C14 The Nostalgia!

She had to drop out of college in her sophomore year because she got married, never getting to enjoy the carefree days of university life.

The aroma of food made her stomach growl with hunger. Xue Ning wandered aimlessly among the various stalls, hoping to find one offering free samples. The thrill of getting something for nothing left her feeling a bit ashamed, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. However, after searching for a while, she found nothing.

The blazing sun beat down relentlessly, and soon her clothes were soaked with sweat. Giving up on the idea of freebies, she pushed through the crowd and found a quiet, shady spot under a large tree to escape the heat. She pondered whether she should look for a job handing out flyers, at least to earn enough for a meal.

"Sniff..."

Just as she was thinking this, she heard the sound of soft, stifled sobs nearby. Instinctively, Xue Ning turned to look for the source. She realized she had been so lost in thought earlier that she hadn't noticed a tricycle parked under the tree. It was equipped with a spotless black iron griddle and various condiments, along with a small cardboard sign that read "Griddled Tofu" in bold letters. Underneath the tricycle were two large wooden buckets covered with white cloth, presumably containing the tofu.

A middle-aged woman, around forty, sat on a small four-legged stool, her face etched with worry as she wiped away tears. Her eyes were swollen like goldfish bowls. It was clear she hadn't had any business yet.

Feeling awkward after stumbling upon someone else's troubles, Xue Ning hesitated, unsure whether to stay or leave.

Just then, two female students, out for a bite, passed by, chatting animatedly. One glanced at the stall and nudged her friend, "Hey, they've got grilled tofu. Want some?"

The other quickly pulled her away, her tone full of disdain, "Let's go, you don't know the story here. It used to be run by a guy, and the food was pretty good. Then this lady took over, and I don't know what happened, but her hands are covered in blisters. It's kind of scary, and the food's terrible now. I can't eat it."

"Let's find another place. There are a couple of tofu stalls up ahead that are decent. If you're really craving it, we can go there."

Their words were harsh and hard to hear. But that's the harsh reality—whether it's a big corporation or a small vendor, competition is inevitable. Especially in the food industry, without a unique edge, you're bound to be pushed out by the market.

The middle-aged woman heard their conversation and paused, her tears flowing even more freely.

Xue Ning felt a bit uneasy as she caught sight of her own reflection. In her past life, she was someone nobody cared about, dismissed and overlooked like unwanted leftovers. Anyone could look down on her, anyone could step on her.

Suddenly, a sense of determination surged within Xue Ning. She wanted to help.

With a plan in mind, she approached the woman, smiling before she even spoke. "Ma'am, how much for a serving?"

The woman, known to everyone as Mrs. Wang, brightened at the prospect of a customer. She quickly wiped away her tears and stood up to attend to the business at hand. "Five dollars a serving, young lady. Would you like one?"

Ever since her husband was hospitalized with a stroke, she had only sold a few dozen servings over nearly two weeks. Her child was away at college, needing money for living expenses, and the hospital bills kept piling up. Money was flowing out like water, with nothing coming in, leaving her finances stretched thin and nearly depleted.