Chapter 82

Chapter 82

"Uncle, what did you make today? It smells amazing!" Shen Libin's eyes widened at the sight of the colorful dishes.

He didn't need to see the sign to know what it was.

"Twice-cooked pork!!!" Shen Libin rolled up his sleeves and rushed over to start working.

Shen Siqin didn't see Teacher Lin but spotted Sanlin and Ning Shanan instead.

He couldn't help feeling a bit down.

Just a little bit.

"Yes, twice-cooked pork." Shen Siqin had already stir-fried the meat slices. Now he pulled up a stool and sat in front of Shen Libin, watching him serve food and collect money.

Just as Shen Siqin thought Lin Shengjin wouldn't come, Lin Shengjin arrived hurriedly on his bicycle.

A spark of light flickered in Shen Siqin's eyes.

Lin Shengjin parked his bike and joined the queue at the end.

"Teacher Lin, you're a bit late today," Ning Shanan turned around to greet Lin Shengjin.

"I had two long classes this morning, so I came a bit late after class," Lin Shengjin explained, raising his voice slightly.

Ning Shanan assumed Lin Shengjin raised his voice because there were several people around.

"Ah, I see." Ning Shanan thought, Teacher Lin is indeed a food lover.

It must have been quite an effort to rush over like that.

In comparison, driving leisurely in his car seemed rather extravagant.

Sitting at the front, Shen Siqin smiled at Lin Shengjin from afar.

He knew Lin Shengjin was explaining to him as well.

Lin Shengjin subtly raised an eyebrow at him.

Their eyes met briefly before quickly parting, as if nothing had happened.

Lin Shengjin took out a folded piece of paper and extended his arm, saying to Ning Shanan, "Here, this is for you."

Ning Shanan leaned forward to take the paper.

"What's this?" Ning Shanan opened it—turns out it was Teacher Lin's schedule for the semester, with some work hours marked?

Oh, he understood.

During class times, it would be inconvenient to contact each other, yes, this information was necessary.

He nodded at Lin Shengjin and carefully put away the paper.

Shen Siqin watched Ning Shanan's actions with confusion.

The queue moved quickly.

Shen Libin was now very familiar with serving food and collecting money, doing it smoothly.

Soon it was Ning Shanan's turn.

Shen Siqin whispered, "I need to have someone review the contract; I'll get back to you in a few days."

"Understood." Ning Shanan nodded, thinking if Shen Siqin signed without reviewing, he would doubt whether Xiao Shen was a good business partner.

"Here's your meal." Shen Libin handed over the food, and Ning Shanan quickly took it and paid.

There was plenty of twice-cooked pork today, so Shen Libin was generous with servings. Ning Shanan left happily with a full plate.

Shen Siqin didn't ask Ning Shanan what Lin Shengjin had given him, as it was almost Lin Shengjin's turn.

He could ask Lin Shengjin directly.

Lin Shengjin stepped forward, finally reaching his turn.

There were only a few portions of twice-cooked pork left.

Shen Libin greeted him warmly, "Teacher Lin, you came just in time. Any later and there wouldn't be any left."

Hehe, he had been a bit heavy-handed today, thinking they might not sell everything. But unexpectedly, even the last few customers couldn't get any.

Fortunately, after selling lunch here for a while, everyone knew that if they couldn't buy anything, the last few people would leave without waiting.

Otherwise, Shen Libin would feel a bit embarrassed.

"I had classes this morning, so I came right after," Lin Shengjin explained again.

He then took out another piece of paper and handed it to Shen Siqin.

"My schedule. I gave one to Ning Shanan too. I'm usually quite busy, so my responses might be slow." Lin Shengjin said seriously.

"Oh, I understand." Shen Siqin took the paper.

He suddenly understood why Ning Shanan had reacted so naturally earlier.

If they were going to collaborate, they needed to know when each other was busy or available.

"I'll be off then." Lin Shengjin took the food from Sanlin.

Shen Siqin: "Goodbye."

Shen Libin looked at his uncle with a meaningful gaze, then glanced at Teacher Lin who had already turned to leave.

His eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Shen Siqin lowered his head and met Sanlin's big eyes.

Shen Siqin: "…"

For some reason, he suddenly felt a bit guilty.

Showing affection in front of a child was indeed inappropriate.

Hmm, but wait, he and Teacher Lin didn't do anything, right?

Thinking this way, Shen Siqin regained his confidence.

After serving the last few meals, Shen Libin helped Shen Siqin clean up and headed back to the convenience store.

"What do you want to drink today? You've been drinking plain water for days; today you can have a soda." Shen Siqin pointed to the shelves.

Shen Libin was still growing; he had just lost his baby teeth, so it was best to limit sugary drinks.

Not hearing a response from his nephew, Shen Siqin turned to look at him and saw the mischievous Shen Libin with his arms crossed, looking very serious as he said, "Mom and Dad told me about you and Teacher Lin yesterday."

Shen Siqin: "???"

He quickly glanced at the door of the convenience store.

"Don't worry, I closed it." Shen Libin waved his hand, looking like a little strategist.

Shen Siqin: "…"

"You know, but don't go spreading it around. Your uncle's reputation is already what it is, but Teacher Lin is still a teacher." Shen Siqin pulled a chair for Shen Libin to sit down and said.

