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  Uncle Guo picked up a piece of cake and ate it, nodding his head with a smile, saying it was delicious. "I didn't expect that at sixteen you could make such delicious pastries... there must be quite a few eggs used here."

  "Uh-huh." Xia nodded, "It's mainly made with eggs."

  "Alright, alright." Guo's uncle stretched out his hand to take the second piece of cake, hesitated for a moment, then withdrew it and just smiled and said okay.

  At this time, Xia Zhi took out the box of pastries from Gui Xiang An and let everyone eat. She didn't say it was sent by Zhang Zhuanggui, but said she bought it herself. This surprised Xia Dagu and Guo Gufu and others.

  This box contains the highest-grade pastries from Gui Xiang Zhai, weighing two liang and costing two silver coins. In a household like Xia Dagu's, they usually can't afford to buy them except during festivals when they would purchase one or two boxes as gifts. To be honest, the pastry boxes they bought for Old Master Xia during the New Year were far inferior to this one.

  Xia Dagu sighed secretly in her heart, she glanced at Guo Gufu and immediately withdrew her gaze. Then she scolded Xia Zhi: "Sixteen, you're still treating me and your uncle like outsiders!"

  "Big sister, I didn't!" Xia Zhi immediately cried out in protest.

  "So tell me, why did you buy such expensive pastries back? And another thing, what's not in the kitchen? It's just that there isn't any, if you need something, just tell me and I'll get it for you. Why spend your own money to buy those old things back? Tell me, how many eggs did you even buy? Enough for all of us to eat for ten days or half a month! And yet you say you don't want to be distant from Auntie and Uncle?"

  After scolding Xia Zhi, Xia's aunt turned around and complained to Guo Shu: "I went out visiting relatives today, I didn't see anything. Liu Shu told me when I came back. The 16th child bought several catties of eggs and many things like flour and white sugar. You were in the front shop, you didn't help keep an eye on it."

  Uncle Guo immediately laughed and said he had overlooked it. He wasn't always in the shop, and he went out several times during that period, so he really didn't notice Xia Zhi coming and going to buy things. "If I saw her, could I not stop her?" Then he smiled and complained to Xia Zhi, "Xia Shi, you're being too formal with your uncle! Don't do this again in the future!"

  Then he asked how much Xia Zhi had spent and wanted to reimburse her. "I heard your aunt say that your grandparents gave you some money, which was for your own pocket money."

  Xia Zhi would never say how much money she spent on her own and would never ask Xia Da Gu and Guo Shu Fu to reimburse her.

  "I just thought of getting some pastries for my aunt, uncle, Zhang Sheng and Zhenzhu to try, so I bought them on the way out." Xia Zhi also smiled and said that the pastry box was her early filial piety gift to her elders for Dragon Boat Festival, and the pastries she made herself were a small token of thought.

  Xia Dagu thought for a moment and didn't say anything else to Xia Zhi. She only told Xia Zhi not to do such things again in the future. Guo Gufu also echoed her, while eating a piece of cake, repeatedly praising Xia Zhi for being capable and clever. He didn't touch the pastry box. Xia Dagu put away the pastry box and let everyone eat only the cakes made by Xia Zhi.

  Xia Zhi smiled and agreed, and Xia Dagu said nothing more. She and Changsheng both sincerely praised Xia Zhi's pastries as delicious. After eating a few pieces, even Zhenzhu rarely spoke up to say they were good. Her eyes glanced at the pastry box several times, her face growing increasingly delighted.

  Watching a happy family, Xia Zhi smiled slightly and also took a piece of cake to eat.

  Until dinner, Xia Dagu still didn't let anyone open the pastry box. Because Zhenzhu had looked at it many times, she specially told her daughter that the pastries in the box were already arranged for someone else, so no one should think about them. Although Zhenzhu was spoiled by Xia Dagu and Guo Shufu, when Xia Dagu spoke sternly, she didn't dare not listen.

  After dinner, Xia Dagu called Xia Zhi to one side and talked. Xia Dagu didn't ask openly, but was very careful and secretly observed Xia Zhi's expression. Xia Zhi quickly understood that Xia Dagu suspected someone in the family had said something unpleasant behind her back, making her feel wronged, so she bought some snacks and made some desserts.

  "Sixteen, your uncle is busy every day and sometimes speaks without thinking. Your Pearl sister has a bit of a small mind. Big Sister knows you're a broad-minded child, if there's anything, you have to look at Big Sister."

  She hastily smiled and let Xia Dagu not suspect, then brought out Xia Lao Ye. "My grandfather told me that when I come to Dagu's house as a guest, I should treat it like my own home, but the proper etiquette is still necessary." Her intention was to tell Xia Dagu that this wasn't because Guo Gufu and Zhenzhu said something or gave her a signal, but rather it was all arranged by Xia Lao Ye.

  Xia Dagu understood Xia Laoye's temperament and knew that he was indeed very likely to make such arrangements. Looking at Xia Zhi again, she didn't seem to be in a resentful or aggrieved state of mind, so she believed Xia Zhi's words.

  "Your grandfather... " Xia Dagu sighed for a long time, and then seriously warned Xia Zhi not to do this again. "How can I bear it in my heart?"

  As for the box of pastries that Xia Zhi mentioned as a Dragon Boat Festival gift, Xia's elder sister-in-law said: "You're just a little girl, what are you talking about gifts? Your uncle and I absolutely can't accept it, there's no reason to. In the future when you get married and start your own family, if you want to maintain a relationship with me, no matter what you give, I'll definitely accept it."

