"You know, now that you ntion it, they really do look like a couple. And the little girl takes after both of them!"
"Look at this young lady—those long legs, that perky butt, skin so fair and soft. Boss Jiang is a lucky man."
As the chatter grew more and more suggestive,
Jun Qingng’s face was beet red. She lowered her head, her small hands tightly gripping her white T-shirt, her pair of fair, slender legs pressed nervously together.
’This is mortifying! Please, just stop talking!!’
She was screaming internally from the embarrassnt.
Jiang Liu heard them too. He stopped what he was doing and explained with a sigh,
"Ladies, it’s not what you’re thinking. This is my daughter’s teacher. She’s just here to try my stead buns."
"You really mustn’t get the wrong idea and tarnish her reputation."
The aunties quieted for a mont, realizing they had misspoken, and quickly apologized.
"Young lady, we misunderstood. Please don’t take it to heart."
"That’s right, we were just talking nonsense. We know you two aren’t together."
Jun Qingng had been indulging in a pleasant fantasy, but when she suddenly heard the aunties’ clarification, her nervous, shy expression instantly froze.
She forced a smile and said, "It’s alright, aunties. I don’t mind."
"That’s good, then. You can tell this girl is a good person."
Jun Qingng: ...
’Keep talking! Go on, I like listening to it! I don’t mind, really!!’
「6:10 p.m.」
Jiang Liu’s first batch of six hundred stead buns sold out.
The evening street was bustling with people coming and going.
In the sweltering weather, the grapevines drooped listlessly.
A woman with a bitchy air was strolling down the street with her bestie, hips swaying.
"Daidai, look at that shop. So many people are lined up. Let’s go check it out."
"Huh? A new shop opened near our complex? How co I didn’t know?"
"’Second-Best Food in the World Shop.’ Judging by the na, they must sell food. And I’m starving."
More and more people joined the line.
The wide expanse of Yangzhai Street beca clogged, like a bone stuck in a drainpipe. Drivers in a hurry to pick up orders angrily took detours.
They even complained in their group chat:
DarkNightWind: "So food shop opened over on Yangzhai Street. Fucking hell, it’s blocking the whole street. It’s ridiculous. Just so stupid food stall, but look how desperate it makes them—they’re like a pack of rabid dogs!"
This comnt was very provocative, and more than three hundred rideshare drivers in the group chat piped up.
TARA: "You didn’t try it?"
DarkNightWind: "Try my ass. It’s a stead bun shop. At night. Can you imagine that many people? You think I’d fall for that?"
Pain&Parting: "Stead buns? He’s right. I’m dying laughing. That’s so ridiculous. I think it’s just a marketing gimmick. They probably hired actors."
PotatoKnows: "Food these days, you call that food? It’s more like pig slop. It’s all additives, and on top of that, it tastes like fucking shit."
WatchingThePot: "I film a lot of food review videos now. I’ve got six thousand followers. I’ll go to the shop so other day and give them a vicious review (evil grin)."
"What’s your Douyin? I’ll follow you. I wanna see how it turns out!"
" 1"
" 1"...
"Mister, your buns are packed. Be careful, they’re hot!"
Tongtong handed the stead buns to Huang Yunfeng.
Huang Yunfeng’s dark, swarthy face broke into a grin, revealing his big white teeth.
"Thanks for the warning, Tongtong. Next ti, I’ll bring you a wooden ox toy I made myself."
"A toy? Can I not have a toy?"
"What do you want, then? Tell ."
Huang Yunfeng was already starting to fall for her charms. After all, it’s not often you see such a beautiful and adorable little girl.
Tongtong imitated Jiang Liu, rubbing her small chin in thought.
"Hmm... It would be great if I could trade it for a popsicle."
"Haha, Tongtong, little kids shouldn’t eat popsicles. It’s not good for you."
"No, you’re lying!"
As if soone had stepped on her tail, Tongtong nearly jumped up in agitation. She tugged on Jun Qingng’s clothes:
"Teacher, Teacher! Quick, tell this bad mister that it’s okay for kids to eat three popsicles a week."
"Hahahaha."
"This little girl is hilarious."
The custors in line burst out laughing.
Jun Qingng couldn’t help but laugh. "Tongtong, didn’t you say one popsicle a week? How did it beco three?"
"Hmph, I’m mad! I’m not talking to you anymore."
Angry as she was,
she still helped Jiang Liu pack the stead buns with a pout on her face.
An auntie at the door asked, "Tongtong, where’s your mom? You could ask your mom to buy it for you."
"Tongtong’s parents are divorced."
"Divorced?"
At this, the aunties’ eyes lit up—really lit up—and they all turned in unison to look at Jiang Liu, who was carrying out more stead buns.
The auntie with the rose tattoo on her arm was the first to speak:
"Boss Jiang, there’s a girl in our neighborhood, twenty-five this year, works in public security. How about I introduce you?"
"Hold on. Young man, don’t listen to her, listen to ! My granddaughter just graduated from college. She’s twenty-three and dresses up real pretty. Should I send you her WeChat so you can chat?"
"Stop bragging! I know a girl..."
Everyone started talking at once.
One auntie even dragged a shy young woman forward to be introduced.
Jiang Liu, who was skillfully picking out buns according to the notes in his little notebook, lifted his gaze. "Alright, now. Don’t think you can scam so free buns out of ."
He was self-aware; he knew he was handso,
but not so handso that a flock of aunties would be desperately trying to set him up.
After all, aunties usually have very high standards and love to find fault.
Their little sches exposed in a single sentence, the aunties just chuckled awkwardly.
"This young man is pretty sharp."
"You figured us out, hehe..."
Jun Qingng sat behind Jiang Liu, feeling a little aggrieved.
’Why are so many people trying to find a wife for Jiang Liu?’
’Jiang Liu is so outstanding, so charming.’
’But she had no right to stand up, get angry, and object.’
Tongtong lifted her chin and said haughtily to the aunties:
"If you want to introduce my daddy to soone, you have to get my permission first!"
"Tongtong wants a pretty mommy."
"She has to be at least as pretty as my Teacher Qingng. That’s the basic requirent!"
Jiang Tongtong wagged her finger.
Everyone at the door burst into laughter again.
An old man who had just gotten his stead buns was in a great mood:
"Well now, who knew little Tongtong could make decisions for her dad? It’s clear who’s in charge here."
The auntie who had just been trying to play matchmaker added:
"Tongtong, people as pretty as your Teacher Qingng are just too rare. How are we supposed to find soone like that for you?"
"I don’t care! My daddy needs the prettiest wife, and Tongtong needs the most beautiful mommy."
Tongtong had a proud look on her face, acting as if she were the one looking for a wife.
Jun Qingng sighed in relief. It was a good thing Tongtong was there to run interference for her.
’It took so of the pressure off.’
’Otherwise, having a bunch of won eyeing her crush every day... who wouldn’t be flustered?’
Just then, an auntie turned to Jun Qingng and asked, "Young lady, are you seeing anyone?"
As soon as the words were spoken,
Tongtong’s big eyes lit up, and she clenched her little fists.
’That was the question she’d been wanting to ask, and now soone had asked it for her!’
Jun Qingng didn’t like people prying into her private life.
But this particular question scratched an itch, and she was more than happy to answer.
Jun Qingng said shyly, "Aunties, I’ve never had a boyfriend... I’ve never even dated before."
After speaking, she casually glanced over at Jiang Liu.
’Jiang Liu must have heard what I said! He definitely heard !’
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