From Street Vendor to Myth: Selling Noodle in Another World

"Hey, Trinh, is there a place that sells clean water?" Darius Noctis asked.

"No, this town has an abundance of water. There's no need to sell it. Just find any house with a well and ask for some. If you need a lot, just give them a little money and take what you need," Hao Trinh replied.

"Well water, huh? That works too." Darius Noctis nodded.

"Is there a particularly pure well around here, old man Bien? Maybe you can recommend one to him," Zentharis Lam said quietly to old Bien, who was sipping his coffee.

"Ack…"

Hearing that, old Bien choked on his drink.

"Well… honestly, all well water is the same. I hope you understand, Young Master Lam. Only in the high mountains can you find truly cool, fresh water."

Seeing old Bien's wry smile, Zentharis Lam didn't press further.

"Mr. Noctis, I heard this morning that you're past thirty. Can I call you Noctis Brother? I'm only twenty this year, still young and inexperienced, so I hope you can look after me," Zentharis Lam said.

He deliberately struck up a conversation with Darius Noctis. If he let Noctis keep talking to Hao Trinh, he wouldn't get a chance at all. So, he had to take the initiative.

"Sure, since you're younger, just consider yourself my little brother," Darius Noctis laughed heartily.

He didn't think much of it, but his guards certainly did. Their faces twisted in all sorts of expressions. Good heavens, man! You just called the prince of this country your little brother! Shouldn't you at least look honored? That completely nonchalant attitude—do you not respect our prince at all?

Hao Trinh, unwilling to miss out on the fun, immediately jumped in. "Young Master Lam, that means you're four years younger than me. Can I call you little brother too? Why don't we just swear brotherhood today?"

"Shing!"

Behind them, Zentharis Lam's guards instantly drew their swords, ready to rush in and butcher the pig-headed fool.

Darius Noctis was already pushing it—he was from the empire, had a mysterious background, and possessed rare and valuable items. That made him worth the prince's attention. But this random fat guy? He wanted to call their prince "little brother"?

If the prince's identity were revealed, everyone here would have to kneel and bow. And this guy dared to dream of becoming his sworn brother? Clearly, he was tired of living.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Zentharis Lam noticed his subordinates' reaction and shot them a sharp glance, making them immediately lower their weapons.

Still, their reaction was understandable. He only wanted to get closer to Darius Noctis, but swearing brotherhood with just anyone? Absolutely not.

Not to mention that damned Hao Trinh kept getting in his way.

"About swearing brotherhood, I think…" Zentharis Lam hesitated.

" Forget it. Why make things so complicated with an oath? If we're brothers, just greeting each other when we meet is enough. And if one of us is in trouble, just call, and the other will be there," Darius Noctis laughed boldly.

This isn't some wuxia drama. If I swore brotherhood with every guy I met, I'd have sworn brothers all over the world.

"Haha, Noctis Brother is absolutely right! Fate brought us together here, and that's enough. Calling each other brothers is all that matters. There's coffee here—let's drink it in place of wine. I toast to you!"

Saying that, Zentharis Lam downed a cup of coffee in one go. His head immediately spun, and his legs wobbled.

Hao Trinh, not wanting to be left behind, also drained his cup in one gulp—only to collapse flat on the ground.

Unluckily, he landed right on top of Woof, the dog that had been napping nearby.

Startled, Woof yelped and immediately started biting Hao Trinh's head, leaving several bleeding puncture marks from its sharp teeth.

But Hao Trinh was already unconscious—he didn't feel a thing.

"Drinking coffee like that will get you drunk." Darius Noctis' eyelid twitched as he spoke.

Seeing Hao Trinh sprawled on the ground, Darius Noctis walked over to help him up, worried that lying there too long might make him sick. Meanwhile, Zentharis Lam was helped into a chair by his subordinates. Coffee intoxication was far worse than being drunk on alcohol—once it hit, waking up was no easy task.

After a while, Zentharis Lam regained consciousness first. His head felt unbearably heavy, but he could still stand and walk without too much trouble. The only thing on his mind was getting some sleep. The discomfort was even worse than a hangover.

"Noctis Brother, I was rude just now. Please forgive me. I'll be heading back first, but I'll definitely stop by your shop tonight. Please save me a table."

Zentharis Lam bowed slightly as he spoke.

"It's fine, it's fine. Go rest and shake off the coffee buzz. We'll meet tonight. Ah, by the way, could you have your men take this big guy home? I really can't keep an eye on him here. I think I should drive my food truck outside of town," Darius Noctis said with a wry smile.

"Alright, have my men take Brother Trịnh home. Make sure not a single hair is harmed."

Zentharis Lam patted one of his subordinates on the shoulder.

"Ah… Noctis Brother, I'm awake now! I can go home by myself…"

Suddenly, Hao Trinh sprang up, sensing something off. He forced out a laugh and made a quick getaway.

"Haizz, forget it. The guy's pretty sharp." Zentharis Lam sighed, glancing at his subordinates.

"Yes, young master," they responded in unison.

"Well then, Noctis Brother, I'll take my leave. If you need any assistance, just… oh, you only need to inform Governor-General Bien here."

This time, Zentharis Lam truly departed. His steps were unsteady, and he needed support to walk. But the moment he turned a corner and was out of Darius Noctis' sight, he straightened up, walking without any assistance.

"Alright. I was only slightly intoxicated. Cancel the order to kill that fat guy—just keep an eye on him instead."

With a wave of his hand, Zentharis Lam issued his command.

From the shadows, several figures tapped the ground lightly in acknowledgment before silently vanishing. However, his three personal guards still felt their prince was being far too merciful.

"Your Highness, you truly have an exceptional temperament. Does that Noctis fellow really have such an allure?"

"Indeed, Your Highness. If it's imperial technology we want to learn, we could simply send spies to steal their secrets. Why must you go to such lengths to win over one man?" another guard added.

"You don't understand. I have a feeling this person is far from ordinary. Until I know more about him, you must not act recklessly as you did before. My friendship with him is genuine. When I look into his eyes, I see no greed, no ambition."

"In fact, at first, he was clearly annoyed by my presence. I thought he was just pretending to pique my curiosity, but no—he truly found me bothersome. It was only after talking more that he let his guard down, just a little. He's like someone who is simply enjoying life, while someone like me… I'm an intruder disrupting his freedom."

Zentharis Lam chuckled as he spoke.

"How is that possible? If he didn't know you were the prince, then fine. But once he found out, and he still remained indifferent? You've hinted multiple times about bringing him into the Imperial Kitchen, yet he doesn't seem to care. At first, I thought he was just too dense to understand your offer," one of the guards said.

"Are you doubting my judgment?" Zentharis Lam smirked. "I admire his way of life—free and unburdened. Unfortunately, I am the crown prince, with responsibilities weighing heavily on my shoulders. Otherwise, I would have traveled alongside him. I have a feeling his life will be full of excitement."

As he spoke, Zentharis Lam let out a long sigh, filled with regret.

He had no way of knowing that he was among the earliest people in this world to meet Darius Noctis. Yet, because of his own identity, he had unknowingly let slip the chance to experience the most thrilling, fiery life he would ever know.

"Let's go. He won't be staying here for long. And as for me, I must return to the dull life of a prince," Zentharis Lam muttered before walking away.