Forbidden to Bully the Storybook’s Heroine – Chapter 111
by Little PandaExtra 2: The ‘What If’ Timeline
“Muyun, I’m coming in, okay?”
She hadn’t bothered to announce her arrival beforehand, but now she thought to ask.
Since she was already here, Song Muyun couldn’t exactly send her back. She could only nod, though her expression remained a little tense. “Be careful. Don’t fall.”
“I won’t.”
Jiang Yao was supremely confident. With a twirl on top of the wall, she landed steadily inside.
Song Muyun’s eyes widened in surprise, and the heart that had been in her throat finally settled.
“Why did you come in this way?” the young lady asked, her brow furrowed as she began her interrogation. Never in her life had anyone scaled a wall to find her. Her friends always informed her parents and came through the main gate.
“I was worried your parents wouldn’t let me in, so I climbed the wall.”
Song Muyun was speechless. “What are you thinking? Why wouldn’t they let you in?”
She shot Jiang Yao a reproachful look. Jiang Yao, looking embarrassed, scratched the back of her head. “Isn’t it because my reputation is so bad? I was worried your parents wouldn’t like me.”
“Of course not. My parents aren’t like that.” Song Muyun’s brow tightened, a hint of displeasure in her expression. Jiang Yao immediately changed her tune and the subject.
“Alright, I misspoke. I’ll use the main gate from now on. Anyway, I happened to bring my sword. Want to see me perform?”
All young ladies liked beautiful things, and she had specially brought her most beautiful sword. She deliberately brandished it in front of Song Muyun.
As expected, Song Muyun’s gaze was drawn to the sword, a flicker of amazement in her eyes.
“What a beautiful sword. Did you set this gem yourself?”
A crystal-clear, glazed gemstone was carved into it, with tiny rubies set around it as accents.
“It came with it. I saw it at an auction house, thought it was pretty, and bought it.”
Compared to the swords in her own possession, there were far more fine blades circulating among the common folk and martial world, so she often went to their auction houses to hunt for them. Finding a good sword was always a win.
Song Muyun nodded as she looked at the scabbard, then suddenly looked up. “May I touch it?”
She was a young lady from a noble family with strict rules; she had never touched a sword before. Her father and mother required her to be well-versed in poetry, books, rites, and music, but they forbade her from touching anything that might give her calluses.
“Go ahead. If you like it, I can give it to you.”
Jiang Yao had brought it specifically to please Song Muyun. If it made her happy, she would give it to her.
Song Muyun smiled as she touched the hilt, then shook her head. “A gentleman does not take what another loves.”
“It’s fine. I have other nice things. This is nothing.”
“That won’t be necessary. I don’t know martial arts. It would be a waste to give this sword to me.”
Her voice was soft and gentle, enough to melt anyone’s heart.
Jiang Yao felt a pang of regret at not being able to give her gift, but it didn’t last long. She quickly picked up the sword, ready to perform for her. She even told Song Muyun to stand further back, afraid she might get hurt.
Song Muyun retreated to the veranda, watching Jiang Yao with anticipation. This was the first time she had ever seen someone perform with a sword.
The longsword in Jiang Yao’s hand first bloomed into a beautiful flourish. Then, the blade moved like a roaming dragon, swift as a lonely meteor. It was so fast that one could barely see its shadow. Song Muyun was dazzled. She couldn’t help but take a half-step forward, leaning against one of the veranda’s redwood pillars to watch.
Jiang Yao was already dashing on a normal day, but when she wielded a sword, she exuded a confident, wild arrogance, as if nothing in the world was worthy of her notice. Song Muyun was filled with an incredible sense of envy.
She… liked this Jiang Yao.
She didn’t know why; she just did.
Perhaps it was because Jiang Yao possessed the freedom she yearned for.
After a full routine, Jiang Yao hadn’t even broken a sweat, with only a few tiny beads of moisture on the tip of her nose.
Song Muyun took the initiative to bring her a cup of tea. “Are you tired?” she asked with concern. “Quick, have some tea to soothe your throat.”
Jiang Yao nodded, took the cup, and drained it in one go.
“Did you come over today just to perform with your sword for me?” Having just witnessed the beautiful, sharp sword dance, the young woman was in a good mood, and her voice held a hint of a smile.
“Not entirely. I was worried you’d be bored at home by yourself.”
