Chapter Sixty-Two: The Adorable Young Girl

Brothers, please give me a Sanjiang ticket—Half-Immortal would be extremely grateful!

The Texas rodeo was scheduled for Halloween. The organizers wanted to use the event to attract a flood of tourists, which was understandable. Yet, the El Paso competition was set for two weeks before Halloween, meaning there were still five days to go.

Qiu Fengyu hadn’t really embraced the spirit of competition, even though he’d already signed up. Along with him, there was that seven-second-and-one Barnett Kingsley, who was determined to redeem himself at the El Paso event.

Every morning while running, Coffin would say to Qiu Fengyu, “I think you’ll do well. You’ll get a great result, I’m sure.”

But Qiu Fengyu truly had no enthusiasm for the contest. He didn’t see himself as some unbeatable force, slaying gods and Buddhas alike. As they say, every profession has its specialists; the fact that he’d lasted so long last time was already a stroke of outrageous luck.

“I’m not in it for the championship, honestly. I just want to experience what it feels like…”

“Oh, experience the feeling?” Coffin just smiled without replying, clearly dissatisfied with Qiu Fengyu’s attitude.

They didn’t delve deeper into the matter. After their run, they headed back with Tim, whom Qiu Fengyu promptly sent off to school. He made himself some breakfast, then went to the noodle shop.

He tidied up a bit and received a call from Anthony.

“Did you get the money?”

“I did. A hundred thousand dollars—I’ve never made so much in my life…”

“Ha! You earned it. It’s just a pity about Jenny’s… But if you need money, I can recommend some gigs. The pay is excellent—at least as good as this.”

Anthony, on the other end, sounded like a big bad wolf luring a little rabbit. He really was the type who wouldn’t lift a finger without profit.

“No, I don’t deal with people from B.” Qiu Fengyu refused flatly.

Jobs introduced by B were certainly not good jobs; Qiu Fengyu wasn’t about to be fooled.

“All right, all right—if you ever want something, just contact me.” Anthony didn’t push him, and after a brief chat, hung up.

A single April had triggered such a spectacle, and as a direct result, aside from the hundred thousand dollars, Qiu Fengyu had ended up with a child. But Tim, the little guy, was mature beyond his years, almost like an adult. Perhaps it was adversity that had changed his temperament.

After the call, someone appeared at the door and pushed it open.

At this hour, anyone entering was surely looking for Qiu Fengyu. It was Alyssa, hands clasped behind her back, strolling around the shop before heading into the busy kitchen.

“I’m leaving for Los Angeles tomorrow!”

“Ah, time to go back. Your vacation’s over?”

“Yes. Technically, it ended two days ago, but I extended it. You know, for someone like me, wandering far from home, my hometown is the greatest temptation.”

Her words had a touch of poetry.

Qiu Fengyu rubbed his nose. He’d been away from home for who knew how many years, yet still managed to live so energetically. He ventured, “Are you… planning to work back home after you graduate?”

“What does working at home have to do with it?” Alyssa widened her eyes at him. “Of course I won’t go back. I want to stay in Los Angeles—everyone’s dreams are there, including mine. Aren’t you going? I think you’d do great. You could open a Chinese restaurant…”

“I’ll stay here. Big cities don’t suit me,” Qiu Fengyu said, slicing beef.

They chatted idly in the kitchen, finding the moment pleasantly tranquil.

When lunchtime approached, Qiu Fengyu cooked a bowl of noodles for Alyssa and one for himself. They sat across from each other in a booth, heads almost touching as they ate.

Davis walked in and caught sight of them, immediately grinning, “So romantic! Boss, are you about to propose? I can go sell you some flowers—need me to pick up a ring as well?”

“Of course, but you’re paying!”

“Haha—” Alyssa put down her bowl and laughed heartily.

Davis, stumped by Qiu Fengyu, laughed awkwardly and returned to tidying up.

Customers started to trickle in. The Japanese family was now a regular fixture, always among the first to arrive.

