I run a convenience store in the Empire

[Edited] Chapter 39

Author: The wind is too late

The old man, with a warm smile, eagerly let the children pet the golden retriever. Tang Candy, touching a golden retriever for the first time, gently petted its smooth, soft fur, and the delightful sensation warmed her heart.

That brief dinner break was the most relaxing moment during her stressful senior year exams. The memory of the meat dumplings' aroma became deeply etched in her mind.

As she reminisced, Tang Candy skillfully chopped the pork belly into small pieces, added water and ginger to the pot, and set it on high heat to cook.

Once the pork belly turned completely white, she fished it out, discarded the water, and wiped the pot dry with a paper towel. Turning on low heat, she added the pork belly back into the pot. When it was nicely charred on both sides, she added white sugar and water, then tossed in salt, green onions, cloves, cumin, peppercorns, cinnamon, star anise, and fragrant leaves. After stirring well, she transferred everything into a pressure cooker to simmer.

Suddenly, Qi Tian's voice broke the silence. "Why are you up so early?"

Tang Candy turned around to find him sitting on a barstool, watching her with a deep, complex gaze that seemed to hold both attachment and reluctance. For a moment, she doubted her eyes. Could a child really have such a complicated expression? When she shook her head and looked again, Qi Tian was as usual, curiously watching her cook.

"When did you come? I didn't even notice you," she laughed.

"Not long ago. You were too focused on cooking to notice me. Why are you up so early making food?" Qi Tian pointed to the pressure cooker. "Are we having meat for breakfast?"

"It's not just meat, it's meat dumplings! They're very tasty," Tang Candy said excitedly.

Qi Tian looked intrigued but stood up, saying, "No matter how delicious, I don't eat meat for breakfast. I'll go make some milk fruit and vegetable porridge."

"Fry two poached eggs too," Tang Candy added.

She then started making Bai Ji Buns. The crispy buns were not only delicious but also a rare treat. She mixed yeast and flour with warm water, kneaded the dough until smooth, rolled it into long strips, then cut and rolled the pieces into small circles. Heating a frying pan with a bit of oil, she cooked the buns until they were slightly golden on both sides, then covered the pot to let them simmer until crispy.

After preparing twenty buns, Tang Candy took out the stewed pork belly from the pressure cooker. The pork belly was tender, brown-red, shiny, and dripping with juice. She placed the meat on a clean board and chopped it finely. After mixing it with a little marinade from the pressure cooker, she stuffed the flavorful meat into the buns.

She handed one to Qi Tian, who took a bite. The hot, aromatic oil, crispy bun, fluffy interior, and tender, flavorful meat made him exclaim, "It is indeed very delicious."

For breakfast, Tang Candy enjoyed a meat dumpling, a bowl of milk fruit and vegetable porridge, and a poached egg. Qi Tian, who initially said it wasn't good to eat meat for breakfast, ended up eating three meat dumplings.

Tang Candy thought, "Zhenxiang is never late."

After packing the meat dumplings in a thermal box, Tang Candy and Qi Tian left the store. As they stepped out, she noticed a red rope hanging from the top of the six-meter-high peach blossom tree.

Pointing at it, she exclaimed, "Look, Qi Tian! Someone managed to tie a red rope at the very top. That person must really love their other half."

Qi Tian's lips curved slightly. "Yes, they must love them very much."

Sister Zhao arrived in her star car, and they headed to the mountain for their outing. The mountain was adorned with many beautiful flowers. After a day of exploring, they shared the meat dumplings together, enjoying the scenic views.

As their adventure concluded, Tang Candy felt a bit reluctant to leave. She had wanted to visit Homesick City for a long time. Once Sister Zhao's car entered the city, Tang Candy and Qi Tian got out to go shopping.

Tang Candy spotted a red bow ribbon, which was both fairy-like and cute. She imagined how adorable it would look tied to Qi Tian's black cat tail.

"Qi Tian, can you wear this?" she asked, expecting his refusal.

To her surprise, Qi Tian hesitated but then agreed. "I'll wear it."

"Oh my God!" Tang Candy exclaimed, eagerly tying the red bow ribbon to the tip of his cat tail. She couldn't help but rub his hair, saying, "You're so likable, Qi Tian."

Qi Tian looked even more charming with the ribbon, his tail moving uncomfortably yet adorably. Tang Candy's heart melted, though she tried to maintain her composure.

Passersby couldn't help but glance and discuss the sight. Realizing Qi Tian's discomfort, Tang Candy quickly led him away. They walked through a sparsely populated alley, intending to reach the Star Orbit Station a few meters ahead to head home.

However, midway through the alley, five burly, fierce-looking men appeared, each holding iron bars.