Sisters' Deep Bond

At year's end, the cold deepened, and steam curled around the table.

Jiang Ning and Xue Yuantong sat leisurely on the River Dam, enjoying salty, spicy chicken-shred Tofu Brain.

To keep the Tofu Brain from cooling too quickly in the chilly weather, Jiang Ning casually flicked out a strand of Fire Spiritual Power. It circled beneath the rim of the porcelain bowl, gently heating it and keeping it warm.

Xue Yuantong set down her plastic spoon and took a big bite of Crispy Cake.

The Tofu Brain auntie used to partner with another auntie who sold Roujiamo, three yuan each. But later, the Roujiamo auntie was gone, replaced by an old granny selling Crispy Cake.

The Crispy Cake was baked in an oven, crisp outside and chewy within. Usually, two cakes sandwiched a fried egg, with savory sauce spread in the middle and a layer of fried chili powder on top. One bite began with the cake's crispness, followed by its slight chewiness, then the sauce blending with the fragrant cake and egg. The texture was incredibly rich.

Xue Yuantong was no longer the poor little girl she had once been. Extravagantly, she spent an extra yuan and fifty cents to add a chicken tender, making it even more delicious.

"This is so good, Jiang Ning!" Xue Yuantong exclaimed in surprise.

Jiang Ning nodded. "It really is."

And the flavor felt strangely familiar.

Jiang Ning suddenly asked, "Granny, did you used to sell these Crispy Cakes in the city?"

The old granny wore a Cotton-padded Jacket and floral sleeve protectors. She smiled warmly. "Yes. My daughter-in-law rented a stall beside the Farmers Market. She learned it from me."

That jogged Jiang Ning's memory. During the time he had worked in Yuzhou in his previous life, he had eaten Crispy Cakes