Panpan dug her nails into her palm, aware she couldn’t do as she wished. He was the eldest son of Master Magistrate, and she was just a little village girl, a maid. She had to be cunning, to use someone else’s hand to achieve her goal.
Now, an excellent opportunity laid before her. Panpan sneered, Maternal Aunt Lin, don’t blame me; It’s your own dishonest heart that’s to blame.
It was thought that there would be no more customers that morning, but unexpectedly, just before lunchtime, Rice Flower Fragrance welcomed a small group of customers who had heard the news and come. Though they only bought some moderately-priced pastries, the sheer number of people almost had Meng Liangdong’s hands glued to the abacus again.
Liuzi, having worked at Fuman Building, hurriedly ran to Lin Yuan after the customers left, pointed to the two young girls who had just left, and whispered with a laugh, "Boss, did you see those two maids clearly?"
Seeing that she hadn’t recognized them, Liuzi giggled and nudged her with his chin, "Do you remember the young ladies who came with Second Miss Jin this morning? Weren’t there two who made excuses about sore throats to avoid buying our pastries? Just now, those two were their maids. I remember them clearly; I’m positive I’m not mistaken."
Lin Yuan knew Liuzi’s skill in recognizing people; if he was confident enough to guarantee it, then he must be right.
Watching the eager look on Liuzi’s face, Lin Yuan couldn’t help but smile, "Perhaps their throats are better now, or they’re taking the pastries back for their families. Look at you, gossiping about customers behind their backs, is this what Shopkeeper Liu from Fuman Building taught you?"
Liuzi’s mouth drooped, and he pleaded with a clasping gesture, "Oh, my lady, you know I didn’t mean that, and still you tease me so. Fine, forget I said anything. I’m off to help in the kitchen."
Seeing him scamper off faster than a rabbit, Lin Yuan couldn’t help but laugh. However, thinking back to the morning’s events, she felt amused. Those two young ladies had quickly fawned over Jin Lingling and refrained from buying anything upon seeing her disapproving look. She had thought they really had integrity, but unexpectedly, they had sent people back to make purchases in secret; she wasn’t sure what to say.
But considering Lin Siyu’s persistent disdain for her that morning, Lin Yuan was certain that it wasn’t her, but Jin Lingling, who had bribed the robbers to waylay. Because she was not guilty, Lin Siyu was still cold and harsh towards her. And Jin Lingling, out of excessive guilt, had resorted to somewhat exaggerated flattery.
Lin Yuan silently noted this name in her heart, "Do not offend me and I will not offend you." But since you’ve come to me on your own, don’t blame me, Lin Yuan, for being too ruthless.
Lunch was eaten in the back hall since the whole family was there. Lin Yuan didn’t want to slight her parents, so she had Liuzi go to Fuman Building in advance and order quite a lot of food to take back.
Upon hearing that the food was from Fuman Building, Lin Ershuan’s family who had come to help, along with Mo Sanniang, were somewhat embarrassed to stay for the meal. Even Meng Liangdong and Uncle Wang were extremely surprised; as employees of the shop, they had never imagined they would have the fortune to eat food from Fuman Building.
Concerned that everyone might feel uncomfortable eating together, Lin Yuan asked Liuzi to order two sets of dishes, one for Uncle Wang and his group, and the other for Lin Yuan’s family.
Lunch was simple since they had to get back to work afterward, but even so, it was a meal that everyone thoroughly enjoyed.
Lin Yuan also specially mentioned that after closing up shop that evening, she would treat everyone to a good meal at Fuman Building. Naturally, everyone was overjoyed to hear this.
It was expected that business in the afternoon would be slower than in the morning, but unexpectedly, right after the mealtime, a number of people arrived. They were mostly those who had come upon others’ recommendations and introductions.