Chapter 77: Everyone is making wedding cakes together. He is actually making the cake dough for Shopkeeper Wei!

Lord Lu, he is very anxious.

In February, Pingjiang Prefecture was bathed in a gentle breeze. The shepherd's purse beneath the walls of the Lu Mansion had already sprouted tender green buds, gleaming in the morning sun. The early plum blossoms in the courtyard still had a few pale pink petals, while the magnolias were still in bud. The servants, having finished their duties, took a flat basket filled with watermelon seeds and chatted quietly in the corridor.

Occasionally, a peddler carrying a load on his shoulder would pass by the wall, blowing a conch shell and calling out, "Sweet wine—homemade sweet wine—tastes as sweet as honey!"

In the main hall of the Lu Mansion, Madam Sun was embroidering a magnolia on her frame. She looked up at Lu Lan, who was taking a rest, and spoke softly, "Changce, you seem quite worried lately. Could it be that things at the Inspection Office are not going well for you?"

His normally calm face now looked like he was worried and frowned all the time. Many of the arrow targets in the yard had been shot through.

"Mother, this is not official business."

Lu Lan poured tea for his mother, peeled some tangerines for her, and sat down beside her. He thought for a long moment before speaking slowly, "...She doesn't seem to like me anymore."

"ah?"

Sun was genuinely stunned for a moment, stopping her embroidery. "What's the point of saying that? Didn't you say a few days ago that she would be responsible for you? You're so eager to let everyone in the Lu Mansion know... Do you know that the servants in the house love to talk about you after dinner?"

There wasn't much going on in the Lu Mansion on weekdays, and there were few servants. After they finished their work, they would gather together to chat, and sometimes she would lean over and listen attentively.

"But, someone offered her a marriage proposal, and she smiled so happily."

Lu Lan's brows furrowed even tighter, and a hint of panic appeared on his cold and hard profile. "I've also been asking around recently, but I couldn't figure out who it was."

He lowered his eyes, and the thoughts in his heart surged up.

When he ran into Li Ji the day before yesterday, he deliberately put on a stern face and asked, but Li Ji laughed so hard that his whole body was shaking, and said to him, "Master Lu, please don't wrongly accuse me. Manager Wei looks down on me as a man with a family."

That's not him.

Who is that!

Later, he paid attention to Yunlaixiang's guests. The fourth son of the Li family always told jokes around her, the judicial officer would buy a few more boxes of snacks every time he went there, and even the young students of the prefectural school smiled especially warmly when they saw her. There was also the young master of the Zhao family, the second master of the Liu family... He didn't like any of them.

Sun listened and couldn't help laughing. "You, you are usually so decisive and efficient outside, but why are you so confused about this matter? Can't you just ask her yourself whether she accepted the betrothal gift?"

"Ask her...ask her whether she accepted betrothal gifts from whom?"

Lu Lan's eyes were filled with helplessness. "If she really accepted it, what if she gets angry when I ask her this? I'm afraid she'll get angry."

If she didn't talk to him, he would panic.

Those days when he pretended to be injured last time were really exhausting for him.

Sun covered her mouth and laughed, "Changce, you look like you've lost your soul."

When she had finished laughing, she calmed down again, her eyes filled with relief. "But mother is happy to see this. She finally sees that you really like Jinyun. Isn't our Jinyun the best young lady in the world? She is both capable and kind-hearted."

She changed the subject, remembering what happened last month, and continued, "During the Lu New Year, you specifically instructed me to send Yun Laixiang so many New Year gifts in the name of the Lu family. Didn't Jinyun return the favor later? There were several new clothes for you among them, all made of the finest material. How come you never wore them once?"

"She returned the gift? And the clothes she gave me? Where are those clothes?"

Lu Lan looked up blankly and asked a few questions, his eyes full of confusion.

He had no idea about it at all. His mind had been full of the betrothal gift these days. He really wanted to find the person who gave the betrothal gift and give him a good beating.

