15 mins. had already passed. Maple was still paddling her bike on the side of the road-putting much effort into it. On the other hand, Jasmine was looking at the zooming cars that passed her beside her and complained to Maple, "you are going even slower than a sloth. I advise you to never bet on winning a race with sloth beacause I am sure you would have a humiliating defeat".
Maple responded: Oh..yeah? I really think it would be unfortunate to run with a fat tiger on their back. I will lose for sure.
Jasmine's face was flushed red, but was it becuase of embarrassment or shyness, Maple wasn't sure. But then, both Maple and Jasmine just laughed at their own siliness.
At last, Jasmine offered to paddle because she was sure that at this rate, they won't be able to have dinner and will also have to spend their night on the road. Jasmine and Maple switched positions and continued their ride. Maple gave directions to Jasmine and with their teamwork, they arrived at their destination.
Jasmine: Is this the place you wanted me to come? And claimed that I will be having best time of my life? This place is completely deserted. The roads are completely empty and the house infront of us looks like a haunted house. Are you sure you are not planning to secretly murder me for mistakenly spilling some paint on your cycle?
Maple: mistakenly spilling? I wonder how a little tiger can be so decietful. Fret not , my little tiger. Even if I wanted to kill you, I would fatten you up a bit, otherwise I won't have any meat to eat.
They both were bickering infront of the door, while suddenly a gentleman opened the door for them. He was wearing traditional bright blue hanfu clothing and held a small hand fan, fanning himself, in his hands. He looked ecstatic when he saw them both. He welcomed them both in a warm manner and invited them in.
The place inside, although well lit and decorated with beautiful bamboo paintings, was completely empty. No soul was seen. He quickly took two small 'special' menus from the top and handed them each to Maple and Jasmine. Jasmine first time reading the menu was super confused because all she saw was:
MENU
Spicy tangyaun
Sweet tangyaun
Spicy and sweet tangyaun
Sour tangyaun
Bitter tangyaun
Tagyaun stuffed with shrimp
Tangyaun stuffed with chicken
Tangyaun stuffed with beef
Tangyaun...
Tangyaun....
.
.
.
.
*Tanyaun: gluttonous rice balls
Jasmine asked the gentleman dubbed as waiter: You only serve one type of dish?
Waiter looked towards Maple and saw her hiding her evil chuckles. He knew what she was up to.
Waiter trying be as cooperative as possible with Maple's little plan, proceeded to persuade Jasmine: Miss, today is really a special day. So we have special arrangements today. I see that you are new to this area and are not accoustomed to how things work here. I can also see your friend here, seems to be well aware of the mechanisms working here. Why don't you take recommendations from your friend here?
Jasmine looked over to Maple in hopes of getting an explanation for it. But instead of an explanation, she got questions on her eating preference.
Maple: Do you like spicy food?
Jasmine: uhhh...yes
Maple: do you like shrimps?
Jasmine: yes
Maple turned to waiter: Sir, will go with Spicy tangyaun stuffed with shrimps.
Waiter: Ladies, please follow me.
He did a forward hand gesture in a certain direction and began to walk. Maple followed behind. Jasmine still not sure of the situation decided to follow as well.
He led them to the kitchen. Unlike outside where even a fly was hard to spot in an empty place, this place was bustling with people and their laughter. The waiter guided them to a station in the back.
Waiter: This is where you will be working. This year's target is 500 tangyuan by each group. The most sold tangyuan by a group and the most popular stall will recieve a prize of 10,000 yen. Please enjoy yourself.
The waiter left both, Maple and Jasmine, to their own devices.
Jasmine: Wait ... you want me to cook for others and feed them? I thought we came here to eat. Are you decieving me into being a slave worker?
Maple: Don't worry. We will get to eat. And as for the slave part, he..hee...I am not intelligent enough to outsmart you.
Jasmine: Well, that is true. Nevertheless, we are here. We might as well cook and win this competition
Maple: I didn't know, my little tiger was competetive.
Jasmine: I am telling you my name is Jasmine for the upteenth time. And yes, I don't like losing. But, guide me becuase I haven't had this dish before and don't know how to cook either.
Maple: Alright, start with washing the rice first. Then boil them until steam raises from the pot. Later mix them with this special sauce. This sauce helps the rice stick together and will help create the shape that we want to.
Maple: I will wash the shrimps and marinate them with other sauces.
Maple: Let's get back together after 30 minutes. We will fill the rice with the stuffing together.
Jasmine: Aye! Aye Captain!!
Both Jasmine and Maple began working on their respective jobs.
After 30 mins.
Maple: Let me teach you the molding. You take some amount of rice that can fit in the palm of your hand. Then, you make the rice flat like a disc. Later, put the shrimps in the middle of the flat rice disc. Then, slowly curve the sides of the disc upwards. When you think that the stuffing won't easily be fallen, roll the rice ball into a ball using both your palms.
Jasmine: Got it! Let me try...uh...uh...the fillings keep falling out.
Maple: its alright. You are doing much better than I imagined for a first timer. No one succeeds in thier first try. Atleat not a human. But God can. But, you are no god. So, you will naturally make mistakes. Just stop thinking about the spoiled ones, just start a fresh. I am not penalizing my dear tiger to death over a small rice ball.
After about an hour, both girls finished their spicy tangyaun stuffed with shrimps.
Jasmine groaned and complained: My everything hurts. My brain from your continuos nagging....my hands from countinuos folding of rice...my back from sitting in same position for almost an hour...my legs
Maple cut her off in the middle: Let's go set up our stall. The sun is almost set. The festival will begin soon.
Jasmine: What festival?
Maple: of course, its the Lantern festival today.
Maple: ahh..you dumb tiger. Just follow me.
Jasmine: I am not dumb. I am not a tiger.
Maple: whatever
Maple took the basket containing tangyaun to a stall outside the haunted shop and began setting it up. Jasmine followed suit.