Chapter 11: A Fondness Between Men?

Shen Xiuyan nodded. “By the way, I’m also buying sugarcane—one wen for five jin. I’ll take as much as you have.”

“What!” The village chief screamed again. “Are you sure it’s that unwanted sugarcane?”

“I’m sure.”

“Good, good, good, I’ll go spread the word right away.” Even the sugarcane no one wanted could be sold—if this news got out, people would go crazy.

Not to mention that he, as the one who made this happen, would become even more respected in the village.

Just like that, the simple sugar workshop was smoothly established.

Within a few days, hundreds of jin of sugar were piled up in his house. Looking at the heap of sugar, Shen Xiuyan felt it was time to make a name for himself.

He hired many villagers to carry stalls and hawk the sugar in the county.

Of course, only brown sugar was for sale—white sugar was only for display.

As for the price of the brown sugar, it was sold at twenty wen per jin, just as Zhou Shi had suggested. It sold like crazy, and the entire stock was gone in less time than it took to burn one incense stick.

Those who managed to buy some were smug, while those who didn’t were so angry they could wake up from their dreams.

It was just too cheap. Where else could you get sugar this cheap? Not buying it felt like a loss.

Sure enough, within a day, someone came to talk to Shen Xiuyan about a deal.

Following the principle of selling to the highest bidder, Shen Xiuyan decided to wait. Once more people showed up, he could even hold an auction and maximize his profits.

Over the next few days, more and more merchants came knocking. Shen Xiuyan finally agreed to meet with everyone the day after tomorrow.

As for why not tomorrow—

Because tomorrow he was taking desserts made with that white sugar into the county to please the one in his heart.

Just as Shen Xiuyan expected, the moment Su Mingyue saw the white sugar, she was so captivated by its pure appearance that she couldn’t take her eyes off it.

She couldn’t help but praise, “Brother Shen, you’re amazing! You actually managed to create something like this—you’re ten thousand times better than my father!”

Shen Xiuyan, pleased by the compliment from someone he liked, grew a little smug. “It’s nothing, really. Mingyue, hurry and try this. This is a dessert made with the white sugar. I call it ‘cake.’ See if it tastes good?”

“Mm, delicious. It’s especially soft and fluffy—I love it.” Su Mingyue took a bite and smiled with squinting eyes.

“As long as you like it. There’s more here—if you can’t finish it, take it home. I’ll make more for you later.”

“You’re the best, Brother Shen.” Su Mingyue looked as cute as a kitten while eating, and even remembered to flash him a bright smile.

Shen Xiuyan blushed. Shen Xiuyan’s heart fluttered.

All his hard work—wasn’t it just for this radiant smile from the one he loved?

So happy~

A warm golden glow from the setting sun filled the sky, casting a soft warmth over the land.

Su Mingyue skipped home joyfully and saw her father sitting in the front hall.

So she called out, “Father.”

Master Su, deep in thought, snapped back to reality. “Ah, Mingyue, you’re back. What’s that in your hand?”

It was made by Brother Shen himself, and Su Mingyue wasn’t really in the mood to share. She shrank her hand back and mumbled softly, “It’s nothing.”

The more she acted like this, the more curious Master Su became.

“Sure enough, daughters side with others once they grow up.” He exaggeratedly clutched his chest in mock heartbreak—he was a master at playing the pitiful card.

No one knew a daughter better than her father, and Su Mingyue totally fell for it. Reluctantly, she walked over. “Fine, I’ll let you see it…”

Master Su grinned mischievously as he opened the basket and was surprised by the desserts inside.

“What is this? I’ve never seen it before.”

Su Mingyue murmured, “It’s called cake. It’s made with that trendy white sugar.”

Gasp “So it’s that.”

He’d been curious about that white sugar too, but unfortunately, they weren’t selling it—just showing it off. He had no idea where his daughter managed to get some.

He picked up a piece, broke off a corner, and popped it into his mouth. The rich, soft texture exploded across his palate—delicious indeed. No wonder his daughter hadn’t wanted to share.

Watching from the side, Su Mingyue frowned with distress. This was made by Shen Lang—it was so precious!

Every bite meant less of it, and she couldn’t even bear to eat it herself, yet her father had just taken a huge bite so casually.

She wanted to cry!

Looking at his daughter’s little face all scrunched up in distress, Master Su chuckled and put the rest back in the basket.

“Alright, I’ll give it back to you. Don’t frown. But this cake really tastes great, and the texture is unique. Where did you buy it? Get more tomorrow and bring a few pieces for your father.”

Miss Su stomped her foot. “It was a gift. You can’t buy it. I’m not talking to you anymore—I’m going back to my room.”

She was afraid her father would snatch the remaining pieces in the basket if he heard that.

Master Su watched her retreating figure and shook his head helplessly.

Then he slowly looked down, staring at the last piece of cake in his hand.

He hadn’t expected that white sugar could make such delicious cakes—far better than anything sold in pastry shops now. If they could secure this sugar, the Su family business would surely rise to a new level.

With that thought, a shiver ran through him. He had to get that white sugar tomorrow—no matter what!

The next day, just as Master Su had expected, all the wealthy and prominent merchants in the county had gathered there.

Even Zhao Dashi’s father, Zhao Shilin—who Master Su had just recently taught a lesson—was present.

When Zhao Shilin saw Master Su walk in, he sneered insincerely. “Oh? What wind blew Boss Su in? With your background, I’d think you’d look down on what’s being offered today.”

Zhao Shilin was full of resentment. All Da Bao did was make a few jokes—was it really worth coming down so hard on them?

Thanks to the pressure from Master Su, the Zhao family’s business had shrunk by half in just a few days!

Fortunately, he had latched onto a new powerful backer, or the Zhao family would’ve been finished.

In the past, he wouldn’t have dared to speak so sarcastically to Master Su. But now that he had someone new behind him—who was afraid of who? After all, even a dog’s master should be respected before making a move.

Master Su narrowed his eyes and gave him a chilling look. Jokes? He dared call words that could ruin his daughter’s reputation “jokes”? Clearly, he hadn’t struck hard enough last time.

He snorted coldly and casually found a place to sit, not even sparing Zhao Shilin another glance.

As if the man in front of him were just empty air.

“You—”

Zhao Shilin could only rage helplessly.

Everyone present was sharp and savvy, and most of them knew each other. One smooth-talking merchant quickly stepped in. “Come now, calm down—everyone. Don’t forget why we’re here today. Whatever else, save it for later.”

The newly emerged brown sugar on the market was fine—it was just cheap—but that snowy white sugar, no one had ever seen anything like it, making it incredibly rare and valuable.

If they could get their hands on it today, it might open doors in the capital. That made today’s meeting a big deal—no one wanted to cause trouble now.

Sure enough, Zhao Shilin fell silent after flinging his sleeve in frustration.

After a brief wait, Shen Xiuyan arrived.

The moment the server opened the private room door, his eyelid twitched.

Not because there were many people here today, but because he’d spotted the father of his beloved at once—his future father-in-law.

Oh no, Shen Xiuyan panicked. He was on the verge of bolting.

He wasn’t ready to meet the in-laws yet!!!

But at this point, there was no backing out. He was stuck, unable to retreat, momentarily frozen…

“Young Master Shen?” a merchant called out, sounding slightly flattering.

Snapping back to his senses, Shen Xiuyan gave a calm, ethereal smile. Then he straightened his back, trying to present his best self.

The merchant who’d called him: “?”

Why did it feel like Young Master Shen suddenly put on a display…

Could it be that someone with a fondness for men had taken a liking to him?

At that thought, he shuddered and quietly scooted back a little.