Since it was raining, Qingli stayed inside, so after returning from selling her goods, she spent the day at home playing with her puppy and experimenting with different dishes to reward herself.
On rainy days, the aroma couldn’t drift outside, so her neighbors had no idea she was cooking up all sorts of things at home. Likewise, she couldn’t smell the food that the Du family next door was making.
Meanwhile, He Dan was sampling her homemade egg cakes, nodding in satisfaction. “With this sweet flavor, I bet a lot of people will love it.”
Du Qing, however, looked around at the pile of eggshells and sighed, his expression pained. “Do you realize how much good food you’ve wasted?”
He Dan gave him a look but, in a good mood, didn’t argue. “Sure, the ingredients cost a bit, but once my cakes sell, I’ll make a profit!”
Du Qing replied, “And if they don’t sell?”
To him, He Dan was overly confident—how could a woman whose cooking skills weren’t that impressive suddenly make something others would want to buy?
Not to mention, these cakes cost five cents each, the equivalent of two eggs.
Ignoring him, He Dan had previously tried egg cakes that cost less than Qingli’s, assured by the seller that they tasted exactly the same but at a cheaper price.
Though she doubted Qingli would ever give her a free sample, she felt her version, made small, sweet, and egg-flavored, could compete in price and taste.
It was still raining, and she wondered if the road would be passable the next morning.
However, the rain had softened the ground thoroughly, making the earth muddy with each step.
Qingli had even placed wooden boards around her yard just to make getting out easier.
After another day, Qingli finally ventured out.
This time, she reduced the number of egg cakes, focusing more on green bean cakes and some date cakes she made with glutinous rice and cassava flour. The date cakes had a texture similar to hawthorn but were less sweet, with a nice chewiness.
When Qingli arrived, a familiar group of customers surrounded her right away, grumbling, “Why didn’t you come yesterday when it wasn’t raining? My grandson waited here so long for you and cried when he didn’t see you!”
Qingli smiled apologetically. “Ah, the roads were too messy from the rain, and I didn’t want to get my things dirty. Here, want to try this new item?”
She handed over a piece of date cake.
Its unique chewy texture surprised her customers, who quickly reached for their wallets to buy more.
As she made the change, Qingli asked, “Auntie, you came yesterday—did the little girl who often waits here show up?”
The woman thought for a moment and shook her head. “I don’t think so.” Glancing across the street, she added, “Hmm, where’s that kid today?”
Qingli’s heart skipped a beat, but she managed a smile. Luckily, she had once asked where the girl lived.
After her customers dispersed, Qingli quickly handed her remaining cakes to a nearby watch-seller to sell for her, stacked her baskets, and maneuvered her cart down the narrow alley.
After navigating a maze of alleys, she finally found a tiny shack made of rough wooden boards at the alley’s end.
The area was dirty, and a small figure hid inside, with only a familiar bit of clothing visible. Qingli wouldn’t have noticed anyone otherwise.
She froze for a moment, remembering she’d heard the girl had been taken in by someone who had since passed. She’d assumed the girl lived somewhere better than this.
Without hesitation, she scooped the girl into her arms, which was so light that Qingli easily lifted her. The girl stirred, but Qingli quickly reassured her, “It’s me!”
Recognizing the voice, the girl stopped struggling.
Qingli gently pinched the girl’s nose until she opened her eyes, then asked, “Would you be okay sitting on the back seat?”
The girl blinked, processing the question before nodding softly. “Yes…”
Her voice was barely a whisper, scratchy and faint.
Relieved, Qingli secured the girl and found a way through the alleys like a maze until they emerged onto the main road.
She rode straight to the hospital.
Fortunately, they hadn’t delayed too long, and though the girl had a mild fever, it wasn’t serious.
After an injection and a bowl of warm porridge, she perked up considerably.
Qingli bought her some clean clothes, helped her wash up, and put her in the new outfit. The once dirty child transformed into a soft, rosy-cheeked little cutie.
The girl clutched her clothes tightly, her eyes rimmed with red, whispering hoarsely, “Thank you, but I can’t accept this…”
Qingli squatted down and gently asked, “Why not?”
The girl looked down. “Grandpa told me that I shouldn’t dress nicely, or people would bully me. He said it’s better to stay dirty…”
Qingli patted her head and asked softly, “Little Rain, I don’t think where you’re living now is suitable for you. Would you consider coming to stay with me? I live alone, and if you come with me, there’ll be two of us.”
The girl looked up in surprise. “You’re alone?”
Qingli nodded. “My parents passed away, so it’s just me.”
Little Rain reached up to pat Qingli’s head as if comforting her, her voice soft. “People say I’m bad luck, that I caused my parents and grandfathers’ deaths. I can’t do that to you.”
Qingli chuckled, “That’s just superstition, Little Rain. Don’t believe it!”
The girl’s eyes grew wide with confusion.
Qingli reassured her, “I don’t believe in that nonsense, and you shouldn’t either. Now, come on, let’s go home. You can wear new clothes and be clean. If anyone bullies you, just let me know—I’m very strong!”
The girl almost smiled but hesitated, still reluctant to fully agree.
Qingli didn’t wait any longer. Realizing there was no strong attachment holding the girl back, she scooped her up and placed her on the back of her bicycle, ready to head to Du’s village.
On the ride home, she heard faint sobs behind her.
Qingli pretended not to notice. The girl cried so quietly, clearly not wanting her to hear.
Once home, Little Rain had wiped away her tears, though her eyes were still red. Her damp sleeve was tucked behind her as she took in the cozy, inviting courtyard with wide-eyed wonder.
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152