270: Half lunch box

The boy looked at the costume he was wearing, his face immediately flushed, and he explained somewhat awkwardly:

"Our crew is really small and poor, they don't provide meals, so we have to sort it out ourselves. Never mind, thank you, boss."

A gust of wind blew, precisely carrying the aroma of an opened premium bento box to the boy's nose.

The savory freshness of glazed salt, the sweet fragrance of orchid honey, and the powerfully intense aroma of the ingredients themselves, stimulated to their peak, instantly gripped the boy's stomach and soul like an invisible hand.

His feet were suddenly rooted to the spot, and his stomach uncooperatively rumbled loudly, so loud that he himself blushed.

Lu Chuan looked at this boy, who was even younger than himself, as if he saw his past self, who had left the mountains and overcome social anxiety to set up a stall for the first time.

He smiled, picked up the opened bento box, and handed it over.

"What a coincidence, my little stall just opened, and today we're having a tasting event. You can try it and give me some feedback."

The boy was stunned, looking at the tempting and fragrant bento box. His Adam's apple bobbed violently, but the stubbornness and pride in his eyes made him shake his head.

"No, I can't, boss. I can't eat your food for free."

He fumbled in his pocket for a long time, pulling out a handful of crumpled loose change, including small bills and coins. He carefully counted them, and his face grew even redder.

"I only have fourteen yuan. Is that enough for half a portion? Can I pay you the other half tomorrow when I get my wages? I'm just an extra in the 'Years of War' crew over there. My name is Xu Xiaole, and I'll definitely pay you back!"

Looking at his earnest expression and the money that was only enough for half a basic portion, Lu Chuan felt a stir in his heart. He took the pile of loose change and said cheerfully:

"Alright! Just for your honesty, I'll sell you this half portion! As for the rest of the money, we can talk about it when it's convenient for you!"

He swiftly divided the premium bento box into two halves, handing the larger half along with a pair of chopsticks to Xu Xiaole.

"Here, try it and see if it's worth your price."

Xu Xiaole gratefully took the bento box, unable to hold back any longer. After thanking him, he immediately picked up a piece of crispy pork, glistening with a faint honey glaze, and put it into his mouth.

The next second, his eyes widened abruptly, and his entire body seemed to be struck by a spell, frozen in place.

Only his Adam's apple was bobbing wildly up and down, and his eyes were rapidly filling with tears at a visible speed.

Xu Xiaole held the half-portion bento box, his fingers trembling slightly.

He first took a small bite of the crispy pork with honey sauce, then, as if struck by some force, his chewing slowed down, and his eyes quickly turned red.

Then, he practically wolfed it down, yet tears rolled down in large drops, mixing with the rice, but he didn't care at all, as if he wasn't eating food, but rather some past experiences.

"It's so delicious... How can it be so delicious..."

He choked, his voice broken.

"I... I've never eaten... anything so delicious..."

Lu Chuan watched quietly, not interrupting.

He had seen many people lose their composure because of his food, but there was something deeper in Xu Xiaole's reaction, not just the impact of taste, but more like a dam breaking after long-term suppression.

Thinking of this, Lu Chuan silently handed him a packet of tissues.

Xu Xiaole devoured the last bite like a whirlwind, then vigorously wiped his face. His nose and eyes were red, and he was too embarrassed to look at Lu Chuan.

"S-sorry, boss, I... I was too embarrassing."

"Good food can make people happy, and it can also allow people to vent. It's not embarrassing."

Lu Chuan's tone was calm.

"You don't seem very old, how did you decide to become an extra? It must be quite tough."

Perhaps it was the comfort of the food, or perhaps Lu Chuan's gentle way of speaking at that moment, but Xu Xiaole's tense nerves relaxed.

He sniffed, his voice still a little hoarse.

"My hometown is in the mountains, and my family's financial situation isn't good. My parents thought studying was useless and it was better to go out and earn money earlier. But... I just love watching movies, and I think the people in them live such exciting lives. I thought, even if I just play a dead person, being a little closer to that world would be worth it."

He paused, his eyes a little dim.

"It's just... too hard. I stay in the cheapest bunk beds, eat the cheapest food, and sometimes I don't even get a job for a whole day. Some of the people waiting for roles... they bully newcomers, snatch spots, and say nasty things. This crew today, playing a student for a day, only eighty yuan, my feet are numb from standing, and I'm still ordered around by the assistant director... But I don't dare to say I'm tired, for fear of not getting another chance."

His confession carried the unique grievances of a young man and a trace of unextinguished stubbornness.

Lu Chuan just listened, occasionally nodding.

He could imagine the hardship of struggling at the bottom, harboring a faint dream, because he had also come from that, perhaps even worse than Xu Xiaole.

"It will get better."

Lu Chuan only said this one sentence in the end, patting his shoulder.

"At least you're full for this meal."

Xu Xiaole nodded heavily, as if drawing strength.

"Mm! Thank you, boss! I'll definitely give you the other half of the meal money tomorrow!"

With that, he bowed and ran back to the busy and noisy film set.

The next day, business was still slow.

The price board was like an invisible wall, blocking most curious glances.

Around noon, Xu Xiaole indeed came, and solemnly paid the fifteen yuan.

Lu Chuan still gave him half a premium bento box. The boy gratefully accepted it, then smiled as he finished it, not wasting even the sauce clinging to the lid.

After Xu Xiaole left, it was again a boring wait for business to come.

Until lunch break was almost over, a girl wearing a simple T-shirt and jeans, dragging a small suitcase, stopped in front of the stall.

She looked like she had just graduated, with the youthful awkwardness and inquisitiveness of someone new to society.

"Boss, how much are the bento boxes?"

The girl's voice was clear and pleasant.

Lu Chuan smiled and pointed to the price board.

After the girl saw it, her eyes instantly widened, and she gasped.

"Twenty-eight? One hundred twenty-eight? And eight hundred eighty-eight? Boss, are these... gold-made meals?"

She leaned closer and sniffed hard.

"Hmm... it does smell good, but isn't this too expensive?"

She shook her head, clearly finding it outrageous, and walked away, dragging her suitcase.

Lu Chuan didn't mind, continuing to busy himself.

Less than ten minutes later, the girl came back, dragging her suitcase, her expression complex, as if she had made a huge decision.

She had clearly walked around and seen the cheap bento boxes from other vendors – greasy, dull-colored dishes with hardly any meat, or meat slices full of lymph and of unknown origin. She had completely lost her appetite.

"Boss," she said, as if going to battle, pointing to the basic version, "Give me one of those twenty-eight yuan ones! I want to see why it's so expensive!"

Lu Chuan quickly packed it and handed it to her.