School Anniversary Day (6)

Finally, after much anticipation, Guinaifen's long-awaited star arrived.

Xing arrived at Guinaifen's "Breaking Stones on Chest" stall.

"Can I really try?" Her eyes shone as she looked at Sushang lying on the bench, then at the thick bluestone slab beside her. "I'm actually quite strong!"

"Of course!" Guinaifen enthusiastically handed over the hammer. "Our stall is all about the experience! But let's be clear, if you damage the stone slab, you'll have to pay for it—just kidding! Sushang is very sturdy!"

Standing behind Xing, with her arms crossed and a slight frown, Firefly asked, "Stelle, is this really safe? Your strength..."

"It's alright, it's alright!" Guinaifen patted her chest and assured her, "Our Sushang has practiced it! Authentic Liyue Hard Qigong! And this young lady looks like she's destined for us. Come on, come on, 20% off the trial price!"

Sushang lay on the bench, while Chao Xing gave her a hearty smile, "It's okay! Smash it without worry! I've caught my breath!"

Xing took the rather heavy-looking hammer, weighed it in his hand, then took a deep breath and raised it high. "Rules! They're meant to be broken..."

"Etc!"

Hu Tao suddenly appeared out of nowhere, holding a stack of flyers. She rushed up to Xing in one stride, her eyes sparkling.

"Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Tang's anniversary special offer! Sign up for a membership now and enjoy half price on the second tombstone! Plus, a complimentary eulogy personally written by the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor!" She shoved the flyer into Xing's hand. "Sir, I see you have a radiant aura... oh no, I see you have extraordinary features, how about considering it? There's a limited-time discount for booking now!"

Xing looked at Hu Tao's pretty face, which was practically screaming "Buy it now, buy it now!", and a mischievous smile crept onto her lips. She put down the hammer, leaned closer to Hu Tao, lowered her voice, and spoke with a playful seriousness:

"I've killed at least eight or ten thousand men with my baseball bat, each one Voidranger destroyed, their souls scattered and their bodies never to be found. You should be trying to sell your business to Nanook —that defeated rival needs it more than anyone else."

"What!?" Hu Tao's eyes widened instantly, not at all frightened, but instead blazing with even more fervent light. "Sir, you're so capable?! Who is Nanook? Where is he? Please introduce him to me! This is a big client! We at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor love clients with such strong potential demand!"

She grabbed Xing's wrist as if she had grasped the savior of the year's performance, speaking rapidly like a machine gun:

"Rest assured! Our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor specializes in handling all kinds of difficult and complicated cases, and we guarantee your satisfaction! No matter whether the other party is a god or a demon, a carbon-based life form or a silicon-based life form, or even a conceptual being, we have a corresponding rebirth plan! As long as you act as the matchmaker, the commission is negotiable! No, it's a 30/70 split! You get 70%, we get 30%!"

Firefly couldn't stand it any longer. She stepped forward, pried open Hu Tao's hand without a word, and pulled Xing's wrist back.

"Stelle, stop fooling around." Firefly's tone was gentle, yet carried an undeniable force. "Let's go get the oak-smoked cake roll we agreed on. If we wait any longer, the line at that shop will be even longer."

"But I want to try breaking a boulder on my chest..." Xing turned around, looking longingly at the iron hammer, wanting to lay the bluestone slab on Sushang's body.

At this moment.

"You brat! Stop right there!"

A jade-like foot flew over and landed squarely on Sushang's... stomach.

"Ouch, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh...┏┛Tomb┗┓...(((m-__-)m!!"

"You dare steal my candied hawthorn! Don't run!"

The girl completely ignored Su Chang, whose eyes were rolled back, smoke was coming out of her mouth, and her limbs Sushang in the air, and chased after her on her own.

Xing looked at her, stroking his chin. "... This little girl's energy is second only to mine."

"Alright, Stelle, if you have time after you finish the cake roll, come back and try it again." Firefly offered a compromise, but she didn't hesitate at all as she pulled Xing away.

"It's a deal then!" Xing shouted back to Hu Tao as he was being dragged along, "Nanook is the God of Destruction, his home is deep in the galaxy! I don't have his business card, you'll have to figure that out yourself--!"

"Destroyer of Stars! Deep within the Milky Way!" Hu Tao jumped up excitedly, pulling out her notebook to quickly jot it down. "Got it! Got it! Thank you, sir! Enjoy your meal! Remember to come again!"

