Chapter 24: Lying Makes Your Nose Grow Longer

Hearing this, Jiang Xingran subconsciously shook his head in denial.

Because he had listened to his classmates chat back at Red Apple Kindergarten, he knew that whether it was learning to draw or doing handicrafts, it was very expensive. Especially his favorite, drawing; a semester-long class at the Children's Palace cost several thousand star coins, and he would have to buy his own art supplies.

He knew that Jiang Suisui worked very hard to earn money, so he had tried his best for a long time to keep himself from being interested in drawing or crafts.

It was fine to just not look, not draw, and not play.

It didn't matter. Being able to eat, stay warm, and live together with his sister and younger sister was the greatest happiness for him.

Jiang Suisui stared at Jiang Xingran and reached out to pat his little head; his hair was soft and felt very pleasant. "Xingxing, lying to your sister will make her sad."

"Sister..." Jiang Xingran pressed his lips together tightly. He didn't want to make Jiang Suisui sad. If she were sad, she would shed many little pearls, and her eyes would become swollen and uncomfortable. But he also didn't want Jiang Suisui to work harder just to earn money; he felt things were perfectly fine as they were now.

Seeing that Jiang Xingran remained silent, Jiang Suisui patiently continued, "Xingxing, I plan to sign Yueyue up for an introductory Sanda class. I don't believe in treating you differently, which is why I wanted to ask what your hobbies are, so I could sign you up for a class too."

Jiang Xingran wanted to refuse again, but Jiang Suisui took his little face between her hands and gently tugged at his cheeks. "You are not allowed to say you don't have any hobbies. If you say you don't, I’ll stuff you into a math logic enrichment class and make you study math and do problems every single weekend!"

Upon hearing that Jiang Suisui would stuff him into a math class, Jiang Xingran instantly behaved. He opened his mouth, but the words still wouldn't come out.

Seeing this, Jiang Suisui sighed softly. "So you do like drawing and making crafts, right, Xingxing?"

Before Jiang Xingran could answer, Jiang Yueyi, who was eating an apple, chirped up, "Of course Brother likes them! He is always so happy when he goes to art class! Teacher Yu even gave him a little red flower last week, but he wanted to save up ten before giving them to you!"

Jiang Xingran’s little face turned beet red, and he didn't dare to look at Jiang Suisui. His voice was soft, "Yueyue, didn't we agree that you would keep it a secret? Why did you..."

Jiang Yueyi replied righteously, "Because I don't want to watch Brother turn into a long-nosed boy! Pinocchio says that children who lie will grow long noses. Brother just told so many lies; if you don't tell the truth, your nose will grow so long, so long, so long!"

As she spoke, Jiang Yueyi used her small hands to gesture. Watching this, Jiang Xingran felt a bit nervous. "It won't grow long! Fairy tales are fictional."

Jiang Yueyi chuckled, "So, Brother, you were lying!"

Realizing he had been tricked by Jiang Yueyi, Jiang Xingran puffed up his cheeks, looking like a little pufferfish.

Jiang Suisui laughed along, wrapping one arm around Jiang Xingran and the other around Jiang Yueyi. "Alright, alright, then it's settled. Xingxing will go learn to draw, and Yueyue will learn Sanda."

She wanted to talk to Jiang Xingran about Teacher Yu’s grandmother, but just then, Zhou Yan initiated a voice call. Busy with the call, she didn't bring it up with him.

"Hello, Xiao Jiang. Next Saturday is my son Xuanxuan's birthday. I had originally booked a five-star hotel for him and even reserved a children's party room. But he isn't happy; he's clamoring for the pumpkin cakes, crispy pork, steamed buns, dumplings, and lion's head meatballs you make..."

"But the hotel is hard to cancel, and the electronic invitations have already been sent. So I was thinking, could I trouble you to make some dishes that kids love and deliver them? Just treat it as fulfilling his wish to add a few more dishes; the price is not an issue."

There was no reason to turn down business that came to her door. Jiang Suisui agreed immediately. "That's fine. Sister Yan, send me the time and location. As for the dishes, are there any requirements or dietary restrictions?"

Zhou Yan was silent for a few seconds before replying, "I also sent invitations to you, Xingxing, and Yueyue. They are in your inbox; the time and location are there. As for the dishes, just do what you think is best; I trust you. But if I had to pick, I really like boiled meat slices, spicy hot pot, and extra-spicy chicken feet, haha."

Her intentions were practically written all over her face. Jiang Suisui suppressed a laugh. "Alright, I'll arrange it myself."

"Hey, I love how straightforward you are," Zhou Yan said, then couldn't help but sigh. "My best friend is bringing her child too. She didn't want to attend the birthday party at first, saying that because she's divorced, she was afraid of bringing bad luck, which almost made me die of anger!"

"It's the interstellar era, how can people still believe in feudal superstitions? Later, I found out it was her scumbag ex-husband's family spreading rumors everywhere that she was a jinx, claiming their divorce was because she always brought bad luck to the household. Can you believe it, girl? There are actually people who believe that!"

Jiang Suisui frowned. "Her ex-husband's family is truly despicable for spreading such rumors. Why don't you gather evidence and find a lawyer to sue them?"

Zhou Yan slammed the table. "Hey, right! I totally forgot that I could sue them for defamation. The sentence for that isn't light at all!"

"Oh my, thank you, Xiao Jiang! Otherwise, I would have gone to pick a fight with them tomorrow. Anyway, I won't keep you, I need to go find my friend."

The call ended. Although Jiang Suisui didn't know Zhou Yan's friend, as a woman herself, she felt a bit of sympathy. Helping where she could was the least she could do.

It was 7:30. Jiang Suisui started up the food truck and took Jiang Xingran and Jiang Yueyi out to set up their stall.

Compared to weekends, Red Maple Park wasn't as crowded on a workday, but there were still plenty of people. After all, there were many residential complexes in the area, and people often came out for a stroll after dinner.

Just as she opened the stall, Jiang Suisui heard a familiar greeting.

"Suisui, is there anything I can help you with?"

Qin Wulan had changed into a floral dress. As soon as she finished speaking, Yun Zihao ran to the truck's service window impatiently. "Hey, where's my megaphone?"

Seeing Qin Wulan and Yun Zihao again—and that Yun Zihao really wanted to help work—Jiang Suisui couldn't help but be surprised. However, since his own mother had no objections, she naturally wouldn't interfere.

She took out the baked buns; the hot, wheaty aroma was everywhere. She then fished out the tender, braised meat soaked in marinade, chopped it up, and mixed it with fresh, crisp green peppers. In a little while, she had made five delicious meat sandwiches.

"Here, Zihao, this is what I promised you," Jiang Suisui handed out meat sandwiches to the three little ones and also gave one to Qin Wulan outside the truck. "Sister Lan, you have one too."

Qin Wulan took it and asked, "How many star coins? Let me scan for you."

Jiang Suisui waved her hand. "No need, this is a new item I was planning to introduce. It's perfect that you and Zihao can help me taste-test it."

Hearing this, Qin Wulan didn't insist on paying but silently kept this kindness in her heart.

Soon, Jiang Suisui officially started business. Customers came in twos and threes, wave after wave. It wasn't until nearly 10:00 that the prepared ingredients were sold out.