The midday sun was scorching hot. Wen Ranran drew a bucket of cool well water, filled a bowl, and handed it to Dong Shu who was inspecting the clay oven: “Dong Shu, have some water to drink.”
These past few days, Dong Shu had been diligently helping with the clay oven. After building it, he wasn’t finished—during the two days it was drying, he kept coming by to check on it periodically. Patient and responsible, he was definitely the right person for the job.
“Ah!” Dong Shu took the bowl, tilted his head back, and drank more than half of it in one go. The cool, sweet water flowed down his throat into his stomach, and he immediately felt much refreshed.
He patted the oven’s air vent, grinning as he said to Wen Ranran: “It’s completely dry now. We can use it today!”
“Really!” Wen Ranran couldn’t keep her hands off the oven, delight quickly spreading across her brows. With this oven, she could make so many delicious foods—both to satisfy cravings and to earn money!
Dong Shu nodded, also very pleased: “Really! If Wen Xiaoniangzi has time today, give it a try. If you run into any problems, just come find me anytime.”
He finished the remaining water in the bowl, his dark face full of confidence: “But I reckon there won’t be any issues.”
Wen Ranran handed him the money pouch she had prepared earlier, her eyes crinkling into a smile: “You’ve worked hard these past few days, Dong Shu. Please take this to buy some fabric for Auntie and the younger siblings to make new clothes.”
Dong Shu put on a stern face and refused: “Didn’t we agree on no payment? You’ve treated me so well with delicious food and drinks—that’s payment enough!”
As he spoke, he couldn’t help but swallow at the memory of the Hong Shao Rou.
“Who said this is payment?” Wen Ranran laughed, stuffing the money pouch into his hand. “This is just a token of appreciation for Auntie and the younger siblings. Please accept it!”
Dong Shu was honest and dutiful. After spending time with him, Wen Yiliang and Shen Shi already regarded him as family. They came over and joined in persuading him: “Dong Zi, just take it. You’ve put so much effort into building this oven for our family.”
Seeing how sincere and warm the family of three was, Dong Shu felt it would be impolite to refuse their kindness any further. He smiled sheepishly and accepted it, his thick, calloused hand gently rubbing the money pouch: “This is really too kind…”
Wen Ranran cheerfully invited him to stay for lunch: “Dong Shu, why not stay for the midday meal before leaving?”
“No, no.” Dong Shu quickly waved his hand. “I still have to take Zhu Zi and the others to work this afternoon. I should head back now.”
“Dong Shu, there’s no hurry. The food will be ready soon,” Wen Ranran urged him to stay. “I made your favorite Hong Shao Rou!”
“The work over there is urgent. I need to hurry back.” Dong Shu chuckled as he spoke, already walking toward the exit. Before leaving, he casually picked up the trash Wen Ranran had left near the livestock pen and took it with him.
“Then take care, Dong Shu! Come visit us when you have time!” Wen Ranran saw him off at the gate, only returning inside after he had walked far away.
Shen Shi smiled at Wen Ranran: “He’s such a genuine person.”
“He really is!” Wen Ranran circled the clay oven happily several times, her clear, spring-like eyes turning to her father and mother beside her. “Today, I’ll make Matcha Red Bean Cake for Father and Mother to try!”
Just as she was excitedly sharing this, a voice suddenly spoke up darkly behind her: “San Yatou, what about mine?”
Wen Ranran jumped in fright. Turning around, she saw Wen Junliang’s displeased face and pouted: “You scared me to death, Third Uncle! If I die, you won’t get to eat anything!”
Sun Shi walked over with a smile and stomped hard on his foot: “Ranran is our family’s money tree. You’d better be careful with her!”
Shen Shi watched the scene, covering her lips with a light chuckle as she exchanged a knowing glance with Wen Yiliang.
Wen Ruru silently twisted the corner of her sleeve, feeling out of place.
Noticing Wen Ruru’s discomfort, Wen Ranran turned back to her room and brought out two purchased tea cakes, offering them to her. “Second Sister, could you help me grind the tea powder? Mother told me you make excellent tea broth—I’d be so grateful!”