After the two had walked away, Hu Tao reluctantly put away her notebook and turned to look at Guinaifen and... Sushang, who was still alive.

"Gentlemen, need any business? I see your line of work is quite risky. Don't worry, we're not like some companies that just raise the price because they think you're risky. Look at this guy, if he weren't so healthy, he almost would have become my client..."

Sushang struggled to sit up from the bench, coughing twice. "Cough cough... No need... I'm not dead yet... Thank you. My family runs a security escort agency, and we have an ancestral burial plot in Xianzhou..."

"It's an heirloom!" Hu Tao's eyes lit up even more, as if she had heard heavenly music. "Then it needs an upgrade and to keep up with the times! Our newly launched 'Deluxe Rebirth in Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Package' includes a top feng shui master's survey, a 49-day Buddhist ritual for the deceased, a hand-carved tombstone by a renowned artist, and an anniversary memorial reminder service—all in one package! Book now and enjoy a 25% discount exclusively for heirloom customers! Plus, you'll receive a limited-edition Wangsheng Funeral Parlor commemorative badge!"

She pointed to the students who had been curiously peering at the stall, but now silently took a step back.

"Well, we still have business to do..." Guinaifen tried to dissuade Hu Tao.

"Oh, business is business, take your time," Hu Tao said casually, handing Guinaifen another flyer. "But safety awareness is crucial! Remember our hotline! We're always here!"

After saying that, she hummed "Big Qiuqiu is sick, Little Qiuqiu is looking after her..." and skipped off to find her next "potential customer".

Guinaifen and Sushang exchanged a glance and breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.

"Are you alright, Sushang? That kick..."

"Not dead... cough cough, actually my surname is Li."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"It's nothing, cough cough, this hall master... is really frighteningly dedicated." (Li) Sushang wiped non-existent sweat from her forehead.

"Yes... but the services at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor are truly impressive. They handled my grandmother's funeral; it was very dignified." Guinaifen put away the flyer, shook her head, put on a smile again, and called out to those around her, "Come on! Chest-breaking boulder! Exciting and novel! 20% off the trial price!"

At the dessert stall, Nahida held a small raspberry cake, taking small bites. She sat on a specially raised chair, her feet dangling in the air, gently swinging.

Ying stood beside her, her posture as upright as a serene yew tree. She wore simple, country-style long braids, with a few loose strands of hair softly framing her cheeks. In her hand, she held a string of three-colored dumplings—pink, white, and green glutinous rice dumplings drizzled with glistening syrup, shimmering enticingly in the sunlight. But she didn't eat them immediately; instead, she quietly watched the bustling crowd in the square, her purple eyes reflecting the flowing light and shadow, calm and undisturbed, yet seemingly encompassing all the noise within them.

"It's very lively," Nahida said softly, picking up a raspberry with her fork. "Everyone seems to be having a great time."

"Hmm." Ying responded, her gaze sweeping over a student who was performing a fire-breathing magic trick. The student had accidentally burned his sleeve and was frantically trying to pat it off.

"Humans always manage to create so many forms of entertainment," Ying said slowly, taking a bite of a dumpling. The sweet, chewy texture melted in her mouth, and she squinted her eyes slightly.

"Because life is short, we should cherish every moment of happiness." Nahida finished the last bite of cake, her eyes squinting contentedly. "Shadow, do you want to try it too? There's a goldfish scooping stall over there."

Ying looked in the direction she pointed.

A small stall was surrounded by a crowd, mostly young students, chattering excitedly. The stall owner was a casually dressed, unruly young man with light-colored hair, a blade of grass seemingly dangling from his mouth. He was loudly hawking his wares in a distinctly foreign accent, his voice rising in pitch, waving his arms with a carefree air reminiscent of the Wild West.

"No." Ying shook her head, her voice steady. "That kind of game requires patience and precise control. I probably..."

She didn't finish her sentence.

Because the stall owner, Boothill, had already pierced through the crowd and landed on them. Especially Ying's unique, calm and profound temperament, which stood out against the lively background.

His eyes lit up, and a carefree, amused smile appeared on his lips. He whistled loudly across the crowd.

"Hey! Look who's here!" He raised his voice, his admiration and provocation undisguised. "Isn't this Miss Ying? Come over here and have some fun! Want to test your speed against these slippery little fish? Let's see if your 'Musou no Hitotachi' is faster, or if my paper net tears faster? If you win, I, Old Bo, will treat you to all the food on this street!"

