The word “I” was stuck on his lips for quite a while.
Jiang Fuyue looked at him, eyes full of curiosity.
“I… I’m just about to wrap up the analysis for phase one on my end. We’ll be starting phase two soon, and you…” He paused for a second. “Come back early.”
The experiment was divided into three phases, each requiring a different model.
The start of phase two meant Jiang Fuyue needed to begin building a new model.
“Okay,” she nodded. “The latest I’ll be back is the day after tomorrow—will that be soon enough?”
“Mhm. This is a gift—wishing you a prosperous opening.” As he spoke, he pulled out a red envelope and handed it to her.
The girl froze for a second.
On the red envelope was a large, gold character “congratulations”. It was thick and hefty in her hand.
In a time when mobile transfers and digital wallets are the norm—even New Year’s money is sent through WeChat—he had actually handed over a physical paper envelope.
Old-school. And formal.
Jiang Fuyue: “Thank you.”
After seeing Xie Dingyuan off, she returned to the shop and dove into another round of busy work.
It wasn’t until closing time at night that she remembered to open the envelope.
Inside was a thick stack of bills. She counted them: not too little, not too much—exactly 8,800 yuan.
Eight-eight, a homophone for “fa fa” (prosperity), a very auspicious number.
It was midnight by the time the books were balanced, and the shop finally closed for the day.
The Cullinan carried the family of four back to Yutianhua Residence.
As for Sanpang and the others, Jiang Da had rented a spacious four-bedroom apartment for them in the nearby Hanshang Community. All living essentials were provided, and their luggage had been sent over. Starting today, that would be their new home—they wouldn’t be returning to Yutianhua Residence anymore.
On one hand, this fulfilled the original promise of food and lodging.
On the other, the apartment complex was only five minutes’ walk from the store, making it convenient for them to prep ingredients in the morning or receive deliveries in time.
Back at home, the day wasn’t over yet.
Jiang Fuyue and Han Yunru sat in the living room calculating the day’s net income.
When they finally got the number, even though Han Yunru had mentally prepared herself, she couldn’t help but be surprised.
Little Brother Jiang grinned from ear to ear: “That’s a lot of money!”
As for Jiang Da—
Clunk!
His hand slipped, knocking over his water cup. Thankfully, he caught it in time, so it didn’t fall, but water spilled all over the coffee table.
Han Yunru scolded playfully, “You’re a grown man. Why are you acting like a kid?”
“Well…” Jiang Da scratched his nose awkwardly, “I got too excited…”
He had never imagined he could make this much money.
He’d already been more than satisfied with the income from the pancake shop—it made many times more than what he earned selling from a street cart.
But private kitchen? That made even more!
He used to feel a bit petty and jealous that his dumb son was more capable of making money than he was. But now, he had leveled up. That feeling… how to describe it?
He felt his chest swell with pride and confidence—as if all he needed was a spatula and a wok, and he could stir-fry the entire world.
Jiang Fuyue: “A lot of customers asked today if we’re selling snowflake crisps and Danish skewers. Mom, what do you think?”
Han Yunru did have some thoughts.
She had hesitated before about bringing it up, unsure if it was feasible, but now that her daughter asked, she didn’t hold back—
“It’s not impossible to sell them. Snowflake crisps and Danish skewers are simple to make, easy to package, and the cost is low, so it should be fine. But we’re a restaurant after all—selling bakery-style desserts might come off as unprofessional or give a messy impression?”
“After all, we’re not some big hotel with a full afternoon tea service.”
Jiang Fuyue: “As long as the variety is limited, I think it’s fine.”
“Limited variety?”
“Yeah. If we offer too much and try to cover everything, we’ll look like a bakery. But if we roll out just one item at a time, with limited availability, only for members, who’s going to mistake Jiang Ji for a bakery?”
Han Yunru shook her head. “No one. Desserts and sweets are just sides—our core is still the private dishes.”
Jiang Fuyue: “If it’s one item at a time, you can keep up.”
Otherwise, at this pace, even five Han Yunrus wouldn’t be enough.
Besides, scarcity creates value. A little hunger marketing never hurts.
In truth, Han Yunru wasn’t wrong, but she wasn’t seeing the whole picture either. Right now, desserts were just a supplement to the menu, but with the right strategy, “Jiang Ji Desserts” or “Aunt Han’s Handmade Sweets” could quickly become a distinctive brand in the customers’ minds.
