He didn’t move.

"What do you mean? If you have something to say, just say it."

"Come over here and I’ll tell you." Wang Han watched him with a half-smile, one hand propping up her porcelain-white chin, her index finger tapping gently against her cheek.

"Say it or don’t. Just eat your buns."

Jiang Liu found the woman baffling and decided to ignore her and leave.

"Wait!"

Wang Han called out to stop him, then pulled a blue China Construction Bank card from a black, boxy purse and placed it on the table.

"There’s a million yuan in here. It’s for you. Consider it... your spending money for the month."

After speaking, she lightly touched her earlobe, fiddling with a jade-green earring, the corner of her mouth curling into a slight smirk.

She was confident that no one could refuse this one-million-yuan sweet temptation, let alone the owner of a small shop.

The dining area suddenly fell silent.

The surrounding diners’ gazes, some subtle and some not, settled on the two of them.

The gossip-loving aunties, in particular, stared fixedly at the pair. This was prime material for conversation!

Jiang Liu’s brow furrowed, his mind racing.

’What does this woman mean by giving me a million yuan? Is she trying to support my business or something?’

’A million yuan... I could give Tongtong the best life with that...’

But Jiang Liu wasn’t stupid. He asked, "What’s your goal here?"

"I want to be your sugar mommy. From now on, how about you come with me and cook for me?"

Wang Han said suggestively, cupping her face with both hands and giving Jiang Liu a playful wink.

In truth, at her age, she was also starting to want a family. As a successful career woman, she didn’t care what a man did for a living; she cared more about his character, his looks, and that certain something that caught her fancy.

Feelings, after all, could be cultivated.

Jiang Liu was so completely stunned by the two words "sugar mommy" that he froze on the spot.

But the aunties exploded first.

’What!? How dare someone try to mess with our turf?’

’We finally found such delicious food, and now you want to poach the owner?’

’Are you trying to kill us?!’

’No way, absolutely not!’

The aunties slammed their tables and shot to their feet.

"Hey, young lady, you’re not so young yourself. Isn’t this a classic case of an old cow eating young grass?"

"That’s right! Young man, don’t agree! We’ll definitely support you. From now on, we’ll only eat at your shop and nowhere else!"

"Young man, don’t listen to her. There are too many bad people in the world these days."

"We have money too! Come on, let’s show the young man some ’love’!"

Terrified that Jiang Liu might agree, the aunties quickly pulled out their small purses and took out cash.

They scrambled over each other to stuff money into the "love box," proving their loyalty.

The group from the hair salon stared blankly at the scene, their brains unable to process it.

Usually, this flock of aunties were as stingy as they come, a bunch of cheapskates who’d nitpick about a perm just to pay a little less. Why were they rushing to give away money today?

But then they thought about how delicious the buns were, and suddenly, they understood.

Jiang Liu glanced at the enthusiastic aunties, then at the beautiful woman watching him expectantly.

He shook his head helplessly and said apologetically,

"Thank you for your kind offer, but I just want to run my restaurant well."

Of course he wouldn’t agree. It was ridiculous. Even without the Culinary Arts Book, he wouldn’t even consider it.

’Getting kept by a woman? That’s a mark of shame for a man!’

Wang Han’s smile only widened.

She was surprised. She hadn’t expected this handsome man to reject her so decisively.

But the more a man refused her, the more interested she became.

This character, unmoved by money—wasn’t that exactly what she liked?

Besides, he could make such delicious buns. For a foodie like her, he was simply perfect!

"Then name your price," Wang Han cooed, trying to sound cute.

She couldn’t believe she was acting this way.

Faced with the beautiful woman’s coquetry, Jiang Liu was completely unmoved.

He shook his head and refused, his expression blank:

"I’ve already told you! I just want to run my own restaurant. If you’re here to eat, you’re welcome. If you’re here to cause trouble for me, I’ll blacklist you."

Jiang Liu was completely serious.

"Ooh, I’m so scared."

Wang Han patted her heaving chest.

"Alright, that’s enough."

Jiang Liu was utterly speechless. He turned and walked away, sitting back down at the counter to fiddle with his phone.

The aunties collectively breathed a sigh of relief.

They continued to eat while praising Jiang Liu, intentionally raising their voices as if afraid he wouldn’t hear them.

