289: Lu Yu's careful planning

When Jiang Zhengkang saw Mu Qingzhou walk into the mall holding Xiao Shi's hand, his heart fluttered.

"Teacher Mu, why did you bring Xiao Shi back?"

"Did Xiao Shi behave poorly?"

"Don't be nervous," Mu Qingzhou explained.

"Today is Xiao Shi's first day of school, so he finishes a bit early."

"Starting tomorrow, he'll be dismissed promptly at 5 PM."

"I happened to be coming to Ping An to buy some things, so I drove him here."

At this point, Mu Qingzhou couldn't help but pat Jiang Xiaoshi's head, praising him: "This child has a great talent for medicine; he got a high score on his first test today."

"You should cultivate him well. When he grows up, he can directly enter the Research Institute to work."

Jiang Zhengkang excitedly picked up Jiang Xiaoshi and kissed his cheek: "Xiao Shi is amazing!"

Jiang Xiaoshi shyly smiled: "I'll be able to protect Dad and Big Sister in the future too."

"Growing up safe and healthy is the best reward for us."

Jiang Zhengkang lovingly rubbed his forehead against Jiang Xiaoshi's, then put him down and looked at Mu Qingzhou:

"Teacher Mu, this must be your first time at Ping An, right? I don't think I've seen you before."

Mu Qingzhou: "Hmm, I live far away and don't like going out, so I leave all the shopping to my staff."

"Then I'll show you around. What do you want to buy?"

"No need, you should be busy with your own things. I haven't decided what to buy yet," Mu Qingzhou politely declined Jiang Zhengkang.

After Jiang Zhengkang left with Jiang Xiaoshi, he started to browse by himself.

On the surface, he was looking at merchandise, but in reality, he was searching for Jiang Fei's figure.

When he saw Jiang Fei introducing multigrain flour to a customer, Mu Qingzhou's heart instantly quickened.

He didn't go over to disturb her. Instead, he took a bottle of multigrain flour, the same as the one in Jiang Fei's hand, and went to the cashier on the first floor to check out.

Su Liuyuan looked at the multigrain flour: "1000g of gold."

Mu Qingzhou took out five 200g gold bars from his pocket and handed them to Su Liuyuan for weighing.

After a moment of hesitation, he decided to ask: "Um... what does your boss like?"

"Like flowers, jewelry, food, or things like that."

Before coming, he had heard Xiao Shi say that the employees at Ping An Mall were all good friends, like family, and knew each other well.

The information form Miss Jiang filled out yesterday said "unmarried."

It was his first time pursuing someone, and he didn't know how to do it, but he understood the importance of appealing to her preferences.

Xiao Shi said Miss Jiang liked gold the most, so he brought some to spend.

After all, giving gold bars directly would make him seem insincere and perfunctory.

He still needed to give a proper gift.

Su Liuyuan stared at Mu Qingzhou warily: "Why are you asking that?"

"No, nothing, just asking casually."

Mu Qingzhou guiltily avoided Su Liuyuan's gaze, embarrassed to speak his true thoughts.

"The weight of your gold bars is fine."

"Thank you." Mu Qingzhou picked up the multigrain flour and left.

Su Liuyuan became even more certain that this person had ulterior motives.

Otherwise, why would he inquire about the captain's preferences?

Facts proved Su Liuyuan's guess correct.

Every afternoon, Mu Qingzhou would drive Jiang Xiaoshi home, then buy an item, claiming it was "on the way."

Su Liuyuan had secretly observed that Mu Qingzhou's first action upon arriving was always to look at their captain.

His eyes were practically glued to the captain.

He clearly had feelings for the captain!

Yet Jiang Zhengkang was completely oblivious. That afternoon, he even enthusiastically said to Mu Qingzhou:

"Teacher Mu, it's been a bother for you to bring Xiao Shi every day recently. Why don't you stay for dinner tonight?"

