lmlee

Madam, take a look at this season's greengage. Thin skin, thick flesh, and a tiny core. Tangy and delectably sweet, one bite and you'll be salivating for more.

Hmm...

If you don't take a few catties back with you today to make wine, you won't be get to experience this flavor after the Qingming Festival passes.

Alright... Weigh some out for me then.

Right away. You know, there's a saying that goes 'green plum wine tastes freshest in season.' ...Hah, I'm not particularly well-read, I just happened to hear that somewhere.

Choi, I hear you buttering up your customers from over here, trying to get into their pockets, eh? You've... become quite the smooth talker.

Oh come on, it's just business.

Do you come here often, Mr. Lee?

Long time no see. What brings you out here today, Madam?

This is the largest, most comprehensive produce market in Lungmen. Naturally, the best choice whenever you need ingredients.

What kind of ingredients need you coming out here in person?

Well, Yenwu's birthday is coming up, and I'd like to make him a few dishes.

What do you have in mind?

I haven't decided yet, but it wouldn't be anything more than what he normally likes to eat.

I'm sure Master Wei's preferences... must be quite a test for your culinary skills.

Hardly. What's a little effort if your heart is in the right place?

Fair enough.

But I'll admit... as this is my first time here, I'm having difficulty picking out what I want. I'd appreciate your advice if you don't mind.

Sure, can do. Take these tomatoes for example. If you want to just eat them as you would a fruit, go with a pink one, which has a crispier texture. If you're cooking with them, opt for the deep red ones, which are juicier and have a stronger taste.

Alright, I'll keep that in mind. They have some taro over there. I'd like to make some taro smoked meat.

Taro, huh? Given tubers of about the same size, go with the heaviest one. That means it has a greater water and starch content, which leads to a soft, glutinous taste.

Great. What about shiitake mushrooms then? Should I go with dried, or fresh?

Both have their advantages, Madam. It all depends on what you want to cook.

Stuffed mushrooms.

Go with dried shiitake in that case, they have greater pungency after soaking.

Oh... I see.

Before I forget, there's a store up ahead that sells soy sauce. It's perfect for making braised fowlbeast.

(Though, they recently raised their prices.)

(You don't need to worry about that, Choi.)

For the rose petal and soy sauce glaze?

Mmhmm.

Actually about that... Yenwu does eat this dish often, but only because I'm the one who's quite fond of it.

I'm aware.

Hmm?

He's brought it up at the dinner table before. Is it so unusual for his tastes to take after those of his wife?

Pfft... Haha.

You're a smoother talker than that vendor.

Haha. Speaking of which, I've become a bit of a businessman myself lately.

Haven't you always been easygoing with your finances? From the very beginning, Yenwu repeatedly asked you to take up a very important position in the L.G.D., but you refused each time. Why are you worrying about your livelihood now?

There's an extra mouth to feed back home now, so I need to run some errands to cover the living expenses.

Hmm? Are you finally starting your own family? Yenwu and I can stop by and offer our congratulations one of these days.

It's more like... Actually, an old friend came from afar and left a child behind in my care.

(Shakes head)

How terribly irresponsible... Did he say when he'd be back?

No... But there's no way he'd just abandon the girl, right? I reckon he'll be back after a few months.

After I hand the girl back to him, I plan to take a page out of his book and go on a long trip myself.

What, Lungmen isn't good enough for you?

No, it certainly is. But, I am a wanderer after all. Can't stay in a single place too long.

*sigh*... In any case, thanks for your advice, Mr. Lee. I pretty much have everything I need now, so I should get going.

Take it easy, Madam.

Mr. Lee! Psst, Mr. Lee!

Oh... Did you need something, Choi?

You've been standing here all day, you know? Other people have to shop too.

Sorry about that, haha. How much for the imported cherries?

Didn't you say they were too expensive for you?

Yes, but the kid likes 'em, so I figure I can take a few catties home and give them a try.

By the way, did the stuff I ordered from you last week come in yet?

Sure did. I have everything ready for you.

My, I'm sorry. I had some stuff to take care of at home today. Sorry to keep you waiting.

Haha, don't worry about it. It's not even nine yet, and the sun hasn't even set. Too early to close up.

But, why'd you come here yourself? Couldn't you just send your apprentice over?

He had work to take care of today. We just moved into the new place, so he went with Waai Fu and Aak to tidy up.

You moved? Was the old place getting too cramped?

Yup. Didn't have as many rooms as I would've liked, which made it hard to have guests over. Also wanted to add another freezer, but the kitchen was too small.

Are two freezers not enough for you?

That's what happens when you have multiple mouths to feed. Thankfully, Hung's learned the ropes by now, or I'd keel over dead from all that cooking.

You know, nobody's gonna shed any tears if none of your other talents get passed down. But, the world can't afford to lose your culinary skills. Having him here is already a huge relief.

He's only just scratched the surface. He's far from ready.

So, are you going to cook by yourself today?

Yes indeed. They've been busy all day, and deserve a proper reward.

Haha! Take this potted kumquat with you then. To your new firm's successful opening and continued prosperity.

Oh? Isn't this tree very important to you? You've kept it in the store for years, and never let anyone go around touching it.

The cold season just passed, and it's bearing rich fruit. Why... are you giving it to me now?

To be honest with you, Lee, I don't plan on keeping this shop open much longer.

Are you moving somewhere else?

I'm about ready to retire.

It's been more than a decade, huh...

Almost thirty years, including the time before you started coming.

Just got a notice last month saying that this place is going to be demolished and converted into a supermarket. Though, we'd still be able to preserve the shop.

Too many places have been going down around Lungmen these days... The teahouse near my place also got demolished, and they say it's going to turn into a coffee shop.

Hah, that's exactly it. It's fine though. My wife and I have worked so hard all these years. It's time to rest now.

Your son and daughter have grown up and moved out as well, so there's no point to holding down the fort any longer. Why don't you travel, take in some new sights and sounds?

We've been in Lungmen all these years, and haven't seen any of Yan's other cities yet.

The savings we've scrounged up over the years, as well as the compensation from the government, should be enough to give us a few years of good fun.

Lee, you've been all over the place. Got any recommendations for us?

I've pretty much settled down in Lungmen too. Asking me to suddenly think back to my days on the road is no easy task.

But, when I think about it a bit more closely, all the bad things that happened are like dark clouds parting after a storm. What remains most vividly... is pleasant scenery and warm smiles.

And, a noisy produce market.

Hahahaha! You still remember our conversation from back then, huh?

Once I go to Shangshu myself, I'll have to visit that 24/7 produce market as soon as I get the chance.

Good... Very good.

Looking back all these years, every time I saw you, you always said you were going to leave Lungmen. But now, more than ten years later, turns out I'll be the one who's leaving.

That's right. Every time I tried to leave, there would always be some happy little accident tying me down.

Anyway... Choi, a lot of people come to me before setting off on their trips, asking me to read their fortunes.

We've been old friends for so many years now, so I don't mind giving you a free reading today. Want me to tell you how your journey's going to go?

Haha, sure.

Hmm...

What does it say?

This is the Shih-Wang hexagram, which is a symbol of great auspice. On this journey, you will enjoy smooth travels, fair weather, and good health.

Hahaha, you really know how to say what people want to hear.