Chapter 33: 29

Chapter 29

You'd Eat What Cats Eat?

Translated by boilpoil
Edited by boilpoil

 

“Mu’er, are you hungry yet?” They’ve been walking for over half an hour, so Bai Yao turns to ask Mu Mu’er.

Well, not that he needed to, for Mu’er is never full. Even in his dreams he’d be clacking his mouth for the illusion of food. In fact, the mere mention of something related to food is already making Mu’er glow.

While the west end of the old street is filled with souvenir shops, there are some hawkers for snacks on the other end. In fact, there are more people on the east end of the street, most of them tourists, here to fill their tummies close to lunch with all sorts of snacks.

Mu Mu’er is following quietly behind Bai Yao, but becomes quite visibly excited as the scent of all sorts of foods enter his awareness. He starts walking more quickly, to check out all the food.

Bai Yao has already retrieved his bags, and is doing his best to navigate through the crowd with his firm and tall physique. Still, it can’t be helped that he is often bumping into people behind the ecstatic sea otter who’s hopping in front like a bunny.

After apologising a third time to someone he bumped into, Bai Yao calls out to Mu Mu’er, “don’t go too far ahead. You’ll lose your way.”

Mu Mu’er then nods and slows down, making sure to stick close to Bai Yao this time, turning around to wait for him if he notices he’s walking too quickly.

Bai Yao has lived in Qiaohai for five years, and already knows all Her nooks and crannies, and of course, where to find the best snacks. He guides Mu Mu’er through the street weaving through the stands and stalls, until they’re in the middle of everything.

The crowds are growing, and the stalls are numerous. Sweet steamed taro corms, bubble tea with cake base, boneless lemon chicken feet, sweet and spicy rice noodles… All these snacks are delectable and highly attractive.

The most popular stall by far is the mint and matcha ice cream egg roll. In the stuffy summer heat, many people are drawn to the cold and soothing sweet. There are lots of people lining up, perhaps half an hour deep in waiting time.

Mu Mu’er tells Bai Yao immediately whenever he spots something he wants to try, receiving each and every food with a happy ‘thank you Yaoyao.’

He is aware now that all the stuff on display needs money, so he knows not to touch. He just patiently waits while Bai Yao tells the hawkers what he needs.

Of all the food Bai Yao has bought him so far, Mu Mu’er has taken a particular liking to durian egg tarts. It smelled weird, and he thought he didn’t want to eat it that much anymore, but curiosity led him to take the first bite instead of giving it to Bai Yao entirely.

It was retrieved recently from the oven, and so it is fragrant and almost steaming. One bite, and the crispy surface crumbles audibly. Mu Mu’er found himself unable to stop himself after just a bite. In fact, he finished three before Bai Yao told him he should save his stomach for lunch, and left one final one for Bai Yao.

Now, Mu Mu’er is holding a tanghulu in one hand and an egg tart in the other, but still poking his head out towards the stall selling takoyaki. He watches intently while the owner rolls ball after ball of dough with his wooden splints in the tray.

Bai Yao, defeated, buys a box for Mu Mu’er, and asks the owner specifically for a plastic fork, so that Mu Mu’er wouldn’t puncture himself with the sharp stick.

Mu Mu’er is holding things on both hands, so Bai Yao has to hold his takoyaki for him. Mu Mu’er appears worried, though, always keeping an eye on it, as if he’s afraid it’ll disappear in the blink of an eye.

Great. Bai Yao decides to take the tanghulu and egg tart, so that Mu’er gets to eat what he wants.

“Mind the…” before the ‘heat’ is said, Bai Yao watches Mu Mu’er stuff an entire takoyaki into his mouth, and then get scalded to high heaven, hopping in place, until he spits the ball in its whole back into the box.

“It’s hot…” Mu Mu’er stares pitifully at the box, “why is it so hot?”

Bai Yao almost laughs, “you need to blow on it first. Don’t worry, no one is going to take it from you.”

After some time, Mu Mu’er comes to a stop in front of a food truck selling smoked dried anchovies, and remains unmoving.

The dried anchovies are still oily and crispy right after being smoked. With a sprinkling of white sesame seeds, the smell is unbearable.

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Mu Mu’er is drooling. Looks like the takoyaki in his hands has lost favour with him.

Bai Yao sees it, and mumbles, “isn’t this cat food?”

Mu Mu’er hears it, and immediately says, “Mu’er also eats!”

“You’d eat what cats eat?”

Mu Mu’er nods firmly, “mm~”

He might not even know what cats are.

Finally, Bai Yao buys a bag for him, and finishes the takoyaki Mu Mu’er doesn’t want anymore for him.

Mu Mu’er’s eyes are sharp, but his stomach is small. Having eaten all that much, he realises he can’t eat anymore with the bag of dried anchovies in his hand.

It smells so nice, but having eaten too much, Mu Mu’er finds himself unable to swallow as quickly. After glancing around, though, he puts another dried anchovy in his mouth.

He’s afraid his food will be stolen. If he doesn’t eat them all now, he might not have it next time.

Bai Yao has noticed Mu Mu’er slowing down, and realises he has definitely overeaten at this point. He extends his hand to take the bag away, “don’t keep eating if you’re full, or your tummy will hurt.”

Mu Mu’er appears to assume Bai Yao is going to confiscate his bag of anchovies, and grows wary, holding his bag tightly.

So Bai Yao can only explain to him, “I’ll keep this for Mu’er, and you can continue to eat later.”

Mu Mu’er tilts his head, “I can eat later?”

“Yes. This is still Mu’er’s bag.”

Mu Mu’er looks Bai Yao in the eye, with some suspicion still remaining.

“Yaoyao, are you lying to Mu’er…” His voice grows quieter, almost fading into the background noises, “please don’t lie. If you lie, Mu’er will be sad.”

The bag of dried anchovies is all crumpled up. He is putting it behind like, like a squirrel would an acorn. He stares at the anchovies like he would rather hold them all in his mouth.

Bai Yao has a heaviness on his chest. He gently rescues the bag from Mu Mu’er’s hands, and promises him, “I don’t lie. Mu’er is such a good boy; Yaoyao can never lie to such a Mu’er.”

The boy does not resist further, so Bai Yao caresses him on the head too, before turning and continuing.

Mu Mu’er follows slowly, staring straight at the bag in Bai Yao’s hand the whole time, mumbling, “… if Yaoyao wants to eat, Mu’er gives. Mu’er… Mu’er shares with Yaoyao only.”

It was too quiet for Bai Yao to hear.

“Tell me when you want to go home,” it’s been nearly two hours since they left Jing Xiaoqing’s store, and Bai Yao is worried Mu Mu’er might be exhausted, and turns to say.

Mu Mu’er only nods, but does not speak. He quietly, obediently follows after Bai Yao, going wherever he goes.

Bai Yao concludes after some time, that Mu Mu’er will not ask him for anything. He is far too insecure. He won’t tell you if he’s tired, or hungry; so Bai Yao decides to head straight for home.

He makes a turn at the next intersection, and hears the spirited steps following behind him closely. He can’t help but smile a little, for it was truly fortunate that he rescued home such a good little tail.

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