Chapter 33: Chapter 32: Private Spot
"You know, now that you mention 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 Qingmeng’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 embarrassment.
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 steamed buns."
"You really mustn’t get the wrong idea and tarnish her reputation."
The aunties quieted for a moment, 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 Qingmeng 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 Qingmeng: ...
’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 steamed 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 come I didn’t know?"
"’Second-Best Food in the World Shop.’ Judging by the name, they must sell food. And I’m starving."
More and more people joined the line.
The wide expanse of Yangzhai Street became 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: "Some food shop opened over on Yangzhai Street. Fucking hell, it’s blocking the whole street. It’s ridiculous. Just some stupid food stall, but look how desperate it makes them—they’re like a pack of rabid dogs!"
This comment 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 steamed bun shop. At night. Can you imagine that many people? You think I’d fall for that?"
Pain&Parting: "Steamed 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 some 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 steamed 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 time, 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 me."
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 someone had stepped on her tail, Tongtong nearly jumped up in agitation. She tugged on Jun Qingmeng’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 customers in line burst out laughing.
Jun Qingmeng couldn’t help but laugh. "Tongtong, didn’t you say one popsicle a week? How did it become three?"
"Hmph, I’m mad! I’m not talking to you anymore."
Angry as she was,
she still helped Jiang Liu pack the steamed 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 steamed 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 me! 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 some free buns out of me."
He was self-aware; he knew he was handsome,
but not so handsome 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 schemes exposed in a single sentence, the aunties just chuckled awkwardly.
"This young man is pretty sharp."
"You figured us out, hehe..."
Jun Qingmeng 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 someone, you have to get my permission first!"
"Tongtong wants a pretty mommy."
"She has to be at least as pretty as my Teacher Qingmeng. That’s the basic requirement!"
Jiang Tongtong wagged her finger.
Everyone at the door burst into laughter again.
An old man who had just gotten his steamed 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 Qingmeng are just too rare. How are we supposed to find someone 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 Qingmeng sighed in relief. It was a good thing Tongtong was there to run interference for her.
’It took some of the pressure off.’
’Otherwise, having a bunch of women eyeing her crush every day... who wouldn’t be flustered?’
Just then, an auntie turned to Jun Qingmeng 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 someone had asked it for her!’
Jun Qingmeng 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 Qingmeng 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 me!’
