#rice-dumpling

[dream-meister-translations]

THE TALE OF FOOD

RICE DUMPLING - STORY # 1

━

Eve of the Dragonboat Festival

"Let loose a groan and cover your tears, grieve for the people who live in pain..."

The setting sun shines upon waters rippling in the breeze, glittering the dragon scales beneath the lake.

Candied Hawthorn and Spring Roll sit beside the rail and kick the water with their feet as they recite Li Sao with Rice Dumpling.

RICE DUMPLING : It is this that my heart takes most delight in. Even if I died nine times over, I would not regret a thing. For if such is what my heart truly desires, I'd gladly suffer a million deaths with no regrets!

CANDIED HAWTHORN : If such is what my heart truly desires, I'd gladly suffer a million deaths...?! Deaths with no regrets?

CANDIED HAWTHORN : Whoah... That's so scary... Master, Professor Zongzi is saying things a thousand times scarier than the exams of Professor Shi! What is Li Sao anyway? I still know nothing about it!

OPTION 1 : "Focus on your lesson! It's an ancient style of poetry!" Rice Dumpling closes his books and gives a hint of approval with a slight nod. RICE DUMPLING : Li Sao, a poem composed by Qu Yuan, is a novel style of poetry that started a new genre known as the saoti poetry composed of saoti lines. Therefore, Qu Yuan's poetry is known as a classic example of the saoti style. CANDIED HAWTHORN : Salt... Salty...? Professor Zongzi, I'm... I'm even more confused than ever! OPTION 2 : "Just the rantings of someone having a bad day. CANDIED HAWTHORN : Oh, I've got it! I guess Qu Yuan is just like Professor Zongzi and enjoys writing things when he's having a bad time. RICE DUMPLING : Ahem...! Enough with this nonsense.

RICE DUMPLING : There is no need to rush things. Verses of chu is not a simple literary style, and it will take you time to appreciate it. You can simply observe how I recite the poetry and try to resonate with the emotions conveyed.

RICE DUMPLING : Long, long, had been my road and far, far was the journey; up and down I would go to seek my heart's desire...

"Long, long, had been my road and far, far was the journey; up and down I would go to seek my heart's desire..."

RICE DUMPLING : The journey is far, but my will shall remain strong. I shall pursue my ideals, no matter how deep or lofty they may be.

RICE DUMPLING : Perhaps Lingjun himself recited these lines as we walked along the river bank centuries ago.

Rice Dumpling holds the book close to his heart. His sorrow grows evident as he gazes upon the rippling waters.

Little Hawthorn and Spring Roll place their hands upon their chests and gaze far out into the lake.

Rice Dumpling suddenly sees a fragile figure walking amongst the reeds, holding a white tangerine blossom as he slowly disappears out into the lake...

RICE DUMPLING : Lingjun?!

RICE DUMPLING : At last... I actually found you! No... No, I won't let you die all alone like this! Wait for me, Lingjun, my dear friend!

RICE DUMPLING : To the sage of truth and virtue, I shall emulate your actions!

Rice Dumpling runs toward the illusion with open arms and falls into the lake.

CANDIED HAWTHORN : To the sage of truth and virtue, I shall emulate your actions!

SPRING ROLL : ...To the sage of truth and virtue, I shall emulate your actions! HAIYAH--

*SPLOSH* The students quickly copy Rice Dumpling's action and dive into the lake as well.

RICE DUMPLING : Why?! Why did you jump into the lake!?

The huge lake has its own deep currents and quickly engulfs the children... They splash around with all their might and just as it seems as though they will slip beneath the surface...

Several long canoes appear on the horizon and quickly skim across the lake's surface.

Ever since the Kongsang Office announced the rules for the Dragonboat Tournament, the Food Souls have divided themselves into teams based on the nations of the Warring States period. And Mapo Tofu often trains here with the crew of "Team Great Qin".

MAPO TOFU : Tuck your bellies in, raise your chests up high, and your hips as well! IN, PULL, DRAW, AND AGAIN-- WORK THOSE OARS AND PLUNGE THEM DEEP!

MAPO TOFU : Hey, Braised Pork Hock, why are your eyes darting around?

BRAISED PORK HOCK : Look! Master is standing on the coat and trying to tell us something... Let's get closer... Keep moving closer! Oh, dear, something bad has happened!

BRAISED PORK HOCK : Don't worry, kids! I'm here to save you all!

Team Great Qin pulls the drowning Food Souls out of the water. Rice Dumpling is the last one they rescue. His gaze remains cloudy and confused...

MAPO TOFU : Alright, nerd. You're safe o n shore! Hey, stop leaning against the Master already!

Rice Dumpling struggles to open his eyes. He points at Mapo Tofu and begins to weep...

RICE DUMPLING : Ling... Lingjun... My friend... You did all this just for us... You even got those freckles...

MAPO TOFU : What the hell? No one talks about my freckles that way!

RICE DUMPLING : Hngh... My ears are burning... You... You're Mapo Tofu-- But where's Lingjun? Where did he go?

MAPO TOFU : Lingjun? Legion? No idea. The only legion on this boat is the mighty team of Great Qin!

RICE DUMPLING : What? You don't even know who Lingjun is...? That's unacceptable! You can't row dragonboats properly without understanding the faith and beliefs of Qu Yuan.

RICE DUMPLING : My bag has a few anthologies of poetry that will help explain this event... Please, Master, hand them out for me.

