Seeing that neither of them agreed with his suggestion, Zhong Yuan had no choice but to give up and not bring it up again.
He pulled Zong Jia into the house inside to discuss pork and vegetable suppliers.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Jiang Xiaoli moved closer to Pumpkin and said, "Brother Pumpkin, why don't you find an excuse to bring Zong Jiayu out the day after tomorrow afternoon? I'll book a restaurant, and we can have a meal together to celebrate his birthday."
Pumpkin perked up immediately. "Then I'll say I want to introduce my girlfriend to everyone. What do you think of that reason?"
Jiang Xiaoli clapped her hands. "I think this reason is perfect. Let's do it this way! I'll call you at noon the day after tomorrow to tell you the restaurant address. You can just bring him over then, and I'll take care of the rest."
After the two plotted for a while, Zong Jia came out and saw them looking at the account book with a serious expression.
He chuckled and said, "You two money-grubbers, aren't you satisfied yet?"
Pumpkin laughed and said, "These densely packed numbers are all money; how can I possibly see enough of them?"
Jiang Xiaoli smiled and said, "Yes, I'm very poor right now. Looking at these numbers makes me feel much better."
Zong Jia asked with concern, "What's wrong? Still not enough money?"
Jiang Xiaoli knew he was overthinking it as soon as she heard that, and quickly waved her hand, "No, no, it's enough."
Seeing Pumpkin's suppressed laughter, she realized that if she stayed in the store any longer, Pumpkin would definitely expose herself.
She simply stood up and said, "Alright, I just came to check on the sales figures for today's opening. I'll go home after I'm done."
As she was about to walk out of the courtyard, Zong Jiayu stopped her, saying, "I'll see you off."
Jiang Xiaoli came by bus today, and Zong Jiayu pushed his bike over so she could sit in the back seat.
On an October afternoon, although the sun was still in the sky, the breeze was already a little cool.
Looking at the boy's slender yet muscular back in front of her, she couldn't help but think of a song called "Bicycle Lovers".
"My bicycle and I at seventeen~"
The familiar melody echoed in her mind, and as she thought about it, Jiang Xiaoli couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Zong Jia asked from the front, "What's wrong? Did you think of something interesting?"
She quickly brushed it off, "Nothing, nothing. By the way, is there any furniture or appliance you particularly want for your new house?"
Zong Jiayu thought for a moment and shook his head. "No, you can arrange it as you see fit. I trust your judgment."
The two chatted as they walked, and soon arrived at the street corner where Jiang Xiaoli lived.
They squeezed together side-by-side with another bicycle.
Jiang Xiaoli took a look and realized that the person on the back of the bicycle was Tian Xiaomeng, and the person riding in front with her was Wang Xu.
She glanced at them curiously, and Tian Xiaomeng noticed her too.
Tian Xiaomeng patted the person in front of her on the shoulder, jumped off the bus, and called out to Jiang Xiaoli, "Xiaoli, I have something I want to tell you. Could you... could you give me a few minutes?"
Zong Jia stopped the car upon hearing her words and turned to look at Jiang Xiaoli.
She nodded and said to him, "Go to my house first, I'll be back soon."
Tian Xiaomeng pulled Jiang Xiaoli to the street corner and pretended to be about to cry.
Jiang Xiaoli looked a little annoyed. If you have something to say, say it. Who are you trying to impress with that expression?
What do you want to tell me?
Tian Xiaomeng lowered her eyes, "Xiaoli, I heard your family isn't making spicy strips anymore, is that right?"
"Yeah, what's wrong?" Jiang Xiaoli was a little puzzled. What did this have to do with her?
Upon hearing her definite answer, Tian Xiaomeng burst into tears instantly. "Xiaoli, my mom heard that you can help those women who work in factories find jobs. She wants me to drop out of school and go work. When she takes me to your house to find you, can you refuse her and not let me go to work in the factory?"
Jiang Xiaoli was a little surprised; Tian Yuzhen's outrageous actions had truly opened her eyes.
Tian Xiaomeng was only one year older than her and was not yet an adult, but Tian Yuzhen wanted to force her daughter to go to work in a factory.
Jiang Xiaoli replied calmly, "The factory doesn't want minors anyway, so you can rest assured they won't hire you."
Hearing her words, Tian Xiaomeng breathed a sigh of relief. She wiped away her tears and forced a smile. "Xiaoli, thank you, thank you so much."
Jiang Xiaoli didn't feel like she had helped her in any way. "Is there anything else? If not, I'm going home."
When she got home, Zong Jia was waiting for her in the yard. "What's wrong?"
Li Guizhi also asked, "Xiao Zong said that a girl stopped you?"
“Yes.” Jiang Xiaoli nodded. “It’s Tian Xiaomeng. Her mother wants us to arrange for her to work in the factory. It’s really interesting. Tian Xiaomeng is only 17 years old. Why is she in such a hurry? I really don’t understand what she’s thinking.”
Li Guizhi sighed, "Sigh, Xiaomeng is really unlucky to have such a mother. Tian Yuzhen only has eyes for her son and doesn't care about her daughter at all."
Jiang Xiaoli curled her lip in disdain, "It's another case of favoring sons over daughters. Does her family have a throne to inherit? Speechless."
Li Guizhi nodded. "So, did you agree to her request?"
Jiang Xiaoli sat down in her recliner. "How could a factory possibly hire a minor? That's a matter of principle. As for whether her mother will force her to work in another factory, that's beyond our control."
Li Guizhi hummed in agreement, not wanting to discuss the topic any further. She turned to Zong Jiayu and asked, "Xiao Zong, how was the opening of these new steamed bun shops today?"
Zong Jia smiled gently, "Godmother, don't you know your skills? Every shop sold out ahead of schedule today, a very good result. I think it won't be long before 'Guizhi Steamed Buns Shop' becomes a culinary icon of Xijing City."
Li Guizhi smiled broadly, "Really? That's wonderful! You guys manage things so well. You, Nan Gua, and Zhong Yuan have all worked so hard. I'll cook you a nice meal to reward you!"
Zong Jia and the others agreed, "Okay, I'll tell them later. They've been looking forward to eating your cooking for a long time, and they can't help but drool every time I mention it when I get back."
Li Guizhi laughed and said, "You silly child, just bring them along. I'm pretty good at cooking home-style dishes."
Listening to their conversation, Jiang Xiaoli had a sudden inspiration. "Why not seize the day? Our new store opening activities are today, tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow. Or how about we all get together for a meal the day after tomorrow afternoon to celebrate the successful opening? What do you think?"
Zong Jia had no objection to what she said.
Li Guizhi nodded, "Okay, Xiao Zong, then tell Pumpkin and the others the day after tomorrow to come along."
Jiang Xiaoli added from the side, "Yes, tell Brother Gua to bring his girlfriend along too."
Li Guizhi was a little surprised, "Oh my, Pumpkin is already dating?"
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