Divorced Dad's Gourmet Shop

Chapter 215: Chapter 215: I Make 2 Million a Month. Xiao Jiang, Let’s Talk About a Relationship?

Jiang Liu smiled and waved his hand. "Being a chef is a busy line of work. You two should take this time to be with your families. I’m not that busy here; you don’t need to help."

Hearing this, the two of them felt a surge of gratitude.

’Our master is always thinking about us.’

"Alright then, Master. If you need anything, just give us a call. I’ll be on call for you anytime."

"Just say the word, Master, and I’ll be here."

There were people who would learn what they could and then just disappear.

They were worried Jiang Liu might think of them as that type of person, which was why they were being so earnest.

Jiang Liu nodded and pointed to the sink. "Go wash the dishes first. In a bit, I’ll teach you both how to make steamed buns and nourishing congee."

"Mhm, no problem."

"You got it, Master!"

Hu Yongfa and Yue Longfan diligently cleaned the room.

Jiang Liu then called them over for their lesson.

The two of them followed Jiang Liu, learning for a while.

Then they watched Jiang Liu’s practiced skill and technique as he wrapped the buns.

They were utterly shocked.

"Master, your movements are as smooth as flowing water. And so fast!"

"The thing is, the master isn’t just fast, he’s also precise. I’m in awe. If I, Yue Longfan, had this level of skill, I’d wake up from my dreams laughing."

"I feel like I couldn’t reach this level even with two years of practice!"

The two men praised him endlessly as they learned.

After teaching them once through,

Jiang Liu added Hu Yongfa’s and Yue Longfan’s phone numbers and WeChat contacts.

"Send me photos of your ID cards. You both have food safety and health certificates, right?"

"Yes!"

"Mine’s about to expire. I’ll get a new one tomorrow."

...

The two men left after getting the general idea.

Jiang Liu planned to give them a few more pointers once the branch store opened. After all, it was his shop, and he needed to maintain a good reputation.

「11:30 AM.」

The buns were all wrapped, and the beef was stewing in the pot.

Jiang Liu took out his phone.

He found Wang Cheng’s WeChat.

Lawyer Wang hadn’t been here for a few days, though it seemed his wife had come a few times...

Jiang Liu felt the man was very busy. He hesitated for a moment before typing and sending a message:

"Are you busy, Lawyer Wang? I wanted to ask if your firm could help with the procedures for business and fire safety permits."

Wang Cheng replied almost immediately: "Boss Jiang, I’m so happy to see your message. Business and fire safety permits? My law firm can handle those with no problem at all."

"Why do you ask, Boss Jiang? Are you planning to open a new store??"

If that were the case, he’d be thrilled.

Jiang Liu smiled and replied: "Yes, I’m opening a new store, but the sign won’t say ’Second-Best Restaurant in the World’. You can think of it as a different brand."

"It’ll be a branch, but completely different from my current shop. The food might not be as good as it is here."

If he used his own shop’s name, countless fans and customers would surely flock to the new location to support it.

Jiang Liu cherished his reputation and didn’t want to exploit his customers’ trust.

Since the new shop would be run by his chef apprentices and use ordinary ingredients, the flavor would definitely be a step down.

Even though his apprentices were great chefs and would be using his recipes—a very potent combination—Jiang Liu still wasn’t satisfied.

That was why he was unwilling to use his established brand name.

Wang Cheng was a little surprised: "You’re not using your old brand? The customer traffic will definitely be lower. With the size of your customer base, Boss Jiang, if you just put the word out, plenty of people would still come even if the food at a new shop wasn’t great."

In truth, he understood Jiang Liu’s reasoning.

He felt a sense of admiration. If it were him, he definitely wouldn’t have that kind of integrity.

Wang Cheng didn’t dwell on the topic and sent another message: "Have you chosen a location for your shop yet?"

Jiang Liu: "Not yet. I was just about to start asking around. I’m thinking of buying a place outright."

The paperwork for his current property had already been transferred and processed.

His uncle had helped him take care of everything.

