Chapter 461: Revised: Chapter 461 Based on Integrity
"If... if you don’t want to increase the price, then find another place! I’m not renting this shop anymore!" The landlord shouted.
Zhou Yong saw him becoming more arrogant, so he threatened: "Boss, what is going on in your head?"
"And just think about it, if we spread the word that Chef Li is slashing people with a knife, who would dare to rent your shop?"
Although the landlord was greedy, he had been renting shops for a long time and knew that in business, you shouldn’t be afraid of having fewer customers, but rather someone deliberately causing trouble.
If Chef Li liked this shop and then the chopping incident got out, there really wouldn’t be anyone willing to buy it.
After hesitating for a long time, the landlord finally compromised and probed: "Then... let’s settle at thirty thousand! How about that?"
"Thirty thousand? That number isn’t auspicious. In business, we all want good omens, let’s make it twenty-eight thousand!" Zhang Dadan said decisively.
Twenty-eight thousand, isn’t that two thousand less? If you want auspiciousness, why not make it thirty-six thousand?
Damn it! What kind of bad luck do I have today? Thought I could earn a few extra thousand, but instead not only got frightened, I’m earning two thousand less?
The landlord sighed deeply and said helplessly: "Oh well! It seems I’m unlucky today, twenty-eight thousand it is!"
Zhang Dadan advised: "Don’t say it’s about luck. It’s a punishment for the untrustworthy!"
"If you hadn’t changed your tune, this wouldn’t have happened today. I hope you remember this lesson, and act with integrity in the future!"
After handling the new shop contract, it was already past noon, and the three were quite hungry, so they found a restaurant nearby.
The restaurant owner, recognizing Zhang Dadan and Zhou Yong, quickly came up to greet them enthusiastically, giving them full face.
Faced with the owner’s enthusiasm, Zhang Dadan felt a bit embarrassed, as he was about to become a competitor and felt a bit guilty.
The owner was so warm in welcoming him, yet he would soon be taking business away from him, which felt like bullying.
But the world is like this, where the strong prey on the weak, and only the fittest survive, especially in business competition.
The three of them got a private room, ordered seven or eight dishes, and started feasting. When they were in the thick of eating, the owner personally brought in a bottle of wine.
The owner presented the wine, smiling: "Brother Zhang, Nephew Zhou, this is our restaurant’s homemade Huadiao wine, please taste it!"
Before Zhang Dadan could respond politely, Zhou Yong couldn’t hold back, jumped up and protested: "Uncle Shen, what do you mean by that? Calling him brother and me nephew? Doesn’t that make me a generation younger?"
Shen Liangquan, being cheerful and carefree, realized he might have misspoken and quickly chuckled.
Zhou Yong, seeing this, smiled wryly: "You lowered my status, and you still laugh?"
"Alright! Nephew, don’t make it hard for Brother Shen!" Zhang Dadan took the chance to joke.
Seeing their playful banter, Bai Jie almost spat out the food in her mouth.
Bai Jie barely controlled her laughter and advised them: "Alright! Stop being silly, it’s better to properly thank Boss Shen!"
Zhang Dadan also stopped joking, politely said to Shen Liangquan: "Boss Shen, really thank you! Please sit, let’s have a drink together?"
Although Shen Liangquan was straightforward and bold, he had been running a restaurant for over ten years and was familiar with dealing with people.
Though he knew Zhou Yong’s father well and had some connections, he understood that he was of a different generation from Zhou Yong and others, and wouldn’t disturb them.
Shen Liangquan slightly nodded to everyone and said with a smile: "I have things to handle downstairs, I won’t interrupt you!"
After speaking, he turned and left the room. After he left, Zhou Yong opened the rice wine on the table and poured a cup for everyone.
Zhou Yong took a sip and smiled to them: "Since it’s a kind gesture from him, let’s not waste it, let’s drink a little!"
Seeing this, the other two weren’t overly courteous, and both drank their cups of wine. The rice wine wasn’t strong, and its mellow flavor was better than commercial brands.
Zhang Dadan put down his glass and pondered: "Zhou Yong, do you think we’re being a bit unethical?"
In truth, he had already made up his mind, in the business world, there’s nothing about being ethical or not, it’s all about your skills.
Even so, he needed someone to confirm his thoughts, to prove he wasn’t a cold-blooded person.
Zhou Yong, however, had fewer concerns. Hearing this, he found it somewhat funny and said: "What’s unethical? We’re not doing anything wrong, it’s all about skills!"
Bai Jie, having seen business competition from a young age, also felt calm about such matters, advised:
"Don’t overthink it, there’re over a hundred restaurants in the county, are they all unethical people?"
Seeing her suddenly advising him, Zhang Dadan felt a bit puzzled. Did she know what he was talking about? Is this mutual understanding?
"Ahem! Bai Jie, how did you know we were discussing restaurants?" Zhang Dadan asked, slightly embarrassed.
Bai Jie poured another cup of rice wine, drank it in one gulp, and laughed: "I’ve been in business for over three years, can’t I even catch onto this?"
Hearing her words, Zhang Dadan felt a bit disheartened. Alright! Maybe he was overthinking it. Bai Jie, being an elite in business, naturally wouldn’t miss such apparent matters.
The lunch lasted almost an hour; the group left the restaurant feeling full and joyous, ready to settle the bill.
Zhang Dadan reported the room number, and the waiter responded: "Sir, your total is three hundred eighty-six yuan."
Before Zhang Dadan could take out his wallet, Shen Liangquan hurriedly came over, laughing: "Brother Zhang, if it wasn’t for your mushroom sauce, my restaurant wouldn’t be this popular. This meal is on me!"
Fortunately, Zhou Yong was also a considerate person, understanding the bigger picture, knowing that soon the two restaurants would be competition.
At this moment, taking advantage of the hospitality might put themselves in an unjust position, so he quickly pulled out four hundred yuan and said to the waiter: "No need to give change!"
After speaking, he dragged Zhang Dadan and Bai Jie out. Shen Liangquan picked up the four hundred yuan, ready to return it. But by the time he got outside, Zhang Dadan and company had already boarded a taxi.
Having completed the matters in the city, Zhang Dadan prepared to return to Stone Town, so he asked the driver to find a place to park.
Seated beside him, Bai Jie objected, saying: "Driver, don’t mind him, just head straight to the bus station!"
"Dadan, why do this? Since Miss Bai wants to see you off, you should accept it," Zhou Yong teased, turning around in the front seat.
However, Bai Jie unexpectedly said: "I’m not just seeing you off, I also need to go to Stone Town!"
Hearing her words, Zhang Dadan got a bit anxious and advised: "Bai Jie, you’d better not go. Stone Town has been haunted recently!"
Bai Jie didn’t really believe in ghost gods, naturally thinking Zhang Dadan was making an excuse, looking somewhat displeased.
"What? You don’t want me around? I have legitimate business in Stone Town!" Bai Jie said angrily:
Zhou Yong, having witnessed the dead children personally, knew their viciousness and evilness. Moreover, there would be a mage trying to subdue them tonight, who knows what chaos might ensue?