Hu Yongfa sent him another message: "Boss, I forgot to tell you. A company called Guang-something or other reached out today. They wanted to partner with us, said they wanted to franchise our Xiao Tong brand. I turned them down, just as you instructed."

Before, business at Xiaotong’s Restaurant had been mediocre.

It didn’t get much attention.

Now, it had suddenly blown up, with people lining up to eat every day.

Naturally, it had attracted the attention of many people.

Jiang Liu had encountered this sort of thing right after he first opened.

He had rejected them flat out.

Jiang Liu planned to develop Xiaotong’s Restaurant as a brand.

No franchising.

He would only train his own people from within.

And he would manage them with generous benefits and a system that was strict yet personal.

This was also why Jiang Liu was always hiring.

When selecting people, he first looked at their family background, prioritizing those from ordinary families who were likely to stick with him for the long haul.

If someone came from a wealthy background, they likely had more options and a higher chance of leaving.

The second and most important factor was character.

Jiang Liu was firm about not hiring anyone with poor character.

Hu Yongfa was also diligently applying these two criteria when screening candidates.

Jiang Liu sent a reply to each of them.

"Got it. Rest up once you’re done for the day. Things in Kun City are basically wrapping up. Once Yue Longfan is back, things will be easier for you two with split shifts. Thanks for all your hard work."

"You get some rest too. Thanks for your hard work in Kun City!"

Jiang Liu turned off his phone screen.

Lying in bed, he couldn’t quite fall asleep.

He noticed his energy levels were getting stranger and stranger.

After his enhancement, he had gone from needing five or six hours of sleep a day to now feeling fully rested after just three.

He didn’t know if that was a good or a bad thing.

Jun Qingmeng groggily opened her eyes, looked up at Jiang Liu, and touched his face before closing her eyes and going back to sleep.

Jiang Liu smiled, patting her back with his right hand while his left pulled Tongtong a little closer to his side.

In the middle of the night, he went to the carriage to make buns as usual.

「The next morning.」

Jiang Liu was woken up by a weight on top of him.

He opened his eyes and almost laughed in exasperation.

Tongtong was sprawled out on top of him, fast asleep.

’No wonder I couldn’t breathe in my dream.’

So much for filial piety.

Jun Qingmeng, on his other side, was no better. Her long, slender legs were curled up and pressing on his stomach, while her head rested on his neck.

Her hand was tightly clutching his pajamas.

Just then, feeling the movement, both of them opened their eyes.

Jiang Liu’s voice was hoarse as he said with a laugh, "You two are quite the coordinated team, aren’t you? Planning to crush me to death and inherit my credit card debt?"

"I didn’t do it on purpose..."

A little embarrassed, Jun Qingmeng quietly retracted her legs and exchanged a glance with Tongtong, who was now sitting up.

The two of them immediately burst into giggles, like a pair of conspirators caught in the act.

"Daddy! Don’t worry! Tongtong loves you so much, I’d never crush you to death."

"Darling, we were just being your blankets. We were worried you’d toss and turn and catch a cold."

Jiang Liu pinched Jun Qingmeng’s soft cheek. "Aha, so you’ve learned some bad habits, have you? Who taught you that?"

"Ow! From you!"

"Hm?"

"Fine, fine, I learned it from myself, alright?"

Only then did Jiang Liu let go.

Jun Qingmeng pouted, rubbing her reddened cheek.

’My husband is bullying me!’

’No, I have to get him back.’

’...Then again, forget it.’

’Better to just chicken out for now.’

’We’ll settle this tonight.’

’I’ll let you off the hook for now!’

The three of them lazed in bed for another minute.

They got up to wash and brush their teeth.

They got dressed and headed out.

They got into the elevator.

Jun Qingmeng was wearing a long, blue and white dress with dangling earrings, looking absolutely ethereal.

Tongtong, for her part, was wearing a yellow T-rex hair clip.

"ROAR! T-rex Tongtong is here! Daddy, I’m going to eat you up in one bite!"

She opened her mouth and chomped on Jiang Liu’s arm.

How adorably fierce!

??

"Still hungry?"

"Waaah, the little dinosaur is sorry."

Standing to the side, Jun Qingmeng covered her mouth, trying to stifle her laughter.

