What were they babbling about?
Bai Zhou was gnawing on meat buns aboard the Anlan Hao. She had been lured aboard by this plate of buns—their skins were thin, their fillings generous, and every bite burst with meat juices. They were so delicious! She saw the steward hand a bag of spirit jade to the old man. The old man accepted it with a bow and a nod, his face full of obsequiousness. The steward impatiently waved him away, and the old man turned and left like a weasel.
But after Bai Zhou had eaten half the buns, the old man returned. He took half the spirit jade from the bag and handed it to the steward, then pointed from afar at Bai Zhou aboard the Anlan Hao. The steward shook his head, slapped the old man's hand away, and sent the spirit jade clattering across the ground. The old man hurriedly picked it up, heart aching, carefully wiped it clean, and left with a fawning smile.
After a while, the old man returned carrying an oiled-paper bag. The wrinkles on his face had formed a smile like a chrysanthemum. Bai Zhou had no idea what he said to the steward, but the steward allowed him aboard the Anlan Hao. The moment the old man approached, Bai Zhou started drooling. Inside the oiled paper was a whole roasted chicken—a whole one!
She snatched it over and began eating. Aside from the old man babbling beside her the entire time, the roasted chicken was absolutely perfect. By the time she finished it, the Anlan Hao was preparing to set sail. She casually wiped her hands with the oiled paper, then turned and saw the old man back on shore, watching her leave.
She vaguely remembered the old man telling her to