"That’s the Vegetable Boss from the next street. I hear Little Boss Jiang usually gets a discount when he buys from him."

"What’s he going in for?"

"Who knows? Probably delivering something."

The moment the Vegetable Boss stepped inside, he saw Jiang Liu busy at work.

He asked, a bit embarrassed, "Am I too early?"

A rich aroma wafted through the room.

As he spoke, his stomach let out an embarrassing grumble.

The aroma was just too good; it stirred up all his cravings.

Jiang Liu said, "Not at all. We’re just about to open. Have a seat, I’ll pack up the dumplings for you."

"Alrighty, thanks for the trouble, Boss Jiang. How much is it?"

"Thirty for one serving. For two, just give me fifty." Jiang Liu turned to Jun Qingmeng and instructed, "Honey, go cook a serving of dumplings for the Vegetable Boss. Fifteen per serving."

"Okay, hubby~" Jun Qingmeng replied softly.

The Vegetable Boss clicked his tongue in admiration. "Thirty, that’s really cheap. Boss Jiang, you’re the person I admire most. If it were anyone else making such high-class food, they would’ve been dying to sell it at an exorbitant price by now."

"No wonder everyone likes you."

Jiang Liu, busy moving plates, smiled and said, "As long as I can make a living, it’s fine. Delicious food should be enjoyed by more people."

The Vegetable Boss silently gave Jiang Liu a thumbs-up.

’What a mindset.’

’With a business attitude like that, you’d have a ton of repeat customers even if your food was just average.’

Tongtong followed at Jiang Liu’s heels.

"Daddy, I want to eat dumplings again, can I?"

"Go ask your mom. Have her make them for you."

"Waaah, nooo, Tongtong wants the dumplings Daddy makes."

Jiang Tongtong put on her cutest, most spoiled act.

"Alright, alright, alright. I’ll make them for you."

"Hehe, then I’ll help Daddy with work."

Jiang Tongtong proactively took the plates and helped her dad put them on the counter.

Whenever they opened for business, Jiang Liu would put the plates in a blue basket under the counter.

A moment later.

Jiang Liu brought out the two packed-up servings of dumplings, along with a small container of vinegar.

"Go back and eat them quickly. They’ll get sticky if you let them sit for too long."

"Okay, I get it!"

The Vegetable Boss hurried out the door, carrying the two servings of dumplings.

The craving was intense.

He had to hurry back to his shop to eat with his wife.

The Vegetable Boss felt that if he’d stayed to chat any longer, he would have collapsed from hunger.

The customers at the door watched the Vegetable Boss’s jogging figure depart—or more accurately, they were watching the dumplings in his hand.

The line instantly erupted.

"Dumplings? Am I seeing things?"

"I saw them too! How did he get dumplings out of Brother Jiang’s shop?"

"Holy shit, is there a new dish today?"

"Hiss... now that you mention it, I’m so damn excited I feel like I have to piss."

The old uncles and aunties playing cards couldn’t stay calm either.

Xia Changzhi threw a great hand of cards onto the table. "I’m out. I just remembered I have something to do. You guys play on."

"Trying to sneak a bite?"

"You old bastard!"

The other two old men were quick-eyed and nimble-handed; each grabbed one of his black pant legs.

"Hey! What are you doing? I’ve got something to do, let go!"

Xia Changzhi grew anxious.

’Once Boss Jiang opens, the dumplings will definitely be sold out in a flash.’

He’d loved dumplings ever since he was a kid.

"Not letting go! You old scoundrel! If you want to eat all by yourself, you’ll have to get through me first!"

"Not unless you share some with us!"

"That’s right, if you promise to share some dumplings with us, we’ll let go."

The old men knew exactly what was up. If they didn’t fleece Xia Changzhi, there was no way they’d get any dumplings by waiting in line.

Xia Changzhi gritted his teeth and pulled at his pants. "Can you let go first? These pants aren’t very sturdy!"

