Why didn't you tell me earlier that my little sister is still waiting for me?

The next morning, sunlight streamed into the bedroom through the gaps in the curtains. Xu Li kicked Lin Bufan in the butt with such force that she nearly knocked him off the bed.

"Get up and cook!" Xu Li ordered in a muffled voice, wrapped in a quilt.

Lin Bufan turned over drowsily and buried his face in the pillow: "Why should I go? Don't you have hands?"

"The food you cook is delicious!" Xu Li kicked again with confidence.

Lin Bufan sat up abruptly, protesting with his messy hair: "Just because it tastes good doesn't give you a reason to exploit me! Even capitalists are not as heartless as you!"

Xu Li flung back the quilt with a swish, her eyebrows raised. "What? When you're out there cooking for those slutty vixens every day, why don't you ever complain about being wronged? And you're wronged just because I cooked for me?"

"You used this excuse to make me cook last night!" Lin Bufan grabbed a pillow and threw it at him: "Can you change to something fresher?"

Xu Li caught the pillow and sneered, "Don't worry about the reason. I'm just asking you if you're going or not. If you don't go, don't even think about getting into my bed anymore."

Lin Bufan curled his lips with a look of disdain: "I think it's obvious that you are too full. Do you want to eat vegetarian food for a few days?"

"Bullshit!" Xu Li threw the pillow back. "If there weren't a child at home that affected my fighting ability, I would have made sure you couldn't get out of bed!"

"hehe--"

……

Just when the two were on the verge of a fight, Huang Yimei's voice suddenly came from outside the house: "Xu Li, Bufan, get up and eat!"

"Oh, Rose has already prepared dinner!" Xu Li jumped out of bed and quickly put on her pajamas, while complaining to Lin Bufan: "It's all your fault, you're so slow!"

Lin Bufan rolled his eyes and stretched slowly. "If you weren't such a slow learner, and I had to repeat it over and over again, would it take so long?"

"Shut up!" Xu Li picked up the pillow and threw it at him again, her face flushed. "Hurry up and get dressed. Xiaochu will be knocking on the door soon."

When they finished packing and left the bedroom, Huang Yimei had already laid out breakfast on the dining table. She was wearing an apron and heating three cups of milk. When she heard the noise, she turned around and smiled, "Are you up? Hurry and wash up and eat!"

Xiaochu sat in the children's chair, dangling his short legs, and complained in a baby voice, "Aunt Xu and Uncle Lin are fighting in the room again! I heard pillows banging!"

Huang Yimei's hand trembled and the milk almost spilled out. Obviously, she had misunderstood and was thinking about something that made her very happy!

Xu Li naturally understood that Xiaochu's words could easily be misunderstood, so she quickly explained, "It was a real fight, Rose, don't let your imagination run wild!"

Huang Yimei gently placed the heated milk on the table with a gentle smile on her face: "I'm not imagining things. Didn't Xiaochu say you were fighting?"

Xu Li rushed to the dining table in two steps and snatched the milk cup from Huang Yimei's hand: "You're talking nonsense! You're clearly just imagining things! Look, your ears are red!"

Huang Yimei subconsciously touched her burning earlobe, her eyes avoiding Xu Li's gaze: "It's too hot in the kitchen... The milk is getting cold, drink it quickly."

"Don't try to be so rude!" Xu Li pressed closer to Huang Yimei, "How many years have we known each other? Don't I know that you always touch your ears when you lie?"

Xiaochu blinked her big eyes and looked at the adults curiously: "Mom, Aunt Xu, what are you talking about?"

Lin Bufan slowly walked to the dining table and rubbed Xiaochu's head. "They are discussing complicated issues between adults. Children shouldn't ask."

Huang Yimei felt as if she had been pardoned and quickly changed the subject: "Bufan is right, Xiaochu, hurry up and eat breakfast, or you'll be late."

Xu Li, however, wasn't about to let go of the topic. She placed her hands on her hips and glared at Huang Yimei fiercely, "Comrade Huang Yimei, please answer my question directly! Are you imagining something unhealthy?"

Huang Yimei rolled her eyes at Xu Li in anger, but her hands were a little flustered as she tied Xiaochu's napkin: "I, I really didn't. Don't say this in front of the children..."

"Ha! Feeling guilty, huh?" Xu Li leaned close to Huang Yimei's ear and whispered teasingly, "I knew a stuffy woman like you would be thinking of something!"

……

After dinner, Huang Yimei, Xu Li, and Xiaochu left home together. Lin Bufan stood on the balcony, watching their car drive out of the community, then slowly took out his phone and sent a message to Gu Jia:

"Sister Gu, I want to talk to you in detail about tea. Are you free?"

