Chapter 18: When You Care, Their Words Touch Your Heart! “Dad Has Money,” and Xu Na’s Scoff!
Xu Na shook her head.
“Regret? As if! That poor loser wasn’t good enough for me.”
“I’ll find someone better than Jiang Feng—just wait and see.”
She removed her makeup and went to bed.
The next morning, 5 AM.
Jiang Feng woke up to buy ingredients.
Youyou also stirred awake, her mood instantly sour. She listlessly kicked her legs while putting on pants.
She’d have to be apart from Dad today.
The thought made her miserable.
Jiang Feng dressed her and reassured her: “If she’s mean to you, call me. I’ll come get you right away.”
“Bring your smartwatch.”
He’d bought her the ¥288 communication watch for this very reason.
“Okay! If I call, you have to come SUPER fast!”
Only after coaxing did Youyou cheer up slightly, following him out the door.
After purchasing supplies and arriving at the shop, Jiang Feng began prepping for the day.
Just as he started working—
Rongshuang walked in.
She wore a light gray Hong Kong-style blouse and a flaxen long skirt. Her wavy hair framed delicate eyeshadow-accented eyes.
Youyou’s face lit up. “Teacher Rongshuang! You’re SO pretty today!”
Even Jiang Feng was struck.
Rongshuang was breathtaking.
Her figure was practically flawless.
Rongshuang crouched to hug Youyou, smiling. “You’re adorable too!”
“Hehe, we’re BOTH pretty!”
Then, Youyou turned to Jiang Feng. “Dad, is Teacher Rongshuang pretty?”
Rongshuang’s gaze flicked to him, hopeful.
Jiang Feng nodded. “Extremely beautiful.”
Her heartbeat quickened.
She’d been complimented countless times since childhood—yet never felt this elated.
His words reached her heart.
Youyou pressed further. “HOW pretty?”
Jiang Feng chuckled. “As pretty as you, happy now? …Rongshuang, why so early?”
“I figured Youyou needed to go home first, so I came ahead.” She beamed. “If you’re busy later, I’ll take her back.”
“YAY!” Youyou grabbed her hand. “Teacher, I’ll show you my games! I’m really good! I can even dance!”
Jiang Feng rubbed his neck. “That’s too much trouble for you.”
Rongshuang’s eyes gleamed. “Just feed me.”
“All you can eat,” he laughed.
Soon, Jiang Feng efficiently steamed 20 buns. The porridge wasn’t at its peak yet but was still fragrant.
The three ate breakfast together.
By the time they finished, a line had already formed outside.
“I’ve been hungry since 5 AM—today I’m getting those buns!”
“Let’s kill time with mahjong!”
Elderly customers set up a game right outside. Office workers waited quietly with headphones. Nearby high school girls—on break—studied English vocabulary while queuing.
7 AM: The porrage aroma thickened. Buns were ready.
Customers flooded in.
“30 beef buns, 6 porridges—to go!”
*”20 fennel-pork, 20 pork-scallion, 7 porridges—packaged!”*
Jiang Feng packed orders with practiced ease.
Rongshuang wanted to help but realized she’d never memorize so many complex orders. Plus, she was too full to move.
His cooking was too addictive.
She’d meant to restrain herself but failed. Instead, she decided to help clear tables later.
“I’m taking Youyou home now,” Rongshuang told Jiang Feng.
“Daddy, wait for me!”
Outside, Rongshuang kept Youyou on the inner side of the sidewalk. They soon reached the apartment.
“Teacher, have some water!” Youyou poured politely.
“I should go,” Rongshuang said. “Your mom will be here soon.”
Returning to the shop, she reported: “Youyou’s home safe.”
“Thanks. Sorry for the trouble.”
Her cheeks pinked. “Don’t thank me. You don’t need to be so polite… with me.”
Nearby office workers overheard and shot Jiang Feng envious glares.
They smelled romance.
Already exploited by bosses at work, now force-fed doggy treats?!
Single office drones have rights too!
If you won’t love us, don’t hurt us!
Jiang Feng handed them their orders, amused.
Rongshuang wilted slightly when he didn’t respond to her hint. For a romance novice like her, that line had taken courage.
But she said no more, turning to clean tables.
Meanwhile, Xu Na arrived at Jiang Feng’s doorstep.
Out of habit, she pressed her fingerprint to unlock the door—
“Verification failed,” the system chirped.
Right. This wasn’t her home anymore.
Knocking, she called: “Youyou? Are you there?”
Youyou stood with one hand behind her back, tense and silent.
Since the divorce, Xu Na felt a strange warmth seeing her daughter. “How’ve you been?”
Youyou couldn’t lie. Her quiet spoke volumes.
Xu Na’s face darkened, but she held back her temper.
“Let’s go get treats. Ice cream? Fried chicken?” She named generic kid favorites, unsure what Youyou actually liked.
“I already ate breakfast.”
A pause. “…Then let’s go toy shopping.”
Reluctantly, Youyou nodded. “Fine.”
“With your dad, you have to walk everywhere, don’t you?” Xu Na remarked. “Isn’t Mommy’s car more comfortable?”
Youyou buckled her own seatbelt. “I like walking with Daddy.”
If Dad bought it, maybe then she’d feel differently.
Xu Na’s mood worsened, but she drove them to a high-end mall.
By 10 AM, she’d bought eight outfits for herself—but nothing for Youyou.
There were two parent-child sets the girl liked, but she refused to spend Xu Na’s money.
Tired from shopping, Xu Na chose a Japanese restaurant.
“Having fun?” she asked. “Mommy’s treating you somewhere nice. Your dad could never afford this.”
Youyou muttered: “Dad has money.”
All morning, she’d been obedient—except when Xu Na insulted Jiang Feng.
Xu Na scoffed. “What money? His pathetic ¥200,000 savings? Half must be gone by now.”
“One meal here costs ¥2,000-3,000. How could he—”
She waved at a waiter. “Check, please.”