"Where else?"

Sun glared at him, "Xiangxiang took it. She already had a few sets of hers in there. She saw yours looked good, so she kept them and said she'd give them to you if you asked."

"She didn't even tell me that Xiangxiang always went out with Zhan Wenxing during the New Year. She didn't even care about me, her second brother."

The more Sun listened to her son's words, the more she felt aggrieved.

Seeing him like this, she couldn't help but sigh, "You were so hesitant earlier, unwilling to take the initiative, and you refused even when I asked you to act coquettishly. Now that she has the betrothal gifts, what are you going to do? I don't care, I just like her."

"Mother, the betrothal gift hasn't reached her yet. As long as she doesn't agree, it won't count."

Sun's eyes lit up when she heard this. "Oh my, are you really going to fight for her? Then you have to show your ability. Whatever Jinyun likes, just follow her wishes."

Lu Lan recalled the sparkle in Wei Jinyun's eyes when she was doing the accounts, and said with both helplessness and amusement, "She loves money, loves the money she earns herself, and she wants to scoop up every penny from everyone in Pingjiang Prefecture and put it into the cabinets of her Yunlaixiang and Miaomiao Bakery."

"Then give her all your money."

Sun laughed so hard that she couldn't straighten her back.

"She won't want it."

She never accepted favors for nothing, let alone his money. At most, she would deposit a few strings of cash into his Peony Card.

"Then what else can you do?"

Sun asked.

Lu Lan was silent for a moment, then suddenly remembered something and muttered in a low voice, "She is a rabbit with pericardium..."

"ah?"

Sun didn't hear clearly and looked confused. "What bun? Is it the oozing bun from our house? Mother doesn't understand."

"Nothing, I'll go put on the clothes she gave me."

Lu Lan stood up and changed the subject.

In just half a cup of tea, Lu Lan came out again.

Her black hair was tied up into a high ponytail and held back with a red-lined headband of the same color. A few strands of hair hung down in front of her forehead, making her eyebrows and eyes look even more handsome.

He was wearing a red and white suit given by Wei Jinyun, with silver trims that highlighted his broad shoulders and narrow waist. Around his waist was a jade belt of the same color, from which hung the Meow Meow sachet she had given him.

Lu Lan stood in the warm February sun, looking like a young man full of vigor and vitality.

Sun nodded, then couldn't help laughing, "Changce, why are you tying your waist so tightly?"

"Because she's a bunny with runny nose."

Lu Lan's eyes became particularly serious, and her tone was very firm, "Mother, I don't want her to like anyone else, and I don't want her to marry anyone else."

Sun's heart softened, but she teased him deliberately, "What if...what if she really likes someone else?"

Lu Lan didn't turn around, but her voice was clear, "Then I will be her mistress!"

The servants who were cracking watermelon seeds in the corridor had their hands shaken, and the flat basket containing the seeds almost fell to the ground.

A little maid covered her mouth and exclaimed softly, "Oh my god, this is too exciting!"

Newly sprouted green vines crawled along the riverbank in front of Yunlaixiang's gate. The water shimmered, and a few carp swam by, their tails wagging. Occasionally, they pecked at a floating willow leaf, causing the young woman watching the fish by the bridge to laugh out loud.

Wei Jinyun sat on a bamboo chair at the door, occasionally turning the pastries in front of her with tongs, but her eyes followed the fish.

A clear shout echoed from the river, "White clams! Freshly caught white clams! So fresh they're jumping!"

A peddler wearing a conical hat came over in a black-sailed boat, with a few nets of clams in the bamboo baskets at the stern.

As soon as the boat docked, the vendor picked up a net and shook it, then called out to Wei Jinyun with a smile, "Boss Wei, look at these clams. I caught them from the pond before dawn this morning. They're all plump. Would you like two pounds?"

Wei Jinyun stood up and walked over. He could see the clams moving slightly in the net. They were large and plump. "They look fresh. Let's weigh three pounds."

