CHAPTER 139: CHAPTER 138: COULD SHE HAVE A CRUSH ON HIM?

Originally, Jiang Tianrui did actually want to come and check out the store that Jiang Yuan couldn’t stop talking about, run by that husband and wife duo, and then maybe put a stop to Jiang Yuan’s business aspirations.

But once he stepped into the store and heard He Chen and Ye Manman calmly narrate the journey from starting up to expanding their business, he realized that Jiang Yuan had really found benefactors.

These people genuinely wanted to help Jiang Yuan!

Even though they were a couple, they were teaching Jiang Yuan and him from scratch. Yet, they were only taking a 30% share as technical partners, providing the store and connecting them with suppliers. It was practically hand-in-hand guidance for Jiang Yuan in doing business.

Although the Jiang Family was also in business now, they were just starting out. Not to mention teaching Jiang Yuan, they themselves were still figuring things out.

Previously, their family all worked in state-owned enterprises. Now that their older brother had taken the lead in business, Jiang Tianrui was urged to protect Jiang Yuan, as both of her brothers could support her, and it was okay for her not to work.

However, now that Jiang Yuan had met benefactors, and these two had opened a bustling store within just a month or two, they were evidently far more competent than the Jiang Family, who were new to the scene.

Jiang Tianrui was also eager to learn and stopped holding back. He began to share his ideas about business promotion, since his brother was out doing business and their family could help with promotion.

Jiang Yuan went from being nervous and scared to relaxed, quickly getting into the groove, listening intently, and occasionally asking questions.

The four of them discussed for several hours before formally deciding on cooperation. The next day, Jiang Tianrui brought the drafted contract.

With the contract officially signed, Jiang Yuan’s fried chicken business was officially underway.

Starting with supplies, He Chen introduced Liu Jitong, the person in charge of the Liu Family Farm, which they had a long-standing partnership with, to Jiang Yuan and Jiang Tianrui.

Since there were many topics and people involved, they decided to meet at a state-run restaurant.

Ye Manman had heard He Chen mention the Liu Family Farm and also knew who Liu Jitong was. However, He Chen described Liu Jitong as a decisive and efficient character, so she always thought Liu Jitong would be a big boss in his thirties or forties.

Unexpectedly, Liu Jitong looked very young. He was tall but rather thin, with a gentle appearance. If not for his somewhat old-fashioned clothes, he could easily be mistaken for a student at first glance.

"Let me introduce everyone; this is Liu Jitong, the person I’ve mentioned from the Liu Family Farm. I’ve already discussed prices with him, and from now on he can supply you with live chickens at the lowest wholesale price."

He Chen, acting as the intermediary and leader, disliked unnecessary chatter and directly introduced both parties in a succinct manner.

This way, both parties got to know each other.

Jiang Yuan wasn’t sure how to handle such a situation, clearly appearing somewhat awkward. Normally lively and energetic, she sat there fidgeting, too shy to look at Liu Jitong seated next to He Chen, seeming a bit shy around strangers.

Jiang Tianrui proved useful at such times. With a gentlemanly smile, he actively struck up a conversation with Liu Jitong.

The two men, one sharp-minded and the other decisive, got along surprisingly well, except for the occasional need for He Chen’s clarification on some points of doubt.

However, He Chen didn’t get entirely lost in the business discussions. When the dishes came, he naturally rinsed the teacup and utensils in front of Ye Manman with hot water.

This was something Ye Manman had mentioned a long time ago, saying it was more hygienic to rinse them with hot water, and he always paid attention.

Yet, Jiang Yuan was left awkwardly alone at the table. Clearly, she was supposed to be the business owner but was sidelined without attention.

Feeling resentful and wronged, she sneakily glanced at Liu Jitong, who was chatting enthusiastically with Jiang Tianrui, feeling very displeased.

"I’m supposed to be the boss, yet this person doesn’t notice at all."

Ye Manman had been watching her. Jiang Yuan usually being talkative and lively, it was rare to see her looking so uneasy and quiet. Ye Manman truly wanted to watch her a bit longer, to jokingly bring it up another day.

But Ye Manman didn’t really want Jiang Yuan to be upset, so she leaned over and whispered to her.

"If you don’t mention you’re the boss, they might think you’re just a little sister tagging along with your brother for a free meal. Quickly remind your brother to introduce you; you’ll need to be bolder in the future and take the initiative to talk to people."

Jiang Yuan felt Ye Manman’s words made sense and turned to tug on Jiang Tianrui’s sleeve forcefully.

Jiang Tianrui was speaking enthusiastically, and being abruptly pulled, he accidentally dropped his chopsticks to the floor.

The sudden gesture caught Liu Jitong’s attention. Seeing Jiang Yuan’s pouting unhappy face, he thought the little sister must be throwing a small tantrum, so he smiled apologetically at Jiang Yuan, understandingly not interrupting the siblings.

Being looked at by him, Jiang Yuan inexplicably blushed a little.

Jiang Tianrui, looking bewildered, bent down to pick up the chopsticks, cleaned them, and then seeing his sister blushing, was even more puzzled.

"What’s wrong?"

Jiang Yuan seemed nervous that someone might hear, lowered her head, and whispered very softly.

"Brother, I’m the boss here. Why are you chatting endlessly and not introducing me? You’re just here to help me, right? Don’t you get it?"

She puffed her cheeks, glaring at Jiang Tianrui, clearly upset.

Jiang Tianrui was momentarily stunned, seemingly realizing something, and suddenly laughed.

"Oh, oh, oh! Right! You’re the big boss here!"

His laughter caught everyone’s attention. When Liu Jitong looked over, Jiang Tianrui happily introduced.

"Boss Liu, actually this here is the real boss of our fried chicken shop, Jiang Yuan, my sister. My bad, my bad, didn’t catch on right away."

Jiang Yuan had always been the cherished one in the Jiang Family. In Jiang Tianrui’s eyes, she was always an innocent little sister, so he would unconsciously shelter her.

Although the fried chicken shop was set up for Jiang Yuan, and Jiang Tianrui only took a 30% stake to make her happy, he subconsciously thought she didn’t understand anything and wanted to protect her from being taken advantage of, considering the shop as his own to run, inadvertently making Jiang Yuan upset.

Afraid she would be angry and throw a tantrum at home, he quickly exchanged seats with Jiang Yuan.

"Come here, you sit here. I’m sorry, Boss Liu. As her brother, I tend to worry too much. Our shop mainly depends on her. Please do exchange ideas with her. If there’s anything my sister doesn’t understand, please be patient with her."

Swapping seats beside Liu Jitong, facing his polite and gentle gaze, Jiang Yuan inexplicably couldn’t bring herself to look him directly in the eye, stumbling over her words.

"Boss, Boss Liu, hello, I’m Jiang Yuan."

Introducing herself awkwardly, Liu Jitong didn’t pay it much mind. Yet, Jiang Tianrui gradually noticed something odd about his sister.

He widened his eyes incredulously, turning to look at his sister, usually fearless but now blushing and seemingly wanting to curl up into a ball, a terrifying thought crossed his mind.

Could it be she’s taken a liking to Boss Liu?

Jiang Tianrui didn’t dare utter a word. When it came to the notion of his treasured sister having feelings for someone and the possibility of marrying off, he and his older brother always chose not to think about it.

But seeing Liu Jitong politely extend his hand for a handshake and Jiang Yuan’s ears burning red like blood under her skin after shaking it, Jiang Tianrui felt he had to consider this serious issue.