Chapter 10: A New Way to Enjoy Old Popsicle

In broad daylight, a stunning top-tier Alpha had her ear twisted by an even more beautiful top-tier Omega, drawing quite a crowd of onlookers.

“What are you doing? That hurts!” Lu Zhixia winced in pain. “Go easy on me.”

“Professor Yan said I should keep you in line,” Shen Wanqing replied coolly as she tugged her closer by the ear. “I never pegged you for someone who resents the rich.”

Lu Zhixia hung her head, a bit annoyed. “I’m starving, and you said pick anywhere. Then you shot it down!”

“You told me to eat at home, but what were you sneaking off to eat?” Shen Wanqing gave her earlobe one last twist before letting go.

Lu Zhixia rubbed her ear. “I want mala tang.”

“Then I’ll have mala tang too.”

“Don’t come crying to me if it upsets your stomach.”

Shen Wanqing tossed the car keys to Lu Zhixia. The Mercedes-Benz pulled out, and the red Ferrari parked by the bus stop across the street started up right behind them.

The mala tang shop was packed. Every seat inside was taken, and the outdoor tables were nearly full too.

Lu Zhixia eyed Shen Wanqing’s expression cautiously. “Maybe we should hit a restaurant instead?”

“Lots of people here means the food must be good,” Shen Wanqing said, pushing open the car door.

The four bodyguards piled out of the car behind them even faster. “President Shen, you’re really going to eat this?”

“You guys can grab something else.” Shen Wanqing headed inside, leaving the bodyguards to exchange complicated looks with Lu Zhixia.

The sudden arrival of a elegantly dressed, striking woman had heads turning—some stole glances, others openly sized up her figure from behind.

Lu Zhixia followed her in. The shop owner spotted her, then glanced at Shen Wanqing beside her and teased, “Well, look at you—your girlfriend’s a real beauty.”

Shen Wanqing said nothing. Lu Zhixia flushed and clarified, “She’s not my girlfriend.”

No seats inside. Shen Wanqing pointed to a table by the window. “They’re almost done.”

“It’s actually pretty stuffy in here. Why not sit outside?” Lu Zhixia suggested. The heat was indeed oppressive. “Fine, outside it is.”

Just then, a guy carrying a bowl stumbled behind them. Lu Zhixia reacted swiftly, pulling Shen Wanqing into her arms to dodge.

The guy jumped, apologizing profusely. One splash from that bowl, and with her designer outfit, he’d be ruined for life.

“Missy, you’ve got to watch your step,” Lu Zhixia said with lingering fright. “That soup’s scalding hot.”

As they spoke, more people squeezed past. Lu Zhixia threw her arms out, carving out a little bubble of space. “You go on ahead to the table outside.”

She practically shepherded Shen Wanqing out from behind, arms wrapped protectively around her. The owner shot them a knowing look that said: Sure, not your girlfriend.

It was the classic sesame paste mala tang—nothing fancy.

The menu was simple, and Lu Zhixia rattled off the items from memory. “Anything you don’t want?”

Seeing Shen Wanqing ponder seriously, she caught on. “Have you tried crown daisy greens before?”

Shen Wanqing shook her head.

“What about tofu puffs?”

Another shake.

“Then let’s get a bit of everything for you to sample. I can eat whatever you don’t like.”

Shen Wanqing nodded.

“Do you eat spicy?”

Spicy food was usually fine, but her stomach couldn’t handle it—the doctor had advised against it.

“I want spicy,” Shen Wanqing said.

“Keep it light on the spice, then. Sweet and sour?” Lu Zhixia sat at the table, spotting the sugar and vinegar nearby. “You can add that yourself later. It’s right here.”

Lu Zhixia headed back inside, and Shen Wanqing’s gaze followed her.

Today, Lu Zhixia wore shorts that showed off her long, straight legs, paired with a crisp white T-shirt—clean and effortlessly pretty.

The bodyguards hovered awkwardly on the perimeter, and Shen Wanqing stood out like a sore thumb amid the crowd. Passersby couldn’t help but stare.

Shen Wanqing, though, kept her eyes fixed on the door. Soon enough, Lu Zhixia emerged, tall and eye-catching in the throng.

“What do you want to drink?” Lu Zhixia asked earnestly, running through the options: peanut milk, cola with Pepsi or Coke, Dayao in original or orange flavor…

“What are you having?” Shen Wanqing cut in.

“Dayao, orange flavor.”

“Then that’s what I’ll have.”

Lu Zhixia darted in and out—chopsticks, small bowls, napkins… Finally, she lugged out two bottles of orange Dayao. One was chilled with bubbles fizzing on the surface; she twisted off the cap and set it down. The other was room temperature, and she borrowed an opener from the next table.

“I want the same as you.”

“Don’t drink the cold one.”

“Why not?”

Lu Zhixia kept her head down, wiping the table. Her voice was just loud enough: “You haven’t fully recovered down there yet.”

Shen Wanqing got the implication and didn’t press.

Lu Zhixia stuck a straw in her bottle and drank straight from hers.

Shen Wanqing took a sip. Bubbles rushed up, but the taste wasn’t as bad as she’d feared.

Lu Zhixia watched her face. “What do you think?”

“Mm…” Shen Wanqing considered. “Orange.”

