After what Lin Jiang said, and with her sister ignoring her again, Chen Jingjia was too embarrassed to stay, no matter how thick-skinned she was.
She smoothed down her hair to cover her embarrassment.
"Well, I’ll be going then. I won’t get in the way of your business."
"Mm."
Chen Jingjia set down the gifts she had brought and turned to leave.
"Wait."
A delighted Chen Jingjia turned back, her eyes fixed on Lin Jiang with anticipation.
"Take your things with you."
"Oh..."
Without another word, Chen Jingjia quietly picked up her gifts and walked out.
Watching Chen Jingjia’s retreating figure, Chen Jingxian sighed and followed her out.
She was her little sister, after all. As the older one, she couldn’t just abandon her.
"You should head home. You saw Lin Jiang’s attitude. Just stop thinking about getting back together."
"But I don’t want to give up."
"Once some things have happened, it’s no longer about what you want. You’re an adult; you should understand that."
"I know. And I understand why Lin Jiang is acting this way."
Chen Jingjia didn’t seem too affected, just a little dejected.
"I didn’t expect him to accept me again so soon. I’m the one who hurt him, after all."
Seeing Chen Jingjia’s stubbornness, Chen Jingxian decided not to say anything more.
’It’s their business. I’ll just let them sort it out themselves.’
"Sis, I’m heading out. Keep an eye on Lin Jiang for me. If his attitude softens at all, be sure to tell me right away."
"Fine."
Chen Jingjia left, and Chen Jingxian returned to the shop.
"It’s opening day. Don’t let it get to you."
"I’m not angry. I just didn’t expect she would come with you."
"She arrived at my place last night. When she heard your shop was opening, she insisted on coming to see."
"As long as you don’t plead her case, it’s fine."
"What? If I did, would you kick me out?"
Lin Jiang chuckled. "You’re my accountant and secretary. How could I possibly kick you out? I’m desperate to keep you here."
"That’s more like it."
"Brother Jiang."
Just as the two were talking, Qiu Yunong walked in from outside.
She was holding a good-luck ornament, a gold-plated statue of the God of Wealth.
"Whoa, now this is a hefty gift. I’ll have to find a good spot for it," Lin Jiang said with a smile.
"I actually didn’t want to buy this, but my mom said it’s auspicious and insisted I pick it."
"It’s great."
"As long as you like it."
As she spoke, Qiu Yunong handed him a red envelope. Judging by its thickness, it held around twenty thousand.
"My mom couldn’t make it, so she asked me to bring you a red envelope."
"That’s too generous."
"You’ve helped me so much. It’s nothing, really."
The two chatted briefly before Lin Jiang introduced Chen Jingxian and Qiu Yunong to each other.
When they learned Chen Jingxian was the accountant for Lin Jiang’s company, the two instantly found common ground and stepped aside, chatting in hushed voices.
Lin Jiang didn’t stay idle either, moving on to greet his other guests.
Even though he hadn’t announced it to anyone, the neighboring shopkeepers on either side of the noodle shop came over with red envelopes. Even Zhou Wanyu gave him one.
On top of that, He Jing delivered a red envelope on behalf of the mall, a clear sign of how highly they regarded the new noodle shop.
As 9:58 AM approached, everyone gathered outside the shop.
Lin Jiang pulled the red cloth from the shop’s sign, and just then, confetti cannons and fireworks went off.
Xiaojiang Noodle Shop was officially open for business.
A flood of customers poured into the shop.
For one, they hadn’t been able to eat his noodles for days. For another, the "buy one, get one free" promotion was stoking their appetites.
Delicious and a great deal—there was no reason not to come.
Lin Jiang took a few red envelopes and handed them out to the janitors who were cleaning up the confetti.
He had created extra work for them, so it was only right to show some appreciation.
In addition, he gave each of them a coupon for a free bowl of noodles at lunchtime.
Everyone was delighted.
[Player has exited the tutorial zone and arrived at a new map: Berkeley Square]
Seeing the sudden notification, Lin Jiang was surprised that Berkeley Mall had been designated as a new map.
’Now the game’s getting more interesting.’
RING RING RING—
Lin Jiang’s phone rang. It was a call from his mom.
"Comrade Li, what are your orders?"
"You opened a new shop and didn’t even tell me? Do you even see me as your mother anymore?"
"Huh?! How did you know I opened a new shop?"
"I saw Jiajia’s social media post. She said you opened a new shop."
"She posted about it?"
"Let me show you."
A moment later, Lin Jiang received a message from his mom. It was a screenshot of the post.
"Even though we’re separated, I still wish you a brilliant future and a booming business. Keep going, the man I love so deeply."
’Fuck, what the hell is this?’
"What is going on with you two? Are you back together or not?"
"Rest assured, there’s no way we’re getting back together."
"I’m your mother, so I won’t meddle. Just tell me if you two make up. I don’t want to be caught in an awkward position."
"She’s just being dramatic posting this stuff. You should just block her so she stops sending you all this weird nonsense."
"She did talk to me today, actually. She said so much I didn’t even know how to respond."
"That’s why you should just block her. Problem solved."
"Anyway, she’s Jingxian’s sister. If not for her sake, I have to consider Jingxian’s. I can’t just block her unless I have no other choice," Li Xiaoping said.
"A few days ago, my back was bothering me, and Jingxian even bought me some pain-relief patches. I’ll just ignore Jiajia from now on. It’s not so bad that I have to block her."
"Why didn’t you tell me your back was bothering you? How is it now? I’ll pick you up tomorrow and take you to get it checked."
"If I had to rely on you, I’d be done for," Li Xiaoping grumbled.
"Good thing Jingxian is around to chat with me. If I had to wait for you to talk to me, I’d be waiting forever."
"Just a few days ago when I sent you money, you were singing my praises."
"Yes, yes, you’re a son worth raising, a son worth raising."
Li Xiaoping laughed heartily. Her son was successful and earning good money now, which made her happy too.
"How’s business at the new shop? I’m not doing much at home. I could come help out so you don’t have to hire anyone."
"This shop is over 300 square meters. You think you can handle it by yourself?"
"I’ll get your uncle to come along. The two of us can do it."
Lin Jiang didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
"He’s your only brother, let him live a few more years, won’t you? And you don’t need to worry about things here, everything’s fine. If you need money, just call me. Don’t worry about saving it."
"What would I spend it on? As long as you’re doing well, I’m happy. But you have to take care of yourself. No more staying up all night."
"I know, don’t worry. There’s still stuff to do at the shop, I’m hanging up now."
"Getting impatient again, are you? Your wings..."
Hanging up the phone, Lin Jiang was filled with emotion.
Everyone else cares about how high or how far you fly. Only your mother cares if your wings are weary.

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