CFSMS -Chapter 6 Xiaohua, the Disfigured Girl

Today’s batch was much larger, and most customers managed to get a taste. But precisely because they had eaten Lu Wu’s buns, they were even more dissatisfied with the purchase limits.

“If I find out who spread the news, I’ll kill him!”

Someone muttered. Lou Xiaotian immediately shrank his neck.

He regretted it too!

Originally, he could have had them all to himself. Wuwuwu… his Pure and Innocent Meat Buns. He hadn’t gotten any today!

So there really were things money couldn’t buy.

Consumed by regret, Lou Xiaotian’s eyes darted around as he began scheming again.

By now, many people had discovered that forum post, and Lou Xiaotian was among them.

After letting out a sinister chuckle, he started typing.

A new comment appeared beneath the post:

“The boss’s buns for the next few days have already been reserved by someone. Don’t bother coming.”

First muddy the waters. If he could fool a few people, all the better. Then he could fish in troubled waters and maybe eat a few extra buns himself.

After all, judging by the current situation, Boss Lu’s bun stall didn’t need to worry about business at all.

The customers on this street alone were more than enough.

Before long, Lou Xiaotian noticed his comment had been pushed to the top.

Looking around, he saw quite a few people browsing One Realm Connect. Their gazes met in midair, and they exchanged knowing smiles.

Sure enough, he wasn’t the only sneaky bastard around.

However, when his eyes met Lu Wu’s, he felt a little guilty.

There was no helping it.

Even if he couldn’t fight for face, he had to fight for a bun.

Ever since tasting these buns, he could no longer stomach the buns made by the chefs of the Lou family.

For the sake of his own appetite, he could only deceive the innocent masses.

Meanwhile, Old Li, who had also managed to get a bun, smacked his lips, savoring the lingering taste.

He deleted the glowing review he had prepared.

Don’t blame him.

He was only worried that those young people lacked the fortune to enjoy such delicacies.

He was old, so he wasn’t afraid.

Let him handle it!

Lu Wu was busy.

Watching people taste the food she had made with her own hands, seeing them enjoy it, filled her heart with a sense of satisfaction.

Smiling, she listened as customers devoured buns without any concern for appearances while chatting about everything under the heavens.

To Lu Wu, many things were fascinating and fresh.

Amid the lively night atmosphere and the rich fragrance of food, she finally felt as though she had truly become a part of this world.

In a remote alley of Little River Town, a plainly dressed woman clutched something to her chest and pushed open a crude wooden door.

The furnishings inside were pitifully sparse. At a glance, the room felt empty.

Lighting a candle, the woman walked toward the wooden bed at the far end.

Beneath the old but clean quilt was a small mound rising and falling gently. Someone was sleeping inside.

The woman’s footsteps were heavy, yet the person under the blanket showed no reaction.

“Xiaohua, I bought your favorite red bean bun. Get up and have a few bites.”

“These buns are really delicious. When I went to buy them, there was such a long line. I almost didn’t get one.”

“They’re just a little expensive.”

The woman continued chattering softly, but there was still no response from beneath the blanket.

Her gaze settled there, sorrow filling her expression.

“Xiaohua, you need to eat more. Only then will your body recover.”

“In the future…”

She was about to continue persuading her when a sharp, furious scream suddenly erupted.

“The future? What future is there for me anymore?!”

“My face is ruined!”

“Those people call me a freak! Whenever I go outside, they laugh at me! How am I supposed to face anyone? I’d rather die!”

The voice belonged to a young girl.

Her tone was filled with bitterness and hostility.

She shot upright and slapped her mother’s hand away.

The woman cried out in pain and failed to hold onto the bun. It fell to the floor, and the oil paper wrapping came undone.

The bun’s skin was already thin. Upon impact, a small crack split open, releasing the aroma of red beans mixed with sweet fragrance.

The scent stopped the cruel words that were about to leave the girl’s mouth.

The girl froze.

Her nose twitched.

Following the fragrance, she looked over.

She saw the snow-white bun, still steaming with warmth. She also noticed the pained and heartbroken expression on her mother’s face.

Instant regret flooded her.

Her father had died young, leaving her and her mother dependent on each other.

She was nearly twelve years old and would soon be tested for cultivation aptitude.

Perhaps she might once have dreamed of soaring to greatness.

But she no longer dared hope.

A strange illness had ruined her life.

Under the candlelight, her face was fully revealed.

Black spots covered her cheeks.

Dense and numerous, they transformed what should have been a delicate and pretty face into something terrifying.

Whenever she spoke, the movement of her muscles made the spots appear like wriggling worms.

Disgusting.

Hideous.

This was Xiaohua’s greatest source of pain.

She and her mother had tried countless remedies and spent a great deal of money, yet nothing could remove the marks.

With such a face, all she received were looks of disgust and contempt.

Xiaohua didn’t even have the courage to step outside the door.

“Xiaohua, give it a try.”

Noticing her daughter’s gaze, the woman suppressed her tears and picked up the bun before offering it to her.

“It’s still clean. I heard one of the courtesans say these buns are magical.”

As for how they were magical, she hadn’t stayed long enough to find out.

Xiaohua wanted to refuse.

Yet the sweet fragrance kept tempting her like a devil’s whisper, impossible to resist.

Grrr…

After barely eating for several days, the growl of her stomach made Xiaohua’s face flush red.

Fortunately, the black spots hid her embarrassment.

Suppressing her shame, she accepted the bun.

Under her mother’s expectant gaze, Xiaohua took a small bite.

It was fragrant.

Soft.

Like her mother’s embrace.

She remembered when those black spots had appeared overnight, bringing endless ridicule from others.

Back then, her mother had held her tightly in her arms.

That embrace had been so warm it made her want to cry.

Having gone hungry for days, Xiaohua wolfed down the bun.

But no matter how large it was, a bun could only last so long.

When the final bite disappeared into her stomach, she looked at her mother’s hopeful eyes.

Unable to hold back any longer, tears streamed down her face.

“Mother…”

“Wuuuu…”

“I’m not a freak. I’m not a monster.”

“They all insult me. Nobody likes me.”

“Mother… I’m so sad.”

She burst into loud sobs.

Crystal tears splashed onto the back of the woman’s hand. Their scalding warmth made the woman’s eyes redden as well.

“Mm, Mother knows.”

“Xiaohua isn’t a freak.”

“Xiaohua is beautiful. You’re Mother’s most precious treasure.”

She gently wiped Xiaohua’s face with a handkerchief, speaking softly to comfort her.

After only a few wipes, the woman’s expression suddenly changed.

She stared at Xiaohua’s face.

Then she looked at the handkerchief.

Her expression was as though she had seen a ghost.

“Mother, what’s wrong?”

Hic!

Having finally cried out all her grievances, Xiaohua had calmed considerably.

She looked at her mother with concern.

“Xiaohua… I think my eyes are playing tricks on me.”

“I think… the spots on your face have faded a little.”

To make sure, the woman leaned closer.

Xiaohua frowned.

She didn’t believe it. She thought her mother was simply trying to comfort her.

“It’s true! They really faded!”

The woman suddenly cried out.

Joy overflowed from her face.

“Xiaohua, I’ll get you a mirror!”

Moving quickly, the woman fetched a mirror and thrust it into Xiaohua’s hands.