The newcomer was tall and slender, with a beautiful and charming face and a gentle smile. It was none other than her older sister, Yao Siqing, whom she hadn't seen for several days.
He was also Jiang Sheng's only friend in the entire Fengjing.
"What are you standing there for?" Yao Siqing smiled and reached out, skillfully opening the plate. "Hmm, it's still so round. Didn't I tell you to eat more vegetables?"
"But Sister Yao, the braised pork knuckle smells so good," Jiang Sheng replied vaguely. "Besides, I've lost weight, so whose face are you touching?"
That makes sense.
Yao Siqing almost gave up on the idea of teaching Jiang Sheng to lose weight, and said with her tongue pressed against the tip of her tongue, "But little Jiang Jiang, no boy will like a girl if she is too fat."
"No, my brother likes me a lot." Jiang Sheng put her hands on her hips. "All my brothers like me."
They say it's good to be chubby, being able to eat is a blessing.
Yao Siqing was almost persuaded again, and said with a wry smile, "Actually, I don't want you to lose weight either, but Jiang Sheng, you have to grow up eventually and become a beautiful young woman."
However, there are so many beautiful girls in Fengjing, Jiang Sheng is not an exception.
Think of those noble ladies from wealthy families. To maintain their figures, they only eat two green vegetables a day. Their waists are so slender that you could wrap your hands around them, and they are so delicate and fragile that they would fall over with the slightest push.
On the other hand, Jiang Sheng should be too heavy for two or three people to push.
Yao Siqing felt that she was doing well, at least for now.
"Never mind, I'll lose weight eventually when I grow taller," she comforted herself, then took Jiang Sheng's hand. "Now that we're at Youranju, I'll take you out to eat. Eat whatever you like."
"Do you remember what I taught you before? Don't smile at people casually, step in with dignity, eat in a private room, and maintain an air of mystery..."
What a beautiful lady! She's just a bit too talkative.
Jiang Sheng was in a daze, and was half-dragged and half-pulled into Youran Residence.
The head manager was checking the accounts when he saw Yao Siqing and was about to come over to pay his respects. But when he saw Jiang Sheng, he was so frightened that he couldn't speak. He could only stammer, "Miss, Miss is here."
Clearly, Madam Jiang had revealed Jiang Sheng's identity, and the head manager, remembering his past arrogance, was afraid that old grievances would be brought up again.
"I'd like a private room on the second floor," Yao Siqing suddenly said.
The head manager felt as if he had been granted a pardon and went to make the arrangements while wiping his sweat.
Once the two were seated, someone hurriedly served tea, and Yao Siqing recited the names of the dishes in a smooth and flowing manner, her face always showing flattery.
I still remember how he smiled at Jiang Chenghuan back then.
Jiang Sheng was somewhat dazed, recalling that several of her clashes with Jiang Chenghuan had taken place here. Although she hadn't suffered too much loss, the intimidation and authority brought by his aristocratic family status had left an indelible impression on her.
Especially that time when they almost fell out, although they vented their anger, it was true that completely severing the cooperation would result in a loss of effort and money.
On the other hand, You Ran Ju, with its large and prosperous business, was unharmed, only earning a little less pocket money.
Until the world was turned upside down.
The helpless little orphan girl became the object of flattery, while Jiang Chenghuan, it is said, has been in a coma, seemingly trying to escape something.
Is this the power that status brings?
It would be a lie to say I don't like people who have climbed their way up from the bottom, but it always makes me uneasy if it comes too easily, unlike the sense of accomplishment I feel from walking the path myself.
Yao Siqing finally finished listing the dishes and then told her, "I've ordered all the signature dishes. You can add some of your favorites. Don't worry, I have plenty of money."
"That's enough," Jiang Sheng shook her head. "It's better not to be extravagant."
The head steward then left in a state of trepidation, arranging for people to prepare the meal and serve it as quickly as possible.
The private room returned to quiet.
As Yao Siqing sipped her fine Longjing tea, she asked, "What were you hesitating about at the door just now? If you consider me a friend, just tell me. I'll definitely help if I can."
Jiang Sheng twirled her two fingers together, unsure whether she should speak.
After a long while, she finally made up her mind, "I know that Sister Yao's identity is not simple. She should be a girl from the Yao family of Fengjing. I'll tell you some things about the Jiang family. Please don't laugh at me."
As she spoke, she recounted the story of the real and fake heiresses, and then brought up her earlier dilemma.
"I wanted to ask Youranju if they wanted plain noodles, but I didn't want to have too much contact with the Jiang family." The girl's face was full of melancholy. "Sometimes I feel like all of this is just a dream, and when I wake up, there's nothing left."
"I do not covet wealth and fame, but I fear that everything before me is just a mirage. I fear that if I gain something, I will lose it again. It would be better to have never had it at all."
Jiang Sheng raised her head. At eleven years old, she had gradually learned to pretend. Even though she was sad, she didn't shed tears. Instead, she forced a smile.
But it is precisely this kind of laughter that makes people feel more heartbroken and sad.
Yao Siqing gripped her handkerchief tightly, her heart heavy with sorrow.
Suddenly a noise came from outside, and the fat, pig-like manager nimbly rushed in, eagerly saying, "I want it, I want it, I want everything, plain noodles, please."
Upon seeing Yao Siqing's strange expression and Jiang Sheng's stunned look, he took two steps back and explained, "I didn't ask for it because of the Jiang family. I know about Baishui noodles. Some guests who ate it in Anshui County came to Fengjing looking for it, but I couldn't produce any. Since I heard you mention it, of course I wanted it."
The noodles were plain and unremarkable, yet they had a rich meaty flavor that perfectly suited the tastes of the nobles of Fengjing.
It must be said that although the head manager is selective in his dealings with people, he still has a keen eye for business.
Yao Siqing nodded, turned to look at Jiang Sheng, her eyes filled with encouragement.
“Then…then I’ll open a workshop to supply you with plain noodles.” Jiang Sheng took a deep breath. “This is a contractual cooperation, an agreement, a business deal.”
It has nothing to do with the Jiang family, nor with the eldest daughter of the Jiang family.
"Alright, alright," the head steward readily agreed. "The dishes are here, ladies, please enjoy your meal. I'll go outside and attend to the servants."
As he spoke, he arranged the dishes and thoughtfully closed the door behind him.
The private room returned to silence.
Steaming hot meat dishes were neatly arranged on the table, mostly beef and mutton that are rarely seen on ordinary days, while the common chicken, duck, goose and pork were nowhere to be seen.
Jiang Sheng thought of her favorite braised pork knuckle. The tender and juicy skin was certainly tempting, but she had only eaten pork all these years. The main reason was that beef and mutton were too rare, and ordinary people simply couldn't afford or eat them.
Even though she had been to Youranju countless times, she had never been able to have a meal in that grand restaurant.
But now, the top-quality lamb ribs, stewed until tender and falling off the bone, lay in the rich broth beckoning to her, yet Jiang Sheng had lost her appetite.
"Little Jiang Sheng, have some." Yao Siqing picked up two pieces of beef and placed them on her plate. "The ingredients used at You Ran Ju are all the best and freshest."
In the past, she would have definitely eaten her fill.
But now, the melancholy little girl just shook her head slightly, asking with doubt and confusion, "Sister Yao, if it were you, would you go back?"
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