Chapter 42: Temple Dessert: You make money, I make money, and everyone makes money...
"Do monks need snacks too?"
A customer picked out some pastries and saw the young monk's handsome face and dignified demeanor. He muttered to his companion, "What a good-looking little monk!"
"Don't you know him? He's the youngest son of Mr. Zhao, who lives in the northwest corner of the city. It's said his wife went into labor when she was only seven months pregnant. When the child was born, he looked like a raccoon, weighing less than three pounds. This has the whole family burning incense and praying to Buddha all day long. Mr. Zhao also heard from an expert that raising him in a Buddhist sanctuary, where the Buddha will protect him, will deter the evil spirits from taking his life."
"Do you believe this?"
"You have to believe it even if you don't want to. Mr. Zhao raised him with great care every day, keeping him alive. There was really no other way, so he was sent to Bao'en Temple at the age of four and raised there for ten years. Look at him now, he's in great health. He really was raised alive."
The person walking with him tugged at his sleeve and said, "Let's go, let's go! Don't let the little monk hear it. He's in good spirits... Monks are human too, so naturally they need some snacks."
"Well, so there are still masters in this world. This is what we call a master, the pure lowly one that Zhang, the shopkeeper next door, is looking for."
As the customer passed by Wei Fuling's cart, he asked for another bowl of red date and ginger tea. He smacked his lips and said, "Tomorrow I'll find a master to bless my fish stall with a prosperous business."
The young monk, seemingly oblivious to the discussion, twirled his Buddhist beads and looked up at Wei Jinyun behind the counter. He repeated in a clear voice, "Donor lady, I am Mingkong, from Bao'en Temple. The temple will be holding a ritual tomorrow to ensure safety. We need eight hundred portions of cakes as an offering to the Buddha. Thank you so much."
"Eight hundred copies!"
Wei Jinyun nodded as he turned his abacus, his smile as bright as a peony. "No problem. What are your requirements for the snacks? Since they are offerings to the Buddha, I think they can't be tainted with meat or fish."
Seeing Wei Jinyun nod, Mingkong gave further instructions, "This pastry must be made with the purest vegetarian ingredients. Use only vegetable oil or sesame oil, and the fillings should be nothing more than red bean paste, date paste, or pine nuts. It doesn't have to be too particular. But it absolutely cannot contain any meat or fish. Furthermore, garlic, shallots, scallions, shallots, and xingqu (Chinese spice) are absolutely forbidden. After all, this pastry will be offered to Maitreya Buddha, the Seven Buddhas, and Guanyin Bodhisattva. After offering it to the Buddha, it will be distributed to the pilgrims who come to watch the ceremony, one portion per person, to share in the blessings before the Buddha, so it must be made in a proper manner."
Wei Jinyun listened carefully, "I understand. Cleanliness is the most important thing when offering to the Buddha. Then... little master, when will the temple need it?"
"The ritual will begin tomorrow at the beginning of the morning."
Mingkong fiddled with his Buddhist beads and said slowly, "The offerings must be laid out before then, so donors must arrive early, ideally by the end of the Yin hour, so we have time to carefully set up the altar."
"Eight hundred vegetarian dishes, made with exquisite ingredients, and delivered early. This is the price. Two strings of cash as a deposit, and the remaining three strings of cash to be paid on the spot tomorrow after the goods are delivered."
Mingkong didn't hesitate at all. He took out two heavy strings from his wide sleeves and placed them on the counter. "Of course, this is the deposit. Please keep it."
Wei Jinyun took the string of coins and marveled at how wide the monk's sleeves were that they could hold such a large string of coins.
"This ritual was specifically requested by a pilgrim."
Mingkong seemed to see her surprise and added, "She is wholeheartedly praying for her family's safety. She pays special attention to the offerings and is never vague about the money. She just hopes that everything will be taken care of."
Traditionally, vegetarian dishes at the temple were prepared by several monks working together. On weekdays, they prepared about a hundred servings for offering, which were then distributed to pilgrims after the ceremony. But this lady had just come to the temple today and instructed that they be prepared tomorrow for the ceremony. The monks were also busy preparing morning prayers, chanting sutras, and leading the ceremony... How could they possibly have time to prepare eight hundred servings?
In addition to the 200 portions given to pilgrims, the lady was also required to take home the 600 portions offered to the Buddha. Seeing the monks' hesitation, she suggested that they could also order from outside. The head monk knew that Xu Ji would definitely not accept such last-minute orders, and that their pastries mostly used animal oil. The new pastry shop in front of Tianqing Temple had opened that day, and the sound of firecrackers was so loud that it could reach their temple. The head monk asked him to try it out.
