Jiayin nodded and smiled, "Alright, everyone's New Year's gifts will be delivered on the 28th. Each person will receive a fish, a piece of meat, a jar of wine, and a box of pastries and snacks from the shop."
"Please send it to everyone when the time comes."
"Thank you, boss!" Manager Peng smiled broadly, flattering everyone. "Being able to work for you is a blessing we all earned in our past lives."
"Not to mention the generous rewards and wages, just the gifts they bring back over the years are enough to make the neighbors green with envy."
Just then, the young waiter from the front hall suddenly ran in to deliver the news.
“Boss, Miss Bao, the manager of the branch, has arrived. She’s insisting on seeing you, so I’ve moved her to a private room upstairs.”
Jia Yin raised an eyebrow.
She and Bao Lei never really clicked, so Bao Lei's special visit today must mean she had something to say...
Since she had nothing better to do, she took Manager Peng and Shui Ling upstairs.
Bao Lei was drinking milk tea, and whether it was subconscious or not, she always felt that the food at the branch store wasn't as good as the one at Baiyunjian.
The white cloud cake and snacks were fine, but perhaps they got cold on the way to the branch, and didn't taste as good as when they were fresh out of the oven.
But milk tea, if you just put it in a kettle to take home and reheat it, how come the taste is so different?!
As she was thinking, she heard the door being pushed open.
Looking up, before she could even see the person's face clearly, she was slightly squinted by the dazzling light of the gemstone.
After Jiayin sat down opposite her, her gaze still unconsciously fell on the eight-treasure necklace on her chest, her heart filled with surging jealousy.
Even as the legitimate daughter of the Princess's household, she didn't have such an exquisite and precious necklace!
Ironically, a country girl wore it every day when she went out, treating it as nothing special...
Jiayin glanced at her, guessed most of it, and couldn't help but take off the collar with a mischievous grin and throw it to Shuiling, complaining, "This lousy thing is too heavy, I'm not wearing it next time!"
"Grandma insisted that it was a waste to throw it in the box and let it collect dust."
"But I have so many at home, I can't wear them all every day, so I'll just leave them there."
Shui Ling rolled her eyes and said with a smile, "Princess, you mustn't let the old lady hear what you're saying, otherwise she'll say you don't know how lucky you are."
"How many poor people have never even touched such jewelry, let alone worn it?"
Bao Lei gritted her teeth in frustration, almost tearing the handkerchief in her hand to shreds, her eyes filled with venom.
She was certain that the "poor person" Shui Ling was referring to was her!
She mustered all her strength to suppress the urge to slam the door and leave.
After all, she came here with a mission, and if she didn't complete it, she would definitely be in big trouble when she got home.
Bao Lei took a deep breath and said, "Princess, thank you for your care these past few months. The branch business has been quite good."
"On the eighteenth day of the first lunar month after the New Year, our princess's residence will hold a flower-viewing banquet, which will be attended by almost all the noble ladies in the capital."
"I am here today to deliver your invitation on my grandmother's orders."
After saying that, she took out a gold-embroidered invitation and pushed it in front of Jiayin.
Jiayin raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Miss Bao, you can't take advantage of my young age."
“Previously, during the Emperor’s birthday celebration at Shou Kang Palace, the Princess targeted and bullied me, which was witnessed by many people.”
"Now the Princess has invited me to admire the flowers again. Isn't this a huge change of heart? Is she trying to trick me into going there so she can manipulate me at will?!"
Young?
Are you easy to bully?!
Bao Lei wanted to roll her eyes, but she held back her temper and said, "Of course not. Last time, Grandmother listened to other people's slander and said things she shouldn't have to the Princess."
"After returning home, Grandmother was filled with regret. That's why she took the initiative to invite the Princess to our residence this time."
Having said that, seeing that Jiayin refused to touch the invitation, she couldn't help but goad her, "Is the princess afraid to go?"
Jiayin wasn't worried about the post being tampered with. After all, all the time she spent studying medicine and being tortured to the point of near death by Doctor Zhang was worth it!
She was just curious.
I can't fathom what wicked scheme the princess's household has in mind, or why they insist she attend the banquet...
But then I thought, I'll just agree first. If things get really bad, I can just not go. Is the princess's mansion going to send people to Broken Gold Beach to snatch me away?!
"What's there to be afraid of?" Jiayin laughed indifferently, picked up the post, glanced at it casually, and threw it aside. She added, "Before, quite a few people were blind and bullied me, and they all ended up in terrible situations."
"I don't mind going to the banquet for some fun, but I'm afraid someone will be unlucky and regret it to the core."
Bao Lei looked at the smiling Jia Yin and her heart clenched.
It's strange, really. This chubby girl is really weird; she never managed to get the better of them the last few times she tried to scheme against them...
However, she soon remembered her father, who was living a life of debauchery, and she perked up again.
She eagerly anticipated the day when this proud, chubby girl would kneel at her feet, begging for her handouts like a dog.
At that time, not to mention the Eight Treasures Necklace, even the White Cloud Pavilion will easily fall into her hands!
After exchanging a few words, Bao Lei hurriedly took her leave.
Downstairs in the lobby, the fragrant popcorn chicken was already on the shelves, and customers who had tried it ordered an extra box to enjoy while it was still hot.
Upstairs in the private room, a waiter knocked on the door and delivered sweet potatoes.
Unfortunately, Bao Lei left in a hurry and didn't notice anything...
Jiayin brought some snacks and then went to Cyclamen.
Tao Hongying had previously taken on several apprentices. Although they are not yet able to stand on their own, they are extremely competent at assisting others.
These past few days, the master and apprentice have taken care of half of the stir-fried dishes, and even introduced two new dishes, which has been a great help to Jia Huan.
Jia Huan could finally catch his breath. He could cook something delicious tonight and bring it home, and also see his pregnant wife.
Jiayin, carrying a box of popcorn chicken, took turns feeding her mother and brother in the kitchen.
Of course, she was fed even more, and finally, with her greasy little mouth wiped on her lips and her round little belly tucked in, she went home satisfied.
The Little New Year is just around the corner, and it's the most crucial time for every household to prepare for the New Year.
The city was bustling with activity, with cars and pedestrians jostling shoulder to shoulder. It was as if one could find a few lost shoes by sweeping the streets every day.
Jiayin leaned against the window, gazing happily at this ordinary world, completely captivated.
In her past life, she had no relatives or friends, and lived like a wild beast in the concrete jungle of the city.
The reason she chose to return to her hometown to live alone was that she could use the excuse of liking peace and quiet to cover up her loneliness and lack of love.
In this life, she practically grew up in a honey pot, living a vibrant and lively life every day.
Even though there are always some clueless people who come to cause trouble, she still loves it wholeheartedly.
I love the cycle of the four seasons, and I love the vibrant life of humanity!
"Oh dear, Princess, look! Isn't that the eldest young master and the others?"
Shui Ling couldn't stay still, so she occupied another window to watch the excitement, and suddenly she shouted.
She had a loud voice, and before Jiayin could go over to check, Jiaren and the others had already heard the commotion and rode up to her.
"Sister!" Cat Brother was the first to shout, jumping off his horse happily and crawling straight into the carriage.
Jiaren and Lige also jumped off their horses and grabbed their sister's hands.
Jiaren looked his younger sister up and down, and seeing that she was still chubby and adorable, with a smile in her eyes, he finally felt relieved.
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