Kapitel 3: The Three Friends

Lin Qiao thought that Gu Xin Ye probably had a split personality.

While in the office, Gu Xin Ye was portrayed as a dictator and her subordinates fear her. However, once Gu Xin Ye stepped out of the building, put her hair down, and throw her spectacle away, Lin Qiao thought that her friend has turned into someone else.

Her lips would curve into a smile, her gaze softened and she was much more approachable.

If any of their subordinates saw her on the street, they would never recognize her.

Moreover, who would believe that the vice-president of GDB would stroll in the night market to enjoy some skewers?

Lin Qiao watched as her friend took a big bite on the lamb skewers and chuckled. "I can't believe you would enjoy street food as much as you are now."

"I ate good, expensive food all the time," Gu Xin Ye said. She pulled her long hair to the right side before she continued chewing. "Sometimes it's refreshing to eat street food like this. They're not that bad. Though they were using cheap ingredients, each bite is very flavorful."

Gu Xin Ye's fascination with street food started during college years.

Back then, Lin Qiao was not very close to Gu Xin Ye. The young Gu Xin Ye back then was someone with a noble air around her. She was someone who would always eat healthy, quality and expensive food.

Seeing the way Gu Xin Ye's ladylike act, the roommates were annoyed, thinking that Gu Xin Ye was too pretentious.

At that time, Shen Yi Nian, who would often argue with Gu Xin Ye over everything, had pulled the two of them to the night market around their campus and introduced Gu Xin Ye to street food.

Actually, the word introduced was not quite right. Shen Yi Nian had forced Gu Xin Ye to eat things she had never eaten before.

Lin Qiao remembers how frightened she was.

Gu Xin Ye was someone from the rich family and Shen Yi Nian was like a little gangster. She did not know which side she should take.

Fortunately, that Gu Xin Ye had never taken revenge on them or else, they might not continue their study peacefully.

Before long, the three of them becomes friends and they would often gather to enjoy food in the night market. Through constant arguments with Shen Yi Nian, Gu Xin Ye began to loosen up a little bit. And since then, another side of Gu Xin Ye was discovered.

Seeing the way her friend ate, Lin Qiao picked a skewer and took a bite. Immediately, the flavor of lamb and cumin spread to her mouth.

"Running a food stall like this isn't that bad, the customers are always there," Gu Xin Ye licked her lips and paused. "Do you think this is the reason Qin Zhan quit his job to run a noddle stand?"

Lin Qiao shrugged. "Who knows what he was thinking."

"That's not right. Even if he's thinking of running a stall, he should be thinking to run one in a big city like this where the money is everywhere. What is he doing in a small town?"

Just then, the two girls lifted their heads simultaneously when they heard footsteps heading towards them. A short-hair woman in black coat stood beside them, gasping for air.

"Shen Yi Nian. You're late," Gu Xin Ye took the bottle in front of her and took a swig. "Come here. Sit down." she patted down at the empty chair beside her. "How about that thing I asked you to investigate?"

"Can you let me catch my breath first?" Shen Yi Nian took a deep breath as she sat down. She grabbed one of the bottles on the table, poured herself a drink and emptied the glass in seconds. "Wow, you girls really go ahead and eat without me."

"You said we should go ahead and eat. We're doing what you ask us to do. What are you getting angry about?" Gu Xin Ye pointed out. Then, she turned around to order another serving of skewers from the stall owner.

Lin Qiao helped to pour more drinks for them. Then, they waited until Shen Yi Nian settle down in her seat.

"Xin Ye, do you know how much I have to work hard for this information?" Shen Yi Nian spoke as she took a bite at one of the skewers. "You owe me."

"Fine. Fine. I'll treat you at one of our restaurants. Now, where's the report?"

Shen Yi Nian clicked her tongue. "I already e-mailed the report to you before I head here. Who would use papers at this age? We're going paperless. Saving paper is saving the forest. Have you guys not heard of that?"

Gu Xin Ye had already ignored her friend's other half sentence. She took out her phone to check on her e-mail. True enough, the e-mail was sent by Shen Yi Nian almost thirty minutes ago.

Once she clicked at the e-mail, more information about Qin Zhen could be seen along with his photos at the stall. However, most of those photos were too blurry, or even if it was not blurry, they failed to capture Qin Zhan's face clearly.

"Why are these photos blurry?"

"First. I am not a professional investigator. I'm only a rookie reporter. Second," Shen Yi Nian made a dramatic pause to take a deep breath. "Man, that guy was so scary. I almost feel like he could tell that I was sneakingly taking photos of him. Perhaps he did not want others to find out that he is now running a noodle stand in a small town. But I have to admit that the noodle he made tasted really good. Anyway, why are you so resolute to find Chef Qin?" Shen Yi Nian asked after a long rambling. When Gu Xin Ye did not reply, she then turned to Lin Qiao, hoping to get an answer.

"Of course it's because she's hoping to hire Chef Qin," Lin Qiao said.

"Well, according to my investigation, Chef Qin got that small noodle stall from a local old man from the town after that old man decided to move to the city to live with his son," Shen Yi Nian said. "The local testified that, although Chef Qin had taken over the noodle stall for a short period, the noodle he made tasted almost the same as the old man's."

Gu Xin Ye opened her mouth to speak but was stopped by Shen Yi Nian.

"I know what you're going to ask," Shen Yi Nian pointed the skewers to her. "But, there is no relation between Chef Qin and that Old Chen. Right. I heard from Lin Qiao that you're going to Z Town this weekend. Is this why you're asking me to investigate his life in Z Town?"

Gu Xin Ye nodded. "I need to make enough preparation before I look for him and negotiate some terms."

"If that's the case, I might as give you a few reminders," Shen Yi Nian said. "I talked to a few of the residence in Z Town, and found out something that might be useful for you."