Chapter 21 - 20: Kept?

"Wow, you’ve got some interesting ideas."

A minute later.

Jiang Liu came back, carrying a huge stack of steamed buns on a platter.

The buns steamed, releasing a fragrant aroma.

"Enjoy. Careful, they’re hot."

One of the girls, sitting on a stool, leaned in and took a deep, intoxicated sniff.

"Yes! That’s the smell. Her Majesty only got a single bite this morning. Now I can finally feast!"

"Thanks for the buns, Boss! You’re really handsome. Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Jing, can you be a little more reserved? Boss, add me on WeChat! I’ll help you win one of those online discount games!"

Jiang Liu couldn’t take it anymore. He put down the platter and practically fled.

The girls behind him covered their mouths, snickering victoriously.

Jiang Liu took a deep breath.

’Girls these days are so aggressive,’

’it’s a lot of pressure.’

The seven of them couldn’t wait to pick up the buns.

Ignoring the searing heat, they popped them into their mouths.

The soft, springy dough wrapped a rich, juicy filling.

With one bite, scalding, savory juices flooded their mouths, flowing over their tongues.

Every single type of bun was a top-tier indulgence!

Every single filling offered a different, yet equally super-delicious flavor!

"So hot, so hot! But so delicious!"

"They’re actually this good! I love them so much!"

"The ingredients in these buns must be something special!"

"I can taste it too! The texture of the pork is unbeatable!"

"Eat, don’t talk."

"Wow! This Three-Delicacy bun is the real deal!"

"No, the chive and egg bun is the best."

"Let me try... You should try the Three-Delicacy one!"

The room quickly fell silent, leaving only the sound of satisfied chewing.

Sixty buns were devoured in less than ten minutes.

A pale, slender girl let out a satisfied burp~

She poured herself a glass of water.

After one sip, a look of shock appeared on her face.

"This water is amazing, too! It tastes way better than most bottled mineral water!"

"No way... hmm... then again, maybe. It would explain why the boss said he was about to close down and skip town. The costs must be really high."

"Pour me some, quick! GULP GULP GULP. It’s good, it’s good, it’s really good!"

"This boss is the best! I like him so much. If he ever comes to our hospital, don’t even think about fighting me for the chance to give him a shot!"

"No way. Your skills aren’t good enough. You’d hurt our handsome boss."

"So what if it hurts? That way, he’ll remember me."

"Yu’er, you’re so bad! Hehehe."

"Hey, what if we all give him a shot at the same time?"

"Ooh, great idea! I like it! Sounds felonious!"

Excited smiles flashed across their beautiful faces.

Still, a few of them weren’t quite satisfied.

They licked their lips, savoring the lingering fragrance.

"Boss, can we get another thirty buns? Any filling is fine!"

"No problem."

Jiang Liu was delighted.

He took their platter as if no one else was around, piled it high with more buns, and brought it back.

Before he could even set the platter down, one of the girls snatched a bun.

Jiang Liu blinked.

"So, how are they? To your liking?"

"They’re amazing! Super top-notch! We give you a big thumbs-up!"

As she spoke, the girl in the short skirt comically lifted both her hands and feet.

Jiang Liu averted his gaze and awkwardly rubbed his nose.

"They’re just too good! Why are your buns so delicious, huh?"

"You want to know?"

All the girls nodded, looking at Jiang Liu earnestly. "Mhm! Tell us!"

Jiang Liu turned and made a cool exit. "I’m not gonna tell you."

’I just heard them plotting to give me a shot. Are you kidding me?’

’I want financial support, not needle-based support, dammit!’

The girls: ???

A little over ten minutes later, the thirty buns were gone.

This time, they were truly stuffed.

Clutching their stomachs, the seven of them waddled out, groaning contentedly.

’Not bad at all...’ Jiang Liu thought, beaming as he saw the Alipay notification: `[265]` yuan received.

He had already made over a thousand yuan today.

He glanced casually at the "Care Box" and rubbed his eyes, thinking he was seeing things.

Inside lay five red banknotes and a small slip of paper.

"Huh? When did I get a new delivery?"

