Back at the shop, it wasn’t long before Li Yuanyuan returned.
She was carrying a bag full of ice cream and hugging a large watermelon, yet still moved with surprising agility. It had to be said, she was seriously strong.
"Were you looking for me earlier? Did you need something?" Lin Jiang asked.
"Yeah, I wanted to ask for some time off."
"What for?"
"There’s this brand called... Adidas or something? They’re releasing a new ice cream at ten tomorrow morning, and I want to go buy some to try it."
"Adidas? Ice cream?"
Lin Jiang’s brain short-circuited for a moment.
"You fucking mean Häagen-Dazs, don’t you?"
"Yes, yes, that’s it, Häagen-Dazs! You city folk have brands that are too hard to remember. I’ve tried to memorize it several times but I just can’t," Li Yuanyuan said.
"I heard this brand of ice cream is delicious, so I want to go try it."
Lin Jiang wanted to say that there were plenty of other brands that were tastier than Häagen-Dazs and cheaper, too.
But Li Yuanyuan had a real passion for these things, so there was no need for him to say more.
It was good for her to try different things. He didn’t need to be nitpicky.
As for things like cost-effectiveness, they were trivial when it came to treating yourself.
"If you absolutely have to go, then go. I’ll dock half a day’s pay."
"No problem, hehe."
It wasn’t that Lin Jiang couldn’t afford that half-day’s pay, but with Yang Tao and Zhou Xiaoli around, he had to maintain the rules. He could always just buy her a few more ice creams later.
RING RING RING—
Lin Jiang’s phone rang. A glance at the screen showed it was a call from Xu Lin.
"Boss Xu."
Xu Lin giggled. She felt like laughing every time she heard Lin Jiang call her that, though she wasn’t sure why.
"I just got back to my shop and saw the manager from Berkeley head over to your place."
"Yeah, he came to recruit me. Wants me to move into the food court."
"Not bad, Boss Lin. They came looking for you. You’ve got the upper hand now."
"But I gave her a few conditions she might not be able to agree to. I’m not sure how it’ll turn out."
"The fact that they sought you out is a good thing," Xu Lin said.
"Are you busy at the shop? How about I give you a chance to get close to a beauty?"
"What do you mean? Are you choosing a concubine for me?"
"Get out of here. What concubine? You’ll know when you get here. I’ll be waiting for you~"
"Alright, wait for me."
After hanging up, Lin Jiang walked out of the noodle shop.
He arrived at the mall and took the elevator down to the first basement level.
Business at Xu Lin’s shop was pretty good. She was busy working alongside her employee.
In contrast, the pharmacy across the way, without Ma Shangxi’s backing, was no match for Xu Lin at all.
Seeing Lin Jiang, Xu Lin stopped what she was doing and walked over, a smile in her eyes.
"I’m here to get close to a beauty. Let’s find somewhere private for a Uniqlo sequel."
"I’m getting old. It’s time I abdicate and introduce Boss Lin to someone new."
"Someone new?"
"Help me deliver something to Teacher Qiqi." Xu Lin gave him a suggestive smile.
"You two can use this as a chance to get to know each other."
"A gift?"
"No, some Chinese medicine," Xu Lin said.
"Teacher Qiqi casually mentioned that her back was a little sore, and Xuanxuan remembered. He wanted me to get some medicine for her."
"Nothing wrong with that. It’s very important to have a good relationship with the teacher."
"But it would be boring if I delivered it. She’s always, intentionally or not, asking Xuanxuan about you. I think she might be interested in you." Xu Lin smiled suggestively.
"I’m guessing there’s something going on between you two, isn’t there?"
"How is that possible?"
’Seriously? I just looked at some NSFW Korean manwha cosplay. What’s the big deal?’
"Actually, it’s fine even if there is. Teacher Qiqi is nice, but I’m still on your big sister-in-law’s side. Go for it, try to win her over quickly."
"I think you’d be perfect as the Empress. You could manage the imperial harem perfectly."
"Then I thank Your Majesty for your favor." Xu Lin’s expression turned serious as she said,
"Honestly, I don’t want to trouble you, but interactions between a teacher and a parent are never as relaxed as they would be between you two. It’d be very formal. You know what I mean, right?"
"I do."
Lin Jiang could already picture the two of them meeting, constantly deflecting and exchanging pleasantries. It really would be more convenient for him to deliver it. Plus, he could build up some Affinity while he was at it.
"So where’s the stuff?"
"Hold on."
Xu Lin went back behind the counter and took out a white bag. "I’ve already portioned it out. Just tell her to brew one packet in water each day."
"Leave it to me."
Xu Lin twitched her small nose, a threatening glint in her eyes. "Delivering medicine is one thing, but don’t you go and ’deliver’ her away for good."
