"Please take your items. Here's your change!"
"Auntie, the data cable and Bluetooth earphones are free—they're in the storage bag!"
"Chen Yansen, we're almost out of MP4s! Bring another box, quick!"
ng Jie had completely entered work mode. Her voice rang out clearly as she noticed the nearly empty carton, calling out without hesitation.
With her short hair and tomboyish deanor, most people instinctively treated her like a buddy rather than a girl.
"Big Sister ng is amazing!"Wang Zihao praised her enthusiastically.
"Last box! First co, first served!"Chen Yansen placed the carton of MP4s on the table and called out smoothly.
The Anfeng market was far busier than Chongqiao—nearly twice as crowded.Despite filling their suitcases before leaving, they still sold 400 MP3s and 200 MP4s in just over three hours.
"How about Coach Huang and I make another run?"Wang Zihao lifted his empty suitcase, clearly tempted.
"No need."Chen Yansen checked the ti and shook his head."It's almost midnight. A round trip takes two hours. By the ti you're back, the market will be empty."
As he spoke, his gaze drifted to ng Jie.
Her short-sleeved shirt was soaked through with sweat, faintly revealing the light green tank top underneath. Fine beads of perspiration dotted her forehead, catching the sunlight.
"There's air conditioning in the car," Chen Yansen said casually."You should go rest. Haozi and I can finish up."
"No need," ng Jie replied, waving him off."We'll do it together."
Chen Yansen lowered his voice."You're about to expose yourself. There's one of my shirts on the back seat. Put it on."
He stood half a head taller than her. From this angle, the view was unavoidable.
"Damn it! Why didn't you say so earlier?"ng Jie glanced down and stiffened. Sweat had trickled down her neck, soaking a noticeable patch of fabric.
"Because I hadn't seen enough yet," Chen Yansen replied honestly, a grin tugging at his lips.
"You—!"ng Jie pointed at his nose, furious, her chest rising sharply.
With a dull thump, she climbed obediently into the back of the Bluebird.
Chen Yansen turned toward Huang Boxiang and waved."Coach Huang, recomnd a good place to eat. Lunch is on ."
"There's a place called Four Seas Kitchen in the middle of the street," Huang Boxiang said after a mont."It's been open for over twenty years. Small shop, but the food is solid."
Chen Yansen smiled. Renting out his car for half a day, getting fuel reimbursed, and free lunch—this deal wasn't bad at all. The only pity was that the rental period was just ten days.
"Alright. Four Seas Kitchen it is."
Ten minutes later, the group entered the modest eatery. The space inside was small, barely enough for six tables. It was the typical husband-and-wife operation.
"Sit anywhere you like!" the plump proprietress greeted them warmly."Stir-fries and rice bowls!"
Chen Yansen glanced at the nu and ordered lightly—cold beef salad, three-delicacy soup, salted goose. In this heat, heavy dishes were unappealing.
"No wonder you two never had ti to hang out," ng Jie said after gulping down a glass of water."So you were busy making money."
"Of course, I earn at least—"Wang Zihao stopped midway, glancing at Huang Boxiang.
"Not much," Chen Yansen said smoothly, saving him.Then he added, "That shirt looks good on you."
The oversized white shirt hung loosely on ng Jie, tucked casually into her jeans. Effortless. Eye-catching.
"Tch.""It slls like your sweat," she replied stiffly, tugging at the collar.
She didn't ntion that she had secretly slled it earlier—and that it carried only a faint, clean scent of soap.
At the sa ti, inside the Anfeng Town Agricultural and Livestock Bank.
"President ng, I saw your daughter today," a colleague said carefully.
ng Zhenguo smiled faintly."She insisted on accompanying on duty. Isn't she thoughtful?"
"But it's already past noon. Why hasn't Hehua returned yet?"He reached for his phone. "I'll call her."
"She seems to be selling things at the market entrance," the colleague hesitated, then continued."With two tall young n. And a middle-aged man."
ng Zhenguo froze.
"You're sure?"
"I watched your daughter grow up. I'm certain."
Two tall young n.
His chest tightened.
Hadn't she said she was going out with classmates?
A terrible thought ford.
He rushed out.
At the center of the street, he saw her—wearing a man's shirt, laughing with two boys.
One was dark-skinned and burly.The other was tall and handso, white shirt, roguish smile. Far too eye-catching.
"Dad!"
ng Jie stiffened the mont she saw him.
"Calling Dad won't work," Chen Yansen said casually, lowering his head."You can't dodge responsibility that way."
ng Zhenguo's face darkened.
"Xiao Jie," he asked slowly,"are these your classmates?"
"Yes," ng Jie replied quickly."They're from my high school. Sa class."
"This is Wang Zihao. This is Chen Yansen."
"Hello, Uncle ng!" Wang Zihao greeted cheerfully.
Chen Yansen smiled politely."Uncle ng. Have you eaten?"
ng Zhenguo studied him closely. Calm. Confident. Too composed.
He knew n like this.
For soone like ng Zhenguo, status and legacy mattered above all else. ng Jie was his only child—the future of the ng family.
Dating was fine.
But only if it passed him first.
"Chen," ng Zhenguo said after a pause, his tone gentle but firm."Is it convenient for us to talk?"
Chen Yansen t his gaze, a faint smile on his lips.
"Of course."
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