After sending the message, Lin Bufan stared at the screen of his phone, his fingers tapping lightly on the balcony railing. The sunlight shone on the side of his face, outlining a sharp outline.

Gu Jia was sitting in the car at the moment, and she almost jumped when her phone vibrated. She stared at the message from Lin Bufan, her finger hovering above the screen, but she didn't reply for a long time.

She had originally planned to follow Xu Huanshan personally today to find out the truth. But Lin Bufan's invitation made her hesitate. This was an opportunity, a chance to solve the tea factory's predicament. If she missed it, there might not be another chance.

Gu Jia took a deep breath and finally replied, "Okay, what time? Where shall we meet?"

Lin Bufan quickly sent the address of a teahouse: "Let's go now, I'm on the way."

Gu Jia bit her lip, started the car, and turned around. She fixed her hair in the rearview mirror and put on some foundation to cover the dark circles under her eyes.

Half an hour later, Gu Jia pushed open the wooden door of the teahouse. The antique decoration, the faint aroma of tea, and the sound of the zither coming from the corner all made her tense nerves relax a little.

Lin Bufan was already sitting by the window, waiting. Sunlight streamed through the carved window lattices onto the table, creating dappled shadows. He saw Gu Jia and immediately stood up and waved, "Sister Gu, this way."

Gu Jia walked over and forced a smile: "Sorry to have kept you waiting for so long."

Lin Bufan looked at Gu Jia's haggard face and frowned slightly: "Sister Gu, you don't look well."

Gu Jia subconsciously touched her face and said with a wry smile: "I didn't sleep well last night."

Lin Bufan looked at Gu Jia's forced smile and sighed softly: "Sister Gu, after something like that happened, no one would be able to rest well. I can understand how you feel right now."

Gu Jia's fingers tightened slightly, and her knuckles turned white as she gripped the teacup. "Thank you for your concern, but the matter hasn't been thoroughly investigated yet, so I don't want to jump to conclusions."

"I understand." Lin Bufan nodded, his eyes sincere and gentle. "But no matter what the outcome is, Sister Gu, you should think more about yourself. These days, it's too risky to pin all your hopes on a man. A woman should have her own career, so that no matter what happens, at least she can make decisions with confidence."

Gu Jia lowered her eyes, her thick eyelashes casting a small shadow on her face: "You are right, that's why I insisted on building the tea factory."

Lin Bufan took over the topic: "Sister Gu, speaking of the tea factory, I have thought carefully, our company does need to purchase a batch of tea as employee benefits. Your Kongshan tea is of good quality, and you personally supervise it, so I feel relieved."

Gu Jia's eyes lit up, and the gloom she had been feeling for the past few days seemed to have dispelled some of it: "Really? That's great!"

"And that's not all..." Lin Bufan waved his hand and smiled mysteriously, "I have a better idea that will not only help you solve your sales problem, but also make Kongshan Tea a hit."

Gu Jia tilted her head in confusion: "What idea?"

"Live streaming to sell goods!" Lin Bufan snapped his fingers, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "The Douyin platform is now vigorously promoting the live streaming function. We can use this emerging channel to sell tea directly to consumers."

"Live streaming?" Gu Jia frowned slightly, looking a little bewildered by this unfamiliar term. "Do you mean like TV shopping?"

"It's much better than TV shopping!" Lin Bufan pulled out his phone and quickly opened the Douyin app. "Look, a few businesses are already trying this. The host showcases the product in front of the camera, and the audience can place an order directly. There's no middleman taking a cut, and the spread is so fast. It's truly a new-age sales tool!"

Gu Jia took a closer look, her brows still furrowed. "But... can a product like tea be displayed solely through a camera? Consumers value the aroma and taste most when buying tea. How can they experience it through a screen?"

"Good question!" Lin Bufan nodded in appreciation, then smiled mysteriously: "So we need a convincing anchor. Sister Gu, do you know who is the most popular anchor selling goods right now?"

Gu Jia shook her head. She really knew nothing about the live streaming industry.

"That must be me!" Lin Bufan pointed at himself proudly. "My notarization live broadcast yesterday had a peak online audience of over 2000 million! Now the entire internet is discussing my magic challenge. If I start a live broadcast to help you sell tea, the effect will definitely be explosive!"

Gu Jia's eyes widened in shock: "You...you want to help me sell tea live?"

