The Ger's Contract Marriage [BL]
Chapter 595: A Taste of the Future

Chapter 595: A Taste of the Future

Xu Feng was excited. More than excited—he was brimming with ideas.

Pudding! Pastries! Sweet treats!

Their family could fully invest in this business. They had access to sugar and honey, and he had knowledge of desserts that weren’t readily available in all of Donghua, or at least not in Yilin Town. The jam business could remain a staple, but Silver Scale could be so much more.

What if they turned it into a shop known for its unique sweet treats?

They could pair their treats with light fruit wines, something with a low alcohol content that would be enjoyed alongside sweets. It wasn’t like only women and gers liked sweet things—Xu Hu Zhe had devoured his share of pastries, and children would absolutely want to try something new to snack on.

Xu Feng wasn’t entirely sure if he was on the right track, but one had to start somewhere.

He ran through a mental list of possible desserts—things that could be introduced to Silver Scale without requiring overly complicated techniques.

Egg custard pudding was an obvious choice, but there were other options too.

Caramelized sugar-glazed tarts, delicate sponge cakes, soft, chewy rice cakes infused with fruit flavors—things that could be made with existing ingredients but weren’t common here. He could even try experimenting with layered pastries, something similar to mille-feuille but using thinner dough layers and fruit-based fillings.

The more he thought about it, the more he realized... their shop had real potential.

As they made their way across the street toward the Silver Scale, Xu Zeng, who’d switched positions with Xuan Jian, was no longer pushing a stroller, suddenly appeared at his side.

"I want to try pudding too," he announced, his voice low but clear.

Xu Feng turned to him, taking it all in. His brother had memories of the modern world. He had seen pudding in those memories, but he had never actually tasted it, had he?

Xu Feng grinned and reached up to smooth Xu Zeng’s silver hair. "Of course!"

Xu Zeng hesitated for a moment before adding, "Enough for three."

Xu Feng burst into a low laughter. "If the glutton wants enough for three, I’ll make enough for ten!" His tone was teasing, but he meant it.

Xu Zeng nodded, satisfied, as they crossed the street together.

The Silver Scale stood out against the more rustic surroundings.

The storefront was nothing like the others in Yilin Town. Unlike most shops, which had wooden paneling and small carved windows, Silver Scale had a more open and welcoming design.

Instead of traditional paper-covered windows, they had used polished mica sheets—thin, translucent, and slightly glossy. It wasn’t glass, but it allowed natural light to filter in while still providing some privacy and insulation.

The effect was stunning, giving the shop a more refined and structured look without losing the charm of its surroundings. Xu Feng admired the craftsmanship.

Not only had they designed and renovated it well, but they had chosen the perfect location.

"Is it rented?" Xu Feng asked, curiosity peaking.

"Your snake bought it." Xu Zeng’s voice was casual as if he were talking about something minor. "I thought 800 taels of silver was too expensive for a shop, but the location matters."

Xu Feng nearly tripped.

"Eight hundred?" He turned sharply to stare at his brother.

Xu Zeng shrugged. "It’s close to the capital, and it’s in the busiest part of Yilin Town. The building has two floors. It’s expensive, but it’s worth it."

Xu Feng ran a hand through his own hair. He had a rough idea of silver and gold values, and while 800 taels was steep, it wasn’t unreasonable given the town’s proximity to the capital. Still...

He had to factor that into their profits, not just how much silver and gold they currently had.

The fruits for their current stock of jam had been practically free, with even the fruits sourced from others being relatively cheap. Their biggest expenses had been sugar and the jars themselves. Depending on the price points they had set for different jar sizes, he could calculate when they would break even.

And they needed to start thinking about staffing.

Xuan Jian’s man, poor Liu, couldn’t be the primary shopkeeper forever. Especially since Min was busy at the estate recently.

Being a boss was harder than he had expected.

Xu Feng chuckled at himself as they stepped into the building.

Xuan Jian nodded toward Liu, who had been overseeing the store.

"How much did the renovations cost?" Xu Feng asked, offhandedly.

"Seven hundred taels," Xu Zeng replied smoothly.

Xu Feng’s steps faltered again. "What?"

