"Sister-in-law, look at these on-site posters I picked. How do they look?"
Jiang Ning took a bite of her bun, glanced sideways at the photos Shen Chuyue had just taken and sent on her phone.
Instead of seeing the posters first, she noticed the long line outside the glass wall of the still-closed store.
"Huh?" Shen Chuyue paused, then looked down at the photos, zooming in with a tap on her phone. "These people who came early are all fans of yours, sister-in-law. The regular customers know Beichen Square opens at ten. You haven’t been online the past two days, right? Many fans from other places said they’re coming in groups."
Jiang Lingxi honestly shook her head, "After I reposted your account’s updates, I didn’t pay much attention. I went to paint."
Shen Chuyue understood instantly; there was a painting hanging in her office now. She nodded knowingly, "Initially, someone suggested meeting up together in the comments below the update. Now it seems they actually came!"
Jiang Lingxi wiped her hands and scrolled through a few more photos. Suddenly, she turned her head to ask Lu Zhengzheng, who was sitting on the other side checking the day’s schedule, "Zhengzheng, what’s the temperature today?"
Lu Zhengzheng instinctively opened the weather app on her tablet, "Five to eight degrees, sunny, but there’s a northeast wind, a level four breeze. I wore a coat when I came."
Jiang Lingxi looked at the fans waiting outside the store in the photos, some wearing only a light jacket, with arms crossed looking cool but probably just cold.
"It’s nearly two hours until Beichen Square opens. Yaoyao," Jiang Lingxi called over Fang Yao, "organize two beverage trucks to Beichen Square now to provide these people with hot drinks and maybe some small snacks like bread."
Judging by the line, she estimated some people might’ve come without having breakfast.
Plus, waiting for almost two hours, just beverages wouldn’t replenish much energy.
"Okay, Sister Xi, I’m on it."
Watching Fang Yao walk away with her phone to make arrangements, Shen Chuyue tapped her head lightly, "I didn’t think it through. It’s quite cold today; I should’ve thought to arrange some food and drink for everyone." She complimented quickly, "Sister-in-law has foresight."
Jiang Lingxi said, "The photos look great."
They all captured her, after all. How could they not look good?
"Hehe, as long as you’re satisfied, sister-in-law!"
The assistant who came along to help out with Shen Chuyue: "..."
She truly gained some perspective today, having witnessed their boss act so humbly!
In the long line, there was a constant sound of people stamping their feet and rubbing their hands together, noses sniffling.
Fans coming from northern cities were fine, with hats and thick coats wrapped up tightly.
Those from southern cities fared poorly, not expecting the swirling northern breeze under a risen sun around eight would be so chilling.
Plus, they hadn’t thought to bring the thick clothing they couldn’t wear in the south, hurriedly rushing to the event early only to find they weren’t allowed in yet.
They could only wait in the open cold, fearing leaving their spot would mean losing their place.
A girl clutching her stomach faced an awkward smile as another girl in line turned to look at her.
"I didn’t have time to eat breakfast."
This statement was met by an understanding look from the girl in front, "Oh, what a coincidence, I didn’t eat either."
"I saw there’s a crepe stall at the end of the square. Could you hold my place while I quickly grab two?"
"Sure, could you grab a hot soy milk for me too? My hands are frozen stiff. Didn’t expect it to be this cold in early winter up north, should have brought a coat. I’ll transfer the money to you."
"No need, let’s just help each other out."
While they were politing, they heard exclamations from people behind them in line.
"Looks like Xixi’s picture is on the vehicle!"
"How could that be? The store isn’t open yet. Besides, who would put a picture of themselves on their car? That’d let everyone know Xixi’s inside!"
"Even if it’s not Xixi, it must be related to her."
As the two vehicles slowly parked at a nearby parking spot closest to the line, the crowd finally saw what kind of vehicles they were.
One side of the vehicle could open, with a canopy above, displaying drinks on a counter for all to see.
They were two beverage trucks.
"Are they selling or giving these away?"
Just as someone was about to ask, two boys in matching milk tea shop uniforms emerged from the vans, one carrying an insulated container and the other a large bag of food, presenting themselves to the crowd.
"Today is the Jiang Lingxi special, choose whatever you’d like to drink. There are also sandwiches and bread for those who missed breakfast."
The girl at the very front took a hot orange juice and a sandwich, quickly asking as the boys moved further down the line, "Did Xixi arrange these drinks and snacks? How did she know we’re waiting outside? Has she seen us?"
"Yes, as for the second and third questions, we don’t know. Miss, with so many questions, we’ll never finish. Don’t forget your straw, thank you!"
With over a hundred people in line and more joining throughout, the beverage truck restocked once, ensuring everyone had a warm drink in hand.
Sipping the hot beverages, saving breakfast money, everyone felt less tired and cold, taking out their phones to snap photos of the drinks and snacks to post online.
"Didn’t expect the early winter up north to be so cold; thankfully, Xixi thoughtfully prepared hot drinks and small bread, feeling warm now!"
"We all came of our own volition to support her, and now receiving this response is truly awesome!"
"There’s even longan and red date tea—this is exactly what I needed for my period. This must’ve been specially prepared for me by Xixi, no arguments!"
After finishing her eye makeup, Jiang Lingxi was allowed to open her eyes, meeting Tong Yue’s somewhat complicated gaze.
"Congratulations, you’ve hit trending topics. A fan is bragging about the longan and red date tea you prepared for her."
Jiang Lingxi turned to the real hero, "Yaoyao prepared that."
Fang Yao waved her hand modestly, "Since I’m on my period too, and most in line are girls, they might be like me, so I included longan and red date tea in the choices."
"Anyway, the internet’s praising your thoughtfulness this time. It’s my first time seeing all positive feedback. Oh, and you just received a message on your phone."
Jiang Lingxi took her phone, opened Pei Xinyuan’s message.
"Sister Xixi, I told Jiaojiao about your suspicion, and she supports me. I reported it to the police."