TATSD Chapter 93

In the town of Daxi, at the Chen family estate.

Chen Mingsheng stared at the cookies, mooncakes, and croissants arranged on the table. He had just had them bought from the Zhang family’s shop. When cookies first became popular, he had tried them before, but they were sold by the Lin family. He wasn’t particularly fond of their hard texture and didn’t give them much thought.

After all, no matter what the Lin family did, they weren’t much of a threat to the Chen family.

“Master! Master! Something’s wrong!” The Chen family steward came running in, nearly tripping over the doorstep. By the time he reached Chen Mingsheng, he was a mess.

“What’s so urgent? Can’t you take it slow?” Chen Mingsheng was already in a bad mood, and seeing the steward all flustered made him even angrier. He slammed his hand on the table, startling the steward.

“Master, this can’t wait!” The steward clutched his chest, still catching his breath. “I just got back from outside, and I saw… I saw a new shop has opened on Yongle Street!”

“What’s so strange about that? When one shop goes out of business, another one opens. What’s the big deal?” Chen Mingsheng reached for his teacup, blew on the hot tea, and grumbled, “You’ve been the steward here for over a decade. How have you still not learned to stay calm?”

“It’s a bakery! It’s the Zhang family’s!”

The steward blurted it all out in one breath. Chen Mingsheng’s hand slipped, and the teacup fell to the ground, shattering into pieces. Hot tea splashed onto his legs, but he didn’t seem to notice. He jumped up and grabbed the steward by the collar, shouting, “What did you say? Say it again! Are you sure you didn’t see wrong?”

“I’m sure! I even asked the workers. It’s the Zhang family’s shop!”

“That’s impossible! How could they open another shop so soon? Does the Zhang family even have the capability for that?” Chen Mingsheng’s mind was spinning.

His family had been in business for three generations, and it took them years to establish four bakeries in Daxi. The town was large, about the size of two neighboring towns combined, and there were already several bakeries in town. The Chen family only managed to sustain four shops through years of hard work.

Opening a shop wasn’t the hard part. If it were that easy, Chen Mingsheng could open three or four in a day. But keeping a shop profitable—now that was the real challenge.

Chen Mingsheng calmed down as his thoughts cleared. He figured that the old man from the Zhang family must have lost his mind from the pressure of his recent low prices and made a rash decision. Otherwise, why would he dare to open a bakery and challenge the Chen family?

Didn’t he know there was already a Chen family bakery on Yongle Street?

A new shop couldn’t possibly compete with his long-established one. The old man was losing his wits.

“Prepare the carriage for me. I’m going to check out Yongle Street.” The steward hurried to find the driver, and by the time Chen Mingsheng reached the door, the carriage was already waiting.

Yongle Street was a prime location. It was bustling with life, just a short walk through an alley from the county school. Lined with shops and crowded with street vendors, it was the busiest area in town and home to the Chen family’s most profitable bakery.

Chen Mingsheng stopped by his shop first, flipping through last month’s account books and questioning the manager about the new Zhang family bakery.

The manager was just as nervous, knowing why Chen Mingsheng had come. “It’s only been a few days. The place used to be a bun shop, but it’s been empty for a while after going out of business. No one wanted it because it was small and cramped. Then suddenly, a big group showed up and made a big deal out of it. Now everyone passing by knows a new shop is opening.”

The shop hadn’t even opened yet, but it was already making waves.

Chen Mingsheng asked a few more questions before hurrying to the location of the new Zhang family shop. He stood at the entrance, watching the workers. Most of the place didn’t need much remodeling; the workers were busy tearing out the old stoves and building new counters, with wood chips flying everywhere.

“How long do you think this will take?” Chen Mingsheng approached a man nearby and started a conversation.

“The owner says as soon as possible, within ten days.”

“In such a hurry?”

“Yeah, but it’s not too complicated. I’d say they’ll be done in two or three more days.”

“Mingsheng?”

Chen Mingsheng was deep in thought when someone called his name. He looked up and saw a familiar face—Lin Yaozu.

“You’re here too?” Chen Mingsheng walked over to him, and the two clasped arms and found a nearby teahouse to sit down in, ordering some snacks.

“Just checking things out. Didn’t expect to run into you.”

The two were both in the same business, so they knew each other well. They frequently crossed paths and had a good relationship.

“You used to sell cookies, didn’t you? How did they end up in the Zhang family’s shop?” Chen Mingsheng was puzzled. He couldn’t figure it out.

But this was a sore spot for Lin Yaozu.

He had originally sold cookies on behalf of Ji Wei, and business had been booming because he was the only one in town offering them. The unique flavor made them a hit. But one day, Ji Wei suddenly revoked his exclusive sales rights and told him that the Zhang family would be handling it from then on. Lin had no choice but to swallow his pride and accept the loss.

He had tried to negotiate with the Zhang family’s patriarch, but they refused to budge. Now, he could only watch as the Zhang family’s business thrived.

“Don’t bring it up. I was just selling on someone else’s behalf. Now they’ve partnered with the Zhang family, and they don’t care about my little shop anymore.” Lin Yaozu forced a bitter smile.

“Who is this person? They must be pretty influential,” Chen Mingsheng said, astonished. He regretted spending so many years coasting along, only checking the account books monthly and paying little attention to the business. Now, someone so capable had emerged, and he hadn’t even noticed. It made him feel ashamed.

“It’s that guy who makes mooncakes, Ji Wei. Have you heard of him?”

“It’s him!”

