Chen Rui also said, "Your cousin’s little brother indeed isn’t the type who can endure hardship. Initially, he worked in a factory but complained it was too exhausting, so he turned to sales, but couldn’t achieve much there either. It was his family pulling strings that got him to learn cooking." Li Guihong felt a bit awkward hearing her cousin exposed by her husband, so she just lowered her head and ate.
Zhao Xiaolan then chid in, "Let’s pick your eldest cousin’s husband’s nephew."
And just like that, the choice for the store manager was made.
After finishing the al, Chen Feng made a call to this Li, first outlining that he would need to undergo training at the head office, followed by a two-month probation period at five thousand per month, and then upon permanent hire, seven thousand per month with additional bonuses and commissions. Details can be discussed in-depth after becoming permanent. Right now, it’s just the probationary contract.
Li was obviously quite satisfied with the offer; five thousand a month is considered a high wage in their eighteenth-tier county, especially since it’s in the countryside.
So, he happily accepted the job and would report tomorrow.
Once the store manager was secured, Chen Feng relaxed.
After finishing his al, he found an excuse to go out and headed to Lin Yujiao’s rented apartnt.
She had returned two days earlier and was planning to open tomorrow, on the eighth.
The two hadn’t seen each other for several days. Both being adults who have married and divorced, naturally, the brief separation felt like newlyweds. When they t, there was no formality; they got right down to business.
They were occupied until midnight before finally taking a break, feeling very satisfied.
It was only then that Chen Feng had a chance to talk to her.
"What have you been up to these days? Did you visit relatives?"
Lin Yujiao, slightly panting, said, "Visited two families, then I got lazy and just ca back here."
Chen Feng didn’t ask her why she didn’t stay longer at ho, thinking about the way her mother is, he knew the reason.
Indeed, it was similar; during the New Year period, her mom kept showing off in front of relatives, saying she had found a new and good son-in-law who was wealthy and had showered them with gifts. She kept urging her to marry Chen Feng soon. Even if they didn’t get married, she should have a child early to bind Chen Feng.
Lin Yujiao knew her own situation. Chen Feng isn’t her boyfriend, and in this situation, she wouldn’t have a child with him.
Of course, if there really was an accidental pregnancy, she wouldn’t refuse either. One could only say it’s fate, and Chen Feng certainly wouldn’t treat her badly.
"Did you visit Longhua Street in the past two days?"
Chen Feng was still quite concerned about her future business plans, especially since he had promised her beforehand.
"Went to the city area on the fifth to take a look, everything was closed for the holidays, didn’t see any shops for lease. I’m not in a rush though; those shops are in high demand and not easily available. I’ll continue running my store here for now."
Lin Yujiao’s mindset was quite stable, so she didn’t hurriedly push Chen Feng about going to set up a shop in the city after he had promised.
"Alright. I’ll also go to the city another day to have a look or maybe specifically involve an agent. Also, I’ll ask Wu ngting to help keep an eye out."
Wu ngting was very eager to help her find a shop last ti, but now since her family had trouble, it’s certainly not good to rush her.
"Thank you, but I’m really not in a rush."
"I hope to get this done by the Lantern Festival at the latest before going back to Xiu Zhou."
"...Oh."
The next day arrived, and the team from the brand’s headquarters arrived. Chen Feng personally hosted them, then took them over to Yuelou Town, calling Li and his uncle over. By afternoon, both sides followed the procedures to sign the franchise agreent.
The other party was professional, imdiately bringing in a construction team to start building the franchise store. Additionally, there was a designated trainer for Li, the prospective store manager, for one-on-one training.
Their car detailing store started the construction, and since it was in the center of Yuelou Town on a main road, the news quickly spread.
The two existing car wash shops in the town found out about this quickly.
They hadn’t expected anyone would jump in when there were already two car wash shops in Yuelou Town.
Ai Ba was the first to get more precise information, learning it was Zhao Guozhong and his two nephews opening the business together.
If this were over a decade ago, Ai Ba would have respectfully addressed Zhao Guozhong as elder brother upon eting him. But tis have changed, and Ai Ba has amassed a significant fortune, while Zhao Guozhong beca seen as a transient pauper. In truth, he had already disregarded him.
However, since everyone knows each other and Zhao Guozhong is also a local figure with many shady friends.
Thus Ai Ba planned to lead with courtesy before resorting to force, requesting soone to arrange a dinner with Zhao Guozhong at a restaurant in town.
Zhao Guozhong arrived as promised, but he wasn’t alone; his over ten sworn brothers ca too, among them was Ai Ba’s forr leader for several years, nicknad Three Fingers.
Ai Ba used to be a little thug, but this Three Fingers was a local powerhouse. Back then, when competing in the transportation business and showing bravery, he chopped off two fingers from his left hand in front of others with a straight face, offering them to his rival, signaling he would withdraw if his rival it the sa.
Naturally, his competitors were terrified into quitting the business.
Three Fingers thus made a na for himself, gaining a large reputation locally.
Before Three Fingers rose to fa, around the age of fifteen or sixteen, he allied with a group of over ten local youths, forming a sworn brotherhood.
Back then in that area, such brotherhoods were common, a way for people to stick together and gain strength in fights, ensuring they wouldn’t be bullied.
Later, as everyone matured and society changed, they drifted apart, seldom gathering, even forgetting about the brotherhood.
But after Three Fingers gained fa, he deliberately distanced himself from those much lower in status, keeping in touch only with those of similar standing of about five or six people.
Three Fingers had served so jail ti in the past and learned to be smarter after release, gradually washing clean, and now almost completely cleansed, becoming quite a successful entrepreneur.
Previously, he definitely wouldn’t have accompanied Zhao Guozhong to give him face. But with a powerful nephew, things were different.
And since Ai Ba used to follow him, Zhao Guozhong inviting him also gave Three Fingers face.
As a result, Ai Ba’s plan for courteous-before-forceful dinner finished harmoniously, during which Ai Ba openly expressed full support for Brother Guozhong’s car wash venture, suggesting future collaboration to squeeze out the outsider’s shop.
Zhao Guozhong laughed heartily, saying it’s all negotiable and they’ll plan more later.
The whole dinner saw Ai Ba being outwardly enthusiastic, providing each with a pack of Huazi after the al. Very hospitable indeed.
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