Chapter 122 - 123: Grand Opening
"But to kick the youngest out of the clan entirely... isn’t that a bit too harsh?" Gu Yuanjin was still dwelling on their brotherly bond, wondering if there was any way to salvage the situation.
Gu Wenheng said, "Eldest Brother, the fact that you’ve come here to ask me this... does it mean you think this is all my fault?"
Seeing Gu Yuanjin’s silence, Gu Wenheng knew he’d guessed correctly. "I wasn’t the one who told the youngest to accept that gift of gratitude. Nor was I the one who told him to play both sides, coming back to scheme against his own flesh and blood, his own brothers.
Anyway, let me make this clear. We’re all brothers who have split the household. Helping each other out from time to time is fine. But if anyone tries to pull a fast one on me, I’ll tear their claws off before they can even try."
Gu Yuanhuo and Gu Yuanshui both shivered. They were usually the ones who clashed most with Seventh. ’This guy... he won’t use his dirty tricks on us in the future, will he?’
Gu Wenheng couldn’t care less what they were thinking. He had mostly achieved his goal for the day: not only had he removed a future threat, but he had also given a warning to those who didn’t know how to respect boundaries.
In the end, the brothers, who had arrived full of aggression, left with their tails between their legs.
Jin Qianqian glanced at the sky. "I wonder how Mother is doing over there. Should we go and see her?"
Gu Wenheng sighed. "Let’s go. Don’t mind how fiercely she scolds everyone. She’s probably the most heartbroken of all."
Jin Qianqian had been standing right beside Li Cuicui; of course she had sensed the sorrow radiating from the woman. Especially at the moment Gu Yuanlei walked away without a single glance back, it was as if she could hear Li Cuicui’s heart shatter.
Looking at Li Cuicui, who seemed to have aged years in an instant, Jin Qianqian finally understood. No matter how much a mother might verbally show her disdain, her love is the truest and most abundant.
"Who let you come over?" Gu Dashishi demanded, his face grim. "Are you satisfied now? Did you come here to gloat?"
Gu Wenheng retorted, "What is there for us to be satisfied about? If you hadn’t favored the youngest his whole life, he wouldn’t have become so utterly lawless."
Gu Dashishi pointed a finger at Gu Wenheng. "How is he lawless? He just asked you for a little Silver to help him out! It would have been one thing if you’d just refused to help, but you kicked your own blood brother out of the clan! The way I see it, you’re the lawless one! Do you have any respect for your father and mother anymore?"
Gu Wenheng had no desire to argue with the crazed old man. He placed the items he had brought for Li Cuicui in a corner and then announced his plans.
"Mother, my wife and I will be living in the county town for the most part. If you have some free time, you can come and stay with us for a few days. If you need anything, just have someone send us a message."
Li Cuicui looked up at Gu Wenheng. "Don’t listen to your father’s ramblings. I know what’s what. The youngest has been spoiled rotten by your father. Once he’s tasted some real hardship, he’ll realize just how absurd his choice today was.
And when you’re out in the world, you must keep your wits about you. Don’t just believe everything people tell you..."
"..."
＆
Back in their small courtyard in the county town, Jin Qianqian dove into her work. After a few days of cleaning up the storefront, a pastry shop began to take shape.
The fragrance wafting from the shop each day made passersby stop in their tracks to savor the scent.
Jin Qianqian was generous, arranging the results of her recent baking into small samples at the entrance and inviting everyone to have a free taste.
"What kind of pastries are these? They just melt in your mouth! Perfect for us old folks." Free samples always drew a crowd, and sure enough, people young and old had gathered around.
"Grandma, I want another one!" Even the little children couldn’t get enough, standing on their tiptoes to grab another sample.
Jin Qianqian was always patient with them. She would explain the different pastries and give the children another piece.
After a few days, a crowd would gather at the shop’s entrance whenever the sweet fragrance filled the air.
Gu Wenheng asked, "You’re opening for business tomorrow. Will you be able to manage?"
He asked this with a pang of guilt. He had watched Jin Qianqian bustling about these past few days, completely unable to help.
Jin Qianqian replied, "Of course I can. Don’t forget, I have Sister-in-law Xiang. She’s incredibly efficient. I only need to handle the mixing ratios and watch the baking time. She’s basically taken charge of everything else."
Sister-in-law Xiang was a relative introduced by their neighbor, Aunt Xiao. She was meticulous and quick, a huge help over the past few days.
"Well, you need to take care of yourself too. Don’t get overworked," Gu Wenheng said. "When it comes to earning Silver, you’ll have me to rely on in the future."
"That’s a given," Jin Qianqian said. "You’re the blue-chip stock I invested in, after all. I’m just waiting to sit back and reap the rewards.
But I can’t just be idle, or I’ll start growing weeds on me."
"..." Gu Wenheng stifled his laughter. "You mean grow *mold*, not weeds. Have you forgotten what happens when you let the lawn get too green???"
Jin Qianqian finally caught on. She grabbed a fistful of his hair and said through gritted teeth, "If my head ever turns into a field of green, I’ll mow it all down and pull out every last root!"
Gu Wenheng put his palms together, begging for mercy. "My dear wife, your husband’s innocent body is right here. I wouldn’t dare have any... colorful thoughts.
If you’re worried, you can inspect me to verify my innocence every day. I promise I won’t object."
Jin Qianqian: "..." ’Heh, does he just say whatever pops into his head?’
＆
Amidst the sound of beating gongs and drums, the first shop of Jin Qianqian’s life, "Good Eats, Good Fortune," officially opened for business.
Tray after tray of pastries were sold out and quickly restocked. Jin Qianqian and Sister-in-law Xiang were so busy they were run off their feet.
"Ma’am, another order of the chestnut cake! And that sponge cake, too! Weigh me out a few pounds of it!"
"A few pounds? What’s left for the rest of us to eat?
Ma’am, you can’t just sell it all to him! Everyone should get a share!"
Jin Qianqian glanced back at her stock. "There’s enough for everyone, don’t worry! Please, one at a time."
Just as she was deftly weighing out an order, a large hand took the scale from hers. "I’ll take over. You go to the back and get some rest."
Jin Qianqian looked up, pleasantly surprised. "Why are you back so early?"
Gu Wenheng replied, "My wife’s new shop is opening today. Of course I had to take half the day off. It would be shameful not to acknowledge all your hard work."
Jin Qianqian gestured for him to hurry up; there were still a few people waiting in line outside.
Once the last batch was sold and the final customer had left, Jin Qianqian collapsed unceremoniously onto a seat in the backyard.
"This is just too exhausting," Gu Wenheng said, his heart aching for her. "If it’s too much, just hire a couple more people. It’s not worth running yourself into the ground."
Jin Qianqian shook her head. "It’s only the first day. People are just coming for the novelty, and we’re running a promotion. That’s why it’s so busy.
In a few days, once the novelty wears off, business will settle down.
It’ll only be this tiring for a couple of days. I just have to push through it."
’No matter what,’ she thought, ’life now is much better than when we were fleeing the famine. At least we don’t have to hide just to eat, or sleep out in the elements.’