Chapter 215: Don’t Worry, Beautiful Lady

Previously, Jiang Ning had categorized the franchisee store locations into five levels based on daily foot traffic.

The lowest was Level 5.

These areas had fewer than 5,000 people passing through per day—typically places without commercial streets or on the outskirts of sparsely populated cities.

Such locations were hardly suitable for volume-driven businesses like ‘Shi Ning Ji’.

One level up was Level 4, with daily foot traffic between 5,000 and 10,000.

These were usually near residential areas. While the traffic wasn’t high, they could support niche or targeted businesses.

Next came Level 3, with daily foot traffic ranging from 10,000 to 50,000.

In these areas, businesses like restaurants, supermarkets, and gyms could thrive.

Most of the ‘Shi Ning Ji’ stores were located in Level 3 areas.

Stores like the No. 2 Middle School Store, the Third High School Store, and the Technical School Store all had stable foot traffic of around 10,000 to 20,000 people per day.

The Jiangzhou University Store and Jinrui Store were slightly higher, with daily traffic between 20,000 and 30,000.

As for the Times Square Store—

In terms of foot traffic alone, it had nearly reached Level 2 status, with up to 100,000 people passing through on peak days.

However, due to the stark contrast between weekdays and holidays, Jiang Ning still classified the Times Square Store as Level 3.

Therefore—

Among all the stores under Jiang Ning’s management, the only one that firmly held a Level 2 status—and was even approaching Level 1 Commercial District standards—was the Jiangzhou Train Station Store.

But now, on the spreadsheet in her hands—

There was another location listed with foot traffic rivaling that of Jiangzhou Station.

That was Ningzhou University Town.

Having spent four years studying there in her previous life, Miss Jiang knew all too well just how insane the foot traffic in that area could get.

Ningzhou University Town was a joint campus of eight universities.

The number of registered students alone was close to 100,000.

And that didn’t even include the surrounding residential population.

So—

If we’re just talking foot traffic, then Ningzhou University Town was practically a Level 1 Commercial District.

And in terms of food and beverage consumption potential, it far surpassed transient hubs like Jiangzhou Bus Station.

After all, one was a stable, resident population, and the other a constantly shifting crowd.

The difference was huge.

Then—

Miss Jiang looked at the rest of the application details.

Store space: 360 square meters?

Willing to accept a shareholding agreement?

No additional conditions?

Damn.

An offer this good just landed in her lap?

But just as Jiang Ning was about to give the green light—

Her eyes inadvertently fell on the applicant’s name and phone number—

And she froze on the spot.

———

Evening.

Miss Jiang and Meng Qing sat at a roadside Chuan Chuan stall in University Town, chatting over skewers.

“So, what do you think about what I mentioned before?”

As she spoke, Miss Jiang slurped up a beef meatball. The scalding hot broth turned her lips bright red.

Hearing this, Meng Qing paused briefly, speared a piece of fish tofu, and took a small bite.

“The Jiangzhou Store is fine.”

“It’s a bit far, but at least I won’t run into anyone I know…”

Got it.

At the end of the day, it’s still a part-time job. Meng Qing didn’t want classmates seeing her and starting rumors.

After a moment’s thought, Miss Jiang spoke again:

“How about this.”

“I’ll have you help manage the warehouse operations at the Jiangzhou Store.”

“You can oversee inventory and shipments when you have time.”

“I trust people I know when it comes to warehouse stuff…”

“If an outsider were in charge—”

Before she could finish—

Meng Qing suddenly blinked those big, adorable eyes and looked at her with a bright smile.

“Okay.”

“Huh? What?”

“I said okay.”

Hearing Meng Qing repeat the word with such sincerity and certainty, Miss Jiang was momentarily stunned.

Then something clicked in her mind.

And she smiled too.

After that—

Miss Jiang and Meng Qing started talking about Li Yang.

When she found out Li Yang had been selected for the provincial martial arts team—

And might even compete in next year’s National Student Games, to be held in Ningzhou—

She couldn’t help but be a little impressed.

After all, the National Student Games only happened once every three years.

Anyone who placed well in that tournament—

Getting into a top-tier university was practically guaranteed.

For those with outstanding results—

Even 985 or 211 universities weren’t out of reach.

These were the future Olympic hopefuls.

With the right training…

“Queen, why do you keep putting your hand on my leg?”

Meng Qing’s sudden question snapped Miss Jiang out of her thoughts.

She turned her head and saw Meng Qing looking at her with a curious expression.

Internally flustered, she still managed to keep a straight face as she explained:

“These stockings are made of core-spun silk.”

“The material is thin, breathable, and when you touch it, there’s this subtle, tingly sensation—kind of like a tiny electric shock.”

“Especially the black ones like this—touching them regularly is great for staying alert and refreshed.”

“It even helps lift your mood.”

“Really~” Meng Qing nodded as if a lightbulb had gone off in her head. She reached down and rubbed her leg.

“Yeah, it does feel pretty nice.”

