The vendor wrapped the sweets in paper. Bai Li paid him and added a few coins for the next child in line. The vendor tried to refuse the extra money, but Bai Li said it was for the trouble of making the skewers so carefully. He accepted after Yan Cijin gave him a warm smile and thanked him for his work.
They found a quiet bench beside the river. Yan Cijin sat close enough that their shoulders touched and took the first bite of candied hawthorn with a small, satisfied hum. Bai Li watched her as she chewed.
"Is it good?"
Yan Cijin swallowed and considered the question as if she were judging a rare medicinal herb. "Acceptable."
Bai Li looked at the skewer in her hand. "Acceptable?"
"Very acceptable."
"You nearly abandoned breakfast for this."
"I did not abandon breakfast. I delayed it."
"You delayed it for half an hour."
"A wise person knows when a delay is worthwhile."
