Chapter 103: Feeling Agitated?

Liu Chun couldn’t wait to explain, “You won’t believe this! I have no idea what’s gotten into him, but Kong Zhigang actually came to our house with a gift!”

Jing Xi was surprised. “A gift?”

“Yeah, and he specifically said it was for my sister!”

“What did he bring?”

Liu Chun described it, “A big box. No idea what was inside. My parents didn’t accept it and sent it right back.”

Hearing this, Jing Xi’s first thought was—could it be that Xiao Jie did something to Kong Zhigang?

She recalled that day outside the Kong family home when Kong Yu had mentioned that people from Qishan Road had some kind of background.

Could it be…

Kong Zhigang found out and wanted to apologize?

But if that was the case, why didn’t he bring Kong Yu along to apologize properly?

Liu Yan spoke up, “Either way, I don’t want anything to do with that school anymore. I’ll just treat everything that happened as my first major setback in life. But I’ll remember this—if the Kong family ever crosses me again, or if they end up in my hands, I’ll make sure they regret it! If I succeed in the future, I’ll make them pay!”

Liu Yan was a Capricorn born at the end of the year, so when she said this, Jing Xi didn’t find it surprising at all.

Patient, but vengeful.

That’s the kind of person who could achieve great things.

Jing Xi patted Liu Yan’s shoulder. “This might be Xiao Jie’s doing, or maybe Kong Zhigang just realized that if you get into a good university, you could come back and make life difficult for him. Either way, this also tells us that Kong Zhigang doesn’t actually have much power. He might be able to mess with students at school, but that’s about it. He’s nothing more than a petty villain.”

“Exactly! I agree!” Liu Chun nodded vigorously.

“And as for Kong Yu and his mother, you two should be careful. Those two seem like the real lunatics. Try not to go out too much these days so she doesn’t cause trouble again.”

The sisters both nodded in agreement.

Jing Xi then went straight to the village office. After confirming that Cao Xinyi had completely taken over the responsibilities, she felt reassured that she wouldn’t have to come by as often anymore. With that, she left for the bus stop and headed to the bun shop.

The chicken buns had been receiving great feedback lately, so Zhao Shunli, Tian Jun, and Jing Xi decided to start officially selling them.

At first, they didn’t plan to prepare too much filling. They slightly improved the original recipe—each day, they would use three large chickens and a dozen big potatoes. The potatoes were steamed and mashed, then mixed in small amounts into the buns to enhance the texture while keeping costs under control.

These ingredients could produce about three to four trays of buns per day.

Each day, the three chickens required about a pound of Orleans seasoning.

This meant Jing Xi could earn an extra yuan.

The buns at this shop were large, generously stuffed, and priced the same as pork buns—set at five cents each.

Zhao Shunli mentioned that they hadn’t raised prices in years.

But with rising costs and inflation, they were considering an increase.

They just needed the right timing.

Jing Xi knew that even at this price, the buns were still quite cheap. That was why she had been so surprised at the beginning when she realized the pork buns were made with high-quality meat.

On the first day the chicken buns were sold, they were gone within an hour.

Some people had even heard how good they were and came specifically to buy them—only to leave empty-handed.

Even Zhou Jiwen had come back to buy more after trying the ones Jing Xi had given him last time. He had found them delicious, but this time, he arrived too late and they were already sold out.

Looking outside and seeing that there weren’t many customers left, Zhou Jiwen lowered his head and spoke to Jing Xi through the window. “Xiao Jing, could you set some aside for me tomorrow? I don’t know exactly what time I’ll be able to come, and I don’t want to miss out. Would that be okay?”

Jing Xi nodded. “Sure! How many do you want?”

“Hmm… give me ten. And another ten of the chive and egg ones.”

Jing Xi noted it down. “Alright, I’ll save them for you.”

Zhou Jiwen smiled. He was already young and good-looking, but when he smiled, he looked even more handsome.

Jing Xi glanced at his face. She had to admit, he had a naturally charming look.

He probably attracted a lot of girls.

“Thanks! Here, let me pay you now.”

Just as Jing Xi was about to accept the money, Tian Jun walked over. “It’s fine. Just pay when you pick them up tomorrow. You’re a regular customer, and besides, you’re one of our police officers—what’s there to worry about?”

Zhou Jiwen insisted, “It’s alright, big sis! Here, take it.”

Jing Xi finally accepted the money.

“Sis-in-law, since Officer Zhou insists, we should just take it. Sooner or later, he’d have to pay anyway.”

Zhou Jiwen laughed. “That’s right! Makes sense.”

Tian Jun shrugged. “Alright, whatever works.”

Then she grabbed a few empty bowls and left.

Jing Xi lowered her head, her fair, delicate face framed by her soft, thick black hair. The sight made Zhou Jiwen freeze, unable to look away.

What a beautiful girl. She wasn’t just pretty—she had a unique charm.

Even though she was doing something as simple as selling buns, she stood out like a white swan in a humble bun shop.

A white swan?

Zhou Jiwen thought about it and decided the comparison was fitting.

She was the white swan of the bun shop.

There was a striking contrast between her and her surroundings—elegant, refined, simple, yet stunning.

Jing Xi handed Zhou Jiwen his change, but when she looked up, she found him staring at her in a daze.

As soon as their eyes met, Zhou Jiwen quickly averted his gaze, but the redness creeping up his ears and face didn’t escape Jing Xi’s notice.

Was he flustered?

“Officer Zhou, why are your ears so red?”

Zhou Jiwen touched his ears and laughed awkwardly. “Are they? Haha….”

Jing Xi looked at him innocently. “Yeah, is it because of the heat? Summer is always so stifling, and you guys have to run around in uniforms all day. You should try drinking some chrysanthemum or jasmine tea to cool down.”

Zhou Jiwen nodded quickly. “Got it. I’ll make some when I get back. Well, I’ll be off then. See you tomorrow!”

“Take care!”

Zhou Jiwen hopped on his bike and pedaled away at full speed, covering two blocks before stopping.

Sweating profusely from the heat, he pulled over, his heart still pounding as he recalled Jing Xi’s concerned expression when she suggested he drink tea.

Unbeknownst to him, a pair of eyes were watching from the shadows, narrowing slightly.

=====

That afternoon, just as Jing Xi finished selling the last of the buns, an urgent news broadcast came over the radio.

A major safety incident had occurred at a mine in the southern town. At least dozens of people were trapped underground, and rescue efforts were underway.

Jing Xi, along with Zhao Shunli and Tian Jun, continued cleaning up while listening to the radio. Her heart tightened at the news.

Tian Jun looked worried. “Oh my God, so many people are trapped down there! What if they can’t be rescued?”

Zhao Shunli nodded. “I saw a lot of police cars and fire trucks heading out of town earlier. They were probably heading there.”

Jing Xi had noticed the commotion, too. “That makes sense. No wonder the streets were so noisy.”

Suddenly, Tian Jun seemed to remember something and sprang to her feet. “I need to call my sister-in-law! I have to ask if she knows exactly which mine it is. There are so many of them—what if my brother is trapped inside?”

With that, she dashed off without another word.

Zhao Shunli stood up as well. “Xiao Jing, lock up when you leave. I’m going to check on things, too.”

Jing Xi quickly nodded.

After tidying up the kitchen, she left.

On the way back to the village, she overheard many people discussing the accident, speculating about the cause.

But at this moment, rescuing the miners was the priority.

When Jing Xi got home, she immediately entered her space and turned on the television.

The number of trapped workers had already risen to seventy, and more people were still being accounted for.