Jiang Liu opened the glass door, and a wave of moist, fresh air rushed in.

It was so cool it gave him goosebumps.

A line was already forming at the shop’s entrance again.

Jiang Liu recalled how he’d been thinking about installing a high-end, extendable rain awning for his shop.

’It’s my own shop, after all. I wouldn’t mind spending a bit to upgrade it.’

He just hadn’t gotten around to it, being so busy every day.

"Uncle Xia, you’re here bright and early today."

Jiang Liu greeted Xia Changzhi warmly, who was holding an umbrella and wearing a windbreaker.

Xia Changzhi looked up and chuckled. "Well, I didn’t have much else to do. Figured I’d come by to play some cards and chat."

As he spoke, he touched his forehead.

"If you need hot water, feel free to get some from my shop. It’s free. You can tell your friends, too."

"Hey, okay! I’ll come if I need it."

A warm feeling spread through Xia Changzhi’s heart.

’Boss Jiang really does treat me differently than everyone else. Hmph, hmph!’

Jiang Liu turned and went back inside.

He poured a cup of hot water for his daughter.

"Daddy, I want juice."

"Okay." Jiang Liu took the cup back, turned away from his daughter to pour a bit of orange juice into it, and handed it to her again.

"Orange juice. Go ahead and drink."

"Wow, it’s so yummy! You’re the best, Daddy!"

Jiang Liu smiled smugly.

He pulled out his phone to check the security cameras.

His new shop’s staff, including the two in Kun City, now totaled thirteen people.

Seven servers, two cleaners, two apprentices, and two managers.

The cleaners also functioned as general helpers. Besides cleaning, they would wash vegetables and help at the register when it got busy.

At that moment, the shop was still bustling.

A large crowd of customers was lining up at the door to pay and get a number.

After getting their number, they’d go wait in line at the pickup window.

With no seating, the inside of the shop was too packed for anyone to sit down.

The servers Hu Yongfa had found were all down-to-earth and capable, without a lazy bone in their bodies.

Moreover, after starting, they were shocked to discover that this shop was a dream come true for any worker.

Forget the possibility of two shifts in a few days—even working a single shift was amazing.

No one gave them a hard time, the food was great, the benefits were good, and the pay was high.

They’d also heard that the behind-the-scenes boss was a legendary figure.

Working here definitely had a bright future.

Jiang Liu watched for a while, quite satisfied.

Time passed quickly.

At noon, Jiang Liu sold sixty orders of Golden Coin Eggs.

Business was booming.

Entrepreneurs from all over were scrambling to buy the Golden Coin Eggs at high prices.

It was also the first time Xiao Han and the others had tried Golden Coin Eggs.

Only Yang Zishan was on the verge of tears—her father had snatched her eggs.

They closed for the lunch rush.

Lin Qiu and Jiang Dahai strolled over to the shop.

"Grandpa! Grandma! Did you eat the cake Daddy saved for you today? Wasn’t it delicious?!"

The little one looked at the two elders excitedly.

She was hoping they would praise her dad.

Lin Qiu naturally knew what her little darling was thinking. She reached out and patted her head. "We ate it. It was delicious. Your dad is really amazing."

"Hehe, right? Of course Daddy’s the most amazing! The most amazing in the whole world!"

Tongtong said proudly.

She admired her daddy the most!

Jun Qingmeng brought over two cups of hot water and said sweetly, "Mom, please have a seat. The food will be ready soon. For lunch today, we’re having Golden Coin Eggs, Geda Soup, and a plate of scrambled eggs with chives!"

"Okay. Thank you for your hard work, Qingmeng."

"It’s no trouble. I’m very happy being with Jiang Liu."

"Haha, that’s good to hear." Lin Qiu laughed, gratified.

After lunch.

Jiang Dahai took the fruit he’d brought in a bag and sliced it up.

There was watermelon, dragon fruit, and cantaloupe.

The family sat together and ate the fruit.

When they were finished, Lin Qiu and Jiang Dahai said their goodbyes.

"Honey~"

"Hm?"

"Hold me."

Jiang Liu gave Jun Qingmeng a hug.

