Chapter 56: Causing a Stir

Qi Yanjing made sour soup beef and tomato fish for lunch, along with two vegetable dishes.

After Wen Zhixian set the table, she watched as Qi Yanjing brought the tomato fish to the table.

“It’s my first time making this. Give it a try and see how it tastes,” Qi Yanjing said as he gently pushed her into a chair and sat beside her.

Wen Zhixian picked up her chopsticks, tasted a piece of the fish, and was pleasantly surprised. “It’s delicious!”

She had expected it wouldn’t be great since it was his first attempt and had already planned to compliment him no matter what. But the taste exceeded her expectations.

Seeing her satisfied, Qi Yanjing finally picked up his chopsticks to eat.

“Are you heading to the shop after lunch?” he asked.

Wen Zhixian nodded. “Yeah, Yue Qi has something to do this afternoon. He was supposed to work the evening shift with the new hire, but now it’s just the new guy. I’m worried he can’t handle it alone, so I’ll be back home around 8 p.m.”

Qi Yanjing understood. “Alright. I’ll work from home this afternoon and cook dinner for you tonight.”

Wen Zhixian smiled as she ate, his words giving off a stay-at-home husband vibe that amused her.

---

After lunch, they strolled around the neighborhood twice before Qi Yanjing drove her to the shop.

When they arrived, she waved to him. “See you tonight.”

Qi Yanjing’s lips curved into a slight smile. “See you tonight.”

As Wen Zhixian turned around, she noticed Zhou Qishi resting his chin on his hand, watching them. “Boss, is that your husband?”

“Yep.”

Zhou Qishi smacked his lips. “He’s so handsome.”

It was a genuine compliment. He truly found Qi Yanjing good-looking.

Wen Zhixian’s face lit up with a smile. “I think so too.”

The shop was quiet with few customers, so the two of them chatted casually.

Not even ten minutes later, Qi Yanjing returned, carrying a bag.

“I passed by a fruit shop and saw they had cherries, so I bought some,” Qi Yanjing said, placing the cherries on the counter and looking at Wen Zhixian.

Zhou Qishi popped his head out and asked, “Can I have some?”

With a cheeky grin, he added, “Brother-in-law.”

He had heard from Yue Qi that their boss’s husband adored her and that calling him “brother-in-law” with a smile would guarantee goodies.

Qi Yanjing glanced at him and said, “Sure.”

Zhou Qishi turned to Wen Zhixian. “Boss, I’ll go wash them.”

“Go ahead.”

With her permission, Zhou Qishi eagerly took the cherries to the back to wash them.

Qi Yanjing gently touched Wen Zhixian’s face. “This time, I’m really leaving. Call me ten minutes before you’re off.”

“Okay.”

Watching Qi Yanjing drive away, Wen Zhixian’s gaze lingered. So this is what love feels like—a smile blooming unknowingly.

A customer arrived, and she made them a cup of coffee and handed it over.

Not long after, Zhou Qishi returned with the washed cherries.

He placed the cherries to the side and asked, “Brother-in-law’s gone?”

“He’s gone home.”

Wen Zhixian picked up a cherry and popped it into her mouth. It was quite sweet.

She looked Zhou Qishi up and down. “You’re not wearing those floor-dragging pants anymore?”

“You told me not to wear them, but they look so cool!” He thought of the boss’s husband from earlier and added, “By the way, your husband’s outfits are pretty stylish too.”

By 8 p.m., there were hardly any customers left, just two or three sitting around.

“Why did you decide to work at my shop?” Wen Zhixian asked casually.

Zhou Qishi sighed. “I didn’t have a choice. My family froze my cards, and when I saw the hiring notice at your shop, I just applied.”

Wen Zhixian raised an eyebrow and listened as he passionately explained, “Let me tell you, I just want to chase my dreams, but my family won’t let me. They froze my cards! Isn’t that infuriating? So now I’m earning my own money—independently chasing my dreams!”

As Zhou Qishi continued, his words seemed to touch even himself.

“What’s your dream, exactly?” Wen Zhixian asked, genuinely curious. It was evident Zhou Qishi came from a well-off family. His parents probably wanted him to do something more conventional. Even if he didn’t follow their plans, would they really cut him off so decisively?

Zhou Qishi pointed at himself. “What kind of vibe do you think I give off?”

Silence.

What kind of vibe? The first time she met him, his face was clean and innocent, but his overall style was more unconventional—like a non-mainstream outlier.

It was only his good looks holding everything together. Otherwise, he’d seem like just another edgy street kid.

“Don’t you think I’m super cool?”

Wen Zhixian forced a polite laugh.

“I used to play in a rock band, but it fell apart halfway. Now I want to be a rapper, but my family says I’m wasting my life.”

Finally, she understood why Yue Qi mentioned that Zhou Qishi would occasionally break out into freestyle rap.

“What do you think about my dream?” Zhou Qishi asked, looking earnestly at her.

For a moment, Wen Zhixian didn’t know how to respond.

Before she could think of an answer, noise came from outside.

Zhou Qishi poked his head out. “This late and there’s a whole group of people?”

Wen Zhixian noticed the approaching men, all covered in tattoos. If she were alone at the shop, it would indeed be frightening.

Zhou Qishi’s expression turned serious, but he still greeted them politely, “Welcome.”

Unexpectedly, one of the tattooed men at the front asked directly, “Are you Wen Zhixian?”

Zhou Qishi instinctively stepped in front of her.

Wen Zhixian shook her head. “I’m not.”

Zhou Qishi raised an eyebrow.

At this point, the shop was empty, leaving only the two of them facing the group.

“It’s her,” one of the men confirmed, holding up a photo for comparison.

The picture only showed a side profile, but Wen Zhixian’s striking beauty made her instantly recognizable.

Wen Zhixian discreetly reached for her phone to call the police.

The group of men began kicking chairs and tables, creating a piercing, chaotic noise. Zhou Qishi stood firmly in front of her, lowering his voice. “Stay right here.”

Without another word, he charged forward.

While Wen Zhixian worried about Zhou Qishi, she simultaneously dialed the police.

But as she glanced up, she froze in shock. The group of men stood no chance against Zhou Qishi. His moves were clearly trained and professional—so much so that even an amateur like her could tell.

Zhou Qishi took down three of them with ease. The remaining two quickly waved their hands in surrender. “Stop! Stop! We didn’t come to fight!”

They surrendered without hesitation.

---

Qi Yanjing arrived early to pick up Wen Zhixian. Hearing the commotion inside, his heart sank. He parked, turned off the car, and ran into the shop.

The sight that greeted him was three tattooed men lying on the ground.

He rushed to Wen Zhixian, scanning her from head to toe for injuries. When he found none, he pulled her into his arms, voice tight with concern. “Are you okay?”

Wen Zhixian shook her head. “I’m fine.”

“What happened?” Qi Yanjing’s icy gaze turned to the two men still standing.

Zhou Qishi’s temper flared. “He asked you a question!”

At Zhou Qishi’s bark, the men caved instantly. “Someone hired us to cause trouble! Said the woman was pretty. We don’t know her name, and we weren’t supposed to do anything serious—just make a scene, smash a few chairs, and scare her.”

The men were just local troublemakers, with no loyalty to any cause. Seeing Zhou Qishi’s fighting prowess, they wanted no part of further conflict.