In the restaurant, when Chu Qing, Jinchan, and Xin Xiaoting saw the Oden that Shen Qiang had brought back, they were all speechless.

Especially Chu Qing, as the number one beauty in the gourmet world, her heritage and talent meant that she possessed an extraordinary sense of taste.

"Although I don't fully understand why, I'm certain that the taste of this Oden is too ordinary, and moreover, it's a bit cold." The stunning Chu Qing said, tasting it and then not touching it again, whereas Jinchan, trying Oden for the first time, ate it with pleasure.

"I just wanted to buy something," Shen Qiang laughed. "By the way, I wanted to see what's so special about the blacksmith's Oden. As it turns out, I thought too much; the taste is indeed lousy."

Xin Xiaoting smiled, "It's not bad, reminds me of the night market in University City."

Shen Qiang laughed, "Exactly, that's the taste of the night market in University City, guaranteed authentic."

Xin Xiaoting laughed, "It really does bring back memories."

Shen Qiang laughed, "Nostalgic for what? Academic nerds at the front pretending to be focused, Goddesses in the middle touching up their makeup, slackers at the back asleep, dorms reeking, internet cafes full of smoke, studs and Goddesses mixing in nightclubs, losers either in internet cafes or on their way there, plus two little monkeys hopping around, either organizing mixers or drinks."

Xin Xiaoting laughed and said, "Actually, before I went to intern at Bikang, I never noticed I had such a classmate."

Shen Qiang laughed, "That's because you were always sitting at the front, and I'm a homebody dog."

Xin Xiaoting's eyes curved in amusement.

Just then, Xiu Ju coughed and said, "If you're going to reminisce about the past, do you need us to leave?"

Xin Xiaoting laughed without replying.

Shen Qiang's smile faded as he seriously said, "No need, I'm just chatting casually. Based on your evaluations, I know that blacksmith is not as good as me, because his Oden is far inferior to mine."

Chu Qing smiled, "Are you going to make some?"

"Maybe another day. Tell me, how was your visit to Datong River today?" Shen Qiang looked at Chu Qing.

"Master, the cold noodles at Datong River were so delicious!" Jinchan interjected.

As Shen Qiang smiled, Chu Qing said, "The two head chefs at Datong River could be considered first-rate, and the four sous-chefs are okay too; the other chefs are relatively weaker, far from a top-notch restaurant."

Shen Qiang furrowed his brow and after a moment of silence said, "I still own half of Datong River. Chu Qing, you are the expert in this, I'll leave it to you."

Chu Qing smiled, "You want me to be a free laborer?"

"No, it's a gift to you," Shen Qiang raised his eyebrows.

Chu Qing laughed and said, "I can help you manage Datong River, but I am not going to take it."

Shen Qiang fell silent for a moment then agreed.

He then called Bianyi directly.

The phone connected, and the background noise sounded like it came from a restaurant.

"Next Wednesday, I want the Datong River Dinghao branch to open. Any problems?"

Upon hearing Shen Qiang's words, Bianyi laughed, "Don't worry, boss, everything is settled. We'll open on time next Wednesday, but I'm coughing up more blood now; if you don't treat me, I might die before achieving my goal."

"Then you better finish the tasks I assigned before you kick the bucket!"

"Hey, boss, you can't be so heartless!" Bianyi said anxiously.

Shen Qiang hung up directly, looking at Chu Qing with a smile he said, "So I was thinking, could you go to Dinghao for me tomorrow, to sample the craftsmanship of the chefs there?"

"No problem."

After getting a definitive answer.

They had a quick meal, chatted for a bit, and then Shen Qiang and Xin Xiaoting returned to the upstairs room.

Standing by the window.

Xin Xiaoting's face reddened as she watched Chu Qing, Xiu Ju, and the golden cicada conversing and laughing in the terrace garden.

"Do you think this is good?"

Shen Qiang stood behind her.

His arms wrapped around her waist, he peered over her shoulder at the brilliantly lit metropolis below.

"I missed you."

Her eyes brightened when she heard these words, then Xin Xiaoting responded, "Liar, I don't believe it. Chu Qing is so beautiful, Miao Xiaoxia is gorgeous too, and so is Su Xiaonuan. They are all stunning; it'd be strange if you missed me."

Holding her waist, Shen Qiang turned Xin Xiaoting's body to face him, feeling her warmth, and looking into her anxious eyes, he smiled and said, "You should be more confident in yourself, don't forget, you are the beauty of Medical University."

Xin Xiaoting looked at Shen Qiang with a slight smugness in her eyes and said, "And what about Miao Xiaoxia? She is the most beautiful newcomer at Medical University this year, the Parkour Goddess, young, beautiful, and full of vitality."

Shen Qiang asked, "Are you jealous?"

"I said no." Xin Xiaoting replied.

Shen Qiang smiled and nodded, "I said I believe you."

Xin Xiaoting's eyes crinkled with her smile, and after a moment of silence, she said, "Half a month ago, my patient died on the operating table."

Shen Qiang looked at her thoughtfully and asked, "Do I need to comfort you?"

She smiled and said, "At that time, I really hated you, because you didn't call me or come to see me. I felt so helpless and thought life was so fragile."

"If you don't have the confidence to do everything well, you could consider taking a clerical job," Shen Qiang said earnestly.

Xin Xiaoting laughed and looked at Shen Qiang, "I failed once, but during this time, I've cured many people, so I still like being a doctor."

Shen Qiang smiled, "If you want my help, just a phone call will do."

Xin Xiaoting smiled and said, "There are so many patients around the world every day, can they all call you? So I'd better keep working hard on my own."

Shen Qiang chuckled, lifted her chin, and said, "Let's not talk about work, I missed you, and I want you to know that my love for you has never changed."

Xin Xiaoting blushed, her eyes filled with anticipation as she looked at Shen Qiang, hesitating for a moment before saying, "Me too."

Shen Qiang smiled and gently kissed her cherry lips.

As she passionately responded, the curtain was drawn...

In the terrace garden, Xiu Ju slightly raised her head to see that the lights in Xin Xiaoting's room had dimmed, she smiled at Chu Qing and said, "Have you really made up your mind to follow Shen Qiang for life?"

Chu Qing smiled, "Is it me you're asking, or is it yourself?"

Xiu Ju furrowed her brow, "Shen Qiang's cultivation is progressing quickly. If he reaches the Nascent Soul Stage, I must return to my team."

"Are you suggesting that he will need my personal protection after that?" Chu Qing smiled.

Xiu Ju fell silent for a moment, then said to herself, "I don't know if I should trust you."

Then she looked seriously at Chu Qing and said, "Or rather, I've never trusted you, but Shen Qiang trusts you, so I put all my doubts aside, reminding myself every day that you are one of us. But I warn you, if there comes a day when you dare harm Shen Qiang's interests, I will stop at nothing to kill you."

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