Chapter 21: Living in Zhucheng Town, Preparing to Sell Midnight Snacks

Woo—
The shrill whistle of the train tore through the tranquil night, and the outside world gradually awakened to life.
Thud, thud—the train’s speed slowed. Zhang Jizheng, who had been dozing on the sofa, was roused from his sleep. “Have we arrived?”
Three days of life on the train had nearly wrung the life out of him. Every time he felt the train halt, he would ask if they had finally reached their stop.
This time, it was true.
“Gather your things, it’s time to go,” said Zhang Tianfeng, gazing out at the misty darkness beyond the window.
Everyone sprang into action. Qin Yuelan had already changed into old clothes, deliberately tousling her hair and leaving not a single piece of jewelry on her. Everything was stuffed into a fertilizer sack.
Even the ostentatious Fourth Uncle and his friend tucked away their valuables of their own accord and changed into patched, tattered clothes.
The group looked as though they were fleeing from disaster.
It was a wild, untamed era, especially in Daguang City, which drew heroes and rogues from across the nation. Beneath its prosperous economy simmered chaos.
The train stopped at Zhucheng Station. The five of them filed out, only to be intercepted by several bodyguards in black suits.
“Mr. Zhang, Boss Qin has arranged accommodations for you. Please come with us.”
As expected, Zhang Tianfeng nodded calmly. “Thank you, gentlemen. Please lead the way.”
They boarded a van waiting by the roadside and arrived in Zhucheng at midnight.
This ancient coastal city, known for its many accolades, would, by the following year, be incorporated into the Delta, becoming one of Daguang City’s most vital economic development zones.
Qin Lin had chosen Zhucheng as his base—a shrewd decision.
They passed through the city and stopped in a place called Tangwan Town, where Zhang Tianfeng and his group were led into a three-story courtyard house.
“Fragrant Pavilion? Such a literary name. A rough man like Boss Qin couldn’t have come up with that,” someone remarked.
“Sir, you have a keen eye. Miss Gao Ran named it herself. This house is her personal property.”
Truly, the wealth of the nouveau riche. Even though house prices in Zhucheng weren’t quite as high as in Shencheng, they were still steep.
To buy a house here and leave it empty, just for others to use—how interesting.
The driver said, “Mr. Zhang, our boss instructed us to fulfill any of your needs. He also hopes you won’t delay in delivering what you promised.”
Zhang Tianfeng nodded. “Rest assured, I’ll hand over everything on time. Thank you for your trouble. Would you mind getting us some food?”
About ten minutes later, they were enjoying authentic delicacies from Xikang Province and ice-cold beer in this coastal city.
“I thought Boss Qin was holding us captive. Turns out, he’s sent us on vacation. Now I wouldn’t leave even if you told me to,” Fourth Uncle joked, biting open a beer cap and handing a bottle to Zhang Tianfeng. "Want one?"
“I’ll pass. You all enjoy,” Zhang Tianfeng replied, taking his boxed meal up to the rooftop.
The small villa was perched atop a hill, offering a panoramic view of the boundless sea and, across the water, Shencheng.
‘Today is July 18th. There are six days left until I must submit the business plan.’
‘In these six days, I need to figure out the situation in Tangwan Town and its surroundings, and identify a stable way to make money.’
Zhang Tianfeng intended to use Qin Lin’s influence to transform himself from an outsider into a businessman rooted in Tangwan Town.
If Qin Lin wanted to control him, that was an extra price he was willing to pay.
To truly establish himself in Tangwan, there might be a period when he would be under Qin Lin’s thumb or targeted by him. But as long as he had time to grow, Zhang Tianfeng feared nothing.
When the time came, the sky would be his limit—no one could stand in his way!
“That’s Shencheng across the water, isn't it? It’s beautiful,” Qin Yuelan said, carrying her meal and a chair up to the rooftop.
“Didn’t you go see it last time you were here?”
“I didn’t have a border permit. I met a fellow villager when sneaking through a dog hole. He said he’d help me make money, but actually wanted to sell me to a KTV.”
