The young woman’s name was Ling Xiaoru, a native of Taoyuan Village in Wenxian Town.
She was a painter.
She was currently living in town for the time being. She took commissions online, specializing in landscape paintings.
Business was pretty good.
The "beauty" she was talking about was Xia Xiaoyue. The two had met at an art exhibition and added each other as friends on WeChat.
But they hadn’t talked much since then, only occasionally exchanging tips on painting techniques.
Just a short while ago, after another chat about their painting experience, they started making small talk and happened to bring up the topic of their hometowns.
It was only then that Xia Xiaoyue learned Ling Xiaoru was actually from Wenxian Town.
And what’s more, she was living in town right now.
Before, she had only known that Ling Xiaoru was from Changxi County.
Xia Xiaoyue was pleasantly surprised and then started talking about Li You’s restaurant.
That was how Ling Xiaoru found out that there was a restaurant with incredibly delicious food over by Jiulong Gorge.
She had no idea before.
Xia Xiaoyue said it had the best spicy crayfish, Mapo Tofu, twice-cooked pork, beef noodle soup, and more in the entire country.
Ling Xiaoru was completely captivated and decided on the spot to go check out Jiulong Gorge Restaurant immediately.
As it happened, she hadn’t eaten dinner yet.
Even though it was getting dark, it didn’t matter; it wasn’t far from her place to Jiulong Gorge.
So, she hopped on her electric scooter and set off.
Upon arriving at Jiulong Gorge, she did indeed see a restaurant.
The door was still open.
’Perfect!’
On the way over, she had been worried the restaurant might already be closed.
Walking into the restaurant and seeing Li You, her eyes lit up.
’He really is young, and very handsome too.’
But she was here to eat, not to look at the boss.
So, whether the food was good was what mattered most.
Now, with the spicy crayfish in her mouth, she had her answer.
That beauty Xia Xiaoyue hadn’t been exaggerating.
This spicy crayfish might just be the best in the whole country.
She couldn’t stop eating.
’To think a restaurant like this has appeared in our Wenxian Town, what an amazing surprise!’
Ling Xiaoru was thrilled.
Soon, the Mapo Tofu was brought over.
Seeing the Mapo Tofu, Ling Xiaoru was once again amazed.
This Mapo Tofu also looked incredibly delicious at first glance.
’I have to try it right away.’
Ling Xiaoru picked up her spoon, scooped up some tofu, blew on it briefly to cool it down, and eagerly put it in her mouth.
Soon, a thin sheen of sweat broke out on her forehead.
This was because it was so numbing and spicy. But the overall sensation wasn’t just numbness and heat; it was a convergence of many different flavors.
It felt more satisfying and more delicious than anything she’d ever had before.
’So Mapo Tofu can be this good. No wonder it’s so famous.’
’Could this be the best Mapo Tofu in the country?’
’There’s a good chance.’
’It’s hard to believe the boss is so young yet so skilled.’
When she saw Li You come out of the kitchen, Ling Xiaoru couldn’t help but give him a thumbs-up. "Boss, your food really is amazing. You’re so young, but your cooking skills are incredible. You’re awesome!"
Li You smiled and said, "I’m only good at these few dishes. By the way, you’re eating so late. Aren’t you afraid of the road on your way back?"
Li You finally asked the question that had been on his mind.
Ling Xiaoru glanced outside. The sky was almost completely dark, but it should be fine, right?
It was a main road all the way, and she was on her scooter.
So she replied, "I have my electric scooter. It should be fine."
Riding a scooter was indeed a bit better than walking.
But for a young woman, wouldn’t she be a little scared, not just riding a scooter but even driving a car?
This beauty was certainly braver than the average girl.
After that, Li You didn’t disturb her meal any further.
Ling Xiaoru, for her part, ordered another bowl of rice.
Slowly, she finished all the spicy crayfish, Mapo Tofu, and rice.
She was completely full and thoroughly satisfied.
’I’ll come back tomorrow to try the other dishes.’
’Time to head back for now.’
After settling the bill, Ling Xiaoru said to Li You, "Boss, I’ll be heading back now. I’ll come again tomorrow."
Li You nodded. "Alright. Be safe on the road."
"Okay!"
Ling Xiaoru replied, then walked out the door.
Seeing the pitch-black darkness in the distance and feeling a cool breeze, her heart suddenly tightened.
’Oh no!’
’It seems I overestimated my courage.’
The beautiful scenery from the daytime had become eerie at night.
The moon wasn’t out tonight either.
If the moonlight were bright enough, it would have been much better.
Ling Xiaoru felt that her decision to come here for dinner tonight had been a bit rash.
She should have come tomorrow instead.
She was actually getting scared.
But things were as they were, and there was nothing to do but bite the bullet and go.
’As long as I don’t scare myself, there’s nothing to be afraid of.’
Ling Xiaoru plucked up her courage, then took out her phone, turned on the flashlight, and headed toward the parking lot.
Li You watched Ling Xiaoru walk into the darkness, illuminated only by the light from her phone’s flashlight.
He admired her bravery.
But honestly, he was a little worried about her safety.
Five kilometers wasn’t a short distance, and it was all through the mountains and wilderness.
If something were to happen on these deserted mountain roads, her cries for help would go completely unheard.
She was his customer. If something really happened to her, he wouldn’t be able to live with himself, and he couldn’t completely wash his hands of it.
If she hadn’t come to his restaurant, it would have been none of his business. But since she did, he felt responsible.
’Maybe I should escort her back?’
’That would put my mind at ease.’
Li You quickly made his decision.
Without further hesitation, he walked to his motorcycle, swung his leg over, and started the engine.
His motorcycle wasn’t in the parking lot; it was parked just a short distance from the restaurant’s entrance.
Ling Xiaoru heard the sound of a motorcycle engine starting and couldn’t help but look back.
She saw the boss ride up to her on his motorcycle and say, "Come on, I’ll take you back."
Ling Xiaoru was very surprised and quite delighted. Her anxious heart instantly felt a sense of security.
Her whole body relaxed in an instant.
However, she felt bad about troubling the boss to escort her all that way.
It was her own rash decision to come eat so late, and now she had to trouble the boss to see her home.
After thinking for a moment, she said, "Boss, this is too much trouble for you. How about this? I’ll pay you a fare. Just treat it like I’m taking your motorcycle taxi back. How does that sound?"
Li You gave a small smile and said, "There’s no need. Don’t feel bad. You came to my place to eat, so I’ll see you home. It’s no big deal. Let’s go."
"Well... thank you, Boss."
"Really, don’t mention it."
"I still have to thank you."
After thanking him again, Ling Xiaoru continued walking to the parking lot.
Compared to before, she now felt completely at ease and incredibly safe.
Once she reached the parking lot, she got on her electric scooter and turned on the headlight.
"You go first," Li You said.
"Okay!"
One behind the other, the two of them drove out of the parking lot.
A little over ten minutes later, they arrived at the entrance of a residential complex in town.
Ling Xiaoru said, "Boss, we’re here. I live in this complex."
Li You nodded. "Alright. You go on in."
Ling Xiaoru said, "Okay, Boss. Be safe on your way back."
Li You smiled. "Will do!"
After thanking him repeatedly once more, Ling Xiaoru rode her scooter into the complex.
Li You left on his motorcycle.
He soon left the town and entered the pitch-black wilderness.
The woods, rocks, and barren fields on both sides of the road were faintly visible in the darkness.
Riding this road in the dead of night had its own unique feeling.
And he had to admit, it felt pretty good.
...