activa-t Chapter 284 Everyone has their own thoughts
Chapter 284 Everyone has their own thoughts
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting dappled shadows that illuminated the dust particles in the air, making time seem to slow down and become heavy.
Sun Chuang sat in the shadows, his eyes sharp as he stared intently at the tiger before him.
His eyes held a complex mix of emotions, a hint of authority from someone in a superior position, and a subtle, almost imperceptible disdain.
After a long while, the tiger's face remained expressionless, as calm as ever.
However, his slightly reddened ears betrayed the turmoil in his heart.
“Tiger, I’ve spoiled my daughter rotten.” Sun Chuang’s voice was low and slow, as if he were talking to himself, or as if he were testing the waters.
The tiger remained expressionless, but the redness around its ears became even more pronounced.
He lowered his head slightly, seemingly trying to conceal the turmoil in his heart.
Sun Chuang noticed the tiger's bright red ears, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.
He slowly got up, walked to the tiger, reached out and supported his shoulder, pulling him up.
"You like my daughter?" Sun Chuang's voice carried a hint of mockery, but his eyes were sharp as knives, piercing straight into the tiger's heart.
The tiger's body stiffened slightly, then it lowered its head and remained silent. Its fingers clenched unconsciously, its knuckles turning white, clearly indicating an intense internal struggle.
"You silly child, are you being shy?" Sun Chuang shook his head with a smile, his tone tinged with helplessness and doting. "If you like someone, you like them. A real man shouldn't be afraid to admit something like this."
The tiger suddenly raised his head, his gaze firm and serious, as if he had made up his mind. He took a deep breath and solemnly said, "Chief, I like the young lady."
Upon hearing this, Sun Chuang's smile widened, but it seemed devoid of any genuine emotion.
He patted the tiger on the shoulder, with a light touch, pretending to convey some kind of trust and expectation.
"Good, that's the kind of good man I know." Sun Chuang's voice carried a hint of approval. "Since you like her, you must protect her well for me."
Tiger immediately knelt down, clasped his hands together, and said with an extremely serious expression, "Chief, I will definitely protect Miss well, even if it costs me my life."
His voice was strong and clear, and there was not a trace of hesitation in his eyes.
Sun Chuang looked at him and nodded inwardly. He knew that Tiger was a man of his word; if he said something, he would definitely do it.
This is also one of the things he values about him; the boy is simple-minded and keeps his word.
"Alright, alright! I'm relieved to hear you say that." Sun Chuang smiled and helped Tiger up, his tone relaxed. "Don't take her words to heart. She's still young, so she can't see how good you are to her."
Tiger scratched his head sheepishly, a hint of embarrassment on his face: "Chief, I know Miss dislikes me, but I promise that as long as I marry her, I will never let her suffer in the slightest."
After saying that, he paused, then added, "I will definitely treat Miss well."
Sun Chuang looked at him, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
He was silent for a moment, then gently patted Tiger's shoulder, his tone tinged with emotion: "Alright, you should go back and eat too. Just rest at home this afternoon, no need to come over."
Upon hearing this, the tiger immediately shook its head: "No, I have to protect your safety."
Sun Chuang smiled, took his hand off him, looked down at his own hand, put it in his sleeve, and rubbed it with obvious disgust.
He lifted his eyelids, his tone leaving no room for doubt: "I'm right here in the village, there won't be any danger. You should rest at home this afternoon."
The tiger hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded: "Yes."
After the tiger left, Sun Chuang's smile gradually disappeared. He flicked his sleeves, took his hands out, and kept them far away from his clothes, making no attempt to hide his disgust.
He stood there silently for a moment, then arranged for someone to fetch him water so he could wash his hands thoroughly several times before he was satisfied.
Meanwhile, Sun Guixiang stormed back to her residence, her face filled with dissatisfaction and anger, her heart brimming with resistance to her father's decision.
She just couldn't understand why her father insisted on marrying her off to such a rough and uncultured man.
That man was useless except for his brute strength.
She felt disgusted when she saw him smiling foolishly at her.
Every time she thought about how this person could like her, she felt as if she had been offended.
He doesn't even deserve to like me.
If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be ridiculed by others.
"Xiao Lan, get in here now!" she shouted at the door, her voice tinged with impatience.
The maid named Xiaolan walked in cautiously, her head down, not daring to look Sun Guixiang in the eye.
When Sun Guixiang returned, she was in a bad mood. She dared not be negligent in the slightest, for fear that Sun Guixiang would take her anger out on her and cause her new injuries.