Matcha actually originated from mo cha, and the method of obtaining tea powder was nearly identical.
Wen Ruru pursed her lips, lowered her head to sniff the two small tea cakes. They were fragrant without bitterness; though not the highest grade of steamed purple bamboo shoot tea, they were still quite decent. She glanced at Wen Ranran—the girl before her beamed with a cheerful smile, fair and radiant like a New Year’s painting doll—and couldn’t help but lift the corners of her own mouth slightly.
But just as her smile began to bloom, it froze abruptly. Wen Ruru suddenly realized what she was doing and immediately changed her expression, turning away with a pout as she blurted out without thinking, “Third Sister, you’re ordering me around so casually now? It seems you’re treating me like one of your servants. I won’t help!”
After saying this, she felt a twinge of regret, biting her lip as she secretly observed Wen Ranran’s reaction: Was that too harsh? Should I say something to smooth it over? Ah, forget it—that would be too embarrassing!
Sun Shi tugged at her sleeve, but the more she tugged, the higher Wen Ruru lifted her chin.
Seeing her like this, Wen Ranran was reminded of her junior martial sister from her previous life. Before their master took her in, that junior sister had been the youngest in the sect, doted on and indulged by everyone. The older martial brothers and sisters had practically raised her like a daughter.
Later, after Wen Ranran was brought back by their master and became the youngest, the older disciples loved to tease her. The junior sister had thrown tantrums over this for a long time and often played childish tricks to make things difficult for her.
Yet, in the end, among over a dozen senior disciples, she had grown closest to that junior sister.
Girls of this age were often tough on the outside but soft inside. Though she hadn’t spent much time with Wen Ruru, Wen Ranran could tell she was merely accustomed to being pampered and didn’t have a malicious heart.
After all, with a father like Wen Junliang, whose temperament resembled a husky’s, she was likely all bark and no bite. She was probably regretting her words already—Wen Ranran had caught her sneaking several glances!
Her smile unwavering, Wen Ranran took Wen Ruru’s arm and grinned at her. “Second Sister, you’re the best! If you won’t help me, no one can!”
Teenage girls were the easiest to coax. Adopting the same tone she’d used in her past life to persuade her junior sister to buy her Zao Hua Su, Wen Ranran softened her with a few gentle words. Wen Ruru couldn’t hold out any longer; though her expression still seemed reluctant, a hint of a smile flickered in her eyes. “Alright, alright, why do you talk so much? I’ll help you!”
“Then I’ll trouble Second Sister. I’ll go bake a cake for you!” Wen Ranran said warmly, rolling up her sleeves to beat the eggs.
Holding the tea cakes, Wen Ruru stared blankly at Wen Ranran’s retreating back, suddenly remembering how, as a child, Ranran—a little snowball of a girl—would only play with her.
Help! Why is my little sister getting cuter and cuter!
As Wen Ranran separated the egg yolks from the whites, she glanced up at Wen Ruru. The girl sat upright, grinding the tea leaves with slow, elegant movements, her demeanor serene and pleasing to the eye.
Sun Shi watched, unable to hold back her tears: Our fine Bo Residence young lady has been reduced to this state…
“Second Sister, hurry up, or we won’t get to eat it by tomorrow.”
“Why are you rushing me! This is how tea is supposed to be prepared—don’t you know anything?”
Wen Ruru retorted with her chin raised and a haughty expression, yet her hands moved much faster.
Wen Ranran placed the bowl of egg whites in freshly drawn well water to chill, then transferred the red beans that had been soaking all morning into a steamer after removing their skins.
She went over to check on Wen Ruru’s progress—some tea powder had already been sifted out. Wen Ranran took a portion, poured it into a bowl, added an appropriate amount of oil and store-bought cooked milk, and heated it over a double boiler, stirring until it melted into a smooth mixture.
A fresh tea fragrance wafted through the air, even more aromatic than the high-quality matcha powder she had bought in modern times.
I should sell this cake for at least thirty coins a piece!
Wen Ranran thought to herself as she whisked the egg yolks with an oversized tea whisk until smooth and fine. She then poured in the matcha mixture, sifted in the flour, and stirred until well combined.
