MGASC -Chapter 85 You Need Flowers to Sweet-Talk a Woman

Although Yingzi listened in a daze, Zhang Qiao’s words still ignited her enthusiasm for starting a business.

She was still a little uneasy, though. “Qiao-qiao, will what you said really work? It sounds kind of… abstract. You say state-owned restaurants will only get worse—how can you be so sure?”

“You’re already running a breakfast stall yourself. Haven’t you felt the impact on state-owned eateries?”

Yingzi thought about it. The last time she passed Chunhua Restaurant, it really had been much quieter in the morning.

Her excitement rose another notch. “And that ‘franchise’ thing you mentioned… if we want others to come learn from us, will they really come? And they have to pay to learn—what if they think it’s not worth the money and don’t want to learn at all?”

“That’s fine. Rome wasn’t built in a day. We’ll take it slow. If we want to attract franchisees, we naturally have to show what makes us unique. But Yingzi, everything needs to be planned early. For example, choosing storefronts, hiring renowned chefs, deciding on an operating style—these all need to be prepared in advance. When the time is right and everything’s ready, we can open immediately. There are plenty of smart people out there—don’t let others beat us to it! Take trademarks, for instance—we need to register them right away!”

As Yingzi listened, things gradually became clearer.

Facts later proved that every step Zhang Qiao had suggested earlier was a huge help to her.

To Yingzi, Zhang Qiao wasn’t just her sister—she was her benefactor, her idol.

She was fired up. “Alright, Qiao-qiao! Whatever you say, that’s what we’ll do! From now on, I’m your right-hand woman. Just say the word—point me where to fight, and I won’t hesitate!”

Zhang Qiao nodded. Very good—she’d successfully gained another fangirl.

And a capable, hardworking one at that.

The two of them were all action. After closing their stall, they walked back and forth along Xiangshui Market several times, checking out every single storefront.

Zhang Qiao took a liking to a shop near the county committee compound. It was an antique-style building with lots of character, but it was currently occupied—they’d have to find a way to take it over.

She decided to hand this task to the quick-witted Chen Gang. That guy was best at buttering people up.

All along the way, Xiao Wu followed behind the two girls, his legs almost worn thin from walking.

But the girls were brimming with enthusiasm, chattering nonstop as they discussed things.

By the time the sky was nearly dark, Zhang Qiao finally headed home.

Remembering the factory director’s instructions, Xiao Wu continued to follow closely.

When they were almost at her doorstep, Zhang Qiao stopped him. “Xiao Wu, you’ve followed me all day—did you notice anything unusual?”

Xiao Wu shook his head.

“Since you didn’t, then tomorrow you can go back to work at the factory.”

“But…” Xiao Wu thought to himself that he didn’t really want to follow Zhang Qiao either—shopping with women was such a hassle. In one day, he’d walked enough streets for a lifetime.

“Don’t worry. When your director gets back, I’ll tell him you did a good job. There’s really nothing for you to do here anyway, so no need to keep running back and forth.”

“Alright… okay then.”

Seeing him agree, Zhang Qiao finally breathed a sigh of relief.

At this moment, in Jin City, Lin Tianyue had just finished a full day’s work.

Before it got dark, he planned to go out for a bit.

Accompanying him was his newly hired assistant, Chen Wang, a vocational school graduate.

Seeing that work was done, Chen Wang asked for leave. “Director, there’s nothing else going on tonight, right? I’d like to ask for some time off to go see my girlfriend at the machinery factory.”

Lin Tianyue was surprised. “Your girlfriend works at the machinery factory?”

“Yeah, she’s a technician.” Mentioning his girlfriend filled Chen Wang with pride.

His cheerfulness only highlighted Lin Tianyue’s solitude.

Even his employee was happier than him—at least the guy had a girlfriend to visit. And him… well—

“You’re planning to go empty-handed?” Lin Tianyue asked.

“No, I ordered a bouquet of flowers.”

“Flowers? Why buy flowers?” This was the first time Lin Tianyue had heard of giving flowers to a girlfriend.