Wei Jinyun carefully put away the two strings of cash, his smile deepened, and his abacus pounded even louder. "Don't worry, little master. I guarantee she will be satisfied, and the Buddha's presence will be peaceful, and the pilgrims will be happy. I will personally deliver it at the end of the Yin hour tomorrow, and it won't be late."
"Thank you, benefactor."
Mingkong clasped his hands together, bowed properly, then turned and left.
"Eight hundred yuan, and it needs to be in good shape, and delivered by the end of the Yin hour."
After Wang Qiulan finished clearing a few tables, she couldn't help but sigh, "Jinyun, how early do you have to get up?"
"It's rare to receive such a call. Don't worry, Grandma. I'll finish delivering the snacks and then come back to catch up on some sleep. After all, this isn't a breakfast shop; we only get more customers after noon."
Eight hundred vegetarian dim sum orders were a big deal, and Wei Jinyun was so happy she didn't even want to sleep today. Her profit margin on dim sum was usually cut in half from the selling price, but the larger the order, the cheaper the ingredients would be at wholesale, and she could make even more money.
She has to earn at least three out of five strings of cash.
Eight hundred copies, even if it was a thousand copies, she would work overtime to make them.
"I'll go back to Changmen first."
Lu Lan saw her settling the bill clearly and stood up to pay.
"By the way, Lord Lu, when will you leave tomorrow?"
Wei Jinyun reached over the counter and grabbed a handful of malt sugar. "This is pear paste candy, which I made myself. It's free for customers to try on weekdays. Lord Lu usually trains a lot, so this is good for moistening his throat."
There was a flat bamboo flower basket in front of the counter, and the candies inside were neatly wrapped in cut pieces of oil paper, clean and tidy.
Her hands hung in the air, but Lu Lan did not reach out to take them. He just lowered his eyes. He gently gathered his hands in front of him, palms facing up, and held them over.
Wei Jinyun was stunned for a moment, but then he tilted his palm lightly, and the pear paste candy fell into his palm with a sound of collision.
It's like feeding gold ingots.
Yuanbao, her cat, is not an ordinary cat. If he is not interested, he will not even bother to look up. But when he sees something delicious, he will grab it with both paws and put it into his mouth with a "whoosh".
"at night."
Lu Lan took the pear candy and held it in her hand. "Thank you very much. I'll be leaving now."
The wind chimes at the door swayed gently. After Lu Lan mounted his horse, he glanced through the carved wooden window at Wei Jinyun who was keeping accounts inside.
The horse walked slowly. He put a piece of pear candy in his mouth and looked back.
By the beginning of the evening, the dim sum in the shop was basically sold out. When several old customers from the prefectural school came in, they were only offered a few bowls of chopped taro by Wei Jinyun. Tang Yin muttered that he had gotten a bowl for free and would come back tomorrow.
The end result was that he was looked down upon by several people and he wrote a poem called "Ode to Eating for Free".
After dinner, Wei Jinyun began to scoop rice flour into her large wooden basin to knead the dough. She thought that if she made it overnight, the dim sum on the steamer would slowly simmer with the residual heat, so that when she got up to serve it, the flavor would not have changed and it would not have become hard.
As for the snacks in front of the Buddha, Buddhists believe in lotus flowers, so she had asked Carpenter Wang to make a lot of snack molds and prepare various patterns, including small individual ones, six in a row, and large rows of twenty.
Carpenter Wang's carving skills improved by leaps and bounds amid Wei Jinyun's repeated compliments of "Are you the reincarnation of Lu Ban?", and the pile of shavings almost buried his eyebrows.
Wei Jinyun was pouring water into a wooden basin to mix the dough when she heard the gentle chimes of the wind chimes. She kept moving her hands and greeted him with a smile, "Aunt Zhao, please sit down. There's some tangerine peel Pu'er tea on the table. Pour it yourself. I'm busy."
Zhao Xiangping tore off her apron and threw it on the rattan chair. Without her having to do anything, Wei Fuling grabbed it and poured a bowl of tea, "Aunt Zhao, have some tea!"
She squinted her eyes, drank half a bowl of tea, and leaned hard on the rattan chair, shaking her whole body.
"Your place is more comfortable. My shop has been open since we opened at dawn. Xiaoman and Chuntao have been shouting themselves hoarse. But it's your idea to bake freshly sliced pancakes with sweet sauce and deep-fry them until they're crispy. Now there are customers lining up, and I'm too busy to even keep my feet on the ground."