His younger brother didn’t even look at him, as if anticipating his reaction. "The windows were a big cost," Xu Zeng continued. "And your snake insisted on putting floor heating on both floors."

Xu Feng turned his head so fast he nearly cricked his neck. "Floor heating?"

Xu Zeng finally glanced at him, a smile playing on his lips. "He wanted it to be a place you’d be proud of."

Xu Feng blinked, his heart skipping slightly.

Floor heating? For him?

Here, in this world, warmth had never been out of reach for him but even so, his modification to Blooming Courtyard must have played heavily on his lovers’ mind.

Xu Feng exhaled slowly, his gaze sweeping over the shop again. The cost had been high. But what they had built... was worth it. His lips curled into a small, helpless smile.

From the moment they stepped inside, Xu Feng could feel the shift in the atmosphere. Their entrance had drawn more than a few gazes, and though he wasn’t actively looking around at the customers, he could sense it—curiosity, recognition, and the quiet murmurs that came with it.

He was more aware of his appearance now than ever before.

It wasn’t just that he stood out. His silver hair, the striking red mole at the center of his forehead—it all marked him unmistakably. He was the young mistress of the Xuan family. The wife of Xuan Yang.

He didn’t react outwardly, instead offering a polite smile to those who looked his way before focusing entirely on the store. This was what he had come for.

And it was bigger than he had expected.

His gaze roamed over the first floor. The shelves were carefully arranged, displaying the various jams in elegant formations. The jars gleamed under the warm lighting, the Silver Scale emblem catching the glow just right, adding an almost luxurious appeal to what was, at its core, preserved fruit.

It was designed beautifully.

The wooden staircase in the center of the room immediately caught his attention. It was a statement piece—grand without being gaudy, the deep wood polished to perfection. It paired well with the white stone flooring on both levels, a contrast that blended rustic charm with refined elegance.

Xu Zeng had outdone himself. Drawn in by the craftsmanship, Xu Feng went up the stairs.

The second floor was spacious, designed in a galley style that left the central area open, offering a view of the main floor below. The openness gave it a light, airy feel—nothing too cramped or confined, making it ideal for social gatherings.

Most of the space was suited for open seating, arranged in a way that felt inviting rather than crowded. But there were also three private rooms, each set off to the side, their doors simple and unadorned.

These rooms could be made distinct in some way—differentiated by their décor. And lighting—yes, lighting would matter. Soft, warm lighting would make it feel more intimate, more exclusive.

His lips curled in satisfaction. The clientele, those obsessed with novelty and exclusivity, would love it.

Leaving the second floor, he moved toward the back of the store.

The kitchen was tucked away from the main shop, separated by a discreet door. Stepping inside, Xu Feng felt a jolt of surprise.

It was familiar.

Though not identical, it had a strong resemblance to his private kitchen in Blooming Courtyard—modernized. The counters were smooth, the storage practical, everything arranged in a way that maximized efficiency.

His hands twitched. He could work here.

Exiting through the back door, Xu Feng was immediately followed by Xiao Momo and Xiao An, their little feet pattering against the stone as they trailed after him.

Outside, the backyard unfolded before them.

And it was an actual backyard.

Xu Feng took it in with fresh eyes. The space was open, far more than he had expected. It wasn’t just a small courtyard—it was a proper outdoor space, with a well, a storage building, and even living quarters.

The plants in the garden were struggling, but that could be fixed.

The storage building, on the other hand...

Xu Feng stepped inside, inhaling the faint, sweet scent that lingered in the air. His eyes landed on rows upon rows of jam. Stacked, stored, organized neatly—it was filled to the brim.

They had stock. A lot of it. It would take some time to go through this and what remained at home. They had done far more preparation than he had anticipated.

Liu had been living in the back quarters while Min, now that the renovations were complete, had returned to Nanshan Estate to monitor the traitors. Everything had been moving efficiently in his absence.

Xu Feng exhaled, shaking his head with a small smile.

If it had been left to him alone, the store wouldn’t have been nearly this perfect.

Watching as Xiao An and Xiao Momo ran through the open yard, giggling as they chased one another, something in him felt just as light.

Xu Feng’s fingers twitched. He wanted to lock himself in the kitchen right now.