The five copper coins came to a steady stop, all lying tails-up. Only the last one was still spinning.
Tigerhead and Lin Jing watched nervously, their little faces flushed as they called out, “Tails! Tails! Tails!”
The onlookers nearby joined in the cheering.
After spinning several times, the coin finally wobbled to a halt.
Heads-up.
The stallkeeper grinned as he gathered the coins back into his palm. Turning to Liang Peilan, he said, “What a pity, what a pity. You were only a little short. Young Master, want to try again? Maybe your luck will turn on the next throw.”
Liang Peilan, however, still looked as calm and composed as ever, without the slightest sign of disappointment.
He fished a coin from his sleeve and handed it over. “One more round.”
The stallkeeper accepted the money and passed the coins back to him. “Young Master, now that’s spirit. I guarantee you’ll win this time.”
Liang Peilan took the six coins, but did not throw them right away. He pinched one between his fingers and weighed it thoughtfully. Only then did he gather all six into his palm and toss them into the earthen basin.
The coins clattered as they landed, spinning around the bottom of the bowl before coming to a stop one after another.
Every one of them was tails-up.
“Six tails!” Tigerhead sprang into the air, nearly knocking the person beside him off balance.
“That’s amazing!” Lin Jing jumped along with him.
“Heh.” Liang Peilan grinned, revealing a row of white teeth.
The stallkeeper was a good-natured man. He wrapped the meat in oiled paper and handed it over. “Young Master, you’re lucky today. The meat is yours.”
“Thank you.” Liang Peilan accepted it and placed it in the basket beside him.
The stallkeeper then asked with another beaming smile, “Young Master, want to try one more round?”
The people around them joined in:
“One more round!”
“Your luck is hot—go again!”
“Don’t be shy, Young Master! It’d be a shame to stop after winning!”
“No more.” Liang Peilan shook his head decisively, stood up, and hoisted the basket onto his shoulder.
“Oh, so he runs as soon as he wins. Clever little fellow.”
“Old Zhang finally got that meat off his hands. Half the day’s gone, and we hadn’t seen a single six-tails throw. I was beginning to think you’d tampered with the coins.”
“Get lost!” the stallkeeper retorted with a laugh. “My stall is completely aboveboard. These are all brand-new, bright copper coins. Your luck was simply no good—how is that my fault?”
Someone clicked his tongue in amazement. “Such a young boy, and already so skilled?”
“Then you’re underestimating him. I’ve been watching him all morning. He must have won five or six times already. He’s a real expert.”
Everyone turned to look. Sure enough, Liang Peilan’s basket was filled to the brim.
They took the opportunity to urge him on again. “Young Master, don’t waste your luck on one-coin stalls. What’s the point of winning such a tiny piece of meat? Go try the five-coin or ten-coin stalls and win something substantial!”
“I’m just having a lucky day.” Liang Peilan did not say much more. He turned and left the stall.
During every festival, expert players of the fairground game could be seen making the rounds. They would hang the clothes, tea, wine, utensils, and other prizes they had won from a long bamboo pole and parade them through the streets, clearly enjoying the chance to show off.
Liang Peilan, however, carried everything in a single bamboo basket. He was being quite restrained.
Lin Jing and Tigerhead followed close behind, staring fixedly at the basket.
“I never knew Liang Peilan was such an expert at this game!” Tigerhead exclaimed.
Lin Jing nodded repeatedly. This was his first time seeing anyone play, and Liang Peilan was someone he knew. He had even witnessed him throw six tails with his own eyes. He would probably remember the sight of those six copper coins landing tails-up for several days.
“Peilan, are you going to try any other stalls?” Lin Jing asked.
Liang Peilan shook his head. “No more. I’ve spent all my money. It was the New Year’s money Uncle Chen gave me. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.”
At that, Tigerhead’s eyes began to roll mischievously. He leaned close to Liang Peilan’s ear and lowered his voice. “My big brother’s right behind us. Go wish him a happy New Year, and he’ll give you New Year’s money. Then you’ll have money again!”
Lin Jing hesitated, then nodded his little head. It did sound like a reasonable plan.
