Life seemed to be getting better day by day.

He had things to occupy him, and people would chat with him now.

The folks living around Chuanfeng Lane slowly got to know this Storyteller. When they bumped into him, they often exchanged a few words.

Gradually, they became familiar.

Outside Chuanfeng Lane stood a clinic, run by a doctor surnamed Wang. He was quite old, but still strong and healthy. Mornings often found him sitting outside his door, eating noodles.

Doctor Wang’s meal times usually coincided with the moment Chen Changsheng stepped out.

So they often ran into each other.

“Mr. Chen, off to tell stories again?”

Chen Changsheng nodded. “Yes. Doctor Wang, noodles again today?”

“Want a bowl?” Doctor Wang asked.

Chen Changsheng smiled. “Next time. Later than this and I’d be too late.”

Doctor Wang grinned back. “Fair enough.”

Chen Changsheng thought it was just a polite offer. Afterward, he went to the teahouse to tell his stories.

But the next day,

Doctor Wang actually called out to him, presenting him with a bowl of clear broth noodles.

“We agreed, remember? To treat you to noodles.”

This took Chen Changsheng by surprise.

He hadn’t expected Doctor Wang to take it so seriously.

With the noodles already prepared right before him, Chen Changsheng saw no reason to refuse.

So, he said to Clerk Cao who had come for him: “Clerk Cao, please go ahead. I’ll follow along shortly. I won’t take long.”

Clerk Cao naturally understood the situation and replied, “Take your time, sir, no rush at all. Then I’ll head back first and let the Manager know.”

After Clerk Cao left,

Chen Changsheng squatted by the clinic entrance, just like Doctor Wang, and dug into the noodles.

After one taste, Chen Changsheng’s eyes lit up. He said, “The flavor of this noodle bowl, Doctor Wang, it’s quite unique.”

“I steeped some medicinal herbs in it. How does it taste?” Doctor Wang chuckled.

Chen Changsheng gave a slight smile. “The broth is meat-based broth. Not only that, but you stewed it with cassia bark, star anise, and a bit of angelica root!”

One had to admit, this Doctor Wang truly had skill.

In these current times, spices like this hadn’t really appeared yet in the world of food.

Doctor Wang was startled by Chen Changsheng’s words.

He felt he’d finally met a fellow enthusiast!

His name was Wang Cheng Yi. Though a physician by profession, half his life’s obsession had been with food. Even a plain bowl of broth noodles could become a canvas for countless experiments. He truly believed no one else understood food like he did.

Yet here was this Mr. Chen, just a humble storyteller, who’d guessed every single ingredient with just one bite!

Recovering, Doctor Wang said, “Mr. Chen knows about this method too?”

Chen Changsheng asked, “You mean using these medicinal herbs to add fragrance?”

“Exactly, yes!” Doctor Wang even set his own bowl aside. “Back when I stewed chicken broth to nourish my wife, I accidentally added star anise. Unexpectedly, that aroma was incredible! That’s when I started researching these special herbs!”

Slurping his noodles, Chen Changsheng marveled at tasting such flavorful broth noodles here.

Seeing Chen enjoy the food so enthusiastically, Doctor Wang urged, “Don’t eat too fast. There’s more inside. If it’s not enough, have another bowl.”

Chen Changsheng didn’t care about appearances. In a few swift mouthfuls, he finished the noodles, then drank every drop of the broth.

He exhaled contentedly. “Haven’t eaten noodles like this in ages. Talent, Doctor Wang! Truly!”

He didn’t hold back his praise.

Doctor Wang brightened, looking hopeful. “You really think it tastes good?”

“Absolutely!” Chen Changsheng nodded firmly.

Doctor Wang immediately burst out laughing.

This physician, well past sixty, grinned his widest grin, revealing a row of uneven teeth, his laughter full of purest delight.

Chen Changsheng was a bit mystified by the intense reaction.

Doctor Wang quickly explained, “You wouldn’t know. Over the years, others have tried my noodles. But they all whined about a ‘medicine taste.’ Ate it once and never again. You’re the first person who actually liked them!”

Chen smacked his lips thoughtfully. “To be honest… a bit too much ‘medicine’ was added.”