’He doesn’t have a place? Then doesn’t that mean...’ Wang Cheng’s heart leaped with excitement. He typed, "That’s great! (deleted)"

"Here’s the thing, our firm handles a lot of listings for shops for sale. For example, some owners who don’t have time to manage their properties will entrust us to find buyers for them."

"If you need one, Boss Jiang, I can look through our listings and find you a place that’s affordable, in a good location, and has a quick permit process."

Jiang Liu was slightly pleased.

Using a connection would certainly be much better than going in blind.

’Lawyer Wang is truly my lucky star.’

Jiang Liu replied: "Would that be too much trouble for you? I can just ask around on my own."

Sitting in his office, Wang Cheng stared at his phone and grew anxious when he saw Jiang Liu’s reply.

He certainly couldn’t waste such a good opportunity to strengthen their relationship.

He decided to play the friendship card, pretending to be angry in his reply: "Boss Jiang, that’s an outrageous thing to ask!"

"You let us cut the line every day to eat your amazing food and even treat our family to meals. What’s a little favor in return? Trouble? No such thing! It’s no trouble at all."

"You just wait patiently. Don’t worry about a thing. Zhongtai will arrange everything for you!"

Jiang Liu raised an eyebrow. "Alright then. If it’s not too much effort, I’ll accept. Come over for a meal when you have time."

Wang Cheng: "Haha, no problem! My wife brought me some of your yak beef last time, and it was incredible! Absolutely the best beef I’ve ever eaten."

"I’ll go look through the files now. You get back to cooking. Don’t keep your customers waiting."

"Okay."

After replying to the message,

Jiang Liu tied on his apron and got to work.

Business was booming at noon. You could even say his shop was getting more popular by the day.

Many new customers, drawn by his fame, ate with expressions of pure disbelief.

"Holy crap, Old Liu wasn’t kidding! I can’t believe steamed buns can actually taste like this!!"

"To think there’s food this delicious in the world! It’s like a dream come true!"

"No way, I have to give this boss a bad review. I’m afraid he’ll get cocky."

"Boss Jiang, can you open a shop in Chang City? If you do, I’ll donate to the cause."

"I don’t have any plans for that at the moment."

Jiang Liu replied casually.

The chubby man who had come from afar was extremely disappointed.

He could only start planning to buy a house nearby so he could come and stay for a while whenever he was free.

At the counter.

A flashily dressed older woman elegantly placed a stack of cash on the counter. "For the meal. Count it."

"Uncle Li, come over here and help me count this money."

Jiang Liu randomly picked a regular customer. He wouldn’t touch paper money while working, as it was covered in germs.

Most of the regulars were aware of Jiang Liu’s responsible attitude, so many of them paid by scanning a QR code to avoid causing him trouble.

Even the grandmas and grandpas were now learning to use their phones to pay.

"Boss Jiang is calling me! Hehe, coming, coming."

Uncle Li scurried over, his face beaming with pride.

Nowadays, being remembered by Boss Jiang was a huge honor!

’Not bad...’ The flashy rich woman looked Jiang Liu over with satisfaction. "Hey, handsome. How many people in your family? Are you married?"

"Not yet."

Jiang Liu answered casually while dishing out beef for a customer.

The rich woman’s heart immediately started pounding.

She "prettily" flipped her dyed-blonde hair, and a wave of expensive perfume nearly overwhelmed Jiang Liu.

The contrast was striking.

It was only then that Jiang Liu suddenly realized how pleasant Jun Qingmeng’s scent was. Hers was a very natural fragrance.

The rich woman suppressed her excitement and asked, "If you don’t mind, should we add each other on WeChat and talk about... relationships? Ahem, I make over two million a month."

Over two million?...

Jiang Liu paused for a second.

’I can make that in a week, can’t I?’

’As for talking about relationships... uh, never mind.’

"No thank you, ma’am. I already have a girlfriend." fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm

Jiang Liu politely declined.

"Hmph!" The rich woman’s face turned cold, and she lifted her chin. "So what if you’re handsome and can cook well? Don’t be so ungrateful!"

Jiang Liu was confused. ’What the? I didn’t even say anything, so why is she mad?’

’Is she one of those ridiculously overconfident types?’