Shen Yun is the mother of two children, who managed to put both of them through college by selling pancakes.
Now, not yet fifty, she looks like she's already in her sixties.
Her neatly combed hair is already full of white frost.
Shen Yun noticed Wang Fan as soon as he arrived.
After all, it is rare for someone so young to be out selling on the street, and the tall, clean, and handsome young man would inevitably warrant a second glance.
Originally, she was planning to make a pancake for herself for breakfast, but after seeing Wang Fan eating, her hands instinctively paused.
The sun had just slightly risen, and the sunlight filtering through the leaves' gaps felt warm on the body, enveloping everyone in a golden glow.
The steamed rice rolls in Wang Fan's hand were also bathed in the golden light, making them eye-catching with their glossy reflection.
Seeing Wang Fan eat with such happiness, Shen Yun unconsciously swallowed.
What was that white-looking thing?
Looking at the letters on the food cart, rice rolls?
What are rice rolls?
Whatever they are, they sure look tasty.
For most of her life, Shen Yun lived for her children, trying to fulfill every request they had as best as she could.
But she was frugal with herself, unwilling to spend even a little more beyond the essentials.
But at that moment, she had a bold idea.
She wanted to buy the clean, fresh-looking item called rice rolls to taste.
Though the young man had taken away an old customer of hers, it was his skill, and she shouldn't harbor ill will.
The aroma of the rice rolls kept wafting to her nose; she truly wanted to buy a portion to taste.
In her mind, she imagined two little characters arguing.
One was golden, with cute little wings: "The kids are still in school, so many expenses, buying food is too extravagant, better stick to pancakes."
The other was red, holding a little fork: "The kids are good students, can sustain themselves with part-time work and tutoring, why not treat yourself to some rice rolls?"
Golden character: "They haven't graduated yet, there's still so much to spend on, how can you be so wasteful?"
Red character: "Just ten bucks for breakfast, how is that wasteful?"
The two characters argued until it escalated into a physical fight.
Shen Yun finally decided to buy some after the red character knocked out the golden one with an uppercut.
I've worked so hard for so many years, it's only fair to treat myself to something worth ten bucks!
If my two kids dare disapprove, I'll spank them when I get home!
But just then, she noticed the handsome young owner getting on his bike and riding away.
Gone...
Shen Yun felt her anger start to build.
I had just decided to buy something, and you, young rascal, just rode off?
I even forgot about you stealing my customer, wanted to patronize your business, and you ran?!
Shen Yun carried this regret home with her, still savoring the unique fragrance faintly lingering in her nose.
At around four in the afternoon, she returned to the park.
While distractedly waiting for customers, she was pleasantly surprised to see the young owner had returned.
"This time, I won't let you get away!"
...
As soon as Wang Fan parked his food cart, he saw an elderly woman with graying hair standing cleanly dressed in front of him.
Wang Fan knew this auntie was the owner of the neighboring pancake stall but didn't know why she approached him.
Scratching his head in confusion, he asked, "Auntie, am I blocking your stall?"
Shen Yun smiled: "No, I just want to try a portion of rice rolls. To be honest, I wanted to buy them this morning but saw you riding off just as I was about to queue. And you rode fast."
Wang Fan felt delighted, after all, getting business soon after opening meant the day might be good.
Moreover, having a fellow vendor as a customer gave his vanity a small boost.
Skillfully putting the steamer on, he asked, "Auntie, I have two types of rice rolls right now, pork for ten bucks a portion and shrimp for twelve. I also have shrimp porridge made with shrimp heads for three bucks a cup; what would you like?"
As soon as the lid was lifted, a rich, mouthwatering aroma spread out.
Smelling it, Shen Yun couldn't help but swallow.
Peeking in, she was captivated by the display.
She had seen the pork rice rolls before, still the same, but the shrimp rice rolls were even more eye-catching.
Through the semi-transparent rice roll skin, she could vaguely see the red shrimp and green scallions, luring her gaze like little hands grabbing at it.
Then, a unique seafood fragrance wafted into her nostrils, and Shen Yun felt her mouth start to water uncontrollably.
This can't be tolerated!
Anyway, I've broken my resolve, spending two more bucks isn't too much, right?!
"One portion of shrimp rice rolls and a shrimp porridge for me, too."
"Okay, just a moment."
Wang Fan wore a joyful smile and got busy right away.
The rice rolls were still skillfully cut into six sections, revealing plenty of shrimp inside.
Shen Yun praised from the side: "Young man, you sure are generous with your fillings, they look delicious."
Wang Fan laughed: "Adding more doesn't cost much more, can't have people not taste what's inside, right? Do you want chili?"
Shen Yun licked her lips, the savory aroma had been lingering at her nose for a long time.
"I can't handle too spicy, just a little is fine."
Wang Fan nodded, spooned a bit of chili, then handed it to Shen Yun.
Shen Yun took fifteen bucks out of her pocket, placed them into Wang Fan's cash box, and returned to her stall with the rice rolls.
Sitting on a chair, Shen Yun couldn't wait to pick up a piece of rice roll and put it in her mouth.
As she chewed carefully, her eyes widened unconsciously.
"This...this taste..."
Taking a bite, the rice roll skin had a texture akin to glutinous rice dumplings but softer, more elastic, without being sticky to the teeth. The large pieces of shrimp were bouncy and incredibly delicious.
As she chewed, the shrimp's savory flavor blended with the rice roll's fragrance, and the specially made sauce created a sensation Shen Yun couldn't find words for.
Delicious! So delicious! Better than pancakes...
"Broken."
Shen Yun took out a large straw, punctured the shrimp porridge package, and gulped down a big mouthful.
The shrimp porridge was at the perfect temperature, warm on entry, neither too hot nor too cold.
The rich flavor was even more intense than the shrimp rice rolls.
The thick shrimp porridge, with its distinct rice grain texture, had both a taste and mouthfeel Shen Yun had never experienced before.
Shen Yun felt warm all over.
Years of fatigue seemed to lessen all at once.