Chang’an Small Restaurant

Chapter 110.2 Extra Three

The next time their paths crossed, Lin Yan was on horseback, traversing Qujiang district as a Tanhua Envoy.

Now, he finally caught sight of that charming face again. She was standing on a boat moored by the riverbank, alongside a handsome young gentleman—one whom Lin Yan recognized, the eldest son of Deputy Minister Shen, Shen Zhiwen. He had personally visited the Shen Residence to express his gratitude to the host and had spoken with Sir Shen.

When he visited the Shen Residence and gazed upon the familiar plants and trees within, Lin Yan couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia. More and more, the people and events around him seemed to mirror those in his dream, and Lin Yan knew that his "dream" was more than just fantasy.

Shen Shaoguang beamed as she looked at the two Tanhua Envoys. Oh my, they really are handsome. Especially the one by the riverside, with his somewhat stern face—yet when he smiled just now, reminiscent of—Shen Shaoguang paused, trying to find the right words—reminiscent of a gentle breeze carrying the scent of new mountain buds in spring.

Feeling a twinge of regret, she remarked, “If I had known they were this good-looking, I would have gone ashore to throw a handkerchief or something!”  

Shen Zhiwen laughed and chided, “Little ladies these days have no sense of modesty at all.”  

Shen Shaoguang pouted, “It’s not just me! Last year, so many young ladies threw their handkerchiefs and scent pouches at you; why didn’t you say they were being immodest?”  

Shen Zhiwen was indeed last year’s Tanhua Envoy.

Shen Zhiwen was always at a loss when it came to his sister, so he simply ruffled her hair, saying, “I won’t allow you to do it.”  

Shen Shaoguang rolled her eyes, exasperated by his tyranny.  

Madam Shen and Madam Li (wife of Li Yue) made their way to the upper deck of the boat. They were also discussing the Tanhua Envoys. “This year’s young Tanhua Envoys are truly handsome, both poised and elegant. I heard that the one by this side is from the Lin Clan of Hedong? Did he come to pay his respects to the examiner? A'Gu, have you met him?”  

“How could I have met him? It was A'Zhang who helped his father entertain."

The Shen siblings then approached Aunt Li to pay their respects.  

Madam Li chuckled, “A'Zhang was last year’s Tanhua Envoy. To host the candidates of this year's imperial exam is indeed a fine story in itself."

Madam Shen glanced at her son, shaking her head with a smile, “A'Zhang unfortunately has been outdone by him.”  

Shen Shaoguang, with no sense of loyalty, nodded in agreement.  

Madam Li laughed and said to Shen Zhiwen, “Don’t pay attention to your mother; for her, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”  

Accustomed to the teasing from both his mother and sister, Shen Zhiwen merely smiled. As for Lin An Ran, his scholarly abilities were indeed commendable; they had already copied his poetry and essays, and he and his peers had read them. He had also heard his father comment on the writings, assessing character through words, and concluded that Lin An Ran was a person of integrity, though he seemed somewhat aloof.

However, it wasn’t long before Shen Zhiwen’s opinion of Lin Yan changed.  

After passing the Ministry of Personnel's examination, Lin Yan was appointed as a Secretary Compiler of the Palace Library, just like Shen Zhiwen. Although the position of Secretary Compiler wasn’t high-ranking, it was prestigious and reserved for those with exceptional talent and scholarly achievements. Many major figures in court who had risen through the imperial examinations had held this position in the past.  

The two of them worked closely together every day, and given that they were of similar ages—Shen Zhiwen being only two years older than Lin Yan—and due to Shen Qian’s connections, they had developed a close rapport.  

As they spent more time together, Shen Zhiwen came to realize that Lin Yan, though somewhat reserved in conversation, was actually warm-hearted beneath his exterior. He proved to be responsible and dependable, far from being superficial or pretentious.

As the two exited the imperial city, they led their horses and bid farewell. Shen Zhiwen chuckled, “Where is An Ran off to? I’m going to East Market for a stroll. My younger sister has been feeling a bit under the weather lately, and my mother won’t let her go out, so I thought I’d pick up some trinkets for her.”  

Lin Yan smiled and replied, “I was just thinking of visiting East Market as well. Shall I accompany you?”  

“That works perfectly,” Shen Zhiwen said with a grin.  

East Market was near the imperial city, and the two of them walked side by side, holding the reins of their horses, each accompanied by a servant.

After a moment of hesitation, Lin Yan politely asked, “With so many people falling ill lately, is your sister alright?”  

“She’s fine; it’s just a cough.”

Lin Yan faintly smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.  

…

At home, Shen Shaoguang was feeling quite bored, but her spirits lifted when she saw her brother return.  