The evening mist behind him also came over, took a look in the light, and joined in the conversation, "It's really fresh, make a white clam and tofu soup or stir-fry it with spring chives, it's delicious."

Wei Jinyun handed over the silver, and the vendor smiled and said, "Don't worry, Shopkeeper Wei. These clams are kept in water and will still be fresh in the evening. I wish you a prosperous business!"

After saying this, he started shouting again, and his voice was so loud that the owners of other shops came to buy.

Wei Jinyun turned around and sat back on the bamboo chair. In front of her was a clay stove, and on the small table was kneaded glutinous rice dough and a small dish of sugar.

She cleaned the toilet again, took a piece of cake, kneaded it into a round ball with her palm, then gently stretched and flattened it into an oval cake, making several at a time.

She put the prepared cake dough into the pot on the clay stove. The lard in the pot was already slightly hot. As soon as the cake dough was put in, a "sizzling" sound was heard.

The sweet aroma of glutinous rice, mixed with the fragrance of lard, slowly wafts into the air. Soon, the edges of the cake are fried to a light golden brown. Turning it over, the other side is also golden. Then, melt the sugar and place the cake in the pan for a while, finally simmering for a while. The sweet aroma is alluring.

"Sister, sister! It's too late!"

Wei Fuling and Wei Fuqiu rushed out of Yunlaixiang hand in hand, their faces full of anxiety.

Aside from their great-aunt's family, they had no relatives. During Chinese New Year, they always slept until noon, and now, more than half a month had passed, they still hadn't gotten over it. The moment they opened their eyes, the warm sunlight was blinding, and they leaped out of bed with two quick, swift movements.

"Eat the supporting cake before you leave."

Wei Jinyun poured the steaming cake into two small blue and white bowls. Wei Fuling grabbed her bowl and Wei Fuqiu also quickly picked up her bowl. The two sisters didn't care about the heat and ran towards Su Yuxuan with their legs stretched out.

The two of them only occasionally raised their tongues to quickly lick the sugar juice that appeared on the edge of the bowl.

When they arrived at the door of Su Yuxuan, they were panting and saw Master Zhou standing by the door with his hands behind his back, holding half a greasy egg pancake in his hand and chewing it in big mouthfuls.

Seeing the two sisters, she was stunned at first, then she hid the cake behind her back a little embarrassedly and greeted them vaguely, "Fuling, Fuqiu, it's not too late today."

The two men stared at her greasy mouth for a while, then bowed politely.

Master Zhou coughed twice and quietly wiped his mouth with his sleeve. "Go in quickly."

The two of them said "hmm" and walked into the academy with their small bowls in hand.

Mr. Zhou continued to stand at the door and chew the remaining half of the omelet.

When I was a child, I always complained about going to school and hoped to grow up quickly so that I wouldn’t have to memorize books. But I never expected that when I grew up I would become a teacher in a school, staring at a group of children studying every day, which was even more tiring than going to school myself.

It’s not been long since the New Year, how come the school has opened up so quickly!

She even had to time her sleep in. Fortunately, Madam Qian made egg pancakes quickly and prepared them for her in advance, otherwise she would be late!

As soon as Wei Fuling and Wei Fuqiu entered the academy, they hurried to their desks and pulled the wooden chopsticks their sister had prepared from their bags. With a few moments left before class, the two sisters eagerly grabbed a piece of the "Zhan Yao" cake, their bowls in hand. The heat from their run had dissipated, and the cake was perfectly warm and delicious.

The glutinous rice is soft and sticky, with a hint of crispness on the outside, and the sweet aroma of the sugar syrup overflows. If you chew it carefully, you can even pull out strands like eating rice cakes, which is sweet but not greasy.

"Wei Fuqiu, can you give me a piece?"

A chubby figure came over. It was Zhi Duo Xing. He stared at the supporting cake in the bowl and swallowed his saliva.