’This father-daughter duo is just too funny.’

’Like father, like daughter, indeed.’

They arrived at the parking garage.

A rush of cool air greeted them.

The three of them instantly felt more awake.

They got in the car, and Jiang Liu drove to the market.

"Daddy, can Tongtong have some dough drop soup later?"

"Sure. What about you, Qingmeng?"

Jun Qingmeng replied sweetly, "Anything is fine. I’m not a picky eater, so I’m easy to feed. I’ll eat whatever you make."

"Mhm, Tongtong isn’t a picky eater either! I’m easy to feed too."

Jiang Liu affectionately ruffled Tongtong’s hair.

The little girl gave him a look of mock indignation.

’Couldn’t Daddy be a little gentler?!’

’Hmph!’

Jiang Liu picked out a few bunches of fennel and bought some other vegetables to have on hand.

They returned to the restaurant.

The line in front of the restaurant was massive, stretching to over a thousand people.

Many of the seniors who arrived late gave up on competing for a spot, setting down their stools to peel peanuts and chat instead.

They liked the atmosphere in front of Boss Jiang’s place. The elderly are often afraid of loneliness.

But now, the place was as lively as a New Year’s celebration every day.

The only thing missing was the firecrackers.

Since it was Saturday, there were many students in the line.

They clutched their textbooks, quickly finishing up homework their teachers had assigned.

Their plan was to use the time in line to finish their homework, enjoy a delicious meal at Boss Jiang’s, and then go home with buns to show for their efforts—earning them permission to play video games!

Strangely enough, there were also seven or eight office drones in line, complete with folding tables, chairs, and laptops.

They were working while they waited.

It was a pitiful sight to behold.

Some of the old men playing cards sighed, "It’s too sad. These young people work so hard in school, and they work just as hard when they get out. Sigh. I play an Ace."

"If the young people don’t work hard, who’s society supposed to rely on? I play a 2! I’m on my last two cards, and it’s a pair!"

"Four fives!!"

"You son of a bitch, how did you still have a bomb?"

"Hahaha, you never saw it coming!"

Xiao Han was also in line again.

Besides Rui Ning and Yang Zishan, she was with two other younger girls who were looking around with curious, blinking eyes.

They had seen a social media post and had come to see Jiang Liu for themselves.

"Is Sister Meng really with Jiang Liu?"

"Of course it’s real. I’m so jealous I could die."

"Have you found a place to rent yet, Xiao Han? I rented a small studio a kilometer away. I’ll come hang out when I’m free. My main reason is to see the handsome boss, though."

"The three of us rented a big place together over at the Picasso. And don’t even get me started on the rent. I’m still in shock. Nine thousand a month for a three-bedroom, one-bath in a third-tier city! If Boss Jiang wasn’t here, I never would’ve agreed to it!"

"My little studio is pretty far from here. Housing is tight in this area, so it’s hard to find a place. It makes sense that it’s expensive."

The new girl, Bai An’an, asked again, "So Boss Jiang and Sister Meng are really an item?"

Yang Zishan said, a little sourly, "Of course it’s real! I saw Sister Meng acting all cute and cuddly with Brother Jiang with my own two eyes..."

"Cute and cuddly?"

!

"I don’t believe it. Sister Meng is such an amazing, capable woman. Her, acting cute and cuddly? That’s just ridiculous."

"I don’t believe it either! I’d believe that Sister Meng has a boyfriend, but I’ll never believe she’d act all cuddly with him!"

Bai An’an was average-looking but dressed very stylishly. She and the other girl looked at Xiao Han, their faces full of doubt.

Xiao Han took a deep breath. "Just you wait. You’ll believe me when you see it!"

At 6:30, Jiang Liu made the dough drop soup.

"You worked hard, Daddy. Tongtong will carry the bowls."

"You little glutton."

"Darling~ Hugs."

The three of them sat down and ate breakfast together.

Jun Qingmeng and Tongtong were in high spirits today, each finishing two large bowls.

「6:50 AM.」

Jiang Liu announced they were open for business.

The customers at the door flooded into the restaurant.

A few female students called out a happy greeting to Jiang Liu.

"Brother Jiang, we haven’t seen you in a few days! How’d you get even more handsome?"

...