It was obvious to the naked eye that the eyes of the passersby lit up. Since there was no harm in trying it, they called their friends and mingled in groups of three or five, flocking into the pastry shop.
In the short time it took Zhu Sihuan to walk over from the street, Jiuzhenfang had gone from being deserted to bustling with activity, and even the owner, Zheng Ruqian, had to go in to help.
He clicked his tongue in amazement, "If I had known your shop was doing so well, I wouldn't have come here to compete with the common people for pastries."
"Not at all," Xu Mo said with a cupped hand and a smile. "It is an honor for my shop to have Young Master Sihuan here. With you here, many talented scholars from Wenchang Pavilion will surely come in the future."
The celebrity effect works everywhere.
But most importantly, Xu Mo's two flattering remarks hit the nail on the head, making Zhu Sihuan feel comfortable coming to support him.
"Brother Xu's eloquence is truly remarkable." The two joked as they entered the shop.
Liu Changyan and Jiang Sheng stood at the door, filled with emotion.
The eldest brother grew up moving between several cities and now he even knows how to flatter people and has his own circle of friends, just like those people they used to look up to.
This was something to be happy about, but it also made them slightly disappointed, with a feeling that was hard to explain.
It wasn't until Zhu Sihuan's servants came out carrying more than a dozen bags of oil paper that they said goodbye to Xu Mo and took their leave.
“I will distribute these things among the Zhu family. If they like them, they can come to Jiuzhenfang to choose them themselves.” Zhu Sihuan cupped his hands in greeting. “Brother Xu is exceptionally talented, and your younger brother is shrewd and wise. Given time, you two brothers will surely have a place in Fengjing.”
"Brother Zhu is joking. It's just a small matter." Xu Moqing smiled lightly. "I'm still busy at the shop, so I won't see you off any further."
Zhu Sihuan nodded and fanned himself, his back view elegant and unrestrained.
Xu Mo turned around, but instead of immediately going into the store to help, he took out three warm pastries from his sleeve.
One piece for Jiang Sheng, one piece for Chang Yan, and one more piece he instructed, "This is for Xiao Si. The shop is sold out, but luckily I was quick enough to hide it."
After saying that, he got up and went into the shop. He was clearly a refined and elegant scholar, but he was willing to roll up his sleeves and work hard for his younger brother's new shop, and was squeezed and surrounded by a group of aunts and grandmas.
The inexplicable emotions in Jiang Sheng's heart suddenly vanished.
No matter how much his elder brother grows up or becomes more worldly, he is still the eldest brother in the family. He has a straight spine, he is upright and incorruptible, he loves his younger siblings, and he is as delicate as a hair.
Jiang Sheng unwrapped the oil paper package and stuffed her mouth full of the rich, jujube aroma; the dates were soft, chewy, and delicious.
Chang Yan risked his life to rush into the clinic. After a struggle and a bit of pushing and shoving, he stuffed the jujube cake into Wen Zhiyun's sleeve and then desperately squeezed his way back to the entrance of Jiuzhenfang.
"Fifth Brother, your clothes are messy." Jiang Sheng exclaimed, stuffing a jujube cake into her mouth and biting it tightly while tidying up Chang Yan's clothes and smoothing out his sleeves.
Her movements were extremely natural, as if she had done it countless times before, and she stared in amazement at Jiang Chengyuan, who was not far away.
To be fair, although Jiang Chenghuan was clingy and considerate, she strictly adhered to the separation of men and women, never tidying his clothes or having such intimate contact with him.
Or rather, in the Jiang family's education, siblings were expected to observe proper etiquette and maintain distance.
Just like at this moment, Jiang Chenghuan also saw the brother and sister at the entrance of the pastry shop. He immediately frowned in displeasure. "The ancients in the Book of Rites said that men and women should not sit together, should not share the same clothes or canopy, should not share the same towel or comb, should not give each other gifts, should not exchange greetings between uncles and sisters-in-law, should not share clothes with stepmothers, and should not sit together with boys and girls under the age of seven. They should respect etiquette and guard against major taboos."
