Chapter 1034: Section 659: Madness of the Year 2000 and Beyond (Part Three)
The fried noodles were packed in a paper box, decorated with cloud patterns that Malin was familiar with. He asked the vendor if he knew what it symbolized, amused by the vendor’s response.
"These patterns, huh, I’ve heard from the Historian that they were once depicted on bowls and chopsticks in ancient times, symbolizing good fortune. But can you really trust the Historian’s tales entirely? So, no one really knows, anyway, everyone uses them on paper boxes now," the slightly gaunt youngster replied.
How much tradition was destroyed in the Great Destruction, after all.
Malin picked up the chopsticks and began to eat, while asking the store owner why they used paper boxes.
"Because they’re easy to recycle and reuse. We collect these boxes, and as long as we achieve a 95% recycling rate, today’s rent is completely waived," the store owner gave Malin an unexpected answer, filling him with joy as he chewed the fried noodles.
If Malin brought back everything he saw to the army of the Northern Kingdom, and told those blood-soaked soldiers, they would surely weep with joy.
After finishing the fried noodles, Malin put down his chopsticks, placed the noodle box in the designated recycling bin, and took out money from his pocket. Uncertain of the denominations, he looked at the store owner, gesturing for him to take what was needed.
The young store owner pulled out a 20 bill from the paper, then returned a 500 coin to Malin.
With someone else’s money to spend anyway, Malin pocketed the coin and turned to leave.