"Time to get to work!"
With a sigh, Lin Jiang opened the car door and got out.
He had a house and a car now, but they were fixed assets.
If he didn't work hard to make money, the little bit of cash he had on hand wouldn't even be enough to cover the property management fees.
But he had too much to do today, so he decided against going house hunting.
It was all his anyway, so going tomorrow would be fine.
When he got back to the shop, the dense crowd at the entrance gave Lin Jiang a start.
"Whoa! So many people!"
The noodle shop was far more popular than Lin Jiang had anticipated. The threshold was practically worn flat from all the foot traffic.
Meanwhile, the Spring Harmony Noodle Shop was completely deserted, without a single soul in sight.
'Why is he here?'
Just then, Lin Jiang saw Ma Shangxi and a stocky man furtively approaching the shop's entrance.
'Ma Shangxi's cousin?'
'Zhou Chengrong?'
[Boss Encounter]
[Boss Name: Zhou Chengrong]
[Kill Condition: Make Spring Harmony Noodle Shop go out of business within one month.]
[Kill Reward: Basic Combat, 100,000 cash.]
The sudden notification sound made Lin Jiang pause.
'So, the so-called "Boss" is Zhou Chengrong.'
'This arrangement is actually quite reasonable, though.'
'If it actually made me go kill someone, that would be a system bug for sure.'
'When the time came, and Officer Friendly asked why I killed someone, I'd have to say the system made me do it and would give me a reward afterward.'
'I'd probably be sent straight to a mental hospital.'
He studied the mission details.
Making Spring Harmony Noodle Shop go out of business within a month seemed simple, but in reality, it was quite difficult.
Even if his noodles were the most delicious in the world, as long as they were determined to hang on, they could probably last for two or three months. They wouldn't just close up shop in one.
After all, even if you weren't fighting for bread, you still had to fight for your pride.
Lin Jiang rubbed his chin. 'I need to find a way to pull his oxygen tube.'
'He's just hanging on by a thread anyway. Might as well stop breathing.'
"Well now, what are you doing just standing here? Couldn't get a table? I can arrange one for you," Lin Jiang said with a chuckle as he walked over.
Seeing Lin Jiang, both men looked awkward.
"We were just passing by. We're not eating."
Putting on a calm facade, the two of them turned and walked away.
"Damn it, that kid is so infuriating!"
"This isn't the time for that. You should be thinking about why his business is so good," Ma Shangxi reminded him.
"Lin Jiang used to make the noodles himself. Now he's changed chefs, the flavor has improved, so of course business is better."
Zhou Chengrong narrowed his eyes, his gaze darting about as if lost in thought.
...
Watching the two leave, Lin Jiang stretched and went back into the shop.
"You must be exhausted."
Seeing Chen Jingxian carrying two bowls of noodles, Lin Jiang took them from her and served them to the customers.
"Business has been exceptionally good today. Some people came for breakfast and then came back again in the afternoon."
"That's what I expected. I have a secret recipe, after all."
"Your recipe is a real game-changer. If we can keep this up, we'll definitely make a lot more money in the future."
"Absolutely."
"Hurry up and help. We're getting overwhelmed," Chen Jingxian urged.
"You got it."
Lin Jiang went to the back kitchen and helped Zhang Guofu cook noodles. They were busy like that until things finally eased up a little after three in the afternoon.
"Brother Jiang, didn't you ask me to look for a new server? I contacted one. Business is so good, Sister Xian and I are both going crazy. We don't even have time to use the restroom," Li Yuanyuan said.
Lin Jiang nodded. "Have the person you contacted come in tomorrow."
"Mhm."
"Boss, the people around here really know how to eat. They're all praising my skills as extraordinary," Zhang Guofu said with a chuckle.
'Extraordinary my ass. *I'm* the one who added some "technology" to it.'
"Tell me about it. I really struck gold with you," Lin Jiang said with a laugh.
"Hehe, I do alright."
After a short break, Chen Jingxian went to change into her own clothes.
"I have a class tonight, so I'm leaving now. I'll be back tomorrow evening."
