Selling Cakes: C01

Chapter One

This novel was posted on cntranslations [dot] com, by anasiana. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)

_{Xiao Ning seized the pale and slender person's throat, gritting out from his gnashed teeth words as if they were blood: "Shen Yunjie..."}
A fierce wind stirred the air at twilight. The weight of the setting sky seemed to bear down on a nearby tavern's black and pointed eaves. Its sign fluttered in the rolling breeze, its presence marking the nearby alley's entrance. On that street, the pedestrians who once lined that corner were now nowhere to be seen.

Xiao Ning seized the pale and slender person's throat, gritting out from his gnashed teeth words as if they were blood: "Shen Yunjie..."

_{At midnight, the sound of knocks echoed from outside his door was mixed with the falling raindrops. The rapping continued in bursts that seemed to steadily waiver.}The wind blew, the umbrella moved, and the one under it uttered in a whisper through quivering lips, "Young Master..."

At midnight, the sound of knocks echoed from outside his door was mixed with the falling raindrops. The rapping continued in bursts that seemed to steadily waiver.

_{Using the dim light of the candle, Xiao Ning got a good look at the little thing lying on Shen Yunjie's stomach that had bitten him on the leg. It was a five-to-six-year-old child, tears in their raven black eyes. They were clearly in pain from the fall, but all they did was bite down on their lips without saying a word, alert written on their entire face as they stared at Xiao Ning.}
Standing before a palm-sized room and weighing a wine gourd tied around his waist, Xiao Ning reckoned it contained enough to buy him a drink and a meal before dragging his three-foot-wide vendor stall into his lodgings and carefully pulling his front door shut.

Using the dim light of the candle, Xiao Ning got a good look at the little thing lying on Shen Yunjie's stomach that had bitten him on the leg. It was a five-to-six-year-old child, tears in their raven black eyes. They were clearly in pain from the fall, but all they did was bite down on their lips without saying a word, alert written on their entire face as they stared at Xiao Ning.

A fierce wind stirred the air at twilight. The weight of the setting sky seemed to bear down on a nearby tavern's black and pointed eaves. Its sign fluttered in the rolling breeze, its presence marking the nearby alley's entrance. On that street, the pedestrians who once lined that corner were now nowhere to be seen.

_{On the table, the light from a candle violently swayed, soon growing still after a few rhythmic movements to become a bean-sized flame.}In the meantime, a small figure appeared from under the cloak next to Shen Yunjie's leg before lunging itself directly towards Xiao Ning. A sharp pain was then felt on his thigh, causing his brows to tighten as he subconsciously lifted and swung his leg to shake the little thing off his knee.

On the table, the light from a candle violently swayed, soon growing still after a few rhythmic movements to become a bean-sized flame.

_{Shen Yunjie's face was pale; his eyes bloodshot and his voice cracking as he spoke: "Y-Young Master, this child..."}
It was dark. The rain was pouring. The wind howled as it blew, sounding like wailing ghosts.

Shen Yunjie's face was pale; his eyes bloodshot and his voice cracking as he spoke: "Y-Young Master, this child..."

_{Xiao Ning's fingers halted; his grip slowly slackened before releasing. Shen Yunjie coughed violently, tears dripping from the corner of his eyes as he bent over by the waist to catch a few breaths before pulling that little thing tightly into his embrace.}A pair of long, thick eyelashes obstructed the pain in Shen Yunjie's eyes as his body was pushed against the cold planks of the door. The sound of the creaking bones met his ears, and the suffocating feeling made him release a groan. Yet he did not put up one degree of struggle; instead, lifting his snowy white neck, he waited for the young master to release it or simply snap it in two.

Xiao Ning's fingers halted; his grip slowly slackened before releasing. Shen Yunjie coughed violently, tears dripping from the corner of his eyes as he bent over by the waist to catch a few breaths before pulling that little thing tightly into his embrace.

_{The sound from outside was muffled by the rain, so it was unclear except for a few distinct words: "Buy... cakes."}
At midnight, the sound of knocks echoed from outside his door was mixed with the falling raindrops. The rapping continued in bursts that seemed to steadily waiver.

The sound from outside was muffled by the rain, so it was unclear except for a few distinct words: "Buy... cakes."