“How could I be bored? I’ve always lived like this. I’m used to it.” She shook her head helplessly.
“Then what were you doing before I arrived?”
Song Muyun glanced at the blue-covered book on the stone table and answered honestly, “Reading.”
Jiang Yao followed her gaze. The mere sight of a book gave her a headache, but the person she admired was right here—the most renowned talented woman in the capital. She definitely couldn’t admit to disliking books in front of her. Talented women usually despised profligates who didn’t even read. I have to at least pretend! Jiang Yao thought, gritting her teeth.
“What book is this? I’ll read it with you.”
She offered so readily that surprise flickered in Song Muyun’s eyes. “This is a collection of Lan Linzhi’s poetry. You want to read it too?”
She had assumed Jiang Yao disliked books.
Today, Jiang Yao had come uninvited, fully prepared to be met with displeasure. She never expected Song Muyun to actually smile at her. She was already over the moon. What was a little reading? How hard could it be?
She would read. She loved to read!
“Yes. If you’re reading, I’ll read with you.”
Jiang Yao’s eyes shone like stars, as if she was greatly looking forward to it…
Song Muyun paused for a moment, then nodded. “Alright, let’s read together then.”
A strange feeling grew in her heart. It was strange how inexplicably kind Jiang Yao was to her, and how inexplicably compliant. She was also a little puzzled. Did Jiang Yao want to be her friend that badly?
Jiang Yao obediently sat down on a stone stool, looking up at Song Muyun with clear, bright eyes.
Song Muyun paused again before going over to sit down. She picked up the book that was lying face down on the table and turned a page. “Shall we start from here?”
“Mhm, mhm, yes, yes, whatever you say.”
It was all the same to her; she couldn’t understand any of it anyway.
Seeing this, Song Muyun said no more and began to read quietly with her.
The moment Jiang Yao’s eyes fell upon those overly refined characters, waves of drowsiness washed over her. Her eyelids felt like they were in a constant battle. She had to endure it, taking several deep breaths just to force herself to keep reading.
She recognized all the characters individually, but when they were put together, they just seemed awkward.
Song Muyun was reading intently, so Jiang Yao couldn’t say anything. She forced her eyes wide open, but she still couldn’t understand a thing and her head began to ache.
Fine, I’ll just read it word by word, sentence by sentence. Soak in some of this scholarly atmosphere.
She had just finished reading a single line when Song Muyun turned the page.
…
Damn it, she couldn’t even keep up.
As if competing with someone, Jiang Yao stared at the poem, trying to read as much as she could. At least she could recognize a few lines. After a while, Song Muyun suddenly closed the book. Jiang Yao looked over and heard her say, “It’s time for my qin practice. Aren’t you going home?”
It was getting late. Even if Jiang Yao had been out having fun, she should be heading home by now.
But upon hearing this, Jiang Yao pouted, looking rather unhappy. “Are you trying to kick me out already?”
That wasn’t Song Muyun’s intention, but she didn’t say anything, simply gazing at Jiang Yao with her calm eyes.
Jiang Yao was at a loss for words. Knowing she wouldn’t get a reply anyway, she waved a hand. “Forget it, forget it. I’ll be going then. I’ll come see you again in a couple of days.”
“Mm.”
Song Muyun didn’t stop her, watching quietly as she left.
Only when the courtyard returned to its original silence did she suddenly feel a sense of loneliness.
A maidservant entered from outside with a tray of pastries. Seeing Song Muyun sitting there in a daze, she looked surprised. “Miss, it’s time for your qin practice. Why haven’t you started? If Madam comes by and sees you haven’t been practicing, she’ll surely be angry.”
Song Muyun lowered her gaze and nodded. “Mm, I know. I’ll start now.”
…
After leaving the Song Residence, Jiang Yao had no idea what to do. She had few friends in the capital—next to none, really. Even if she had questions she wanted answered, it was hard to find someone to ask.
Fortunately, someone came to her. From a distance, she heard a voice calling from behind. “Younger Cousin? Why are you out today? So which unlucky sod did you beat up?”
As Jiang Yao walked on, someone caught up to her from behind. It was, of course, her poor sap of an older cousin.
“Tsk. No one. I just came from the Song Residence.”
Liang Yunhe understood. “Visiting Miss Song? Then why did you leave so early?”
For Jiang Yao, this time of day was still very early. Since she had gone to the trouble of visiting, he thought she would at least stay for a meal.
