As soon as she entered the building, a comfortable wave of cool air refreshed her. She had only taken a couple of steps when the door to the east apartment on the first floor opened and a head poked out. It was none other than the mother of her apprentice, Gu Shaodong—the same woman she'd gone wheat-gleaning with last time.
"Dongzi's mentor," Aunt Gu called out in a low voice, waving her over.
Zhu Yun became even more alert. She leaned in closer, a fire of gossip already burning in her eyes.
"Your neighbors across the hall have relatives visiting today," Aunt Gu whispered, pressing two large mangoes into her hands.
Zhu Yun couldn't resist the temptation and accepted them. "Aunt Gu," she said with a smile, "in return, I'll cook something special for Gu Shaodong and cure a jar of salted duck eggs for you. I guarantee every single one will have a perfectly runny, fragrant, and tender yolk!"
