BXBX NOVEL Chapter 357: 357: Sisi’s growing prestige; the Old Madam comes knocking again
Chapter 357: 357: Sisi’s growing prestige; the Old Madam comes knocking again
“Upper couplet: Good luck throughout all four seasons of the year. Lower couplet: Wealth from all eight directions entering the door. Horizontal inscription: Family harmony and prosperity in all things.”
“Upper couplet: Smooth sailing with auspicious stars. Lower couplet: Everything goes well, and fortune comes to your doorstep. Horizontal inscription: Wealth comes in abundance.”
“Upper couplet: Grace the neighborhood, doors welcome spring, summer, autumn, winter’s fortune. Lower couplet: Sincerely treat worldly talents, households receive wealth from east, south, west, north. Horizontal inscription: Auspicious stars shine brightly.”
Beautiful Zhuan flower script, the rounded and squared regular script, and bold cursive—four spring couplets in three different fonts.
A professional shows her skills at a glance!
Her casually picking up the brush and writing these couplets was naturally much faster and more unrestrained than Nan Tianzong, who was customizing spring couplets for clients nearby!
Her writing immediately attracted the attention of many onlookers.
As her brush fell, she picked up a few clips without any hurry. Casually attaching the couplets to the rope behind her, she calmly sat down again.
The onlookers recited the spring couplets and were immediately stunned.
Even Nan Tianzong, who had been busy beside Liu Sisi, took a moment to look back at her in surprise.
A young man next to them suddenly exclaimed! “I remember now! She is the former female tutor of Miss Gan’s family and later was favored by Elder Madam Gan and taken in as her granddaughter, Miss Liu! No wonder she has such good literary talent!”
This remark immediately stirred up a sensation!
No wonder she writes beautifully, turns out she’s a female tutor who happens to be admired by the Gan family’s old madam…
Everyone’s eyes lit up at once!
“I want two spring couplets in this font!”
“Hurry up and give me five more! One of each type, they’re so beautiful!”
“And me! I want four more…”
In an instant, almost everyone rushed toward Liu Sisi, eager to buy her spring couplets.
Liu Sisi wore a calm expression, watch and learn!
This work she had done in her previous life, could she be stage frightened when she came here?
Immediately she waved her hand: “Queue up! Queue up and come one by one!”
The crowd quickly lined up and waited.
However, Liu Sisi sat there so long that even by noon she had not moved. When she reached back to grab more pre-cut red paper, she realized there wasn’t any left.
“Excuse me, everyone! I’ve run out of red paper. Let me cut some more in the back before continuing.”
She had been sitting there for too long, and she felt back pain and even some discomfort in her lower abdomen. She quickly used this as an excuse to leave and went into the inner room.
Di Yelei had already come down from the high place and was helping Liu Sisi. As soon as she entered, he immediately followed.
“How are you? I’ve seen you sitting there for so long without moving. Are you okay?”
There was no one else in the room, and it seemed that Elderly Mr. Di had taken the children out shopping. Liu Sisi was really tired, so she hurriedly sat down in a slanted position on the reclining chair and shook her head.
“It’s okay, just a bit tired. Today is Minor New Year, so naturally, there are more people.” While speaking, she took out the red paper to cut.
“Leave this cutting job to me, you rest for a while. Earning money is important, but your health is more important.”
Di Yelei disapproved, but quickly took the scissors and started cutting.
Liu Sisi thought for a moment, noticing that there were obviously fewer customers outside. Although Nan Tianzong was busy, he should be able to handle it.
“That’s fine! You can cut some more red paper, and then deliver it to Brother Nan. On your way, tell him that I’m going to have lunch, and I won’t be writing for a while.”
“That sounds good! Now that you mention it, I’m feeling hungry too. Should we invite your Second Sister as well?”
The reason he asked was because Liu Zhi’er was obviously still busy at the front at the moment.
Though Liu Zhi’er was illiterate, her pleasing appearance made it easy for her to simply greet customers. After working one morning, she was already adept at it. She was also helping to take care of the business at the front now.
“Of course, we have to call her. I can’t leave her here alone.” Liu Sisi said, narrowing her eyes slightly.
Her body had indeed been easily fatigued lately.
“Why don’t you lie down for a while, and I’ll call you when I’m done cutting?”
Liu Sisi naturally agreed: “Alright, I’ll rest for a while.” She then closed her eyes and actually fell asleep.
Di Yelei finished cutting the entire stack of red paper before calling Liu Zhi’er and leaving the bookstore through the back door.
At the back door, Grandma’s business was also booming today. Liu Sisi only greeted her from a distance and didn’t have time to talk before turning onto the street.
Even now, well past noon, the street outside was still bustling with people coming and going, hawkers shouting, people bargaining, laughing, and playing… Countless chaotic noises pierced the eardrums, making it feel as if one were in another world.
Di Yelei carefully guarded Liu Sisi as they moved forward, passing two food shops that were packed with people.
Finally, the two stopped in front of Juxian Restaurant.
Although the restaurant was also crowded at the moment, it originally belonged to the Gan Family, so there should be a place for Liu Sisi to dine.
“Shall we go in?” Di Yelei asked without thinking, noticing Liu Sisi’s hesitation.
Liu Sisi hesitated for a moment: “Let’s not go in after all, let’s go.”
If she were still the female tutor of the Gan Family, she wouldn’t mind going in. But now that she was a nominally adopted daughter, it wouldn’t be appropriate to do so.
But circumstances were not on her side.
As the two turned to leave, a waiter came running out from inside, blocking their way.
“Eldest Miss, Elder Madam of Gan Family invites you to the elegant room on the third floor.”
“Elder Madam? Is she the only one there?” Liu Sisi frowned.
The waiter replied humbly, “I’m only responsible for passing messages, Miss. I don’t know about the rest.”
Liu Sisi glanced back at Di Yelei: “In that case, lead the way.”
The two followed the waiter to the third floor where they discovered that the room was actually quiet, with only Madam Gan Senior present. In contrast, the room next door was full of noisy laughter, including Gan Miaoruo’s delicate voice.
Liu Sisi and Di Yelei quickly went forward to pay their respects.
Madam Gan Senior looked kindly at them: “Ah, it’s Sisi. Come, sit down and let’s have a good chat.”
“Thank you for your love and kindness, Grandma.”
Liu Sisi quickly got up and sat down next to Madam Gan Senior.
Madam Gan Senior’s face wrinkled with laughter, and looked back at Di Yelei: “Ye Lei, you go and eat some cooked dishes in the next room while we talk. They are all playing together, and you are of similar age, so you should get along well.” It was a blatant attempt to get rid of him!