The Useless Stepmom Brings Her Kids to Reality TV Shows to Photograph Them

91 Do You Have to Be So Impatient?

At the negotiation table, the eloquent man was a completely different person from his usual silent self.

Secretary Han was taking notes of the meeting. In two hours, the first round of negotiations was successful. He would wait to meet with the directors of Party A tomorrow for the second round of negotiations.

It was only at one in the afternoon that Li Yanchen was able to see the text message from Assistant Qin. It was around twelve at noon in China as there was an hour of time difference. He thought Lin Wan might have been having her meal so he decided not to disturb her.

Although The Sweetheart Inn was a fairly small shop, it had all the essentials. Lin Wan stayed in the small waiting area with a Mango Pomelo Sago dessert that Xia Mo had made for her. She had finished almost three bowls since arriving here.

When it was almost noon, Xia Mo finally finished her work and walked over to Lin Wan, feeling embarrassed. “It’s usually very quiet here. Maybe you are my lucky charm. Today, because of your presence the business has improved. I will get Wu to take over for the rest of the afternoon so we can get some serious work done. Let’s go fill our stomachs first.”

Lin Wan looked outside. She had already eaten three bowls of Mango Pomelo Sago dessert. “I am full.”

Xia Mo looked at the empty bowls on the table and felt even more embarrassed. “I am so sorry for the delay. What do you want to eat? I can order some takeout. That way we can heat it and eat when we get hungry.”

Lin Wan wasn’t refusing the prospect of food to be polite. She was actually very full. “You can order for you. I am really very full. I did go through the livestreams you recommended, but I don’t think those methods suit me.”

It was true that the public was unaware of the condition of her marriage with Li Yanchen but as Mrs. Li she still had to maintain her image. She could, in theory, do anything she wanted but she didn’t feel like doing anything rash.

“You are afraid it might affect Li Yanchen, aren’t you?” guessed Xia Mo. “I have already thought about it for you. You don’t have to show your face. This sort of livestream will still leave space for anonymity. That way the livestream will be very mysterious. Who knows? You might attract a lot of audience in an instant.”

Xia Mo could see that Lin Wan was still concerned. She led her to a small room in the back. “Look, this is the room. I promise that no one will know about it except you and me and a few trustworthy shop assistants. When live streaming, I will be your assistant. That way, we won’t have to get anyone involved. If possible, we can try doing a livestream tomorrow to see how it turns out. I don’t want a single cent of the online income. I will provide all equipment and ingredients. I know you aren’t lacking money in any way. But you must be bored staying at home alone all the time…”

Lin Wan didn’t know which of Xia Mo’s suggestions made her waver. The anonymity was comfortable, it could also help Lin Wan pass her time and the prospect of earning an income from her own live broadcast was tempting. In the end, she gave in and made an account. The online live stream room’s name was Sweet Little Circle.

Xia Mo was afraid that Lin Wan would regret her decision and refuse. She had skipped lunch and arranged everything. She had gathered a few trustworthy employees who were waiting to sign the Confidentiality Agreement and set up the live broadcast room.

Lin Wan looked at the fidgety Xia Mo. “Do you have to be so impatient?”

Xia Mo was full of energy. She gathered the employees and assigned them their tasks. She then closed the shop early and took Lin Wan to the market to buy equipment for the live broadcast.

After shuttling through the electronics market and soft clothing market in Yun City for a few hours, Lin Wan could not take it anymore. She felt as though the skin on her feet had worn off, while Xia Mo could still power on in her high heels. She could not help but sigh at how passionate Xia Mo was.

In the evening, Assistant Qin gave Lin Wan a call to ask if she had returned home. When she told him she was at the Home Improvement Market, he offered to pick her up and drive her home.

Lin Wan glanced at Xia Mo, who was still bargaining with the staff. She probably wouldn’t be able to go back anytime soon. “That’s alright. It’s still a little early. I passed by the Royal Water Bay on my way here. I can ask Xia Mo to drop me off later.”