_{The wind blew, the umbrella moved, and the one under it uttered in a whisper through quivering lips, "Young Master..."}Frowning, Xiao Ning impatiently stood up from behind his table, accidentally knocking over the empty wine gourd before calling out with little regard, "Who is it?"

The wind blew, the umbrella moved, and the one under it uttered in a whisper through quivering lips, "Young Master..."

_{Xiao Ning seized the pale and slender person's throat, gritting out from his gnashed teeth words as if they were blood: "Shen Yunjie..."}The black umbrella fell, swirling, before landing in a puddle, while the one beneath it was dragged inside and the door violently shut.

Xiao Ning seized the pale and slender person's throat, gritting out from his gnashed teeth words as if they were blood: "Shen Yunjie..."

_{Frowning, Xiao Ning impatiently stood up from behind his table, accidentally knocking over the empty wine gourd before calling out with little regard, "Who is it?"}
Frowning, Xiao Ning impatiently stood up from behind his table, accidentally knocking over the empty wine gourd before calling out with little regard, "Who is it?"

Frowning, Xiao Ning impatiently stood up from behind his table, accidentally knocking over the empty wine gourd before calling out with little regard, "Who is it?"

_{In the meantime, a small figure appeared from under the cloak next to Shen Yunjie's leg before lunging itself directly towards Xiao Ning. A sharp pain was then felt on his thigh, causing his brows to tighten as he subconsciously lifted and swung his leg to shake the little thing off his knee.}The question stirred a strange feeling in Xiao Ning's heart, enough to wash away the drunkenness that was overtaking him. With reluctance in his voice, he was now the one who spoke up to ask, "Which kind would you like?"

In the meantime, a small figure appeared from under the cloak next to Shen Yunjie's leg before lunging itself directly towards Xiao Ning. A sharp pain was then felt on his thigh, causing his brows to tighten as he subconsciously lifted and swung his leg to shake the little thing off his knee.

_{Frowning, Xiao Ning impatiently stood up from behind his table, accidentally knocking over the empty wine gourd before calling out with little regard, "Who is it?"}N/A

Frowning, Xiao Ning impatiently stood up from behind his table, accidentally knocking over the empty wine gourd before calling out with little regard, "Who is it?"

_N/A
The sound from outside was muffled by the rain, so it was unclear except for a few distinct words: "Buy... cakes."

N/A

_{At last, the bolt was completely pulled open as the door was pulled open by a crack. Standing beyond it was the figure of a man who gradually appeared before Xiao Ning.}But never had he been as restless as he was at present on any other night. It seemed as though once he opened that door, there would be someone more terrifying than that thunderous and rain-filled night.

At last, the bolt was completely pulled open as the door was pulled open by a crack. Standing beyond it was the figure of a man who gradually appeared before Xiao Ning. Rain slid from the curve of the black umbrella. Then, with a flash of lightning, the long ally was set alight to reveal the picturesque brows and eyes of the one sheltering beneath. A dreadfully pale face, framed by hair drenched in raindrops, also fell from the soaked garment of the man calmly standing before him. Under the eves of twilight, the air carried a chill; the breath of crisp air made the bamboo dance; and an old friend came from somewhere far away[3].

_{From beyond the door, there was a moment of silence before the voice sounded again to ask, "Do you have any steamed flower buns, then[1]?"}From beyond the door, there was a moment of silence before the voice sounded again to ask, "Do you have any steamed flower buns, then[1]?"

From beyond the door, there was a moment of silence before the voice sounded again to ask, "Do you have any steamed flower buns, then[1]?"

_{A fierce wind stirred the air at twilight. The weight of the setting sky seemed to bear down on a nearby tavern's black and pointed eaves. Its sign fluttered in the rolling breeze, its presence marking the nearby alley's entrance. On that street, the pedestrians who once lined that corner were now nowhere to be seen.}Standing before a palm-sized room and weighing a wine gourd tied around his waist, Xiao Ning reckoned it contained enough to buy him a drink and a meal before dragging his three-foot-wide vendor stall into his lodgings and carefully pulling his front door shut.

_{1. 开花馒头: It's a steamed bun (that may or may not contain a filling) cut into a cross on top so it can resemble a blooming flower after steaming.}
"There aren't any. They're all sold out!" Xiao Ning barked out with little feeling in reply.

