With that, she stood up.
She had only taken two steps when her hand was suddenly pulled back.
A large hand hooked around her waist, and with a gentle tug, she collided into his embrace.
The man looked down at her: "Are you angry?"
Si Nian averted her gaze uncomfortably. "No."
Zhou Yueshen pinched her chin, forcing her to look up.
After a moment of silence, he said slowly, "Nian Nian, these past few days, you haven’t called me..."
"What?" Si Nian didn’t understand what he meant.
Zhou Yueshen lowered his dark eyes. So, that day when she had suddenly addressed him that way, it was only to provoke Fu Yang, wasn’t it?
Zhou Yueshen frowned abruptly and let go of her.
Si Nian blinked in confusion.
Sensitive as she was, she could sense the shift in Zhou Yueshen’s aura, but she couldn’t pinpoint the reason. She stared at him with wide eyes and asked, "What’s wrong?"
Zhou Yueshen studied her for a moment before replying in a low voice, "Nothing."
Si Nian insisted, "You have something against me?"
Zhou Yueshen was taken aback, then chuckled helplessly. "Why would you say that?"
"You never kept me hanging like this before," Si Nian accused. "So now that you’ve got me, you don’t cherish me anymore?"
As she spoke, her shoulders slumped in disappointment, as if genuinely hurt.
The smile vanished from Zhou Yueshen’s face. He pulled her back into his arms. "What are you thinking?"
His gaze fixed on the woman in his embrace, he sighed softly and pressed a light kiss to her lips. "I won’t tease you anymore. Be good, go rest a little longer. I’ll take care of breakfast."
His gentle surrender worked like a charm—Si Nian’s momentary displeasure vanished instantly. Yet, she still felt something was off, though she couldn’t quite place it.
But she didn’t like this feeling, so she fixed him with a stare and said, "Don’t do this again."
Seeing the serious look on her delicate face, the tension in Zhou Yueshen’s heart dissipated. Dwelling too much on the past was his own issue.
He knew her history—how could he hold such trivial matters against her now?
She was still young; it was normal for her to have her little schemes.
Even if she had used him to provoke another man, there was nothing wrong with that.
He reached out and ruffled her soft hair. "Alright," he agreed. "Go rest."
"I won’t rest. I was just about to tell you—today, I’m going to town with my mom and Eldest Sister-in-law to sell pastries. It’s their first time doing business, and they’re not too familiar with it, so I want to keep an eye on things. I won’t be able to bring you lunch today. Should I make extra now for you to take, or how do you want to handle it?"
Thinking that Eldest Sister-in-law and the others might already be about to leave, Si Nian didn’t have time to dwell on her little spat with him and hurriedly asked.
Zhou Yueshen was momentarily stunned. He had heard about Si Nian teaching her family to make pastries, but he hadn’t expected them to start a small business.
Considering the Lin family’s situation, a small venture like this was a good idea.
He nodded slightly. "Alright, I’ll take you there."
Si Nian thought for a moment and agreed.
"That works. You can take my mom and Eldest Sister-in-law on your bike first, and I’ll follow on my bicycle with the pastries. It’ll be easier to push around and sell that way. The only thing is Yaoyao hasn’t woken up yet. I’ve already talked to Aunt Zhang—she’ll look after her for the day. Once you’re back, just drop her off at Aunt Zhang’s place."
Si Nian and Aunt Zhang were already familiar with each other. Their homes were close, and since Shitou hadn’t started school yet, he could keep Yaoyao company, making things much more convenient.
So every time Si Nian made something nice, she would send a portion to the Zhang family, and Aunt Zhang was happy to help babysit.
Zhou Yueshen nodded.
Just as they finished breakfast, Lin's mother’s voice sounded at the front gate.
Si Nian hurried outside to find her and Eldest Sister-in-law carrying foam boxes on their backs.
"Mom, Eldest Sister-in-law, you’re here! Come in."
"No need, we’ll wait outside," Lin's mother quickly declined.
Si Nian relented. "Alright, give me a moment. I’ll get my bicycle."
Zhou Yueshen followed to help.
"Eldest Sister-in-law, Aunt Lin, I’ll take you there first."
"How can we trouble you? You’re so busy—we can walk," Lin's mother insisted.
She already felt bad that her daughter was getting up early to accompany them. How could she possibly let her son-in-law, a man with big business to attend to, waste his time on their little venture?
Zhou Yueshen’s voice was deep. "It’s only a twenty-minute ride. If we go early, we can secure a good spot."
He knew people in town—finding a spot wouldn’t be hard.
Si Nian wheeled out her bicycle and added, "Mom, Eldest Sister-in-law, just get on. I’ll follow with the pastries. If we walk, it’ll be broad daylight by the time we arrive."
Lin's mother thought it over and reluctantly agreed. "Then we’ll trouble you both. Nian Nian, Yueshen, having you is truly a blessing for our Lin family."
"Mom, we’re family—no need for formalities. Let’s hurry so we can sell out and come back early. Otherwise, we won’t get a good spot."
With that, she tied the foam box to the back of her bicycle seat with a rope.
The osmanthus cakes weren’t heavy, so riding with them wasn’t difficult.
The main issue was that her bicycle couldn’t carry two people.
This was the most efficient way.
Hearing her daughter’s words, Lin's mother didn’t dare delay and quickly climbed onto her son-in-law’s motorcycle.
Si Nian pedaled behind them. The streets were already bustling with people heading to the market.
Even this early in the morning, groups of villagers were gathering to make their way to town.
As Si Nian rode her bicycle, the sweet aroma of the pastries wafted behind her, drawing curious glances from passersby.
"What’s that smell? It’s so fragrant!"
"Isn’t that Old Zhou’s wife? How enviable—riding a bicycle to the market! What woman in our village can afford a bicycle? Old Zhou really dotes on his wife!"
"Comrade Si Nian, where are you off to?"
Si Nian stopped her bicycle and greeted them. "Good morning, uncles and aunties. I’m going to town with my mom to sell some pastries."
"Selling pastries? For real? I thought you were joking!"
"Is it that mung bean cake you made before? No wonder it smells so good!"
"How much? I’ll take a pound."
Si Nian opened the foam box, and the warm, sweet scent of the pastries instantly filled the air.
The crowd was stunned by the aroma and quickly gathered around.
"It’s osmanthus! So fragrant!"
"Is it expensive? Give me two pieces—it’s making me hungry."
Most people heading to the market early hadn’t eaten yet. Many would grab a couple of steamed buns or flatbreads in town, while those with money might eat at a restaurant.
Now, with this delicious smell in the air, their mouths were practically watering.
Si Nian had set reasonable prices. She smiled. "Not expensive. Two and a half mao per pound for the regular, three mao for the osmanthus."
"Two and a half mao isn’t cheap! A big steamed bun in town only costs one mao!"
Si Nian glanced over—it was an unfamiliar face.
She replied coolly, "That’s fine. You can go eat the steamed buns then."
The person was left speechless.
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