Chapter 20: Three-Diced Steamed Bun

Chapter 20: Chapter 20: Three-Diced Steamed Bun

The series of actions—making the filling, kneading the dough—was as smooth as flowing water. Even though the audience had braced themselves, they were still left dumbfounded.

The bullet comments argued endlessly—some were drooling, some were doubtful, some were amazed and impressed, and others were utterly disdainful.

But Nan Zhi was completely unaffected.

Her movements were unhurried, filled with a relaxed rhythm.

She took out the bamboo steamer she had borrowed from her neighbor earlier and placed the Three-Dice Buns and Diced Meat Buns inside to steam.

The Three-Dice Buns were ready first. The dough was white, fluffy, and soft, with a light, pure aroma.

After Nan Zhi nodded in approval, Nan Yi held a bun in his small bowl and quickly bent down to take a bite.

The dough was soft yet chewy. As he bit through, piping hot, abundant broth spurted out. The tightly sealed aroma finally met the air, gradually spreading until it seemed to travel for miles.

An ultimate savory flavor assaulted Nan Yi’s taste buds, making his eyes widen as if he couldn’t believe something so wonderfully delicious existed in the world!

Soon after, the Diced Meat Buns were done. Nan Yi loved them just as much, grabbing one in each hand and eating with such gusto that his mouth was slick with grease.

—It was just like a live mukbang!

At some point, the arguments in the bullet comments ceased:

[I can’t stop swallowing my spit watching this.]

[Smart move on my part, I already ordered takeout.]

[Let me repeat for the Nth time, this isn’t a parenting show, it’s a Food show!]

[Heavens, when will I ever get to taste cooking like this!]

...

Nan Zhi watched Nan Yi eat with a gentle smile.

Other than occasionally reminding him, "Eat slowly," she didn’t say much.

Being watched for so long, Nan Yi started to feel a bit awkward.

He asked hesitantly and uncomfortably:

"Aren’t... aren’t you going to eat?"

"In a bit. I’m going to take some buns to our neighbors first."

As she spoke, Nan Zhi packed half of the Three-Dice Buns and Diced Meat Buns into a food container.

Nan Yi just stared, and anyone could see how pained he was by the loss.

Nan Zhi thought he would try to guard his food and stop her.

But in the end, he actually held back.

He just forced himself to look away and fiercely stuffed the remaining bun in his hand into his mouth. His little cheeks puffed in and out, making him look like a breathing little bun himself—both pitiful and adorable.

Nan Zhi couldn’t help but laugh, her voice tinkling like a clear mountain spring.

Nan Yi seemed to sense that Nan Zhi was laughing at him. He immediately straightened his back, putting on a cool, grown-up expression.

Little did he know, his puffed-up cheeks had already given him away.

To spare her son’s pride, Nan Zhi stifled her laughter and prepared to go next door to the old lady’s house.

Without a second thought, Nan Yi, his little bun-like face still puffed up, said in a cool yet obedient tone:

"I want to go with you."

"Okay."

Nan Zhi took his hand, and they went out together.

The old lady’s surname was Qian. She and her husband had come to Yanjing as migrant workers years ago and had lived in this shanty town for over thirty years.

The old lady wasn’t poor. They owned their house in the shanty town, and after many years of hard work in Yanjing, they had also built a new house back in their hometown and even bought a home for their daughter in another first-tier city.

Granny Qian and her husband had no relatives or old friends in Yanjing. Their lives were usually monotonous, so when they met Nan Zhi and Nan Yi, whom they instantly took a liking to, they treated them with exceptional kindness.

When Nan Zhi had first arrived two days ago, it was thanks to this affinity that she got through the most difficult period. Now, of course, she had to repay their kindness.

Granny Qian was pleasantly surprised by Nan Zhi’s visit and insisted on having the mother and son eat with them.

She even called her old man back from the small supermarket.

The four of them sat around the small square table in the courtyard, a picture of harmony, just like a family.

Nan Zhi set out the steaming hot buns:

"These are Diced Meat Buns..."

