"Hmph, my Brother Jiang is pretty amazing, isn’t he?"
"Yes, yes, your Brother Jiang is the most amazing."
"It’s to be expected. The two shops are close by, so it’s common courtesy. It’s nothing special."
Zhu Xiaopeng said dismissively, "When it comes to social etiquette, I’ve been in the professional world for so many years. I know a lot more about it than he does."
Jiang Xiaoqi rolled her eyes inwardly but decided not to pick out any more books. She would just wait for them to finish talking and then leave.
"By the way, Boss Lin, there’s something I wanted to ask you."
"What is it?"
"A while ago, I was at the supermarket on the basement level and saw Steward Huang call you President Lin. He was also very polite to you. Do you two know each other?"
"I bought this mall a while ago. I’m Huang Youwei’s boss, so that’s why he calls me President Lin."
"Huh?"
The male store manager was stunned.
Jiang Xiaoqi and her companions were stunned, too.
"If I heard correctly, I think your Brother Jiang just said he bought this place."
"Y-Yeah, I think that’s what he said..."
"A mall this big... it must have cost several hundred million to buy..."
"I’m not too sure..."
"Don’t listen to him brag. There’s definitely something fishy going on here," Zhu Xiaopeng said with contempt.
The male store manager’s jaw dropped in astonishment.
"You bought Berkeley Mall? How much did that cost?"
"About a dozen ’small goals.’ It’s not as exaggerated as you think."
"No wonder the mall’s general manager calls you President Lin. So you actually bought the place."
The male store manager’s attitude instantly switched from polite to obsequious.
"President Lin, tell your friend she doesn’t need to take pictures. Just pick out all the books she likes. They’re on the house."
"How could we do that? You have costs to cover."
"We’re not strangers here. Please, don’t stand on ceremony."
The male store manager was socially savvy and looked at Jiang Xiaoqi.
"You’re President Lin’s friend. From now on, if you want any books, just come straight to me. Everything’s free."
"Thank you."
Jiang Xiaoqi thanked him repeatedly, but she knew she would never take him up on the offer. She didn’t want to use up Lin Jiang’s "face" over something so trivial.
"Don’t mention it. It would be an honor just to have you visit."
Jiang Xiaoqi had a bit of social anxiety. Faced with this situation, she didn’t know how to handle it and quietly stepped behind Lin Jiang.
But inwardly, she was delighted and even a little smug.
Because everyone, men and women alike, cares about face; they just show it in different ways.
And the scene that had just unfolded made her feel proud by association.
"I have other things to do, so I’ll get going."
"Of course, of course. Please, go ahead, President Lin."
Lin Jiang left with the two women, and the three of them stepped outside the bookstore.
"You probably haven’t eaten yet, have you? What do you feel like? I’ll take you to get a bite."
"Brother Jiang, let’s go to your noodle shop. Xinrui wants to try it, too."
"Sure, whatever you want."
"Teacher Jiang, isn’t it your mother’s birthday today? Don’t you have to go home for dinner?" Zhu Xiaopeng said.
"I don’t have to eat at home."
"If you don’t go back, the food will spoil. And these flowers won’t be fresh anymore."
"It’s fine. You can just take them back with you."
"The main thing is, I’m not a big fan of cake. You should still take it back for your mother."
"My mom has diabetes. She can’t eat sweets."
Zhu Xiaopeng: ...
"W-Well..."
Zhu Xiaopeng hesitated, then said, still unwilling to give up:
"She doesn’t have to eat the cake, but let me deliver this bouquet to show my sincerity."
"Let’s just forget it. My mom doesn’t really like meeting strangers. Maybe some other time."
"Your colleague just reminded me," Lin Jiang said. "I’ll give this watch to your mother later. That’ll be more sincere."
Jiang Xiaoqi reacted quickly. "Okay!"
"Wait, didn’t you say your mother doesn’t like meeting strangers?"
"Brother Jiang has met my mom several times. He’s not a stranger."
Zhu Xiaopeng: ...
"Teacher Zhu, we’re leaving now. Bye-bye..."
