"What else?"
Lin Jiang looked at He Siyao. Their eyes met, and a shy blush crept onto her cheeks.
"Well, you’re handsome and have a great body, way better than those greasy middle-aged men. I’m the one getting the better end of this deal, so what do I have to be upset about?"
"How dare you compare me to those middle-aged men."
Lin Jiang reached out...
"AHHH! THAT HURTS!"
"It’s supposed to hurt."
Lin Jiang went back to looking at his phone, researching Red Star Town.
"Oh, right. Didn’t you have something to say earlier?"
"Yes, yes, I did. I got interrupted earlier, but it was something important," He Siyao said.
"I saw you were looking up stuff about Red Star Town. Do you have business there?"
"Not yet, but I’m thinking of expanding my business there," Lin Jiang said.
"The local industry is all based on livestock farming. I’m planning to acquire a slaughterhouse and break into the food sector."
"I know a little about that place. There are two factories there that are pretty well-known in town."
"Oh?"
Lin Jiang looked at He Siyao in surprise. "You know about this place?"
"Didn’t I tell you my dad and I were working to pay off our debt? He’s a truck driver now, and the factory he works with is called Mu Xing Slaughterhouse. They process beef products."
Lin Jiang’s interest was piqued, and he sat up straight.
"That must be one of them, right? Tell me about it."
"I don’t really know the specifics, just that there’s another one called Yong’an Meat Processing Plant. Originally, they were both about the same size, but over the years, Yong’an has been doing better and better. As one rose, the other fell, so Mu Xing’s profits aren’t so great anymore."
"Now that the debt is paid off, is Uncle He still working at that slaughterhouse?"
"He is. After all, you still have to make a living."
"What kind of work does Uncle He do? When does he get off?"
He Siyao glanced at her watch. "His shift ends at noon."
"Call Uncle He. I want to treat him to a meal. Just find a place close to him."
"It would be easier for you if my dad came to you."
"Just do as I say."
"Okay."
He Siyao took out her phone and called her father, He Xuelu. She explained the situation to him, just as Lin Jiang had asked.
"He has one more delivery to make and might be a little late. The drop-off is at Yongfa Market," He Siyao said.
"Then make the arrangements," Lin Jiang said as he stood up.
"Right..."
About half an hour later, He Siyao had finished eating. Lin Jiang glanced at his watch.
"It’s about time. Get dressed, you’re coming with me."
"Okay."
A few minutes later, He Siyao was dressed, and the two of them walked out together.
Seeing the two of them emerge from the office, Chen Jingxian stopped what she was doing.
"It’s lunchtime. What do you two want to eat?"
"We have something to take care of, so we’ll skip lunch. We have to go."
Lin Jiang led the way out. He Siyao waved at Chen Jingxian.
"Sister Xian, I’m leaving now! I won’t be having lunch with you."
"Okay."
Watching them leave, Chen Jingxian’s mind started racing.
’They were in the office for so long, and now they’re rushing off.’
’Don’t tell me they’re going to... do *that*?’
Chen Jingxian pouted. Her appetite vanished in an instant.
Back in the car, Lin Jiang went to pick up Yang Tao, planning to take him along.
"Well well, if it isn’t Sister He."
Yang Tao didn’t know about He Siyao’s past working at the club; he had only met her once at the noodle shop and knew she was Lin Jiang’s classmate.
He Siyao smiled and nodded.
"Brother Jiang, got some important plans?"
"This afternoon, you’re coming with me to Red Star Town. I’m preparing to acquire a slaughterhouse."
"Huh? A slaughterhouse?" Yang Tao was stunned.
"Isn’t that a bit of a leap?"
"What do you care if it’s a leap or not? As long as it makes money, that’s all that matters," Lin Jiang said.
"Besides the noodle shops, we’re also going to open barbecue restaurants, and they’re going to be everywhere too. The demand for beef is going to be bigger than you think. Having our own dedicated beef supply will make things more convenient for us."
"Well..."
Yang Tao muttered, "I don’t know much about business, but this feels like making a whole batch of dumplings just for a little bit of dipping sauce."
Lin Jiang laughed. He kind of felt that way too.
"That’s just one of its uses. If we can’t use all of it ourselves, we’ll sell the rest on the market. It’s a surefire way to make a profit, no matter what. Let’s just do it."
