Chapter 80: Clinging

"She punched me in the nose, boss!"

"I know, how many times have you repeated that now?"

"Fine, I'll hit her back, I swear I will..."

"That's the tenth time you've said that. She's right here in town. If you've got the guts, go find her. She said something that was absolutely right," said Qiu Fengyu.

"What did she say?"

"You are—really—really soft!" Qiu Fengyu enunciated each word as he looked at Davis. "All right, go back already. Either go get your revenge or just give up. Your choice."

"Fine, fine, you're not on my side," Davis gritted his teeth. "Boss, you're being unfair to me."

"I'm not on her side either. That makes it perfectly fair. You two—either settle it face to face, or one of you admits defeat. That's that... Now go on, leave."

Davis left, sulking. He had no intention of looking for the girl; after all, from the blows he’d just received, he doubted he was a match for her. Seeking her out now would be asking for trouble.

Qiu Fengyu watched Davis leave with a smile, then tidied up, preparing to close for the night. The noodles had sold out quickly today, mostly because Masato Mikura had bought several bowls to take home, claiming he wanted to study them.

God knows what he hoped to glean from them.

In the afternoon, Qiu Fengyu went fishing. Lately, salmon had become scarce, but rainbow trout were becoming more plentiful. The season favored an increase in plankton, which would soon decline, so these carnivorous fish were on the rise.

He borrowed a small boat from Britt and planned to row out to the middle of the river. Just as he untied the rope and was about to step aboard, a voice called out.

"Hi, I'm Cynthia Voll. You can call me Cynthia."

Qiu Fengyu turned and found the same girl he'd seen in the noodle shop. He nodded. "Are you following me?"

"You could say that," she replied with a smile. "I came to watch you slaughter cattle. I’ve seen videos of you doing it—it's an art. I never imagined butchering could be so artistic."

"Killing people is an art too," Qiu Fengyu replied, glancing at her. "I don’t just know how to butcher cattle."

"I can see that," she laughed, coming closer. "Mind if I join you?"

"I do." Qiu Fengyu climbed into the boat and slowly rowed to the center of the river, baited his hook, and began to fish.

Rainbow trout proved easy to catch. In no time, he’d reeled in over thirty. Satisfied, he packed up his gear and rowed back.

Cynthia was sitting on a fallen log, watching him with a smile.

"What is it you want?" Qiu Fengyu shot her a cool glance. "I have nothing—except myself."

"I want to watch you slaughter cattle," Cynthia replied. "I want to observe that bloody art up close. You won’t refuse, will you?"

"Now even women are fascinated by bloody things. The world’s gone mad," Qiu Fengyu muttered, mooring the boat and hauling his catch to the car.

"I can pay you!" Cynthia called after him.

He ignored her and drove away. Cynthia watched his car disappear, flipping him off as he left.

Back at the noodle shop, Qiu Fengyu began preparing dinner—mainly, he’d cook the rainbow trout dry, a method that brought out their flavor better than grilling. He liked this way of eating them best.

With a sizzle, he set the iron plate on the dining table, added vegetables and onions to the side, letting everything roast slowly. The aroma filled the room.

There was a knock at the door.

He wiped his hands and went to open it. It was the girl again. He opened the glass door and said, "Sorry, we're closed tonight."

She put on a pitiful face. "There's nowhere else to eat. I'm so hungry, please—I promise I’ll pay. I’m alone in this strange little town and only know you and Davis. But Davis is a coward; he doesn’t even dare see me."

"Don’t act so pitiful. I know your type..."

"Fine. I just want to try your food. It looks delicious and smells amazing," she tried another tactic.

Qiu Fengyu shook his head. If he refused, the girl would probably pester him to death.

Cynthia was delighted and hurried inside, sitting at the table, eyes glued to the sizzling fish, waiting eagerly as Qiu Fengyu set out plates, cutlery, and two beers.

The fish was excellent. Cynthia barely paused between bites, and Qiu Fengyu paid her no mind; they ate as though in competition. His chopsticks gave him the edge—he ate more than she did.

"I'm stuffed!" Cynthia laughed, patting her stomach. "Your cooking is superb—much better than those so-called master chefs I’ve tried. Marry me, then I can eat like this every day."

"You want to marry me?" Qiu Fengyu froze, food still in his mouth, staring at the girl as she wolfed down her meal.

Cynthia stopped, embarrassed, and looked at him. "What is it?"

"You said you wanted to marry me?" he asked, astonished.

Cynthia burst out laughing. "Ahaha—you're so funny! You didn’t really think I meant it, did you? Come on, I know you’re a great cook, but a joke is a joke. Don’t take it seriously... You really are a naive old man."

Qiu Fengyu let out a long breath and nodded. "That’s a relief. You had me worried for a moment. You’re a wicked girl."

"What?" Cynthia was about to jump out of her seat. "God, you’re full of yourself."

"It’s not vanity, it’s fear... Do you know how I classify women?" Qiu Fengyu asked her. "One kind deserves respect—like our mothers. You wouldn’t argue with that, would you?"

"Of course not," Cynthia shrugged.

"And the other kind... For me, it’s just a question of whether or not I’d sleep with them," Qiu Fengyu said, looking her over. "You have a great figure. That leather jacket and pants really suit you. Nice, full hips—I like women like you. If you want to watch me slaughter cattle, why not spend the night with me? Maybe I’ll change my mind by morning."

Half a glass of beer went flying into Qiu Fengyu’s face.

"You're such a bastard! If I’d known you were like this, I wouldn’t have traveled over six hundred miles to this godforsaken place—damn it..." Cynthia stood up furiously.

"You drove over six hundred miles here? On a motorcycle?" Qiu Fengyu asked.

"Yes, so what? I thought we were alike. I saw you in the videos, facing down those massive cattle so effortlessly—it was impressive. I thought we were the same. But now... I see I was wrong. Bastard!" she shouted, heading for the door.

"I don’t think we’re alike at all," Qiu Fengyu replied with a smile. "Goodbye, little lady. You really aren’t suited for my noodle shop. I’m a dangerous kind of man."

"Goodbye... Damn it, I never should have come. What a disappointment," Cynthia fumed, storming out.

Qiu Fengyu raised his beer in her direction and took a deep, satisfying drink.

At the door, Cynthia paused, turned back, and spread her hands. "All right, I admit, I was just putting on a front. But I really did ride over six hundred miles..."

"Have you had a shower?" Qiu Fengyu asked.

"What..." Cynthia froze, eyeing him suspiciously.

"You’ve got a bit of a smell. You’d better get cleaned up at the inn. And... tomorrow afternoon, come to the field by Britt’s ranch to watch the slaughter. For your six hundred miles’ sake," he said, then fell silent.

"Oh, fine, I forgive you... I shower every day, and thank you—I’ll pay you for the food..." Cynthia beamed.

"No need, a Japanese guy already wants it. Just come and watch," Qiu Fengyu replied. "And when you leave, close the door. Also... your leather pants are great. Nice big hips—I like that."

Cynthia shot him a middle finger.