After the Divorce, I Unlocked a Perfect Life

"Let’s just pick the books first. No need to waste time on this."

Jiang Xiaoqi was getting antsy.

She knew she probably wouldn’t be able to go back tonight, so she didn’t want to waste any more time here.

"Let’s take pictures of these few books, and then we’ll go."

"Mhm."

The two of them took out their phones and started taking pictures of the books in their hands. They could organize the photos later and send them to the students’ parents.

"Ladies."

Just as the two were picking books and taking pictures, a female employee walked over.

"Hi, taking photos of the books isn’t allowed in our store. I hope you can cooperate."

"Oh, okay, okay. We understand."

Books in physical stores are a bit more expensive than online, so many people come to bookstores to check the contents before buying them online.

When this happens too often, the bookstore’s sales naturally take a hit.

Normally, the staff wouldn’t say anything if someone just took a few quick snaps, but Jiang Xiaoqi and Xu Xinrui were taking quite a lot of pictures, which is why the employee came over to remind them.

Jiang Xiaoqi understood the rule. After apologizing, she was ready to leave.

"We’re not done with our business yet. No need to rush off."

Zhu Xiaopeng stopped Jiang Xiaoqi and looked at the female employee.

"We’re from Huaihe Second Primary School. I’m the teacher in charge of procurement. We have purchasing needs, which is why we’re here looking. Do I need to say more? Go on and get busy, don’t meddle in our affairs."

Huh? Wha?

The female employee had a bit of a cute but clueless attribute about her. She clearly didn’t get what he meant.

"What does being a teacher have to do with breaking the bookstore’s rules? You just can’t take pictures here. Why are you telling me all this?"

Jiang Xiaoqi covered her face and turned away, feeling like she could die of embarrassment.

Lin Jiang, however, figured you couldn’t really blame the suck-up, Zhu Xiaopeng. After all, Zhu Xiaopeng had purchasing authority. Someone like him would usually be shown some courtesy at a bookstore. ’Maybe this employee just hasn’t adapted to the professional world and doesn’t understand the way things work,’ he thought.

Zhu Xiaopeng was starting to lose face, and his tone sharpened.

"You don’t even understand this basic etiquette? And you have the nerve to work in a bookstore?"

He vented all his inexplicable anger on the female employee.

"Go get your manager. I’ll have a good talk with him."

Having been inexplicably scolded, the female employee felt wronged and turned to walk towards the counter.

"Teacher Jiang, don’t you worry. We’re doing them a favor by choosing books here. With me around, I’ll definitely get this sorted out."

"Let’s just drop it. We’ve pretty much chosen what we need anyway. She’s just an employee, there’s no need to make things difficult for her."

"How can we do that? This is about principle. If you work here, you have to understand this."

She already disliked Zhu Xiaopeng, and now, seeing him abuse his petty authority, she disliked him even more.

At that moment, the female employee returned with the store manager.

"Bro, that’s him."

The female employee said, pointing at Zhu Xiaopeng:

"He says he works at a school and insists on taking pictures in our store."

Hearing her address him like that, the group realized their relationship wasn’t ordinary—they were brother and sister.

The male manager glanced at Zhu Xiaopeng.

"Sir, what is the meaning of this? Our store does indeed have a rule against taking pictures without permission."

"I’m a teacher from the school’s logistics department. We have a procurement plan every year. You work at a bookstore, you should know the protocol."

"Your procurement plans are all handled through Xinhua Bookstore. What does that have to do with a private bookstore? What’s the point of bringing this up?"

The male manager’s tone was blunt. He was clearly standing up for his sister.

Moreover, he clearly knew the industry’s practices, catching Zhu Xiaopeng completely off guard.

"The bulk purchases are definitely from Xinhua Bookstore, but we occasionally purchase some extracurricular reading materials from private bookstores."

"Cut the crap. I used to handle the school accounts channel. I know all the ins and outs. Your talk is useless on me. And don’t try to act all high and mighty here. Get going."

"Hey, what kind of attitude is that!"

Zhu Xiaopeng couldn’t maintain his composure and raised his voice.

"This is how I talk. It’s best if you all leave now, or I’m calling the police."

"You!"

"Alright, stop talking."

Jiang Xiaoqi pulled Zhu Xiaopeng aside and apologized to the male manager.

"We’re terribly sorry. We’ll leave right now."

Seeing Jiang Xiaoqi’s good attitude, the male manager’s anger dissipated by more than half.

It was a trivial matter to begin with, but no older brother could stand by while some guy acted like a jerk to his little sister.

Just then, the male manager saw Lin Jiang standing in the back and sized him up repeatedly.

"Aren’t you the owner of Xiaojiang Noodle Shop?"

"You know me?"

A smile appeared on the male manager’s face.

"My sister and I have been eating at your place for the past few days. We’ve seen you a few times."

"Well, thanks for your business. Sorry for the trouble today. The next time you come to my shop for noodles, I’ll give you a discount."

"Nah, it’s no trouble at all. If I’d known they were your friends, I wouldn’t have gotten involved."

The male manager turned his head and looked at Jiang Xiaoqi and Xu Xinrui.

"We’re all friends here. Sorry about what happened just now. Feel free to take all the pictures you want. If you want to buy any books, I’ll give you the lowest discount."

"Thank you, manager."

Jiang Xiaoqi looked at Lin Jiang with admiration.

’This is how a mature man should handle things,’ she thought. ’Not by shouting and screaming, trying to gain dignity with a pathetic bit of status.’

"Your Brother Jiang is really something else. He didn’t even say a word, and the manager showed him so much respect. From now on, the two of us can come here to buy books."