Chapter 37 of 100

Chapter 37

11 min read2,746 words

Chapters 37-38: Brotherly Affection

Inside a private room at the Xiangjiang Seafood Restaurant.

"Come, let's toast to this big lobster!" Lin Feng, who hadn't seen Gui Zi and Mao Zi in a long time, was in high spirits and finished his beer in one gulp.

"Cheers!" Gui Zi and Mao Zi also finished their beers in one go, but their faces looked a bit unnatural.

"This lobster must be quite expensive. Did you order anything else? If not, it's fine; we've had enough!" The two of them finally couldn't hold back and asked when the waiter went out to get more beer.

"Don't worry. Although I'm not very rich now, I can still afford this lobster feast. And I believe you two will be able to afford it in the future." Lin Feng refilled his glass and raised his cup, "This time it's on me, next time it's on you."

Gui Zi and Mao Zi exchanged a bitter smile.

"We can't afford it. Next time, let's just have hotpot." Gui Zi said bluntly, "I heard you opened an internet cafe and made a lot of money, so it's no problem for you to treat us. Mao Zi and I work part-time and don't have the money for such a fancy meal. You have the money, so next time you can treat us to something better."

"Hehe, okay, no problem." Lin Feng smiled.

Gui Zi was always straightforward, direct, and unafraid of offending people. According to him, those who would hold a grudge against him weren't true friends, and such friends were better off without.

"By the way, how's business at your internet cafe? Prices have dropped a lot here, how about your place?" Mao Zi asked with concern.

"It's doing well. My place is near the university, so prices haven't dropped, and business is good." Lin Feng didn't mention "Killer Bar."

"Hehe, that's good. The neighborhood smells bad now. When you make money, buy your dad a house and move out. When you earn money, be filial to your parents." Mao Zi advised.

"Right, Mao Zi is right. If you make money and ignore your parents, we won't recognize you as a friend." Gui Zi nodded in agreement.

"What are you talking about? I'm not that kind of person! Come, let's toast to our lobster dream again!"

After a satisfying meal and drinks, Lin Feng signaled the waiter to pour three cups of clear tea and then asked him to leave the room.

"Gui Zi, are you satisfied with your current job? Mao Zi, how's the hardware processing shop business with your dad?" Lin Feng sipped his tea and asked.

"Not good. This towel factory is exhausting and the pay is low. It looks like 800 yuan is a lot, but damn, working 12 hours a day, it's killing me. I'm planning to quit and sell insurance." Gui Zi said loudly.

"Hehe, I won't mention it. Since I opened the hardware processing shop, my family nags me to death every time I go out to play on the computer at night. It's so annoying." Mao Zi also had a lot of complaints.

"Hehe, that's good. I want to open a flower tea processing plant, but I need two managers. Are you interested?" Lin Feng asked.

"Flower tea processing plant?" The two of them were stunned, exchanged a glance, and said in unison, "We don't have the money to invest."

"You don't need to invest. I'll provide the funds, and you'll manage it. I'll take 51%, and each of you will get 24.5%." Lin Feng took out two contracts from his briefcase.

"Take a look. If you have any questions, ask me. If everything is fine, sign it. We'll start building our empire tomorrow." Lin Feng said.

"What's there to look at? We've been brothers for over ten years. Do you think I'd harm you? I'm not planning to stay anyway." Gui Zi glanced over the contract and signed it.

"It's more complicated for me. The hardware processing shop is technically my dad's. I need to talk to him about it." Mao Zi looked at the contract with a troubled expression.

"Sure, no problem. But you can tell Uncle Ding that the flower tea processing plant will make at least 10,000 yuan in profit each month, which is definitely better than the hard work at the hardware shop." Lin Feng wasn't concerned.

"Okay, I'll call you tomorrow." Mao Zi nodded cautiously.

"Let's go sing karaoke; it's been a long time." With the matter settled, Lin Feng felt relieved and decided to enjoy himself since he was out.

The next day, Gui Zi quit his job. However, his workshop supervisor refused to approve it, saying there was no one to replace him and asked Gui Zi to work for another week. Unable to tolerate the exploitative work any longer, Gui Zi angrily quit without even collecting his salary.

"Yang Guowei, you'll regret this. When you want to come back, I won't agree." The supervisor roared.

