Jiang Fuyue: “So… I’ll get back to work?”
He nodded. “Okay.”
Jiang Fuyue called over Cao Dou and asked him to escort the remaining reporters out.
Of course, before they left, each person was handed a small gift—nothing expensive, just two boxes of snowflake crisps and three Danish skewers, all neatly packed in elegant boxes with stylish bags. The overall presentation screamed “classy.”
With their bellies full, gift bags in hand, and a handful of breaking news scoops, the reporters beamed with joy and repeatedly assured Jiang Fuyue—
“Don’t worry, we’ll give it a solid write-up when we’re back!”
Translation: you’ll be getting some top-tier PR.
Jiang Fuyue didn’t expect flattery—just accurate reporting was already more than enough.
After all, the popularity of Jiang Ji was clear to see, and their food had already won over plenty of palates.
Cao Dou politely saw the guests off, then turned around to see Jiang Fuyue standing by the cashier, counting thick stacks of high-denomination bills at a speed that was frankly inhuman. Each hundred-note bundle was secured, logged, and stored in the safe.
Then, she transferred the small balances from WeChat and Alipay into the business bank account. The books were now perfectly balanced.
Thanks to her quick sorting, the once-chaotic cashier station suddenly looked much tidier—and the cash drawer was now clear.
The entire process took less than three minutes.
Cao Dou stared straight at her hands.
Are those even human hands?
At that moment, Jiang Fuyue stepped aside and handed the station back to the cashier.
From the kitchen, Cao Sanpang suddenly emerged, scanning the area like he was looking for someone. “Where is she?”
“Uncle Sanpang, need something?”
“Yueyue, where’s your mom?”
“She’s in the warehouse checking the new ingredient shipment.”
“Ah?”
“You looking for her?”
Fatty San’s face was damp with sweat—probably from the kitchen heat.
“We’re out of baking soda. I remember when the stock came in, your mom kept some in-store for quick access, but I’ve looked everywhere and can’t find it. Thought she might remember…”
Jiang Fuyue thought for two seconds. “It’s in a cardboard box under Locker No. 3.”
“Huh? Oh, I’ll go check.”
“Mm.”
A minute later, Sanpang: “Found it! It really was there!”
Meanwhile, Jiang Fuyue had already finished checking two inventory pages and was now entering the data into the system. From item names to codes and prices—she didn’t need to double-check anything.
Cao Dou felt like kneeling in awe.
…
Xie Dingyuan was seated in the guest area. With the reporters gone, the place had quieted down.
His chosen spot faced the main hall. He lifted a teacup, took a sip, and the swirling steam softened the stern lines of his face.
What no one knew was that his mind wasn’t on the tea at all—his peripheral vision was fixed on that graceful, poised silhouette.
Watching her deftly handle the reporters…
Watching her effortlessly balance the books…
Watching her navigate every task with confidence and calm…
Xie Dingyuan couldn’t look away.
She was like a glowing beacon, pulling his gaze in—he couldn’t and wouldn’t look anywhere else.
In that moment, he was hit with a crystal-clear realization:
He was more curious about her than experimental data.
More eager for her than his lab results.
More passionate about her than publishing a top-tier paper.
And until now, he’d been certain that research was his greatest love.
So now… does that mean…
This revelation sent a shock through his core.
Since when did the word “love” become so easy to apply?
No—it wasn’t like him.
Too rash. Too shallow.
Yet the thought had already taken root, lingering in his mind like a stubborn echo.
…
After finishing the inventory input, Jiang Fuyue glanced over at Xie Dingyuan.
The man sat quietly in the lounge with a cup of tea before him, eyes half-lidded, as if deep in thought, brows furrowed.
A faint trace of impatience clouded his otherwise calm face.
That’s strange.
Having worked with him for some time, she knew how brilliant and capable Xie Dingyuan was. If she had to sum him up in one phrase—
It would be: unfathomable depth.
His thoughts seemed limitless—capable of morphing, interweaving, and ultimately forming intricate logical webs.
Within those webs lived hypotheses, research, academic challenges, and experimental methods.
So what kind of problem could possibly trouble a man of such intelligence, ironclad logic, and exceptional capability?
Jiang Fuyue’s mind ran through countless scenarios—
Not one had anything to do with her.
Would someone like Xie Dingyuan really get flustered over a person?
In her mind, that possibility didn’t even exist.
He seemed born for science—above worldly matters and emotional entanglements.
So as the object of a genius’s attention, Jiang Fuyue remained utterly unaware.
That afternoon, Xie Dingyuan got a call from the lab—he had no choice but to leave.
To avoid causing a stir, Jiang Fuyue walked him out the back door.
Compared to the bustling front, the rear exit was quiet and subdued.
“This is far enough. I’ll get going.”
“Okay.” Jiang Fuyue nodded.
He walked a few steps—then abruptly turned around and stood before her, as if trying to say something but not knowing how.
Jiang Fuyue: “?”
His Adam’s apple moved. “I…”
Author’s Note:
Writing romance is so hard. I’m breaking my brain trying to get my goose and swan to just fall in love properly!
But alas…
Yueyue has the emotional sensitivity of a brick wall. She’s the hardest nut to crack 😭
I loved this chapter! The whole more passionate than a research paper and whatnot…so cute!!☺️