"What are you still standing there for? Don't you know I'm hungry? Hurry up and set the table." Sun Guixiang's voice was irritated, clearly indicating that she was in a very bad mood.
Xiao Lan nodded quickly and fled as if escaping.
Sun Guixiang sat in the chair, her brows furrowed. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, her heart filled with resentment towards the tiger.
"This is so annoying!" She slammed her hand on the table, her voice filled with anger.
Just then, a light footstep sound came from outside the door. Sun Guixiang looked up and saw an unfamiliar maid walk in.
"Miss, this servant Xiaoqing greets you. Sister Xiaolan says the food is ready and she wants you to come and eat." Xiaoqing lowered her head, her voice soft and slightly timid.
Sun Guixiang frowned as she looked at the newcomer.
This person lives in her yard. How come I've never seen him before?
She was about to get up to eat when she suddenly noticed Xiaoqing's hesitant expression.
She hated this kind of hesitant attitude the most, and a nameless anger rose in her heart.
"Didn't Xiaolan tell you? When you're doing things in front of me, stop being so hesitant and evasive. Just say what you have to say, and get to the point." Sun Guixiang's voice was tinged with impatience and even anger.
Having nowhere to vent her anger, she kicked Xiaoqing hard.
Xiaoqing was kicked hard and it took her a while to recover.
She wiped away her tears and whispered, "This servant has a plan that can help Miss get what she wants."
Sun Guixiang immediately became interested upon hearing her words.
She raised an eyebrow, a hint of suspicion in her voice: "Oh, you know what I want?"
Xiaoqing quickly lowered her head, her voice tinged with fear: "I overheard you speaking in the room just now. Please forgive me, Miss."
Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Sun Guixiang's eyes.
She sat back down in her chair, glanced down at Xiaoqing with interest, and said with a hint of threat in her voice, "Raise your head and speak."
"You know my rules. If you want me to forgive your sins, that depends on your own abilities."
Xiaoqing raised her head, her eyes red, clearly having just been kicked quite hard.
Her voice trembled slightly: "Miss, you've forgotten, your birthday is in a few days. This year is your coming-of-age ceremony, and we will definitely be inviting guests."
"You have the right to invite whichever guests you wish to invite for your coming-of-age ceremony."
"Besides, that person is a guest from the village. It's such a big event as your coming-of-age ceremony, there's no way that person wouldn't come."
Upon hearing her words, a glint of light flashed in Sun Guixiang's eyes.
She suddenly stood up, a hint of joy on her face: "You silly girl, why didn't you say so sooner!"
She quickly helped Xiaoqing stand up, her tone tinged with praise: "From today onwards, you will serve me."
Xiaoqing lowered her head, her voice tinged with gratitude: "Thank you, Miss. I will serve you with all my heart." However, a hint of triumph flashed in her eyes.
Sun Guixiang was engrossed in planning her coming-of-age ceremony and naturally did not notice Xiaoqing's expression.
She was already planning how to attract that person's attention at her coming-of-age ceremony.
For several days in a row, Shen Cao did not go to the Hundred Herbs Garden.
Wanyue arrived early in the morning; she had specially invited Shen Cao to the Hundred Herbs Garden today.
These past few days, I don't know what's going on. Sister Cao'er hasn't been going to the Hundred Herbs Garden, and Uncle Ji has been sick. He just asks He Yu to bring him food and medicine every day.
She was the only one in charge of the Hundred Herbs Garden, which exhausted her.
"Sister Cao'er, why haven't you been going to the Hundred Herbs Garden lately?" Wanyue's voice carried a hint of concern, and her eyes revealed a trace of doubt.
Shen Cao felt a slight tightening in his heart when he heard Wan Yue's voice.
She has been avoiding the Hundred Herbs Garden for the past few days because she doesn't want to face Ji Lingfeng anymore; she really doesn't know how to face him.
She still blushes and her heart races when she thinks about what happened that day.
"Sister Cao'er, are you sick too?" When Wan Yue saw that Shen Cao did not answer, she quickly placed her hand on her forehead, her tone filled with worry.
Upon hearing the word "illness," Shen Cao's heart tightened instantly, and the events of that day vividly resurfaced before her eyes, causing her face to flush red immediately.
"It's not hot here," Wanyue said, removing her hand from Shen Cao's forehead. "Sister Cao'er, why is your face so red?"
Shen Cao's expression was a little unnatural. She quickly lowered her head, her voice tinged with panic: "It's nothing, I'm just a little hot."
Seeing that she was unwilling to say more, Wanyue did not press her further.
