really you.” She slowed to a near walk.
“What are you doing here?” Xiaoxiao asked, surprised.
“Baike said the noodles on Liberation Road are good, so I came to try them.”
“You’re headed the wrong way—they’re behind us.” Xiaoxiao pointed.
“I know. I haven’t finished my daily run yet. Once I do, I’ll go.”
“How much do you run every day?”
“Right now, it’s 5,000 steps.”
Xiaoxiao stopped, astonished. “Every day?”
Tang Yiyi didn’t understand her reaction; 5,000 steps wasn’t much—she used to do 10,000.
Xiaoxiao forced a smile. “Go ahead, I’m slow. Not your pace.”
“Oh, alright.” Tang Yiyi resumed jogging, stopping only when the step counter hit 5,000. She turned toward the noodle house, spotting Xiaoxiao in the distance, moving like a snail, occasionally pressing her hand to her chest as if feeling her heartbeat.
Tang Yiyi ran over. “Let’s go eat noodles together.”
Xiaoxiao smiled. “No, thanks. My house is just ahead—I’ll eat at home.”
Watching Xiaoxiao’s departing figure, Tang Yiyi thought her smile was much cuter than her usual cool, aloof demeanor.
Tang Yiyi ate the noodles alone. As Qin Baike had said, the pickled vegetables were exceptionally fragrant, and the peanuts crisp and memorable—a true century-old establishment.