1. 开花馒头: It's a steamed bun (that may or may not contain a filling) cut into a cross on top so it can resemble a blooming flower after steaming. https://www.baike.com/wiki/%E5%BC%80%E8%8A%B1%E9%A6%92%E5%A4%B4?view_id=2jvjmudvusy000 []2. 鬼手: Ghost Hand (normally) is a person specialising in high-quality imitation paintings of famous folk, but here it's a face changer. []3. 暮檐凉薄。疑清风动竹，故人来邈: these are lines from the poem "解连环·秋情" (Broken Chain | Autumn Love) by 吴文英 (Wu Wenying). In this story, it's to indicate the return of a lost lover.

_{In the meantime, a small figure appeared from under the cloak next to Shen Yunjie's leg before lunging itself directly towards Xiao Ning. A sharp pain was then felt on his thigh, causing his brows to tighten as he subconsciously lifted and swung his leg to shake the little thing off his knee.}
From beyond the door, there was a moment of silence before the voice sounded again to ask, "Do you have any steamed flower buns, then[1]?"

_{Standing before a palm-sized room and weighing a wine gourd tied around his waist, Xiao Ning reckoned it contained enough to buy him a drink and a meal before dragging his three-foot-wide vendor stall into his lodgings and carefully pulling his front door shut.}At last, the bolt was completely pulled open as the door was pulled open by a crack. Standing beyond it was the figure of a man who gradually appeared before Xiao Ning. Rain slid from the curve of the black umbrella. Then, with a flash of lightning, the long ally was set alight to reveal the picturesque brows and eyes of the one sheltering beneath. A dreadfully pale face, framed by hair drenched in raindrops, also fell from the soaked garment of the man calmly standing before him. Under the eves of twilight, the air carried a chill; the breath of crisp air made the bamboo dance; and an old friend came from somewhere far away[3].

Standing before a palm-sized room and weighing a wine gourd tied around his waist, Xiao Ning reckoned it contained enough to buy him a drink and a meal before dragging his three-foot-wide vendor stall into his lodgings and carefully pulling his front door shut.

_{"There aren't any. They're all sold out!" Xiao Ning barked out with little feeling in reply.}Xiao Ning seized the pale and slender person's throat, gritting out from his gnashed teeth words as if they were blood: "Shen Yunjie..."

"There aren't any. They're all sold out!" Xiao Ning barked out with little feeling in reply.

_{A clap of thunder bellowed, the explosion seeming to have surged from the depths of Xiao Ning's chest.}
The question stirred a strange feeling in Xiao Ning's heart, enough to wash away the drunkenness that was overtaking him. With reluctance in his voice, he was now the one who spoke up to ask, "Which kind would you like?"

A clap of thunder bellowed, the explosion seeming to have surged from the depths of Xiao Ning's chest.

_{At midnight, the sound of knocks echoed from outside his door was mixed with the falling raindrops. The rapping continued in bursts that seemed to steadily waiver.}N/A

At midnight, the sound of knocks echoed from outside his door was mixed with the falling raindrops. The rapping continued in bursts that seemed to steadily waiver.

_{But never had he been as restless as he was at present on any other night. It seemed as though once he opened that door, there would be someone more terrifying than that thunderous and rain-filled night.}The little thing flung off by this action fell next to the leg of the table with a thud. Shen Yunjie's eyes were now wide open, grabbing Xiao Ning by the throat while hissing out the words, "Xiao Yuan... cough..."

But never had he been as restless as he was at present on any other night. It seemed as though once he opened that door, there would be someone more terrifying than that thunderous and rain-filled night.

_{At last, the bolt was completely pulled open as the door was pulled open by a crack. Standing beyond it was the figure of a man who gradually appeared before Xiao Ning.}
The bolts of his door were being pulled open, as the "steamed flower bun" business always operated at night. Six years ago, he was passed on the skill to become the "Ghost Hand of the Xiao Sect," and his skill in changing a person's look was outstanding. Be they fugitives, jilted lovers, widows, etcetera, there were always people who came to find him to change how they looked on the outside while taking advantage of the cover of night.

