Chapter Fourteen: Settling Affairs
It seemed that Liang Long had been here quite a few times before.
“Tiger, we came to see you today because we have something to discuss. Do you think we could find somewhere quiet?”
Black Tiger glanced around, then led Chen Huajiang and Liang Long to his office.
“Go ahead, what is it? You’re not here to ask me to settle something, are you?”
Black Tiger had already guessed.
“Tiger, you got it right,” Liang Long said, then gestured for Chen Huajiang to explain what had happened that evening.
After listening, Black Tiger asked, “Barbecue? Was it any good?”
Chen Huajiang and Liang Long exchanged baffled looks—his focus seemed off.
“It was alright. Tiger, what we want now is your help. We don’t want Baldy and his gang coming over to cause trouble anymore, otherwise we can’t keep our business going.”
Liang Long smiled wryly.
“You know my rules—anything over a thousand, and I need to know how many people they’ll bring.”
Black Tiger showed no sign of giving Liang Long special treatment.
Chen Huajiang thought for a moment. “Tiger, right now ours is the only barbecue place. Business will only get better. If you help us, I’ll give you ten percent of the shares—you just sit back and collect money.”
Liang Long hadn’t expected Chen Huajiang to say that and was momentarily stunned.
But it seemed like a workable plan.
“Tiger, exactly—a ten percent share. Our place might be small and just opened less than a month ago, but our daily profit is already over a hundred, and that’s with hardly anyone knowing about us. Soon, three hundred a day will be easy.”
Liang Long echoed Chen Huajiang’s reasoning. If they could get someone like Black Tiger on their side, who would dare bully them in the future?
Black Tiger calculated: ten percent meant thirty a day, nearly a thousand a month. Although his dance club made money, it was only a bit over a thousand monthly, and he had to be there every day to keep an eye on it.
But with Chen Huajiang and his group, he wouldn’t need to do anything, and still get a thousand a month—pure profit.
“Is your snack shop really that popular? I find it hard to believe.”
Of course, Black Tiger wouldn’t agree right away. He’d only heard it from these two and had never seen it for himself.
“We’re not exaggerating. You can come see for yourself tomorrow—it’s right outside the Red Flag Machinery Factory. There are lots of people lining up at noon, and plenty at night as well.”
Chen Huajiang knew if Black Tiger saw it, he’d definitely want in.
“Alright, I’m a straightforward man. Tomorrow at noon, I’ll take a look.”
Black Tiger agreed.
Once Chen Huajiang and Liang Long left, both sighed deeply.
It wasn’t that Chen Huajiang was afraid of Baldy, but if his gang came every few days to stir up trouble, it would definitely affect business.
Though Chen Huajiang could handle himself, he wasn’t foolish enough to take on dozens of them alone.
“Our profit is going to shrink by ten percent,” Liang Long said, sounding disappointed.
“Think about it this way—if Black Tiger joins us, just his dance club alone could bring us a ton of customers. And I’ve decided to add two more dishes soon, so our profits will rise.”
Chen Huajiang explained patiently. Liang Long, not being stupid, understood the logic.
“That makes sense. Let’s see what he says tomorrow.”
When Chen Huajiang got home, Lin Jiayin was still awake, waiting for him.
“Why so late tonight?” she asked with concern.
Lately, her feelings for Chen Huajiang had deepened, especially seeing him work tirelessly in the snack shop every day.
She genuinely felt sorry for him, always out early and back late.
“One table kept drinking late. Why aren’t you sleeping?”
“I was waiting for you. I told you to buy a bed, but you haven’t.”
Lin Jiayin chided him playfully.
“I just haven’t had the time. When things quiet down, I’ll go buy one,” he replied, heading off to wash up.
When he returned, Lin Jiayin had moved Huanhuan to the far side of the wall.
That meant he could sleep next to her.
But Lin Jiayin had turned her back, and Chen Huajiang admired her graceful figure.
He lay down and reached out to embrace her.
Lin Jiayin’s heart raced, her body heating up.
Yet Chen Huajiang made no further move, leaving Lin Jiayin somewhat disappointed.
He was simply too tired and drifted straight into sleep.
Black Tiger really did bring his men to check it out. They stood some distance away from the snack shop, afraid Chen Huajiang would spot them.
Sure enough, by noon, the place was bustling with people lining up for braised pork.
“Tiger, their business really looks good. Shouldn’t we try it too?”
Black Tiger’s subordinate, Er Mao, stared at the queue.
“Let’s go—we haven’t eaten yet anyway. Let’s see what they’ve got.”
Black Tiger and Er Mao headed for the snack shop.
Liang Long saw Black Tiger coming and immediately prepared a portion of braised pork and some buns.
“Tiger, try our cooking. It’s top-notch.”
Chen Huajiang was too busy to greet them, but Liang Long, knowing Black Tiger would come, had arrived early.
Black Tiger nodded and tasted the braised pork. He was instantly won over.
The flavor was superb—the best braised pork he’d ever had.
Especially Er Mao, who couldn’t stop eating.
Black Tiger enjoyed himself, and when they finished, Chen Huajiang came over.
“Tiger, what do you think? Satisfied?”
Chen Huajiang was confident in Da Guang’s cooking.
“Not bad at all. I’ll come back tonight. Did Baldy say when he’s coming?”
Black Tiger was clearly interested.
“He said nine o’clock. Tiger, if you come by after eight, I’ll grill some lamb skewers for you to try.”
Chen Huajiang met Black Tiger’s gaze calmly.
“Young man with brains—I like that. Alright, I’ll be here at eight sharp. Er Mao, stop licking the plate, let’s go.”
Black Tiger patted Er Mao’s head.
Er Mao grinned foolishly and followed him out.
“Huajiang, does this mean we’re halfway there?”
After Black Tiger left, Liang Long asked.
“More than halfway—completely. Judging by Black Tiger’s reaction, there shouldn’t be any problem. Come on, help me with the skewers. Our hands are about to give out these days.”
Lamb skewers were selling so well that Chen Huajiang felt he’d have to hire staff soon—it was too much to handle.
“Alright, I’ll help.”
At eight that evening, Black Tiger and Er Mao returned.
Some customers were already drinking, and as they approached, the aroma hit them.
“Tiger, this smells amazing!”
Er Mao’s mouth watered.
“All you think about is food,”
Black Tiger teased, heading over.
Liang Long greeted them, just as Chen Huajiang finished grilling a batch of lamb skewers.