The sun had just risen and the vegetable market in the Eastern Market was gradually filling with shoppers. The vendors were energetically calling out, their faces beaming as they solicited business.
In the dead of winter, there weren't many types of produce to sell. Other than radishes and Chinese cabbage, there were tofu and pickled vegetables, but there were plenty of vendors selling chicken, duck, and pork, as well as some selling dried mushrooms and other fungi.
Residents of the Eastern Market generally had good living conditions. On regular days, they couldn't buy fresh vegetables and many were somewhat reluctant, yet they had to come and make purchases.
But today was different. Many people came to buy vegetables and rushed toward the end of the street as if by prior agreement. Some hurried over only to find that they were a second too late. The small stall was already surrounded by layers of people inside and out, and it was impossible to see what was happening inside.