The morning mist of Pingkang Ward had not yet dissipated, and the Apricot Blossom Tower's kitchen was already rising with heat. Xiaotao stood on tiptoe to reach the sesame seeds on the stove. The flour-dough Huwa on her double-bun hair accessory tumbled into the flour sack, and an Abacus Bead popped out from Zhang Yifan's purse, rolling into her apron pocket to "snack."
"Brother Fan! The Abacus Bead is biting my dough figure!" she exclaimed, the dough sticking to her fingertips like a white cloud. Zhang Yifan chuckled softly. The Abacus Bead bounced on the flour sack into the character "Trouble": "This is called 'The Abacus Bead Tests the Flour'—the character Mistress Xiaotao must learn today is 'Su' for curd." He used bamboo chopsticks to write the character on the flour, and the Abacus Bead immediately leaped to the side, looking exactly like a little person holding a jar of wine.
Xiaotao tilted her head to look at the character, then suddenly clapped her hands: "Su is made of sheep's milk! Just like our sesame curd cakes!" The Abacus Bead rolled across her palm into the character "Correct," drawing a fit of giggles from her. As they spoke, Boss Liu's cursing came from the front hall: "Where is that barbarian stench coming from? If I smell it again, I'll break your hands!" Xiaotao's smiling face instantly drooped, but the Abacus Bead bounced into the character "Courage" on her apron.
Chapter 144