"That's right!" Lin Bufan snapped his fingers. "Not only that, we can also move the live broadcast to your tea factory. Let the audience see the environment of the high mountain tea garden with their own eyes, and see the process of picking and making tea. Coupled with your explanation, it will definitely impress consumers!"

Gu Jia's fingers unconsciously stroked the rim of the teacup, her eyes gleaming with thought: "This idea is indeed very novel... But can live streaming really sell sales? I heard that not many consumers buy tea online now..."

"Sister Gu, you have to believe in the power of trends." Lin Bufan leaned forward, his tone becoming serious. "Who could have imagined five years ago that takeout would be so popular? Who could have imagined three years ago that short videos would replace television? Now is the right time for live streaming to sell goods. If you do it well, your tea will definitely sell out."

Gu Jia took a deep breath, and her eyes gradually lit up with fighting spirit: "Okay! I'll do it with you! When do we start?"

"The sooner the better!" Lin Bufan took out his phone and checked his schedule. "Tomorrow I'll have the team go to the tea factory to inspect and shoot some footage. Once the time is confirmed, we'll do some preheating in advance. This way the effect will be better!"

Gu Jia suddenly thought of something and asked with some concern, "But... the tea factory is not in good condition right now. The equipment is old and the workers are demoralized... Wouldn't broadcasting this footage be counterproductive?"

A sly glint flashed in Lin Bufan's eyes. "Sister Gu, you don't understand. Audiences love to watch stories of comebacks like this! A tea factory on the verge of bankruptcy, an unyielding female boss, and a group of steadfast tea farmers... This is simply a ready-made inspirational script!"

Gu Jia was infected by Lin Bufan's enthusiasm and finally showed a sincere smile: "Hearing you say that, I suddenly feel that the tea factory can be saved!"

"Of course!" Lin Bufan raised his teacup. "Come, let's toast to our cooperation! I wish Kongshan Tea will become an instant hit!"

The teacups clinked lightly, making a crisp sound. Gu Jia took a sip of tea and suddenly seemed to remember something and asked, "By the way, Xiaolin, why are you helping me so much?"

Lin Bufan put down his teacup and looked at Gu Jia with burning eyes: "Sister Gu, it's the same as you guessed."

Gu Jia's fingers trembled slightly, and the tea in the cup rippled slightly. She was silent for a moment, then slowly raised her head. "Xiao Lin, I'm very grateful for your help. We can cooperate on live streaming sales. I will give you the commission or percentage according to market conditions. But..." She took a deep breath. "If you want something else, then I can only say sorry. If this is the premise of cooperation, then forget it."

Lin Bufan suddenly laughed, his smile tinged with a hint of playfulness and carefreeness: "Sister Gu, are you overthinking this? When did I ever tell you to do anything?" He leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxed and casual: "I like you, that's my business, what does it have to do with you?"

Lin Bufan silently gave himself a score of 99 in his heart, leaving some room for improvement!

Gu Jia was stunned. She hadn't expected Lin Bufan to be so straightforward, and she hadn't expected him to respond in this way. Her cheeks were slightly hot, and for a moment she didn't know how to respond.

"Don't be nervous." Lin Bufan waved his hand, his tone as relaxed as if he was discussing today's weather: "I help you because I think your tea factory is worth helping, and your efforts deserve to be seen. As for other things..." He shrugged: "That's my personal hobby, you don't have to feel burdened at all."

Gu Jia pursed her lips, and the wariness in her eyes gradually turned into a complex emotion: "You...you are really hard to understand."

"That's right, you don't understand." Lin Bufan smiled and poured Gu Jia a cup of tea. "If I could be seen through so easily, how could I survive in the martial arts world?"

After considering Xu Huanshan's betrayal, the tea factory's predicament, and her affection for Lin Bufan, Gu Jia finally nodded in agreement: "Okay, then I won't hold back. I'll leave the live broadcast to you."

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it." Lin Bufan patted his chest: "But Sister Gu, you have to promise me one thing."

Gu Jia's heart, which had just been put at ease, began to rise again: "What's the matter?"

"On the day of the live broadcast, you have to dress nicely." Lin Bufan blinked: "After all, you are the living signboard of Kongshan Tea, you have to make the audience shine."

Gu Jia shook her head, not knowing whether to laugh or cry: "You... are such a frivolous person."

"Can seriousness be used to make a living?" Lin Bufan picked up the teacup and raised it towards her: "Come, let's toast to our cooperation and your new career."

Gu Jia looked at the handsome man in front of her, who was always unexpectedly handsome. Suddenly, she felt the haze in her heart dissipate a lot. She raised her teacup and gently touched Lin Bufan's cup: "Cheers."