Chapter 85: Chapter 85: Dad, Can You Behave?

At these words, everyone’s eyes lit up.

That’s right! If someone who can make such top-tier delicacies is managed properly, their money-making potential would be a bottomless pit!

This young man was practically a treasure trove!

"Hanhan, what do you think? Do you like him? You’re not getting any younger. It’s time you thought about marriage."

Wang Guozhong asked with a smile.

Wang Han pursed her lips.

"Forget it. Don’t get any ideas about him. He won’t agree."

Wang Han knew what her uncle was thinking—he was all about business.

So she rejected the idea outright.

In truth, she had her own selfish reasons.

Jiang Liu could only be hers; she didn’t want to share him with anyone.

Like a squirrel that had found a stash of nuts, she just wanted to hide him away and enjoy him all by herself.

Wang Guozhong was displeased.

He shot his younger brother a look, signaling him to have a talk with her when they got back.

If they could absorb such an outstanding young man into the Wang Family, they could enter the culinary industry!

Everyone knew the restaurant business was a huge piece of the pie.

And with the ability to make such delicious buns and juice, dominating the South City market would be a piece of cake.

...

「Yangzhao Street.」

"RUMBLE!"

"PATTER PATTER."

Huge raindrops smashed against the air conditioner unit by the door.

Dark spots grew more and more dense on the dry ground.

Jiang Liu, Jun Qingmeng, and Tongtong straightened up the room together.

It didn’t take much effort.

"Stop wiping, come and eat."

"Oh yeah, time for buns!" Tongtong ran over and sat obediently in her chair.

She secretly poked a bun with her little hand.

’Mr. Bun, Tongtong is going to eat you in a little bit, okay? Don’t be scared.’

Jun Qingmeng had just been tidying up, and her face was flushed.

"By the way, are you feeling better?" Jiang Liu asked.

Qingmeng revealed a stunning smile and shook her head.

"I’m pretty much all better. Don’t worry about me."

She loved it when Jiang Liu cared about her.

’It’d be nice if I could catch a cold more often.’

Jiang Liu took a bite of a bun. "If you two are tired of buns and want to eat something else, just tell me. I’ll take you out for the best."

He was worried Jun Qingmeng might want something else but would be too shy to say it, so he took the initiative to ask.

Jun Qingmeng gazed earnestly into Jiang Liu’s eyes.

"Your buns... I love them, just like I love you. I’ll never get tired of them."

"No! I only love Daddy’s buns! I’ll love them forever!"

As Tongtong spoke, she stuffed a whole bun into her mouth with a big "OM-NOM."

Her cheeks puffed out, round.

It was incredibly cute.

One of them was using the opportunity to continue her sweet offensive, while the other was just naively enjoying the delicious food.

Jiang Liu ate a few, then got up and packed thirty-five buns.

"You two eat first. I’m going to take some buns to Uncle Xue."

"Go on. We’ll wait for you to come back."

"Daddy, it’s raining outside. Don’t get the buns wet."

Jiang Liu winced and shook his head.

He delivered the buns to Xue Guang’s shop.

Xue Guang was very enthusiastic. "Thanks for going through the trouble, Jiang Liu. Why don’t you stay and have a few beers with me?"

"I bought all this waiting for you."

He pointed at the roast duck on the table, along with green glass bottles of Tsingtao beer.

Jiang Liu shook his head apologetically and declined. "Some other time, Uncle Xue. I have to take Tongtong’s teacher home later, so I really don’t have the time. Besides, it’s been a long day, and I want to get some rest."

He was a little tempted; most men like beer.

But he might have to drive Jun Qingmeng home later, so he passed.

"Ah, alright then. I’ll just get my wife to drink with me later. I can never outdrink her. It’s so annoying."

Xue Guang rubbed his bald head.

"It’s a man’s shame. I really envy you. Your girlfriend is so sweet and gentle, sticking to you every day and helping you with work. I’ve never even heard her raise her voice. How great is that?"

Jiang Liu casually picked up a mango and started eating it, explaining exasperatedly, "Uncle Xue, don’t tease me. We’re just ordinary friends, not in a romantic relationship. Don’t talk nonsense."

"You think I’d believe that?"

"That’s not my problem." Jiang Liu gave a helpless smile.

The two of them chatted for a few minutes.

Jiang Liu walked back to his shop under the eaves of the buildings.

Tongtong and Jun Qingmeng were sitting obediently at the table, not eating.

Jiang Liu paused for a moment.

"What are you two doing, meditating? Eat up!"

Tongtong explained in a cute, milky voice:

"Daddy wasn’t back, so we have to eat with you. We’re a family, so we must eat together."

Jun Qingmeng snuck a peek at Jiang Liu’s expression. Seeing he wasn’t annoyed, she rejoiced inwardly.

Jiang Liu sat down across from them and gave Tongtong a flick on the forehead.

"You’re a clever one!"

"Wuwu... Daddy, go play the piano, not on Tongtong’s smart little head, okay?"

A little while later.

Tongtong’s forgetful habit acted up again.

She started scheming again.

They were right in the middle of their meal.

She sidled up next to Jiang Liu and covered his mouth with her small, greasy hands.

"Mmph, what are you doing?"

Jiang Liu, a bun still in his mouth, looked completely baffled.