She sat down, took a bite, and muttered, “I overheard him negotiating my price with a buyer. I jumped out the window and hid in the woods for three days before I dared to leave.”
“Aren’t you afraid I’ll sell you too?”
“Do you think I’m worth a hundred thousand?” Yuelan answered with a self-deprecating laugh. “I’m not that foolish. Before I left, I went to Qingwa Village to make sure I knew where you lived. If I didn’t return this year, someone would come looking for you.”

Zhang Tianfeng nodded. “How’s that book coming along?”
“Uh, almost done, just one big chapter left.”
“Good. Finish it soon—work begins tomorrow.”
Qin Yuelan instantly perked up. “Boss, what big business are we doing?”
“That one!”
She followed his gaze and saw a sign:
[Popular Late-Night Food Stall for Sale—Daily Profit 800 Yuan.]
“We... are going to sell food?”
“Yes, sell food.”
There were many factories near Tangwan Town, and the dining peak hit around midnight.
In those days, even in inland counties and towns, people with high positions might only earn four or five hundred yuan a month. But in coastal regions, ordinary workers could make five hundred.
They traded twelve-hour shifts for it, dulling themselves with long-term labor. When their shifts ended, night food stalls would fill up for an hour before peace returned.
At one in the morning, Zhang Tianfeng left the small house. A suited man, dozing in the car, sprang awake.
“Sorry, I’m a bit hungry. Going to get something to eat,” Zhang Tianfeng said with a smile.
The men nodded and sent one energetic guard to follow him.
All they needed to do was keep an eye on Zhang Tianfeng; the others were of no use.
“Boss, one cold noodle, please.”
“Xikang native?”
“Ha! You can run into a fellow countryman anywhere.”
“Yeah, all here to make money,” the stall owner laughed heartily. “Wait a moment, I’ll whip it up for you. Good thing you came early. In a few minutes, I’d be packing up.”
After a few exchanges, Zhang Tianfeng learned the stall owner’s story.
His surname was Wang, called Wang Fugui, from Pancheng in Xikang Province. He’d been in Zhucheng for over ten years.
After more than a decade of hard work, just as he was about to reap the rewards, his father back home fell ill.
Big Brother Wang was a filial man. Thinking he had saved enough, he decided to sell his shop and return home to care for his father.
“Uncle Wang, how much are you selling this shop for?”
“Why, you want to buy it?”
“That’s right. I’ve just arrived on the coast, looking to start a small business.”
“One hundred thousand. Non-negotiable.”
At that time, a hundred thousand in capital could buy several courtyard houses in Beijing, but in Shencheng, that wouldn’t even get you a spacious restroom.
Times changed everything. After the Great Leader’s southern tour, Shencheng’s prices soared ten percent in a year, and housing prices rocketed skyward, breaking ten thousand at the highest.
Zhucheng faced Shencheng across the sea—its prime location ensured prices weren’t much different. Wang’s shop was in the city center, ideal for selling anything by day and serving night snacks by evening—a prime spot.
“It’s worth a hundred thousand. I’ll buy it.”
“Don’t tease me, friend. If you had that kind of money, why would you still be working odd jobs?”
“Even with money, work is necessary.” Zhang Tianfeng took his packed noodles and stood. “It’s settled, then. I’ll bring the money tomorrow morning. Get your things ready.”
Only now did Wang realize the young man before him was serious.
“Brother, are you really buying?” he asked, grave.
“Otherwise? Did you think I was joking?” Zhang Tianfeng retorted.
Truly, he had failed to recognize a true dragon in his midst. In Wang’s mind, Zhang Tianfeng’s image suddenly elevated and became mysterious.
He took a deep breath. “Alright. I’ll wait for you.”
Once he made up his mind, Zhang Tianfeng acted immediately.
Early the next morning, he took Wang to the bank, signed the sale contract, and paid the money—done in under ten minutes.
