36 Birthmarks

The lady pointed to the heated brick bed next to her and smiled gently, saying, "Sit down and talk."

Gu Jiao sat down on the bed, with a small table between them. Several exquisite pastries were set on the table.

The lady pushed the pastries towards her, "Are you hungry? Have something to eat first. The vegetarian meal will be served soon."

"Yes." Having climbed up the mountain for so long, Gu Jiao was indeed hungry and picked out a piece of yellow flower-shaped pastry.

Gu Jiao was very quiet.

"Is it tasty?" the lady asked her.

"Yes." Gu Jiao nodded, seeing the lady looking at her with suspicion, she paused and said, "It tastes better than the pastries from Liji."

"What's Liji?" the lady asked her.

"The best pastry shop in the town," Gu Jiao replied.