Chapter 236: Of Course I Don’t!
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Shen Yao lowered his eyes. The hostility in his eyes was self-evident.
However, the man in black who had lost to him exuded a cold aura.
BANG!
A wisp of smoke suddenly appeared in front of him. After a while, the man in black in front of him disappeared without a trace.
The moment the smoke dissipated, Shen Yao pursed his lips and remained silent. Then, he turned around and returned to the central room.
At that moment, Second Manager You was full of praise for Ji Zhao’s sausage clay pot rice.
‘Ah Tao, this clay pot rice tastes really good!” Second Manager You could not help but ask, “Why don’t we discuss the cooking method of this clay pot rice? As long as you’re willing to tell me the method to make this clay pot rice, the price is negotiable!”
‘Second Brother You, Brother Qin.” Ji Zhao smiled and asked softly, ‘Actually, I have a question to ask you.’
‘Ah Tao, what do you think?”
‘Brother Qin, Hongxing Restaurant is indeed one of the best restaurants in
Dingyuan County, but it’s probably not ranked in the prefecture city, right?”
‘Ah Tao, you…” When Second Manager You heard this, he couldn’t take it anymore. He was also very depressed.
On the other hand, Qin Minghong had a calm expression.
He looked at Ji Zhao with a burning gaze, as if he wanted to see through her through that sharp gaze. However, the emotions he saw in Ji Zhao’s eyes were gentle and indifferent.
‘Ah Tao, since we’re already friends, why don’t you just say it?” Qin Minghong lowered his eyes and hid the hostility in them. The smile on his face was as gentle as ever.
Ji Zhao naturally did not miss the probing look in Qin Minghong’s eyes just now, but she did not want to explore it. After all, to her, she only needed to care about Shen Yao’s emotions. That was enough. As for the other men, they were not important.
However, at this stage, she wanted to use the Qin family’s power to build a business empire that belonged to her.
‘The prefecture city.” Looking at their stunned gazes, Ji Zhao opened her red lips slightly and smiled. “We have to set our sights on the long term. Compared to Dingyuan County, the business in the prefecture city is more profitable, right?”
‘Ah Tao, running a business is not as simple as you think!” Second Manager You was the first to speak. ‘Our Dingyuan County is the intersection between Yunchuan Prefecture and Guichuan Prefecture. Therefore, there are many merchants coming and going here. The reason why Hongxing Restaurant’s reputation is so good is firstly because Dingyuan County doesn’t have many big restaurants. Secondly, it’s convenient and cheap.’
‘The reason why the Hongxing Restaurant can stand tall is also related to the location of the restaurant,” Second Manager You continued, “Our Hongxing Restaurant has a good market entrance and an obvious location. Not only is the lobby spacious and bright, but even the rooms on the second floor are clean and exquisite. But Ah Tao, do you know how much money it will cost to open the restaurant in the prefecture city?
Even in Dingyuan County, shops were in high demand for high prices. The prefecture city was an existence where every inch of land was worth a lot of money!
‘Second Brother You, have you heard of the story of a small ball pushing a big ball?” Ji Zhao took a sip of milk tea and chuckled. “I also know that every inch of land in the prefecture city is expensive. If you want to find a big shop with a suitable geographical location, not only will it consume a lot of energy, but it will also consume a lot of money. What I’m talking about is not biting off more than I can chew, but I have the conditions to perfect this business plan.”
‘More importantly,” Ji Zhao’s gaze fell on Qin Minghong’s face again, “Does Brother Qin want to stay in Dingyuan County for the rest of his life?”
Ji Zhao did not know much about the Qin family.
However, she had heard from Eldest Brother Shen that the Qin family was not only the richest family in Dingyuan County, but also the richest family in the prefectural city. As the eldest son of the second branch of the Qin family, Qin Minghong had come to this small Dingyuan County. On the surface, it was said to sharpen his ability, but this was ancient times! The so-called scholars, farmers, and businessmen were the most respected in this dynasty. Could it be that the Qin family did not even have this vision?
Most importantly, Qin Minghong did not return to the prefecture city’s Qin family!
Qin Minghong did not expect Ji Zhao to ask this question. For a moment, he was stunned and did not know how to answer this question. Did he want to stay in Dingyuan County for the rest of his life?
Of course not!
As a man, he naturally wanted to study hard so that he could bring honor to his ancestors and serve the imperial court!
However, everything had changed since his mother passed away when he was five years old.
His father married another lady from a prestigious family, Madam Liu.
In the beginning, Madam Liu treated him with sincerity. She asked about his well-being and was gentle and caring.
Everything changed when Madam Liu had her own child.
Later on, the teacher who taught him fell sick every other day. Gradually, he also felt that studying was boring. He also saw his father’s disappointment in him.
He was the eldest son of the second branch of the Qin family, but he was like an outsider who did not fit in. His father, Madam Liu, and his half-brother were a warm and loving family.
What was he?
After thinking it through, Qin Minghong went to plead with his grandmother, the old lady of the Qin family. In the end, he successfully left the prefecture city and came to Dingyuan County.
In the beginning, he had never thought of doing business. After all, the money his biological mother had left him was enough for him to enjoy for the rest of his life.
As for the matter of buying the Hongxing Restaurant, he did not expect a restaurant to bring him much profit. He just felt that it was fun, so he handed all the matters of the restaurant to Second Manager You.
However, Qin Minghong was most surprised to meet Ji Zhao. He had never seen such a bright and confident woman, especially when she was cooking. It was as if her entire body was shining!
More importantly, Ji Zhao’s dishes were really delicious.
It was unforgettable.
Unfortunately, Ji Zhao had married someone else.
At first, Qin Minghong agreed to rent the restaurant’s empty front to her purely because he wanted to see her more. That was all. However, as they worked together more and more, Qin Minghong’s feelings for her changed.
At first, he admired a beautiful woman from a man’s point of view. However, it was different now. He looked at Ji Zhao with heartfelt admiration.
‘Of course not.” After a long silence, Qin Minghong slowly said, “Ah Tao, what do you want to do?”
‘Brother Qin, can I ask you another question?” Ji Zhao thought for a moment and slowly asked. Seeing him nod, she continued to ask, “What do you really want?”
“Why do you ask?”
‘Because in my eyes, you no longer lack a luxurious life!” Ji Zhao smiled. ‘Everyone seems to be born different, but in fact, they are the same. Some people may have lived a mediocre life, but the ordinary feeling they feel is another kind of greatness. Some people may be vigorous, but the bumps and thorns they have experienced are unimaginable.. However, I really want to know if Brother Qin wants to continue being a carefree and wealthy country squire, or do you want to fight for your own pride?”