Chapter 522: A Star Is Lining Up, Too?

Chapter 522: Chapter 522: A Star Is Lining Up, Too?

Jiang Liu stroked Jun Qingmeng’s hair as the two held each other quietly.

"Are you still going back?"

"If you come back with me, I’ll go. If you don’t, I’m sticking to you!"

"Never mind. Your best friend is still at home. It wouldn’t be right for us to be all lovey-dovey in front of her."

"Hee hee hee." Jun Qingmeng laughed, her voice clear and pleasant.

"Come on, let’s go back to sleep?" Jiang Liu gave Jun Qingmeng’s perky bottom a light smack, then glanced at Tongtong, who had long since powered down and was now hugging his leg as she slept.

Jun Qingmeng let out a small yelp, looking up to glare at Jiang Liu reproachfully. "Can’t you be a little gentler?"

"That hurt?" Jiang Liu was stunned.

’I don’t think I used much force.’

"Mhm... a little," Jun Qingmeng said shyly.

"You don’t like it rough, do you?"

"I don’t..." Jun Qingmeng’s voice was very quiet. "I like it when you’re gentle."

Jiang Liu thought for a moment... and shook his head, troubled.

’What am I going to do about this?’

’This is asking too much.’

"Let’s go. Back to sleep."

"Hey, I can walk on my own."

"I’ll carry you."

Ignoring her shy struggles, Jiang Liu swept Jun Qingmeng up in a princess carry and brought her into the bedroom.

Then he came back out and carried Tongtong back as well.

He had originally planned to sneak his daughter into the next room, but then he remembered Jun Qingmeng was on her period, so he scrapped that idea.

After settling Tongtong in and pulling the covers over her, Jiang Liu slipped into the covers in the middle.

"Hand, Daddy," Tongtong mumbled, fumbling around with her eyes still closed.

Jiang Liu casually offered her his arm.

Tongtong grabbed his arm, the corners of her mouth curling up as she contentedly rested her head on it.

"Hubby~"

"Hm? What is it, my little wife?"

"I missed you so much."

"Missed me?" Jiang Liu chuckled. "I’m right next to you. What’s there to miss?"

"I just did!" Jun Qingmeng whined playfully, rubbing her hair against Jiang Liu’s cheek.

It tickled.

"Alright, alright, you missed me. So what are you going to do about it?" Jiang Liu stroked his wife’s soft, long hair with a playfully exasperated look.

"I don’t know." Jun Qingmeng lifted her head, looking at Jiang Liu with eyes as clear and bright as autumn waters.

Jiang Liu pinched her supple cheek. "Good girl. Go to sleep. I’ll hold you."

"Mhm."

Jun Qingmeng wrapped her arms around Jiang Liu’s waist, draped her right leg over his, and rested her forehead against his ear.

"SMOOCH!"

She planted a firm kiss on the side of his face.

Lying on his back, Jiang Liu reached up and gently pinched her lips.

「The next morning.」

It was raining again today.

It was a light, drizzling rain. Jiang Liu drove to the market to buy some fennel and also had Cai Longfei deliver thirty-three pounds of black fish.

This morning, Jiang Liu was preparing to sell fifty servings of spicy and savory boiled fish.

Paired with Yueguang Rice, it would be absolutely divine!

"Morning, Boss Jiang!"

"Good morning, Handsome Jiang! Anything new on the menu today?" a female celebrity wearing a face mask asked, waving.

Bai Lu was followed by her female agent.

Jiang Liu found her familiar and replied casually, "We have spicy boiled fish this morning."

Spicy boiled fish?!

The customers in line grew excited at once, and a stir went through the queue.

"That’s great! I didn’t even get to try the broth from the spicy boiled fish last time. Good thing I came today."

"Damn it, don’t even get me started. Last time, that bastard Yang Zhengwu extorted me for a hundred thousand yuan over a single bowl of the spicy boiled fish broth. That old fox is deviously nasty."

The speaker was a sharp-dressed man in his thirties, wearing a Longines watch and a thin, brown, hooded raincoat.

He was a high-level executive at Douyin. A hundred thousand yuan was nothing to him, but he just couldn’t stomach the injustice.

