Chapter 90: (Part 2)

Just at that moment, a middle-aged man selling mountain goods who had been watching Chu Yue for a while finally came over and asked, somewhat embarrassed, “Girl, could you sell this to me a little cheaper?”

The man was wearing patched clothes, his skin was tanned, and his hands were full of calluses from hard labor—clearly a simple mountain dweller trying to earn a living selling foraged goods.

He only asked for a discount because he really didn’t have much money.

Chu Yue glanced at his stall. He was selling dried mushrooms: black fungus, morel mushrooms, bamboo fungus… All great ingredients!

Since it wasn’t yet mushroom-picking season in early spring, the only way to enjoy them now was by buying these sun-dried ones.

Chu Yue said directly, “Uncle, don’t pay me. Let’s trade—I’ll give you all these braised foods, and you give me some of your dried mushrooms.”

“Deal, deal!”

The uncle was overjoyed. Not having to spend money was perfect, since all those mushrooms were foraged and dried by his family—just labor, no cost.

And just like that, Chu Yue traded her remaining braised dishes for the uncle’s mushrooms. She packed them up and loaded them onto her bicycle.

Just then—

A loud voice rang out in the bustling market:

“They’re popping it——!”

Chu Yue immediately turned and grabbed Lu Yuanbao, who was holding tightly onto the money pouch, and covered his ears with both hands.

Lu Yuanbao had no idea what was happening or why Chu Yue was so tense.

Could it be… someone was trying to steal their money?!

Panicked, he hugged the pouch even tighter, clutching it to his chest.

Then—

Boom!

A loud bang echoed, followed by curling white smoke drifting into the air. It was like a bomb had gone off.

But strangely, no one in the market was panicked. In fact, the crowd standing in that billowing smoke didn’t run or scream—they cheered excitedly.

Lu Yuanbao was even more confused. Was no one afraid of that explosion?

And then—

What’s that smell? So good!

As the smoke cleared, an enticing aroma spread throughout the market. It smelled like corn… or maybe rice… whatever it was, it smelled amazing.

Lu Yuanbao cautiously sniffed the air, trying to figure it out.

Chu Yue took a deep breath—she hadn’t smelled that scent in so long, it was buried deep in her memory.

At first, when she heard “popping it,” she too had thought there was danger. But then she remembered—

It’s popcorn!

Sometimes they used sorghum too!

It came from a black, sealed iron pot. The pot was placed on a wood fire, heated until it built high pressure inside. When the pot was popped open, the built-up gas would shoot out with a bang, just like fireworks. (See illustration)

Hence the name—”popping”.

Popcorn made from those black pots was incredibly fragrant and crispy—so delicious.

Chu Yue couldn’t help but swallow her saliva. She tugged at the still-tense Lu Yuanbao, “Yuanbao, come on! Let’s get something delicious!”

And with that, she pulled him straight toward the source of the loud noise—the most crowded part of the market.

Startled, Lu Yuanbao quickly stuffed the money pouch inside his padded jacket, pressing it against his body to keep it safe.

The closer they got, the richer the fragrance became. People were taking deep breaths, savoring the mouthwatering scent.

Lu Yuanbao even noticed that many kids his age were in the crowd—not scared at all. They were actually picking up the little white puffs from the ground and eating them.

It looked… really tasty.