Chapter 22: Fried Bun by the School Gate

Chapter 22: Fried Bun by the School Gate

Fu Yining had previously found a guide online that mentioned a nearby fried bun shop with great reviews. The shop was located next to a middle school in a residential area, and it was common to see parents and children there to satisfy their hunger. It was clear why it was so popular.

Fu Yining specifically chose a weekend to visit. The students from the nearby schools were on holiday, and the working crowd was resting at home, so there were fewer people, and the lines weren’t as long.

She successfully found the shop with photos displayed outside. As soon as she entered, she saw the price list posted on the wall.

It was said that the shop’s fried buns were made fresh every day. The price hadn’t changed in thirty years, still just one and a half yuan per bun, and the portion and size had remained the same, making it super affordable.

The owner, nearly seventy but full of energy, was rolling out bun skins on a flour-dusted surface. His wife and daughter were wrapping the fillings nearby, while his son-in-law watched over the fragrant large pot.

The owner’s daughter spotted her and greeted her warmly. "What can I get for you, miss?"

Fu Yining thought for a moment and slowly replied, "I’ll have two pork buns and two tofu buns, and—a bowl of soy milk as well."

"For here or to go?"

"For here."

"Alright, please wait. This batch will be ready soon."

After paying, Fu Yining sat down at a clean, empty table.

Many people at the nearby tables were enjoying their meals, and the sound of slurping the delicious soup from the fried buns made Fu Yining swallow her saliva.

Customers kept coming in to take buns to go, and Fu Yining’s order was soon delivered to her table.

As he served her, the owner kindly reminded, "Be careful, they’re hot! Enjoy your meal."

"Thank you."

Fu Yining poured some vinegar into a small dish and used chopsticks to pick up a fried bun with a crispy skin and steaming hot filling.

After blowing on it to cool it down, as the golden skin and the hot, savory soup entered her mouth, Fu Yining let out a small gasp from being scalded but was immediately captivated by its deliciousness.

It was scorching, but oh so delicious—just like something from my past.

Wait, taste from memory?

Fu Yining’s chewing paused.

She’d never been here before, never tasted these buns, so why did it feel so familiar?

She kept chewing but couldn’t quite figure it out.

Fu Yining didn’t dwell too much on the strange thought in her mind and focused on the delicious yet scorching hot bun.

As she ate, she noticed the customers at the next table finish up, wipe their mouths, and leave. The owner quickly cleaned the table, and two young girls soon sat down.

As soon as they sat, they started chatting. Their voices weren’t too low, so Fu Yining accidentally overheard their conversation.

The petite girl was a local, while the taller one was her college friend, visiting for the weekend.

"Yuan Yuan, is it delicious?"

"Mmm, so good! Jia Jia, you really know how to find the best spots. These buns are amazing!"

"Hmph, I told you, just trust me, and you'll be fine! Finish your buns, and later I'll take you to explore some other places."

"Okay!"

The two of them ate and chatted, and somehow the conversation turned to the school nearby.

The girl named "Yuan Yuan," who was from a province known for its intense college entrance exams, looked shocked upon hearing that Lehe Middle School next door had a whole day off on the weekends.

She opened her mouth wide and exclaimed, "You mean high schools here actually get weekends off?"

"Yes, of course. Otherwise, being in school seven days a week would be too much. We'd burn out."

"Okay, okay, it's just not something we had." Yuan Yuan couldn't help but wipe away a tear, reminiscing about her really tough high school life.

Yuan Yuan couldn't even imagine having weekends off during high school.

Jia Jia smiled and asked, propping her chin up with her hand, "Did you really only get out once every two or three weeks in high school?"

Yuan Yuan burst into tears, "Waaah, of course it's true! Why would I make that up? Those three years were so hard, waaah!"

She had waited so long for those days off that a few strands of her hair had turned white.

What a rough ride!

Jia Jia couldn't help but feel sorry for Yuan Yuan.

Yuan Yuan sniffled and asked, "Your school looks big from the outside. How's the food inside? Let me tell you, the food at our school was just awful! And—"

"And the school wouldn't even let us buy instant noodles. They cleared out all the instant noodles from the school store and had teachers patrol the campus to check. It was just too much, waaah!"

Between sobs and complaints, Yuan Yuan continued, "They said instant noodles weren't healthy, but we students thought they were definitely healthier than the terrible food they served in the cafeteria."

So every time Yuan Yuan went home, her mom would whip up a feast, and Yuan Yuan would clean her plate.

"Jia Jia, I've been through so much!"

"Yeah, sounds rough!" Jia Jia chuckled but explained to her, "But Yuan Yuan, I think you've got the wrong idea. I'm not actually from that school next door."

"Huh? You're not? Then which school are you from?" Yuan Yuan thought Jia Jia had graduated from there since she knew so much about the school next door.

Jia Jia pointed in another direction, "My high school is over there. Lehe Middle School is a private school, and it costs tens of thousands of yuan a year in tuition. Our family couldn't afford that."

"Oh, I see."

Seeing that Yuan Yuan was so interested in Lehe Middle School, Jia Jia took the initiative to explain, "Although I'm not from that school, have you heard of Yu Zhili from the Qigui Group?"

At the mention of "Yu Zhili," Fu Yining's hands paused, and she perked up her ears to listen more carefully.

Yuan Yuan nodded, "Yes, yes, I know him. He's that super handsome and domineering CEO. Who doesn't know him?"

"That's right! He's a graduate of this school!"

"Really?"

Yuan Yuan quickly glanced at the half-eaten bun left on her plate and gave a sly smile.

"Jia Jia, do you think Yu Zhili ever came here for buns?"

No wonder everyone calls him "Dad Yu"!

Fu Yining was hearing this nickname for the first time and almost choked on her drink.

"Definitely," Jia Jia chimed in. "The boss of this place told me that Yu Daddy used to come here often to buy buns when he was in high school. It was for his girlfriend."

"Girlfriend?"

Girlfriend?

Both Yuan Yuan and Fu Yining, who had been eavesdropping, were now fully engaged.

Yuan Yuan licked her lips, her eyes full of curiosity. "Come on, Jia Jia, spill the details!"

Jia Jia raised her eyebrows proudly. "You didn't know that, huh? Yu Daddy's girlfriend was in the same grade as him, also a student at Lehe Middle School. She's now Mrs. Yu, you get it?"

"Oh? From high school sweethearts to married life, I see what you mean!"

Fu Yining's eyes widened in surprise.

Giggling, Yuan Yuan added, "Haha, makes sense!" "They all laughed, sharing a moment of amusement."