Forced into a romantic relationship

Chapter 290 Smiling Face
November 8th, the Beginning of Winter.

If we distinguish them by the solar terms, today marks the beginning of winter, when all things begin to hibernate.

The temperature in Lincheng has continued to drop, falling below ten degrees Celsius. Fashionable girls are wearing knitted dresses with slightly better warmth, draped with coats, and paired with sheer tights, still able to show off their beauty in this season.

On a bench near the basketball court, Lin Anyu was seriously observing the girls passing by, occasionally letting out a sigh.

Today, he was wearing a thick trench coat with the collar turned up high to block the cold wind trying to get into his neck. He suddenly said, "When I take over the family business in the future, I will definitely make it bigger and stronger, and one day I will monopolize the entire global supply chain of 'bare leg' products, allowing only one type of 'bare leg' product to be produced..."

"It looks similar to stockings, right?" Han Zhou chimed in, "If that's your goal, then I wholeheartedly support you."

You're only half right.

Lin Anyu shook his head solemnly, his expression serious. "I don't want ordinary stockings, I want black stockings. Stockings of other colors have no value. Only black stockings represent the ultimate form of aesthetics. Do you understand?"

"Then I still won't support you."

Han Zhou took a sip of cola and said casually, "I support freedom of aesthetics. Good legs deserve good stockings. Color is not the point. To borrow a saying from my hometown, there are no useless stockings, only useless lower limbs."

"Hiss... No wonder you're a top student, your awareness is really high."

Lin Anyu was filled with respect, adopting an exaggeratedly self-conscious expression, then asked in confusion, "But isn't your hometown Lincheng? I've never heard of that before?"

"Oh, it's just a paraphrase of a classic quote," Han Zhou replied casually.

"Alright." Lin Anyu didn't mind, and looked at his friend with a smile. "Speaking of which, have you become a bit of a flirt lately? You're actually discussing this kind of LSP topic with me in a serious manner."

"This is a matter of aesthetics, what does it have to do with LSP?"

"I can't quite put my finger on it, but you have this feeling of someone who's been secretly passionate turning into someone who's openly passionate..."

Han Zhou shrugged: "I told you this is a serious topic. Even if there are girls here, I can discuss it with them without hesitation."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a wary voice sounded from behind him: "What do you want to discuss with a girl?"

Han Zhou's expression froze, and when he turned around, he met Gu Zheng's bright eyes, which were full of suspicion.

Today, Gu Zheng was wearing a black sweater and a light brown high-waisted skirt. She was slightly bent over with her hands behind her back. She originally planned to sneak up on Han Zhou and startle him, but as soon as she got over, she heard the keyword "girl". She immediately became wary and couldn't help but ask.

Seeing that Han Zhou didn't speak, Lin Anyu gave him a reassuring look, coughed, and explained, "Han Zhou just told me that there are no useless stockings, only useless lower limbs."

"So?" Guzheng asked.

"Han Zhou wants to see you wear black stockings."

Han Zhou almost spat out blood. Is this how you put my mind at ease?

Gu Zheng paused for two seconds, her face slightly flushed, and after looking at Han Zhou for a while, she asked nonchalantly, "Is what he said true?"

"It's fake." Han Zhou shook his head.

I never said it had to be black stockings… he thought to himself.

Just then, Lin Anyu hurriedly corrected himself, saying, "I misspoke just now. Han Zhou didn't say it had to be black stockings. He said good legs go with good stockings."

Han Zhou's expression darkened: "Can you please stop talking?"

"Isn't this a serious topic? What are you embarrassed about?" Lin Anyu said, winking.

Han Zhou ignored him, took out his phone to check the time, and changed the subject, saying, "Alright, it's almost time. Let's set off once everyone is here."

When the topic turned to business, Gu Zheng didn't want to dwell on the previous question, so she nodded and said, "Yes, Sister Yin just sent me a message saying that she's almost done preparing."

"Don't we need to wait for the senior?" Lin Anyu asked, puzzled.

The "senior" he was referring to was Zhong Ling. Although they weren't from the same school, she was still his senior in terms of grade.

"No need, my senior has already gone to the store and told us not to wait for her." Han Zhou stood up and casually tossed the can into the trash can in the distance. "The address is just outside the school, not far away."

