Unlike the meaty fragrance of the Little Meat Bao, the Dousha Bao’s aroma was, as its name suggested, sweet and alluring.
Just smelling it was like drinking honey.
The fragrance was all-pervasive.
The moment Lu Wu stepped into Baihua House, as she brushed past some people, many gazes followed her.
“What is that? It smells so good!”
“Tsk, what delicious thing is that?”
“I smelled it just now. Slurp, I’m so hungry.”
Business was booming in Baihua House. The courtesans on the first floor were entertaining guests, but amidst the room full of the scent of wine and cosmetics, the soft, sweet red bean fragrance instantly captivated their souls.
In that moment, even the tender and delicate courtesans lost their appeal.
“Little girl, what’s that you’re holding?”
A guest with a cold and aloof appearance blocked Lu Wu’s path. He stared intently at the oil-paper package, his eyes filled with such craving that he looked about to pounce.
Heaven knew how picky he was with his food. He came here for pleasure and entertainment, never even touching the meals.
But right now, he was ravenous.
Saliva was rapidly pooling in his mouth. Lou Xiaotian wanted to transform into a wolf and lunge forward.
“They’re baozi.”
Taking in the man’s expression, Lu Wu pointed outside. “The Baozi Shop is right across from Baihua House. You’ll see it as soon as you go out.”
“Thanks.”
Lou Xiaotian, having been given directions, quickly ran outside. Following him were the others who had just been eavesdropping on their conversation.
Even some of the courtesans lost interest in soliciting customers and followed them out.
The desire for good food was a desire nonetheless, and it was beneficial to their cultivation.
Watching the hall empty by more than half in an instant, Lu Wu met the madam’s murderous gaze, silently muttered an apology, and quickly delivered the baozi to the courtesan from before.
In the room, the courtesan sat at her dressing table, her expression grim.
She stroked her cheek. On her face, which should have been as fair as jade, some spots had appeared.
She had tried various medicinal remedies, but none were effective. Every time she went out, she had to wear heavy makeup.
Over time, she had lost many of her patrons, and her cultivation had not improved for a long time.
“Oh, it’s you. Just put it there.”
In no mood to eat, the courtesan gestured to the table, her indifferent expression clearly indicating she didn’t want to chat.
After putting the things down, Lu Wu’s peripheral vision caught the courtesan gently stroking her cheek, a thoughtful look on her face.
If she remembered correctly, the recipes provided by the system mentioned that because the various ingredients in the Qing Yuan World had been infused with spiritual energy, the food made from them would also have special effects.
For example, eating this Sweet Red Bean Paste Bun could make one’s skin as clean, fair, and tender as a first love.
“Big Sister, the baozi are best eaten hot.”
Lu Wu said softly, then walked out the door with a casual wave from the other woman.
Lost in thought, Lu Wu had just stepped out of Baihua House’s main entrance when she heard a loud voice hawking wares.
She looked up and froze.
“Come on, come on! Don’t miss out! Fresh, big meat baozi! One Low-Grade Spirit Stone each! You can’t go wrong at this price!”
“What? You think it’s too expensive? Shoo, shoo, next!”
“Waaah, it’s so delicious.”
“What Spicy Kidney Bun? I’d call it a Fiery Vixen Bun.”
“Get out of the way! Don’t snatch! The last one is mine, I already paid!”
…
She saw Lou Xiaotian at her little stall, hawking with all his might, taking a few bites of a baozi whenever he had a spare moment.
With one bite of the meat baozi, the melted juices were sucked into his throat. The remaining tender meat and white dough mingled, the meat juices completely conquering the dough.
It was incomparably savory and not the least bit greasy.
So delicious it made you want to cry.
The expression on Lou Xiaotian’s face could only be described as intoxicated.
???
A few question marks popped into Lu Wu’s head.
If she remembered correctly, she was the owner, right? How had her stall been raided just a few minutes after she left?
She checked the system. Fortunately, the mission progress was increasing.