Wei Fuqiu looked up at his face, which was even rounder than it was years ago, and said with a smile, "Master Zhi Duo Xing, years ago you said you wanted to be a model for my grandmother's children's clothing store. How come you look even rounder after just a few days? If you get any fatter, you won't fit into our new clothes."

Zhi Duo Xing touched his stomach and said, "My father said that I should eat more during the New Year... so I'll have a small piece, just a small piece!"

Wei Fuling and Wei Fuqiu already had a lot of cakes in their bowls. When Zhiduoxing spoke, they readily gave him a piece each and distributed some to the classmates around them.

Tian'er took the cake she was given and ate it slowly, muttering to them, "My mom made me some fried pork ribs as a snack this morning. They're shiny and delicious. Let's eat them together later!"

Zhi Duo Xing's eyes lit up again, and he asked vaguely while still chewing the supporting cake, "Tian Er, can I...can I eat it too?"

Tian'er glanced at his round belly, covered her mouth and laughed, "Master Zhiduoxing, look at your clothes, they're all bulging out from all that fat, and you're still eating?"

"Just one piece! Just one piece!"

Zhi Duo Xing was afraid that Tian Er would regret it, so he added, "I'll teach you how to recite later."

As they were making a fuss, Master Zhou came in holding a book. He saw at a glance that the corners of the children's mouths and the palms of their hands were stained with sugar juice.

She shook her head helplessly and said with a smile, "Hurry up and go to the backyard to wash your hands and face, otherwise when you read later, the sugar juice will get on the book and you won't be able to wipe it off."

The children looked at each other, staring at Master Zhou without moving.

Master Zhou found their gazes amusing and raised his hand to touch the corner of his mouth.

She coughed lightly and said helplessly, "Alright, alright, I'll go wash too, let's do it together."

As soon as these words were spoken, the children cheered and rushed to the backyard. As they washed, they followed Wei Fuqiu in reciting a nursery rhyme: "On the second day of the second month, there's a waist-supporting cake. It's made of glutinous rice with sugar and walnuts. Children gain wisdom from eating it, and adults straighten their backs..."

The pot at the door of Yunlaixiang was steaming. Wei Jinyun flipped the last few pieces of zhuangyao cakes until they were golden brown. The guys around him stood in a row, staring at the pot.

Wei Jinyun served the cakes to them, "Are you still not full? You guys have already shared all the cakes I made this morning."

Gu Xiang replied, "Shopkeeper Wei, this cake is delicious and sticky. I can eat a whole ball by myself."

"No, no, it's all gone."

Wei Jinyun took the empty basin and said, "Don't worry about it. I'll ask Wan Wu to make fried clams and spring chives for lunch. It's very delicious and I guarantee you'll enjoy it."

Gu Xiang turned around first and said, "Then I'll go clean the tables and chairs in the front hall while we wait for lunch."

Chang Siyan and Chaojiu also dispersed, one went to the counter to think of jokes, and the other went to organize the shelves. Even Wanwu smiled and went back to the kitchen to prepare ingredients. In a blink of an eye, the door was empty, and only Wei Jinyun was left looking at their backs.

Meow Meow Bakery has been doing good business recently. My grandmother taught her apprentices to embroider a few more sets of Xun Gu chess. The noisy sounds of people playing Xun Gu chess can be heard from both shops.

Yunlaixiang is mostly frequented by regulars, like Master Lu and Mr. Lu, as well as some scholars visiting Pingjiang Prefecture. Miaomiao Bakery is mostly populated by young people, and as soon as her cakes are launched, many talented scholars and beautiful women gather to chat and discuss.

The cream on the cake was ghee. She had previously pounded milk in a mortar, which took a lot of effort. But she bought three donkeys and had Carpenter Wang design a milking box that relied on animal power, eliminating the need for manual biceps training.

Huihui did not participate. Huihui was her beloved and smart little donkey. He often accompanied her to deliver goods and just ate grass and dried fruits.

Donkeys sometimes also have different fates.

