Chapter 163 Meeting Fang Shuxin
"Uh... I don't need it right now, but I'm still very grateful for your favor."
Liu Xiaojuan's words made Qin Sitong confused for a moment, but she quickly reacted and politely declined.
The Wangyou Milk Tea Shop is just a small store, and she can manage it by herself. It hasn't reached the point of needing someone else to manage the operations.
"Didn't you two open the shop together? Isn't it a bit inappropriate for you alone to make the decision without asking for Ms. Yun's opinion?"
Originally, Yun Zijin was waiting quietly by the side, not paying much attention to Liu Xiaojuan. But the moment Liu Xiaojuan said this, Yun Zijin turned around to look at her.
Logically, with a finance degree from Teikyo University, most would have no interest in joining a small milk tea shop. Yet Liu Xiaojuan actively came to inquire, which was already suspicious. However, until now, Yun Zijin hadn't thought ill of her—perhaps Liu Xiaojuan simply wanted to start from the ground up.
But her words sounded like she was trying to sow discord.
"We have a clear division of labor in the milk tea shop. Ms. Liu, you're not a member of our staff, so there's no need to worry so much. We still have things to do. If there's nothing else, please excuse us. We're leaving."
After saying this, Yun took Qin Sitong's hand and was about to circle around Liu Xiaojuan toward the classroom door.
"Ms. Yun, I heard you were the sole investor for the start-up. Aren't you worried someone might embezzle your money?"
Noticing they were about to leave, Liu Xiaojuan finally laid all her cards on the table, openly trying to sow discord between them.
Hearing her words, Yun stopped in her tracks, turning to face Liu Xiaojuan. "Oh? Then what do you propose I should do?"
"The person you have in charge of the store's finances, of course."
"You're right. Who do you think is more suitable, Ms. Liu?"
Yun's gaze locked onto Liu Xiaojuan. For an instant, Liu Xiaojuan felt as though Yun could see right through her.
"If you don't mind, Ms. Yun, I could help you."
This seemed like she had tried Qin Sitong's route and, failing that, was now attempting to go through Yun. Still, to Yun, it felt rather naive for someone who boasted of topping the finance class to pick such an approach—at least find a time when the co-owner isn't present.
"That's nice of you. I'll consider your suggestion, but we have other things to do, so we'll head off now. Goodbye, Ms. Liu."
From the beginning, Yun's intuition told her there was something off about Liu Xiaojuan. Wangyou Milk Tea Shop would never actually hire her. Delaying it was fine; Meilin would handle an investigation soon enough.
"Then please think about it seriously! I'm at the top of my finance class—you won't regret it!"
As Liu Xiaojuan spoke, Yun simply gave a brief smile, turned around with Qin Sitong, and left, paying her no further heed.
After they descended to the first floor, Qin Sitong finally spoke:
"Our shop already has enough employees. Why did you say you'd consider her? Personally, I really don't want her to join."
After these months managing the Wangyou Milk Tea Shop, Qin Sitong's eye for people had sharpened.
"I just said I'd 'consider,' not that I'd definitely agree. Let's wait a bit and I'll have someone check on her."
Knowing oneself and knowing one's adversary ensures victory; a quick background check never hurts.
"Alright. As long as you have a plan."
Qin Sitong merely sensed that something about Liu Xiaojuan was amiss, though she couldn't pinpoint exactly what. Since Yun planned to investigate, she'd patiently wait for the result.
They caught a ride together to the Wangyou Milk Tea Shop.
Because neither Yun nor Qin Sitong had been around that morning, and the limited daily supply of Forget-Your-Sorrow Milk Tea had already sold out, the shop was rather quiet.
"Is that old lady you mentioned here?" asked Yun, recalling the story of someone who kept asking for her.
"Nope. Maybe she couldn't get her Forget-Your-Sorrow Milk Tea, so she didn't come."
That old lady only ever ordered Forget-Your-Sorrow Milk Tea. Qin Sitong remembered her well.
Yun didn't mind. Since business was slow for the moment, she made a cup of Forget-Your-Sorrow Milk Tea for herself and for every staff member on shift.
"Such a generous boss!"
The two younger employees on duty came from modest backgrounds and lacked the qualifications for office jobs; a milk tea shop suited them better. And since the day they started, Qin Sitong and Yun both treated them kindly.
As soon as the two bosses arrived, they offered the staff free Forget-Your-Sorrow Milk Tea, making the young employees beam with gratitude.
Word spread fast among the customers that Yun and Qin Sitong were here. Though quiet moments earlier, the store soon bustled, and Qin Sitong switched into full work mode.
Meanwhile, Yun carried her cup of Forget-Your-Sorrow Milk Tea and found a seat in a corner.
Some guests tried to request a cup made personally by Yun. Immediately, Zero-One and Zero-Two stepped forward. Though they never uttered a word, their formidable presence deterred any arguments.
Nobody asked further for special orders. With that, the bodyguards quietly retreated.
Yun took a book from the newly built wall-mounted shelves to read. Time slipped by, and suddenly she felt an intense stare. Glancing up from the page—
"Landlady?"
She hadn't expected to see Fang Shuxin here.
"It's me. Been a while."
Fang Shuxin naturally took the seat across from Yun.
"Did you just return to the capital? Last time we chatted, you were still traveling."
"I got back a few days ago. Didn't expect such a unique milk tea shop to pop up in the capital while I was gone."
"Have you tried their Forget-Your-Sorrow Milk Tea?"
"I have. Once you've had it, you can't forget it. I come in almost every day now."
When people age, they tend to indulge in reminiscing. Drinking Forget-Your-Sorrow Milk Tea seemed to enhance those recollections.
"Have you ordered your cup for today yet? If not, I'll make it for you."
Yun was genuinely pleased to see her old landlady grandmother liked the shop. In good spirits, she wanted to whip up a personal brew.
"Well, I've tried the usual. I'd love to see what you can do."
Ever since Fang Shuxin stepped inside, she'd already spotted Yun in that corner. Yun's looks were simply too striking; even in a crowded place, she'd stand out. Fang Shuxin also noticed the lingering glances from patrons who occasionally cast their eyes toward Yun.
"Don't worry. I'll make it just like the standard Forget-Your-Sorrow Milk Tea. Please wait a bit."
Standing up, Yun walked off to the bar area.
"Boss Xiaoyun! Not fair—making it just for her and not for us!"
Some guests did fancy the version Yun prepared herself, whether from psychological influence or subtle differences in technique.
"I'm not the one running daily operations, but I can make a few extra cups. Whether you manage to get them, though, is up to chance."
A few extra cups was fine, but she wouldn't stand there all day making milk tea. The first three days of the grand opening had been a special circumstance.
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