The mooncakes were a sensation during the Mid-Autumn Festival, spreading across several towns. In the pastry industry, there wasn’t a soul who hadn’t heard of it. If you mentioned anything else, people might be slow to catch on, but mention mooncakes, and even if they didn’t remember his name, everyone knew there was such a person.

“Of course, I’ve heard of him—who hasn’t? So it’s him? That guy’s a real talent!”

“Exactly! Why else would Old Master Zhang team up with a young man like him?”

“How young?”

“Early twenties, I think.”

“What?!” Chen Mingsheng was shocked. He never would’ve guessed that a man in his early twenties could stir up such upheaval in the pastry world. If he kept growing like this, would there even be room for someone like Chen Mingsheng in the industry in the future?

The thought sent a chill down his spine.

“No, Yaozu, we can’t just sit and wait. No matter what it takes, I have to give it a shot.” Chen Mingsheng had no idea what kind of deal Zhang’s family had made, but he had to try to recruit this young talent. After all, the Zhang family may have made their fortune in the rice business, but they weren’t specialized in pastries like he was. If Chen’s family had someone like Ji Wei, it would be like giving wings to a tiger. Words couldn’t describe how fast they’d rise.

“You’re right, Mingsheng.” But it wouldn’t be that easy.

Lin Yaozu gave a bitter smile.

He’d dealt with Ji Wei before and knew what kind of person he was. For someone who could so decisively revoke exclusive sales rights, getting him to change his mind now would be no easy feat.

After saying goodbye to Lin Yaozu, the more Chen Mingsheng thought about it, the more restless he became. He had the butler prepare a grand gift and, with the carriage driver, set off the next day straight for Changliu Town to find Ji Wei.

In a lecture hall, Liu Yimian sat distracted during the ethics class.

“Something on your mind?” Zhao Mianguang followed beside Liu Yimian, holding a book, his face showing concern.

“What’s there to be concerned about? Maybe he’s lovesick,” Lin Tai teased as he ran off, dodging Liu Yimian’s playful swat.

“Look at that! You hit a nerve, and now he’s embarrassed!” Lin Tai laughed.

Zhao Mianguang’s face darkened, clearly displeased, as he strode ahead, distancing himself from Liu Yimian.

But at that moment, it wasn’t Ji Wei on Liu Yimian’s mind. When he saw Liu Chengyin coming out of the school, he quickly walked up and tugged at his sleeve, pulling him into a corner.

“Big brother, don’t avoid me.” Liu Yimian’s large eyes were full of worry. A few days ago, while helping him with his studies, Liu Chengyin had accidentally revealed some bruises on his body.

Liu Yimian had wanted to ask about them ever since, but Liu Chengyin had been evasive, refusing to talk and even avoiding him. Now that he had the chance to corner him, Liu Yimian was determined to get some answers.

“Those bruises on your body—was it Father who hit you, or… was it her?” Liu Yimian stared at him intensely. Liu Chengyin hesitated for a moment before sighing in defeat.

“Why do you need to ask? It’s already done.”

Seeing his expression, a surge of anger rose in Liu Yimian’s chest. “Was it her?”

Liu Chengyin nodded and took hold of Liu Yimian’s hand. “Don’t worry, I can handle it.”

“Why would she hit you?! Didn’t Father stop her?”

“Father borrowed money from Lord Zhou, the moneylender, and now he can’t repay it. She came to me for money, but I didn’t have it, so…” Liu Chengyin trailed off, but Liu Yimian’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Father borrowed from a loan shark? How could he be so foolish?” Liu Yimian pressed his lips together tightly. Seeing curious onlookers around, he pulled Liu Chengyin toward the school dorms. “Let’s talk inside.”

Once they reached the dorm, Liu Yimian had a plan.

“I’m not skilled or strong, I can’t lift or carry, and my calligraphy and painting are nothing special. I have no way to help Father financially. But big brother, you can move in here and live with me. That way, she won’t be able to hit you anymore!”

“It’s better not. You’re part of the Ji family now, and it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to stay here…” Liu Chengyin’s words made Liu Yimian fall silent.

“Don’t worry too much, Yimian. I’m older than you; I’ll figure things out.” Liu Chengyin gently ruffled Liu Yimian’s hair affectionately. “Honestly, leaving the Liu family was the best thing for you. You don’t have to worry about these things anymore.”

After a moment of hesitation, Liu Yimian quietly said, “Big brother, I suddenly feel thirsty. Could you boil some water for me?”

“Of course, just wait a moment.”

Liu Chengyin grabbed a kettle and left the room. As soon as he stepped out, he pressed his ear against the wall, listening closely to what was happening inside. A person like Liu Yimian would never ask him to boil water, so he knew there had to be another reason.

Once Liu Chengyin was gone, Liu Yimian cautiously took a string of coins from a box of books and hid the rest carefully. After making sure no one was watching, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Although Liu Chengyin’s words had stirred compassion in Liu Yimian’s heart, he could only help within his limited means. Fortunately, Liu Yimian had always been frugal. Aside from a few extra expenses when he first entered the academy, he lived simply, often skipping meals or surviving on plain buns and pastries. He only indulged in a meat dish every four or five meals, spending very little money.

Of the two taels he had left from enrollment, there was still more than one tael remaining. He couldn’t touch the other money, as it was meant to be returned to Ji Wei the next time they met. But this one tael, he dared to use.

When Liu Chengyin returned with the hot water, Liu Yimian handed him the tael of silver.

At first, Liu Chengyin refused repeatedly, but eventually, overwhelmed by Liu Yimian’s insistence, he accepted it. As he left, he kept apologizing, thanking Liu Yimian for worrying about him.

Only after he was far away did Liu Chengyin’s face break into a satisfied smile.