Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
It smells heavenly, but it’s so expensive! No one will buy it!
The fishmonger was having a hard time. The porridge’s aroma that had been wafting up to his nose was continuously teasing him, but he had to resist it, just like how one would have to cover their eyes when a beautiful lady was standing stark naked in front of them.
I can’t smell it! I can’t smell it!
This is a sin! Not only is this porridge more than 20 times more expensive than others, but he even placed it beside me to tempt me. Is he out to kill me? He must be so money-driven that he’s gone mad! He won’t be able to sell the porridge at such a high price! thought the elderly man in anger while hypnotizing himself.
Su Yu, who was standing at the side, could already hear the elderly man’s stomach’s rumbling. It was as loud as thunder. From the moment the aroma had begun to waft up from the porridge, the elderly man’s stomach had been continuously rumbling. In fact, it seemed to be getting worse. It was understandable since he was hungry in the first place, and it would be strange if he could bear with the fragrant porridge’s temptation.
Su Yu turned to the side. He initially wanted to let the elderly man try the porridge for free, but the latter was sitting cross-legged with his eyes shut, looking like an old monk that was meditating. He was muttering to himself incessantly, and Su Yu couldn’t help but be amused. He did not disturb him either. Instead, he began focusing on selling the porridge.
At that moment, more and more surrounded Su Yu. The porridge’s fragrance had already spread throughout the entire market, and everyone was slowly attracted to the aroma. He secretly swallowed his saliva.
Someone asked anxiously and eagerly, “What is that aroma?”
“I don’t know, I’ve never smelled this here before…”
“I dare bet that it comes from food!”
“Ah! I’m so hungry, what aroma is that? I really want to eat it!”
…
A middle-aged woman saw the piping hot steam that was wafting up from the porridge in the pot. Her eyes lit up, and she quickly strode toward Su Yu. “Hey, young man. What’s in this pot?”
“Plain porridge!”
“Plain porridge?” The middle-aged woman leaned over apprehensively with a look of bewilderment and smelled the porridge’s aroma. She looked increasingly intoxicated and couldn’t help but say, “This is the smell! How much does your porridge cost?”
Due to her excitement, she got louder and louder, thus attracting the crowd immediately. Before Su Yu even answered, many began squeezing over one after another, staring at the pot with desire in their eyes.
“Young man, I’d like to have a bowl of that!”
“Move aside! Don’t you know you have to queue up? He’ll definitely serve me first!”
“I’m offering 10 low-grade spirit stones. Young man, sell a bowl to me first!”
“So what if you’re rich? I’m offering 3 mid-grade spirit stones for the entire pot!”
…
There was more demand than supply, and only one pot of porridge, which obviously wouldn’t be enough.
However, the elderly fishmonger man beside him opened his eyes leisurely. Compared to the rest, he was much calmer. He suddenly felt a little relieved when he saw the hysterical crowd.
Hah, you guys go ahead and vie with each other. I shall see if you will still do that after you find out this porridge’s price!
Su Yu stood up leisurely and said, “Don’t panic, everyone. Each bowl of porridge costs 1 mid-grade spirit stone. Please queue up if you’d like to buy some.”
“What? 1 mid-grade spirit stone per bowl!?”
Are you sure you’re not joking?
The hearts of many sank while the clamoring sounds gradually disappeared. Each mid-grade spirit stone would be enough for a feast of dishes. Who would be so silly to pay that much money for a bowl of porridge? Besides, they could see that the bowls that Su Yu had prepared were relatively small. They felt that it was too expensive.
“Young man… This is too expensive. Did you make a mistake?”
“Exactly, no one will buy it from you at that price…”
“I offer 10 low-grade spirit stones. That’s the highest I’m going to go. No matter how fragrant it may be, this porridge is at most worth 8 low-grade spirit stones.”
…
Everyone chimed in, and soon, they unanimously began asking Su Yu to lower his price.
Fragrance Restaurant was a famous restaurant in East Delta County and was known for its delicious cuisine. It was considered an upscale restaurant in East Delta County, and thus its food was definitely expensive. Yet, the price of a bowl of porridge at Fragrance Restaurant was only 8 low-grade spirit stones.
Su Yu remained still and stood at the same spot while listening to their discussions.
…
Strolling around the streets was the only hobby of Bai Xiaolong, who idled all day. He would scour the streets for treasures, and today, he actually got up early, which was rare of him. He thought of going to the market for some shopping.
However, as soon as he arrived at the market, he realized that things were a little different today as there were no customers in front of many of the stalls. Even the owners had gone missing, leaving their stalls behind.
What’s going on? Did they all disappear?
Bai Xiaolong couldn’t help but feel curious. The further he went, the stronger the porridge’s aroma got. Although he had tasted all sorts of delicacies before, he was still tempted. He swallowed his saliva and sped up as he tried to find the source of the aroma.
Surprisingly, as he got nearer to the stall, he saw many people covering their noses and scurrying away from the market hysterically. More and more people followed suit. They were all holding their breaths, and their faces were turning red as if they had suffered immense agony. However, they would turn around every now and then, seemingly reluctant to leave.
Bai Xiaolong stopped a passerby and asked, “Hello, may I ask what’s happening over there?”
Could this smell be poisonous? he wondered.
“Young Master Bai?” the passerby immediately asked respectfully. He was initially annoyed, but he got a great shock when he saw Bai Xiaolong.
Bai Xiaolong was the scion of the Bai Clan, the wealthiest clan in East Delta County. He was also known as the ‘Child of Fortune’ and the dreamboat of countless young girls.
“What’s this aroma?”
“Young Master Bai, a porridge vendor appeared in the market, and the aroma comes from his porridge,” the passerby answered with a sullen expression.
“Porridge? Are you sure?” asked Bai Xiaolong, widening his eyes in disbelief.
“It must be plain porridge!” answered the passerby, his face becoming sulkier and sulkier.
Bai Xiaolong asked in puzzlement, “What are you running for then?”
Why are they running away instead of enjoying the fragrant porridge?
“Young Master Bai, each bowl of porridge costs 1 middle-grade spirit stone. I can’t afford it at all. It’s torture smelling it, so I have to run…” The passerby was on the verge of tears. Nothing was more terrible than being unable to eat something delicious that was right in front of them.
“1 middle-grade spirit stone per bowl?” Bai Xiaolong’s eyes glistened as he was tempted.
How could a bowl of plain porridge exude such an aroma? There must be extra seasonings. I want to make money in the market, but my sister keeps looking down on me and saying that I’m going to be swindled. Today, I shall show her how I resolve this sham!
“Go to the Spirit Medicine Pavilion and look for Han Dapeng. Tell him that someone in the market has added some agarwood to porridge and is selling it at a high price! Get him to come and nab this guy!” Bai Xiaolong whipped out a spirit stone and handed it to the passerby.
“Rest assured, Young Master Bai. I’ll go now!” The passerby immediately beamed with joy and left merrily.
Bai Xiaolong smiled and thought, I shall meet you today, the swindler who sells porridge!