Chapter 46: Chapter 46: Why Would Such a Handsome Boy Like a Mature Woman?

The next morning, Lin Jiang arrived at the shop.

He filled the pot with water and added the "Delicious MSG." With that, his task was complete.

He browsed Taobao for a while and bought six security cameras. The seller would arrange for a technician to install them after delivery, which saved him a lot of trouble.

Soon, Li Yuanyuan and the other two arrived at the shop one after another. They officially opened for business at ten in the morning.

Delivery orders started coming in the moment they opened, and everyone got busy.

Zhang Guofu’s mood was the same as usual, completely unperturbed. He even seemed quite motivated.

He was convinced that the shop’s booming business was all thanks to him, so a raise was a sure thing. There was no reason for Lin Jiang to refuse.

Lin Jiang didn’t pay him much mind, just going about his business as usual.

Around two in the afternoon, the shop wasn’t too crowded, so the staff finally got a chance to rest.

"Brother Jiang! Brother Jiang!"

Li Yuanyuan rushed in from outside, holding two hand-churned ice creams. She handed one to Zhou Xiaoli.

"And here I thought you bought one for me."

"I’ll go get you one now."

"It’s not the same if you only get it because I asked. I don’t want it anymore."

"Aiya, Brother Jiang, don’t be so tsundere. Guess what I just saw?"

"What’d you see? The Peach Blossom Hero fighting the Chrysanthemum Monster?"

"Of course not! I saw people from the Market Supervision Bureau go into the Spring Harmony Noodle Shop next door."

Lin Jiang smiled. ’Looks like yesterday’s plan worked.’

’They acted so quickly.’

"Don’t worry about them. Let’s just focus on our own work."

"Mhm."

’According to the regulations, they’ll get a fine and a suspension for rectification at the very least. The punishment won’t be light.’

’But Tongzi hasn’t made a peep, which means the mission isn’t over yet.’

’Could it be that Zhou Chengrong still hasn’t given up?’

RING RING RING—

Just then, Lin Jiang’s phone rang. It was a call from Xu Lin.

"Are you at the shop? Are you busy?"

’Xu Lin calling at this hour and with this tone... it’s definitely not for a casual chat. Something must be up.’

"Not busy. What’s up?"

"I have an important dinner meeting today, so I’ll have to trouble you to pick up my son. Thanks for your help."

"Don’t worry, mission accepted."

Xu Lin paused on the other end of the line.

"If you have time, you can watch him for a while, or... or I can give you an address, and you can drop him off at my mom’s place. You can choose whichever works for you."

’Now this multiple-choice question is interesting.’

"I’m a bit busy tonight, so I’ll take him to your mom’s."

"Okay, I’ll send you the address in a bit."

"Alright."

After hanging up with Xu Lin, he soon received the address she sent.

He worked at the shop for a little longer, then left around four o’clock after giving Li Yuanyuan a few instructions.

In the back kitchen, Zhang Guofu watched Lin Jiang out of the corner of his eye until the moment he left.

RING RING RING—

Zhang Guofu’s phone rang. Seeing it was his wife, he casually lit a cigarette and stepped out the back door.

"What did your boss say about the raise? Did he agree or not?"

"Damn it, he left before I even had a chance to bring it up," Zhang Guofu cursed.

"Do you think he’s doing it on purpose? It’s just a 2,000 yuan raise, but he’s dragging his feet. What’s he thinking?" Zhang Guofu’s wife was also very displeased.

"He’s just stingy. All these bosses nowadays are stingier than the last. And he’s still young, so of course he’s reluctant to give me a raise."

"He’s so clueless. Before you came, this shop was half-dead. Now you’re here, and you’ve revived the business with your skills. He should be putting you on a pedestal, but he won’t even give you a 2,000 yuan raise? That’s outrageous."

"Exactly. I’m not even in the mood to work anymore."

"Then just quit! The second you walk out, his shop will go under. Then he’ll have to beg you to come back!"

"Don’t worry. I’ve eaten more salt than he’s eaten rice. I know how to handle him."

...

Just as he left the noodle shop, he saw Zhou Chengrong and his wife pass by in front of him, their heads hanging low.

He glanced over at their noodle shop and saw that it had been shut down for rectification.

’Have to admit, the relevant authorities are really efficient.’

Seeing Lin Jiang, a furious look appeared on Zhou Chengrong’s face. He was about to explode, but his wife held him back, afraid they would start a fight.

"Lin Jiang, you look so nice and friendly, but you actually resort to playing dirty. Have you no shame?" Wu Liping said in a strange, passive-aggressive tone.

’Playing dirty? You’re not my NPC.’

"How do you have the gall to say that? You sent a bunch of fucking food bloggers over to sling mud, and you have the nerve to criticize me?"

Seeing his wife get told off, Zhou Chengrong stepped forward.

"We’ll admit defeat this time. But this isn’t over. Let’s see who has the last laugh!"

"We’ll see about that."

After that taunt, Lin Jiang sauntered away leisurely.

When he drove to Huaihe Second Primary School, the entrance was still packed with people, and both lanes of the road were completely blocked.

