“I think what Brother Zhishu said makes sense. Although my aunt didn’t say anything to my grandfather on the surface, she seemed to be doing everything according to his wishes and appeared to be very obedient.”

But I think my aunt must know how to do something.” Qiao Zhiqin felt a chill run down her spine when she thought of Yang’s temper.

Anle blinked and didn't continue the topic. She had no right to interfere in other people's personal matters. "Hehe... Fourth Sister, our shop is almost done cleaning up. Tomorrow you can practice with Eldest Sister and Mother again to familiarize yourself with the process and some of the key points of baking desserts. If you grasp them well, you've probably forgotten most of them since you haven't been busy for so long."

"Also, go and inform my aunt so she can come over and help get the shop ready to reopen."

Upon hearing that the business was to reopen, An Ning's eyes lit up, and she became invigorated with high spirits.

"Okay, don't worry. I go over the key points of making desserts in my mind every day. There's no way I'll forget them."

"Is it opening soon? Then... can I help learn how to make them? I really want to know how those desserts are made. I heard they're really pretty and delicious." Qiao Zhiqin stared at An Ning with a bright smile.

An Ning's smile faltered slightly, and she turned her head stiffly to look at An Le. She couldn't make a decision about this; everything had to be decided by her younger sister. If her younger sister wasn't happy, nothing they said would matter.

Moreover, the younger sister is quite reluctant to let others know the process of making desserts. She is wary of anyone except those she trusts.

After all, this involves her family's secret pastry recipe. If she came to the kitchen to help, it would be equivalent to revealing the pastry recipe.

Even when her cousins ​​from her aunt's side wanted to come and join in the fun, her younger sister refused them without giving them the time of day.

Following An Ning's gaze, Qiao Zhiqin's eyes fell on An Le. She exclaimed "Ah!" and suddenly realized that her little cousin was the one in charge. She then looked at An Le with pleading eyes, her eyes full of hope.

"Little cousin, can I help out in the kitchen? Can I learn how to make pastries with you?"

Anle paused slightly after eating her bulging cheeks, chewed the bun in her mouth a couple of times, swallowed it, and was about to speak when An Ding rushed over anxiously and entered the pavilion.

"Little sister, little sister, hurry up and go check out the shop up ahead."

"Second brother? What's wrong?" Anle turned his head.

Before the question was even asked, Anle was grabbed by An Ding and pulled out of the pavilion.

"Wait, wait, Second Brother—" Anle hurriedly placed the plate he was carrying on the stone table in the pavilion, and when he left, he didn't even grab the last two steamed buns from the plate.

"Second brother, why are you in such a hurry? What happened? What's wrong with the shop?"

"What's wrong with the shop? It's that He Yusheng is being taken away. People from the Cui family of Jincheng have come and are forcibly taking He Yusheng back to their mansion."

"Huh? The Cui family?" Anle paused in her act of stuffing a steamed bun into her mouth, somewhat taken aback.

The Cui family?

Which Cui family?

“It’s He Yusheng’s maternal grandparents’ family.” An Ding pursed her lips, her brows furrowing as she thought of the men’s forceful attitude, her heart tightening.

Reminded by An Ding, An Le finally realized what was going on on her blank face and smacked her head with the hand holding the steamed bun.

"Oh, that Cui family, huh? I remember now, they do have such a maternal grandparent family. Why are they suddenly coming to pick someone up? Didn't they say they didn't acknowledge him as their grandson?"

An Ding shook his head.

"I don't know, they said they'd report it to the authorities if they didn't release him."

Anle immediately chuckled, "Oh, the Cui family's attitude is quite tough, as if we've kidnapped them."

Who was it that stubbornly refused to acknowledge their grandson and kicked the person out of the mansion before?

I took in their grandson, and instead of thanking me, they threatened to report me to the authorities? They're really acting like they're something else. Judging by their attitude, this Cui family is definitely up to no good.

Anle quickly finished the small steamed bun in her hand and followed Anding forward.

An Ning, who was in the pavilion behind them, overheard their conversation. She paused for a moment, then got up and followed them outside.

"I'll go take a look too."

"Hey, why are you leaving already? Did you agree to help in the kitchen?" Qiao Zhiqin stood up and looked out of the pavilion, loudly asking.

"Alright, Zhiqin, didn't you see your cousin and the others have important business to attend to? You can ask about this later." Qiao Zhishu looked at the three figures hurrying away on the narrow path outside the pavilion and reminded Qiao Zhiqin to stop.

"What? Did I ask at such an inopportune time?" Qiao Zhiqin sighed, looking dejected as she sat back down on the stone bench, drooping her head and resting her chin on her hand in self-pity.

Qiao Zhishu pursed her lips, lost in thought.

"I think Zhiqin, you shouldn't ask questions that might put people in a difficult position."

"Where did I put anyone in a difficult position by saying that?" Qiao Zhiqin looked at Qiao Zhishu, completely baffled and not understanding the meaning behind Qiao Zhishu's words at all.

Qiao Zhishu offered a tactful explanation.

"Zhiqin, you should think things through before you do anything. You're being too naive about going into the kitchen."

If you go into your aunt's family's pastry kitchen to learn the craft, it's the same as learning their pastry recipe.

My aunt's family's dessert shop is doing well, naturally because their pastries are excellent, and their methods are different from others.

This recipe for making pastries is practically a secret family secret for my aunt's family.

Before we moved here, I heard from people in the next town that many pastry makers wanted to find out my aunt's secret recipe.

Therefore, something as important as a pastry recipe cannot be taught to you so easily and casually.

"You should think it over carefully. If you really want to do it, then ask around properly and make sure you're serious about it."

Qiao Zhiqin's expression changed slightly, and she calmed down thoughtfully.

"Yes, Brother Zhishu is right. I was too rash in asking that question. I won't be so impulsive again in the future." She had spoken and acted without thinking.

Qiao Zhishu raised her lips.

"But my aunt's family aren't difficult to talk to. If we talk to them nicely, they should agree. Let's take it slow."

Qiao Zhiqin grinned, her eyes fixed on the ground.

"Okay, I understand, Brother Zhishu. I really enjoy staying at my aunt's house. My aunt's family is so kind to us. I will definitely work hard to try to stay in the kitchen of Paradise Dessert Shop and help out."

Qiao Zhili gazed at the narrow path where the three siblings were no longer visible, and smiled thoughtfully.

"This little cousin seems to be the backbone of the An family. My aunt's family can't do anything without her."

It seems like I've run into a problem, and the first person I think of is my little cousin.

"It seems like she has to solve everything."