OPTION 1 : Take out the book titled Verses of Chu: Beginner's Guide to Mastery An impatient Mapo Tofu grabs the book and flips through a few pages. RICE DUMPLING : ...That chapter you're reading is the famous dialogue between Qu Yuan and a fisherman about the nature of rivers. RICE DUMPLING : Alas. My dear friend once said that his entire world entered a drunken stupor while he was the only one who remained sober... MAPO TOFU : I just see two monks reciting bad mantras. He said the entire world is drunk, but I'm not drunk. No one ever gives me a drink! RICE DUMPLING : The dragonboat races are held to commemorate my dear friend. Your team would lack spirit if they fail to understand his true personality... OPTION 2 : Take out the book titled My Friend Is Like The Fog And Fire And Wind. RICE DUMPLING : Master, this biography might be a little too hard for someone like him. RICE DUMPLING : My friend has a mind as mysterious as the mist, a temperament as hot as fire, and a style of prose as elegant and free as the wind. MAPO TOFU : Oh! Isn't that a line from that cringy ass Warring States fanfic that everyone was talking about a few months ago? RICE DUMPLING : The dragonboat races are held to commemorate my dear friend. Your team would lack spirit if they failed to understand the true depths of his personality.

MAPO TOFU : Geez. Many, many centuries have passed. Dragonboat racing is now a sport that's all about muscle and power. We're definitely not doing your esoteric mumbo-jumbo.

MAPO TOFU : In fact, I think we should emulate the meat GOAT player known as Zhang Yi of Qin!

Rice Dumpling makes a big decision as he looks at the tanned rowers of Team Qin, whose muscles gleam in the blazing sun. He closes his eyes, and clenches his fists.

RICE DUMPLING : The spirit of Qu Yuan shall endure. I shall prove it to you all! In several weeks at the site of the Dragonboat Tournament...

RICE DUMPLING : Team Jingchu shall defeat Team Great Qin!

━

The following morning...

As usual, the rowers of Team Jingchu are focused upon one thing as they wait in the shallow pool in the woods...

CURED MEAT PLATTER : Hey! Fish Head! Let's got a little bit to the right... I think I can feel the giant salamander hiding under the stone!

Team Jingchu busies themselves fishing as usual. The narrow dragonboat darts amongst the rocky shore and is laden with cathces of fish and shrimp.

CHILI FISHHEAD : Stop pushing me! There's a crab with huge pincers! It might grab my scarf!

CURED MEAT PLATTER : Woah! Look at that huge crab! I'll catch it with my blade, and we shall feast like kings by the bonfire tonight~!

The blade flashes and the crab is sent flying with a crack. The creature flies across the sky until it reaches the shore and manages to cling to dear life by grabbing someone's hair...

RICE DUMPLING : ...

CURED MEAT PLATTER : C-Captain? Well... You came at precisely the right time!

RICE DUMPLING : A bunch of fools are intoxicating with thoughts of pleasure and feasts... You're as hopeless as the Court of Chu before her demise.

RICE DUMPLING : I am here to supervise your proper training for the Dragonboat Tournament. From this day forth, there will be no more fooling around and no more wasting time.

RICE DUMPLING : I've been up all night reading through your information and asked Oyster Omelette, a seasoned sailor, to come up with a comprehensive training regime.

RICE DUMPLING : Hear! It begins with a five-kilometer run around the woods and a hundred sets of rowing exercises underneath the waterfall. We shall do whatever it takes to reinvigorate the martial spirit of Jingchu!

━

Two weeks later...

Rice Dumpling's crew lie slumped on the meal table while catching their breath, like limp, floppy fish devoid of any dreams or energy.

CHILI FISHHEAD : Dammit... And I thought that guy was a bookworm... Where did he get all his energy from? He made us run 50 kilometers and do 751 sets of rowing exercises in these last few days alone...

CURED MEAT PLATTER : I'm going to write his name in my special book of curses and blacklist him everywhere I see...

[megwillart]

Jing Nyan gets curious about Rice Dumpling... 🍁🐈

Inspired by something my actual cat has definitely done.. I love that these two both got cat forme

[lustingfood]

(via thatfoodiejess)

[aratribow]

I STAN JING YUAN VISITING THE HERTA SPACE STATION

He would love the lil cat critters (especially sesame cake and rice dumpling; I am totally NOT biased)

[fuckyeahchinesefashion]

The chef said he makes authentic Egg Fried Rice and asked OP to post it (cr: 丫丫)

[n4391]

Cold Dragon Young Rapping 🎤🐉

[buffetlicious]

On this special day, may you feel the warmth and love of family and friends as we celebrate the magic of Winter Solstice together. Wishing you a joyous Winter Solstice filled with love, laughter and good cheer.

人世间最感人的，是温馨的亲情，人世间最幸福的，是亲人的爱护，在这团聚的节日里，祝���和你的家人，冬至快乐，幸福永远!

[julieterbang]

[anshares]

Of two mooncakes...one contains mochi

Alright I'm opening it!!

.....

HEY DON'T GET MAD AT ME!!!!!

Fine we will open the second one

WE FOUND HIM!!!!

Previous post

[neulfang-draws]

Happy New Year, everyone! I'd say Critter Pick took over my life as of this moment this smol beans--

[shirozen]

A day late but here's Part 2 of my dumpling guide!

Part 1 is here!

[renhengposts]

We went from 'nowhere to run' to 'nowhere to sleep'.

[dailyrenheng]

Happy Halloween! 🎃

[akbrsol]

[aratribow]

Husband is away for job so we got a cat just like him as replacement, the cat somehow got cat versions of us and now they won't leave him alone so we are still missing husband

Aka the summary according to dear nyan frnd @kaviolli , and thanku for ur genius brain jess <<3

[itsfoodbaby]