“That won’t do,” Liang Peilan said firmly. “If my father finds out I went around asking people for money so I could gamble, he might write me a prescription. That bitter medicine would leave me unable to swallow even porridge for three whole days.”
Sparrow happened to push her way through from behind. Upon hearing this, she raised her hand and smacked Tigerhead across the back. “Tigerhead Shen, what sort of terrible idea are you suggesting now?”
Tigerhead twisted his little body around and defended himself righteously. “I’m trying to help Peilan!”
A peddler carrying a rack of candied hawthorns shouted as he squeezed through the crowd. Sparrow pulled the others toward the roadside to make room, then said to Liang Peilan, “Don’t listen to him. He’s always coming up with crooked schemes.”
They stopped in an open space behind one of the stalls.
Sparrow looked Liang Peilan up and down, then patted her own bulging cloth pouch. Suddenly, she asked, “Young Master Liang, how old are you?”
Liang Peilan did not understand the question, but answered honestly, “Twelve.”
Sparrow furrowed her little brows and asked another question. “What month were you born in?”
“September.”
“Hey!” Sparrow’s brows relaxed, and she broke into a delighted smile. “Then I’m older than you. My birthday is in June.”
As she spoke, she rummaged through her pouch and pulled out a small red paper packet. She pressed it into Liang Peilan’s hand. “Here. New Year’s money.”
“Wow!” Tigerhead’s eyes lit up. He was even more excited than Liang Peilan himself. “Peilan, now you have money! You can go play the game again!”
Sparrow lifted her chin proudly.
Liang Peilan stared at the red packet that had suddenly appeared in his hand, then looked at the little girl standing in front of him, who was about his height. He seemed unable to make sense of it. “We’re the same generation. You don’t need to give me New Year’s money.”
Sparrow shook her head and pointed toward two people not far away.
Lin Wu was standing with her head lowered, examining a brightly colored opera mask at one of the stalls.
Of all the things sold during the New Year celebrations, Nuo masks were among the most popular. Performers wore masks during exorcism rituals, but modern Nuo masks were no longer as fierce and frightening as they once had been. They looked much more like ordinary opera masks, with vivid colors and lively expressions, and children adored them. They would buy the masks and imitate the adults, gathering in groups of three or five to play at driving away evil spirits.
Lin Wu was completely absorbed in them.
Earlier, she had arranged with Shen Guanting that they would take turns watching the children. While she browsed the stalls, Shen Guanting would keep an eye on the little ones; later, when it was his turn to look around, she would watch them. As the eldest brother in his family, Shen Guanting had plenty of experience caring for children and was entirely trustworthy.
Now that she had a rare moment of leisure, her eyes were filled with those brightly colored masks. She had no idea that Sparrow was taking her as an example.
The surrounding streets were noisy, with hawkers calling out, customers haggling, and children laughing and playing, all blending into one great din.
Sparrow’s voice rose higher than before. “Sister Lin gives my big brother New Year’s money too! She says she’s his elder, and giving him money is for good luck. So I’m your elder as well—I’m three months older than you!”
Lin Wu had just picked up a mask for a closer look when she suddenly heard this. Her hand froze, and she turned around with an expression of helpless amusement—only to meet Shen Guanting’s meaningful gaze.
“Another elder,” Shen Guanting said, his tone carrying more than a hint of gloating. “A Wu, your example has certainly made quite an impression.”
Lin Wu almost could not stop herself from glaring at him. She put the mask back on the stall and walked toward Sparrow.
Liang Peilan watched Lin Wu and Shen Guanting approach side by side, his gaze darting back and forth between them. The two looked to be about the same age, so why was Aunt Lin giving Young Master Shen New Year’s money? Could this be a custom in Huzhou? If so, would he also have to give New Year’s money to Tigerhead and Lin Jing, who were younger than him?
Seeing the troubled look on his face, Lin Wu explained, “That’s not how you should look at it. Think about it: Jing is Guanting’s junior fellow disciple, which means they belong to the same generation. And as Jing’s mother, I’m naturally an elder to all of you.”
Liang Peilan nodded, then turned to Tigerhead and Sparrow. “So you have to call Aunt Lin ‘Auntie.’ You can’t call her Sister.”
Lin Wu nodded inwardly. At last, someone had come along to correct the way they addressed her.
