dognovel Chapter 221 Candied Haws
Chapter 221 Candied Haws
Leaving the alleyway filled with the clanging of metal, they turned into another alleyway, their feet treading on the smooth bluestone slabs.
This place is different from the previous blacksmith alley; it looks more lively and bustling.
If the alley next door is filled with the smells of rust and coal, then this place is filled with the rich aroma of delicious food.
Children frolic and play in the alleyways, playing games like hide-and-seek.
At the entrance of the alley, a plump auntie set up a small stall selling candied hawthorns, with strings of bright red candied hawthorns stuck on a frame woven from straw.
The golden-brown caramel coating glistened and translucent under the sunlight, shimmering with an alluring luster like glass.
Children with their hair in double buns circled the stall, the silk ribbons tied to their heads fluttering freely in the wind.
They tilted their heads back, staring intently at the candied hawthorns hanging in front of them, their eyes gleaming with anticipation, their mouths watering.
The plump auntie glanced up at the children standing in front of her stall. Occasionally, she would give the children some food, but they played there every day, so she couldn't give them food every day, otherwise she wouldn't be able to do business.
She then lowered her head again and coated the bunches of hawthorns in her hand with a glistening sugar coating.
A boy quietly tiptoed, secretly touched a string of candied hawthorns with his little hand, dipped it in the sugar coating, and then quickly withdrew his hand and put it in his mouth to suck on it.
A sweet sensation spread across his tongue, and his face immediately lit up with surprise.
Just as he was about to raise his hand again, the plump woman jumped up, holding the skewer, and shouted, "You little brat! How am I supposed to sell it to you after you've touched it?"
The plump woman walked around the stall and came up to him. Just as she was about to grab the boy's ear, the boy reacted quickly and ran away.
"You brat, you stop right there!" The plump aunt pretended to chase after him.
He hadn't run two steps when he bumped into Long Chuqing, who was passing by the stall. Due to the momentum, he fell backward on his butt after hitting Long Chuqing.
"Ouch... my butt!" the boy winced and cried out in pain.
The plump woman standing behind him stopped immediately after seeing the boy bump into someone.
She first observed Long Chuqing and Xiao Han discreetly. Seeing that they were dressed in fine clothes, had extraordinary bearing, and were accompanied by two people who looked like guards, she assumed they were people of high status.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but frown slightly.
Just as Long Chuqing was about to bend down to help the boy up, the aunt stepped forward faster and helped the boy up from the ground.
She put on a flattering smile and said in a slightly nervous tone, "I'm so sorry... I'm really sorry. The child was being naughty and accidentally bumped into you. I hope you won't hold it against him."
In fact, Long Chuqing had also noticed the scene in front of the candied hawthorn stall. The aunt was a kind-hearted person, and he couldn't help but feel a bit of goodwill towards her.
However, she couldn't help but find it a little funny. Did this woman think of her as one of those powerful and influential people who were not to be trifled with?
Looking at the little boy hiding behind the aunt, head bowed, looking somewhat timid, Long Chuqing revealed a gentle and kind smile.
"You're exaggerating! To be honest, it was my fault for not catching him in time, which caused the child to fall to the ground. I wonder if he was hurt?"
After hearing Long Chuqing's words, the boy first peeked out from behind the aunt and carefully looked at Long Chuqing. Seeing that she had a gentle expression and did not seem to blame him, he shook his head and then nodded.
Seeing the little boy's adorable actions, Long Chuqing couldn't help but chuckle: "How about this? To express my apology, I'll treat you to some candied hawthorns."
Upon hearing that someone was going to treat him to candied hawthorns, the boy's eyes, which had been filled with tears, suddenly brightened, and he grinned and nodded.
Long Chuqing smiled slightly and turned her gaze to the woman: "Then, would you please get this little boy a string of candied hawthorns?"
Seeing how easygoing and approachable Long Chuqing was, the aunt finally relaxed.
She replied with a big smile, "Okay, sure."
Then she turned around and walked briskly toward the stall, carefully taking a string of candied hawthorns from the straw rack and handing it to the boy.
At this moment, there was a group of children gathered around the stall, all looking at the boy with envious eyes, their gazes fixed on the string of candied hawthorns in his hand.
Long Chuqing took in their expressions, her brows softened, and she smiled, saying, "You get some too, two skewers each."
"Wow..." A burst of joyful cheers suddenly rang out.
The children's eyes shone with excitement as they rushed forward, bowing to Long Chuqing in gratitude and saying in unison, "Thank you, sister."
Then they quickly turned around, cheerfully gathered around the candied hawthorn stall, and chattered, "I want this skewer, I want this skewer..."
Seeing this, the aunt couldn't hide her smile; she was overjoyed.
Encountering such a generous customer and selling so many candied hawthorns at once is quite a business deal for her; she usually can't sell this many even if she waits half a day.
She chuckled as she deftly took the candied hawthorns from the shelf and distributed them to each child.
Looking at the lively scene before him, Long Chuqing glanced at Xiao Han beside him, and the two smiled at each other.
In no time, each child was holding their own two strings of candied hawthorns, and they happily ran off with their two sweet treats.
Some children started eating them right away after receiving them, enjoying the delicious treat while continuing to play with their friends.
Some children, after receiving the candied hawthorns, ran home happily, eager to share them with their family or siblings.
"Gentlemen and ladies, would you like to try some?" the auntie asked enthusiastically. "Don't underestimate my small stall, I can guarantee it's absolutely clean, and the sugar coating I make is unique in the area."
"Okay! Let's have one then!" Long Chuqing turned around and asked Xiao Han and Qing Tong Qingying, "Do you want some?"
Xiao Han gently shook his head.
"Then, ma'am, three more skewers, please!"
"Okay, all right..."
Fortunately, she had taken some money with her when she went out today. Just as Long Chuqing was about to take out the money, Xiao Han stepped forward and stopped her. "Chuqing, let me pay!"
"OK then!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Qing Tong stepped forward and handed the woman the corresponding copper coin.
"Take care, everyone! If you enjoy the food, come back again!" came the aunt's voice from behind.
"I must say, it's actually quite delicious," Qingying said while chewing. "The taste of the sugar coating is indeed different from the others."
"Yeah, it's not bad at all." Qing Tong chimed in, "If we pass through there again on our way back, bring some back for Qing Shan too. That kid was just complaining that we left him all alone!"