Wei Jinyun rubbed the cake in his hand and said, "I'm looking forward to having your troubles. Yunlaixiang shop has just opened, and I need your business to bring it to me."
"Well, I heard Chuntao say your dessert was so delicious it even attracted a monk. That little monk was so handsome, Lingjie called out to him a few times, 'Brother, take your time,' as he left, and he blushed with embarrassment."
Zhao Xiangping laughed, but her brows furrowed. "Let me tell you something serious. The live chickens my shop uses are usually delivered by Meiyou Chicken Farm, as you know."
She was stunned for a moment, then asked Meng Ge'er to take Wei Fuqiu and Wei Fuling outside to play, and then she continued, "In the past, Zhen Meiyou came in person, but recently it's her brother who came. He seems honest, but..."
Zhao Xiangping glanced out the door and sighed deeply, "The other day when I was delivering chickens, I bent down to pick up a fallen account book, and he actually rubbed against me a few times, mumbling something about Manager Zhao becoming more capable. I didn't say anything at the time, I just felt very uncomfortable."
Wang Qiulan, who was helping to knead the dough, heard this and her smile faded. "I saw this chicken delivery guy passing by the shop the past two days. He looked so honest and simple. How dare he do this!"
"Who says it isn't?"
Zhao Xiangping clutched the tea bowl, her brow furrowing even tighter. "I'm a divorced woman, and I was the one who sent Li Dabing to jail. The neighbors already think he's a bit of a tough guy. If things really get out of hand, who knows how much gossip will spread. But I have to endure it. It's like swallowing a fly, and the way he looks at me isn't right. Miss Wei, do you think I should just move to another chicken farm?"
"Whether to change or not is another matter."
Wei Jinyun thought for a moment, "You have to talk to Zhen Meiyou first. She's the owner, and she's a straightforward person, so she might not know anything about it. If she doesn't care, or if she protects you, it won't be too late to change her. Your business is so prosperous now, and there are so many chicken farms eyeing you. Are you afraid of not finding a partner?"
Zhao Xiangping sighed, "I understand the reason, but I just can't bring myself to do it. During the years we've worked together, she even gave me two old hens every holiday to nourish me..."
She suddenly looked up, a hint of worry in her eyes. "Come to think of it, isn't it the same for you? We have four grandchildren, two younger sisters, and an elderly grandmother. My roast duck shop is filled with fumes, and I'm always wielding a large knife to cut ducks, so at least I can scare off some random people. Your pastry shop is fragrant and smells good, and most of the customers are new and old. Have you ever encountered anyone who's difficult to deal with?"
"There will always be difficult times in the future. Right now, people are coming and going, and Lord Lu is always here, so I dare not go too far."
"That's not a long-term solution."
Zhao Xiangping leaned forward and said, "I've been thinking about hiring a waiter. He could help with the moving and give me some courage. Do you want to come with me? I know a reliable broker. Let's pick a day and go check it out together."
Wei Jinyun thought about it. Her grandmother was old, and her two younger sisters still had to go to school. They really needed someone to help them. Now that her and Zhao Xiangping's shop was booming, it was inevitable that there would be jealous people looking for trouble.
She had to find someone strong, preferably someone who knew some martial arts, and at the same time, see if there were any suitable helpers to hire.
She nodded and said, "Okay, in the next two days, after I finish my work at Bao'en Temple tomorrow, we'll go to the pawnshop. As for the matter with Zhen's younger brother, you should go and tell him tomorrow, don't put it off. Business is about being happy, how can we let such a dirty thing get to us?"
Zhao Xiangping talked to Wei Jinyun for a while, and most of the hesitation in her heart dissipated. "You are right. I will go to Zhen Meiyou tomorrow. If she is vague, I will change it immediately. At most, I will spend a little more money to compensate for the contract and buy a new chicken farm to buy peace and quiet."
She chatted with Wei Jinyun and Wang Qiulan for a few more words before returning to the shop to clean up. Chuntao was cleaning the stove. Xiaoman had just finished washing the dishes and was using the water on her hands to teach Meng Ge'er, who had just returned, how to write the word "Xiaoman". Zhao Xiangping moved the tables and chairs aside and swept the floor with a broom.
When Zhaoji Cooked Food Store opens its doors every day, the stovetop is always shiny and the tables and chairs are neatly arranged. Just looking at it makes people feel that the food in her house is clean and safe to eat.
