vrcanaries Chapter 131 Get the Token
Chapter 131 Get the Token
"Miss Cheng, how are you?"
Just as she was lost in thought, Ji Yanchuan's deep and magnetic voice came from behind the screen, interrupting Cheng Yuntao's thoughts.
She quickly collected her thoughts, bowed, and replied respectfully, "Thank you, Boss Ji, for your concern. Yuntao is doing well. I came here firstly to offer a small gift for the Dragon Boat Festival as a token of my appreciation, and secondly to ask what Boss Ji has thought about the stall we mentioned the other day in front of the theater."
Ji Yanchuan did not answer immediately. After a brief silence, the only sound in the room was the rustling of clothes.
"Miss Cheng, wouldn't you like to introduce the rice dumplings you brought first?" Ji Yanchuan's voice came slowly from behind the screen, with a hint of elusive meaning.
Cheng Yuntao was slightly startled, then a somewhat awkward smile appeared on her face. She hurriedly introduced: "There are red bean paste dumplings, which are sweet and delicate, and melt in your mouth; salted egg yolk dumplings, which are salty and fragrant, and sticky and delicious; fresh meat dumplings, which are tender and juicy; and alkaline dumplings, which are pure and fragrant, and have a unique flavor."
Ji Yanchuan listened, the corners of his mouth slightly raised: "Miss Cheng is really attentive." After that, he looked at Mu Qingfeng: "Go and bring it in, let me taste Miss Cheng's cooking skills."
Mu Qingfeng responded, walked quickly to Cheng Yuntao's side, carefully picked up the food basket, and put it behind the screen.
Soon, a faint chewing sound was heard from behind the screen. Cheng Yuntao's heart began to hang in the air. She stared at the screen intently, and her hands were unconsciously clasped in front of her.
A moment later, Ji Yanchuan's voice sounded again: "Miss Cheng, your craftsmanship is indeed superb." His words were full of praise.
Cheng Yuntao was delighted when she heard this. Just as she was about to thank him, Ji Yanchuan said, "Well, I'll grant your request." He then handed over a token from behind the screen. "This is the token of the Ji Mansion. Take it. From now on, with this token, not only will the people at the theater not dare to embarrass you, but you'll also be able to enter and exit the Ji Mansion freely."
Mu Qingfeng, who was standing by, widened his eyes in disbelief. This was the Ji Mansion's token! Did the master just give it to him?!
With this token, not only the theater, but all of Ji Yanchuan's businesses can be accessed without any hindrance, and those servants will absolutely not dare to act rashly. In Mu Qingfeng's opinion, Ji Yanchuan has always been cautious and rarely gives such an important token to others easily. It seems that this time he has really decided on Cheng Yuntao's cooking.
Cheng Yuntao was also slightly startled, clearly not expecting Ji Yanchuan to be so generous. She subconsciously reached out to take the token, which felt heavy in her hand. The delicate texture and unique carvings all revealed its extraordinaryness. The front of the token was engraved with a striking "Ji" character, surrounded by intricate cloud patterns, while the back was covered with a series of mysterious symbols.
"However, I have a condition."
Cheng Yuntao hurriedly took the token and thanked him repeatedly. Hearing that there were conditions, he hurriedly said respectfully, "Boss Ji, please tell me. As long as it is within my ability, I will comply."
Ji Yanchuan said slowly, "Besides the first portion of food you send to me every day, you must come to the Ji Mansion on the fifteenth of every month to prepare a dinner for me."
Cheng Yuntao thought about it for a moment, then readily agreed: "Don't worry, Boss Ji, Yuntao will definitely be there on time."
Ji Yanchuan nodded slightly, then said calmly, "See you out."
Cheng Yuntao's wish had been fulfilled. She was filled with joy at the moment and did not want to argue any further. She bowed towards the screen and said crisply, "Thank you, Mr. Ji, for your help. Yuntao will take her leave." After that, she turned around neatly and walked out of the house with light steps.
As she was about to leave the house, Cheng Yuntao suddenly paused. She thought to herself, Boss Ji had helped her so much, but she had nothing good to thank him with. As her thoughts turned, she reached into her bosom and touched the mugwort purse she had prepared earlier. Her eyes lit up, and she quickly took it out and stuffed it into Mu Qingfeng's hand, saying earnestly.
"Manager Mu, this is a mugwort purse I made myself. It's for the Dragon Boat Festival. I want you to pass it on to Boss Ji as a token of your appreciation." Without waiting for Mu Qingfeng's reaction, she smiled, waved her hand, and left quickly.
Mu Qingfeng took it subconsciously and looked at it with some curiosity. There was no embroidery on the purse, only a few simple and natural plant vein patterns. He looked troubled and hesitated for a moment before turning back inside and asking Ji Yanchuan behind the screen, "Master, this is what Miss Cheng asked me to pass on before she left... What do you think is the most appropriate way to deal with it?"
Mu Qingfeng guessed that, given his master's previous temperament, he would have told him to throw it away without hesitation. After all, the purse was so simple, and it contained only some cheap mugwort. His master had seen all sorts of fine things, so why would he be interested in such a small thing? The mansion received countless rare treasures and exquisite items during the holidays, and none of them was less valuable than this humble purse.
Ji Yanchuan raised his eyes slightly, moving his gaze from the scroll in his hand to look at the purse in Mu Qingfeng's hand. He did not answer immediately, but stretched out his hand, motioning Mu Qingfeng to bring it closer. Mu Qingfeng hurried forward and gently placed the purse in Ji Yanchuan's open palm.
His fingers subconsciously rubbed the fabric of the purse. The rough texture was completely different from the silks and satins he was used to, yet it inexplicably moved him. Ji Yanchuan gently squeezed the purse, and the fragrance of mugwort instantly filled the air, lingering around his nose. The fresh and natural scent was like the neat and unrestrained manner in which Cheng Yuntao had cooked in the mansion that day. It was unpretentious and touched his heart.
For a moment, Ji Yanchuan seemed to recall Cheng Yuntao's sincere smile as she handed over the purse, as well as the glimmer of hope in her eyes. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, revealing a faint smile, and he whispered, "Stay."
Mu Qingfeng's eyes widened in surprise. He had assumed his master would be as dismissive of such "vulgar things" as usual, but he hadn't expected him to act so differently. He didn't dare ask further questions and quickly replied, "Yes, Master."
Ji Yanchuan placed the purse on a corner of the desk, his gaze returning to the book, but his thoughts had drifted away.
Walking out of the gate of Ji Mansion, the sun shone on her body, making her feel warm. Cheng Yuntao took a deep breath and felt that she was immersed in joy.
Jiang Yu had been waiting anxiously outside the door. When he saw her come out, he hurried forward, his eyes scanning her body, and asked with concern: "Yun Tao, are you okay? What's the situation in there?"
Cheng Yuntao smiled and raised the token in her hand, waving it in front of Jiang Yu. "Jiang Yu, Boss Ji has agreed to let me set up a stall in front of the theater, and he also gave me this token from the Ji Mansion! With this token, the guys in the theater will never dare to embarrass us. My plan is finally on track!"