249: Late at night

As night deepened, the hustle and bustle of the urban village outside the window gradually subsided, leaving only the occasional sound of passing vehicles and the faint chirping of insects in the distance.

In the cramped rental room, under the dim yellow light, the brother and sister quietly shared that bowl of fried rice, which seemed to possess magic.

Every grain of rice was coated with golden egg liquid, exuding an alluring luster and an irresistible aroma.

Zeng Yu watched his sister eat in small, focused bites, her cheeks subtly moving, her face still streaked with unshed tears.

But her eyes were much brighter than before; it was no longer the forced, deliberately optimistic look, but a genuine softness and satisfaction immersed in the deliciousness.

His heart felt a mix of sourness and sweetness, warmth and fullness.

This fried rice not only filled their stomachs but also acted like a potent medicine, briefly healing the wounds life had inflicted on his sister, and allowing him, as her older brother, to see her hidden vulnerability, strengthening his resolve to give her a better life.

"Brother, you eat too, don't just watch me."

Zeng Yue looked up, noticed her brother had barely touched the rice in his own bowl, and quickly urged him, pointing at his bowl with her spoon.

"Okay, okay, let's eat together."

Zeng Yu quickly lowered his head, scooping a small mouthful of fried rice into his mouth.

Although it had cooled a bit, the exquisite texture, explosive aroma, and rich, layered flavors instantly conquered his taste buds.

The crispy scent of the egg, the springy texture of the rice, mixed with the complex umami of lard and secret seasonings... every flavor was just right, perfectly blended.

He suddenly understood why his sister had cried while eating.

This was more than just delicious; it was a soul-stirring comfort, allowing one to temporarily forget all worries and simply immerse themselves in the happiness of taste.

"Mmm... it really is too delicious..."

Zeng Yu couldn't help but mumble a compliment.

Zeng Yue looked at her brother and burst out laughing, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

"Then why didn't you cry like me?"

Zeng Yu laughed heartily at her words.

The atmosphere finally became much more relaxed.

The siblings chatted about trivial matters over the bowl of fried rice, but mostly Zeng Yue spoke and Zeng Yu listened.

She talked about what TV she watched alone at home during the day, how the cat downstairs came to sunbathe on the windowsill again, and how the aunt next door gave her an apple... all insignificant little things, but Zeng Yu listened very carefully.

He knew his sister was trying to tell him: 'Look, I can take good care of myself even when I'm alone, you don't have to worry, Brother.'

Soon, both their bowls of fried rice were empty.

Zeng Yue, still wanting more, scraped the last few grains of rice and oil from the bowl's sides, her small face full of cherish.

"It was really, really delicious... Brother, will you really bring me some tomorrow?"

She looked up, her eyes sparkling with anticipation, but also with a hint of hesitation, fearing she might burden her brother.

"Yes! Of course, I will!"

Zeng Yu said decisively, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

"From now on, whenever Brother goes to work, I'll bring some for you. Maybe if you eat a lot, your leg will heal faster too."

He made a joke, trying to lighten the mood.

Zeng Yue was amused and lightly punched her brother's arm.

"Brother, what nonsense are you talking about? Fried rice isn't a magic pill."

"What if the boss's fried rice really does have miraculous effects?"

Zeng Yu laughed, but in his mind, he couldn't help but recall Luo Li and Xu Ying's uninhibited eating earlier that day, and the security guards lining up to buy it.

This fried rice, perhaps, was truly extraordinary.

After sitting for a while longer, Zeng Yu urged his sister to wash up and rest.

He carefully helped her back to the narrow bedroom, settled her injured leg, and tucked her into bed.

Zeng Yue lay in bed and whispered:

"Good night, Brother."

"Good night, Yue. Don't overthink things, sleep well."

Zeng Yu touched her forehead, turned off the bedroom light, leaving only a dim nightlight.

Returning to the small living room, Zeng Yu looked at the two empty bowls on the table; the enticing aroma of the fried rice seemed to still linger in the air.

He silently collected the bowls and chopsticks and took them to the kitchen to wash.

As the water ran, his thoughts drifted.

Eighty-eight yuan for a plate of egg fried rice... for a family like theirs, it was indeed a luxury.

Even if he lied to his sister and said it was only thirty-something, over time, it would still be a considerable expense.

But he didn't regret it.

To see his sister's genuine smile, to let her temporarily forget her pain, that was more important than anything.

"I need to work even harder..."

Zeng Yu dried his hands and looked at his work badge hanging on the door, silently clenching his fists.

For his sister, and to be able to let her eat things that made her happy every day, he had to push himself even more.

Meanwhile, in a high-end apartment building near the Skyline Financial Building.

Luo Li lay in bed with a face mask on, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

Every time she closed her eyes, the golden, fragrant fried rice from earlier that day, and its soul-stirring, exquisite taste, would reappear in her mind. Saliva seemed to start flowing again.

She picked up her phone, opened her chat with Xu Ying, and found that the other party had just sent a message a few minutes ago.

[Xu Ying: Image]

[Xu Ying: Crying... Looking at the salad I'm eating tonight, it feels like I'm eating grass... My mind is full of the taste of that fried rice from noon... Luo Li, I'm addicted!]

The image showed a very healthy-looking green vegetable salad.

Luo Li couldn't help but laugh and replied:

[Same here... I'm so craving it I can't sleep. That fried rice is truly bizarre.]

Xu Ying replied almost instantly:

[Right, right! Ahhh! Shall we go again tomorrow at noon? This time I want to try the 288 black pepper beef fried rice!]

Luo Li:

[(Laughing-crying emoji) Is your salary enough for you to eat it every day?]

[Xu Ying: ...Wuwuwu, that stings. But I really can't resist! Worst case, I'll quit bubble tea this month! No more looking at handbags either!]

Luo Li smiled, shook her head, and replied:

[Alright, let's sneak out early tomorrow at noon.]

[Xu Ying: Mmm-hmm! It's a deal! Good night, Luo Li, may you have everything in your dreams; I hope I dream of fried rice!]

Luo Li put down her phone and fell into a daze.

A single plate of fried rice had made both her and Xu Ying so unforgettable, even willing to cut other expenses for it.

Who exactly was that stall owner?

His fried rice seemed to have an addictive magic.

Also finding it hard to sleep was Manager Liu, the property manager.

He sat at his desk, working through documents he hadn't finished during the day, but he constantly felt something was missing, his mind restless.

The exquisite aroma of that spoonful of fried rice he had snatched from the young security guard's lunchbox at noon seemed to always linger at his nostrils; the taste was absolutely divine.

Why had he only taken one spoonful at the time? He should have taken two more!

Or... he should have just swallowed his pride and joined his security guards in line to buy a portion.

Who would have thought that a street vendor could have such incredible skill?

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a Fried Rice Master, would it?