"Oh! I'll ask the cook to make it right away." Chen Erniang quickly stood up and shouted to the back, "A bowl of bread and an extra piece of meat."
Zhang Shixun thanked him and said, "Madam Chen, my cousin loves to eat suao bing. Ever since he tried your suao bing, he's been praising it. If he hadn't recommended your suao bing repeatedly, I wouldn't have been able to taste such delicious suao bing... Oh! By the way, my cousin's surname is Wang. He's a scholar and he's preparing to take the imperial examination."
"Oh! It's Mr. Wang. I'm honored to meet you." Chen Erniang stood up, squatted down and bowed.
"Ahem! No need to be so polite." Wang Dong quickly stood up to return the greeting. Because he stood up in a hurry, he accidentally knocked over the stool. When he bent down to help it, he knocked over the stool behind him.
Zhang Shixun closed his eyes, not wanting to see his embarrassing appearance.
Seeing Wang Dong's flustered and silly look, Chen Erniang burst out laughing and walked over to help hold the stool.
"I'm sorry to embarrass you." Wang Dong said with a red face.
"It's okay, isn't it just a stool that was knocked over? It's no big deal." Chen Erniang said calmly, "The shop is too small and the space is cramped, so knocking over stools is inevitable. Don't blame Mr. Wang."
Seeing this as an opportunity, Zhang Shixun asked her, "Are you the only one running this bakery? I don't see anyone else."
"My father is cooking in the back, and there is also a servant doing odd jobs." Chen Erniang replied.
"It's not easy for a woman to run this store. You should let your man do it." Zhang Shixun subtly led the topic to what he wanted to know.
Chen Erniang sighed and said, "Don't mention it. This cake shop was originally run by my husband, but unfortunately he was too weak and died of illness more than two years ago. Otherwise, how could a woman like me come out in public to do this business?"
She didn't notice anything wrong with Zhang Shixun's question. Guests often asked this and that, and she was used to it.
"It's such a pity, but don't be too sad. Birth, old age, sickness and death are common things, and no one knows when they will happen to you." Zhang Shixun comforted her and glanced at Wang Dong, seeing a hint of ecstasy flash in his eyes.
Chen Erniang smiled faintly: "I'm not upset. When he was alive, he didn't treat me as a human being. He beat and scolded me all day long. Since he died, I feel relieved."
"How long are you open on weekdays?" Wang Dong asked.
"It's open from morning until midnight. If the weather is bad, we close earlier."
"That's great!" Zhang Shixun said with a smile, "My cousin studies very hard, often studying until midnight. When he gets hungry, he just grabs some cold food. I've always worried that this will hurt his health... Now it's great, he can come to your place for a midnight snack from now on."
"Yes, yes, yes!" Wang Dong nodded repeatedly.
Chen Erniang said, "If Mr. Wang doesn't mind that our bread is not tasty, you can set a time. I will definitely have the servants bring the meal over at that time, and I guarantee that you can have a hot meal."
Wang Dong was about to thank him when Zhang Shixun interrupted him and said, "Don't give me a gift."
"Why is this?" Chen Erniang was puzzled.
"Alas! My cousin is good in every way, except for one thing."
"Why is it bad?"
"He opens his eyes in the morning and sits at his desk to study. Except for eating and going to the bathroom, he barely moves from his desk, studying until midnight... Madam Chen, think about it, if he studies so hard for a short time, it's not a big deal, but if it goes on for a long time, even the strongest body can't stand it."
"Yes! If you study so hard for a long time, you will get sick." Chen Erniang said with concern.
"So, don't let the servants bring him food. If he's hungry, let him come by himself. That way, he can stretch his legs."
"You are absolutely right, sir." Chen Erniang nodded repeatedly.
Wang Dong sat there and thought to himself that his brother was really helpful. This was creating an opportunity for him to meet someone.
"Mr. Wang, your cousin is right. He really wants good for you. If you want to eat soba in the future, just come to our restaurant. How about that?" Chen Erniang said to Wang Dong.
"Okay! I'll listen to you." Wang Dong pretended to be reluctant.
As they were talking, the noodles were ready. Chen Erniang handed the noodles to Zhang Shixun and sat back on the original stool.
Wang Dong wanted to talk to her, but he couldn't find a way to start a conversation.
Zhang Shixun scolded him while eating: "Cousin, I'm not saying you're stupid from studying. You might as well just do business honestly. If you want to be an official, just buy one."
Wang Dong raised his head and said, "I studied so that I could be called on the roll outside Donghua Gate. An official position bought with money, is that really an official?"
"That makes sense, but is it really that easy to get a place on the imperial examination?"
Wang Dong raised his chin. "Humph! Summer insects can't talk about ice. For me, passing the imperial examination is a piece of cake. Just wait and see."
Zhang Shixun smiled bitterly and said, "I don't know where the arrogance of scholars comes from. They actually treat being on the list of successful candidates as if it were just drinking cold water."
Chen Erniang interrupted, "I'm a woman, I don't understand the affairs of scholars, but I think that people who are proud are capable."
"That's not necessarily true." Zhang Shixun muttered, lowered his head and continued eating.
Chen Erniang looked at Wang Dong and asked softly, "Mr. Wang, do you like your suona biscuits harder or softer?"
"Softer, softer." Wang Dong answered repeatedly.
"Would you like meat or eggs in the soup?" Chen Erniang's voice became softer and softer.
"I like them all." Wang Dong felt intoxicated when he heard her gentle voice.
"You haven't eaten eggs before, so why do you like them?" Chen Erniang covered her mouth and laughed.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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