"Damn, if I ever come back to beg you, I'll jump off the Yangtze Bridge." Yang Guowei was determined and left with a fierce warning.

Mao Zi's situation wasn't as smooth. When he told his parents about it the next morning, they firmly disagreed. They said Lin Feng's flower tea processing plant wasn't even open yet, and who knew if it would make money. Even if it made 10,000 yuan a month, Mao Zi would only get 24.5%, which was about the same as the hardware shop. The business of installing security grilles and processing parts was doing well, and it would be foolish to abandon it to start a flower tea processing plant.

Wait until Lin Feng's flower tea processing plant is profitable, and then you can join. — This was Mao Zi's parents' final decision.

Mao Zi could only shake his head helplessly at his parents' thoughts. Waiting for the plant to be profitable before joining was like waiting to share the profits. Even if Lin Feng was willing, Mao Zi couldn't do such a despicable thing.

After much consideration, Mao Zi, who was already tired of the hardware processing business, decided to confront his parents. Whether they agreed or not, he was going to do it.

Seeing that the decision was final, Mao Zi's parents had no choice but to agree.

In the afternoon, the two of them found Lin Feng and also met Liu Yingying and others. After marveling at the recent success of "Killer Bar" in Chushi, which was Lin Feng's creation, and admiring Lin Feng's abilities, they were also full of confidence in the flower tea processing plant.

While they were amazed that Lin Feng had managed to hire a talented woman like Liu Yingying from Peking University, they also secretly asked if her subordinates, Su Xiaomei and Qin Sirong, had boyfriends.

Liu Yingying, with her good looks and气质, was the best among the three women, but her master's degree in business administration from Peking University made her seem out of reach. Not only was she 26 years old, the oldest in Lin Feng's company after the accountant, but her strong and capable image made it hard for many to approach her.

For two people who wanted to pursue her at first sight, Lin Feng found it amusing. However, Su Xiaomei and Qin Sirong, though not as stunning as Liu Yingying, were still quite attractive. On the street, they would be the focus of attention. However, after two months of negotiating with various clients and haggling over prices, they had become quite fierce. They were sharp-eyed and quick-tongued, and could easily outtalk anyone.

If you two like them, you're in for a rough time. — Lin Feng secretly prayed for his two brothers.

After explaining the details to them, Lin Feng entrusted them with selecting the factory location and contacting the flower cultivation bases. Although Gui Zi had always worked in state-owned enterprises and lacked experience, Mao Zi was a seasoned veteran. After graduating from technical school, he had worked in many factories and even run his own shop, so he was well-suited for the task of selecting the factory location.

As for the flower cultivation bases, once the list was complete, they would definitely need to invite Old Xu to make the final decision. Only his approval would lead to a long-term partnership. In the early stages of the flower tea processing plant, Old Xu would have the final say in management. Only after he approved Gui Zi and Mao Zi would they be given management responsibilities.

After entrusting the initial preparations for the flower tea processing plant to his two brothers, Lin Feng became a hands-off boss again. According to Lin Feng, being a boss meant giving orders and letting others do the hard work. Otherwise, he would be exhausted from doing everything himself.

Of course, the reason Lin Feng could be so relaxed during the early stages of development was partly luck and partly good character.

Meeting Liu Yingying was Lin Feng's luck. Regardless of her reasons for joining his small company, hiring a Peking University graduate in business administration was a stroke of luck.

Meeting Old Xu and gaining his favor was a testament to Lin Feng's character. Without Old Xu's flower tea, "Killer Bar" wouldn't be as popular, and Lin Feng's "Killer Club" wouldn't have 17 franchise partners.

With luck and character, and his knowledge of the future, success was almost guaranteed.

The only thing that worried Lin Feng was his own mindset. Since starting his business, his mindset had been subtly changing, but he hadn't noticed it until he met Gui Zi and Mao Zi and persuaded them to join the flower tea processing plant. Only then did he realize how much his mindset had changed.

From being naive and straightforward to being calculating and cautious; from being open and honest to being suspicious and cautious...

Lin Feng felt he was becoming like the profit-driven businessmen in novels, always prioritizing his own interests and weighing the pros and cons of every action. For example, bringing Gui Zi and Mao Zi into the flower tea processing plant was unnecessary, and Gui Zi lacked experience. The best choice should have been Mao Zi.

