175: Reject hydrology, start with you and him (fog)

"So, this stuff is really spicy enough to require a 'spice-releasing stick'!?

"Six hundred and sixty-six."

"Let me taste it."

Valentine and Toke, who had already taken their first bites, had their appetites piqued.

They didn't reply, instead leaning their heads towards the bowls, slurping noodles into their mouths, while giving Fang Yun a thumbs-up.

Seeing this, Fang Yun took a pair of chopsticks from the utensil holder, picked up a mouthful of noodles, and examined them carefully.

The orange-red noodles were coated in thick spicy oil, gleaming enticingly under the light, their spicy and fragrant aroma rushing into his nostrils.

Fang Yun couldn't help but swallow.

"Gulp."

Then, he opened his mouth and slurped the noodles in.

The moment he bit through the noodles, a variety of flavors instantly exploded in his mouth like fireworks.

First was the spiciness, the burning sensation brought by the Netherfire pepper coursing through his tongue like electricity; followed by the freshness, the concentrated meat juice flavor seeping out with every chew of the noodles; then the fragrance, the noodles processed with a special technique releasing a rich aroma similar to "natural real wheat" when chewed; finally, the sweetness, that hint of aftertaste hidden beneath the spiciness, making one unable to resist taking another bite.

"These noodles... they're too wicked!"

While panting from the spiciness, Fang Yun quickly picked up another mouthful of noodles:

"They're so spicy I'm almost crying, but I just want to keep eating them non-stop. Are there really no 'contraband' added?"

〖So spicy you're about to die, but you just can't stop, Hakiyun, you guy.〗

Valentine looked up at Fang Yun and grinned:

"This is technology and ruthless skill, kid." (Thumbs up.jig)

Toke's voice drifted over:

"This is the magic of 'Special Synthetic Meat Mixed Noodles'."

"Every strand of noodle is evenly coated with special seasoning, every strand is a perfect 'work of art'."

As Toke spoke, he stuffed another large mouthful into his mouth, his eyes narrowing in satisfaction.

Fang Yun found the most amazing thing about these noodles was that no matter how fast he slurped, they always maintained the perfect amount of elasticity.

Each time he bit down, he could hear a slight crunching sound, the chewy texture was addictive.

Fang Yun picked up a noodle and shook it.

The noodle bounced back and forth in mid-air, slightly vibrating like a living thing.

"These noodles are actually so chewy?"

Valentine looked at Fang Yun's slightly surprised expression and lightly coughed:

"Cough. You wouldn't know this."

"The signature dish of this 'Nuclear Noodle Shop'—'Special Synthetic Meat Mixed Noodles'—besides being known for its technology and ruthless skill, is also famous for having three times the elasticity and chewiness of ordinary noodles."

Fang Yun put the noodles into his mouth. The moment his teeth bit down, the noodles first resisted slightly, then snapped with a "crunch," the springy texture was addictive.

The chewy noodles, coated in spicy sauce, became more fragrant the more he chewed. The synthetic meat juice and spiciness exploded in his mouth, creating a wonderful sense of layers.

"The texture is incredible."

Fang Yun couldn't help but exclaim:

"I didn't expect to taste such deliciousness in a small noodle shop."

"The noodle soup is rich and fragrant, the noodles are chewy, and the meat pieces are also very tasty, completely unlike synthetic food."

"I feel like it might even be tastier than natural food."

Valentine smiled slightly:

"Maybe so. Perhaps it really is tastier than natural food."

Fang Yun took another sip of the noodle soup. The hot, thick broth slid down his throat. The spiciness, freshness, and a very "real" and "natural" wheat aroma intertwined on his taste buds, giving him a strange sense of satisfaction.

"This special synthetic meat tastes no worse than real meat I've eaten before."

"Although it's a product obtained through technological synthesis, its texture is almost indistinguishable from real meat, and it's even a bit more tender."

"Synthetic meat of this caliber appearing in this small restaurant is a bit unusual."

Valentine lowered his voice and spoke softly, with a hint of mystery:

"'Nuclear Noodle Shop''s boss is not simple."

Fang Yun raised his eyebrows, continuing to slurp noodles while listening to Valentine's explanation.

"It's said that he was once a big shot in the underworld. For some unknown reason, he gave up his thriving gang business at the time and switched to opening this noodle shop."

"He's been doing this for fifteen years, and his reputation has only gotten better."

"In these fifteen years, everyone who dared to cause trouble in his shop eventually paid the price they deserved for their recklessness."

"There are rumors that the boss still maintains contact with the gang he previously led."

"There are also rumors that his synthetic meat recipe and the methods for his various signature dishes were obtained from a certain abandoned laboratory."

"The boss revealed to me before that the recipe coming from a certain abandoned laboratory is true."

"The original research direction of that laboratory was to develop high-energy and high-nutritional value military rations for special forces. Later, by chance, the abandoned military ration recipe was obtained by the boss, and after 'improvement,' it became what it is today."

"Oh~. So that's how it is."

Fang Yun bit through the noodles in his mouth, nodding as he chewed.

"In short, although they are just rumors, the boss of 'Nuclear Noodle Shop' is indeed not an ordinary person." (Toke)

"Then it's not surprising." (Fang Yun)

"Now that your curiosity is satisfied, hurry up and eat your noodles. There's one last commission waiting for us." (Valentine)

"I'm going to order another bowl in a bit. Do you guys want...?" (Valentine)

"I'll have another bowl too." (Toke)

"+1." (Fang Yun)

...

Twenty minutes later, Fang Yun and the other two were full and satisfied, and left the "Nuclear Noodle Shop".

As he walked out the noodle shop's door, Fang Yun felt his lips still slightly numb.

He licked the spicy oil remaining at the corners of his mouth, the burning sensation caused by capsaicin still lingering on his tongue tip and lips.

"Hiss, not spicy. I'll come again next time."

"Uh, occasionally eating it is fine, but if we eat it often, we'll have to rely on you, Fang Yun, for financial help." (Valentine)

"250 Euros a bowl. If it weren't for showing you the ropes, Fang Yun, Valentine and I usually only eat one bowl at most each month." (Toke)

"This month's and next month's portions were all eaten just now." (Valentine, shrugging)

Fang Yun nodded and said with a smile:

"Okay. I'll treat you next time we come."

"Woohoo, being able to get 'Special Synthetic Meat Mixed Noodles' for free, awesome." (Valentine)

"..." (Toke, smiling)

The three of them chatted and laughed as they boarded the "thunder".

Amidst the roar of the engine, the holographic neon sign at the entrance of "Nuclear Noodle Shop" flashed as it receded into the distance.

"These noodles have a real kick. How about we rest for a while before going on the commission? I'm afraid you might not be able to help but throw up during strenuous activity."

Valentine rubbed his stomach and nodded in agreement:

"We really ate a bit too much today."

"We still have to respect the spiciness of the genetically modified pepper 'Netherfire' smuggled from Pacifica." (Toke)

"Okay, then it's happily decided. Anyway, there's no rush to do the last commission."

The "thunder" traveled through the neon-lit streets, one holographic billboard projecting virtual idols after another flashing past the car windows.

Soon, Fang Yun and his group arrived at the Kabukicho district.

Under the night sky, Kabukicho was filled with projected virtual sex dolls or real human sex dolls standing on the streets, and even the air was filled with a tempting aura.

Fang Yun parked the "thunder" in a secluded corner.

There were fewer shops here, so it was relatively deserted and quiet.

"Then let's rest here for a while."

"Okay." (Valentine)

"I'll lie down for a bit." (Toke)