Jiang Xiaoqi linked her arm with Lin Jiang’s and quickly walked away, afraid Zhu Xiaopeng would follow them.
[Mission Complete (Annoying Fly): Reward: Labor Card x1, 20 EXP]
Lin Jiang smiled.
’Easy and enjoyable, no difficulty at all.’
"We finally shook him off. He was so annoying."
"Does that guy have some special status? I felt like you were holding back your full firepower."
"Principal Zhou left, right? He’s the new principal’s nephew. When you’re under someone else’s roof, you have to be polite."
"I thought it was something serious. Next time you run into someone like him, just reject him outright. I’ll handle any trouble that comes your way."
"I know. Thanks, Brother Jiang."
"Can you two spare a thought for me, the single dog? This PDA is killing me."
"Hehe, we’re just trying to make you jealous. Go find someone yourself if you can."
Laughing and chatting, the three of them arrived at the noodle shop.
Seeing Lin Jiang arrive with Jiang Xiaoqi, the sound of Yan Ming’s chopping grew louder.
’Goddamn it, how are all the women around Brother Jiang so top-tier? I’m dying of envy.’
"Less talk, more work."
Zheng Jiachun was a man of few words, unlike Yang Tao, who would join Yan Ming in complaining about Lin Jiang.
A little over half an hour later, the three of them finished their noodles.
Standing at the shop entrance, Xu Xinrui waved to the other two.
"Thanks for the treat, President Lin. I won’t be a third wheel anymore. Have a great date, you two."
"Next time you come to eat, just mention Xiaoqi’s name. It’ll be on the house."
"You’ve got a deal! I won’t be polite about it."
"Okay."
Xu Xinrui hailed a taxi and left.
The two of them returned to the car, where Jiang Xiaoqi handed the watch Lin Jiang had bought back to him.
"Brother Jiang, you’re the boss here, so you must have some special privileges, right? Hurry up and return this watch. It’s not my mom’s birthday today, so she can’t accept your gift."
"Then we’ll just give it to her on her birthday in the future."
"But that’s like asking you for a gift! I can’t do something like that."
"It’s fine. You can just find a way to repay me."
"Oh... if we do that, wouldn’t you become my creditor?"
"It’s good that you’re self-aware."
"W-Well..."
Jiang Xiaoqi was so shy she could barely speak.
"Then... where do you want me to repay this debt?"
Lin Jiang thought of the Labor Card and felt it was best to use it soon.
"I’m a little tight on cash recently. Going to a hotel might cost a bit."
He had casually spent over 70,000 on a watch for her mother; Jiang Xiaoqi knew there was no way Lin Jiang was short on money.
’He definitely means something else.’
"I’m the debtor, so I don’t get to decide. I’ll do whatever you, the creditor, say."
Pandora’s Box had cracked open, allowing her to switch to her Little Demon form at any moment.
"What do you think of this Maybach of mine?"
"It’s... nice..."
Pandora’s Box flew open. She successfully switched to her Little Demon form and instantly understood Lin Jiang’s meaning.
As she spoke, Jiang Xiaoqi’s hand reached out to touch the center console’s armrest.
Lin Jiang drove the car away from the noodle shop.
’This outdoor stuff is really better with someone who has a natural talent for it.’
Lin Jiang parked the car on a deserted path, and the diligent "labor" began.
It was very late by the time they finished.
"It’s already past nine. Shouldn’t we be heading back?"
"I... I can go back a bit later. I’ll just say I was out eating and watching a movie with Xinrui. As long as I’m back before midnight, it’s fine."
Lin Jiang instantly understood Jiang Xiaoqi’s meaning. She clearly wasn’t satisfied yet.
"There’s a new hotel nearby that looks pretty nice."
"Brother Jiang~~~"
"What is it?"
Jiang Xiaoqi pointed out the car window.
"What’s wrong?"
"Aiya, I’m already pointing it out to you. You still don’t see it?"
"There’s nothing out there but an unfinished park."
"I-I’m talking about the unfinished park..."
"What about the unfinished park..."
Lin Jiang suddenly stopped talking.
’Well, what can I say...?’
"Qibao, how can I not love you when you’re like this..."

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