"How about it?"
"Good, give me a massage every day from now on, hee hee!" Murong Yanran blushed slightly, her eyes narrowing into crescent moons as she enjoyed it.
"Okay."
Waking up naturally after a good night's sleep was the greatest happiness in life.
After waking up, Li Haochen smelled the aroma. After washing up, he walked out into the hall, where Murong Yanran was already waiting.
"You haven't eaten yet?" Li Haochen asked reproachfully.
Murong Yanran scooped a bowl of century egg and lean meat congee and handed it over, smiling and saying, "Waiting for you."
"Don't do this again. No need to wait. Don't go hungry."
"I know, eat quickly."
"These wontons are quite delicious. Did you make them?"
Murong Yanran blushed, "I bought them. Do you like them?"
"Quite good."
Murong Yanran made a mental note, then opened Xiaohongshu on her phone, searched for "wontons," and started watching the most popular one. Of course, she muted the volume, not wanting Li Haochen to know.
"Stop playing with your phone. They won't be good if they get cold."
"Mhm."
Murong Yanran scooped a wonton with her spoon and ate it, her eyes never leaving her phone.
"What are you looking at, so engrossed?" Li Haochen curiously peeked his head over.
Uh oh... the black screen showed nothing. Just as Li Haochen leaned over, Murong Yanran had already pressed the black screen button.
She scooped another wonton and leisurely ate it.
After breakfast, the two rushed to the branch store. Today was the grand opening of the branch, so they had to be there early and prepare the offerings.
Riding a tricycle, they went to the wet market and bought two large roasted pork loins, one salted chicken, one roasted goose, as well as some Fa Gao, fried dough sticks, ingots, paper money, and cooking wine.
Upon arriving at the branch store, A Long and the other two had already cleaned the shop spotlessly.
"Boss, Boss Lady!"
The shout of "Boss Lady" made Murong Yanran so happy her mouth couldn't close. If it weren't for the lack of red envelopes, she would have already handed them out.
Before long, Chen He and the others also arrived, followed by many flower baskets. Over a dozen large flower baskets were arranged in a long line, making even the opening of large shopping malls seem less grand.
There were gifts from Xie Baolian, Chen He, Ruan Shanshan, their homeroom teacher Luo Bin, and even Li Haochen's classmates chipped in two from their class fund, which surprised Li Haochen somewhat.
Xiao Nian and his two friends also contributed, sending two more. Li Haochen remembered all of this.
In fact, everyone had classes today, but they collectively took leave for the branch store's opening. Teacher Luo Bin, upon knowing this, readily approved and even showed off in the teacher group chat, intending to advertise for Li Haochen and their business.
Liang Minfeng checked the time, "Haochen, the auspicious hour has arrived. We can begin."
Li Haochen walked to the altar. Liang Minfeng handed him a bundle of lit incense. Li Haochen took the incense and, after three solemn bows, inserted it into the censer. The others did the same, holding only three sticks each. Beside them, Liang Minfeng chanted prayers for peace and smooth sailing.
After the toast, they burned ingots and paper money. Once this series of rituals was completed, the ceremony was considered finished.
"Bang, bang, bang..."
Chen He and the others lined up in two rows, holding celebratory cannons. Upon Liang Minfeng's command, they all pressed the launch button, sending countless streamers flying through the air, shimmering under the sunlight.
"The ceremony is complete, wishing a grand opening!"
"Congratulations, congratulations!"
"Heh heh, likewise!" Li Haochen took out a stack of red envelopes and happily distributed two to each person, generously giving out a hundred yuan each.
Chen He and the others stayed for a while before returning to the main store to prepare for the opening. The roasted goose and pork loins were also brought over, as they would start cooking today.
With Xiao Nian and the others at the branch store, it was sufficient. Moreover, it wasn't a weekend, and it wasn't busy at this hour. Thus, Li Haochen and Murong Yanran sat in the back hall.
"Congratulations, Boss Li, hee hee!"
"Congratulations, Boss Lady, hehe!"
"Can't hear you..."
"Bo...ss... La...dy!"
"Who answered?" Murong Yanran squinted, smiling happily.
By noon, the branch store had only sold over a dozen young coconuts. For any other establishment, this business would be considered dismal. However, Xiao Nian and his team showed no worry, their smiles remaining bright.
At noon, Li Haochen and Murong Yanran took a break to eat at the main store and then packed food back for Xiao Nian and the others.
In the afternoon, the scorching sun heated the asphalt road until it was scorching hot. If it weren't for the soles of their shoes, their feet would have likely been roasted.
The number of tourists visiting the pedestrian street or brought by tour groups began to increase. On such a hot day, business for cold drinks and ice cream was naturally the best. Li Haochen's iced young coconuts were also highly sought after. Tourists trying them for the first time often became loyal customers of his shop, usually buying several before leaving.
Until six in the evening, the branch store had sold nearly 300 units, which was as expected. Compared to the main store's over 700, it was a significant difference, as the main store had already served customers earlier.
However, this sales volume was very good, and Li Haochen was very satisfied because all the proceeds from this store were his own.
The two stayed until nine in the evening, and the sales smoothly surpassed the 700 mark. After briefing Xiao Nian and the others, they headed home.
On the tricycle, Murong Yanran yawned frequently, clearly showing signs of fatigue.
"You must be tired today."
"Not really. I didn't do much. It was all their work."
"Don't go there if you don't have to. Come over for a meal after class and then go home to rest. Look, you have dark circles under your eyes."
"No way. How can the Boss Lady not keep an eye on things?" Murong Yanran pouted and looked ahead.
"You answered."
"Huh? What did I say?" Murong Yanran feigned ignorance, her eyes slyly rolling.
"..."
"Rumble... rumble..."
"It's about to rain. Hold on tight." Li Haochen glanced at the rumbling, lightning-filled sky and increased the accelerator, picking up speed.
"Drip... drip..."
Before long, a light rain began to fall. Although the rain was light, both of them were completely drenched by the time they returned home.
Murong Yanran was wearing a cream-colored, knee-length skirt today. In the dark outside, it hadn't been noticeable. But as soon as she entered the brightly lit house, her soaked skirt clung to her body, revealing her graceful figure and alluring underwear. The scene...
Li Haochen stared dumbfoundedly.
Sensing Li Haochen's abnormality, Murong Yanran looked down. "Ah..."
Her voice pitched higher, and she quickly fled upstairs, covering her flushed face.
After showering, her face was still slightly flushed.
"Drink this!" Li Haochen placed a steaming bowl of ginger soup in front of Murong Yanran.
Murong Yanran drank the ginger soup and yawned.
"I'm tired..."
"Then... get some rest early!"
"Uh... give me a massage!"
"Okay..."