Finally, their dishes were ready and served. Although there were all sorts of odd-looking stuff on the plate, the food had an aromatic fragrance.
The stall owner reminded the duo, “Please season the food to your likings, but season your food moderately. Otherwise, you’re going to have a pair of crimson lips by the end of your meal.”
There was a box of seasoning that was placed on the table. The seasoning was a combination of salt, pepper, and chili flakes.
Ning Ran murmured to herself, “Too bad! You can’t consume spicy food, right? The seasoning is the best part of the entire meal! What should we do?”
Naturally, Nan Chen had no intention to surrender just yet. He recalled the time he suffered from diarrhea last they had hotpot together.
Ever since the incident, he had been consuming spicy food to increase his tolerance level. Thus, he had faith in himself and was certain he would be able to consume spicy food.
Immediately, he instructed without a second thought, “Go on!”
Ning Ran could barely resist the urge to laugh at Nan Chen due to his response.
Excuse me? Is it necessary to get worked up when we’re merely having a meal?
Actually, the issue Ning Ran deemed to be trivial was the exact opposite for Nan Chen. He had been brought up in a pampering environment ever since he was young.
He had always achieved his goal and outperformed his peers over the years. Therefore, as a prideful man, Nan Chen would never allow himself to fail. That was his bottom line.
Ever since he figured out he wasn’t a match for Erbao, he felt dejected. After the incident, he made up his mind to brush up on his tolerance level and started consuming spicy food.
Eventually, he found the joy of consuming spicy food. He had taken the initiative to join others for a meal every now and then.
Finally, Nan Chen thought the time for him to prove himself worthy had come since Ning Ran had asked him to join her for a meal.
Ning Ran sprinkled a spoonful of seasoning on the gigantic plate of food.
After she sprinkled it once, she stared at Nan Chen and asked, “What do you think?”
“What do you think?” Nan Chen asked rhetorically.
“I’ll definitely go for another spoonful of seasoning.”
“Sure!” Nan Chen asserted.
“Is it enough?” Ning Ran asked after she sprinkled another spoonful of seasoning.
“What do you think?”
“I’ll—”
“Let’s go for another spoon!” Nan Chen suggested before Ning Ran could finish her sentence.
“Are you sure?”
“Of course!”
Therefore, the conversation went on for some time until Ning Ran thought it was about time to stop.
She savored the plate of food immediately after she finished sprinkling the seasoning. Out of joy, she exclaimed, “This is it! This is the best in Flower City! Let’s make a toast!”
They opened their bottle of beer and gulped down half of the bottle.
It was finally time for Nan Chen to savor the food. He took a mouthful but found out it was slightly above his tolerance level.
What? I can’t give up after all the training I have gone through!
“Is everything fine? Do you want me to get you another serving?” Ning Ran expressed her concerns and offered.
Nan Chen waved at her and resisted the numbing sensation he felt. Putting on a calm front, he announced, “It’s fine.”
Immediately, Ning Ran gave him a thumbs up. “I’m impressed, Sir Chen! You’re indeed an exceptional man! You have improved drastically since our last meal together!”
Ning Ran’s statement had driven Nan Chen to the point of no return. As a prideful man, he couldn’t possibly go back on his words. Since Ning Ran had complimented him, he would have to brace himself and finish the plate of food that had been seasoned.
Actually, it wasn’t much of a compliment. It sounded more like a curse.
Nan Chen resisted the urge to puke and behaved casually.
“The combination of beer and barbecue food is the best! Cheers!” Ning Ran initiated another toast again.
Nan Chen was on the verge of breaking down by then. Immediately after he heard Ning Ran’s suggestion, he reached for his bottle of beer and gulped it down.
Once he finished his drink, the numbing sensation he had been feeling was alleviated.
He got himself another bottle of beer and gulped it down.
“Wow! Sir Chen! You seem different today! This is for you! Cheers!”
Nan Chen ignored Ning Ran and gulped down his bottle of drink by himself.
It turns out Sir Chen has an unknown side as well, huh? Look at him! He’s drinking as if there’s no tomorrow!
“I can’t keep you company because I can’t really hold my drink. Please suit yourself. I’ll take my time and enjoy my bottle of beer.”
