Old Master Zhao was displeased with his grandson's expression. Frowning like a child, he said unhappily, "Zhao Qingyun, what kind of face is that? Don't forget—this old man is your biological grandfather. What? You have good food and don't even know to show filial respect to your old man?"
Old Master Zhao was quite hot-tempered, his face full of rage. Pointing his finger at Zhao Qingyun, he bellowed the full name with the vigor of his years. Had an uninformed outsider seen that appearance, they would have thought Zhao Qingyun had abused him.
Wu... This old urchin of a grandfather. Zhao Qingyun pressed his forehead and sighed. "Grandfather, your grandson only just learned that Lan'er and the others brought new pastries this time. Even if you hadn't come, I was just about to have Xiao Si go invite you."
Zhao Qingyun softened his voice and spoke coaxingly to Old Master Zhao. Whether it was Zhao Qingyun's attitude that made him soften, or... whether the persimmon cakes in Li Menglan's hands had attracted Old Master Zhao's attention, the other's gaze finally shifted from Zhao Qingyun onto Li Menglan.
"Little girl, what is the name of that pastry in your hands? It looks rather delicious. Can you give this old man one to taste?" Old Master Zhao looked at the seemingly very appetizing persimmon cakes in Li Menglan's hands and couldn't help but smack his lips. A trace of a smile squeezed onto his aged face as he stared eagerly at the persimmon cakes in her hands.
Er... Li Menglan really hadn't expected that the old master of the Zhao family, who was said to have once been a high official, could be so adorable. Hehe... As the saying goes, the old are like children; it truly wasn't false. The older one got, the more like a child one became.
"Old Master, here you go." Li Menglan handed two persimmon cakes into his hand. Then, seeing that his eyes were still staring at the persimmon cakes in her own hands, Li Menglan quickly spoke up to explain: "Old Master, it's not that I'm stingy and won't give you more. It's just that this pastry is called a persimmon cake. If an elderly person eats too much, it's actually not very good for the body."
Fine beads of sweat appeared on Li Menglan's forehead. Wu... Could this old man be the legendary foodie? In Li Menglan's heart, it felt as if ten thousand alpacas were stampeding past.
Old Master Zhao's originally somewhat displeased expression finally improved after hearing Li Menglan's explanation. "Mm... You, little girl, are not bad. This old man likes you." Old Master Zhao nodded in satisfaction.
Er... The heck? Who wants your liking! This girl isn't interested in wealthy families at all. Li Menglan's face remained smiling without showing the slightest abnormality, but inwardly she rolled her eyes toward the sky without hesitation.
To be honest, Li Menglan's outfit today was already quite pleasing to the eye. Although she wasn't some great beauty, she was at least an exceptionally pretty little lolita. Just this first impression alone made Old Master Zhao feel very comfortable.
When the soft, fragrant, and sweet taste of the persimmon cake spread through Old Master Zhao's mouth, he liked Li Menglan even more in his heart. This was, after all... persimmon cakes could basically be considered a type of food for the elderly. How could they not suit Old Master Zhao's taste?
"Little girl, who made this pastry called persimmon cake? Can you tell this old man?" Thus, the Zhao family's old master became curious about the person capable of making such a delicious thing.
Li Zhihao, who had already been waiting somewhat impatiently, couldn't help but let out a "pfft" of laughter. "Haha, Old Master, do you even need to ask? Of course this persimmon cake was my little sister's idea." Li Zhihao's quick mouth immediately gave Li Menglan away.
"Oh... Is that so? Little girl, did you really make these persimmon cakes?" There was a trace of scrutiny in Old Master Zhao's eyes as he looked at Li Menglan.
"Yes, Old Master." Li Menglan had no choice. She shot a fierce glare at her second brother and nodded somewhat helplessly. "This was originally something I cobbled together while messing around. It doesn't deserve your praise, Old Master."
Really, couldn't her second brother have said one less sentence? Li Menglan was deeply resentful toward that boy Li Zhihao.
"What's with calling me Old Master? That's so distant. Call me Grandfather. Come—little girl, say 'Grandfather' for me to hear!" Li Menglan's words made Old Master Zhao's eyes light up, and he said with feigned displeasure.
Er... The heck? What was happening now? Li Menglan was utterly dumbfounded!
"Grandfather." Zhao Qingyun looked at Li Menglan with an apologetic expression and said somewhat embarrassedly, "Lan'er, my grandfather just has this kind of temperament. Once you get to know him better, you'll understand."
Old Master Zhao was someone who had occupied a high position for many years. In the Zhao family, he had always had the final say. Even if Zhao Qingyun wanted to help right now, he couldn't get a word in.
