Stockpiling for an Exiled General Through My Store's Back Door

Chapter 201: Chapter 201: Extremely Shocked

Early this morning, the Ling family finally enjoyed a truly hearty breakfast: a whole pot of delicious egg noodles.

The kitchen was fully stocked with all kinds of ingredients and cookware, making the cooking process an effortless breeze. First, the eggs were carefully placed into a pan and slowly fried over low heat until both sides took on an appetizing golden-brown hue. Next, boiling water was poured into the pot, followed by the noodles. As they cooked, the rich, savory aroma of the fried eggs gradually infused into the noodles, intertwining perfectly.

With every slurp, the mouthwatering scent instantly filled the mouth, completely intoxicating the senses. Even those with modest appetites like Xu Panqing and Ling Yunge couldn’t resist the temptation, each polishing off two heaping bowls. They didn’t put down their chopsticks until their stomachs were round and satisfied. Ultimately, the entire pot of noodles and its savory broth were devoured ravenously by the four of them. By the end of the meal, the pot looked as if it had undergone a thorough baptism—clean as a whistle, without a single scrap left behind.

After what felt like an anxious wait, Ling Qianjun and Hua Buwan finally returned.

When the three family members saw the person standing before them, shock was written all over their faces. Like he had been electrocuted, Ling Qianfan sprang up from his seat with a WHOOSH, his face full of disbelief. He rubbed his eyes vigorously, as if doubting what he was seeing, before rushing over to Hua Buwan. Once he was close, Ling Qianfan stared at her with wide, unblinking eyes for a long time, as though trying to carve every inch of her features into his memory.

Finally, snapping out of his daze, he whipped his head around to look at Ling Qianjun and stammered, ”S-Second Brother! W-Why... why did you bring back an older woman? W-Who is she? Could she... could she be Sister Wan’s mother?”

After all, Ling Qianfan had watched the two of them walk out of that mysterious Any Door with his own eyes—a door that only Hua Buwan and Ling Qianjun could pass through. Logically speaking, no one else should have been able to follow them across the threshold. Yet, out of nowhere, an unfamiliar older woman had appeared. It was simply baffling.

Beside him, Xu Panqing and Ling Yunge nodded frantically, wholeheartedly agreeing with Ling Qianfan’s assessment. They couldn’t believe that this seemingly ordinary middle-aged woman could actually be Hua Buwan herself. After all, in their minds, Hua Buwan was always a breathtakingly beautiful and youthful girl. The person standing before them not only looked much older, but her facial features bore absolutely no resemblance to the girl they knew. It never even crossed their minds to connect the two; they merely assumed this was a completely unrelated stranger.

Who could have guessed that Hua Buwan possessed such masterful makeup skills? It was practically on the level of plastic surgery. Her originally stunning beauty had been carefully concealed, transforming her into a plain, middle-aged woman. Both in age and appearance, she looked like an entirely different person.

Ling Qianjun and Hua Buwan stood there with faint smiles on their lips. They were in no rush. They simply waited for the others to get over their shock and calm down before they finally offered an explanation.