Seeing Zhao Jiening enter arm in arm with a man, Lan Shan's eyelids twitched involuntarily, and he spilled the coffee beans in his hand.
"Miss Zhao, the usual? Espresso?" Jin Xiangyu winked at You Duoduo, merging the only two booths in the shop and letting the four of them sit there.
Zhao Jiening smiled and said, "Sure." She turned to the other two people and said, "You guys should try it. Their coffee is really great. They even won the barista competition last week, and the coffee shop has become a member of the Barista Association."
Those two inspectors must just go along with whatever the chairman's daughter says.
Lan Shan kept a straight face as he slowly made coffee, his eyes occasionally glancing at the arm that Zhao Jiening was holding.
The man looked around like a curious child, and whispered in Zhao Jiening's ear.
They were actually whispering in each other's ears.
Zhao Jiening covered her mouth and whispered something in his ear, her expression very intimate.
The coffee was served, and its rich aroma filled the air.
The two inspectors sniffed, their eyebrows practically flying up.
Just as Zhao Jiening was about to take a cup from the tray to the man next to her, Lan Shan had already picked it up without making a sound, and said politely, "Please enjoy."
The man glanced at the barista, touched the bridge of his nose, and wondered if he had offended the barista. Why did the barista's gaze seem so hostile?
Zhao Jiening also drank some, and didn't forget to ask the two inspectors for their opinions, "It's not bad, is it? Even if Italians came to taste it, they would be satisfied."
Blue Mountain's spine is very straight; V-VIPs are still very objective and upright.
"Pfft!" The man spat out all his coffee, looking like he was about to cry. "Is this coffee so bitter that it's not fit for human consumption?"
Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. The inspector said the taste was excellent, and Jin Xiangyu and You Duoduo had no doubt about Lanshan's culinary techniques. Following the proprietress's instructions, You Duoduo quickly grabbed a mop and started wiping the floor.
Zhao Jiening casually pulled out a few tissues and wiped the man's chest and mouth.
Blue Mountain stared at the girl's hand, his eyes practically spitting fire.
"That can't be right, his skills are amazing!" Zhao Jiening said earnestly.
"Try it yourself!" the man said irritably. "My good mood for the day was ruined by a cup of coffee."
Zhao Jiening indeed took the man's coffee, took only a small sip, and was about to stick out her tongue.
Lan Shan was about to explode, a surge of anger rising within him. She had actually used a man's cup—the cup he had just drunk from. Then he noticed Zhao Jiening glance at him, her eyes sparkling, covering her mouth and laughing heartily.
"This isn't bitter at all, it's definitely sour!"
What does sour coffee taste like? No one knew, but Jin Xiangyu and You Duoduo figured it out: Blue Mountain seemed to be jealous.
The man stood up and, without beating around the bush, said to Jin Xiangyu, "Boss, there's something wrong with your coffee. Here's what we'll do: when Xue Qiandai comes back, have her come and explain it to me. If she can explain it, Tiansheng will cooperate with your store; if she can't, I'm sorry. I have to be responsible to my employees for this kind of coffee quality."
“Dai Dai won’t go.” Lan Shan had already answered for Jin Xiangyu. He thought of Huading Capital and Gao Qiang from before; surely this rich young master couldn’t be cut from the same cloth as Gao Qiang? How should he remind Zhao Jiening? “Miss Zhao…”
The words remained unspoken because there was no clear stance.
"What does Young Master Zhao want me to explain?" Xue Qiandai, the food delivery girl, pushed open the door and entered with a beaming smile.
The previously stern Young Master Zhao—Zhao Jiequn—was overjoyed as he greeted him, “You’re finally back! Are you free tonight? Let’s have dinner together.” He bowed slightly, his voice full of excitement. “Oh, I’d also like to see a movie.”
Xue Qiandai rubbed her temples; it seemed this person had come to collect a debt. "Then, it's my treat."
Zhao Jiequn stroked his chin, looking thoughtful. "Letting a woman pay the bill isn't my style. But you're an exception. I'll pick you up tonight. See you there."
After he finished speaking, he strode away, whistling as he did so.
Who isn't shrewd enough? The two inspectors from Tiansheng also understood the situation to some extent. "Miss, we'll head back now and report back to the company truthfully."
"Thank you." Zhao Jiening saw the two inspectors off.
"What did my brother do to offend you that you made him such a terrible cup of bitter coffee?" Zhao Jiening said coquettishly, but there was no anger or resentment in her eyes; she seemed quite happy.
Lan Shan finally realized what was going on and was incredibly embarrassed. "Ahem, you didn't say that was your brother. If I had known..."
Xue Qiandai covered her mouth and coughed, "Why don't you go outside to talk under the sycamore tree, or should we go outside?"
In a massive dog-food frenzy, nobody wants to be passively fed dog food.
Zhao Jiening immediately took Lan Shan's hand and left the coffee shop.
Lan Shan's palms were sweaty, and her throat was tight. Her hands were so smooth; so this was what it felt like to be held by a girl.
"Why...why did you do this?" he stammered.
Zhao Jiening leaned against the sycamore tree, swinging one leg gently, and looked up at the large sycamore leaves. "Last time you said you didn't understand me, so I brought my parents to meet you. My older brother, Zhao Jiequn. Many people say we look alike. It's your fault for not noticing."
Lan Shan scratched his head. He had actually looked carefully, but he was overcome with jealousy and hadn't thought about it in that way at all.
"However, I'm quite satisfied with your performance. You say you don't understand, but your actions speak louder than words. Are you jealous of me? Don't deny it."
Lan Shan's face flushed red, and he quickly turned away, saying, "I...I have to go back to work."
But he didn't move because Zhao Jiening stopped him. "How about we have dinner together tonight? Tell me your story, your hometown, your family."
Blue Mountain hung his head, kicking his foot, sending a pebble flying. "Why are you saying all that?"
"To get to know each other better. Don't worry, I won't let you stay in the shadows for long. I'll find an opportunity to introduce you to my dad and my stepmother."
He couldn't bear to listen any longer; Lan Shan's ears were burning red. He took a few steps, then turned back, "I have a mother, and I love my mother very much."
If that day ever comes, she will love you like she loves her daughter, making up for the lack of maternal love in you.
*
Inside the coffee shop, Jin Xiangyu had cornered Xue Qiandai. "Dai Dai, tell me honestly, what's the deal with Young Master Zhao?"
"It's nothing, just business cooperation, it's normal." Xue Qiandai laughed it off. "Boss, Sister Yu, have you finished delivering all the coffee? I'll deliver a few more orders before I leave."
Jin Xiangyu pulled her back to the corner and gossiped, "Do you think Young Master Zhao might have taken a liking to you? The way he looked at you, it was clearly the way a man looks at a woman. Oh my Dai Dai, you're so charming, can you share half of your charm with me? I'm not such a spinster in my thirties!"
Xue Qiandai: "..." So, Sister Yu is in love?
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