Chapter 115: Jiang Ning’s Refusal

Sunday.
Cloudy.

Early in the morning, as Jiang Ning was having a strangely pleasant dream, she suddenly felt a wave of unexplained heat shining directly on her face.

She opened her eyes—

A figure that looked like a demon lord was standing by the curtain, looking down at her with an expression that seemed to disdain all living things.

The next second, the demon lord spoke.

“It’s already eight o’clock and you’re still sleeping.”

“Huang Li from the next building is already out jogging!”

Oh. It’s my mom.

Jiang Ning sighed in disappointment.

“Mom, Huang Li weighs 190 pounds… your daughter is only half of that.”

“Well, can’t you get up and run a bit too? You sit all day at school and in class!”

“Aren’t you worried about spine or lower back problems?”

“Back in the day, your mom had such a good body…”

“I could carry a whole sack of rice up five floors on my own…”

“Look at young people like you now…”

As her mom rambled on, Jiang Ning simply pulled the blanket back over her head and let out a muffled protest of “Ughhhh.”

It was such a rare weekend.
Such a good dream where a hero saved the world.
Such a rare moment of meeting a few admirers who offered themselves to her.
All ruined—by Demon Queen Mom.

At this moment, Jiang Ning’s morning grumpiness hit its peak.

Luckily, her mom left the room just then.

Otherwise, she’d have transformed on the spot!

But just as she was spiraling into madness, her mom’s figure returned.

“Ningning! Get up quick! Mom’s got something to ask you later.”

“…Okay.”

The sulking Jiang Ning mumbled her reply from under the covers, wriggled around a bit, and finally got up with great reluctance.

Half an hour later.

Jiang Ning finally realized what her mom wanted to ask her.

“What’s pure cotton?”

“It’s cotton…”

“What’s acrylic cotton?”

“Some kind of chemical blend…”

“And what’s 75/0 synthetic fiber?”

“…What?”

Jiang Ning looked completely dumbfounded and leaned over.

The moment she saw the label that said “75% synthetic fiber,” she took a deep breath, turned her head to her dear mother, and smiled sweetly:

“Mom, I just remembered I haven’t finished my weekly report yet…”

“It’s due tomorrow morning, gotta go write it now.”

She didn’t wait for a response before dashing back to her room, leaving behind a middle-aged woman still muttering to herself.

———

Afternoon.

While her mom went to supervise the renovation of her store, Jiang Ning snuck out.

She headed straight for the Station Branch.

After all, the two actors who came yesterday were a complete flop—who knew if there’d be another Golden Horse Awards-level drama today?

Turns out, her worries were unnecessary.

All the way until 5 or 6 PM, it was smooth sailing.

Though more people came to watch out of curiosity, business actually got slightly better than before.

Seems like bad publicity is still publicity.

After work.

Jiang Ning saw Xiao Mingxiu checking accounts with the cashier in the store.

She smiled and said goodbye to them, then left.

But just as she exited the station, a tall, thin figure stopped her.

“Manager Jiang, may I borrow a moment of your time?”

Jiang Ning turned her head.

Dark gray suit, narrow tie, neatly styled punk haircut.

“Hello, Manager Liu. What’s the matter?”

“It’s about yesterday’s scene.”

Liu Ju’s words made Jiang Ning frown.

She narrowed her eyes and examined the young man from head to toe.

Once she confirmed his expression was sincere and without hidden motives, she thought for a second.

“There’s a skewer stall just around the corner.”

“Let’s talk there.”

Liu Ju hadn’t expected Jiang Ning to choose a street-side stall to talk.

He had actually reserved a private room at the Jiangzhou Hotel.

But seeing her already walking off on her own, he thought for a moment and followed her.

Soon, the two arrived at the stall Jiang Ning mentioned.

Business was good.

Lots of young people sat around eating.

Watching the pretty girl casually sit down on a tiny plastic stool without a care for her image, Liu Ju’s eyes revealed a rare flicker of surprise.

“Have a seat.”

“Sure.”

“Order whatever you want.” Jiang Ning handed over a handwritten menu.

“My treat. Consider it a thank-you for CFC’s help a while ago.”

She wasn’t lying.

Not long ago, in response to an upper-level initiative, the station held a “Warmhearted Station Volunteer” event.

They needed each shop to submit a proposal.

At the time, Xiao Mingxiu had no idea what to do—until this very Manager Liu had his staff send over a sample plan from a previous year.

