She took out a pencil and several goose feather brushes, using cinnabar, gardenia powder, and ink. In detail, she drew the layout of the supermarket, a symbol of a shopping basket for the North-South supermarket, a simple sketch of Master Cheng and his apprentices frying the secret technique of Fuhai Lou at the big stove, and a combination of a horse-drawn carriage racing at the foot of the mountain and the shop name "同城驿路" ("Tong-Cheng-Ye-Lu" -City Relay Road).
On other sheets of paper, she listed a series of product categories:
1. A logo featuring a half-body ancient woman holding a mirror, representing Hua Xiang Rong products, listing items such as bathing, beauty care, and health tea.
2. A logo of a half-body elegant man raising a cup, representing Luhua Nong, listing various liquids such as wine, tea, beverages, fragrances, and even honey.
3. Yunmeng Shang includes various clothing, fabrics, yarns, silk, cotton, and threads.
4. Master Cheng's secret technique illustration represents the delicious Taste of the Tongue series.
5. Various items related to eating, such as salt, sugar, seasonings, fast food, and dry goods.
6. Yanhuo Renjia refers to various kitchen and household miscellaneous items.
7. Local and North-South sea and land special gifts, including small carts with bamboo wheels, bamboo shopping baskets, and handwoven straw bags, along with other miscellaneous scenes that came to mind.
After being here for more than half a month, counting the days in the space, it can be said that almost one or two months have passed. It was the first time for North to immerse herself in her accustomed thought process. The afternoon sunlight streamed in from the window, reminiscent of countless days when sunlight shone through floor-to-ceiling windows, warming her solitude. Since her parents left, she gradually grew accustomed to and fell in love with this kind of tranquility.
When Cheng Mo woke up, lifting a corner of the curtain, he saw the profile of this woman glowing in the warm spring sunshine, lost in thought. He didn't move, silently gazing at her for a long time, with the phrase "岁月静好" (Time is peaceful) flowing through his mind.
It wasn't until he heard a slight sound as she got up, opened the door, and entered the adjacent side hall that he gradually heard someone coming upstairs, followed by polite exchanges. The unpleasant voice broke Cheng Mo's mood to continue lying down. He leisurely got up, casually adjusted his long shirt, put on soft home slippers, and walked to the table to pick up the stack of sketches.
As he opened the folding screen partition and observed the unfamiliar drawing style, Cheng Mo asked, "Is this what you just wrote, Xiao Bei?" Cheng Mo looked up from the paper, pretending to have just noticed Qiao's presence. "Oh, Brother Zi Qiu is here. Come, have a seat. Let's not be too formal, my brother. Xiao Bei, make some tea for Brother Zi Qiu, and we can chat slowly."
Cheng Mo quickly retreated to the bedroom, closed the folding screen, and then heard him calling someone to tidy up. When he returned, Cheng Mo was already elegantly attired.
Xiangbei didn't think much about his actions, but Qiao Er felt a bit strange in his heart: Have their interactions become this intimate? Did he just catch a glimpse of Cheng Mo barefoot? Qiao Er contemplated, wondering if the sunlight he thought would warm him was only going to disappear after a distant glance.
Observing the two now engrossed in discussing the manuscript, occasionally touching foreheads as they spoke softly, Qiao Er thought that the faint joy brought by the letter from home in the morning might not have the chance to be shared with her. Indeed, she was Yunmeng's most esteemed East Heir, Princess Mo.
Following the young master's instructions, Uncle Zhong served a portion of everything made today, including the just completed five kinds of ritual sauces and roasted meat, filling the entire long table. Cheng Mo spoke attentively, "Brother Zi Qiu, look here; it's all mountain produce prepared by Xiao Bei and the seasoning secrets of Fu Hai Lou. Xiao Bei thinks these items can be sold in your North-South Supermarket. She insists on having you taste them and place orders. So, as you enjoy these, I'll note down your tasting experiences and the quantity you'd like to order."
"Hehe, there's so much here. If I take a bite of everything, I'm afraid I won't see the sun tomorrow due to overeating. Besides, half of this supermarket belongs to Xiao Bei. Whatever she orders is what it is. I won't say a word."
"No, you must try. Fu Hai Lou has her share too, and she's personally tasted and placed orders for each item. So, you should give it a try."
"Fu Hai Lou is renowned throughout Yunmeng. You've personally sampled and placed orders. What hesitation could I have in my small shop? Brother, I'm getting older, and my appetite isn't that big. How about I try just three or four items today?"
"Hmm, trying to be clever." Cheng Mo was a bit annoyed that he wasn't playing along with his intended scenario.
"Alright, don't be childish. Let Brother Zi Qiu enjoy some late-night snacks, and you can try a bit of the roasted meat with ritual sauces." North set up a variety of dishes for Qiao Er, mainly featuring light flavors such as preserved meats, braised dishes, sesame mixed noodles, and roasted meat. He also prepared small plates with spicy condiments, peppery sauce, newly arrived ritual powder, and bamboo basket braising sauce, placing them on the table. "Brother Zi Qiu, the ones I've served you are light in taste, but those in front have added Nanyang chili. It's addictive."
"Yes, yes, I've tried it. Here, let me prepare some honey water for you, and there's honey wine brewed by Xiao Bei. You can have it with this spicy secret technique; it's delicious." Cheng Mo persistently urged.