Chapter 21 Progress of the New Restaurant

“What did you say?” Wang Yun asked instinctively.

“Young heroes have always risen from among the youth!”

Wang Yun couldn’t help but laugh aloud; this man was truly self-adoring and boastful, with an exceptionally thick skin.

“So how many tapes are we planning to bring in this time?” Wang Yun’s question now included “we,” signaling the beginning of her partnership with Jiang Butong.

“I’ll make a list for you later. For the initial phase, we’ll bring in about a thousand yuan worth of tapes,” Jiang Butong replied.

After all, this was his first time working with Wang Yun. Who could say if she might pocket the money herself? Besides, he didn’t have much cash on hand.

“Alright.” Wang Yun agreed. A thousand yuan was neither too much nor too little; the risk was low. They could test the waters first.

“By the way, where did you get your tape recorders?”

“I sourced them from Hong Kong City. Are you thinking of selling recorders?” Wang Yun felt Jiang Butong’s train of thought jumped around a bit too quickly—she sometimes struggled to keep up with him.

“Since we’ll be selling tapes, we should have recorders too. Right now, the price of recorders is a bit high. If we can bring the price down, the business will become much easier.”

Wang Yun thought for a moment before saying, “There was once a factory that approached me to help sell their portable tape recorders. The price was quite reasonable.”

“How much?” Jiang Butong asked.

“The dealer price they offered was thirty-five yuan. Retail, you could sell for about sixty.”

“Can you still get in touch with them?” Jiang Butong knew that in the next ten years, tape recorders would remain in demand.

With the times changing, electronics would soon see a price drop. Especially after 2000, when the college entrance exams began to test English listening, almost everyone would have a recorder.

Wang Yun couldn’t quite see the future market for tape recorders but sensed that Jiang Butong valued them even more than tapes.

“I’ll go back and look for their business card.”

“Do it as soon as possible. If we’re selling tapes, we need to sell recorders alongside,” Jiang Butong reminded her.

“Alright, I’ll contact the factory for you as soon as I can,” Wang Yun agreed without hesitation.

During their conversation, Wang Yun also asked some personal questions about Jiang Butong, such as his hometown and school. Since they were about to collaborate, it was important to get to know each other better.

The meal was nearly finished, and their partnership was sealed. Jiang Butong, ever the gentleman, paid the bill.

At the door of the small restaurant, Jiang Butong bade her farewell.

Wang Yun, having drunk a little, felt the evening breeze bring a delicate flush to her cheeks. She asked, “It’s so late—how will you get home?”

Jiang Butong glanced at her and teased, “Are you inviting me over to your place, Sister Wang?”

Wang Yun let out a soft, charming laugh. “Sure, will you come?”

Jiang Butong shook his head, politely declining, “You’d better go home and keep your husband company.”

Wang Yun tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and, with interest, asked, “How do you know I have a husband?”

Jiang Butong was taken aback. “Do you not?”

“Take a guess,” Wang Yun’s mature allure shimmered around her.

Jiang Butong couldn’t guess; he rubbed his nose sheepishly.

“Alright, I’ll stop teasing you. Since you’re not coming, I’ll head off first.”

“Goodbye!”

Jiang Butong took his leave from Wang Yun and walked home alone. It had been a busy few days—he needed some time to calmly analyze the current situation.

First, the Chen family restaurant was running smoothly.

The new restaurant was about to open.

Jiang Yuan’s underground network was developing steadily.

The tape business was also taking shape.

These were the assets he currently possessed.

As for threats, Hou San was one, as were the scar-faced man and the yellow-haired thug from before.

The immediate priority was to make money, to expand Jiang Yuan’s legitimate influence through wealth, and then to root out nuisances like Hou San and Scarface once and for all!

When Jiang Butong returned to Chen Pan’er’s place, she was already half-asleep.

Chen Pan’er, her face full of weariness, got up to open the door for him.

Jiang Butong noticed her loose pajamas and her smooth, pale legs exposed.

“Why are you back so late?” Chen Pan’er yawned.

“I was discussing a partnership with a shop owner,” Jiang Butong said as he went to wash up.

Chen Pan’er, though drowsy at first, perked up at the mention of a business deal.

When Jiang Butong came out, she pressed him, “What kind of partnership? Hmph, keeping secrets from me.”

