When He Chen returned, it was already a bit dark. It seemed he had reached an agreement with Liu Jitong, as his expression was relaxed and confident.
He noticed that Jiang Yuan and her brother had finished selling their fried chicken and hadn’t left yet. They were sitting inside with Ye Manman, looking at something, which made him curious.
"What’s going on? Did something happen?"
Now, they just needed to wait for Liu Jitong to get things ready. In a couple of days, the cooperative manufacturers from the city would visit the Liu Family Farm to assess its scale and environment. After the tripartite meeting, they would sign the contract, allowing for the large-scale production and promotion of Sweet and Spicy Duck.
All other preparations were also set. All necessary discussions and contracts would be gradually finalized in the coming days, and everything was proceeding smoothly.
He Chen initially had his mind set on waiting for everyone to leave once it got dark, so he could come back and "feast," but to his surprise, they were still there.
Ye Manman had been thinking of waiting for his return. However, the moment she saw him, the images of their mischievous deeds upstairs that afternoon suddenly flashed in her mind, causing her face to blush.
"We’re all waiting for you to come back. Manman suggested we could open franchise stores. This is the proposal she wrote, asking you to check for any loopholes or additional suggestions."
Jiang Yuan didn’t notice the change in Ye Manman’s expression. She was excited and eager to hear He Chen’s opinion.
So was Jiang Tianrui; both siblings were gazing at him expectantly.
He Chen glanced at the suddenly shy Ye Manman and accepted the handwritten proposal from her. Though puzzled by her sudden blush, his eyes quickly focused on the contents of the notebook.
Ye Manman had written very meticulously, and many of the ideas coincided with the promotional strategies he was contemplating. Moreover, the content she wrote seemed to integrate the concepts he and Jiang Tiancheng had conceived, with a charming name to boot: franchise.
To establish a brand, free their hands, and manage from the top, collecting revenue.
He Chen was instantly captivated, studying it seriously and mentally simulating the process before picking up a pen to add some notes.
His handwriting was bold and flamboyant.
Compared to Ye Manman’s delicate and petite writing, He Chen’s script was not only larger but also had sharp strokes. On the same page, their writing styles contrasted sharply, much like their personalities.
Watching him write, Ye Manman thought along with him, realizing the difference between theoretical discussion and actual execution.
She had briefly summarized many things, which turned out to be the very areas that were challenging to implement. He Chen’s additions were straightforward, making it easy even for her, who lacked business acumen, to understand the operations.
After he finished writing, he went through the entire process again, discussing and clarifying it with Jiang Tianrui and his sister.
Ye Manman watched from the side, her eyes curved with a smile. A small sense of admiration surged within her heart.
When focused, He Chen was truly handsome.
She really liked him.
After discussing everything, it was already late. Jiang Tianrui and his sister were extremely excited, hurriedly bidding farewell before rushing back to discuss with their elder brother.
After all, for their fried chicken shop to open franchise stores, their elder brother’s support and connections were crucial.
He Chen closed the shop door and realized he had spoken too much, feeling a bit parched. So he returned to the table to drink the water Ye Manman had prepared for him.
"Thanks for your hard work. My mouth feels like it’s on fire from all the talking today."
Ye Manman, smiling, ran behind him and placed her small hands on his shoulders to give him a shoulder rub for relaxation.
But her strength was naturally limited, and as soon as her cool fingers touched him, the muscles in He Chen’s upper body tensed up, becoming hard as a rock.
She couldn’t press them down.
"Manman, it’s okay. I’m not tired. You shouldn’t massage anymore; your hands will get sore."
He Chen couldn’t resist taking another sip of water, then turned around, still seated, and hugged her, burying himself in her clothes, taking a deep breath.
"If you let me hold you for a bit, I won’t feel tired at all."
He really liked the scent on Ye Manman.
Even though their clothes were washed with the same detergent, the scent on her was more fragrant and pleasant. Whenever he held her and inhaled her fragrance, He Chen felt incredibly relaxed.
Seeing him visibly start to unwind, Ye Manman’s heart softened, and she embraced his head, gently rubbing it, then lightly pinched a small tuft of his hair, feeling like she could braid it.
"By the way, should you get a haircut? You last cut it before New Year’s, and it’s grown this long again."
"Then I’ll go get a haircut tomorrow. Shall I cut it like last time or a bit shorter?"
He Chen lifted his head from her clothing but was reluctant to leave. His large figure struggled to lie on her clothes, looking up at her like a pleading large dog.
Ye Manman held his face, genuinely thinking about it. "How about making it a bit shorter? The weather will warm up soon, and you tend to overheat."
"I’m not afraid of the heat; my body is just warmer."
A single long hair suddenly brushed past his nose, which tickled, and he wrinkled his nose a few times to suppress a sneeze.
"Besides, isn’t it better if I’m a bit warmer?"
He rubbed his nose and suddenly stood up, reversing their height difference.
Ye Manman didn’t have time to react when he scooped her up in his arms. "Ah, what are you doing? I can walk by myself."
She reflexively wrapped her arms around He Chen’s neck, which was just what he wanted.
He quickly gave her a peck. "I’ve missed you for so long, Manman, I can’t wait any longer."
He Chen’s voice suddenly deepened as he carried her swiftly upstairs.
Being laid on the bed, surrounded by intense breaths, Ye Manman finally understood what he meant earlier.
He thought she was walking too slowly.
This guy was too impatient.
Intending to tease him, she soon realized the true meaning of He Chen’s impatience and longing.
He seemed to have discovered another way to please her, different from that afternoon’s unique experience.
No longer direct, nor reckless. Yet, Ye Manman found herself even more daunted by this tender embrace.
Tenderness meant slowness, which was terribly tantalizing.
As expected, Ye Manman’s throat was a bit hoarse the next day, but her spirits were refreshingly good, with a rosy glow on her face. Her demeanor exuded an alluring languor, sparking imagination.
That’s why He Chen didn’t let her go out in the morning and even personally brought lunch upstairs for her.
Ye Manman felt exhausted from all the activities, longing for sleep.
After He Chen tidied up the dishes, Jiang Yuan approached with some concern to inquire.
"What’s wrong with Manman? Is she sick? I haven’t seen her come down all day?"
Her question was purely out of concern, her expression innocent, which momentarily left He Chen speechless, unsure how to explain.
Fortunately, Jiang Tianrui reacted swiftly, pulling Jiang Yuan aside to quietly whisper.
"They’re rekindling after a short separation. Don’t ask what you don’t understand. Come on, let’s get to work."