A pair of long, thick eyelashes obstructed the pain in Shen Yunjie's eyes as his body was pushed against the cold planks of the door. The sound of the creaking bones met his ears, and the suffocating feeling made him release a groan. Yet he did not put up one degree of struggle; instead, lifting his snowy white neck, he waited for the young master to release it or simply snap it in two.

_{Shen Yunjie's face was pale; his eyes bloodshot and his voice cracking as he spoke: "Y-Young Master, this child..."}A fierce wind stirred the air at twilight. The weight of the setting sky seemed to bear down on a nearby tavern's black and pointed eaves. Its sign fluttered in the rolling breeze, its presence marking the nearby alley's entrance. On that street, the pedestrians who once lined that corner were now nowhere to be seen.

Shen Yunjie's face was pale; his eyes bloodshot and his voice cracking as he spoke: "Y-Young Master, this child..."

_{Standing before a palm-sized room and weighing a wine gourd tied around his waist, Xiao Ning reckoned it contained enough to buy him a drink and a meal before dragging his three-foot-wide vendor stall into his lodgings and carefully pulling his front door shut.}The bolts of his door were being pulled open, as the "steamed flower bun" business always operated at night. Six years ago, he was passed on the skill to become the "Ghost Hand of the Xiao Sect," and his skill in changing a person's look was outstanding. Be they fugitives, jilted lovers, widows, etcetera, there were always people who came to find him to change how they looked on the outside while taking advantage of the cover of night.

_{The little thing flung off by this action fell next to the leg of the table with a thud. Shen Yunjie's eyes were now wide open, grabbing Xiao Ning by the throat while hissing out the words, "Xiao Yuan... cough..."}
At last, the bolt was completely pulled open as the door was pulled open by a crack. Standing beyond it was the figure of a man who gradually appeared before Xiao Ning. Rain slid from the curve of the black umbrella. Then, with a flash of lightning, the long ally was set alight to reveal the picturesque brows and eyes of the one sheltering beneath. A dreadfully pale face, framed by hair drenched in raindrops, also fell from the soaked garment of the man calmly standing before him. Under the eves of twilight, the air carried a chill; the breath of crisp air made the bamboo dance; and an old friend came from somewhere far away[3].

The little thing flung off by this action fell next to the leg of the table with a thud. Shen Yunjie's eyes were now wide open, grabbing Xiao Ning by the throat while hissing out the words, "Xiao Yuan... cough..."

_{The bolts of his door were being pulled open, as the "steamed flower bun" business always operated at night. Six years ago, he was passed on the skill to become the "Ghost Hand of the Xiao Sect," and his skill in changing a person's look was outstanding.}Using the dim light of the candle, Xiao Ning got a good look at the little thing lying on Shen Yunjie's stomach that had bitten him on the leg. It was a five-to-six-year-old child, tears in their raven black eyes. They were clearly in pain from the fall, but all they did was bite down on their lips without saying a word, alert written on their entire face as they stared at Xiao Ning.

The bolts of his door were being pulled open, as the "steamed flower bun" business always operated at night. Six years ago, he was passed on the skill to become the "Ghost Hand of the Xiao Sect," and his skill in changing a person's look was outstanding. Be they fugitives, jilted lovers, widows, etcetera, there were always people who came to find him to change how they looked on the outside while taking advantage of the cover of night.

_{The sound from outside was muffled by the rain, so it was unclear except for a few distinct words: "Buy... cakes."}The question stirred a strange feeling in Xiao Ning's heart, enough to wash away the drunkenness that was overtaking him. With reluctance in his voice, he was now the one who spoke up to ask, "Which kind would you like?"

The sound from outside was muffled by the rain, so it was unclear except for a few distinct words: "Buy... cakes."

_{The sound from outside was muffled by the rain, so it was unclear except for a few distinct words: "Buy... cakes."}Xiao Ning smiled, seeming as though he had witnessed a rare fallacy in this world, one that made the entirety of his face slightly contorted by his pulled lips. After a while, he straightened himself, derision lacing his voice as he spoke: "Shen Yunjie, do you think bearing a child of mine is something someone like you is worthy of?"

The sound from outside was muffled by the rain, so it was unclear except for a few distinct words: "Buy... cakes."

