By the time Jiang Fuyue got home, the sky had darkened.
Jiang Da and Han Yun were still busy at the shop with a group of free laborers helping out.
On her way back, Jiang Fuyue checked the real-time updates for the hashtag #JiangJiPancakes. The Weibo plaza was flooded with posts praising the efficiency:
“I only waited twenty minutes today! Happiness came so suddenly that… I immediately got back in line and bought a second one. I’m such a genius!”
“It’s so fast today! Before, you couldn’t even dream of eating without waiting at least half an hour. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience~”
“What happened? All I see are comments about high efficiency and short lines. Wait for me, I’m on my way!”
“Has Jiang Ji gone bankrupt or what? No more long lines? A sharp drop in sales?”
“To the haters: do your research before talking, OK? Otherwise, this is just embarrassing.”
“Looks like the boss lady finally hired help! But what’s with all these big, burly uncles? Good thing there’s still a handsome guy. Hehe~”
“I heard they’re Jiang Da’s fellow apprentices, here to help out. They won’t be around for long, so hurry up and grab a pancake while you can! After this, it’s back to long waits!”
“On my way now!”
“Already in a cab.”
“Pancake fairies, here I come!”
…
When Jiang Fuyue entered the house and changed her shoes, two assistants were in the living room adjusting the lighting. Wu Qian’s jacket was draped over the sofa, but he had gone into the kitchen to film Jiang Chenxing cooking.
The two assistants greeted her somewhat nervously, and Jiang Fuyue gave them a slight nod in return.
After finishing the shoot, Wu Qian left with his assistants, saying they needed to head back and edit the footage.
That left just the siblings for dinner.
“Big Sis, try this Coca-Cola chicken wing. I just learned how to make it,” Jiang Chenxing said eagerly.
“…It’s delicious,” Jiang Fuyue replied.
Her little brother’s face lit up like a lantern.
After dinner, Jiang Fuyue was about to do the dishes when the little one blocked her, visibly upset.
“I already said girls shouldn’t be doing this kind of work!”
Jiang Fuyue raised an eyebrow. Well, well, isn’t someone bold today, baring his teeth at me now?
Realizing his outburst, Jiang Chenxing froze, lowering his head in embarrassment. He shyly tucked his chin into his collar. “I-I’ll wash them instead.”
With that, he scurried into the kitchen, his footsteps echoing as he dashed away.
Jiang Fuyue shook her head, smiling in amusement.
Later in the evening, Jiang Da returned home with six of his fellow apprentices. Han Yunru went into the kitchen to prepare dinner but discovered pre-cooked dishes neatly sealed with plastic wrap in the fridge. She only needed to reheat them before serving.
San Panger picked up a Coca-Cola chicken wing, took a bite, and couldn’t help but exclaim, “Sister-in-law, your cooking skills are getting better and better! These wings are perfectly tender, the skin’s aromatic, and the flavor’s infused all the way through. Amazing!”
Han Yunru smiled faintly, not mentioning that Jiang Chenxing had made them. Jiang Da also kept quiet.
Meanwhile, Cao Qingxiang took out his phone. Having recently learned how to use Weibo, he was thoroughly hooked and couldn’t resist scrolling whenever he had a moment.
“Whoa! Someone took pictures of us, and the comments say we’re the… um, ‘Chubby Chef Dream Team’?”
“Let me see…”
“This one makes me look pretty dashing, hehe.”
“I don’t look bad either! They must’ve used some kind of filter.”
“Beauty filter.”
“Yeah, that’s it! Beauty filter!”
“…”
After the meal, Cao Dou volunteered to do the dishes. Unable to refuse, Han Yunru eventually agreed.
In the kitchen, one washed while the other dried, their teamwork surprisingly smooth.
“Sister-in-law, I have an idea,” Cao Dou suddenly said.
“Mm?” Han Yunru looked up at him.
A flush appeared on the young man’s face, and he hesitated, stammering, “C-Can I come work with you and Senior Brother?”
Han Yunru was surprised. “Isn’t Cao Ji good enough for you? Why would you think like that?”
Cao Dou scratched his nose. “The Cao Ji now is different from the past. I don’t think it’s interesting anymore.”
It was like a chicken rib—tasteless when eaten, yet regrettable to throw away.
The others might hesitate, but not Cao Dou. He was young, energetic, and wanted to make something of himself. Clearly, the current Cao Ji wasn’t the right fit for him anymore.
“This… I can’t make that decision. You’ll have to ask your Senior Brother.”
Cao Dou nodded. “Okay. But Sister-in-law, what do you think of me?”
Han Yunru: “?”
“Cough… I mean, if you were the boss, would you hire me?”
Han Yunru thought for a moment before nodding. “I would.”
Cao Dou was quick-witted and nimble with his hands. Additionally, he had one advantage that San Panger and the others didn’t have—
He was good-looking!
This was particularly appealing to young consumers, especially young female consumers.
….
That night.
When the couple returned to their room, Jiang Da was already drowsy. Han Yunru mentioned Cao Dou’s request to him.
Jiang Da immediately sat up straight, instantly awake.
“Did Little Douzi really say that?”
“Yeah. He said it while washing dishes today.”
Jiang Da frowned, his expression filled with visible conflict and concern.
Han Yunru asked, “What do you think? Agree or disagree?”
After a long pause, Jiang Da spoke with a soft sigh. “Little Douzi is a good kid, but I’m afraid Cao Ji won’t let him go, and it could cause some friction.”
That woman, Yu Shangmei…
Jiang Da shook his head, his expression darkening.
…
Monday came, and school resumed as normal. Meanwhile, the Linhuai Convention Center hosted the city’s annual economic summit.
Yi Hansheng and Ling Qingzhou, as key invited guests, were seated at the front and center, next to each other…
