Bai Erya and Old Man Bai came into the courtyard. Bai Erya looked disheveled with messy hair and wearing a bulky cotton jacket, appearing quite unkempt.

Seeing so many people in the yard, she trembled with fear and asked in a thick local accent, "Brother, what’s going on?"

"Nothing to worry about, officials are just looking for bad folks," Wu Liangchen understood immediately and promptly responded.

After hearing the exchange between them and carefully examining Bai Erya’s appearance, the lead constable’s expression softened considerably.

The instructions from above had been very clear, even including a sketch of the suspect.

The sketch clearly depicted an exceptionally beautiful woman.

No matter how you looked at it, this rough and rustic girl couldn’t possibly be the person they were searching for.

But to be safe, he waved his hand.

"Search the inside."

Men immediately rushed into the room, but after a clattering search, they found nothing.

Even so, the Chief Constable showed no intention of leaving. Instead, he gave Wu Liangchen a meaningful look. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Wu Liangchen understood immediately and hurriedly took out all the copper coins he had prepared beforehand and handed them over.

"Some tea money for you officers."

Only then did the Chief Constable nod with satisfaction.

"You’re a smart lad. Let’s go!"

After they left, Wu Liangchen immediately locked the courtyard gate and returned inside.

"Brother Xiaowu, are they gone?"

"Yes, they’re gone!"

"Thank goodness, I was so frightened." As she spoke, Bai Erya quickly removed her bulky cotton jacket and began fixing her messy hair.

She didn’t want to look unsightly in front of the man she loved, especially right after receiving her sweetheart’s promise.

While she was braiding her hair, Wu Liangchen stood nearby, watching her with a smile.

There was a common saying in Dinghai City: "At seventeen or eighteen, no girl is ugly."

It meant that girls of this age were beautiful regardless of appearance.

Moreover, Bai Erya wasn’t ugly to begin with. Her skin had merely roughened from years of helping her father at his food stall, exposed to wind and sun.

But her expressive eyes, straight nose, and youthful, slender figure brimming with vitality were enough to touch anyone’s heart.

Wu Liangchen was no exception.

Just then, Bai Erya looked up, meeting Wu Liangchen’s gaze. Her face reddened, but her heart was filled with joy.

What girl wouldn’t like being gazed upon by the man she loves?

Just as the atmosphere grew warm and intimate, Old Man Bai coughed.

"Xiaowu, come outside for a moment. I need to speak with you."

"Alright!"

Wu Liangchen nodded and was about to walk out when Bai Erya grabbed him, looking nervous.

Wu Liangchen smiled, gently patting her hand to reassure her, then went outside.

Old Man Bai stood with a hunched back, tidying up the mess left by the search before sighing.

"Xiaowu, Erya has had a hard life. She lost her mother when she was little. She’s been following me to the stall since she could barely walk, sometimes sleeping by the stove when we stayed out too late."

"When she grew tall enough to reach a water bucket, she started helping me with the work. This child is clever with her hands and has a sweet way with words, so people took a liking to her. My wonton business improved quite a bit because of her."

Old Man Bai rambled on while Wu Liangchen stood quietly, listening attentively.

"I’m a man with little talent. Apart from running a small business, the only thing I’ve done in my life that’s worth being proud of is raising Erya after her mother died."

"Erya actually understands everything. When she was little, I often saw her staring at women who brought their children to eat wontons. I knew she was thinking about her mother."

"But she never mentioned it to me, not once. Sometimes she’d even comfort me instead. I still feel I’ve failed her, that I’ve short-changed this girl."

At this point, Old Man Bai wiped the corner of his eye, then looked up at Wu Liangchen.

"Xiaowu, Erya has been fond of you since your first visit. I’ve known this all along. Did you think I didn’t notice when she secretly gave you extra wontons? I just didn’t say anything. After all, you’re a good lad, and Erya is strong-minded. Being with you would be a good match for her."

"But later I grew afraid, because I knew you were a young man with great potential. Erya is just the daughter of a poor old wonton seller. How could she possibly be good enough for you? That’s why I kept trying to stop it, but Erya wouldn’t listen."

"Eventually I stopped trying to persuade her, because I believed you two could never end up together. I thought she would give up in time, but I never expected..."

Old Man Bai looked at Wu Liangchen, "I don’t know if what you said today is true or false, but Xiaowu, whatever happens, please promise your Uncle Bai that you won’t hurt Erya. This child has already suffered too much."

With those final words, Old Man Bai bent down and bowed deeply to Wu Liangchen.

Wu Liangchen hurriedly stepped forward and supported the old man.

"Uncle Bai, say no more. Every word I spoke today came from the bottom of my heart. I have no intention of deceiving Erya, much less hurting her."

Wu Liangchen’s words rang with sincerity, for he understood that the old man’s rambling, even somewhat repetitive speech, was actually a man entrusting his most precious daughter to another man.

"Good, good. Your word puts my mind at ease." Old Man Bai was visibly moved.

Just then, Bai Erya poked her head out, looking suspiciously at the two.

"What are you two talking about?"

"Nothing, just chatting," Wu Liangchen smiled.

"Enough chatting, Brother Xiaowu. I’ve prepared the food. Come and eat."

"Alright."

The meal was simple—just a bowl of stir-fried noodles.

But it was clear that the noodles had been prepared with great care.

Sliced pork belly was first seared over high heat, then homemade noodle sauce was added and stir-fried. Once the oil had rendered out, fresh hearts of cabbage were quickly tossed in before adding water.

When the water came to a boil, freshly made noodles were added, boiled briefly, then drained. Finally, minced garlic and green onions were sprinkled on top—cilantro would have been nice too, but it wasn’t necessary.

On this cold winter night, eating a steaming bowl of stir-fried noodles like this was simply divine.

Wu Liangchen ate three large bowls until sweat beaded on his forehead, then finally put down his chopsticks with satisfaction.

Seeing him eat so heartily, Bai Erya’s eyes curved with happiness.

"Are you full, Brother Xiaowu?"

"Yes, I’m full!" Wu Liangchen smiled.

By now it was getting light outside. Wu Liangchen stood up and said, "Everything’s fine now. You two should rest. Remember, don’t go anywhere for the next few days. Just stay at home."

"Yes, yes, I’ll remember," Bai Erya nodded repeatedly.

This time Wu Liangchen didn’t leap across rooftops but opened the door and walked out.

The street was in shambles, with many shop doors smashed.

Instead of returning to the West Garden theater, Wu Liangchen turned and headed straight for Yuan Er’s home.