Sparrow blinked, then suddenly caught on. “Then, then, then… doesn’t my brother have to call Sister Lin ‘Auntie’ too?”
Tigerhead stared in shock at his much taller elder brother.
The two shook their heads in unison. “No! I want to call her Sister Lin. Calling her Auntie would be so strange.”
Shen Guanting chuckled lazily from the side. “Well, A Wu does look rather young. Calling her Auntie would probably make her seem old. You two certainly know how to treat people differently depending on who they are.”
Lin Wu shot him a glance and could not be bothered to answer.
Someone else squeezed past, and she shifted aside to make room. After much persuasion, Sparrow finally took back the red packet from Liang Peilan’s hand, looking disappointed.
She continued muttering, “All right, then. But I think I’d make a perfectly good elder.”
Shen Guanting fanned the flames. “If you’re going to be an elder, then you’ll have to give Tigerhead New Year’s money too.”
Tigerhead’s eyes lit up at once. He immediately held out his hand to Sparrow. “Second Sister, give me my New Year’s money!”
Sparrow clutched her money pouch and took a step back. “In your dreams!”
Tigerhead refused to give up and chased after her. “Big Brother gives me some! You’re my second sister, so you should give me some too!”
Lin Wu looked at the cluster of children chattering away in front of her, the troublemaking Little Brother Shen beside her who clearly loved nothing more than watching the chaos unfold, and Little Lucky, who barked every now and then. Her temples began to throb.
She had spoken far too soon when she said Shen Guanting was dependable.
The crowd in the street grew denser and denser. People were pressed shoulder to shoulder, almost unable to move. A peddler carrying a shoulder pole was shouting as he pushed his way through. All kinds of odds and ends hung from the rack, clinking and rattling as they swayed, repeatedly brushing against passersby.
Lin Wu hurriedly moved toward the side, but the press of the crowd made her stumble. She nearly collided with Shen Guanting’s arm.
Before she could regain her footing, the space beside her suddenly darkened.
With Little Lucky in one arm, Shen Guanting raised his other hand and unhurriedly held it out beside her, shielding her from the stream of people passing along the street. His arm merely blocked them off loosely without touching her.
Today he wore a sky-blue plain-gauze beizi with dark edging, its cross-collar and sleeves hanging down to enclose her in a small space.
Lin Wu suddenly felt as though the clamor around her had receded, leaving only the faint scent of aloeswood lingering on the clothes of the man before her.
She steadied herself and let out a soft sigh.
The New Year festivities were lively indeed, but perhaps a little too lively.
She lifted her eyes and met Shen Guanting’s lowered gaze. There was an inscrutable smile in his eyes and brows.
“Careful, A Wu.” His voice was neither loud nor soft, yet it was clearer than the surrounding noise, flowing into her ears without obstruction and making them inexplicably warm.
She parted her lips, but before she could say anything, a crisp voice rang out behind her.
“Tigerhead! Jing!”
They turned at the sound. A small figure emerged from the crowd. The child wore a vermilion jacket, a glittering necklace around his neck, and several gold and silver bracelets jingling around his wrists. They made his chubby little face look even fairer and more prosperous.
Qi Lang trotted over through the crowd.
“Qi Lang, what are you doing here too?” Tigerhead asked in surprise.
The Qi family had many relatives and elders, making the New Year holidays their busiest time of the year.
“My big brother brought me out!” Qi Lang said between breaths. “He said the house was too noisy, so we secretly slipped out.”
Then he turned to Sparrow and Lin Jing and solemnly cupped his little hands. “Sparrow, Sister Jing…”
He looked curiously at the unfamiliar youth carrying a bamboo basket on his back and blinked.
Meeting his gaze, Liang Peilan said, “My name is Liang Peilan.”
“Oh, oh, my name is Qi Lang.” Qi Lang nodded, then continued from where he had left off. “Sparrow, Sister Jing, Brother Peilan, may the new year bring you good fortune!”
He tilted his head up to look at Lin Wu and Shen Guanting. “Sister Lin and Brother Ting, may the new year bring you good fortune!”
After hearing that string of greetings, Lin Wu felt tired on his behalf.
