Brother Cheng rushed all the way to the dining room, and because Gu Jin’an had returned, he was going to continue being busy at the bank in the county tonight. The family was preparing dinner at home, planning to have a good meal with him before sending him off to the county.

So when Brother Cheng shouted, everyone in the house heard it.

Third Grandma poked her head out and asked, "Brother Cheng, what are you talking about? Did Third Miss make something delicious for you? What is it?"

Brother Cheng was startled and obviously flustered, but quickly regained his composure and replied, "It’s pastries from the Capital, something you can only get there, as a thank you gift to Big Brother for his help these past few days."

"Capital pastries, we haven’t seen those yet, bring them over so we can take a look." Third Grandma and the others were curious about what the Capital’s pastries looked like.

Gu Jinli came over with Da Gou and Ergou, raised her eyebrows at Brother Cheng with a smile, and unceremoniously took two boxes of pastries from his arms: "Third Grandpa, Third Grandma, let’s try these pastries from the Capital to see if they’re good."

"Alright." Third Grandma was very excited, her eyes fixed on the two boxes of pastries, saying: "The best pastries I’ve ever had in my life, besides the ones you made, the ones Master Qi brought, and those from Futai Building, I’ve never seen the Capital’s pastries."

Gu Jinli laughed, "Well, let’s see them now, try them before dinner." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

With that, she glanced back at Brother Cheng.

The little guy was about to cry. Ah, ah, ah, those were his errands payment from Third Sister, they were his pastries, and Second Sister took them away, leaving only Big Brother’s box.

He immediately ran over, pouting and complained, "I haven’t even tried them yet."

Gu Jinli didn’t believe him, "Really? How come you smell like pastries?"

Brother Cheng quickly explained, "Oh, I ate them with Brother Wang and the others in the car, I only had one piece of each."

He couldn’t win against Brother Wang and the others in snatching food, could he?

Plus, Big Brother thought he got malnourished when he was little and always let him eat too much, so for the past few years, he’s been watching him, only allowing him to eat until he’s 90% full at meals, and the same with pastries—not more than three pieces at a time.

If the pastries are too big, he can only eat half a piece at once.

The two boxes of pastries were meant to satisfy his cravings, but Second Sister took them away.

Gu Jinli looked at Brother Cheng’s expression, and her smile deepened. Little boy, you’ll thank me later. If it wasn’t for your sister giving you this lesson and taking your pastries in advance, Big Brother would punish you when he found out.

Big Brother’s feelings for Third Miss aren’t supposed to be known by others. If Third Grandma and the others started suspecting, and asked a few more questions, Big Brother would be mad enough to tear you apart.

"Wow, are these the pastries from the Capital? They’re really pretty." Third Grandma looked at the two types of pastries in the box, her eyes lit up: "This green one looks a bit like the crystal cake Xiao Yu made, and the round one looks like a mooncake but it’s fried, how did they make it so round? Did they use an iron mold first?"

Third Grandma pointed at the Small Heavenly Crisp and asked, only daring to point, not touch.

Gu Jinli said, "Probably, to fry it into such a round shape, you need a mold."

With that, she handed two pastries to Third Grandma and Third Grandpa, "You two try these, they’re pastries from the Capital, they’re quite valuable."

She then fetched a few bowls from the table and divided the pastries, "For Mom and Dad, for Big Brother and Big Sister, and mine."

As she divided them, she munched on a Small Heavenly Crisp, making Brother Cheng anxious, "Second Sister, what about mine? Why isn’t there one for me?"

Dividing like this, you’re too cunning!

Gu Jinli glanced at him and said, "Do you think your Second Sister is the type to be unfair? Here’s your share, take it, it’s just enough for the whole family."

The number of pastries in Great Chu follows a tradition, usually six or nine in a set, Third Miss packed nine per set. There are eight people in their family, one for each, and she’d reluctantly keep the remaining one for herself.

Ah!

Brother Cheng looked at his Second Sister angrily, "Then why does Second Sister get to eat an extra one?"

Is this fairness? Clearly, you’re just using distribution as an excuse to take an extra piece, these were given by Third Sister—oh!

Gu Jinli: "Why, are you upset because your Second Sister eats an extra one? Don’t you want to share and just eat them all yourself? Gu Jincheng, after all these years of our care, feeding you every day and sending you to school, you can’t even spare one piece of pastry for us..."

Blah blah blah.

Brother Cheng: "I was wrong, Second Sister, I’m sorry!"

Gu Jinli nodded with satisfaction, finally letting him go, "Hm, that’s more like it. I knew our Brother Cheng isn’t a gluttonous child."

Then she added, "Didn’t you say Master Ouyang’s family sent gifts to Big Brother? Come, let’s take them to him."

And see some gossip on the way.

"Hmm~" Brother Cheng was a bit deflated, but still took his and Big Brother’s pastries and said to Third Grandpa and Third Grandma: "Third Grandpa, Third Grandma, we’ll go find Big Brother first, and then come back for dinner."

Third Grandpa and Third Grandma loved watching their antics, and laughed, "Go on, go on, your mom and Sister Xiu are still busy in the kitchen, it’ll be a while before dinner."

Brother Cheng nodded and followed Gu Jinli.

Da Tuan was already holding Master Ouyang’s family’s gifts, waiting by the path. Seeing them approach, he followed them to Gu Jin’an and his brother’s courtyard. Before they even entered, they saw Gu Jin’an leaning against the gate, watching them.

"Big Brother!" Brother Cheng adored Gu Jin’an. Seeing him, he happily ran over: "Big Brother, you’re finally back, I’ve brought you a nice gift from Third Sister."

With a bang, Brother Cheng felt a pang on his head. He looked up at Gu Jin’an: "Why did Big Brother hit me?"

Gu Jin’an: "What are you shouting about? Have you forgotten what I told you before?"

His fondness for Third Miss was unrequited, and now Third Miss had no affection for him. If Brother Cheng blurted out something that revealed his feelings, it could harm her reputation.

Even if he couldn’t marry Third Miss, he had to preserve her reputation.

"If your Second Sister hadn’t already dealt with you, I would’ve punished you today." Gu Jin’an, after taking a bath, was ready to go to the dining room for dinner, but before he even entered, he heard Brother Cheng’s voice. After listening outside for a while, he returned to his courtyard to wait for them.

"Big Brother." Brother Cheng glanced at Gu Jin’an, then lowered his head: "Sorry, I got too excited and forgot your instructions, almost causing trouble. I won’t do it again."

"Just because you were too excited? Or were you eager to see some drama?" Gu Jin’an knew his little brother too well. This little guy had been learning from Xiao Yu, and now harbored a fondness for seeing spectacles and gossip.