Chapter 167
"Now is not the season for osmanthus to bloom, and this osmanthus powder is also bought from the supermarket, so naturally, it can’t compare to the traditional, authentic osmanthus cake. The osmanthus cake from Jiangsu Laiyang is a major specialty; of course, it can’t be matched. Cheng, how does it taste?"
Zheng Xinru spoke softly and gently, like a clear brook trickling out. Even if the osmanthus cake was not to one’s taste, hearing her voice, one couldn’t bear to criticize.
After finishing a piece, Dong Cheng seemed to want more. He licked his fingers and with an embarrassed smile said, "Boss Zheng is being too modest. It’s true I am from Jiangsu, but I grew up here in Imperial City since I was a kid. I’ve only heard about the flavor of osmanthus cake from my grandma. Speaking of which, this pastry’s skill of yours, tsk tsk, is really something." Dong Cheng gave a thumbs-up gesture as he wiped the grease from his mouth.
A merchant’s mouth can sound pleasant or unpleasant; sometimes they curse you while smiling, a smile even more delighted than seeing one’s own parents. Zheng Xinru wasn’t a naïve girl of seventeen or eighteen, nor a young woman just out of school in her twenties. She had met hundreds and thousands like Dong Cheng, and she was tired of this kind of opening speech.
"Cheng, I called you here this time because I need your help with something."
Ye Tian saw Dong Cheng’s eyes narrow slightly in the moment he lowered his head to wipe his mouth with the napkin, his entire face turned downwards—a brief escape from the awkwardness, although he quickly put on a smiling face. But all these movements had already been noticed by others.
"Hahaha, Boss Zheng is too polite. We’re very good partners, and partnership is naturally about helping each other out."
Dong Cheng looked around. Ye Tian was watching him with a smile, naturally not taking this greenhorn seriously. Dong Cheng then turned his attention back to Zheng Xinru, "Boss Zheng, what do you need my help with? As long as it’s something I, Dong Cheng, can assist with, I will certainly do my part. Eunuch Rui also helped me a lot in his time, now that he’s gone, I naturally should take more care of matters."