I transmigrated and got a husband and a son!
Chapter 740: What an awful meal that was.

Chapter 740: What an awful meal that was.

An old man sat in the dimly lit, quaint restaurant, his weathered hands cradling the bowl of steaming ramen. The aroma of the broth filled the air, carrying with it memories of countless meals served in this timeless establishment.

As he slurped the noodles with practiced precision, he couldn’t help but reminisce about the countless moments he had spent here over the years. This old restaurant had been a constant in his life, a place of solace and comfort during both joyous and challenging times.

"You still come here every so often, I see."

A person suddenly occupied the previously empty wooden chair across from the old man. The latter glanced up at the man, recognizing that gentle smile paired with a pair of menacing eyes.

Dragon.

"This place makes me cherish solitude," said the old man as he refocused his attention on the bowl in front of him, unfazed by the presence of countless men that suddenly filled the establishment. "It grants me a quiet moment to reflect on my life’s experiences, the people I have known, and the journeys I have undertaken. I am a part of this place’s story, just as it is a part of mine."

"You are still just as sentimental as I remembered, Ram." Dragon smiled amicably, watching the man resume his meal. He scanned the pleasantly old-fashioned ramen house.

The walls of the restaurant, adorned with faded posters and framed photographs, told a silent tale of its history. The creases in the wallpaper bore witness to the laughter of generations, the whispered confidences, and the shared secrets of patrons who had come and gone. Its interior was proof it had seen the changing tides of time, yet it had remained a steadfast presence in a world that constantly evolved.

"How nostalgic," he whispered with a subtle smile. "You used to take us here. Hera and I. I remembered you brought Ralph with us one time, and he emptied your pockets."

"That brat has the appetite of a monster." The old man, Ram, grumbled weakly at the thought. "I heard he still has that monstrous appetite till the present."

Dragon chuckled as he rocked his head. "That’s what I heard as well."

A moment of quietness followed Dragon’s remarks as he watched the old man eat and enjoy his meal. He didn’t disturb him, nor did he show a trace of impatience. Even when the old man carried the bowl with both his hands, chugging down the broth straight from it, Dragon remained quiet.

"I want to see her first," said Ram the second he placed down the now empty bowl. He gazed up, holding Dragon’s gaze sternly. "Otherwise, there’ll only be one of us who will leave this memorable place."

"As expected from someone who won three consecutive terms." Dragon chuckled at Ram’s straightforwardness. "Of course. I’m positive you’d want to see her first, and you will... but not now."

"Then the negotiation is off the table." Ram tilted his head a little to the side, his blanching eyebrows raising, causing deep creases on his forehead. "I’ve lived twice longer than you, Frank. Your men, your power, and everything you coveted from her don’t threaten me."

"Hera," he continued as he straightened his back, facing Dragon squarely. "That kid... many people in the past always say she reached the height where no one else can touch her because of Felice and Vicenzo. They easily disregarded the time of Felice’s death and forgot that our entire family almost crumbled into nothingness to sate their fragile egos. They forgot just how young she was when she saved the family."

Ram took a momentary pause as he assessed Dragon’s face. "You and I... the reason we’re both still alive and have this chance to talk casually in this nostalgic place is because of Hera, kid."

"That is why I am always grateful to her," Dragon replied with a smile. "She had no other options back then. Watching her set aside her dreams for all of us is painful to watch. That is why I pledged that one day I’ll make her dreams come true."

"By faking her death?" Ram let out a sarcastic laugh. "If there’s one thing that scares me about you is your ability to twist the truth, the reality, to make yourself feel better."

"We can agree to disagree. We share a different philosophy in life, Ram. For you, my means are nothing but a selfish act to sate my dissatisfaction with her decisions," Dragon calmly argued. "But for me, it doesn’t matter even if people call me insane — a devil. So long as she’s alive and happy, I can take all the insults thrown in my way and live a life of this insane lie with and for her."

"You speak as though you don’t know what she’s like."

"I speak as though I don’t know her because I know what I want. She has no say in it because, admit it or not, she’s quite stubborn. Sometimes, her stubbornness isn’t good for her."

"Franko." Ram chuckled at the level of ridiculousness he was hearing. It was as though he was listening to Tiger’s musing, but the more twisted kind. "Hera might be a little difficult sometimes, but she’s the most honest person I’ve seen in my entire life. She would rather live the life she loathes, for it was her reality than live in the comfort of deception and lies."

"I don’t think you’d still say the same if you see her now." Dragon smiled as he slid the folder resting near him to the old man. "Take a look."

Ram didn’t move for a moment as he maintained eye contact. Even when he reached for the folder and opened it, he kept his eyes on Dragon. But when his eyes fell on the photographs inside the folder, his eyes softened.

"She lost a lot of weight," he commented under his breath.

"She’s been a vegetable for years, so it’s given." Dragon nodded. "It’s one of the reasons I’m not allowing anyone to see her at the moment. Her immune system is still quite fragile, and I don’t want her falling ill due to my carelessness."

Ram barely listened to Dragon’s explanation as he touched Hera’s smiling face. It was taken in a garden, and from the angle of the photo, he could tell this was a stolen shot.

"The only time she liked the garden was when she started burying her people in it," he whispered with a short and bitter smile. "She always wondered what it would feel like to be in one of the coffins several feet underneath the lush greens. I thought she finally knew the feeling, but I guess not."

Ram slowly lifted his eyes to Dragon as he closed the folder. He placed it down near the empty bowl, and his hand veered to pick up the wool pelt fedora hat.

"Until I see her and confirm your hostage is the real Hera, we’ll be at an impasse," Ram said as he put on his hat and slowly rose from his seat. He carefully took out his wallet and placed a few bills on the table, exchanging nods with the restaurant owner at the counter.

"May you have a good night, Frank," he expressed as he slowly turned on his heel. The moment he did, he caught all the men in the establishment looking at him warily, ready to attack at a moment’s notice.

"Let the old man be," said Dragon as he waved dismissively, not looking back at the old man. "This place holds a special place in my heart. I do not want to ruin it tonight."

His remark earned a brief chuckle from Ram, but Dragon ignored it.

"I’ll set a date when you can see her. I hope when that happens, you’re prepared to go down the business."

Ram glanced over his shoulder and smirked. He said nothing as he made his way toward the door.

When he stepped out into the bustling world, he slowly looked up at the dark, starless sky, watching the snow fall from it. Normally, whenever he stepped out of this place, he would feel rejuvenated and thankful for the simple joy of a warm bowl of ramen in the embrace of an old and enduring establishment.

Fog formed in front of his mouth as he whispered, "What an awful meal that was."