The four of them gathered around the table and discussed the matter seriously and enthusiastically for over half an hour. Finally, they decided to open the shop the day after tomorrow, Saturday.
“Alright, now that the date is set, let’s think if we’ve missed anything. Doing business isn't like school; it’s full of traps and pitfalls. One wrong move could lead to a crisis, or even jail time,” said Li Haochen.
“Third brother, aren’t you being a bit alarmist? It’s just a small shop, what kind of crisis could there be?” Liu Dehui felt Li Haochen was overthinking things.
“Second brother, Haochen is right. We need to be thorough. While he might be exaggerating a bit, it’s always good to be prepared for the worst,” Chen He agreed with Li Haochen’s sentiment.
“What are you discussing so heatedly? I could hear you shouting from the doorway,” Zhang Guifang, having no classes, knew that Liang Minfeng and the others were at the shop. She bought a chilled large watermelon and, carrying it with some effort, pushed the door open and entered.
Upon seeing her, Liang Minfeng quickly walked over, took the watermelon, and rubbed Zhang Guifang’s small hands. “Why didn’t you call me to get it? Look, your hands are all red from being chafed.”
The two of them, as if no one else were there, showered everyone with affection, making Chen He and Liu Dehui feel a pang of envy. They looked at Liang Minfeng like disgruntled wives.
Li Haochen took a clean long cleaver from the workbench, washed it, and came over. He gently tapped the watermelon with the cleaver, splitting it in two. It was evident the watermelon was perfectly ripe.
With a swift motion of his hand and cleaver, Li Haochen cut the over ten-pound watermelon into uniform pieces in less than a minute. “Come, let’s eat watermelon!”
Seeing the juicy, watery, and ice-cold watermelon, the two envious ones instantly cast aside their melancholic mood. They each grabbed a piece with both hands and devoured them greedily.
“We were just discussing that we’re preparing to open and checking if anything is missing. It’s always better to be prepared,” Li Haochen picked up a piece of watermelon and said as he ate.
“I think the biggest problem is installing an air conditioner. Look at you all, you’re all sweaty. Who would want to come in and buy coconut water from you? Hahaha!” Zhang Guifang chuckled, covering her mouth and pinching her nose as she looked at the four sweaty men.
The four of them simultaneously sniffed their armpits, nearly spitting out the watermelon they had just eaten.
“We almost passed out from our own smell.”
“Yes, we absolutely must install the air conditioner; it can’t be skipped.”
“Let’s not delay. I’ll go contact them now. It should be installed tomorrow,” Chen He and Liu Dehui rushed out in a flurry.
“Third brother, we’re leaving now. We’ll go to the supermarket later to see if there’s anything else we need to buy.”
“Third brother, we’re off.”
Zhang Guifang did not mind Liang Minfeng’s sweaty state. She linked her arm through his plump one, chatting and laughing as they walked towards the school.
“Well, now it’s just me.”
Li Haochen took a piece of watermelon, finished it, and then smeared the rind on his face and arms. It really did make him feel cooler.
“I’m actually going to be a boss. It feels like a dream,” Li Haochen said, sitting in the shop and looking at the decorated coconut shop that was about to open, a hint of pride in his voice.
After sitting for a while, Li Haochen tidied up the shop, turned off the electricity, locked the door, and rode his beloved three-wheeled electric bike. “Here I go, picking up my wife, hehe!”
…
Ring ring ring…!
Murong Yanran finished packing her textbooks and walked out of the teaching building, chatting and laughing with Ruan Shanshan. As soon as they reached the bottom of the stairs, Mai Jiaqi, like a gust of wind, darted ahead of them. Her ten-centimeter heels allowed her to move at a sprint.
Mai Jiaqi’s sudden appearance startled Murong Yanran and Ruan Shanshan.
However, Mai Jiaqi wasn’t there to talk to them. She simply walked ahead of them, showing off her designer clothes and the Volkswagen logo on her car.
Mu Shaoyang’s initial contact with Mai Jiaqi was to have her spy on Murong Yanran and report any news to him. At first, she was very dedicated and reported truthfully. But after Mu Shaoyang lost control and took her virginity while drunk, Mai Jiaqi’s mindset began to change.
She wanted to climb the social ladder, to live the life of the elite. From then on, whenever she had news about Murong Yanran, she would deceitfully fabricate false information. Her continuous study of Japanese culture had also allowed her to obtain what she desired, though it wasn't her ultimate goal yet.
From another perspective, Mai Jiaqi possessed a unique talent in a certain area, showing signs of nearing the level of Japanese adult film stars. Judging by her entire appearance, from head to toe, inside and out, which was all designer wear, it was clear. Oh, and there was a bright red Volkswagen Beetle. This entire package would cost at least hundreds of thousands of yuan.
If Murong Yanran knew that Mai Jiaqi had withheld a lot of information about her in her pursuit of advancement, Murong Yanran might even have sent Mai Jiaqi a banner of appreciation.
Just as Mai Jiaqi left, Li Haochen arrived, grinning, revealing his perfectly white teeth, as if he were missing a tube of toothpaste.
“What’s wrong with you guys?”
“Oh, nothing, just got annoyed by someone.”
“Okay, are we eating out today or cooking back?”
“Let’s cook back. The outside food has too much MSG,” Murong Yanran naturally sat beside Li Haochen.
“Shanshan, come to our place to eat with us.”
“I won’t. I’m afraid I’ll get too full from the ‘dog food,’ hehe!”
“Okay, that’s fine. Oh, by the way, my shop is opening on Saturday. Come visit if you have time.”
“Sure, I’ll definitely be there.”
After bidding farewell to Ruan Shanshan, Li Haochen drove his three-wheeled electric bike slowly around the campus of Binhai University. The reason was simple: to show off!
This also caused many middle-aged uncles driving Mercedes-Benz and BMWs on campus to beat their chests, slap their steering wheels, and glare enviously at Li Haochen’s electric three-wheeler.
“Damn it, I’ll buy one too,” the balding uncle thought. The art student he had spent so much time and money on suddenly seemed less appealing. He pointed at the sky and cursed the unfairness of heaven.
Li Haochen’s public display of affection, after several rounds of it, made groups of students heading to the cafeteria after class clench their teeth, stare wide-eyed, and then send waves of fierce glares towards Li Haochen.
“Little little boy,
Carrying his schoolbag to school,
Not afraid of the sun’s heat,
Nor afraid of the wind and rain’s fury,
Only afraid that the teacher will scold me for being lazy,
Having no education, I have no face to see my parents…”
Li Haochen ignored their stares and sang the song proudly. Even worse, he was off-key. Murong Yanran held her forehead in helplessness, resigning herself to the situation.
Upon returning home, Murong Yanran gave Li Haochen a sideways glance. “Are you satisfied now?”
“Hehe, can’t help it. I have to show off my luxury car and beautiful girlfriend, otherwise, wouldn’t that be like going to a banquet in plain clothes?” Li Haochen patted the electric three-wheeler beside him and chuckled incessantly.
“I’m hungry…!”
“Alright, let’s cook!”