Chapter Seventy-Five: Taking Charge of the Southern Heaven Restaurant

Chen Huajiang smiled, took out a cigarette, lit it, and swept his gaze over them.

“I called everyone here not to persuade me otherwise. I've already made up my mind about this. As for the money, don’t worry, it's none of your concern.”

“In fact, I called you here because I want to help you all make some money. I’m inviting you to join in as partners. At the same time, during the trial operation phase, I’ll need your help with some tasks.”

With a smile, Chen Huajiang spoke, then produced a stack of papers.

“Based on the rent over there, I plan to split off forty percent of the shares, priced at sixteen hundred. Anyone interested in investing can take up one share.”

“If you don’t want to, I won’t force you. I’ve also set aside ten percent as compensation for your help.”

With that, he handed out the prepared subscription documents to everyone.

The group took them and looked them over. Lin Guoshan merely glanced at it and shook his head.

“Brother-in-law, I won’t be joining in this. You know, this shop has already taken all our family’s funds; even if I wanted to join, I don’t have the money.”

“But I’ll help you out. If there’s anything you need, just let me know and I’ll lend a hand.”

Lin Guoshan looked sincerely at Chen Huajiang, though inside he was full of disdain.

He thought Chen Huajiang was being reckless, not understanding the principle of steady progress after just making some money, daring to lease the storefront of the Nantian Hotel. It was simply courting disaster.

Three thousand six hundred, and that's just for one year’s rent. Three years’ rent would be enough to create a ten-thousand-yuan household.

In these times, a ten-thousand-yuan household was a top-tier existence, a symbol of wealth and affluence.

In fact, he was already considering distancing himself from Chen Huajiang and planned to tell his parents that if Chen Huajiang lost money, they mustn’t lend him a cent.

He needed to save money to marry Fangfang!

Chen Huajiang glanced at him, seeing his brother-in-law's thoughts clearly, nodded slightly, and didn’t bother to say more.

“I’ll take a share. What you said last time, Brother Chen, really gave me some insight. Money only counts when you spend it; otherwise, it’s just numbers.”

“I’ll take a gamble with you, Brother Chen. I believe in your ability.”

Black Tiger hesitated, looked at Chen Huajiang, and spoke. One share was four hundred, which was all the assets he could muster.

“Huajiang, I don’t have much, but I can put up a hundred. Who wants to join with me for a share?”

At this, his good friend Daguang spoke, scanning the others.

“I’ll put up a hundred,” Liang Long spoke next.

“I’ll put up a hundred too,” Guo Lin added.

“I’ll do a hundred as well,” Ermao said at last, after a slight hesitation, gritting his teeth.

These four belonged to the group investing out of friendship. Chen Huajiang looked them over and nodded.

He guided Black Tiger and the four others to sign, then handed out the signed subscription documents, two copies each, one for each party.

“That’s settled then. Tomorrow I’ll sign the contract. We’ll close for three days for training, then open on Friday.”

“I’ll need your help then.”

Chen Huajiang stood up, personally cooked up some barbecue skewers, and, accompanied by local Nanming beer, they made do with a meal.

At first, the atmosphere at the table was a bit stiff, since money had just come up.

But after several rounds of drinks and dishes, the mood gradually warmed.

“Huajiang, you really dare to gamble. Aren’t you afraid you won’t recover?” Black Tiger, after three bottles of beer, put his right foot on the bench, eyeing Chen Huajiang closely.

He’d invested four hundred, and was feeling tense, even starting to regret it a little.

“It’s true, this play is way too big.”

“Huajiang, what are you thinking? Now that we’ve all invested, you should tell us your plan, right?”

“Yeah, what are you planning? Are you targeting the foreigners staying at Nantian Hotel?”

Daguang, Ermao, and the others all looked to Chen Huajiang and asked.

“You guys, just rest assured. This business will only make money, not lose.”

“You thought I brought these subscription documents to raise money from you? Really—misjudged me. I came to give you all money.”

“Don’t doubt it. Give me one week, and you’ll have your answer. If you want to withdraw your shares then, you can do so anytime!”

Chen Huajiang spoke confidently, raised his beer bottle, and drank straight from it.

Seeing this, no one pressed him further. Besides, a week wasn’t long, not even to the end of the lease period. When the results came, they’d see for themselves; if half a month of trial operation wasn’t profitable, they could all take back their funds.

They could only raise their bottles and drink together.

The next day, Chen Huajiang brought Daguang, took the money, and went to Nantian Hotel to sign the contract with Niu Quan, then headed to the storefront to take over the staff.

When signing the contract, Chen Huajiang was careful to set the term at ten years, paying annually, with breach-of-contract compensation set at ten times the store’s turnover, to guard against any future reneging by Nantian Hotel.

There were six staff in the shop: two waitresses, Zhang Hong and Wang Cuihua; two chefs, Wang Guobing and Li Jianguo; and two assistants or apprentices, Zhang Ning and Zhao Xuebing.

As for Zhao Tao, he was the store manager, part of Nantian Hotel’s upper management, so he wouldn’t stay to work for Chen Huajiang. He returned to Nantian Hotel’s catering department as deputy manager.

“I know none of you are particularly welcoming of me. Like Chef Wang and Chef Li, you’re both officially employed by Nantian Hotel, with proper positions. Zhang Hong and Wang Cuihua, you’re obviously hoping I leave, so you can return to Nantian Hotel and possibly become official staff.”

“As for Zhang Ning and Zhao Xuebing, you don’t need to worry so much—you’re here to learn skills. As apprentices, you can’t get an official position, so wherever you are, you just work. I say this to show I understand you, and hope you’ll understand me.”

“For half a month, we’ll be working together. For this half month, I’ll pay you a full month’s salary, based on what you got last month. So, even if just for the money, I hope you’ll fully cooperate with me. Is that alright?”

Chen Huajiang surveyed them, speaking frankly.

With Wang Guobing and Li Jianguo, he didn’t expect to keep them, since they had official positions. Wang Guobing’s rank was high, and his temper was volatile and proud, as shown last time.

Unless he threw a lot of money at them, but even so, Chen Huajiang knew there was no guarantee they’d follow him. In this era, and even later, an official position meant a lot—everyone knew this.

“Is it really a month’s salary? Twenty-five?”

“Manager Chen—Boss Chen, is it really twenty-five?”

Waitresses Zhang Hong and Wang Cuihua asked excitedly. Seeing him nod earnestly, they breathed a sigh of relief and nodded as well, promising to cooperate fully for the half month.

Then Zhang Ning and Zhao Xuebing nodded slightly.

Finally, it was Wang Guobing and Li Jianguo.

“Kid, don’t judge others by yourself. My temper isn’t great, but I don’t play dirty. Since Deputy Manager Niu asked us to work with you for half a month, we’ll make sure it’s done properly.”

Chef Wang waved his hand, frowned, obviously not fond of Chen Huajiang’s instructions.

Li Jianguo followed, his horse-face stern, and said, “Same goes for me.”

With that, they came to an agreement, and Chen Huajiang began to bring out his prepared business plan and started their training.