My Co-renting Lady Boss
Chapter 58 - 0058: Let’s Leave After Eating

Chapter 58: Chapter 0058: Let’s Leave After Eating

Life these days was pressure-free, without worries, nothing like the cumbersome tasks that used to hang over one’s head, requiring constant vigilance.

The steaming rice noodle soup was served piping hot. Tang Ming pulled out a pair of disposable chopsticks and dug in. It was spicy, scalding, and oh so satisfying to eat.

He finished a bowl in just a few bites, slurping up even the hot broth until it was all gone. Then, under the stunned gaze of the owner, he started on another bowl.

Suddenly, while eating his noodles, he noticed a mother and daughter approaching, chatting and laughing. One of them was Xia Wei’er, and beside her was her mother.

"Mom, business is doing well now, so we should prepare more stock. Look, it’s not even eight at night and we’re already sold out. If we had more now, imagine how much more money we could make. Let’s prepare extra for tomorrow," Xia Wei’er said, linking her arm with her mother’s and speaking with a hint of complaint.

She blamed Tang Ming in her heart. If he hadn’t been such a big eater, buying heaps each time, their stock wouldn’t run out so quickly.

Little did she know that Tang Ming had paid for his food. He was wronged indeed.

"Okay, I’ll make more tomorrow. I really didn’t expect business to be this good, with so many returning customers every day. There are quite a few from your school alone," Wei’er’s mother said, patting her daughter’s arm with a beaming smile.

The business had been doing very well lately, and naturally, both mother and daughter were very happy.

"Why her, of all people? Better not to talk and just avoid being noticed as much as possible," Tang Ming thought to himself. He buried his head in his bowl of rice noodles, no longer looking up.

However, Xia Wei’er and her mother had come for the rice noodles as well, heading straight for his stall. There were quite a few customers at that moment, and Tang Ming’s table was the only one with three empty seats. Sharing tables was common at such stalls, so the mother and daughter headed straight for his table. At the same time, Wei’er’s mother called out to the owner:

"Owner Xiao, two bowls of beef rice noodle soup, not too spicy, and one takeaway noodle with shredded meat, also not too spicy."

"Alright, have a seat, they’ll be ready in a moment," the owner replied with a smile.

The two women sat down right next to Tang Ming. With no other option, he lifted his head and said cheerfully,

"Wei’er, what a coincidence to see you here."

"Aunty, you’re here for the rice noodles, too?" Tang Ming said, somewhat embarrassedly greeting her mother when he noticed Wei’er’s mother staring at him. After all, he couldn’t just walk away now.

"Oh, it’s you, young man," Wei’er’s mother recognized him instantly and warmly said, "Do you go to the same school as Wei’er?"

"Yes," Tang Ming responded while sipping his soup, nodding.

Xia Wei’er looked upset, wondering what Tang Ming’s deal was. Was he still not over her, waiting at the rice noodle stall for her?

His skin must be incredibly thick, almost like a ghost.

Seeing that Tang Ming only had soup left, Xia Wei’er said bluntly, "Tang Ming, you’ve finished eating, so hurry up and leave. Don’t get in the way of others who want to eat."

"What’s with your tone, young lady?" Wei’er’s mother disapproved of her daughter’s attitude and said warmly to Tang Ming, "Young man, don’t listen to her. Take your time eating; no one’s going to chase you away."

"Right," Tang Ming instantly felt that Wei’er’s mother was much nicer than her. He relaxed and waved at the owner, "Boss, two more bowls of rice noodles, please."

"Hehe, you sure can eat, young man," the owner chuckled.

Wei’er’s mom laughed and asked, "Are you in the same class as Wei’er?"

"No, we’re just in the same grade," he replied.

Tang Ming didn’t bother to look at Tang Wei’er’s face; he had finally found a rice noodle stall that was both cheap and delicious, and he needed to eat at least two more bowls to get through the night.

Otherwise, if he spent too much money, Miss Liu wouldn’t be happy, and what if she didn’t treat him next time? Tang Ming planned to take it slow, seeking out more inexpensive yet tasty food.

"Oh, what’s your name then? We have you to thank for today’s lunch," she smiled gratefully, "otherwise, the ’protection fee’ we paid would not have been retrieved."

Wei’er’s mom was grateful for this particular event; seeing Tang Ming eat rice noodles at a street stall, she assumed he must be from a poor family. And a student from a poor family who could get into Tianjiao High School must be outstanding academically; naturally, she took a liking to him.

Auntie, my name is Tang Ming," he said, smiling, "Let’s not talk about this afternoon; it was just a lift of a finger."

Tang Ming laughed as he said this.

"That’s not true at all," she replied earnestly, "There were so many people at lunch, and only you stepped up to help. I really appreciate it! I had meant to thank you then, but you left so quickly I didn’t get the chance."

Wei’er’s mom beamed, "Fate brings us together now, so let me cover the cost of your rice noodles later. Consider it a thank you for your help at lunch."

"Sure, thank you, Auntie!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Ming’s face instantly brightened with joy. Someone else was picking up the tab for his meal, of course, he was happy. Going back and settling accounts with Liu Xiaohua, he could even make some money to buy Poison.

"It’s nothing, a few bowls of rice noodles don’t cost much."

Wei’er’s mom said with a smile.

"Mom, this guy can really eat, why did you agree to treat him?"

Xia Wei’er had always assumed that Tang Ming was interested in her; otherwise, why would he keep showing up in front of her all the time?

Now her mother was actually offering to treat the guy to a meal, it naturally didn’t sit well with her.

"Wei’er, how did mom teach you? Have you forgotten the most basic principles of being a person?"

Wei’er’s mom scolded with a stern face, "Tang Ming helped our shop at lunch, we naturally need to repay him. What’s a few bowls of rice noodles? I think you’ve been studying so much you’ve lost common sense!"

Xia Wei’er was rarely chastised by her mother. Hearing this now, she felt wronged but was too embarrassed to say that Tang Ming had been pestering her relentlessly, so she could only look down with reddened eyes.

Wei’er’s mom found it odd; what was up with her daughter today, having such a big issue with Tang Ming?

Four bowls of rice noodles were brought up at once, and Xia Wei’er had lost her appetite long ago. In contrast, Tang Ming ate with great relish. With someone else paying, his mood improved, and thus he consumed even more.

After finishing his own two bowls, Tang Ming saw that Xia Wei’er had only taken a few bites before stopping. He asked, "Why aren’t you eating anymore?"

"I’m full!"

Xia Wei’er snapped.

"Oh, then I’ll eat it. Don’t want to waste food!"

With that, Tang Ming directly grabbed Xia Wei’er’s bowl and wolfed it down.

Xia Wei’er was about to stop him, but it was too late. Angrily, she thought, "This guy is such a rogue! Eating my leftovers, what, does he want an indirect kiss or something? Such a shameless act!"

Wei’er’s mom, however, expressed approval, "Wei’er, look how good Tang Ming is, not wasting food, and he doesn’t look down on you either. What a good kid!"

"I... He..."

Xia Wei’er felt utterly frustrated! Not looking down on me? He’s doing it on purpose!

"Auntie, thank you for the treat. I’ve got to go now."

Tang Ming saw Xia Wei’er’s face turning sullen as if she were a keg of gunpowder ready to explode at any moment. Naturally, the best move was to leave quickly.