_{The bolts of his door were being pulled open, as the "steamed flower bun" business always operated at night. Six years ago, he was passed on the skill to become the "Ghost Hand of the Xiao Sect," and his skill in changing a person's look was outstanding.}
The wind blew, the umbrella moved, and the one under it uttered in a whisper through quivering lips, "Young Master..."

_{The confused little thing held its little head as it struggled to rise to its feet, a kitten-like cry escaping it as it called out to him, "D-Daddy...!"}
A clap of thunder bellowed, the explosion seeming to have surged from the depths of Xiao Ning's chest.

The confused little thing held its little head as it struggled to rise to its feet, a kitten-like cry escaping it as it called out to him, "D-Daddy...!"

_{A pair of long, thick eyelashes obstructed the pain in Shen Yunjie's eyes as his body was pushed against the cold planks of the door. The sound of the creaking bones met his ears, and the suffocating feeling made him release a groan. Yet he did not put up one degree of struggle; instead, lifting his snowy white neck, he waited for the young master to release it or simply snap it in two.}At last, the bolt was completely pulled open as the door was pulled open by a crack. Standing beyond it was the figure of a man who gradually appeared before Xiao Ning. Rain slid from the curve of the black umbrella. Then, with a flash of lightning, the long ally was set alight to reveal the picturesque brows and eyes of the one sheltering beneath. A dreadfully pale face, framed by hair drenched in raindrops, also fell from the soaked garment of the man calmly standing before him. Under the eves of twilight, the air carried a chill; the breath of crisp air made the bamboo dance; and an old friend came from somewhere far away[3].

_{"There aren't any. They're all sold out!" Xiao Ning barked out with little feeling in reply.}Xiao Ning smiled, seeming as though he had witnessed a rare fallacy in this world, one that made the entirety of his face slightly contorted by his pulled lips. After a while, he straightened himself, derision lacing his voice as he spoke: "Shen Yunjie, do you think bearing a child of mine is something someone like you is worthy of?"

"There aren't any. They're all sold out!" Xiao Ning barked out with little feeling in reply.

_{But never had he been as restless as he was at present on any other night. It seemed as though once he opened that door, there would be someone more terrifying than that thunderous and rain-filled night.}
The black umbrella fell, swirling, before landing in a puddle, while the one beneath it was dragged inside and the door violently shut.

_{At last, the bolt was completely pulled open as the door was pulled open by a crack. Standing beyond it was the figure of a man who gradually appeared before Xiao Ning.}Chapter One

_{At midnight, the sound of knocks echoed from outside his door was mixed with the falling raindrops. The rapping continued in bursts that seemed to steadily waiver.}A clap of thunder bellowed, the explosion seeming to have surged from the depths of Xiao Ning's chest.

At midnight, the sound of knocks echoed from outside his door was mixed with the falling raindrops. The rapping continued in bursts that seemed to steadily waiver.

_{The wind blew, the umbrella moved, and the one under it uttered in a whisper through quivering lips, "Young Master..."}
On the table, the light from a candle violently swayed, soon growing still after a few rhythmic movements to become a bean-sized flame.

The wind blew, the umbrella moved, and the one under it uttered in a whisper through quivering lips, "Young Master..."

_{Xiao Ning smiled, seeming as though he had witnessed a rare fallacy in this world, one that made the entirety of his face slightly contorted by his pulled lips. After a while, he straightened himself, derision lacing his voice as he spoke: "Shen Yunjie, do you think bearing a child of mine is something someone like you is worthy of?"}"Not roasted, no filling, and not raw."

Xiao Ning smiled, seeming as though he had witnessed a rare fallacy in this world, one that made the entirety of his face slightly contorted by his pulled lips. After a while, he straightened himself, derision lacing his voice as he spoke: "Shen Yunjie, do you think bearing a child of mine is something someone like you is worthy of?"

_{"Not roasted, no filling, and not raw."}The black umbrella fell, swirling, before landing in a puddle, while the one beneath it was dragged inside and the door violently shut.

"Not roasted, no filling, and not raw."