“Alright. Please take care, Madam.” Assistant Qin was very puzzled. ‘Did she go shopping with Xia Mo?’ he wondered. ‘But how did she end up in the Home Improvement Market area?’

When she reached home, it was already nighttime. Auntie Huang had been waiting for her in the courtyard. When she saw Lin Wan, she went up to her. “Welcome back, Madam,” she said. “Have you had dinner? I can cook something for you.”

“I already ate, Auntie. In fact, you don’t need to cook for me for a few days. I am going to help out Xia Mo in her shop in two days.” Lin Wan made up an excuse.

Apart from the wedding, Auntie Huang had interacted with Lin Wan only a few times. She did not know her well. However, she had worked at the Royal Water Bay Villa for many years now. She knew that most of the ladies in this area liked to play Mahjong or go to the Spa with friends. There were very few ladies who worked. There was Mrs. Liu for one, who had her own small business. ‘Did Lin Wan want to work, too?’

“Alright, Madam. But when you stop working there or want to eat at home, please do tell me. I can cook whatever you like.” Auntie Huang quite liked people like Lin Wan, who, despite having all the money in the world, still wanted to apply themselves and work.

“I will. Thank you.”

Xia Mo returned home and was eager to share the good news with Xiao Tianlin. Even if she had not been successful in convincing Lin Wan to be her mentor, she still had gotten her to agree with doing a live broadcast at her dessert shop! Although the live broadcast would be for around only three hours a day, Xia Mo was content to watch and learn in that time.

Seeing Xia Mo happy, Xiao Tianlin lifted her and spun her around in joy. “Congratulations, Ms. Xia. You did it!”

Lin Wan was in a daze as she soaked in the bathtub. She applied some shower gel on her shoulders and scrubbed her skin, looking very troubled.

Li Yanchen had left the branch office and had not eaten his dinner, yet. He looked at the time. It was already eight at night. He called Lin Wan hurriedly. He had never worried about someone when he was on a business trip before. It was only after he had dialed her number that he realized this.

The phone rang a few times before Lin Wan accepted the call.

“Are you taking a shower?” He could hear the water splashing from the phone. His face turned red.

“Yes.”

In the past, when Yang Ruoxi called her, she would always scold Lin Wan when she gave a one-word response. She always said someone replied with very few words only when they wanted to end the conversation.

“Have you eaten?” Lin Wan added.

Li Yanchen was overwhelmed by the unexpected question. It seemed that it was not just Secretary Han and Assistant Qin who worried for him now.

“Not yet. I just finished a meeting and came out of the company. How about you?”

“I ate. Xia Mo arranged a feast. I am very full.” Lin Wan decided to think of Li Yanchen as a good friend from now on.

“When we get back, I’ll transfer the money for your food.” Li Yanchen joked.

“No need. I will work to pay off my debts. I am going to help out Xia Mo at her shop in the afternoon from now,” said Lin Wan jokingly.

“Who dares exploit Mrs. Li for work?” teased Li Yanchen. “Why though? Are you bored at home?”

“Yeah, a little. I will talk to you later, okay? I want to finish showering now.” Lin Wan hung up the phone.

Li Yanchen was not done yet. However, it was not in his character to keep up the conversation. He bade her goodbye.

Secretary Han saw his boss’s confused expression in the rearview mirror. “Madam wants to work? Chenxin does have a few empty spots. Do you want to let her choose a job?”

“She is just joking,” said Li Yanchen. “Leave the pressure of making money to me.” Li Yanchen’s fingers tapped rhythmically on his legs. His mind was still abuzz with the conversation he had just had.

“Oh… alright. I haven’t seen you so relaxed in a long time, Mr. Li.” Secretary HHan had worked for Li Yanchen for many years, but this was the first time he had ever seen him smile while on the phone.

Li Yanchen’s smile froze on his face. He pulled down the partition so Secretary Han couldn’t see him anymore in the back seat.

‘Am I that predictable?’ thought Li Yanchen. ‘Even Secretary Han can tell what I feel.’