Chapter 14: Buns or Sisters
Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Buns or Sisters
"Boss Lu, we’ve all been waiting for you."
Lou Xiaotian was dressed in fine brocade robes, originally striking a cool and aloof pose, fanning himself and ignoring everyone.
But the moment he saw Lu Wu, a wide smile spread across his face as he walked over.
Hidden within that smile was a subtle pride.
He, Lou Xiaotian, was the Eldest Disciple of the Bun Sect. Aside from the Great Elder, he held the highest rank in the sect.
He had fought hard to earn the privilege of welcoming Boss Lu today.
He was determined to make Boss Lu see him in a special light.
"This way, please, Boss Lu."
Lu Wu’s lips twitched as she watched his sycophantic display.
’Are these people under some kind of spell?’
Amidst the welcoming crowd lined up to greet her, Lu Wu steeled herself and walked to the designated spot, then took out her bun stall.
A storage bag couldn’t hold living things, but cooked food like this would still be warm when taken out.
She knew customers would be lining up early, so to save time, she had steamed several baskets of buns at home to bring with her.
Looking at the scene, she realized she had still underestimated just how popular her little stall was.
Unfortunately, she was no social butterfly, and being surrounded by so many people was making the smile on Lu Wu’s face grow stiff.
The crowd was a cacophony of chirping voices—some were singing her praises, some were having meltdowns because they couldn’t get any buns, and others were trying to coax their friends and family.
This group of Cultivators was nothing if not energetic.
Soft dough gradually took shape under her hands, and the new flavors made the foodies eager to have a taste.
Lu Wu sighed and diligently continued making buns.
’It’s only the fourth day.’
She felt like she was about to be drowned by this sea of enthusiastic customers.
Looking at the growing pile of Spirit Stones, however, brought Lu Wu a small measure of comfort.
’Hopefully, the system’s next mission will put me somewhere with fewer people, so I can just develop quietly for a bit.’
The familiar aroma conquered the customers’ taste buds, filling the first-time visitors with anticipation.
Even Xu Gu, upon smelling the fragrance and seeing the blissful expressions on the other diners’ faces, was starting to believe in the buns’ deliciousness.
’It’s not like all these people would conspire to trick me, right?’
Yanliu Street was primarily known for its brothel business; there were some street vendors, but very few.
But because of Lu Wu’s bun stall, many other opportunistic merchants had flocked to the street.
They sold all sorts of goods, and some had even started their own food stalls in imitation of Lu Wu.
There were griddle cakes, pastries, and even some grilled wings and skewers.
The scents of various foods washed away Yanliu Street’s usual fragrance of rouge, as the Flower Ladies leaned on their railings, smiling as they watched the Cultivators below scramble and fight.
’They’re on the same street, so the taste should be similar, right?’ Some people thought this and curiously tried the other stalls, only to return with a look of disgust and get in line at Lu Wu’s.
Pah!
’There’s no comparison at all.’
As a result, while the other stalls had a good number of customers at first, their business quickly dried up.
The other stall owners watched Lu Wu’s bustling business, and tears of envy streamed from the corners of their mouths.
After a long, long wait, it was finally the turn of the young woman from yesterday. She was studying the menu.
But she didn’t see the small meat buns.
When she asked, she found out that the small meat buns had been for sale the past few days, but the menu had changed today. She was too late.
She was a little sad, but not disappointed.
Anyone who had tried them knew: it didn’t matter what the filling was. As long as it was a bun made by Boss Lu, it was the absolute best.
Thinking of yesterday’s warm, sweet red bean paste bun, a tiny bit of resentment welled up inside her.
She had learned her lesson and come to line up extra early.
But who knew there would be so many people competing with her? She had barely managed to get a spot near the front.
Behind her stood a girl with a delicate, baby-faced appearance.
"Mumu, are these buns really as delicious as you say?"
For these buns, she had given up on the Flying Fish dish personally prepared by a famous chef.
The waiting list for that restaurant was already months long.
’It feels like a bit of a waste, all for a few buns.’
Mumu wasn’t offended by the doubt.
"Tian Tian, trust me. I can’t speak for other things, but when it comes to buns, no one in the entire Green Origin Realm can match Boss Lu’s skill."