_{The black umbrella fell, swirling, before landing in a puddle, while the one beneath it was dragged inside and the door violently shut.}
A pair of long, thick eyelashes obstructed the pain in Shen Yunjie's eyes as his body was pushed against the cold planks of the door. The sound of the creaking bones met his ears, and the suffocating feeling made him release a groan. Yet he did not put up one degree of struggle; instead, lifting his snowy white neck, he waited for the young master to release it or simply snap it in two.

The black umbrella fell, swirling, before landing in a puddle, while the one beneath it was dragged inside and the door violently shut.

_{Shen Yunjie's face was pale; his eyes bloodshot and his voice cracking as he spoke: "Y-Young Master, this child..."}But never had he been as restless as he was at present on any other night. It seemed as though once he opened that door, there would be someone more terrifying than that thunderous and rain-filled night.

Shen Yunjie's face was pale; his eyes bloodshot and his voice cracking as he spoke: "Y-Young Master, this child..."

_{From beyond the door, there was a moment of silence before the voice sounded again to ask, "Do you have any steamed flower buns, then[1]?"}
In the meantime, a small figure appeared from under the cloak next to Shen Yunjie's leg before lunging itself directly towards Xiao Ning. A sharp pain was then felt on his thigh, causing his brows to tighten as he subconsciously lifted and swung his leg to shake the little thing off his knee.

From beyond the door, there was a moment of silence before the voice sounded again to ask, "Do you have any steamed flower buns, then[1]?"

_{Chapter One}1. 开花馒头: It's a steamed bun (that may or may not contain a filling) cut into a cross on top so it can resemble a blooming flower after steaming. https://www.baike.com/wiki/%E5%BC%80%E8%8A%B1%E9%A6%92%E5%A4%B4?view_id=2jvjmudvusy000 []2. 鬼手: Ghost Hand (normally) is a person specialising in high-quality imitation paintings of famous folk, but here it's a face changer. []3. 暮檐凉薄。疑清风动竹，故人来邈: these are lines from the poem "解连环·秋情" (Broken Chain | Autumn Love) by 吴文英 (Wu Wenying). In this story, it's to indicate the return of a lost lover.

Chapter One

_{But never had he been as restless as he was at present on any other night. It seemed as though once he opened that door, there would be someone more terrifying than that thunderous and rain-filled night.}Using the dim light of the candle, Xiao Ning got a good look at the little thing lying on Shen Yunjie's stomach that had bitten him on the leg. It was a five-to-six-year-old child, tears in their raven black eyes. They were clearly in pain from the fall, but all they did was bite down on their lips without saying a word, alert written on their entire face as they stared at Xiao Ning.

_{At midnight, the sound of knocks echoed from outside his door was mixed with the falling raindrops. The rapping continued in bursts that seemed to steadily waiver.}
The little thing flung off by this action fell next to the leg of the table with a thud. Shen Yunjie's eyes were now wide open, grabbing Xiao Ning by the throat while hissing out the words, "Xiao Yuan... cough..."

At midnight, the sound of knocks echoed from outside his door was mixed with the falling raindrops. The rapping continued in bursts that seemed to steadily waiver.

_{A clap of thunder bellowed, the explosion seeming to have surged from the depths of Xiao Ning's chest.}At midnight, the sound of knocks echoed from outside his door was mixed with the falling raindrops. The rapping continued in bursts that seemed to steadily waiver.

A clap of thunder bellowed, the explosion seeming to have surged from the depths of Xiao Ning's chest.

_{It was dark. The rain was pouring. The wind howled as it blew, sounding like wailing ghosts.}
Xiao Ning's fingers halted; his grip slowly slackened before releasing. Shen Yunjie coughed violently, tears dripping from the corner of his eyes as he bent over by the waist to catch a few breaths before pulling that little thing tightly into his embrace.

It was dark. The rain was pouring. The wind howled as it blew, sounding like wailing ghosts.

_{But never had he been as restless as he was at present on any other night. It seemed as though once he opened that door, there would be someone more terrifying than that thunderous and rain-filled night.}Xiao Ning smiled, seeming as though he had witnessed a rare fallacy in this world, one that made the entirety of his face slightly contorted by his pulled lips. After a while, he straightened himself, derision lacing his voice as he spoke: "Shen Yunjie, do you think bearing a child of mine is something someone like you is worthy of?"

