"I have something else to do tonight, so I might leave early," Lin Jiang said flatly.
"Besides, there’s nothing to talk about. No matter who you bring, I have no intention of franchising or selling shares. Don’t waste your time."
Zhang Tianyu sized up Lin Jiang. "Don’t be so quick to say no. It’s better if we talk."
"Suit yourselves."
"Alright, I’ll be going then. See you tonight."
Zhang Tianyu turned and left. His two underlings shot Lin Jiang a long, threatening glare before following him out.
[Hostility from enemy detected. Combat Mode initiated.]
[Level 1: Sun Hanjun, Martial Force: 14]
[Level 1: Liu Qiang, Martial Force: 12]
Zhang Tianyu himself was calm, but his two underlings couldn’t hold back. The henchmen were more anxious than their boss.
’But their Martial Force values are pretty decent. My own Martial Force was only 12 in the beginning.’
"Brother Jiang, I know that Zhang Tianyu guy. He’s bad news. We need to be on our guard."
Yang Tao hadn’t come over to get something; he’d overheard their conversation and came over because he was worried Lin Jiang would be at a disadvantage.
At the same time, Yan Ming and the taciturn Zheng Jiachun also came out, standing behind Lin Jiang.
"You know about him?"
"There’s a barbecue joint at the north gate of Fenglin International—I installed their security cameras. I heard the owner talking about the Zhang Tianyu brothers. Said they’re pretty well-known around here, and people are afraid of them. I never thought they’d come after us."
"I expected this would happen eventually, I just didn’t think it would be so soon. Maybe our food is just too good. They smelled the money and came running."
These days, gangsters don’t play the old protection money game anymore.
They’ve switched to "franchising" or "investing"—a new spin on getting something for nothing.
If you refuse, you can forget about doing business in peace. For these reasons, many people choose to just bow their heads and give in.
"Brother Jiang, you just go do whatever you need to do tonight. Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll stay here and keep watch," Yang Tao said.
"I’ll stay and watch, too," said Zheng Jiachun.
"If you two are staying, then I’m not leaving either. We can just play Fight the Landlord right here. I’ll win some money off you two," Yan Ming said.
"Guard my ass. When your shift is over, go home and sleep. If they show up, just tell them I’m not here. Don’t even bother with them," Lin Jiang said.
"Alright then."
Patting Yang Tao on the shoulder, Lin Jiang looked at the three of them and said:
"I appreciate the thought, I really do. But remember, you’re chefs, not thugs. Your job is to cook noodles. Nothing else is your concern. You have parents at home, so don’t do anything reckless."
"It’s just that they’re taking it too far. ’Franchising,’ ’investing’... to put it bluntly, it’s daylight robbery."
"It’s nothing, this is normal. Best not to stir up trouble. Get back to work."
"Got it."
The three returned to the kitchen. Lin Jiang sat down at the computer and checked the shop’s security cameras.
The feeds were clear, with no blind spots. For him, that was enough.
In fact, with the business doing so well, Lin Jiang had been thinking about opening a branch himself.
But he wasn’t short on money, so there was no need to partner with anyone.
"Thanks for the plum juice, Boss. Bye-bye."
The woman in cargo pants finished her food, put her baseball cap back on, and pulled the brim down low, hiding most of her face.
"Bye."
After a simple reply, Lin Jiang called He Jing and arranged to meet her in her office.
"Boss Lin, you’re here."
In the office, He Jing had taken off her suit jacket. She wore a white blouse with the top button undone, giving her a relaxed look. When she moved a certain way, the raised pattern on her bra was visible, exuding a feminine charm.
"Have some tea first."
"You don’t see many women who like tea."
"To be honest, I don’t really like it much myself. But sometimes tenants come to discuss things, and I didn’t have anything to offer them, so I bought some tea."
"No wonder you’re the manager. You think of everything."
"Boss Lin, don’t make fun of me. I’m not in the same league as you. The two of us can’t be compared."
"Don’t say that."
Lin Jiang took a sip of tea and set the cup down.
"What was with the inspection today? They came first thing in the morning. It must have been that woman, Liu Jinting, deliberately targeting us, right?"
"You noticed too?"
"She had such a long face, acting like I’d jumped down a well with her baby in my arms. Even a blind man could see she wasn’t happy with me."
"Honestly, I don’t get it either. She’s new management. Logically, there’s no reason for her to act like this," He Jing said helplessly.
"So you admit she’s targeting me, right?"
"Please don’t say it like that. I work under her. If President Liu heard you say that, I’d be out of a job," He Jing said with a smile.
"But I won’t lie to you. When you called, I had just finished a meeting. The fire safety and operations departments proposed a lot of new regulations. Everything they said was, between the lines, aimed at your place. Anyway, from now on, your noodle shop will be a primary target for inspections."
"Then I guess I’ll just have to play it by ear and counter their moves as they come."
"Sigh, I’m the one who brought you here, and now this is happening. I can’t even do much to help," He Jing said apologetically.
