Chapter 296: Investment

Jiang Fan shook his head.

“I appreciate the offer, but for now, I really don’t want to work for anyone else. I’m done eating dirt!”

Su Qingci looked at Jiang Fan and nodded.

She suddenly pulled a business card from her pocket.

“Give me a call if you change your mind!”

“Thanks!”

Jiang Fan took the business card.

“So you’re really not planning on coming back? Can you bear to leave Yin Ruxue?”

Su Qingci suddenly asked.

Jiang Fan froze for a moment. “There was never anything between me and Yin Ruxue. I only came back to Xuerong International because of Li Muwan this time. Since they decided to get rid of me after I’d served my purpose, what’s there to miss?”

“Alright, then.”

Su Qingci nodded and soon dropped Jiang Fan off at the entrance of his apartment complex.

“I won’t see you inside. We’ll meet again, Jiang Fan!”

“Thanks!”

Jiang Fan hadn’t expected that the one to see him off after he left the company would be Su Qingci.

Still, Jiang Fan was genuinely grateful for her help.

Back home, Jiang Fan suddenly felt how empty the apartment was. Sun Yanzi wasn’t there, leaving him all alone.

Having suddenly quit his job, Jiang Fan was completely unprepared. What he would do in the future had once again become a difficult question.

Just then, Jiang Fan’s phone suddenly rang.

He pulled out his phone and saw that the call was from Wu Qiang.

“Hey, Qiang!”

“Jiang Fan, what are you up to? Are you free?”

“I’ve got nothing but free time right now. What’s up?”

“Perfect. Hurry up and meet me at Old Niu’s place!”

“Qiang, since when are you in such a good mood that you’re offering to treat?” Jiang Fan asked in surprise.

But Wu Qiang said, “What do you mean, me treat? It’s Old Niu!”

“Old Niu?”

“Yeah. I’ll tell you when you get here. Hurry up!”

Wu Qiang hung up as soon as he finished speaking.

Jiang Fan put his things down and quickly headed out.

Just then, his phone rang again.

‘Damn, why the life-or-death rush?’

Jiang Fan cursed under his breath, but when he pulled out his phone, he saw the call wasn’t from Wu Qiang, but from Rong Anyao.

“Yaoyao!”

“Jiang, when do you get off work? I’d like to treat you to a meal!”

“Huh?”

Jiang Fan gave a wry smile. ‘Another person asking me to a meal? What is today, did everyone find out I quit?’

“Jiang, I don’t mean anything by it. I just feel like since you saved me yesterday, I should treat you to a simple meal.”

“Well, that works out perfectly. Don’t go to any trouble, Yaoyao. I already have plans to eat with Wu Qiang and Old Niu. Why don’t you join us?”

“Huh? You’re not at work, Jiang?”

“Nope. I’m taking a cab over right now. I’ll be there soon, so come downstairs and we’ll go together.”

“Okay, then!” Rong Anyao agreed.

Soon, Jiang Fan went downstairs and hailed a taxi.

As he neared Rong Anyao’s building, Jiang Fan sent her a message in advance and was able to pick her up without a hitch.

Arriving at Old Niu’s food stall, Jiang Fan spotted a dazzling Mercedes-Benz from a distance.

The car belonged to Wu Qiang. Jiang Fan had seen it before; it was a gift from Tingting.

“Qiang, you’ve really fucking made it. Look at you, shining everywhere you go!” Jiang Fan said as he walked up.

Wu Qiang glanced at Jiang Fan. “Alright, cut it out. Who knows what I’m really like better than you?”

“Oh, and little sister-in-law is here too!”

Wu Qiang said with a grin when he saw Rong Anyao.

“What sister-in-law? Don’t talk nonsense, you bastard!” Jiang Fan said hurriedly.

“What nonsense? You’re already living at her place. Don’t tell me you’re not planning to take responsibility?”

“No… That’s not it, Qiang!” Rong Anyao said quickly.

“Qiang, I see you’ve already forgotten the pain once the wound has healed. Are your injuries not hurting anymore?”

“You’ve got the fucking nerve to say that? If it weren’t for you, would my face be all bruised up? Good thing Tingting isn’t around these past couple of days, or I’d have no idea how to explain it!”

Wu Qiang’s expression changed as he complained.

Jiang Fan just chuckled. Wu Qiang was the only one he could joke with like this.

“Alright, since you’re all here, come on in and sit down!”

Old Niu suddenly called out.

It wasn’t even noon yet, so Old Niu’s place wasn’t very busy. But from the looks of it, he wasn’t planning on opening for business at all.

“Hurry up, the last dish is almost ready!” Old Niu urged.

The group found a table and sat down.

“Pigs must be flying today. Old Niu, what made you suddenly decide to treat us?”

Jiang Fan glanced at the table. There were seven or eight dishes of various sizes, and a bottle of Wuliangye on the table.

Jiang Fan remembered how they had a hard time finishing his treasured old liquor last time. He couldn’t believe Old Niu was being so generous as to buy another bottle of Wuliangye.

“I’m happy today, so let’s have a few drinks. Sit down, let’s talk!”

Old Niu gestured, and everyone sat down.

But then, he felt that something seemed a little off about Old Niu and Wu Qiang.

“Cut the crap. Is there something you two want to tell me?”

Old Niu started by pouring drinks for everyone. At the same time, Wu Qiang smiled and looked at Jiang Fan.

“Fan, to be honest, we actually have some serious business to discuss with you today!”

“I’m listening!”

“It’s like this. Old Niu’s business here is doing pretty well, right? And I’m planning to properly settle down and start a family, so being a delivery driver forever isn’t realistic. We talked it over and decided to take over the two storefronts next door, plus the small flat on the second floor. We’re planning to go bigger, a joint venture to turn it into a restaurant that serves both barbecue and hot pot!”

“Holy shit, you’re going that big?!” Jiang Fan said in astonishment.

“Well, Old Niu’s got the skills, right? He also has a lot of chef friends, plus he already has a customer base. As for the money, I’ll put in the bigger share, and he’ll put in a smaller one,” Wu Qiang said with a smile.

“You have that kind of money?” Jiang Fan asked.

Wu Qiang said, “Actually, it wasn’t my idea at first. It was Tingting. She said she’s willing to fully support me!”

“Holy shit, you really have latched onto a rich girl who’s head over heels for you!”

“Old Niu and I have discussed it. Friendship is friendship, and business is business. I’m planning to expand from his original storefront, incorporating the units on the left, right, and the second floor for a total of six storefronts. He’ll invest another five hundred thousand, and I’ll find a way to get the rest. After the restaurant opens, I’ll be the majority shareholder, and twenty-five percent of the shares will be Old Niu’s!”

Jiang Fan glanced around. “Going this big? The storefronts here plus all the other miscellaneous costs… that’s got to be around four million, right?”

“We’ve calculated it in detail. Including all costs and operational funds, three million is enough!”

After hearing this, Jiang Fan nodded.

‘No wonder Old Niu is so happy. It looks like Wu Qiang really isn’t short-changing him.’