Chapter 23: Grand Opening – Including a V Announcement: Which Lady Do You Plan to Pursue?
Sitting inside the carriage was Zhang Luan, the same man Liu Hexiao had kicked off the second floor of Qianjiao Pavilion.
Zhang Luan squinted and chuckled. “Liu Hexiao… really does have a knack for romance.”
A cunning glint flashed in his eyes.
—
Today was the most auspicious day in May.
The early summer sunlight was bright, and even the breeze carried a hint of sweetness.
The residents of Changming Street, as if by instinct, all took a deep breath and exclaimed, “What smells so sweet? Where is it coming from?”
At the far end of Changming Street, a child with his hair styled into two cute buns stood confidently and shouted, “Shengjing Dessert Shop is open for business today! Everyone is welcome—buy one, get one free!”
His big smile was a far cry from the timid demeanor he had when selling at the stall before.
Sure enough, a woman carrying a vegetable basket walked over curiously and asked, “What is your shop selling?”
Lin Yiran grinned. “We sell desserts—donuts, croissants, cream puffs, cakes…”
The woman frowned slightly, mumbling, “What are those? I’ve never heard of them.”
Lin Yiran quickly replied, “That’s all the more reason to come inside and have a look! For someone as beautiful as Auntie, I’ll recommend the best ones just for you!”
The woman blushed and scolded, “What would a child like you know about beauty?”
After all, she was in her forties—old enough to be the boy’s grandmother!
Lin Yiran didn’t argue and instead maintained his enthusiasm. “Auntie, do come in!”
Her mood brightened, and with her spirits lifted, she stepped into Shengjing Dessert Shop, basket in hand.
Lin Yiran remembered Yihuan’s advice for attracting customers: Call grandmothers “Auntie,” Managers “Boss,” and young men “Sir.”
This tactic was foolproof—it had already worked 11 times that day!
After ushering the woman inside, Lin Yiran eagerly scanned the street, searching for his next customer.
The woman strolled into the shop and noticed that the not-too-large space was bustling with people. At the entrance, a tall counter displayed a framed menu listing various food items and their prices—clear and easy to read.
Farther in, she passed a long table decorated with fresh flowers in muted tones. The arrangement was elegant but not overly fragrant, providing a comfortable dining area.
In the center, a circular shelf suspended by hemp ropes hung from the ceiling, resembling a giant swing. It added a playful touch to the shop’s atmosphere.
The multi-tiered shelf was laden with food, each layer glowing with a golden hue, making it irresistibly enticing.
Walking up to the display, the woman first noticed the donut-shaped treats and the horn-like breads. Then her eyes fell on a pile of palm-sized round balls.
Curious, she asked, “What are these?”
At that moment, a young woman approached. Dressed in a white cross-collar top and a pale blue ruqun with her hair styled in a seashell bun, she exuded a lively charm. She wore a pink-edged apron, adding to her sweet and approachable demeanor.
Yihuan greeted her warmly. “Madam, these are cream puffs. Would you like to try one?”
The woman examined the cream puffs. Their golden crusts looked as round as steamed buns, but she couldn’t tell what filling they had.
A sign next to the puffs read: Two wens each.
The woman frowned. “That’s so expensive! I could buy two catties of meat for that.”
Yihuan smiled. “Desserts and meat are quite different. Once you try it, you’ll see… These cream puffs are filled with fresh cream. They’re smooth, sweet, and rich—perfect for a refined lady like yourself! Plus, today it’s buy one, get one free!”
Hearing this, the woman’s eyes lit up. “So if I buy one, I get two?”
Yihuan nodded. “That’s right. Or, you can choose something else of equal value, like a croissant.”
Yihuan understood that frugal customers like this woman were unlikely to make impulsive purchases. Appealing to value was the key.
Sure enough, the woman chuckled. “Alright, I’ll take one… cream puff, is it?”
“Yes, a cream puff.”
“Right, one cream puff! And for the free one, I’ll take a croissant!”
Pleased with her bargain, she mused, Cream puffs—what a lucky name, as if filled with blessings!
Yihuan used a communal tong to carefully place a cream puff and a croissant on a porcelain plate, then escorted the woman to the front counter to pay.
—
The counter served both as the ordering and payment station, positioned strategically by the entrance to make the shop appear busy and inviting to passersby.
