As soon as Jiayin left, customers came to the shop.
They were not strangers, but the owners of several other pastry shops in the city.
Manager Peng welcomed them in and took them to the backyard for tea and conversation.
The shopkeepers all had mixed feelings.
They had all heard that Baiyunjian was doing incredibly well, and some even secretly had people buy cakes and snacks to try.
But this time, when they came and saw with their own eyes that Baiyunjian really sold out of goods as soon as the sun was overhead... they were so envious and jealous that they were going crazy!
You have to understand, for many years before, they had easily crushed Manager Peng!
Manager Peng saw their expressions and felt incredibly pleased, but on the surface he still treated them with great courtesy.
The shopkeepers offered a few words of congratulations before hurriedly taking their leave.
Chen Xi approached Manager Peng and asked, "What's going on with these people? They came all this way just to say congratulations?"
"Hmph," Manager Peng sneered, "They don't believe our business is good, they don't believe we've surpassed them, they have to see for themselves!"
"After all, being the top dog for so long, it's hard not to feel comfortable when someone suddenly takes away your number one position!"
Chen Xi rolled his eyes and said disdainfully, "We have to put up with it even if we're uncomfortable. Are we allowed to make money while we're left to starve?"
"Besides, this time the princess has asked the emperor to bestow a plaque as a reward. Even if they want to have ulterior motives, they will have to think twice."
The business world is like a battlefield; for money, many people resort to dirty tricks.
To say nothing of other things, last month a long-established sesame seed cake shop was poisoned, almost resulting in a death, and it eventually had to close down.
Manager Peng, ever vigilant, still cautioned, "Tell everyone not to think that just because we have the plaque bestowed by the Emperor, we are safe and sound."
"We still can't let our guard down. We must be on guard against anyone having ulterior motives. The princess trusts us, so we must be even more careful and not let her down!"
"Yes, the shopkeeper is right." Chen Xi nodded, then said, "Shopkeeper, although my right hand is much better and can keep me from working, I'm the only one in the shop who knows how to decorate cakes. If I get sick or have an accident someday, wouldn't that disrupt the business?!"
"When you're looking for a female assistant this time, could you also find me two apprentices? I'll teach them more often, so they can step in temporarily if something happens."
Manager Peng was taken aback for a moment, then slowly smiled and patted Chen Xi on the shoulder, "The boss really didn't misjudge you. You're very generous with your knowledge, that's wonderful."
Chen Xi said matter-of-factly, "My skills were taught to me by my employer, not mine. Why should I hide them?!"
"Besides, if we train two apprentices, we'll have more people to do the work. If the shop does well, we can earn more money for the owner!"
Manager Peng laughed even harder, "Good, good! If this continues, our shop's business will definitely get better and better!"
Leaving aside how they discussed how to run the shop better, just say that after one night, when the sun was high in the sky, the Jia family's carriage arrived at Broken Gold Beach.
They passed the roadblocks on the second village side and arrived safely at the Li family's door.
The second branch of the Jia family only had two children. Baozhu's older brother was studying far away from home. Baozhu was the second wife's youngest daughter and was very much loved by the whole family.
So, she almost choked to death on a peanut, and when her whole family found out afterwards, they were all shocked and naturally grateful to Jiayin.
This time, when they came to pay their respects, not only did Master Jia and his wife bring Baozhu, but Old Madam Jia also came along.
Li Lao Er specially stayed at home to entertain guests, and invited Jia Er Lao Ye to talk in the study in the front yard.
The rest of the family, including Madam Jia, Madam Jia II, and Baozhu, were ushered to the suite in the backyard.
Old Mrs. Li lived a difficult life in her early years. In order to support her large family and protect her children and grandchildren, she endured a lot of hardship, which inevitably gave her a stern and cold expression.
Now, the Li family has settled in Suijintan. Their children and grandchildren are successful, and they have no worries about food and clothing. She has gained some weight.
When peace emanates from within, one becomes kind-hearted and gentle.
Right now, she and Madam Jia are sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed), eating fruit and chatting about household matters, and they are surprisingly getting along well.
Madam Jia was also delighted. She had come to express her gratitude, but unexpectedly, she gained an old friend in return...
Especially since both of them lost their husbands at a young age and raised their children alone, their relationship deepened when they talked about these painful experiences.
Jiayin and Baozhu sat at the end of the kang (a heated brick bed), chattering about the shop's business and the fun things to do at Suijintan, making it quite lively.
The three little foxes followed along, causing trouble, which made Baozhu especially want to touch their big tails.
Jiayin bribed three of them with roasted rabbits, and Baozhu got to pet them to her heart's content, laughing heartily.
Madam Wen and Tao Hongying sat between Madam Jia and the Second Madam, watching the old lady talk happily and the children playing joyfully, and they couldn't help but smile.
Madam Jia said, "Why do I feel like our two families started getting acquainted too late? It's as if the old folks and children have known each other for a long time. This closeness is truly rare!"
Tao Hongying laughed and said, "I think so too. I often go to the city, and Fu Niu'er also needs to learn manners and skills. I often leave my mother-in-law alone at home. She must be very lonely."
“It will be great from now on. We will definitely invite your mother to come and visit often. In spring, we can enjoy the flowers; in summer, we can eat melons in the fields; in autumn, we can pick fruit; and even in winter, we can have hot pot and soak in hot springs. Our Suijintan is never short of liveliness.”
"Oh dear, after hearing what you said, I'd like to come and stay here permanently, let alone my mother-in-law." Madam Jia laughed heartily, then handed a gift list to Tao Hongying and said, "I found some fabric and trinkets in the storeroom and sent them to the princess to thank her for saving Baozhu that day."
"Fourth Madam, you are a mother too, you must know that our daughters are the apple of our eyes. I don't even want to think about what Baozhu might say, how would I go on living! So please don't refuse, this is all from my heart, please be sure to ask the Princess to accept it."
Tao Hongying didn't know what was on the gift list, and she knew she couldn't refuse, so she simply accepted it, saying, "Okay, I'll accept it for Fu Niu'er. Actually, our Fu Niu'er doesn't have many friends usually, so it's really great that she's met your Baozhu."
"We'll be happy if Baozhu stays safe and sound and becomes a long-lasting best friend with our Fu Niu'er."
Both families were keen to befriend each other, so the conversation naturally became more intimate and lively.
As the sun approached noon, Tao Hongying went to prepare the meal.
The old and young women naturally set up a table in the backyard, while Li Lao Er stayed with Jia Er Lao Ye in the study.
Tao Hongying is already a good cook, and she added two new dishes made with potatoes. For the main course, she fried golden corn pancakes and steamed corn cakes.
The Jia family also planted some corn and potatoes this year, partly to save them for next year's planting, and partly because their cook doesn't know how to prepare them, so they haven't eaten them yet.
Nowadays, the Li family finds both of these high-yield grains delicious.
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