Chapter Forty-Four: Delicious

The game with dice was simple enough. Although Kang Ning hadn’t played it often, he was no novice. To Kang Ning, the key to this game was nothing more than a grasp of probability and psychological fortitude. Of course, for many, psychological resilience depended on how much alcohol they could handle. Since Kang Ning understood the rules, a few beers in, he quickly discerned the habits of the three women.

Kang Ning thoroughly enjoyed listening to the three beauties sing. Though their voices differed, each possessed a remarkable sense of musicality, and all sang beautifully. Among them, Lu Jing was especially outstanding, able to capture the essence of every song she performed. Her sweet, gentle voice carried a hint of world-weariness, captivating Kang Ning and prompting him to admire her silently. However, after Lu Jing sang a succession of sorrowful, lonely songs, the attentive Kang Ning sensed something beneath the surface and took note.

After tiring themselves with singing, the trio lost interest and surrounded Kang Ning, eager to start a game of dice and betting on drinks. Kang Ning went along without protest. Over a dozen rounds, all three ladies had visited the “powder room” at least once, while Kang Ning, recently fortified by the Yao village’s giant bowls of glutinous rice wine and the Hundred Flowers Wine, found his capacity greatly increased. His injuries were nearly healed, and his spirits were lighter, so he easily held his own against the three women who hoped to embarrass him—especially since beer was his favorite.

Lu Jing’s delicate nose was beaded with sweat, Qu Mengmeng, who looked like a porcelain doll, already wore a rosy flush, occasionally grabbing the microphone to belt out a few lines, hoping to dispel the alcohol in her belly. Only Zheng Yi remained unyielding, challenging the calm and composed Kang Ning.

After losing five rounds in a row with “four ones” and downing five beers, Zheng Yi was ready to risk it all.

Kang Ning glanced at Zheng Yi’s confident demeanor and seemingly unwavering gaze. With slender fingers, he gently lifted his dice cup. On the smooth marble tabletop, five dice lay quietly: two black sixes and three red ones. Qu Mengmeng, seeing this, was overjoyed and hugged Zheng Yi, certain she had won. Yet Zheng Yi’s face was full of disappointment; after watching Kang Ning for a while, she shook her own dice cup angrily, conceding defeat.

Qu Mengmeng stopped laughing, staring in disbelief as Zheng Yi reluctantly reached for her beer glass. Realizing what had happened, Qu Mengmeng suddenly stood up and pounced on Kang Ning, pounding him with both fists while shouting, “You heartless scoundrel, you have no pity for women!” Zheng Yi, already embarrassed and angry, seized the opportunity and joined in, laughing gleefully as she joined the attack. Kang Ning, unsure how to defend himself, recoiled when his hand brushed against Qu Mengmeng’s voluptuous chest, quickly withdrawing it. When Zheng Yi’s fists arrived, Kang Ning simply covered his head and curled up, allowing Qu Mengmeng and Zheng Yi to vent their frustrations.

After a while, both Zheng Yi and Qu Mengmeng were sweating and breathless, their hands aching from the assault. Zheng Yi, finding that her efforts were futile against the robust Kang Ning, resorted to her ultimate move and pinched Kang Ning’s thigh hard.

Kang Ning jumped up as if electrified, ignoring propriety as he dashed into the bathroom and locked the door behind him. He sighed, grimaced, and rubbed his aching thigh.

Meanwhile, the private room was filled with laughter. The women, fueled by alcohol and exhilarated by Kang Ning’s hasty retreat, laughed so hard their hearts soared with satisfaction. Their laughter lingered, growing louder as they glanced at the firmly shut “powder room” door.

Lu Jing wiped tears of laughter away with a tissue, reflecting on Kang Ning’s behavior throughout the evening and finding it highly amusing. “Oh, this guy is incredible—he dared to call four ones with only three, and if Zheng Yi had even one, he’d have been done for. Such courage is rare.”

