There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 271 Visiting the Lantern Festival Together

Li Shuchen: "You're welcome. See you at the lantern festival street corner at 7 PM tonight."

Cheng Zhian's eyes lit up with a smile: "Okay."

Li Shuchen: "I'm leaving now."

"I see you off"

Cheng Zhi'an escorted Li Shuchen out of the Flower Appreciation Pavilion, leaving the manager dumbfounded.

What's going on? The employer has never treated a girl like this before? Is it spring?

Will Miss Li become the mistress of the Flower Pavilion in the future? ...I haven't done anything to offend Miss Li, have I?

The shopkeeper stood obediently in front of the counter, reminiscing about the past.

Cheng Zhian knocked on the counter and said, "In the future, when Miss Li comes to Huashang Pavilion again, you must treat her well and not let her suffer any grievances. Show her all the good, expensive, and fashionable clothes in the store. If she has limited money, you can sell them at a discount, without worrying about the cost. Also, if I am here when she comes, be sure to let me know."

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper straightened up and solemnly assured him, "Rest assured, sir, I will take good care of Miss Li."

After giving his instructions, Cheng Zhi'an went upstairs.

The shopkeeper, watching Cheng Zhi'an's retreating figure, murmured, "The leader of Huashang Pavilion is about to change hands."

Shop assistant: "Manager, what's going to change hands?"

"It's nothing, just keep working."

……

Li Shuchen sat in the carriage, watching Grape glance at him every now and then, then look down and fidget with her fingers, a suspicious blush creeping onto her cheeks. He found it all rather strange.

Could it be that Grape has fallen for Cheng Zhi'an, but is too shy to tell him?

He couldn't help but speak up.

"Grape, say whatever you want to say. I will always support you, Miss."

Grape blushed and asked in a low voice, "Does Miss admire Young Master Cheng?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shuchen thought to himself, "Sure enough, Grape also has a man she admires. Cheng Zhian seems like a good guy right now, so marrying Grape to him isn't out of the question."

"I don't like Young Master Cheng. Grape, feel free to pursue him. Don't worry about me. If Grape doesn't know how to pursue her crush, I can help you come up with some ideas."

Li Shuchen gestured excitedly.

Grape blushed even more upon hearing this.

"What are you saying, Miss? Grape doesn't like Young Master Cheng."

Oh dear, did she misunderstand?

"Don't like him? Why are you asking me if I like Young Master Cheng?"

Grape pointed with her index finger, glanced up at Li Shuchen, and asked, "If Miss doesn't like Young Master Cheng, why, why did you agree to go to the lantern festival with him?"

Li Shuchen: "Does agreeing to go to the lantern festival with him mean you like him?"

Grape nodded: "Yes, only young men and women who are mutually attracted would agree to go to the lantern festival together."

Li Shuchen pursed her lips upon hearing this. Okay, this world is different. It was her failure to maintain proper distance that caused Grape to misunderstand.

"I have no intention of getting married, Grape doesn't need to worry."

Grape started pointing with her index finger again: "Actually, Young Master Cheng is a very good person. He's good at literature, gentle, and very respectful to Miss. He's much better than that flashy Young Master Xu."

Li Shuchen laughed and tapped Grape on the head: "Grape thinks too much; I haven't even considered these things yet."

"Miss, Grape is serious."

Li Shuchen looked at Grape's serious face and laughed even more unrestrainedly.

"Hahaha, Grape, are you trying to marry me off?"

Grape said in a serious tone, "Grape doesn't want Miss to get married so early either, but there are few good young men in the capital. Grape is afraid that someone else will beat her to it, and then Miss will have no one left. Miss should really think about marriage."

Seeing how serious Grape was, Li Shuchen replied earnestly, "Grape, I really don't want to get married. As for good men, if someone else beats them to it, it means they don't belong to me. I don't need to care about things that don't belong to me, understand?"

