Jian Xiu spoke up, “I understand what you’re thinking, but running a pastry shop might be quite difficult.”

“Why? Is it because my pastries don’t taste good? That can’t be it—everyone who has tried them praises them endlessly. If it’s not a problem with the pastries, then could it be…”

A sudden realization hit Jian Xiu, and she turned sharply to look at Shopkeeper Wu.

Shopkeeper Wu didn’t hide the truth from her and said frankly, “You’ve heard of Cai Fang Zhai in Quan Yong County, haven’t you?”

“Of course, of course! Don’t laugh at me, Shopkeeper Wu—I just came from there earlier!”

“The owner of Cai Fang Zhai is also a young man. If you’re serious about running a pastry shop, you might consider working with him. As long as you bring your pastries to him, I guarantee he’ll agree right away.”

As he spoke, Shopkeeper Wu looked as if he was just shy of patting his chest in assurance.

Seeing his expression, Jian Xiu quickly understood—there was likely an unusual connection between Shopkeeper Wu and the owner of Cai Fang Zhai.

But since he wasn’t willing to elaborate, she naturally wouldn’t pry.

“If you really want to meet him, I can introduce you,” Shopkeeper Wu offered after some thought.

Hearing this, Jian Xiu suddenly recalled the look in the owner’s eyes when she left Cai Fang Zhai earlier.

That gaze—he was obviously sizing her up.

She didn’t understand why. She was just a simple village woman.

What was there for him to scrutinize?

Just as they were speaking, the dishes began arriving.

When the three children saw the food being placed on the table, they couldn’t help but swallow their saliva.

“You must be hungry! Come, come! Today’s meal is on me. What do you think?” Wu Mingtang said with a laugh.

“Are we really allowed to eat this?” Zhang Feilan was the first to ask.

As she spoke, she subconsciously swallowed again.

This was her first time visiting the county, and it was also her first time seeing so much delicious food.

It wasn’t just Zhang Feilan—Zhang Feixuan and Zhang Feiyi were just as mesmerized.

Their eyes remained fixed on the dishes before them.

“Of course you can eat! This is your lunch today. Try it! If it’s not enough, I’ll order more for you,” Wu Mingtang assured them.

Even so, the three children didn’t immediately pick up their chopsticks.

Instead, they turned their heads to look at Jian Xiu, waiting for her approval.

“Go ahead and eat. Remember to thank Grandpa Wu.”

“Thank you, Grandpa Wu…” they chorused.

Only after that did they pick up their bowls and chopsticks and begin eating.

Even though they had never tasted such delicacies before, they remained restrained, not devouring the food like starving ghosts.

Seeing this, Wu Mingtang was quite pleased.

“Well? That old monster didn’t give them too much trouble, did he?” Wu Mingtang suddenly asked.

Jian Xiu was momentarily stunned, taking a while to realize who he was referring to.

Once she understood, she replied, “Not really, just some simple test questions.”

Wu Mingtang nodded indifferently before continuing, “Don’t be fooled by his so-called scholarly demeanor. Take the matter of the pastries, for instance—you’ll see that he’s not as rigid as he appears.”

Jian Xiu nodded lightly but made no comment on his words.

“Shopkeeper, the owner of Cai Fang Zhai is here. He says he’s looking for someone!”

Before Wu Mingtang could say more, a waiter called out from the doorway.

“Cai Fang Zhai?”

“Yes, he said he’s looking for a woman. From his description, it seems he’s looking for Miss Jian.”

Hearing this, Jian Xiu instinctively raised an eyebrow.

She hadn’t expected him to come looking for her.

All she had done was get rid of two unruly waiters in his shop. Was that really enough to warrant him coming all the way here?

At this moment, Jian Xiu assumed that Rong Zhihe was here to settle accounts with her.

She didn’t think much of it.

Wu Mingtang, too, was surprised for a moment.

After a brief pause, he asked, “You’ve met him before?”

“Mm. Just earlier today. I really only saw him once. Why? Shopkeeper Wu, do you know him well?” Jian Xiu asked curiously.

She respected Wu Mingtang’s character, but judging by his reaction, it seemed he had some kind of complicated relationship with Cai Fang Zhai.

She had no intention of prying into other people’s private matters, but her question slipped out before she could stop herself.

Sure enough, Wu Mingtang’s demeanor suggested he had ties to Cai Fang Zhai.

“Don’t misunderstand. My matters with him are separate from yours. He’s not necessarily a bad person—it’s just that we have our own personal grudges,” Wu Mingtang said, looking off into the distance.

Hearing this, Jian Xiu nodded in understanding and said to the waiter, “Let him come up, then.”

“Miss, he refuses to come up. He said that once you’re done with your business here, you should go to Cai Fang Zhai to find him. He’ll be waiting for you.”

Jian Xiu: “…”

Just how deep was this grudge?

He had already come to the door, yet he refused to step inside?

Knowing she had business to attend to, Jian Xiu simply ate a few quick bites without fuss.

Seeing this, Wu Mingtang couldn’t help but say, “If you’re in a hurry, go ahead. Let the children take their time eating here.”

Jian Xiu didn’t stand on ceremony. She gave a small nod, put down her basket, and said, “There are some dried bamboo shoots here. Shopkeeper Wu, could you handle them for me? I’ll be back soon.”

“Go on, go on!” Wu Mingtang said with a smile.

The more he interacted with Jian Xiu, the more he felt she was truly a remarkable woman.

…

Rong Zhihe stood tall at the entrance of Yue Xiang Lou.

At this moment, he held a fan in his hand, looking every bit the refined gentleman.

When Jian Xiu stepped outside, this was the scene she saw.

Upon spotting her, Rong Zhihe politely closed his fan.

“Miss, we meet again,” he greeted first.

As he spoke, he took two steps closer to her.

Seeing this, Jian Xiu instinctively furrowed her brows and took two steps back.

Her gaze sharpened.

Rong Zhihe quickly realized his mistake and immediately stepped back, maintaining a respectable distance.

“Don’t misunderstand, Miss. I came here today because I caught a whiff of the pastry scent lingering around you. That’s why I sought you out,” he explained.