Wen Ranran stood inside Cheng’s Restaurant, watching in astonishment as the establishment filled to capacity after just one announcement. The originally spacious hall was now packed with people. Wealthily dressed diners crowded around her, craning their necks to peer into her bamboo basket:
“Is this Sunset in the Green Mountains? It’s truly unique.”
“Thank goodness I didn’t go to A Cup of Spring today, otherwise how could I have tasted this pastry? Miss, wrap one up for me!”
“I want one too!”
“Exactly, those who went to A Cup of Spring today must be kicking themselves. Wrap two for me!”
“Me too!”
…
Amid the bustling chatter, the sixteen pieces of Sunset in the Green Mountains in the bamboo basket sold out in the blink of an eye.
This was the power of celebrity influence!
Counting her silver, Wen Ranran couldn’t help but marvel: People always love to follow trends no matter the era!
Those who managed to buy some were satisfied, while those who missed out sighed regretfully: “Miss, why didn’t you make more? You could have earned more silver!”
Wen Ranran stored away the heavy money pouch and smiled sweetly, her almond-shaped eyes curving: “Please forgive me, everyone. This Green Mountains pastry is truly time-consuming to make. I can only produce this many pieces in one afternoon.”
That wasn’t true at all! She could make more! But scarcity increases value – people always remember things that are hard to obtain.
Sure enough, after hearing this, those who had bought “Green Mountains” all showed expressions of having gotten a great deal.
“So that’s how it is! Then my forty coins were well spent!”
“Only this many pieces made in one afternoon – it must be something special!”
“The taste is wonderful too. This pastry is delicate and fragrant without being cloying. Just one small piece fills your mouth with tea aroma!”
Those at the back swallowed their saliva and called out: “Miss! Can we place advance orders?”
This suggestion immediately caused an uproar among the crowd, with diners competing to speak:
“Yes, yes! Can we place orders?”
“Get lost! Don’t you know about first come first served? Stop crowding behind me! I asked the miss first!”
“So what if you asked first? The highest bidder wins! I offer five taels of silver!”
Not to be outdone, the latter waved his sleeve gracefully: “I offer ten taels!”
“I offer twenty taels!”
Heavens! Twenty taels of silver! Are you mad?!
Seeing the bidding about to escalate further, Wen Ranran quickly intervened: “I’m deeply grateful for everyone’s appreciation. But there’s really no need to spend so much on a pastry – it’s not worth it.”
“Here’s what I’ll do: I’ll make more tomorrow, but at most only twenty-four portions.”
Twenty-four portions would be a full nine hundred and sixty coins!
“Then I’ll be waiting for you tomorrow, miss!”
“Come to the market earlier tomorrow – you might just run into her.”
…
The surrounding crowd gradually dispersed after receiving the promise of increased quantity tomorrow, though a considerable portion chose to stay and dine at the restaurant. Cheng’s Restaurant instantly became packed to the rafters, with all the waiters busy serving customers, completely overwhelmed.
The middle-aged man who had brought Wen Ranran in earlier clapped his hands and laughed heartily at the sight of the full house. He approached Wen Ranran and said politely: “Thanks to you, miss, the restaurant has more than twice as many customers today compared to yesterday.”
“How could it be thanks to me?” Wen Ranran smiled at him. “It’s because you’re so quick-witted, Boss Cheng.”
She effortlessly launched into some business flattery, and Boss Cheng’s smile indeed widened: “Young lady, you must visit Cheng’s Restaurant often from now on. You’re our lucky star.”
Wen Ranran nodded with a smile, bid farewell to Boss Cheng, and turned to leave.
Weighing the coin pouch in her hand, she contemplated buying two writing brushes for her father. The one he currently used had cracks in the shaft and badly split bristles, requiring lengthy smoothing before each use. Her mother’s clothes were also patched upon patches, so it was time to buy some fabric. After all this hard work, they deserved to enjoy some comforts.
Sun Shi’s business was also thriving. She now handled everything like a seasoned pro, unlike the flustered novice she’d been during her first two days.
While packing the cart, she looked up and scanned the surroundings: “Why hasn’t Ranran returned yet? Could something have happened?”
“What could possibly happen to her?” Wen Junliang set the pot down, shuddering as he recalled how his niece had fiercely wielded that shovel that night. Who would be foolish enough to provoke her? Did they have a death wish?
Sun Shi shot him a glare: “She’s your own niece, and you don’t even worry about her?”
“Who says I don’t!” Just as Wen Junliang was about to argue, he suddenly spotted Wen Ranran approaching cheerfully with several bolts of fabric in her arms.
Noticing Wen Ranran’s loaded arms, Sun Shi perceptively nudged Wen Junliang: “Go help Ranran.”
Wen Junliang went over and took some items from her, examining them: “San Yatou, did you strike it rich?”
“Strike it rich?” Wen Ranran placed the fabric down, wiping sweat from her forehead with a laugh. “If I were truly rich, I’d be buying silks and satins!”
She recalled the dazzling brocades and sheer gauzes at the fabric shop – dozens of taels per bolt, truly exquisite. She could only lament not being able to afford them yet.
“Oh! Ranran wants to make new clothes?” Sun Shi’s eyes lit up as she felt the fine cotton.
In the past, she would have disdained such ordinary material, considering this cotton too coarse even for undergarments. But now she couldn’t put it down. It was over ten times better than the rough cloth she currently wore!
“Mm!” Wen Ranran nodded happily, clearly planning the fabric distribution: “This white bolt will make clothes for my father and Third Uncle. These ginger-yellow and pea-green ones are for me, Mother, Third Aunt, and Second Sister. The remaining half bolt of dark green will make two outfits for Grandmother.”
“Ah?” Sun Shi was overwhelmed, her hands trembling with emotion as she touched the fabric. “There’s even some for me and Ruru?”
Wen Ranran smiled while helping Sun Shi organize the cart: “Second Sister will be helping me grind tea powder daily from now on, so I’m preparing my thanks in advance.”
To be fair, the tea powder Wen Ruru ground – if labeled “handcrafted” in modern times – would surely sell for more than imported varieties!
Sun Shi gazed at Wen Ranran’s bright, sincere smile, her eyes suddenly growing moist: “Ranran, I used to…”
Wen Ranran patted her hand and teased lightly: “Didn’t Third Aunt always hate dwelling on the past?”
Sun Shi laughed through her tears: “Right, right, why bring up such things when everything’s fine now.”
Wen Junliang watched them coldly, clicking his tongue: Women’s hearts are as fathomable as the ocean! Weren’t they at each other’s throats not long ago?
Sun Shi was helping push the cart as the family chatted and laughed on their way home, when she suddenly caught sight of several familiar figures. Her face instantly turned pale, and her heart began to pound wildly.
Panicking, she shrank behind the cart and grabbed Wen Ranran nervously, saying, “Quick, help me hide!”