Lin Jiang drove to Yongfa Market.
He Siyao had already booked a table at a restaurant. When they arrived, her father, He Xuelu, was already waiting inside.
Even though his family had fallen on hard times, you could still see a hint of the businessman in He Xuelu. He was tall, at least five-foot-eleven.
The restaurant’s proprietress was by his side, beaming as she chatted with him.
"You should make your mom feel a little threatened. If this keeps up, there could be trouble," Lin Jiang teased.
Looking at the proprietress in her black stockings and high heels, He Siyao hesitated.
"I doubt it..."
"Well, don’t just stand there. Go break up her spell."
"Dad."
Hearing his daughter’s voice, He Xuelu looked over and saw Lin Jiang and Yang Tao as well.
"You must be Yaoyao’s classmate. I’ve heard her mention you often."
He Xuelu looked at Lin Jiang with gratitude.
He knew it was Lin Jiang who had stepped in to help, paying off his family’s debt and even arranging a respectable job for his daughter.
For an old father like him, even kowtowing to Lin Jiang wouldn’t be enough to express the gratitude in his heart.
"Thank you for helping us during our most difficult time. We will remember this great kindness for the rest of our lives."
"Uncle He, you’re being too formal. Let’s not talk about the past. We should discuss business first."
"Yes, yes, of course."
He Xuelu made a welcoming gesture.
The father and daughter sat together, while Lin Jiang and Yang Tao sat with each other.
Since both Lin Jiang and He Xuelu had to drive, they toasted with tea instead of alcohol.
He may have fallen from grace, but his old habits remained. Even when toasting with tea, he still had some of the flair from his days as a boss.
No wonder the proprietress couldn’t stop smiling at him.
In the world of middle-aged women, a man like He Xuelu was quite a catch.
"Uncle He, I’d like to ask you about the situation at Mu Xing Slaughterhouse. How are the factory’s profits?"
"Worse every year. There used to be eight drivers. Now, including me, there are only three. If things keep on like this, it’ll go bankrupt in a few years."
He Xuelu’s tone was confident, as if he could already see Mu Xing’s future.
"What about the other factory, Yong’an? I hear it used to be about the same size as Mu Xing and was always its competitor."
"I’m not too clear about the old days. Ever since I started working there, Mu Xing has been losing to Yong’an. I heard Yong’an secured a huge investment, bought new equipment, and did a lot of advertising. Their performance shot up right after that."
"Brother Jiang, if you really want to get into this industry, I think investing is a good way to do it," Yang Tao said.
Lin Jiang’s thoughts aligned with Yang Tao’s, but the mission Tongzi had given him was an *acquisition*. Investing was definitely not an option.
"This is going to be one of the foundations of our future. It’s better to keep it in our own hands."
Lin Jiang looked at He Xuelu and said:
"Uncle He, since the factory’s situation is getting worse and worse, does the owner have any intention of selling?"
"He actually might. I’ve only heard rumors, but if you’re serious about it, I can ask around for you. Then you can have a proper talk with him."
"Then thank you, Uncle He. I’ll toast to you."
"You’re too kind, President Lin."
"Don’t call me President Lin. We’re classmates. Just call me Xiaojiang."
He Siyao looked at Lin Jiang gratefully. He was making her look good in front of her father.
For the rest of the meal, the conversation revolved around the slaughterhouse.
He Xuelu told Lin Jiang everything he knew and also offered a lot of advice.
He also suggested that Lin Jiang should check it out in person.
The meal lasted for about an hour before it ended.
He Xuelu offered to act as a guide and take Lin Jiang to see Red Star Town.
But since Lin Jiang was just planning to take a casual look around today, he didn’t want to trouble him any further. This way, he could also be more discreet.
After the meal, He Xuelu drove off, and Lin Jiang drove to Red Star Town.
"President Lin, I found some information."
On the way there, He Siyao was looking down at her phone.
"Four years ago, a food company called Xiangrong invested eight million in Yong’an Slaughterhouse. They used that opportunity to grow."
"Xiangrong Food Company?"
Lin Jiang muttered the name. It sounded a little familiar.
’Isn’t that the company that simp Li Wuyang’s family owns?’

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