As soon as he entered, Xia Changzhi boomed with a joking laugh:
"Boss Jiang, still busy? Want an old man like me to help you clean up the place?"
He had been thinking about Jiang Liuās special private dishes all day, and he was practically buzzing with excitement.
"Oh, please donāt. I really couldnāt ask you to," Jiang Liu laughed and teased. "If you go and bump your arm, Iāll be on the hook for feeding you for two months."
"Hahaha, Boss Jiang, are you trying to tempt an old man like me!"
Wang Cheng waited for his mentor to finish speaking.
Only then did he step forward and extend his hand. "Hello, Mr. Jiang. Itās an honor to finally meet you. Youāre every bit as young and impressive as Iāve heardāa true gentleman!"
"Youāre too kind, Lawyer Wang. Iāve heard a great deal about you as well."
Wang Chengās hand felt wiry to Jiang Liu.
āWith a hand like this,ā Jiang Liu thought with a wicked sense of humor, āheād probably only make a thousand a month laying bricks.ā
They shook hands.
Wearing an apron, Lin Qiu came out from the back kitchen after finishing up and said politely, "Please have a seat, you two. Would you like juice or mineral water?"
"Juice, Iāll have the juice!" Xia Changzhi exclaimed excitedly.
Wang Cheng looked on with disdain, inching his chair away from his mentor in disapproval.
They all took their seats.
Wang Cheng smiled as he looked at Tongtong, unable to help but praise her. "Mr. Jiang, your daughter is absolutely adorable. Just look at her sweet little faceāso pretty."
He had seen plenty of children, but this was the first time he had ever seen such a cute, rosy-cheeked little girl. She was like a cartoon character come to life.
Jiang Liu stroked Tongtongās head. "What did Daddy teach you? Do you know what to say?"
"Thank you for the compliment, Uncle Liar."
Tongtong looked the picture of innocence.
āShe absolutely loved it when people complimented her.ā
āAnd if it was Daddy complimenting her, that was the best!ā
"This little girl is so charming!"
Everyone at the table broke into laughter.
"You all just relax, Iāll go get the food."
"Go, go!" Xia Changzhi said excitedly. "Weāre all waiting on the great Chef Jiangās creations!"
Just then, Lin Qiu placed eight bottles of chilled juice on the table.
There were four different flavors available.
"Uncle Liar, Grandpa Xia, Iāll be your server! Which flavor of juice would you like?"
"Haha, what a considerate little girl. Iāll have the watermelon."
Xia Changzhi had a booming laugh, though from where heād picked it up, no one knew.
Tongtong put a straw in the pink-colored juice and pushed it in front of Xia Changzhi. "Tongtong Juice, at your service. Please enjoy~"
"Heh, thanks, little one."
"And you, Uncle? Please make your selection!"
Wang Cheng hesitated. He wasnāt a fan of sweet drinks, but seeing Tongtongās big, fluttering eyes, his heart melted. "Iāll just have a bottle of orange juice, then."
"Okay-dokey, Uncle Liar."
"Itās Law-yer! Not Li-ar, Tongtong,"
Wang Cheng patiently corrected her.
"Okay, Uncle Liar."
"Law-yer, not Li-ar."
"Li-ar, not Li-ar?"
"Yes, Li-ar! No, Law-yer," Wang Cheng was getting turned around himself.
From the side, Xia Changzhi glanced at Wang Chengās untouched orange juice. "Oh, thatās enough. Youāre not going to win that argument. If youāre not going to drink your juice, give it here. Iāll take it home for my grandson."
"Heh, itās just a bottle of orange juice. Look at you drooling over it."
As Wang Cheng spoke, he was about to hand the juice to Xia Changzhi.
He hesitated again.
His eyes fell on the beads of condensation on the bottle and the distinct pulp settled at the bottom.
Hmm...
āThis actually looks pretty high-quality!ā
āMight as well drink it.ā
āI havenāt had a soft drink in ages. Iāll just have a sip to see what itās like.ā
Wang Cheng took a casual sip, not expecting much.
The pulp and juice flowed over his tongue together.
He bit down gently.
The next moment.
An intense orange flavor exploded in his mouth. The sweet-and-sour taste was rich but not the least bit overpoweringājust a gentle, sweet, and refreshing tartness!
Wang Chengās pupils dilated in shock.
āThis... How can the flavor be so unique?!ā
āWas all the juice Iāve had before this fake or something?ā
Wang Cheng discovered for the first time that juice could actually be this delicious!
Simply heavenly!
Xia Changzhi wasnāt surprised in the least. "So? Pretty good, huh?"
Wang Chengās voice trembled slightly as he asked, "How much does one of these cost?"
It was no wonder his reaction was so dramatic. He hadnāt touched a soft drink in over six months. It was like a heavy smoker, used to cheap, harsh cigarettes, suddenly taking a puff of a top-shelf brand after months of abstinence.
"Take a guess."
"A hundred?" Wang Cheng ventured, naming a price he felt was reasonable.
āJuice this good has to be made from the absolute best ingredients!ā
"Not that much. You can buy it from Boss Jiang for thirty-five."
"Thirty-five?"
Wang Cheng was completely dumbfounded.
He was silent for a good ten seconds before finally admitting, "Your investment was the right call. If I were in your shoes, Iād be more than happy to help Mr. Jiang too."
A few minutes later.
Jiang Liu brought out the prepared dishes and began placing them on the table one by one.