Chapter 66 Big Yellow Boy
Because business was so booming, the raw materials ran out ahead of schedule, and everyone's physical strength reached its limit, so we had to close down in the early evening.
As the store manager, Ji Zhi Qiu decided to order takeout to thank each employee for their dedication and hard work.
After lunch, they held their work meeting in the lobby on the first floor. Ji Zhi Qiu coughed and said in a serious manner, "Everyone should speak, explaining what they have learned today, what areas need improvement, and their work goals for the coming week."
As the key figure, Ji Zishen was the first to raise his hand in response, "The order in the kitchen was not bad today, but due to a lack of relevant experience, it was chaotic. I would like to give special criticism to Manager Ji Zhiqi!"
When her own son called her by name, including her full name, Ji Zhi Qiu weakly wanted to protest, but then she remembered that they were now comrades and partners running the small shop together, so she shrank back and obediently accepted the criticism.
Ji Zishen changed the subject, softening his tone, "But considering his sincere attitude and willingness to correct his mistakes, I will still praise him and hope he will do even better in the future!"
Ji Yanyan was the most supportive, giving her father enthusiastic applause and cheers.
Ji Zhi Qiu immediately got into character and awkwardly tidied her hair.
Ji Sicheng was the second to stand up and speak, "I haven't made any mistakes, nor is there anything I need to improve. As for the work plan ahead..."
He looked at Ji Zhi Qiu and the others meaningfully. Under Ji Zhi Qiu's angry glare, he rarely compromised. "Anyway, I've already said it. If you don't want to listen, then so be it."
Ji Zhi Qiu gritted her teeth in anger, wishing she could hack into Ji Si Cheng's brain and delete all those so-called see-through outfits with black and white stockings with a single click.
But considering the situation, Ji Zhi Qiu decided to save face for the child and swallowed her words, saying, "Yan Yan, it's your turn."
Xiao Long Aotian wouldn't miss such an opportunity, so he immediately stood at attention, ramrod straight.
"Today, ten pretty older sisters said they liked me, eight handsome older brothers said I was cute, two pretty aunties said they wanted to take me home, and a handsome uncle left his phone number, saying he liked me and my dad and wanted my dad to call him."
"..." This isn't a reflection and summary of a day's work; it's clearly because I'm too popular! What should I do?
Ji Zhi Qiu was speechless upon hearing the first word, and then laughed in anger halfway through, but he vaguely sensed something was wrong with the last sentence.
He was about to ask a question when someone beat him to it.
"The handsome uncle wants your dad to call him?" Lu Yu Nian asked gently. "Can I have his phone number?"
Ji Yanyan obediently took the note out of her pocket.
Lu Yunian didn't even look at it before tearing it up and throwing it into the trash can.
“We are currently filming a variety show, and contacting us privately might cause trouble. If it is a formal business deal or invitation, they will contact you through the production team.”
Lu Yu Nian then looked at Ji Yan Yan, "If any uncles have left their phone numbers, be sure to notify me immediately, and I will handle it."
Ji Zhi Qiu was a little embarrassed, "This is too much trouble for you, your job doesn't include this."
"It's alright." Lu Yu-nian looked at Ji Yan-yan: "Yan-yan, did you remember that?"
Ji Yanyan was stunned for a moment, then her expression changed immediately. As if it were a promise between men, she solemnly said, "I'll remember!"
Ji Zhi Qiu narrowed his eyes slightly, looking the two figures up and down. Although he had a strange feeling, he couldn't describe it in words, so he didn't pursue it any further.
Getting back to the point, he looked at Ji Yanyan seriously, "Dad knows Yanyan is very popular, and Dad is happy for Yanyan, but Yanyan can't run around with strangers. Don't you want Dad and brother anymore, and don't you want your Uncle Yu Nian anymore?"
Ji Yanyan has a vivid imagination, and related images immediately appeared in her mind. She shook her head haphazardly, "No, no, no!"
He stretched out his little hands, wanting Ji Zhi Qiu to hug him. After snuggling into his father's arms, he rubbed against him affectionately, buried his head in his father's chest, took a deep breath, and immediately regained his sense of security.
Ji Zhi Qiu originally wanted to have a serious discussion with him about this issue, but looking at Ji Yan Yan's adorable appearance, he was completely charmed and couldn't bring himself to say a harsh word.
"So, Yan Yan can promise Dad that this kind of thing won't happen again?"
Ji Yanyan nodded emphatically, "From now on, I'll only see them to the door, and I'll never go with them again."
Ji Zhi Qiu hummed twice and couldn't help but tap Ji Yan Yan's forehead.
He knew this had nothing to do with those customers; it was just that this little dragon, after receiving so much praise and affection, had become carried away and couldn't wait to show off his charm.
Seeing this, Lu Yunian took the initiative to change the subject, "Today is the first day, and I am not yet proficient in my work. I hope to perform better in the future."