Wei Jinyun was packing up the pots and pans when she heard several people around her calling "Master Lu." She looked up and saw Lu Lan walking towards them.

His black hair was tied up in a neat ponytail, his eyebrows and eyes were handsome under the red-lined forehead bandage, and he was wearing the red and white suit that she had given him a few days ago.

The sunlight fell on him, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, tightly bound by a jade belt. The hem of his clothes and her Meow Meow sachet swayed gently when he walked.

Wei Jinyun stared at him for a moment, with only one vague thought in his mind: Why is this man standing in the sun so... dazzling?

She thought for a long time but couldn't find the right word, so she just found one word - show off.

When she asked Manager Shen to make this dress, she deliberately added a few more layers of lining to make the shape better and make it flutter more when walking, like the ones worn by heroes in storybooks.

Now that Lu Lan was wearing it, it fit him better than she had imagined, as if such clothes were meant for him.

Wei Jinyun looked at Lu Lan standing in the sun and spoke first, "Lu Lan, are you taking a day off today?"

Lu Lan nodded, "Well, I'm not on duty today."

"Where do you want to sit?"

Wei Jinyun wiped his hands and said, "The morning's support cakes have all been divided up by the guys. How about trying the freshly baked cake? It's just made with fresh milk. The berries delivered this morning are very sweet. I'm sure you'll like it."

"I can do anything."

Lu Lan quickly walked over to her side and said, "I'd better sit at the counter. When you're done, come and keep me company, okay?"

Wei Jinyun's heart moved slightly, and he agreed with a smile, "Okay, then wait for me, I'll put the pots and pans in the kitchen and come to accompany you right away."

"good."

He watched Wei Jinyun's back as he turned and walked towards the kitchen. He walked to the river and looked at his reflection in the river. After making sure that there was nothing wrong with his body, he stepped into Yunlaixiang.

He must rush to that person today and express his feelings!

Lu Lan sat at the counter for a while. The two pieces of fresh milk cake on the plate in front of her were almost empty. She looked up and saw Wei Jinyun still busy in the kitchen and lobby.

She was helping Wan Wu carry a basket of spring chives, then counting the newly arrived glutinous rice flour with Chao Jiu. She was constantly on the move, never having the time to spend time with him. He wasn't annoyed, but simply rested his chin on one hand, watching her busy figure quietly.

Suddenly, a hearty laugh was heard at the door, and a middle-aged man in a royal blue satin jacket came over, pushing a cart. On the cart were several layers of bamboo baskets, and the baskets were full of eggs wrapped in straw.

"Shopkeeper Wei! Are you busy?"

Yang Teng greeted him as he entered the shop.

Wei Jinyun came out upon hearing the voice. Seeing that it was him pushing the cart, he smiled and joked, "Shopkeeper Yang, why are you, the head shopkeeper, delivering the goods yourself? Don't the shop assistants usually go to the next door?"

"My buddy is also delivering it. I've done it myself since we're short on manpower. This isn't just delivering the chicken but also sharing the good news."

Yang Teng squinted his eyes. "Do you know Mr. Li's family on Shiquan East Street? His daughter-in-law went into labor last night and gave birth to a big, fat granddaughter. They asked me to deliver 20,000 eggs this morning. I was passing by and just wanted to tell you that Mr. Li's family wants to order 10,000 yuan worth of birth cakes from you!"

"How much?"

Wei Jinyun thought he had misheard and his eyes widened. "Ten thousand yuan?"

"you do not say."

Yang Teng grinned from ear to ear, "Mr. Li's son is a successful candidate in the imperial examination, and his family is very wealthy. With the birth of a new baby, they're sending wedding cakes to the entire village, young and old, all relatives, and even the entire neighborhood of Shiquan East Street, for a lively and festive occasion. I have 20,000 eggs in carts, and I'm not sure if they'll be enough to make red eggs for their family. You've got to hurry up and make the wedding cakes worth 10,000 yuan!"

