Chapter 13: Dad, we have to stay together forever! Jiang Feng’s likability and super discounts!
At 5 in the morning, Jiang Feng woke up. The little girl also stirred awake. She had deliberately gone to bed early just to match Jiang Feng’s schedule so she could go out with him.
One big, one small—they entered the bathroom together and started brushing their teeth in perfect sync.
After freshening up, Jiang Feng and Youyou changed into white T-shirts printed with SpongeBob and Patrick. Matching outfits. Xu Na had one too, featuring Squidward, but she thought it was ugly and threw it away immediately.
“Youyou, aren’t you sleepy during the day?” Jiang Feng asked as they walked.
Jiang Youyou lifted her little face. “Nope! If you’re not sleepy, I’m not sleepy either.”
“You could’ve slept until 6:30.”
“No, I’ll follow you. Wherever you go, I’ll go.”
“What about when you grow up?”
“I’ll still follow you.”
“Won’t you date anyone?”
“Nope, I just need Dad.”
Jiang Feng felt a warmth in his heart and smiled. “Then why are you so eager to find yourself a stepmom?”
“If you get a stepmom, will you still sleep with me?”
Jiang Youyou answered seriously, “Of course! Teacher Rong Shuang sleeps with me every day.”
“But when I get a little older and become a big kid, I’ll sleep in my own room, and the two of you can sleep together.”
“Dad, please, if you’re going to find me a stepmom, consider Teacher Rong Shuang.”
“The three of us can live together forever!”
Jiang Feng was surprised. This little girl always thought further ahead than he expected.
“We’ll see. Let’s focus on making money first.”
“Okay! When we make money, can we buy a car? Dad, I don’t like walking—my feet hurt.”
Jiang Feng carried her on his back. “In a few days. Our license quota should come through soon.”
Over a year ago, Jiang Feng had planned to buy a car. The family’s Cayenne was always driven by Xu Na, and picking up Youyou in winter or summer was miserable. Back then, he had applied for a new energy vehicle license. Although it took over a year to get, it was still easier than a gasoline car license—just a waiting game.
Once the money came in, the license would likely be approved, and they could buy the car.
Jiang Youyou cheered excitedly, “Yay! No more being hot!”
“Dad, can you take me out to play then?”
“Sure, but don’t invite Teacher Rong Shuang.”
“Ugh, no fair! How did you know what I was thinking?”
As they chatted, Jiang Feng arrived at the market. Youyou obediently climbed down and held onto the hem of his shirt.
“I saved some beef and pork for you. Take a look.”
Huang Hai, the meat vendor, had grown familiar with Jiang Feng and always set aside the freshest cuts for him.
Jiang Feng thanked him. “Give me 15 pounds of beef and 15 pounds of pork.”
He still insisted on buying fresh meat daily—this batch was for the morning’s filling.
The vendor skillfully sliced the meat. Jiang Feng asked, “Do you know where I can buy an electric heating bucket nearby? The kind for cooking porridge.”
“Yeah, my cousin sells them, but I’m not sure if his shop’s open yet. Want me to call and ask?”
Huang Hai called his cousin, exchanged a few words, then turned back to Jiang Feng. “How big do you need it?”
“As big as possible, with temperature control.”
“He hasn’t arrived yet, but he can deliver it to you this morning. It’s a Chuangyou brand, comes with a genuine invoice, and he’ll give you a discount.”
Chuangyou was a good brand. Jiang Feng nodded. “Sounds good. Preferably between 9 and 10.”
After confirming, Jiang Feng left his number and moved on to buy other ingredients.
The vegetable vendor greeted him warmly. “Here you are! Saved the freshest stuff for you—how much do you need?”
“20 pounds of chives, 15 pounds of fennel, 15 pounds of carrots, 15 pounds of scallions, and some garlic too.”
Once the vegetables were packed, the vendor asked, “It’s hard to carry all this, right?”
“How far is your shop? I can deliver it for free on my tricycle.”
