Bowl of Noodles and Dumplings

The man's voice was familiar. When she turned her head to look, she was still surprised when she saw him beside her.

"You!" Turning around to sweep a look at the crowd, trying to catch sight of the thief.

The man raised his eyebrow at her. 'You? What kind of greeting is that?'

She cleared her throat. "Ahemm...Big Brother! I didn't expect to see you here!"

It's useless to think about the thief now. The city streets were crowded and she didn't even notice when it was taken.

Fortunately, there wasn't a lot of money inside.

"Masters, would you like to eat it here?" The owner of the food stall spoke.

"Umm.." Song Jia was about to tell the owner that she changed her mind about the food since she doesn't have any money to pay for it.

"Here." Sun Xun's voice interrupted her. "Go sit.."

He placed his hand on her shoulder and gently nudged her to move forward.

Song Jia was a tall young woman compared to the average girl. But next to Sun Xun, her height was nothing to his towering figure. Next to him, the tip of her head only reached his tip of the nose.

"Big brother?"

"Let's just eat.."

Her brows knitted together. But she obediently sat down. "Ping, come and sit."

"Yes, young master." Lu Ping nodded her head and sat down beside Song Jia. "Master."

Sun Xun grunted.

Then the owner of the stall came to their table and served four bowls of noodles with dumplings.

Song Jia and Lu Ping's stomach growled like hungry lions. Both gulped at the sight.

"Master, I have it!" Wan Yan appeared beside Sun Xun.

"Mm. Sit."

"Ah! Many thanks Master!" Wan Yan didn't stand during the ceremony and sat down on a seat, picking up his chopsticks.

Seeing as the other two didn't pick up their chopsticks and only continued to look at him who currently had his mouth full of food,

"What's up with you two? Start eating it before it gets too cold!" He reminded them.

"Many thanks big brother for the meal. I owe you for this.." She cupped her hands at him and so did Lu Ping.

"Hmm..eat.." Sun Xun only started eating when he saw Song Jia picking up her chopsticks. Lu Ping followed suit.

"Mmmmm! This is actually delicious!" Song Jia felt the rich flavor of broth on her taste buds. The noodles were well-cooked and the dumplings had enough filling.

'I wonder if I can hire him if I'll put up my own restaurant..' She contemplated as she sipped the soup.

'When will you have time to do that, Jia?' Crystal heard her thoughts and couldn't help but ask.

'Soon..' She felt rather confident that she would be able to do it. 'Which reminds me, I have to stop by the Agency of Market Commandants' office.'

'By the way, the perfumes are ready soon..'

'Okay.. Do you still remember how to make it?'

'Yes! I remember it perfectly!'

'Great! Then, can you start making more?'

'Sure! That's no problem.. If it's the same ones, I can make it..'

"Good! I'm counting on you!'

"Little brother, what are you both doing here wandering around?" Wan Yan wiped his mouth with his sleeves after he finished his bowl.

"Just looking around and shopping for some items."

"I see. Little brother, don't you have a space ring? Why did you carry around the pouch on your waist?" Wan Yan felt like a big brother towards these two. He couldn't help but reprimand them.

"Ah.. probably out of habit that I wore it on my waist. Don't worry, I'll keep it in my space ring next time I go out." She felt embarrassed being scolded but she could see his point.

Even back when she lived as Cynthia Dorsey, there were thieves as well.

She should have been more alert.

"So where are you going after this?"

"Just walking around.."

"Walking around? Come on, little brother.. Where are you really heading to?" Wan Yan pestered her.

Song Jia sighed. "It's nothing really, big brother. We're just heading to the office of the Agency of Market Commandants."

"Oh? What do you want to do there? Do you have business with them?"

With Wan Yan asking the questions, Sun Xun only had to listen for her answers. Sometimes, this chatty behavior of his guard would come in handy.

"Ah..nothing.. I just want to inquire about it.."

Lu Ping looked at her mistress in surprise. 'Eh? Why are we going there? Does the mistress have an interest in making business?'

She didn't know what to make of her mistress who had behavioral changes since the ambush.

She sighed inwardly. 'No matter. As long as she's using her time more productively.'

"What do you think, Master? Should we tag along?"

"Ah! I don't want to trouble you and take your time!"

Sun Xun held up a hand, stopping her from saying more.

"I also want to check out their office.."

'Eh? What is up with them?' Song Jia's frown was evident.

She was juggling between annoyance and wonder. She wondered why they would want to go with them. She wondered how they were able to find them easily in the sea of crowds.

She was slightly annoyed for not being able to decline them.

She could only continue to eat. 'How am I going to pay them back for this?'

Clink! Clink!

The sound brought Song Jia back.

Wan Yan had just placed a light blue pouch on the table, retracting his hand.

"My pouch! How did you get it?"

"Saw it happen so I chased the thief!" Wan Yan even slapped his own chest proudly.

"Then, many thanks for your assistance!" She cupped her fists at him.

"Don't mention it..It's no big deal!"

Song Jia's frown disappeared from her face. She was able to finish her meal with ease.

"Ah.. by the way, where can I find people to work under me?"

"Eh? Are you really going to put up a business?" Wan Yan's brow was raised. He didn't think this little brother had it in him to make his own business.

Upon hearing this, Sun Xun contemplated giving her a few of his own servants.

But before he was able to make his suggestion, Song Jia's attention was caught by a parade of slaves, shackled or caged.

"Those are.." Song Jia gasped.

"They are slaves, Young Master."

Song Jia felt a bitter taste, losing her appetite.

The scene reminded her of her previous life. She's had missions before, involving places that still tolerate slave rings. Back then, they were even used as guinea pigs in a laboratory. She had to infiltrate one, to rescue a child. In the process, she attempted to rescue the rest, but to her great disappointment, she wasn't able to.