With yet another child added to the group, she sighed inwardly. It was becoming livelier by the minute.
“How about we get out of here and rest our feet?” Lin Wu suggested.
With people packed together so tightly, they had to shout just to speak. This was hardly a place for a leisurely conversation.
No sooner had she spoken than a young man made his way through the crowd and approached at an unhurried pace. He wore a crow-black round-collared robe with gilt trim pressed along the lapels and cuffs. His hair was bound beneath a lotus-jade crown, with a gold hairpin set with jade and gemstones securing it in place. He was rather tall, with a round, fair face and features somewhat resembling Qi Lang’s. He looked like a man of particularly easygoing temper.
When he reached them, he inclined his head slightly to Shen Guanting and said evenly, “Guanting, what a coincidence to see you here today.”
Shen Guanting smiled. “The Qi residence and Zhenhe Tower ought to be so busy today that you can barely keep your feet on the ground. How have you found the leisure to stroll through the streets, Brother Qi?”
Lin Wu understood at once. This was Qi Lang’s elder brother—the Horse-Pouncing Gentleman, Qi Xuan, owner of Zhenhe Tower.
Qi Xuan lowered his eyes to the Little Lucky in Shen Guanting’s arms. “Naturally, I can’t compare with how busy you are, Guanting, nor with how leisurely you are. You’ve even brought a puppy out to parade through the streets. Don’t tell me you pounced this little thing yourself?”
Shen Guanting had not yet had a chance to answer when Sparrow and Tigerhead shouted at the top of their lungs, startling the pedestrians around them into turning their heads. The two excitedly rushed over, not forgetting to drag Lin Jing and Liang Peilan along with them.
“Brother Xuan, Brother Xuan! You’re here!”
“Brother Xuan, may the new year bring you good fortune!”
Lin Wu could hear the hint of flattery beneath their enthusiastic greetings.
Qi Lang squeezed over as well. “I’m the one who brought Big Brother here!”
Shen Guanting was entirely unsurprised. With one hand, he held back the children. “Everyone, if you want to exchange New Year’s greetings, you should find somewhere quieter. If you keep crowding together in the middle of this throng, your Brother Xuan won’t even be able to count his money properly.”
Only then did the group finally squeeze out of the crowd and make their way toward the river. They found a pavilion by the water, open on all four sides, where a gentle river breeze drifted through. At last, they could speak in peace.
Qi Xuan turned to Lin Wu and cupped his hands. “Mrs. Lin, I’ve long heard of you. My younger brother often speaks of the food you make. He says it’s even better than the dishes at Zhenhe Tower.”
Lin Wu returned the courtesy. “Shopkeeper Qi is too kind. They’re merely ordinary dishes. It’s enough that the children enjoy them.”
Shen Guanting raised a brow. “Brother Qi, on the first day of the New Year, instead of holding down the fort at Zhenhe Tower, you’ve come here to praise someone else’s food. What is it? Do you think your own business is doing too well, or have you come to scout out the competition for Zhenhe Tower?”
Qi Xuan said irritably, “I’m simply tired of having such a smooth day, so I came especially to find you and make it worse.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than Sparrow and Tigerhead eagerly crowded around Qi Xuan. As if they had rehearsed it beforehand, they opened their mouths and launched into a string of greetings:
“Brother Xuan, may the new year bring you good fortune!”
“May everything go your way!”
“May your business prosper!”
“May wealth pour in from all directions!”
“May you make a fortune!”
“May you have great luck!”
They took turns, tossing out New Year’s blessings as though the words cost them nothing. Lin Jing, standing nearby, was left staring in bewilderment.
When Lin Wu heard them, she burst out laughing. So they were all wishing Qi Xuan wealth.
Just as she was wondering about it, Qi Xuan took a purse embroidered with a golden ingot from his sleeve. He tipped it over and poured out a handful of round little silver beads, each about the size of a soybean.
Lin Wu estimated that each one was probably worth one qian of silver. Judging by their quality, they had clearly been specially made by a silversmith in advance.
“Sparrow, you’re twelve this year, aren’t you?” Qi Xuan said as he counted out twelve little silver beads and placed them in Sparrow’s hand.