His shouts immediately drew curious glances and chuckles from those around him.

Film. "..."

Her fingers, holding the bamboo skewer for the dumplings, paused almost imperceptibly. Her purple eyes calmly looked at Boothill, a gaze devoid of emotion, yet it seemed to freeze the noisy air for a moment.

Nahida gently nudged her arm, tilting her little face upturned, her emerald eyes sparkling with encouragement and anticipation. "Go on, Shadow. It looks interesting. And Mr. Boothill seems quite eager to 'compete' with you."

Ying remained silent for two seconds.

In the distance, Boothill was still waving at her, his smile bright and confident, as if certain she wouldn't refuse. The surrounding students' eyes also turned to her, filled with curiosity and anticipation.

She finally let out a barely audible sigh of relief.

She turned and walked towards the goldfish scooping stall. Her steps were steady and unhurried, yet she possessed an invisible aura that cut through the crowd. The students instinctively made way for her.

Boothill's smile widened. He spat out the blade of grass he was holding in his mouth, rubbed his hands together, as if an important duel was about to begin.

"That's more like it! Come on in, I've saved you a seat!"

Ying walked to the stall, paid, and took the thin paper net and small bowl from Boothill. She squatted down in front of the large wooden basin that served as a pool. Her movements still carried that elegance and composure honed over the years and ingrained in her bones. In the pool, a dozen colorful goldfish swayed their tails leisurely, completely unaware of the impending "disaster."

Boothill squatted down beside her and began to instruct her with great enthusiasm, his tone as if he were a cowboy imparting dueling secrets in a Western tavern:

"Wrist! Your wrist must be as steady as you're holding that 'Musou Isshin' sword! Your strike must be as fast as drawing a sword! Once you've got your sights set, don't hesitate, mind and hand must go in sync! Let me tell you, scooping goldfish is like a quick-draw gun duel back home, it's all about eyes and hands—"

"Snap."

A faint, almost inaudible sound, like water breaking through a paper net.

With a barely perceptible flick of her wrist, Ying lowered the paper net into the water, scooping it up with precise angles, the movements fluid and without a trace of waste. The splash was skillfully minimized. As the net lifted, a plump, lively goldfish, its red and white stripes firmly scooped up within it.

Boothill: "... Wow, you've got some skills, huh?"

His words caught in his throat. He blinked, looking at Ying's expressionless profile, then at the goldfish thrashing in her net. The excitement on his face gradually gave way to a look of astonishment, like "This is unbelievable!" But soon, the astonishment turned into an even stronger, more intense excitement, like meeting a worthy opponent.

Ying placed the goldfish into the small bowl, causing ripples to spread across the clear water. She didn't speak, but squatted down again, her gaze calmly sweeping across the water.

The second time I went offline.

The paper net cuts between the two goldfish at a more tricky angle, then with a gentle shake, it scoops them up. When lifted, both goldfish are securely caught in the net.

Low gasps began to rise from the surrounding area.

The third time.

Ying's gaze seemed to lock onto a small group. The paper net traced a subtle arc as it entered the water, seemingly pulled by some kind of adhesive force. Lifting up, three goldfish of different colors struggled on the thin paper net.

"Wow--!"

"Amazing!"

"How did you do that? The paper mesh didn't even break?"

More and more students gathered around, all holding their breath and staring intently. Ying's expression remained calm and composed, as if she weren't playing around, but rather engaged in some kind of precise swordsmanship practice. Her wrist was frighteningly steady; the timing, angle, and force of each net throw were perfectly executed. The fragile paper net in her hands seemed to be imbued with some kind of unwavering "will."

Boothill had no time to give instructions. He crossed his arms, his expression shifting from excitement to amazement, and then, as he watched the goldfish rapidly dwindle in his wooden basin, a hint of heartache crept in. He scratched his head, glancing at the small bowl beside Shadow's feet—it was already teeming with seven or eight goldfish, barely enough room for more.

"Um, Miss Ying..." He clicked his tongue, his tone complicated, "Your skills are really impressive! Even better than the fastest gunman in our area! But this is a small business after all, and damn it, you've almost drained my fishpond dry... Can't you leave me some capital?"

