Chapter 15: Love Talk Beneath the Tree of Love!

The small noodle shop was tucked away in Teaching Ground Alley.

The Teaching Ground was once a military drill area, also known as the Parade Ground.

Surrounding it were primarily Western-style buildings, with rows of phoenix trees lining both sides of the street. In the golden autumn, the leaves turned yellow, casting a romantic and leisurely atmosphere.

Tang Ye entered and chose a seat near the center. He wiped the edge of the table with a napkin, smiled inside, and said, "Boss, two bowls of long fish noodles. For one bowl, no scallions, extra pepper, finely chopped cilantro, just a couple of drops of sesame oil. Cook the noodles a bit firm, keep the broth light—absolutely no MSG or chicken powder. When serving, place two slices of tender pea shoots on top, blanched briefly."

Cheng Lin snorted irritably, "Even Lu Zhishen provoking Zhen Guanxi in *Water Margin* didn’t make such complicated demands on minced meat! Are you sure you came here to eat, not to cause trouble?"

Tang Ye was surprised. "Lin, you’re a *Water Margin* fan? Usually men like *Water Margin*, women prefer *Dream of the Red Chamber*."

Cheng Lin scowled, "It was an excerpt we had in middle school!"

Tang Ye chuckled, "I’m a fan of One-Zhang Qing!"

Cheng Lin’s eyes sparkled, "Hoo San-niang? Her story is tragic!"

Tang Ye slapped his thigh, "See? I knew you were a *Water Margin* fan! Did you collect those *Water Margin* cards too?"

"You can be so childish sometimes!" Cheng Lin realized Tang Ye was teasing her, and a radiant smile blossomed on her face.

At that moment, the owner came out of the kitchen, smiling, "Little Tang, long time no see! And who’s this?"

To avoid misunderstanding, Tang Ye hastily introduced, "This is my supervisor."

"No wonder I haven’t seen you in ages! Where have you been making your fortune lately?"

Knowing Cheng Lin was particular about cleanliness, Tang Ye picked up two pairs of chopsticks and dipped them in boiling water. "I’ve been working in Pinghu, but I’ve been craving your noodles all along!"

The owner chuckled, "Should I make the supervisor’s noodles the usual way?"

Cheng Lin took the chopsticks from Tang Ye, still hot from the boiling water, and said quickly, "I’m not as picky as he is."

The owner turned to the kitchen, grinning, "He’s just messing with me!"

After a short while, two steaming bowls of noodles were served.

"Drink the broth first, then eat the noodles. Be careful, it’s hot."

Cheng Lin sipped the broth; the rich aroma instantly filled her mouth. "It really tastes great."

Tang Ye smiled lightly and called inside, "Someone’s complimenting you."

The owner brought over a small plate of pickles. "Homemade, don’t mind them."

Cheng Lin tasted a piece—salty, crunchy, and refreshing. "You’ve known the boss for many years, right?"

"Seven or eight years! He’s a good man. You’ll have to come often to keep the business alive."

Cheng Lin pondered silently on Tang Ye’s unique charm, then smiled, "Thank you for introducing me to such a wonderful place."

After finishing the long fish noodles, Tang Ye let out two satisfied belches.

The two stepped outside and saw the famous "Couple Trees" at the Teaching Ground.

Two phoenix trees stood on opposite sides of the road, their upper branches intertwined like lovers embracing.

Cheng Lin gazed at them thoughtfully. "Tang Ye, do you believe in love?"

Tang Ye picked up a fallen leaf and tucked it into his pocket, intending to use it as a bookmark. "Of course! Life is full of relationships, but only love resonates deeply."

Cheng Lin asked again, "Do you think love can last forever?"

"All love in this world begins sweet, but as time passes, it inevitably turns bittersweet."

Cheng Lin smiled. "Sounds like you know a lot about it. Have you ever been in love?"

Tang Ye scratched his head. "Not many times, but I do have experience! At four, my kindergarten desk mate had a crush on me; at ten, after a bad exam, a girl who also failed got scared to go home, smashed her piggy bank, and wanted to elope with me—forcing me to say I’d marry no one else; at twelve, a neighbor five years older thought I was adorable and stole my first kiss; at fifteen, I received love letters from a handful of girls; after eighteen, chocolates on every Valentine’s Day."

"Could you stop bragging?" Cheng Lin laughed uproariously, then suddenly grew serious and asked quietly, "Do you think pure love exists?"

"Yes! Spiritual love, above marriage and physical desire, a love of mutual understanding."

"Love at its peak has nothing to do with physical desire?"

Tang Ye felt the topic growing sensitive, smiling, "Some things just happen naturally."

*Ding-ling-ling.* "Make way!"

Someone rode past on a bike, and Tang Ye quickly pulled Cheng Lin aside.

Cheng Lin leaned into Tang Ye’s embrace; time seemed to freeze, and her mind went blank.

Her soft body resting against him, Tang Ye stared at Cheng Lin’s luscious red lips, his breath quickening.

Beneath her strong and capable exterior, Cheng Lin harbored a heart full of scars.