"Go take care of your own stuff. If we get too busy here, I'll just hire another server."
"Okay, sounds good. I'm off, bye-bye."
"Bye."
After Chen Jingxian left, Lin Jiang sat on the steps by the entrance to get some air. The occasional customer that came by was easily handled by Li Yuanyuan.
'I was originally planning to go back to the regular price after tomorrow, but now that this kill mission has popped up, I need to change my strategy.'
'I'll have to maintain this price for the short term, until Zhou Chengrong can't take it anymore!'
Just as Lin Jiang was pondering these things, a large shadow fell over him.
He looked up and saw Qin Youyou.
"Brother Jiang, you finally have some time today, right?"
Qin Youyou was wearing a face mask and sporty attire.
Her gray yoga pants and cyan windbreaker showed off her slender waist and tall figure.
"Did you just come from the gym?"
"Mhm, I hadn't worked out in a few days, so I couldn't resist going for a bit today," Qin Youyou said with a grin.
"I have to say, your medicinal oil is amazing. It only took a few days of use to completely heal up."
"You still need to be careful. If you get injured again, it could easily lead to long-term problems, like being prone to spraining your ankle."
"I know, I know. You still haven't said if you're free tonight."
"You came all this way in person. Even if I wasn't free, I am now," Lin Jiang said with a smile.
"What do you want to eat? It's my treat. Pick any place you like."
"You helped me out so much, how could I let you treat me? I've already picked the place and made a reservation. Crab Mansion, six o'clock. Is that okay?"
"No problem."
"Then it's a date. Don't stand me up."
"Okay."
Qin Youyou waved, then turned and got into her Maserati.
Lin Jiang checked his watch. It was a little after four in the afternoon. He needed to go home, get ready, and then head out.
"Yuanyuan," Lin Jiang called out.
"What is it, Brother Jiang?"
"I have something to take care of, so I'm leaving. Keep an eye on the shop. If you get too busy, just turn off the takeout orders."
"Got it."
After giving his instructions for the shop, Lin Jiang left.
'Once I hire one more person, the shop should be manageable, and I'll be able to free myself up to do other things.'
He went home, took a shower, and changed his clothes. By the time he was ready, it was already past five.
He took his car keys and went down to the underground garage, where he happened to see Xu Lin circling a car, looking it over repeatedly.
"What are you looking at?"
"Someone parked in my spot and didn't even leave a phone number. That's so shameless."
Xu Lin held up her phone. "I have to call property management and have them move it."
"Er... that's my car."
"Huh?! Your car?"
Xu Lin stared at Lin Jiang with wide eyes. "This is a Maybach, isn't it? I think even the cheapest one costs two million yuan out the door."
"This is the top-trim model. All in, it cost over three million."
Xu Lin was even more surprised. "Where did you get the money to buy such a nice car?"
"My family's property was demolished and redeveloped. I became a rich second generation overnight."
"What kind of luck do you have? That's incredible."
Xu Lin sighed. Life was truly full of drama.
"I've never been in such a nice car before. Let me have a look."
Xu Lin wasn't a gold digger; she believed in earning and spending her own money. But she was still curious.
Lin Jiang opened the car door and welcomed Xu Lin into the passenger seat.
"A luxury car worth millions really is something else. It just feels different sitting inside."
"Just like the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. At this price point, the features are bound to be top-notch."
"It really is nice."
After a quick look around, Xu Lin pulled the door handle, ready to get out.
Lin Jiang took a step back so he wouldn't be in her way.
But just as the door opened, Xu Lin let out a curious "Huh?"
"What's this?"
"It's a brand new car, how could there be anything in it?"
"Don't be so sure. There's definitely something here, and it looks pretty unusual," Xu Lin said with a teasing smile.
"From the look on your face, I'm guessing it's not something proper."
"It's definitely not proper."
Xu Lin reached toward the passenger-side armrest storage box. Pinching something between her thumb and forefinger, she pulled it out.
"How does a brand new car already have something like this inside?"