But Lin Feng insisted on having both of them manage it, which was a balancing act. To prevent them from cheating, Lin Feng used a balancing strategy. On the surface, it seemed like he was taking care of his brothers, but in reality, he was guarding against them.

Why had he become like this? Was this the price of success? — Lin Feng felt a devil in his heart, a devil that was slowly devouring his conscience and former innocence.

"Do you have time tonight? Let's sit down and talk." After a day of inner turmoil, Lin Feng finally asked Liu Yingying when he finished work.

Lin Feng desperately needed someone to confide in, or the conflict between morality and profit would drive him mad. The only person he could think of was Liu Yingying. His parents and relatives were out of the question, as they would scold him for being too worldly. Friends were even worse, as it would only prove his foolishness.

After much thought, the only person Lin Feng could turn to was Liu Yingying.

Perhaps it was because of her efficient and professional demeanor at work, or because she was about to leave at the end of the month. Whatever secrets she knew would disappear with her.

"Is it business or personal?" Liu Yingying was surprised and then asked.

"Um, personal, but it can also be considered business." Lin Feng looked worried and said in a low voice.

"Uh, wait a moment, I'll go home and change." Liu Yingying glanced at Lin Feng and said.

"Okay, I'll wait for you at 'Dream Paris.'" Lin Feng said.

When Liu Yingying returned to "Dream Paris" after changing, Lin Feng had already had a few bottles of beer.

Liu Yingying frowned, walked over, and took the beer from Lin Feng's hand.

Lin Feng glanced at Liu Yingying, his eyes brightening, but he quickly picked up the beer bottle again.

Liu Yingying, different from her usual black and white business attire, now wore a floral dress and brown sunglasses, looking graceful and elegant, like a quietly blooming flower, exuding a faint fragrance. Whether a simple wild chrysanthemum or a noble peony, she radiated a gentle and intelligent charm.

"Waiter, give him a glass of iced water and me a lemon tea." Liu Yingying signaled the waiter to replace Lin Feng's beer.

Lin Feng silently drank the iced water, and Liu Yingying quietly sipped her lemon tea. Neither of them spoke.

"Aren't you curious why I asked you here?" When Lin Feng had finished three glasses of iced water and saw Liu Yingying still sitting quietly, he finally couldn't hold back.

"You'll say it when you're ready. Besides, the atmosphere here is nice. It's pleasant to take a break from busy work and sit in a quiet and elegant place." Liu Yingying said calmly.

Lin Feng was speechless.

After a few minutes, Lin Feng finally confided his inner turmoil to Liu Yingying.

"Do you think I'm doing the right thing?" Lin Feng asked for help.

Liu Yingying thought for a moment and then asked, "If you had to choose again, what would you do?"

"I... I would still do the same." Lin Feng said dejectedly.

"From your perspective, this is the right decision. The flower tea processing plant is the foundation of your entry into the food industry, and your approach is correct. After all, this formula, while not worth a fortune, is still valuable." Liu Yingying's words made Lin Feng feel relieved, but her next sentence made him feel uneasy again.

"From your friends' perspective, this is a betrayal of brotherly affection. If I were your friend and knew you were guarding against me, I would break ties with you." Liu Yingying's words made Lin Feng feel ashamed.

Lin Feng's brows furrowed, and he looked at Liu Yingying, sighing deeply.

"But from my perspective, while your actions are selfish, business is like war, and there's no room for carelessness. A small mistake can lead to disaster." Liu Yingying's tone shifted, making Lin Feng feel like he was on a roller coaster, with his emotions fluctuating wildly.

"What should I do now?" Lin Feng couldn't bear the tension and asked directly.

"It's simple. If you don't want to lose these two brothers, don't give them a chance to lose you, and don't give yourself a chance to lose them." Liu Yingying smiled wisely.

"What do you mean?" Lin Feng asked, puzzled.

"If someone has no chance to make a mistake, even if they want to, how can they?" Liu Yingying said philosophically.

After a long while, Lin Feng's frown eased.

"Thank you!"

"Shall we go eat now? I'm starving. You won't be so ungrateful as to not treat me to a meal, right?" Liu Yingying smiled teasingly.

"Haha, you can order whatever you want." With his heart at ease, Lin Feng felt the world was vast and open, and there was nothing worth worrying about.

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