The NO.1 Food Stall in the Wasteland novel Chapter 26

Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Soil from Other Places Can’t Grow Anything

After spending 50 Star Coins on a new outfit and another 7 to bathe and do laundry, a clean and refreshed Shen Lu returned to her rented room.

In the last rays of the setting sun, Shen Lu knocked on Granny Jin’s door, holding a bowl of marinated radish peels.

"Little Deer?" Granny Jin’s nose twitched, and her eyes fell to what Shen Lu was holding. A hint of resignation crossed her face. "I’ve told you before, you don’t need to bring me food."

Having lived alone for so many years, Granny Jin was happy about Shen Lu’s friendly overtures, but she also found them deeply unfamiliar.

She knew Shen Lu wouldn’t be in the Seventeenth District forever. Since the girl wasn’t going to stay permanently, why should they get too close?

When she eventually left, it would only leave an old woman like her heartbroken.

"I’m not giving it to you, I’m just asking for your help with a taste test," Shen Lu said with a grin. "I have a lot of leftover peels from peeling radishes every day, and it seems like a waste to throw them away. I was thinking of making some little pickled snacks, but I’m not sure if people will like the taste."

Granny Jin opened the door and let Shen Lu come inside.

’She’s just a young girl, after all. She doesn’t understand how dangerous the world can be, wandering around outside with a bowl of food, not worried at all about being targeted.’

To Shen Lu, these radish peels might be a side dish made from scraps, but to most people in the Seventeenth District, they were a rare delicacy.

After all, most people here couldn’t even afford the dirt-flavored nutrient liquid and survived by eating Insect Cakes every day.

"You really must be more careful," Granny Jin felt compelled to warn Shen Lu. "You’re out there every day, pushing a cart full of food to your stall. I’m sure many people have their eyes on you."

Shen Lu was well aware of this, which was why she had hired Wang Daguo. First, she needed him to help carry things, and second, his presence might serve as a deterrent to anyone getting funny ideas, though she had no idea if it was actually working.

But for now, aside from that one night, no other reckless people had come looking for trouble.

"I’ll be careful." Shen Lu nodded. Then she noticed a small, dark, round cake on the table with half a glass of water beside it.

"Is that your dinner?"

Granny Jin grunted in affirmation and sat down at the table. "This is what everyone who lives here eats." She was no exception.

"What is it?" Neither Shen Lu nor the body’s original owner had ever seen one before.

"An Insect Cake." Granny Jin looked at her with cloudy eyes. "Curious?"

Shen Lu sat down across from Granny Jin and could faintly smell the Insect Cake. It wasn’t a pleasant odor; it had a... rank smell.

"Not especially," Shen Lu said, afraid Granny Jin might generously offer her a piece. "Why don’t you try my marinated radish peels?"

Granny Jin agreed.

Having been marinated for three or four hours, the once-white radish peels were now a rich brown from the soy sauce, dotted with red from the chili oil. The aroma was enticing, and the colors were deep and vivid.

One glance was enough to tell how delicious it would be.

Granny Jin picked up a piece with her fingers and popped it into her mouth. The first sensation was spiciness, quickly followed by a sour tang. The deep, savory saltiness of the soy sauce intertwined with the crisp sweetness of the radish peel, instantly making her mouth water.

’So delicious.’

Granny Jin sighed inwardly. ’If only I had a bowl of white congee right now to go with these radish peels. That would be a taste of heaven.’

Shen Lu rested her chin on her hands and tilted her head, watching Granny Jin. When the old woman closed her eyes and remained silent for a long moment, Shen Lu asked nervously, "Granny Jin, is it good?"

’It can’t taste bad, can it?’

Shen Lu hadn’t tried it herself, but it smelled pretty good.

But to each their own. Some people might love something, while others despise it. Shen Lu mentally kicked herself; she should have asked Granny Jin if she even liked radish peels first.

"Delicious." Granny Jin opened her eyes, her smile brimming with nostalgia. "When I was just a little girl, I used to have marinated radish peels with white congee for breakfast."

"This place used to be different, wasn’t it?"

Granny Jin hummed. "Then one day, it all suddenly changed."

The topic was growing heavy, so Granny Jin changed it. "These radish peels are delicious. If you sell them, I’m sure they’ll be very popular."

Even plain, unseasoned radish peels would be a hit.

Shen Lu didn’t stay for long. She chatted with Granny Jin for another ten minutes or so before returning to her room.

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