Before Tongtong could say anything, Jiang Liu pulled her into the embrace as well.

The three of them shared a sweet, cuddly moment.

「That evening.」

The rain had stopped in the afternoon.

In the distance, the clear sky was dotted with small, scattered clouds bathed in the golden light of sunset.

It was exceptionally beautiful.

It seemed Yang Zishan and her friends had grown attached to the place; they came back to clock in for the evening shift.

When they closed up at dusk, Jiang Liu wasn’t in a hurry to lock the doors.

Instead, he poured out some flour and prepared to make Almond Crisps.

Tomorrow was Monday, which meant the countdown to meeting Jun Qingmeng’s father was probably down to a dozen or so hours. He couldn’t afford to be careless.

He had to live up to the trust his girlfriend had placed in him.

Almond Crisps are a classic dessert in Hua Country with a history stretching back over a thousand years.

The main ingredients are high-gluten flour and all-purpose flour. Almond Crisps, also known as Walnut Crisps, are an important variety of Suzhou-style pastry. They are meticulously made using ground almonds mixed with a portion of flour, along with a balanced ratio of sugar, oil, and egg. The final result has a rich almond flavor and is fragrant, crumbly, and delicious.

Jiang Liu prepared the ingredients.

150g of flour, 0.5g of baking powder, 0.2g of baking soda, 75g of vegetable oil, 30g of liquid egg, 75g of white sugar, 50g of crushed almonds, almond powder, and dried almonds.

Jiang Tongtong and Jun Qingmeng gathered around Jiang Liu to watch.

It was the first time they had ever seen Almond Crisps being made.

Jiang Liu first mixed the egg and flour together, then added the vegetable oil and almond powder, folding them in evenly...

He shaped the dough into pieces about half the size of a baby’s fist and brushed a layer of egg wash on top to make the crust crispier.

The oven was set to one hundred and eighty degrees.

Jiang Liu had put the oven in the trunk of his car that morning.

Before long, a sweet aroma began to waft from the oven.

The dough visibly expanded, and cracks appeared on the surface.

Jiang Tongtong’s and Jun Qingmeng’s eyes lit up. The two of them looked like a pair of starving kittens.

A little while later, with a DING, the Almond Crisps were done baking.

Jiang Liu opened the oven.

A rich, nutty fragrance, tinged with a faint milky scent, rushed out.

Ignoring the searing heat, Jiang Liu grabbed two pieces, blew on them to cool them down, and handed them to the two "starving kittens." "See how they taste."

"Mmm, delicious! So, so yummy, Daddy!"

"You did a great job, honey. They’re so crispy, and there are so many different flavors."

Jiang Liu nodded and tried a piece himself.

It was mellow and fragrant, with a supreme crispiness that sent crumbs falling, which Jiang Liu quickly caught in his hand.

There was a faint scent of cream, a sweet fragrance, the aroma of wheat, and the scent of almonds.

The multiple aromas blended into a unique fragrance.

"Daddy, can I have another little piece? Just a tiny one."

Jiang Tongtong asked pitifully, holding up her fingers.

Without a word, Jiang Liu grabbed four or five more for his daughter. "Go on and eat them over there."

"You’re the best, Daddy!" Tongtong hugged the Almond Crisps and sat on a stool, swinging her legs as she ate.

She was so happy.

"Qingmeng, have some more."

"Okay! Honey."

Jun Qingmeng really liked Almond Crisps, especially the ones Jiang Liu made. They were incredibly fragrant.

They were a popular gift. As long as they were stored properly, they could last a long time. When you wanted a little flavor, you could pop one in your mouth, and the fragrance would linger.

Lin Qiu and Jiang Dahai walked in, smiling cheerfully.

"What delicious thing are you eating?"

"Mom, Almond Crisps."

"Grandma, try one! Daddy made them."

Tongtong energetically held up the Almond Crisp in her hand.

"My Tongtong always knows how to dote on her grandma."

Lin Qiu smiled as she took it, breaking off half for Jiang Dahai.

The moment the two of them took a bite, their expressions changed.

"Delicious! Liu’er, these Almond Crisps you made are truly professional! They’re several times better than the ones your mom bought on her trip!"

...