“Brother Xuan, I’m eight this year!” Tigerhead announced loudly. He pressed his hands together properly, palms facing upward, and held them out in front of Qi Xuan.
Qi Xuan nodded and placed eight little silver beads in his hands.
Tigerhead put away the silver beads, then grabbed Lin Jing and pulled him forward. “This is Jing! He’s Older Brother’s junior apprentice, and he’s five this year!”
Lin Jing’s eyes lit up. He immediately corrected him, “I’m seven! Not five!”
That morning, Lin Wu had specifically told him that the age in his household registration was two years older than his actual age, and that from now on, he was to give that age whenever asked. Little Lin Jing did not quite understand the twists and turns involved, but it was a good thing—he could receive two extra copper coins in New Year’s money!
Tigerhead scratched his head. “But Jing said last night that he was five.”
Lin Jing was perfectly straightforward and completely confident. “I was sleepy and muddled! It was New Year’s Eve, and I thought we were supposed to subtract a year.”
Everyone burst out laughing at that, and Tigerhead laughed so hard he slapped his thigh.
Even Lin Wu had not expected him to come up with such an excuse—and somehow, it actually made sense.
Seeing that everyone was laughing, Lin Jing did not get angry. He solemnly cupped his hands and bowed to Qi Xuan, then rattled off another string of auspicious greetings:
“Brother Xuan, may the new year bring you good fortune and every success! May your business prosper, wealth pour in from all directions, may you make a fortune, and may you have great luck!”
He recited it with remarkable fluency, without missing a single word. Every phrase had been borrowed from Sparrow and Tigerhead just moments before.
Qi Xuan nodded and placed five little silver beads in his small palm.
Tigerhead pressed on, pulling Liang Peilan forward next. “This is Brother Peilan! He’s incredibly good at guanpu. He can win five out of twelve rounds! He’s twelve this year too!”
Pushed to the front by Tigerhead, Liang Peilan had no choice but to brace himself and cup his hands in greeting. He also offered a few New Year’s blessings.
Qi Xuan treated him no differently, placing twelve little silver beads in his hand.
Lin Wu stared in astonishment from the side.
No wonder Sparrow and Tigerhead had been so excited to see Qi Xuan. They had run into a money-scattering deity. No—not a deity. A money-scattering young master.
Once the children had all dispersed, clutching their money excitedly, Lin Wu glanced to the side at Shen Guanting. He was holding Laifu and watching the spectacle with an amused expression.
“What is it?” Shen Guanting’s voice rose slightly. “Does A Wu want to go up and say a few words too?”
Lin Wu shook her head. “No. I was just thinking that even among young masters, there’s quite a difference.”
Shen Guanting naturally understood that she was taking a jab at him. He immediately shook his head and sighed. “The money I earn comes from hard work. I don’t have the confidence to spend so lavishly as Brother Qi does. I rise early and work late, braving wind and rain. Even when it comes to guanpu, other people wager on fine steeds, while I can only spend one copper coin to wager on a piece of meat. I failed to win it, and on top of that, I was laughed at by you, A Wu.”
“Master Shen certainly remembers every detail of the accounts,” Lin Wu said. She reached out and scooped Laifu into her arms.
“You two take your time chatting. I’m going to check on the children.”
Holding Laifu, she walked away without looking back.
Qi Xuan watched Lin Wu and the noisy cluster of children. “It’s only been a few days, yet Brother Guanting seems to have become surrounded by quite a lively crowd.”
Shen Guanting followed his gaze. “It’s only been a few days, yet Brother Qi’s skill at winning people over with money remains as impressive as ever.”
Qi Xuan’s tone stayed even. “I’m merely using money to court a little good fortune. I’m nothing like Brother Guanting, who insists on handling everything personally. On this fine New Year’s Day, instead of acting as the master of Jizhen Pavilion or being the heir of the Shen residence, you have the leisure to stroll through the market, walk a dog, and watch children.”
“What? Are you envious?”
“Compared with the carefree life of Young Master Shen, naturally I am.” Qi Xuan turned his head toward the river.