Shadow raised his head, his purple eyes calmly looking at him, clearly reflecting Boothill's face, a mixture of admiration, heartache, and a wry smile.

"Didn't you say," she began, her voice calm and even, "That you'd treat us if we won?"

"I meant I'd treat you if you won! I didn't expect you to empty my fishpond!" Boothill exaggeratedly gestured to the few remaining goldfish in the wooden basin, but his eyes showed more of awe at meeting a worthy opponent than genuine frustration. "You're not catching fish, you're ripping people off, sister! That cute little bespectacled guy who buys them sells them to me for ten silver coins a goldfish, saying he's sure to make a fortune..."

Nahida had joined them at some point. She leaned over the edge of the wooden basin, her bright green eyes curiously watching the remaining goldfish swimming frantically in the water. Then she looked up at the small bowls full of goldfish at Ying's feet, a gentle smile spreading across her soft little face.

"Shadow is amazing. However, Mr. Boothill seems a little troubled."

Ying glanced at the goldfish swimming in the bowl, then at Boothill's complex expression—though he was complaining about the pain in his wallet, his blue eyes still gleamed with eager anticipation—and remained silent for a moment.

She picked up the small bowl and handed it back to Boothill.

"Here you go."

"Huh?" Boothill was taken aback.

"I don't need goldfish." Ying stood up, gently brushing non-existent dust off her kimono with her usual elegance. "You said you'd treat me, remember to keep your word."

Boothill paused for two seconds, then grinned, revealing an even brighter, more magnanimous smile. His initial pang of regret was instantly replaced by a sense of confidence that "this person is easy to get along with."

"No problem! Easy peasy! I love dealing with straightforward people! Over there—" He pointed to a smoke-filled, fragrant stall in the distance, "They sell super-sized kebabs, the meat is from the hind leg of Himalayan blue sheep transported from the Northern Plateau, perfectly marbled with fat and lean, sprinkled with my special Western-style spices! It's on me, Old Bo! All you can eat! Let's go!"

"Boom--!"

On a small open space on the edge of the college square, designated as a "safe fireworks zone," came another muffled yet joyful explosion.

"Wow! So beautiful! Like the sun! Again! Again!" Klee clapped her hands excitedly, jumping up and down, her red beret almost falling off. She tilted her head back, her bright eyes reflecting the dazzling fireworks exploding in the sky, like golden weeping willows.

Yoimiya held several of her specially made, thick firework tubes in her hand, grinning from ear to ear, the "Victory at the Festival" headband on her forehead fluttering with her movements.

"No problem! Watch Klee, next up is the special 'Summer Festival Queen - Deluxe Super Evolution Edition'! Watch me take her down in one shot - Ignite!"

She carefully lit the thickened fuse with a specially made long incense stick, then quickly jumped back a few steps, pulling Klee back with her.

"Whoosh--Bang!!"

As the fuse burned out, an exceptionally bright flame shot into the sky, exploding violently several meters above the ground! It wasn't a single color; instead, a huge golden sphere of light first bloomed, followed by countless tiny streams of blue, purple, and red light bursting forth from within, like a giant magical bouquet bursting into bloom in an instant. It lingered for a long time under the darkening sky, illuminating the faces of everyone around with a shimmering glow.

"Oh--!"

A large crowd had already gathered around, three or four layers deep, all looking up and letting out bursts of amazement and cheers.

"Wow! What kind of magic is this? I've never seen anything like it before!"

"It's not magic, it's fireworks! The culmination of an artisan's hard work!" Yoimiya said proudly, hands on her hips, sweat trickling down her energetic face. "This is a traditional craft! Through my tireless, day-and-night improvements, Naganohara Yoimiya has perfected it, making it brighter, louder, longer-lasting, and with even more variations! It's art infused with soul!"

Holding a milk tea with double the amount of pearls, Ganyu stood on the outskirts of the crowd, looking with some concern at the lingering sparks in the sky and the few ashes drifting down. "Um... Miss Yoimiya, is it really okay to set off such powerful fireworks in the academy? Won't it cause a fire, or scare the small animals...? Also, isn't the sound a bit too loud? It might affect the performances in other areas..."

"Don't worry, Sister Ganyu!" Yoimiya turned around, gave her a thumbs up, and smiled so brightly it was dazzling. "I controlled it very well! The fireworks area was specially marked out, and there were no flammable materials downwind. I checked everything beforehand! And look—" She spread her arms, drawing a semicircle, pointing to the happy and excited faces around her, "Everyone is so happy! A celebration should be lively and festive!"

