"I’m still so young, and it’s already impressive that I can make egg custard." Xin Xianying said discontentedly, "Besides, I recognize over a thousand characters, know fifteen stories, and can please people." As she spoke, Xin Xianying hugged Chen Xi’s arm.
Chen Xi didn’t have any resistance to Xin Xianying hanging onto his arm; more accurately, he didn’t have much resistance to clean little children.
"Alright then, you’re a genius." Chen Xi rarely smiled and said, "Do you want to eat sothing? I’ll take you. You probably don’t have much money, right? I rember you sneaking a snack at my house."
After hearing this, Xin Xianying imdiately looked around innocently. Chen Xi didn’t mind too much, as it’s normal for children to love sweets.
"But eat fewer sweet things, and don’t eat too much of my rock candy; it’s too sweet, and you’ll need to watch your teeth." Chen Xi patted Xin Xianying’s head and said, speaking of refined sugar, Mi Zhu had already made it according to Chen Xi’s steps a year ago.
It’s just that sugarcane doesn’t grow on Mount Tai, and Gan Ning brought so back from the south for everyone to taste, so Chen Xi, out of boredom, had Mi Fang ship a load of sugarcane, press it into juice, and boil it into sugar. Back then, sugar was crimson crystalline blocks.
The current refined sugar was accidentally created by a sugar craftsman from Mi Zhu’s house. As for what accidental ant, it basically involved pouring charcoal into the raw syrup.
Then refined sugar appeared, and as the process improved further, rock candy erged as well. However, this was truly pure and excellent rock candy without additives.
Its annual production is minimal; although Mi Zhu has this technology, it’s just for reserve purposes. Without reaching the subtropical regions, don’t expect much, so every year, the thousand-plus pounds of sugar are divided among everyone, purely as a perk. No one thinks it’s unreasonable.
Chen Xi eats a few pieces of rock candy occasionally to reminisce; he has enjoyed an era of extre material abundance, and the sugar given to him was shared with the Chen family, while the rest was distributed among the family.
As for Xin Xianying, she naturally hasn’t had the chance to eat what is almost considered the most luxurious snack of this era, so if Chen Xi doesn’t give a word of caution, his sugar might all get eaten, leaving Xin Xianying with a bad toothache.
"Oh~" Xin Xianying drawled, clearly loving this sweet stuff much more than honey water.
"So don’t doubt it. You can only eat three pieces a day." Chen Xi said with a chuckle, tugging Xin Xianying. Well-behaved and clever little kids are truly likable, especially ones like Xin Xianying.
"Alright~" Xin Xianying nodded, then let go of Chen Xi, extending her fingers and starting to do calculations.
"What are you calculating?" Chen Xi curiously asked Xin Xianying who was counting on her fingers.
"Seeing how long I can keep eating." Xin Xianying said without lifting her head.
"It’ll probably be a while; I hardly ever eat it." Chen Xi looked at Xin Xianying with so pity—she’s an aristocratic girl but had quite a tough childhood materially, not even matching an average kid from his era.
"Oh..." Xin Xianying muttered, clearly failing to calculate; her math was really poor.
"No need to calculate, just enjoy eating. Co on, I’ll find a restaurant to treat you to a al, and later I’ll read you so stories." Chen Xi habitually ruffled Xin Xianying’s hair, only for her to dodge.
"That’s not cute." Chen Xi watched Xin Xianying indignantly move aside and couldn’t help but think of Zhen Mi’s similar expression. Three years ago, he could still do this to Zhen Mi’s head, but now she’s already grown up, a true young lady.
Xin Xianying dodged Chen Xi’s hand, made a face, then bounced away towards the restaurant ahead. Previously, Zhen Mi was on the top floor of that restaurant’s elegant room, munching snacks while reading Spring and Autumn to Xin Xianying.
Fortunately, there are paper classic books nowadays, otherwise, reading a single story of Spring and Autumn to Xin Xianying would require an entire scroll. As for Zhen Mi doing so leisurely, she doesn’t mind spending ti on it while also deepening her understanding of these classics by constantly relaying them to Xin Xianying.
Standing below the restaurant, Chen Xi lightly shook his head at the little "Zhen" character on the plaque’s bottom right, and followed Xin Xianying inside without saying anything.
The workers and manager at the Zhen Family Restaurant were not as ostentatious as those from the Mi Family. Upon seeing Chen Xi, they didn’t show much expression, just arranged a staff mber to lead Chen Xi to the second-floor private room.
The manager bowed apologetically from afar, and Chen Xi simply nodded before following the staff up to the second floor.
"Bring three dishes she likes, and a soup." Once the staff escorted Chen Xi upstairs, he stood silently aside waiting until Xin Xianying ca scampering down from the third floor, and only then did Chen Xi point to Xin Xianying to order the dishes.
The staff nodded, "If you have any other requests, I’m on the second floor, just call." Having brought Xin Xianying here plenty of tis, the staff knew her favorites, given how often Zhen Mi treated her here. As for not taking Chen Xi to the third floor, it’s where the Zhen Family’s people rest, though now fixed for Zhen Mi—it couldn’t be helped since it’s the tallest restaurant around.
"What, couldn’t convince her, making you upset?" Chen Xi chuckled as he looked at the slightly puffed-up Xin Xianying.
"Eh, how did you know?" Xin Xianying asked, surprised, puffing her small mouth.
"With your little brain, trying to fool ." Chen Xi tapped Xin Xianying’s head lightly.
Xin Xianying pouted, looking quite adorable, "Why don’t you want Sister Mi’er? She’s so pretty, and aren’t you two very close? My mother said that soone who helps you decorate your ho isn’t just the best friend but also your future spouse, but then Sister Mi’er said you don’t want her anymore."
"..." Chen Xi was slightly startled; what on earth was Xin Xianying’s mother teaching her? That’s children’s education?
Reflecting deeper, Chen Xi found it made sense—moving house is crucial for a family in this era, involving soone of the sa sex was naturally a best friend, and of the opposite sex, sooner or later they’re either close confidants or lifelong partners.
"See, see, you don’t want Sister Mi’er anymore; she’s sad, and lately you haven’t been telling stories either." Xin Xianying shook Chen Xi’s arm, causing him a headache on how to explain. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian) to vote for recomndations and monthly votes; your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian to read.)
User Comments
0 comments from readers