Chapter 114: A Talent for Business

“Madam, are you all right?” the maid behind her asked softly.

Kang Ya took a deep breath and said, “I’m fine… Take the pastries inside.”

“Yes, madam.”

The maid quickly went inside to put away the pastries and then came back out.

“Madam, I think our young master and Young Master Guan are truly close. The two of them are together almost every day. And our young master still hasn’t married. Do you think… could it be that the two of them…”

Before she could finish, Kang Ya gave her a sharp look.

“Don’t speak nonsense! They are just good brothers, nothing more.”

Frightened, the maid shrank back and hurriedly said, “I deserve punishment.”

In truth, Kang Ya wasn’t really angry; instead, she felt a sense of relief.

Yes, at least he hasn’t married yet… Otherwise, she really wouldn’t know how to face his wife.

On the way back to her own courtyard, Kang Ya suddenly thought of something and said to the maid, “Write a few invitations for me and send them to the residences of the ladies I’m on good terms with. Invite them to come visit the day after tomorrow.”

“Yes, madam. But why are you inviting them over so suddenly?”

A hint of a smile appeared on Kang Ya’s face. “Since I promised that little girl to help her spread the word, I have to keep my promise. Tomorrow, go to the Mai Ken Chicken shop and deliver an invitation to her as well. Invite her and her mother.”

She knew her friends well. Though they weren’t extraordinarily wealthy, they all had some money to spend and nothing much to do at home, so their favorite pastime was shopping.

When the time comes, that little girl will surely be delighted.

…

Lin Hongda went home and told Liao Shuxia that he would be away tomorrow, and she immediately clung to him, weeping.

“Husband, with you gone, what will become of us, just a widow and her children?”

Lin Hongda could only pat her head helplessly. “Ever since we transmigrated here, your dramatic skills have only grown.”

“You’re terrible! I’m just worried about you.” Liao Shuxia let go of him and pouted. “What do you need to bring? I’ll help you pack.”

“No need to bring much. Just two changes of clothes will do.”

Traveling with Yu Jingxiao, he had no worries about food and lodging.

“How long will you be gone?” Liao Shuxia asked, reluctant to let him go.

“Master Yu said, at most no more than a month.”

“Are you taking Wenyan with you? It’d be a good chance for him to toughen up.”

Lin Hongda thought for a moment. “No. I won’t be around, so I’d feel uneasy leaving you alone. Let him stay—his skills are good now, he can protect you.”

Thinking back on the troubles they’d faced, Liao Shuxia nodded in agreement.

…

It’s better to be cautious.

“He’s still young; there will be plenty of chances for him to gain experience in the future. I believe he’ll grow into someone remarkable.”

“It’s all thanks to your teaching, husband!”

…

Lin Beitao had already left the academy and come to help at Lin Sangqian’s shop.

When the milk tea shop was busy, he went there; when the fried chicken shop needed hands, he came back to help.

Moreover, Lin Sangqian had discovered that this boy had quite the silver tongue.

Whenever a customer hesitated, debating whether to buy, he could always talk them into it.

Though he wasn’t good at studying, he was quick with numbers.

Lin Sangqian suddenly thought Lin Beitao might have a talent for business.

With him around, both Lin Sangqian and Lin Wenyan found their workload much lighter.

As the sun set, both shops had closed for the day.

Lin Sangqian walked home with her two brothers.

There were still many street stalls along the way, and when they passed a jewelry stall, Lin Wenyan suddenly stopped.

“Big Brother, what is it? Do you want to buy something?” Lin Beitao craned his neck to look. “What’s this? Jewelry?”

“Mm,” Lin Wenyan nodded, picking up a hairpin.

Lin Sangqian grinned. “Big Brother, let me guess—who are you buying it for?”

Her own body was still too young to need jewelry, and Liao Shuxia had never cared for such things, always wearing just a wooden hairpin.

Lin Wenyan knew this well.

So, there was only one possible person…

“Oh, I know!” Lin Beitao blurted, looking a little goofy. “You’re buying it for Sister Zhao!”

Lin Wenyan said nothing, but his face turned the color of a ripe shrimp.

“Young man, buying this for someone special?” The stall owner, quick on the uptake, smiled. “You have good taste—any young lady would love this hairpin!”

“Go on, Big Brother,” Lin Sangqian nudged him. “Lan’er will like it. Boss, how much is it?”

“Not expensive, just fifty copper coins!”

For jewelry, fifty coins wasn’t much at all.

But what mattered was the sentiment.

At first glance, Lin Wenyan thought this hairpin would suit Zhao Lan’er perfectly.

Blushing, he took out fifty coins, handed them to the stall owner, and tucked the hairpin into his pocket.

Seeing how shy he was, Lin Sangqian refrained from teasing him further, but Lin Beitao, naive as ever, said, “Big Brother and Sister Zhao are such a good match! So, when do we get to drink the wedding wine?”

“Beitao!” Lin Wenyan’s face turned as red as a boiled shrimp. “Don’t say such things.”

“I don’t see what’s wrong with it,” Lin Beitao said, scratching his head in confusion.

When they got home, Auntie Niu and the others had already left. Tonight’s meal had been prepared by Liao Shuxia and Zhao Lan’er.

Since Lin Hongda would be leaving early the next day, they had decided to cook a grand feast to see him off.

Naturally, the best cook, Lin Sangqian, was put in charge.

She hadn’t had the chance to cook properly in a while, and her hands were itching to get back to it.

Once she’d settled on the menu, she made her way to the kitchen.

Zhao Lan’er was about to follow and help when suddenly Lin Wenyan called her, “Miss Lan’er.”

She turned and smiled. “Big Brother Lin, is something the matter?”

Lin Sangqian, standing nearby, watched the budding romance with relish.

Lin Wenyan stammered, unable to get the words out.

Growing impatient, Lin Beitao blurted out, “Sister Zhao, my brother bought you a hairpin!”

Lin Sangqian wanted nothing more than to pull his ear.

Why did he have to butt in at this moment?

“Huh?” Zhao Lan’er was stunned.

Lin Wenyan’s face turned red again. He fished the hairpin from his pocket and handed it to her. “I—I saw it on the way home and thought it’d suit you. It’s not expensive, but if you don’t like it…”

Before he could finish, Zhao Lan’er had already accepted the hairpin and pinned it in her hair.

“How could I not like it? It’s lovely. Thank you, Big Brother Lin,” she said with a smile.

Lin Wenyan grinned, his happiness shining through.

Lin Sangqian, watching from the side, felt sweetness blooming in her heart.

Young love—how sweet it was.

Lin Sangqian whipped up a lavish feast, filling the table with delicious dishes.

Just as everyone took their seats, ready to eat, there was a knock at the door.