Chapter 23: Secret Meeting with Her Beloved

Shen Xiuyan thought for a moment and added, “But these cakes don’t keep well, so for now they can only be sold within our county. If we work together long enough, maybe other opportunities will arise.”

Before that, he needed to see if his uncle and aunt were suited to this business.

He didn’t dare expand rashly—if the two of them weren’t a good fit, it could drag the Su Family down.

Master Su said, “That’s fine. The Su Family has many restaurants in the county. Let’s start selling in those.”

And just like that, the two sides happily agreed on their future partnership, and Master Su warmly invited them to stay for lunch.

Halfway through the meal, Shen Xiuyan caught sight of Cui Cui pacing back and forth near the doorway, so he quickly made an excuse about going to the latrine and left the table.

Once he was gone, his uncle and aunt grew even more nervous.

They stared eagerly at the door, waiting for their nephew to return and rescue them from this sea of suffering.

Master Su’s face looked so kind and amiable—so why were they so scared?

Noticing their gaze, Master Su smiled and tilted his head. “What’s wrong? Don’t just sit there—come try this fish, fresh from the north.”

“Yes, yes.” The two buried their heads and shoveled rice into their mouths.

Master Su chuckled in satisfaction. He liked working with honest folk like this.

Outside, in a secluded corner, Shen Xiuyan dismissed the servant guiding him. Cui Cui immediately came over.

Shen Xiuyan asked, “Miss Cui Cui, is Mingyue looking for me?”

Cui Cui nodded. “Yes. Please follow me, Young Master Shen.”

After checking that no one was around, she quietly led him to an even more secluded spot.

“Shen Lang!” Su Mingyue beamed with joy when she saw him. “I didn’t expect to see you today!”

Shen Xiuyan smiled. “Me neither. I’m very happy to see you.”

“Come here—since you happened to come today, this is the green robe I had made for you. Try it on and see if it fits.”

Shen Xiuyan had shown up at just the right time—Su Mingyue’s custom order had just arrived, sparing her the trouble of looking for him.

That’s why she boldly had Cui Cui bring him over.

Hehe, this feels just like one of those romance stories where lovers meet in secret.

So thrilling!

Shen Xiuyan obediently started trying on the robe.

Dressed in a green robe, the young man was so strikingly handsome that Su Mingyue was momentarily stunned.

No wonder he was the man she had her eyes on! He was just that good-looking!

While Su Mingyue was mesmerized, Shen Xiuyan touched the fabric and instantly knew it was expensive.

He couldn’t help but feel a guilty thrill—was this what it felt like to live off a rich woman?

Suddenly, he didn’t want to struggle anymore. He just wanted to enjoy this easy life.

But Su Mingyue’s next words interrupted his thoughts.

“You really do look more like a scholar in green robes than those actual students!” she said, clenching her fists. “I hope this robe helps you go even further in the next exam!”

Shen Xiuyan: “…”

Alright, the dream of freeloading was shattered.

He still had to work hard for the imperial exams!

He swore he would pass the provincial exam and marry a rich, beautiful woman!

Shen Xiuyan nodded vigorously. “I’ll do my best!”

“Go for it, Shen Lang! You’re the best!” Su Mingyue showered him with praise, completely free of charge.

Cui Cui could barely watch—these two were acting like she didn’t even exist. Again.

She finally spoke up, deadpan. “Miss, it’s almost time. I need to take Young Master Shen back now.”

“Okay, okay! Shen Lang, take off the robe. I’ll have Cui Cui leave it at the bookstore later. Make sure you pick it up.”

Afraid of getting caught, Su Mingyue hurriedly urged him while helping him remove the outer robe.

The moment her soft fingers brushed against his abs, both of them flushed bright red.

Su Mingyue: Shen Lang’s body is amazing… he has abs… slurp

Shen Xiuyan: Mingyue’s fingers are so soft…

Both: faces flushed.

Cui Cui: I can’t bear to watch this!

