Chapter 39: Auntie is Amazing-Os dias de reclusão com a rainha da poesia waka(Galo montando em um gato.)

Wang Ping had seen the album cover her daughter-in-law, Liu Xiuting, had purchased. The image of Zhang Suxin printed on the cover looked remarkably like the woman standing before her.

Furthermore, the woman’s natural grace made her look exactly like a movie star.

"This is Sister Wang, the shop assistant I just hired," Lu Anzhi introduced Wang Ping to Zhang Suxin and Xianxian.

Wang Ping quickly nodded and smiled at Zhang Suxin. When Zhang Suxin smiled back and greeted her with a polite "Hello, Sister Wang," Wang Ping hurriedly replied, "Hello, Madam."

She felt even more convinced that her boss, Lu Anzhi, was an extraordinary man. How could an ordinary person find a wife who looked so much like a big star? Moreover, the boss’s wife seemed so kind and gentle. Standing together, they were a perfect match, a couple that commanded respect.

"And this is my daughter, Xianxian," Lu Anzhi said, introducing the little girl he was holding. He turned to his daughter and said, "Xianxian, say hello to Auntie Wang."

Xianxian was very obedient and not at all shy. She looked up at Wang Ping and gave a sweet, charming smile. "Hello, Auntie Wang."

"Oh, my! Hello, Xianxian! You are so beautiful and cute!"

Wang Ping couldn't help but say this with genuine sincerity. The little one in front of her was truly exceptionally beautiful and adorable—her own grandson couldn't compare to this child when he was that age. Even as a grandmother, she had to admit it.

Xianxian felt a little shy this time and said bashfully, "Thank you!"

"Oh? You actually took the initiative to say thank you!"

Lu Anzhi and Zhang Suxin were slightly surprised. In the past, whenever Xianxian said thank you, it was always because Lu Anzhi or Zhang Suxin had prompted her to do so. This was the first time she had done it on her own.

Hearing Lu Anzhi’s comment, Xianxian lost her shyness immediately. She proudly lifted her little chin and declared, "Xianxian is amazing!"

"Yes, yes, Xianxian is amazing."

Lu Anzhi, Zhang Suxin, and Wang Ping all burst into laughter. With the atmosphere brightened by Xianxian, Wang Ping began to feel less nervous.

"This is Xianxian’s mother," Lu Anzhi added, introducing Zhang Suxin. He deliberately omitted her name to avoid the possibility of Wang Ping recognizing her as the former singing sensation.

***

Afterward, the group entered the shop. Zhang Suxin remarked, "I thought it would take you a few days to hire someone. I didn't expect you to find someone so quickly. We only talked about hiring yesterday, and you’ve already found someone today."

Lu Anzhi replied, "It was a stroke of luck. Sister Wang saw the notice I posted last night and came by. It’s perfect that she’s starting today. Once the books arrive, we can arrange them and be ready to open."

Before Wang Ping and Zhang Suxin arrived, the book supplier for "Under the Maple Tree" had called Lu Anzhi. Upon confirming that he was at the shop, they promised to deliver the books by the morning.

Zhang Suxin nodded. "Good, we’ll make it in time for the novel’s premiere."

Wang Ping understood what she meant. Back in her hometown of Jinzhou, she had run a bookstore. The premiere of a blockbuster book could attract a wave of sales, making it a great opportunity to earn money.

She recalled what her daughter-in-law, Liu Xiuting, had said the previous night and realized the boss's wife was likely referring to that book, *Dragon Raja 3*. Even though she hadn't run a bookstore in the past two years, she still heard things from friends she had made in the business. She knew a series called *Dragon Raja* had become very popular.

Because her daughter-in-law had mentioned wanting the book last night, Wang Ping had decided that if they didn't have it here, she would ask her friends to set a copy aside for her. Although she didn't like her son staying up late to read, she couldn't help but want to help him get the book he liked—and it was for her daughter-in-law, after all. A mother’s heart was always a bit contradictory.

"Where are the books?"

After Lu Anzhi put her down, Xianxian began wandering around the bookshelves, repeating the question.

The little girl had a great memory. Lu Anzhi had told her yesterday that he would fill the shop with books for her to read, and she had taken it to heart. She must have been thinking about it before they even entered, and now she couldn't stop talking about it.

Zhang Suxin shook her head with a smile. "She’s been chanting that since last night—'Daddy buying books... Daddy buying books.' Once she gets something in her head, she won't stop talking about it until it's done."

Wang Ping laughed. "All kids are like that. My grandson was the same when he was little. If his dad promised him a toy, he’d keep it in his mind and wouldn't stop pestering him until he actually got it."

"Haha, so I guess all children are the same," Lu Anzhi said with a smile, then told Xianxian, "The books will be here in a little while."

Xianxian nodded earnestly. "In a little while!" Then she resumed wandering around the shelves, chanting, "In a little while!"

It seemed that until the books arrived, they would have to listen to the little one’s mantra.

Wang Ping, never one to sit idle, found a rag, a broom, and a dustpan to start cleaning. Zhang Suxin tried to help, but Wang Ping insisted it wasn't necessary. However, she couldn't stop Zhang Suxin from pitching in, so she simply went back to work with focused determination.

***

After the renovation was completed, the shop had already been cleaned by a professional crew, and Lu Anzhi and Zhang Suxin had cleaned it again themselves. The shop was already quite spotless.

However, once the shelves were filled with books, it would be difficult to reach the corners and crevices. A final touch-up was a good idea.

Seeing Lu Anzhi and Zhang Suxin helping, Xianxian joined in the fun, finally stopping her chants of "In a little while."

A short time later, after the three of them had gone over the entire first floor, they heard the sound of a vehicle outside, followed by a horn.

Xianxian’s ears were sharp. Realizing what it meant, she shouted, "The books are here!" and ran toward the shop entrance.

Lu Anzhi, Zhang Suxin, and Wang Ping followed. They saw a delivery truck parked outside, followed by a van.

Two men stepped out of the vehicles. The driver of the truck walked up to the entrance of Three Flavors Bookstore and asked Lu Anzhi, "Are you Mr. Lu?"

"I am," Lu Anzhi replied.

The driver said, "We’ve brought all the books you ordered. One truck wasn't enough, so we brought a van as well. Please check the inventory."

Lu Anzhi nodded. "Right. Thank you for your hard work."

The driver waved it off, saying it was just his job.

They all worked together to move the packages, bundles, and boxes of books into the shop. Xianxian tagged along, so Zhang Suxin had to keep an eye on her and couldn't help with the heavy lifting.

This was where Wang Ping’s professional experience shone. While communicating with Lu Anzhi and managing the logistics, she tallied the inventory and simultaneously sorted the books by category, placing them in front of the appropriate shelves for easy shelving later.

Lu Anzhi, sweating profusely from moving boxes, watched Wang Ping’s efficient coordination and praised her. "Sister Wang, you’re truly amazing! No wonder you’ve run a bookstore before; you have so much experience. If I had to do this, it would be a total mess."

Wang Ping smiled shyly and said modestly, "You’re too kind, Boss."

But as soon as she finished speaking, Xianxian, who had been watching from the sidelines, chimed in, "Auntie is amazing!"