Chapter 149: Chapter 149: Tongtong Is Going to Be a Mommy

This morning, after getting some advice from Li Xiaoyan, Yang Yixue changed her terms for her talk with Wang Cheng.

Since Jiang Liu was unwilling to give up any shares, then surely he could hand over the recipes for his buns and the methods for making his juices?

That wasn’t asking for too much, was it?

This was her bottom line!

Otherwise, he could forget about her giving up her visitation rights peacefully. If worst came to worst, they could go to court. She would just drag it out.

And during that time, she could continue to visit Tongtong.

Yang Yixue had even gone out of her way to consult several lawyers.

After her consultations, she learned that Jiang Liu could refuse her visits once or twice, but not indefinitely.

While the lawsuit was ongoing, she could drag things out and keep visiting Tongtong, making Jiang Liu’s life miserable.

Jiang Liu frowned as he finished reading the message.

He replied, "What is she thinking? That’s impossible!"

If they couldn’t negotiate, then going the official route was fine too.

Although it would be a hassle for a few months, it wasn’t something Jiang Liu couldn’t endure.

But it would be hard on Tongtong. Because until a verdict was reached, Yang Yixue’s visitation rights for her daughter would still exist, like a rope tying the three of them together.

Wang Cheng said calmly, "Boss Jiang, there are two options right now. One is to go to court. The other is for me to continue negotiating with the other party and try to get them to lower their demands."

"Yang Yixue is insisting on the food recipes from your shop. Would it be acceptable to you if you only gave her two bun recipes?"

Jiang Liu hesitated.

’Two... that’s not entirely out of the question.’

He desperately wanted his daughter to escape this ordeal as soon as possible.

Every time he remembered Tongtong’s fearful expression, Jiang Liu’s heart ached.

Of course, that was only one part of it.

More importantly, just having the ingredient ratios for his buns was useless. There were many subtle little techniques that were difficult to master and understand. And then there was the issue of the ingredients themselves.

For Jiang Liu’s buns, not only were the preparation methods and techniques the best, but the ingredients themselves were also hard to come by on the open market.

The freshness of the ingredients was a major problem.

Besides, even if she managed to buy them, the cost would inevitably be very high, and she would still be crushed by Jiang Liu in the market.

Weren’t his buns selling so well precisely because they were both affordable and delicious?

In short, trying to replicate his buns was basically impossible.

Jiang Liu thought for a moment and replied, "Alright, two bun recipes at most. If she still doesn’t agree, then there’s nothing more to discuss."

Jiang Liu couldn’t make the juices on the spot, so he definitely wouldn’t use them as a bargaining chip. The tuna relied on the freshness of the ingredient itself, so Yang Yixue would certainly demand his supply channels.

Therefore, he could only trade the bun recipes.

Wang Cheng: "Okay. This woman has a big appetite, but I’ll do my best to talk her down. If we can negotiate, we should do it quickly. The sooner we cut ties, the sooner we’ll have peace and quiet."

Jiang Liu: "I’ll leave it in your hands. Thank you for your hard work, Lawyer Wang. If you’re free tonight, let’s have dinner together."

Wang Cheng: "Sounds good. I’ll do my best to handle this matter for you, Boss Jiang."

Jiang Liu put down his phone.

He looked up and saw Tongtong lying beside him, craning her neck to look at his phone screen.

Her little eyes sparkled with the light of "wisdom."

"Daddy, who was that? What were you talking about?"

"I was talking about your visitation rights with your Uncle Wang." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Tongtong asked nervously, "How did it go?"

"Do I still have to go see her?"

Seeing the concerned gazes fixed on him, Jiang Liu smiled reassuringly. "Don’t you all worry. We’re almost at the final stage. As long as we agree on the terms, it’ll all be over once Yang Yixue signs the contract!"

"Terms? What terms did she demand?" Jiang Dahai asked, his thick brows furrowing.

Jiang Liu hadn’t planned on saying anything, but since his dad asked, he didn’t hide it. "She wants the recipes from my shop. I plan on giving her just two bun recipes. We’re negotiating it now."

"Her whole family is shameless!" Lin Qiu slammed the table in anger after hearing this.

