As the Abacus-Bead Lanterns of Green Ox Lodge cast their glow over the Persian rug, Xiaotao was using abacus beads to arrange the tableware for the Sogdian envoys. The dough-figurine Huwa atop her double buns wore a Persian hat, and the beads in her apron pocket bounced to spell out the character "Hu" (Nomadic): "Brother Fan! They want to eat with their hands and have wine with it!"
Zhang Yifan rattled his abacus beads and looked toward the long table. The Persian envoy's heavy beard brushed against the abacus-patterned tablecloth, and the beads bounced on his ruby ring to form the character "Ban" (Banquet): "Today we shall learn the character 'Zhuo' (Grasp)—the left side is the hand, the right side is the claw, and together they mean 'eating with one's hands'." Xiaotao drew "Zhuo" on the napkin, and the beads rolled across the strokes, unexpectedly forming the shape of a barbecue fork.
The envoy patted his belly and laughed: "I hear your establishment serves 'Sino-Nomadic Harmony Dumplings'. Do you dare to use our Persian olive oil in the dish?" Xiaotao's eyes lit up, and the beads bounced into the character "You" (Oil) in her palm: "Brother Fan! Will dumplings fried in olive oil be even more fragrant?" Zhang Yifan raised an eyebrow, and the beads bounced into the character "Jian" (Pan-fry) on the cutting board: "Pair them with a pomegranate vinegar dipping sauce to capture the essence of 'Sino-Nomadic blending'—this dish can be called 'Silk Road Pan-fried Dumplings'."
Chapter 153