Indeed, the students, and even some teachers, looked up, their faces bathed in the brilliant and warm glow of the fireworks, their smiles pure and radiant. Several children rode on their fathers' shoulders, pointing at the sky and shouting excitedly.

Jean stood beside Ganyu, sighing and rubbing her forehead, her brows furrowing slightly beneath her blonde hair. She had already seen several people in academy guard uniforms looking in their direction. "I've seen the Dean's deputy, Sigewinne, walking this way... Klee, come here."

Klee was squatting on the ground, taking out one of her own, more "miniature" but also more "dangerous" bouncy fireworks from her little backpack. She carefully lit it with tinder, and when she heard this, she looked up, her little face still covered in dust from the earlier explosion, revealing an innocent, carefree smile:

"Chairwoman Jean! Look! Klee can set off fireworks too! It's Klee's special Super Bouncy Welcome Fireworks!"

The firework in her hand hissed, spitting out dazzling golden Sparks, then suddenly broke free from her grasp, spinning and darting wildly and erratically on the ground, drawing bright, sparkling trails that drew several daring children who chased after it, laughing even louder.

"Careful you don't burn your hands! And don't chase it!" Jean quickly went over, squatted down, and first used a simple wind magic trick to slow down the stray firework before carefully checking Klee's hands. "Didn't I tell you not to play with fire, especially something this dangerous?"

"But Sister Yoimiya said it's art!" Klee said confidently, blinking her big eyes. "How can something about art be called playing with fire? Klee is helping everyone have more fun!"

Qin raised her head, glared at Yoimiya not far away, her eyes clearly saying, "See how well you taught her."

Yoimiya chuckled twice, scratching his slightly frizzy hair. "Well... cough cough, when it comes to art, passing it on is very important... Klee is very talented! Really! She's clearly the future hope of our Naganohara fireworks!"

"The Dean of Students is really here!" someone shouted from the crowd again, this time with even greater certainty.

Wriothesley's tall figure strolled leisurely through the crowd, his pace surprisingly brisk. His face was expressionless, but his grey eyes, as they swept across the scene, exuded an invisible pressure that silenced everyone.

Yoimiya's expression changed instantly. With lightning speed, he shoved the last two unlit fireworks into Klee's arms, then turned and, like a startled rabbit, darted into the crowd, leaving behind only a trail of shouts that faded into the distance, their final notes rising in pitch.

"Klee! The future of art is in your hands! Remember! Burning yourself to light up others—I'm going to refuel first! I'll be back later! You'd better make the way..."

"Eh--?! Sister Yoimiya!" Klee looked bewildered, holding two huge fireworks that were almost taller than her.

Qin watched as Yoomiya disappeared into the crowd and behind the Yoimiya, then looked at Klee, who was holding a giant firework and staring at her with wide, blinking eyes. She sighed deeply, as if she had aged ten years in an instant.

"Let's go," she stood up, took Klee's little hand, and looked helplessly at the two dangerous "artworks." "Let's put these... 'hopes for the future' away for now. Let's find a safe place."

Don't miss out! The Teyvat Merchant Guild, a subsidiary of Interastral Peace Corporation, is having a special anniversary sale! All items are 9.9% off! Buy five items and get one free! The more you buy, the more you get! Don't miss this opportunity!

Tingyun stood behind a stall decorated in a lavish and dazzling style, even with its own soft, magical lighting. She gently waved her jade folding fan, creating a fragrant breeze. Her smile was radiant, and her eyes easily attracted the attention of passersby.

Her stall was filled with all sorts of strange and wonderful items, some shimmering, some bubbling: quill pens that could write on their own, crystal balls that could predict the weather and short-term fortunes, potions that would temporarily and randomly change hair color, incense that claimed to give people sweet dreams, and even a few miniature star maps encased in transparent magic domes that slowly rotated.

A number of curious students and teachers gathered in front of the stall, mostly attracted by the magical little gadgets and Tingyun's captivating sales pitch.

"Can this quill pen really write by itself? And can it even Imitation handwriting?" A quiet girl wearing glasses and holding a book asked curiously, her fingers carefully touching the silvery quill pen.

