Chapter 9

"如果有一天，我老无所依...."

Fang Shi was startled, waking from his reverie. He looked at the phone in his hand, feeling strange. How did the phone end up in his hand? When did he get back home?

Sighing, Fang Shi focused his gaze on the phone screen. The name "Da Zhi" on the screen seemed so warm.

Taking a deep breath, Fang Shi shook his head vigorously, pressed the answer button, and put the phone to his ear, trying to sound cheerful: "Da Zhi, if you're calling me at this time, it's not to invite me for a meal, right?"

"Ha ha... No wonder we're brothers. It's the weekend, let's get together. Anyway, you don't have a girlfriend, I don't have a girlfriend either, Wei Wei is single, and let's call Fang Fang too, and we'll be all set."

"Fine for Wei Wei, but it's the weekend. How can Fang Fang come out? Her 'husband' only comes back on weekends!"

"He he, you're wrong. I've already called Fang Fang. She's free today. Her 'husband' is back, but at home!"

Fang Shi sighed. No one has it easy! Thinking this way, his troubles didn't seem so bad. If he looked at it positively, he had a good job with a salary of 500,000 a year. Wasn't that something to be happy about!

"Alright, I just found a job today, so I'll treat you."

"Found a job? Aren't you going to be a master?"

"Exactly, a master's job!"

"Wow?! That's new. How is it? A million a year, a house, a car, and a beautiful woman to go with it?"

"None of the above, just a salary, and a bonus at the end of the year!"

"What's that?"

"Special advisor! You know what I mean!"

Jiang Da Zhi was silent for a moment, then said with a slightly excited tone: "I don't get it. Come over and explain to your brother! To Lao Zhang's place, you know what I mean!"

Fang Shi chuckled. Of course, he knew Lao Zhang's place. Jiang Da Zhi was just eyeing Lao Zhang's daughter, who was still in college. What a good girl, she mustn't be ruined by that fat guy.

Putting down the phone, Fang Shi rubbed his face, made a silent smile, went to the bathroom to wash his face, tidied his clothes and hair, and checked his luck value, which was 0. At least he wouldn't have diarrhea anymore!

..............................

"Here, Xiao Fang!"

"Lao Zhang, why are you serving the dishes yourself?"

"Xiao Wu took a leave. He said he got a girlfriend, so he can't stay in the shop day and night. We can't ruin his future!"

Lao Zhang was a decent person. Of course, don't think he's a fool. No one who can run a business is a fool. But Lao Zhang was indeed decent, and he made his money honestly. His shop's prices were fair, and the quality matched the price. The cheap items were indeed less in quantity.

Perhaps because of his decency, despite the small size of the shop, which was run by only four or five people, the business was quite good. Only four or five people could manage the twelve or thirteen tables because the menu was simple. Lao Zhang sold only a few items: sweet potato porridge, white rice, blanched vegetables, braised eggs, braised large intestines, braised meat, and fresh fish. The salted peanuts and olive vegetables were bought from outside.

The shop was called "Lao Zhang's Braised Flavors." Besides Lao Zhang's decency, he had a beautiful daughter named Zhang Ying. Zhang Ying was very filial. Being from a single-parent family, she was very sensible from a young age. After school, she would help in the shop, and even now that she was in college, she would help on weekends. Such girls were rare nowadays. Jiang Da Zhi had a good eye for her, drooling over her, but many others were also interested in her. However, Zhang Ying was friendly to everyone but accepted no one.

When pursued too much, Zhang Ying would say she had a boyfriend, a classmate from college. Of course, the boys, including Jiang Da Zhi, didn't believe it.

"Here, just waiting for you!"

Fang Shi smiled and walked around a table to the best spot, near the window and the air conditioner, where the air was fresh and the view was good, and most importantly, it was cool.

"Sorry, there was a traffic jam!"

"Subway traffic jam?" Jiang Da Zhi rolled his eyes sarcastically.

"Uh, slip of the tongue, it was crowded! The subway was packed on the weekend!"

"Ha ha, I understand, but understanding is one thing, and punishment is another," Fang Fang seemed to be in a good mood, loudly urging Fang Shi to drink.

"Right, I should drink, but let's all drink together. It's to celebrate my successful transition to a new job!"

"No, no, one thing at a time!"

Jiang Da Zhi egged him on, and Xu Wei Xian joined in. Fang Shi had no choice but to drink two first. On the third cup, everyone drank together. He picked up a piece of braised large intestine and chewed it, savoring the delicious flavor. Lao Zhang's braised flavors were indeed excellent.

