Chapter 2: The Baozi Shop Got Backdoored
Chapter 2: Chapter 2: The Baozi Shop Got Backdoored
Unlike the savory aroma of the meat buns, the red bean paste buns had a fragrance that was, as their name suggested, sweet and enticing.
Just smelling them was like drinking honey.
The aroma was pervasive, seeping into every nook and cranny.
The moment Lu Wu stepped into the Baihua Building, she brushed past a few people, and many eyes followed her.
"What is that? It smells amazing!"
"Tsk, what kind of delicious food is that?"
"I smelled it just a moment ago. SLURP. I’m so hungry now."
Business in the Baihua Building was booming. The Flower Ladies on the first floor were entertaining guests, but amid the room’s thick scent of wine and cosmetics, the soft, sweet fragrance of red bean paste instantly captivated their souls.
In that moment, even the delicate and tender Flower Ladies lost their appeal.
"Little lady, what’s that you’re holding?"
A tall, aloof-looking customer blocked Lu Wu’s path. He stared intently at the oil-paper package, his eyes practically drooling with desire. He looked like he was about to pounce.
Heavens knew how picky an eater he was. He came here for pleasure, but he never even touched the food.
But right now, his mouth was watering.
Saliva was rapidly pooling in his mouth. Lou Xiaotian wanted to turn into a wolf and leap forward.
"They’re buns."
Taking in his expression, Lu Wu pointed outside. "The bun stall is right across from the Baihua Building. You’ll see it as soon as you go out."
"Thanks."
Having gotten directions, Lou Xiaotian dashed outside. Following him were several others who had been eavesdropping on their conversation.
Even some of the Flower Ladies, no longer interested in soliciting customers, followed them out.
’The desire for food is still a desire, after all. This is beneficial to our cultivation.’
Staring at the hall that had emptied by more than half in an instant, Lu Wu met the madam’s murderous gaze, silently muttered an apology in her heart, and hurried to deliver the buns to the Flower Lady she was looking for.
Inside the room, the Flower Lady sat at her dressing table, her expression grim.
She stroked her cheek. Her face, which should have been as fair as jade, had developed some blemishes.
She had tried various medicines to treat them, but nothing worked. Every time she went out, she had to wear heavy makeup.
Because of this, she had lost many of her patrons, and her cultivation had stagnated for a long time.
"Oh, it’s you. Just put it down."
The Flower Lady, in no mood to eat, gestured to the table. Her indifferent expression made it clear she didn’t want to chat.
After setting the package down, Lu Wu caught a glimpse of the Flower Lady stroking her cheek and grew thoughtful.
’If I remember correctly, the recipe from the system said that because all the ingredients in the Green Origin Realm are infused with Spiritual Energy, the food made from them also has special effects.’
’For example, eating these Sweet Red Bean Paste Buns can make a person’s skin as clean, white, and tender as a first love.’
"Big sister, the buns are best when they’re hot."
Lu Wu said softly, then left the room with a dismissive wave from the other woman.
Lost in thought, Lu Wu had just stepped out of the Baihua Building’s main entrance when she heard a loud voice hawking.
She looked up and froze.
"Come on, come on! Don’t miss out! Fresh, big meat buns, one low-grade Spirit Stone each! You can’t go wrong, you can’t be cheated!"
"What? You think it’s expensive? Shoo, shoo, shoo! Next!"
"SOB, SOB... It’s so good."
"What Spicy Kidney Bun? I’d call it a Fiery Demon Bun!"
"Get out of the way! No pushing! The last one is mine, I already paid!"
...
She saw Lou Xiaotian by her little stall, shouting his lungs out while snatching a few bites of a bun whenever he had a spare moment.
He took a bite of the meat bun, and the melted broth was sucked down his throat. The remaining tender meat and white dough mingled, the juices completely capturing the bun.
It was incredibly savory and not the least bit greasy.
So good it could make you cry.
The expression on Lou Xiaotian’s face could only be described as intoxicated.
???
A few question marks popped up over Lu Wu’s head.
