Chapter 20: Do I Look Like a Fated One to You?

Chapter 20: Do I Seem Like the Right Person?

The voices of Li Shanshan and Chen Jinbin praising the rice balls and juice at the stall drew in some more customers for Xuehe Rice Ball. They too wanted to try the super-delicious rice balls and juice their classmates were raving about.

Between the 20-yuan pork chop seaweed rice ball and the 10-yuan egg and ham seaweed rice ball, most of them chose the 10-yuan egg and ham one. A few students who preferred pork chop bought that one instead. But the exclusive secret-recipe shrimp rice ball? No one bought that one.

After this wave of students passed, the stall slowed down again.

A young woman came to the stall and said, "I'll take a 20-yuan pork chop rice ball, please."

The young woman's name was Pan Manli. She was a Chinese teacher for the third year of junior high at Taoxi Middle School. Her home was near the school. Today, her parents were out meeting old friends, leaving her alone at home. She didn't feel like cooking, so she decided to buy something simple for lunch.

She came to buy Xuehe Rice Ball because other stalls had lines, while this one didn't, making it very convenient.

"Okay." Jiang Yingxue noticed Pan Manli looked somewhat pale and haggard. It was obvious she hadn't been resting well recently and had been taking some sleep aids.

After some thought, she spoke up, "I see your complexion is a bit pale. Would you like to buy an exclusive secret recipe rice ball? Although the price is a bit higher, it can help you sleep better."

Pan Manli glanced at the small blackboard out of the corner of her eye. *So expensive*, she thought. *Is this boss trying to take me for a fool? I don't look that easy to deceive, do I?*

She had originally wanted to buy a drink too, but she was already put off, so she decided against it. "No need, I just want a rice ball."

"Okay, here's your rice ball." Since the customer showed no interest, Jiang Yingxue didn't push further.

Pan Manli paid and left.

Next to the stall stood a large tree, its dense leaves providing a big patch of shade.

A woman in her fifties had been standing in the shade of the tree for several minutes. Her name was Wu Zhengqiong. Her husband, Wang Juguang, was a retired teacher from this school. Even though their son had bought houses in both the city and the town, the elderly couple still preferred living in the school-provided teacher's housing, enjoying the campus environment.

Some people often have trouble sleeping as they get older, and her husband was plagued by insomnia. When she heard Jiang Yingxue mention "improving sleep quality," her eyes lifted slightly.

She asked, "Young lady, why did you recommend the exclusive secret recipe rice ball to that young girl?"

Seeing the woman's friendly attitude, Jiang Yingxue spoke frankly, "Auntie, that young girl's face looked quite tired, with very obvious dark circles. One look and you could tell she wasn't sleeping well. Also, the shrimp I use are raised in mountain spring water. If she bought that rice ball paired with the juice, she'd be sure to sleep well tonight."

Wu Zhengqiong said, "You're that sure?"

Jiang Yingxue's eyes were confident. "Of course." Shrimp raised in spiritual spring water, combined with Qiong Peach Juice nourishing the body—if that couldn't even help an ordinary mortal sleep well, she'd start doubting their authenticity.

Wu Zhengqiong said, "She didn't buy it."

"Yes." Jiang Yingxue respected the customer's decision. She wouldn't use spells to manipulate customers into buying against their will; she disliked making things hard for herself.

Wu Zhengqiong's gaze fell on the small blackboard. "Your prices are a bit high."

Jiang Yingxue looked at her and smiled gently. "You get what you pay for. I only made five today, selling them to the right people." She thought this auntie looked like one of them.

Wu Zhengqiong also smiled. "Do I seem like the right person?"

"If you buy one, then I guess you are."

At that moment, a steady, elderly voice came. "What right people?"

Seeing her husband arrive, Wu Zhengqiong's face broke into a smile.

Jiang Yingxue also looked at the newcomer. She could tell at a glance he was 62, but his face looked very familiar.

A moment later, she remembered. This old man was her history teacher from junior high. She had even been the history class representative back then. In the high school entrance exam year, she got the top history score in the city, which was closely related to the teacher's guidance. She could hardly ever finish her history exercise books and test papers back then because before she could finish the one in her hand, the teacher would give her a new one, and all for free.

She raised a smiling face to greet Wang Juguang. "Hello, Teacher Wang."

"Hello." Wang Juguang nodded amiably. The young lady before him looked somewhat familiar. *Ah, isn't this my former student?* Jiang Yingxue had good grades in junior high, among the top in her class. She was also the history class representative. After the high school entrance exam, she went to a key high school in the city and scored first in history, bringing him honor. He recognized her immediately.

"You are Jiang..." *Ah, getting old. I remember the surname, but the name is a bit fuzzy.*

Jiang Yingxue said, "Teacher, I'm Jiang Yingxue."

Wang Juguang patted his thigh. "Right, right, Ying Xue! What are you doing here?" Teacher and student meeting at a snack stall outside the middle school gate, the former good student now a stall owner—Wang Juguang was a bit puzzled.

There are thirty-six professions, and every one produces its top master. Of course, he didn't mean to discriminate against stall vendors; he was just a bit puzzled that his student had returned to the town.

Jiang Yingxue said, "I quit my job in Y City. Being close to home in town is nice too, and running a stall is quite comfortable."

Wang Juguang laughed. "Being close to home is good; you can spend more time with family. I hadn't seen you before; is today your first day here?" He felt a pang of envy for her parents. Having their child nearby allows for more family time. His son worked in the city, and his grandson also studied there. Although not far away, his son was busy with work, only coming home once every two or three months. His son had also suggested they move to the city to live together, but the elderly couple felt more comfortable living in the town.

"Yes." While chatting with them, Jiang Yingxue took the time to freshly squeeze two cups of Qiong Peach Juice.

"Teacher, this must be your wife?" After receiving an affirmative response, she continued, "Teacher, Mrs. Wang, please try this Qiong Peach Juice."

Wu Zhengqiong said, "Ying Xue, thank you for your kindness, but your teacher isn't in very good health; he needs to control his sugar intake."

Jiang Yingxue said, "Teacher, Mrs. Wang, don't worry, it's fine. This is Qiong Peach fruit. It's different from ordinary fruits. Rather than calling it a fruit, it's more like a mild Chinese herbal medicine."

"Is that so?" Wu Zhengqiong was still a bit uneasy, but Wang Juguang had already started drinking.