A cool breeze drifted over, carrying the damp scent of water, yet it felt refreshing. The weather was clear and pleasant today, and the river was especially lively. Several pleasure boats drifted slowly along, with people at the bows seated around tables, savoring tea. Two or three other boats were packed with people, and cheers rang out from them every so often. Those were guanpu boats, where townspeople and travelers could place bets for fun.
Shen Guanting glanced toward the boats. “Could it be that Brother Qi is itching to try his luck a few times? After all, your title of Horse-Pouncing Gentleman is famous far and wide. If you manage to win something again today, you might at least earn yourself a new nickname—and add a little color to the New Year.”
Not far away, Lin Wu heard this and could not help thinking that Qi Xuan’s temper was remarkably good. He could even remain friends with Shen Guanting. Come to think of it, her own temper was pretty good too.
“What is Brother Guanting’s age this year?” Without waiting for an answer, Qi Xuan continued on his own. “Perhaps I should give you some New Year’s money too, and see whether I can win your loyalty. Maybe then you’ll say a few fewer things whenever we meet.”
Shen Guanting answered leisurely, “We’re the same age. Brother Qi, you are surrounded by important people and have clearly forgotten even your own age.”
He paused, and his gaze involuntarily swept toward Lin Wu. A smile rose at the corners of his lips.
“Besides, I’ve already received New Year’s money from Shopkeeper Lin today. That’s more than enough. Brother Qi’s gift is far too substantial for me to accept.”
Qi Xuan cast him a glance. He had no interest in hearing that Shen Guanting had New Year’s money to receive. A mere twenty-one copper coins, and he was showing off like that.
Lin Wu had no time to pay attention to the false friendship between the two men. She tied Laifu’s leash around the leg of a stone bench, then sat down and gazed at the river, letting out a soft sigh.
The view here was lovely, and far quieter than the market street. After walking around for so long, the soles of her feet were beginning to ache.
Just then, a peddler carrying a basket and selling drinks passed by. Lin Wu waved him over and bought several cups of orange soup. She also took out the pastries she had brought and arranged them one by one on the stone table.
Meanwhile, the children were still gathered together, chattering away. Tigerhead was gesturing animatedly as he described Liang Peilan’s heroic performance at guanpu to Qi Lang. Qi Lang listened with wide eyes, letting out an occasional gasp of amazement.
Liang Peilan was embarrassed by the praise and waved his hands. “It wasn’t anything so extraordinary. I only won five out of twelve rounds.”
“That’s amazing!” Tigerhead exclaimed once again. “A lot of people lose every bit of money they have without winning even once!”
As if he had suddenly remembered something, he added, “Brother Xuan spent more to win that fine steed than the steed itself was worth!”
Qi Xuan, who was not far away, immediately turned his head. “Tigerhead Shen, give me back the New Year’s money.”
Tigerhead shrank his neck, but Qi Xuan continued, “That was for business, not for playing guanpu. It was a social exchange between merchants. Do you understand?”
Tigerhead knew when to yield. He nodded repeatedly. “Yes, yes. Brother Xuan has such far-sighted vision and is the most capable of all. Naturally, you weren’t playing guanpu. You’re a man who handles major business deals!”
Qi Lang listened from the side, his little face full of earnestness. Unable to resist exposing his brother, he said, “It was clearly because Big Brother had terrible luck—and his technique wasn’t very good either. Just as Brother Ting said: ‘He never learned the skill, but he did learn the addiction.’ He played so many rounds and didn’t get a perfect six even once. Later, the horse’s owner said he could stop betting and simply gave him the horse, but Big Brother refused.”
Qi Xuan looked expressionlessly at Shen Guanting, then at his own little brother.
Qi Lang remained completely oblivious and continued seriously, “I really counted them. Forty-one rounds.”
Lin Wu could not help glancing at Shen Guanting as well. The man looked utterly uninvolved, calmly admiring the river scenery. Honestly, he had to comment on everything. Whenever he saw a person, he judged them; whenever he saw an event, he offered his opinion. Even when Qi Xuan was betting on a horse, he had to leave behind a choice remark for the man’s younger brother to repeat.
Shen Guanting seemed to sense her gaze. He turned his head, met her eyes, and smiled with perfect composure.
Lin Wu simply imitated his air of detached innocence and looked away.