Jiang Butong smiled, taking her small hand and playing with it.

“I’m not hiding anything. You saw for yourself how chaotic the wholesale market is these days. I was worried about your safety.”

“And you’re not worried about your own? Why didn’t you ask Jiang Yuan to send a couple of guys with you?” Concern shone in Chen Pan’er’s eyes.

Jiang Butong’s heart stirred at her words. He suddenly had the urge to embrace her, but then—

Seeing the guarded look in her eyes, Jiang Butong suppressed his impulsive thoughts. Better to wait a little longer.

“Don’t worry, it’ll all be over in a few days. Go get some rest.”

Jiang Butong comforted her with a few words, and they each went to their own beds.

The next morning, Chen Pan’er, suffering from cramps, decided to sleep in.

Seeing her pale face, Jiang Butong bought her breakfast and poured her a cup of hot brown sugar water.

“Rest here. I’m heading to the Chen family restaurant.”

Chen Pan’er nodded obediently, cradling the steaming cup in her hands.

When Jiang Butong arrived at the restaurant, he found the same group of young men from the day before standing outside.

Jiang Yuan and Chen Sheng sat outside, deep in conversation.

“Tong, you’re here. Come, we need to talk,” Chen Sheng beckoned.

Jiang Butong sat down beside them. “What’s up?”

“Did you get into a conflict with Hou San’s men yesterday?” Chen Sheng asked gravely.

Jiang Butong nodded and recounted the events of the previous day.

Chen Sheng was so angry he slammed his palm on the table.

“That Hou San—refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit. He’s asking for trouble!”

“Brother Sheng, should we make a move on him?” Jiang Yuan asked. He had only just taken control of this underground network and wasn’t sure if Hou San had powerful backers.

“I think Hou San is cunning and won’t let this go,” Jiang Butong analyzed.

Chen Sheng fell silent. In his memory, Hou San was just a rookie thug when he started out; he hadn’t expected him to grow so much in just ten years.

“I asked around this morning. Hou San doesn’t have anyone backing him, and his influence is confined to that small patch of the wholesale market. He’s got a long way to go before he’s a real player,” Chen Sheng said.

Hearing that, Jiang Butong felt relieved.

“Tong, what do you think we should do?” Chen Sheng asked.

A cold glint flashed in Jiang Butong’s eyes. “Rather than wait for them to come after us, we should strike first before they realize what’s happening.”

Jiang Yuan nodded; he had been thinking the same.

After some consideration, Chen Sheng agreed.

“Yuan, gather the men. Tonight’s the night,” Chen Sheng ordered.

Jiang Yuan nodded and left with his brothers.

Only Chen Sheng and Jiang Butong remained.

“Come, let me show you the new restaurant,” Chen Sheng said, leading the way.

The new restaurant wasn’t far from the old one; it took them just ten minutes to get there.

Jiang Butong looked up at the sign for the private dining house, the three calligraphic characters striking and bold. Inside, the renovation was proceeding in an orderly fashion.

The surroundings were tidy, everything looked brand new.

“All of this was remodeled according to your ideas. What do you think?” Chen Sheng asked.

“Not bad—it has the right atmosphere,” Jiang Butong replied, quite satisfied. The private dining house boasted a style far superior to the original restaurant, and there were no other upscale eateries nearby. They would stand alone in this market.

“It’s just that the costs are a bit high,” Chen Sheng admitted, a trace of worry in his voice. He feared local customers wouldn’t be able to afford it.

“Don’t worry, Brother Chen. As long as we offer what the market lacks, we’ll have an edge,” Jiang Butong said with confidence.

“Alright, I trust you,” Chen Sheng said, leading Jiang Butong on a tour of the place.

“How much longer until the renovations are finished?” Jiang Butong asked.

“They’ll be done by next week,” Chen Sheng replied, clearly familiar with the progress.

“After the renovations, we’ll need some decorations as well, and then air the place out to get rid of the paint smell.”

Jiang Butong pointed out a few shortcomings, and Chen Sheng immediately relayed the necessary changes to the workers.

It was nearly noon by the time they returned to the original restaurant.

As soon as they stepped inside, they saw the place was already crowded, with many familiar faces among the customers—a testament to the restaurant’s loyal clientele.

Jiang Dazhuang, who had learned some basic cooking skills from Chen Sheng, was busy working in the kitchen.