You Ran House was undoubtedly the most prosperous hotel in Fengjing. As soon as one entered, they would see the hall was nearly full, with guests toasting and a steady stream of delicacies being served.
The waiter hurried over with a smile, chanting, "Welcome, esteemed guest, to dine here. Would you like a table in the hall or a private room upstairs?"
Jiang Sheng recognized this waiter. Last time when he was overwhelmed serving guests and closing up, he moved as swift and smooth as flowing clouds, truly a role model for their generation.
As she left, she had even secretly given the waiter a thumbs up, though she didn't know if he still remembered.
"Oh, it's you," the waiter's memory was exceptional as he quickly recognized Jiang Sheng. "The young miss has come to see the head steward, yes? This way please."
The two were led to a private room on the second floor.
The waiter walked in front while Jiang Sheng was in the middle and Zheng Ruqian brought up the rear.
Just past the wooden stairs, before they reached Room One, Zheng Ruqian halted.
Jiang Sheng looked back confusedly and signaled with her eyes: Brother Two, hurry up!
But Zheng Ruqian still didn't move. He only had the waiter go ahead while he looked towards his already eleven-year-old sister.
He still remembered when the siblings had sold mushrooms together. Although he was the elder brother, he had a timid and muddleheaded personality, living each day in fear of being abandoned by their mother, without even the ability to survive.
It was his younger sister who had taken him in, giving him half a home, and bringing him along to sell mushrooms and vegetables.
Later, when Zheng Er had grown up, he could negotiate contracts for cured meats by himself, dared to transport and sell vegetables alone, had the courage to buy land and plant green beans as a landlord, and had even opened the Jiuzhen Store that specifically sold pastries.
Especially after narrowly escaping death in Hebei, it was as if he had truly matured. Not only did he have ambition and ideas, but he also had his own calculations.
Jiang Sheng was someone who was undoubtedly satisfied with the status quo.
As an elder brother, he liked to dote on his younger sister and was willing to spoil her.
But life would not pamper people. On the contrary, it was cold and merciless. Jiang Sheng could not remain eleven forever. She would grow up, get married, and face the sour, sweet, bitter and spicy tastes of life.
While her brothers were willing to protect her, whether she could be independent and strong enough herself was another matter.
That seven-year-old girl who had dared to enter You Ran House alone to sell mushrooms should not spend her days idling in the backyard with nothing to do after managing the workshop.
While her brothers strove ahead, they should also give their sister a pull.
Family is about striving together, growing together, and becoming better together.
Zheng Ruqian collected his thoughts and looked at his confused fat girl, smiling leisurely. "Today's deal probably can't be negotiated by you alone."
"Why not?" Jiang Sheng's eyes rounded as her stubborn temper flared up again. "Wicked Brother Two looks down on people."
"Then go give it a try, I'll wait for you here," Zheng Ruqian flicked his fan arrogantly and leaned against the stairs railing. "Your brother will be right here waiting. Don't come out crying later."
Jiang Sheng ground her teeth furiously. "Brother Two, just you wait. Just you wait!"
She angrily knocked on the door.
Zheng Ruqian smiled as he leaned against the stairs railing.
Back then, when Jiang Sheng had taken him to sell mushrooms, a twist of fate had given him a push.
Today, Big Brother was taking Little Sister to negotiate a deal. From now on, the business of Jiuzhen Store would rely completely on her and Aunt Zhang.
Go on, little girl. Your brother will always be your backbone.
Jiang Sheng was still knocking, waiting for the head steward's response.
Behind her, the wooden stairs creaked as another pair of siblings came down.
Jiang Chengyuan extended a hand ceremoniously to gently support his sister. "Chenghua, go slowly down the stairs. Tell He Rui if you want anything to eat. I'll have it sent up to the third floor later."
The same waiter He Rui who had shown Jiang Sheng and her brother upstairs was now even more diligent in serving the main family's siblings. "Yes, Third Young Lady, just say what you want to eat. I'll have the kitchen make it right away."
A smile crossed Jiang Chenghua's face as her gaze swept over the front and landed on Jiang Sheng's plump figure. Her smile disappeared. "It's her again."
She didn't know why, but the two were clearly from vastly different backgrounds yet always managed to run into each other, and it always ended unpleasantly.
That time they had bumped into each other outside Wenchang Pavilion, she had just been criticized by Grandmother and wanted to seek comfort from her brother. But the Jiang siblings had lost face in front of Jiang Sheng and her brother and she had nearly been too embarrassed to show her face in Fengjing.
What happened outside Jiuzhen Store was even more offensive to her. Jiang Chenghua had never seen such an ill-mannered girl before, seemingly lacking any upbringing.
If that was all, she could let it go.
Over a decade of noble upbringing meant that Jiang Chenghua disdained having any connection with Jiang Sheng, not even interested enough to dislike her.
But her brother Jiang Chengyuan kept mentioning her, his words revealing appreciation and even neglecting to favor Chenghua herself because of the other girl.
This greatly dissatisfied Jiang Chenghua internally.
She watched as Jiang Chengyuan went from graceful, to pleasantly surprised, to calling out, "Little Jiang Kuo, what are you doing at You Ran House? Did you come to deliver cured meats?"
Jiang Sheng looked back, her big round eyes glancing over for just a moment before the head steward's voice welcomed her inside.
She could only smile brightly at Jiang Chengyuan before slipping through the door which she shut firmly behind her, full of vibrant energy as she prepared to negotiate.
Outside, Jiang Chengyuan was both shocked and delighted, his heart softened into a mess.
He really hadn't expected that after not giving Little Jiang Sheng enough face at Jiuzhen Store last time, she did not hold a grudge and had even smiled at him. She really was too good.
If it had been his sister Chenghua, he would have had to spend lavishly for days to coax her anger into joy.
He truly, sincerely liked this innocent, lively, optimistic and grounded girl.
Beside him, Jiang Chenghua also sincerely watched it happen, giving rise to countless turmoil internally. Instinctively, she grabbed her brother's sleeve and added coldly, "How can such an ill-mannered country bumpkin be fit to enter You Ran House?"
Jiang Chengyuan was taken aback.
In front, Zheng Ruqian suddenly whipped around, his lazy form tensing up as his expression gradually turned icy.
Even the guide He Rui couldn't help but explain, "Third Young Lady, Miss Jiang has dealings with You Ran House. She's here today to negotiate a new partnership."
"Partnership?" Jiang Chenghua looked puzzled. "You Ran House runs a huge business. Do they need to partner with someone like her?"
She truly didn't understand.
How could a crude country girl without manners or breeding possibly have any connection with the most prosperous You Ran House in Fengjing? It was unthinkable to her.
What reached Jiang Chengyuan's ears somehow sounded unpleasant and uncomfortable.
But what came next was even more grating.
"You Ran House's clientele are all distinguished guests, top households of Fengjing. If they knew You Ran House had dealings with such lowly people, I'm afraid it would negatively impact their reputation."
Jiang Chenghua analyzed earnestly, "I shouldn't interfere in such matters as a young lady, but You Ran House is ultimately a Jiang family property, built up by the Jiang ancestors with their life's blood. I can't just watch it be trampled on..."
Before she could finish speaking, a roar thundered out.
"Shut your bullshit!"