After Wei Jinyun finished kneading the dough, her sisters washed their hands and helped her divide the dough into portions, deftly pressing them into the molds. They seemed accustomed to this, and were quite skilled. Wei Jinyun first took a few steaming trays and steamed them in the pot, then returned to the shop lobby.
The wind slipped in through the carved wooden windows, carrying with it the fragrance of osmanthus flowers from the shop door and the steam from the snacks in the kitchen.
"It's getting late."
Wei Jinyun looked at the sky outside and patted the powder off his hands. "You two go to bed first."
Wei Fuqiu looked up at her, still holding a piece of unfinished cake in her hand. "Sister, let us help you finish it before you go to sleep. There are still a few trays left to be made."
"Be good and go to sleep. Grandma and I will help you."
Wang Qiulan took the pen she was using to mark the lotus flower's stamens and smiled, waving her hand. "Go ahead, go ahead. Grandma can still endure it. You little kids won't grow tall if you stay up late."
The two of them thought about how they would be able to protect their sister and grandmother if they didn't grow taller in the future, so they obediently got up, went to the backyard to wash up, and then ran up to the second floor to sleep.
Yuanbao, sitting on a rattan chair, was startled by the footsteps, yawned, and curled up again. Under the table, the loofah and edamame were swirling around Wei Jinyun's skirt, either biting it or rubbing their heads against her ankles, making her look furry.
Wei Jinyun waited until the last few baskets of dim sum were put on the stove. It was already very late, and only the wind chimes at the door could be heard softly, swaying gently in the breeze.
She closed the steamer lid tightly before standing up and pounding her shoulders. Wang Qiulan was already dozing off on the back of the chair. Wei Jinyun gently took a small quilt and covered her with it.
Wei Jinyun watched over the last few drawers before slowly extinguishing the stove fire, leaving a little residual warmth. Luffa and Maodou went back to their large villa to sleep, with Yuanbao following her, indicating that they would sleep at her feet tonight.
As she locked the shop door, the sweet scent of osmanthus blossoms intensified on the wind, and she blew out the last candle. She closed her eyes and recalled the days in Pingjiang Prefecture. She was really tired, but her heart was filled with sweetness.
The wind is also sweet.
At the beginning of the Yin period, the bamboo clappers in the street sounded, and Wei Jinyun jumped up from the bed with a "thump".
When people make a lot of money, they have enough energy and cannot sleep at all.
Wei Jinyun tiptoed down to the second floor and opened the shop. A donkey cart was already parked outside. The driver, Lao Gu, yawned as he greeted her. He expertly helped her spread a clean, soft cloth and loaded the cart with pastries. She packed the pastries in steamers and prepared large bamboo baskets, figuring she would unload them at Bao'en Temple. Perhaps the chefs had their own tools.
Bao'en Temple wasn't far from Tianqing Monastery; it only took a quarter of a minute to get there. Old Gu yawned as he pulled the donkey cart. If Miss Wei hadn't tempted him with an extra ten coins, he wouldn't have gotten up so early.
This man is polite and likes to play. Haha, I was muttering to him yesterday, "Hey, Master, your donkey is very smart at first glance. It has big eyes and long ears and is very attractive. I have hired it several times. Let's cooperate often in the future. You will make money, I will make money, and everyone will make money."
Old Gu thought to himself, how could this donkey be so smart when it almost fell into the lake when someone disturbed it on the day of the Lotus Festival and couldn't be stopped?
Are there any smart donkeys?
It was still dark, with no light at all. Only a few morning commuters passed by on the street. The sound of the donkey cart's wheels rolling over stones, mixed with the occasional low hum of the clever little donkey, made the darkness seem particularly quiet.
The streets were filled with the sweet scent of osmanthus, and Wei Jinyun felt happy and cheerful. She kept thinking about her future goals. She would take orders for dim sum for various banquets, and she also wanted to make her shop's dine-in business prosperous and earn a lot of money.
When they arrived at the gate of Bao'en Temple, a light was already visible through the crack. Just as Wei Jinyun was about to knock, the heavy red door opened halfway, revealing the young monk Mingkong standing inside, holding a lantern.
"The female donor is here."
Mingkong stepped aside to let her in, glancing at Old Gu behind him. "According to temple rules, you must wash your hands before entering the mountain gate. Please come this way."
He led the two to the stone vat beside the door and said, "Wash your hands before entering."
Wei Jinyun and Old Gu washed their hands as instructed, shaking off the water droplets. Even the clever little donkey rinsed its hooves and followed Mingkong inside. The further they went inside, the clearer the sound of chanting became. It was the monks holding their morning prayers.