That’s what allowed Xiao Mingxiu to pull something off.

“So this is what you’re treating me to?” Liu Ju chuckled, found a slightly larger stool, and sat down.

“We poor working folk don’t have much.”
Jiang Ning smiled, then waved at the busy stall owner.

“Boss, over here.”

The boss lady, who was chopping vegetables nearby, wiped her hands and came over.

Then Jiang Ning pointed at the menu and ordered over a dozen skewers in one go.

When she was done, she looked at Liu Ju.

“How about you, Manager Liu?”

Glancing at the options—radish, frozen tofu, fish balls, meatballs—he reluctantly chose a few acceptable vegetarian ones, then handed the menu back to the boss lady.

One minute later.

Their skewers arrived, steaming hot in little cups.

Jiang Ning didn’t hesitate, picked up a fish tofu skewer, and started eating.

But it was too hot—she kept blowing on it while going “hss hss.”

Seeing this, Liu Ju also picked up a seaweed skewer and was just about to take a bite when—

Jiang Ning pointed at the chili and vinegar on the table…

“If you want a change of flavor, give it a try.”

Liu Ju shook his head. Though clearly a bit reluctant, he still put the piece of kelp into his mouth.

The moment it touched his tongue, the unusual taste made him pause in surprise.

Then, without thinking, he finished the entire piece in one bite.

“Tastes pretty good, right?” Jiang Ning looked at the still-stunned Liu Ju.

One look, and she could tell—this guy was the classic product of elite-style upbringing.

Things like street food stalls?

Forget eating—he probably wouldn’t even glance at them when passing by.

Thinking that, Jiang Ning suddenly felt like she was leading someone down a path of corruption.

She couldn’t help but chuckle silently.

But eating was one thing. She still had to ask what needed asking.

“Manager Liu, let’s hear it.”

Hearing that, Liu Ju put down the skewer in his hand and frowned slightly.

“I don’t know if Manager Jiang has heard of the Jiangzhou Catering Association.”

Jiang Ning nodded, picked up a skewer of konjac strips, and gestured for him to continue.

Seeing this, a glimmer of interest flashed in Liu Ju’s eyes.

“Seems like Manager Jiang knows quite a bit.”

“Then I’ll skip the basic explanation and talk about something that might interest both of us.”

Jiang Ning didn’t respond, instead starting on her third skewer of meatballs.

“Manager Jiang, I know you’re related to Boss Tian, and I also know you’re close with District Chief Li’s daughter.”

“I even know you’re actually just a high school student.”

“But none of that changes the respect I have for your capabilities.”

“However, based on what I know about Chairman Hua…”

“He’s the kind of man who never stops until he gets what he wants. He’ll definitely find ways to force you into joining his catering association.”

“Pay money to keep his cronies fed?” Jiang Ning picked up a skewer of enoki mushrooms and added a few drops of vinegar.

“I’m not joining.”

Her rejection was crisp and decisive, exactly as Liu Ju had expected.

“Right now, a lot of people in the city already know that Chairman Hua is planning to target your store.”

“And then?”

Seeing the girl in front of him unmoved, Liu Ju hesitated for a moment, then said directly:

“I have a way for you to completely ignore Chairman Hua’s invitation.”

Finally getting to the point.

Jiang Ning set down her skewer, her clear eyes meeting Liu Ju’s calmly.

“Let CFC take a stake in your shop.”

“That way, with CFC backing ‘Shi Ning Ji,’ no matter how pushy Hua Mingqiang gets, it won’t matter.”

“You can represent CFC?” Jiang Ning asked in mild surprise.

“My family has influence in Qiansheng Group.”

Qiansheng Group—the company that runs CFC in China.

If his family had pull there, even if it was just enough to say a few words, they must hold shares in the company.

With that kind of background, investing in a few fried chicken shops under the CFC name would be no problem.

But—

My fried chicken is already selling just fine. I’ve got money, I’ve got people. Why would I need a multinational company to buy in?

And besides—

If you invest…

Would this fried chicken shop be taking your orders or mine?

So Jiang Ning gave a very clear answer:

“Sorry.”

The moment she said it, Liu Ju looked a bit surprised.

“Manager Jiang, I know you’re highly capable and have some good connections.”

“But in this land, sometimes ability and connections aren’t enough to beat the rules.”

To this, Jiang Ning responded with a calm smile.

“Can’t beat the rules?”

“Well then—”

“Let’s just play the one who makes the rules.”
(End of Chapter)