The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

Odd as it was, Zhuang Qingning, rather than making up her own mind, approached him and explained every detail of the situation to him. Likely, she did this because he had paved the way for her tofu making business. By approaching him, it showed her respect for him.

Having lived for so many years, Zhang Yongchang believed that he had seen people of all kinds. Countless people had spoken nicely to him.

Some were deceitful, with their actions not matching their thoughts. Others were manipulative, their words and eyes, and even the smiles on their faces would not hide their intense desire for gain.

Zhuang Qingning, on the other hand, with her clear eyes and genuine respect for others, was rare and very likable.

It was a shame he had no children of his own. If his late wife was still alive and they had a daughter, she would probably be around Zhuang Qingning’s age. He imagined that she would be just as clever and sensible as Zhuang Qingning.

Zhang Yongchang pulled his mind back from these thoughts and looked at Zhuang Qingning, chuckling, “You’re expanding your business pretty quickly. First it was tofu, then salted duck eggs, and now dried tofu and tofu sheets. What’s next? Are you going to start growing bean sprouts?”

Aside from the salted duck eggs, everything else came from beans, so Zhang Yongchang casually said, “Do you plan on holding a full-course soybean feast in the future?”

“Hey, don’t joke about it, Uncle Zhang. Your guess is as good as your culinary skills,” Zhuang Qingning laughed with twinkling eyes. “I am actually planning on growing bean sprouts. We’ve already soaked the beans and are waiting for them to sprout. It should be ready in a couple of days for you to try.”

“As for the full-course soybean feast that Uncle Zhang mentioned, I do have that in mind. Once I gather everything together, I’m going to ask that you help me out with the cooking. We can have a feast and make it a fun event.”

“Deal,” Zhang Yongchang agreed without hesitation. “I may not be good at much else, but I am quite confident in my cooking skills. Set a date and let’s make it happen.”

“Sure thing.” Zhuang Qingning grinned widely.

The two of them had a pleasant chat at the entrance of the backyard. At this moment, Feng Yongkang came to the kitchen in search of something to eat.

For breakfast, he had scallion pancakes, fried eggs, and soy milk at home, but since his stomach didn’t feel right, he hadn’t eaten anything. After arriving at Fushun Tower, he was feeling hungry and went to the kitchen to ask Zhang Yongchang to make him a bowl of tofu soup.

The tofu soup that Zhang Yongchang made, with the perfect amount of chili and pepper, was especially delicious as it was made from tofu from Zhuang’s Tofu Shop.

Although he didn’t like Zhuang’s Tofu Shop.

Having the tofu soup in mind, he walked into the backyard and saw Zhang Yongchang and Zhuang Qingning talking happily.

Feng Yongkang slightly furrowed his brows but didn’t speak. He took a couple of steps closer, but not too close, just enough to eavesdrop on their conversation.

Phrases like “you cook for us” and “come and cook for us” kept entering Feng Yongkang’s ears.

Upon hearing this, Feng Yongkang’s brows furrowed and his mind became a mess.

What did Zhuang Qingning mean by that? Was she trying to poach Zhang Yongchang?

But she just runs a tofu shop. Why would she need Zhang Yongkang, a chef?

Could it be that she was planning to open a restaurant but couldn’t find a good cook, so she decided to poach Zhang Yongkang?

It wasn’t unlikely. There was a new three-story building in a remote area on the west side of the town, rumored to be a restaurant, supposedly the idea of some high-ranking official who decided to open a restaurant there.

If it really was a restaurant, it would be a potential client for Zhuang’s Tofu Shop. In order to sell her fresh tofu, dried tofu, tofu sheets, and such, Zhuang Qingning would have to court this new business.

Offering a good cook to secure future business deals was indeed a good strategy, especially since Zhang Yongchang seemed unusually protective of Zhuang Qingning. He might even agree to this arrangement.

If that were the case, what would become of Fushun Tower?

Such thoughts created a whirlwind of confusion in Feng Yongkang’s mind.

“Shop manager, shop manager.”

“Hmm?” Feng Yongkang snapped out of his thoughts, looking pale as he turned to Lian Rong who was calling him. “What’s up?”

“Didn’t you just call for me, shop manager?” Lian Rong touched the back of his head in bewilderment, looking at Feng Yongkang who seemed to have lost his soul.

Feng Yongkang remembered that he had called Lian Rong as he entered the backyard earlier. First, he had wanted Lian Rong to tell Zhang Yongchang to make tofu soup for him. Second, he wanted Lian Rong to make him a scallion pancake to go with the soup.

However, when he did call for him, Lian Rong didn’t immediately answer. Feng Yongkang had forgotten about it as soon as he saw Zhang Yongchang and Zhuang Qingning conversing.

“Shop manager.” Hearing the noise, Zhang Yongchang turned around and seeing that Feng Yongkang wasn’t looking well, he asked, “Is there something wrong, shop manager?”

“Uncle Zhang, I’ll let you get back to your work then. I’ll head back first.” Zhuang Qingning said turning to Feng Yongkang, “Shop Manager Feng, I’ll head back then.”

As Zhuang Qingning spoke, a gentle smile was on her face, making her quite charming.

Seeing her smile, Feng Yongkang found it unbearably harsh to look at.

How come her smile seemed so profound?

Feng Yongkang’s heart thumped as he thought nervously. He didn’t even respond to what Zhuang Qingning said.

This made Zhuang Qingning’s farewell awkward.

Zhang Yongkang gave Feng Yongkang another surprised glance and then tried to ease the awkwardness. “The shop manager isn’t feeling well. It’s probably his stomach acting up. You better head back first, Zhuang Qingning. I’ll keep what you said in mind. Just call me when you’re ready.”

“Sure, Uncle Zhang. I’ll take my leave then.” Zhuang Qingning left with a smile on her face.

Feng Yongkang’s face turned even more unpleasant.

Was she just going to call Zhang Yongkang and have him come over when she was ready? Discussing how to leave Fushun Tower right in front of him, was that not too brazen?

“Shop manager, are you okay?” Zhang Yongkang asked with his brows furrowed.

“No, it’s nothing…” Feng Yongkang briefly suppressed his worries. “I didn’t feel good this morning and didn’t have breakfast. I’m hungry now. I was actually going to ask you to make me a bowl of tofu soup..”