TATSD Chapter 35

Ji Wei redeemed the jade bracelet and planned to take Liu Yimian home. But as they passed West Street, an idea struck him, and he suggested they grab something to eat to fill their stomachs.

When they reached the usual stall and saw the bun vendor, Liu Yimian rubbed his eyes in shock, thinking he must be seeing things.

“Ji Ge, why is she selling flatbreads?” There was no need for them to approach; the sign hanging from the cart said “flatbreads,” and Liu Yimian could read it.

The bun vendor had started selling them a while ago, but Ji Wei hadn’t mentioned it, and with all the cookie-making business, Liu Yimian hadn’t been down this street in a long time.

Seeing her now, his anger flared up.

He couldn’t understand why Ji Wei wasn’t furious.

“Ji Ge, that’s our stall, our business! How can she just steal it from us?” Liu Yimian tugged at Ji Wei’s sleeve, fuming. “Aren’t you angry?”

“What’s there to be mad about? She won’t last long,” Ji Wei replied calmly.

“Why do you say that?” Liu Yimian asked, confused.

Ji Wei led him to the flatbread stall and got in line. While they waited, Ji Wei chatted with the customers behind them, who were more than happy to respond.

“The taste’s alright, not as good as yours, but it’s cheap. If you’re hungry, you can grab one for next to nothing.”

“Word is you’ve been selling stuff at home and making good money, huh?”

“Are you coming back to the stall soon? I’ve been missing your flavor.”

“If you don’t come back soon, she’s going to take all your customers!”

Ji Wei laughed and bantered with the crowd, while the bun vendor ahead of them grew increasingly nervous as she heard that Ji Wei was there. She kept glancing over her shoulder, burning a few flatbreads in her distraction.

“So, when will you be back?” someone asked.

Ji Wei glanced at the bun vendor, their eyes meeting for a brief moment, and cleared his throat. “I got injured before, and Mian Mian won’t let me work the stall. I’ll probably be back in a few days.”

As soon as he said that, Liu Yimian tugged on his sleeve again, looking at him with confused eyes as if asking what he meant. If he remembered correctly, weren’t they supposed to be busy selling cookies in the next few days? When had Ji Wei mentioned coming back to the stall?

“Just lying to them,” Ji Wei whispered in Liu Yimian’s ear.

Liu Yimian blinked a few times, still not fully understanding but deciding not to ask further.

With Ji Wei around, the bun vendor kept making mistakes, slowing down the line. After nearly fifteen minutes, it was finally their turn.

Ji Wei greeted the bun vendor with a smile and ordered two flatbreads. Since he didn’t have any small change, he had Liu Yimian pay two coins.

As the bun vendor rolled out the dough, she couldn’t help but ask, “It’s been a while since you’ve been at the stall. Are you not selling anymore?”

“Of course, I’m selling! Flatbreads are a good business. Why wouldn’t I?” Ji Wei put on a regretful expression. “But Mian Mian won’t let me come out. Otherwise, I’d have been back ages ago.”

“I heard you’re selling other things at home. Business seems good,” the bun vendor pressed, unable to hide her curiosity.

“Ah, that’s not quite right,” Ji Wei sighed. “It looks like business is good, but the costs are much higher than flatbreads. You need goat milk, white flour, and sugar. Tell me, which of those is cheap? Not to mention I had to hire help. The wages aren’t small either.”

“I earned a little, but it’s almost gone now. I’ll have to get back to the stall soon.”

“Really? That’s a shame,” the bun vendor glanced at Ji Wei quickly before lowering her head, trying to suppress the satisfied grin creeping onto her face.

Ji Wei acted oblivious, exchanging a knowing look with Liu Yimian. Once the flatbreads were ready, they took them and left West Street, eating as they walked.

Once they were far enough away, Liu Yimian finally dared to ask, “When are we going back to the stall?”

There was still a lot of goat milk piled up at home, waiting to be used for the cookies. How would they manage that if they returned to the stall?

Distracted, Liu Yimian bit into the hot flatbread too quickly and burned his mouth, puffing his cheeks as he tried to cool it down.

“Slow down, is it that good? Better than mine?” Ji Wei frowned, taking a bite of the flatbread. It was just as ordinary as he expected—he’d warned her about the heat, and still, it was a little burnt.

Liu Yimian shook his head quickly, afraid Ji Wei would misunderstand. After swallowing, he rushed to explain.

“No, no! I was just thinking about what you said earlier. Why did you say it was a lie?”

“Do you know why she started a flatbread stall? And why she’s only charging one coin?” Ji Wei asked as he strolled, enjoying the fresh air after the rain.

“For us?” Liu Yimian guessed hesitantly.

“Exactly. She’s trying to squeeze us out. We charge three coins, and she only charges one. Once we’re out of business, she’ll raise the price, and all the business will be hers.”

“She’s so awful!”

“Isn’t she?” Ji Wei chuckled, patting Liu Yimian’s head.

“I lied to her about reopening in a few days to make sure she keeps at it. If she doesn’t lose all her money, how can I let them feel the sting of trying so hard to take me down?”

Liu Yimian still didn’t fully grasp the situation, but he knew that no matter what trouble came, Ji Ge would always find a way to handle it.

Since Ji Ge could solve it, all he had to do was stand by and support him quietly.

“So what’s next?” Liu Yimian asked.

“We just keep doing what we’re doing.”

The next morning, Ji Wei woke up earlier than usual.

He didn’t disturb Liu Yimian and quietly went to the kitchen to start preparing ingredients.

