Chapter 38

Update Time: March 26, 2013

Zhang Yang stood at the entrance of the classroom, took a deep breath, and firmly held the letter containing the secret that his mother had given him.

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Zhang Yang hailed a taxi and arrived at the first stop on his plan, Dingtai Jewelry. Upon entering, he headed straight for the gold counter and said straightforwardly, "I have some gold bars to sell. What's your current price?"

The salesperson asked, "Sir, did you buy them from us? Do you have a credit card?"

Zhang Yang shook his head and said, "They are family heirlooms. The current gold price is good, and I want to sell them. The quantity is quite large, so I think you might not be able to make the decision. Could you call your manager?"

The salesperson nodded and said, "Sir, please wait a moment. I'll call the manager."

Zhang Yang nodded and looked at the gold jewelry, hesitating whether he should get a couple of chains for himself.

The manager walked over with a smile and said, "Sir, how much gold do you have?"

Zhang Yang looked around and said, "It's not very convenient here!"

"Please follow me inside," the manager said.

In the reception room, Zhang Yang opened his bag, took out the gold bars, and placed them on the coffee table. He said calmly, "Five gold bars. Please have someone appraise them. They are all family heirlooms. If the price is right, I'll sell them here!"

The manager's eyes lit up. If they were genuine, this would be a big deal.

"Sir, please wait a moment. I'll call an expert," the manager said.

In fact, he could appraise them himself, but the amount was too large, and it was safer to have an expert. If anything went wrong, he could blame the expert.

This is why many managers let their subordinates give their opinions when making decisions. If something went wrong, there would be someone to take the blame.

The expert quickly finished the appraisal and nodded at the manager, making a gesture.

The manager smiled. This gesture told him that the gold was of top quality.

Zhang Yang closed the box and said, "Let's talk about the price now."

The manager thought for a moment and said, "Three hundred and thirty yuan per gram. How does that sound?"

The gold price had risen significantly, and Zhang Yang was no longer a naive young man. He shook his head and said, "Three hundred and fifty yuan per gram. The gold price is still rising, and my gold is of the best quality. If you don't want it, I can try other places."

The manager frowned. Three hundred and fifty yuan was not an unreasonable price. If the amount were small, he would have refused without hesitation. However, Zhang Yang had five gold bars, totaling over five kilograms, a significant amount. The manager thought that a large quantity meant more profit, and the company would make a good deal. Moreover, this would be a significant achievement for him, with a substantial commission. Why not?

"Alright, let's consider it a friendship deal. My name is Deng Yunfei. How should I address you, sir?" the manager said.

Zhang Yang smiled and took out the gold bars, saying, "Zhang Yang. You can call me Xiao Zhang."

After leaving Dingtai Jewelry, Zhang Yang's card had an additional 1.8 million yuan.

Looking at the sun in the sky, Zhang Yang smiled. A solid step had begun. Throughout the day, he went in and out of various places, finding it amusing that he could always see Yang Yi and her group waiting outside the neighborhood.

Zhang Yang ignored them. These new people would be a hassle if they kept bothering him. Since they didn't affect him, he let them wait.

By the end of the day, Zhang Yang had sold most of the gold bars, and his card had over ten million yuan. Seeing that the gold bars in the briefcase were almost gone, Zhang Yang felt less anxious. Looking at the sky, it was already dark, and it was time to eat.

Thinking about the delicious breakfast, Zhang Yang walked into Hong's Private Kitchen again.

Unlike the morning, the restaurant already had customers.

The woman in red was sitting at the counter, having changed from her pajamas into a black outfit, playing a mobile game.

Hearing someone enter, she said without looking up, "Sorry, our reservations are full today. Please come another day."

Zhang Yang was speechless. It was the same woman again.

"Miss, it's me," Zhang Yang said helplessly.

The woman put down her phone, looked up, and exclaimed, "It's you! Do you know you got me a severe scolding from Hong Sister! By the way, what are you doing here again?"

Zhang Yang was speechless. The dishes she cooked deserved the scolding.

If it weren't for Hong Sister coming back today, he would never have entered this restaurant again in his life.

"Of course, I'm here to eat!" Zhang Yang said.

"Eat? Sorry, we require reservations. If you want to eat, you'll have to wait. It's not possible today. The reservations for tomorrow are also full. Try the day after tomorrow," the woman in red said.

Zhang Yang rolled his eyes. Try the day after tomorrow? Just for a meal, it's so troublesome?

"Lingling, don't be silly," Hong Sister came out from the kitchen.

She nodded at Zhang Yang and said, "Sir, our restaurant only serves reserved customers. This morning was an exception. Please try another restaurant."

Zhang Yang said, "Your cooking is very delicious."

Lingling snorted and said, "Stop flattering me. Hong Sister is a national-level chef, of course, her cooking is good."

Zhang Yang was surprised. A national-level chef? No wonder the food was so good.

"If it's not possible today, I'll come another day," Zhang Yang said with a smile.

Hong Sister, seeing Zhang Yang's good attitude, also smiled and said, "Alright, which day would you like to reserve?"

