This entire day was spent by Li Haochen in digestion, feeling nauseous at the sight of food.
Upon returning home, Li Haochen seized the opportunity to slack off, leaving all the cooking and dishwashing to Murong Yanran. He played the role of a lord for a while, leisurely sipping Kung Fu tea.
"My lord, would you like a slice of watermelon?"
"Yes, a slice..."
"Ouch..."
"Are you still indulging in this act? Come over and give me a massage." Murong Yanran, after finishing the dishes, saw Li Haochen lounging and drinking Kung Fu tea, looking like he deserved a good beating.
"Look, isn't the nail polish on your toes losing its shine?" Murong Yanran stretched out her fair, beautiful legs and rested them on Li Haochen's lap, the gleaming nail polish reflecting a pink glow.
"They're still quite..." Noticing Murong Yanran's look, he quickly changed his tune, "They've become a bit dull. Let me help you reapply!"
"Mmm... hehe!" Murong Yanran took out a pile of tools she had prepared from behind, her eyes smiling.
"Do you still remember the order?"
"I won't forget... hehe!"
Li Haochen took Murong Yanran's tender, lotus-like jade feet and carefully applied the nail polish, layer by layer.
"Does your stomach still hurt?"
Li Haochen didn't look up, still diligently applying the polish. "My family was very poor before, and my stomach ached from hunger. Now it's the opposite, hehe!"
"Whoosh~ Whoosh~!"
Li Haochen brought his mouth close to Murong Yanran's toes and blew gently. Soon, the nail polish on all ten toes had dried, shining brightly and looking very beautiful.
"Perfect, take a look." Li Haochen was very pleased with his masterpiece and didn't want to let go.
"Mmm, they look great. You'll be responsible from now on, saving a lot of money, hehe!"
"I'll paint them for a lifetime."
"You said it. Liars are dogs." Murong Yanran, blushing, then said, lying on the sofa, "You haven't massaged me yet today."
The same routine followed, of course, he still didn't dare to touch her behind, but he did take a bold glance, considering it retribution for being tricked today.
"Oh... ah!"
About ten minutes later, Murong Yanran covered her mouth and yawned, feeling sleepy. She was reluctant, but after a bit of internal struggle, she chose to sleep.
"I want to sleep now. Carry me upstairs."
"Come on then." Li Haochen squatted down, a silent understanding between them.
Fortunately, she didn't cling to him all at once today, but slowly rested on Li Haochen's back.
As he lifted her, was she a bit heavier? He dared not say.
As they reached the door of the room, Liu Zijun happened to be coming out to use the restroom. She looked at them with a mischievous smile and said, "Try not to be too loud later, the soundproofing isn't great, kekeke!"
Before Murong Yanran could explain, she had already slipped back into her room.
"How about we keep it down a bit, hehe!" Li Haochen seized the opportunity to make a suggestive remark.
"Ouch~"
Murong Yanran, blushing, playfully pinched Li Haochen's ear and said, "You're cooking breakfast tomorrow."
And so, a night of sweet dreams passed. In the early morning, when Li Haochen woke up, Murong Yanran was still busy in the kitchen.
Li Haochen walked in and took off Murong Yanran's apron. "I'll cook. Your shop is opening today, you should rest."
"Mmm." Murong Yanran didn't leave, she leaned against the kitchen door and watched.
"I told you to rest!"
"I am resting, hehe!"
"..."?
The breakfast was very hearty: stir-fried noodles with shredded ingredients, and wontons. Since it was opening day, there was no porridge, but steamed glutinous rice with ribs.
The aroma and presentation were exquisite, making one's appetite surge.
Liu Zijun also woke up to the smell, quickly washed up, and rushed to the dining table to secure her spot.
"What? Didn't sleep well last night?" Murong Yanran chuckled, looking at Liu Zijun's dark circles.
"You didn't either, hehe!"
"Eat up, Panda, hahaha!"
From the women's eyes, one could see their excitement and anticipation. Today was their big day, they were going to be big bosses.
The delicious food was quickly devoured. Li Haochen took out two prepared red envelopes, each containing 888 yuan, and handed them over, one to each. "To the two bosses, I wish you prosperous business and abundant wealth. Future luxury cars and villas depend on you, hehe!"
Liu Zijun immediately accepted hers, and Murong Yanran did not hesitate either. "Thank you, Boss Li. Let's all prosper."
When the three arrived at the shop in Binhai Plaza, the two store assistants were already busy preparing. They seemed diligent, and hopefully, this wasn't just a fleeting enthusiasm.
"Bosses..."
Murong Yanran also took out red envelopes and gave them to the two young ladies and Li Haochen.
Of course, Liu Zijun received one too. Even though she hadn't met them, the two bosses couldn't be left out, it wouldn't be proper.
The two store assistants, unable to hide their joy, happily took their red envelopes and got back to work.
Liu Zijun changed into an apron and went into the kitchen, while Murong Yanran and Li Haochen busied themselves with the shop's decor and entrance embellishments.
Before long, Chen He and the others all arrived, bringing many flower baskets. The two coconut shops were entrusted to Xiao Nian and his two companions.
"Congratulations, congratulations~" Each person held two red envelopes and handed them to Murong Yanran. Of course, one portion was for Liu Zijun. Although they hadn't met her, they couldn't forget the other boss; it wouldn't be polite.
Murong Yanran happily accepted the red envelopes and invited everyone to sit.
"Yanran, you've become a boss without us even knowing. It seems we'll have to give you a good talking-to later, hehe!"
"I just wanted to surprise everyone. You can eat as much as you want here later, hehe!"
"Old Third, your finance minister is too good at saving money. You need to show some appreciation, hehe!" Liang Minfeng came over and put an arm around Li Haochen, laughing.
"No problem, I'll make sure you eat and drink well later."
"Really? Then I'll have to eat heartily today, hahaha!"
"Don't just stand there, come and sit."
Checking the time, Murong Yanran walked to the kitchen door. "Zijun, don't be too busy now. Come out for the ancestral worship."
"Coming." Liu Zijun washed up, wiped herself clean, and walked out.
"Here, let me introduce you..."
Murong Yanran introduced them one by one and also gave Liu Zijun the other red envelopes they had received.
On the other side, Li Haochen and Liang Minfeng were helping to set up the altar and offerings.
"The auspicious hour has arrived."
Murong Yanran, Liu Zijun, and the two employees stood by the altar, their expressions solemn. They accepted a bundle of lit incense from Li Haochen and respectfully paid their respects.
Coming to the entrance, Murong Yanran and Liu Zijun stood on either side and pulled the red ropes with force.
The red cloth slowly unfurled, revealing several golden characters: "Yipin Duntang" (First-Class Stewed Soup).
Chen He, Liu Dehui, and the others, who had already taken their seats, held celebratory cannons, awaiting the command.
"Ceremony complete, fire the cannons!"
"Boom... Boom... Boom~"
"Congratulations, congratulations..."
"May your business prosper and wealth pour in, like a tide..."