Zhang's mom discovered that she couldn't move her son at all.
This was unimaginable before, but now her son is so skinny that he is just skin and bones, yet she still can't move him?
"Son, let's hurry and leave, otherwise I'm afraid you won't be able to take it."
Unexpectedly, Zhang Yang grabbed his mother's hand and said, "Mom, I want to go over and take a look."
Zhang's mom was shocked, "Son, what nonsense are you talking? If you see those people eating... all that food, won't you throw up? With so many people here, if you puke, we could be beaten to death!"
Zhang Yang's eyes sparkled as he said, "Mom, I've actually already smelled the aroma, but I don't feel like vomiting at all. Moreover..."
He pointed at the robust men devouring their meals, "Moreover, watching them eat like that, I actually feel a little hungry myself."
Zhang's mom glanced again at Wang Fan's rice noodle stall, seeing dozens of people eagerly eating, she indeed felt a heightened appetite herself, making her feel slightly hungry too.
However, she still hesitated, saying, "Son, are you really okay?"
Zhang Yang nodded vigorously and then took the lead walking towards Wang Fan.
…
Zhang Qing felt she must be crazy at this moment.
She actually thought that something bought for 12 yuan at the street corner could taste better than a meticulously plated French meal costing thousands!
This is impossible!
The ingredients in these rice noodles are clearly very simple, with the most expensive being a few small squid pieces the size of fingernails.
Why does it deserve to taste so good?
"Gulp gulp... Ah..."
A mouthful of sauce slipped down her throat, no greasy aftertaste but rather a fresh and sweet flavor, enriching the layers of taste in her mouth.
Wanting to pick another rice noodle to scrutinize the ingredients, her chopsticks instead grabbed empty air.
Zhang Qing stared wide-eyed at her now empty food box.
Had she just finished a portion of rice noodles?
Including every bit of sauce?
Brother Gang's robust frame approached, joking, "Oh, oh, oh? Did our esteemed student Zhang actually finish it all? Want to buy another portion?"
Zhang Qing quickly adjusted her expression, "No need, I was just very hungry after exercising. I'm not that hungry anymore."
Brother Gang teased, "You were indeed hungry, drank even all the sauce."
Zhang Qing said stubbornly, "I don't want to waste food; waste is shameful!"
Brother Gang asked, "Really don't want another portion?"
Zhang Qing maintained a cold demeanor, "No."
Even if she wanted to eat more, she couldn't show it! Stay poised! At worst, she could come back to buy more later!
Brother Gang sighed, "Well, that's a pity, the owner's rice noodles sell quickly, wait too long and there won't even be soup left."
Hmm?
Zhang Qing began to waver inside. As the sweet taste started to fade, her taste buds yearned for that flavor.
Should she... buy one more?
Just about to speak up, she altered her words upon seeing Brother Gang's teasing expression, saying, "No, though the taste is just passable, I'm already full."
At worst, she could come back tomorrow to buy more, but she'd never lose on the demeanor front!
Brother Gang shook his head, "Such a shame, I heard this owner might only be here for a few days. After that, who knows where they'd be, and when you'll get to taste such good rice noodles again."
After speaking, he wandered off to chat with other students.
Hearing this, Zhang Qing felt a bit unsteady on her feet.
Stealing a glance at Brother Gang, she noticed he was surrounded by the boys and not paying attention, so she couldn't help beginning to move towards the queue.
But the internal struggle continued.
Would lining up like this be too embarrassing?
She was still hesitating when she saw several people join the queue.
That hurried Zhang Qing, as she recalled seeing the rice noodle container at the owner's stall, which was probably only big enough for 500 portions. Given the previous sales, at least 200 portions were already sold.
This time, she disregarded her embarrassment, trotting swiftly to the end of the queue.
Then she put on the hood of her down jacket, fastening every catch to cover herself, only exposing her eyes; she was fully armored.
Yet even so, a voice she found irritating arose from behind.
"Oh? Not full yet?"
Zhang Qing rolled her eyes angrily, saying, "I am full, I'm not heading there for the rice noodles, I just want to knock on the wooden fish again, can't I?!"
…
Zhang Yang approached Wang Fan's stall, with the scent of rice growing stronger and stronger.
He was amazed to find that, even with such a powerful aroma, he felt no nausea at all!
Moreover, his mood seemed to improve the closer he got to the stall.
Could this be what people say about the earthly smoke and fire, most comforting to the human heart?
Zhang's mom held Yang's hand with both nervousness and anticipation.
Her hand couldn't stop shaking, and her heart crept closer and closer to her throat with each step they took.
This eating disorder had tormented their family tremendously.
They'd been to countless hospitals and consulted numerous psychologists. Money spent didn't matter, but not being able to cure the illness really felt awful.
This was the first time since the anorexia diagnosis that her son had willingly approached a food stall!
"Amitabha, Omnipotent Heavenly Lord, Mama Mama Hung, Tai Shang Laojun protect us, just please don't let my son vomit, even eating just one bite would be good!"
In her heart, Zhang's mom prayed to every deity she knew, hoping her child could at least take a bite.
She understood that minor collapses could lead to ruin, but if her son could willingly eat once, the doctors said they could find a way to cure him.
They honestly stood in line.
As the line moved, Zhang's mom clutched her son's hand more tightly.
Her veins bulged, and despite the cold weather, her palm was sweating profusely.
Zhang Yang wanted to comfort her, but he was even more nervous himself. He knew what the doctors said about the bad outcome meant; he was still young and didn't want to die.
With every step, he felt like exerting all his strength, and even his heart was beating like a war drum.
"Knock, knock..."
A clear sound suddenly reached his ears, softly and distinctly.
In a daze, Zhang Yang felt like a delicate goose feather had drifted into his heart, calming his tension.
That rice aroma became even richer, filling him with anticipation.
This ought to be an incredibly delicious food.
I want to eat it!
Zhang's mom seemed to sense her son's change, and as she looked at him, tears welled in her eyes.
She dared not utter a sound, afraid her son might face some mishap.
She only desired for the line to move faster, allowing her son to take his first bite soon.
The meters away felt like being stretched infinitely, never seeming to be completed.