Lianshan Takes the Stage

"It should be ready."

Cang Xuan nodded.

"Then let's hurry over. Lianshan should have finished making the pastries by now, right?"

Danzhu said.

Yet when Danzhu and Cang Xuan arrived at Lianshan's place, they found him sitting by the window, his long red hair loose around his shoulders, wearing a serene smile.

"What the hell are you smiling about?!" Danzhu, unable to stand the sight of it, grabbed a potato from the kitchen beside her and threw it at Lianshan's head.

"We worked ourselves to the bone over there, and you're just sitting here watching the show!!!"

"Huh?" Only after being hit by the potato did Lianshan snap back to his senses and look toward the kitchen doorway.

"What do you mean, 'huh'?! Seriously! You're as dense as a block of wood... Even the clay figurines I make are better at charming girls than you are! Just like Uncle Xu Yanwu!"

Danzhu scolded Lianshan. "Are your pastries seriously still not done yet?!"

Lianshan looked somewhat wronged. "They're almost ready. I can take them out of the steamer soon..."

"Then pack them up. We're going to the banquet."

Cang Xuan spoke up. "We've already arranged it for you. You'll be entering the wrestling match too. As long as you win, you can present the pastries to Ji Lin in front of everyone."

"Then give this wooden box to Ji Lin."

As Cang Xuan said this, she showed Lianshan the wooden box.

"What's inside?"

Lianshan looked curious.

"Don't worry about what's inside! Hurry up and pack the pastries! We're going to the banquet!"

Urged by Danzhu, Lianshan hurriedly placed the freshly steamed Water Chestnut Cakes, along with their box, into a basket. He covered them with a thick layer of cotton batting to keep them warm, then followed Danzhu and Cang Xuan