Chapter 332: Chapter 333: Youpo Belt Noodles

Zhuo Qianqian had already set out the big bowls, always proving herself to be a very competent assistant.

The long noodles were thick and wide, with just a single noodle taking up more than half of the large bowl. A few fresh cauliflower and a small handful of bean sprouts were added to each bowl of noodles.

“Why don’t you call over Captain Chen and the others to eat? We need to confirm their spice preferences for the final step.”

Zhuo Qianqian nodded and took one last longing look at the noodles, then jogged off toward where Captain Chen and the others were resting.

Inside the simple tent, people were lying all over the place, dirty and unkempt without time to clean up. Zhuo Qianqian felt both pity and admiration.

Such a scene could only happen here, definitely not something you’d see abroad.

Cheng Dong was wiping Captain Chen’s face with a towel. Surprised to see Zhuo Qianqian, he asked, “Is it done already?”

It’s only been about seven or eight minutes since the captain returned. Is it cooked already?

Zhuo Qianqian nodded, “Yes, just the final step left. The boss wants to know their preferences so we can adjust the spiciness accordingly.”

Cheng Dong hesitantly looked at everyone on the ground, “It’s not that I don’t want to wake them. We usually sleep very deeply for the first few minutes after falling asleep. Unless an alarm sounds, it’s hard to wake them.”

Zhuo Qianqian gave a sly smile, “No worries, just watch me.”

Cheng Dong looked at her suspiciously, “What are you going to do? I’ve tried everything before, even tickling or pinching doesn’t work.”

Zhuo Qianqian replied, “Just you watch, hehe.”

She glanced at the people scattered around. Captain Chen and Deputy Captain Li were slightly older, but not too much, surely born in the ’80s, while most others were from the ’90s and 2000s.

Clearing her throat, Zhuo Qianqian spoke to Cheng Dong in a slightly louder voice, “Brother Chen and Brother Hui have fallen asleep. Let’s check their phone browser history?”

The voice wasn’t loud, but it seemed like it triggered a keyword. He Chen and Lu Hui immediately pressed their pockets tightly, then opened their bloodshot eyes and looked at Cheng Dong and Zhuo Qianqian in alarm.

“What are you doing?!”

Whoa?

Cheng Dong looked at Zhuo Qianqian in shock, unable to understand why this sentence had such power.

Zhuo Qianqian wasn’t entirely sure herself, but she’d seen this joke before, and with so many people sharing it, she figured it must be effective. Trying it out proved surprisingly effective.

“Gentlemen, the boss has finished cooking the meal. The two of you should go over and specify your tastes, then eat your fill before sleeping again.”

He Chen and Lu Hui breathed a sigh of relief, covering their pockets tightly as they stood and walked toward Wang Fan.

Zhuo Qianqian then looked at the older team members, “I’m really curious about the firefighters’ social media activity. Mind showing us?”

Hmm?!

This line seemed to flip a switch, as over a dozen older team members from the ’90s immediately covered their pockets…

Cheng Dong, also from the ’90s, reflexively covered his pocket, thinking of his youthful social media posts and feeling a tightness in his chest, his face flushing.

These secrets were supposed to go to the grave, never to be seen by others!

The other team members also blushed and rubbed their eyes, hastily running out of the tent, worried that they might be ambushed and have their phones taken if they were too slow.

Only Chen Baoguo and Li Kai were left in the tent.

Zhuo Qianqian lightly coughed and whispered, “Take off your pants; it’s time for a shot…”

“Can’t you just do it in the arm?!”

As soon as these words were out, Chen Baoguo and Li Kai reacted immediately before even opening their eyes.

Cheng Dong gave Zhuo Qianqian a thumbs-up in admiration, thinking that this little Zhuo really had a talent.

…

Chen Baoguo and Li Kai appeared in front of Wang Fan with a hint of embarrassment, looking at the firefighters, big brothers and young guys alike, all with awkward expressions. Wang Fan wondered curiously about what they’d just been through.

However, now was definitely not the time for that. He’d just ask Zhuo Qianqian about it later.

“Tell me your preferred spice level.”

“Extra spicy.”

“Mildly spicy.”

“Extra spicy.”

“Guangfu spicy.”

“Devilishly spicy.”

Wang Fan added chili powder to each bowl according to their preferences. Before they arrived, he’d already added salt, soy sauce, vinegar, scallions, sesame seeds, sesame oil, pepper, and fried onion.

After adding the right amount of chili powder, the sesame oil in the pot started to smoke, as the oil for oil-poured noodles had to be heated to 80% of its maximum temperature.

He picked up the pot and used a spoon to carefully pour hot oil into the large sea bowls.

“Sizzle sizzle…”

With each spoonful of hot oil, the bowls emitted a sound that reached into the soul. The aroma of fried garlic and green onions, sparked by the hot oil, caused the mouths of over a dozen firefighters to instantly water.

This aroma and sound were absolutely irresistible!

The team members stared longingly at the large bowls, wishing they could hug them and eat the noodles in huge mouthfuls right then.

But their excellent discipline kept them sitting upright, without any extraneous movements.

Finally, when the last bowl of noodles was ready, Chen Baoguo smiled at Wang Fan and said, “Coming back today, young Wang was a huge help.”

Wang Fan froze for a moment, thinking he’d just been cooking in the shelter. How did this relate to him at all?

Chen Baoguo pointed at He Chen and laughed, “Originally, we estimated that the flood would sweep us away. Just as it was about to happen, I shouted that we’d invite them to eat the meal you prepared and set up a matchmaking session. This kid suddenly found his potential and pulled me, the captain, back from death’s door.”

He Chen scratched his head awkwardly, chuckling foolishly at Chen Baoguo’s words.

Chen Baoguo continued, “I promised them that once things settled down here, I’d personally pay for them to enjoy a meal cooked by you, Brother Wang. Would you agree to this request, old brother?”

Wang Fan was just about to speak when Zhuo Qianqian suddenly ran over, saying, “No way!”

Wang Fan looked at her strangely. That didn’t sound like something she’d say; maybe she was worried he couldn’t handle it?

He was about to respond when Zhuo Qianqian continued, “Brother Chen, setting a flag like that is typically a recipe for disaster in TV dramas. Wait until your mission here is completely over, then talk to the boss.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Baoguo and the others burst out laughing, “Alright, alright. It does seem that way. Let’s not set this flag. Once things settle down, I’ll get in touch with you, Brother Wang, haha.”

Wang Fan also laughed and nodded. He hoped that these people in front of him would stay safe, too. Even though superstition couldn’t be trusted, there’s no harm in being cautious.

“Eat up; the temperature is just right now.”

Chen Baoguo smiled and said, “Let’s eat.”

“Whoop…”

With these words, the team members, who were sitting upright, instantly pulled the large noodle bowls into their arms and vigorously stirred with chopsticks. The chili powder, minced garlic, onion oil, sesame seeds, and other ingredients fused swiftly with the noodles, reaching maximum temptation in an instant.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep