Yu Huilian apologized, but Feng Bingwen clearly saw that her eyes brightened, reflecting the blazing flames in the brazier, as if her eyes were glowing.
"That's all in the past."
Wen Huashang was dignified, elegant, and poised, seemingly having already emerged from the grief of losing her husband.
"It's best to let go; ultimately, one must look forward!"
Yu Huilian echoed, but out of the corner of her eye she quickly caught sight of a discordant fellow—Feng Bingwen opened the vermilion food box, picked up the exquisite pastries inside, and began to eat them in large bites, like a cow chewing on a peony.
"How can you be so rude? The guests are still here, why are you eating?"
The woman's face showed a hint of reproach.
"It's alright. I made this especially for Bingwen. He loves my pastries the most."
Before Feng Bingwen could speak, Wen Huashang quickly waved her hand. The two elderly people beside her watched with smiles; they were used to it, this wasn't the first time Manager Wen had come to their door.
"Sister Wen's pastries taste delicious, not greasy at all. Mother, have a piece!"
Feng Bingwen spoke up at the right moment, pinching a piece of mung bean cake from the food box and stuffing it into his mother's mouth.
"You child..."
Caught off guard, Yu Huilian took a bite of the mung bean cake her son had stuffed into her mouth, chewed it a couple of times, and then snatched the rest of the mung bean cake from her son's hand.
"How is it? It's delicious, isn't it!"
"Manager Wen's skills are truly excellent. I have never tasted such sweet but not greasy pastries in the capital city."
Yu Huilian praised the mung bean cake after tasting it.
The highest level of dessert is one that is not too sweet, or rather, one that is not cloying.
"It's really that delicious, let me have a piece too."
Feng Zichuan, watching from the side, felt his mouth water and reached out to grab the food box that Feng Bingwen was holding in his arms.
"Just take one!"
Feng Bingwen reached out and grabbed his father's wrist, then let go. He knew his father's gluttony was even greater than his own; just look at his physique—most people couldn't have such a build.
"You little rascal, you're quite possessive of your food."
Feng Zichuan chuckled and cursed, picked up a piece of Chongyang cake, took a bite, and his eyes immediately lit up.
"It tastes really good!"
Feng Zichuan looked at the food box in his son's arms with eager anticipation, but considering his son's strength, he swallowed the saliva that was gushing out. He should be mindful of his demeanor in front of outsiders.
"I'm glad you like it."
Seeing that her pastries received unanimous praise, Wen Huashang smiled happily.
"Do you own a shop in the county town?"
Feng Zichuan, still savoring the meal, looked at Feng Bingwen, who had kept his distance while holding a food box, and then at Wen Huashang, who was sitting down by the brazier with a cute little girl in her arms.
"Yes, thanks to Bingwen who often visits my shop."
Wen Huashang was quite moved. Since she met Feng Bingwen, her shop had never been disturbed again, and her business had been going very smoothly.
“This kid always eats and drinks for free when he comes to your shop, and you still thank him.”
The grandmother standing to the side spoke with a tone full of disdain, but her face wore a proud smile.
"What? You often go to Manager Wen's shop to eat for free? You're so young and you're not learning good things. Who taught you that?"
Upon hearing this, Yu Huilian's eyebrows shot up, and she stood up to grab Feng Bingwen's ear, determined to break her son's bad habit from childhood.
"Madam Feng, please don't be angry. I invited Bingwen. If he doesn't come to my shop every few days, I can't do business with peace of mind."
Wen Huashang quickly stood up to stop them, and even the little girl she had brought spoke up in a childish voice.
"Auntie, don't hit Brother Xiaofeng!"
"What an adorable little girl! Tell me, he came to your house to eat and drink for free without paying. Shouldn't you beat him up?"
As soon as the little girl spoke, Yu Huilian's gaze fell on her, her eyes filled with undisguised affection. She pointed to Feng Bingwen beside her and asked with a smile.
"But after Brother Xiaofeng came to my house, no bad people came to Xiaoling's house to cause trouble anymore."
"You little rascal, you actually know how to repay kindness!"
Hearing the little girl's words, Yu Huilian, who had been pretending to get up and teach Feng Bingwen a lesson, sat down and teased, "I never intended to do anything; I was just putting on an act."
"Mother, am I really that worthless in your eyes?"
Feng Bingwen muttered to himself, knowing that his mother was trying to exonerate him.
If your own child makes a mistake that affects or implicates others, it's better for adults to discipline them first, otherwise others will feel bad about criticizing them, or they'll seem petty.
Conversely, if a child makes a mistake that causes harm to others, and the adults don't educate the child, then they shouldn't blame others for doing so.
"What? You think you're so great? Trying to freeload at such a young age?"
At this moment, Yu Huilian's tone became slightly serious as she looked at Manager Wen beside her and spoke.
"Manager Wen, please calculate how much my Wen'er ate at your place. I'll pay you back in one lump sum."
"Madam Feng, what are you saying?"
Wen Huashang's smile vanished.
"Who in the county doesn't know the relationship between Bingwen and me? If I were to take his money, I would truly be heartless."
"this……"
Hearing these ambiguous words, Feng Zichuan's expression turned strange. He looked at his son and silently calculated his age. Hmm, he's not old enough yet, so nothing should have happened.
“But it’s not right for my child to eat at your place every day. If your pastries were sold in the city, this box of them could fetch several silver coins.”
"So expensive?"
The two elderly people standing nearby were quite surprised. They had always lived a simple life and never expected that a dessert meant as a snack could have such a high price. A few silver coins worth of rice and flour would be enough for an ordinary farming family to eat as much as they wanted for a month.
"They're just some pastries, why would they cost so much?"
Wen Huashang was also startled. Her pastries were mainly sold to wealthy families in the county who regularly purchased from her shop.
"Manager Wen underestimates his skills. Staying in the county town is a waste of his talents. If he were willing to go to the prefectural city, I'm afraid..."
"I am but a weak woman, and I am content with living a peaceful life. I have no great interest in money, as long as I have enough."
Wen Huashang shook her head, then stood up and picked up the spirited little girl.
"It's getting late, so I'll take my leave now."
"Aren't you going to stay for a meal?"
The old man politely asked him to stay.
"There are still some things to finish at the store."
Wen Huashang politely declined, then went to Feng Bingwen's side and smilingly handed him a red envelope.
"Bingwen, here, this is the New Year's money your sister gave you."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com