It might even become a standalone brand in the future…
“Dad, Mom, I’m heading back to the lab the day after tomorrow. I’ll be pretty busy after that and probably won’t have time to help at the shop. Judging by how packed it was today, you’re going to need more staff.”
Han Yunru: “You shouldn’t have been working at the shop in the first place. A person meant to use her brain shouldn’t be doing hands-on labor—it’s a waste.”
It’s not that Jiang Fuyue couldn’t do manual work—she wasn’t some pampered girl who’d never washed a dish—but everyone has a role. The right person in the right place makes all the difference.
Can you use a butcher’s knife to kill a chicken?
Of course. But it’s overkill.
And inefficient.
Han Yunru: “Today was a special case for the grand opening. Starting tomorrow, neither you nor Chenxing are allowed to help at the shop. I already had Little Douzi post the job listing. A few college students are coming to work part-time tomorrow. We won’t need you two at all.”
Little Brother Jiang: “Okay.”
He couldn’t go anyway—he had school.
As for Jiang Fuyue…
If she wasn’t needed at the shop, she might as well head back to the lab a day early. Xie Dingyuan had already given her an access card—she could go whenever she wanted.
That night, the whole family drifted off to sleep, each filled with plans and hopes for the future.
Jiang Da must’ve had a good dream—he was smiling in his sleep.
In the middle of the night, he even laughed out loud, waking Han Yunru with a jolt. She kicked him—not hard, just enough to make a point.
And then Jiang Da woke up.
Grumbling, he pulled her into his arms and held her tight.
“Wife, I’m warm—come closer…”
Han Yunru didn’t resist. She let him hold her. He was warm, like a giant human hot water bottle.
Then, Jiang Da leaned close to her neck, his breath soft on her ear. He whispered: “Wife, I’ll work hard to give you a good life…”
In the dark, her eyes opened. She murmured, “Mm.”
Only then did Jiang Da drift off, satisfied.
He thought to himself—life right now was just too good.
And it was only going to get better.
…
Night fell deep, and the whole community was asleep. But online, it was still buzzing.
At 8 a.m. yesterday, #JiangJiNewStoreLongLines hit the trending list, landing in the top 20.
The first post under the hashtag was a two-minute video showing the massive line outside the store.
Caption: You thought this was it? Nope, there’s more…
As the camera panned down, the line kept going… and going. Just when it seemed to end, it turned a corner and continued on, right to the end of the video—still no end in sight.
Comments section—
【OMG! You’d think it was a luxury store having a clearance sale!】
【Jiang Ji is doing private dining now?!】
【Is it better than the pancakes?】
【Can a pancake flipper really cook proper food? What’s the taste like?】
【No need for sarcasm—try it first, then talk. Waiting for a review.】
【It’s just a restaurant, no need to hype it up like this.】
【Did they buy a trending spot? Influencers these days…】
【Who bought it? Don’t spread rumors!】
Praise or shade—it all meant hype and exposure.
They thought this was the peak of Jiang Ji’s grand opening—top 20 on the trending list was already amazing for something that wasn’t celebrity gossip or breaking news.
But Jiang Ji was just getting started.
At 10 a.m., another hashtag went viral: #TimeNeverDefeatsTrue Beauty
Usually, that kind of tag means some has-been celebrity trying to make a comeback, or a video montage of old-school beauties set to a nostalgic track like Kiss Everywhere.
But this time—it was different.
【Huh? Why are these all news pieces about a restaurant opening? Is the trending algorithm drunk or am I?】
【Sis, you’re not alone.】
【Jiang Ji? The pancake place? What’s that got to do with beauty?】
【Click the pics—you’ll see!】
【OMG! She’s gorgeous! Is that without makeup?!】
【Used to see people in the Jiang Ji supertopic say the owner lady was beautiful and kind. Saw some pics—yeah, she looked great—but I didn’t expect her to be this stunning when she was younger!】
【I could stare at this face for a year!】
【I believe it now—time really doesn’t defeat beauty.】
【This auntie is even prettier than Yan Si, the top beauty in showbiz!】
【No wonder my Goddess Yue is so beautiful—it’s in her genes.】
That hashtag originally floated around #30—not very eye-catching.
But then Yan Si, the recent Golden Horse Best Actress winner, retweeted a fan’s comment:
“This auntie is even prettier than Yan Si, the top beauty in showbiz!”
…and added:
“I’ve never conceded in beauty—until now. 👊”
And that was it. The hashtag blew up….
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