Chapter 239: The Reunion

Chapter 239: Reunion

In August, the skies of Tianjin Prefecture were clear and the air crisp. The joy of bountiful harvests and ripe fruits filled people with an instinctive satisfaction and ease ingrained in their genes. Strangers passing each other on the streets would unconsciously exchange smiles.

The International Quarter was currently the liveliest marketplace in Tianjin, packed with crowds from morning till night. Many people visited not necessarily to buy anything but simply to marvel at the exotic foreign goods, gathering material for future conversations and boasts.

According to official records, there were 183 foreign-owned shops in the International Quarter. Some wealthy merchants owned multiple shops, while others with limited funds pooled their resources to purchase a single storefront.

There was also a large number of foreign merchants who had yet to qualify for purchasing shops, working hard to save money and improve their credit scores by contributing to Great Yu.

Tucked away in a corner of the street lined with ornately or curiously decorated shops was a small, seemingly unremarkable store.

This shop occupied a leftover sliver of space from the original construction, only a third the size of a normal storefront. Half-hidden within the wall, its interior was a narrow, elongated space with shelves on one side and an aisle just wide enough for two adults to pass side by side.

Even in broad daylight, the shop received little natural light. The faint sunlight that squeezed through the door pierced the dim air, filled with floating dust motes, illuminating the pastries and coffee on the shelves.

This cheap, out-of-the-way shop—one that few foreign merchants were willing to purchase—primarily sold coffee and a type of cream cake known among the Yu Dynasty people as "Qishu Cake."

The taste of coffee had yet to gain widespread acceptance among the Yu populace, and while Qishu Cake was delicious, it was also expensive. Despite being located in the bustling International Quarter, the shop's limited selection meant business was slow, selling at most ten-plus cakes per day.

The shop had no assistants—only the manager. Every day, he silently baked a single large cake, precisely sliced it with a silver knife, piped on hand-whipped, light cream with a dispenser, and brewed a pot of bitter coffee.

Once these tasks were done, he would retreat into the deepest shadows behind the counter, quietly watching the narrow shop entrance and the sunlight filled with floating dust motes.

It was as if he were waiting for something—or perhaps simply spacing out.

"Manager, could I have a little extra cream on my Qishu Cake—uh, can you understand me?"

A young girl, sneaking out with her spending money to buy snacks, was startled when she saw the manager's face in the shadows, unnerved by the visibly thick loneliness around him.

Before she could backtrack, the handsome yet aloof man replied coolly, "Yes."

"..."

The girl watched as the man picked up the cream dispenser with deliberate but effortless precision, adding an extra dollop to the Qishu Cake with one hand—without altering the cake's presentation in the slightest.

His technique, combined with his demeanor and presence, made it seem as though he were doing anything but making cakes—or that he belonged in such an unremarkable shop at all. Yet when the girl caught the sweet scent of cream, handed over twenty coins, and received the reward for her small adventure, the mismatch somehow felt strangely harmonious.

Just before turning to leave, she heard the manager—who she thought wouldn't speak again—say, "The International Quarter attracts all sorts. It isn’t safe for Miss Sun to wander alone. You should return home soon."

The sixth daughter of the Tianjin Sun family froze, startled and embarrassed that her identity and secret outing had been exposed. But she quickly composed herself.

"Thank you for the kind reminder," she said, puffing out her cheeks with childlike pride and stubbornness. "I convinced my parents to let me attend the new-style school in Tianjin Prefecture. Don’t underestimate me—one day, I’ll be as impressive as County Princess Qishu!"

The manager didn’t respond, only nodding slightly to acknowledge her words.

Her face burning with embarrassment after her outburst, Miss Sun hurried toward the door—only to come face-to-face with a new customer at the threshold.

She paused. The newcomer was young, strikingly handsome, and carried a bearing so noble that one instinctively wanted to lower their gaze. Her upbringing in the Sun clan trained her eye—his attire, though seemingly understated, was clearly expensive.

This was undoubtedly a man of extraordinary status.

Miss Sun’s heart pounded with nervousness. Instinctively, she glanced back. The manager behind the counter had surely seen the man, yet he remained calm, quietly tidying the counter without the slightest change in his movements.

"Young lady, you’re blocking the way," the newcomer said politely, though his gaze never strayed from the shadowed figure inside.

Coming to her senses, Miss Sun quickly stepped out of the shop. She unconsciously slowed her steps, overhearing snippets of the conversation behind her.

"What would you like to buy?"

"...What do you have?"

"Qishu cake, sweet; coffee, bitter."

"I'll have a cup of coffee."

"Me."

...

The rest of the conversation dissolved into the autumn breeze and the bustling crowd, becoming inaudible.

Sixth Miss Sun shook her head, brushing off the strange feeling in her heart. The warm, gentle sunlight washed over her, instantly dispelling all subtle discomfort.

She oriented herself toward Qimin Bookstore and left the Cosmopolitan District with light steps.

