Chapter 6: Disfigured Xiao Hua
Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Disfigured Xiao Hua
The batch was large today, so basically all the customers got to try one. But that was precisely the problem—now that they had tasted Lu Wu’s buns, they were even more annoyed about the purchase limit.
"If I find out who spread the word about this place, I’ll kill them!"
Someone grumbled. Lou Xiaotian instinctively ducked his head.
He was regretting it too. He could have had them all to himself. ’SOB SOB SOB, my precious little meat buns, I didn’t get to have you today!’
’So there really are things money can’t buy.’
Filled with remorse, Lou Xiaotian’s eyes darted around as a new idea began to form.
By now, quite a few people had discovered that online post, Lou Xiaotian among them.
After a sinister chuckle, he started tinkering away on his device.
A new comment appeared below the post.
"The boss’s buns have all been bought out for the next few days. Don’t bother coming."
First, he’d muddy the waters. He’d trick as many people as he could, then fish in the troubled waters himself. Maybe he’d be able to snag a few extra buns that way.
After all, given the current situation, it was clear Boss Lu’s bun stall had no shortage of business.
The customers on this street alone were more than enough for Boss Lu to sell out.
Before long, Lou Xiaotian saw his comment get upvoted to the top.
He glanced around and saw many others scrolling through One World Communication. Their eyes met across the crowd, and they exchanged smiles of unspoken understanding.
Just as he thought—he wasn’t the only schemer here.
But when his gaze met Lu Wu’s, Lou Xiaotian felt a pang of guilt.
He couldn’t help it.
’You have to fight for every last crumb.’
Ever since he’d tasted these buns, he couldn’t stand the ones made by the chefs of the Lou Family anymore.
For the sake of his own appetite, he had no choice but to deceive the innocent masses.
Meanwhile, Uncle Li, who had also managed to get a bun, was smacking his lips, savoring the lingering flavor.
He deleted the glowing follow-up review he had been about to post.
’Don’t blame me.’
’It’s not that I’m afraid those youngsters can’t handle such a blessing.’
’I’m old, I’m not afraid. Let me bear this burden!’
Lu Wu was very busy.
Watching people taste and enjoy the food she had made with her own hands filled her heart with a sense of satisfaction.
Lu Wu smiled as she listened to the customers, who were shamelessly chomping on buns while chatting about everything under the sun.
For Lu Wu, many of these things were full of novelty and charm.
Amidst the lively nighttime atmosphere and the rich aroma of food, Lu Wu truly felt like she was becoming a part of this world.
...
In a remote alley in Xiaohe Town, a plainly dressed woman clutched something to her chest as she opened a shabby door.
The furnishings inside were sparse, to say the least; the room looked empty at a glance.
The woman lit a candle and walked toward the wooden bed in the farthest corner of the room.
Under the old but clean cotton quilt, a small lump rose and fell with steady breaths, indicating someone was sleeping there.
The woman’s footsteps were heavy, but the person under the covers didn’t stir.
"Xiao Hua, I bought your favorite red bean paste buns. Get up and have a few bites."
"These buns are delicious. There were so many people lined up when I went, I almost couldn’t buy any."
"They’re just a little expensive."
The woman rambled on, but there was still no movement from the bed. Her gaze rested softly on the lump, her expression sorrowful.
"Xiao Hua, you have to eat more so you can get better."
"In the future..."
The woman was about to try persuading her again when she was cut off by a sharp, furious shout.
"The future? What future is there?"
"My face is ruined!"
"Those people call me an ugly freak! When I go out, they all laugh at me! How can I face anyone? I’d be better off dead!"
From the sound of it, it was the voice of a young girl.
Her tone was heavy with rage.
She sat up abruptly, slapping her mother’s hand away.
Startled by the pain, the woman lost her grip, and the bun fell to the floor as the oiled paper wrapper came undone.
The bun’s skin was already thin, and the impact caused a small crack to appear on its surface. The sweet aroma of red bean paste wafted out, stopping the hurtful words the girl was about to say.
The little girl froze.
Her nose twitched, and her gaze followed the scent.
She saw the soft, white bun, still steaming on the floor, and she also noticed the pained, heartbroken expression on her mother’s face.
For a moment, regret washed over her.
Her father had died long ago, and she and her mother relied on each other.
She was about to turn twelve and would soon be able to have her aptitude tested. Perhaps she would have had a chance to soar to new heights.
But she didn’t dare to hope for that anymore.
She had contracted a strange illness, and her entire life was ruined.
In the candlelight, her face, covered in black spots, was fully revealed.
The spots were dense, transforming what should have been a fair and lovely face into that of a hideous monster.
When she spoke, the movement of her muscles made the spots look like squirming worms.
Disgusting and ugly.
This was Xiao Hua’s greatest source of pain.
The mother and daughter had tried many methods and spent a great deal of money, but nothing could remove the spots.
Wearing such a face, she was met with looks of contempt and disgust. Xiao Hua didn’t even have the courage to step outside her door.
"Xiao Hua, just try it."
Noticing her daughter’s gaze, the woman held back her tears, picked up the bun, and handed it to Xiao Hua.
"It’s still clean. I heard the Flower Lady there say that these buns are magical."
As for what was so magical about them, she had been in a hurry to get back and hadn’t heard the rest.
Xiao Hua wanted to refuse, but the sweet aroma kept tempting her, like a devil one couldn’t resist.
"RUMBLE."
Having not eaten properly for days, Xiao Hua’s face flushed crimson at the sound. Fortunately, the black spots hid her blush from her mother.
Burning with shame, Xiao Hua took the bun.
Under her mother’s expectant gaze, Xiao Hua took a small bite.
’It’s so fragrant, so soft.’
’Like my mother’s embrace.’
Xiao Hua remembered when the black spots had appeared overnight, and the taunts had begun. It was her mother who had held her in her arms.
Her mother’s embrace back then had been so warm it brought tears to her eyes.
Having starved for several meals, Xiao Hua wolfed it down. But no matter how big a bun was, it had to end eventually.
After she swallowed the last bite, she looked at her mother’s hopeful expression, and tears began to stream down her face uncontrollably.
"Mom... SOB SOB... I’m not an ugly freak! I’m not a monster!"
"They all curse at me. None of them like me."
"Mom, I’m so miserable."
She wailed, and her glistening teardrops fell onto the back of her mother’s hand. Their scalding heat made the woman’s eyes well up too.
"Yes, I know. Xiao Hua isn’t an ugly freak. Xiao Hua is beautiful. You’re my most precious treasure."
She gently dabbed at Xiao Hua’s face with a handkerchief, comforting her in a soft voice.
After a few dabs, the woman’s expression changed.
She stared in astonishment at Xiao Hua’s face, then back at her handkerchief, looking as if she had seen a ghost.
"Mom, what’s wrong?"
"HIC!"
Having cried out all her grievances, Xiao Hua’s mood had improved considerably. She asked her mother with concern.
"Xiao Hua, my eyes might be playing tricks on me, but I think I saw... the spots on your face have faded a little."
To be sure, the woman leaned in for a closer look.
Xiao Hua frowned. She didn’t believe it, thinking her mother was just trying to comfort her.
"It’s true! They’ve really faded!"
the woman cried out, her joy overflowing.
"Xiao Hua, I’ll get you a mirror."
The woman moved quickly, pressing a mirror into Xiao Hua’s hand.