Chapter 262 - 179: How Could That Money of Yours Be Clean?
[You have learned to use multiple tools. Comprehension +1]
The next morning, Lin Jiang was filled with emotion when he saw the game notification in his mind.
’You’re never too old to learn!’
’Still, these mass-produced items are a bit lacking compared to my Flash Strike Staff.’
’Now *that’s* a true divine artifact. Jiang Xiaoqi’s things don’t even qualify as common gear.’
CREAK—
Just then, the door was pushed open, and Jiang Xiaoqi quietly entered.
"Brother Jiang, it’s time to get up and eat."
"Mm."
He got dressed, washed up, and ate breakfast.
Jiang Xiaoqi’s mother had prepared quite a spread, and everything was to Lin Jiang’s taste.
During the meal, she kept piling food onto his plate, showing exceptional warmth.
After breakfast, the two of them headed out together.
Lin Jiang drove Jiang Xiaoqi to school.
Dressed in her usual school attire, Jiang Xiaoqi looked pure and innocent again as she walked across campus.
’Sure enough, women are fickle. They’re always changing, back and forth, again and again.’
After dropping off Jiang Xiaoqi, Lin Jiang drove to his two new branch locations.
’Jiang Xiaoqi’s main quest isn’t difficult, but I should still go check on things.’
Just as he pulled up to the storefront, he received a game notification.
[New Map: Xuanli Fenghua Unlocked]
Looking at the notification in his mind, Lin Jiang noticed something different.
The "Xuanli Fenghua" in the notification referred to Xuanli Street and Fenghua Street.
It had combined the two districts, making the map larger. This suggested there would be more mobs and enemies here.
According to what Lin Qiangwei had said before, the bosses of this map should be Pan Shengli and Wang Xianping.
’Among them, Wang Xianping is also in the restaurant business, which overlaps with my own. He’ll probably be the first one to make a move.’
Sitting in his car, Lin Jiang opened the map and checked the locations of the three shops.
Although the three shops were on adjacent streets, they were far from each other, each located on the edge of its respective district.
’If the three noodle shops form a ring, their influence could radiate outward, attracting customers from more than a kilometer away.’
’With the added effect of being an internet-famous noodle shop, it would be hard for business *not* to boom.’
’I can’t say for sure, but the three shops combined should have no problem clearing ten million in net profit.’
Inside the shop, the installation crew was working at a feverish pace. The store was already taking shape; they were currently installing the LED strips in the suspended ceiling.
He asked the crew and learned that it would be finished in half a month at most.
’Both shops were progressing at about the same rate. Completing the quest should be a breeze.’
After checking on the two shops, he saw that it was already past noon.
’That rascal, Zhou Jingliang, has a flight at three in the afternoon. I’ll have to go pick him up soon.’
BZZZT BZZZT BZZZT—
Lin Jiang’s phone buzzed. It was a video call from Li Yuanyuan.
"Brother Jiang, your friends are here at the shop eating. Do you want to come back and see them?"
"Which friends?"
"You know, that very pretty friend of yours."
"Do I have any friends who are ugly?"
"Does that mean I’m a beauty, too?"
"Don’t be funny."
Li Yuanyuan flipped the camera, aiming it at a table by the window.
Lin Jiang saw Jiang Rongmin and the Qin Sisters sitting at the window table, having a meal.
"I kind of recognize those three. Your relationship with them seems a little... complicated."
"One of them is their mother. Don’t ruin my reputation; I’m not *that* wild."
"Oh, I see. Should I let them know?"
He glanced at the time. Seeing he could still make it, he turned the car around and headed for the noodle shop.
"Don’t tell them. I’m on my way back. You can get back to work."
"Okay."
Since the districts were all adjacent, it only took him a few minutes to get to the noodle shop.
"Auntie, you’re all here."
The Qin Sisters’ faces lit up when they saw Lin Jiang.
"Brother Jiang, sit."
Qin Youyou moved her bag from the empty seat, making a spot for Lin Jiang beside her.
"Brother Jiang, did someone tell you we were here?" Qin Youyou asked.
Lin Jiang nodded. "Yuanyuan told me. I was in the neighborhood, so I drove over."
"We were just wandering around the area. You didn’t have to make a special trip."
"It’s nothing," Lin Jiang said with a smile.
"You must be here to go shopping, right? Just put everything on my tab. Pick out whatever you want."
"We couldn’t do that. My mom would never agree," Qin Youyou said, covering her mouth with a laugh.
"Are you busy this afternoon? Want to come shopping with us?"
Qin Yangyang wanted to bring Lin Jiang along, pick out some nice clothes for him, and stake her claim, just in case her mom tried to play matchmaker for the wrong couple.
"I’m afraid I can’t go shopping. A childhood friend of mine is flying in from Rongcheng City, and I have to go pick him up."
"What time?"
"Three o’clock."
"Oh, it’s already past one. You’ll have to leave soon, won’t you?" said Qin Youyou.
"No rush. I can stay a little longer and still make it in time."
"Since your childhood friend is back, you’ll be drinking tonight, right?" Qin Yangyang cut straight to the chase.
Lin Jiang nodded. "We’ll definitely be drinking. It’s unavoidable. I’ll just get a designated driver to take me home."
’I can be the one to pick him up. That would be a way to stake my claim.’
"In that case, I..."
"Why call a designated driver? Just have Youyou go with you. It’ll be more convenient if she drives you."
Jiang Rongmin cut her off mid-sentence, giving Qin Yangyang no chance at all. Yangyang instantly lost her appetite.
’Ms. Jiang Rongmin!’
’You’re playing favorites!’
"It’s just a small thing, I’d hate to trouble Youyou and waste her time."
"Isn’t the company pretty busy lately," Qin Yangyang muttered.
"She’s not needed even when it’s busy." Jiang Rongmin looked at Lin Jiang. "Even if she doesn’t go with you, she won’t be doing any real work."