As he spoke, Ji Sicheng kept a close eye on him, and seeing that Lu Yunian did not bring up the matter of a raise, he looked at him with increasing satisfaction.
The basic qualities of an evil capitalist.
Finally, it was Ji Zhi Qiu's turn to give a summary. Ji Zhi Qiu said solemnly, "Although some things didn't go as planned today, it was much better than expected. On this beautiful night, we naturally have something very important to do—"
He couldn't stay serious for more than three seconds before his eyes lit up and he couldn't control his smile. "Of course, it's counting! Money!!"
He took the entire cash register out and opened the drawer, which was full of loose change.
Actually, the first day's revenue wasn't much, but the sense of accomplishment was unparalleled. Ji Zhi Qiu took a deep breath of the fragrance of money and almost lay down happily, counting each yuan three times.
Ji Sicheng was about to scoff at Ji Zhiqi's greedy look when Ji Zhiqi said without looking up, "By the way, Sicheng, didn't you want that aurora-colored ionizer? I'll buy it for you when I've saved up enough money."
"It's an extreme ultraviolet lithography machine and an ion implanter. These are two machines. Are you really going to buy them both for me?"
Ji Zhi Qiu didn't hesitate: "Buy!"
Ji Sicheng sat there blankly for a full minute, biting his lower lip, and awkwardly poured himself a cup of lemon tea. "Dad, are you thirsty?"
Ji Zhi Qiu was so thirsty from counting money that he picked up his water glass and drank it all in one gulp.
Ji Sicheng poured him another glass and said stiffly, "Do you need me to help you count the money?"
Ji Zhi Qiu waved his hand: "No need, it's getting late, you can go upstairs and wash up."
Ji Sicheng nodded, but stood there for a few more minutes. Only after Ji Zhiqi cast a questioning look at him did he walk upstairs, his hands and feet clasped together.
Ji Zhi Qiu really couldn't understand the little genius's twisted thought process, so he tilted his head.
Lu Yunian smiled and said, "You must love Sicheng very much, and Sicheng loves you very much too."
Ji Zhi Qiu said matter-of-factly, "Otherwise, I am his father."
Lu Yu Nian smiled again, "Aren't you going to sleep yet?"
Ji Zhi Qiu made no attempt to hide her money-grubbing nature, saying, "I'm too excited to sleep."
Ji Yanyan had already finished washing up, but the water droplets on her face hadn't been wiped off yet. Like a glutinous rice ball, she bounced down the stairs. "Dad, I want to sleep with Uncle tonight."
Ji Zhi Qiu: "..."
He remained silent for a full five or six seconds, his gaze shifting back and forth between Lu Yu Nian and Ji Yan Yan, his expression extremely complex.
Ji Yanyan had her own little scheme in mind, and became very nervous under her father's gaze. She could only respond with a silly grin and shrank behind Lu Yu Nian. Lu Yu Nian, on the other hand, remained calm and composed, revealing nothing about her.
"When did your relationship begin...?"
Even though she was a spoiled brat at first, she was very attached to him and wanted to sleep with him every night. This was the first time Ji Yanyan had been so close to a stranger she had only spent one day with.
Before the question was even uttered, Ji Zhi Qiu already had the answer.
That's right, Lu Yu Nian is just too handsome, how can Ji Yan Yan, a little face-obsessed person, resist him?
Not to mention Ji Yanyan, even he wanted to sleep with Lu Yu Nian...
Ji Zhi Qiu then realized that she had misunderstood, and in her nervousness, she choked on her saliva and coughed repeatedly.
Upon seeing this, Lu Yunian immediately came over to pat his back and asked with concern, "Are you alright?"
Ji Zhi Qiu looked up at Lu Yu Nian, her eyes flickering. She felt guilty about her earlier thought and didn't dare to face him. "It's okay, I agree. You two should go upstairs and rest."
Lu Yu Nian sensed something was wrong but said nothing. He took Ji Yan Yan's little hand and went upstairs.
...
After the door closed, Ji Yanyan stared wide-eyed around, and only after she saw Lu Yu Nian turn off the microphone and camera did she eagerly take out the note from her pocket.
"These are the things Dad likes the most. I'll tell you about them, and you have to work hard so you can become my stepfather soon!"
Lu Yu Nian's gaze softened: "Yan Yan, why are you helping me so much?"
Ji Yanyan patted her chest with a sense of loyalty, "Because you're my little brother!"
Lu Yunian understood the child's strange behavior and sat on the sofa cooperatively, looking down at the little note that Ji Yanyan had carefully prepared.
Under his brother's careful guidance, Ji Yanyan won at the starting line, but he still couldn't write. The notes were full of strange symbols that he invented himself, and no one else in the world could understand them except himself.
Ji Yanyan held up the piece of paper, which was bigger than his face, and explained earnestly: "Dad likes to take off his clothes for no reason and not wear any clothes at home; he also likes to wear glasses and suits, with the buttons tightly fastened..."