"I’m delivering medicine, not conducting a funeral. How could I possibly ’deliver’ her away for good?"
"I’m afraid a certain someone won’t be able to control himself and will get his soul snatched by the pretty teacher, and then won’t want to come back."
"You’re so two-faced. Just a moment ago you said you wouldn’t mind if something happened between us, and now you’ve changed your tune."
"Because no one’s home at my place tonight."
"What are you talking about? I don’t understand."
"I’m gonna pinch you."
Carrying the bag, he left Xu Lin’s shop.
Back in his car, Lin Jiang called Jiang Xiaoqi.
"Brother Jiang."
The call connected, and Jiang Xiaoqi’s cheerful voice came through.
"I heard your back has been bothering you recently?"
"Brother Jiang, how did you know? Oh, I know! Was it Xuanxuan’s mother who told you? She even said this morning she was going to bring me some medicine, but I felt too awkward to accept."
"That’s not the point. Young people need to practice some restraint."
"I haven’t! Don’t say things like that, Brother Jiang." Jiang Xiaoqi’s voice became noticeably quieter.
"It’s okay, I understand," Lin Jiang said with a laugh. "Where are you? I’ll bring the medicine to you."
"If you’re the one bringing it, then I won’t be shy about accepting," Jiang Xiaoqi said. "I’m at Henglong Square. I wanted to buy a watch, so I came to take a look."
"Alright, wait for me there. I’ll arrive in about twenty minutes."
After hanging up, Lin Jiang drove to Henglong Square.
He soon arrived at the spot where he had agreed to meet Jiang Xiaoqi.
He spotted her at a glance amidst the crowd.
She wore a gray miniskirt with a pink, crew-neck, short-sleeved shirt, and her legs were covered in flesh-colored stockings. Based on this outfit alone, it would be extremely difficult to guess her profession.
Moreover, the outfit made her look much younger, like a female university student who had just graduated.
People passing by couldn’t help but take a second look.
"Brother Jiang!"
Seeing Lin Jiang, Jiang Xiaoqi quickly walked over.
She didn’t know if it was just her imagination or some other reason, but she felt that Brother Jiang looked even more handsome than before.
"Have you been waiting long?"
"Not at all, I got here early."
"The medicine is in my car. I’ll give it to you when we head back."
"Okay, okay, no rush."
"Let’s go. Weren’t you going to buy a watch? I’ll go look around with you."
The watch stores were on the first floor of the mall, so they didn’t go anywhere else.
"What’s your budget? What kind of watch are you looking for? Mechanical, quartz, or digital?"
"I can skip the digital one; I already have a smartwatch." Jiang Xiaoqi thought for a moment and said,
"Brother Jiang, do you think a mechanical or a quartz watch is better?"
"Do you have a lot of formal business events?"
"Almost none. I just go between work and home. Occasionally I’ll go out for a meal or travel with my girlfriends."
"Then go with quartz. Mechanical watches aren’t as accurate. Since you’re a woman and don’t have any special requirements, a quartz watch is enough, and it’s much cheaper."
"Okay, I’ll listen to you, Brother Jiang."
"Do you have a budget?"
"Between 5,000 and 10,000. I can’t afford anything too expensive. You can’t laugh at me for being poor."
"I’m just a noodle shop owner. What right do I have to laugh at a distinguished teacher like you?" Lin Jiang said with a smile.
"Oh, stop teasing me, Brother Jiang," Jiang Xiaoqi said shyly.
"If you hadn’t helped me, I wouldn’t have been named an outstanding teacher. I still don’t know how to thank you properly."
"You’ve already thanked me plenty. Especially the Mai Shiranui cosplay from the night before last. That was fantastic."
"Hey, Brother Jiang, there are so many people around. Don’t say things like that," Jiang Xiaoqi whispered.
"But I feel like the effect wasn’t as good as it could have been. If they were a bit bigger, it would have been perfect."
"It’s fine if they’re a little small. As long as you work hard at it and promote good blood circulation, a little bunny can grow into a big one."
"You’re teasing me again, Brother Jiang." Jiang Xiaoqi lowered her head in embarrassment, a rosy blush spreading across her delicate cheeks.
Soon, the two of them arrived at the watch section.
Based on Jiang Xiaoqi’s budget, Tissot and Mido were both good options, and the selection was quite large.
She could also take a look at Longines, but the choices would be much more limited.
But none of that mattered.
’I can just buy her a nice one. Otherwise, how am I supposed to build Affinity?’
Soon, they arrived at the entrance of the Tissot boutique.
Jiang Xiaoqi didn’t know anything about watches, so she basically just went by looks. The prices were also suitable; many models were even under 5,000.
Just then, a game notification appeared in his mind.
[A wild mob has appeared. Please be on guard.]

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