Shen Hexuan listened seriously the entire time, and whenever he had doubts, he would bring them up directly. In the end, he asked Jiang Chuyao to produce a written feasibility plan, and then he would accompany her to talk to potential partners after all, the dance hall wasn’t his alone.
Hearing his words, and being promised help without refusal, Jiang Chuyao felt genuinely grateful. “I’ll toast you soft drinks for alcohol!” The two glass bottles clinked together with a crisp sound.
After downing a bottle of soda, Jiang Chuyao felt her mood lift immensely.
On the way back, Shen Hexuan offered to escort her, but she politely declined, explaining that since he had just broken off an engagement today, if any of the elders saw them together, it could complicate her plans.
Well, even without knowing exactly what she was up to, Shen Hexuan supported her completely!
When Jiang’s father returned home, dinner had just been served. Seeing Jiang Chuyao bustling about, he was taken aback. “Has the sun risen from the west today?” It wasn’t meant as a jab; the scene before him was simply too unexpected.
“Dad, wash your hands dinner’s ready!” Jiang Chuyao ignored his teasing and urged him to eat.
“Did you make all this?”
After washing his hands, he sat down to see four dishes and a soup, perfectly balanced between meat and vegetables, with steaming buns as the staple.
For some reason, he felt uneasy and hesitated to touch his chopsticks.
Only when Jiang Chuyao began eating did he finally relax and start his meal.
“Dad, is it good?” Seeing him take a few bites, she asked nervously.
“Did you really make this?” He thought the taste was familiar, like a restaurant on Central Street.
“No, it’s from Chuanwei Lou.”
“I knew it!” Hearing this, he ate even more confidently.
Watching him enjoy his meal, Jiang Chuyao quietly put down her chopsticks.
Her father noticed and said, “Speak up if you have something to say. Hesitating isn’t your style.” He had little patience with her, unless the couple were alone at home, then he might soften a little.
“Dad, my coming-of-age ceremony was ruined by Jiang Chuying.”
“So?”
“So I need to buy some nice clothes and jewelry to make up for my little heart.” She didn’t directly ask for money to start a business, because if she did, she might not get a cent. In his eyes, a woman doing business was pure fantasy.
“I’ll give it to you later.” Jiang father didn’t think much and agreed immediately.
But he never expected her to scorn him when he offered fifty yuan.
“Do you think money grows on trees? Many people don’t even earn fifty a month, and you dare to complain!” He was annoyed by his daughter’s lack of consideration.
“Then forget it. I’ll be at school the day after tomorrow. If anyone asks about my ceremony…”
“How much!” That brat was born to demand money from him. Even though news of Jiang Chuying’s antics had spread among relatives, the school didn’t know. To protect his eldest daughter’s reputation, he chose to pay.
“Three hundred!” Enough to hurt him financially, but not too much to deny anything more would be refused.
Finally, he reluctantly handed over three hundred yuan, tossing it on the table. She counted it exactly three hundred. Joy!
Just as she pocketed the money, she saw her father heading to the kitchen his daily goji tea routine. Thinking of those little treasures…
Thirty-six stratagems: retreat is best.
Before she even got upstairs, she heard her father roar, “Jiang Chuyao…”
“Dad, a step back broadens the sky; a step forward… well, breast hyperplasia. Look at you so old, still so fiery. You should drink less goji tea in the future.” Both sides were caught, no hiding now. And besides, those ‘treasures’ weren’t going inside her anyway.
“Oh, I saved some for you. Don’t say I’m unfilial the pot still has…” Soup residue!
The pot?
Her father dashed to the stove, and indeed, the small black clay pot still had plenty of residue.
“Don’t get impulsive. I sent this soup to your eldest daughter; she drank a big bowl!” She said, then ran upstairs decisively.
Downstairs, he was sulking he regretted ever having such a rebellious daughter, whose antics now made his heart ache.
Back in her room, Jiang Chuyao pulled out paper and pen to write her plan. Her cooperation proposal had two options one, personally run the bar, covering rent herself two, enter a partnership with Shen Hexuan and team, contributing ideas to attract customers and sharing profits.
Of course, they might not accept such an unconventional proposal.
But a girl who didn’t want to be a boss had no fighting spirit.
Having a second chance at life, she knew she had plenty of drive.
She revised her plan until dawn, finally forcing herself to sleep a bit.
After waking, she had a small bowl of wonton soup on the street, then went to the dance hall.
This time, besides Shen Hexuan, there was a seductive-looking man skin so pale it seemed to glisten. His eyes were filled with arrogance, looking down on everything.
When he glanced at her, it was pure disdain.
“Yao Yao, let me introduce you Tang Fei’ang’ang, my business partner!” Shen Hexuan noticed the subtle tension between them a mutual dislike.
“Hello.” Even for Shen Hexuan’s sake, Jiang Chuyao felt she shouldn’t be rude.
“Hmm.” He responded similarly, only acknowledging Shen Hexuan’s presence.
The three sat down, and Jiang Chuyao handed over her plan.
Shen Hexuan read it first, realizing the girl really did have a knack for business; every clause and risk was clearly laid out.
Tang Fei’ang’ang, who had initially looked down on her, was also impressed. “You wrote this? Have you reached adulthood?” After all, if she wasn’t legally an adult, signing a contract could cause complications.
“I just turned eighteen. Don’t worry I can take responsibility for myself. Hexuan knows,” Jiang Chuyao said. Tang Fei’ang’ang glanced at Shen Hexuan, who nodded, letting him review the plan carefully.