Free Web NovelChapter 136: Chapter 111: Auspicious Grand Opening, a Visit from the Ex-Wife
The next morning, Jiang Xiaoqi’s alarm clock went off, and Lin Jiang didn’t sleep in either.
[You have grasped photography techniques. Comprehension +1]
[You have opened the door to a new world. Comprehension +1]
[You stayed up all night. Physique +1]
[You have received high praise from the female teacher. Charm +1]
The shop’s grand opening was today, scheduled for 9:58 AM, so he couldn’t be too late.
Jiang Xiaoqi whimpered from under the covers.
"Brother Jiang, you’re the worst. You said you just wanted my company, but you ended up wanting my company in bed."
"No, I asked you to come see my camera."
Since they both had things to do, they quickly tidied up and left.
A little after eight, Lin Jiang returned to the shop.
The so-called grand opening wasn’t some huge spectacle.
It was just a matter of pulling the red cloth off the sign and setting off some party poppers. With that, the simple opening ceremony was over.
After all, it was just a noodle shop; there was no need for fancy decorations.
When he arrived at the shop, Li Yuanyuan, Yang Tao, and the others were ready to go, each of them full of energy. Their enthusiasm was contagious, lifting Lin Jiang’s spirits as well.
"Boss Lin, congratulations on the grand opening."
Hearing the voice, Lin Jiang turned to see Xu Lin arriving, holding a red gift box.
"Just you showing up is enough. You didn’t have to bring anything."
"The two aren’t mutually exclusive. Find a good spot for it."
Lin Jiang opened the gift box. Inside was a golden arowana statue.
When he first opened his shop, a good buddy of his had given him a wooden one, symbolizing wealth and prosperity.
But Xu Lin’s was made of gold and had to be worth at least a hundred thousand yuan.
"This is far too extravagant."
"It’s nothing. When I’m rich someday, I’ll get you something even better."
"It’s the thought that counts."
Given their relationship, there was no need for too much ceremony.
Xu Lin didn’t seem to be in a hurry. She set her bag aside, apparently planning to stay and help.
Before long, the Qin Sisters arrived as well.
"Brother Jiang, wishing you prosperous business and a grand opening!"
Qin Youyou was holding a jade cabbage. Lin Jiang couldn’t guess the exact price, but it certainly wasn’t cheap.
As usual, Qin Youyou was dressed in sporty attire, while Qin Yangyang wore a suit and high heels.
Her cool and beautiful aura made Li Yuanyuan practically drool.
She had spent her whole life wanting to become that kind of woman, but in reality, she couldn’t even tell the difference between an MBA and the NBA.
"I won’t stand on ceremony with you guys, then."
The three of them chatted off to the side for a while, but since the Qin Sisters had other work to attend to, they soon left.
Before leaving, however, Qin Yangyang left a red envelope. Judging by its thickness, it contained around twenty thousand yuan.
"You certainly have a way with women. Judging by how those two dress, you can tell they’re well-off."
"Are you trying to play matchmaker for me?"
"We’re not at that stage yet. They’re fine to have fun with, but if we’re talking marriage, I don’t think either of them is suitable."
"Why do you say that?"
"One is too lively, and the other is too much of a queen—her aura is too powerful. Besides, their family backgrounds are probably excellent. Neither is a good fit for you."
"Then analyze it for me. What kind of woman would be suitable?"
Lin Jiang felt that Xu Lin was acting like the main wife of an old household who, upon reaching a certain age, had to start picking out concubines for the master of the house.
"Your older sister-in-law, of course. She’s gentle and sweet, doesn’t fight or vie for attention. You can tell at a glance she’s a good woman who knows how to run a household."
Xu Lin continued her assessment:
"Perhaps her only shortcoming is that she’s a few years older than you, but I don’t think that’s a problem. A woman like that knows how to dote on a man and will take good care of you."
Bits and pieces of his time with Chen Jingxian surfaced in Lin Jiang’s mind.
"You have a point."
"Well, speak of the devil. I have to go. I can’t be seen here."
Xu Lin hurried off to the back kitchen.
Lin Jiang glanced toward the entrance and couldn’t help but frown.
The person who had arrived wasn’t just Chen Jingxian, but Chen Jingjia as well!
Seeing the change in Lin Jiang’s expression, Chen Jingxian, who had been about to greet him, paused.
"She insisted on coming with me. I couldn’t stop her."
As she spoke, Chen Jingxian handed a small decorative figurine to Lin Jiang.
"May your business prosper."
Lin Jiang smiled and took the figurine. After unwrapping it, he saw it was a small golden toad, the kind that can spit water from its mouth.
He took a bottle of mineral water, poured it in, plugged it in, and a stream of water began to flow from the golden toad.
"This thing is pretty fun."
"I didn’t know what to get. The shopkeeper said ’water brings wealth,’ so I bought this."
"Not bad, not bad." Lin Jiang called out, "Yuanyuan, come over here."
"Coming, Brother Jiang."
Li Yuanyuan walked over, sensing that the atmosphere was a little off.
’There’s another woman with the older sister-in-law. She must be a friend of Brother Jiang’s, too.’
’But now he’s just leaving her hanging. That’s not like Brother Jiang.’
"Put this on the counter. Our future fortune depends on it."
"Mhm."
Seeing Lin Jiang ignoring her, Chen Jingjia felt awkward.
She understood why he was treating her this way, so she walked forward, clutching her gift.
Lin Jiang suddenly held up a hand. "Don’t get too close. We don’t get along. It’s bad luck for us to be together."
"This..."
Chen Jingjia stood frozen in place, unsure whether to advance or retreat.
"I don’t mean anything else. Your shop is opening today, and I just wanted to give you a congratulatory gift."
"I don’t need one from you. If there’s nothing else, you should go."
Seeing that Lin Jiang was kicking her out, Chen Jingjia looked to Chen Jingxian, hoping for help from her sister.
But Chen Jingxian ignored her gaze, pretending she hadn’t seen it.
’This is between the two of them,’ she thought. ’There’s nothing I can say.’