A heavy sigh escaped the young woman beside him. “She had to practice the qin, so I left.”
Liang Yunhe raised an eyebrow. “So that’s how it is. That’s normal. The ladies of the capital are all multi-talented. It all comes from practicing day in and day out.”
Jiang Yao almost lost control and rolled her eyes. “What’s there to practice? Practice this, practice that… it’s enough to tire a person to death.”
Liang Yunhe shrugged. “Every family has its own rules. The Song family’s rules have always been a bit stricter, which is why the young ladies they raise are particularly outstanding. Many families in the capital have their eyes on the Songs. The moment they announce they’re looking for a match for Miss Song, their threshold would be worn down by matchmakers.”
Hearing this, Jiang Yao’s expression grew even darker. She didn’t want Song Muyun to marry anyone. Though she had only dreamed of her a few times, the moment she saw her in person, she knew: Song Muyun was hers, and hers alone. She liked her.
It wasn’t because she was beautiful, but simply because she liked her. A strange affection was blossoming in her heart. Seeing her made her happy; not seeing her made her miss her.
Liang Yunhe noticed her mood but didn’t think it was because he had mentioned how many people admired Song Muyun. He just assumed she was in a bad mood and suggested, “Want to go for a drink?”
“No. I’m annoyed.”
“What’s bothering you? Tell me about it.”
Liang Yunhe looked quite interested. He wanted to see what could possibly make his carefree cousin so unhappy.
Jiang Yao glanced at him, suddenly remembering that he had two younger sisters, one of whom was particularly spoiled and often needed coaxing. Liang Yunhe often mentioned buying things to appease his sister.
He must be very experienced, right?
“Tsk. Cousin, if you’ve made a lady unhappy, how do you make it up to her?”
Liang Yunhe raised an eyebrow. “What, did you upset Miss Song?”
He understood immediately. Jiang Yao’s expression froze. She ran a hand roughly through her hair, her brow furrowed so deeply it could crush a mosquito. “I feel like she doesn’t like me,” she said.
“She doesn’t like you?” Liang Yunhe burst out laughing. “The literary and the martial are fundamentally opposed. Isn’t it perfectly normal for her not to like you?”
“Bullshit! Who says the literary and the martial are opposed!”
Seeing the anger on her face, Liang Yunhe managed to stifle his laughter and went along with her. “Alright, alright, they’re not opposed. Then why doesn’t she like you?”
Jiang Yao’s gaze fell, dejected. “I was impolite in front of her and made her unhappy.”
Liang Yunhe drew out a long “Oh.” “But Miss Song doesn’t seem like such a petty person.”
“But she is angry. I want to make her happy.”
“You? Trying to make someone happy?” Liang Yunhe laughed again. It wasn’t that he was being mean, but when had his cousin ever tried to please anyone? Even when her own parents were furious with her, she would just crack her whip and run away, only reappearing after her aunt and uncle had calmed down. A person who had never learned how to please her own parents was now trying to please an outsider?
“Yeah. How do you usually please your younger cousins?”
Liang Yunhe was indeed something of an expert in this area. He cleared his throat twice and couldn’t resist sharing his wisdom. “Pleasing a woman is nothing more than giving her things she likes. Clothes, jewelry, anything works. If you give her something she truly desires, she’ll naturally be happy.”
“Clothes and jewelry?” Jiang Yao seemed to have an epiphany, her gaze dropping in thought.
“I’m on my way to Zhenbao Pavilion to pick out some jewelry for Qiu’er and Xin’er as birthday gifts. Want to come?” Liang Yunhe invited her.
“Yes. Let’s go. I’ll see what you buy.”
This was the first time she had ever thought of picking out jewelry for a woman. In the past, she usually gave toys, or if she was feeling uninspired, just silver notes. But Liang Yunhe said women liked jewelry.
Then she would buy some.
The two of them entered Zhenbao Pavilion together. Liang Yunhe stopped on the first floor. Jiang Yao, who had been about to head for the more opulent-looking second floor, paused in surprise. “Let’s go. What are you waiting here for? Aren’t the best things usually upstairs?”
Liang Yunhe looked helpless. “Those two don’t need the best things. They ask me to buy them this and that every day. Where would I get the money to buy them anything better? Are you buying for Miss Song or for yourself?”
“For Muyun, of course. Didn’t I just tell you?”