Once seated, the little girl pulled the older girl to the kitchen to watch Qiu Fengyu make noodles. His magical noodle-making left the youngster wide-eyed and delighted—her innocent, silly-yet-cute expression was utterly adorable, tempting Qiu Fengyu to pinch her chubby cheeks.

As she watched, her mouth hung open, and every so often she would exclaim in awe. The older girl, meanwhile, showed no reaction, seemingly just there to accompany the younger one.

Once the noodles were ready, Davis carried the bowls over, and Qiu Fengyu winked at the little girl. She gleefully covered her mouth with a pudgy hand, astonished but smiling with curved eyes—a true little cutie.

The older girl wasn’t so cute. She bowed to Qiu Fengyu and hurriedly led the little one back to their table. The young man with them seemed to mutter a complaint in their direction.

“Such pretty Japanese girls,” Davis said as he brought over the noodles.

“Adorable!”

“I meant the older one…”

“So did I. If you like her, go for it! Believe in yourself!” Qiu Fengyu encouraged him.

“Forget it. She’s not my type—I don’t like girls who just sit quietly.” Davis waved dismissively. “Honestly… Officer Coffin isn’t bad, but she looks down on me. Boss, you’ve got a shot…”

“Get lost! Say that again, and you’ll be picking your teeth up off the ground!”

Davis slunk away.

After finishing her meal, Alyssa went back to the kitchen to watch Qiu Fengyu stretch noodles and cook. She loved seeing him work—those deft hands were astonishing for someone so muscular. The noodles seemed to transform into fine threads as if by magic.

He was very focused, though he kept glancing at Alyssa.

She didn’t forget to pull out her phone and record the process. She’d filmed him before, but this time she was more meticulous, shooting from multiple angles.

“Don’t upload this online!” Qiu Fengyu said sternly, “I hold the copyright.”

“I promise—it’s for private collection and viewing only.”

Alyssa replied with a mischievous smile. When the noodles were done, she put away her phone and said, “I’m leaving tomorrow before ten. Come send me off!”

“All right,” Qiu Fengyu nodded.

Satisfied, Alyssa left.

When his shift ended, Qiu Fengyu went back to Sirsha’s house, tidied up, and prepared to go fishing. Just as he was loading his gear into the car, he spotted the little girl.

“Minami Mikura?” Qiu Fengyu addressed her in English.

The girl nodded. Whether she understood English or not, at least her name’s pronunciation wouldn’t change.

“So… what do you want?” he asked, recalling her earlier conversation with her sister. “Want to watch cattle slaughtered?”

Minami Mikura nodded, then shook her head; her bobbed hair swayed with her movements, making her look even cuter. Yet it was unclear if she understood.

“But… I’m going fishing!”

She said nothing, staring at him with wide eyes. Evidently, she hadn’t understood a word, likely unfamiliar with English.

Qiu Fengyu took out a fishing rod and pointed to it; Minami Mikura immediately jumped up and clapped her hands, eyes shining with anticipation, babbling in Japanese.

What did that mean? Qiu Fengyu stared back at the little beauty.

They stood eye to eye until Minami Mikura tried to climb into the car. Qiu Fengyu finally understood, nodded, and waved her over. She eagerly clambered aboard.

They drove to the riverside, and he set up two stools. Sitting side by side, rods extended and fixed, the little beauty propped her elbows on her knees, chin resting in her hands, eyes glued to the river.

Having her for company—unable to communicate, yet the atmosphere was pleasantly relaxed.

Suddenly, a fish bit the bait.

The girl instantly released her hands, half-standing off her stool, face alive with excitement and surprise, her mouth wide open and cheeks flushed.

A salmon was hooked. As Qiu Fengyu struggled to reel it in, Minami Mikura clapped and squealed in Japanese, her cheeks glowing red.

When he finally netted the fish and lifted it up, she happily ran over, bent down, hands on her knees, eyes fixed on the catch.

This adorable little girl made Qiu Fengyu smile.

His phone rang. He glanced at the screen—it was Coffin calling.

“Is that Japanese girl with you?”