"Tell us, what's your new job? Did you really become a master? What are your attributes? Report them, ha ha."

Fang Shi took out his phone, opened the game, selected his character, and handed it to everyone, smiling: "Take a look!"

"Come on, don't dodge the question. Be serious," Yan Hui Fang playfully patted Fang Shi's shoulder and leaned in, her pleasant scent wafting over.

Fang Shi's heart skipped a beat, then he smiled and said: "Alright, it's simple. I met a boss who sells phones. I impressed him with my extensive knowledge, and he hired me as a special advisor. That's it."

Jiang Da Zhi shook his head in dissatisfaction: "No, no, that's too simple. There must be a story. Bosses aren't that easy to fool."

Fang Shi, half-jokingly, recounted his encounter with Liu Da Fu, of course, emphasizing his quick thinking and observational skills.

"Great, I look at you differently now!" Jiang Da Zhi laughed and clinked glasses with Fang Shi.

Xu Wei Xian shook his head, moved his lips, and finally said: "Stones, although you succeeded this time, what if something goes wrong? Even if nothing goes wrong, if the boss trusts you too much, problems could still arise. Then what?"

"Wei Wei, you're a real downer," Yan Hui Fang pouted: "Always raining on people's parades. Stones just took the first step, and it seems to be going well. You're just being a pessimist!"

"No worries, Wei Wei has a point. I've learned a lot. Before, I thought the sayings and street wisdom I read in novels were just nice to hear. Now I realize they're true. In our line of work, we shouldn't speak too confidently or act too aggressively. We should always leave room for retreat. If something goes wrong, I can always find another job. The key is to maintain a good reputation."

"Alright, you're just a newbie. Stop bragging. Ha ha... Drink up. Your business is your business, and we'll support you. Remember your brothers in times of trouble, and share the good times too."

"Rest assured, it's on me today. Drink to your heart's content!"

"Ha, beer won't make you poor!"

"Ha ha..."

"Right, what's your annual salary?"

Xu Wei Xian's question made everyone look at Fang Shi. Fang Shi smiled mysteriously: "Confidential! But it won't make me poor!"

"Fine, if you don't want to say, fine! Lao Zhang, six cold beers, quick!"

"Coming up!"

Zhang Ying brought the beers. Seeing her smiling face, Jiang Da Zhi immediately looked smitten. Honestly, if Zhang Ying and Yan Hui Fang were compared, Zhang Ying wasn't necessarily more beautiful, but she was young and pure, radiating a youthful charm that made people feel inferior. Yan Hui Fang, on the other hand, had a more worldly air, with a more subdued smile.

"Xiao Ying, you're off."

"Yes, Da Zhi, here's your beer. Xu Ge, Shi Ge, Fang Jie, enjoy your drinks. Is something good happening today, making you so happy?"

"Uh, your Shi Ge found a new job, and we're celebrating. Want to join us for a few drinks?"

"Later, when there are fewer customers. You drink first!"

"Alright, Da Zhi will save some room for you."

"Alright, someone's calling me. You drink slowly."

Zhang Ying smiled at everyone and walked away. Jiang Da Zhi watched her with a silly grin. Xu Wei Xian and Fang Shi exchanged glances and shook their heads. Jiang Da Zhi talked smoothly, but he had never confessed to Zhang Ying. It was unclear if he was shy or just enjoying the moment.

Yan Hui Fang giggled: "Da Zhi, what are you waiting for? If she gets taken, you'll regret it!"

"No, impossible! How can it be!"

"Why not!"

"She's still young, and she can't leave her father!"

"What if she finds a rich boyfriend? Or a capable son-in-law? Then you'll be out of the picture!"

Jiang Da Zhi's face darkened, looking troubled. Everyone laughed at his expression!

Jiang Da Zhi waved his hand, shaking off his worries: "Let's live for today. Come, drink!"

"Right, drink! Alcohol gives courage. After a few drinks, go and confess!"

"Ha, you're just talking nonsense!"

In the end, Jiang Da Zhi was carried back by Fang Shi and Xu Wei Xian, drunk and confused. He had tried to be a hero at the table when he saw Zhang Ying, but the confession was once again postponed.

Fang Shi was also a bit tipsy. He took a taxi home, arriving at midnight. He took out the ten-thousand-yuan check from his wallet, bit his lip, and decided to cash it on Monday when the bank opened. He didn't want to cash it himself, but he was sure Liu Da Fu wouldn't be at ease either.

What's the big deal! Fang Shi was young and had special abilities. Was he afraid of a nouveau riche like Liu Da Fu?!

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