Chapter 457 - 220: I Must Have Run into a Ghost

Chapter 457: Chapter 220: I Must Have Run into a Ghost

She wasn’t lying when she said she’d worked as a prep cook; she was quite proficient with the Straight Blade Technique.

She also had a great sense of boundaries. Whenever Zhou Yan was cooking, she generally stayed away from the stove.

On her first day, she was mainly responsible for prep work. She did whatever Mrs. Zhao told her, focusing on learning the restaurant’s basic workflow.

After the lunch rush, Li Lihua remarked as she carried a wooden bucket to collect bowls, "Business is amazing! So many people are coming to eat. It’s even busier than the last restaurant I worked at in Jiazhou."

"Zhou Yan’s food is delicious. His reputation is growing day by day, so of course business will keep getting better," Mrs. Zhao said with a smile.

"It’s true. The boss’s stir-fries are incredible, and his noodles are delicious too," Li Lihua agreed, nodding emphatically.

"Mom, I’m heading out." After changing, Zhou Yan came downstairs with a bag slung over his shoulder. He called out a quick goodbye and pushed his bicycle out the door.

He went to Jiazhou, where Yan Fei drove him and Mrs. Qiu to finalize the transfer paperwork.

Back at the entrance of the Qiu Mansion, Zhou Yan held the property deed, a wide grin on his face.

He was a homeowner now.

"Mrs. Qiu, thank you." Zhou Yan tucked the deed into his bag and offered his thanks to Mrs. Qiu.

"You’re welcome," Mrs. Qiu said with a smile. "Well, Zhou, this is goodbye for now. When your new shop opens next year, I’ll be sure to come back for the celebration."

"I’ll look forward to it. Goodbye," Zhou Yan replied with a smiling nod. ’And goodbye, Miss Qiu.’

Qi the Fourth stood at the entrance of his braised-meats shop, watching Zhou Yan pedal away, his brow deeply furrowed.

A portly, middle-aged man approached with a broad smile, offering a cigarette. "Boss, can I ask you something? Is this building for sale? Any news on that front?"

Qi the Fourth was in no mood to smoke. He sneered, "You’re asking now? It’s already been sold. You’re so slow, you can’t even get to the shit while it’s still hot."

"What? It’s sold!?" Huang He’s hand trembled, and the cigarette he was holding dropped to the ground. "When did it sell?" he asked, stunned. "Who bought it?"

"Just yesterday. Mrs. Qiu brought the new landlord by to introduce him. Told us to pay our rent to him from now on." Qi the Fourth sighed. "Can you believe my luck? All these people were interested in the building, and the one who buys it is one of my own competitors. Just my damn luck!"

Huang He’s mind was reeling, and his breathing quickened. "A braised-meat seller? Which one in the city?"

"How the hell should I know which one? All I know is Mrs. Qiu was so impressed with his braised beef that she even had him over to cook for her." Qi the Fourth shook his head, then paused in thought before adding, "His name was something like... Zhou... Zhou Yan. Yeah, that’s the guy who just biked away. Looked like he’d just picked up the deed."

"Zhou Yan! You mean Zhou Yan?!" Huang He stared, dumbfounded, and suddenly grabbed Qi the Fourth’s hand. "Are you sure? You’re talking about a young guy, maybe in his early twenties?"

"Hey, get off me! I have a wife and kids!" Qi the Fourth yelled, snatching his hand back. He retreated two steps, eyeing the man with alarm. "I get scared just looking at a round-faced fella like you!"

"Don’t get the wrong idea, I’ve got a wife and kids too," Huang He said with an awkward laugh, but he couldn’t stop himself from asking again, "The new landlord is really named Zhou Yan?"

"That’s right, Zhou Yan. Looks like he’s in his early twenties, real tall." Qi the Fourth nodded, then looked at Huang He. "You know him or something?"

"I know him..." Huang He forced a bitter laugh. ’How could I not?’

’Zhou Yan, early twenties, braised beef... There wasn’t another one in all of Jiazhou.’

’So not only did I fail to buy the building, but I also got swindled out of eight hundred!’

’How am I going to explain this when I get home?’

Fuck...