Zhang Yang said, "This month, is it possible?"

Upon hearing this, both women stared at Zhang Yang with wide eyes.

Zhang Yang felt a bit embarrassed and said, "I live alone and can't cook. I was actually looking for a restaurant to order meals from regularly. I happened to taste your cooking and found it very delicious."

Lingling's mouth dropped open, and she pointed at Zhang Yang, saying, "Hong Sister, did you hear that? This guy thinks we're a snack shop or something. He wants to order meals regularly. Oh my, how can there be such a person?"

Zhang Yang ignored Lingling and looked at Hong Sister, knowing she was the one in charge.

Hong Sister frowned and said, "Sir, I'm sorry, we charge per table."

Zhang Yang said, "Don't rush to refuse me. We're actually neighbors. I just moved into the neighborhood opposite, and I have nothing at home, not even cooking utensils. I also need to find a job and have no time to cook. I don't necessarily need the special dishes; ordinary home-style dishes are fine. Like what I had this morning. And don't worry about the cost; I'll pay normally."

Lingling shook her head and said, "Hong Sister, don't agree to him. This guy is just trying to freeload."

Zhang Yang was speechless. He wasn't refusing to pay, yet he was accused of freeloaders!

Hong Sister hesitated, looking at Zhang Yang's impressive appearance, and suddenly said, "Follow me, let's talk inside. Lingling, stay here."

Zhang Yang was a bit confused. What was going on?

Lingling was also stunned!

Inside the kitchen, Zhang Yang found it very clean, not as messy as he had imagined. Many people say that seeing a restaurant's kitchen ruins your appetite, but that wasn't the case here.

Hong Sister hesitated and said, "Sir, what's your name?"

"Zhang Yang!"

"Mr. Zhang, it's not impossible for you to order meals here, but you need to help me with a small favor," Hong Sister said.

Zhang Yang looked at Hong Sister warily. Women are naturally good at acting. He needed to be careful and see what she would say.

"To put it bluntly, this is a bit melodramatic. My parents have been pressuring me to get married and have been setting me up with boyfriends. I told them I already have one, and they want to meet him," Hong Sister said, not as sharp and quick as before.

Zhang Yang took a step back. There's no such thing as a free lunch.

"Hong Sister, I just want to eat. You don't need to make it so complicated," Zhang Yang said.

He had no interest in helping her, let alone pretending. Even if it were real, he had no interest. It was just a meal; if he couldn't eat here, he could go elsewhere. Why agree to such a strange condition?

Moreover, there are so many scammers in society. Who knows if this woman is one? Although the probability is low, it can't be ruled out. He needed to be careful.

The situation had changed, and now it was Hong Sister's turn to plead with Zhang Yang.

"Mr. Zhang, you said we're neighbors. When you asked for my help earlier, I considered it. Now it's your turn to help me. You can't just refuse," Hong Sister said.

Women are naturally good at being cute and acting.

Seeing Zhang Yang about to leave, Hong Sister said, "Mr. Zhang, if you agree, you can come to eat anytime."

Zhang Yang paused.

"I'm not boasting, but you won't find a better restaurant around here," Hong Sister said.

"Why me? You run a restaurant; you must have many friends," Zhang Yang said.

Hong Sister smiled bitterly and said, "The customers at the restaurant come and go. The ones I know, my parents also know. This restaurant was originally run by my father. Also, you match the description I gave my parents. Young, handsome, smart, and with a house. I'm guessing you probably have a car too!"

"I'll come for three meals anytime," Zhang Yang said.

"Alright!" Hong Sister said easily.

"I don't have time, so you need to deliver to my place," Zhang Yang said.

Hong Sister suppressed her anger and said, "Alright."

"I'm pretending to be your boyfriend, not actually your boyfriend, so don't bother me unless necessary," Zhang Yang said.

Hong Sister said, "Alright, anything else?"

Zhang Yang said, "Yes!"

Hong Sister's anger rose, and she glared at Zhang Yang.

"I want fried rice with eggs, spicy shredded pork, and crispy green peppers now," Zhang Yang said with a mischievous smile.

Hong Sister sighed in relief and said, "Alright, wait outside."

Zhang Yang turned to leave and heard a loud thud. He turned back to see Hong Sister chopping the cutting board with a knife. Zhang Yang shrugged. So what if she's angry? Wang Yue said, "Why not take advantage of a good deal?" You're the one asking for my help, not the other way around.

Outside, Lingling was anxiously waiting. Seeing Zhang Yang come out, she asked, "What did you talk about inside?"

Zhang Yang smiled and said, "Nothing much. Hong Sister agreed to cook for me! By the way, what's Hong Sister's full name?"

"Hong Yaqin. I wonder why Hong Sister agreed to you. Wait, I'll go ask her," Lingling darted into the kitchen.

Zhang Yang sat at the table, lit a cigarette, and smoked. He liked this unexpected turn of events. He wouldn't have to cook anymore! And it was a national-level chef. The world is full of surprises.

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