9 Natural Disaster(9)

"I can't believe it! How the hell are they still able to follow us? We've changed cards three times already and yet we're still being tailed," exclaimed one of them in frustration.

"I think it's because of that black case! It must have a GPS tracker in it!" Fourth chimed in.

"Quick, get rid of the black case and toss it away!" commanded Second.

"Oh no, I can't seem to open it! Why are these people still after us? Let's change direction and blend in with a crowd!"

At Q City's Seventh Street, they arrived at Zeng Qi Rice Noodles Restaurant, a high-end establishment.

"Brother, are we lost?" asked Xiao Yan.

"Yes, Chenchen, this restaurant is far too expensive," added Xia Yue as she grabbed Xiao Yan's hand.

"Hahaha! Who said we're eating here?" Jiang Chen replied with a grin. He pointed to the leftmost side of the street.

He led them to a small restaurant with a rusty door frame - the Old Roasted Chicken snack bar. The owners, an old couple who refused to sell their property to developers, had no children or family outside of the area.

Jiang Chen pointed to the walls and the counter as he recounted the story of the old couple. "This snack bar only serves authentic roasted chicken, and you can only taste it here in the entire Wood Province," he said.

He called out to the kitchen, "Old Yang!" A small figure emerged from the kitchen, and responded, "Hey, kid, it's you! When was the last time you visited us? Five years ago?"

The figure quickly came forward, hugging him tightly. "You look even more handsome compared to the last time we saw you!"

Jiang Chen chuckled and introduced the two girls to Old Yang. "Old Yang, this is my sister Jiang Yan, and this beautiful lady is Xia Yue, and she is my..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Xia Yue grabbed his arm and sweetly smiled at Old Yang. "I'm his girlfriend. Nice to meet you, Uncle Yang!"

Jiang Chen and Xiao Yan were stunned by her sudden interruption. He was puzzled as to why she would do that. Xiao Yan quickly looked at Xia Yue with an inquiring look, but she just smiled at her and nodded, as if to say, "I will explain it to you later."

"Very good, kid! You have already managed to find a beautiful wife! Wait a minute, I will call Old Jing. She would be surprised and happy!" Old Yang quickly ran to the back door of the kitchen.

Xia Yue quickly released Jiang Chen's arm and pulled Xiao Yan away, as if nothing had happened.

Jiang Chen looked at the beautiful figure whose face was red and asked, "Yueyue, why did you do that?"

"I just wanted to do it," she pouted her lips.

He inwardly thought, "F*ck, she looks cute. But Old Yang would misunderstand us."

"Don't you want it? Besides, I'm the girl here!?" she discontentedly said.

He was speechless at her reasoning. "Yes, she was the girl. Why was I, the man, making a fuss?" The only thing he could do was scratch his head.

"Chen! Good kid, have you forgotten us old couple already?" A hunchbacked old woman came out from the kitchen, complaining, but you could see on her face how happy she was.

"Old Jing, I'm sorry. I just came back from A city. After finishing college, I immediately started working at a company. But don't worry, Old Jing, I will visit often from now on," he said while hugging the old woman and comforting her.

Xiao Yan quickly asked, "What do you mean you will always visit them, brother?" But she realized that her words were somehow rude and quickly rephrased them, "Brother, you mean we will stay in Q city from now on?"

"Oh, I forgot to tell you this morning. Yes, that was my plan, and I have already resigned from the company," he replied.

"Why?" Xia Yue asked, looking worried.

He just smiled at her and shook his head. It was clear that he didn't want to talk about it. Everyone was curious, but in the end, they stopped asking, and Old Yang quickly changed the topic.

"Old Jing, look at this chick. This is Chenchen's girlfriend," he proudly introduced Yueyue while smiling.

"Hello, Auntie. I'm Xia Yue, and you can call me Yueyue," she sweetly smiled and quickly grabbed the old woman's hand.

"Indeed. Come, Yueyue, I will prepare chicken for you," Old Jing offered a chair beside her.

"Hey, Old Jing, you forgot someone. This girl is Chenchen's sister, Jiang Yan," Old Yang said.

"Hello, Auntie. I am Jiang Yan!"

"Good, good. Come, you also sit here," Old Jing replied.

"Chenchen, it seems that you have finally found your own family," Old Yang said, gratified.

"Yes, Old Yang," Jiang Chen replied.

"Who would have known that the quiet, dirty, and scarred child would grow up to be a handsome man?" he reminisced, remembering the first time he had seen Jiang Chen.