She then asked, "Sister Cao'er, why haven't you gone to the Hundred Herbs Garden these past few days?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Cao felt a slight tightness in her heart.
She quickly made up an excuse: "Oh, well, Shen's Restaurant has been quite busy these past few days, so I haven't had time to go."
Wanyue frowned slightly upon hearing her words.
When she came in today, she clearly saw that there weren't many guests in the lobby. She was a little puzzled, but she didn't ask any questions.
"I see there aren't too many customers today, so why don't you come with me to the Hundred Herbs Garden today, Sister Cao'er?" Wan Yue's voice was filled with anticipation. "There are fewer people at Shen Family Restaurant, but there are a lot more at the Hundred Herbs Garden. I really can't handle it all by myself."
Shen Cao hesitated upon hearing Wan Yue's words.
She didn't want to go to the Hundred Herbs Garden, but she couldn't directly refuse Wanyue.
She thought for a moment and came up with an excuse: "Isn't Brother Ji helping you?"
Upon hearing this, Wanyue sighed, "Don't even mention it, Brother Ji hasn't left his room for several days in a row."
Shen Cao felt a slight pang in her heart upon hearing the news about Uncle Ji.
She quickly asked, "Is Brother Ji's illness really serious?"
Wanyue shook her head, her tone tinged with helplessness: "I don't know either. Weren't you the one taking care of him for a while?"
Shen Cao blushed immediately upon hearing Wan Yue's words.
She quickly lowered her head, her voice tinged with panic: "Um, um... he might need to rest more."
Wan Yue noticed that Shen Cao's expression was somewhat unnatural and felt a little puzzled.
She always felt that something had happened between Shen Cao and Uncle Ji, but Shen Cao was unwilling to talk about it, so she didn't press him for details.
"Sister Cao'er, you're not hiding anything from me, are you?" Wanyue asked tentatively, a hint of inquiry in her eyes.
Upon hearing this, Shen Cao's heart tightened slightly. She quickly shook her head, her voice tinged with guilt: "What could I possibly be hiding from you?"
Seeing that Shen Cao was unwilling to say more, Wan Yue did not press the matter further.
She then said, "That's good. You haven't been to the Hundred Herbs Garden these past few days, and Brother Ji has been sick. I've finally come to understand how difficult it is to do business."
Upon hearing this, Shen Cao felt somewhat guilty.
She knew Wanyue must have had a tough time these past few days, but she really didn't want to go to the Hundred Herbs Garden to face Ji Lingfeng again, at least not now.
"I've been looking at the account books so much these past two days that my eyes are almost blurry. I'll have to rely on you, Sister Cao'er, from now on. I need to get some rest." Wanyue's voice was tinged with fatigue.
Shen Cao nodded, her voice tinged with apology: "Okay."
As soon as she finished speaking, Shen's mother rushed in, looking flustered.
Her face was filled with anxiety, and her voice trembled slightly: "Cao'er, something bad has happened!"
Xin'an County Wharf...
Tiger and Er Gou had long since taken off their coarse cloth clothes and put on fine cotton clothes.
Since the two started doing business at the docks, they have never lacked money.
Although they weren't very good at cooking, they listened to their parents very much.
"You must remember what Cao'er said: you must never cut corners."
"we know."
They said this almost every day.
Although the seasonings I bought were a bit pricey, I only buy them once every two weeks, so it's actually quite cost-effective.
After all, they now earn at least two taels of silver a day.
Buying seasonings from the management office only costs three taels of silver a month.
When you calculate it that way, that little bit of money is just a drop in the ocean.
They are honest; a two-week supply of seasonings can only last for two weeks.
However, some merchants at the docks didn't think that way. They felt that since they earned so much money each month, they still had to spend three taels of silver to buy seasonings from Shen Cao.
Three taels a month, that's more than thirty taels a year. Over several years, that money could buy a house.
As a result, several stall owners at the dock started dividing their half-month supply of seasonings into a one-month supply.
If the flavor is bland, they add some salt. Anyway, they've tasted it, and apart from the milder aroma, it's pretty much the same as what they've eaten before.
Over time, fewer and fewer people came to these vendors' stalls.
They started out earning at least one or two taels of silver a day, then gradually increased to eight hundred coins, five hundred coins, and now they can only earn two hundred coins a day.
Gradually, they became dissatisfied and began to frequently go to the management office to demand an explanation.
Unable to find his master, Steward Wei from the management office hurried to Shen Family Restaurant to look for Shen Cao.
After hearing what her mother said, Shen Cao looked apologetically at Wan Yue, "I can't go today. I'll go to the dock first."