hotmtlnovel Chapter 28
Chapter 28
The engraved word on the bottom of the bamboo bowl was subtle and inconspicuous, causing others to overlook it, mistaking it for an ordinary bamboo bowl. The two-bamboo bowls in Jiang Zhou’s hands were nearly identical in terms of texture and depth, making them appear as if they had been cut from the same bamboo.@@@@
If not for this small word “yan”, Jiang Zhou might have found himself in an insurmountable predicament.
With the situation now transparent, all eyes were fixed on Niu Ding.
Niu Ding had initially believed that his brother had genuinely suffered from the food served by the profiteer Jiang Zhou, which had prompted his aggressive confrontation.
Little did he anticipate the humiliation that would follow.
Infuriated, Niu Ding closed the distance between them in three quick strides, seized Liu Dong by the collar, and widened his eyes, demanding, “What’s the truth?!”
Liu Dong was already engulfed in embarrassment after being exposed. His stomach genuinely ached, causing his voice to weaken as he stuttered, “I, Brother Niu, I...”
He hesitated for an extended period, struggling to put his thoughts into words. Niu Ding’s impatience was well-known, and he hoisted Liu Dong a bit higher, commanding, “Tell the truth, honestly!”
Liu Dong, intimidated by Niu Ding’s forceful demeanor, reluctantly revealed his misdeeds.
It turned out that he had recognized Jiang Zhou earlier and was aware of his initial intention to open a spice shop. However, he was deceived and subsequently went bankrupt. At the time, he had considered Jiang Zhou to be a fool, easily gullible enough to be taken advantage of.
Some time ago, when Jiang Zhou’s sponge cake business was flourishing, Liu Dong felt envious. He perceived Jiang Zhou’s success as mere luck, believing that he had stumbled upon a novel idea.
At the time, Jiang Zhou’s business was thriving, and nearly everyone in the vicinity knew that he was making money from sponge cakes. After all, Jiang Zhou’s stall was often sold out early.
Several people had toyed with the idea of imitating his business, especially when they discovered that the original recipe, as revealed by Young Master Qiu, was just eggs and flour. They secretly conducted experiments, hoping for success. But they never succeeded.
Liu Dong was accustomed to mischief, but his attempts at imitation never bore fruit. His greed got the better of him, and he hatched an ill-conceived plan.
Feeling disheartened and irritated by the stares of those around him, Niu Ding left in despair.
With the excitement subsiding, Jiang Zhou’s stall remained active. The onlookers who had endured the cold winds for an extended period were eager to warm up and fill their bellies.
Jiang Zhou had his hands full, and after delivering food, Wen Yan offered his assistance in managing the stall.
The two of them worked diligently for an extended period, and they observed that the small cash drawer was gradually filling up. A sense of satisfaction welled up within them.
.
By evening, there were few people left walking on the streets. Several houses lining the road were illuminated, and the occasional sound of children’s laughter emanated from dimly lit windows.
Amidst this tranquil scene, Jiang Zhou suddenly broached a personal question, “Were you in a lot of pain when you gave birth to Xiao Yi?”
Wen Yan ceased his task and cast a sidelong glance at Jiang Zhou. Jiang Zhou had a tender and affectionate gaze that had the power to captivate.
In response, Wen Yan pursed his lips and, with a smile, shared, “Maybe he knew that it was challenging for me to carry him, so he didn’t trouble me during birth.”
The words he spoke held a truth. During his pregnancy with their child, he had been plagued with constant worries, which had a negative impact on the baby. Yet, when the time for delivery arrived, it went smoothly.
Despite the potential challenges associated with their child’s condition after birth, Wen Yan felt immense joy, evident in his contented expression.
Witnessing his partner’s satisfaction, Jiang Zhou couldn’t resist ruffling Wen Yan’s hair and expressed his gratitude, “Thank you for your hard work, my dear.”
Wen Yan responded with a smile and locked eyes with Jiang Zhou, saying earnestly, “It wasn’t hard.”
—Ever since your return, all the past hardships had transformed into sweetness. This was because I knew that the scars on my body would eventually be healed with your love.