"Boss, your buns are fucking amazing. Can I get the check?"

Chu Songrong walked over, took out his phone, and gave Jiang Liu a thumbs-up.

"Thanks for the compliment. That’ll be 26 yuan."

"WeChat payment received: twenty-six yuan."

"See you, boss." Chu Songrong had just walked out the door when he remembered something and turned back. He pulled a business card from his breast pocket. "Oh, right. Here’s my card. Would you mind keeping it?"

Jiang Liu took the white card and nodded. "Thanks, no problem."

Chu Songrong pointed to the card. "I’m the vice president of the hospital next door. If you ever need anything, you can tell me directly."

He was hinting at Jiang Liu.

Jiang Liu nodded his thanks again.

Afterward, Wang Han came over to pay her bill.

"How much is it, baby?"

"Just call me Jiang Liu."

"Okay, baby."

...Jiang Liu didn’t want to waste his breath on this woman.

He took out his small notebook and a calculator and began to tally it up. "Five egg buns, that’s ten yuan. Five shrimp buns, twenty-five. Five three-delicacy buns..."

Wang Han cut him off, annoyed. "What are you counting for? Let’s just say this meal was on you."

Jiang Liu: "Uh..."

She lowered her gaze, took out a thick stack of red banknotes she had already prepared—it looked to be seven or eight thousand yuan—and stuffed it into the love box.

"This money is to support you. Install an air conditioner. I don’t want to be sweating next time I eat here."

"Uh, got it. Thank you."

"I’ll take care of you from now on. Call me when you’ve thought it through."

She also took out a business card, placed it on the counter, and finally had Jiang Liu pack up forty buns for her to go before she left.

Jiang Liu went back to fiddling with his phone, thinking, ’What in the world was all that?’

’I’m just trying to sell buns, and I end up with a female gangster...’

He subconsciously glanced at the positive review points in his mind.

In just a short while, they had increased by another thousand or so.

Current total: [6930].

Outside, the sun beat down on the concrete road, its white glare blinding.

Xue Guang walked in, hands clasped behind his back, wearing an apron with the "Pleasant Goat" cartoon character on it.

"Uncle Xue, you here for some buns?"

"Yeah, Xiao Jiang. In a bit, save thirty buns for me and your aunt. Make sure ten of them are the shrimp ones."

"Alright, will do."

"These buns of yours... ever since Aunt Hua and I tried them once, we haven’t been able to stop thinking about them. I never used to get excited about meals, but now, as soon as it’s time to eat, all I can think about are your buns, haha."

"Is that so? Well, feel free to come get them whenever you like."

Jiang Liu’s smile widened. Everyone likes to be praised.

"Alipay payment received: ninety yuan!"

Jiang Liu’s expression hardened. He stood up. "Uncle Xue, why are you paying me? You just helped me out this morning. I should be treating you, not the other way around."

As he spoke, he took some cash out of the drawer.

Seeing this, Xue Guang quickly waved his hands. "No, no, no! Your Uncle Xue doesn’t mean anything by it, it’s just how I am. You keep it."

He practically fled after saying this, as if terrified Jiang Liu would force the money back on him.

Jiang Liu shook his head and put the money back.

He glanced at the love box.

’I wonder how much is in there now. Looks like this plan is working out pretty well.’

He didn’t feel any guilt about it. After all, he was selling top-tier buns at street-food prices. Customers have sharp eyes; they can usually tell a good place when they see one.

Especially at Jiang Liu’s place. Who among his customers wasn’t completely obsessed after just one taste?

"Boss, we’re ready to pay."

The five people from the hair salon came over.

"A total of sixty-two buns, fifteen of which were shrimp." Jiang Liu habitually used a calculator to add it up. "One hundred seventy-three yuan."

"Okay. Sent it to you,"

said the stylist with the ear stud.

"Alipay payment received: one hundred seventy-three yuan."

"Take care."

"Oh, right, boss. Can you pack another eight buns for me to go? Two of each kind."

He wanted to let his clients try them. The buns were just too delicious.

"No problem."

"Alipay payment received: twenty-two yuan."

"Boss, we’re from the Mu Bei Beauty and Hair Salon across the street. If you ever need anything, come on over. I’ll give you a free haircut."

"And I can give you a relaxing facial!"