If I’d known, I wouldn’t have said anything—I just gave them a moment of intimacy!

Ugh! Always flaunting their love!

Well, I can do that too! Oh wait, no I can’t… I don’t have anyone to flaunt love with…

No problem. I’ll just go find someone right now!!!

When Master Su saw Shen Xiuyan return with a spring in his step, he asked in surprise, “Oh? Young Master Shen, did you go to the latrine or a field of blossoms? You look positively radiant.”

The blissfully grinning Shen Xiuyan instantly shrank back, trembling.

“Hehe~” He laughed foolishly, not daring to answer.

After the meal, Shen Xiuyan and his group took their leave. Naturally, he didn’t forget to pick up Mingyue’s lovingly prepared robe from the bookstore.

When they returned home, seeing how cheerful everyone looked, Aunt Zhou pulled her sister-in-law aside and asked, “What did Xiuyan take you two to do?”

The aunt smiled shyly. “Xiuyan wants me to start making cakes to sell. He’s already found a buyer. We just need to handle production and delivery.”

Worried Zhou might be upset, she quickly added, “I plan to give half of what I earn to Xiuyan to help cover his expenses when he goes to the capital for the exams!”

Zhou smiled and patted her hand. “Oh, no need for that. It’s wonderful that Xiuyan’s willing to help you earn money. You’ve helped us plenty in the past—now it’s our turn to repay a bit. You keep whatever you earn. Once the sugar profits come in, Xiuyan won’t be lacking for exam money.”

Her aunt was moved. “Sister, you…”

“Alright, alright. No need to get emotional—we’re family.” Zhou thought for a moment, then asked, “Is the buyer Xiuyan introduced easy to deal with? I hope you won’t be taken advantage of.”

After all, she knew what her relatives were like—soft as steamed buns. If they weren’t careful, they might get bullied instead of making money.

“Oh, he’s extremely kind!” Her aunt lit up with pride. “You’ll never guess where Xiuyan took us!”

“Where?” Zhou asked curiously.

“Su Family!”

“It can’t be the Su Family I’m thinking of…” Zhou Shi stared in disbelief.

“Yes, it’s exactly the Su Family you’re thinking of! I was scared to death when we went!” Zhou Shi clutched her chest. “But I didn’t expect Master Su to be so kind and easy to talk to, and his daughter doesn’t have the temperament of a spoiled young lady at all. Her smile is sweet, just like a fairy from the heavens. I really don’t know what kind of lucky man will get to marry her.”

“That’s good, that’s very good.” Zhou Shi was finally at ease, but also a little gossipy. “Is Miss Su really as beautiful as you say?”

“She is. That phrase ‘delicate as a flower’ must have been made for her!”

“Oh my, she must be quite the beauty. I can’t even imagine it.”

The aunt smiled with her lips pursed. “There’s still a long life ahead. Maybe you’ll get to see her one day.”

“Yes, yes.”

At that moment, Zhou Shi had already formed an image in her mind of the Su Family’s young lady as beautiful and kind-hearted, a fairy-like figure.

While the two women chatted idly, not far away, Shen Xiuyan was giving instructions to his uncle.

He first shared his thoughts. “Once you get the hang of making the cakes, you can start experimenting—like adding fruit or dried berries as decoration. You can think about it as you go.”

“As for why I taught you first and not Auntie, it’s because I don’t know what her family is like. If they’re difficult, they might try to get in on the profits later. If that happens, just say the recipe is in my hands and can’t be shared. Say it’s so secret that revealing it would land someone in Great Prison. The more serious it sounds, the better—they won’t trouble you then.”

Uncle immediately understood—this was his nephew giving him a way out.

He was deeply moved. The words “My nephew is the best” flashed in his mind.

But he still wanted to clear things up for his wife’s family. “You’ve probably been too busy to know, but your aunt is the only child left in her family. She had a younger brother who died of illness when they were young, so there are no troublesome relatives.”

“I see. In that case, you two can work on this together,” Shen Xiuyan said with a satisfied nod.