fanqie novel
Chapter 281
"We'll take just one, then, but can you split it into two boxes for us?" Charles said to the owner, then turned to smile at Naomi.
Naomi was rather shocked to hear that. Were they going to share only one portion? Would it be enough for Charles?
Naomi wanted to say something, but Charles interrupted her with a smile, "Don't worry. I'm not going to eat much."
He knew exactly what was on her mind.
"Besides, the owner is right. There are so many street food vendors here that we can try. We wouldn't want to get full just at the first stop, right?" he added.
Naomi had wanted to tell the owner to give them two portions with different quantities, but now that Charles had mentioned it, she could not help but agree. "That's a good idea. We'll share one portion then." The owner glanced between the two of them and grinned knowingly. He could make out from their interaction that they were a young couple. He quickly placed the cut taco into two separate containers and handed it to Charles. "Here you go, young man. It's a little hot, so I think you should hold onto it. You wouldn't want this young lady here to get her hand burnt, would you?"
Charles smiled when he saw the knowing look on the owner's face. "Thank you."
He took the bag from him. The owner stuck a plastic fork into the container and said to Naomi, "Here you go, young lady. You should eat first. Enjoy it while it's still hot."
Naomi felt happy at the owner's thoughtfulness. She glanced first at the owner, then at the middle-aged woman standing next to him, presumably his wife. She had been making and wrapping tacos non-stop. From her quick, agile motions, it was clear she had been doing this for years.
She turned to stare at Charles and Naomi, then smiled. "Sorry, miss, my husband is a bit talkative. Don't mind him."
Naomi shook her head. "It's no problem at all."
She stared again at the middle-aged couple. Their faces were oily from the smoke and oil. Their faces split into wrinkles whenever they smiled, but they looked happy and content, which mattered most to Naomi.
Naomi smiled at them one last time before leaving with Charles.
Money could not buy happiness because happiness was found within.
Despite always working in a dirty environment selling street food, Naomi could tell the middle-aged couple were happy. They cherished every moment they had with each other a and this was all that mattered.
Spending the rest of your life with someone you loved was worth more
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This was what Naomi wanted: a simple but happy life, like the marriage her parents had.
Charles noticed the look on Naomi's face. "What's wrong?"
Naomi shook her head. She glanced out at the streets. Everyone who passed by was smiling and laughing in their own conversations. "I like this life."
Charles paused, then studied
Naomi's face. She was smiling as she gazed out at the sight before her. She appeared to be content with everything that was going on around her at that moment.
Charles stared at her closely. Naomi's eyes were twinkling with contentment, just like the stars in the night sky above them. He felt his heart begin to thump in his chest. "I like this life, too."
To him, there was nothing that made him happier than being with Naomi and watching her beautiful smile.
Naomi chuckled. "To be grateful for what you have is the world's biggest blessing."
"I very much agree."
The two of them smiled.
The street was rather long and packed with all sorts of street food vendors. Charles and Naomi bought a little bit of everything and enjoyed their food while strolling the street slowly.
Time went by in the blink of an eye, and soon, it was already ten. Charles and Naomi then returned to their hotel together.
As much as he wanted to continue their stroll, he knew he could not keep her up too late. She still needed to get up early for work the next day, so she needed to rest.
They exited the taxi and began walking back toward the hotel together.
"Yesterday I went to visit your parents, and..." Charles began.