The tea whisk, shaped like an egg beater, was surprisingly easy to use.
Chiffon cake wasn’t difficult to make, but whipping the egg whites was truly laborious. Wen Ranran vigorously beat the egg whites with the tea whisk, her arms aching and her heart full of complaints.
This is no job for a human!
I’m selling this cake for forty coins a piece! Even one coin less would be an insult to my efforts!!!
Finally, after whipping the egg whites to stiff peaks, she gently folded them into the yolk mixture and poured the batter into a preheated oven.
She had used this type of earthen oven in her previous life and had studied it thoroughly, so she was quite adept with it now. Still, Wen Ranran felt a bit nervous.
As the temperature rose, a milky fragrance intertwined with the scent of tea drifted on the breeze, teasing everyone’s nostrils.
The whole family gathered in front of the oven, staring intently as if their eyes could pierce through it.
“Heavens, this smells incredible! It could lure wolves from a hundred miles away!” Wen Junliang gulped loudly, his face full of anticipation.
Wen Ruru, feeling sour as her father praised Wen Ranran nonstop, pursed her lips and retorted, “But Father, wolves eat meat.”
Wen Junliang pinched her cheek. “If wolves ever tasted this, they’d never go back to meat. What’s so appealing about bloody raw flesh, anyway?”
Sun Shi glared at him. “Stop filling Ruru’s head with your nonsense!”
Wen Yiliang stood by the oven with a book in hand, but the aroma made it impossible for him to focus on even a single sentence.
Wen Ranran silently calculated the time and, when she deemed it right, opened the oven. An irresistible sweet fragrance immediately wafted out. She took out the cake, inspected it, and was overjoyed.
Fluffy, soft, and without shrinking—the matcha cake was a success!
Everyone crowded around, admiring the subtle green hue of the cake. It felt refreshing, like a cool mountain valley breeze on a scorching summer day, soothing to the heart and mind.
Wen Ranran sliced the cake horizontally into two layers, spread a layer of red bean paste in between, and reassembled it. She then cut the cake into several portions. Wen Junliang couldn’t wait—he grabbed a piece and took a bite. The rich, mellow tea aroma blended perfectly with the creamy egg fragrance. It was neither too sweet nor too heavy, with a light, moist, and exceptionally refreshing texture.
In disbelief, he took another bite, savoring the delicate flavor as it spread in his mouth. The tea aroma was prominent, yet without any bitterness.
Moved to tears by this unprecedented delicacy, he exclaimed, “This is too delicious!”
Watching everyone devour the cake with gusto, Wen Ranran rolled up her sleeves and headed back to the kitchen. The experiment was a success—time to get to work! Let’s launch the Matcha Red Bean Cake today!
The Night Market was ablaze with lantern lights. Wen Ranran picked up a basket filled with cakes and said to Sun Shi, “Auntie, I’m counting on you to hold down the stall!”
Sun Shi flipped through the booklet recording each snack, nervously looking at Wen Ranran: “I… I’ll do my best…”
These past days Sun Shi had been working very hard, and Wen Ranran felt quite assured about her. Without another word, she picked up the basket and turned to leave.
Watching Wen Ranran walk away, Sun Shi instantly felt like a cripple who had lost her crutch, her heart left hanging without any support.
“I want three apricot-flavored Bo Zai Gao!”
“Ah… ah?”
Sun Shi’s mind went completely blank, feeling all her hard work over the past few days had been in vain. Not only had she made no progress, she was even worse than on her first day!
She lifted her head to look in the direction where Wen Ranran had disappeared, then finally steeled herself and forced a smile: “Three apricot Bo Zai Gao, right?”
…………
Meanwhile, Wen Ranran stood before the entrance of A Cup of Spring.
She had observed this teahouse for quite some time – it had an excellent reputation, plenty of customers, all of whom were modestly yet elegantly dressed ladies and refined gentlemen.
Most importantly, such a cultured establishment was bound to attract many distinguished celebrities. This perfect opportunity for celebrity marketing absolutely couldn’t be missed!
As she stepped inside, the serene tea fragrance of A Cup of Spring was suddenly joined by a bewitching, sweet milky aroma.