Her recent distraction and physical discomfort stemmed from marital problems. Her husband, abroad, had met another woman. They lived together, and the woman even sent Cheng Lin disturbing photos.

Tang Ye had stumbled upon this secret in the shredder.

Cheng Lin soon regained her composure, flushed with embarrassment, and changed the subject. "It’s getting late. You need to return to Pinghu. Let me take you to the station."

The setting sun burned like blood.

Tang Ye noticed Cheng Lin’s quickened pace and felt a twinge of complex emotions.

Side by side, they walked toward the platform.

"Tang Ye?"

A voice called from behind.

Tang Ye turned to see Du Xi in police uniform, accompanied by a female officer, emerging from a nearby shop.

Cheng Lin scrutinized Du Xi thoughtfully, her first impression: this girl was beautiful, and she began analyzing Tang Ye’s relationship with her.

"Du Xi, what a coincidence!" Tang Ye introduced Cheng Lin, "This is my supervisor."

Du Xi greeted Cheng Lin openly, "I’m Tang Ye’s high school classmate."

"Are you on a case?" Tang Ye noticed Du Xi held a notebook and guessed they were doing inquiries, so he refrained from probing.

Du Xi didn’t hide it. "There was a homicide nearby a few days ago. We’re visiting shops to gather clues."

Tang Ye recalled a newspaper report. "Be careful yourself. If you encounter a bad guy, call for backup first. Don’t be impulsive and tail someone alone like a solo hero. Your life matters."

Du Xi felt a warm glow inside but grumbled, "So you think I’m that clueless!"

Tang Ye smiled. "That’s how it goes in TV dramas! The naive cop trying to make a name for herself acts alone, tracks a brutal criminal, unwittingly walks into a trap, then the story turns into rescuing the cop."

Du Xi’s female colleague snickered. "Your classmate’s amusing."

Du Xi’s face flushed scarlet. She retorted, "Stop watching soap operas and read more books."

"Just joking."

"I’ve got a case. Talk later."

Du Xi waved goodbye.

After she left, Cheng Lin casually probed, "Your female classmate’s really pretty. She must have lots of admirers, right?"

Tang Ye patiently explained, "We lost touch after high school and only met again at a reunion recently. I don’t know if she has a boyfriend, but I have no feelings for her."

Cheng Lin smiled. "Missing out on such a good girl—don’t you regret it?"

Tang Ye grimaced. "Sis, don’t poke fun. I’m focused on work every day. No time for romance."

"What a pity!"

"A pity?"

Cheng Lin nodded. "I feel sorry for that girl. She missed out on an excellent guy."

Tang Ye shook his head. "That’s just how you see me. Others might not think I’m so great. Anyway, let’s talk business. Lin, I’m in charge of Pinghu’s economic affairs now. Do you have any resources for investment attraction?"

Cheng Lin smiled sweetly. "You’ve been wanting to say that for a while, haven’t you?"

Tang Ye breathed a sigh of relief. "For the sake of your long fish noodles, if you have any resources for investment, remember your little brother."

"Sigh, you eat from others’ hands, so you must be grateful! I’ll keep my ears open for you!"

Seeing Tang Ye’s pleading expression, Cheng Lin felt both comforted and somewhat disappointed.

Comforted that Tang Ye always put his career first.

Disappointed that their relationship mixed business with friendship.

But after all, human relations often arise from mutual benefit.

Tang Ye’s early days in Pinghu must have been difficult; she ought to help him.

...

Du Xi shifted several times.

Her colleague Liu Fang noticed her thoughts and deliberately brought up the topic, "Your high school classmate’s quite handsome!"

Du Xi gestured in front of her, "He was about my height in high school but shot up in university."

Liu Fang laughed, "Boys often grow late. He probably had a growth spurt in college. I think you two would make a good match."

Du Xi’s pale face flushed like autumn leaves, tiny beads of sweat on her delicate nose. She hurriedly said, "Stop playing matchmaker!"

Liu Fang said seriously, "You’re not getting any younger. Don’t waste a good hand. Date for a year, then marry and have kids. Women recover faster if they have children early."

Du Xi’s heart pounded wildly. Biting her lip, she recalled her mother’s opinion of Tang Ye and sighed quietly. "You’re overthinking."

Liu Fang sensed Du Xi’s feelings. "How’s his job?"

Du Xi hesitated. "He’s deputy mayor of Pinghu on a temporary appointment."

Liu Fang’s eyes widened. "No way, is he the deputy mayor mentioned in that article you wrote? You’re classmates? That’s fate! It’s a long-distance relationship, which is tricky, but he’s not stuck there forever."

Du Xi smiled sheepishly. "Maybe you should work at the civil affairs bureau—perfect for a matchmaker!"

"Some people’s fates begin at birth. A matchmaker just nudges things along." Liu Fang knew about Du Xi’s family situation and that her marriage was not entirely her own decision.

Images of Tang Ye and Cheng Lin’s intimate moments flickered in Du Xi’s mind, leaving her inexplicably heartbroken...

...