“The jewelry upstairs often costs over a hundred taels.” he reminded her.
Jiang Yao’s face was impassive. “Oh. If you’re not going up, I’ll go by myself.”
Liang Yunhe was speechless. So rich. I’m so jealous.
He waved a hand. “Go on, then. If you can’t make up your mind, come find me.”
“Mm.”
Without a second thought, Jiang Yao turned and went upstairs. This was the first time she was picking a gift for the person she liked. It had to be good.
The jewelry upstairs was a dazzling array, making her feel that Muyun would look beautiful in every single piece. She went from earrings to bracelets, then to hairpins and head-and-face ornament sets.1
She lingered over a Red Jade Rose Head-and-Face Ornament Set for a particularly long time.
A quarter of an hour later, she raised her hand and beckoned to the shop assistant waiting nearby. On the tray before her were the pieces she had just selected. The rose set was just one of them. There was also a large Gilt-Edged Peony Jade Hairpin, exquisitely carved from high-quality jade into the shape of a large peony and traced with gold. It looked incredibly opulent. Jiang Yao had spotted it at a glance and thought Muyun would surely look beautiful wearing it.
There was also a pair of Purple Grape Earrings, their color bright and eye-catching. She liked them a lot, too. Muyun’s skin was so fair; these would definitely look stunning on her!
Lost in her imagination, Jiang Yao didn’t notice the corner of the shop assistant’s mouth twitching as he came over to package the jewelry.
The assistant was inwardly astonished. This young lady doesn’t look like she’s never seen the world. The fabric of her clothes is a rare treasure that money can’t buy. So how did she manage to pick the very pieces Zhenbao Pavilion hasn’t been able to sell for years? What a strange one.
Jiang Yao, oblivious, happily took the packaged jewelry and went downstairs.
Liang Yunhe was still choosing a suitable birthday gift. Seeing Jiang Yao come down, he raised an eyebrow, his voice tinged with surprise. “You’re done already? What did you pick? Let me see.”
He leaned in for a look but was shooed away by Jiang Yao. “Go, go. What’s there to see? This is for Muyun. No one is allowed to see it before she opens it.”
“Alright, alright. I won’t look. So are you heading back now?”
Having found a gift she was pleased with, Jiang Yao was in high spirits. “Yeah, I’m going back. You take your time.”
A far cry from the dejected figure who had left the Song Residence, Jiang Yao’s happiness was now evident even from her back, and a smile played on her lips.
When a group of profligates she knew walked by, she even nodded at them, which nearly scared their leader into collapsing on the spot.
That leader had been beaten up by Jiang Yao more than a few times. He had only dared to walk down this street because he didn’t know she was around. He never thought he would run into her, and to make matters worse, she had actually smiled at him!
He felt weak all over and could only stay upright by clutching his companion’s sleeve.
“W-Was that Jiang Yao?” he asked, his expression a mixture of shock and disbelief.
His companions were also trembling. The one supporting him nodded grimly. “Yes, that was Jiang Yao. No doubt about it!”
“Th-Then did Jiang Yao really just smile at me?”
His underlings looked at him with pity in their eyes and nodded heavily once more.
The leader’s eyes rolled back, and he nearly fainted. He pointed a trembling finger in the direction Jiang Yao had disappeared. “Is… is she plotting something nasty again?”
His friends didn’t know either, but they were just as nervous. They were all a group of poor souls who had been beaten by Jiang Yao, huddling together for warmth. If Jiang Yao beat one of them, it was a given that the others wouldn’t escape a beating either. After all, they were very loyal to each other and always got into trouble together. Damn it all.
Jiang Yao returned to the Jiang Residence, joyfully clutching the jewelry. She had just been kicked out today, so she didn’t dare go find Song Muyun again. She simply beckoned a maidservant over, picked out the Red Jade Rose Head-and-Face Ornament Set, wrapped it, and tucked a few extra silver notes into the box before handing it over. “Take this to the Song Residence and give it to their eldest young miss. Say it’s a gift from me.”
The maidservant looked a little lost. “Which Song family?” she asked. She couldn’t recall the Jiang family having any dealings with a Song family.
Jiang Yao replied, “The Song family of the Office of Transmission.”2
“Ah, this servant understands.” The maidservant acknowledged the order and headed out.
The Song family was having dinner when the gift from the gatehouse was delivered.
