Chapter 125: The Deserved End (4)

Shi Jicheng took the bag and walked back into the internet cafe with a dazed expression. Fang Yu and the others were surprised to see him return so soon.

"Gun-Gun, why are you back already? Did you finish the next delivery that quickly?"

Shi Jicheng blankly handed over the bag. "No, there’s a guy named Jin Hai outside. He said these items were for Xia Churan and Shen Molan, but he refused to come in himself."

Before the bag was even opened, Fang Yu caught a whiff of the smell of moldy tofu. He quickly waved his hand. "Damn it, it must be that homemade pickled vegetable or fermented bean curd from that four-eyed geek’s family. Get it out of here and throw it in the trash bin out back."

Yan Hua, who was on the day shift, stepped forward, took the bag, and headed toward the back door. Shi Jicheng waved his hand. "Alright, my job is done. Boss Fang, I’m heading out. Save me a computer for tonight; I’m coming back to go online."

Fang Yu nodded. Shi Jicheng was a diligent worker. "Sure, go ahead. Just come by tonight."

When Shi Jicheng walked back to where Jin Hai was waiting, he hopped on his bicycle and nodded at the bespectacled man. "I delivered the stuff. Where’s my tip?"

Jin Hai fumbled through his pockets, pulling out a crumpled five-mao note and handing it over. "Here. I don't have change, and since this was only a few minutes of work, five mao is plenty. Keep it!"

Shi Jicheng’s small eyes widened. "Are you sick? Who said anything about a few minutes? I told you I get penalized for overtime. One point is worth ten yuan, and I’ve already been docked three points. You owe me thirty yuan!"

Jin Hai’s raspy voice erupted. "Oh, are you trying to extort me? Who would believe your 'ten yuan per point' nonsense? You said it would only take a few minutes earlier. Five mao is generous enough, take the money and get lost!"

Shi Jicheng wasn't a confrontational person. Just as he was about to argue further, his phone buzzed with a text notification that another delivery was about to be late. He had to swallow his anger. "Damn it, broke and acting like a big shot? You think you can woo Xia Churan? Pfft!" With that, he rode off on his bicycle, rushing to his next delivery address.

Jin Hai remained smug, convinced he had come out on top. "Hmph, trying to scam me. Helping me deliver a bag of stuff and getting five mao is a good deal. Shameless!"

Fang Yu and the others in the internet cafe were unaware of this exchange. They had been worried about the tea shop's business for the past two days, as the Xianlin Tea Shop across the street had poached nearly half their customers. If it weren't for their signature silk-stocking milk tea, they might have been forced to close down.

"Notify all direct-operated and franchise stores: launch a new promotion—buy chicken cutlets, get a free milk tea!" Fang Yu said ruthlessly, heading straight to the "Qinglu" headquarters in the city to issue the order.

The cost of milk tea was much lower than that of chicken cutlets, and this move was aimed at retaining their customer base. Fang Yu even called Zhang Hao. "Old Zhang, transfer some funds to me. I need to run an advertisement."

Zhang Hao was confused. "An advertisement? Oh, for the tea shop, right? Damn, why are you asking me? That’s a different company."

"Don't worry about that. Consider it a loan. Transfer 300,000 to me."

Zhang Hao sighed in relief. "Old Fang, don't scare me like that. Making such a fuss over just 300,000? I thought you meant three million. Fine, I'll have someone transfer it this afternoon."

Zhang Hao was efficient, and by the afternoon, the 300,000 had arrived in the Qinglu account. After much thought, Fang Yu decided to withdraw the money. After paying some taxes, he went to the bank to handle a few certificates of deposit before returning to the internet cafe on Snack Street.

"Brothers, you’ve worked hard for the past six months. As shareholders, take this." He waved the certificates of deposit.

Cheng Chen took one, his eyes lighting up with joy. "Damn, this much money? Hehe, now I have enough to buy my wife a bag when I go to Shawan."

He had prepared a 20,000-yuan certificate for each of his brothers—a staggering amount of money in Nanwu in 2006. He then pulled out a stack of cash and beckoned to Xia Churan and the others. "This is for you guys. A 2,000-yuan bonus each."

The two girls looked a bit shy. Xia Churan pointed at the cash and asked, "But don't we already get a monthly salary? Why give us this much more?"

Fang Yu smirked and rolled his eyes. "Well, I was thinking you and Li Jing could do me a favor and model for my shop's advertisement." He had his eye on Xia Churan and Li Jing’s beauty; it would be a waste not to use them.

The two girls were thrilled. What girl doesn't want to be a star? Especially when modeling for her boyfriend's business.

"Heehee, okay! But it’s a deal—you have to make sure the photographer makes us look beautiful." Xia Churan smiled, linking arms with Li Jing while swaying her slender waist.

"No rush, we'll talk about it after we get back from Shawan. Hey, Yan Hua, why aren't you taking yours?"

Yan Hua scratched his head, looking embarrassed. "I get a share too? Haha, thanks, brother Yu."

Just as the Seven-Star Internet Cafe was filled with joy, the curtain was lifted, and a gust of cold air mixed with a sour stench blew in. The door was pushed open, and the four-eyed geek, Jin Hai, poked his head in.

"Hehe, Churan, you're here?"

Seeing this creature, Fang Yu lost his appetite for his soda. He stood up and waved at Xia Churan. "Churan, Jin Hai is here."

Xia Churan had been whispering with Shen Molan. Upon hearing Jin Hai’s name, she pouted unhappily. "Jin Hai? What are you doing here?"

Jin Hai shook the bag in his hand excitedly. "I was worried you’d finished the pickled vegetables from last time, so I had my mom send more from home. Here, Molan, you should try some too."

Shen Molan, sitting to the side, turned her head away without hesitation. "This young lady never eats such things. Take it away immediately."

No one in the internet cafe liked Jin Hai, including Lu Zhen and Yan Hua, who were both looking at him with disdain. Cheng Chen’s brain stalled for a moment. "Fang Yu, are you bringing Jin Hai to Shawan too?"

"Shawan? What Shawan? Fang Yu, are you guys going to Shawan?" Jin Hai immediately caught the key point.

Fang Yu glared at Cheng Chen and had to nod reluctantly. "Yeah, we have some business in Shawan. We're leaving soon."

Jin Hai’s eyes lit up. He took two steps forward, his small eyes widening. "When exactly?"

"March 3rd or 4th, why?"

Jin Hai actually started counting on his fingers. "Oh, that’s great. The 4th is a weekend, so I can ask for leave from school. How many people are going? Do you want me to bring some more pickled vegetables for you all to try?"

"Did I invite you?" Fang Yu asked, eyeing the four-eyed man suspiciously.

Ignoring the glares from Cheng Chen and the others, Jin Hai pulled Fang Yu to the side, acting mysterious. "Hey, Fang Yu, can you arrange for me and Churan to be in the same room? Don't worry, I’ll make it worth your while."

Fang Yu was so angry he laughed. "Listen, Jin Hai, I don't recall inviting you. This trip to Shawan isn't cheap. Are you planning to pay for yourself?"

Jin Hai looked righteous. "I'm going to accompany you all. Besides, I'm worried about Churan going alone. Here, take this, Fang Yu, and make sure you get a nice room for me and Churan." With that, the four-eyed man fumbled in his pocket for a long time before pulling out a crumpled cigarette box and shoving it into Fang Yu's hand.