Yang Teng had just taken a few steps pushing the egg cart when a man in a brown robe and a small cap arrived at the Yunlaixiang entrance. He had a thin face and three strands of graying beard. As soon as he entered, he smiled and greeted Wei Jinyun, holding a bulging red envelope in his hand.

"Shopkeeper Wei, I've heard a lot about you!"

The Li family's housekeeper bowed and then pressed a red envelope into Wei Jinyun's hand. "This is a small gift from my master. Please accept it first. I came here today to order a birthday cake worth 10,000 yuan. I wonder if Shopkeeper Wei can make it quickly? I need it before dinner. My master has already set up a buffet at the mansion!"

He pinched his beard and said earnestly, "The neighbors all say that Shopkeeper Wei is a capable man. He can even deliver snacks to the sailors on time. You are so capable, so you can definitely do it, right?"

Wei Jinyun held the red envelope, frowning slightly. "Butler, you may not know that I have to rush to make bread orders for the sailors. Xiao Gu and his team are already short on manpower to knead the cakes. Ten thousand yuan worth of wedding cakes... I'm afraid I won't be able to make it in time."

"I'm free, I'll help you."

Lu Lan, who had been sitting at the counter, suddenly spoke.

Wei Jinyun turned around, eyes full of surprise, "Huh?"

Lu Lan stood up and walked over to her. "If Gu Xiang and I knead the dough together, plus the other guys, will we be able to finish it in time?"

Wei Jinyun thought about it. The shop assistants had already learned how to make some pastries, and the shop had ready-made cake molds. If Lu Lan also helped, it seemed that they could catch up. Lu Lan was very strong, and carrying her was like lifting her.

She nodded immediately, "There's still time. As long as we have enough manpower, we can definitely get it out."

"Then I'll do it."

Lu Lan looked at her, a smile on his lips, "I'll help you make money."

Wei Jinyun was completely stunned. It took him a while to react and he said repeatedly, "Okay, okay, then it's booked."

The butler standing by couldn't help but scowl, "Master Lu, you said you wanted to knead the dough yourself?"

Lu Lan nodded lightly, "Yeah."

"Okay, okay."

The housekeeper smiled from ear to ear and bowed repeatedly, "Then I will go back and tell the master in detail that our young lady's birthday cake was kneaded by Lord Lu himself. This is a great blessing!"

Lu Lan's gaze gently fell on Wei Jinyun, and she whispered, "She and her friends made the wedding cakes themselves. I just helped knead the dough."

The housekeeper was stunned at first, but then he realized what was going on and nodded with a smile, "Yes, yes, Lord Lu is right. Shopkeeper Wei is skilled, the guys are capable, and with your help, this wedding cake was made by Shopkeeper Wei himself and kneaded by Lord Lu himself. It's all a blessing! It's all a blessing for our young lady!"

He became happier as he spoke, and he bowed to Wei Jinyun again, "Manager Wei, then it's settled. I'll send someone to get it before dinner. Thank you and Master Lu for your hard work."

Wei Jinyun looked at Lu Lan standing beside her and responded with a smile, "Don't worry, I will prepare it for you on time."

Among the wedding cakes of Pingjiang Mansion, the big honey cake and the Ruyi cake are the most popular styles. As soon as Wei Jinyun entered the kitchen, he shouted, "Evening fog, morning wine, the wedding cakes of Li Mansion are mostly big honey cakes and Ruyi cakes."

To make a large honey cake, the finest glutinous rice flour is used, mixed with polished rice paste, and generously seasoned with sugar and osmanthus flowers. The resulting dough is sweet but not overpowering, remaining snow-white and fluffy even after steaming, symbolizing sweetness and happiness. Ruyi cakes are filled with red bean paste and sesame seeds. The dough is molded into the shape of a "ruyi" (a traditional Chinese symbol of happiness), brushed with a thin layer of oil before steaming, and then filled with dried fruit and candied dates. This creates a beautiful and auspicious image, symbolizing the child's future success.

