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The food cart raced along like a whirlwind, leaning to the left during turns. Chu Yuening slowed down and waved at the ladies with a smile in her almond-shaped eyes and a bright expression on her fair face.

"Good morning, Auntie Ding, Auntie Lei, and Auntie Li!"

Auntie Ding motioned for Chu Yuening to stop and, from her vegetable basket, she swiftly tucked a piece of dragon bone under the cart. "Beautiful bone here. I specially reserved it two days ago with the butcher just for you. Take it back and make soup for your sister's health."

"No, Auntie Ding, keep it for your grandson," Chu Yuening replied, applying the brakes and standing up, lifting her hips off the seat. She turned around, reaching for the bone to return it.

"It's just one meal," Auntie Ding said nonchalantly. "I know you don't have time to go to the market. By the way, that invigorating dessert really works wonders! My grandson doesn't get dizzy or headaches while studying anymore, and he even scored full marks recently. Do you have more today?"

"Yes," Chu Yuening opened the lid of the ice cream box lying horizontally beneath the cart and fumbled inside before retrieving a bottle to hand over to Auntie Ding.

Overjoyed, Auntie Ding was about to open her purse to pay.

"No need, consider it payment for the dragon bone," Chu Yuening said, already back on the cart, pedaling away. "But while the invigorating dessert is effective, there's no need to drink it every day. Come back next week to buy some!"

Auntie Ding was ecstatic, placing the dessert in her basket as she and the other aunties sang its praises. "That invigorating dessert is fantastic. My grandson says it's better than coffee for boosting alertness. One cup and you're energized all day."

"Is it really that good? That powerful?" Auntie Lei couldn't help but glance at Auntie Ding's basket now and then.

"My granddaughter says it's truly remarkable."

The housewives were enticed and nudged each other. "Why don't we also ask Ning Ning to sell us some at Temple Street?"

"There are only two cups per day," Mrs. Ding boasted, her face beaming with excitement. With increased energy, she carried on with her grocery shopping. "It's quite difficult to get your hands on them. You should queue up tomorrow."

Under Mrs. Ding's enthusiastic promotion, everyone became curious about the refreshing dessert.

After all, who didn't have a grandchild or two studying at home?

Chu Yuening arrived at Temple Street with her cart, encountering no obstacles along the way.

By the time she reached her stall, Lin Jiahua had already set up shop.

"Ning Ning, let me help you," Lin Jiahua offered, having just taken out a tray of egg tarts from the oven. Seeing Chu Yuening push her cart in, he hastily removed his gloves and adjusted his glasses, which had only one lens remaining. He turned to face the light, allowing him to see through the frame's empty side.

Chu Yuening waved him off. "I've got this."

"Don't be silly, girls should take care of their hands! Otherwise, how can you wear pretty accessories?" Lin Jiahua ignored her advice and came over to bend down and pull out the small wooden table from under the cart, placing it neatly. Then, he turned around to lift the ice cream box from beneath the cart and set it on the glass countertop.

Finished with his tasks, Lin Jiahua was about to return to his stall.

"Wait a moment," Chu Yuening secured the cart's stand, ensuring it was stable. She then reached under the cart and handed him a box. "This is for you."

Lin Jiahua was surprised. "For me? What is it?"

"Open it and see," Chu Yuening replied with a playful smile, keeping him in suspense.

Lin Jiahua untied the bow on the gift box and found a glasses case inside. He touched the empty frames on his nose, his eyes welling up with emotion.

"This brand costs over a thousand dollars. Was it worth spending so much on me?"

Throughout his life, he had never received any decent birthday gifts. Even his two biological sisters had never given him anything.

Ning Ning had no blood ties with him and was already burdened with family responsibilities.

Lin Jiahua contemplated returning the glasses to get a refund.

"If you return it, that would show disrespect for the gift and reluctance to be friends with me." Chu Yuening gestured at Lin Jiahua's glasses with a smile. "Why not give these a try?"

Lin Jiahua took off his old glasses, squinting in the light. As he put on the new pair, his vision gradually cleared, and he was astonished. "The prescription is spot on. How did you know?"

"There's only one place left in Hong Kong that sells your old brand of glasses."

Yesterday, while visiting the Friendship Department Store, she happened to stroll by this shop and asked the owner to check Lin Jiahua's prescription records. Indeed, they were there.

Lin Jiahua was diligent about having his eyes checked, so the prescription was accurate.

"Thank you so much, Ning Ning," Lin Jiahua suddenly grew nervous but deeply appreciative, considering his current financial situation. "I was planning to save up for a few more days before getting a new pair."

"You're welcome. We're good friends, after all!"

As Chu Yuening finished speaking, the line of customers at her stall began to grow.

She didn't prolong the conversation further and hurried back to the stall, leaving the first two customers in line.

The first person seeking a fortune was a man.

He seemed disoriented, resting both hands on the small wooden table as he sat down.

In the meantime,

Wei Yanlin and Boss Huang arrived at the scene.

Amidst a sea of people, the street was packed with neighbors. Wei Yanlin, despite standing on tiptoes, couldn't see past the crowd to the dessert stall, let alone identify the fortune teller.

Boss Huang, with his ample belly, pushed his way through the crowd like a bouncing ball, making it slightly closer to Wei Yanlin amidst the struggle.

Auntie had also come to witness the commotion. Spotting Wei Yanlin, she approached him in delight, grabbing his hand, "Ah Lin?"

Wei Yanlin turned around, equally surprised to see his relative, "Aunt?"

The two exchanged brief greetings.

It was then that Wei Yanlin learned that his aunt had also come to Temple Street. She pulled a handful of sunflower seeds from her pocket, her gaze disdainful amidst the jostling crowd as she observed the stall, "Who knows if she's really impressive or not? In my opinion, she lacks real talent but is a master at using newspapers for publicity. She's really learned the tricks from those TVB stars."

"For no reason at all, why would a journalist suddenly offer to promote her for free? Lately, Temple Street has been bustling with chaos and it's truly bothersome."

Wei Yanlin had always known his aunt's sharp tongue. Back in Tung Chai Street, she had annoyed him countless times. After giving him a few leads, she'd hold even the slightest favor as leverage, hoping he would elevate those people to greatness.