Vol. 1 - Ch. 21 - Reward

"I don't mind sharing this with you. Actually, I treat myself to McDonald's every month too," Wang Man said, laughing after finishing a chicken wing. "A few years ago, when my mom fell ill and our family was struggling financially, I envied the other kids eating at McDonald's... So I decided that once I earned money, I'd treat myself every month."Indeed, it seemed that whatever one lacked as a child, one would seek after as an adult. Li Han felt a bit of pity.

"And now? Has the financial situation improved at home?" He asked.

"It's alright," Wang Man replied as she grabbed a piece of McChicken. "Later, the health insurance system changed, and I started doing some part-time jobs. My family also received compensation for our old house after it was demolished. Hence, the economic pressure decreased."

Wang Man bit her lip and contemplated, "Actually, with my current income, eating at McDonald's doesn't burden me much. But... it doesn't give me the same feeling as before every day."

"The feeling of rewarding yourself, huh?" Li Han asked tentatively.

"Yes!" Wang Man nodded with a smile. "You must find it silly, right? A grown-up still fixated on McDonald's."

"I think you're adorable," Li Han chuckled softly, then rubbed his ribs. "You would be even more adorable if you hadn't done that back then."

"That's your own fault," Wang Man huffed and handed him a piece of chicken. "You should eat too! Come on, eat more."

Li Han hummed and nodded.

Then Wang Man held up two burgers and asked, "Do you want the Big Mac or the Grilled Chicken Burger?"

"The Chicken burger," Li Han replied, mainly to see if Wang Man could actually eat so much.

"Great, I like Big Mac," Wang Man said playfully, taking a big bite of the burger and then a big sip of Coke.

Li Han couldn't help but feel hungry, looking at her enjoying the food.

As they ate and chatted, Li Han learnt about the shop's situation. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the ɴøvᴇl_Firᴇ.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

"How many coffee combos did we sell today?" Li Han inquired, as he opened a box of assorted snacks and placed it in front of Wang Man.

"We sold about twenty each, I guess. There are a few left," Wang Man said, pointing to the cakes in the cake display cabinet next to them. "This combo is a bit more expensive, so it's normal that it didn't sell as much. But the feedback has been good, and many customers took pictures and left positive reviews."

"Starting tomorrow, let's reduce the portion a bit. Make adjustments according to the situation, alright?" Li Han advised. "It's okay if it's not enough, but there shouldn't be any extra. Let the customers see how many portions are left and create a feeling like they missed out."

"Hmm, that's a cunning plan," Wang Man frowned slightly.  "Using consumer psychological tactics and creating a hunger marketing strategy..."

"That's how the world works," said Li Han affectionately, looking at Wang Man. But then a crumb got stuck in his throat, causing him to cough. Upon seeing this, Wang Man grabbed his cup to hand it to him, but she found that he had already finished his drink. So she gave him her drink instead.

Li Han took a big gulp and finally caught his breath. He then looked at the cup in his hand and fell into contemplation: could it be...

"Hey, are you student in a junior high school? So innocent!" Wang Man teased him with a mischievous expression.

"What about your mom at home when you're working here at the bakery?" Li Han awkwardly changed the subject.

"If I'm here watching the shop at night, I'll go back home at lunchtime to prepare dinner for her in advance. Just need to heat it up," Wang Man smiled. "Don't worry, I've been taking care of her for so many years. It has already become a habit."

"What about your dad? Can't he take care of her?" Li Han asked as he remembered something.

"Him?" Wang Man let out a bitter laugh. "He left us the second year after my mom got sick. After divorcing my mom, he remarried and had a son, he's around seven or eight years old now."

Li Han was momentarily speechless and could only manage an apology, "I'm sorry."

"Why apologise? It's not like you abandoned me and my mom" Wang Man chuckled and pushed the small box of snacks towards him. "You should eat more too. How can a big guy eat less than me? Come on, bite into this chicken leg."

At that moment, Li Han noticed some leftover cakes and bread in the bakery cabinet. "What will happen to these leftovers?"

"A charitable organisation will come to collect them later. We reached an agreement to sell it to them at less than cost price," Wang Man explained. "As all these cakes are freshly baked on the same day, the quality is guaranteed."

"Ah, that's a great idea," Li Han admired. "It avoids wastage and allows us to do a good deed."

Li Han would have never dreamt that a McDonald's meal would bring him and Wang Man closer.

But what surprised him even more was that Wang Man actually finished the entire combo meal.

Although Li Han ate some as well, it was still a McDonald's meal that cost over a hundred yuan.

"How can your small belly fit so much?" Li Han looked at Wang Man's beautiful curves in confusion.

"The last bite is right here in my throat," Wang Man said as she stretched contently. "Ah! I'm full now..."

Then she added, "Don't bring McDonald's every day to reward me, okay?"

"Don't worry," Li Han laughed. "Maybe I'll bring something else that's delicious?"

"Why? No pain, no gain," Wang Man glanced at him and grumbled.

"Then I'll bring it when you achieve something," Li Han nodded earnestly. "For example, developing a best-selling new product."

"Hmm, that sounds good," Wang Man finally nodded and extended her little fist. "Deal."

Afraid of hurting her, Li Han prepared to gently tap her fist, but she hit him back, making a "bang" sound as their knuckles collided.

Around half past six, the people from the charitable organisation arrived and bought all the remaining bread and cakes. They would be given to the homeless and those in need for free.

Although they were leftovers, since all the bread and cakes were made on the same day, there were absolutely no food safety concerns.

Soon after, Li Han and Wang Man cleaned up and closed the shop for the day. This was how Wang Man's day came to an end.

"Work's done, time to go home." After locking up the shop, Wang Man breathed a sigh of relief. Then she turned to Li Han and said playfully, "And what about you? Are you going home or going somewhere to hang out?"

"How can I have fun alone?" Li Han replied. "I'll go home and do some market research on financial management and prepare for tomorrow's work."

"That's really tough. Can't even rest at home." Wang Man said with a bitter smile. "Let's chat another day?"

Wang Man playfully smiled and added. "Thanks for the McDonald's today."

But, after coming out of the cake shop, Li Han and Wang Man both coincidentally turned right and exchanged a smile.

"Are you also going to the metro station?" Wang Man asked with a smile. After Li Han nodded, she continued, "Let me walk you there."