The wicked sister-in-law is in charge; meals include fish and shrimp.

Chapter 21 Finding Wen Zijin

People attracted by the shouts thought the food was novel, and when they heard that they could try it for free, they all crowded around, thinking it would be a fool not to take advantage of a good deal.

Once they tasted it, everyone couldn't stop, and some people bought a few coins' worth to satisfy their craving.

Some people buy just the right amount to take home for their families to try.

After all that work, only a small portion of the food on the table remained.

Wen Luozhi took out a bowl, scooped some food from each person, and handed it to Yang Guilan, saying, "Second Sister-in-law, there's not much left. Eat something to fill your stomach."

"I still need to deliver some things to Fifth Brother. If we can sell these, we will; if not, we'll take them home and eat them ourselves."

Yang Guilan had no intention of eating such things; the fried dumplings were only two coins each, and she was still waiting to sell them for money!

"Second sister-in-law isn't hungry, so we'll keep this to sell for money. You go and do your work, and second sister-in-law will definitely sell it all." As she spoke, she put the contents of the bowl back.

Wen Luozhi thought that at worst, she could buy some food when she came back later, so she let her go.

She turned into that deserted alley again, took out the dried meat and other snacks she had made, and put them into the small basket she had casually tossed into the system.

When they arrived at the academy gate, the students were just finishing their lessons.

Wen Luozhi waited on tiptoe for a long time but didn't see Wen Zijin. Fewer and fewer students were walking out, and she was getting a little confused.

Does Wen Zijin not eat lunch?

As she was thinking, a voice came from inside, "Brother Zijing, thank goodness you made me review my lessons yesterday, otherwise I really wouldn't know how to answer this test today."

Wen Luozhi looked up and saw that the person speaking was Yan Che, Wen Zijin's classmate and good friend.

The man next to him was dressed in a blue robe, tall and slender yet not weak, with handsome features that made him stand out among the students.

The only drawback was that the man's complexion was somewhat sallow, and there were two patches on the hem of his blue robe.

Even so, Wen Luozhi's eyes lit up. She had never met a true scholar before. Wen Zijin's temperament was that of a gentleman, unlike Lin Huaizhi at all.

I really don't know what the original owner saw in that weakling!

As the person drew closer, Wen Luozhi smiled sweetly and waved, "Fifth Brother! Fifth Brother! I've come to see you!"

Wen Zijin heard his younger sister's voice before he even stepped out of the courtyard. He quickly walked a few steps out of the courtyard and saw the smiling little girl standing under the shade of the tree.

He was momentarily stunned, sensing that his younger sister was a little different today.

He walked over and wanted to pat her head, but then seemed to remember something and withdrew his hand.

Wen Luozhi quickly leaned closer and affectionately rubbed her head against his palm. "Fifth Brother, Mom and Dad miss you so much!"

Wen Zijin was somewhat surprised. His little sister used to be like a chicken seeing a weasel when she saw him, so why was she so close to him today?

He suddenly remembered what someone had told him a few days ago: his younger sister had hit her head on the wall in the kitchen, but thankfully she hadn't died.

He looked down at the little girl's head, and sure enough, there was a conspicuous wound on her smooth forehead. He said with some heartache, "Why did you run so far with a hole in your head?"

Wen Luozhi pouted and whispered, "That's exactly what Mother said. No wonder we're family."

"Luo Luo, what are you muttering about?" Wen Zijin gently tapped her head and asked.

Wen Luozhi quickly took the things out of the basket and said, "I didn't grumble about anything. This is something I made for Fifth Brother."

After she finished speaking, she took out the packed items one by one and handed them to Wen Zijin.

Wen Zijin frowned and looked Wen Luozhi up and down with a scrutinizing gaze. "You did this?" He didn't believe it!

Wen Luozhi huffed, "Yes! I made it. Don't worry, I didn't poison it. My parents really like it."

Wen Zijin found her puffed-up face quite adorable and decided not to tease her.