"Tongtong is now making an announcement! Daddy, you can only listen. No talking allowed."

"Can you be a good boy and do that?"

Jiang Liu: "..."

"Good, Daddy is being very good. I’m making my announcement now! Teacher Qingmeng will be our new family member from now on. You have to treat her well, you know?"

Tongtong furrowed her brow, pretending to be a grown-up.

’Daddy is so clueless.’

’Teacher Qingmeng would be such a good mommy, and you won’t even bring her home for Tongtong.’

’Tongtong has to be the one to point you in the right direction.’

’Sigh...’

’This little cutie has done so, so much for her silly daddy. I’m so worried my hair is turning white.’

Jun Qingmeng looked at Jiang Liu, biting her lip.

Jiang Liu lowered his head and ate his bun. "Hurry up and eat. It’ll get cold."

"Okay."

Tongtong and Jun Qingmeng started eating again, too.

Tongtong’s eating habits were exactly the same as Jiang Liu’s. She would pick up a bun, take a small bite, and then stuff the whole thing in her mouth to chew.

Jun Qingmeng was more refined, savoring it one small bite at a time.

She would occasionally take a sip of juice.

She said in a gentle voice:

"Jiang Liu, thank you for today. I’m so happy you took the time out of your busy schedule to visit me."

Jiang Liu shook his head gently. "It was nothing, I was in the neighborhood. It wasn’t much trouble."

Tongtong interjected, "Daddy works really hard every day. Later, when you two have saved up enough money, Tongtong will take you both wherever you want to go, eat whatever you want to eat, and take you to see the ocean. How about that?"

Jiang Liu’s heart warmed, and he nodded.

"Okay."

「7:40 PM.」

The three of them had eaten and drunk their fill.

Jiang Liu took out the kitchen trash.

Because there were so many bottles, he, Tongtong, and Jun Qingmeng had to make several trips to throw them all away.

"Here are the buns and juice for your roommate."

Jiang Liu took a paper bag from the counter.

"You’re so thoughtful. You even remembered my roommate."

Jun Qingmeng happily accepted the bag.

She liked considerate and thoughtful men.

The rain fell more and more intensely, forming a curtain of water.

Jiang Liu locked the door and said, "Let’s go. I’ll take you back. It’s not safe for a girl to be out alone this late at night."

Jun Qingmeng was touched, but her heart also ached for him.

"You haven’t rested all day, have you? It’s a half-hour round trip. Why don’t I just go back by myself?"

She didn’t want Jiang Liu to be tired or uncomfortable because of her.

She only wanted Jiang Liu to be better and more relaxed because of her.

Jiang Liu insisted, "Come on, it won’t take long. I’m hale and hearty. You think driving a car is going to tire me out?"

"Let’s go."

Tongtong tugged on Jun Qingmeng’s clothes. "Daddy has Uncle Che, you know! He can take Teacher Qingmeng home super easily."

"Let’s go together. Tongtong wants to spend a little more time with Teacher Qingmeng."

Jun Qingmeng hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

"Okay, you two can take me home."

"Hehe, we get to take Teacher Qingmeng home."

Jiang Liu opened an umbrella.

Tongtong climbed into his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck.

The three of them squeezed under the small umbrella.

Jun Qingmeng and Jiang Liu were pressed closely together.

Jiang Liu didn’t think much of it.

Jun Qingmeng looked at Jiang Liu’s clean-cut face.

’When you’re with the person you like, perhaps it’s just this simple.’

They arrived at the sloped concrete parking spots across the street.

The parking spaces, usually crowded during the day, were mostly empty at night.

Most of the cars parked here belonged to the nearby shop owners.

"BEEP BEEP."

The car unlocked, letting out two electronic beeps.

"You two get in the car first."

Jiang Liu held the umbrella and opened the rear car door.

Tongtong hopped in, locked the door behind her, and then pressed her face to the window, winking at Jun Qingmeng.

’Now Teacher Qingmeng has to sit in the front!’

’Tongtong is such a little genius!’

’Daddy, you have to step up your game! Give Tongtong a little brother soon.’

Jun Qingmeng nodded, showing she understood.

Jiang Liu almost laughed in exasperation. "Qingmeng, you can take the front seat."

"Okay!"

Jiang Liu held the umbrella over Jun Qingmeng as he escorted her to the passenger seat.

He got back into the driver’s seat.

He started the car.

There was no noise inside the car. It was perfectly quiet as the two large screens and the ambient lighting turned on simultaneously.

"Are you hot?"

"A little stuffy."

Jiang Liu turned on the air conditioning.

The huge raindrops were shut out by the car.

Inside, it was dry and cool as music played softly.

Tongtong splayed her legs out, doing the "Ge You-slouch" on the back seat. "This is so nice! Uncle Che, you’re the best!"

From now on.

No matter how hard it rained,

She wouldn’t have to be scared anymore, because Uncle Che would be there to shield them.

If she got hot, Uncle Che would blow cool air.

And besides, her daddy and mommy were here in the car with Tongtong.

Jun Qingmeng looked at Jiang Liu. "You look really handsome when you’re focused."

Jiang Liu didn’t reply.

Soon.

The car drove off Yangzhao Road.

The ride was smooth, not bumpy at all.

It was very comfortable.