"Hello there. I hear Master Jiang’s food is quite famous in your Jing City. Is it any good?"

A new customer from Shanghai struck up a conversation, his speech carrying a distinct local accent.

The Douyin executive glanced at him and said, "Of course it’s good! Boss Jiang is practically one of us Jing City locals. How could it not be good?"

"???" The new customer from Shanghai felt his lip twitch. ’Your answer makes no sense at all.’

’What’s this about him being "practically one of you Jing City locals"? Is that supposed to be some great honor?’

The entrance was bustling with excitement.

Many street vendors had gathered to ride on the coattails of Jiang Liu’s popularity.

In a little while, the city inspectors would be on duty and would come to chase them away.

But even if they only sold for an hour, they could still make a fortune!

Time passed quickly.

Jiang Liu served Jun Qingmeng and Tongtong some spicy boiled fish and rice.

After enjoying their meal, his wife and child left for the kindergarten.

At seven o’clock, Jiang Liu announced they were open for business.

The out-of-town customers at the front of the line swarmed into the shop to place their orders.

"Let’s go, go, go! We can finally eat the spicy boiled fish!"

A young office worker in a suit and tie said happily to his colleague, "This place is packed. It wasn’t easy getting a spot in this line."

"You can say that again," his colleague boasted proudly. "I’ve been coming here since Boss Jiang’s first day."

"Master Jiang, I’ll have one spicy boiled fish combo, ten shrimp buns, five fennel buns, and a bottle of beer."

After ordering, Yu Guoguang hesitated for a moment before asking, "Master Jiang, are you really planning to compete against that person in Sichuan cuisine?"

"I am," Jiang Liu replied, looking up as he picked up a plate and began plating the buns.

Yu Guoguang sighed and shook his head, offering a word of caution. "Your opponent’s skill is no simple matter. If you can avoid competing, you should."

He wasn’t optimistic about Jiang Liu’s chances. He himself had lost in a Sichuan cuisine competition, so what hope did Jiang Liu, who was self-taught, have?

"Thanks for the warning. I’ll be sure to take it seriously," Jiang Liu said with a smile. ’Since I already promised my father-in-law, I can’t back down. Besides, I don’t think I’ll lose.’

’So young and full of spirit...’ Yu Guoguang felt a mix of emotions as he carried his buns to a seat.

A minute later, the shop was completely full.

’Once the renovations next door are finished, I should be able to shorten the business hours even more,’ Jiang Liu thought with delight.

’Who wants to work like a dog every single day?’

’Still, gotta make that money.’

Bai Lu, dressed in a light apricot casual suit, finally made it inside, sweating from the wait.

Her rosy lips were pursed in a pout of dissatisfaction.

If she hadn’t wanted to experience the atmosphere of the shop in person, she never would have suffered through queuing up like this.

"Boss Jiang! Can you recommend a dish for me?"

’Recommend a dish?’ It was the first time Jiang Liu had heard such a request. He gave it a moment’s thought before saying, "You should just take a look yourself. I don’t know your tastes. All the dishes in this shop have their own unique character, so just order whatever you like."

"The rule is, you can order one item that costs over a thousand yuan, and one item that costs under a thousand yuan."

This was a rule Jiang Liu had thought of from the very beginning. Otherwise, one person could buy out everything the moment he opened, and his accumulation of praise points would be incredibly slow.

"Alright..."

Bai Lu tapped her rosy lips with a slender, pale index finger. "In that case, I’ll have one order of the yak meat and one spicy boiled fish combo. And can I get two bottles of juice?"

"You can."

Bai Lu and her agent found a place to sit.

The agent, a beautiful woman who smelled of expensive perfume, said excitedly, "Xiao Bai, you’re not allowed to fight me for the food later, you hear? You have to watch your weight, you know?"

"Alright, I know. I’ll just have a little taste," Bai Lu said, waving her hand impatiently.

She wasn’t that interested in food. She was just feeling stifled at the company and used this as an excuse to get out and relax.

If it was good, she’d have an extra bite or two, but that was all.

Two minutes later, Jiang Liu finished plating the fragrant and tender yak meat and called out:

"Number eighty-three, your order is ready."