I became the Counterpart of the Winner in a Period Novel-Chapter 257 - 254: Invited

"Pan." Jiang Mingyue put down the basket, took a sip of tea poured by Uncle Mute, "So fragrant!"

Uncle Mute was very pleased and sneakily ran to the storeroom to pack two tins for Jiang Mingyue.

Pan Zhoucong saw those two tins, and his eyelids twitched wildly. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Du Shouqiang’s mouth dropped open: My goodness! This was something Pan acquired with great effort, said to be worth its weight in gold, and now two tins are gone at once—he wanted to ask if there were any left.

Uncle Mute: Of course, there are some left, after all, there’s still at least ten grams.

"Ahem, Mr. Jiang, I asked you to come over because there’s some good news to share. Elder Tang’s grandson’s face has recovered. Mr. Jiang, you played a crucial role in this, and Elder Tang wants to invite you for a meal to thank you personally. What do you think?"

To go or not to go? Jiang Mingyue pondered.

If it were in the past, she wouldn’t even consider it, but now she’s already in the public eye...

"Alright, I’d also like to see Tang Yue’s recovery situation."

"Great, great! I’ll have someone inform Elder Tang right away."

The person quickly returned, bringing a message from Elder Tang, inviting Jiang Mingyue to 12 Pear Blossom Lane in the evening.

It was expected.

It’s like her long street, just one at the end, one in the middle, numbers 12 and 55, a small numeric difference but a reality of several kilometers apart, because Pear Blossom Lane is at the center of Nanxi City, once home to families with heritage spanning hundreds or even thousands of years that weren’t affected during wartime, remaining perfectly preserved.

But in this new era, especially this year, these large multi-courtyard mansions are being turned over to the country. Some were returned because someone in the family greatly contributed to the nation, others were allocated to distinguished individuals temporarily, and some became office spaces.

For people like Jiang Mingyue who can still live in Pear Blossom Lane, they are few and far between, she speculates Pan has connections upstairs.

Shu Kuo, the owner of 12 Pear Blossom Lane, has family members who made contributions, causing the mansion to be returned.

With the meeting set, Pan, the businessman, didn’t forget to talk business with her, while she also had matters to discuss with him.

"Pan, I need glass bottles and jars for sauce, do you have any connections there?"

Without even discussing grains and wine, Mr. Jiang directly brings this up.

"Of course, I do!" Pan rubbed his hands, very excited! He’s finally needed by Mr. Jiang.

Jiang Mingyue then specifically discussed with him, asking Pan’s personnel to directly procure them to her yard, as she likely won’t have time to manage these in the future.

Actually, she didn’t need to mention it, Pan Zhoucong already planned full service in his mind.

For Mr. Jiang, he’d gladly comply.

In recognition of Pan Zhoucong’s help, Jiang Mingyue felt it necessary to express her gratitude.

She pulled out an apple and handed it to Pan.

Pan held the apple, almost moved to tears, it’s so rare!

He wanted to boast to Da Qiang but found Da Qiang’s eyes fixed on his apple, his motives obvious, so Pan resolutely "crunched."

Ate it into his belly, let’s see who still covets?

Da Qiang: "..." This is shameless! Pan is downright shameless!

In rare leisure, several of them sat together, shelling sunflower seeds, chatting idly.

Da Qiang grumbled about his former fiancée, though mentioning Li Xiaofen’s death carried some regret.

This was a kind-hearted man, Jiang Mingyue thought.

"Li Fugui deserved to die, but Li Xiaofen wasn’t good either. They even conspired to deceive Xue Huan.

You know, Xue Huan first met Li Fugui when she was bullied in the alley, and Li Fugui appeared, chased away the thugs, rescued Xue Huan. But actually, all of this was orchestrated by Li Xiaofen and Li Fugui—they targeted Xue Huan’s good family situation, being an only daughter, planning for Li Fugui to marry into her family and seize the assets, with Li Xiaofen waiting for Li Fugui to marry her later and live in bliss."

"But who would have thought Li Fugui was a con man, and after Li Xiaofen realized it, the later event happened... Alas! It turned into tragedy!"

Du Shouqiang, utterly shaken, stood up and bowed deeply to Jiang Mingyue.

"Luckily, thanks to Mr. Jiang, otherwise I’d be the one harmed, those two were terrifying." Doing what they’re doing, not exactly kind, but definitely wouldn’t harbor such harmful intent—wasn’t this self-destructive?

"So, whether you marry or make friends in the future, exercise caution, it’s best to let Uncle Mute screen them."

Being singled out, Uncle Mute puffed up his chest, even straightened his collar.

Pan Zhoucong: Am I not worthy?

Du Shouqiang: "Okay, I’ll heed Mr. Jiang’s advice."

Pan Zhoucong: "..." I’m even more tired!

Before leaving, under Pan Zhoucong’s hopeful gaze, Jiang Mingyue managed to sell a batch of wine and a batch of live chickens and rabbits.

In an hour, the goods were delivered: five hundred jars of wine, eight hundred live chickens and rabbits, totaling seven thousand four hundred yuan, additionally Jiang Mingyue requested five hundred plum tree saplings from Pan Zhoucong, who didn’t want to accept money, so Jiang Mingyue thought and fished out a jar of apple sauce from the basket to gift him.

Uncle Mute’s final batch of pastries was also baked, all packed for Jiang Mingyue, along with the previous two tins of tea, Jiang Mingyue reciprocated by gifting Uncle Mute five kilos of black truffles, a jar of rose tea, a bottle of apple sauce, and a roasted chicken as a wine snack.

This made Pan Zhoucong and Du Shouqiang quite envious and red-eyed.

It was a large-scale double standard scene, yet Mr. Jiang had a serious face, acting as though it was a thoughtful decision, leaving them no chance to express any opinion.

Da Qiang quickly sent out the gift he had prepared, then watched Jiang Mingyue with expectant eyes: Hurry, hurry! Roasted chicken, truffles, rose tea, apple sauce, bring it all to me, definitely exceed Uncle Mute.

Jiang Mingyue glanced at the fresh lamb leg and thought it would be perfect to clean and marinate it for roasting around the stove during a night talk—it was just right. She thought for a moment, reached under the blue cloth, and pulled out two tea eggs to place in Du Shouqiang’s open hands.

Very thoughtfully... one egg in each palm.

Looking at the tea eggs in his palms, Du Shouqiang’s gaze was extremely complex: Wuli roast chicken?

Had he known, he would’ve gone out to present the boss’s tea leaves to Mr. Jiang... Ugh! Apparently, daring only Uncle Mute can do such a thing.

Pan Zhoucong, who was just envious, felt balanced after seeing the two tea eggs in Du Shouqiang’s hands, hefted the jar of sauce, and boastfully said, "Ugh! Tonight, should I smear the apple sauce on steamed buns or toast—it’s truly a tough decision. Oh... I almost forgot, I’m also invited to dine with Mr. Jiang tonight too!"

Du Shouqiang’s heart had just been hurt a bit, then turned around and was stabbed again, nearly vomiting blood on the spot, he really had it hard!

The biggest winner, Uncle Mute, quietly withdrew with a contented smile, concealing his achievements and fame.

How could Du Shouqiang not be heartbroken? Especially when he later learned that even Bowwow received roast chicken and a roast rabbit from Mr. Jiang; he nearly cried in frustration.

It’s like being inferior to a dog’s situation!