Lu Zhixia burst out laughing and tipped her head back for a swig.

The boss soon emerged with two steaming bowls of Mala Tang, grinning as he gossiped, “Such a pretty girlfriend—where’d you meet her?”

“I already said she’s not my girlfriend,” Lu Zhixia said, embarrassed, as she took the mildly spicy bowl and set it in front of Shen Wanqing.

Before wandering off with a chuckle, the boss winked. “Made it for free, just for you.”

Lu Zhixia explained helplessly, “We’ve known each other a long time. The boss loves to joke around—don’t take it to heart.”

Shen Wanqing murmured her acknowledgment and gazed at the food before her: a bowl of… Mala Tang that defied easy description.

Lu Zhixia glanced up at her, then stood to grab some chopsticks from nearby. She stirred the contents thoroughly before setting it back down. “Give it a try. If you don’t like it, don’t force yourself. We can grab something else later.”

Watching Lu Zhixia devour hers with such relish sparked a flicker of anticipation in Shen Wanqing.

She picked up a piece of something unrecognizable in its original form and took a tentative bite. The flavor was overwhelmingly intense; she couldn’t even identify what it had once been.

From the corner of her eye, Lu Zhixia caught sight of Shen Wanqing sitting with elegant poise, gently tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear before taking small, delicate bites.

Her expression remained neutral, giving no hint of like or dislike. Lu Zhixia stole a few glances between her own enthusiastic mouthfuls.

After just a few bites, Shen Wanqing set her chopsticks down. Lu Zhixia handed her a napkin. “If it’s not to your taste, that’s fine. Let’s go find something else.”

Shen Wanqing shook her head. “I’m not hungry.”

“You don’t have to say it like that.”

“It’s the truth.” Shen Wanqing’s face was serene now, her tone gentle. “I hardly ever eat dinner.”

Lu Zhixia tucked into her bowl with gusto, but Shen Wanqing watched her intently. “You can slow down a little.”

The open-air night stall buzzed with flying insects, and flies occasionally alighted on the table’s edge.

Shen Wanqing waved them away, but the mosquitoes were less polite, silently leaving her an itchy “gift.”

Lu Zhixia polished off her bowl in short order. “Looks like you barely touched yours.”

“Yes. It’d be a shame to waste it by throwing it out.”

“…”

“I’ve drunk water from your bottle.”

Lu Zhixia understood her implication and reached for Shen Wanqing’s bowl, but Shen Wanqing offered a warm reminder: she was full now and shouldn’t eat any more.

Anticipating Shen Wanqing might leave something behind, Lu Zhixia hadn’t ordered too much for herself that day.

She powered through half the second bowl, then took a swig from the Dayao bottle. It hit the spot, and she let out a satisfied exhale. “Let’s go—I’ll show you something else.”

“I’m really not hungry.” Shen Wanqing rose to her feet. “What do you usually do after dinner?”

“Me?” Lu Zhixia pointed toward a dimly lit corner not far off. “There’s a grandma who runs a little shop over there. I grab a popsicle.”

“Then let’s head that way.” Shen Wanqing started walking, with Lu Zhixia hurrying to catch up. “What’s that supposed to mean? Are you trying to infiltrate my inner circle?”

“Haven’t you already been inside mine?” Shen Wanqing replied with loaded meaning. Lu Zhixia coughed twice, her face flushing as she let the comment hang.

Old Grandma reacted just like the boss, beaming as she asked, “Is this Little Xia’s girlfriend?”

“Grandma, she’s not my girlfriend.”

Shen Wanqing stood by the freezer and turned to her. “Which one do you usually get?”

“The cheapest one.” Lu Zhixia dashed over, pulling out two Old Popsicles. Then, remembering something, she put one back.

Shen Wanqing tilted her head at her. “You were going to share one with me.”

“You know better than to have anything cold.” Lu Zhixia tore open the wrapper and plopped down beside Grandma.

A coil of mosquito repellent smoldered at the doorway. Lu Zhixia dragged over a little stool, and Shen Wanqing settled next to her. The mosquito bites itched a bit.

As usual, Old Grandma launched into tales of the old days, with the two young women listening attentively.

Lu Zhixia licked away at her popsicle with gusto. From the corner of her eye, Shen Wanqing noticed a crowd gathering at the street corner—a sleek, dark luxury car was visible amid the throng. She withdrew her gaze and nudged Lu Zhixia. “Let me have a bite.”

Lu Zhixia teasingly withheld it, waving the popsicle just out of reach every time Shen Wanqing leaned in, only to pull it away.

The back-and-forth ended with half the popsicle tumbling to the ground. As Shen Wanqing gripped her wrist to claim it, Lu Zhixia mischievously shoved the whole remainder into her mouth. The chill made her hiss and gasp.

Lu Zhixia was still smirking when Shen Wanqing tugged her wrist, leaning in close.

In Lu Zhixia’s startled gaze, that cool, breathtakingly beautiful face drew nearer and nearer. She instinctively tried to pull back, but a hand cupped the nape of her neck, holding her steady.

One cold, one hot. One firm, one soft. Breaths mingling in the exchange. A new way to eat an Old Popsicle… Irresistible.

Author’s note:

Reader: I’m not one to criticize, Dog Cub, but why do you always yell at Big Sister?

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