This city was bustling with activity and considerably larger than the City of Nino where Ah Dai had lived as a child. He had barely walked a few steps when the aroma of steamed buns wafted towards him, making him instinctively turn his head.

"Steamed buns! Get your steamed buns! Soft, sweet, delicious steamed buns, two for just a copper coin. Steamed buns, anyone?"

Attracted by the loud calls of the vendor, Ah Dai wandered over. The bun seller was a stout man in his forties, his once fiery-red hair now reduced to a sparse crown of wisps around his head. Each of his shouts set his chubby cheeks to tremble. The steamer in front of him was continuously letting off a warm mist, signifying that the buns were just out of the pot. Seeing Ah Dai approach, he beamed and said, "Young fella, would you like some steamed buns? They’re famous far and wide for being fluffy and sweet. One is never enough!"

Ah Dai eyed the plump steamed bun vendor, secretly thinking that the man’s buns must taste pretty good to have padded out his figure so. Steamed buns had always been Ah Dai’s favorite. Even more so now when he hadn’t eaten in so long. However, not a single copper coin lay in his pocket. How could he afford such a delicacy?

Swallowing hard, Ah Dai shook his head.

It was early in the day for the bun vendor and he hadn’t sold many buns yet. Although the somewhat bewildered young man in front of him was simply dressed, the large sword on his back clearly indicated that he was a warrior. What warrior didn’t have some coin? Especially just enough for buns! Therefore, when Ah Dai shook his head, the vendor asked anxiously, "What? Not satisfied with my buns, young man? Just give two buns a try. It is only one copper coin in total, perfect for breakfast. Or here, try one. This one will be on me."

Upon hearing the last part, Ah Dai perked up. He nodded eagerly as the bun vendor selected a bun from the hot steamer and held it out to him. Ah Dai accepted it with both hands and bit off a third of the bun in one bite. It had been half a month since he had tasted such a delicious bun. They went down his throat in large gulps, the flavors thrilling his starved body. "Uncle, your steamed buns are superb. They’re so soft and flavorful, truly delicious," he said.

Upon hearing Ah Dai’s compliment about his buns, the vendor’s face lit up in a satisfied smile. "Well, that’s for sure. Anyone around these several streets can tell you that my steamed buns are the best! Take some. Even without a side dish, my buns are scrumptious," he boasted.

Ah Dai lowered his head, replying in a disheartened voice, "I...I really want to eat your buns, but...I don’t have any money."

The vendor blinked in surprise. "No money, you say? Then why are you hanging around my stall? And you’ve even eaten one of my buns. Those are for potential buyers to taste. So, what are you doing? Freeloading? Oh, well...it must be just my bad luck. You should leave now before you get in the way of my business."

Ah Dai walked away with a bowed head, secretly thinking that once he had enough money, he would repay the man for the bun he had eaten.

"Wait a moment," the voice of the bun vendor echoed from behind him. Ah Dai blinked in surprise. Could it be that the vendor was chasing after him for the money he owed? Turning around, he saw the vendor waving at him to come over. Ah Dai walked back to the stall, still keeping his head low. "Boss, I...I really don’t have any money. I’m sorry. Once I have some, I’ll definitely come back to buy some buns."

The bun vendor looked up at Ah Dai and handed him a paper package, sighing, "Young man, you must be from out of town and fallen on hard times. Here, take these buns. We’re all just trying to make a living however we can. It’s not easy. Go on, take them."

Ah Dai stared at the bun vendor, his eyes welling with tears. This man in front of him was the first person to show care for him since the demise of Owen. His heart, which had grown cold from Owen’s death, warmed once again. In a trembling voice, he said, "Thank you, thank you boss. You truly are a good person." He accepted the bag of buns and immediately began gulping them down. He was incredibly famished.

The vendor brought a bowl of hot water from the shop, advising, "Slow down, lad. Don’t choke. Here, have some water." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

In a short while, Ah Dai had devoured all five buns in the paper package, rejuvenating his spirit. He gulped down the hot water, the warmth spreading throughout his body. Gratefully he said, "Uncle, thank you so much. You truly are a good person."

The vendor squinted his eyes and chuckled, "I wouldn’t exactly call myself good. Years ago, I too was destitute and happened upon a steamed bun shop. I craved their buns but, like yourself, I did not have any money. However, the kind-hearted vendor took me in and even gave me his daughter’s hand in marriage. That’s how I have the life I have today. In a way, we’re both the same, down on our luck. A few buns are nothing. So where are you going, young fellow? How can you leave without any money? Judging by the sword on your back, you’re a warrior, aren’t you?"

Mentioning the subject of being a warrior, Ah Dai inevitably thought of the late Owen. He was saddened, "Uncle, thank you for the buns. Could you tell me how to get to the Mage Guild?"

At the mention of the Mage Guild, the bun vendor’s face immediately showed respect. "Mages are honorable and powerful figures. Our city indeed has a branch of the Mage Guild. Why? Are you going there to look for someone or for work?"