"I know, I won't say anything." Shen Libin shrugged, "I'm not stupid. Mom and Dad talked to me for two hours last night, my ears are still ringing. I promised them that if I talk about it outside, my bike will get stolen and never found!"

Shen Siqin: "…"

What a harsh oath.

Others might not know, but Shen Siqin knew how much Sanlin cherished his 'cool' bicycle!

He wouldn't even let Shen Sijian or Yan Jihan touch it when cleaning it, insisting on doing it himself.

He breathed a sigh of relief.

With such a solemn oath, Shen Siqin believed Sanlin wouldn't spill the secret.

"Here, these are what I made with Teacher Lin today, meant to bribe you." Shen Siqin smiled and took out the four croissants from the fridge.

"I accept the bribe from you and Teacher Lin!" Sanlin jumped up, ran over, grabbed the plate, and said happily.

Shen Siqin: "…"

Well, Sanlin was even easier to bribe than he thought.

"Uncle, these taste like ice cream after being in the fridge, they're delicious." Shen Libin took a bite of the croissant and exclaimed.

Though not as crispy as freshly baked, the coolness really did make them taste like ice cream!

Actually, better than ice cream!

"You're easily pleased. I still have some dough left; after lunch, I'll bake some more for you to take to school." Shen Siqin arranged the food and gestured for Sanlin to come eat.

Shen Libin ran over with the plate and sat down.

"Uncle, I think you've become nicer since you started dating."

To offer to bake more for him!

Shen Siqin handed him a pair of chopsticks, which Shen Libin subconsciously caught.

"Who would think I've been stingy with your food? What do you mean by 'nicer'?"

This brat.

Sanlin chuckled and deflected, "No way, Uncle, you've always been generous!"

"Let's eat first." Shen Siqin smiled.

He carefully picked up a piece of twice-cooked pork.

Just as he imagined, it was salty, fragrant, slightly spicy, and perfect with rice. Eating it heartily was quite satisfying.

Shen Libin also enjoyed the dish. After eating two croissants, he started on the rice and finished two large bowls before stopping.

Today's twice-cooked pork was really great with rice!

True to his word, after lunch, Shen Siqin baked eight more croissants for Shen Libin to take to school.

Holding the freshly baked croissants, Shen Libin jumped up and patted Shen Siqin's shoulder.

Very seriously, he said, "Uncle, you can bring me along when you date Teacher Lin. That way, no one will suspect anything."

As long as he continues to be bribed like this.

Shen Siqin looked at Sanlin, the little smart alec, blinking furiously, his eyes conveying a clear message — you know what I mean.

Shen Siqin: "……"

This kid, having tasted the sweet side, now wants to make it a long-term deal.

He sure thinks fast.

"If you want to go, I'm worried my brother and sister-in-law will worry that I'll corrupt the little one. Just keep dreaming." Shen Siqin bent down and gave Sanlin a light tap on the forehead.

Shen Libin rubbed his forehead and muttered, "I'm already pretty bad, Uncle Siqin. You can't corrupt me."

For benefits, he could bend and stretch!

Shen Siqin was speechless.

It was hard to imagine that the one in front of him would become a domineering CEO in the future.

There was no sign of dominance at all.

Shen Siqin could only say, "Alright, I'll consider it. We'll see then."

He wanted some alone time with Teacher Lin during their date; he didn't need a bright, glaring lightbulb like Sanlin around.

"Then, Uncle Siqin, please think about it carefully!" With these words, Sanlin left, carrying the crescent pastries, got on his bicycle, and rode away.

Shen Siqin let out a long breath.

He took out the small piece of paper from his pocket.

Shen Siqin unfolded it.

On it was neatly drawn a small class schedule, along with many annotations.

Some times were marked for planned experiments, while others indicated possible engineering tasks.

The palm-sized paper was filled to the brim.

Shen Siqin studied it carefully for a while, memorizing its contents.

After confirming that the contract had no issues, the three signed the preliminary cooperation agreement.

The beverage shop finally got on track.

Shen Siqin handed over the recipes for various ingredients to Ning Shanan.

Ning Shanan shuttled back and forth, overseeing the production line's transformation. When not doing that, he had to find a shop, contact suppliers, and more.

With the initial plan provided by Shen Siqin, which was quite comprehensive, Ning Shanan managed these tasks smoothly.

Shen Siqin secretly shared some entrepreneurial experience with Ning Shanan, helping him avoid pitfalls and gain more satisfaction from his work.

Lin Shengjin occasionally offered many constructive suggestions. Although he hadn't learned the skills from his dreams, he had seen the entire process of 'his' entrepreneurship, gaining valuable insights.

Ning Shanan initially thought that although he hadn't worked formally, his experience in a company made him at least as capable as Teacher Lin, who had been in an academic bubble.

In reality, there was indeed a gap between them.

But it wasn't the kind of gap he wanted!

After being slightly discouraged, Ning Shanan became even more humble and diligent, determined to achieve something to show both of them, his father, and his grandfather.

Ning Hedong was pleased with this. A motivated grandson was far better than an idle one. Privately, he did his best to help, fearing that if the child invested so much effort and failed, it would be too demoralizing.

The progress of the beverage shop was faster than Shen Siqin and Lin Shengjin had imagined.

By the time winter arrived, all preparations were complete.

And they set the opening day of their beverage shop for the beginning of winter.