"Of course~" Tingyun smiled, picked up the quill pen, casually tore off a notepad, and lightly touched it with the tip of the pen, infusing it with a barely perceptible amount of magic. "Watch closely~"

The quill actually stood up on its own, and started writing smoothly on the paper. The handwriting was elegant and elegant, and soon I wrote a beautiful word "" and a sentence "Happy School Anniversary".

"This is a super AI-assisted pen from Tencent's Yuanbao series, equipped with the latest micro-magic circuits and mimicry runes!" Tingyun's voice was sweet and persuasive. "With just a little magic to activate it, it can perfectly Imitation your handwriting, helping you copy homework, organize notes, write reports, and even write love letters and self-criticisms... In short, it can efficiently and elegantly handle all the troublesome tasks that require writing and cause headaches! It saves time, improves efficiency, and helps with your studies!"

"I want it!" The girl's eyes lit up, and she immediately pulled out her wallet.

"Where's this crystal ball?" another boy, dressed in a warrior's training uniform, asked curiously as he examined the crystal ball. Inside, clouds and mist swirled, with stars and weather symbols faintly visible.

"This is amazing!" Tingyun picked up the crystal ball, lightly touching its surface with her fingertip. The mist inside the crystal ball spun faster, emitting a soft glow. "Not only can it accurately display weather changes within a ten-mile radius in three seconds, but it can also vaguely predict your fortune for the next hour based on your magic field! For example, let me take a look for you now..."

She looked down at the crystal ball with a serious expression. The mist inside gradually dissipated, revealing several glittering gold coin patterns that collided with each other, producing a clear and melodious tinkling sound that only the holder could hear.

"Look!" Tingyun looked up, her smile even brighter. "This means you'll have great fortune and a small gain in the next hour! Maybe you'll find some money, win a small prize, or receive an unexpected little gift—it's very accurate!"

The boy's eyes lit up. "How much? I'll take it!"

"Not expensive at all, just this price~" Tingyun made an elegant gesture, and the price she quoted made the boy hesitate slightly, but when he saw the gold coins still jumping in the crystal ball, he gritted his teeth and took out the money.

Albedo peeked out from behind a makeshift workbench at the stall, holding a test tube that was emitting colorful bubbles. He adjusted his glasses, his calm gaze sweeping over Tingyun and the enthusiastic customer in front of her, and began to speak:

"Miss Tingyun, you're promoting those questionable products again. Last week you sold Miss Lisa the same crystal ball, wasn't it supposed to indicate she'd be 'hit by good fortune falling from the sky'? Turns out, while she was reading under a tree, she got hit on the head by a pine cone dropped by a squirrel. Good fortune was finding the pine cone, huh..."

"Oh dear, Mr. Albedo," Tingyun said without changing his expression, Tingyun and lightly tapping his palm. "There are always multiple interpretations of divination results, you know. Pinecones symbolize health and longevity, so they're naturally good luck. Besides, didn't I later compensate Miss Lisa with a bottle of excellent soothing essential oil as an apology?"

"I lost one-tenth of the bottle. And it was a trial pack," Albedo added, his tone still flat.

"Well, it's still a loss~ But the sentiment was there~" Tingyun's smile was impeccable, then she turned to a new customer and smiled Bloom, "This customer, take a look at this compass? The divination is incredibly accurate~ up to 99%~"

The customers who were called— Fu Xuan and Yaoguang— stopped.

Fu Xuan pointed to himself. "Me? Buy your divination compass?"

Excuse me! Excuse me! Watch out, it's hot! Please let me through!

Noelle's clear voice rang out. She carried a huge wooden tray that almost covered her upper body, moving nimbly and steadily through the bustling crowd. On the tray, seven or eight bowls of steaming, red-oil-laden "Golden Maze Boiled Fish" were neatly arranged, their numbing spiciness and savory aroma standing out even among the complex scents of other foods, making one's mouth water.

Her steps were light and rhythmic, like a graceful dance. Even if someone suddenly turned or stopped in the crowded throng, she could instantly adjust her pace and balance, keeping the tray remarkably stable, without spilling a drop of the scalding hot soup. Her face wore her signature overly serious expression, and she muttered something softly and clearly, as if rehearsing:

"Table 3, extra spicy and numbing, extra bean sprouts. Table 5, no bean sprouts, less spicy. Table 7, mild spicy, extra fish. Table 9... um, it's takeout, needs special sealed packaging... um, if I remember correctly, you can leave all of them to me..."