Chapter 6: The Disfigured Beauty

The supply was plentiful today, and almost every diner managed to get a taste. Yet, precisely because they had experienced the quality of Lu Wu’s steamed buns, they became even more disgruntled about the purchase limits.

"If I find out who started spreading this news, I'll kill them!" someone muttered. Lou Xiaotian shrank his head back, feeling a wave of regret. He could have had them all to himself—woe is him! His pure, innocent little meat buns—he didn't get to eat any today! So, it turned out there really were things that money couldn't buy.

Filled with remorse, Lou Xiaotian let his gaze drift, already starting to plot again. By now, many had discovered the online post, and Lou was among them. After a sinister chuckle, he began to tinker with it. A new sentence appeared at the bottom of the thread: "The owner's buns have all been bought out for the next few days, so don't bother coming."

He decided to muddy the waters first, fooling as many as he could, and then fish in troubled waters later. Perhaps he would even be able to snag a few extra buns that way. After all, judging by the current situation, Lu Wu’s bun shop would never have to worry about a lack of business. The customers on this street alone were enough to keep her busy.

Before long, Lou Xiaotian noticed his comment had been pushed to the top of the thread. He glanced around and saw many people scrolling through the "Yijietong" app. Their eyes met in the air, revealing knowing, conspiratorial smiles. It seemed he wasn't the only devious schemer around.

However, when his eyes met Lu Wu's, Lou Xiaotian felt a pang of guilt. But he couldn't help it; if he couldn't fight for his dignity, he at least had to fight for a bun. Ever since he had tasted these, he simply couldn't look at the buns made by the chefs in his own household anymore. For the sake of his palate, he had no choice but to deceive the innocent masses.

Old Man Li, who had also managed to get a bun, smacked his lips, savoring the lingering flavor. He deleted the glowing, appreciative review he had prepared. Don't blame him—he was just worried that those young people wouldn't know how to appreciate such a blessing. He was old, he wasn't afraid; let him have them instead!

Lu Wu was busy. Watching the food she had made with her own hands being savored and enjoyed filled her with a sense of satisfaction. She listened with a smile as the diners chatted about everything under the sun while devouring their buns with no regard for their image. To Lu Wu, many of these things were full of interest and novelty. Amidst this nightly bustling atmosphere and the rich aroma of food, Lu Wu truly felt she was finally integrating into this world.

...

In a secluded alley of Xiaohe Town, a woman in simple clothing clutched her chest as she opened a shabby door. The room’s furnishings were sparse, looking empty at a single glance.

The woman lit a candle and walked toward the wooden bed in the back. Under a worn but clean quilt, a small bump could be seen rising and falling—someone was sleeping inside. The woman’s footsteps were heavy, yet the person under the quilt did not react.

"Xiaohua, I bought your favorite red bean buns. Get up and eat a few bites," she said. "These buns are delicious. There was such a long line when I went; I almost didn't make it. They were just a little bit expensive."

The woman chattered on, but there was still no movement from the quilt. Her eyes fell gently upon it, filled with sorrow. "Xiaohua, we need to eat more so you can get well. In the future..."

The woman tried to urge her further, but she was cut off by a sharp, irritable roar. "In the future? What future is there? My face is ruined! Everyone calls me a monster, and they all laugh at me when I go out. How am I supposed to face anyone? I'd rather just die!"

The voice belonged to a young girl, full of spite. She sat up abruptly and pushed the woman’s hand away with force. Caught off guard by the pain, the woman dropped the bun, and the oil paper wrapping tore open. The bun, which had a thin skin, cracked upon impact, and the aroma of red beans, mixed with a hint of sweetness, stopped the hurtful words about to spill from the girl’s lips.

The girl froze. Her nose twitched as she looked toward the scent. She saw the soft, white, steaming bun, and then noticed the look of pain and heartache on her mother’s face. For a moment, she felt a flash of regret. Her father had died young, and she and her mother had relied on each other ever since. She was turning twelve soon and would have the chance to test her aptitude; perhaps then she would have the opportunity to soar. But she dared not hope anymore. She had contracted a strange illness, and her life was ruined.

In the candlelight, her cheeks, covered in black spots, were clearly visible. They were dense and thick, turning a face that should have been delicate and pretty into that of a terrifying monster. As she spoke, the movement of her muscles made the spots look like wriggling insects. It was disgusting and ugly. This was Xiaohua’s greatest agony. The mother and daughter had tried many ways and spent a great deal of money to remove these spots, but to no avail. Bearing such a face, she was met with disdain and disgust, and Xiaohua no longer had the courage to step outside that door.

"Xiaohua, just have a taste," the woman said. Sensing her daughter’s gaze, she held back her tears and picked up the bun to hand it to her. "It’s clean. I heard the flower vendor there say these buns are magical." As for what was so magical about them, she had been in too much of a hurry to hear.

Xiaohua wanted to refuse, but the sweet fragrance continued to tempt her like a devil, making it impossible to resist.

"Gurgle."

Having not eaten properly for days, Xiaohua’s stomach let out a sound. Her face flushed bright red, though fortunately, the black spots masked it, and her mother didn't notice. Overcoming her shame, Xiaohua took the bun. Under her mother’s expectant gaze, she took a small bite.

It was fragrant and soft. It felt like her mother’s embrace. Xiaohua remembered that when she had woken up overnight to find these black spots and the subsequent mockery from others, it was her mother who had held her close. At that time, her mother’s embrace had been so warm it made her want to weep.

Having been hungry for days, Xiaohua wolfed the bun down, but even the largest bun eventually comes to an end. When the last bite was swallowed, she looked at her mother’s expectant eyes, and her tears could no longer be contained.

"Mother... *sob*, I’m not a monster, I’m not a freak. They all call me names, they all dislike me. Mother, I’m so sad."

She wailed, and crystalline tears fell onto the back of the woman’s hand. The scalding heat brought tears to the mother’s eyes as well.

"Yes, Mother knows. Xiaohua is not a monster. Xiaohua is beautiful; you are Mother’s most precious treasure." She wiped Xiaohua’s face with a handkerchief, comforting her softly.

After a few moments, the woman’s expression shifted. She looked at Xiaohua’s face in shock, then at her handkerchief, her expression as if she had seen a ghost.

"Mother, what’s wrong?" Xiaohua asked, her attitude much improved after crying out her grievances.

"Xiaohua, my eyes must be failing me. I think... I think the spots on your face have faded a little."

To verify this, the woman leaned in closer. Xiaohua frowned, not believing her, thinking her mother was just trying to comfort her.

"It’s true! They really have faded!" the woman exclaimed, her joy overflowing. "Xiaohua, let me get you a mirror!"

The woman moved quickly, pressing a mirror into Xiaohua’s hand.