Duan Kun was stunned and didn't know what else to say. He glanced at the thug beside him and instructed, "Go get the property deed and bring it to Boss Song."
After all, they were on his turf now, and he figured Song Qiao wouldn't be able to pull any tricks.
He then turned his gaze back to Song Qiao, his tone somewhat displeased, "Boss Song must have seen my sincerity. Can we talk about cooperation now?"
Song Qiao smiled slightly and said, "Boss Duan, hasn't the protection money business been tough these past few years?"
Duan Kun patiently nodded, tacitly admitting Song Qiao's statement.
In recent years, with China's increasing emphasis on the law, his illegal activities had been severely cracked down upon, and his business had shrunk considerably.
Since he wasn't making much money, many of his thugs had already found other paths.
"Boss Duan must have heard about my shop's business just now. I definitely won't be content with it only being this size. If Boss Duan is interested, we can join forces and open several chain stores."
"Then your thugs will be responsible for the free delivery at each store. I believe it won't be long before Xiang Piaopiao Stinky Tofu will be famous throughout our provincial capital."
"Boss Duan provides the people, and I provide the money and the technology. Will we still worry about making money then?"
Duan Kun's eyes lit up upon hearing Song Qiao's proposed method of cooperation.
The thugs under him were all uneducated ruffians who didn't want to do manual labor.
While delivering goods, a task that didn't require much education, was still tiring, it was considerably easier than farming or bricklaying.
Furthermore, he was in urgent need of legitimizing his business during this time, and a legal enterprise protected by law was exactly what he needed.
He had also considered some ways to legitimize his business before, but they had all failed due to a lack of expertise.
Now, Song Qiao was offering to provide him with these opportunities, it was truly a godsend.
As for providing people, that was no problem at all. As long as the money was right, with his reputation as Brother Kun, he wasn't worried about finding thugs!
Looking at Song Qiao, who was eloquently presenting his case with a confident expression, Brother Kun felt a stir of interest.
He immediately abandoned his initial plan to seize Song Qiao's property.
After a long silence, he stood up, extended his right hand to Song Qiao, and said with some excitement, "Then, I wish us a happy cooperation in advance."
"Happy cooperation!" Song Qiao also stood up and shook hands with Duan Kun, without showing any particular excitement.
Clearly, all of this was within his expectations.
As long as Duan Kun believed him, he would have countless ways to make him pay for his past actions.
As soon as the two of them finished their discussion, a subordinate brought Song Qiao the property deed.
"Brother Song, you haven't had lunch yet, have you? Why don't you join me for a meal here today, and we brothers can drink until we're drunk?"
"Besides, I have quite a few pretty girls here who want to meet you, Brother."
Duan Kun said this while giving Song Qiao a knowing wink, unconsciously changing his address for Song Qiao in an attempt to close the distance between them.
Song Qiao smiled subtly and politely declined, "Brother Kun's kindness is appreciated, but I still have unfinished business at my shop today. How about we do this another day?"
He certainly wouldn't agree. He was eager to return home and report the recovery of the property deed to his wife, and he wouldn't dare to indulge in revelry here.
Duan Kun was somewhat surprised that Song Qiao could resist his temptations, but he couldn't say anything more. He nodded and said, "Then I won't delay Brother Song from making a fortune."
With that, he stood up and personally escorted Song Qiao to the door.
...
Stepping out of Duan Kun's club, Song Qiao carefully took out the property deed clutched in his hand, his heart filled with excitement.
He had finally fulfilled his promise to his wife.
"Why don't we call Yuqing's family today to celebrate, and it will be a surprise for Yuqing."
Song Qiao abandoned his original plan of returning home to share the good news and pushed his bicycle to a nearby phone booth, dialing Xia Yuqing's number.
"Hello, wife, it's the weekend today. Is Xixi at home?"
"She's at home, doing her homework." Xia Yuqing's somewhat lazy voice came through the phone, clearly indicating she had only recently woken up.
With two days off work, she could finally enjoy a good afternoon nap.
"Then quickly bring Xixi, and call Dad, Mom, and Xueqing. Come to Chunfeng Restaurant in the northern part of the city. I have something important to tell you."
Song Qiao suppressed his inner excitement as much as possible and said mysteriously to Xia Yuqing.
After speaking, he hung up the phone without waiting for Xia Yuqing to ask why.
Then, he called Xu Ran and booked the most luxurious private room at Chunfeng.
...
Xia Yuqing on the other end of the phone was baffled, unsure what Song Qiao was up to.
She could tell from Song Qiao's tone on the phone that he was clearly eager, so she didn't dare to hesitate.
She immediately notified her parents, who were at home, and took her daughter to head towards Chunfeng Restaurant.
As the three of them were about to leave, they ran into Xia Xueqing, who had just returned home.
"Sister, where are you going?" Xia Xueqing's face was somewhat gloomy, clearly still upset about Song Qiao hugging a stranger in public.
"Your brother-in-law called and asked us to go to Chunfeng Restaurant." Xia Yuqing didn't notice her sister's expression.
"Chunfeng Restaurant?"
Xia Xueqing's eyes widened slightly upon hearing this.
What was Song Qiao planning? Was he going to confess to her sister?
Thinking of this, she, who usually couldn't wait to see Song Qiao make a fool of himself, actually refrained from telling her sister what she had seen.
"Sister, wait for me to change. Since you and Mom and Dad are going, then I'll go too," Xia Xueqing said after a moment's thought.
Xia Yuqing was a little surprised. In their family, in terms of disliking Song Qiao, Xia Xueqing probably disliked him even more than she did.
Usually, she avoided Song Qiao like the plague. Now, to change her tune and be eager to see him, she didn't know what trouble she would stir up.
However, she didn't object. After all, Song Qiao had mentioned calling his sister on the phone earlier.
"Hmph, I'll personally expose this hypocritical man Song Qiao later," Xia Xueqing thought to herself.
...
Xu Ran had been so impressed with Song Qiao these past two days that he was practically bowing down to him. It wasn't just that his store's revenue had more than doubled since partnering with Song Qiao.
It was more that, as a business partner, he had dined with Song Qiao several times, during which they had discussed their views on the catering industry.
Many of Song Qiao's viewpoints and ideas were completely new to him and were also very practical.
Each one of them made him, a seasoned veteran of the catering industry for over a decade, look at Song Qiao with newfound respect.
He now deeply realized that Song Qiao was no ordinary person and would likely soar to great heights one day. Therefore, he had long harbored a desire to befriend him.