Chapter 11: That Boy, So Mischievously Devious
“Master, are you there?” As soon as Si Yuheng’s words fell, the shopkeeper came knocking at the door. “Someone brought a snack called candied bayberry. I’ve tried it myself; the taste is quite unusual. I wanted to see if you’d be interested in dealing with them.”
“Take it away,” Si Yuheng said in a low voice. “Daring to accept something from an unknown source? Do you think the restaurant business is so good that you want to go home and eat your own stuff?”
“My mistake, Master. I’ll refuse immediately. Please don’t be angry.”
The shopkeeper hurriedly turned and left, fearing that even a moment’s delay would get him fired.
“Wait.”
The door behind him opened, and Si Yuheng stepped out.
“Master.”
The shopkeeper respectfully looked back.
Si Yuheng approached the shopkeeper, glanced at the candied bayberries on the plate—cooked and sprinkled with sugar—and on impulse picked one up and popped it into his mouth.
The instant it touched his tongue, regret washed over him.
But the next moment, his expression subtly shifted.
The candied bayberry had tamed most of the sourness, melding the remaining tartness with sweetness in a uniquely delightful way!
Si Yuheng picked up a second one.
For someone who feared sourness so much, this was truly sweet!
The shopkeeper and You An stared in astonishment.
“Let’s go, let’s take a look outside.” Noticing the strange looks from the two beside him, Si Yuheng calmly popped the sixth berry into his mouth and led the way toward the front of the restaurant.
The waiters were all busy, and Fang Ning sat idly, counting her fingers.
The door curtain shifted, and she glanced up instinctively.
A slender, strikingly handsome boy dressed in black, about fifteen years old, appeared in her line of sight.
His eyes, cold and star-like, held a maturity beyond his years. His aura was reserved yet carried an innate noble grace.
For a moment, Fang Ning was lost in thought and blurted, “A stranger as pure as jade, a young master unmatched in the world.”
She had seen countless handsome men, yet none could compare to this youth before her!
But Fang Ning quickly regained composure, almost whistling in admiration.
Fortunately, she remembered her current status and regained her poise.
Fang Ning’s unabashed amazement caused Si Yuheng to frown slightly.
He disliked the way she looked at him, as if he were nothing more than fish on a chopping board!
Si Yuheng had not forgotten Fang Ning’s shameless begging from You An before!
That stench lingered.
“Young sir, this is our young master,” the shopkeeper hurriedly introduced Fang Ning. “Young master, this is the child who brought the candied bayberry.”
“You want to sell this snack?” Si Yuheng suppressed his impatience and asked gently.
Fang Ning noticed his mood shift but she was here to do business.
“Yes, young master, are you interested?”
“It is quite novel. What’s the price?”
Si Yuheng was simply curious how this sour wild fruit was made into something like this.
---
“I sell it outside at thirty wen per tael, but if you want it, young master, I’ll make it twenty.”
“Candy is only thirty wen per tael. You’re selling this more expensive than candy. It is novel, but not worth that price. Moreover, how can you guarantee the process is clean?”
“Sorry to bother you.”
Fang Ning hoped to make a deal amicably, but the other party clearly disliked her.
She took the plate from the shopkeeper, dumped all the remaining candied bayberries back into her basket, and turned to leave.
Si Yuheng: “…”
Such a bad temper?
What happened to the shameless brat from yesterday?
Si Yuheng gave the shopkeeper a look.
The shopkeeper immediately chased after her. “Young sir, wait, don’t leave yet. We can talk.”
“Shopkeeper, you’re a good man, but our young master is shameless and bullies children. I’m not selling anymore!” Fang Ning put on a face full of grievance.
Shopkeeper: “…”
“Young sir, our young master speaks bluntly with no ill intent. Let’s talk some more. Our Quanwei Restaurant is quite interested in your candied bayberries.”
Fang Ning glanced past the shopkeeper at Si Yuheng: “He doesn’t like me.”
Si Yuheng raised an eyebrow at that: She can tell?
He thought Fang Ning was a sly little fox just now, so different from the fiancé who was pestering him for money yesterday.
Could it be they’re alike?
That thought flickered strangely in Si Yuheng’s eyes.
“Child, let’s talk upstairs.”
Si Yuheng changed his mind; he wanted to probe this “fiancé.”
Fang Ning slung her small basket and followed Si Yuheng upstairs.
“I want to buy your candied bayberry recipe,” Si Yuheng said bluntly.
“You want the recipe?”
“Yes. I won’t trust buying ready-made snacks from anyone. Of course, we can negotiate the price of the fruit, and you’ll deliver it.”
“What if I refuse?”
“One hundred taels.”
“Young master, are you joking with me?”
“You boil the bayberries with sugar until the liquid dries up, then sprinkle white sugar on top, correct? Then, for the bayberries, five wen per jin. How about that?”
Fang Ning: “...!!!”
She had underestimated the wisdom of ancient laborers.
Free money is not to be missed.
“Deal.”
Fang Ning’s decisiveness surprised Si Yuheng.
Is this really the same Fang Ning?
“Since you’re selling the recipe to us, I don’t want there to be a second candied bayberry seller in Tongzhou City. By the way, what’s your name?”
“Fang Ning.”
---
“Fang Ning? From Futian Village?”
“You know?”
Fang Ning tilted her head.
“I’ve heard a bit about your father and mother’s ways. Fang Ning, I’m not from your village. If you dare to lie to me, we’ll see the authorities.”
“Oh, I’m planning to turn over a new leaf, young master. Rest assured!”
“Really?”
“I died once, so I’ve had a change of heart.”
“That’s good. I’m Yuheng.”
“Brother Yu,” Fang Ning seized the opportunity, “Besides candied bayberries, would you want any other recipes?”
“For example?”
“Bayberry fruit wine.”
“I’ll have to taste it before deciding.”
“Oh...” Fang Ning’s eyes spun, “How about I brew some and bring it to Quanwei Restaurant for Brother Yu to try?”
“Fine.” Si Yuheng nodded.
“Brother Yu, you’re so kind.” Fang Ning’s eyes curved, innocent as a lamb.
Si Yuheng: “...”
Is that what you call kind?
He found Fang Ning rather inscrutable.
“Uncle Lin, fetch a hundred taels and writing materials.”
Si Yuheng turned to the shopkeeper, then looked at Fang Ning. “Write down the candied bayberry recipe for me.”
“Brother Yu, I can’t write,” Fang Ning said helplessly. “I never went to school.”
Si Yuheng glanced at her unobtrusively.
Can’t write?
“Then you speak, I’ll write.”
“I don’t really know how to explain. How about I bring bayberries with my mother tomorrow and teach you all at Quanwei Restaurant?”
This youth was sly, clearly trying to draw her out!
“Alright, that works.”
Si Yuheng remained impassive.
“Let’s draw up the contract first.”
Uncle Lin brought over the silver, and Si Yuheng wrote two copies of the contract in front of Fang Ning.
“Check if there are any issues. If not, sign and seal.”
Si Yuheng handed over the two contracts.
Fang Ning looked at them and thought, “What a ridiculous fuss!” A whole set of documents, one after another!