But this time, whether it was private cars or parents on the roadside, they all proactively made way for him. Some even cast envious glances.

’A week ago, I was the one watching someone else drive a Maybach. Now I’m driving one myself. Life really is like a game.’

After parking the car, Lin Jiang walked to the gate. The school bell soon rang, and Zhao Wenxuan came out, led by a female teacher and carrying his little backpack.

’Hm?’

Lin Jiang saw a blue exclamation mark appear above the female teacher’s head.

’A new mission!’

The teacher was dressed similarly to last time, wearing those glasses that created a "gap moe" effect. He seemed to recall her being called Teacher Qiqi, but he didn’t know anything else.

[Mission Name: The Path of Striving]

[Mission Description: Huaihe Second Primary School is holding an "Outstanding Teacher" selection. There is only one spot for the entire school. Jiang Xiaoqi wants to compete but knows her qualifications are insufficient, and has been feeling dejected recently.]

[Mission Reward: Choice Card x1, 30 EXP]

’Choice Card?’

[Choice Card: When you stand at a crossroads in life and find it difficult to choose, using this card will help you make the most correct choice.]

’This reward is a bit interesting.’

’It’s rare for Tongzi to be so serious for once, without spouting a bunch of dirty jokes.’

’But this reward probably isn’t useful right now. If I use it at a specific time, it might have a miraculous effect.’

’But this mission isn’t easy. I’m a nobody right now, with no ability to interfere in school affairs, nor the power to help Jiang Xiaoqi get chosen as an Outstanding Teacher.’

’This is going to be tricky.’

"Uncle Lin."

Zhao Wenxuan’s call interrupted Lin Jiang’s thoughts. The boy trotted over, with Jiang Xiaoqi following behind.

"Hello, Teacher Qiqi. I’m here to pick up Zhao Wenxuan for his mother," Lin Jiang said with a smile.

Jiang Xiaoqi’s CPU was spinning wildly.

’Picking him up once might not mean anything, but he’s here again. Their relationship probably isn’t so simple.’

’Just as I thought, the social trends have changed.’

’It’s not young maidens who are the most sought-after anymore, it’s young moms.’

’Why would such a handsome guy be into a young mom?’

’Does he look down on us young girls? Wuwuwu...’

"I recognize you, but the school has rules. We still need to follow procedure," Jiang Xiaoqi replied politely.

"Of course."

Jiang Xiaoqi took out her phone, preparing to take a photo of Lin Jiang.

But just then, a surprised voice called out.

"Boss Lin, I didn’t expect to run into you here. What a coincidence."

Hearing the voice, Lin Jiang turned his head.

He saw that the speaker was the middle-aged woman he had met a few days ago when buying his house.

’If I remember correctly, her name is Zhang Lixia.’

Zhang Lixia walked over enthusiastically. Following behind her was a woman with short hair.

They were about the same age. The second woman wore glasses and had a very scholarly and refined air, a complete contrast to Zhang Lixia’s temperament.

"Principal Zhou."

Seeing the woman with glasses, Jiang Xiaoqi tensed up and greeted her.

’She’s the principal of Huaihe Second School.’ Lin Jiang grumbled inwardly.

’Judging by how she’s standing with Zhang Lixia, they seem to be friends.’

The female principal nodded but didn’t say much more, simply standing beside Zhang Lixia.

"Boss Lin, are you here to pick up a child?"

"I’m picking up a child for a friend, and just happened to be chatting with Teacher Jiang," Lin Jiang said politely.

"What a coincidence! My friend here is the principal of Huaihe Second Primary School. I’m sure she can help look after the child for you in the future."

Suddenly!

Lin Jiang realized this might be an opportunity he could use!

"Then I must thank President Zhang and Principal Zhou in advance. Teacher Jiang and I are friends as well, so if the school needs any help in the future, please don’t hesitate to ask."

Jiang Xiaoqi looked surprised, her eyes behind the rimless glasses showing a hint of confusion.

’Why would he say that?’

’Is he trying to suck up to me?’

’That can’t be it, right?’

Having navigated the professional world for many years, Zhou Hejuan naturally understood the unspoken meaning behind Lin Jiang’s words.

"Thank you for your support, Boss Lin. On behalf of the students of the school, I’d like to express my gratitude."

"President Zhang, you’re here to see your friend, so I won’t take up any more of your time."

’It’s our first meeting. It’s best to be subtle and stop here.’

"Alright. I bought the unit at Century Triumph, 298. We’ll be neighbors from now on, so we’ll have more chances to talk." Zhang Lixia politely extended her hand. "Perhaps we might even have an opportunity to cooperate in the future." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Lin Jiang also extended his hand in response. "That’s certainly possible."

"Oh, right, I forgot to ask what you do for a living, Boss Lin." Zhang Lixia’s probing had begun.

"I’m in..."

’In this situation, saying I run a noodle shop would sound a bit low-class. It would make it harder to achieve my goal.’

Subconsciously, Lin Jiang glanced at Zhao Wenxuan beside him.

"I’m in the import-export trade."