More than half a month has passed since the social event. During this time, Zhong Yin has been repeatedly thinking about the feasibility of opening a pastry shop. He discussed it with his sister Zhong Ling for several days and even consulted Han Zhou's opinion. Finally, he gritted his teeth and made a decision to gamble with his savings.

These savings included money that the sisters' deceased parents had saved for half their lives. This was the first time Zhong Yin had used it, hoping that her parents' spirits in heaven would bless the pastry shop to continue operating successfully.

Taking into account various factors, the pastry shop was finally opened on a street near Lincheng University. According to Lin Anyu, as long as the taste is not bad, opening a shop near a university will at least not lose money. University students have always been the main consumers of pastries, so opening a shop near a school means that there is no need to worry about customers.

As for whether it's possible to consistently make big money, that depends on how the business is managed in the future.

Of course, it's common knowledge that shops near universities are in high demand, and it's usually difficult to find someone willing to transfer the business. Han Zhou saw those shops with signs like "Shop for rent soon, clearance sale, everything for only 38" on the first day of school, and he can still see them now.

It has to be said that if they can't even sell products priced at 38, it shows how low the quality of their goods is. Even if they use tricks like shouting "clearance sale" slogans, no one will fall for it. Closing down is an inevitable outcome.

After learning of Zhong Yin's idea, Han Zhou took the initiative to help. He found a shop that was indeed not doing well, visited it several times, and finally acquired the shop at a reasonable price that satisfied him.

This was certainly not because Han Zhou was eloquent or good at negotiating, but because he was now able to uncover secrets and easily found out the lowest price the boss could accept. With Lin Anyu's assistance, he was able to rent the shop at a low price.

Lin Anyu was called by Han Zhou to help, and Han Zhou had put in a lot of effort in this matter. Zhong Yin naturally wanted to repay his kindness, so she invited him to try the pastries together today.

That's right, today isn't the opening day yet. Since Zhong Yin is confident in opening a pastry shop, it means she is indeed good at this. Han Zhou can taste this from the pastries that Zhong Ling brings from time to time—she is constantly improving.

However, that's not enough. To improve competitiveness, Zhong Yin has been trying to develop more appealing pastries, and today is the day to showcase her research results.

"I have a feeling that my senior's shop will be very popular." Lin Anyu stretched and said with anticipation, "If they get too busy in the future, Han Zhou, you must make them consider hiring me to help out at the shop."

Whether it's the idea that Zhong Yin's shop will become a huge hit, or his desire to work at Zhong Yin's shop, both of his statements are based on the same logic—Zhong Yin is a stunning beauty. Not only is Zhong Yin a stunning beauty, but her younger sister, Zhong Ling, is also a stunning beauty.

Although many people say that you can't eat your face, in fact, there are countless ways to make a living from your face. With just a little publicity, spread the news that "there are two beautiful sisters in that newly opened shop, one of whom is the 'mute bride' Zhong Ling", and at the very least, many boys from the university will definitely come to see what kind of charm Zhong Ling's sister has.

This is natural advertising, requiring almost no cost.

To put it another way, if you're going to buy pastries outside the school gates, would you rather spend the time waiting looking at handsome men and beautiful women, or would you rather keep looking down at your phone?
Opinions vary, but it is undeniable that when tastes are similar, appearance is an important factor influencing choice. Otherwise, so many shops wouldn't bother with elaborate decorations; they could just find a bare-bones apartment.

Of course, many factors can influence success, but at least in Lin Anyu's opinion, this store will definitely be profitable.

Han Zhou said irritably, "If you want to work, go and ask Sister Yin yourself. But weren't you ambitious before, wanting to unify the design aesthetics of 'bare leg' tights worldwide? Why do you want to work now?"

"What do you mean by changing the design aesthetics of the 'bare leg' tights?" Gu Zheng asked, looking puzzled.

"That's not important," Lin Anyu said righteously. "What's important is that our school is holding a sports meet next week, and the class monitor insists that I participate in the relay race. As you all know, my athletic ability is quite average. Guzheng, you are so talented in sports, do you have any tips you can teach me?"

"You really changed the subject pretty abruptly..."

Gu Zheng glanced at him, thought for a moment, and said, "You said it yourself, I only have talent in sports, not the secrets to improving my athletic ability, so I can't teach you anything. Hmm... does trying to run forward count?"