And not just a little too much!

It was equivalent to using two whole pieces of star anise in one bowl of noodle broth! The resulting aroma was a bit too strong, almost overwhelming the nostrils.

Perhaps the reason Chen Changsheng found it tasty was that he simply hadn’t tasted it in such a long time.

Doctor Wang blinked. “I thought it was just right.”

Hearing that, Chen Changsheng understood.

Doctor Wang indeed had skill—discovering these spices. But his palate was so used to them that he was effectively adding a ‘lethal dose’! This was surely the real reason no one ever came back for seconds.

Chen Changsheng said, “Doctor Wang, you’ve likely grown too accustomed to the flavor of these herbs. Like living in an orchid room too long—you no longer smell the fragrance. So you use quantities far heavier than ordinary people!”

Doctor Wang’s eyes gleamed like stars. “That makes sense!!”

But then…

Doctor Wang caught on. “If that’s the case… then why did you find it delicious?”

Chen Changsheng explained, “In my youth, I traveled far beyond these lands. I once tasted meals cooked with such spicy fragrances. Maybe because it’s been so long since I had such flavors… when I tasted it just now, lost in that moment, all I remembered was the wonderful scent.”

Doctor Wang felt deeply inspired. “I need to try! Need to go test it… what was it… you! You, you wait for me!”

“Doctor Wang, I need to get to the teahouse,” Chen Changsheng said helplessly.

Recalling himself, Doctor Wang stammered, “Then… that means…”

He looked utterly flustered. For a moment, he seemed at a loss for words.

Chen Changsheng smiled faintly. “No need to rush. I finish telling stories at the midday mark. I’ll come find you then.”

Doctor Wang snapped back to reality. “Yes! Yes, yes! I’ll wait for you, Mr. Chen!”

After leaving the clinic, Chen Changsheng hurried towards the teahouse. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Inside the Tang Family Teahouse, not a single seat was left empty.

Morning tea was always the busiest time!

Everyone was here for the storytelling now. Some even stood, sipping cool tea while chatting as they waited.

“Hey! Mr. Jiucha’s here!”

“He’s here? Where?”

Several looked towards him. A group immediately surged forward.

“Mr. Chen, you’re a bit late today!”

This person was often called Third Brother Jin. He was the third son of the Jin family in Qingshan City. His family was rich. He used to buy himself an official position at the prefecture, but then the Righteous Army marched in, turning him into an idle man. His greatest joy now was listening to stories at the teahouse, sipping tea and chatting.

On Chen Changsheng’s very first day here, the biggest tip—that shining silver tael—had come from Old Jin San.

Chen Changsheng smiled. “Ah, something delayed me on the road. But I’m here now.”

“Though, Brother Jin, why are you holding that teacup just standing here today? Couldn’t grab a seat?”

Old Jin waved dismissively. “These guys even wake up earlier than me! No way to compete! I blame you, Mr. Chen! If your stories weren’t so good, how could I possibly not get a seat?”

The crowd erupted in laughter.

“Sir Jin overpraises me,” Chen Changsheng said, cupping his hands modestly.

Another voice instantly chimed in, “Third Master Jin! If you don’t mind, come squeeze on my stool! We’ll just have one stool for two backsides!”

“Works for me! I’ve got a big backside, so you better scoot over!”

“Hahaha…”

A ripple of laughter spread through the teahouse.

Old Jin coughed decisively. “Alright, enough! Move aside, all of you! Any more delay, and we’ll miss the whole story!”

“Make way!”

With that single word from him, the bustling crowd immediately parted to form a pathway.

In the Tang Family Teahouse, no one’s words held more sway than Old Jin San’s.

It wasn’t because he was Third Master Jin. Nor was it because he was generous with his money. It was simply that having mixed in these teahouses for years, he had countless connections. Everyone gave him face.

A real character!

With the sharp rap of the Storyteller’s Wooden Clapper, the murmurs in the hall instantly died down.

Chen Changsheng’s voice rang clear: “Today’s tale also comes from ‘Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio.’ But the chapter I’ll tell today is different from the others. Once I begin, please calm your hearts and contain your fears.”

“This chapter is called: ‘Painted Skin’!”