To Hold One’s Joy

hapter 34-2: Witty Shen Sanlang

"Savory douhua?" Sheng Sanlang was taken aback. "Is there such a thing?"

Hongdou rolled her eyes at Sheng Sanlang, her face expressing a hint of disdain. "What Gongzi said is interesting. Douhua should be savory."

Sheng Sanlang, unwilling to concede, argued, "Who says so? Douhua is supposed to be sweet." He wasn't about to back down on the debate[1] about douhua's taste. The waiter, sensing the potential conflict, hastily intervened. "There is only one stall in Nanyang City that serves savory douhua. It's located at the entrance of Shitou Alley on East Street. If you're unsure, just ask around for the stall run by Ugly Popo."

Luo Sheng frowned slightly. Ugly Popo? Could this be Xiuyue?

"Biaoge, let's go there. It so happens that you've never tried savory douhua before. Today, you can have a taste," Luo Sheng decided.

Sheng Sanlang, who had been at odds with Hongdou just moments ago, immediately smiled. "Alright, then today I'll try what savory douhua tastes like." Hongdou, standing at the side, pouted: "Gongzi is so pitiful. You've been missing out all these years, only having fake douhua."

The waiter watched the group leave and almost argued with Hongdou. How ridiculous! How can sweet douhua be considered fake? Did sweet douhua offend her or something?

The breakfast stall at the entrance of Shitou Alley on East Street was bustling with people at this hour. Sweet douhua stalls were ubiquitous throughout the city, but this particular stall, which served savory douhua, had garnered loyal customers over the years.

"Ugly popo, did you put too many scallions?"

Xiuyue snapped out of her thoughts and noticed the bowl of douhua in front of her. Marinade juice covered the douhua, and it was excessively garnished with scallions. She had obviously added more scallions than usual.

"I'm sorry, sorry." Xiuyue apologized repeatedly.

"No worries, it tastes even better with more scallions." the customer reassured Xiuyue. He took the bowl of douhua, found a seat on a long bench, and eagerly began savoring the flavorful dish.

Xiuyue sighed in her heart and couldn't help but glance ahead. Last night that woman said she would come to find her today. When would she arrive?

In normal circumstances, Xiuyue should have felt fortunate to have avoided the person who had discovered her secret. However, the tofu balls that person had made kept her awake all night. The more she thought about it, the more absurd it seemed.

The cooking style, tone of voice, and indifferent yet bright eyes all belonged to Princess. But Princess was undoubtedly dead! Xiuyue felt herself on the verge of madness, her mind wandering again.

Just then, a young man's clear laughter rang out, snapping Xiuyue back to reality. "Ugly Popo, serve us three bowls of douhua," he cheerfully exclaimed. Xiuyue's gaze didn't rest on the sunny and handsome young man but immediately fell upon the girl standing beside him.

The girl was dressed plainly, and her calm demeanor contrasted sharply with the mysterious woman in black from the previous night. Yet, Xiuyue recognized those eyes.

Luo Sheng, too, carefully observed Xiuyue. Scars resembling tangled twigs covered almost half of her face, rendering her unrecognizable from her former beauty. Although Luo Sheng maintained a composed expression, her heart was in turmoil. Xiuyue had been disfigured!

"Serves us three bowls of douhua!" Sheng Sanlang shouted again when he noticed Xiuyue hadn't moved. Was the old woman deaf?

"Coming." Xiuyue swiftly prepared three bowls of douhua and handed them over.

The douhua, covered with marinade juice, jiggled enticingly with red chili peppers and scallions sprinkled on top. The aroma, a mixture of balsamic vinegar and mashed garlic, wafted directly into people's noses.

Sheng Sanlang eagerly slurped up a large bowl of douhua, quickly emptying it. Despite having a mouthful of douhua, Hongdou still didn't forget to ask: "Gongzi, isn't savory douhua incredibly delicious?"

Sheng Sanlang choked momentarily but quickly retorted, "I believe it's not that savory douhua is particularly delicious, but rather that the savory douhua made by this Ugly Popo is particularly delicious." The two are not the same. He smirked, proud of his wit.

Luo Sheng put down her bowl, smiled, and nodded in agreement. "I think so too."

Sheng Sanlang's eyes sparkled with delight. "See? Not all douhua tastes this good. The deliciousness depends on the craftsmanship of the person making it, not on whether it's sweet or savory."

At the critical moment, his Biaomei supported him!

Luo Sheng continued to nod. "Biaoge is right. So, let's bring this old woman to the Capital with us. This way, whenever we crave douhua, we can ask her to make it for us." 

[1] I read that whether douhua should be sweet or savory is a long-standing debate in China. Different regions and individuals have their preferences and traditions regarding the flavor of douhua.