Lu Lan followed him into the kitchen, looking at the overflowing sacks of glutinous rice beside him as he listened to Wei Jinyun's instructions. After she sorted the ingredients, he took the bamboo sieve filled with glutinous rice flour and, according to her instructions of seven parts glutinous rice flour and three parts polished rice paste, sifted the flour into a bowl, then added sugar and water and began to knead.

His palms were large and strong, and he quickly kneaded the loose dough into shape. He rolled up his sleeves, placed the dough on the table, and pounded it again and again, his movements neat and steady. In a short while, the originally slightly rough dough became smooth, delicate, and round.

Wei Jinyun took out a piece of red material and walked over to tie it around Lu Lan's neck as a neckband. "Lu Lan, this dress of yours is made of Guangdong embroidery and has many ribbons. Don't get it dirty."

She really had a selfish motive. The Guangdong embroidery was fluttering in the wind, and she really wanted to see Lu Lan wearing it.

Lu Lan froze for a moment, then let her move, her soft fingertips stroking his neck bit by bit.

When the guys around saw this, they couldn't help but lower their heads and their shoulders trembled.

Wei Jinyun turned around and glared at them, "Don't laugh, just work hard!"

"Hmmmm, don't laugh, don't laugh!"

The guys nodded quickly, but they couldn't hide the smiles on their faces.

Amu felt that she really enjoyed working here. She could see new surprises every day. No wonder Sister Si Yan could always come up with so many jokes. This was what she kept saying every day - art comes from life.

In the kitchen, Wei Jinyun and the waiters had a clear division of labor and were busy as hell.

Wei Jinyun made the Ruyi cake himself. He took the kneaded cake dough, rolled it into a small ball with his palm, flattened it, and wrapped it with delicate red bean paste. With his skillful hands, he pinched the cake into a Ruyi shape with upturned ends and a round middle, and then embedded it with dried fruits and candied fruits. Amu and another guy named Qiaoqiao also followed suit.

Wan Wu and Chao Jiu were circling around the table making the big honey cakes. They rolled the smooth cake dough that Lu Lan had pounded into thin pancakes, sprinkled osmanthus flowers evenly on it, put it into the mold, and then placed it in the steamer. Their movements were very skillful.

Lu Lan remained at the table, intently kneading the new dough. His well-defined forearms revealed, and his broad palms kneaded and pounded the dough repeatedly, each stroke applying immense force.

The kitchen door was open and the aroma wafted out.

Someone curiously lifted the door curtain to peek inside. They immediately saw Lu Lan pounding dough and exclaimed in shock, "What the hell! Isn't that Lord Lu? He's pounding dough for Shopkeeper Wei!"

Someone nearby immediately poked him in the arm and said, "What the hell? This is out of concern for others. Do you understand?"

Another customer sniffed the fragrance and swallowed his saliva, "That's the hand that chopped the water bandits, what does the cake taste like? I want to have a piece too!"

"Isn't it easy to eat?"

Someone suggested, "Isn't Mr. Li's family going to give away the entire street? You can squat at his door, pretending to be a neighbor or a distant relative, and you're guaranteed to be able to ask for a piece."

"Hey, that's a good idea!"

A few people were whispering, and Lu Lan seemed to notice it and looked towards the door.

He didn't say anything, but just glanced at them with his usually cold eyes. The guests who were chattering just now fell silent instantly, quickly lowered the door curtain, and obediently retreated to the Yunlaixiang lobby to have snacks.

As the last wisp of steam from the steamer dissipated, countless birth cakes had already been made. Large, snow-white honey cakes, fragrant with osmanthus, and wish-fulfilling cakes, filled with red bean paste, filled dozens of baskets. Ten thousand wedding cakes were whipped up, an hour before the scheduled dinner.

After receiving the news, the Li family's housekeeper was very excited and called seven or eight donkey carts to come.

