"Uh... hello there!"

What was I even saying? I had no clue this was a ramen shop. And I definitely didn’t know this little loli’s sister was the delinquent Lingchuan.

"You students should be home studying instead of wandering around after school. It’s already seven o’clock, you know?"

Lingchuan jerked her chin toward the clock on the wall behind me. Sure enough—it was seven. But I wasn’t worried. My parents were home tonight anyway. Besides, this was a ramen shop! How could I leave without trying a bowl?

Yet I couldn’t even muster the courage to ask for one.

"Big sister—that uncle has your backpack..."

"Hold on, let’s correct that—call him ‘brother.’ Do I look like an ‘uncle’ to you?"

I was a vibrant, sunny youth brimming with all the best qualities. How could I be called an uncle? That was just plain rude!

"Lemon—"

Lingchuan smiled gently. She seemed ready to teach her sister a lesson. Slowly crouching down, she spoke in a tender voice:

"If you ever meet a weird uncle like this outside, never bring him home. Run away immediately and call the police. Got it?"

"Uh-huh... Lemon understands!"

The girl named Lemon nodded vigorously. Wait, you didn’t teach her properly at all! And by that logic, I’d get lost all day outside! People would die!

"Good girl... go finish your homework. I’ll call you when dinner’s ready."

Hey, hey! Are you really Lingchuan? That angelic smile and sweet voice—you’re the delinquent everyone avoids?

I couldn’t believe my eyes and ears. My mouth hung open in shock. I knew it was rude, but I couldn’t control my expression.

Only after Lingchuan watched Lemon skip past the kitchen and up the stairs with tender eyes did she stand up. Then she shot me a vicious glare.

"Did you threaten my sister? She’d never bring strangers home otherwise!"

Lingchuan looked incredulous. She planted her hands on my table, grabbed my collar with her left hand—oh no! This was bad! Her posture perfectly outlined her curves. Worse, her shirt was unbuttoned three buttons down—I had a direct view of her fair skin.

"Avert your eyes, avert your eyes," I chanted, looking away toward the kitchen. Lingchuan noticed my awkwardness, glanced down, and realized her chest was fully exposed.

"Pervert!"

Without thinking, she slapped my right cheek. It didn’t hurt at all. Not a bit. Just hand me the anti-inflammatory medicine already!

"Sorry..."

For the first time, I saw Lingchuan lower her head before me. This must be her first apology ever. What should I do? Of course, forgive her!

"By the way—here’s your backpack. I didn’t peek inside. I just put your stationery and textbooks back in..."

"I wasn’t worried about that junk! Why are you the one delivering it? You’re the last person I wanted to see..."

I heard every word clearly but decided to forget the last part.

"Blame our tiny, pathetic social circle. Rumors about us spread like wildfire—even teachers believe them."

I rubbed my forehead, forcing a bitter smile.

Now I was labeled a delinquent too. But unlike Lingchuan, I hadn’t harmed anyone. She faced hatred for bad deeds and distrust for good ones.

Rumors were brutal. Mengxiang and I suffered, but we survived—mostly thanks to her.

"Anyway—you heard my stomach growl, right? So... can I get a bowl of noodles?"

I flashed a smile, though it was just to score a free meal. Lingchuan frowned deeply.

"Huh? Why should I cook for you? Don’t you see the ‘Closed’ sign? We’re off duty..."

She clearly didn’t want to cook. After I treated her to lunch today? Unforgivable!

"Hey—don’t you owe me lunch from noon? I almost forgot—you never paid me back!"

I stressed the unpaid debt. Thanks to Zhou Hao and Mengxiang’s interruption, Lingchuan had snatched the money in panic. My lunch money was gone.

"Eh? Are you blackmailing me now? I never took you for this type..."

"Isn’t this fair trade? How is it blackmail?"

"Fine, fine! This bowl’s on the house. But my dad’s not here... he’s the head chef. You’ll have to wait for him."

"Why don’t you cook it yourself?"

I cut through her hesitation. Was she avoiding something? Could she not cook? What kind of ramen shop owner’s daughter was she?

"It’s... complicated. Dad’s always the chef. I just help out when I skip school. My cooking’s not great... but if you insist—"

*Ding ding ding!*

I rang the bell on the table corner—probably for service—and sat like a proper customer.

"One scallion oil noodle bowl, please! Chef-san..."

"Eh? You’re sure? Well... wait here."

Lingchuan looked stunned. She hurriedly cleared my table, grabbed her backpack, and clumsily disappeared into the kitchen.

With no other customers, I heard the stove ignite clearly.

While Lingchuan cooked, I observed the shop. It was old but spotless—no mess at all. That showed the chef’s passion. As a self-proclaimed "kitchen guy," I loved the simple, cozy decor. No flashy gimmicks.

"Here... I’m not confident in my cooking. But if you insist on eating it—"

Five minutes later, a steaming bowl of scallion oil noodles sat before me. The aroma alone promised unforgettable flavors.

I met Lingchuan’s hopeful gaze. Just then, a figure darted from the kitchen—little Lemon, peeking from the stairs, gripping the wall.

Wow! My first time being stared at by a cute loli—I felt shy!

"Well... let’s try it..."

The first bite hit me like lightning—this taste was utterly terrible!