Translator: Larbre Studio
Editor: Larbre Studio
The small, narrow alley revealed the hundred-year cultural heritage of Hangcheng. There were only dim street lights in the alley, while moss and weeds could be vaguely seen growing in the corners.
After many twists and turns, Shen Qinglan finally found the shop. She was lucky. The old woman had not closed shop yet.
“Madam, are there any osmanthus cakes left?” Shen Qinglan gently asked the grey-haired old woman in front of her.
She was really old. There was not an inch of black hair in sight.
The old woman looked up and saw a beautiful lady, whose accent did not sound local. She grinned and said, “Young lady, we’re all finished for the day. Do come back tomorrow.”
Shen Qinglan felt rather regrettable. “I’m leaving tomorrow. I don’t think I can drop by. I’ve heard from an old man that your osmanthus cakes are the most authentic ones, so I thought I could buy some to take home with me. I guess I’m out of luck.”
Shen Qinglan thought of her Grandma Shen, who had passed away, when she saw the loving expression on the old woman’s face. She could not help but share a few words with her.
As Shen Qinglan was about to leave, the old woman called out to her, “Young lady, wait a moment. I have some leftover ingredients at home. If you’re not in a hurry, give me half an hour. I can bake one portion for you.”
Shen Qinglan’s eyes brightened with emotion, which was a rare sight. “Thank you, madam.”
The old woman smiled and invited her to take a seat in the shop. Then a much younger woman walked out from behind with a cup of tea, “Have some tea first, my grandmother’s baking now.”
“Thanks.”
The young woman chuckled, “You’re here in Hangcheng on a trip, right?”
Shen Qinglan nodded.
“I suppose so. It’s awesome that you found this place. Most locals don’t even know of its existence, but those who have tasted my grandmother’s osmanthus cakes would always come again. After you’ve tasted some, you’ll surely want to come back for more.” Her voice was soft and sweet. She was indeed a typical Jiangnan woman. She was gentle too, which enabled her to be easily associated to the misty rain of Jiangnan.
The young woman chatted with Shen Qinglan. Although they did not talk much, but at least it made the waiting time less boring.
Half an hour later, the old woman came out with several boxes. She put them in a bag and handed it to Shen Qinglan.
“Young lady, these osmanthus cakes are made fresh and can’t be stored for long. It’s best you finish them within a few days.”
Shen Qinglan accepted the package, “Thanks, madam.”
She deliberately paid more at the checkout.
“Miss,” the young woman called out from behind her, “If you walk all the way to the end along this path, you’ll get to Changhua Street. It’s easier to get a cab there.”
“Thanks,” Shen Qinglan expressed her gratitude and turned around, walking in the direction given by the young woman.
The alley was long and quiet, practically deserted.
Shen Qinglan had not walked for long when she heard a cry for help. It was a female voice, probably that of a young girl.
Shen Qinglan stopped in her tracks, her eyebrows frowning in frustration. She always seemed to encounter incidents like this. Last time, it was Shi Feng. This time, she came across one when she was out buying osmanthus cakes.
Perhaps, like the legend said, she was drawn to the dark?
Shen Qinglan did not continue to move forward. She was neither the savior nor had any obligations. The last time she rescued Shi Feng was purely coincidental. If Shi Feng had not given her such a sharp look at the final moment, she would not have cared even if he died in the end.
Several men’s frivolous talk could be heard from afar. It was obvious what was going on there.
Shen Qinglan spun around again. It seemed she would be taking the same route back.
She barely walked two steps when she heard a girl’s shriek behind her. Her eyes flashed and she sighed in frustration.
“Let her go,” the melodious voice rang in the dark, attracting their attention at once.
“Hey, boss. Another one,” one man said sleazily. She turned to the source. The voice belonged to a man with blonde hair who looked quite young.
The ‘boss’ he was referring to was a man with ginger hair, also quite young. There was a third man at the scene. He had green hair, like a mossback turtle. The three of them resembled a set of traffic lights.
The girl who screamed just now also looked her way. Under the faint street light, she was able to make out Shen Qinglan’s features. Her eyes glared.
“Sis! Run! It’s dangerous here!” The girl happened to be Yan Xi, whom she met before, her face wet with tears.
But Shen Qinglan did not run. She glanced at Yan Xi. Other than a pale face, the clothes on her back were still neat and tidy.
“So it’s someone you know. Little missy, care to join us for some fun?” The ginger said, giving Shen Qinglan a perverted look.
The other two snickered when their leader spoke. The man with green hair even reached a hand out to her. Yan Xi panicked.
“Sis! Run! Get the cops!”
The blonde held on to her, not allowing her to move. They had not taken action just now because they were teasing her, otherwise there was no way three men could not handle a young girl. It did not occur to them that they would attract a gorgeous beauty such as Shen Qinglan.
This was quite an unexpected surprise.