"Legally speaking, I’m single. We signed the divorce papers a long time ago."
"Hm? You signed divorce papers?" Lin Jiang looked at Xu Lin in surprise.
"Are you disappointed?"
"Hm? Disappointed about what?"
"I’m a single woman now. Not as interesting as a married one, huh?"
Lin Jiang paused for a moment. "Now that you mention it, I hadn’t noticed. But I guess you’re right."
Xu Lin rolled her eyes at Lin Jiang, as if to say, ’I know you all too well.’
"When did it happen?"
"Over half a year ago, but we haven’t separated for the sake of our child," Xu Lin said matter-of-factly, showing no fluctuation in her emotions.
Lin Jiang looked Xu Lin up and down, then said slowly,
"Around that time... I think I had just moved in."
"Don’t flatter yourself. It had nothing to do with you. He was seeing another woman," Xu Lin said languidly.
"After I found out, he was kneeling and apologizing, but I obviously couldn’t stand for that sort of thing, so we signed the divorce papers. But Xuanxuan is still young, so we still live together. We just lead separate lives."
"Cheating... well, that’s not something I can really comment on."
"You’re trying to say it’s an addiction you can’t quit, aren’t you?" Xu Lin said bluntly.
"It depends on the person."
"Well, it has nothing to do with me anymore. We’re divorced, after all," Xu Lin said, unconcerned.
"But for Xuanxuan’s sake, I can still put up with it. As for how long I can tolerate it, I have no idea. We might split up the household tomorrow. I’ve even started looking at houses already."
"Boss Xu, you’re a total badass."
"Alright, enough about me." Xu Lin passed the fruit to Lin Jiang.
"Try these cherries. I bought a couple pounds and brought most of them for you. Even my son doesn’t get this kind of treatment."
"You can’t compare the two of us. My work is exhausting."
"You devil. Go on, try one."
Lin Jiang smiled and took a cherry. "They’re really sweet. You can tell they weren’t cheap."
"Of course," Xu Lin said, a little smugly. "But let me be clear, you can’t just eat my food for free."
"Don’t worry, I’ll make sure the job gets done right."
"That’s not what I’m talking about." Xu Lin smiled at Lin Jiang.
"The day after tomorrow, I have to go out of town. I’m not sure what time I’ll be back in the evening. He has to go meet a director, so there’s no one to pick up Xuanxuan. I’ll have to trouble you. But you don’t need to bring him back here, just drop him off at my mom’s place."
"A director?"
"I thought he was in the tourism business? And started his own company? Why is he dealing with directors?"
"Not his direct supervisor. A school official," Xu Lin said, fixing her hair.
"His main business is educational tours—taking kids to other provinces, cities, or even abroad to experience the local culture. It’s learning while playing. So he has to meet with the leadership of many schools to discuss these things."
"I see."
"So neither of our schedules will work. I’ll have to trouble you for help."
"Don’t even mention it. Just leave it to me," Lin Jiang said while eating. "Should I buy him an Ultraman?"
PFFT—
Xu Lin couldn’t help but burst out laughing. "You’re so naughty."
"You have to gather intelligence. Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated."
"Don’t buy it tomorrow. My ’relative’ is visiting."
’Did you and Liang Shuhuo plan this? To come at the same time?’
"Alright, leave it to me. Be careful these next few days. Don’t eat anything cold."
"Okay, I will."
Xu Lin looked at Lin Jiang and said, "Your hair isn’t dry yet. Did you just take a shower?"
"What about it?"
Xu Lin blinked. "You guess."
"Stop messing around. Your ’relative’ is here. We can’t run a red light."
"I said my ’relative’ is coming tomorrow. They’re not here today."
"Then what are we waiting for? Before your ’relative’ arrives, let me get in there for a closer look."
"But you have to be gentle. You can’t just do whatever you want today."
"Don’t worry, I know how to control myself."
After a heated bout, Xu Lin straightened her clothes and left.
Lin Jiang didn’t do anything else, deciding to replenish his energy.
’Liang Shuhuo may not offer any after-sales service, but I can find my own third-party support. Nothing to be afraid of.’