Song Yunqian was surprised to hear that the gift was from the Jiang family for his daughter. He turned to look at the equally stunned Song Muyun. “Yun’er, when did you become acquainted with Eldest Miss Jiang?”
Her father had always been strict. Song Muyun lowered her lashes and didn’t hide anything. “It was a few days ago, at the Second Prince’s Consort’s Plum Blossom Banquet.”
“Did you initiate the conversation with Miss Jiang?”
“No, Miss Jiang asked for my name. She said she wanted to be my friend.”
Song Yunqian’s brow furrowed. His face, accustomed to being righteous, turned serious. His younger brothers and the junior family members were so frightened they didn’t dare speak. Seeing this, Madam Song nudged him under the table, her voice soft and a little helpless. “That’s enough. She just wants to be friends with Yun’er. What are you thinking about now?”
She knew her husband and that Prime Minister from the Jiang family had some political disagreements. Fortunately, the Prime Minister was a magnanimous man and had never made things difficult for their family because of it. Otherwise, the slightest show of displeasure from him would have been enough to cause them a great deal of trouble.
Her father shook his head and gestured for someone to give the gift to Song Muyun. “I wasn’t thinking anything. The Prime Minister is a man of good character, so the daughter he raised must be excellent as well. You two can interact more.”
Song Muyun’s eyes lit up. She had many friends, but this was the first time her father had ever taken the initiative to encourage her to spend more time with someone. And here Jiang Yao was, worried that her bad reputation would prevent her parents from letting her in. How could that be?
“I understand, Father.”
She replied and lowered her head to continue eating.
The Songs were all people of propriety. No one asked what Jiang Yao had sent Song Muyun.
It was only after Song Muyun returned to her room and dismissed her servants that she opened the package.
She wondered what Jiang Yao would send her. They had read a book together that afternoon. Would she send her a poetry collection? She had mentioned she was going to practice the qin. Would she send her a music score?
Song Muyun didn’t even realize how much she was looking forward to it.
Until the exquisite box was opened, and its contents were disturbed…
The maidservant who came in to change the tea felt a sudden chill, so cold that goosebumps rose on her skin.
The gift on the table was being put away. The maidservant, who was about to leave, was called to a halt. It was rare for her young miss to look so displeased. Song Muyun looked at the jewel-inlaid box on the table and said, “Take this to the Jiang Residence and give it to Eldest Miss Jiang Yao. Say that this gift is too valuable, and Muyun dares not accept it.”
Compared to the Song family, the Jiang family’s name was much more prominent in the capital. The maidservant was only surprised for a moment before nodding. “Yes, this servant will go at once.”
After the gift was wrapped and taken away, silence returned to the room. Song Muyun angrily slammed her fist on the table.
What did Jiang Yao take her for?
She said she wanted to be friends, yet her first move was to send a priceless head-and-face ornament set with silver notes tucked underneath. Who makes friends like that?
If she hadn’t gotten to know Jiang Yao a little over the past few days, she would have thought Jiang Yao was using money to humiliate her.
But even knowing that wasn’t her intention, Song Muyun was still furious. It was the first time in her life she had ever received silver notes as a gift. She felt uncomfortable and unhappy, but she couldn’t voice it to the person directly, so she could only coldly have the gift returned.
The Song family was efficient. That very evening, Jiang Yao received the gift she had sent, along with Song Muyun’s message.
Hearing that someone from the Song family had arrived, she had gone out to meet them personally, only to receive such a reply. Her disappointment was immense.
Of course, she didn’t believe Song Muyun was refusing the gift simply because it was too valuable. After all, she had always given gifts this way. She just assumed Song Muyun hated her and didn’t want her gifts. Perhaps she didn’t even want to see her.
What was going on?
The usually proud Eldest Miss Jiang was feeling extremely insecure. She thought she had made Song Muyun a little happier today, but she was kicked out after only a short while. She had finally found a way to please her and sent a gift, only to have it returned.
She didn’t like this method of pleasing people one bit. And she didn’t like her.
Jiang Yao sighed in the courtyard. Thirteen-year-old Jiang Huai tiptoed in from outside. He had come to ask his sister for some money, but the moment he reached the courtyard gate and saw her in such a foul mood, his whole body tensed up, and he immediately fled.
He could live without the money if he was frugal. But if he became his sister’s punching bag right now, he could lose half his life.
