Jiang Liu: "Just charge me the normal price. At least make sure you break even. How about this: get me six cartons of soft Zhonghuas, a case of that Maotai you mentioned, and two boxes of tea."

Boss Yan: "Alright. In that case, I won’t give you a discount. Just give me eleven thousand."

Jiang Liu: "That’s too little. Let’s make it fourteen thousand. If I bought this stuff elsewhere, it would be at least fifteen thousand. This way, I save a little, and you earn a little."

Boss Yan grew anxious. "No, no! Let me be honest, Boss Jiang. You’ve brought so much business to Yangzhai Street, we’d all be thrilled to help you with something. If I make money off you, my peers will look down on me!"

Boss Yan: "Do me a favor. I’ll compromise: twelve thousand. I’ll just break even at that price. It’s the insider’s price. How about it?"

Jiang Liu didn’t want to "haggle" anymore.

’He really didn’t want to take advantage of his neighbors.’

"Alright, then. It’s settled. Just don’t you dare sell this to me at a loss behind my back."

Boss Yan: "Absolutely not! I swear on my mother’s name!"

Jiang Liu: "Okay, I’ll come by your shop to pick it up tomorrow. I’ll transfer the money to you now."

He transferred the 12,000.

Boss Yan: "How could I trouble Boss Jiang to come pick it up himself? I’ll deliver it to you. I can grab some buns while I’m there. How does that sound?"

Jiang Liu: "Alright, then I’ll have to trouble you, Boss Yan. I’ll sell you some extra buns when you come."

Boss Yan: "Haha, I was waiting for you to say that! Your family’s buns are delicious and affordable. Everyone remembers your kindness."

Having settled things with Boss Yan, Jiang Liu casually tossed his phone onto the sofa.

One thing taken care of. Now, even if he suddenly had to meet Jun Qingmeng’s father, he would be prepared.

"Daddy, hurry up and ask Mama when she’s coming,"

Tongtong said, hugging the remote control as she waited for Jun Qingmeng to come watch Detective Conan with them.

The suspense was killing the little cutie.

...

Jun Qingmeng finished her shower and came out of the bathroom, smelling fragrant.

She looked even more beautiful and radiant.

Guo Jia was gulping down meatball soup, her stomach stuffed full.

"Mengmeng, it’s all your fault for not wearing one! What if I’m pregnant with your baby? You and Jiang Liu will have to take responsibility for me!"

"Huh...? Look at you, you’re never serious for a single day!"

"Oh yeah, *you’re* the serious one, running off to your little lover’s place every day and burrowing into his covers, refusing to come out."

Guo Jia said cattily, a look of mock disgust on her face.

Jun Qingmeng ignored her jab and instead picked up a hand mirror, studying her own exquisite, beautiful features.

Guo Jia gossiped to Jun Qingmeng, who was primping in front of the vanity mirror, "Mengmeng, be honest. You two sleep in the same bed every night. Have you... done anything?"

Jun Qingmeng’s ears turned red. "We really haven’t yet. Jiang Liu is a responsible, good man. He hasn’t done anything to me. I’m very happy with him..."

’Actually, she was quite looking forward to it and was ready for anything.’

’If Jiang Liu wanted her, she was willing to give herself to him.’

"Haha, look at you, so utterly whipped! Women in love are terrifying!"

"It’s still better than being you!"

Guo Jia clicked her tongue and shook her head, saying frankly, "That’s true. Jiang Liu seems so steady. And he’s a certain someone’s senior from school, isn’t he?"

"Sometimes I’m actually a little envious of you. A guy like that is great. So much better than those guys who think with their dicks the moment they see a woman. He’s someone you can build a life with. If I were looking for a boyfriend, I’d want to find one just like him."

Jun Qingmeng instantly grew wary, like a mother hen protecting her chicks.

"I’m warning you, Jiang Liu is mine! You’re not allowed to get any ideas about him!"

Guo Jia looked at her with disdain. "You’re such a hopeless, love-struck fool. Only you would treasure Jiang Liu like that."

Jun Qingmeng looked smug.

