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| - Oh CTB...where shall I start? We've been through a lot in the past few years.
I still remember when I first found you, a small underground treasure that served the most delicious Northern Chinese street/comfort food. You felt like "home" when Ness Y. and I would share a big bowl of hand-pulled noodles and dumplings after strolls around downtown and talks of race, equity, politics and boys. At first, I guarded you. Only my closest friends got to meet you, and they were warned, "you'll probably end up sitting on the toilet all night but don't worry, totally worth it and only happens the first time...consider this an initiation". When my dating got serious, you would vet the boyfriends and their level of spice tolerance - many did not make the cut. You were there when my then-boyfriend pulled out a ring and proposed, I nearly choked on a mouthful of crispy spicy beef - those tears were not just tears of happiness. We wanted you at our wedding, but then...
Then that horrible thing happened, so horrible that I could not face you for years. I was shocked, sad and confused. What do I say? How do we move on from this?
A few months ago, I came back. It was nice seeing you again and I'm glad you're back on your feet. It was awkward, but I think we can do this. Your crispy beef is just as tantalizing as ever, the buns are fresh and juicy, the cold noodles are still my favourite. It's good to know that you haven't changed and we can pick up where we left off. It's like dining with an old friend.
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