Jiang Yao was usually sharp, but this time she was probably too lost in her sorrow to notice her brother who had come and gone. She was left to her misery alone.
Muyun wouldn’t accept her things. How else was she supposed to please her?
Maybe… she should pay a visit to the Song Residence tomorrow?
But they had already returned her gift, which clearly meant they didn’t like her. If she insisted on going over, wouldn’t that be too shameless…? She would definitely get even angrier.
Jiang Yao hesitated for a long time before finally summoning her personal maidservant, Cui Zhu.
She asked her, “If one day, you found out that the woman you like hates you, would you go see her or not?”
Cui Zhu’s face was a mask of confusion. “Miss, I don’t like women.”
Jiang Yao was speechless. “If! It’s a hypothetical! I’m not saying it’s you!”
Cui Zhu’s little face scrunched up, but she still couldn’t answer. She just didn’t like women, so she couldn’t even imagine it!
Jiang Yao sighed and rubbed her forehead. “Go. Get Cui Ping.”
Cui Ping was also her personal maidservant, but she was usually much more level-headed and seemed far more useful than Cui Zhu.
Cui Zhu was only too happy to escape the suffocating question and hurried off to find Cui Ping.
Jiang Yao repeated the question to Cui Ping. Cui Ping pondered for a moment and said, “Does the woman truly hate me?”
“Yes! Truly hates you!” Jiang Yao was convinced.
Cui Ping then said frankly, “If it were this servant, this servant would still go see her.”
“Why?” I don’t even dare to go. Sigh.
“Because if she hates this servant, she certainly won’t come looking for this servant. If this servant doesn’t go to her, she will hate this servant forever, and this servant will never see her again. Perhaps… she has some misunderstanding about this servant?” Cui Ping said slowly, trying to guess Jiang Yao’s thoughts.
Jiang Yao’s eyes lit up. Yes, Cui Ping was right.
Song Muyun already disliked her. Could she possibly dislike her any more? If she went to coax Song Muyun now, she might still have a chance. But if she didn’t even try, then she would have no chance at all.
Muyun was so wonderful, and so many people wanted to be her friend. If she didn’t go see her, she would probably be forgotten in a couple of days!
Although it hadn’t happened yet, Jiang Yao was already getting angry in advance. She slammed a fist on the table, her face full of indignation, and decided that she absolutely had to go see Song Muyun tomorrow. She would bring the other gift she had specially bought. Whether she could coax her or not, one does not hit a smiling face.3 Since she was bringing a gift, surely Song Muyun couldn’t get any angrier, right?
Jiang Yao made her decision, but she slept poorly that night, worried that she would be thrown out, gift and all. How humiliating would that be?
Her dreams followed her heart. Not only did she make Song Muyun unhappy while awake, but she was also trying to coax her in her dreams. The difference was, in her dream, she had only bought a stick of tanghulu, and she had coaxed her with hugs and kisses. At the end of the dream, Song Muyun was even sitting on her lap, licking the sugar coating off the tanghulu. But in the real world, the girl barely spoke to her, let alone showed such a soft side.
It was unthinkable.
Jiang Yao woke up at the crack of dawn, unable to sleep any longer. She hastily grabbed the long, thin box containing the hairpin and left the house.
She ate breakfast out, ordering three hot meat buns and a bowl of tofu pudding.4 As she passed an old man selling tanghulu, she paused. Remembering how the person in her dream had been appeased by a single stick of tanghulu, she, despite her skepticism, paid for one before heading to the Song Residence.
This time, unlike yesterday, she didn’t climb the wall. She went to the main gate and had someone announce her, only entering after permission was granted.
Footnotes
- A ‘head-and-face ornament set’ (tóumiàn) is a full, matching set of hair ornaments, typically including hairpins, combs, and other decorative pieces for a formal coiffure.
- The Office of Transmission (Tōngzhèngshǐ Sī) was a real government agency in imperial China, primarily during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It was responsible for receiving and transmitting memorials from officials to the emperor and distributing imperial edicts.
- A common Chinese saying, ‘shēnshǒu bù dǎ xiàoliǎnrén’, which means it’s difficult to be harsh or reject someone who is approaching you with a smile and good intentions.
- Tofu pudding (dòufu nǎo) is a soft, jellied tofu dish, often served as a breakfast item. It can be prepared as a savory dish with soy sauce and toppings, or as a sweet dessert.
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