Miscellaneous Morsels of Suiming: Snacks (Excerpt)

The Pillar Cake is a specialty snack of Suiming City. It was invented by Tianshi Lu, who was extremely committed to Tianshi Pillar research and spent many sleepless nights to work on the project. One day he felt famished, but the kitchen staff had already left. Desperate, he took some dough left on the counter, kneaded it into the shape of a pillar, and steamed it quickly. When he opened the steamer, the dough resembled a pillar with an expanded roof, not unlike that of an actual Tianshi Pillar. It was firm outside, spongy inside, delicious, and filling.

His fellow lab mates followed his steps, but also applied multiple layers of dough and mashed jujubes in between to symbolize the pillar's mysterious inner workings. Cutting the improved pillar through the middle also revealed a beautiful multi-layered cross-section like an actual Tianshi Pillar. The cake thus became a traditional festive food of Suiming. Many citizens would knead and steam Pillar Cakes as gifts, for they convey the auspicious message of "Sturdy Pillars and Comforted Minds".