CHAPTER 622: CHAPTER 621: THE TASTE OF CANDIED HAWTHORN (5/10)

"Then tonight, we happen to have a batch of original stones arriving. Many people will be there to buy and cut stones on the spot, so why don’t we have our competition tonight? How about it?" Bai Zhuang struck while the iron was hot.

"No problem!" Yang Chen readily agreed.

"Haha! Straightforward!" Bai Zhuang seemed very pleased, "I’ll wait for you tonight then!"

Yang Chen looked at Bai Zhuang and laughed, "Don’t miss it!"

"Don’t miss it!" Bai Zhuang beamed, waved at Yang Chen as if they were old friends, and then left with his people.

After they left, Sun Yue rubbed her arms, glanced at Yang Chen, and said coldly, "Why do I feel like it’s a weasel giving a New Year greeting to a chicken!"

Sun Yue saw through Yang Chen completely; she knew Yang Chen would never do anything he wasn’t confident about, let alone give away money.

Since he agreed to Bai Zhuang’s challenge, he must have a way to solve these problems.

But Chen Xiaohuo seemed very worried, pulling Yang Chen and saying, "Bro, why don’t we forget it? A million is just a million, I’ll accept it, but please don’t play stone betting with him. He runs a stone betting site, that place he mentioned is his, and he cuts hundreds every day, he’s clear about every type of stone!"

"I already said, don’t worry." Yang Chen said calmly.

"But..." Chen Xiaohuo was still worried.

Gao Hong came up, patted Chen Xiaohuo’s shoulder, and said, "Rest assured, if our boss says it’s fine, then it’ll definitely be fine."

Chen Xiaohuo was full of dilemma.

He felt that it was hard to get in touch with such a big shot with a black card, and considering their brotherly bond, it should be easier to maintain the relationship. But if because of this, he made Yang Chen stick up for him and not only lost money but also the Bentley, wouldn’t this relationship be ruined?

Chen Xiaohuo was a person of foresight and wished to maintain this relationship longer.

At this moment, Yang Chen said to Chen Siyan and Wei Xueqing, "You two go hang out with Sun Yue anywhere. This is also a tourist area, just wander around and buy something."

Wei Xueqing looked at Yang Chen, "Let’s go together."

"Yeah, Bro! Let’s go together!" Chen Siyan came up and tugged at Yang Chen’s arm, "We’ve all come out together, if you don’t keep us company, what’s the point!"

"Yeah, let’s go together, it won’t take much time." Wei Xueqing said again.

Yang Chen saw that he could not avoid it, and had no choice but to nod in agreement.

"Alright, wherever, I’ll follow you guys." Yang Chen said.

Chen Siyan and Wei Xueqing cheered and pulled Yang Chen onto the street.

Chen Xiaohuo was frustrated, unable to get a word in.

Gao Hong and Sun Yue also followed at the back, ensuring the safety of Yang Chen and Wei Xueqing.

"Bro! Ice candy!" Chen Siyan spotted the ice candy and pulled Yang Chen excitedly.

Yang Chen was startled for a moment, seeing the person selling the ice candy.

Perhaps wanting to preserve an ancient charm or due to constraints, the old man selling ice candy still pushed a bicycle with a stick full of bright red, enticing ice candies inserted on the back seat.

"Go ahead!" Yang Chen said dumbfoundedly.

Chen Siyan immediately ran over joyfully, choosing ice candy with Wei Xueqing.

Looking at Chen Siyan’s crescent-shaped eyes fixed on the candy, it seemed to her that the happiest thing in the world was that stick of ice candy.

In a daze, it was as if they were transported back to ten years ago...

That winter.

Chen Siyan and Yang Chen were wearing clothes donated to the orphanage, both wearing old-fashioned locomotive hats.

Because the hat was too big, it covered Chen Siyan’s small face.

After walking a few steps, Chen Siyan would adjust her hat with her hands clad in mittens attached around her neck, lifting it up to reveal her eyes.

Winter meant no source of income for little orphans, not even much trash.

In summer, there were still cans and beer bottles; in winter, even those disappeared.

An old man was selling ice candy down the street.

"Ice candy for sale!"

The familiar voice resonated along the street.

Ten-year-old Chen Siyan shook Yang Chen’s hand and said, "Bro, I want some ice candy."

Yang Chen felt the only five-cent copper coin left in his pocket, hesitated, then handed it to Chen Siyan, saying, "Go ahead!"

Chen Siyan was thrilled, cheering as she ran to the old man selling the candy, and showed her palm, "I want an ice candy!"

That year, ice candy still cost only five cents each.

The old man smiled as he took the money, "Pick one!"

Chen Siyan was dazzled by the stick full of ice candies, her eyes curved like crescents, unsure which to choose.

In the end, Chen Siyan still couldn’t decide, pulling Yang Chen, saying, "Bro! Help me pick one!"

Yang Chen, being taller, saw clearer, picked the bigger one for her.

Siyan was overjoyed, quickly putting it to her mouth but reluctant to bite, just licking it lightly.

After licking, she suddenly remembered something, quickly handed the ice candy to Yang Chen, "Bro! You eat first!"

...

Many years later, at a different time, different place, but the scene seemed to overlap with the past.

"Bro! Hurry up!" Siyan waved to Yang Chen.

Yang Chen walked over, asking, "How much for one."

"Five yuan each, using only the best hawthorns, handpicked." The old man smiled.

Yang Chen was taken aback; he didn’t expect prices to rise tenfold in just a few years.

He took out ten yuan, handing it to the old man, "Two please."

"Okay, you pick."

"Pick one!" Yang Chen said to the two.

Wei Xueqing looked, choosing a delicate one with no excess sugar coating, "I’ll take this one!"

Siyan frowned, looking at the bunch of ice candies and unable to decide.

In the end, Siyan tugged Yang Chen’s arm coyly, "Bro, help me pick one!"

Yang Chen chuckled, carefully inspecting the full selection of ice candies.

Since he was taller, he had a bird’s-eye view of the candy stick.

Yang Chen picked the biggest one, handing it to Siyan.

Siyan took the candy, cheered excitedly, and put it to her mouth, but again reluctant to bite, just held it in her mouth.

After holding it, Siyan seemed to remember something, quickly raised it to Yang Chen, "Bro, you first!"

"Bro, you eat first..." The innocent voice seemed to echo in Yang Chen’s ears.

Siyan was still the same Siyan...

Yang Chen smiled fondly, ruffling the little girl’s hair, saying, "You eat it!"

"No! You first!" Siyan put the ice candy to Yang Chen’s mouth.

Yang Chen looked at the candy with a disgruntled expression, "You just licked it, and now you want me to eat..."

Siyan pouted in dissatisfaction, "You’re not appreciating me!"

Then, Siyan bit off the first one in her mouth, and again held the candy to Yang Chen, "You have one!"

Yang Chen, helpless, took a bite and felt the sweet and sour taste, smiled, and nodded, "Tasty!"