“I think he’s just relying on his drinking prowess and going all out!” Qu Mengmeng declared boisterously.

Zheng Yi, wiping sweat from her face, offered her opinion. “Mengmeng is wrong. This cunning fellow calculates everything perfectly—he seems to know exactly what I’m thinking. His eyes look like they can see right through the dice cup, always guessing right. I’ve never felt so outmatched as I did tonight. I couldn’t outmaneuver him, and there’s no way to read his expressions. He always wears a mild smile, impossible to tell what he’s thinking. Honestly, I admit defeat.”

As the three chatted, Kang Ning emerged. His clothing was neat, his manner restored to its usual effortless elegance. His expression and demeanor remained calm and natural. He sat, picked up his beer, sipped casually, and set it gently on the table, as if nothing had happened, surprising Lu Jing, who had been watching him closely and couldn’t help but silently praise him.

Seeing it was nearly midnight, Kang Ning hurriedly suggested they head back. Lu Jing considered it and agreed, but Qu Mengmeng insisted that Kang Ning treat them to a late-night snack as an apology. Kang Ning, feeling hungry himself, agreed. After Qu Mengmeng settled the bill, the four went downstairs together. As they exited the bar, the young manager was already at the door, respectfully bidding them farewell and nodding to Kang Ning, who returned the gesture with equal politeness.

“I’ll drive,” said Kang Ning, taking the keys from Lu Jing. He opened the car door, letting the three women in before slipping into the driver’s seat himself. He started the car, reversed slowly, and soon steered through winding streets until they reached his favorite small restaurant, parking at the curb.

The little eatery had few customers left. Only now did Lu Jing and the others realize how familiar Kang Ning was with the city’s streets. After sitting down, Kang Ning ordered a couple of side dishes and encouraged the three women to pick whatever they liked.

Lu Jing noticed that Kang Ning had ordered “white-cut rabbit,” which happened to be her favorite, so she needed nothing else. Watching Kang Ning chat amiably with the owner, she quickly asked, “How did you know the white-cut rabbit here is famous?”

Kang Ning smiled and replied honestly, “I passed by here at noon the day before yesterday, stopped in and tried it, and liked it. So I’ve been coming every day for a meal since. The prices are fair, the flavor is excellent—it really suits my taste. And the white-cut rabbit isn’t as spicy as the other dishes.”

Zheng Yi laughed, “If you plan to stay here long term, you’ll have to get used to spicy food, or you’ll miss out on most of the regional delicacies.”

“How did you find such a place? I’m impressed! For a midnight snack, you don’t even pick somewhere upscale. Are you afraid we’ll eat you into poverty? Stingy!” Qu Mengmeng pouted in dissatisfaction.

Kang Ning didn’t mind at all. He spoke softly to Qu Mengmeng, “Don’t underestimate places like this. True culinary delights aren’t found in lavish palaces, but among ordinary folk. Just as art and culture are passed down through the ages, cuisine is an art as well, and the finest is often found in the grassroots.”

“Exactly! Well said, young man!” The plump, middle-aged owner brought out a plate of exquisite white-cut rabbit and, hearing Kang Ning’s words, took a liking to him. He set the plate down and smiled at Kang Ning, “You’re my kind of customer. Tonight’s meal is on me!”

Kang Ning accepted without fuss, smiled at the owner and thanked him, then invited everyone to dig in. After eating two pieces, he noticed the three women staring at him, motionless. He set down his chopsticks, puzzled, “Come on, eat! Why are you all looking at me?”

Zheng Yi sighed, “Xiao Wu, why are you so popular? You’ve only been here three days, and the boss is already this friendly. Do you realize he’s the most notorious penny-pincher on this food street?”

Kang Ning glanced at the three, then looked over at the owner, who was absorbed in his abacus behind the counter. Turning back, he said, “Really? You saw just now—he’s so generous! Are you upset because I get a free meal?”

No sooner had he finished speaking than three unopened disposable chopsticks landed simultaneously on Kang Ning’s head.