In the food business, a bustling shop attracted crowds, while a quiet one discouraged interest. Creating a lively atmosphere at the entrance was crucial.
After sending the woman off, Yihuan handed her a slip of paper.
The woman examined it curiously. It read: Referral Voucher.
“What’s this?” she asked.
Yihuan explained with a smile, “It’s a referral voucher. If you bring a neighbor or friend to shop here within the first month of our opening, I’ll gift you an extra treat.”
The woman’s eyes widened. “What? Bring someone, and I get free food?”
Yihuan nodded. “Exactly. As long as they make a purchase and you hand me this voucher, I’ll give you a treat—whatever’s fresh that day.”
Delighted, the woman accepted the voucher and left happily.
—
At the entrance, Yihuan noticed two scholars peeking curiously into the shop.
She greeted them warmly. “Welcome, gentlemen! Our shop has just opened—everything is buy one, get one free today.”
The two scholars looked like examinees who had recently arrived in Shengjing for the imperial exams.
The slimmer one, Zhou Kaizhi, was fair and delicate-looking but wore slightly shabby clothes.
He hesitated and whispered to Liang Wei, “Let’s just leave…”
Liang Wei, a slightly chubby young man dressed in an expensive but tight silk robe, stared intently at the menu, his eyes lighting up. “Look at this!”
Following his gaze, Zhou Kaizhi saw the words: Hand-ground coffee.
Excited, Liang Wei said, “That’s the famous drink everyone’s been talking about!”
Zhou Kaizhi frowned. “It’s so expensive, and it doesn’t even fill your stomach…”
His financial situation was clearly strained.
Liang Wei, noticing this, declared, “Don’t worry, I’ll treat you! The free one will be yours.”
Embarrassed, Zhou Kaizhi stammered, “No need… I don’t even like coffee.”
Liang Wei, blunt as ever, replied, “You’ve never had it—how do you know you don’t like it?”
Zhou Kaizhi froze, unsure how to respond.
Seeing the awkwardness, Yihuan interjected smoothly, “Many customers are sharing today. A cup of hand-ground coffee is ten wens, but if you share, it’s only five coins each. Coffee is great for staying alert—perfect for studying.”
Zhou Kaizhi, often drowsy while reading, felt tempted. “Staying alert could be useful…”
Liang Wei nodded. “That’s convenient! But no need to share—I’ll pay…”
“Sharing is fine!” Zhou Kaizhi quickly interrupted, eager to preserve his fragile pride. Although it hurt to part with five coins, he couldn’t let himself seem inferior.
Liang Wei shrugged and handed over his share.
Yihuan smiled as she took their payment and instructed Ah-miao to prepare the coffee.
As the two scholars were served small bamboo cups of freshly brewed coffee, Yihuan accompanied them to the door. “Thank you, gentlemen. Please visit us again!”
The two walked down Changming Street, cups in hand. The aroma of the coffee wafted through the air, and Zhou Kaizhi took a tentative sniff, his face lighting up. “It smells amazing! This is quite pleasant.”
Liang Wei grinned and glanced sideways at him. “Zhou Kaizhi, don’t you think that girl selling coffee was just as pleasant? Her looks… far better than any girl from our hometown.”
Zhou Kaizhi blushed. “Liang Wei, we shouldn’t speak of such things.”
Liang Wei burst into laughter. “What’s the harm? As the old saying goes, A fair lady is a gentleman’s pursuit…”
Before he could finish, he nearly collided with someone.
Liang Wei stumbled, almost spilling his coffee, and was about to shout in anger when he realized the person standing before him was much taller.
The man wore a crimson robe, his long eyebrows slanting sharply into his temples, and his star-like eyes regarded Liang Wei with an air of disdain—almost as though he were staring at an ant.
Liang Wei froze, stammering, “You…”
Liu Hexiao’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “Just now, you were saying—who do you plan to pursue?”
—
Translator’s Notes:
- Gentlemanly Pursuit: Liang Wei quoting “A fair lady is a gentleman’s pursuit” (窈窕淑女，君子好逑) references a line from the Book of Songs (詩經), one of the oldest Chinese literary works. It emphasizes the legitimacy of admiring beauty and pursuing romance, tying into the cultural norms of propriety and aspiration.
- Cream Puffs :