The basic components for desserts were always the same—flour, eggs, and sugar were essential. Ji Wei also added a bit of salt to enhance the sweetness. After mixing the ingredients into a smooth batter, he laid down a sheet of parchment paper on a baking tray.

Using a simple round piping nozzle, he squeezed the batter into ring shapes on the tray.

Once the bread oven was preheated, Ji Wei placed the tray with the eight ring-shaped batters into the oven.

He was making donuts.

Everyone knows donuts are typically deep-fried, which makes them high in calories and quite greasy. However, in recent years, a healthier baked version has become popular in the West. These baked donuts were lighter and more refreshing.

In this particular era, oil was an expensive ingredient, and Ji Wei was reluctant to use it for frying donuts. So, he opted for the oven-baked version instead.

The people of Changliu Town preferred lighter flavors, so he figured the baked donuts would better suit their tastes.

By the time Liu Yimian woke up, Ji Wei had already baked twenty-four donuts.

He also made a fresh batch of hawthorn jam, filling a jar about the size of a fist, and poured some onto a plate, placing it on the table just as Liu Yimian sleepily wandered into the kitchen.

“Good morning, Ji Ge,” Liu Yimian greeted, rubbing his eyes. He had already caught the enticing aroma wafting from the bread oven as he walked in.

After a long night of sleep, he was famished. Seeing the donuts on the table, he couldn’t help but swallow hungrily.

“Go wash up, then come eat breakfast.”

Before Ji Wei arrived in this world, Liu Yimian only ate two meals a day—skipping breakfast and only having lunch and dinner. Whether at his former home or in Ji’s household, no one cared much about him. As a result, he had poor nutrition and, even at fifteen, remained small and thin. Being a “ge’er” (a male who can bear children) made him seem even more fragile.

The washing water, willow twig, and salt jar were already prepared.

After quickly washing up, Liu Yimian eagerly sat down, eyeing the strange-looking donuts. He poked one with his chopsticks, curious but hesitant.

“What is this?”

“Donuts.”

“It sounds sweet. Do I dip it in the hawthorn jam?”

“Up to you. They each have their flavor.”

Baked donuts were lighter than fried ones, but they had a downside—they lacked the moisture that frying provided.

Liu Yimian took a bite, and it was as soft as a steamed bun. Yet, the taste was entirely different—sweet, fragrant, with a unique flavor he couldn’t quite describe, but he loved it.

After finishing one, Ji Wei brought over a warm bowl of goat milk, urging Liu Yimian to drink it.

“Do I have to?” Liu Yimian looked up at Ji Wei with puppy-dog eyes, pleading.

Before meeting Ji Wei, he’d never had goat milk. After trying it, he found the taste a bit too strong for his liking. If it weren’t for Ji Wei insisting every time, he would have avoided it entirely.

“Those puppy eyes won’t work,” Ji Wei replied firmly.

“Puppy eyes? What’s that?” Liu Yimian asked, puzzled.

“Don’t change the subject. Drink it up, and if it’s too hard, pinch your nose while you drink,” Ji Wei said, standing over him with the bowl in hand. “Do you want me to feed you?” he teased, pretending to bring the bowl to Liu Yimian’s lips.

Startled, Liu Yimian quickly grabbed the bowl, scrunched his nose, and downed the goat milk in one go with his eyes shut.

“Here, take a bite to get rid of the taste.” Ji Wei handed him a donut dipped in hawthorn jam. The sweet and sour flavor instantly masked the goat milk aftertaste, and Liu Yimian finally stopped holding his breath.

After breakfast, Liu Yimian did the dishes while Ji Wei packed up the donuts.

Seeing the way Ji Wei was preparing to head out, Liu Yimian figured he had plans. But they had arranged for some short-term workers to come by this morning—where was Ji Wei planning to go?

“When Zhao Hu arrives, you’re coming with me,” Ji Wei said.

“Me?” Liu Yimian pointed to himself, surprised.

“Yes, you. We’re going to the Zhang household.”

Liu Yimian studied Ji Wei’s expression, realizing he wasn’t joking, though he couldn’t quite understand.

“But why do I need to go?” He was nervous about entering a prominent household like the Zhang family, worried he’d embarrass Ji Wei.

“I wouldn’t put you in an uncomfortable situation. Don’t worry.”

Not long after, Zhao Hu arrived.

Zhao Hu was an honest and steady man, tall and powerfully built, which gave him a natural air of authority. Among the short-term workers, he was even more respected than Ji Wei.

With Zhao Hu there, Ji Wei felt at ease. He grabbed the packed bag of donuts and led Liu Yimian out, heading straight to West Second Alley.

When they arrived at the Zhang family’s home, a young servant was outside sweeping leaves. Seeing Ji Wei approach, the servant’s face showed a mix of disdain.

“What are you doing here?” he asked.

“Delivering something,” Ji Wei replied, raising the oil-paper package in his hand. Recognizing the familiar wrapping, the servant understood. Although reluctant, he stepped aside to let Ji Wei in.

However, when Liu Yimian tried to follow, the servant blocked him.

“Who’s this? The steward only said you could come. No mention of bringing anyone.”

The servant had gotten scolded by the steward because of Ji Wei once before, and ever since, he’d disliked him. Given the chance to make things difficult, he wasn’t about to let it slip by.

“In the future, I might not have time, and he’ll help with deliveries. It wouldn’t hurt for the steward to get familiar with his face, don’t you think?” Ji Wei said, flashing the servant a friendly smile.

Unable to argue, the servant sulked but let Ji Wei bring Liu Yimian inside.