"That’s right, I *am* a love-struck fool. Are you jealous? Nyah nyah nyah."

Guo Jia was rendered speechless by Jun Qingmeng.

’Her best friend was like a grade schooler sometimes.’

’No wonder she acted so silly now that she was in a relationship.’

"Mengmeng, let me be serious for a second. In my opinion, since you two are about to meet the parents, you’d better make something happen with Jiang Liu quickly. That way, even if your dad is against it, he’ll have to give you some leeway considering your... *physical* relationship, right?"

"But... Jiang Liu doesn’t make a move, and I’m too embarrassed to..."

"If Jiang Liu won’t take the initiative, why don’t you go and seduce him a little? Otherwise, when is it ever going to happen for you two? You idiot!"

Guo Jia said, frustrated by her friend’s inaction.

Jun Qingmeng was still conflicted.

She had no experience when it came to sleeping with someone; she was a complete novice in love. The word "seduce" was very foreign to her.

"As they say, ’fortune favors the bold’! What’s the big deal about going all out for love just once?"

"Alright, I’ll... try it tonight."

Guo Jia got excited and waved her away. "Quick, quick, go on! I’ll be waiting for the gossip... ahem, I’ll be waiting for your good news!"

Jun Qingmeng opened the door to Jiang Liu’s room.

Jiang Tongtong waved excitedly. "Mama, you’re finally here! Tongtong got the cartoon ready for you. Come and watch!"

"I’m coming."

Tongtong was sitting cross-legged on the sofa, and so was Jiang Liu.

The father and daughter were so alike.

Jun Qingmeng sat down next to Tongtong, and the two of them hugged.

"Mama, you smell so good, and you’re so soft!"

"You too. My daughter smells even better."

"Hee hee, Daddy washed Tongtong’s hair. It smells nice, right?"

"You both smell wonderful!"

The two exchanged a round of compliments.

Tongtong pressed the play button.

Today they were watching Detective Conan Episode 42 — The Case of the Slashed Championship Banner.

Jiang Tongtong furrowed her brow as she watched.

She was using her clever little brain to try and solve the case.

Jun Qingmeng gently rested her head on Jiang Liu’s shoulder and said softly, "Honey, I really like you so much. I want to be with you forever and never be apart."

Jiang Liu stroked Jun Qingmeng’s soft, fragrant hair, then leaned over and peeled a chestnut.

"Here, let me feed you a chestnut."

"Yummy."

"Daddy, I want one too!"

"You little foodie."

"Hee hee, I’ll always be Daddy’s little foodie."

Jiang Liu fed another one to Tongtong.

The little one smiled in satisfaction.

’She liked that her dad cared about her.’

Jiang Liu said, "I’ve bought the gifts for meeting your father. Six cartons of soft Zhonghuas, a case of Maotai, and two boxes of tea."

"Mm! Thank you, honey~"

Jun Qingmeng looked up at Jiang Liu, her voice soft, like a well-fed kitten.

She was very satisfied with Jiang Liu’s attitude.

Jiang Liu, enjoying the faint fragrance from the collar of his girlfriend’s nightgown, was utterly content. He suddenly asked:

"By the way, did your dad tell you when he wants to meet?"

The smile on Jun Qingmeng’s face faded slightly. She shook her head. "He didn’t say. He’s probably busy with work."

’It had been like that ever since she was little. She was used to it.’

Jiang Liu comforted her, "It’s okay, we’re not in a rush. After some time passes, maybe he’ll have cooled down a lot."

Jun Qingmeng nodded. "Okay, we won’t rush. As long as we can be together every day, that’s all that matters."

She hugged Jiang Liu tightly.

They watched for a while longer.

When the episode of Detective Conan was over, Jiang Tongtong let out a big yawn.

Jun Qingmeng was also a little sleepy.

Seeing this, Jiang Liu picked up Tongtong and stood up. "Come on, let’s go back and sleep."

"Okay!"

"Daddy, carry me back!" Tongtong said, holding her arms out.

"You little lazybones."

Jiang Liu gently tapped Tongtong on the head and picked her up.