CHAPTER 977: CHAPTER 565: THE ARREST

November 1st, evening.

The kitchen in Xue Yuantong’s house, the incandescent light casting a faint yellow glow, illuminating the entire room.

The wood in the stove beside, not yet completely extinguished, occasionally crackles with the burning remnants, a unique woody aroma mixing with the smoky scent from the earthen stove, emitting a faint natural ambiance.

Xue Chuchu lifts the bowl: "Do you want some rice?"

Jiang Ning and Xue Yuantong simultaneously reply: "Another bowl!"

Xue Chuchu gracefully stands up, taking the rice bowl with both hands, her hair gently swaying with her movement, complementing the graceful figure akin to a virtuous and gentle little wife.

On the table, there are two dishes, scallions and ginger stir-fried razor clams, and a plate of very appetizing minced meat eggplant, along with crispy pan-fried flatbread in the bread basket.

The meal is already halfway through, Xue Yuantong finishes the third bowl of pumpkin soup.

Jiang Ning reaches for the chopsticks, aiming for the razor clams on the plate.

His first time eating razor clams was in the fifth grade, during a visit to the coastal city where his parents worked.

Many of the left-behind children in the Central Region, like him, stay home to attend school, and during long vacations, if possible, they go to the places where their parents work for a month or two, then come back to school.

Jiang Ning grew up in the countryside, and seafood places in town are not many, things like razor clams are really rare.

However, there are plenty in coastal cities, he remembers that afternoon, waiting for his mom to finish work, then going to the market together where she bought razor clams.

Just like today, stir-fried with scallions and ginger, the childhood Jiang Ning tried it for the first time and liked the spicy and fresh taste.

Unfortunately, after returning from his parents, many years passed without specifically tasting it.

Things unattainable in childhood easily become obsessions when grown up, either sentiments or nostalgia.

Like certain foods, certain people, some are let go, some are reminisced.

Jiang Ning prepared to pick up a razor clam, unexpectedly, another pair of chopsticks attacked from across the table.

The pair of chopsticks unexpectedly met his.

With faster speed, Xue Yuantong pecked at the razor clams first, Jiang Ning flicked his chopsticks slightly, bouncing hers away.

Unyielding, Xue Yuantong wielded her chopsticks as weapons, fighting with Jiang Ning, the crisp sound of "ping ping ping" intertwined on the dining table.

Xue Chuchu placed their rice bowls on the table, watched their childish fight, her lips slightly curled up, quietly drawing a gentle arc, like a clear spring, cold yet sweet.

Seconds later, the battle results emerged, Jiang Ning found his chance and clamped the razor clam.

Just then, Xue Yuantong panicked, she directly broke the rules, reached under Jiang Ning’s chopsticks, and snatched the succulent razor clam.

"Heehee!" Xue Yuantong prepared to stuff it into her mouth, when suddenly Jiang Ning’s wrist flicked, she saw only a shadow.

Xue Yuantong quickly withdrew her hand, successfully putting it in her mouth, she boasted: "I’m still more skilled!"

"No, I’m a step ahead." Jiang Ning tasted the scallion and ginger stir-fried razor clams, the texture very tender, spicy and savory.

It was then that Xue Yuantong realized she had only eaten the shell, the meat inside had been stolen.

"Hmph!" Xue Yuantong pouted.

She saw Jiang Ning eating so enjoyably, unwillingly sucked the remaining juice from her fingers.

Xue Chuchu suddenly asked: "Is it delicious?"

This dish was her cooking, their struggle warming her heart.

Jiang Ning didn’t praise the specific texture and flavor, he just said: "Mom’s cooking taste from childhood."

Xue Chuchu’s smile blossomed gently, the last bit of coldness vanished, leaving only warmth and sweetness: "If you like it, I’ll buy it again next week."

Xue Yuantong regrouped, turning sadness into appetite, buried her head into her meal.

Xue Chuchu spoke little at meals, Jiang Ning didn’t converse with her, he took a sip of slightly sweet pumpkin soup, his phone vibrated in his pocket.

Taking out his phone, it was a message from Shao Shuangshuang:

"The food arrangement for the marathon pit stop is ready, all prepared by our chefs, featuring various local specialties from Yuzhou, crispy pork, fruit salad, cold cake, ice jelly... they’re all included."

Jiang Ning glanced at Tongtong who was wolfing down dinner, replied: "Yes."

"The volunteer name tags are made, I’ve prepared 10 for you, also, to ensure the race’s smooth progress, I’ve arranged a fleet of electric scooters as the official designated vehicles, responsible for escorting the race, promoting green travel, you can ride ahead of the ten thousand runners for dining."

Jiang Ning: "Thoughtful."

He never paid attention to marathons, didn’t expect such a bike escort play.

Shao Shuangshuang asked further: "The highlight food you prepared, that... approximately what time will it be delivered? My chefs are on standby the whole time, and I’ve specially procured some small lambs, could do roasted whole lamb near the finish line."

Jiang Ning: "I’ll head to Hu Qi Mountain at dawn."

There was a pause for a minute, then asked: "Is it dangerous?"

Jiang Ning: "Won’t hurt me."

Shao Shuangshuang knew he was extraordinary, Evergreen Liquid’s international expansion, all troubles are handled by Jiang Ning, but she and he are long bound by fate, she still cared: "Take care."

At the table, Xue Yuantong spoke while eating: "Chuchu, tomorrow I’ll take you to see the sights!"

"The marathon?"

"Yes, indeed!"

Xue Chuchu: "Heard it’s quite popular, students in our class are talking about it too."

This is Yuzhou’s first marathon, previously people heard of marathons mostly in big cities, now appearing in their own city for the first time, certainly proud.