Chapter 688: 686 Chapter The Stone in the Chest
Taifeng Building looked the same as when Jiang Feng had last visited, the vase with a chipped base still sitting in its usual spot, though the daisies he recognized had been replaced with some unknown flowers that closely resembled roses. Wang Xiulian wasn’t sitting behind the cash register, instead, a young and beautiful cashier whom Jiang Feng found familiar but couldn’t name stood behind it, very professional—as evening services hadn’t started yet, she wasn’t occupied with her phone.
“Young boss, Manager Wang just stepped out, do you need me to give her a call for you?” the cashier said quickly upon seeing Jiang Feng.
“No need, I’m just here to drop off some tofu,” Jiang Feng replied, lifting the plastic bag in his hand and then walking away.
Cashier: ???
Carrying the tofu, Jiang Feng entered the kitchen and saw that both elderly gentlemen were there; Jiang Weiguo had even put on a chef’s uniform and was chopping vegetables next to Jiang Jiankang.
It had been a long time since the old man had done such work; when it came to stir-frying healthy dishes, he would only cook, never chop.
...
Jiang Weiming was beside them, getting to know Jiang Weisheng and Zhang Weiyu cutting meat—by now, Zhang Weiyu had become a very qualified butcher chef.
Zhang Guanghang seemed to be adjusting sauces, with a furrowed brow he tasted the sauce with a small spoon, Wu Minqi was picking out dried chili peppers, Dong Shi and Dong Li, the two brothers, were marinating fish, Master Wang was mincing fillings, and the rest were busy with their own tasks.
Jiang Feng, holding the tofu at the doorway, looked as if he came to deliver vegetables.
“Feng, why did you come today?” Sang Ming was the first to spot Jiang Feng.
The two elders glanced up at Jiang Feng and then continued with their work, Zhang Guanghang gave him a subtle nod, and most of the others did the same, except Wu Minqi, who set down the dried chilis she had just selected and walked over to Jiang Feng.
“I’ve come to bring you guys some tofu,” said Jiang Feng, handing the tofu to Sang Ming.
Curious, Sang Ming looked inside the bag, “Feng, what are we supposed to do with this tofu?”
“Eat it, obviously,” Jiang Feng said, as Wu Minqi came up to him.
“Fengfeng, how come you’re here?” Wu Minqi smiled, glanced around, and said, “Let’s go outside to talk.”
Jiang Feng nodded, and he left the kitchen with Wu Minqi to find a couple of chairs to sit on.
“Fengfeng, you seem to be doing much better today than you were awhile back,” Wu Minqi said with a smile.
“Ah?”
“You’ve seemed troubled these past days, absorbed in thought. Every day as soon as you got home, it was straight to the bath and then your room. When I spoke to you, you often didn’t hear, and you were just so distracted.”
“Same with breakfast, you were so absentminded. If I hadn’t reminded you, a bowl of porridge could take you half an hour to finish.”
“I, ah…” Jiang Feng hadn’t realized his anxiety had been so obvious lately.
“Actually, it’s not just me, Mrs. Wang and the others noticed too. I knew you weren’t paying attention. Haven’t you noticed the breakfasts these past days have been slightly different from before?” Wu Minqi seemed a bit exasperated.
Jiang Feng looked puzzled, “Isn’t it just pancakes with soy milk? I remember it’s been the same these few days.”
“Fengfeng, have you seen me making pancakes these days? Or do you think I know how to make pancakes?” Wu Minqi couldn’t make pancakes, “The pancakes we’ve eaten for breakfast these past days—haven’t you noticed they were made by Mrs. Jiang?”
Upon closer thought, Jiang Feng realized the pancakes did indeed taste like Mrs. Jiang’s—no, that they were made by Mrs. Jiang.
How had he not noticed?
“We all know you’ve been anxious about recent events. Truthfully, we’re all anxious. The business issues of the restaurant isn’t something one person can solve alone. We think your culinary studies with Master Peng are more important and didn’t want these things to affect you, so Mrs. Wang and Grandpa Jiang forbade everyone in the WeChat group from discussing anything about customers or the business. They didn’t want you to be affected.”
Jiang Feng suddenly understood why the work group had been so lifeless recently.
“At first, I was actually a bit worried about you. Mrs. Wang and Uncle Jiang were considering whether to have Cheng take you to see a psychologist. But seeing you like this now, I’m relieved. I didn’t dare to talk to you much before,” Wu Minqi said, her words filled with relief and cheerfulness, clearly very happy.
Out of nowhere, Jiang Feng felt that anxious feeling return.
It was worse than before, like a thousand-pound boulder pressing on his chest, a dense cotton ball blocking his windpipe, and a high-speed bouncing ball rampaging through his brain.
Jiang Feng felt so uncomfortable he almost wanted to scream.
He could control his facial expressions, but not his breathing.
Jiang Feng took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. He felt the boulder on his chest loosen slightly, but within a few seconds, it pressed down on him again.
An anxiety stronger than ever before.
An anxiety he himself had no idea why it had arisen.
Jiang Feng wanted to tell Wu Minqi that his anxiety did not stem from worrying about the business in the shop. Perhaps he was worried, but certainly not that much, and not to the point of having difficulty breathing.
But he couldn’t say it, nor did he want to, because even he himself didn’t know why he felt this way.
Everyone was waiting for him, even worried about him; he didn’t want them to worry about something so unclear, even to him.
“Fengfeng, what’s wrong?” Wu Minqi noticed that Jiang Feng seemed a bit off.
New n𝙤vel chapters are published on freewebnovel.cσ๓.
“It’s nothing,” Jiang Feng stood up. “Just feeling a bit chest congestion. Maybe it’s because today has been really stuffy. I’m going to take a walk outside.”
“By the way, I’m probably going to head back early tonight. Master Peng told me to take a break today; I’ve arranged to have barbecue with Wang Hao. Is there anything you need me to pick up from the supermarket? I can bring it back with me today.”
“Oh.” Wu Minqi hadn’t quite figured out why Jiang Feng would feel congested on a day that wasn’t particularly hot when she got sidetracked by his question, “The mop at home needs replacing, and we could use a few more dishcloths. We also need dish soap, and oh, a clothes rack. If you can carry it, buy some extra tissues and napkins; we always seem to run out.”
“Mhm,” Jiang Feng nodded, indicating he’d remember.
“Fengfeng, how are you feeling now, still chest congested?” Wu Minqi asked.
“Much better, it went away as soon as I got up,” Jiang Feng replied.
“Then take care of yourself, don’t drink too much beer tonight; you’re probably exhausted because you haven’t had a break recently. If possible, please ask Master Peng for a couple of days off. The rest of us can cover for you and go out with you.”
“Don’t worry,” Jiang Feng gave Wu Minqi a reassuring smile. “It’s not that bad. It’s probably because the shop is not well-ventilated. Look, the windows aren’t even open.”
“Is that so?” Wu Minqi still felt something was off; she thought there was something unusual about Jiang Feng.
“I’ll be going then, don’t exhaust yourself too,” he said.
“Mhm.” Wu Minqi nodded.
Jiang Feng left the Taifeng Building.
He felt the stone in his chest sink a bit more.
Something was definitely off, even he began to feel that something was amiss.