"Oh, Manager Wei, Master Lu, you guys are so fast. I was just wondering if I could make it in time for dinner, and you've already finished everything in such a short time. You're really capable people."

The housekeeper's eyes narrowed into slits, and he was full of flattery. "My humble master heard that Lord Lu personally kneaded the dough, and that Shopkeeper Wei and his staff rushed to make it happen. I am so happy that I have specially asked this humble master to invite Shopkeeper Wei and his family and Lord Lu to a banquet at the mansion tonight. Would you two be willing to do me the honor?"

"Of course I would. My sister is probably on her way back. I'll ask Grandma to pack it up..."

Wei Jinyun thought about it for a while and then agreed.

My sisters have been wanting to have a banquet for a long time and have been looking forward to the marriage at my great-aunt's house. Now that there is a birth banquet, they will definitely be happy.

Wei Fuling and Wei Fuqiu, who had just returned from Su Yuxuan, poked their heads in from the shop door. When they heard the words "banquet", they shook their heads repeatedly.

Wei Fuling trotted over to Wei Jinyun and pulled her along. "No, no, sister, you and Lord Lu should go. We'll be able to eat at my aunt's house in a month, so there's no rush. We have to stay in the shop to help our sister clean up. Master Zhou has a lot of homework for today. Besides..."

She blinked and whispered in her ear, "We don't want to be around Sister and Master Lu. It's so bright!"

The housekeeper was still waiting for a reply, but Lu Lan spoke first, "If you go, I'll go too."

Wei Jinyun's heart skipped a beat, and she looked up into his clear eyes, feeling that they were full of seriousness.

Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly nodded in response, "Okay."

She began to have doubts in her heart.

Why was Lu Lan so clingy today? From coming to the shop this morning and sitting there waiting for her, to actively helping her knead the dough and pound the cakes, to now even going to the banquet and following her wishes, it was like she wanted to be her body.

The butler bowed repeatedly, "The master will certainly be pleased if you two do me the honor. I will return and report immediately."

After saying that, he paid a few silver cakes, asked the servants following him to move all the birthday cakes back to the car, and returned to Shiquan East Street in a mighty manner.

Wei Jinyun felt dizzy when he held these silver cakes.

So generous!

The juren master is so generous!

She was so happy that she turned around and rushed towards Lu Lan, hugging him gently. "Lu Lan, thank you so much. If it weren't for your help, how could such a small restaurant finish the work so quickly and earn so much money?"

Lu Lan's whole body stiffened, and the soft touch in his arms made his heart jump.

He lowered his eyes and looked at the person in his arms who was smiling with curved eyebrows. He felt that she was lively and lovely at the moment. A strong thought surged in his heart: I really want to hold her like this forever and not let her let go.

But before he could respond, Wei Jinyun let go of his hand, turned around like a light-hearted little bird, and went to wash and change clothes.

She had specially chosen a light yellow skirt, which was bright and charming. When she came out after getting ready, Lu Lan was waiting for her at the door of the shop in front of Yunlaixiang.

Seeing her coming, Lu Lan naturally stretched out his hand. Wei Jinyun didn't think much about it and naturally put her hand into his palm.

The evening in February is particularly gentle.

The setting sun sank into the sky, and in the rippling waves, birds were swimming slowly and close to each other.

The wind blew in from the river, ruffling the loose hair on Wei Jinyun's cheeks and blowing the red headband that bound Lu Lan's hair. She looked up, her almond-shaped eyes illuminated by the setting sun, revealing a bit of unconscious innocence, which was particularly charming.

She probably liked him and didn't hate his touch.

Lu Lan walked beside her and slowly asked.

"Ayun, are you happy with me dressing like this today?"

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Author's words: Jinyun: He looks so good in his clothes today. How can he be so nice and still accompany me to make money? [starry eyes]

Mr. Lu: Do you like me wearing this? [Pathetic]

(I really have to confess

I want some nutrient solution. Today seems to be the day I write the most recently [Panda Head]