The auntie selling savory sauce pancakes smiled and said, "You probably didn't know this, but my pancake-making skills came all the way from the Star Luo Empire. Back in the day-"
Tang San and Xiao Wu came over from the neighboring stall and looked at Zhu Zhuqing in puzzlement. They had only just eaten radish cakes, so how was she hungry again?
Perhaps because she had attracted two more customers, the old auntie beamed. She continued, "Little lady, these savory sauce pancakes actually carry the flavor of the Star Luo Empire. One of the seasonings can only be found in a mysterious garden over there."
"I'll take three." Zhu Zhuqing took out two Copper Soul Coins and handed them over.
Soon, the old auntie happily handed Zhu Zhuqing three fragrant savory sauce pancakes.
Zhu Zhuqing kept one for herself and gave the other two to Tang San and Xiao Wu. The three walked along, taking small bites of their pancakes.
As the pancake entered her mouth, that familiar flavor returned. Zhu Zhuqing was overwhelmed with nostalgia. She thought of her second older brother, and of the little boy who had liked her.
More than anything, she remembered her cold-blooded father and mother, Zhu Zhuyun with her smile that never reached her eyes, and all the clan elders.
Tears slid from her large eyes, dripping onto her pancake before falling to the ground and splashing up tiny wisps of dust.
"Sister Zhu Zhuqing, why are you crying? Doesn't the pancake smell good?"
Xiao Wu hopped in front of Zhu Zhuqing in confusion, then sniffed the pancake in her hand, her large, misty eyes full of bewilderment.
Seeing how adorable Xiao Wu was, Zhu Zhuqing's defenses crumbled at once. She laughed through her tears. "Hehehe, it does. It smells wonderful!"
Tang San