At first, Ji Yanyan was the one making the remarks, and Lu Yu Nian was taking notes diligently. Later, it gradually evolved into Lu Yu Nian making the additions.
"Your dad likes sweet corn, and he likes glutinous corn that isn't too ripe; he likes sweets, but he can't stand overly sweet treats; he likes spicy food, but his taste buds are quite sensitive, and he'll tear up if it's too spicy; he likes meat and vegetables and isn't picky about food, but he doesn't like staple foods, though sometimes he'll eat endlessly, and then he'll faint from carbon monoxide poisoning and sleep for an hour..."
Ji Yanyan's mouth gaped slightly as she listened, stunned. "Uncle, how do you know my dad so well?"
Lu Yunian gently touched his cheek, "Because Uncle watched the live stream."
Ji Yanyan's eyes darted around, then she suddenly grinned mischievously, "Uncle, admit it, you really like my dad!"
Lu Yunian didn't treat Ji Yanyan like a child and just say something to coax him. Instead, he looked directly into Ji Yanyan's eyes and said in a serious tone, "I like Zhi Qiu and I want to be your stepfather. I'm serious about both."
***
In just one night, the shop's popularity increased exponentially. The next day, after opening for business, Ji Yanyan didn't need to go out to solicit customers; long queues formed at the door.
Ji Yanyan was spinning like a top, running back and forth between the kitchen and the front of the restaurant. The number of tables and chairs in the restaurant was not proportional to the number of customers, and the turnover rate was extremely low, which led to more and more people queuing outside.
Ji Zhi Qiu was worried that the customers were in a bad mood, so she gave them lemons and mint water as gifts and also had Ji Yan Yan perform a show.
The customers were very understanding; some offered to take the food away, while others comforted them, which made Ji Zhi Qiu even more embarrassed.
Despite learning from their experience on the first day and preparing twice the amount of raw materials, they were consumed even faster, forcing them to close down at 3 p.m.
They sell not only goods but also services, so preparing more raw materials is useless. Ji Zhi Qiu paced back and forth in the small shop, her brows furrowed with worry.
Seeing this, Ji Yanyan tugged at Ji Zhi Qiu's clothes, "Dad, you taught me that when it's time to fight, you should give it your all, and when you're resting, you shouldn't think too much. We've been at the beach for two days, and we haven't been able to play at all."
Ji Zhi Qiu then realized that he was not only the store manager but also a father, and he couldn't let his bad mood affect the children. He smiled and said, "Okay, go change into your swimsuits, and I'll take you to the beach."
Ji Yanyan cheered and turned to call her brothers.
Ji Zishen wanted to be a mature adult, but this was his first time at the beach, and he couldn't help but feel excited. Ji Sicheng didn't like playing sports, but he didn't want Ji Zhiqi to worry, so he nodded in agreement.
After the three children went upstairs, Ji Zhi Qiu asked Lu Yu Nian with concern, "Have you prepared a swimsuit? I can take you to buy one."
Lu Yu Nian paused for a moment, then said, "The production team informed me of the recording location in advance, and we made preparations."
Ji Zhi Qiu nodded, "Then let's meet downstairs later."
After closing the door, Ji Zhi Qiu changed into the same outfit as on the first day, except that she wore swimming trunks underneath, ready to go into the sea at any time.
He came out of the room and saw Ji Yanyan with a tense little face. "What's wrong?"
Ji Yanyan ran over anxiously, her acting superb: "Dad, something terrible has happened! My brother's swimming trunks are stuck on his head!"
Ji Zhi Qiu: "..."
Before she could think any further, Ji Yanyan pointed to the room at the end of the corridor, "Dad, please go and save my brother! He can't breathe."
Ji Zhi Qiu caught the key words and walked quickly forward, her mind still wandering.
How could my swim trunks get stuck on my head? Did I put them on from the top down? Or am I overthinking it and mistaking the swim trunks for a swim cap?!
Before he could figure it out, his hand instinctively gripped the doorknob and applied slight pressure.
The door opened, and the room was dimly lit with curtains drawn, but the outlines were still vaguely visible.
There was no little man inside; instead, there was someone taller and stronger than him changing clothes. Hearing the noise at the door, he turned around.
Ji Zhi Qiu stood there, staring intently, unable to bear blinking.
Wow, what a figure!
Wow, those pecs!
Ji Zhi Qiu's gaze followed downwards, gliding over the well-defined, muscular eight-pack abs, and approaching the dangerous triangle area, a string in her mind suddenly tightened.
A split second before he could see clearly, he immediately closed the door, turned around and took a deep breath, then licked his lips.
Wait... It's not that I'm still not satisfied, it's just that my mouth is too dry.
He was about to offer a self-brainwashing explanation when the image uncontrollably appeared before his eyes.
This time, Ji Zhi Qiu didn't get absorbed in it. Instead, she sensed a strange sense of familiarity and frowned slightly.
Is it just my imagination? It feels like he's seen it before.
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