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.
