lmlee

Excuse me, I see you've been circling the market for a while now. Are you having trouble finding what you need?

Oh, are you talking to me?

I am. We're about to close soon, so if you don't leave, you'll have to spend the night here.

But it's not even seven.

Heh, knew you weren't from around these parts. This place is a complete mess at night. Nobody in their right mind would keep their doors open late.

I did happen to arrive just a few days ago. Only settled into an inn around here last night.

There are so many places you could go to in Lungmen. Why visit our tiny little market?

Just a little habit of mine. Whenever I go to a new place, I like checking out the local market.

These places are always a good gauge of customs, mannerisms, and local color.

Aren't all markets the same? Noisy as hell, just a bunch of people coming and going?

Well, for starters... the market in Shangshu can stay open all night, but not this one here.

Oh...?

So, were you going to buy something? I'm closing up my stall otherwise.

What would you recommend?

We're in the dead of summer and it's hot out there. Maybe grab a couple sprigs of wild bamboo shoots and make porridge out of em' to relieve heat and prevent heatstroke.

Hmm, maybe next time then. I don't think the icebox in the inn is big enough to hold half-meter bamboo shoots.

Huh... Strange fellow.

Gonna end up going home late because of him...

Hey, lou sai, isn't it a bit early to be closing up shop?

(Ugh, can't dodge these scumbags even at this time of day...?)

You ready to pay up? Don't forget what you owe me from last month.

B-Business has been slow th-the last few months... I sincerely apologize, but I truly have nothing worthy of your attention...

Well that's too bad. Get your ass outta here then. Somebody more capable can take your spot.

Hey, wait! What are you doing?!

Let go of me! D-Don't smash it! Please, give me just a little more time! I promise I'll have the money for you!

Pah! Too late!

Now, now, my brother. Let's play nice here.

Huh, who the hell are you, old man?

Old man? My, you do flatter me with that honorific. I'm more than happy to just be brothers.

I'd watch my tone, if I were you. While you're at it, shouldn't you ask who I'm working for?

Would it be the illustrious Lin family?

If you know that much, then show some respect.

(My goodness. Why do eight out of every ten hoodlums I run into in this city say they're working for Lin?)

Aha, no wonder why you looked a bit familiar. I remember seeing you at the Lin estate.

Uhh... Y-You know me?

Of course I do. The golden osmanthus flowers were blooming magnificently at Old Lin's place last year, and he made plenty of honeyed osmanthus. Did you also take some home with you?

O-Of course! Before I left, Old Lin gave me a dozen jars. I couldn't even finish them all.

Hmm, oh my... I forgot to mention, Old Lin doesn't grow sweet osmanthus in front of his house. They're peach trees.

Diu nei ah, do you know Lin or not?

Maybe I do, maybe I don't. But I can say for a fact that you don't.

If you know what's good for you, beat it. I hear Old Lin's governance is pretty strict. If he knew someone was using his name to do evil, such a man wouldn't get off lightly.

Bah. Talk about rotten luck.

Err... Sir, thank you very much.

Don't worry about it, it's not like I even lifted a finger. The next time you run into these scoundrels, know that there's nothing to be afraid of. Most of these thugs are just nobodies trying to take advantage of the situation to extort people. There's no way real gangsters would be this brazen.

*sigh*... I'm just a small-time peddler. How can I tell if someone's a big deal?

Wait, don't go yet.

Hmm?

The icebox in your inn might be small, but it should fit this bag of lychee just fine.

Planted 'em in my own backyard. They're not worth any money, but they should still taste fine. It's the least I can do.

...Sir?

Ahh, I was just thinking, getting to enjoy the wonderful taste of lychee makes the long trek out here worth it.

Hah, I'm glad to hear it. If you enjoy 'em, feel free to come back any time.

Sure.

Mr. Lee! Hey, Mr. Lee!

Well, if it isn't Choi, our honorable vendor. I heard you calling out to me before I even stepped into the market.

I just don't want you left with bamboo shoots that aren't fresh anymore. The cold season is the perfect time to enjoy these winter shoots.

There's no way they'd go bad in just a few minutes, is there?

Remember to soak them in salt water once you take them back. That'll make 'em last longer.

Maybe next time. The kitchen in the place I rented only has enough room for a couple produce bags before I have to throw them in the icebox.

I won't take no for an answer. This is the finest white-eyed bamboo I have. I saved it for you because you're a man of character.

Really, it's alright. I'll have an honored guest over in just a few days. The stuff's not going to keep for very long.

Oh, you've made friends in Lungmen?

Not sure friends is the right word.

Then, what must I do to be considered your friend?

Oh, Mr. Lin, are you here to pick up fresh produce for your wife?

The wife isn't so picky. She wouldn't send me to a market more than ten kilometers away just to pick up some bamboo shoots.

(Wait, Mr. Lee... Is, is it really him...?)

(Just treat him as you would a regular passerby.)

You haven't answered my question yet.

Please, I'm just an ordinary civilian. The man who invites me to a fancy banquet at a nice restaurant is already a bosom friend to me.

That's not what my men have been telling me. Apparently, you've been in and out of all the small eateries around here this past week.

If you could've found me at all those other places, why come out to this market so far from home?

I wouldn't make the trip for a few stalks of bamboo shoots, but for a friend, I'd consider it worthwhile.

You speak too highly of me, Mr. Lin. I just took care of a few odd jobs for you, that's all. Even without me, you would've been able to resolve things just fine.

I disagree. Had you not been there, I doubt the outcome would've been comparable.

Ah... Mr. Lin, I know exactly how much I'm worth.

So, how do you plan to cook these bamboo shoots? They're very high-quality.

A nice and simple braising sounds tasty enough.

Such a pedestrian method is a waste of perfectly good ingredients. If you ask me, it'd be better to slaughter a fowlbeast fresh and make some hearty stew.

Then, you're no longer appreciating the delicate sweetness of the bamboo shoots.

Besides...

Let's hear it.

Hah. Besides, these bamboo shoots came from the countryside. They be of willful temperament. I doubt they'd pair well with other ingredients.

The biggest concern is that they grow too well. Even deep in the mountains and ancient forests, they'll attract wave after wave of bamboo shoot diggers.

That being the case, how could they ever hope to live a life of peace and contentment?

Haha, that remains to be seen.

Wei would not visit a man's home for no reason...

I believe.

Believe what?

I believe... that once Master Wei picks up the chopsticks, he won't be able to stop to chat with me.

Hmm... Lou sai, do you sell apples here?

Ah, yes, I certainly do. I'll get them for you right away, Mr. Lin.

How much?

Ah, um, that won't be necessary. The fact that we've been able to live in peace all these years thanks to you is payment enough.

It's not easy running a business. Here, take it.

Didn't you say you weren't buying anything?

Since I'm already here, might as well grab something for my daughter.

Aiya, men do change after kids. I wanted to invite you to see the flowers at Jiangqi next year, but I suppose I'll have to give up on the idea.

I suggest you settle down as well, and leave behind that life of wandering.

Forget it. That isn't the life I'm searching for anyway.