When we arrived at the front hall courtyard, there were already several monks setting up an altar with fresh fruits and chrysanthemums. The flickering candlelight on the table made the Buddha statues look very solemn.
Mingkong pointed to the empty space in front of the Buddhist altar. "In front of Maitreya Buddha, they should be piled up in a pagoda shape, symbolizing perfection. In front of the Seven Buddhas, they should be divided into seven piles, each with an equal number of incense sticks. In front of Guanyin Bodhisattva, they should be arranged in a circle around the incense burner, like a lotus pedestal."
Wei Jinyun and Lao Gu unloaded the truck together and took the pastries down.
The round cakes are white and plump, fitting together perfectly when stacked. The square cakes are a light beige in color, with neatly cut edges. Each stack is stacked like a square brick. The lotus cakes are dotted with rouge on the top, slowly forming a circle.
"Don't worry, little master."
Wei Jinyun and Lao Gu breathed a sigh of relief after they had finished arranging everything. "The round cakes are filled with date paste, the square cakes are filled with pine nuts, and the lotus cakes are filled with red bean paste. None of them have any meat or pungent flavors, and even the oil is vegetable oil."
Mingkong looked at the exquisite cakes and nodded, "Then I think the Bodhisattva would be happy to see them."
He took out the silver and paid for the remaining money from Wei Jinyun's pastries.
At this time, Wei Jinyun dragged out a small basket from the back of the donkey cart and lifted the cover. Inside was a basket full of powdery cakes made in the shape of silver ingots with the words "Dingsheng" printed on them. They smelled sweet.
"Little Master, I made some of this myself and wanted to place it in front of the Buddha as an offering. It's also vegetarian... I'll pay for the incense separately, is that okay?"
Mingkong was stunned for a moment, then said, "Please wait a moment, lady. I will go ask the head monk."
He hurried into the main hall, lantern in hand, and emerged a short time later, nodding, saying, "The abbot said that since the female donor is sincere and reverent, that's a good thing. There's still a seat available before the table for Guanyin Bodhisattva, so please feel free to use it."
Wei Jinyun thanked him and personally placed the pink cakes on the small table in front of the Guanyin statue. She took a hundred coins from her purse and handed them to Mingkong, "This is for the incense money. I'll come back to get these cakes after the ritual is over today."
Mingkong took the money and bowed, "Take care, benefactor. The ritual will not end until the end of the morning hour, so please come when the time comes."
Wei Jinyun had just walked to the mountain gate with Lao Guo when a woman ran in from the temple gate.
She looked to be in her early thirties, wearing a goose-yellow silk jacket. Her hair was styled in a high bun, crowned with a peony hairpin, giving her a regal air. Her eyebrows were slightly raised, and her phoenix eyes held a hint of anxiety.
"Master Host!"
The woman's voice was clear. As soon as she finished washing her hands, she raised her voice and asked, "How are the arrangements for today's ritual going?"
Mingkong was packing up lanterns by the door. Upon hearing this, he quickly took two steps forward, clasped his hands together, and bowed. "Lady donor, please be quiet. There is a sutra chanting going on in the temple. Please do not make any noise."
He looked up at the woman and added, "The vegetarian snacks you requested have been delivered and arranged according to the rules. All we have to do is finish chanting the sutra."
The woman then slowed down her pace, her tone slightly slower but still anxious, "Ah, I'm so anxious I'm losing my mind."
She glanced towards the main hall and said, "These are all snacks to protect the safety of our family. We must not make any mistakes today. Don't worry, little master. I will just be quiet."
Mingkong nodded in agreement and led her into the hall. Wei Jinyun, pulling the donkey cart, watched the light yellow figure disappear at the end of the corridor. She vaguely guessed that this was probably the pilgrim who had asked Baoen Temple to perform a ritual, and he had come so early.
After Wei Jinyun paid Lao Gu for getting up early, she went back to the shop and snuggled under the covers for a nap. Yuanbao, who was lying at the end of the bed, looked up at her, with an expression that said, "You're back, let's go to sleep quickly," and huddled down to her feet.
Wei Jinyun felt relaxed after a two-hour nap, and when she woke up, she felt even more energetic. Lately, she'd been checking her own pulse from time to time to see if it was healthy. Running around all day, and spending the entire summer outside in the sun, all while being nurtured by her younger sister, she'd managed to stay healthy.
Wei Jinyun smelled the fragrance of the five copper coins and put them away carefully.