But then, her face scrunched up in confusion as she asked,

“Then why don’t you wear them yourself?”

*Cough cough cough.*

Just as Miss Jiang’s mind was racing for an explanation—

Her phone started ringing.

*Bzzz bzzz~ Bzzz bzzz~*

Seeing who was calling, Miss Jiang picked up right away.

The next second—

A lazy voice came through the line.

“Jiang Xiaoning~”

“Well, well, what a rare treat. You’re actually calling me first~”

The moment she heard that voice, Jiang Ning couldn’t help but picture a pair of warm, coffee-colored peach blossom eyes gazing at her, soft and deep like autumn water.

She gave a couple of awkward coughs.

“Uh, I received a fax at the store today from a new franchisee.”

“The name and number on it…”

“Yep~ that’s me,” Xu Suihe replied breezily.

Miss Jiang was baffled.

“Girl, you’re just a second-year high school student—what are you getting involved in this for?”

As soon as she said that, a soft chuckle came from the other end.

“A second-year student?”

“Boss Jiang, aren’t you also in your second year~?”

Xu Suihe didn’t say it outright, but the implication in her tone made Jiang Ning’s brows furrow.

“You found out?”

“Mhm.”

“When?”

“After that manager named Liu came to visit you~”

So it really was that weasel Liu Ju who spilled the beans.

Jiang Ning couldn’t help but spit in annoyance.

Of course, the peach blossom eyes on the other end heard it and let out a playful giggle.

“So what exactly are you up to?”

“I want to open a store and make money, duh~”

“Are you serious?” Miss Jiang narrowed her eyes, then added bluntly:

“Don’t expect me to give you any special treatment.”

“Not a single cent less than what’s required.”

“Hehe, don’t worry. Your big sis has money~” Xu Suihe didn’t seem the least bit bothered by Miss Jiang’s lack of sentiment.

“All you have to do is sit back and wait for the cash to roll in~”

“My dear Boss Jiang~”

Her voice was sweet, low, and laced with a magnetic charm.

It made Miss Jiang’s heart flutter for a second before she quickly pulled herself together.

“You filled everything out truthfully on the form?”

“Of course~”

“And that 360-square-meter storefront?”

“My dad gave it to me as an eighteenth birthday present~”

Okay.

So this Xu Suihe girl, who usually kept a low profile, turned out to be a rich lady too.

In that case—

I’ll happily milk her for every coin without a shred of guilt!

Half an hour later.

When Miss Jiang returned to her mom’s store,

They were in the middle of helping some customers.

She watched as her mom enthusiastically explained the features of a garment to two Tang Dynasty-style beauties.

Very tactfully, Jiang Ning backed out of the store.

She stood by the roadside, humming along absentmindedly to a song playing in the distance.

Just then—

A lollipop suddenly appeared beside her arm.

She turned around.

It was the Princeling from Aunt Huang’s place next door.

“What’s this supposed to mean?”

Miss Jiang didn’t take the lollipop.

Given her relationship with this little brat,

If he’d handed her a grenade, that would’ve made more sense.

But a lollipop? And an Alpenliebe at that?

The kid glanced back toward his family’s cloth shoe store,

Then leaned in and whispered to Miss Jiang, hands clasped together in a pleading gesture.

“My math score from the school exam the other day… wasn’t great.”

“The teacher needs a parent’s signature.”

“But my mom’s super busy at the shop…”

“So…”

A signature?

Busy shop?

Miss Jiang glanced at the completely empty cloth shoe store, then looked back at the kid with a half-smile.

“All this for just one lollipop?”

Hearing that, Xiao Kai’s face twisted with internal struggle.

Finally, as if making a great sacrifice, he gritted his teeth, pulled a shiny coin from his pocket, and placed it next to the lollipop.

Then handed both over, along with a neatly folded sheet of paper.

“For you!”

Well, well!

Looks like the kid’s got some cash after all.

Miss Jiang took the coin, turning it over in her hand with interest.

“Where’d you get this money?”

The little rascal thought she was suspicious of its source and quickly explained:

“It’s leftover from when I bought a notebook yesterday!”

“Old—*ahem*—beautiful lady, don’t worry!”

Old lady?

Miss Jiang raised an eyebrow.

She took the test paper and unfolded it.

Math: 48 points.

Then she smiled.

A charming, seductive smile.

Her clear, bright eyes curved into crescent moons.

She looked up and called out in a clear voice to Aunt Huang, who was organizing stock next door.

“Aunt Huang~”

“Xiao Kai got 48 on his math test~”

“And he tried to bribe me into signing your name~”

And just like that—

A blood feud was born.

(End of Chapter)

———

—211 universities (started 1995): ~116 universities funded to raise overall quality.

985 universities (started 1998): ~39 of the best from 211, given extra support to become world-class.

———

—Alpenliebe is a global candy brand (by Perfetti Van Melle), famous for its creamy caramel and fruity candies, sold in many countries like China and India.