After everything was explained, Jia Liang’s expression grew more solemn, and his heart fluttered with excitement, knowing that Mr. Lin was about to entrust him with a significant responsibility. He resolved to handle the matter beautifully.
No man dislikes the taste of power, and looking at Su Wensong and Qin Han, Jia Liang felt a tinge of envy.
Having left Xiyang Food Factory with time to spare, Lin Chuxia went to the Bun Shop.
Through the glass of the back kitchen, she saw Jia Yuanliang and Zhang Guilan making buns. Their methodical movements indeed looked like they knew what they were doing.
Soon, buns as pretty as flowers lay ready in their hands.
“Not bad progress,” Lin Chuxia commented.
Upon seeing Lin Chuxia, Jia Yuanliang stood up straight with decorum and greeted her as Boss Lin.
Zhang Guilan spoke with a smile, “Don’t mention it, this young man has quite the skillful hands. It’s my first time seeing a man with such patience.”
Men from their village hardly ever cook, and learning to cook is something they wouldn’t even consider.
For example, Qin Han never once entered the kitchen. Even when he started working at the Bun Shop, he managed the storefront. Even if there was a rush and the back kitchen couldn’t keep up with the bun demand, he never offered a hand.
It wasn’t because he was too proud or disdainful to do the work, but rather no one had that mindset.
Of course, since Jia Yuanliang started his apprenticeship, Qin Han also attempted to learn how to make buns.
But his large hands were like clumsy pincers, wasting quite a bit of dough and filling without successfully making a couple of buns and eventually had to give up.
Jia Yuanliang was different from the men she had met; he learned earnestly and diligently, and most importantly, he managed to learn it well.
Now his bun making skills are not far off from theirs.
Lin Chuxia watched him make a few buns, which were indeed quite good, “Do you know how to mix the filling?”
“I do now, Sister Zhang taught me everything.”
Before coming here, Jia Yuanliang had thought through many possibilities and also pondered whether the apprenticeship fee was worth it or not, but now he was thoroughly convinced.
From kneading dough to mixing fillings to making buns, he was taught everything clearly, except for the secret seasoning mix.
It was the first time he realized that in addition to seasoning, the mixing of the filling was also crucial.
Mixing the filling is a skill; during the process, seasoning water needs to be continually added to make the buns tasty and juicy.
“Not only did Sister Zhang teach me how to make buns, but Brother Qin also taught me many methods of managing the shop, including how to prepare cold dishes. I’ve learned that too.”
In the end, Jia Yuanliang was a bit shy about it, as he had come to learn how to make buns but ended up learning so much more.
Lin Chuxia didn’t mind at all, “It’s good that you’ve learned it all. If you have any questions, just ask. Even after you go back, you can still write and exchange letters if there are any issues.”
Jia Yuanliang nodded vigorously, “Thank you, Boss Lin. I plan on returning next week, and if it’s possible, when my Bun Shop opens, I would like to invite Boss Lin to attend, but I don’t know if it would be convenient for you.”
He added, “I’ll buy the round-trip train ticket for you.”
He had been here for a month and mastered various skills. Now that he was talking about doing business again, he felt an outburst of enthusiasm and wanted to show what he could do.
Lin Chuxia agreed without hesitation, “Sure, I’ll go to the Northwest with you next week. But you really don’t need to buy the train ticket.”
Jia Yuanliang’s Bun Shop was, in a way, the first branch she had opened, and since he learned the craft from her, it was only proper for her to go and see it.
Next week, after Lanlan and Su Wensong’s wedding was over, she would be free of obligations.
Most importantly, she missed Qin Yang a bit.
I promised him before that I would visit when I had time, and now the opportunity had come.
Jia Yuanliang didn’t expect Lin Chuxia to agree so readily and was very happy about it.
In the blink of an eye, the day of Su Wensong and Sun Lanlan’s wedding arrived.
Although Su Wensong, as the director of the Xiyang Food Factory, was quite busy, he had many helping hands.
In just two days, they had decorated the Su family courtyard with joy and happiness.
All the furniture in the bridal room was newly purchased, and brand-new bedding had been made, each tied with red wool into butterfly knots.
The walls, windows, and doors were all adorned with double happiness characters.
Granny Su had not been idle during this time either, personally managing the little details of the wedding, and when she was uncertain, she would consult Sun Lanlan.
At first, Sun Lanlan felt shy, but after being called over multiple times, she began to help Granny Su with the arrangements.
So while Su Wensong’s wedding seemed rushed, it was actually grand and exquisite.
Early on the wedding day, Su Wensong, wearing a brand-new suit and a big red flower on his chest, was surrounded by a groomsmen group consisting of Jia Liang, Hou Xiaobao, Pang Yongli, and Qin Wu, and they headed straight to Daqing Mountain Village in a car.
Sun Bingnan, as a family member from the bride’s side and the eldest uncle, was already waiting at the Sun family’s front gate early on.
When the car decorated with a big red flower entered the village, the whole Daqing Mountain Village was stirred.
A sedan car had come to fetch the bride—this was the first for Daqing Mountain Village.
Sun Bingwen and Sun Bingshan were also eldest uncles, but being not as familiar with Su Wensong and Sun Bingnan, and considering their chicken farm and Xiyang Food Factory relationship, they didn’t know which side to support for a while.
As the two hesitated, the groomsmen dashed through the main gate, shouting all the way into the house.
Of course, during this time, wedding candies and red envelopes were lavishly scattered.
The Sun family was a prominent household, and Sun Lanlan’s father was the village chief; many people attended the wedding today.
Adults and children alike picked up the wedding candies and red envelopes; beyond fruit candies, there were also White Rabbit Creamy Candies, and besides one-cent red packets, there were fifty-cent ones too, all praising that Sun Lanlan was marrying well, and the groom was generous.
Mr. Sun also earned plenty of face.
Encircled by a crowd, Su Wensong entered the house and immediately saw Sun Lanlan sitting on the kang.
A trace of astonishment flickered in his eyes, unable to contain anything else.
Sun Lanlan, in a red dress and wearing a red velvet flower on her head, radiated festivity and lovely beauty.
Her shy yet affectionate eyes gazed back at him, and Su Wensong felt his heart pounding non-stop inside his chest.
“Come on, speak up.”
“Right, groom, seeing such a beautiful bride, aren’t you going to rush over?”
The words of the people around brought Su Wensong back to his senses, and he smiled slightly, extending his hand, “Lanlan, I’m here to take you home.”
Sun Lanlan smiled and placed her hand on his, immediately followed by laughter and cheers from the crowd.
Su Wensong helped Sun Lanlan off the kang, and the two bid farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Sun, and were escorted out by the crowd.
The distance from the Sun family’s house to the main gate was not far, yet Su Wensong walked with exceptional care, sneakily glancing at the girl beside him, still feeling a sense of unreality, overwhelmed more by excitement.
He had finally married the girl he loved. From this day forward, he would be her support and would protect her well.
Because of the Lin family’s involvement, Lin Chuxia did not return to Daqing Mountain Village to accompany Sun Lanlan on her marriage, instead, she waited at the restaurant.