Indeed, money is a great tonic!
"Jinyun, can you sleep a little longer?"
Wang Qiulan was arranging the dishes on the stove. Fresh water chestnuts, tender lotus roots, and two lively fish were swimming in a wooden barrel. They had all been delivered by vendors earlier that morning. Now, Wei Jinyun didn't even need to pick the meat and vegetables herself; she just had to let him know the day before.
"Not tired."
Wei Jinyun kneaded the dough skillfully, "I'll steam the new cakes and then make lotus root cakes for my sisters as snacks."
Wang Qiulan had already prepared most of the dishes brought by the vendors for her in advance, so she just needed to focus on making snacks.
After today's snacks were served on the tray, Wei Jinyun took out the freshly peeled tender lotus root from the bamboo basket, cut it into slices half a finger thick, and then gently cut a knife in the middle of each slice without cutting it through, making many small clips.
She used her chopsticks to scoop up some minced meat and stuffed it between the lotus root slices, filling them completely. Then, she gently kneaded them together, letting the meat fill the gaps. Meanwhile, the batter in the bowl was perfectly mixed, and adding an egg would be the perfect addition. She'd learned this batter technique from Madam Qian.
When the oil began to bubble, she rolled the lotus root slices, already stuffed and threaded on bamboo skewers, in the batter, coating both sides with a thin layer, and then placed them in the pan. The lotus root flipped over in the oil and quickly fried to a golden brown. She removed it and fried it again, and it was done.
Wei Fuqiu sat in front of the counter, nibbling on lotus root slices and slowly flipping through Wei Jinyun's account book.
Wei Fuling had already moved a small stool and sat in front of the cart, with Edamame napping at her feet. Wei Jinyun handed her one, and she blew on it, took a cautious bite, and her eyes immediately lit up. "Delicious, sister is a fairy!"
The skin of the lotus root dumplings made a crisp sound, the meat filling was tender and fresh, and the lotus root slices were crunchy. When mixed together, the fragrance was so sweet that she kept praising it. Wei Jinyun felt so comfortable when she heard it.
She was enjoying her meal when two pedestrians passing by the door who were buying fried chicken stopped in their tracks at the aroma. One of them smiled and joked, "Little kid, your lotus root dumplings look so tempting. Does your sister sell them in her shop?"
Wei Fuling shook her head proudly. "This is what my sister made specially for me. But the dim sum made by my sister in our shop is even better. Would you like to buy some to try?"
The two of them lined up for two orders of fried chicken, and as expected, they entered the shop at Wei Fuling's call.
Business was still good today. Wei Jinyun sold the last few snacks with a rosy face, and then hurried to Baoen Temple to pick up the cakes she had offered.
Dusk was falling, and the temple ritual had just ended. The scent of incense mingled with the evening breeze and drifted far away. Mingkong was standing at the temple gate waiting for her. Seeing her approach, he turned and carried out her basket.
The basket contained more than thirty pieces of snacks, which she had made last night after she finished making the pastries ordered for Baoen Temple.
"Dona, everything is here."
He handed the basket to Wei Jinyun and took out an oil-paper bag. "You have donated a lot of money. Yesterday, I saw that your grandmother and sister were at home. These are some newly made vegetarian snacks from the temple. They are also donated by you. You can take them back and let them try them."
"Thank you, little master."
Wei Jinyun took the oil-paper bag, picked up her basket, and turned to walk out of the temple.
At Changmen Wharf, the evening breeze blows the autumn willows.
"Oh, I'm so tired."
Zhan Wenxing took a big sip from the tea bowl and said, "Sir, you won't even help me."
"Look at how energetic you are. You're already tired after carrying two baskets of snacks. If you're tired, don't eat."
Jing Liulang patted Zhan Wenxing's shoulder and warned him, "Don't say you're hungry at night. All the food given to the brothers has been eaten up."
The two of them were arguing, but Lu Lan ignored them completely and just looked towards the dock. They also looked in the direction where Master Lu's gaze was fixed.
Wei Jinyun was standing on the shore with a basket on his back.
She was probably walking in a hurry, and the hair on her temples was a little messy in the wind. When she saw Lu Lan's gaze, she raised her hand and waved at him vigorously. The silver bracelet on her wrist swayed gently with the movement, so bright that people could not take their eyes off her.
"Master Lu! Master Lu!"
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Author's words: Jinyun: When I see everything, I first praise it for being smart and cute, even donkeys are [pitiful]
Mr. Lu: After more than a month, I finally waited [burst into tears]
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