"Mm... What is that smell? Why does it smell so mouth-watering?" Old Master Zhao suddenly sniffed hard and turned his head, looking all around.
Because of Old Master Zhao's words, the several people in the courtyard once again stared at each other in bafflement. Only Li Menglan understood in her heart that the mouth-watering smell the old master spoke of was likely the fragrance coming from the basket in her hands. Inside was the pork offal and pig head meat that Li Menglan had braised yesterday. Moreover, she had already mixed them with various seasonings as a cold dish; at this moment, it was ready to eat.
Er... this was something Li Menglan was planning to take to the restaurant in Qingshui Town in a moment for the owner to sample!
Li Menglan's feet unconsciously shifted backward. "Little girl, stop and don't move!" Although Old Master Zhao was advanced in years, because of his background as a military officer, his eyesight was very sharp.
Very quickly, Old Master Zhao discovered the source of the fragrance that attracted him. Er... of course, he also noticed Li Menglan's small movement at the same time and immediately spoke to stop her.
"Mm... This old man was right. This strange fragrance really is coming from you, little girl." Old Master Zhao strode forward in a few steps, arriving in front of Li Menglan, and said with a smile.
"Old Master..." Li Menglan looked at Old Master Zhao with a guarded expression. Although this braised pork offal wasn't anything precious. Even if she gave it to him to eat, it wouldn't matter much!
But Li Menglan didn't want to compromise. Right now, the family needed money everywhere. And... and her maternal grandparents' family... Li Menglan was somewhat angry.
The Zhao family was already so rich; what couldn't they eat if they wanted it? Why keep staring at the basket in her hands? Li Menglan was depressed!
Old Master Zhao rudely interrupted Li Menglan: "What Old Master? Didn't this old man already tell you, little girl, to call me Grandfather! Remember! Don't call me Old Master from now on; call me Grandfather!"
As expected of someone from a military background, Old Master Zhao might be old, but tsk, tsk... when it came to handling matters, he was neat, efficient, and swift. Impressive!
Li Menglan looked at the old man before her with a headache. Finally, under Zhao Qingyun's hint, she had no choice but to compromise. Lowering her head, she softly called out, "Grandfather!"
Beside them, Li Dazhu and his two sons were facing someone as wealthy as Old Master Zhao for the first time. Add to that his unpredictable temperament, and all of them were already at a loss. "Daughter, are you alright? Why don't we not sell the persimmon cakes today?" Li Dazhu looked at Li Menglan with a worried expression.
"Who said the persimmon cakes aren't for sale!" Li Dazhu's words immediately made Old Master Zhao extremely anxious, nearly blowing his beard and glaring as he roared at Li Dazhu.
"Xiao Si, why aren't you quickly taking the little girl's father and two elder brothers to find the steward?" Old Master Zhao threw a fit. Er... however, the target wasn't the Li father and sons, but rather the teahouse attendant standing at the side—Xiao Si, who was struck while standing there completely innocent!
"Xiao Si, ah, Xiao Si, you brat are becoming more and more lacking in perception. Don't you see that this old man has bought all these persimmon cakes? Hurry up and take them to settle the bill. Tell the steward—this old master says, persimmon cakes are two hundred wen per jin. Remember, you mustn't shortchange them on weight or money."
Old Master Zhao's hand nearly poked Xiao Si in the face. The shrewd Old Master Zhao naturally took the opportunity to add a few instructions.
"Uncle Li, come with me!" Xiao Si had long been wishing he could get away from this troubled spot. Er... all the Zhao family's servants knew that whenever their young master and old master were together... it was best to stay as far away as possible. There was no other reason—these two were both exceptionally capable of causing a fuss.
"Daughter, your father I..." Li Dazhu cast an inquiring look toward Li Menglan. The Li family had already grown accustomed to taking Li Menglan's opinion as the guiding principle in all matters.
"Dad, don't worry. Take Big Brother and Second Brother with you. It's fine. Just wait for me outside in a moment." Li Menglan gave her father Li Dazhu a brilliant smile.
Old Master Zhao looked at the blooming smile of Li Menglan before him and suddenly felt somewhat jealous. "Xiao Si, remember to treat those three well. One who enters the door is a guest; don't slight the guests."
Old Master Zhao watched as the figures of Li Dazhu and his sons walked further away, then suddenly spoke loudly. Xiao Si, who was walking far ahead, nearly stumbled and fell because of these words.
Even Zhao Qingyun himself looked at his grandfather with a blank expression. Wu... what was the old man playing at now?