A bitterly cold winter day. The temperature had dropped to minus three degrees. I stood by my small steamed bun cart in front of the school gate, fussing over it as snow slowly began to fall. I let out a silent sigh.
Sigh… Even at my age, I still have to stand here selling steamed buns. Life really hasn't gone easy on me!And this cursed cold—do I really have to buy more charcoal to heat the steamer tomorrow? That's going to cost a fortune.
This little cart had followed me through countless winters. The warm aroma of steamed buns drifted along the street, my breath blending with the rising steam in the freezing air.
Lost in thought, I soon noticed the road in front of the school growing lively with students. Hearing their laughter, I gathered what little strength I had left and called out to them:
"Steamed buns here! Fresh and hot!Three yuan for one, five yuan for two!"
My voice rang out surprisingly strong—hard to believe I was already nearing sixty.
"Auntie, I'll take two!"
A boy who looked like a high school student, about fifteen or sixteen, stood in front of the cart. His eyes were bright and quick-witted.
Before I could reply, another group of students crowded over, surrounding my little cart in an instant.
"Alright, alright—everyone will get some. Please line up!""Here you go. Eat slowly, they're hot."
I pressed the bag of buns into the hands of my first customer.
That boy really brought me good fortune. He had barely arrived, yet he'd already drawn in so many customers. Looks like I can pack up early today, I thought, feeling that old age wasn't so bad after all.
"Auntie! Three, please. Here's ten yuan—keep the extra one."
The girl was quite pretty, clearly a well-off young miss from some family.
"Oh my, you're too generous. Come support me again tomorrow!"
I smiled warmly as I packed her buns.
My hands moved nonstop—packing buns, giving change. Some students, seeing how hard I worked, even paid a little extra.
After a while, I finally sat down on my small stool. Only two buns remained in the steamer, and a sense of relief washed over me.
What a relief. I was so busy today I lost count… but somehow there are still two left for Jing Ning.
But why hasn't that boy shown up today?Did something happen to him?
A faint unease settled in my chest.