Rebirth of a Star General

Chapter 6: Teasing

When they were about to leave, He Yunsheng asked, “Why are you so late today? You might not get a good spot later.”

“Just had something to do,” He Yan replied. “It’s alright even if we don’t get a good spot; our cakes are delicious.”

He Yunsheng had no response.

Talking to the present He Yan felt like punching cotton – it made him frustrated and unable to vent his anger. He Yan didn’t lose her temper; she seemed relaxed. He Yunsheng couldn’t decide if she was optimistic or simply clueless. At least, he hadn’t seen her troubled about anything for a long time.

Their stall was set up on a bustling street in the western part of the city, just across from the largest restaurant in the capital, the Drunken Jade Pavilion. With a constant stream of customers passing by, the small businesses on this side of the street thrived. However, their stall was small, so they had to arrive early to secure a good spot.

He Yunsheng arranged the da nai cakes on the bamboo trays.

The da nai cake was a type of pastry made by peeling and pitting fresh big plums, blanching them in white plum and licorice soup, and then filling the plum cavities with honey, pine nuts, olives, walnuts, and melon seeds. Once steamed in small pots, they turned out sweet and sour, very delicious, and not too expensive. He Yunsheng earned money to support the family by selling these da nai cakes.

The warm sun made the day quite pleasant, and people kept coming to buy one or two cakes. By the time the sun shifted to the east side of the Drunken Jade Pavilion, they would probably have sold everything.

He Yan watched He Yunsheng working and couldn’t help but acknowledge that he was quite capable. It reminded her of those kids back in the military camp. Most of the kids sent to the camp were from poor families, not the privileged sons of wealthy families. Those poor kids were there just to have a meal. So before coming here, they were used to doing all sorts of work and were capable of anything.

Though she hadn’t experienced poverty, she had gone through tough times as well.

“Oh, isn’t this Miss He?” A voice interrupted He Yan’s thoughts.

She looked up to see a man with a long face, neatly combed hair, a pair of weasel-like eyes, and dressed in an odd white outfit. He reached out to put his hand on He Yan’s shoulder, but she quickly avoided it.

The man missed and withdrew his hand with some regret, saying, “Long time no see, Miss He. You haven’t been out much these days. So it turns out you are selling cakes with Young Master He… How can you do such laborious work?”

He spoke as if they were close.

He Yan was puzzled and looked at He Yunsheng, who was visibly angry, and he scolded, “Wang Jiugui, stay away from my sister!”

“Brat, your sister doesn’t mind. Why are you making a fuss?” said the man named Wang Jiugui. Then, he approached with a smile on his face and took something out of his pocket, handing it to He Yan. “Miss He, I’ve been thinking of you all this time. Here, I bought some rouge a few days ago, intending to give it to you. Fortunately, I bumped into you today. Please accept it. I wonder if you’d grace me with your company for a stroll along the Sishui shore?”

A person with a lame appearance, trying to portray a gallant gentleman’s image – He Yan couldn’t help but laugh. In her two lifetimes, she had encountered all kinds of people, both good and bad, but someone who teased her like this was a first.