Lin Anyu, exasperated by Gu Zheng's Versailles-like performance, turned to Han Zhou and asked, "Han Zhou, do you have any ideas? I feel like your athletic ability is on a completely different level than before. Could it be that your Ren and Du meridians have been opened up?"

"I just didn't make a move before."

Han Zhou said without changing his expression, "You want to improve your athletic ability mainly so that the girls in your class will cheer for you, right? Then just make that your goal and work hard."

Lin Anyu sighed, "Sigh, your answers are all so perfunctory."

Han Zhou didn't want to give a perfunctory answer, but he couldn't very well tell the other person that he became stronger because he used cheat codes, and that they should go find one and use one too.
Just then, Guzheng said, "Speaking of which, our school's sports meet is about to start, right? I think I heard the sports committee member mention it a couple of days ago."

Han Zhou nodded: "It's a week later than Lin Anyu's school."

I heard this news from Ouyang Lianyu. It's worth mentioning that not long ago, this "covered in injuries" finally got rid of her wheelchair and was able to properly relive the feeling of being on solid ground. As long as her hands recover in a while, she will be able to dispel the rumor that "Teacher Ouyang could not possibly appear on campus unharmed."

She was very much looking forward to it and mentioned it in several conversations with Han Zhou. She also said that she would be very careful recently and make sure to eliminate the stereotypes that the teachers and students of the whole school had about her.

—Then she went back to the hospital.

Fortunately, the injury was not serious; it was just a sprained ankle. Ouyang Lianyu remained confident that she would make a full recovery soon.

Hearing Han Zhou suppress a laugh as he recounted this, Gu Zheng looked worried: "Could it be that Teacher Ouyang is really cursed like everyone says? Who gets injured all the time?"

“It has nothing to do with the curse.” Han Zhou shook his head and said, “Professor Ouyang is just too focused on her mathematical research. When you focus too much on one thing, you tend to be too careless in other things. I think we should find something other than mathematics for her to do.”

"for example?"

"For example, let her participate in the sports meet."

Gu Zheng rolled her eyes: "Now I finally understand why Teacher Ouyang always gets angry with you."

Han Zhou said innocently, "It's because she kept hinting that I should participate in sports, especially the most troublesome long-distance running. There are so many talented people in the class, I'm clearly more suitable to be the head of the logistics department."

"Then remember to come and help me out, and cheer me on while you're at it."

"no problem."

Han Zhou smiled. Given Gu Zheng's personality, she would definitely participate in the sports meet, so of course he would cheer her on.

"What about my cheering?" Lin Anyu suddenly asked sourly, staring intently at Han Zhou.

Han Zhou looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"who are you?"

"..."

The group chatted casually along the way and soon arrived at a street outside the school.

This street is in a pretty good location, adjacent to a commercial street, and pedestrians will basically pass through here when they go shopping. At this time, you can see a lot of people on the street, which means that the flow of people is good.

The pastry shop is located a little further into the street, so it's not as conspicuous as other shops, which is normal. If it were a shop in a prime location, the transfer price would undoubtedly be much higher.

The shop had obviously been renovated and was very different from when Han Zhou last came. All the necessary tools were in place. Han Zhou saw the cake machine that he and Zhong Ling had won at the social event on a table in the corner.

There's no sign outside yet. Besides offering the food tasting, another reason Zhong Yin invited everyone here today is to help come up with a catchy name for the shop.

"Sister Yin, Senior, we're here."

Han Zhou entered first and immediately saw Zhong Ling busy at work. She was intently squeezing cream onto the pastries on a plate, and perhaps because she was in a good mood, a faint smile played on her lips, making the room seem brighter.

Han Zhou did not make a sound to disturb them. Zhong Ling and Ouyang Lianyu were somewhat similar; once they got into a state of focus, they would become extremely concentrated. The difference was that the latter was more extreme and would often even ignore her own safety.

He gestured for the two guzheng players behind him to be quiet, slowed his pace, and walked over. He looked down at the pastries in Zhong Ling's hand that looked quite appealing—if nothing unexpected happened, these should be the pastries they were going to try today.

After seeing the pattern on the pastry, he was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and chuckled.

"They actually added a smiley face..."

(End of this chapter)