My Pretty Sweetheart (Arianna)

The old man didn't say anything and just smiled, "Miss, if you don't mind me being a dirty old man, you should take it. It's my treat. You can come here again." Kindness from others couldn't be turned down. I nodded and held the paper bag in my hand, feeling somewhat flustered.

I bowed while thanking him, picked up the paper bag and found a place to sit down in the alley. I ate both the sweet potatoes and corn at a steady pace.

I couldn't afford to finish all the potatoes, but I was reminded of familiar memories from my childhood.

Novell's land was suitable for planting crops. During spring every year, Grandma would plant one or two acres of corn in the soil. We would plough, sow, fertilize, and loosen the soil. Every year, it was the same routine. When I came back, I had to dig up some fresh potatoes and cook them.

Sometimes, the potatoes would be buried in the fire to be roasted. When they were cooked, the black outer layer would be peeled off, revealing the golden potato. The smell was savory, and it would taste like one of the best delicacies in the world when dipped in chili sauce.

Grandma would brush my nose with her ash-blackened hands and laugh at me, saying, "If you get married in the future, I will take care of your babies for you, and your babies will turn into black potatoes."

The warmth of memories could scorch and burn a person. When the passersby in the alley saw me shedding tears, they pitied me and gave me some tissues to calm me down. "Miss, you still have many years ahead of you. No matter what difficulties you encounter, hold on for a while, work hard, and it'll soon be over. You should get up again after crying!" I took the tissues, nodded, and gave him the potato in my hand. Then, I smiled and said, "Thank you!"

taxi. I just wanted to

"Are we going to have

and blocked the sunshine in front of me, looking

didn't drive when you went out. Take

and

time he hung up on the call, it was already noon. I took a taxi

too far away. When I arrived at the courtyard, Nerissa was just about to

for

and took

at me and

smile, I sat down at the

walk around the house.

neighbors nearby. A young woman came out to bask in the sun with a baby in her arms. Nerissa liked the child