"Only families of such small size can disregard etiquette and engage in physical contact in public, which is offensive to others."
The disdain in her tone was palpable, yet what she said was entirely correct, only serving to prove that this person was well-read and knowledgeable.
Is that really the case?
Jiang Chengyuan felt something was off. Reason told him that his sister's attitude was right, but his emotions made him feel somewhat disgusted.
It wasn't until Zhao Yuan, who was passing by, couldn't help but scold, "You were born with red eyes, yet you insist on blaming the world for being red. The ancients always said the same thing, and everything they said was right. Did the ancients never make mistakes?"
The Jiang siblings turned around in unison, their expressions one of astonishment.
"What are you looking at? I just can't stand what you're saying." Zhao Yuan said indignantly, "What does it have to do with you outsiders if other people's siblings are a little close? You're always criticizing them. Even crows don't talk as much as you."
Jiang Chenghuan had lived in the Jiang family for eleven years, enjoying a life of luxury and wealth. He had never been treated like this before, and his expression immediately changed.
Jiang Chengyuan quickly stood in front of his sister, frowning as he said, "What nonsense is this Zhao family brat spouting?"
"Just take it as me talking nonsense, and don't try to apply it to yourself." Zhao Yuan glanced sideways, strode to the entrance of Jiuzhenfang, and smiled brightly after only glancing at Xu Mo.
"Brother Zhao has arrived."
Xu Mo, who was busy, quickly put down the pastries, cupped his hands and came out, "Brother Zhao, your presence is an honor to our shop. We don't have many pastries, but please feel free to try them. Have a couple to try."
Compared to Zhu Sihuan's gloomy personality, Zhao Yuan was more innocent and carefree, and his relationship with Xu Mo was the simplest—purely an appreciation of talent and admiration for Xu Mo.
"Brother Xu, I've come to support you!" Zhao Yuan's eyes sparkled as he turned and plunged into the crowd. "I want this, this, this, that, and that..."
Xu Mo was both amused and exasperated, and had to advise him to buy less, fearing that the Zhao family's small appetite wouldn't be able to finish it all.
Jiang Sheng and her brother Chang Yan were left alone at the shop entrance once again.
They all tilted their heads, observing Xu Mo's new friend while whispering and exchanging pleasantries.
Jiang Chengyuan watched from afar, and the strange feeling in his heart grew stronger and stronger, climbing high and towering into the clouds.
"Brother, do you still want to go?" Jiang Chenghuan asked softly. "If you don't want to squeeze in, send some maids and servants in to buy some. That would fulfill your wish to support us."
It sounded as gentle and considerate as ever, but it only intensified the strangeness in Jiang Chengyuan's heart.
"No, I'll go myself."
He wanted to see Xiao Jiangkuai happy and wanted to go and support him in person.
Although Jiang Chenghuan was unwilling, she still lowered her head obediently and said, "I will listen to whatever you say, brother."
The brother and sister walked slowly to the entrance of Jiuzhenfang.
Jiang Sheng was getting tired from standing, so she leaned against Chang Yan's back, finished the last bite of jujube cake, and smacked her lips with lingering satisfaction, "How come it's sold out? Jujube cake is so delicious."
Chang Yan still had a small piece in his hand, and upon hearing this, he reached out without hesitation.
Jiang Sheng opened her mouth wide and ate it all in one bite.
During their difficult days in the dilapidated temple, they shared the same bowl of soup, the same piece of bread, and slept in the same bed. No one cared about the strict separation between men and women, nor did anyone care about the filth.
But in Jiang Chenghuan's eyes, there was nothing but contempt.
“Brother.” She stopped in her tracks. “Chenghuan really doesn’t want to go against her conscience. I don’t want to go into other people’s shops. Please forgive Chenghuan for being ignorant. I must go back to the manor first.”
After saying that, she turned and left, leaving Jiang Chengyuan standing there, caught in a dilemma.
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