"Miss Ma, rest assured, as long as you don’t need too many wedding pastries, we can certainly prepare them for you. Right, Madam?"
Mo Sanniang, fearing Lin Yuan would refuse, quickly grabbed her sleeve and tugged hard, desperately gesturing with her eyes.
Lin Yuan felt helpless, since Mo Sanniang herself had already put it that way, what else could she refuse?
"We would also love to do business with Miss Ma; however, please make sure to confirm the date and number of wedding pastries as soon as you get home, so we have time to rush the job and get them ready." Lin Yuan nodded, smiling as a reminder to Ma Xiaonan, thereby agreeing to the business.
Ma Xiaonan clapped her hands joyfully and turned to leave the shop. She ran while calling out delightedly, "Alright, I’ll go to my cousin’s and ask about the date and quantity right now. Boss Lin, wait for me, I’ll be back soon."
Watching her get into the carriage in a hurry and urging the coachmen to leave quickly, Liuzi and the others couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
However, Lin Yuan and Mo Sanniang couldn’t muster a smile. They exchanged a look and tacitly walked towards the back hall.
Only when they were alone did Lin Yuan let out a sigh and looked steadily at Mo Sanniang, "Did you know they were getting married?"
Mo Sanniang gave a wry smile and shook her head, then nodded. "I guessed as much, just didn’t expect it so soon."
"Then why did you do that just now? Clearly didn’t want to accept, yet have to prepare a wedding gift for them? This, how can one bear it!"
Looking at Mo Sanniang’s forlorn expression, Lin Yuan became distressed and grabbed her hand. She didn’t want to accept Ma Xiaonan’s business not only because of Mo Sanniang’s feelings but also because she didn’t want to give her wedding pastries to someone she disliked. Such people don’t deserve her wedding pastries, nor do they deserve the blessings of Rice Flower Fragrance.
Mo Sanniang knew Lin Yuan didn’t want to make her sad, but since she had already let go, why dwell on the wedding pastries? Besides, she wasn’t the one making them; Mo Sanniang didn’t want Lin Yuan to lose such a big deal over her.
Ma Family Manor, she didn’t know about it before, but since Xiaoqian’s visit that day, she had made a point of inquiring: rich and well-connected, no wonder the old lady valued this future daughter-in-law so much.
"Sister, I understand your kindness. But I can’t let my personal affairs interfere with your business. Listen to me, sister," she said as she patted Lin Yuan’s hand, signaling her to listen patiently.
Seeing Lin Yuan about to interject, Mo Sanniang continued, "Besides, I’ve seen him and his family for who they truly are. Even if they wanted me as a little concubine, not to mention friends, it’s out of the question now. Since I’ve let go, what does it matter if we accept one order from them? It’s not like I’m the one making the wedding pastries anyway. Don’t worry, since I let you take the order, it means I’m not bothered by it, and I’m certainly not blaming you. Ah, don’t worry about it. When Ma Xiaonan returns, you just happily accept the business. Being able to strike such a good deal on the opening day, that’s what you call a great start!"
As Mo Sanniang spoke, she even managed a laugh.
Lin Yuan looked closely at her, sensing that the smile wasn’t forced, and felt much relieved. Considering her encounter with Xie Zhiyuan that morning, Lin Yuan, after much deliberation, chose not to mention it. Now that she knew they were getting married in a month, bringing it up would only add to the sadness.
Seeing Mo Sanniang wasn’t in the best spirits, Lin Yuan suggested she rest in the back hall, while she herself went to the front of the shop.
But as soon as she approached the door, she heard a voice that was too familiar to be mistaken.
"Panpan, is this the new Rice Flower Fragrance shop you mentioned? Are their pastries really that good? They look decent enough, but I wonder how they taste?"
Lin Yuan’s lips curled into a smile, she hadn’t expected that on the first day of opening her shop, she would welcome so many familiar faces.