Today was the release of new books at Qimin Bookstore, including the latest chapter "Statistics" from *Elementary Mathematics*, edited by Qishu County Princess and authored by Editor Yuan Jia. It was said that Editor Yuan was currently in Tianjin—with some luck, she might even get to see her in person!

As she walked, Sixth Miss Sun took a bite of the Qishu cake, smudging a dollop of cream on her nose. She wiped it off with a handkerchief and laughed at her unladylike way of eating, which would never be allowed in her family.

To attend the academy in Tianjin Prefecture, she had worked tirelessly these past days. Had it not been for Qishu County Princess backing the institute and Prefect Du serving as honorary headmaster, her family would never have agreed.

Once at the academy, she’d have the chance to befriend Miss Quehan (the prefect's daughter). Sixth Miss Sun felt both eager and anxious at the thought.

Back then, her eldest uncle’s family had insisted on arranging a childhood engagement between their eldest grandson and the country-born son of the County Princess. Though it hadn’t worked out, Miss Quehan had since held disdain for the younger generation of the Sun family. She could only hope Miss Quehan wouldn’t judge her unfairly—she wasn’t the same as her family!

Her thoughts raced wildly, buzzing like bees, and before she knew it, she had finished the Qishu cake.

Just then, her brow twitched, and she suddenly sidestepped, fixing a sharp gaze at the white-haired old woman who had been edging closer to her.

"Were you trying to steal my purse?!"

...

Jiu Jiu, Chun Sheng, and Yuan Ruo lounged idly on the second floor of Qimin Bookstore, waiting for Yuan Jia to finish her work so they could return to the residence together.

This branch of Qimin Bookstore in Tianjin Prefecture was Su Xinbai’s business, tastefully decorated. The trio often stopped by to rest when tired from outings, and the manager and staff knew them well.

Chun Sheng sat sprawled, taking a big gulp of tea. "I didn’t want to go to the academy at first, but since Yun Kang came from Du Village, and Yuan Ruo and his sister are going too, staying alone at the residence would be boring. Might as well join the fun at school."

Yuan Ruo sipped delicately at the autumn pear juice the attendant had brought. "The academy doesn’t just teach classics and history—there are many other subjects. I heard there’s a large drill ground on campus, so it won’t interfere with your martial arts practice."

Chun Sheng grinned and threw an arm around Yuan Ruo’s shoulders. "Yuan Ruo, you’re staying in the dormitory, right? I want to too—sounds like fun. The three of us—you, me, and Yun Kang—can share a room and chat after lights-out!"

Chun Sheng, having trained in martial arts, was much taller and stronger than boys his age, while Yuan Ruo was slight of build. The hug nearly engulfed him.

Caught off guard, Yuan Ruo choked on his autumn pear juice, erupting into a fit of coughing. Chun Sheng hastily released him, patting his back to help him recover.

Once Yuan Ruo had somewhat regained his breath, he straightened his headband, pushed Chun Sheng’s hand away resignedly, and opened his mouth several times as if to speak—but no words came out.

Though he stayed silent, Chun Sheng pressed on. "By the way, Yuan Ruo, your sister mentioned she had something about you to discuss with Brother Hua while she’s in Tianjin. What’s that about?"

"..." Yuan Ruo averted his gaze. "All will be revealed then."

Just as Chun Sheng was about to probe further, Jiu Jiu, standing by the window, let out a surprised exclamation, drawing their attention.

"Look down there—that person. Doesn't she look familiar?"

Chun Sheng shielded his eyes with a hand, squinting. "Isn’t that Sixth Miss of the Sun family?"

Yuan Ruo squeezed over and spoke quietly by his shoulder, "You sure recognized that girl fast."

Chun Sheng hissed, inexplicably feeling a bit guilty, "The Sun family has deep roots in Tianjin. Kids our age keep bumping into each other around town—I’ve only seen her once or twice."

Jiu Jiu’s gaze remained fixed below as she shook her head, bringing it back, "I wasn’t talking about Miss Sun the Sixth, but that elderly couple entangled with her."

Yuan Ruo knew Jiu Jiu wouldn’t speak without reason. He studied the scene carefully for a while but couldn’t make sense of it. "Judging by their attire, they must be refugees who fled to Tianjin."

"I’ve heard Sister say that since Tianjin opened maritime trade, it’s become Great Yu's gold rush town. When His Majesty ascended the throne, he issued a general pardon, releasing many convicts exiled to the borderlands. Some, too ashamed to return home, wandered as refugees, flocking to prosperous places on hearsay. These two might be among them."

The word "convicts" in Yuan Ruo’s remark struck a chord with Chun Sheng and Jiu Jiu. A sudden realization flashed in Chun Sheng’s mind, and his eyes blazed with fury as his voice rose sharply.

"Could it be—is it those damned bastards?!"

Yuan Ruo’s heart skipped a beat. He had never seen Chun Sheng so enraged before. The boy before him resembled a young tiger whose most vital territory had been violated—his hackles raised, fangs bared, his throat emitting low growls of threat. It was a stark contrast to his usual carefree, easygoing demeanor.

"Let’s go down and see," Jiu Jiu cut in decisively.