Jiang Feng hesitated. “It’s fine, I can manage.”
“Don’t be polite. We often deliver for regulars. Just finish your shopping, and I’ll take everything to your shop.”
Jiang Feng had an incredible knack for winning people over—men and women alike.
“Alright then, thank you so much.”
“No problem. Go get the rest of your stuff.”
Jiang Feng loaded the meat onto the tricycle and went to buy seasonings, oil, and eight types of grains: japonica rice, black rice, red-skinned peanuts, red dates, red beans, and others.
The pot hadn’t arrived yet, but he could prepare the ingredients in advance.
Red-skinned peanuts and black rice would give the congee a deep red color. If he used purple or red rice instead, the porridge would turn out lighter. The taste difference was minimal, but the color changed based on the ingredients.
In total, he bought 20 pounds of porridge ingredients, enough to make about 80 pounds of congee, costing him 144.7 yuan.
With everything purchased, Jiang Feng returned to the vegetable stall.
“I’ll head out first. You and your daughter can follow behind.”
Jiang Feng gave the vendor the address, and the man set off. Jiang Feng carried Youyou and followed.
Ten minutes later, they arrived at the shop.
Cui Hao had already helped unload the goods.
“Lao Jiang, here already? You didn’t have to ask them—you could’ve just used my electric tricycle.”
Jiang Feng smiled gratefully. “I went straight to the market. Thanks, Brother Cui. I’ll bring you some food later.”
“Just give me a discount—no need to lose money,” Cui Hao joked.
Youyou chirped in her sweet voice, “Thank you, uncles and grandpas!”
The vegetable vendor climbed back onto his tricycle. “I’ll get going now. I’ll come by sometime to try your cooking.”
“You’re welcome anytime. Thanks again.”
“No problem. See you.”
The vendor left, and Jiang Feng carried the remaining items into the shop to organize them.
Cui Hao noticed the rice and brightened. “You’re making congee now?”
“Six yuan. I’ll give you and your wife two bowls to try—let me know how it tastes.”
Cui Hao rubbed his hands eagerly. “Then I won’t hold back. If you need any help, just say the word.”
“You’re raising a kid alone—don’t hesitate to ask me for anything.”
The elderly crowd’s gossip network was formidable. News about Jiang Feng—his good looks, delicious buns, and adorable daughter—had already spread through nearby neighborhoods. Cui Hao had naturally heard about it.
Jiang Feng thought for a moment. “Actually, I could use a favor.”
“Do you know where I can buy congee bowls? I need about 100, around 200 milliliters each, nice-looking with good quality.”
Cui Hao clapped. “Of course! A classmate of mine does wholesale tableware. Let me ask him.”
He immediately made a call, negotiating right in front of Jiang Feng. After hanging up, he showed Jiang Feng a few pictures.
Jiang Feng picked a deep red bowl with white trim—it looked premium. Originally priced at 25 yuan each, buying them himself would’ve cost at least 2,200 yuan. But Cui Hao secured a deal: 8 yuan per bowl, 800 yuan total for 100, including delivery before noon.
Jiang Feng said, “Thanks a lot. Come by for buns anytime.”
Cui Hao grinned. “Just a small favor. Business as usual. Alright, I’ll get going. Wait for your bowls.”
With that, Cui Hao left.
Jiang Feng started prepping the ingredients. He had already cleaned the basins before leaving the shop yesterday, arranging them neatly by raw and cooked food. Despite the small space, he paid close attention to hygiene.
By 6:50, Jiang Feng had the dough and fillings ready. Today, he prepared 1,650 buns. On his second day, he had grown more efficient, and the exhaustion from the first day had eased.
Youyou, like a little foodie, had been peeking over his shoulder for a while. Jiang Feng steamed five beef buns and five carrot-egg buns, sharing them with her.
“Let’s go. I’ll take you to kindergarten.”
“Yay! Time to see Teacher Rong Shuang!”