"No! Promise us first!"

"Seriously, your combined ages are practically immortal, and you’re all here pulling on my pants? Have you no shame?"

"What’s there to be ashamed of? For Boss Jiang’s dumplings, I’d even run around naked!"

"Just tell us if you’re going to share or not!"

Xia Changzhi tugged hard at his pants, and a faint ripping sound was heard.

His face darkened as he looked at the resolute old men.

Finally, he gritted his teeth and conceded, "I’ll share!"

"Haha, now that’s more like it!"

"We were just joking with you, you old basta—... Old Xia, don’t take it to heart. Just remember to bring some out for us to share, okay?"

The old men laughed heartily and let go.

Xia Changzhi huffily dusted off his pants and pushed his way into the shop.

Yang Zishan, who was waiting in line, saw Xia Changzhi enter the shop and asked an older woman in confusion, "Ma’am, that old man just went in. Why doesn’t he have to wait in line?"

The old woman lining up with them launched into a long explanation, "Young lady, I can tell you’re not a regular. Let me tell you, it’s a long story... The woman Boss Jiang was married to before was incredibly malicious. None of us neighbors could stand to watch it."

"That woman divorced Boss Jiang and even used Tongtong to blackmail him for his house. Then later, what happens? Boss Jiang starts making money, and she starts eyeing Boss Jiang’s shop."

"So, that’s where Old Xia comes in. He’s a formidable lawyer and helped Boss Jiang resolve the issue of visitation rights. Boss Jiang remembers the old man’s kindness!"

The old woman’s tone turned a little sour by the end.

Another old woman cracking melon seeds nearby chimed in, "Boss Jiang is a good person. If you ask me, that Old Xia is a real piece of work. He takes advantage of the fact that Xiao Jiang is grateful to him, mooching free food and cutting in line every day. It’s only thanks to Boss Jiang’s good character; anyone else would’ve had a falling out with him ages ago!"

The neighbors all chattered at once, criticizing Xia Changzhi.

But beneath the envy in their tone, there was also pride.

’Such an outstanding person like Boss Jiang belongs to their Yangzhai Street, after all!’

’Jealous?’

’Go on and be jealous.’

’Boss Jiang is our treasure. No one’s poaching him.’

Yang Zishan, Xiao Han, and the others exchanged glances.

They felt even more uncomfortable.

"The more I think about it, the more I hate Jun Qingmeng. She’s so shameless! How did a great guy like him get snatched up by her!"

"Seriously! Brother Jiang is handsome, has a great personality, and can cook world-class delicacies. He’s the absolute dream boyfriend, okay!"

"If I can just add something... I noticed Jiang Liu has a really strong build. You know what I mean... hehe."

"Wow, I never knew you were such a perv, Bai An’an."

"Tsk tsk, then he must be a beast in bed at night!"

"You’re not allowed to have improper thoughts about my Brother Jiang!" Yang Zishan started getting protective.

"Can’t even think about it? Hey, what’s your relationship with Jiang Liu, anyway? Calling him ’Brother Jiang’ all the time. Are you his secret lover or something?" Bai An’an said sarcastically.

"Hmph! None of your business! Anyway, I know Brother Jiang better than you guys. He even talks to me."

"Oh, right, right, right. He’s *your* Brother Jiang, you two are so close. But he’s the one holding Jun Qingmeng when he sleeps at night. Feeling sour? Does it hurt?"

"You’re not allowed to say that!" Yang Zishan gritted her teeth.

’It’s infuriating just thinking about it.’

"I’m gonna say it. I wonder if Jun Qingmeng is loud at night. It’s exciting just thinking about it. If all those young masters from Jing City who are chasing her found out their cool goddess sleeps with someone else every night, I wonder if they’d get so depressed they’d hang themselves."

Rui Ning said, "Actually, I think they look quite good together. Qingmeng’s legs are beautiful—long, pale, and really well-proportioned. I used to drool over them myself!"

.......