The next day,
Xia Tian was awakened by the harsh sunlight, and he could hear the chirping of birds.
“The wooden door can wait. We need to install curtains in this room.”
He opened his eyes in a daze and saw little Bei Chang Tan swaying in front of him.
“Brother, wash your face.”
Little Bei Chang Tan held a small wooden basin filled with water, a sweet smile on her face.
Xia Tian felt a mix of emotions. The little girl was growing up. He took the basin and placed it aside, fixing the bow tie on her neck.
“Thank you, Tan Tan. Did you brush your teeth and wash your face?”
“Yes, brother. Look, they’re white and the toothpaste smells good.”
Bei Chang Tan beamed. Last night before going to bed, her brother had given her a frog-shaped toothbrush and toothpaste.
She had buried her face in the soft, fluffy towel when she washed her face this morning.
“Okay, let’s rinse the rice and make breakfast. We have work to do.”
After eating and drinking, Xia Tian quickly chopped the filling and kneaded the dough.
Once he was ready, he dusted some dry flour on his hands and started wrapping the dumplings.
He filled the wrappers, squeezed them, and pressed them.
A dumpling was quickly done.
Today he was wrapping bamboo shoot dumplings and glutinous rice dumplings.
Little Bei Chang Tan sat next to him, curiously watching.
So that’s how you wrap dumplings. Just a pinch and fold. Brother is so amazing.
She wanted to try, but hesitated. Each dumpling could be sold for 500 dan. What if she ruined it?
“Tan Tan, want to try?”
“Can I, brother…?”
Little Bei Chang Tan rubbed her hands, still hesitant.
“It’s okay. If you don’t wrap it well, we’ll eat it ourselves. The ingredients aren’t expensive.” Xia Tian smiled and handed her a piece of dough.
“Okay~"
Little Bei Chang Tan took the dough and carefully placed it in her hands, mimicking Xia Tian. Then she scooped some filling.
She pinched the opening, imitating Xia Tian’s technique.
Her hands were too small, though, so she had to use both of them.
“Brother, I’m done!”
A big smile bloomed on her face when she saw the dumpling shaped.
“Tan Tan, you’re amazing. This one can be sold.”
Xia Tian encouraged her. The little girl was quick to learn. The dumpling looked a little less perfect than his, but it was fine.
“Brother, can I try a few more?”
Little Bei Chang Tan was happy. She had learned a new skill, and she could help her brother.
“Okay~” Xia Tian readily agreed. It wasn’t hard work for the little girl.
Little Bei Chang Tan didn’t hesitate. She wrapped one dumpling after another, making Xia Tian speechless. The little girl learned so fast.
She was probably a natural dumpling fairy.
Together, they finished making 200 dumplings for the day.
#@#
When Xia Tian and little Bei Chang Tan reached the door,
there was already a line of people waiting.
Strangely, most of the people in line were students.
The one at the front was still Tuanzi, wearing her signature JK uniform with her hair in a bun. But the girl standing beside her caught Xia Tian’s attention.
The wind blew her long, straight black hair, making it curl slightly. Her features were cute, her skin was fair and translucent, and her brown eyes seemed cold. She wore a white uniform shirt from the Toushu High School.
It was paired with a pleated skirt.
What was most striking was the girl’s straight, white legs. Legs for days.
This must be Yukinoshita.
Looking at Tuanzi and Yukinoshita, Xia Tian remembered that only Tuanzi had gotten dumplings yesterday. He guessed she had brought her classmates over.
She was so thoughtful that she helped promote his dumplings after eating them for the first time.
Tuanzi was amazing.
She ran over to him when she saw him.
“Hey, handsome boss, you finally arrived? We’ve been waiting for ages!”
Xia Tian was almost startled by her enthusiasm.
“It’s you, the girl who almost stole my dumplings yesterday. Why are you here so early? Did you bring all these classmates?”
Tuanzi: "..."
She had been very regretful about running away yesterday. Who knew why she had suddenly bolted? That one act had added another legend to the school: The girl who snatched dumplings.
Many students today were curious to see how delicious the dumplings were, that they could make working adults snatch them.
“Boss, it’s getting late, hurry up and steam the dumplings. Otherwise, we’ll be late for class.”
“Okay, okay. Why are you in a hurry? Wait ten minutes. You can pre-order first.”
As he spoke, Xia Tian unfolded his cart and started steaming the dumplings.
Little Bei Chang Tan walked beside him with her short legs, arranging the tables and chairs seriously, although they wouldn't be needed as most impatient customers ate while standing.
“The little sister is so cute, and she's so sensible. Let me help you, little sister.”
Tuanzi saw little Bei Chang Tan busy, her eyes shining. Why hadn’t she noticed her yesterday?
“Thank you, sister. I can do it myself.”
Little Bei Chang Tan smiled and declined. This was her job.
Seeing the little girl’s resolute attitude, Tuanzi had to give up. Her gaze went back to the cart’s counter.
The steamer was neatly filled with delicately crafted raw dumplings. Tuanzi remembered the taste and couldn’t help but swallow her saliva.
There were new flavors today! If only she had enough money, she would buy a few of each flavor, eating them for breakfast and lunch.
“Boss, steam them together, I’ll have one Three-Flavor, one Golden, and one of the new flavor.”
“We didn’t prepare the Three-Flavor dumpling today. Only bamboo shoot and glutinous rice dumplings.”
“Ah~ Why? I haven’t eaten enough of the Golden and Three-Flavor dumplings yet.”
Tuanzi’s face fell when she heard Xia Tian’s words. The little hair on her head drooped down.
She had stayed up all night last night, excited, and had even skipped breakfast this morning. She hadn’t expected this.
So sad.
But new flavors were good too. The boss’s skills wouldn’t disappoint.
“Then two bamboo shoot and two glutinous rice dumplings.” Tuanzi ordered. She also turned to her friend. “Yukinoshita, what do you want?”
“I’ll have three of each.” Yukinoshita said. Though she had the money to buy all the dumplings, she wasn’t that clueless.
Tuanzi turned back to Xia Tian with a pitiful look. “Handsome boss, can you make the Golden dumplings tomorrow? I still want to eat the Golden Ratio dumplings.”
Xia Tian smiled at Tuanzi. “I will if you help me with something.”
“Huh?”
Xia Tian pointed at little Bei Chang Tan who was working. He whispered, “I want to buy a dog to accompany this little girl. Can you help me choose one?”
“Boss, how did you know Tuanzi has a dog?” Yukinoshita looked suspicious and pulled Tuanzi back a step.
“I actually saw her walking one... “ Xia Tian couldn’t explain. He couldn’t tell them he knew them.
Ding!
Yukinoshita didn’t speak. Her eyes still held suspicion.
Tuanzi tugged on Yukinoshita’s arm. She was kind and decided to trust Xia Tian. “Okay, boss, let’s add each other on Line. I’ll contact you after class. By the way, I’m Yuigahama Yui, this is my classmate Yukinoshita Yukino. Please take care of us.”
Xia Tian took out his phone. “Don’t call me boss. My name is Xia Tian, from China.”
“Okay, Xia Jun.”
Tuanzi’s thoughts were simple. She now had Xia Jun’s contact. She could build a relationship with him. She could ask him to make the Golden Ratio dumplings whenever she wanted, and she could also ask him where his shop was.
She could go eat there when she had free time.