"There’s nothing to apologize for. I just came over to get a better understanding of the situation. Don’t feel pressured."
"My stress isn’t just about this. Maybe I’ll just quit one day. Boss Lin, you could pull some strings for me. When I’ve hit a dead end, save a store manager position for me, would you?"
"Absolutely. That’s not a problem at all."
He could take words like that as a joke.
Someone like He Jing would be in demand anywhere, even if she left Berkeley. She’d never actually end up as a manager at a noodle shop.
’Her gaze just now was a little flirtatious, though.’
"Why are you thinking of quitting? Is the pay low?"
"We got a new assistant manager who doesn’t know a thing but wants to stick his nose into everything. I was foolish enough to complain to the higher-ups, saying this guy was incompetent. Then I found out he’s connected to the leadership. I’ll probably be kicked out in a few days so they can promote him."
Lin Jiang chuckled. "For such a small place, there’s sure a lot of drama."
"This society is just too competitive. It doesn’t matter how big or small the position is, it’s all backstabbing and office politics. That’s why I said you should keep a spot open for me, Boss Lin. You have to take me in when I have nowhere else to go."
"Even if I take you in, I can’t have you at the noodle shop. The bed in my bedroom is still empty. I could hide a beauty in my golden chamber."
"Hahaha..."
He Jing’s chest rose and fell as she laughed. She wasn’t angry at Lin Jiang’s teasing. This was probably a handsome man’s superpower.
"I’ll try to start my new ’post’ as soon as possible. Can’t let some other little vixen snatch it away."
"Then it’s a deal."
CREAK—
Without any warning, the door to He Jing’s office was pushed open.
"Manager He, there’s this new movie..."
Someone walked in. Lin Jiang glanced back, and their eyes met. The newcomer instantly fell silent.
The man was wearing the same work uniform as He Jing. Lin Jiang found him familiar, certain that he had seen this person before.
Subconsciously, he glanced at the name tag on the man’s chest.
Liu Hongquan!
’Isn’t this that moronic [Vanguard Officer]?’
’I can’t believe he’s suddenly a manager at Berkeley Mall.’
’What kind of bizarre move is this?’
The moment he saw Lin Jiang, Liu Hongquan recognized him too, and his expression became very unnatural.
"What a coincidence, running into you here."
He Jing was a little surprised. "You two know each other?"
"Wouldn’t say we ’know’ each other."
Lin Jiang gave a casual reply and stood up. "You two talk. I’m leaving."
But just as he stepped out of He Jing’s office, Liu Hongquan followed him out.
"Wait up. I want to talk to you."
"About what?"
"About your shop."
"What, you want to stick your oar in too?"
"That’s a nasty way to put it. I can let bygones be bygones, but that depends on whether you know what’s good for you," Liu Hongquan said.
"Your shop’s business is good. I want a 10% stake. Can you do me this favor?"
"Are you even listening to yourself?"
"I know you’re thinking I’m trying to get something for nothing, but rest assured, I wouldn’t be saying this if I didn’t have something to offer."
Liu Hongquan said:
"I’ve seen the contract for your shop. It’s 500,000 a year. As long as you’re willing to cooperate, I can waive your rent."
Lin Jiang frowned slightly. This proposal was interesting.
Putting aside all other factors, this partnership could be considered a win-win.
Chen Jingxian had previously calculated that the noodle shop’s annual profit was around four million, with five million being the upper limit.
Based on the upper limit, a 10% share would be 500,000.
If he cooperated with Liu Hongquan, he would save 500,000 a year in rent. The two amounts balanced out, so he wouldn’t lose anything.
But with no clear benefit, there was naturally no reason to do it.
"You’re a smart guy; you know how to do the math. On top of that, I can keep others from bothering you. Inside this mall, you can do whatever you want. I can even help you expand. Go back and think it over. Give me an answer as soon as possible."
"It seems the events of the past two days were all your doing. You wanted to rough me up a little before proposing this partnership."
"It’s no fun if you put it so bluntly. Just think it over. Come find me when you’ve made up your mind."
Liu Hongquan walked away, full of himself.
’That son of a bitch is really throwing his weight around thanks to his connections.’
’He’s not even high-level, yet he acts like some transcendent master. It’s just like Zhao Wenxuan saying he doesn’t want to do homework for more than thirty days a month.’
But Liu Hongquan’s appearance had laid everything bare.
Liu Jinting must be his sister. Otherwise, he couldn’t have mobilized so many departments to cause trouble.
With that, everything that had happened now made perfect sense.
Everything Liu Hongquan was doing was for the sake of converting company assets into his own private property.
The 500,000 annual rent was exactly 10% of the noodle shop’s net profit. This was equivalent to him pocketing the 500,000 in rent through a backhanded method.
Lin Jiang chuckled. ’I don’t have time for these games.’
’Although, with Liu Hongquan’s pea-brain, he definitely couldn’t have come up with a plan like this. Liu Jinting was probably the one pulling the strings.’
’Her boobs might not be big, but her schemes sure as hell are.’

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