Wonton Stall

Before long, two bowls of Red Oil Wontons were set before them. Yang Xiaohai used his chopsticks to pick up a wonton shaped like a little white boat from the glossy red broth.

The wonton, speckled with chopped scallions, went into his mouth. After one bite, Yang Xiaohai could not help nodding. Though it was coated in red oil, it was not greasy at all. Instead, a rich, mildly spicy fragrance filled his mouth. It was delicious.

Even from the perspective of a cook, these wontons had been made exceptionally well.

In weather this cold, finishing a bowl of steaming wontons was truly a pleasure. Husband and wife stuffed them into their mouths one after another, eating with great delight.

"Dear, can you make these too?"

"I can, but not as well as this place. They probably have some secret recipe."

Yang Xiaohai secretly glanced toward the distant stove and noticed what seemed to be several sticks floating in the pot where the wontons were boiling. His interest was immediately piqued, and he began guessing what kind of sticks they were.

Just as Yang Xiaohai ate while secretly studying the craft, a trembling old woman with white hair approached the stall, leaning on a cane.

"Would you like some Red Oil Wontons, ma'am?" asked the stall owner scooping the wontons.

The old woman licked her slightly cracked lips and looked at the wontons rolling in the pot. "Well, I have food with me. Shopkeeper, could you give me a bowl of hot water? I'll eat with it. How many coins would it cost?"

While secretly learning the craft, Yang Xiaohai casually glanced at the old woman. He saw that her clothes were tattered, with patches all over them. Her whole body was like a locust tree about to wither dry.