After the Divorce, I Unlocked a Perfect Life

Lin Jiang glanced at the items on their table. They had basically ordered all the most expensive dishes, so there was nothing much left to add.

"Alright, I’ll go cancel your bill. This meal’s on me."

"Thank you, Brother Jiang! You’re the best!"

Jiang Rongmin shot Qin Youyou a look. ’This habit of getting friendly too quickly... when will she ever grow out of it?’

It wouldn’t have been right for Lin Jiang to intrude on their mother-daughter meal, so he just said a quick hello and went to the back kitchen.

"Old Yang, you three are with me tonight."

Yang Tao put down what he was doing and walked over.

"Brother Jiang, is someone causing trouble again?"

"No, nothing like that. Just be ready to go with me."

"Got it."

After that, Lin Jiang found Li Yuanyuan and gave her instructions for renting the new shop space.

’He didn’t have much cash on hand, but when you find a good spot, you have to lock it down first. Otherwise, you might not find another one when you really need it.’

"Brother Jiang, we’re all done!" Qin Youyou called out as she came over.

Lin Jiang smiled and nodded. "Did you and your mother drive here?"

"We did. Do you need something, Brother Jiang?"

"Come with me."

Lin Jiang came out from behind the counter and led Qin Youyou outside.

He opened the trunk of his car and took out some fruit.

"I brought some fruit from home. I’ll put it in your car for you."

"Oh! Thanks, Brother Jiang. In that case, I won’t say no!"

"There’s no need to be so formal with me," Lin Jiang said with a smile.

"Are you and your mother going to shop around for a while?"

"No, we’re done," Qin Youyou said.

"My mom’s watch battery died, and it was a little dirty, so we came over to get the battery replaced and have it cleaned. We just stopped by your place for a bite afterward."

Qin Youyou glanced at her watch. "It should be about ready by now."

"Alright. And remember, if you ever run into any trouble here at Berkeley, give me a call."

"Of course! Thanks for having my back, Brother Jiang. Hehe."

After a little more small talk, they headed back inside. Qin Youyou rejoined Jiang Rongmin, and the two of them left the noodle shop through the back door.

"What were you two up to?" Jiang Rongmin asked.

"Brother Jiang gave me some fruit. He said he brought it from home."

"It’s nice that he thinks of you for little things like that."

"But of course," Qin Youyou said, lifting her chin proudly.

For a family of the Qin Family’s status, the monetary value of a gift was irrelevant. What truly mattered was the sentiment behind it.

The fact that Lin Jiang would think to bring something back for her daughter after a trip home was, in its own way, very telling.

"So, how are things progressing between you two?"

"Huh? What do you mean, progressing?" Qin Youyou asked, her expression unnatural.

"You brought him all the way home with you once. And now you’re asking me what I mean by ’progressing’?"

"That’s because I’d sprained my ankle."

"A sprained ankle is your reason? If you two weren’t close, would you have really brought him home?" Jiang Rongmin said nonchalantly.

"He seems like a nice young man. If you like him, you should be more proactive."

"Mom, do you really think so?" Qin Youyou asked, linking her arm with Jiang Rongmin’s.

"He really is quite impressive. He’s well-mannered and seems very mature. Not just anyone could build a noodle shop into what it is today."

"Hehe, I think Brother Jiang is amazing too."

"If you think he’s so amazing, then you should go after him. I’m sure plenty of other girls have their eye on a man like that."

"It’s just... I’m afraid Brother Jiang wouldn’t like me. He’s too amazing."

Jiang Rongmin didn’t respond right away.

’Comparing the two of them, in terms of capability alone, Lin Jiang was indeed far superior to Youyou. If anything, Yangyang was a better match for him.’

’But on some level, Jiang Rongmin secretly hoped Lin Jiang and Youyou would end up together.’

’Their emotional bond was deeper, and Youyou was admittedly lacking in some areas. A son-in-law like Lin Jiang would surely be able to complement her perfectly.’

’Yangyang, on the other hand, had a rather domineering personality and was always so cold. The two of them together might not actually be a good fit.’

"He is a great catch, but my daughter is no slouch either. And it’s not like our family’s circumstances are holding you back. What do you have to feel insecure about?"

"But I’m just... too scared."

"You’re all talk and no action."

"Why are you and my sister both giving me such a hard time?"

"Just go for it with confidence. If you don’t even dare to try, wouldn’t that make you a coward?"

"I know..."

As they spoke, the two of them arrived at the Breitling boutique.

"Hello, is the watch ready?" Qin Youyou asked.

"It is."

The saleswoman led them to the service center. "Master Wu, this lady’s watch should be all serviced, correct?"

"Yes, it’s right here."

The technician brought the watch over on a velvet-lined tray. It was sealed in a protective plastic bag. He handed it to Qin Youyou, and the mother-daughter pair walked out of the boutique.

Jiang Rongmin took the watch out of the bag. The time was already set, and it had been cleaned spotless. They were about to browse a little more before heading home.

"Hm?"

Jiang Rongmin muttered suddenly.

"What’s wrong?"

"What’s this scratch? We checked it before we handed it over. I don’t think this was here."

"Where is it? Let me see."

Qin Youyou leaned in closer and, sure enough, saw a distinct scratch near the crown of the watch.

"Do you think the technician might have done it by accident while he was cleaning it?"

"It’s possible."