"I’d stake all my future delicious meals on it."
Seeing this attitude from the foodie Mumu, Tian Tian had no choice but to believe her.
"What kind of filling would you two like?"
Lu Wu had overheard their conversation and asked with a smile.
’My buns are now drawing people from thousands of miles away. That’s a huge affirmation of my work.’
"I want one crab roe bun and one egg and chive bun."
’Soul-Snatching, Life-Reaping... just for names like that, she had to find out what they tasted like.’
Standing so close, amidst the billowing steam, Mumu felt like the plump white buns were shamelessly seducing her.
So tender and white, so full and plump.
She desperately wanted to reach out and feel them for herself.
Most Cultivators had excellent self-control, but faced with these buns, Mumu felt as if she’d been hit by a high-level Charm Technique.
She couldn’t tear her eyes away.
"Oh, right, Tian Tian," Mumu whispered. "Remember to get different fillings from me later. Boss Lu has a limit of two buns per person."
If she could, she would have loved to buy out all of Lu Wu’s buns.
But she also knew that even if Boss Lu agreed, the other "fellow Daoists" eyeing the stall like hungry tigers would not.
"Okay."
Tian Tian agreed and bought two other flavors of buns.
"Thank you, Boss Lu."
Mumu thanked her sweetly, then pulled Tian Tian a short distance away to start sharing their spoils.
They broke each bun in half, so that both of them could sample every flavor.
When the crab roe bun was broken open, juices trickled out slightly, and the aroma that had been sealed within the skin began to escape.
The melted crab roe soaked into the white dough, its brilliant golden-yellow color enough to make one’s mouth water.
In her excitement, her fingers squeezed too hard.
The bun’s skin indented, causing the crab roe inside to nearly spill onto her hand.
Not daring to waste a moment, Mumu opened her mouth and stuffed the half-bun inside.
"MMPH..."
In an instant, Mumu’s eyes went wide.
The moment it touched the tip of her tongue, a wave of savory flavor overwhelmed her senses. Her taste buds were so captivated by the taste that she couldn’t bear to swallow.
The crab roe had a slightly grainy texture, enhanced by the fragrance of the meat filling.
As the flavors collided, Mumu was rendered speechless.
She looked at her friend, trying to convey everything with just her eyes.
Tian Tian watched Mumu’s expression of pure, almost transcendent bliss, and took a bite of her red bean paste bun with a smile.
She had a sweet tooth.
She had eaten plenty of red bean paste buns before, so even though she trusted Mumu’s judgment, her expectations weren’t particularly high.
But all those thoughts vanished the moment she felt the red bean paste slowly melting in her mouth. She was stunned.
Tian Tian stared blankly at the red bean paste bun in her hand.
She could still see the small imprint of her teeth on the white dough.
The glossy red bean paste was still piping hot, but its sweet, soft texture made Tian Tian completely disregard the heat and continue eating.
She chewed slowly, savoring it until the sweetness trickled down her throat.
Tian Tian’s nose tingled.
It was so good it made her want to cry.
She declared that this would now be number one on her list of favorite desserts. Compared to this red bean paste bun, all other sweets were utter trash.
It was only half a bun, and no matter how carefully she savored it, it was gone in just a few bites.
Tian Tian regretted eating it so quickly.
As someone who already loved sweets, she now felt an unbearable, ticklish craving for more.
Her gaze fell upon the remaining half of the bun, and then she looked meaningfully at her good friend, Mumu.
She felt that her friendship with Mumu was facing a severe test.
Mumu, instantly understanding her friend’s thoughts, puffed up her cheeks before guiltily averting her eyes.
To be honest, she had the same idea.
Fortunately, their sisterly bond ultimately triumphed over their appetites.
"You should try the other flavors, they’re all amazing!" Mumu said, quickly stuffing the remaining half of the red bean bun into her mouth.
Any slower, and she was afraid she might have a falling out with her friend.
Mumu didn’t need to recommend anything else. Now a firm believer in Lu Wu’s skills, Tian Tian began her conquest of the other flavors.
"Delicious."
’Traveling a thousand miles for a few buns... totally worth it.’
The two friends looked at each other and smiled, feeling utterly blissful.