Yan Che then walked over and, seeing Wen Luozhi, waved his fan and said, "Little sister, you've brought the food just in time. Otherwise, Brother Zijin would have had pickled vegetables and steamed buns for lunch again today."

Wen Zijin frowned and stopped him, "A-Che! Don't talk nonsense!"

"Hmph, I didn't! You've been eating this for five days straight! If you keep eating like this, you'll turn into pickled vegetables!"

Yan Che retorted indignantly that every time he suggested having dinner together, Wen Zijin would refuse, saying she would never go with him no matter what.

Wen Luozhi didn't expose her. Wen Zijin always reported good news and never bad news. Even if she was short of money, she wouldn't ask her family for it. During her ten-day break, she would find a job copying books to supplement the family income.

Judging from today's situation, she will likely be setting up a stall in town for a long time, so bringing food for Wen Zijin will not be a problem at all.

She waved the empty basket at Wen Zijin and said in a light tone, "Fifth Brother, the hot food inside should be eaten while it's hot, everything else can be kept for a while. I'm going back now!"

She gave Yan Che a sweet smile and said, "Thank you for taking good care of my fifth brother, Brother Yan Che." After saying that, she bowed to Yan Che and turned to leave.

Wen Zijin called out from behind her, "Be careful on the road, walk in the shade."

Wen Luozhi turned around and showed him a set of small white teeth, looking charming and cute.

Yan Che was taken aback. Wen Zijing patted his shoulder with a warning look: "Don't get any bad ideas."

Despite it being July, Yan Che felt a chill. He rubbed his arms and said incredulously, "My little sister has never been so polite to me before."

Wen Zijin nodded, a rare occurrence for her. Previously, Wen Luozhi had always been arrogant and haughty towards Yan Che...

Yan Che sniffed the air and reached for the thing in his arms, but Wen Zijin slapped his hand away, somewhat smugly saying, "Luo Luo made this for me. If you want some, ask your sister to make it."

After saying that, he carefully protected his belongings and walked into the academy, a smile still on his lips.

Yan Che was so angry that he stood there stamping his feet. His family had only one son for three generations, so where did he get a sister from?

He wanted to eat lunch by himself, but the aroma he had just smelled made him lick his lips.

He chased after Wen Zijin, calling out, "Brother Zijin! Don't be so stingy! There's so much, let me eat some for you, otherwise it'll go to waste!"

……

When Wen Luozhi returned to her stall, Yang Guilan had already sold out the remaining items and was starting to pack up.

Seeing her return, she happily leaned over and whispered, "Little sister, guess how much we made this morning?" She winked at Wen Luozhi.

Wen Luozhi stroked her chin and thought for a moment, then silently held up four fingers.

Yang Guilan smiled, neither nodding nor shaking her head, presumably indicating that it was about the same.

Just as the two were about to leave with their baskets on their backs, the aunt who had bought forty-four coins earlier came back.

Looking at the two women and then at the empty stall, she asked with some regret, "Young lady, sister, did you finish all your food?"

Wen Luozhi nodded and replied with a smile, "Auntie, there aren't any left. If you want to eat, you'll have to wait until tomorrow."

The aunt was visibly disappointed upon receiving a definite answer; her family had loved eating it when she took it home that morning.

Her grandson especially loved the pan-fried dumplings.

The child's grandfather even asked us to buy some more pig offal to take home and eat with our drinks, but we didn't expect it to be gone so quickly.

"Then tomorrow, save me twenty pan-fried dumplings, ten steamed dumplings, ten wontons, and two bowls of pork offal."

The woman then pulled out another string of copper coins and handed it over, saying, "This string costs fifty coins. I'll give you the rest tomorrow after I pick up my things."

"Alright, Auntie, we'll set up our stall at the same time tomorrow as today," Wen Luozhi said, taking the coins and giving a few more instructions.

Yang Guilan was so excited that her face turned red and her neck bulged. Business had already started before tomorrow even began!

I've really learned a lot today! She's coming again tomorrow!