Flowers were everywhere in the countryside—didn’t fill your stomach, didn’t quench your thirst. Who would like them?

“Of course—roses. City girls love them. Director, you haven’t ever given Sister-in-law flowers, have you?”

That hit Lin Tianyue right where it hurt. His eyebrows drooped as he thought: Zhang Qiao hadn’t spoken to him in ages. He wanted to give her something—he was just afraid she wouldn’t accept it…

Clearing his throat, he asked sternly, “Xiao Chen, have you ever argued with your girlfriend?”

“How could we not? Girls getting moody is totally normal.”

“Then what do you usually fight about?”

Chen Wang scratched his head, thinking their director had some odd voyeuristic tendencies—why else keep asking about his private life?

“There are tons of reasons. Picking her up late, giving an unsatisfying gift, not seeing me for too long, food not to her taste… any of that can start a fight. Oh, last time I accidentally messed up her newly styled hair—she scolded me for ages.”

Lin Tianyue thought: Heh. Women.

If they want to argue, they can find any excuse.

So why had Zhang Qiao ignored him for so long?

Just because of the issue of having boys or girls—was that really enough to stay cold for this long?

He asked again, “Then you—how did you make up in the end?”

“What else could I do? Just go along with her. Last time she complained I hadn’t visited in ages, so that’s why I’m asking for leave today. I’m planning to buy flowers to make her happy. I hear girls all like flowers, especially roses. If it works, I’ll tell you tomorrow.”

Lin Tianyue felt awkward. “Why tell me? I don’t need that!”

Chen Wang: “…”

“Alright, go ahead. I’ll give you a day off—spend some quality time with your girlfriend tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Director! Don’t worry, I won’t delay any of the work you assigned.”

“Mmm.”

As Chen Wang was about to leave, Lin Tianyue stopped him. “The machinery factory isn’t far from here, right?”

“That’s right!”

“Then let’s go—I’ll give you a ride.”

During this business trip, the other factory had arranged a car and driver specifically to host him.

He had the driver take Chen Wang to see his girlfriend.

When they arrived at the machinery factory, Chen Wang got out of the car. Lin Tianyue stayed inside.

He watched Chen Wang stand at the factory gate, enthusiastically waving at a tall girl.

When the girl spotted him, she glanced around, then ran toward him—excited yet reserved.

If there hadn’t been so many people around, it felt like they might have hugged right there.

After receiving the flowers, the girl even buried her face in them and took a deep sniff—she really did look happy.

That warm scene made Lin Tianyue feel restless.

So it was that simple to make a woman happy—just a few flowers.

From this, Lin Tianyue reached a conclusion: what women like most are those illusory, flashy, impractical things.

The next day, with Chen Wang not around, Lin Tianyue finished work and went to the bookstore. Following the reading list, he visited every bookstore in the city before finally buying all the books.

The stack was heavy in his arms.

After that, he went to an upscale department store. After asking several clerks, he finally found a place selling hair dryers.

Last time, he’d heard Zhang Qiao mention that she wanted one. For some reason, she hadn’t written it on the list, but he remembered it clearly and bought one for her.

He even spent a long time learning from the salesclerk how to use it.

The clerk was overly enthusiastic, and before he knew it, he was talked into buying some soap, shampoo, face cream, plus a bottle of perfume…

He didn’t understand brands—if it smelled nice, he bought it.

Now, he’d basically checked off everything on the list, including items for the three kids.

Only one thing remained unchecked: maternity underwear…

It wasn’t that Lin Tianyue didn’t want to buy it. He’d swallowed his pride and asked the salesclerks, but the department store didn’t even carry what he described. When he tried to explain further, they looked at him like he was some kind of pervert.

Absolutely speechless.

Back at the guesthouse, Lin Tianyue was bored out of his mind.

He thought: maybe he should invite Chen Wang and his girlfriend out for a meal.

Chen Wang’s girlfriend was a local—maybe she knew where to buy that kind of “underwear.”