Chapter Fifty-Two: A Chance Encounter Is Better Than an Invitation

Therefore, it was only when he was about to leave that Fang Yuan uttered those words; otherwise, how could he possibly employ someone as hefty as Da Pang?

“It’s fine, as long as everything is alright. Aunt Zhang believes in your abilities. Don’t worry about the shop, I won’t disappoint you,” Aunt Zhang said with a smile.

It was almost mealtime, and soon people would arrive. Fang Yuan neither knew how to cook nor how to tidy up, so he simply decided to head back.

After listening to Manager Xue’s explanation last time, Fang Yuan finally understood that running a business involved a lot of subtleties. He had always been immersed in research, utterly clueless when it came to commerce. At most, he’d read about business matters in novels, imitating what he saw. If he hadn’t managed to squeeze out those two competing shops, their business might not have improved.

Judging by the shop’s location, Da Zhuang probably intended to cater only to locals, without considering tourists. As a result, their customers were mainly nearby office workers or long-time residents.

If he could attract tourists as well, business would surely flourish in the future.

Their location wasn’t particularly remote; otherwise, that shrewd little mustache wouldn’t have opened his shop here.

Fang Yuan was walking back when someone suddenly approached him.

“Brother Fang, where are you headed?” The newcomer was none other than Big Slicked-Back.

Fang Yuan hadn’t expected to run into Big Slicked-Back here. Looking back, he realized it was only about a ten-minute walk from the shop. He wondered where Big Slicked-Back was going.

“I’m not much help here, so I was planning to head home,” Fang Yuan replied, forgetting Big Slicked-Back’s real name and thus not addressing him directly.

He couldn’t very well call him Big Slicked-Back to his face.

“Since we’ve met today by chance, how about I treat you to a meal, Brother Fang, if you don’t mind?” Big Slicked-Back said with a smile. Judging by his age, he was probably about the same as Fang Yuan, but his manner and attire gave the impression of someone much older, mature beyond his years.

“I’m really sorry, I just caught a fish and had Da Zhuang cook it for me. I’ve just finished eating,” Fang Yuan replied. He didn’t mind having a meal with him, but he had just eaten dinner and couldn’t stomach another bite.

Accepting a dinner invitation and only drinking water without eating would be an obvious affront.

“Well then, how about we go for a drink instead? There’s a decent open-air stall nearby. I’ve got nothing else to do today, and drinking alone is boring. Brother Fang, just keep me company, alright?” It seemed Big Slicked-Back wasn’t about to let Fang Yuan go so easily.

Since he had nothing to do at home, getting to know someone new might turn out to be a good thing.

Big Slicked-Back’s car was parked nearby, and it only took them about ten minutes to arrive.

When they reached their destination, Fang Yuan realized that the place Big Slicked-Back praised was the same stall he’d visited at noon.

Fang Yuan didn’t mention he’d been here earlier that day.

It was right at dinnertime, and the place was bustling with people eating, drinking beer, and chatting.

As soon as Big Slicked-Back walked in, the patrons immediately stood up. “Tiger Bro’s here!”

“Tiger Bro!”

Almost everyone dining here seemed to know Big Slicked-Back. Apparently, everyone called him Tiger Bro, indicating he was quite a character.

“Tiger Bro, your friend looks unfamiliar. Mind introducing him?” A skinny young man asked.

At his words, everyone turned their gaze to Fang Yuan, making him feel rather uncomfortable.

“Hey, Tiger Bro’s here!” The owner, hearing the commotion, came out and immediately spotted Fang Yuan standing behind Tiger Bro.

“Oh, young man, weren’t you the one who ate here at noon? So you’re Tiger Bro’s friend. What should we call you?” The chubby owner asked enthusiastically.

“My name is Fang Yuan. From now on, just call me Fang Yuan,” he replied. He insisted on being called Fang Yuan because people used to habitually call him Little Fang, which made him quite frustrated.

The ones who called him Little Fang were people he couldn’t afford to offend, his elders and teachers, so he’d always put up with it. But now things were different; he couldn’t let them call him Little Fang anymore.

“Alright, Tiger Bro, Fang Yuan, please have a seat inside.” The owner was burly, while Big Slicked-Back—no, Tiger Bro—was quite lean. Yet he wasn’t frail; despite lacking much meat, he looked sturdy.

Tiger Bro didn’t stand on ceremony, following the owner inside. Fang Yuan went in as well.

Last time, Fang Yuan hadn’t ventured inside, but now he saw that the interior consisted of small private rooms. Each was compact but absolutely private, as none of them had windows.

With the doors tightly shut, it was impossible to know if anyone was inside.

The owner led them to the innermost room. Tiger Bro gave a few simple instructions and entered with Fang Yuan.

The room contained only a round table and chairs, nothing else. It was too small to fit anything more.

Fang Yuan kept wondering what Tiger Bro’s actual name was, recalling that he’d received a business card from him last time, which was still in his pocket. Taking advantage of a moment when Tiger Bro wasn’t looking, Fang Yuan discreetly glanced at the card: Guo Xiaohua.

The name sounded artistic; anyone unfamiliar with him would assume he was a refined, cultured man.

“How’s business at your shop lately, Brother Fang? Want me to think of a way to bring in more customers?” Guo Xiaohua asked.

“No need, Brother Hua, just call me by my name from now on. Business is pretty good, so there’s no need for you to worry. As for last time, I’m really sorry—guess we met through a bit of conflict,” Fang Yuan replied, trying to smooth things over. Thinking about that incident still made him feel embarrassed.

“It’s not your fault. If anyone’s to blame, it’s Little Mustache. Still, I ought to thank him; otherwise, I wouldn’t have had the chance to meet you. Let’s not dwell on it—it’s over now. But honestly, it was the first time I’ve ever been beaten so badly,” Guo Xiaohua said with a wry smile.

He wasn’t saying this because he was particularly tough, but because when fighting with others, he was like a slippery eel. Even if he couldn’t win, he never let himself suffer a loss.

Guo Xiaohua had been a troublemaker since elementary school, and by junior high, no one dared cross him. Later on, he was part of an organization, always surrounded by a group of younger followers whenever he went out.