Chapter 173 - Chapter 173: This Is My Promise To You

Chapter 173: This Is My Promise To You

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

However, Mrs. Shen was different. As an official’s spouse and a rich lady, she did not lack rich and powerful friends. With her around, the orders could be queued up until next year before the shop opened.

Before Mrs. Shen could say anything, Xiaoxiao added, “Of course, if Mrs. Shen doesn’t have any intention of cooperating to open a shop, with our relationship, as long as you want to eat, inform me when you come to the shop at the entrance of the academy. I can arrange it as soon as possible.”

Mrs. Shen’s eyes lit up. “Cooperation! We have to cooperate! Whoever doesn’t cooperate with you is a fool! By the way, Xiaoxiao, if the two of us open a shop together, I can eat Cloud Cake anytime in the future?”

Xiaoxiao winked at her playfully. “It’s not just Cloud Cake. There are also more delicious pastries, drinks, and delicacies for you to choose from. I’ve always been generous and passionate to my business partners!”

Rong Yan was speechless. Did the little girl forget that he was among her “collaborators” when she used random words?

Shopkeeper Xu thought he lost the right to participate and was scolded as a fool by Missy. He feels bitter…

Mrs. Shen asked again, “Is the shop we want to open the one you just bought outside the academy?”

Xiaoxiao shook her head. “That’s my and Little Big Brother Ah Yan’s shop. We’ll talk about our shop another time. But don’t worry, Madam can eat whatever Little Big Brother Ah Yan and I sell in our shop!”

Rong Yan couldn’t help but smile when he heard the words “my and Little Big Brother’s shop” coming out of her mouth.

Shopkeeper Liu interrupted faintly, “What about me?”

Xiaoxiao blinked. “Pretty Sister, if you want to eat it, I’ll… give you a discount!”

What she meant was that she had to pay! Little heartless thing!

Shopkeeper Liu only hated that she had already signed the Li Family’s contract. She was the shopkeeper of the Li Family in life and the dead shopkeeper of the Li Family in death. She could not participate in this beautiful and delicious business.

Of course, she knew that Xiaoxiao was deliberately angering her to play, but she still pretended to be angry and threw a small bag at her. “Here, here, here. I’ll give you a deposit and see how many you can make for me!”

Xiaoxiao quietly opened it and the light in her eyes intensified. “Looks like 1 have to prepare Cloud Cake for you on your birthday every year in the future.” Ah, ah, ah, its banknotes! This is at least 200 taels of silver, right? Looks like the Ruyi Clothing Shop earned a lot during the Duanwu Festival? Doesn’t that mean that Shopkeeper Liu will still buy designs from me and continue to let me earn money? Aiyo, Tin so happy! I’m not showing off, but I can pay in full for Shopkeeper Qian’s shop!

Shopkeeper Liu rolled her eyes. Oh, the way she addressed her could even be upgraded. This little money-grubber! Shopkeeper Liu poked her head with her finger that was smeared with nail varnish. “You little baddie, you’re definitely going to eat me up, right?”

Xiaoxiao chuckled and heard her say, “Remember to give me cheaper prices for the designs next time!”

Xiaoxiao said seriously, “Come, come, come. Let’s not talk about anything else. My brother is the protagonist today!”

Shopkeeper Liu spat at her and the men started to drink happily with the dishes on the table. Rong Yan looked at County Magistrate Shen, who kept looking at him from time to time, and walked to the kitchen.

Xiaoxiao followed after seeing this. She waited for Rong Yan to stand still before asking, “Are you not full?”

Little Big Brother was too weak. He was no match for Second Brother and Shen Tianci even when snatching food. Fortunately, she was prepared. She went forward and whispered to him, “I left a portion for you in the kitchen cabinet.” Actually, it was reserved for the space. She was going to leave it for the night and exchange it for points tomorrow.

Recently, she seemed to have spontaneously opened the Conception and Governance meridians and developed some insights on how to obtain points from space.

For example, she would leave two small portions of each meal. One portion would be exchanged for points today, and the other for points tomorrow. This way, she would gain twice. She was happy.

Ever since he was young, no one had been like Ning Xiaoxiao, who missed him when he went out, welcomed him when he came back, cared about him with every move, and no one had put in so much effort to think for him…

She did not know who he was, nor did she care about his status. She had always only cared about him. Rong Yan did not know if he would encounter such blatant favoritism in the future if he let her leave.

Rong Yan’s gaze changed. He looked at the bright joy in Xiaoxiao’s eyes and thought about how she had interacted with him. He was touched for a moment and finally said, “I’ll accept your kindness.” He took off the jade pendant that he had worn for more than 10 years and handed it to Xiaoxiao. “This is my promise to you.”

He decided to respond to this pure feeling.

This jade pendant was a gift from his mother and his most cherished item. It was said that his nanny picked it for him when he was born on behalf of his mother. Rong Yan had always treated it as a treasure. He carried it around every day and wiped it every day.

Xiaoxiao did not understand the meaning of these words. She looked at the jade pendant for a long time before she came to a realization—could this be the start-up fund given by her neighbor’s Little Big Brother?

“This is too expensive. Why don’t we change it to something else?”

Rong Yan’s ears were slightly hot, and his tone was a little awkward. “I’m giving it to you. Take it.” It was not good to be too honest. Others wished that the token was as expensive as possible, but she wanted to get a cheaper one?

Xiaoxiao blinked and stuffed the jade pendant into her pocket.

Perhaps Little Big Brother only had this precious thing left now. She guessed it but would not expose it.

Rong Yan waited for a while, but she did not return the favor. He thought to himself that she was still too young. Forget it, he would wait for her.

Xiaoxiao was still thinking about what everyone said about the dishes. She waved at Rong Yan and went back. As soon as she left, County Magistrate Shen walked in from outside. He walked straight to Rong Yan with a look of surprise. “May 1 ask if this is the ‘Young Master Ah Yan’ that Tianci often mentions?” He probed, “Is your name Zhao Yan, young master?”

Rong Yan’s expression was calm as he cupped his hands and bowed. His bow was not arrogant, but it was naturally cold. “I’m Rong Yan.”

County Magistrate Shen’s pupils contracted. Rong was the royal surname. He said seriously, “Greetings, Your Highness!”

Rong Yan helped her up and didn’t let him finish the bow. “County Magistrate Shen, there’s no need to be so polite. I don’t want to expose my identity.”

Thinking of how his son had been disrespectful in front of the Third Prince recently, he really broke out in cold sweat for that brat who made him worry.

Fortunately, he heard that the Third Prince was amiable and never made enemies with others…

He was thinking about that when Rong Yan said, “What do you plan to do about the dam, County Magistrate Shen?”

County Magistrate Shen was stunned for a moment. Then he realized something. “Your Highness is the one who sent me the letter?”

Rong Yan did not deny it. “The cracks on the dam have only been repaired to the minimum. If not for the continuous rain, it would have lasted for about three months.”

County Magistrate Shen frowned. “What if it rains? It’s the rainy season in June, and the rainy season comes at will. Then…”

Rong Yan’s face darkened. “If it rains, Yan Lu will have already been transferred. With his methods, it won’t be difficult for him to erase all evidence and push the blame to the next governor.”

County Magistrate Shen’s heart sank. Rong Yan confirmed with him. “I remember that one of the candidates for the next governor of Luo Prefecture happens to be your senior brother?”

The Third Prince had investigated clearly. He cupped his hands. “It’s my senior brother, Chen Yong.”

Rong Yan went straight to the point. “Could you introduce him to me?”