After Being Forced Into Marriage, I Became Very Successful - Chapter 15

15:

Seeing his daughter’s shocked expression, Boss Qian asked, puzzled, “Xiao Lai, what’s wrong?”

Qian Ming turned her head stiffly, looking at her oblivious father. She opened her mouth, sighed, and said, “Nothing.”

Jiang Yan greeted the waiter, ordering her usual dishes, then sat back leisurely to wait. Moments later, she noticed Qian Ming hesitate before taking a seat across from her.

“Are you… Jiang Yan?”

“That’s me.”

Qian Ming took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. Though she was just a minor streamer, dealing with harsh online comments had long honed her composure.

“You want my dad to make crab shell pastries for your wedding banquet?”

Jiang Yan smiled sincerely. “Yes, your father’s crab shell pastries are truly exceptional.”

Qian Ming’s expression twisted slightly, confused. “He’s been running this shop for years, and the locals have all tried them. They’re nothing special. Your wedding is so high-profile, why insist on including this?”

“With so many repeat customers, how can you say they’re not special? My wedding isn’t any different from others, but I’m hoping the crab shell pastries will make it stand out.”

Hearing Jiang Yan praise her father’s craft so highly, Qian Ming felt a surge of pride, and her earlier worries about being scammed faded. What remained was pressure.

“My dad just runs a small snack shop. If he messes up at a wedding banquet…”

“He won’t. I’m confident these crab shell pastries will satisfy the guests. Even if something unexpected happens, I’ll handle it.”

With Jiang Yan’s reassurance, Qian Ming had little left to question. The waiter brought Jiang Yan’s order, and Boss Qian, after chatting with some neighbors, joined them.

Hearing his daughter’s explanation, Mr. Qian was surprised but remained composed. Looking at Jiang Yan, he said, “So you’re the star of the wedding banquet.”

Jiang Yan, stared at by both father and daughter, felt a bit awkward continuing to eat. She wiped her mouth and smiled. “I didn’t mean to hide my identity.”

Mr. Qian waved it off, moved by Jiang Yan’s repeated visits and sincere persuasion. “It’s fine. I understand.”

Compared to Qian Ming, Boss Qian was more touched by Jiang Yan’s earnest efforts. With her assurance that she’d handle any issues at the banquet, he saw no reason to refuse.

But he still didn’t agree immediately. Qian Ming asked, “Dad, what are you hesitating for?”

“You think I should go?”

“You should give it a try. It’s a great opportunity. It’ll showcase your skills and bring more fame to the shop, drawing in more customers.”

Boss Qian hadn’t seen such enthusiasm on his daughter’s face in a long time. “What fame does this little shop need?”

“You don’t get it. Big or small, fame brings foot traffic. More people will come, and more will recognize and appreciate your work.”

Boss Qian smiled at Jiang Yan. “I don’t understand young people’s way of thinking. Whenever this topic comes up, she and her brother go on about ‘traffic’ and ‘trending topics.’ I’m completely lost.”

Jiang Yan just smiled faintly, not chiming in. She could tell Boss Qian’s mood had lightened considerably.

Sure enough, after a bit more encouragement from Qian Ming, Boss Qian finally agreed to Jiang Yan’s invitation.

“Thank you, Boss Qian!” Jiang Yan added, “I have a small request, please keep this confidential for now and don’t tell anyone.”

The Qian father and daughter exchanged a glance and agreed without hesitation. Qian Ming asked, “Your photos are all over the internet. Plenty of people must recognize you. You can’t keep it a secret for long.”

“It’s fine as long as it holds until the wedding banquet is over. Just don’t spread the word for now.”

Qian Ming gave her an OK gesture and seized the chance to ask about Xia Yining.

The shop was quietest in the afternoon, and since Qian Ming had the day off, she lingered. Boss Qian brewed a pot of tea and invited Jiang Yan to stay, wanting to discuss the wedding banquet details. Though he was only making one dish, his seriousness rivaled that of a head chef.

“Look at my dad, acting like he’s preparing a full imperial feast,” Qian Ming teased.

“What do you know? Whether it’s a grand banquet or a small dish, it reflects a chef’s attitude. If you’re going to do it, you do it with absolute seriousness and responsibility.”

Boss Qian embodied the stubborn pride and devotion of his generation’s craftsmen. His skills weren’t just a means of livelihood, they represented a chef’s dignity and honor.

Beyond admiring Boss Qian’s craft, Jiang Yan respected his approach to life. She thought that after the wedding, besides the crab shell pastries, this old shop had so much more beauty worth discovering.

Qian Ming spotted a familiar face entering the shop and waved. “Uncle Tian, what brings you here today?”

“Just finished a business meeting and had nothing to do, so I thought I’d stop by.”

Tian Sheng nodded at Boss Qian. Having known each other for years, they didn’t need formal pleasantries.

“Uncle Tian, are you expanding your business?”

“You think too highly of me, Xiao Lai. Even your dad hasn’t expanded, how could I?” Tian Sheng had watched Boss Qian’s two kids grow up, but it was no longer appropriate to pat the young woman’s head like he used to.

“Some big companies want to acquire our old shops. They’ve come by several times, and some shops have already signed.”

Boss Qian hadn’t mentioned this to his children, so Qian Ming was shocked. “Acquire? Uncle Tian, are you retiring?”

“I’m getting old, and no one’s willing to take over. Business is just so-so these days, with little to look forward to.”

Jiang Yan sensed the same weariness in Tian Sheng with Boss Qian. It seemed to be a common issue among these old shops.

Tian Sheng glanced at Boss Qian. “Old Qian, what’s your take?”

Boss Qian sipped his tea, his brow furrowed. “I’m still thinking it over.”

—

Ye Chenchen lounged on the sofa, flipping through a magazine, but soon grew bored. She called Xia Yining to ask when she’d be off work.

“I’m not working late today. Get ready, and we’ll head out.”

“Cousin, could you call Jiang Yan too?”

Xia Yining, who was tidying her desk, slowed down. “You want to have dinner with Jiang Yan?”

“Not exactly. I’m just craving those scallion pancakes from last time. Can you ask her to take us there?”

Xia Yining let out a quiet laugh. “You could just ask her for the address yourself.”

Ye Chenchen played coy. “I asked her a few times before, but she wouldn’t tell me. If you ask, I bet it will be different.”

Xia Yining called Jiang Yan, only to get a straightforward refusal.

“That old shop doesn’t do business at night. It closes in the evening, so you can’t eat there tonight.”

Realizing this, Xia Yining felt a twinge of disappointment.

“But the owner has agreed to cater for the wedding banquet. If Auntie approves, we could add scallion pancakes too.”

Xia Yining asked, “You’ve been going to the shop a lot lately?”

“Yeah, I’m getting along pretty well with the owner.”

Despite the hot weather, Jiang Yan had been visiting the shop frequently, and Xia Yining knew why. From her mother, she’d learned the owner wasn’t someone swayed by money. But people with such craftsmanship often had a sense of pride, and Xia Yining was pleased that someone like him would be part of the wedding banquet.

It seemed Jiang Yan wasn’t entirely indifferent to the marriage. Looking out at the lingering sunlight, Xia Yining said softly, “Thanks for your hard work.”