[You have perceived the enemy’s weakness. Comprehension +1]
[You defeated the enemy in four rounds. Martial Force +1]
’What the hell kind of friend with benefits is this? In ancient times, she’d be a venerated master teacher!’
...
「The next morning.」
After washing up, Lin Jiang went to his shop.
After filling the water tanks, he contacted his seasoning supplier and had them prepare and deliver all the ingredients for the pan-fried steak rice to his place.
Once that was sorted, Lin Jiang went to Xu Lin’s shop, buying her a strawberry white chocolate drink on the way.
When he arrived today, the situation in the shop was the complete opposite of the day before. A long line had formed, the employees were bustling about, and Xu Lin was on the side, helping out.
"You’re up so early. Why didn’t you sleep in a little longer?"
Seeing Lin Jiang arrive, Xu Lin took the strawberry white chocolate from his hand and asked with concern.
"The early bird gets the worm. Can’t waste all my time in bed."
Xu Lin gave Lin Jiang a knowing smile. "Then how about wasting it on the windowsill?"
"What are you talking about? That’s weird."
"You devil," Xu Lin said with a smile. "Coming to find me this early in the morning... you must need something, right?"
"You guessed it." Lin Jiang glanced toward the counter. "You guys sell Chinese medicine, right? Do you have one of those grinding machines?"
"We do. What do you need it for?"
Lin Jiang pulled a slip of paper from his back pocket and handed it to Xu Lin.
"You should have all the Chinese herbs on this list, right?"
Xu Lin glanced at it. "We have them all. Is this a recipe for noodles?"
"You can tell just from this?"
"Of course. Don’t underestimate me," Xu Lin said.
"A lot of Chinese herbs can also be used as seasonings. For example, angelica and bay leaves are often added when stewing meat, and they’re on your list too."
"As expected of Boss Xu. You’re amazing," Lin Jiang complimented her.
"Later, I’ll have someone send over some other seasonings. Can you help me mix them all together and grind them into a powder?"
"Don’t send them here. Send them to the other shop. I’ll give you the address later. They have all the equipment there," Xu Lin said, looking at the prescription.
"Do you need me to portion it out for you?"
"That would be great. One-pound bags."
"Leave it to me."
"Later, calculate how much it costs, and I’ll transfer the money to you."
"Get outta here! I’ll smack you if you talk to me about money."
"No way. Business is business. Those are the rules."
"I’ve never met a ’by-the-rules’ kind of guy with so many tricks up his sleeve."
Xu Lin pushed Lin Jiang. "Go on and get busy. I’ve got a lot of customers, so I don’t have time to entertain you."
"In that case, I won’t stand on ceremony."
"Mhm, go on."
Xu Lin stood in place, staring blankly at Lin Jiang’s departing figure and muttering to herself:
’How did he suddenly get so good?’
’And he hit the right spot so perfectly. From start to finish, I actually came four times.’
’That’s insane!’
Leaving Berkeley, Lin Jiang returned to his shop.
By now, customers were trickling in. Every table was occupied, but it wasn’t so crowded that they had to share tables yet.
Lin Jiang calculated that he had prepared about ten pounds of seasoning. He would first try selling it at his own shop to see how it went.
’Even though Tongzi is full of dirty jokes these days, it’s never stingy with the rewards. That Delicious MSG was so incredible, the recipe for pan-fried steak rice probably won’t be bad either.’
’If I follow this line of thought, business is going to get even more explosive in the future. I should probably hire more waiters and cooks.’
BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ—
Just then, Lin Jiang’s phone buzzed. It was a message from Li Zhiyi.
Li Zhiyi: "Big brother, what are you doing?"
...
A big thank you to readers ’Hu Si Ni’ and ’Dong Fang Wu Fa’ for the tips! Thank you so much.
We’re at over 700 average subscriptions now. To my brothers who are able, please show your support. I’ll keep my word: if we pass a thousand, I’ll post an extra Chapter to show my gratitude.
There’s a reader group now. Everyone is welcome to join, chat, and hang out.
Finally, thanks to all the brothers who support me. A deep bow of thanks.

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