Several days passed, and the rainy season that had lasted for nearly half a month finally ca to an end.
The weather suddenly beca hot. The next morning, a blazing sun erged, its fierce rays seeming almost capable of igniting the grass stacks in the fields. Households moved their bedding and quilts outside to the courtyard to air, giving off a soft and fluffy fragrance.
Hua Xiaomai hadn’t set up her stall for a while, and her bones had grown lazy. Seeing the fine weather, she felt a little excited. Restless, she bustled about all day, looking here and there and running back and forth to tidy her household possessions, as well as busily preparing the sauce and soup for the noodles. Finally, as the evening sky began to darken, she eagerly called out to Hua Erniang and pushed her cart outside.
Following the arrival of sumr, the riverbank at night beca the best place for the people of Fire Knife Village to cool off. The cool breeze from the riverbank and the ceaseless sound of flowing water helped dissipate the heat accumulated during the day. Villagers, with their families or in twos and threes, strolled along the river. When they grew tired, they found a clean spot to sit down, chatting and laughing loudly, adding to the liveliness.
In any era, for those who run street stalls, sumr nights are always the peak season. Therefore, Hua Xiaomai made an extra effort to prepare food.
Aside from the usual variety of noodle soups, tossed noodles, and shrimp at wontons, she added several new types of cold noodles. In addition, there were two or three side dishes that looked very delicate.
Smoked tofu that had been marinated in salt and brushed with sesa oil, then smoked with pine branches until crisp; garlic eggplant that had been stead and then mixed with minced garlic and coriander, costing just two or three pennies per small dish. Placed beside a bowl of noodles, one bite filled the mouth with fragrance, enhancing the flavor of the noodles even more.
Perhaps because it had been a long ti since they had tasted the snacks from the riverside stall, there were especially many villagers coming to give their patronage that day. It wasn’t long before several tables were crowded with people. Hua Erniang, in a rush, borrowed a few more tables and chairs. Seeing Chun Xi and La i leading a crowd of people coming her way, she hurried to greet them, and busily helped them settle down.
Hua Xiaomai glanced at the group, and, noticing among the usual village girls and young wives a few n known for their gossiping, couldn’t help but let out an amused grin and turned her head to cover her mouth. At that mont, Hua Erniang leaned in and whispered in her ear, "So... shall I go now?"
"...Alright," Hua Xiaomai bit her lip and nodded.
Eager, Hua Erniang turned and rushed off to the southern side of the village. She ca to a halt outside the Guan Family’s courtyard and called out, "Is Guan Rong sister at ho?"
Soft footsteps ca from the main house, and soon, Guan Rong lifted the curtain and ca out. She was a bit surprised to see Hua Erniang, "Oh, Jing Da Sao, what brings you here? Do you have business with ?"
The sight of her stirred up a swirl of emotions in Hua Erniang, yet she had to suppress them and managed to squeeze out a fairly amiable smile, "Sister, have you had your al? With the rain pouring for over ten days, we couldn’t set up our stall. Today, at last, the sky cleared up, so we hurriedly pushed our cart out. My sister has been missing you and especially made almond tofu. She couldn’t leave her stall, so she sent to invite you to enjoy it!"
"Eh?" Guan Rong felt puzzled yet maintained a beaming smile, "How could I impose? You haven’t been able to set up your stall for quite so ti, affecting your inco. How could I take advantage of your kindness? Also, though I’ve never tried your almond tofu, I assu it’s not cheap. It would sit uneasy with to let you spend on my account!"
"Oh, what spending or not spending. Saying this, you’re treating like an outsider!" Hua Erniang gestured grandly, "Ever since our little sister arrived in the village, you’ve looked after her so much. She has no other talents, except for making food. She made sothing delicious and invites you to taste it—it’s only right, isn’t it?"
She could barely contain her frustration with the words "you’ve looked after her so much," inching closer with a smile. "Our little sister ntioned that almond tofu is good for moistening lungs and stopping coughs, and it’s most beneficial for you. She prepared it especially for you to eat. If you don’t go, wouldn’t that upset her? That dessert, cool and refreshing, won’t taste as good if left out too long. We can’t waste food, can we?"
With Hua Erniang speaking so convincingly, and being her straightforward self, Guan Rong felt her heart buoyed by her words.
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