Lin Jiang: ???
'Where did these black stockings come from?'
'And they're a full-body suit! Most importantly, they've been worn!'
'From the time I bought the car until now, Li Zhiyi is the only person who's sat here. And she was indeed wearing black stockings this morning...'
'Holy crap!'
'Did she think I was some kind of pervert, that I made her take off her stockings to satisfy my own fetish, so she just left them here for me?'
"Don't be nervous. It's perfectly normal for men to like these things."
Xu Lin was laughing so hard she could barely stand, her 'big white rabbits' jiggling in front of her.
"I even saw a news story this morning about women who specifically sell these kinds of things. I just never expected you to have such a little fetish."
Lin Jiang: 'My brain hurts.'
"If you really like this stuff, you don't have to buy it online. I can just give you a few pairs. I rarely wear black ones, but I could buy some for you."
"No, no, no, you make me sound like a pervert."
"What's there to be embarrassed about? It's not illegal. I'll put it back for you."
Opening the car door, Xu Lin got out, not continuing the topic any further.
"Dressed so handsomely. You got a date?"
"Not really a date, just dinner with a friend."
"I can tell it's a woman."
"It is." Lin Jiang didn't try to hide it. With Xu Lin's intelligence, she wouldn't have believed him if he'd said it was a man.
"You're not getting any younger. If you find someone suitable, you should start dating. Try to get married around thirty."
"It's not that easy to meet the right person. I'll take my time."
"I've been there. I can give you some advice. If you drink at dinner, remember to call a designated driver," Xu Lin said.
"If you finish after ten, you can also give me a call. I can come pick you up after my child is asleep."
"I wouldn't want to trouble you."
"Go on, don't be late."
Lin Jiang nodded, got into the car, and drove off after watching Xu Lin leave.
'Women Xu Lin's age are the best. Skilled in many arts, good in bed, and not clingy.'
'They don't get jealous over nothing.'
He turned on the navigation. More than forty minutes later, he arrived at Crab Mansion.
The menu here was centered around crab and other seafood, and it was considered a high-end restaurant in all of Zhonghai.
For someone of Qin Youyou's standing, treating someone to a meal here was perfectly normal.
After parking the car, Lin Jiang called Qin Youyou.
"Where are you? I don't see you on the first floor."
"I'm in Room 203. I'll come out and get you."
'She even booked a private room. That's quite the arrangement.'
"Don't trouble yourself, I'll come up and find you."
After hanging up, Lin Jiang got out of the car and walked into Crab Mansion.
But he had barely stepped inside when a BMW X5 pulled up and parked diagonally across from his car.
Once the car was parked, Chen Jingjia and Zhao Qingtian got out.
"Huh?"
After just a few steps, Chen Jingjia stopped.
"What's wrong?" Zhao Qingtian asked.
"That 7 Series looks really familiar."
"Do you know the owner?"
"I think it's our boss's daughter's car."
Chen Jingjia muttered to herself and walked around to the driver's side window to peek inside.
"It really is!"
"How could you tell?"
"Look at the document bag on the passenger seat. It says Jinghe Law Firm. Our boss's daughter works there."
"If I remember correctly, Jinghe Law Firm is a Red Circle firm, right?"
"That's right. I heard our boss's daughter is already a partner at the firm. She's exceptionally talented," Chen Jingjia said with envy.
Her dream was to become a heroic and independent woman, but she lacked the ability, so it could only remain a dream.
"That's impressive, indeed. But from the looks of it, she's probably eating here today, too."
"Definitely. Oh, right!"
Chen Jingjia looked at Zhao Qingtian. "Don't you have some red wine in your trunk? Grab an expensive bottle for me."
"Are you giving it as a gift?"
"She's eating here, so I'll go over and give her a bottle of wine to show my respect."
"Alright, I'll go get it for you."
As he spoke, Zhao Qingtian touched the hood of the 7 Series. "But don't be in a hurry. The engine is still warm, so she probably just arrived. It would be more appropriate to give it to her in a little while."
"Mhm, I know what you mean."
...