  What he said is irrefutable. Regardless of what kind of temper Guo and Pearl have, Xia Dagu and Changsheng are both very good people.

  Then, Xia Dagu also asked Xia Zhi to send the gift box to Li Shanzhang. "You don't know each other, but after meeting him, he is willing to teach you and even gave such a thick gift. We have nothing in our hands, so since we bought this box, it should be sent over. Whether others appreciate it or not, it's our intention."

  These words also have the meaning of teaching people about worldly affairs and human feelings during Xia Zhi, so naturally they are worth listening to.

  Xia Dagu looked at Xia Zhi and was pleased that she was willing to listen, but eventually couldn't help scolding her. "Sixteen, it's not that I want to say you, but you're a bit too extravagant with your spending. In this regard, you and your uncle are really alike, no wonder you two get along so well."

  Xia Zhi just smiled, indicating that she would definitely make up for it later. Then Xia Dagu asked Xia Zhi how much the pastry box cost and how much was left in her hand, meaning to give some money to Xia Zhi.

  Xia Zhi naturally refused, saying that he still had a lot of leftover money in his hands. "Eldest aunt, my grandfather and grandmother should have told you. I've earned some money, enough to spend. If I didn't have any money left, I would ask you."

  Xia Dagu had no choice but to give up, and in her heart, she actually felt a sense of relief. She was still the one who called the shots at home, but there wasn't much money that she could use at her disposal. The family's finances were all controlled by Guo Gufu, and household expenses were allocated on a monthly basis. Guo Gufu was good in every other way, except that he was extremely stingy with money. If Xia Dagu asked him for money, she might still be able to get it, but she would inevitably face some nagging, and Guo Gufu would also sulk for a while.

  The aunt and niece chatted for a while, both feeling that the other was a good person, and their feelings became closer.

  Xia Zhi returned to the west house, Pearl took out a lamb and said she wanted to play with her. Xia Zhi agreed. The two little girls chatted idly and played happily.

  Xia Dagu walked over to the door and took a look, but didn't enter the house to disturb the two. Instead, she smiled and walked back to the east wing. Changsheng took Xiaohuier to his own courtyard, while Guo Gufu was reclining on the kang, eyes closed in meditation.

  Summer big aunt also sat on the kang, doing needlework while chatting with Uncle Guo.

  "...The old man is the most understanding of human feelings. This time I brought two children back to live for a few days, and the old man himself took out a string of money and gave it to sixteen. The old man loves both children, and also doesn't want to drag us down."

  She has already told her uncle Guo several times and has made everything clear.

  Guo's uncle opened his eyes and said that Old Master Xia understood human feelings, didn't take advantage of them, and he also nodded in agreement. "Old Master is a good man, doesn't owe anyone anything."

  "It's fine as long as you understand. Sixteen has taken after her grandfather's temperament." Xia Dagu raised her head and glanced at Guo Shu.

  The couple had been married for many years and were thoroughly familiar with each other's temperaments. Xia Dagu would not scold Guo Gufu, but rather comfort him and tell him not to be so narrow-minded.

  Guo's uncle smiled awkwardly. "This sixteen-year-old kid is quite sensible. I also quite like her and Xiaolong."

  Xia Dagu nodded in agreement and then talked about her arrangement for the dim sum box. Although Guo Gufu was a bit stingy, he still had some feelings for his wife and her family. Moreover, he thought that the dim sum box was too expensive. Xia Zhi herself bought many things and put them in the kitchen, and also made delicious cakes for them to eat, which made Guo Gufu feel relieved. He couldn't bear to accept such an expensive dim sum box for his two children.

  Guo's uncle said that Xia Dagu's arrangement was very good. Xia Dagu is very good at dealing with people, and Guo's uncle admires this aspect of her and is willing to listen to her words.

  Xia Dagu smiled and changed the subject. "Our two children, Changsheng follows me, and Zhenzhu's temper is like yours."

  Uncle Guo smiled: "The nature of the pearl is nothing, I think it's pretty good. This kid is quite picky, and her appearance is up to you. If her appearance were up to me, that would be a disaster."

  Xia Dagu couldn't help but laugh out loud.

  The next day, Xia Zhi took Xiao Hei to stroll around Xishi Street again. This time they walked a bit further and passed by Gui Xiang An twice, both times she went in to take a look.

  The efficiency of the Gui Xiang Zhai is very high, and on this day, they pushed out Saqima and placed it in a very conspicuous place. They specially arranged for a young shop assistant to introduce it to customers who came into the store. Xia Zhi quietly observed the situation without disturbing Zhang Guan Cai, saw that Saqima was selling well, and felt relieved. The old brand had launched new pastries with exotic flavors, and everyone wanted to buy some back to try.

  As for how many of these cookies will be sold in the end, it depends on how many repeat customers they can retain.

  Xia Zhi is confident about this.

  As soon as he came out of Gui Xiang Zhai, Xia Zhi walked back. Passing by the entrance of Gui Fang Zhai, he saw several people standing at the door, all looking in the direction of Gui Xiang Zhai. One of them happened to turn around and walk into the shop, and Xia Zhi caught a glimpse of his profile for an instant, and his heart skipped a beat.

  That person seems somewhat familiar.

  (。)