Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Making Xu Lin Nervous

Lin Jiang nodded. This was unexpected, yet it also made perfect sense.

"Alright, we can talk about this later." Lin Jiang turned to the Qin Sisters and said:

"We have seven types of noodles. Which one would you like to try?"

Looking at the menu, Qin Yangyang wasn’t particularly interested.

’It’s just noodles. How good can they possibly be?’

’These people lining up to eat noodles must just be jumping on the bandwagon.’

But it didn’t matter if it was good or not. She’d just consider this a way of making a new friend.

"I’ll have the chicken noodle soup. I’m in the mood for something light."

"I’ll get the scallion oil noodles. We can share," said Qin Youyou.

"Okay."

Lin Jiang looked at Li Yuanyuan. "Two bowls of chicken noodle soup, one bowl of scallion oil noodles, one of each side dish, and two bottles of mineral water."

"Got it."

Li Yuanyuan turned and went back into the shop. Lin Jiang looked at the two women and said:

"It’s too crowded inside. I’ll move a table out here for us. It’ll be a bit cooler, too."

"Okay." Qin Youyou made an "OK" sign with her hand.

Lin Jiang worked quickly, setting up the table in no time. The three of them sat down and started chatting.

"Brother Jiang, that food vlogger slandered you. Are you going to sue him?" Qin Youyou asked.

"You’ll have to ask your sister about that," Lin Jiang said with a smile.

"Taste is a very subjective thing. You can’t force everyone to like Brother Jiang’s food."

"But Brother Jiang’s noodles really are delicious, or else there wouldn’t be so many people here."

"We all understand that, but we can only condemn him on a moral level. Don’t even think about a lawsuit; it’s impossible."

"Okay."

Soon, Li Yuanyuan brought out three bowls of noodles, with the side dishes following close behind.

Even though the shop was crowded, the food came out reasonably fast. At least, Lin Jiang was satisfied.

"This is your first time here. Give it a taste and let me know what you think."

Qin Yangyang picked up her chopsticks, grabbed a few strands of noodles, and chewed them a couple of times. Her expression changed instantly.

’How does he make these noodles?’

’How can they be this good?!’

’I’ve never tasted anything so unique before.’

Qin Yangyang felt like she’d just been proven completely wrong. Thankfully, no one knew what she was thinking, or she would have been truly embarrassed.

"So? It’s pretty good, right?" Qin Youyou asked expectantly.

"It’s actually delicious," Qin Yangyang said formally.

"I’m not just flattering you. The flavor is genuinely excellent. Expanding the shop or opening branches in other locations are both viable options."

"See? What did I tell you? My business sense is pretty sharp. Investing in Brother Jiang would definitely be profitable."

"Just give it a rest. It’s not like he needs your small investment."

Qin Yangyang nipped Qin Youyou’s idea in the bud.

In her opinion, Lin Jiang opening a noodle shop was probably just a way of gaining real-world experience. In the future, he would return to his family’s business. Things weren’t as simple as they appeared on the surface.

’And here she is, trying to blindly get involved with an investment. She’s so naive.’

The three of them chatted as they ate, finishing their noodles quickly.

"Brother Jiang, how much do we owe you?"

"Don’t worry about it. As long as you enjoyed the meal."

"We couldn’t possibly. We ate quite a bit, and you treated us to dinner yesterday, too."

"It’s no big deal. Don’t worry about it."

"In that case, I won’t stand on ceremony! Hehe."

"I’m going to grab a bottle of water," said Qin Yangyang.

"Sis, you’re eating and taking stuff? Brother Jiang isn’t going to charge you, but you could just buy one somewhere else."

"I’ll just grab one while I’m here. It saves the trouble."

Qin Yangyang went into the shop and came back out with another bottle of mineral water.

"Brother Jiang, thanks for your hospitality. We’re heading out."

"Alright."

The two sisters turned and got back into their car. Qin Yangyang was fiddling with her phone, and Qin Youyou went over to take a look.

"What’s that?"

"I scanned the QR code when I went to get the water. I have to pay him. We can’t just eat for free."

"Whoa! Sis, you’re so smart! But why are you sending 888?"

"We came here to show support, not just to eat."

After sending the money, Qin Yangyang looked at her younger sister.

"Do you understand what ’showing support’ means now?"

"I didn’t before, but I think I’m starting to get it."

"As long as you understand."

...