Leaving the bank, Zhang Tianfeng was penniless again. Ninety percent of what he’d earned in Xiyan City was invested.
Though a million was still owed to him, even if it arrived, he couldn’t spend it—it was earmarked for bigger ventures.

When he shared the news, Fourth Uncle and Zhou Runbo were a little stunned.
“Brother, we came to make money, not to be cooks,” Zhou Runbo said. “Shouldn’t you have discussed buying the shop with your uncle first? Wasn’t that a hasty decision?”
“Don’t be like that, Old Zhou. My nephew has always made his own decisions,” Zhang Jizheng said. He had never interfered with Zhang Tianfeng’s plans to make money. Even if those hundred thousand were wasted, he would only feel a pang of regret and wouldn’t dare stand in the way.
Zhang Tianfeng said, “Zhou, I have my reasons.”
A newcomer from another province, spending a million without hesitation—no matter if it was to start a factory or another business, Zhang Tianfeng was sure he’d be “invited” by local bigshots to a little black room for an “exquisite” dinner within three days.
He wasn’t that foolish! Even to make money, he had to first familiarize himself with the territory.
It was a wild era—money was made madly, and madness reigned in other affairs as well. Caution was wise.
Zhou Runbo wanted to protest, but Fourth Uncle held him back.
“Nephew, just tell us what you need. I can still be of use,” he said.
“Fourth Uncle, help Boss Wang hand over the business. Get his supply lists and recipes, do the buying as he did, and get acquainted with the other vendors.”
“No problem at all!”
Fourth Uncle flashed an OK sign, then took Zhou Runbo and Wang Li with him.
“Sis Lan, I have a task for you.”
“Go on!”
“I need you to find out how many factories there are in all of Tangwan Village, how many workers in each, and what their main goods are—within three days.”
Since he had resolved to put down roots here, he had to understand the local situation. Avoid trouble, pick an industry with less competition—a shortcut to success.
Avoidable trouble should be dodged. No need to throw oneself against the wall to prove anything.
Without overwhelming strength, it was best to remain low-key.
Only Zhang Tianfeng himself could understand his own reasoning. Qin Yuelan trusted him, and even if she didn’t understand, she did as asked.
Meanwhile, far away in Xiyan City, Qin Lin and his daughter fell into a long silence when they learned the news.
“He’s opening a food shop—what’s the boy thinking?”
“It must be a profitable venture,” Yuelan said, swinging her legs on a high stool. “I’ve noticed that whatever he does, it’s either for money or for setting up to make more money in the future.”
Looking at his daughter’s smiling face, Qin Lin wanted to ask, “How long have you even known each other?”
His well-bred daughter, raised in comfort, had been won over by a boy and a romance novel!
The more he thought, the more indignant he became.
“Ranran, did you arrange for them to stay at the Fragrant Pavilion of your own accord?”
That was the villa he’d given Gao Ran for her eighteenth birthday. Every winter, she would spend some time there with her mother.
Gao Ran nodded. “Dad, you said he was talented. Before things turn sour, we should treat him well.”
“If it were up to you, you’d lock them in a hotel and not let them out until he handed over his work. That would harm future cooperation.”
“You really are my daughter,” Qin Lin sighed.
He had indeed planned to do just that—to clip Zhang Tianfeng’s wings a bit.
Gao Ran smiled. “Dad, when will we go to Shencheng? School is starting soon.”
“Let’s wait a bit longer. I just got back. I need to spend time with your mother, don’t I?”
He tapped his daughter’s forehead. “As a young woman, you should be a little more reserved. Too much boldness can give people the wrong idea.”
“Ah? What do you mean? I don’t quite get it.”
“Just remember it. It doesn’t matter if you understand.”
Ah, his little girl was growing up, her loyalties starting to shift.
She’d gone behind his back and placed Zhang Tianfeng in Tangwan. Now he’d need to redeploy his watchers.
Shaking his head, Qin Lin returned to his room. Gao Ran lingered in the dining room, gazing out the window, a faint smile playing on her lips.