Chapter 70

Chapter 26: Headache

Before leaving, Guo Liang greeted Zhu Dajun, congratulating him on his impending promotion!

"Guo Liang, Big Head Guo, don't say I didn't warn you. This Fang Family Restaurant is run by my brother. If you have any ulterior motives, don't blame me for paying extra attention to you in the future," Zhu Dajun pointed at Guo Liang coldly.

"Deputy Director Zhu, this is just a normal business transaction. There's no need to talk about ulterior motives. Deputy Director Zhu, there's no need to be so sensitive," Guo Liang said with a calm smile. "If Deputy Director Zhu doesn't believe me, you can take your time to observe. I'm in a hurry to get back to Pingchuan, so I won't invite Deputy Director Zhu to dinner. After your promotion, I'll set up a banquet in Pingchuan to welcome you!"

Guo Liang and his four subordinates left the Fang Family Restaurant with a swagger, driving away in their minivan.

"Dajun, I really owe you one today!" Old Master Fang patted Zhu Dajun's shoulder with a grim face. "Stay and have dinner with the family." Zhu Dajun naturally wouldn't be formal with the Fang family, as the relationship between the two families had long surpassed that of ordinary friends. Otherwise, he wouldn't have come at Old Master Fang's call.

"Grandpa, no matter what happens, we should eat and sleep as usual. If we let Big Head Guo ruin our mood and health, wouldn't that make him even more pleased! As the saying goes, when the enemy comes, we meet them; when the water comes, we block it. Our Fang family isn't alone in the world. While you drink with Uncle Zhu, I have a classmate's birthday party to attend. I'll come back to see you later tonight." Fang Mingyuan held Old Master Fang's hand and said softly, "Grandpa, don't worry. There's always a way out."

Old Master Fang's grim face broke into a smile. His level-headed eldest grandson was far better than his incompetent uncle. "Fang Bin, Xiao Yuan is stronger than you in this aspect. You're already a grown man, but you can't keep your cool. Who is Big Head Guo? We don't know much about him, but look at the people he brought. Do they look like decent people? If you rush in recklessly, aren't you just giving them a chance to attack you? No matter how strong you are, can you fight ten people?" Fang Bin was scolded into submission by Old Master Fang and remained silent.

Although Fang Mingyuan returned to Liu Yong's birthday party with a smile, Liu Yong and the others understood that the Fang Family Restaurant was in trouble. The meal was somewhat somber, and the joy of defeating Cao Hu was gone. After the meal, everyone quickly dispersed.

On the way back to Pingchuan County, Guo Liang was no longer as arrogant as he was in the Fang Family Restaurant. He was also troubled by Zhu Dajun's involvement. He originally thought that Zhu Dajun appeared at the Fang Family Restaurant to prevent him from causing trouble and ruining his promotion, so he came to personally oversee the situation. However, from Zhu Dajun's words, it seemed that the Fang Family Restaurant had a very close relationship with him.

Although Zhu Dajun was just a deputy director about to be promoted, there was still a director above him and several other deputy directors at the same level. However, Guo Liang knew very well that one should not easily provoke soldiers and police. First, these people tend to stick together; second, they are the state's enforcement agencies, wielding power. Although he had connections that could suppress Zhu Dajun, could he suppress him forever? Unless he eliminated Zhu Dajun, having a deputy director of the police department constantly watching his every move would make him uneasy. Was it worth it to provoke such an enemy and cause so much trouble just for a restaurant?

But Guo Liang was reluctant to give up this lucrative opportunity. He wasn't a naive country bumpkin. Having been to the south and the capital, he knew that the catering industry held endless business opportunities. A popular dish could make a restaurant famous, which was not uncommon. If he could obtain that recipe and operate it well, he could make ten or even a hundred times the profit, and it could even be a stepping stone for him to enter Fengyuan or other cities. He had also heard that the Fang Family Restaurant planned to expand into Pingchuan County, which would be a threat to his own restaurants. The conflicting interests made it difficult for him to decide.

"Really, what a headache!" Guo Liang couldn't help but think.

That night, Old Master Fang recounted everything that happened during the day to Fang Mingyuan. Facing Guo Liang's threat, Fang Mingyuan was also unsure of what to do. Although the Fang family could rely on the Su family, involving them in such a matter would be like using a cannon to swat a fly, an overkill. Moreover, Fang Mingyuan knew that as long as he didn't want to live a mundane life, such issues would arise frequently before he reached a certain level. In Pingchuan, there was Guo Liang; in Fengyuan, there might be Li Liang, Zhao Liang, or Ma Liang. If he always relied on the Su family, how could the Fang family stand tall before the Su family in the future? Therefore, the Su family's help could only be used as a last resort.

Zhou Yuanchao? Although he had been promoted to deputy director, he was in the postal system and not suitable for handling such matters.

Zhu Dajun, on the other hand, could be useful, but he hadn't officially transferred to the county bureau. Even if he did, it would take time to establish his authority and influence. The county bureau's resources weren't something he could mobilize immediately, and some county leaders would secretly obstruct him. Although he had some deterrent power against Guo Liang, it was limited, as evident from Guo Liang's attitude toward him. So, he couldn't place too much hope in him. However, his presence would prevent Guo Liang from acting too openly, giving him some time to maneuver.

Although a restaurant's monthly profit of a few thousand yuan wasn't much to him, he couldn't set a precedent. If he gave in to Guo Liang today, he might have to give in to a new supermarket tomorrow. This would only corner him with no room to maneuver. It would be better to stand firm from the beginning! Unless he completely abandoned Haizhuang Town and Pingchuan County, Guo Liang would always be a problem.

"Really, what a headache!" Fang Mingyuan pulled at his hair, letting out a long, painful sigh.

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