’If I remember correctly, I’m the boss here, right? How did my stall get taken over just a few minutes after I left?’
She checked the system. Thankfully, her mission progress was increasing.
"Yo, Boss! You’re finally back! Hurry up and make some more buns! I’ve already helped you sell out this whole steamer."
As soon as he saw Lu Wu, Lou Xiaotian reluctantly licked his fingertips.
The spicy oil from the kidney bun exploded in his mouth, a sensation that was simply irresistible.
"Ahem, I couldn’t wait, so I just helped myself. I paid, though!"
"I made sure everyone else paid, too. The only problem is, you don’t have enough buns."
Pointing at the dozen or so Spirit Stones on the table, Lou Xiaotian’s previously aloof face now looked incredibly fawning.
"So you’re the boss! Hurry up and make more buns!"
"I’m about to cry from hunger over here, okay?"
"You have the nerve to talk? You animal! We’ve been friends for decades, and you wouldn’t even let me have a bite! That’s it, we’re done! We’re done right now!"
Seeing Lu Wu, some people were happy, others were going crazy.
Seeing the man who was yelling about breaking off their friendship about to kick another man who was secretly nibbling a bun, Lu Wu averted her gaze and pretended she saw nothing.
’The customer is God.’
’And God is always right.’
’Besides, a small fry like me would get slapped into meat paste if I tried to break up that fight.’
"Coming right up."
After washing her hands, Lu Wu took out the dough and started making buns on the spot, asking what had happened while she worked.
’How did my little business blow up just a short while after I left?’
"Ahem, it was all this kid."
Lou Xiaotian glared at a drunkard hiding in the back.
Although he was craving them, he had wanted to wait for Lu Wu to return. After all, taking without asking is stealing.
However, this drunkard had been stunned by the taste of the "Innocent Little Meat Bun" when Lu Wu made her delivery. When he saw Lou Xiaotian also coming to buy buns, he immediately declared that he was buying the entire steamer.
How could Lou Xiaotian, the little tyrant of Xiaohe Town, possibly agree to that?
Used to getting his way, Lou Xiaotian took matters into his own hands and started an "unmanned sale." The drunkard copied him.
Unfortunately for him, out of the three flavors, he only managed to snatch two of the meat-filled ones.
After that, events developed beyond anyone’s expectations.
Who would have thought that once the tender white bun skin was bitten open, the intoxicating aroma would assail their senses?
The people who had gathered to watch the commotion smelled the fragrance and were instantly hooked, demanding a share for everyone present.
The quick-witted ones consciously started their own self-service sale, while the slower ones began to form a line by the stall.
Listening to them describe the scene, Lu Wu breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed her bun stall’s grand opening was a success.
"Don’t worry, they’ll be ready soon."
With business booming, a newly motivated Lu Wu worked nimbly, placing steamer after steamer onto the stove.
Amidst the billowing steam, Lu Wu’s heart swelled with delight.
As the crowd waited anxiously, a new batch of buns was soon ready. With Lou Xiaotian keeping watch, no one dared to cut in line.
But the buns weren’t cheap, so some people just wanted a taste, picking one of the three flavors.
But a big spender like Lou Xiaotian, of course, bought them all.
"Whoa, whoa! This Sweet Red Bean Paste Bun is so sweet my tongue is melting!"
"And this Innocent Little Meat Bun... SLURP... it makes my heart pound! It’s so damn good!"
"These are Immortal Buns!"
Lou Xiaotian devoured the buns. Fresh out of the steamer, they were exceptionally hot, and he fumbled about, huffing and puffing as he spoke.
The aroma continued to spread.
With Lou Xiaotian acting as a living advertisement, even those who had been hesitant about the price wanted to give them a try.
In no time, the new batch of buns was gone.
This time, Lu Wu didn’t need any prompting and quickly got back to work.
But looking at her dwindling supply of fillings, then at the customers surrounding her small stall, she spoke in a low voice.
"I have enough to make thirty or forty more at most. Maybe the customers further back in the line shouldn’t wait."