At the start, I tricked the school beauty, and ended up with twins?

About the topic of Snake Head, the conversation was so sensitive that the group only briefly touched on it before quickly moving on to other subjects.

Chatting all the way, they soon arrived at the business street's main road in Xuhui District, and with Lin Xinyue's directions, the car slowly stopped in front of Mr. Liu and Mrs. Bai's noodle shop.

The group got out of the car quickly.

"Liu's Authentic Lanzhou Ramen... Haha, it's been a long time since I've visited little noodle shops like this to eat!"

"But for Yu to make a special twenty-kilometer detour, there's no doubt about the taste!"

Chen Tian looked up at the shop's inexpensive sign; in his memory, it had been at least twenty years since he had eaten in such a humble establishment.

However, he believed Gu Yu wouldn't just randomly pick any noodle shop to fool him.

This noodle shop must have something special about it.

"It's Xinyue's uncle and aunt's place, the ramen is definitely authentic."

Gu Yu smiled slightly, leading the way as he ushered Chen Tian inside.

The group entered one by one; it was mealtime, and many people were eating. After looking around, the only available table was in the corner.

Clearly, it couldn't fit six people.

"Are you here to eat noodles? Sorry about this! It's really busy now, and you might have to wait. There's one more table—we'll clean it up right away!"

Mr. Liu was making noodles at the window; noticing a sudden influx of customers, he instinctively called out.

"It's no trouble, Mr. Liu. We can wait."

Gu Yu responded with a smile. Upon hearing the voice, Mr. Liu found it very familiar and glanced up from the window, peering out.

With just one look he realized—wasn't that Yu and Yue?

A surprised smile appeared on his face as he turned to call out to his wife who was busy adding noodles to a pot.

"Wife, Yue and Yu are here! You go and tend to them; I'll handle the noodles."

As Mr. Liu stretched the dough into slender strands, he took the colander from Mrs. Bai's hands, urging her to quickly greet the guests.

Mrs. Bai, upon hearing this, grabbed the greasy grey rag from the stove area and rushed out from the kitchen.

"Oh my! Yue, Yu, how come you have time to visit the noodle shop today? Why didn't you give a heads-up so I could save you a spot?!"

She walked over to Gu Yu, her tone a mix of surprise and mild reproach.

"It was a last-minute decision, so we didn't notify you beforehand. Besides, Mrs. Bai, you go ahead with your work! I can take care of cleaning the table," Gu Yu said, taking the greasy cloth without any disgust and wiping down the table.

Lin Xinyue, holding Mrs. Bai's hand, sympathetically added, "Yes, Yu and I were worried we'd interrupt your business!"

Seeing such considerate younger ones, Mrs. Bai's smile was beaming. She shook her head, "Don't worry, it's not busy. With your Mr. Liu in the back, he can manage everything by himself."

Mrs. Bai's palms gently caressed Lin Xinyue's hand, having missed her dearly since their last meeting.

She hadn't expected to see her again so soon.

"Eh, these must be your friends then? And is this gentleman perhaps Yu's elder?"

Her eyes swept across Pu Tongren and the others, easily guessing that these three were Gu Yu's friends. However, the old man dressed in a smart suit seemed out of place among the youngsters.

Naturally, she assumed he was one of Gu Yu's relatives.

"Mrs. Bai... this is Shengda..."

As Gu Yu began to explain Chen Tian's identity, Chen Tian suddenly gestured to stop him mid-sentence.

Chen Tian took the initiative to say, "Big sister, I'm this kid Yu's boss. Isn't it lunchtime? Yu specifically brought me here, saying that your cooking is good and the taste is authentic!"

His eyes smiled, exuding kindness and benevolence.

Mrs. Bai, after hearing this, nodded her head as if she suddenly realized.

Yu's boss, huh… No wonder he looks so old. With that attire, he must be a big boss.

A thought struck her—if a child as outstanding as Yu was, only a big boss would be fit to be his boss!

"Hehe, I see! Don't take it the wrong way, Yu, but although I know you care about me and your Mr. Liu, how could you bring your elder boss to our little shop for noodles?"

"Isn't that a bit below his standards?"

Her gaze was slightly reproachful as she glanced at Gu Yu, then she turned to Chen Tian with an apologetic smile and said, "Leader, please don't blame our little Yu for being ignorant!"

"He's still young and doesn't quite understand worldly ways, please be forgiving!"

At that moment, Mrs. Bai was just like an aunt trying to make excuses for her younger relative, her every word and action considered for Gu Yu's sake.

Gu Yu stood aside, not knowing what to say, this was not the time for him to interject; he could only silently accept Mrs. Bai's care.

Fortunately, Mr. Chen Tian helped Gu Yu out of the awkward situation.

"Haha, dear sister-in-law, you jest. Although I am Yu's superior, the two of us are also friends regardless of age. The child is attentive in all matters, how could I criticize or blame him!"

Chen Tian's face was amiable as he waved his hands dismissively.

Actually, he had another thought, "Not only can I not blame him, but I also have to ask for his help..." but he didn't voice it.

After all, he had his pride to consider.

"You're very broad-minded, Leader! Our little Yu is hardworking and earnest; he's handsome and modest too, sure to help your career flourish! Well, I'd better get busy! Since you've said so, I must ensure you're satisfied with your meal!"

Mrs. Bai's face was filled with a beaming smile; before leaving, she gave Gu Yu a "be sensible" look.

Gu Yu wore a wry smile; Mrs. Bai really treated him as part of her own family.

But his heart felt warmly touched.

Locking eyes with Lin Xinyue, she also smiled knowingly.

She knew Mrs. Bai truly wanted her boyfriend to do well; by implication, she also hoped she herself would do well.

Just then, the patrons at the next table finished eating and left. Gu Yu cleared away the bowls to the side, wiped down the table, and then the six people split up to sit at two tables.

They settled into their seats and casually started chatting about various topics.

Chen Tian didn't join in the fresh topics of the young people; instead, he kept looking up at the owner making noodles at the kitchen window.

For some reason, the owner seemed very familiar to him.

This owner was about his age, and he was certain that he knew him in the past, and that they had been quite close!

But too much time had passed, and he just couldn't recall who the person was.

In his youth, he had met too many friends. As time flies, most have drifted away with the crowd.

Yet, there were some people who, even after decades, still occupy a place in his heart.

"Yu, the owner making noodles by the window—you must know his name, right?"

After much thought, Chen Tian simply couldn't remember who the person was, only that he looked more and more familiar.

He was so close to a reminder that would spark his memory, but frustratingly fell just short.

In discomfort, he turned to Gu Yu for an answer.

Gu Yu was in the process of wiping the table in front of Lin Xinyue with a napkin. Hearing Old Mr. Chen's question, he lowered his head to think for a moment, vaguely remembering that Mr. Liu's name was Liu Chuan something.

Mr. Liu had mentioned it once during a confrontation with Liu Ermao.

But Gu Yu hadn't paid much attention to it.

"Are you talking about Mr. Liu? I'm not quite sure about his full name though," Gu Yu said, throwing the napkin into the trash can, slightly apologetic.

"His surname is Liu...?"

Chen Tian frowned deeply.

It felt so familiar! Too familiar! But he just couldn't remember!

It was at this moment that Lin Xinyue chimed in.

"Ah? Mr. Liu's full name is Liu Chuanzhi~"

"Snap!"

In Chen Tian's mind, it was as if a golden egg covered in cracks and radiating light was suddenly smashed open by a hammer.

"What, Liu?"

He stood up abruptly, his face full of disbelief as he looked towards the old man working hard at making noodles behind the kitchen window.