"She was the one who wanted the divorce! We gave her the house and the assets, and now she’s using the visitation rights to blackmail you. It’s disgusting! Ptooey!"

Lin Qiu was so angry her chest was heaving.

’So much for being a lady.’

Jun Qingmeng’s expression also turned cold.

If Yang Yixue cursed at her, she could just treat it as a dog barking a couple of times.

But for Yang Yixue to bully Jiang Liu,

to blackmail him and try to steal the fruits of his hard work—that was unacceptable!

’When it came to Jiang Liu, even I treasure him too much to ever bully him. What right does Yang Yixue have?’

Seeing his mom so angry, Jiang Liu comforted her, "Mom, it’s alright. It’s just two bun recipes. Even if they get them, they won’t be able to replicate the taste."

"Besides, no matter what, Yang Yixue is Tongtong’s biological mother. If we want to sever this connection, it’s impossible to do so without paying some price."

"Before, she probably couldn’t have been happier to be rid of us. But now that we’re making money and she’s found out, of course it’s not going to be that easy."

Lin Qiu’s anger subsided a little.

"That’s true. Yang Yixue gave birth to Tongtong, so it’s not a problem for us to give some compensation. As long as she doesn’t get too greedy."

Jiang Dahai chimed in, saying in a gruff voice, "Hmph. Once that agreement is signed, we’ll have nothing to do with them for the rest of our lives!"

He tapped on the table.

After hearing Jiang Liu’s explanation, the coldness in Jun Qingmeng’s expression lessened slightly.

’As long as Yang Yixue’s connection to Tongtong is severed, it’ll be worth it.’

Jiang Liu gave Tongtong’s little bottom a gentle pinch.

"Ouch! Someone hurt Tongtong’s bottom!"

Jiang Liu said, "Tongtong, go keep your grandma company."

Then, he leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Your grandma is in a bad mood."

Tongtong’s ears twitched, and she gave an "OK" sign.

’Comfort-patrol Tongtong is in position. Acknowledged, Daddy, over!’

She clambered onto Lin Qiu’s lap and started acting cute.

"Grandma~ Tongtong loves you so much. Please don’t be angry, okay? Tongtong wants to see you smile."

"Grandma~"

"Aww, okay, okay. Grandma’s not angry anymore."

Lin Qiu was so successfully coaxed that she couldn’t stop smiling.

"My Tongtong is such a good girl. If you ask me, as long as that Yang Yixue stops harassing my granddaughter, that’s the best possible outcome!"

"Two bun recipes... if she wants them, she can have them. As long as our family can be happy, healthy, and not worry about money, that’s what’s most important!"

As she spoke,

Lin Qiu hinted, "Son, you need to hurry up and make this family whole again. Qingmeng is so wonderful—she’s beautiful, gentle, and so good to you and Tongtong. If she became our daughter-in-law, your mother here would wake up laughing from my dreams."

Jun Qingmeng gave Jiang Liu a playful wink. "Are you going to obediently carry out what Auntie said?"

"Don’t let us down!"

Jiang Liu looked at the teasing expressions on their faces and let out a frustrated sigh.

’Why do I feel like I’m the only outsider in this family...’

Tongtong was Jun Qingmeng’s little secret agent, and his mom and dad were always taking Jun Qingmeng’s side.

’Who’s the biological child here, anyway?’

"I’m talking to you, son. Are you going to carry out the mission we’ve given you or not?"

Playing dumb didn’t work, so Jiang Liu could only look up and retort helplessly.

"Qingmeng, why don’t you just ask my mom to be your godmother? Then you can take her last name, Lin. How about that?"

Lin Qiu raised an eyebrow and said, "If Qingmeng has no objections, I certainly don’t. We can go make it official tomorrow."

Jun Qingmeng went along with it and nodded. "Sure, absolutely no problem."

The corner of Jiang Liu’s mouth twitched.

’I’m done talking. So I’m the odd one out here, is that it?’

Jiang Tongtong watched them go back and forth,

and she excitedly chimed in, "A godmother? Then Daddy, can you make Tongtong your godmother? Then you can take the last name Tong~."

The thought of her daddy taking her name made Tongtong’s little heart thump with excitement.

’I get to be a mommy now!’

’Hmm! Should I start by punishing Daddy and making him buy me a case of Coke?’