Small-Town Bakery [Gourmet]

Ming Wuran thought she had a secure job for life. Who could have expected it to close down overnight, leaving her unemployed?

The turbulent 1990s had nothing to do with her, an unemployed woman who had to worry about making ends meet.

The only thing she had going for her was her skill at making pastries.

Before long, a little bakery quietly opened on the corner of Wutong Lane.

Eight-Treasure Cake, begonia pastries, chrysanthemum puffs, ox-tongue pastries, honey-crisp twists, smiling buns, sachima, sweet sesame twists... It had every kind of traditional pastry imaginable.

And there were new treats, too.

In Ming Wuran's deft hands, cream cakes, cheese muffins, brownies, molten cheesecakes, lemon mousse...

Along with cherry cookies, coconut crisps, cheese tarts, pineapple pastries, cheese pudding, bacon-and-cheese sandwiches...

Under Ming Wuran's skillful touch, ordinary ingredients became mouthwatering, stunning creations in the bakery.

It didn't take long for the little bakery hidden in the lane to draw crowds of customers.

It stood firm through the tides of change.

*

Ever since her mother opened the bakery, Ming Xi had become the most popular child in the lane.

"Ming Xi, Ming Xi, what did Aunt Ming make today? It smells so good."

Holding a croissant fresh from Ming Wuran's oven, Ming Xi said, "Probably bread~"

Sprinkled with black sesame seeds, the soft croissant's distinctive salt-and-pepper flavor soon became a bakery bestseller.

"What kind of mooncakes did your family buy for Mid-Autumn Festival this year?"

"Of course we bought them from Boss Ming. She even made roast-duck mooncakes this year. Her baking is second to none."

"Look what I managed to get, Silver Star Rose mooncakes! Hahahahahaha."

"You actually got those? You must have started queuing pretty early."

"I got up at five in the morning, if you must know."

*

"Ming Xi, come home for dinner."

Hearing the familiar surname, Li Tong couldn't help turning around, and unexpectedly saw the figure that had appeared in his dreams countless times.

He instinctively ducked behind a tree.

Was it her?

Or was this just another dream?

"Wutong Lane." A bright, youthful voice sounded beside his ear. "Our names together make Wutong. From now on..."

Ever since Ming Wuran opened her bakery, Ming Xi had become happier and happier.

But lately, Ming Xi had a little worry. There was a strange uncle at the entrance to the lane, and every time he looked at her, his expression was odd.

Sometimes he even cried.

She, little Ming Xi, didn't shed little pearls in public anymore!

A heartwarming slice-of-life story about food, family, and the little things that add up over time.

Theme: Finding the meaning of life amid the everyday bustle.