Granny Qian, who was practically a Yanjing local by now, nodded repeatedly.

"Not bad! One sniff and you can tell it’s authentic! Xiao Nan, your skills are amazing!"

"...and these are Three-Dice Buns."

Nan Zhi’s last words made the old couple freeze.

A gentle ripple of sincerity shone in Nan Zhi’s eyes, her voice as soft and flowing as water:

"I heard from your accent, Granny, that you must be from Jiangnan. I’m not sure if these Three-Dice Buns will suit your taste."

Granny Qian, who was usually so sharp and capable, actually stuttered:

"X-Xiao Nan, you’re just too thoughtful!"

Uncle Li was equally flustered, insisting she shouldn’t have.

They rarely received such thoughtful consideration, which made them feel all the more overwhelmed by the gesture.

Nan Zhi just smiled without a word, pushing the plate a little closer to them.

The old couple, moved and delighted, each picked up a Three-Dice Bun with their chopsticks and took a bite.

In that instant, it was as if something struck their very souls.

Memories they thought had been worn down to numbness by life began to stir, vivid and alive once more.

The essence of their hometown seeped out from the cracks and corners of their minds, finally converging into the taste on their tongues.

The sentimental Granny Qian immediately teared up.

Uncle Li was a bit more reserved, but his eyes reddened as well.

Nan Zhi was taken aback and quickly asked:

"Is the flavor wrong?"

Granny Qian shook her head, smiling through her tears:

"No, it’s nothing. I just miss home."

She paused, chewing the bun carefully, her voice slightly choked with emotion.

"It’s so delicious. It tastes exactly like what I used to eat back home."

Nan Zhi stared blankly at Granny Qian’s face, which seemed cheerful but was etched with the hardships of time.

Granny Qian was already lost in her memories, telling Nan Zhi about her hometown, about the first time she went to the city as a young girl and ate the most delicious Three-Dice Buns at a state-run restaurant.

"...But now, I think your Three-Dice Buns, Xiao Nan, are even more delicious than the ones from that state-run restaurant!"

Uncle Li nodded silently in agreement.

For the old couple, these weren’t just Three-Dice Buns; they were thirty years of homesickness.

Nan Zhi’s own memories flickered, as if she too remembered that small town, that little courtyard, that old person...

"Waking up when the sun is high, feeling a longing deep inside, to the teahouse I go for a try. Shredded tofu, savory cakes, crab shell pastries, thousand-layer cakes, jade shumai, and Three-Dice Buns. Clear noodle soup, crispy sesame bread, with Dragon Well tea’s fragrance widespread..."

Granny Qian suddenly began to hum an old folk song from Jiangnan, her crooning soft and melodic.

Uncle Li put down his chopsticks, a smile smoothing out the wrinkles on his face.

Nan Zhi rested her chin on her hand, tapping her knuckles on the table in time with the rhythm.

Nan Yi kept a cool expression, but under the table, his little legs swung back and forth happily.

The early spring air was crisp, and the sunlight was brilliant.

The jujube tree in the courtyard rustled in the wind.

The camera switched to a drone, filming an overhead shot.

This scene, as beautiful as a spring day, was captured in its entirety.

[I’ve been a migrant worker for years, and this suddenly made me a little homesick.]

[Say what you will, but Nan Zhi seems really sincere. The old couple next door were clearly stunned when they heard she made Food from their hometown.]

[I’ve definitely changed my opinion of Nan Zhi. I thought she was just using her neighbors, which was a bit off-putting.]

[She’s so thoughtful. If it were me, I’d be moved to tears, bawling my eyes out.]

[No way, you guys actually believe this is real? It’s scripted.]

[I have eyes, okay? If Nan Zhi’s acting was this good, she wouldn’t have been dragged through the mud in the entertainment industry all this time.]

[...PFFT, I just spit out my drink. That actually makes a lot of sense!]

[Even if it’s scripted, I’ll take it. At least I was genuinely moved and entertained.]

...