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"Adrian and I have been friends for years, so just call me Uncle Zhong," said Uncle Zhong as he led Chu Yuening into the shop.

Upon entering, the pungent smell of fresh paint assaulted their noses.

The shop had a long layout, and two workers were perched on A-frames, painting the ceiling.

Chu Yuening waved her hand, trying to dispel the odor.

Uncle Zhong chuckled. "That's how renovations go. Since we're all working together, we use top-notch materials. Once it's done and properly ventilated, the smell will dissipate."

"Uncle Zhong, do you have an estimate on when the work will be completed?" Chu Yuening inquired.

Uncle Zhong calculated the time. "The painting should be finished in about two days. Miss Chu, didn't you also want a partition?"

Chu Yuening looked towards the entrance. The partition was already in place.

"Yes, and I'd like a small window facing the street as well."

"In that case, it'll take a bit longer," Uncle Zhong said, guiding her over to view the small room. It roughly occupied a third of the shop space, not too large but ample for selling desserts.

Chu Yuening tapped on the wall panel, gesturing before she chirpily said, "Uncle Zhong, could you help me install a few horizontal wooden planks on the walls? I'll need to paste talismans on them as a decorative cover. Then, I'll display my products on those planks."

Since they had decided to combine sugar water and feng shui, she naturally had to make some changes that distinguished her shop from others.

Uncle Zhong knocked on the wall panel and contemplated, "The wall is sturdy enough, so installing the wooden planks shouldn't be an issue. Miss Chu, what about the talismans for the planks?"

He wasn't clear about what business his employer was in.

He thought that talismans could only be purchased at a feng shui shop, and they weren't cheap. A tiny yellow talisman could cost tens of dollars, and with the length of the wooden plank, it might require over a hundred talismans to cover it completely. It wouldn't be a small expense.

Expressing his concern, Uncle Zhong prepared to suggest to his employer that they opt for affordable posters or wooden planks that already matched the wall color.

"No worries," Chu Yuening smiled. "I'll draw some talismans and send them over."

"Oh, oh!" Only then did Uncle Zhong realize that Chu Yuening was actually a feng shui master herself.

Impressed by her young age and entrepreneurial spirit, he couldn't help but praise her.

"Miss Chu truly has an boundless future ahead."

Chu Yuening finalized a few minor alterations for the shop and, with the details settled, prepared to depart.

Just then, a youthful and attractive woman entered, carrying a lunch box and swaying in her high heels. Upon seeing Uncle Zhong, her eyes lit up.

"Brother Zhong."

Zhong Geng rolled up his sleeves, ready to resume painting. Upon noticing the visitor, he set down his tools. "Why are you here so early today?"

Assuming the woman was Uncle Zhong's daughter, Chu Yuening didn't give it much thought and watched as she went inside.

However, the following scene left everyone speechless.

The woman planted a kiss on Zhong Geng's wrinkled cheek and handed him the lunch box. "Freshly cooked meal, eat quickly before you get hungry."

Chu Yuening whistled in surprise.

It turns out they're... husband and wife?

Noticing the landlord's gaze, Zhong Geng nudged the woman awkwardly. "With so many people watching, what's with the kissing? Save it for home."

The woman refused to budge, swaying her waist as she planted another kiss. "We're legally married, aren't we? What's wrong with a kiss? I'll kiss if I want to."

Seeing Zhong Geng's apologetic expression, Chu Yuening smiled and waved. "Uncle Zhong, I'll be going first."

"Okay, okay." Zhong Geng laughed embarrassedly.

Upon the departure of the master, the worker perched on mid-air, balancing on the ladder while holding a paintbrush between his teeth. He paused in his task, glanced at the woman's ample bosom, and playfully quipped, "Uncle Zhong, you're truly blessed. At over fifty, you still get a second chance at love with such a beautiful wife."

Feeling elated by the compliment, Zhong Geng took the lunchbox from the man, placing it on a stainless steel table cluttered with paint buckets. He opened the container, picked up his chopsticks, and teased, "You don't have to be envious, Drunken Chicken. If you quit alcohol and spend less time at the drinking table, you'll find it much easier to attract women in your prime years." With that, he stabbed his chopsticks straight down onto the table.

The woman glanced at the lunch box with a meaningful nudge to Zhong Geng's waist. "Loser, there's still soup. You started boiling it early in the morning; drink more."

"Alright, alright. My Li Li is still so capable and virtuous." Zhong Geng beamed with joy, uncapping another thermos flask to savor a sip of the soup.

At over fifty years old, he had managed to marry a beautiful wife in her thirties. Not only did she not disdain his age, but she also cooked for him every day. Who among his peers wouldn't envy him?

And who wouldn't say he had a good life?

He was completely oblivious to the exchange of glances between the drunken chicken and the woman.

With a few hurried bites, Zhong Geng put down his lunch box and left the table, readjusting his newspaper cap. "I'll eat later. The boss is in a hurry to open the shop, and I'm not that hungry yet. I need to finish painting this wall."

The woman panicked and personally brought him a bowl of soup. "How can you not eat? The food loses its taste when it gets cold. At least finish the soup."

"Let me finish this wall first," Zhong Geng declined.

The woman reluctantly placed the soup back on the table, hesitant. "Then I'll go home first. Remember to drink your soup."

"Alright, you may leave first."

Drunk Chicken exchanged a glance with the woman in mid-air. After she left, he glanced at the steaming soup on the platform below and resumed his work.

A wild cat dashed in from outside and leaped onto the table. It mewed and playfully chased its own tail around.

"Oh dear, where did this little wild cat come from?" Zhong Geng straightened up and approached the cat, gently shooing it away with both hands while making hushing sounds. "Out you go, don't dirty the owner's walls."

The kitten continued spinning, and with a clatter, the soup spilled onto the floor, followed by another clatter as the food tumbled down as well.

Zhong Geng sighed at the mess. "What bad luck."

However, he didn't get angry. Instead, he turned to fetch a broom to clean up.

By the time he returned, the mischievous little cat had already vanished.