Chapter 19

Thinking of this, Lu Jun said, “I’ll go warn Li Ze later… And can you make some more of that essential oil and face masks?” 

Lu Jiu didn’t ask what her sister needed them for and agreed right away. “How much do you need?” 

“Not too much, just enough to last two months.” Several women in their family had already caught a lot of attention with their changes. 

For instance, a recent important partner, a successful woman in her forties, was very interested in Lu Jun’s skincare products. 

Sometimes, a contract just needs that last little push. 

“I’ll make time to prepare more.” Even though Lu Jiu wasn’t particularly interested in business, she knew how hard her sister worked and was happy to help. 

Lu Jun felt a warmth in her heart and ruffled her sister’s hair. “Don’t make too much, rarity adds value.” 

“Okay.” 

Why is she being so obedient? Lu Jun furrowed her brow, worried that her sister’s gentle nature might lead to her being taken advantage of when she wasn’t around. 

— 

The second daughter of the Lu family was quite famous in her social circle. 

Firstly, due to the widely publicized broken engagement, and secondly, because she was exceptionally beautiful. 

Now, this beauty was opening a flower shop. 

To many wealthy people, this seemed not only like a lack of ambition but also an indication that she was giving up competing with Lu Jun for the company. 

But despite any private criticisms, public appearances still needed to be made. 

Moreover, with the booming Lu family business, Lu Jiu was still a top choice for many families looking for a marriage alliance. 

So, on the day of the opening, even though she hadn’t sent out invitations, everyone who knew came to show their support. 

Especially those of similar age, eager to take home a “swan,” were the most enthusiastic. 

There was no choice; the second daughter of the Lu family had always been too low-key. 

Since the broken engagement, she hadn’t appeared in public at all. 

Now that there was an opportunity for interaction, those who thought it suitable would not miss it. 

However, while the intentions were good, reality was quite harsh. 

The beauty had a significant obstacle in her path. 

Throughout the entire morning, no matter who approached to strike up a conversation, Lu Jun, the eldest daughter of the Lu family, kept her arms crossed and wore a polite but unamused smile, guarding her sister’s side. 

In the same social circle, who didn’t know who? 

Although Lu Jun was young, she was quite formidable for her age. 

Most people would still show her some respect. 

But anyone who knew about the Lu family and Li family’s engagement couldn’t help but think Li Ze was blind. 

Not only blind but also crazy—how could he give up a gem for a sesame seed? 

At the same time, many were mentally planning how to pursue the beautiful woman. 

No matter how capable Lu Jun was, she couldn’t be by her sister’s side all the time. 

As for some men’s thoughts, Lu Jiu, busy all day, was unaware. 

Even if she knew, she wouldn’t care much, as she would only come by occasionally after the opening days. 

At present, Lu Jiu, having been busy all day, was lounging in a wicker chair, rubbing her face… 

Smiling all day had left her face stiff. 

“… Boss, you should head home. It’s already dark. I just need to mop the floor and I’ll be done.” Zhao Lanlan, having calculated today’s earnings, handed over the ledger and cash. 

Lu Jiu counted the money, signed the ledger, and then checked her phone: “No rush, it’s not even 7 o’clock yet. Let’s wait for everyone. Where’s XiaoYuanzi?” 

XiaoYuanzi was another employee. 

The flower shop’s hours were from 9 AM to 6 PM, but during the first few days of opening, they couldn’t close exactly on time. Hmm… they’d need to give out extra bonuses at the end of the month. 

Zhao Lanlan said, “XiaoYuanzi went to take out the trash. Boss, you really don’t need to wait for us…” 

Lu Jiu leaned back in the wicker chair, then held up her phone to check for missed calls and messages: “I’m not waiting for you, I’m just a bit tired and want to rest for a while.” 

Zhao Lanlan was skeptical: “Really? It’s not to keep us company?” 

“Lanlan, do you think there’s any reason to lie about this?” 

“Okay, okay! I believe you! You look so reasonable, so I naturally believe whatever you say.” 

“Ouch…” Lu Jiu didn’t mind the teasing but ended up hitting her nose with her phone because she was laughing so hard. 

Zhao Lanlan, who had only been joking, quickly put down the mop and hurried over: “What happened? Are you okay?” 

“I’m fine, I’m fine…” Lu Jiu rubbed her nose, her voice muffled. 

Once she confirmed that it was just a bit red, Zhao Lanlan smiled brightly: “You’re too easy to tease. If I had your looks and figure, I’d definitely use my nose to see how those men react…” 

“Cough, cough, cough… Lanlan, I need to head home.” It wasn’t that she was embarrassed by the praise, but Lanlan’s expression was so amusing that Lu Jiu really couldn’t stop laughing. 

“Go ahead, go ahead. Do you want me to give you a ride to the parking lot?” 

“No need, no need.” 

— 

Lu Jiu had a fair amount of cash in her bag. 

Though she wasn’t paranoid, she did walk a bit faster than usual. 

Fortunately, the parking lot was only a two- or three-minute walk from the shop. 

As soon as she put her bag in the passenger seat, she relaxed. 

At that moment, Lu Jiu noticed that a black Mitsubishi SUV was parked next to her pink car. 

It looked familiar, so she glanced at it a few more times. 

Just as she was about to back up to check the license plate number, she heard XiaoYuanzi’s complaints: 

“Ugh!!! Why does this trash truck discriminate based on height? Can’t shorter people throw away the trash?” 

Lu Jiu turned her head and saw her employee not far away, standing on tiptoe, struggling to throw a large bag of trash into the truck’s container. 

XiaoYuanzi was small and round-faced, and although she was 24 years old, she still looked like a high school student. 

Lu Jiu quickly walked over, holding back her laughter as she reached out to help: “Give it to me, I’ll handle it.” 

“Beautiful boss?” XiaoYuanzi was surprised for a moment, then quickly shook her head: “I can do it. I’m just worried because there are a lot of thorny flower stems in the bag, and I’m afraid if I use too much force, it’ll tear the already precarious trash bag.” 

Won’t that scatter trash everywhere? 

“It’s okay, give it to me. I’m pretty strong.” It was the truth; although the spiritual energy hadn’t granted her any magical abilities, her strength was indeed greater than usual. 

XiaoYuanzi was still hesitant, feeling that her beautiful boss, dressed in such a nice dress and looking so delicate, wouldn’t be able to throw a 20- or 30-pound bag of trash properly.