“You’ve wearing that again,” Shen Zhiwen said with a frown, glancing at the facemask on Shen Shaoguang’s face.  

She only smiled, taking the hu doll from her brother’s hands to examine it closely. Then, she slipped her hand into the doll’s fabric and held it up before her brother, speaking in a rough voice, “So, good sir, how are your sword skills? Shall we have a duel?”

Shen Zhiwen laughed as he pushed the doll aside. “Wait a moment; I bought some autumn pears and had the kitchen prepare a pear and glutinous rice congee for you, drizzled with a bit of osmanthus syrup. It should be quite tasty.”  

Shen Shaoguang asked with a smile, “You can actually make porridge now, brother?” He excelled in many areas, but culinary skills were not among them, much like their mother.  

"It’s a food-based remedy, recommended by one of my colleagues."

“Surely it’s not that young man with the surname Lin, is it?”

“It is indeed him. When he heard you were unwell, he suggested this remedy. Taken with the medicine, it clears the lungs and resolves phlegm, and it’s quite effective. The key point, however, is that it’s very tasty," Shen Zhiwen said with a smile. A'Ji, being quite delicate, would furrow her brows at anything bitter, but this remedy from Lin An Ran was truly suitable for her.

Shen Shaoguang never expected that such a stern young man would actually be someone who enjoyed tinkering with food-based remedies... Gap moe[1]?

That evening, she enjoyed the osmanthus pear congee her brother had specially prepared for her, and to her surprise, it evoked a taste reminiscent of her past life—though, after all, pear porridge was likely similar everywhere.  

..

When Lin Yan came to pay another visit to the Shen Residence, Shen Shaoguang was in the outer study looking for books to read. Upon seeing a servant escorting a guest in and mentioning that her brother would arrive shortly, she took it upon herself to host Lin Yan.

The servant brought tea along with fresh water chestnuts, lotus seeds, and various cakes made from gorgon fruit.  

Shen Shaoguang and Lin Yan sat across from each other, enjoying their tea.  

As Lin Yan glanced at the travelogs and the “Autumn Coping Collection” laid out on the small table, he felt a sense of déjà vu about the scene.  

“I haven’t yet thanked you for your family’s recipe for osmanthus and autumn pear congee, brother; I found it quite delightful,” Shen Shaoguang said with a smile. Being not yet of marriageable age, she didn’t see herself as a young lady of high standing; she still addressed her father’s friends as “Father” or “Uncle,” and her brother’s friends as “Brother,” rather than using formal titles like “Sir” or “Official.”

Lin Yan pressed his lips together. “There’s no need for such politeness, young lady.” He then lifted his tea cup and took a sip.  

Shen Shaoguang glanced at Lin Yan. Why was this little gege’s ears slightly red?

When he lifted his eyes, he met the innocent gaze of the young girl. Lin Yan felt an overwhelming sense of guilt, realizing how beastly his thoughts had become—he couldn’t help but recall that event in the dream. In that dream, A'Ji would occasionally call out "Good brother" when she was crying, throwing a tantrum, or acting spoiled.

“An Ran, you’re here—” Shen Qian entered the room.  

Both Lin Yan and Shen Shaoguang rose to pay their respects.  

Shen Qian settled onto a chair before motioning his disciple and daughter to sit.

With a piece of cake in hand, Shen Qian smiled with evident pride and remarked to Lin Yan, "Do give this Fisherman's and Woodman’s Flat Cake a try. It’s made by my daughter, using fresh chestnuts and gorgon fruits—delicately sweet and wonderfully fragrant."

Lin Yan chuckled and said, "The key lies in the name; it's aptly chosen."

Shen Qian laughed heartily.  

Shen Shaoguang watched her father with exasperation; he was always showing off…  

The end

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The author has something to say: This chapter is special, requested by some lovely readers, set in an alternate universe where A'Ji's family—her parents and brother—are all present, creating a happy home. In this chapter, A'Ji has transmigrated, and Lin Yan also gained memories of the previous chapters through his dreams.  

This concludes the story. Thank you to all the wonderful readers who have supported me until now. *Bow*

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T/N: And that’s a wrap on Shen and Lin’s adventure! From sweet cakes to even sweeter moments, we’ve had our fill of food, laughs, and even a bit of tears! Hope y’alls had as much fun reading as I did translating! Until next time! ˃ ᵕ ˂ ♡

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Footnote:

[1] Gap moe - a term used in anime and fan communities to describe a particular kind of charm that arises from a noticeable gap between a character's outward appearance or personality and their unexpected behavior or actions in certain situations. It’s a type of "moe" (a term for affection or adoration for a fictional character) that comes from the surprise or contrast, creating a sense of endearing innocence or vulnerability.