Chapter 72: Chapter 72: Don’t You Care About Me Anymore?

Jiang Liu chuckled.

’With such an adorable daughter, how could I not tease her a little?’

At this moment, a light rain was still drizzling.

It had stopped for a bit in the wee hours but started up again this morning.

Jiang Liu was looking forward to the day.

He could go for a test drive today.

If all went smoothly, he would pay for the car, have it inspected and registered, get a temporary plate, and then he could hit the road.

He’d have to go to the DMV to pick his plate number, then wait a few days to get the actual license plates.

’If I had a car, everything would be so much more convenient.’

’When it rained, I could drive Tongtong to and from school.’

’I wouldn’t have to worry about the heat or the cold!’

’I could also transport all the ingredients for the Gourmet Album from home to the shop in one go.’

’No more miserable treks carrying everything on my back.’

He arrived at the market.

There were very few people, and many of the stall owners hadn’t even come in.

’So unprofessional,’ Jiang Liu grumbled to himself.

’Persistence is key in any industry. The tougher it gets, the more you stand to gain.’

He moved to another stall.

The stall owner was an elderly woman with a kind, honest face.

Her face was lined with the hardships of a long life, and her salt-and-pepper hair was tied back with a worn-out elastic band.

It was clear she was struggling financially.

"Hello, ma’am. Do you have any fennel? I’m looking for the best quality."

"I do, I do! I just harvested it from my plot." The old woman lifted a plastic sheet, revealing crisp, tender fennel.

"Were any pesticides used? I need to know."

"Just some to keep the bugs away. It’s not harmful, you just need to soak it in water for a bit."

"If the quality’s good, I’ll come back to buy from you every day."

Jiang Liu selected eleven pounds of fennel, buying out her entire stock.

The old woman was overjoyed.

"Alright. If you become a regular, I’ll give you a discount."

"That won’t be necessary."

On the way back, Jiang Liu ran into many of his customers.

They all greeted him with enthusiasm.

"Boss Jiang, why are you out buying groceries with your daughter in the rain?"

Jiang Liu let out a chuckle.

Perched on Jiang Liu’s arm, Tongtong wrapped her own arms around his neck and said in her sweet, high-pitched voice, "I wanted to come with Daddy. I go wherever Daddy goes."

An office worker, looking tired after a night shift, watched them with an envious expression. "That’s so nice. A daughter like that is a true blessing."

"Not like my son at home. All he does is sleep, fart, and scream for your buns. There’s just no comparison."

Tongtong suggested mischievously, "Well, you can spank his bottom! If he doesn’t listen, you spank him. If he still doesn’t listen, you spank him again."

"Hahaha! What a kid! Alright, I’ll take your advice. I’ll give him a spanking when I get home."

The two men laughed, amused by her.

Soon, Jiang Liu arrived at his shop.

He was taken aback.

Even though it was still raining, dozens of people were already lined up outside the door.

Some shivered in their raincoats, while others huddled under umbrellas.

Everyone’s eyes lit up when they saw Jiang Liu.

’This guy finally showed up!’

An extrovert in the line bellowed:

"Boss Jiang, hurry up and get those buns steaming! I’m starving and need something hot to eat."

"Why weren’t you here earlier? My mom’s in the hospital, and she’s craving your buns!"

"Faster, faster! I’ve been waiting for you all night!"

Jiang Liu called out, "Right away!"

He unlocked the door, then turned and announced:

"The weather’s nasty, so the buns will take a little longer. Why don’t you all come inside and wait out of the rain?"

"Everyone in line, come get a number from me."

The customers were delighted. They politely and orderly took their numbered tickets.

This was the Boss Jiang they loved.

He was considerate. Not only was his food delicious, but he also genuinely cared for his customers.

If Jiang Liu ever needed help, they would be the first to step up.

"Brother Jiang, just say the word if you need a hand."

"Yeah, we’re not doing anything anyway. How about we help wipe the place down?"

"No need. You’re my customers, just sit and wait. There’s free hot water in the corner, so help yourselves if you’re thirsty."

Jiang Liu said with a smile before heading into the back kitchen to start his work.

The customers chatted quietly amongst themselves. They were very well-behaved and didn’t wander around, afraid of dirtying the shop and causing trouble for Jiang Liu. After all, with the rain, their shoes were bound to be muddy.

"Whoa, I didn’t expect the water at Boss Jiang’s place to taste this good."

A customer’s eyes lit up after taking a sip of the spring water.

It was as if he’d discovered a new world.

He hastily filled up another large cup.

"Oh, really? I’ll get a cup too."

Someone else grabbed a disposable paper cup, took a sip, and couldn’t stop praising it.

"Delicious! This is incredible! It’s even smoother than a three-yuan bottle of premium mineral water."

Now, even more people were crowding around the water dispenser.

"Wow! It’s sweet and refreshing! Is everything in Brother Jiang’s shop a hidden treasure?"

"Boss Jiang is such a good guy, letting us drink such amazing water for free."

"What the fuck, lady! Why are you cutting in front of me?!"

"I was here first!"...

At 6:45 a.m., the light rain began to taper off.

Even more customers had gathered at the door.

Jiang Liu took Tongtong to her kindergarten.

A different teacher was there to greet the children.

Tongtong was a little upset, her lip quivering in a pout.

’Doesn’t Teacher Qingmeng care about me anymore?’

’Why didn’t she come to meet me?’

Jiang Liu returned to the shop.

The customers at the door were craning their necks, getting antsy from the long wait.

"Please, hurry up, Brother Jiang! I’m freezing to death out here! When can we finally get some buns?"

"Hurry up, hurry up! I nearly pitched a tent out here just to wait for your buns!"

"The more I look at this young fella, the more I get annoyed. Why doesn’t he just open at three in the morning and close at midnight? He could easily make us at least twenty thousand buns and sell five thousand bottles of juice a day, don’t you think?"

"Yeah! The lady has a point!"

Despite their words, the customers didn’t actually dislike Jiang Liu. At most, they were just a bit resentful.

There were too few buns and not enough juice each day. Not only did they have to wait in a long line, but purchases were also limited.

Yet, the less they were able to eat, the more they craved it.

At 7:10 a.m., Jiang Liu finally opened for business.

Today, he’d written "Kiwifruit Juice" and "Watermelon Juice" on the blackboard.

"I’m dying from these cravings! I want five fennel buns, five chive buns, five shrimp buns, and two bottles of watermelon juice!"

"Me, me! I’m number two! I want fifteen shrimp buns and three bottles of the kiwifruit juice!"

Just then, Huang Yunfeng arrived.

He was a regular, coming by in the morning, at noon, and in the evening to get takeout for Wang Han.

Wang Han was usually too busy to come and wait in line herself.

"Boss Jiang, three of each type of bun and three bottles of juice, please."

"Alright, coming right up."