The beer had alleviated the numbing sensation Nan Chen felt due to the seasoned plate of food. Therefore, Nan Chen gulped down three bottles of beer while Ning Ran was still on her first bottle.
Ning Ran finally noticed something seemed off as Nan Chen gulped down the bottles of beer as though they were ordinary mineral water.
“Is something bothering you? Why don’t you tell me about it instead of drinking nonstop?” Ning Ran expressed her concerns and suggested.
Feeling as though he could breathe fire, he burped in the end and stated, “No. I’m full.”
“Huh? What kind of joke is this? I have barely started having my meal, yet you’re telling me you’re full?”
“I’m really full.”
Nan Chen heaved a sigh of relief because he wouldn’t have to put on a calm front anymore.
“If that’s the case, please sit around for a short while because I’m merely halfway done with my meal.”
“Sure.”
Staring at her as she stuffed the food into her mouth, Nan Chen, who was right across Ning Ran, was impressed.
What the heck? Are those burning charcoals? They’re literally burning on my tongue. She’s no ordinary woman. Look at the amount and type of food she’s consuming.
Eventually, Nan Chen started feeling unwell.
He instructed immediately as his stomach rumbled, “It’s time to go.”
“What? Didn’t you promise to wait for me? Let’s not waste the food, okay?” Ning Ran said.
“We’re leaving at once,” Nan Chen demanded because he could feel the strong urge of bowel movement.
He was about to lose control of himself. They would have to leave before things get to the point of no return. Otherwise, Nan Chen would embarrass him in front of others.
Nan Chen had been implying because he was embarrassed to request it bluntly.
Thankfully, Ning Ran managed to link the missing pieces of the puzzles together. She noticed Nan Chen might need a bathroom break soon after the incident they had gone through the last time they had hotpot together.
“Alright, let’s go! I’ll foot the bill immediately!”
“I’ll give you a discount since I don’t usually get customers from the upper echelon to visit my stall. A total of eighty is all it takes! Thanks for visiting my stall!” The stall owner replied with a sheepish grin.
“Thank you so much! We’ll definitely drop by again in the future!”
“Sure! Both of you are so good-looking! To be honest, I’m pretty sure both of you are the most good-looking customers of mine!”
She turned around and spotted Nan Chen had crouched and placed his hands on his abdomen area in anticipation of her wrapping up the conversation with the stall owner.
Immediately, she realized what would be in store for him soon.
“Hold it right there! There’s a public restroom nearby! It’s about five hundred meters away!”
Nan Chen felt embarrassed because Ning Ran managed to see through his act again. He remained silent with an odd expression as soon as they made their way over to the public restroom.
Finally, they made it over, and Nan Chen rushed into the public restroom. He heard Ning Ran yelling as she asked, “Do you have tissue papers?”
He turned around and sprinted back to her side the moment he heard her words. “No.”
The sort of restroom he had visited would have tissue papers prepared for his convenience. In other words, he had never once needed to prepare tissue papers.
“I’m so sorry for dragging you into such a nasty situation once again.” Ning Ran resisted the urge to laugh and handed over a packet of tissue papers to him immediately.
He couldn’t be bothered by her words anymore. Once he retrieved the pack of tissue papers, he sprinted over to the public restroom.
It took him some time to sort things out in the toilet. After a while, he finally walked out of the public restroom, but before he could reach Ning Ran’s side, he rushed back once more.
Ning Ran covered her mouth and chuckled as she couldn’t resist the urge to laugh anymore.
What’s going on? He shouldn’t have forced himself to consume the food if he’s aware of what’s in store for him.
After another few minutes, Nan Chen finally returned to Ning Ran’s side. His condition seemed to have improved as he could finally stand upright. The almighty Sir Chen returned to his usual calm and collected self.
“Are you done?” Ning Ran resisted the urge to laugh as Nan Chen was in front of her.
Turning his head around, Nan Chen avoided her gaze and ignored her as he made his way back to the car.
Ning Ran went after him immediately and told him, “You shouldn’t have forced yourself to finish the plate of seasoned food if you can’t take it. It’s dangerous-”
“Shut up!” Nan Chen bellowed in return.
Ning Ran had to resist the urge to laugh once again.
“Fine. I’m so sorry. It’s my fault, okay? There’s a pharmacy nearby. Let’s drop by and get you something to make you feel better.”