Mu Qingzhou nodded: "Then I'll help you all with the work."

"You just wait in the lounge; we'll handle it."

Jiang Zhengkang escorted Mu Qingzhou to the lounge, then came out to get ingredients.

Jiang Fei stopped him and whispered: "I feel like that Mu Qingzhou isn't right."

"We're not close to him, so why does he insist on bringing Xiao Shi back every day?"

"Something out of the ordinary must be a sign of trouble. Be careful. Starting tomorrow, you go pick up Xiao Shi early."

She didn't believe there were still warm-hearted people in the apocalypse.

She just wasn't sure what Mu Qingzhou's objective was.

If he threatened her and everyone else, she would simply find an opportunity to kill him.

After Jiang Fei said that, Jiang Zhengkang also found it strange and annoyedly slapped his forehead.

"I'm so stupid; I didn't notice anything amiss and even invited him to stay for dinner."

Jiang Fei: "Just consider it repaying him for picking up Xiao Shi these past few days."

Dinner at the small mall wasn't served until the four workers finished their shifts and returned.

Jiang Zhengkang and Cao Xiuhong made stir-fried preserved radish with cured meat, fish-fragrant eggplant, boiled sliced pork, garlic-minced dried tofu, steamed pork ribs with rice flour, and winter melon and shrimp soup.

The main course was fragrant white rice.

The meal was better than any other place in the capital.

Mu Qingzhou silently calculated his salary.

It seemed... he couldn't afford to let Miss Jiang eat like this every day.

Then he'd just have to take on two more jobs in the future.

Noticing a stranger at the dining table, Xiao Chuxia, Ling Zhaorui, Mother Xiao, and the gossip trio curiously gathered around Jiang Fei.

"Miss, who is he?"

Jiang Fei: "Mu Qingzhou, a teacher from Yucai Academy."

Xiao Chuxia and the others knew about Jiang Xiaoshi's schooling and all greeted Mu Qingzhou.

Su Liuyuan took the opportunity to run to Lu Yu's side and whispered: "I'd bet he likes our captain."

"He's been bringing Xiao Shi back every day for the past five days, secretly looking at the captain, and trying every way to find out her preferences."

Lu Yu's eyes flashed, but he didn't speak. He walked over and sat beside Jiang Fei, deliberately whispering to her.

"Yucai Academy isn't far from the rescue center, and my work is relaxed, so I'll pick up Xiao Shi from school from now on."

Jiang Fei agreed: "Then I'll tell Uncle, so he won't have to go anymore."

Lu Yu: "How's your helicopter flying lately?"

"Much more skilled than when I started. I've been practicing every night after closing and going home. Now I can fly from the capital to the Safety Shelter without a problem."

Lu Yu: "If you don't understand anything, just ask me."

The two were sitting very close and constantly whispering.

Watching Jiang Fei and Lu Yu's intimate actions, Mu Qingzhou's heart sank to the bottom.

So Miss Jiang wasn't single... but Xiao Shi said Miss Jiang didn't have a boyfriend.

He couldn't help but quietly ask Niu Er, who was beside him.

"Is that person Miss Jiang's boyfriend?"

Niu Er: "No, Brother Lu is our boss's good friend."

Hearing this, Mu Qingzhou felt a glimmer of hope again.

He still had a chance!

Unaware that Niu Er had indirectly exposed his little scheme, Lu Yu continued to chat with Jiang Fei.

The next afternoon, he drove to Yucai Academy to pick up Jiang Xiaoshi from school.

Family members were not allowed to enter Yucai Academy to pick up children, so Lu Yu could only wait in his car outside the main gate.

He waited for most of the afternoon but didn't see Jiang Xiaoshi come out.

Had Mu Qingzhou taken him?

Lu Yu got out of the car, just about to pull out his ID to go in and look for Jiang Xiaoshi, when he saw Mu Qingzhou coming out.

"Where's Jiang Xiaoshi?"