_{Using the dim light of the candle, Xiao Ning got a good look at the little thing lying on Shen Yunjie's stomach that had bitten him on the leg. It was a five-to-six-year-old child, tears in their raven black eyes. They were clearly in pain from the fall, but all they did was bite down on their lips without saying a word, alert written on their entire face as they stared at Xiao Ning.}Xiao Ning smiled, seeming as though he had witnessed a rare fallacy in this world, one that made the entirety of his face slightly contorted by his pulled lips. After a while, he straightened himself, derision lacing his voice as he spoke: "Shen Yunjie, do you think bearing a child of mine is something someone like you is worthy of?"

_{Standing before a palm-sized room and weighing a wine gourd tied around his waist, Xiao Ning reckoned it contained enough to buy him a drink and a meal before dragging his three-foot-wide vendor stall into his lodgings and carefully pulling his front door shut.}Using the dim light of the candle, Xiao Ning got a good look at the little thing lying on Shen Yunjie's stomach that had bitten him on the leg. It was a five-to-six-year-old child, tears in their raven black eyes. They were clearly in pain from the fall, but all they did was bite down on their lips without saying a word, alert written on their entire face as they stared at Xiao Ning.

_{A fierce wind stirred the air at twilight. The weight of the setting sky seemed to bear down on a nearby tavern's black and pointed eaves. Its sign fluttered in the rolling breeze, its presence marking the nearby alley's entrance. On that street, the pedestrians who once lined that corner were now nowhere to be seen.}
Using the dim light of the candle, Xiao Ning got a good look at the little thing lying on Shen Yunjie's stomach that had bitten him on the leg. It was a five-to-six-year-old child, tears in their raven black eyes. They were clearly in pain from the fall, but all they did was bite down on their lips without saying a word, alert written on their entire face as they stared at Xiao Ning.

_{In the meantime, a small figure appeared from under the cloak next to Shen Yunjie's leg before lunging itself directly towards Xiao Ning. A sharp pain was then felt on his thigh, causing his brows to tighten as he subconsciously lifted and swung his leg to shake the little thing off his knee.}Xiao Ning's fingers halted; his grip slowly slackened before releasing. Shen Yunjie coughed violently, tears dripping from the corner of his eyes as he bent over by the waist to catch a few breaths before pulling that little thing tightly into his embrace.

_{On the table, the light from a candle violently swayed, soon growing still after a few rhythmic movements to become a bean-sized flame.}
Shen Yunjie's face was pale; his eyes bloodshot and his voice cracking as he spoke: "Y-Young Master, this child..."

On the table, the light from a candle violently swayed, soon growing still after a few rhythmic movements to become a bean-sized flame.

_{In the meantime, a small figure appeared from under the cloak next to Shen Yunjie's leg before lunging itself directly towards Xiao Ning. A sharp pain was then felt on his thigh, causing his brows to tighten as he subconsciously lifted and swung his leg to shake the little thing off his knee.}On the table, the light from a candle violently swayed, soon growing still after a few rhythmic movements to become a bean-sized flame.

_{Chapter One}
Xiao Ning smiled, seeming as though he had witnessed a rare fallacy in this world, one that made the entirety of his face slightly contorted by his pulled lips. After a while, he straightened himself, derision lacing his voice as he spoke: "Shen Yunjie, do you think bearing a child of mine is something someone like you is worthy of?"

Chapter One

Author's Note:

N/A

Notes:

1. 开花馒头: It's a steamed bun (that may or may not contain a filling) cut into a cross on top so it can resemble a blooming flower after steaming. https://www.baike.com/wiki/%E5%BC%80%E8%8A%B1%E9%A6%92%E5%A4%B4?view_id=2jvjmudvusy000

2. 鬼手: Ghost Hand (normally) is a person specialising in high-quality imitation paintings of famous folk, but here it's a face changer.

3. 暮檐凉薄。疑清风动竹，故人来邈: these are lines from the poem "解连环·秋情" (Broken Chain | Autumn Love) by 吴文英 (Wu Wenying). In this story, it's to indicate the return of a lost lover.

Selling Cakes (being a street peddlar of this kind) was regarded as one of the lowliest occupations that made one virtually unseen or regarded.

Selling Cakes: C01

Chapter One

Author's Note:

Notes:

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