Moreover, with Panpan intentionally egging her on out of concern for her ailing father, Lin Siyu finally came to the Rice Flower Fragrance to give the pastries here a try.
Yet unexpectedly, before she could even taste the pastries, she saw the person she despised most in her life. And to make matters worse, that despicable person kept saying that she was the one who opened the Rice Flower Fragrance!
Although she had seen a letter from her mother before, saying that this Little Disaster Star had somehow stumbled into good fortune, with her family building a new house and apparently starting a business,
in Lin Siyu’s view, the business in question was nothing more than a street stall selling trifling knick-knacks.
That’s why she was so shocked and incredulous to hear such a claim now.
The kind of loss of composure she was exhibiting now had rarely occurred since she entered the Li Mansion. Yet Lin Yuan found her current expression especially delightful, even more so than when she had frightened her earlier.
You think you can look down on me? Didn’t you constantly refer to me as Little Disaster Star? Now, the Little Disaster Star you speak of has opened a thriving shop. Oh, and there’s also a tofu shop. I wonder if she would be so astonished to learn that the tofu that goes for ten taels a plate at the Fuman Building also belongs to this same Little Disaster Star, that her jaw would drop and never be able to be put back in place?
Perhaps because her mood had been affected earlier by the incident with Ma Xiaoqian and Xie Zhiyuan, Lin Yuan found herself particularly enjoying seeking joy from Lin Siyu’s reactions.
Thinking back on how this woman had once blatantly seduced Xia Zheng in front of her, Lin Yuan’s attitude towards her turned even colder. It didn’t seem like much before, but things were different now: Xia Zheng was her man, and no one was to take him away from her. Not even seduction would be allowed!
"Maternal Aunt Lin seems to doubt my words," Lin Yuan said, smiling.
Lin Yuan waved her hands at Liang Zi and the others behind her, and the ever-astute Liang Zi immediately understood what his boss intended. Carrying a tray, he hurried over with a nod and a bow, saying effusively, "Madam, what may I do for you?"
Lin Yuan shuddered imperceptibly at Liang Zi’s exaggerated sycophancy, which gave her the chills. She pointed at Lin Siyu and said, "This lady here is an old friend of mine, from now on, whenever this Madam comes to our store, all items will be sold at a twenty percent discount, did you get that?"
Liang Zi nodded and bowed exaggeratedly, repeatedly affirming his understanding.
Lin Siyu’s face felt as though she had been slapped several times, burning with shame. Not to mention that she was a Little Concubine, not even worthy of the title Madam. And even ’old friend’ as referenced by Lin Yuan embarrassed her; they used to be cousins, and now they were merely ’friends’.
Truth be told, Lin Siyu did feel some regret—if she had not looked down on the Little Disaster Star, if she had not targeted her at every turn, could she now take advantage of the boasted discounts, proudly enjoying the markdown each time she visited?
Of course, there’s no such thing as medicine for regret.
"Hmph, Little Disaster Star, don’t pretend to be the good person here. I, Lin Siyu, will never patronize your shop! Who knows if the pastries here are all inferior, poisonous products! Just wait, if I find any fault with your store, I’ll make sure it can never operate again!"
After dropping her threatening words, Lin Siyu swung her sleeves vigorously and turned to leave.
Just as she had reached the counter, by accident or design, Panpan, hurriedly moving, carelessly bumped into Lin Siyu.
Already irritated, Lin Siyu felt a sudden jolt from the bump, and her body involuntarily lurched towards the counter, which was sturdy and wide enough for her to just manage to steady herself.