On a bright and breezy morning, little Lala woke up with a craving she simply couldn’t ignore. The scent of fresh herbs drifting from the kitchen reminded her of her favorite dish—soft tofu stir-fried with vegetables and a touch of soy sauce. Her eyes immediately lit up with excitement. She rushed to find Thuy, who was sweeping the yard, humming softly to herself.
“Thuy! Thuy!” Lala called, tugging gently at her sleeve. “Can we go to the market? I want tofu today… lots of it! I want to make my favorite dish!”
Thuy paused, looked down at the eager little girl, and couldn’t help but smile. “Tofu again? You must really love it, huh?” she teased. Lala nodded enthusiastically, her ponytail bouncing. “Please! I’ll help carry the groceries!”
With a laugh, Thuy agreed, and together they grabbed a small woven basket and headed toward the market. The street was lively—vendors calling out prices, children playing, and the aroma of street food filling the warm air. Lala held Thuy’s hand tightly, her eyes darting from one colorful stall to another.
When they reached the tofu vendor, Lala’s grin widened. She carefully picked out the freshest, softest blocks, inspecting each as if it were treasure. “This one! And this one too!” she declared proudly. Thuy let her choose, amused by how seriously Lala took her tofu selection.
On the way home, Lala held the basket like a precious gift. As soon as they reached the kitchen, she rolled up her sleeves and prepared to help. She washed the vegetables, arranged the tofu gently on a plate, and waited impatiently for Thuy to start cooking.
The sizzling sound of tofu hitting the pan made Lala’s mouth water. In moments, the kitchen filled with a delicious aroma. When the dish was finally ready, Lala clapped her hands in delight. She took her first bite and closed her eyes in pure satisfaction.
“See?” she said proudly. “This is why I love tofu!”
Thuy laughed, patting her head. “And this is why I love cooking with you.”
The day ended with full bellies, warm smiles, and a memory Lala would cherish forever.