Jiang Liu was overjoyed.

’Looks like my plan was on the right track!’

’It’s only just begun, and it’s already working!’

He quickly unlocked the box.

After a quick look around to make sure no one was watching, he naturally stuffed the five hundred yuan into his pocket.

"What’s written on this note?"

Curious, Jiang Liu opened it and took a look.

On it, written in elegant handwriting, were the words: *Boss, your buns are super delicious~ We love them! Keep it up, hang in there. This five hundred is a little ’care package’ from your girls!*

There was even a little heart drawn at the bottom.

"Well now, I’m being sponsored by a group of young ladies. Feels pretty great, though!"

"No wonder they were being so secretive just now. They were planning a surprise for their handsome boss."

Jiang Liu put the note in a drawer under the counter.

He suddenly imagined a scene.

A wealthy old granny slaps a briefcase full of cash against his face and barks coldly, "Good work. You’ve earned a reward!"

"Hehehe..."

Jiang Liu grinned foolishly at the fantasy.

Seeing there were no customers for the moment, he went back to the kitchen to prep some more filling.

By now, the dough had finished rising. He brought out the ten-pound batch, sprinkled it with dry flour, and began to knead, slap, and fold it. He rolled it into a long log, then picked up a knife and—CHOP! CHOP!—diced it into uniform cylinders, finally rolling them out into wrappers and stacking them to the side.

Jiang Liu began to skillfully and rapidly form the buns.

In a short while, four hundred buns were neatly arranged in bamboo steamers,

which he then placed on the stove to steam.

Of the first batch he’d brought this morning, a total of four hundred portions, only about a hundred buns were left.

He had now used up half of the eight hundred portions’ worth of ingredients he’d just brought from home.

"So tiring. My arms are sore."

Even with his good physique,

prepping nearly twenty pounds of filling had left him a little achy.

But he’d recover after a short rest.

"If only Tongtong were a little older. I could have her do all this work, and I, as her father, could finally get some rest."

Jiang Liu savored the delightful fantasy.

Suddenly, his phone rang.

"The dark night gave me..."

Jiang Liu took out his phone and glanced at the screen. The caller was his old man.

’What does he want with me this early in the morning?’

His father was a decorated criminal investigation police officer, and a rather gruff and strict man. Growing up, Jiang Liu had been on the receiving end of his lessons more than a few times.

"Hello, Dad!"

"Son, did you get the divorce?" Jiang Dahai’s voice was hoarse, as if he talked a lot for his job.

"Yeah, it’s done."

"And Tongtong? She’s with you, right?"

"Yes."

Jiang Dahai sighed, then said after a few seconds, "I’ve found you another match. But first, let’s sort out your job situation. I have a spot for you in a public institution, a position at the Water Resources Bureau. Come to my office tomorrow."

"A match? A job?" Jiang Liu was stunned. ’What is he even talking about?’ He had no intention of going. "Dad, I opened a food shop. It’s going well. You don’t need to find me a job."

His father didn’t know about this, and his uncle probably hadn’t told him either.

Jiang Dahai was getting angry. "What food shop? You opened a food shop?! Do you think I don’t know what you’re capable of? Is that kind of thing better than a stable government job? You get your ass back here tomorrow!"

"If you don’t come back, I’m washing my hands of you!"

"I’m not coming back! That’s it, I’m hanging up!"

Before Jiang Dahai could fly into a rage, the call was disconnected.

Jiang Liu even casually put his phone on silent.

"BEEP... BEEP... BEEP..."

On the other end of the line, a man in a "hat" stared at the disconnected call, his face dark.

He was burly and imposing, with a prominent knife scar on his neck.

Jiang Dahai was furious, muttering to himself,

"That little brat is so disobedient! Passing up a good, stable position to run a food shop... What is he even good at? How is he ever going to make something of himself?"

Jiang Liu’s mother, Lin Qiu, held Jiang Dahai’s hand. "Old Jiang, don’t be angry. I’ll talk to Liu’er later and try to persuade him."

"Hmph! This is all your fault. You’ve been spoiling him since he was a child. Look at him now! Just look at what he’s become!"