After seeing off the Qin Sisters, business at the shop started to slow down.

Lin Jiang had Li Yuanyuan go to the fruit market next door and buy a watermelon.

"Everyone’s been working hard. Have some watermelon to cool off."

"It’s not so bad. This job is way easier than farming, just a bit hectic," Li Yuanyuan said with a sigh.

"If we weren’t offering a discount, I feel like we’d be making a killing."

Lin Jiang smiled. ’Hiring her was definitely the right choice. Her simple, honest nature is truly trustworthy.’

"Last night, I saw a saying online: ’As long as we work hard, the boss can drive a big Benz.’ I think once we go back to regular prices, the day Brother Jiang gets his Benz is just around the corner," said the new waitress, Zhou Xiaoli.

’Girl, I’m already driving one.’

"Let’s all just keep up the good work. Business is booming, and the boss isn’t a stingy person. It won’t be long before he gives us all a raise."

Zhang Guofu said with a loud laugh.

’You old codger, you’ve got a rebellious streak, don’t you!’

’You really think I’m too young to hear the hidden meaning in your words?’

Lin Jiang ignored Zhang Guofu and looked at Li Yuanyuan.

"Do you still remember what that food vlogger looked like?"

"I have a vague impression. I’m sure he was hired by Spring Harmony Noodle Shop. It’s disgusting."

"Don’t worry, a small fry like him can’t affect me," Lin Jiang said.

"Later, go find that vlogger’s account and send it to me."

"Okay, I will."

After a short break, the small shop got busy again, but they closed for the day at seven in the evening.

"We’re closing early today to clean up. Pay special attention to the back kitchen. I don’t want to see a single problem."

"Got it."

The back kitchen was already quite clean to begin with, so it only took them a little over an hour to scrub it down completely.

After returning home, Lin Jiang took a shower. When he came out, he saw a message from Li Yuanyuan. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

She had found the male vlogger.

[Da Zhe Professional Food Vlogger (9/16 Birthday Party, Accepting Apprentices)]

’What the hell is this guy on?’

’With a name that long, isn’t he afraid of getting spotted while hiding in the bushes?’

He clicked on the first video. The one about his noodle shop was already posted, and the asshole had even pinned it to the top of his profile.

The video’s content was just as Lin Jiang had expected. It trashed everything in his noodle shop, making it sound worthless.

The funny thing was, he then found an excuse to go to Spring Harmony Noodle Shop.

He laid on the flattery thick, first claiming their broth was simmered from old hens, then saying their beef was all imported Wagyu.

He was slinging so much bullshit he could probably get a cow pregnant with it.

...

The next morning, after washing up, Lin Jiang headed out.

Just as he opened his door, he saw Xu Lin and her family of three coming out of their apartment.

Xu Lin was dressed as casually yet stylishly as ever, in a pair of light-wash jeans, a small pink top, and a pair of flats—a comfortable yet charming look.

"Hi, Uncle Lin!" Zhao Wenxuan said loudly upon seeing Lin Jiang.

Xu Lin’s husband, Zhao Dongming, looked a little surprised.

"You two know each other?"

"I’ve helped your son with his homework and we’ve put together toys before, so of course we know each other," Xu Lin said, her expression as normal as ever.

"Thanks for that, man."

’What’s there to thank me for? You got your wife back.’

"You’re welcome."

The four of them got on the elevator. Lin Jiang pretended to be nonchalant and stood in the back, while Xu Lin also put on an act of not knowing him well.

’This is nice.’

"When we get to Grandma’s house, you need to go to sleep early. No staying up late to play," said Zhao Dongming.

"I know. I’ve already gotten into the habit of going to bed early," said Zhao Wenxuan.

"Are you sure?"

"Yep. While you were on your business trip, Mom made me go to bed early every night, so I got used to it."

’Holy crap!’

’Is that something you should be saying out loud?’

Standing behind Xu Lin, Lin Jiang could feel her tension. The hands she held behind her back were balled into small fists.

"Good. Kids should go to bed early. That’s great," Zhao Dongming praised.

"But why do I have to go to bed early?" Zhao Wenxuan asked, confused.

"Well..." Zhao Dongming thought for a moment and said:

"Because if you don’t sleep, Mom has to watch you, and she has a lot of other things to do. If you don’t sleep, Mom can’t get her things done."

’Come on, man, do you know something?’

’If you have something to say, just say it. Don’t play these games with veiled accusations.’