Grape nodded, seemingly understanding, "I understand."

Li Shuchen: "Go home and find Ziying and the others."

Grape: "Yes, Miss."

Entrance of No. 2 Courtyard, Xingfu Lane

Li Shuchen banged on the door but received no answer. He then went into the courtyard, but Gu Ziying was nowhere to be seen; only a servant was sweeping the floor.

"Where's your lady?"

"Replying to Miss Li, Miss has gone out."

Upon hearing this, Li Shuchen leaped into the courtyard at No. 1, Xingfu Lane.

Ye Bingli was tending to the blue hydrangea.

"Bing Li"

Ye Bingli turned around: "Shu Chen is here, please sit down."

Li Shuchen sat down, resting his chin on his hand, and watched Ye Bingli carefully watering the blue hydrangea. He said, "Bingli really likes blue hydrangeas."

Ye Bingli smiled and said, "I also want to thank Shu Chen for taking me to the flower farm and for giving me flowers to grow, so that my life isn't too monotonous."

"No need for thanks, just take it and play with it. Changning always takes a lot of things and never says thank you. You should learn from her."

Ye Bingli: "Changning is used to being carefree."

Li Shuchen nodded: "Today is the Qixi Festival, and everyone will definitely be going to the lantern festival together. Tell Ziying, Changning, and Yuying that I have something to do tonight and won't be going with you. I'll meet up with you later."

Ye Bingli nodded: "Okay"

Xushi

Li Shuchen arrived at the Lantern Festival Street intersection on time.

"You came"

Cheng Zhian, dressed in a jade crown and brocade robes, stood before Li Shuchen with a refined and elegant demeanor.

"Wow, you've dressed up quite nicely. You must say, you're quite handsome, a feast for the eyes."

Li Shuchen joked

Cheng Zhian smiled slightly: "Thank you for the compliment, please come in."

Li Shuchen strode inside: "Since this is your first time here, you should definitely take your time to explore. The lights and scenery are all very nice."

"it is good"

"Selling coconut juice, one tael of silver each."

The coconut juice owner shouted enthusiastically.

Li Shuchen strode over and said, "Boss, two coconut juices, please."

"Alright, miss."

Li Shuchen was looking down at his money when suddenly a dark shadow loomed over him. Looking up, he saw Cheng Zhian handing the shopkeeper two taels of silver.

"Just right"

Coconut juice vendor: "Thank you, sir. Please take this."

Cheng Zhian took the coconut juice and handed one to Li Shuchen: "Here you go."

Li Shuchen reached out and took the coconut juice, saying with dissatisfaction, "I wanted to treat you."

Cheng Zhian smiled genuinely: "I invited you out to have fun, why would I let you spend money?"

Li Shuchen slurped up a mouthful of coconut juice and shouted, "I have money!"

Cheng Zhian laughed upon hearing this, a clear and pleasant laugh, and said indulgently, "Okay, you're rich."

Li Shuchen frowned: "What are you laughing at? Looking down on me? Although my inn doesn't earn as much as your Flower Pavilion or Jade Porcelain Shop, I can still afford these small drinks."

Cheng Zhi'an said gently, "I don't look down on you. On the contrary, I admire you very much. It's not easy for a young woman like you to gain a foothold in the complex capital city, let alone run the Happiness Inn to such a good reputation."

Li Shuchen chuckled upon hearing this: "Keep a low profile, I've always been this excellent."

"Yes, very good."

The roadside lanterns swayed gently. Li Shuchen, determined not to lose face, decided to reciprocate. She then said, "Let me take you to make a wish."

"OK"

Li Shuchen secretly pinched together the money to buy two lanterns, quickly walked up to the lantern vendor, and handed it over directly.

"Boss, I'd like two lanterns."

Cheng Zhian stood to the side, his hand still holding the money, when Li Shuchen had already grabbed the two lanterns and grinned triumphantly.

"Young Master Cheng, it's my treat."