Chapter 789: Episode 2 Chapter 14 Hades is Gone_4
This city was bustling, much larger than the City of Nino where Ah Dai spent his childhood. After just a few steps, the scent of steamed buns wafted into his nose, causing his whole body to shudder, he found himself looking over involuntarily.
"Steamed Buns! Get your steamed buns! Sweet and delicious steamed buns, two for a copper coin! I’m selling buns..."
The loud cries of the bun vendor drew Ah Dai over unknowingly. The seller, a short, pudgy man in his forties with a head of red hair that was balding down to a thin mesh, sold his buns with gusto, each cry causing his chubby face to wobble. In front of him, continuous gusts of steam erupted from a woven tray full of buns, fresh out of the pot clearly. Upon seeing Ah Dai coming over, the vendor greeted him with a smile, "Young chap, would you like some buns? My buns are renowned far and wide, so sweet and tasty that after one flavor, you’ll crave for another."
Seeing the plump figure of the steamed bun vendor, Ah Dai thought to himself that the buns must taste really good, otherwise, the vendor wouldn’t have such a figure. Steamed buns, Ah Dai’s favorite, especially since he hadn’t eaten anything in a long time. But he didn’t have even a single copper coin in his pocket to buy those enticing buns in front of him.
Swallowing his saliva, Ah Dai shook his head.
Today was the steamed bun vendor’s first day of business; he hadn’t sold many buns yet. He observed that this slightly dazed young man before him was plainly dressed, but the giant sword on his back indicated that he must be a martial artist. Which martial artist didn’t have money? And he only needed coins for buns. Thus, as soon as he saw Ah Dai shake his head, the vendor exclaimed worriedly, "What’s the matter, lad? Aren’t you satisfied with my buns? Two for a copper coin, it’s an ideal breakfast. Here, try one. No charge."
At the mention of free food, Ah Dai’s eyes instantly lit up. Eagerly, he nodded before the vendor picked a bun from the steamy bamboo tray and handed it to him. Ah Dai took it with both hands and bit off a third of it in one mouthful. He hadn’t tasted such a good steamed bun in half a month. Hungrily devouring his bun in a matter of seconds, the scent of the bun filled his senses, giving him renewed energy as his belly was no longer empty. "Sir, your buns are truly fantastic, so soft and aromatic, it’s delicious."
The vendor beamed at Ah Dai’s compliment about how delicious his buns were. He replied proudly, "Of course, you can ask around, my buns are the most fragrant in several nearby streets. Why don’t you buy some? Even without any side dish, my buns are still delicious."
Ah Dai looked down, feeling despondent. "I... I really want to eat your buns, but... but I have no money."
The vendor was taken aback, mumbled, "If you have no money, why did you come to my stall? You’ve eaten my buns. My buns are for customers who are willing to pay for them. What’s this about? Trying to freeload? Fine, fine – I’ll let it be my bad luck. Just leave and don’t disrupt my business."
Ah Dai walked away with a bow of his head, secretly thinking that, as soon as he had money, he would certainly pay back the cost of the bun he ate.
"Wait a moment." The voice of the bun vendor came suddenly from behind. Ah Dai was surprised. Was the vendor chasing after him to ask for money? Turning around, he saw the bun vendor waving his plump hand at him, gesturing him to come over. Ah Dai walked back to the vendor, still with his head down, and said softly, "Sir, I... I really don’t have money, I’m sorry. I promise I’ll come to your store to buy buns once I have some."
The bun vendor then looked up to see Ah Dai, sighed, and gave him a paper-wrapped package. He said, "Young man, you must be an outsider. You must have fallen on hard times here. Come on, these buns are for you. It’s not easy making a living, take them."
Ah Dai gazed blankly at the bun vendor, feeling his eyes well up. This was the first person who cared for him since Owen passed away. His heart, which had grown cold since Owen’s death, suddenly felt warm again. He said, his voice trembling, "Thank you, thank you very much, sir. You truly are a wonderful person." He then took the buns and ripped open the paper package, wolfing down the buns immediately. He was extremely hungry.
The vendor brought a hot cup of water from his store and said, "Young man, eat slowly. Don’t choke on your food, drink some water."
Within a few moments, Ah Dai had devoured all five buns in the package, rejuvenating him instantly. After gulping down some hot water, a wave of warmth spread throughout his body. Feeling grateful, he said, "Thank you, sir. Thank you! You really are a kind person."
The vendor squinted and said with a good-hearted smile, "Not so much a good person really. I was down on my luck once too, happened upon a bun shop, and wanted their buns so bad, but I was just like you, with no money. Later on, the kind owner took me in and even gave his daughter to me in marriage, and that’s how I got where I am today. I suppose we are kindred spirits, fallen from grace; a few buns are nothing. My boy, where are you headed? Why would you head out with no money in your pocket? Given that sword of yours, you look like a martial artist."
As soon as he mentioned martial artist, it reminded Ah Dai of Owen, now deceased. He felt a pang of sadness. "Sir, thank you for the buns. Can you please tell me where I can find the Mage Guild?"
Right upon hearing Ah Dai mention the Mage Guild, the bun vendor’s face lit up with a look of reverence. "Mages are highly esteemed. Our city is large and does indeed have a branch of the Mage Guild. What about it? Do you have someone there, or are you looking for work?"
