The Martial Doctor-Chapter 115 - 110: Deep Binding

The pastries Lin Miao made are still the subject of private discussions among them, but no one dares to ask Lin Miao to make them a second time.

Even the four types of pastries he taught them to make before, when made according to Lin Miao’s method, came out tasting just a bit off.

The fact is, different people making the same thing can taste different indeed.

The key lies in the recipe and the temperature, and one very important ingredient Lin Miao uses is "white sugar."

This stuff is very expensive here; it’s bought and sold, but very few people can afford to eat it.

Ordinary pastry shops use colored sugar; only some expensive pastries use white sugar, but those are not something regular people can afford.

"After the New Year, I plan to open a pastry shop. Who among you will be the shopkeeper?" Lin Miao suddenly spoke, looking at everyone eating at the table.

Mr. Xie’s eyes gleamed with eagerness; he was so ready for this! He was familiar with opening shops and being a shopkeeper.

But Lin Miao’s gaze passed directly over his face; obviously, he did not plan to give him a chance. This guy was suited for dirty and hard work; a clean business like this was not his to handle.

Miss Liuli lowered her head. She was quite interested, but she still had over three years left on her contract with Huaye Tower, and she didn’t know if Mrs. Qin would be willing to release her from her contract by then.

Shi Yin glanced at Miss Liuli beside her; she also had this idea but was too timid and gentle to bring it up.

"Miss Liuli, I would like to hire you as the shopkeeper and chief pastry chef of Lin’s Pastry Shop. What do you think?" Lin Miao had observed her these past days and found that besides her exceptional talent in dance, Liuli also had interesting ideas about making pastries and noodles.

He understood Miss Liuli’s predicament, but to him, it was just a matter of saying a word to Si Miaoxue.

"I... I can’t, Mr. Lin. I have a contract with Huaye Tower, and Mrs. Qin would never let me go to work elsewhere."

"If you are willing, I’ll talk to Mrs. Qin for you," Lin Miao replied with a smile.

"This, really possible?" Miss Liuli asked joyfully, somewhat stammering.

"Trust me, give yourself a chance."

"Uh-huh, thank you, Mr. Lin, for your kindness. I’m willing to give it a try!" After a glance at Shi Yin beside her, Liuli finally made up her mind and nodded solemnly.

In three years, if she truly regains her freedom, what path should she take? She can’t go back to the old life of entertaining people with her looks, and once a woman is over thirty, her body starts to decline, especially someone like her who has been dancing since childhood. She has underlying injuries that are not visible now but will surface when she gets older.

These are the lessons learned from those who came before her.

"Little brother, how do you plan to talk to Mrs. Qin?" After dinner, Sun Youwei followed Lin Miao into the study and asked.

"I’ll just tell her directly," Lin Miao said. "Sister, don’t worry about this matter."

"You are serious about opening a pastry shop."

"Of course. Practicing medicine should not be overly profit-driven. It’s fine if it’s a means of survival, but if it’s used to seek personal gain, that would lose the true essence of a healer. A healer should have a sincere heart toward patients," Lin Miao explained. "So, I’m looking to live a good life with my sister through other means."

"Little brother, won’t it be too stressful for you this way?"

"Stressful? Not at all. I will only invest funds and techniques. Once the business picks up, I’ll give Liuli a thirty percent share. That way, the business will also be considered her own, and she will have a stable livelihood. We just sit at home and collect money," Lin Miao chuckled slightly.

Sun Youwei listened, sensing something was off but knowing that what her little brother was doing was better than most.

"Mr. Lin, Mrs. Lin, will there be classes tonight?"

"Classes? When I have time, I’ll analyze the day’s medical cases for you," Lin Miao nodded.

...

After the study light was turned off.

Not long after, Si Miaoxue came over through a secret path; going high profile might be seen by people.

Using the secret path was more discreet.

With a face flushed like fire, Si Miaoxue hooked an arm around and boldly leaned in for a kiss, intensely seeking the sweet charm between lips and teeth.

"You didn’t come back yesterday?"

"Your informants are so all-knowing, you surely know," Lin Miao touched the painful spot on his upper lip, "acting like a wild little cat, biting so hard."

"I am a wild little cat, your personal wild little cat, okay?"

"Enough, do you have something to say?" Lin Miao gave a light spank on that firm roundness. "Get down and talk properly."

"I want to invest some money in your side and do some legitimate business," Si Miaoxue said.

"Does Commander Si think highly of my little business?" Lin Miao laughed; this enchantress was getting better and better at using her skills on him.

"Huaye Tower is not my asset; technically, it belongs to the Moon Worship Sect. I only have management rights," Si Miaoxue explained.

"Think carefully, once you board my ship, getting off won’t be easy."

"Isn’t it you who is bound to me?"

"Now, we’re just in a fleeting relationship, not bound," Lin Miao looked at Si Miaoxue calmly, without any trace of emotion.

"Mr. Lin, saying such things breaks Miaoxue’s heart. I’ve given you the most precious thing a woman has," Si Miaoxue said in a grieved tone, tears shimmering instantly in her eyes. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"Enough, stop pretending in front of me. You want to join my investment? Fine, agree to one condition," Lin Miao said, unsure how much sincerity Si Miaoxue had for him.

"Go ahead," the tears in Si Miaoxue’s eyes vanished instantly, her rapid shift leaving him dumbfounded.

"Release Liuli’s contract."

"I already promised to give it to her in three years..."

"I mean now," Lin Miao shook his head.

"Mr. Lin, you haven’t developed feelings for Liuli, have you? She’s indeed beautiful and has a great figure, still pure. Aren’t you afraid your sister will get jealous?"

"You’re overthinking. My business needs her to manage, she must be free, not under constraint."

"I spent a lot to buy her back then..."

"The money for her contract release can be part of your investment?"

"No, I want a role in the business she’s in charge of," Si Miaoxue’s beautiful eyes twinkled, thinking for a moment. If deeply binding this little man’s business, how could he leave me in the future?

"Deal!" Lin Miao didn’t refuse. Having an extra partner to share investment risks was a good thing, especially since the venture was expanding and funds were tight.