After airing all of his elder brother’s embarrassing stories, Qi Lang turned to Liang Peilan. “Brother Peilan, you’re truly amazing!”
Liang Peilan answered honestly, “I’ve followed my father in sorting and weighing medicinal herbs since I was little, so my hand is a bit steadier than most people’s.”
Lin Jing looked envious. “Then whenever you need something in the future, you can just play the betting games. You can spend a little and win a great deal.”
Liang Peilan shook his head. “That won’t do. My parents say that playing once in a while for amusement is fine, but taking it seriously is greed. Playing too often damages one’s character. It makes people think only of taking shortcuts, and then they can’t live their lives properly.”
Lin Wu secretly nodded when she heard this. It was a sensible thing to say. She ought to remember it. If Lin Jing ever took an interest in betting, she could use these words to put a stop to it.
Her hands never stopped moving as she arranged all the pastries, then called everyone over.
Liang Peilan took an oiled-paper packet from his own basket and handed it to Lin Wu. “Aunt Lin, these are the malt candies I won. Please share them with everyone.”
Lin Wu accepted them with a smile. “That’s wonderful. Today we can all share in Brother Peilan’s good luck.”
They had not brought many pastries to begin with, and they certainly had not expected Liang Peilan—and then the Qi brothers—to join them halfway along the way. There probably would not be enough to go around.
As she was wondering how best to divide them, Tigerhead had already come up with a solution. “Brother Xuan and Qi Lang have never eaten fluffy cakes before! Give these to them!”
The children were quite generous. Chattering among themselves, they gave up the few pieces of fluffy cake.
Lin Wu could not help thinking that Qi Xuan’s little silver bead truly packed quite a punch. It had actually managed to snatch food from Tigerhead. That was a far greater skill than Shen Guanting possessed.
Qi Lang had been eyeing the fluffy cake for ages. The moment he received it, he took a large bite.
As soon as the cake entered his mouth, his eyes flew wide. “It’s so delicious! Does your family sell these fluffy cakes? I want to buy some!”
Lin Wu smiled and shook her head. “We only make them at home to eat for now. They aren’t for sale.”
Qi Lang’s face fell. He lowered his head and took another tiny bite, chewing with particular care, as though he could make it last forever.
Qi Xuan tried a piece. His expression remained unchanged, though he felt a little regretful inside. Even so, he could not help praising it. “Shopkeeper Lin, this is a clever approach. By whetting your customers’ appetites and then selling the cakes in limited quantities, you can charge a high price without having to make too many. If you ever decide to sell them, Zhene River Tower would be happy to be the first to stock them.”
Lin Wu laughed when she heard this. “Shopkeeper Qi, you’re joking. I haven’t thought that far ahead. They’re simply too troublesome to make, so I can only make enough for my own family.”
Shen Guanting leisurely added from the side, “It isn’t easy to get even one bite. Brother Qi is quite fortunate today to have such a treat.”
“Is that so…” Qi Xuan rarely failed to retort to his friend, but this time he merely pondered for a moment before continuing, “If it is inconvenient for Shopkeeper Lin to make them herself, may I ask whether you would be willing to sell the recipe to Zhene River Tower? We can discuss the price, and I guarantee the recipe will never be shared with anyone else.”
Lin Wu lowered her eyes slightly and did not answer at once. She was tempted, but if the fluffy cakes were sold through Zhene River Tower, their reputation would likely spread even faster. If word reached somewhere it should not, it could instead bring trouble.
Seeing this, Shen Guanting lifted his cup of orange drink and took a sip. “Brother Qi, you’ve had one bite and already want to carry off the entire cooking pot?”
Qi Xuan stared at him expressionlessly. “I wasn’t asking you.”
“I’m helping Mrs. Lin fend you off.” Shen Guanting set down his pottery cup. “You merchants have too many tricks up your sleeves. I’m afraid Brother Qi will talk Mrs. Lin out of her recipe in just a few sentences.”
Qi Xuan said, “You’re certainly protective of her.”
Shen Guanting smiled modestly. “It’s only right. After all, she’s the one who gives me my yearly allowance.”
“I had no idea Master Shen was so easy to hire.”
Twenty-one wen was all it took to hire this young master to stand in front of someone and block every inconvenient question.
