No Ulterior Motives C26

Chapter 26: Grand Opening!

10 AM.

Amidst the crackling sounds of firecrackers, Shi Ning Ji officially opened for business.

Right from the start, Jiang Ning followed modern promotional techniques—she borrowed a large speaker, placed it at the storefront, and played music on loop.

At the same time, she hired a few college students to distribute flyers around the area.

In fact, the flyer distribution had started two days prior.

She hired three of Tian Wenhao’s dormmates, paying them 30 yuan per day, to hand out flyers for three days.

As a result, by the time the store opened in the morning, quite a few students came in, drawn by the discounts on the flyers.

Before long, waves of customers began entering the store.

“Boss, two burgers, please!”

“Waiter, I’d like a soda and a two-piece chicken wings meal!”

“Miss, two ice creams, please!”

Seeing the two girls in the back struggling to keep up with the orders, Jiang Ning quickly put on her uniform and dived into the kitchen, helping with burgers, fries, ice cream, and more.

They stayed busy until almost noon.

By then, Xiao Mingxiu’s cousin-in-law had arrived with a few dormmates to help, allowing Jiang Ning and the two girls to finally take a break and eat lunch together.

While chatting, Jiang Ning learned a bit about the two girls her cousins had recruited.

The taller one was Li Yan, 23 years old, with a middle school education. She rented a place nearby and, having entered the workforce early, had a fairly outgoing personality.

The shorter one was Wang Ting, 19 years old, with a high school education. She came from a suburban area and was a bit shy since this was her first job.

From Jiang Ning’s years of work experience, she could tell that both girls were still honest and dependable—for now. As for the future, that would depend on their true nature.

After eating a bit more, they saw that customers were pouring in again.

So, the three of them quickly scarfed down a few more bites and returned to work.

Two hours later.

Once the lunch rush died down, she took off her uniform.

“Sister Li, Sister Wang, I’m heading back to school now.”

With a quick farewell, she walked out of the store.

At that moment, Tian Wenhao was talking to Xiao Mingxiu outside.

As Jiang Ning approached, she happened to hear him say, “Leave it to me.”

“What’s up?”

Hearing Jiang Ning’s voice, Tian Wenhao turned around and grinned.

“A delivery is coming around 2:30. Mingxiu was just reminding me so I don’t forget.”

Ah, that made sense.

Jiang Ning thought about the nearly empty freezer and nodded. Then something crossed her mind, and she spoke up.

“Cousin, you should get yourself a phone when you have time.”

“It’ll make things way more convenient.”

Hearing that, Tian Wenhao seemed tempted but hesitated. “Won’t that be too expensive?”

“It’s a necessary expense,” Jiang Ning said, glancing at Xiao Mingxiu with a smile.

“Besides, you’re the boss of Shi Ning Ji now. Imagine how embarrassing it’d be to run a business without a phone!”

Tian Wenhao scratched his head awkwardly.

“Come on, you’re the boss,” he muttered.

“Tsk, tsk, you’re still a shareholder, okay? No more debating, it’s settled.”

Jiang Ning patted Tian Wenhao’s arm.

“Alright, Cousin, Cousin-in-law, I’m off. I’ve got class in the afternoon. I’ll come by again after evening self-study.”

—

When Jiang Ning returned to class, the physics teacher for the first afternoon session was already there, flipping through lecture notes.

Not wanting to disturb the quiet classroom, Jiang Ning tiptoed inside.

But before she could sit down, the physics teacher suddenly looked up.

“Why does it smell like fried chicken in here?”

Fried chicken?

Jiang Ning was momentarily stunned, then quickly realized—her face flushed, and she hurried to her seat.

As soon as she sat down, Luo Shanshan leaned over, sniffed the air, and narrowed her eyes.

“You little sneak!”

“You went out and ate without me!”

Ate without her?

Why did that sound so weird?

Just as Jiang Ning was about to refute, Luo Shanshan rested her head on her shoulder, inhaled deeply, and sighed in bliss.

“It smells so good…”

“I really want a bite…”

Then, to Jiang Ning’s surprise, Luo Shanshan suddenly puckered up and planted a kiss right on her cheek.

The hell?!

Was she taking advantage of her?!

Jiang Ning wasn’t the type to let things slide—she immediately reached out and pinched Luo Shanshan’s side.

But the moment she did, something felt… off.

She turned her head to look.

Her hand was resting on Luo Shanshan’s ample chest.

???

Jiang Ning instinctively wanted to apologize but then thought—wait, I’m a girl too, why should I apologize?

Instead, she gave it another squeeze.

The next second.

Luo Shanshan shot backward as if she’d been catapulted, clutching her chest. Her face turned crimson all the way to her ears.

“J-Jiang Ning! You—you!!”

Why such a big reaction?

Seeing Luo Shanshan’s flustered, furious expression, Jiang Ning chuckled mischievously.

Luo Shanshan had never been teased like this before—her eyes even turned a little red.

That was unexpected. Jiang Ning quickly moved to console her.

“Okay, okay, don’t cry! My bad, I—”

Before she could finish, she suddenly felt something press against her chest.

In an instant.

A tingling sensation, like an electric shock, spread through her body, nearly making her cry out.

Seconds later, Jiang Ning, now blushing furiously, glared at Luo Shanshan, who was smirking smugly.

“You’re dead!”

“Just wait till class is over and call me ‘Daddy’!”

In the end, Jiang Ning didn’t manage to make Luo Shanshan call her ‘Daddy.’ Instead, she got ganged up on by Luo Shanshan, Sun Qian, Zhu Hui, and Qi Wen.

By the time self-study ended, she was filled with resentment and threw out a parting threat.

“You’re all so dead!”

Then she bolted out the door, not giving them a chance for payback.

—

Later that evening.

Jiang Ning spotted that young man, Tao Tao, on the basketball court again.

He noticed her too.

“Hey, wanna go again?”

“Nah, gotta head back.”

“Alright then, take care.”

Jiang Ning waved him off and started walking away, but after a few steps, she paused and turned around.

“Did the rabbit take the bait?”

“Not yet.”

“Oh. Keep at it.”

Fifteen minutes later.

Jiang Ning arrived at the store.

As soon as she walked in, she saw Xiao Mingxiu cleaning up, Wang Ting manning the register, and Li Yan busy in the kitchen.

She glanced around the store and stopped when her eyes landed on the pile of toys in the corner. Then, she spoke up.

“Cousin-in-law, where’s my cousin?”

Hearing that, Xiao Mingxiu gestured toward the staff changing room.

Jiang Ning immediately understood and strode over, pushing the door open.

The moment she stepped inside, she heard Tian Wenhao’s excited voice.

“Ning Ning, guess how much we made today?!”

(End of Chapter)

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