Chapter 2 — The Tofu Seller Who Wouldn't Wait for Him

For the past three years, he grinded beans for me to light a fire, he taught me to sell tofu. At night, he hugged me and said that when he saved up enough money, he would make me a pair of gold bracelets. I asked when it would be enough, he said there was no rush, our days were still long. It turns out that it lasts forever, and then it's over. I don't know how I got back to my room. I just know that that night, I didn't get up to grind beans anymore. I buried my head in the blanket, getting my first full sleep in the past few days. Woke up in the morning, the sun was high. In the empty yard, the carriage no longer had a shadow. I looked at the tofu table that was almost untouched for a long time, then turned around to pack my things. If you don't keep it, don't keep it. Moc Bac Than did not leave me a word, and I will not leave you a word either. Consider these three years, living with dogs. This is my first time going far, I don't know the way, I just aim to go north. Passing two mountains, the eyes suddenly opened wide, a large river blocking the way. Seven or eight boats were parked on the shore, and several boatmen were noisily towing passengers.

"Miss, where are you going? Get on my boat, it'll be fine soon!"

Before I could open my mouth, a fat boatman pulled me onto the boat. Then came the nightmare. As soon as the boat sailed, I immediately became seasick. The world is spinning, my stomach is churning. I clung to the side of the boat and vomited for three days, vomiting from yellow water to bitter water, and finally there was no more bitter water left to vomit. The boatman saw me like that and was too lazy to pay attention, just threw back a sentence: "First time on a boat? Try your best, come tomorrow." On the morning of the fourth day, the boat docked. I grabbed the boat's plank and stepped down, my feet as soft as stepping on cotton. Surrounded by people passing by, carrying burdens, driving carts, selling goods, it was extremely bustling.

“Miss, is this your first time coming to the capital?” The tea seller next to me saw me like that and gave me a bowl of hot tea, "Drink some tea to wake up."

The capital? I held the bowl of tea and stood frozen in place. Aren't you going to the border? Why come to the capital? Three coins for a bowl of tea, I paid, then followed the stream of people into the city. On both sides of the street are shops lined up, silk shops, jewelry stores, restaurants and bars, each with more elegant signs than the last. I walked halfway down the street, saw a hotel, gritted my teeth and walked in to ask the price.

“The premium room is two taels of silver per night, the regular room is eight taels.”

Tieu Nhi looked at me from top to bottom, her eyes filled with scrutiny. I backed away, tightening my luggage. The silver on my body is less than five tael, so even if I save money, I can't last for a few days. Must find a place that doesn't cost money. We followed the foot of the city wall, choosing a secluded spot. After walking for more than an hour, I finally found an abandoned temple.

3

The askew temple door emitted yellow light, and there were human voices inside. I hesitantly pushed the door open, a stream of hot air hitting my face. People were lying on the ground. That's not right, it's a child. All are big and small, all are immature children, the younger ones are five or six years old, the older ones are only twelve or thirteen years old. They surrounded a fire, and when they heard the movement, they all turned around. I was stunned. Leading the way was a thin black boy, about thirteen or fourteen years old, his eyes rolling wildly. It looked at me from top to bottom, its eyes stopping at the luggage on my shoulder.

“People from other places?”

I nodded. It grinned, showing off its white teeth: "This temple is our area. If you want to stay, you have to pay a toll." Before I finished speaking, the children next to me stood up and stared at me with aggressive eyes. I bowed my head, looked at myself, then looked at them. Then I burst out laughing. Three years ago, I came to this small town alone to start a business. I'm not the kind of weak girl. The scoundrels who wanted to take advantage of us, later saw me and stayed away.

“Passage money?” I put my luggage on the ground, waved my hand at the skinny black boy, "Come here and get it."

It froze, then stiffened its neck and took two steps forward. The next moment, it was twisted by my arm behind me and pressed to the ground.

“Are you satisfied?”

“Submitted, subdued!”

I let go, brushed off my clothes, and sat down by the fire. The boy rubbed his arm and stood up. His eyes looked at me differently, a little awed and a little curious. The other children also backed away, secretly observing me.

“How do you guys usually live?”

No one spoke up. I asked a few times, and the skinny black boy muttered: "Cheat, steal, steal." My heart softens. They just can't survive. I unpacked my luggage and counted the coins. Five taels of silver is better than four taels, enough to last for a while.

“Come, follow me to buy things.”

I took them to the nearest market and bought two tofu molds. Tofu here is very expensive, one mold costs thirty kilograms, twice as expensive as in town. I was so heartbroken that I breathed in the cold air, but I still gritted my teeth to pay. Returning to the deserted temple, I ordered them to build a stove, collect firewood, and light a fire. Pots were broken, bowls were chipped, but when the fire burned, the children's eyes lit up. We cut tofu into pieces, use a little oil to fry until golden brown on both sides, and sprinkle a little salt. The fragrance spread out, and the sound of saliva was heard all around.

“Don't rush, it's almost done.”

Two pieces for each person, with a little more soup. They carried broken bowls and ate greedily. They were so hot that they winced and refused to stop. I squatted to one side and watched, speechless. While eating, the temple door was suddenly pushed open, a dark shadow rushed in, grabbed half of the bowl of tofu in front of me, then turned and ran away.

“Hey——”

I chased after two steps, and the shadow disappeared into the night. I sighed and waved my hand. That's it, the poor in this capital city are truly too many. At night, the children gave me the corner with the most straw. Dry straw spread in a thick layer is much more comfortable than wooden planks on a boat. I lay down and looked at the starlight coming through the hole, but I couldn't sleep anyway. Tofu, again tofu. All my life, I've only known how to make tofu. But tofu in the capital is both expensive and bad, and with my skills, who knows if I can really exchange it for food?