“Yo, Boss, you’re finally back! Hurry up and make some baozi! I’ve already sold this whole steamer for you.”
Spotting Lu Wu, Lou Xiaotian licked his fingertips with great reluctance.
The spicy oil from the kidney bun exploded in his mouth, an absolutely irresistible sensation.
“Ahem, I couldn’t wait, so I just helped myself. I paid for it.”
“I made sure everyone else paid too. The only problem is, you don’t have enough baozi.”
Pointing to the dozen or so spirit stones on the table, Lou Xiaotian’s previously cold and aloof face now looked incredibly fawning.
“You’re the owner, right? Hurry up and make more baozi!”
“I’m about to cry from craving, okay?”
“You have the nerve to say that? You animal! We’ve been friends for decades, and you wouldn’t even let me have a bite! We’re through! We’re through, right now!”
Seeing Lu Wu, some people were happy, while others were going crazy.
Just as the man shouting about breaking off their friendship was about to kick another man who was secretly nibbling on a baozi, Lu Wu averted her gaze, pretending not to see.
The customer is God.
Whatever God does is right.
Besides, a small fry like her would be slapped into meat paste if she tried to break up the fight.
“Coming right up.”
After washing her hands, Lu Wu took out the dough and began making baozi on the spot, asking what had happened along the way.
How had her small business suddenly become so popular while she was gone for a moment?
“Ahem, it was all this kid’s fault.”
Lou Xiaotian glared at the drunkard hiding in the back.
Although he had been craving the baozi, he had wanted to wait for Lu Wu to return. After all, taking without asking is stealing.
Unfortunately, when Lu Wu was making her delivery, this drunkard had been stunned by the taste of the Innocent Little Meat Bun. Upon seeing Lou Xiaotian also coming to buy baozi, he had immediately declared that he was buying the entire steamer.
How could Lou Xiaotian, the little tyrant of Xiaohe Town, possibly agree?
Accustomed to being domineering, Lou Xiaotian had immediately started an unmanned self-service sale, and the drunkard had followed suit.
Unfortunately for him, out of the three flavors, he had only managed to snatch two of the meat-filled ones.
Then, events had spiraled out of control.
Who would have thought that once the tender white baozi skin was bitten open, the bursting fragrance would be simply intoxicating?
The people who had gathered to watch the commotion smelled the aroma and were immediately hooked, declaring that everyone present deserved a share.
The quick-witted ones consciously started their own unmanned sales, while the slower ones began to queue up by the stall.
Listening to their accounts, Lu Wu breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed her baozi stall had successfully opened for business.
“Don’t worry, they’ll be ready soon.”
With business booming, Lu Wu was more motivated than ever. Her hands and feet moved nimbly, and steamer after steamer was placed on the stove.
Amidst the billowing steam, Lu Wu’s heart was filled with delight.
To the crowd’s anxious waiting, a new batch of baozi was soon ready. With Lou Xiaotian keeping watch, no one cut in line.
But the baozi weren’t cheap, so some people just wanted a taste, choosing one of the three.
As for a rich guy like Lou Xiaotian, he naturally wanted them all.
“Whoa, whoa! This Sweet Red Bean Paste Bun is so sweet, my tongue is going to melt!”
“And this Innocent Little Meat Bun… slurp… it makes my heart pound! It’s so damn delicious!”
“These are divine baozi!”
Lou Xiaotian ate in big mouthfuls. The freshly steamed baozi were exceptionally hot, and he spoke while blowing on them, a flurry of clumsy movements.
The aroma continued to spread.
With Lou Xiaotian as a living advertisement, even those who had been hesitant about the price now wanted to try.
Before long, the new batch of baozi was gone again.
This time, without needing to be urged, Lu Wu got to work briskly.
But looking at the dwindling fillings and then at the customers surrounding her small stall, she spoke in a low voice.
“At most, I can only make another thirty or forty. Maybe the customers at the back shouldn’t wait.”